The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-01-14
INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
OF Governor William Mckinley to
the Ohio General Assembly.
Progress OF the state Reviewed-rhe Pub
liz Institutions and Agricultural In
terests - The Canals = Recon-
mendations Regarding the
New Ballot Law and Con-
gresslonal Redis-
tricting.

New Ballot Law and Com
gressional Redis-
| tricting.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
approach the administration Of the ofice
| with which have been clothed by the people,
| deeply sensible of its responsibilities and re-
| solved to discharge Its duties to the best of my
| ability 1t is my desire TO cooperate with you
In every endeavor to secure wise, economical
| and honorable administration and, so far as can
| De done, the Improvement and elevation Of the
public service.
PROGRESS OF OHIO.
The progress of Ohio in population and wealth
| between 1880 and 1890, as evidenced by the
eleventh census of the United States, will be
received rec by the people of the state with pride
During, this decade the population of the state
increased nearly IS per cent, while that of
four thousand inhabitnnts % and @ upwards, ARDS in. IN
creased 4S per cent. The assessed value Of
property in the state increased l6 per cent, and
that OF municipalities Of more than four thou
sand inhabitants increased nearly q per cent.
In 1850 the per capita of the state debt proper
cities and towns Of Ohio Of four thousand inhab-
itants and over, with an aggregate population Of
l3s! ,8S4 Tor 3S per cent of the total population
or the Statc), have reduced their municipal in
debtedness until it is only S3 81 per capita.
Agriculture, while for u number Of years de-
pressed, shows in 1901 an improvement which is
10 be hoped will be permanent. In Cincinnati,
according to the report of the department of
agriculture during the year 1889, wheat was 76
cents per bushel while in 1891 II was % cents Corn
rose from 81 to SO cents rye from 81 to "A cents;
and other products of the farm show like ad-
vance in prices.
Mines and mining also show healthful ad-
vancement. In 1880 the petroleum output of the
state was SS $40 barrels while in 1890 It was 49,,
Al 1865 barrels.
The coal output in 1880 was 6,OOS sos tons,
while In 1890 it was 9,976,7S7 tons.
=, The value OF sandstone quarried in 1880 was
1rh n In
The fish industry Of the lake shore has in
creased greatly during the decade. The num-
n eta in taking @
In 1880 to 1,2O7 in 1880, little over 30 per
cent. The capital invested in this industry in
1880 amounted to 73, 800 in 1890 it was 81 2Oi 1866
an increase of nearly l53 per cent, and while
there were but nine vessels engaged in this in
dustry in 1880, there are twenty-seven so en-
gagged to-day.
There has been an increase in mileage of rail-
roads within the limits OF the state Of from
1883 miles in 1880 to 1872 in 1SS9 on their main
tracks.an increase of 30 per cent. The cost and
value of railroads and equipment have increased
from s3l2, ,459, 1877 to SSoa5S3,SiT. The number of
employees engaged upon the lines in Ohio have
increased from 90, ,49S to 19,57s In 1880 the ton
mage of freight moved within the borders of the
state was 48,5l1 1876: in 1899 it was 93 1872 SLOAN
increase of 92 per cent.
OHIO AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
Coming now to consideration of the subjects
which claim the attention of the legislature:
The congress of the United States deemed it
lifting that tho discovery OF America should be
commemorated by an International exhibition
Of the evidences of the progress made in civilian
tion. 1t is intcAdcd to disclose what has been
accomplished in industrial art and applied sci
snee in every department OF human activity
illustrating in scientific way the resources Of
the nation. Fifty-nine nations and fifty states
and territories OF the Union have accepted in
vitations to participate.
Ohio was largely Instrumental in securing the
location OF the exposition at the inland metropo-
lis of the republic, near the center of its agri-
cultural and commercial interests. The citizens
OF Chicago and the state OF Illinois have per-
formed their part IN providing most desirable
site, embracing thousand acres Of land with
hoor-space double that of any previous expo
sition, and more than $ll 100000.
Not only should the legislature of Ohio see to
1t that ample provision be made to have a credit
able exhibit from this state but the people and
their representatives should also urge upon
congress TO take such action as will make this
exposition worthy the great event it celebrates,
and worthy also the dignity and honor of the
nation.
STATE FINANCES
The appropriation for public purposes should
not at time like this exceed the receipts OF the
state treasury. Reports from the state treas
urer and state auditor show that this safe rule
has not at all times been followed. The receipts
from regular sources last year were S34I0 200,
while the legislature appropriated SO 67S, ,4l6-an
excess of appropriations over receipts of $685.
4l6. 1t is true that S332ooo being Il part of the
amount received from the general government
as refund from TIE direct tax was passed to
the credit of the general revenue fund by the
Legislature but this has already been exhausted,
and the state treasurer has been required TO
make advance drafts on the county trcasurers
TO prevent a deficiency. This expedient of ad-
vance drafts, which has been more or less re-
sorted to since 1885, is contrary to sound bust
ness principles, and should be stopped.
TAXATION.
The people OF the state, while submitting pa-
triotically to all Eeeded taxation for the public
service are in no temper for increased taxation
Their insistency is that all kinds of property
shall bear equally the burdens of taxation
While this may bc impossible TO secure, tho
legislature should make the nearest approach
to 1t possible This is o subject which will re-
Quire your closest attention, and upon it invite
your best delibcration.
1t has occurred TO me that it might be well
for the legislature TO create board to be called
THE Stcte Tax Revision Commission" that
will take into consideration the whole subject
Of state taxation and the powers of tho legisa-
ture thereon under The constitution, and make
report TO the present general assembly at the
adjourned session.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The public institutions of the state appeal to
Legislature and executive for wise and liberal
treatment. They should be provided with ali
needed appropriations. The care of the helpless
and unfortunate should not be stnted Prudent
liperality toward them Gu the part of the legis-
the state
In the performance of the duties imposed
upon me in connection with these institutions il |
VIII be my aim 10 give them the services of the |
best men OF the state, whose integrity and Ca !
pacity will insure the confidence of the people in
their administration.
There should be a determination to prevent |
lneitlciency and disqualification in the manage |
ment of the state institutions through the intro
duction of extreme partisanship
The Ohio State rcformatory at Mansfield |
shonld be completed. 1t is poor economy to |
leave the buildings unfinished and in n measure |
unprotected The stare has already appro- |
prlated on land, eXcayating and buildings up- !
wards OF Sf3e ,OOO. But The small appropriations |
made from time to time have not enabled the
state to take advantage of better contracts
which could nave been made with larger appro- |
pr1at1ons 1t is reported by the board that
S2oO,OOO are required to complete the institution
ard this amount, or so much thereof as can be
used 10 advantage, should be Appropriated with
oat Seliy. The penitentiary at Columbus is al
READY ovcrcroWded There are many inmates,
guilty OF their first felony, who are not hardened
who are young, and who could be
made good citizens by separating them from
their present associates, instructing them in
some useful employment, subiectng them to
strict oscipline, ana giving them proper mental
and moral training
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS
a law was passed by the last legislature pro-
vldlng FOR the selection of 4 permanent location
nj rAIa,tI, ,a.aa a..a Il