The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-17
NAUCURATED.
Hon. George Hoadly Inducted Into Office
as Governor CT the State
Of Ohio.
A Speech Replete With Advice and Civ
ing His Views the Leading
State Issues of the
Day.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

Liz VI LIOduIy GOOh
place to-day with but very little ceremony.
His inaugural address was as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentdtireS:
In accordance with law, am here to take
the oath, and enter upon the discharge of the
duties of the office of Governor.
The elections held in October, 1882 and 1888,
consummated by the changes in office made
to-day, reverse the character of political con-
troll in all departments Of the State Govern
ment. 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 response
bility of Government, with the risk OF con-
demnation, if its work fail to be in comparison
with that of its predecessors. These are not
times in which political mistakes are readily
condoned. Large and increasing numbers
OF citizens now vote independently of
party ties, constituting a tribunal sitting
in perpetual and severe Judgment upon the
acts of public officers. If the management of
State affairs, especially by the Executive 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, in the presence of unwise selec-
tionS for official position, or haSty and i'm
proyident legislation There is but one sure
method whereby to secure party success, viz,
absolute devotion to the interests of the
State, perfect identity between party action
and the general good. Whenever, for sup
posed political advantage, the welfare of the
State is subordinated to that of party, the pen
altyi is at once invoked and will surely follow,
ter at the polls. To select men of doubtful
capacity for public service, to withdraw, for
party ends, from the control of the people,
the organization and Government of munich
palities, to forget that the benevolent instit1l-
tions are sacred charities for the benefit of
the unfortunate, and not centers of political
activity, to adopt unfair and unequal appor-
tionments, are among the means where
by popular confidence may be easily lost, and
a. a triumphant Jun party reduced % to minority at
rage. That from these and like disasters the
State Government of Ohio may be spared, that
its efforts to serve the State wisely and well
may be crowned with suceess.that the
burthens of taxation may not increase, that
economy may prevail in public adminiStra-
tion, that personal liberty may be secure, and
government 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, and which, since 1851, have
largely contributed to the success of govern
ment, may be strictly observed-these are
among the hopes with which take this oath,
not unmindful of the admonition, Let not
him that girdeth on the harness boast himself
as he has putteth it off, Upon their fulfill
ment will depend the success of the State
Government during the next two years, and
the final Judgment of the people concerning
the present General Assembly and officers of
State.
complshment of which is much to be desired,
but not all correspondingly easy. To pro-
vide 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 incurring the risk of injurious idle
ness of convicts, or of increased taxation, is a
task calling for the greatest wisdom in con-
trivance and integrity in execution. The diff
cuItles are SO great as TO Justify any reason
able precautions necessary to avoid that fail
ure which is so certain to follow haSty and i'm
provident action.
Divorces have so rapidly increased in num-
bor, that many of her best citizens demand a
thorough revision of the laws, so that the dis
solution of the marriage tie, the separation of
parents, and the neglect of children, may be
discouraged by law in Ohio.
Insanity is frequently successfully slmu-
lated as a protection against punishment for
crime. This might be defeated, if an acuuittal
on this ground were required to be specific,
and were equivalent to a conviction of in
sanity so as to be followed by commitment
period proportioned to the gravity of the
injury. In case that mi ght prove real and be
followed by recovery, the power to discharge
the patient as cured might be granted. If the
insanity should prove to have been feigned
this punishment of confinement would not be
Inadequate and the criminal might be trans
ferred to the Penitentiary.
l concur with Governor Foster in recon-
mending the creation of an Advisory Board
of Pardons. 1t is to be regretted that the two
branches of the sixty-fifth General Assembly,
both of which agreed in desiring this reform,
had not time to reconcile the differences of de-
tail which prevented its adoption last winter.
The act of 1888, commonly known as the
Russell bill is under debate, and its constitu-
tionality attacked in the courts, upon
the ground that the inviolability of
that property of which the use
may not be prohibited, can not be subjected
to double taxation in the name of license fees.
Pending this investigation, and without refer
ence to its results, it is at least desirable to
amend that part of this act which imposes a
license tax upon mediums" SO that it shall
views, sincerely held, of even small major
ity;
ment have been authorized by cOnStitl-
tional amendment. With the aid of the bar
from whom this measure emanated, and whose
dence, the scheme may be easily completed by
the necessary legislation to the relief of
suitors by the avoidance of delays in the do
ing of Justice between ltigants and the
necessary expense may possibly be lesSened
by a reduction i'll the number of judges of the
Court of Common Pleas.
| earnestly commend to your attention the
following passage from the message of Gov
ernor Allen submitted to the General AS
sembly December /, 1874:
''It is q question for your serious consider
alton, whether the compensation of our
county officers is not disproportiOnate to the
salaries of other public officers and of persons
in private life. Public servants should be
reasonably compensated, but salaries and
fees should not be so high as to make the
getting of office a profession and to enable
candidates and applicants to buy their way to
public places"
In this connection may add that the Ham
ilton County Fee Bill, adopted in 1870, has
been for thirteen years in successful opera
ton, and that its principle might be applied to
others, at least of the more pOpulOuS and
wealthy counties, with like benefit to the pub
lie, and with reasonable if not really large
compensation to the officers.
1t is to be regretted that public attention
was not sufficiently alive in 1879 to Its import
ance, to secure the adoption of the Constitu-
tional amendments then submitted, so that at
least in the year in which President is chosen
the State election might be held in November.
Ohio is now the only October State" and
during this year will be exposed to conse-
quent expense, Inconvenience and possibly
corruption and degradation of the franchise
In no sense is this Il party question, and
the majority of those who voted
upon it in 1879 were in favor of the change.
1t was defeated by the apathy of voters who
did not understand the proposition, or did not
take interest enough in the subject to cast
their votes upon the specific propositions.
Another submission may be looked to hope
fully as likely to be sustained by effort suifi-
cient to ensure its approval by the people,
and relief, although too late for the pending
Presidential election, will be in time for 1888.
The proposition to amend the Constitution
so as to prohibit the manufacture and sale of
Intoxicating liquors as a beverage was de-
feated at the October election. But the Su-
preme Court has held that such prohibition
is attainabe under the Constitution as it IS,
and the policy of prohibition by municipal
action under powers delegated by the General
Assembly has been more than once in tine
history of Ohio judicially sustained. The
evils resulting from excessive drinking are
manifold and felt in every portion of the |
State. Many plans have been proposed and |
The labOrS of many good men are given to the |