The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-01-13
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF Governor William Mckinley tc
the Ohio General Assembly.
Progress of the State Reviewed-The Pub.
lie institutions and Agricultural In
terests - The Canals - Recon-
mendations Regarding the
New Ballot Law and Com
gressional Redis-
tricting.


New Ballot Law and Con-
gressional Redis-
tricting.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
approach the administration of the office
with which have been clothed by the people
deeply sensible of it's responsibilities and re-
solved to discharge it's duties to the best of my
ability. 1t is my desire to cooperate with yoI
In every endeavor to secure a 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, as 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 10 per cent, while that OF
municipalities, Including cities and towns OF
four thousand inhabitants and upwards, in
creased 43 per cent. The assessed value OF
property in the state increased 16 per cent, and
that of municipalities of more than four thou
sand inhabitants increased nearly q per cent.
In 1880 the per capita of the state debt proper
WAS n u lnIa4a Z ~ @As A. Ok or =
cities and towns of Ohio of four thousand innao
itants and over with an aggregate population OF
1881, 1874 Cor 38 per cent of the total population
of the state), have reduced their municipal in
debtedness until it is only So. 81 per capita.
Agriculture, while for q 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 1889, wheat was 7e
cents per bushe while in 1891 it was 81 cents Corn
rose from 81 to 50 cents rye from 81 to "a cents;
and other products of the farm show like ad-
vance in prices.
Mines and mining also show a healthful ad-
vancement In 1880 the petroleum output of the
state was 3S $40 barrels, while in 1890 it was H.,
All ,965 barrels
The coal output in 1880 was COOS, ,5e5 tons,
while in 1890 it was a976,787 tons.
The value of sandstone quarried in 1880 was
Arr-1,iJ iJo ~ r n
The fish industry of the lake shore has in
creased greatly during the decade The num-
on the Ohio lake shores have increased from 925
in 1880 TO 1907 in 1890, or a little over 30 per
cent. The capital invested in this industry in
1880 amounted to S47 3; in 1890 it was 81 207 166
an increase of nearly 153 per cent, and while
there were but nine vessels engaged N this in
dustry in 1880, there are twenty-seveS SO en-
gagged to-day.
There has been an increase in mileage OF ra2-
roads within the limits of the state of from
5,655 miles in 1880 to 7,642 in 1882 their main
tracks-an increase of 50 per cent. The cost and
value of railroads and equipment have increased
from S312 459 1877 to $780,, ,5S3 S41. The number OF
employees engaged upon the lines in Ohio have
increased from % 49S to 79,519 In 1880 the ton
mage of freight moved within the borders of the
state was 48511 1856; in 1889 it was 93 1872 sloan
increase of go per cent.
OHIO AT THE WORLDS FAIR.
Coming to consideration of the subjects
which claim the attention of the legislature:
The congress of the United States deemed it
fitting that the discovery of America should be
commemorated by an international eXhibi Tiop
Of the evidences of the progress made in ciVifza-
tion. 1t is intended to disclose what has been
accomplished in industrial art and applied sci
ence in every department OF human activity.
The government itself will make exhibit,
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
a f1oor-space double that of any previous expo
sition and more than 81, 100000.
Not only should the legislature of Ohio see to
it that ample provision be made to have credit
able exhibit from this state, but the people and
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 appropriations 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 S3,419, 600,
while the legislator appropriated S., ,67S, ,416-an
excess of appropria lonS over receipts of $685.
416. It is true that $685., ,O0O being part of the
amount received from the general government
as refund from the ''direct taxi was passed to
the CT edit of the general reven 1e fund by the
legislature, but this has already en- exhausted,
and the state treasurer has been required TO
make advance drafts on the county treasurers
to prevent deficiency. This expedient of ad-
sorted to since 1885, is contrary to sound busi-
ness principles, and should be stopped.
TAXATION.
The people of the state, while submitting pa
triotically to all needed 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 be impossible to secure the
legislature should make the nearest approach
to it possible. This is a subject which will re-
quire your closest attention, and upon it invite
your best deliberation.
It has occurred to me that it might be well
for the legislature to create board to be called
1.-THE State Tax Revision Commission" that
will take into consideration the whole subject
of state taxation and the powers of the legisla-
ture thereon under the constitution, Qpd naks
report 10 the present general assembly at the
adjourned session.
TIE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The public institutions of the state appeal to
legislature and executive for wise and liberal
treatment They should be provided with all
needed appropriations. The care of the helpless
and unfortunate should not be Stinted. Prudent
liberality toward them on the part of the legis-
lature will receive the approval of the people of
the state.
In the performance of the duties imposed
upon me in connection with these institutions, il
will be my aim to give them the services of the
best men of the state, whose integrity and Ca
pacty will insure the confidence of the people in
their administration
There should be a determination to prevent
ineft1ciency and Generalization in the manage
ment of the state institutions through the intro
duction of extreme partiSanship.
The Ohio State reformatory at Mansfield
shonld be completed. 1t is poor economy to
leave the buildings unfinished and in a mea sure
unprotected. The state has already appro-
priated on land, eXcavating and buildings, uLl-
wards of $4,000. But the small appropriations
made from time 10 time have not enabled the
state to take advantage of better contracts
which could have been made with larger appro-
pggrisstions gg1s G 1t is reported by the board that
and this amount, or much thereof as can be
used to advantage, should be appropriated with
out delay. The penitentiary at Columbus is al
ready overcrowded. There are many inmates
guilty of their first felony, who are not hardened
CRIMINALS, who are young, and who could be
their present associates, inStructing them in
some useful employment, subjecting them to
strict discipline, and giving them proper mental
and moral training.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS
A law was passed by the last legislature pro-
viding for the selection of q permanent location
for an agricultural experiment station. Such
Wayne county, @ Where s1a9abe BET tract fU5f Of land I'd
and donation of money have been made by the
county
Permanent buildings will be needed for the
successful operation of the important work to
be carried on at the station, and in order that
there may be no unnecessary delay in the prose!
?ution OF experiments OF so lnucn consequence
to both producers and consumers, recommend
that a reasonable appropriation be made
promptly to this end.
You need not be reminded that agriculture is
one OF the most important of our industries and
that it SiOuld receive at your hands the most
intelligent and cOnsiderate attention. The far
Iners-always conservative, and always loyal to
home ana cQuntrY-[will not, it is believed, seek
any legislation which they do not consider for
the general good.
Your consideration is directed to two out
standing financial obligations of the state board
OF agriculture On the cost of the grounds and
Dulldlngs OF the state fair is yet an Indebtedness
Of 800, ,OOO To float the second mortgage of $40
900, the members of the state board of agricui-
ture assumed personal liability for payment,
and IT is now asked by the board that an appro-