Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-01-16
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF Governor William Mckinley to
the Ohio General Assembly.
Progress OF tho state Reviewed--The Pub.
hc Institutions and Agricultural In
terests - Tho Canals - Recon-
mendations Regarding tho
Now Ballot Law and Con-
gressionnl Redis-
tricting.

GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,.
1 approach the administration OF the offlce
with which have been clothed by the people,
deeJ " 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 q wise, economical
and honorable administration and, so far as can
be done, the Improvement and elevation OF the
public service.
PROGRESS OF OHIO
The progress of Ohio in population and wealth
between 1880 and 1890, MS evidenced by the
eleventh census of the United States, will be
received by the people OF the state with pride
During this decade the population of the state
Increased nearly Is per cent, while that Of
municipalities, including cities and towns of
creased 43 per cent. Tho assessed value OF
property in the state increased 16 per cent, and
that of municipalities of more than four thou
sand inhabitants increased nearly "a per cent.
In 1880 the per capita of the state debt proper
was S313: in 1890 II was only Sl9A Seventy
cities and towns Of Ohio OF four thousand inhao.
ttants and over, with an aggregate population OF
1887 SS4 Tor 38 per cent of the total population
OF the state), have reduced their municipal in
debtedness until II is only 1881 per capita
Agriculture, while for number of years de-
pressed, shows in 1891 an improvement which Is
to be hoped will be permanent In CINCINNATI,
according TO the report OF the department OF
agriculture, during the year 1899. wheat was rs
cents perbushel, in 1891 1t was % cents Corn
rose from 81 to So cents; rye from 81 to a cents
vance in prices.
Mines and mining also show healthful ad-
vancement. In 1880 the petroleum output of the
state Ss9iO barrels, while in 1890 1t was r.
AL ,965 barrels
The coal output in 1880 was 6,oOs,5so tons,
while in 1890 it was 9,916,7s7 tons.
The value Of sandstone quarried In 1880 was
81, ,s7l ,924 while in 1890 it was S3,0i6,656.
81 he eade The
Der Of persons actually employed in taking fish
on the Ohio lake shores have increased from 925
in 1880 to l2O In 1890, or n little over 30 Der
| cent The capital invested in this industry in
1880 amounted to Si7S 500 in 1890 1t was 81 20 l68
an increase of nearly 1853 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
5655 miles in 1880 to T,642 in 1885, on their main
tracks-an increase of IS per cent. The cost and
from ssla AS, ,is7 to 500 25sS,Si7. The number Of
| employees engaged upon the lines in Ohio have
increased from %. .49S to 7951S. In 1880 the ton
| mage OF freight moved within the borders Of the
state was 4s5l1 1856; in 1889 1t was 93,l32 sloan
| increase of 81 per cent.
OHIO AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
Coming now to a consideration OF the subjects
| which claim the attention of the legislature:
| The congress of the United States deemed II
| fitting that the discovery Of America should be
| commemorated by an international exhibition
OF the evidences of the progress made in cviliza
| ton. 1t is intended to disclose what has beer
accomplished in industrial art and applied sci
| ence in every department of human activity
/ The government itself will make an exhibit
illustrating ina scientific way the resources o.
\ the nation. Fifty-nine nations and fifty states
| and territorie the Union have accepted in
vitations to participate.
Ohio was largely instrumental in securing the
| location of the exposition al the inland metropo
| lis of the republic, near the center OF Its agri
| cultural and commercial interests. The citizen!
OF Chicago and the state Of Illinois hay have per ,
| site, embracing q thousand acres OF land, will
q fioorspace double that OF any previous expo
| siton, and more than sll 100000.
Not only should the legislature OF Ohio see t,
II that ample provision be made to have credit
able exhibit from this state, but the people ant
their representatives. should also urge upol
congress TO take such action as will make thi
exposition worthy the great event it celebrates
and worthy also the dignity and honor Of tn
nation
The appropriations for public purposes shoul'
not at time like this exceed the receipts OF tn
state treasury. Reports from the state treas
urer and state auditor show that this safe rul
has not at all times been followed. The receipt
from regular sources last year were S3,419,OOt
while the Legislature appropriated S61S, ,4l6-a
excess of appropriations over receipts of S259
amount received from the general government
as q refund from the "direct tax" was passed +
the credit of the general revenue fund by tn
legislature, but this has already been exhausted
and the state treasurer has been required /
make advance drafts on the county treasurer
to prevent deficiency. This expedient, OF &C
vance drafts, which has been more or less re
sorted to since 1885, is contrary to sound bus
ness principles, and should be stopped
TAXATION.
| The people OF the state, while submitting ps
triotically to all needed taxation for the publ
service, are in no temper for increased taxation
Their insisteney is thu thot all kinds Of propert
, While this may be impossible to secure, tn
legislature should make the nearest approac
to II possible. This is subject which will RI
auirc Your closest attention, and upon it invit
your best deliberation.
1t has occurred to me that 1t might be we
ell to- hpnt.
1.-The State Tax Revision Commission" tina
will take into consideration the whole subjeC
OF state taxation and TN the powers Of the egs,
report to the present general assembly at th
adjourned session.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTE IS.
The public institutions OF the Safe appeal I
legislature and executive for wise and liber;
treatment. They should be provided with q
3 and unfortunate should not be s. ed. Prude1
liberality toward them on the p-.u Of the legi
. lature viii receive the approval of the people
the state.
= In the performance Of the duties impose
!. upon me in connection with these institutions,
Q will he my aim to give them the services of III
: best men OF the state, whose integrity and c.
Q pacity will insure the confidence Of the people
their administration.
Q inefficiency and decentralization in the manag
ment of the state institutions through the intr
I. duction of extreme partisanship
: The Ohio State reformatory at Mansfel
. shonld be completed. 1t is poor economy
leave the buildings unfinished and in a measul
/. unprotected. The state has already appr
J. priated on land; exSavating and buildings, u
1 wards OF A36,OOO. But the small appropriation
r made from time to time have not enabled II
state to take advantage OF better contrno
Z which could have been made with larger appr
\ priations. 1t is reported by the board tn;
: S250000 are required to complete the institution
a and this amount, or much thereof as can /
. used to advantage, should be appropriated wit
y out delay. The penitentiary at Columbus is o
ready overcrowded, There are many inmate
guilty OF their first felony, who are not hardcne
!, !, criminals, who are young, and who could
= made good citizens by separating them fro
!; their present associates, instructing them
some useful employment, subjecting them
strict discipline, and giving them proper ment
n and moral training.
, AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
. A law was passed by the last legislature pr
= viding for the selection OF permanent locatiI
y for an agricultural experiment station. SUI
y location, am advised, has been secured
|. Wayne county, where a valuable tract OF lar
and donation of money have been made by Il
county
Permanent buildings will be needed for Il
successful operation of the important work
be carried on at the station, and in order tn
q there may be no unnecessary delay in the pros
ifpn nfp ri nant IF ,an,