Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-16
[Columbus correspdondence.l

i've was mdue dHllu lno most refnhrkhDle
scenes Witnessed in the Capital City for a
great number Of years.
Though the winds blew and the air was
piercing and most sharp. tens Of thousands
Of Ohios people crowded the principal
thoroughfares from one end 10 the other
along the line Of march. II was a jubilant.
good-natured crowd that cheered until it
was hoarse.
Tn e inaugural procession was upon o
magnificent scale. Never before did so
many clubs march. nor never before was
the military Of the State so well repre-
sented, the latter particularly making a re-
markabe showing.
There were many striking features Of the
procession. Ono OF these was the open
carriage In which Governor elect Campbell
and Governor Foraker rode. 1t was drawn
by four beautiful white steeds. shipped here
from Ironton for the occasion. When the
procession arrived at the Capitol. Gov.
Foraker mounted chair and the crowd re-
eognized his familiar face as it rose above
the throng and cheered him heartily: He
said:
FELLOW CITIZENS: There remains for
me TO perform only one additional official
act. and that Is to present to my successor,
as l do with great pleasure, his commission
as Governor of Ohio. In doing this | have
only one word to say, and that is the ex-
preston Of my sincere hope that his ad
ministration may prove in every respect
one successful in every degree,
II now have the pleasure Of introducing
to you Governor Campbell"
AS he concluded he stepped down and
handed Governor Campbellhis commission.
GOVERNOR CAMPBELL
Discarded his hat and overcoat, and the
oath Of office was administered by Chief
Iuo hal xHrhA ha non,
cluded, congratulated the Governor, Ex-
Governor Foraker Immediately extended
his hand and added his earnest congratula-
tions.
Governor Campbell then mounted upon
the chair and proceeded to read his inaug-
ural address, which he prefaced by saying:
Before proceeding to the inaugural adj
dress / wish to thank you Governor Fora
ker, most heartily for your kind wishes, and
to assure you and the people that accept
this honor Of Governor with full appreci-
alton OF tho responsibilities OF the posi-
tion."
He then read his address as follows:
To THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: It is as
sumed that the outgoing Governor, in his
annual message, accurately informed you
OF the financial condition of the State, and,
in other respects, fully discharged his con-
stitutional obligations. The duty devolving
on the incoming Governor, therefore, is to
supplement the annual message by such
suggestions as may to him seem pertinent.
HOME RULE.
In compliance with this duty your atten-
ton is directed to various laws, passed in
recent years, enlarging the authority of the
Chief Executive. He has been empowered
thereby to appoint'Boards which control,
to large extent, the government and ex-
penditures of certain cities. This was
deemed SO clear violation of the right of
self-government that one of the political
parties embodied in its last platform the
following declarations: I'VE demand the
enactment of laws that will enable our cities
to choose their own servants, and control
their own affairs" The people of Ohio, at
the subsequent election, approved that
s,ntiment, 1t is the duty of the General
Assembly to obey their mandate, and to re-
store home rule to all cities as speedily as
may be done without hasty or inconsiderate
legislation, 1t is not necessary to recite
the many cogent reasons which prompted
the people to this action. 1t is sufficient to
know that they have so decreed.
THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
The perpexng problem confr onting you
is to decide what form of government to
substitute in the city of Cincinnati for that
now enforced, which has proved faulty in
many respects other than those arising
from Gubernatorial interference. In that
city exists endless divisions of authority,
and consequent lack of responsibility, re-
sulting, naturally, in extravagant and in
competent rule. Apparently no attempt
has been made to construct homogeneous
form of government. Offices and boards
have been created by patch work. from
year to year, until they aggregate more
than score of independent departments.
They are appointed at haphazzard by the
Mayor, the Governor, the various Courts,
or by Council. This lack of system has un-
avoidably led to confusion and msmanage-
ment. In justice to the people of that city,
as well as in furtherance of sound political
principles, you should carefully consider,
mature, and formulate charter which will
give them an opportunity to manage their
affairs through officers chosen solely by
themselves. 1t may not be convenient, or
even possible, to operate an entirely new
form OF government there until the April
election of 1891 but in event of such delay,
prompt action should be taken to correct
the grosser defects Of the existing Govern
ment. Some immediate changes are i'm
peratively needed, and the following are
cited as instances. The Board of Equaliza-
ton, a body liable to scandal and corrup-
tion, should be abolished, and re- created in
such a manner as to invite and deserve
public confidence. The Board of Work
House Directors, heretofore accused of re-
leasing prisoners from improper motives,
can be spared without injury, and it's duties
added to the Police Commission. The dis
charge Of Work House prisoners before the
termination of their sentences should be
prohibited, unless such release be approved
by the Judge and Prosecuting Attorney of
the Police Court
The Board Of Public Affairs, now an ap-
pointive Board, should be SO constituted
that hereafter one member can be elected
by the people every year. The member
ship Of the Board Of Revision should be
radically changed, and non partisan
Board Of high character substituted. With
the foregoing improvements. and such
others as your wisdom may present for
present action, the city of Cincinnati might
get along passably well until comprehen-
siye revision of the laws can be adopted.
The plans Of reorganization are proposed
and meet with more or less favor among
the people Of that city, and both should be
thoroughly studied and digested before
you take the final action.
There is but little doubt that, under the
quickened public spirit aroused by exist
ing conditions, the people Of Cincinnati
would rise to the occasion and govern
themselves in a better and more honest
manner than can possibly be attained by
the interference OF any outside authority.
however conscientiously exercised. II is
worth trial to give them control of their
municipal affairs, Not to do so is to CON
fess thatlocal lself-government is failure
OTHER CITIES.
While considering what ought to be done
for that city, you should Investigate the
whole subject Of municipal reform, with a
view OF comforting upon other cities Of the
State such changes as may be salutary. 1t
Is your duty to afford speedy relief to those
which are subject in any resDeet to (ub-