The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-01-13
THE LEGISLATURE.
Annual Message.

THE LEGIsLATURE..
Governor's Annual Message.
The Ohio Legislature met in ad-
journed session at noon on Tuesday
the 9Th inst, and the annual message
of Governor Foster was sent in and
read. The document is somew hat
lengthy, and we content ourselves by
publishing the following synopsis
which embodies all the important
points:
The Governor says the State funded
debt aggregates S6.476, sos. and Of this
smount s4,072.64O is payable afte,
June 30, 1881. On November 18th
last there was in the Sinking Fund
1923. .761, which will be increased by
the February settlement, and it is safe
that by anticipating the Aueust settle
ments the debt maturing July nexI
csn be reduced to $3,OOO,OO0.
In order to pay this debt and com
ply with tho Constitutional require.
msnts, the Governor recommends the
issue Of So. 600, 600 in 4 per cent. bonds
payable semi annually, 100000 OF
which is to mature every six months
commencing the 1st OF January. These
bonds are to be sold at not less than
their par value. The Governor states
that he thinks the present levy Of five.
tenths OF one mill for interest and
Sinking Fund purposes will furnish
the means to pay the bonds as they
mature. A similar method can be
adopted when the remaining $1,000,
600 Of the State debt natures in 1886
and thus on or before July 1891, oil
the debt can be constitutionally paid.
The message calls most earnestly upon
the Assembly to impose restraint upon
the alarming tendency toward the in
crease Of local Indebtedness.
The public works are reported IN q
prosperous condition, the receipts
from tolls and water rents last year
having been $3.50, ,9SS and the sxpend-
ituree, some of an unusual character,
owing to floods, at $223,627.
The message says that a marked inn
provement has taken place In the gen.
eral tono and efficiency OF the Nation
al Guard, and tho recommendation il
made that the pay Of the militia be
by more liberal appropria-
tions made for them.
In referring to the State charitable
the Governor Gays he has
to have them known as no
partisan Institutions, and that with
one single exception the several
boards OF directors are made up OF
three of the dominant and two Of the
party. The Governor says
.hese institutions cannot be properly
conducted financially until some uni
'orm system of bookkeeping is de-
;ided upon.
The Governor recommends that an
Board of Pardons be estab-
ished.
He says that the State University is
it's usefulness, and prelim.
nary steps have been taken to estab-
ish chair of Horticulture and Bota-
~. The suggestion is also made that
IN experimental station be established
n connection with the University.
In referring to the public schools
he Governor Gays that no additional
egislation seems to be required in re-
alton to the graded schools, but nm
,raded schools conl6 be materially
by proper legislation.
The recommendation is made that
he question of geological reserve for
purposes be carefully con-
idered. -
The recommendation 10 made that
m Assistant Mine Inspector be pro-
rided for by law; that tho salary Of
he Secretary of State be fixed by law
md fees paid into the Treasury: that
he salary of the Railroad Commits
ioner be increased, and that no be au
horized to employ competent en-
,ineer.
The Governor says that tho railroads
n Ohio have prosperity never before
qualed; that freight rates are not
yet in some localities by
rates are complained
#: that the consolidation of and con-
rol thus secured by great trunk lInes,
auses some alarm, especially among
gricultural classes, and the recon-
is made that legislative ac-
ion be had to prevent exOrbitant rates
nd unjust discrimination.
The Governor recommends tho ap-
continent of q Commission of FIVE
'ersons, two life and two fire insur.
nee, and the Commissioner of Incur,
nee, who shall report to the Legisla-
ure what legislation they may deem
ecessary upon this subject. The rec
Is made that mutual aid
ssociatiens be placed under such
ontrol - will at least restrict them
o legitimate business.
Tho recomm endation is made that
tops be taken at once to provide q
for . Governors dwelling
louse.
The M0rey Letter.
The confession Of tho plblisher OF
Truth that the Morsy letter 10 for