The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-15
Fosters Inaugural.

OQ8rle6 r OSter WAS uuiy luauS ur8IeO
Governor of Ohio at Columbus on
Monday. The following is his inau.
gural address on the OCCASION:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEM-.
the oath of Office required by the Con-
stitution, and in assuming the duties
of the Chief Executive Office of the
State, am not unmindfuL of its re.
sponsibilities or of my deep sense of
gratitude to the people who have thus
honored me. shall bring to the dis
charge of this high trust an honest
purpose to faithfully perform all the
duties it imposes.
We meet under most favorable aus
pices. The period is one of unprece-
dented agricultural and commercial
prosperity. All the great industries
of the State are active and thriving,
and our more than three millions of
people in the main are contented, pros
porous and happy.
At this time there seems to be no
pressing necessity for extensive legis-
lation and am pleased to know that
we are in perfect accord concerning
| the propriety of short session of the
General Assembly. l have bat little
| to add to the recommendations made
by my immediate and distinguished
predecessor, in most of which l con-
cur. And especially desire to repeat
and emphasize his suggestions under
the headings of 'Penal Institutions,
Insane Asylums,' Board of State
Charities sOhio State University
and Ohio River Navigation
4 offnnfsAr 10 oonaniollu oolla6
to that part of the report of the Audi.
of the Sinking Fund. The honor and
above all other considerations, and to
lawful requirements should be rigidly
and faithfully observed.
The fifth section of the second arti.
Gle of the Constitution confers on the
Governor the power to grant reprieyet
in cases of impeachment. Crime il
punished, not because the State is vim.
dictive toward the criminal. but to re-
strain and prevent the commission o
crime; to protect society against law
Iessness. II this is the rightful inter
probation of the object of punishment
then the more certain the conviction
and the hopelessness of Executive
clemency, the more certain will re
straining influences bo felt, and th'
better will society be protected. Ir
my Judgment this power can be safely
exercised only when the Executive il
convinced of the illegality or injustice
of the sentence. 1t ought to reacf
but few, If any, other than those who's,
cases come within this Limitation. The
safety and security of society depend
upon the rigid, impartial and certain
execution of the penal laws.
Every application for pardon and
reprieve must rest upon the exercise
of wise discretion and sound judg
ment, which can only be so exercised
by q careful examination of every
case brought before the Executive
1t is apparent to me that it is physical.
Iy impossible for the Executive to give
every application for pardon or re
prleve that comes before him such ex
animation a. will enable him to acl
with discretion and wisdom. These
unfavorable conditions will be aug.
mented as the number of convicts in.
creases. Under the circumstances the
prerogative of the pardoning power
is liable to abuse, both by Withholding
the pardon in deserving cases, and the
too frequent exercise of it in csses not
meritorious. In some of the States
Boards of Pardon, or Advisory Boards
of Pardon, have been established with
gratifying results, 1 suggest to you
the consideration of the subject of the
establishment of an Advisory Board
of Pardons. In this connection per.
NIT me to call your attention to the
report of the Board of State Charities
upon this subject.
The National Guard of the State is
judging from the report of my prede-
cessor, and from knowledge that
have gained from personal observa.
ton and otherwise, in an excellent
condition. That it should so remain
and even be rendered more effective
am sure is the desire of the citizens
of the State. trust, therefore, that q
proper and necessary appropriation
for the maintenance of the National
Guard may be made, and that, in the
event of its services ever being re.
quired, our citizens may have cause
to feel that the appropriations were
worthily bestowed, and haYe Just rea.
son to be proud of the National
Guard.
And now, trusting that our rela-
tions will be harmonious and mutually
pleasant, and that our service will
mark an Improvement in every de-
| partment of the State Government,
am ready to take the oath of Office,
and to enter upon the discharge of the
duties of the Chief Executive of the
State.
This country is still without min
lister at the Court of st. James. Why
can't we dispense with the expensive
Injury altogether.