Year: 1864




and House Of Representatives.


/ In compliance With Sthe provision of four
Constitution, which requires the Governor to
4" communicate to the General Assembly the
icondition of the State and recommend such
measures as he may deem expedient," I ad-
dress you.


The condition of my health for the past
few weeks, sandany present indisposition, win
account for the brevity of the communica-
ton.


Your well-known character for intelligence
and experience as Legislators makes it neces-
sary, only, that you be put, in possession of
the true conditions of The affairs OF the State,
to enable you to adoptssuch legislation as the
welfare of our common constituents demands.


The past year has been one of severe Ia
Dor to all concerned in the administration of
the government; and take pleasure N bear
ing testimony to the faithful and vigilant
manner in which the Auditor of State, Treas
urersof State. Secretary of State, Comptrols
ler of the Treasury, Superintendent Of the
State House, Superintendent of Public Print
ing. and the Librarian, have severally per-
formed their respective duties. regret that
l cannot include the Attorney General and
the former Commissioner of Common Schools
in this commentator. The School Gem
missioner, fortunately for the State, resigned
his office, on he 11th-day of Novenber last,
and the place is now filled by a highly COM
petent and worthy man.


The duties of the Executive are so ardu-
GUS as to command every moment of his
| time. To demonstrate this, it is sufficient to
| refer you to the note of Private Secretary
Hoffman, herewith, giving somewhat de-
| tailed statement of the labors Of the office
In view of the increased labor thrown upon
this department. also upon the departments
of the Auditor and Treasurer of State, conse-
quent upon the war, added to the fact that
the expenses of living in this city have great
~ Increased within the past two years, l re-
commend an increase of the salaries of these
officers. This increase should not be less
than fifty per cent and to secure the benefit
OF such increase to the incoming officers, i'm
mediate action, during the first week Of your
session, is necessary, as the Constitution for
bids the increase of salaries of any of the
State officers during the term for which they
are elected. l am aware that the people OF
Ohio have never favored high salaries to
their public officers but I also we'll know
that they will cheerfully sustain us in fixing
such rate of compensation as will enable
those in moderate pecuniary circumstances to
accept positions of high trust and confidence
| also renew my recommendation of last year
for proper increase of the salary of the Su-
perintendent of Public Printing. The duties
of this office are highly important to the
State, and have materially increased within
the past year. The present rate of compen.
sation is entirely inadequate to the duties.
i invite your special attention to the Au.
n ditor's views on the subject of abolishing ths
office of Comptroller of the Treasury. ant
urge that your finance committees thoroughly
investigate the matter. So far as l am abls
TO discover, can see no practical good result
from maintaining this Office.


. During the early part of the past year, 81
unusual degree of excitement, disorder ant
violence prevailed in many parts of the State
to such an extent did this state of lawlessnes
exist. as to make it necessary to send al
, armed force to several points in the State, t.
; maintain the peace. The points of creates
alarm and apprehension were in the countiel
Of Holmes and Montgomery. To great ex
tent, the causes of this unhappy condition o
affairs may be attributed to political excite


nent and party strife. I am most happy t.
announce, however, that as the day for ths
Il election approached. the passions and preju


dices of the epeopie became sllayed !; ans
, reason and Judgment thus left frseAto act
quiet and order throughout the State was tn,


happy consequences; we have seldom, if ever


had a more quiet and orderly election. Cop
les Of the several sorders,a and other CORES


poudsure relstiug so this important matter