Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-01-24
THE NORTHWEST.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Governor Hoadly's First Ofiicial Pro
duction.


Hves:
In accordance with law. am here
TO take the oath, and enter upon the
discharge of the duties of the Office of
Governor.
The election held in October, 1882
and 1883, consumated by the changes
in Office made to-day reverse the CHAR
acter of political control in all depart
ments of the State government. The
party now coming into power does not
however, occupy the offices for the
sake of mere emolument. In such
cases power involves trust. Upon it
is cast the responsibility of govern
ment, with the risk Of condemnation,
if its work fail to be in comparison
with that of its predecessor. These
are not times in which political mis-
takes are redily condoned. Large and
increasing numbers Of citizens now
vote independently Of party ties, con-
stituting a tribunal sitting in perpetu.
81 and severe judgment upon the acts
of public officers. II the management
of State Affairs, especially by the exec
utive and legislative departments be
wise, the reward will follow in the
shape of continued public confidence.
But confidence is of slow growth and
soon lost, ia the presence of unwise Sc
lection for official position, or hasty
and improvident legislation. There
is but one sure method whereby to Sc
cure party success, viz: absolute devo-
ton To the interests>of the State, per-
feet identity between party action and
the general good. Whenever, for
supposed political advantage, the vel
fare of the State is subordinated to
that Of party, the penalty is at ence in
yoked and will surely follow, In the
loss of popular confidence and In disas
ter at the polls. To select men Of
doubtful capacity for public service,
to withdra Y, for party ends, from the
control of the people, the organization
and government Of municipalities. to
forget that the benevolent institu-
tons are sacred charities for the bene-
ct of the unfortunate. and not centers
of political activity, to adopt unfair
and unequal apportionments, are
among the means whereby popular
confidence may DO easily lost, and a
triumphant party reduced to a minori
ty at the FIRST opportunity offered to
popular suffrage. That from these
and like disasters, the State Govern
ment of Ohio may DO spared, that its
efforts to serve the State wisely and
we'll may be crowned with success
that the burdens of taxation NAV not
increase, that economy may prevail in
public administration, that personal
liberty may be secure, and govern
ment be felt, if at all, most in its bene
fits and least in its restraints; that the
wise limitations of power contained in
the constitution, which. since 1851,
have largely contributed to the sue
cess of government may be strictly OBJ
are among the hopes
with which | take this oath, not un-
OF the admonition, "Let not
him who girdeth on the harness boast
himself as he that putteth If of. "
Upon their fulfillment will depend the
success of the State government dur
lug the next two years, and the final
judgment of the people concerning the
present General Assembly and officers
of State.
Reforms are proposed, the success,
ful accomplishment Of which is much
to be desired, but not all correspondly
easy. To provide the necessary
means, whereby the letting to hire OF
convict labor at the penitentiary may
be dispensed with, as promised in the
platforms of both political parties-to
do this without mourning the risk OF
injurious idleness OF convlcts, or of
increased taxation, is task call for
the greatest wisdom in contrivnace and
in execution. The difficulties
are SO great as to justify any reasona'
ble precautions necessary to avoid that
failure which is so certain to follow
hasty and improvident action.
Divorces nave so rapidly increased
in nunoer, that many of our best citi-
zens demand thorough revision OF
the laws, so that the dissolution Of the
marital tie, the separation OF parents,
and the neglect of children, may be
discouraged by law in Ohio.
Insanity is frequently successfully
simulated as projection against pun
ishment for crime. This might be de-
feated, if an acquittal on this ground
were required to be specific, and were
equivalen: to conviction of insanity
so as to be followed by commitment
to one Of the insane asylums Of the
State for period proportioned for the
injury. In case that might prove real
and he followed ny recovery, the pow
er to discharge the patient as cured
might be granted. Ii the insanity
should prove to have been felgnei
the punishment Of confinement would
be adequate, and the criminal might
be transferred to the penitentiary.
/ concur with Governor Foster in
recommending the creation of all ad-
visory board of pardons. 1t is to be
regretted that the two branches of the
Sixty fifth General Assembly, both Of