Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-01-16
Board of State Charities "ohio State Un

" Board Of State Charities,n "ohio State Uni
versity," and 'Ohio River Navigation"
Your attention is especially called to that
part OF the report of the Auditor of State re-
lating TO the condition of the Sinking Fund.
The honor and credit of the State should be
placed above all other considerations, and to
maintain them all constitutional and lawful
requirements should be rigidly and faithfully
observed.
The fifth section of the second article OF the
Constitution conters on the Governor the au-
thority ITO grant reprieves and pardons, art
er conviction, except in cases OF impeach-
ment.n Crime is punished, not because the
State Ia vindictive toward the criminal, but to
restrain and prevent the commission Of crime;
to protect society against lawlessness. II this
is the rightful Interpretation Of the object OF
punishment, then the more certain the con-
viction aud the hOpelessness Of Executive
clemency the more certain Will restraining in
fuences be felt, and the better will society be
protected. In my Judgment this power can be
safely exercised only when the Executive is
convinced of the illegality or injustice Of the
sentence. 1t ought TO reach but few, IL any,
other than those whose 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 reprleve must rest
upon the exercise of wise discretion and
sound judgment, which can only be so exer-
cised by careful examination of every case
brought before the Executive. 1t is apparent
TO me chat it is physically impossible for the
Executive togive every application for pardon
or reprieve that comes before him such
examination as will enable him to act
with discretion and wisdom. These un-
favorable conditions will be augmented
as the number of convicts increases
Under these circumstances the peroga-
tive of the pardoning power is liable to
abuse, both by Withholding the pardon in de-
serving cases, and the too frequent exercise
of it in cases not meritorious. In some OF
the 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 connec-
tion 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 predecessor, and from
knowledge that have gained from personal
observation and otherwise, in an excellent con-
dition. That it should so remain, and even be
rendered more effective, am sure is the de.
sire of the citizens of the State. / trust,
therefore, that proper and necessary appro-
prlations 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 wcrthily bestowed, and have Just
reason to be proud of the National Guard.
And now, trusting that our relations will
be harmonious and mutually pleasant, and
that our service will mark an improvement in
every department 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.