Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-01-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
TO tho General Assembly.

1
depression, from which, unhappiy, there up
pears no immediate prospect of relief. This
condition, appreciated as it Is by you, will, ]
am sure, admonish you of the necessity for the
strictest economy In the appropriation OF pub
lie money. The people will demand that their
representatives shall practice that economy in
public expenditures which necessity enforces
upon them in their private expenditures. Com
munities throughout the state generously |
responding to the wants of the unemployed who
are in need; and the action of some of the cities
in prosecuting public works Mt this time TO 1
furnish employment to those who are without |
employment Is heartily commended, and should |
be extended far possible in reason and |
prudence, This work, however much, will be |
inadequate, fear, to meet the necessary wants |
of the unemployed The people, therefore, have |
resting upon them the duty TO see that none of |
their fellowcitizens are without food, shelter |
and clothing. have observed, with pride and |
satisfaction the cordial cooperation OF our cit
zens in relieving the distress which is SO |
prevalent The people of the state can be re- |
lied upon to meetwith cheerfulness every emer- |
gency which shall come. They will be blessed |
in doing 1t, besides blessing those for whom 1t
is done
Pressing needs should be the measure of
every appropriation. Rigid economy should be
practiced in every branch of the public service |
Waste and extravaganza should be prevented
In oil the public institutions, Boards of trus-
tees superintendents, and others in authority,
should examine with the closest scrutiny every
outlay or proposed expenditure
short session and but little legislation
would be appreciated at a time like this.
THE STATE FINANCES.
During the fiscal year ending the 18th day OF
November 1893, the total receipts OF the state
were o,s0s,560lI OF this sum s6 O5!, l56 81 were
received from all sources during the year. aud
the remainder 156, All 63) was on hand at the
close of business hours on the 18th of Novem-
Der, 1892 The total expenditures during the
year ending tho 18th of November, 1893 from all
Tunds, was 20, lsO,229 40 OF the sum on hand on
the 18th day OF November, 1892, .2il, G5652 be-
longed TO the general revenue fund; .iS3, 1S6 %
belonged to the state sinking fund.- S87, 800 93 to
the state common school fund, and go, ,367. so TO
the Ohio State university fund The receipts
for the year ending the 18th day OF November,
1898, for tho general revenue fund, were s. I3l,-
1850 The balance on hand at the beginning OF
the year was S2ll G5652, making a total OF
S3,ei3, lt3S2 subject TO draft The disburse.
ments for the same period were i3 sos, 1873 10,
leaving balance OF cash on hand OF el3S, ola le.
Tho total receipts of the sinking fund for the
year ending November l5 1897, were S5lI, I,2S4. gS,
which, with the balance remaining from the
previous year, gives a total credit 10 that fund
OF .995. .Ojl.2L The disbursements for the year,
including the redemption of $685. 900 OF the state
funded debt, were Sa9T, ,23J So leaving balance
at the close OF business November 10, 1898, of
t391,190.:S, The total receipts of the state com.
mon school fund for the year ending November
Is, lsoi, were ,i,723 6.6,U4, which, with the bal
ancc remaining in that fund.- make n total credit
of sl,16l, ,226 81 The amount distributed TO the
several counties on the per capita basis of Sl.5O
for each school youth during the year, was
el7Ol, $50 leaving u balance on hand at the
close OF the year Of s5s,ils4L The receipts OF
the Ohio state university fund for the year 1895
were tsj.1DS52. The amount on hand ut the be-
ginning OF the year was .2S 50 making the
total sum available 09l6G IL. The sum of
ts3,0ol. - was paid TO the university during the
year, leaving balance on hand November Is,
1895, OF .25,ll416
biennial SESSIONS.
The question OF biennial sessions has had q
wide discussion in the different states. 1t is
interesting TO note that there is a constitutional
provision in nearly all the states for biennial
sessions: and in most states not only is there
this provision, but also limit fixing the dura
lion OF the biennial sessions. In OF the
states, after an experience with annual scs-
sions he constitution has been changed so as
TO specifically provide for biennial sessions
This wa5 done in Connecticut after one hundred
years experience with annual sessions
Article II. section .5, OF the Ohio constitution
provides: IAN regular sessions Of the general
assembly shall commence on the first Monday
of january bennially." This constitutional
provision has been wholly luobserved except
by the Fitty.hrst general assembly which met
the second day of January, 1884, and adjourned
sine die on the first day OF May, 1884.
In Ohio the average length OF the regular"
and adjourned" sessions is much greater than
the limit liked in aiority of the other states
OF the Union for the Biennial session.
There has been much agitation throughout
the state In recent years on this subject, which
has resulted in of the political parties OF the
state embodying in its platform of last year a
demand for Biennial sessions. That political
party is now in power in both branches OF the
legislature; and a compliance with the consti.
tutional provision, as well as with the platform
declaration, is demanded by every consideration
OF ade.ity TO party pledges and good faith TO the
people. II, after a fair trial, IL shall be demon
strated that biennial sessions will not fully sub
serve the interests ot the state, the people will
Il l. afps.s ", 4
TAXATION.
subject OF great importance which will claim
your attention is that OF taxation. The state
should have adequate revenues for all needed
public expenditures, and these can and should
be secured without any burdens being added tc
the property in the state already bearing it,
tuil share OF taxation Equality In taxation
should be had, and II had, the rate could be ar
prccably diminished II all property were
listed for taxation ut its true value or ut like
value, the money required for public purposes
could be raised with much less burden thar
now. Real estate and other tangible property
now pays The large share of the taxes, while
other varieties of property which are intangible
either wholly escape or bear disproportionut,
share There should be euodiscrimination On,
class of properly should not be exempt Mt III,
expense OF another The general assembly
should enter upon the work of revising the Ia,
laws in u spirit Of fairness to all interests, ant
by the business OF its enactmonts insure tht
confidence and cooperation OF all our people
III all could be made 10 know that every form o
property, except that which is exempted by th
constitution, was to be treated alike, false re
turns would be discouraged and honest returns
promoted. Tax laws should not tie framed Il
contscate capital nor should capital be per
mitted 10 escape its Just share OF the public
burdens. Laws should not be framed to drive
capital out OF tho stale, but by fair and jus
treatment encouraged 10 stay Mt home
The last general assembly, having in view
legislation concerning taxation and revenue
hp nfNfNp ff11pp NJ con minis ion
by virtue of which l appointed a bipartisan
board, whose report and the testimony takeI
by it will be transmitted 10 your honorabl,
body. II will be observed that the commission
have given great thoroughness 10 the investiga
tiors, and have made valuable contribution L
the subject, which am confident will be founC
of great use TO the general assembly. They
have discussed tho constitutional limitation,