Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-01-08

natl, and tho decision of tho Supreme Court
that the law was invalid because 1t made no
provision whereby an oleotor necessarily abb
sent during tho days OF registration might
qualify and vote on election day, will bo
valuable aids in the construction of q new
law, which the Legislature should not fail to
do Whether or not tho law should be mp
piled to smaller cities is matter that should
bo carefully canvassed. II 70 apparent that
more stringent regulations should surround
tho. choice of registers and inspectors.
In LOCAL elections, city may properly
the election OF State and legislative officers
the people of the State have direct interest
and right through their rSpresc,ntatlyes, , Hs, to
of the Supreme Court so clearly affirmed the
constltutionality of, the registration prin.
cipe that principal cause for hesitation In
passing such law, in the minds OF some, is
entirely removed.
THE MILITIA.
Tho militia, the arm of tho public dofonso,
needs strongthenng. Most OF the companies
arc detached, poorly equipped badly drilled.
and deficient in other essentials. The com.
mttee having charge of this interest should
adoption OF the battalion system In vogue In
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Under
this system, battalions of four companies. or
regiments of eight would DO established In
the principal cities, and all other infantry
organizations abolished so far rs the State
is concerned. Tho arguments in favor of
the system need not be presented here. Thoy
nre conceded by all military men. Tho bat
talions should be provided with armor es
Essential @ nee1 10 mi % tary @ eiicIency. @ militia se
organized and strengthened would at once
be source Of pride and safety, and the the
with tho results achieved.
THE MINERS.
Gratifying progress has boon made in en-.
forcing prosecution against nvoidable dis.
asters There are l7,73i miners In Ohio Pro-
ually enforced. II ia to be hoped that arbi.
tratlon win hereafter bo the successful
labor.
UNIVERSITIES.
None of the three State Universities is suiIl-
ccntly endowed. They are divided and run
on parallel lines causing foolish waste, and
they should be consolidated or controlled by
n common board of trustees.
STATE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The State benevolent institutions are in
admirable condition and no changes are ne.
cessnry. Eastern Ohio needs an insane asy-
lum. The Assembly should eradicate the
application of the "spoils system" to our
benevolent and penal institutions. / have
worked for this. For the 1853 boys contained
In tho Toledo Refuge the state has paid $50.
Sg'I. It is probable that these boys could
be kept at less expense, and they would
certainly be trained rs well in the Boys 1n-
dustral School at Lancaster.
THE pENIrENTIARY AND JAILs.
There are outstanding contracts for work
ruary ], 1887. and with this the convict con-
tract labor" will end. For while convlcts
must bo worked on the piece.price, plan.
Ultimately there should be a system of work
upon State account, the Stale owning all
buildings, machinery and tools. The peni-
Tertiary has become nonself nsa supporting be-
cent legislation as to contract work; Exc
cutions at the penitentlary have resulted in
hinder the old system. November i, 1884.
there were 25T boys in the pententiary. I
have had eiEhty.one of these transferred to
the Lancaster Reform. / granted only nine
teen DQrlODS the DuSt wear, In NIL iQilS SGDa-
rate provisions should be made for prisoners
awaiting trial. Some Ohio ialls are n dis
grace to civilization, notably those of Perry
and Highland counties.
REVISION OF CRIMINAL LAWS.
The whole fabric of technicality surround
ing our criminal procedure should be swept
away, that the guilty may be punished and
the innocent delivered.
INSANITY as u defense of crime should no
longer operate by way oil absolute acquittal
FINANCES.
The expenses of the Governors Office have
decreased Sl3,s5S.I4 the past year, being $751;
G54.42.
OF tho canal management is due to repairs
necessitated by floods of 1891
| The annual interest was reduced sl5,a59
during 1885. The State debt has increased
S4i Usl 90, and is - 4VO,OS7.U9. Local indebted
| ness of cities, counties, etc, increased Sl4.-
| 0l3,22553 Decrease i'll general fund, $780,
| 5l5.1l.
vALuIHG PROPERTY FOR TAXATION.
] regret to be obliged to call your attention
| TO tne munncr III Wnlcn Ine uuuy OF usscsSlnS
taxes and valuing property for taxation is
performed in parts of the State In the
| counties of Lucas and Cuyahoga it has bo-
come habituafor the assessor. county audi
| tor, and boards of equalization to value per
sonalty for taxation Mt sixty per cent. OF its
ascertained and known cash value; The Ma.
| tional banks of Toledo, Cleveland and
1 youngstown, taking advantage of this viola
| ton of law and duty. have appealed success
fully TO the Federal courts for injuncto ons
against the collection of taxes upon larger
per centage of their assets. In other parts
of the state personally is appraised much
State Bourd of Equalization of Bank Taxa
tion has struggled in vain TO maintain equal
ity of burdens upon the National banks OF
of the State increases but slowly. If this
were epidemic and equal, the effect
tial and local; and results in unjust differ
cnces in the burdens imposed upon counties
and taxing districts. l recommend either
that n uniform percentage of actual cash
values be adopted for all parts of the State.
through the agency of a state Board Of
EGaazation Of all personal pr9perty OF thai
than ils actual value be so severely punished
as to break up the practice. There may be
of real estate. which is slow of sales, deal
with in small parcels only, and rarely fol
cash. But there ought to be no difficulty II
meeting held in 1884. by the Attorney Genera
and myself, with the representatives of the
National banks of Cleveland, the Auditor OF
Cuyahoga County appeared as a witness for
the bankers, and Informed us that the sixty
per cent. rule was uniformly applied in thai
county without any exception oven in the
case of money.
In taking my leave of the Office of Governor
1t is but Just to say that If my successor shall
receive from each and every legislator and
officer with whom he may be associated II
the public service as hearty and intelligent
cooperation and support as l have had ht
| will be indeed fortunate, Respectfully sub
| mtted, GEORGE HoADLY, Governor.
| Columbus, January 4, 1885.