Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-01-15
GOVERNOR FOSTER
TAKES THE HELM OF STATE.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

TAX ES THE HELM OF STATE.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
COLUMBUS, o., January 12.-The inau-
tguration OF Charles Foster as Governor
of Ohio, and other State officials, took
place to-day. The oath of Office was ad-
ministered by Chief Justice McIlvaine,
of the Supreme Court. There was a
large procession, Notwithstanding snowy
and clustering weather and the sloppy
condition of the streets. There were
over 20 companies of the National
Guard in the procession. Governor
Bishop presented Gov. Foster as the
man whom the people of Ohio had select
ed as their Chief Executive at the Oeto-
Der election. The Governors Guard, of
this city, gave the incoming and out
going Governors a grand bail tonight.
The following is Gov. Fosters address:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly:
In appearing before you to take the
oath of Office required by the Constltu-
tion, and in assuming the duties of the
Chief Executive Office of this State, l am
not unmindful of its responsibilities, or
of my deep sense of gratitude to the peO
pie who have thus honored me. L shall
bring to the discharge of this high trust
an honest purpose to faithfully perform
all the duties it imposes.
We meet nnder the most favorable
auspices. The period is one of unprece-
dented agricultural and commercial
prosperity. All the great Industries of
State are active and thriving, and our
more than three millions Of people, in
the main, are contented, prosperous and
happy.
At this time there seems to be no
pressing necessity for extensive legisla-
tion, and am pleased to know that we
are in perfect accord concerning the
propricty of short session OF the Gener-
al Assembly.
l have but little to add to the recon-
mendations made by my immediate
and distinguished predecessor most
of which L cOncur-and l especially
desire to repeat and emphasize his sug-
gestions under the headings of Penal
Institutions" Insane Asylums," Board
of State Charities ''Ohio State Univer-
sity," and "Ohio River Navigation"
Your attention is especially called to
that part of the report of the Auditor of
State relating to the condition of the
Sinking Fund.
The honor and credit of the State
should be placed above all other consid-
erations, and to maintain them, all
constitutional and lawful requirements
should be rigidly and faithfully observed.
The 5th section of the second article
of the Constitution confers on the Gov
ernor authority ''to grant reprieves and
pardons, after conviction, except in cases
of impeachment"
Cine is punished, not because the
State is vindictiye towards the criminal,
but to restrain and prevent the commits
sion of crime; to protect society against
lawlessnesS. If this is the rightful inter-
probation of the object of punishment,
then the more certain the conviction
and hopeleSsnesS of Executive clemency
the more certain will restraining influ-
ences be felt, and the better will society
be protected.
In my judgment this power can be
safely exercised only when the EXecu-
tive is convinced of the illegality or in
justice of the sentence. 1t ought to
reach but few, if any, other than those
whose cases come within this limitation.
The safety and security of society de-
pend upon the rigid, impartial and GER
tain execution of the penal laws.
Every application for pardon and re-
prieve must rest upon the exercise of
wise discretion and sound judgement.
which can only be exercised by careful
examination of every case brought be-
ore the Executive.
T. 70 hot ~ nh ioal
ly impossible for the Executive to give
every application for pardon or reprieve
that comes before him such examination
as will enable him to act with discretion
and wisdom. These unfavorable condi-
tions will be augmented as the number
of convicts increases.
Under these circumstances the pre-
rogative of the pardoning power is liable
to abuse, both by Withholding the par
don in deserving cases. and the too fire.
quent exercise of it in cases not merito-
riouS.I n some States, boards of pardon,
or advisory boards of pardon have-been
established~with gratifying results.
/ suggest to you the consideration of
the subject of establishing an advisory
board of pardons.
In this connection permit 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 personal observation
and otherwise, in an excellent condition.
That it should so remain, and even be
rendered more effective, l am sure is the
desire of the citizens of the State. l
trust, therefore, that proper and necessa-
ry appropriations for the maintenance
of the National Guard may be made
and that, in the event of its services
ever being required. our citizens may
have cause to feel that the appropria-
tions were worthily bestowed, and have
just reason to be proud of the National
Guard.
And now, trusting that our relations
will be Harmonious and mutually pleas
ant, and that our service will make an
improvement in every department of
State government, am ready to take the
oath of Office, and to enter upon the dis
charge of the duties of the Chief Execu-
fixyo ,,f tho Ctofo