Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1896-01-14

900 in current expenses of the legislature.
The people OF the state have given their en-
dorsoment OF 1t ut the polls. The republican
party has taken no steps backward and have
confidence that there will be no retrogression
by any act of yours l earnestly recommend
to you the wisdom of maintaining the policy
of biennial sessions Of the general assembly.
To agriculture belongs q great part Of the
credit OF the building up of Ohio To the
sturdy farmers who labored with primeval
conditions, and to those who succeeded them.
is due the thanks OF the present population for
the fact Of Ohio being in the front rank as an
agricultural state, and having resources OF
husbandry not surpassed by those of any 9TH
er section Of our highly productive country.
We often hear that the agriculturist makes too
large demands upon the Legislators Of the
state, and some are prone to think
that too much attention is paid to the
farmers How great u fallacy and misunder-
standing that is, many Of us know full well
A great portion Of the welfare of any COM
munity depends directly upon the agricultur-
ists and the bone and sinew OF this state, as
well OF oil others which have reached
high degree OF civilization, is to be found in
the agricultural districts. The proud record
the Ohio farmer has made in years past,
and his manly struggle again many ad-
verse conditions, are well understood and
appreciated Too much attention can not
be paid to agriculture, and too much care and
consideration can not be accorded to the in
terests OF the farmer Upor agriculture de-
pends q great deal in the way of future pros
perity and from the thrift Of the farmer and
his patient work do we gain an example which
is valuable at all times and for all people.
While suffering from the general depression
affecting all industries, there would seem to
be no special cause for discouragcment to
the farmer Prices for his products have
been low, but the acreage will be almost
maintained. The ninety and odd million
Of during
the two-and-one-fou million OF acres sown
with wheat for the harvest of the coming sum-
mer; the ten million buBhel of potatoes Of
1895: the large acreage of barley, rye buck
wheat and clover; the constantly increasing
orchards; the disposition OF farmers to in
crease their products, and the appreciation OF
the practical education afforded by the insti-
tutes and by agricultural literature, all show
that in past, present and future there has
been. is and will be zeal to bring the work to
high q state Of perfection as possible
In my opinion, the general assembly Of Ohio
should vouchsafe to the agriculturists the
most cordial respect for their part in the de-
velopment of Ohio, and should give every con-
sideration to the propositions they may adj
vance in the hope Of bettering their condi-
tion.
That which has been said in the way Of COM
mending the agriculturists to the general as
sembly and people can, with as much pro-
priety and as much earnestness, be spoken OF
the vast army of laboring men who in mauy
walks of life, play such an important part
for the good and maintenance OF the state
and its people. The interests Of labor and
of the welfare OF the whole commonwealth
are so closely allied, and adverse condi-
tions affecting one touch so quickly upon the
other, that there is every reason for applying
to the laboring classes the same advanced
ideas as are now given when the general inter-
ests of the state are considered cordially
AM hpa mi nd tn hp he Of he
general assembly such study OF the many
problems affecting labor as will bring to the
10000 miners, and the hundreds of thousands
of other laborers, the prospect OF advancement
and material good.
No Improvement over present conditions
should be more acceptable to the agricultur-
lists and the people generally than that in
volved by the construction of good roads in
stead of Indifferent ones and bad ones. BY
means Of modern thoroughfares through all
the country districts the farmer is brought
into closer touch with tho populous
chance for better and wider
home market at much less en-
pense to him in the way OF time and wear and
tear upon his vehicles For every reason it is
to be hoped that the march of improvement in
the matter of good roads may continue steadi.
ly and without serious interruption
The institution OF this reform in
roads may we'll be left to the
people Of separate counties but wise legisla-
tion, such as will aid In the movement for good
roads, should, in my judgment. always be en-
couraged and sustained.
Public education Is cause which should
ever be before our eyes and in minds The
support OF the common school system. of the
normal school. of the college and university
OF education in every branch, should be mat
ter for our most cordial endorsement and
assistance. Through education primarily
n ia
the well-spring Of success in life and the
motive power OF public progress. The
mark Ohio has made in educational develop
ment should never be lowered: on the contrary
the effort ever should be to place it higher and
higher, and thus raise the degree OF respect
paid us on that account by the people OF our
sister states Wider and more thorough edu-
cational facilities, which allow no discrimina-
tlon as to race or color, should always be one
OF the dearest ambitions OF the state
The national guard deserves the cordial sup
port Of the state government and people. The
military organization sustained by Ohio has
ever been credit to the state, and it is cer-
tainly proper to say that such additional sup
port as may be given the national guard will
be thoroughly in accord with eXpediency. The
military arm can never be put in too efficient
condition, and it is fitting that such a state as
Ohio should have at her immediate command
Il military force entirely worthy OF being Of
fered for the defense of the country for
such use as the general government might
suggest.
Crude ana hasty legislation is ever unGesir-
able, but nevertheless there is every propriety
in commencing the virtue OF diligence and APP
pieation in legislative work, to the end that
the session may be OF reasonable length. 1t is
hoped that your body and all the state officers
Will appreciate the virtue of the business
policy of wasting no time, and doing that
which is to be done quickly and well, 1t seems
to me that good advice to the members OF the
general assembly is to take plenty OF time but
no unnecessary time, to the transaction of
such business as may be desirable and neces-
sary, and avoid so far as IL can be consistently
done the expense in time and money OF u
lengthy session.
At this most fitting of all times 1t gives me
the greatest and most sincere pleasure to con-
gratulate you upon the honesty dig
nifty and wisdom OF the administration
of Hon. William Mckinley as chief ex-
ecutive of the state Ohio has been honored
by him even as he has been houored by
OHIO, May his destiny lead him to the
pathway where he can give for the
whole American people the same excellent
service he has bestowed upon his fellow citi-
zens OF Ohio May he enjoy the full reward of
his labors and of his life ana may all his days
be those OF prosperity and peace thank him
for his courtesy and kindness To Inc, for his
al.A