Year: 1878

L
legislation is at best but an expedient,
and often falls short of meeting the
public need. Still, if this be true of
the wisest, then it must be apparent to
all, that inconsiderate and unwise legls-
lation will only make matter worse in
stead of better. Hence, while l would
urge upon your attention the Importance
of such legislation as will help to restore
confidence to financial affairs, and bring
activity and energy again to our busi-
ness circles, would at the same time
warn you that this relief must come
mainly by instituting vigorous reforms,
rather than by high sounding statutory
enactments.


Closely related to the matters already
considered, is what is usually called the
Labor Question, and which has recently
been forced upon our attention with very
decided emphasis. In yonr delibera-
tions, you cannot safely ignore this ques-
ton. Hence I hope it will receive a
thorough and candid consideration.
The proper adjustment of capital and
labor has long occupied the most
thoughtful attention of some of the
wisest statesmen and profound est
philosophers. And in a country like
ours, where prosperity depends SO much
upon this adjustment, it is not strange
that every earnest patriot should feel
anxious to reach the wisest conclusions
in reference to this important matter. 1t
shonld be your purpose as far as possible,
to avoid all distinctively class legislation !;
for, as a general rule this kind of legisla-
ton is ruinous to the best interest of the
country. In fact, too much of it is one of
the evils with which we are at present
cursed; hence you cannot be to careful
when dealing, with such subjects as the re-
lation of capital and labor; for no legisla-
tion that attempts to build up one of
these at the expense of the other, can
possibly be productive of any substan-
tial good to the people. And should
the suggestions already submitted, in
reference to economy, be carried out in
your deliberations, then am satisfied
that very little, if any, Legislation will
capital and labor, and make them what
they ought to be, and what they really
must be, if either is successful, hearty
co-operant in all that relates to the ma
terial growth and prosperity of the
country.


do not wish to consume your time on
the present occasion in particularizing,
since it will be my pleasure from time
to time, should [ deem it necessary, to
communicate with you in special mes
sages concerning matters which | can
not now even hint at. But feel that
there are some things which ought to re-
celve your immediate attention, and l
therefore deem it proper to specify a
few of them.


The present condition of the Pub
lie Works should be carefully and
thoroughly investigated. Recently there
has been considerable excitement grow
ing out of the fact that the lessees
of these works have virtually repudiated
their contract with the State. The mat
ter has been submitted to the courts for
adjudication, and though a decision
may be reached at an early day, still the
whole subject is of such vital i'm
portance that you should not fail to
give it full and candid investigation ;
not only as regards the contract referred
to, but as regards what shall be done
with those words for the future.


Our State has rightfully given great
prominence to the building and support
of public institutions. In this respect
we stand among the foremost; and of
this enterprise N good works we have a
right to be proud. Still, all this has
cost us immense outlays of money. But
where judiciously expended, these out
lays ought not to be regretted. But my
information is such as to lead me to be-
lieve that, both in the building and
management of these institutions, much
might be saved to the public treasury.
l certainly do not wish to restrain the
public enterprise and benevolence which
prompt the building and sustenance of
these institutions, but l would, at the
same time, heartily restrain that ten
dency to extravaganza and waste, which
often accompanies the most generous
and useful Undertakings. In building
houses for the institutions, 1 think a
proper discrimination should be made
between those intended for the poor and
unfortunate and those which are for
criminals. 1t is certainly right and
proper to surround the unfortunate, as
far as possible, with respectability and
comfort, but it is very questionable
policy, to say the least, to offer a pre-.
MUM of these blessings to those who
are criminally wicked. All should be
properly provided for; but the purposes
of some of these institutions would be
better served if they were conducted
upon the principles of more rigiG
economy than has heretofore character
lied them. At any rate, am satisfied
that close investigation, on your part
will discover the fact that in the future
much can be saved to the public treasury
without in any way detracting from thu
best interests of those persons committed
to their charge.


In reference to the prison system O
the State, / would call your attention t.
an important suggestion made by tn,
Board of State Charities in its recen
annual report. The report recommend
that another State Prison be immediatel,
erected, with the capacity for not ex
ceeding six hundred prisoners. Thi
prison to be reformatory, in which tn
younger prisoners, and those not con
frmed in the habit of crime, are to b
treated with view to their reformation
1t is also recommended that distric
warehouses, where every convicte,
criminal shall be compelled to work an
earn his living, should be added to tn
prison system.


These suggestions are worthy of SER
Gus consideration; and, if carried out
will test what has long been with me


deep conviction. l hope that you wi


furnish the necessary legislation to max
them practical. Of course, this will RI
quire a considerable appropriation; bu


in my opinion, there is nothing, whic


money is likely to be called for, that


more deserving.


The improvements of the navigation {


the Ohio River is properly the bushes


of the General Government; neverth,


less, it is matter in which the citizel


of our State are deeply interested, anc


as it has been your habit to give SON
attention to it, you should, during YOU
present session, give it such considers
ton as its Importance may demand.


1t is certainly cause for congratul
} tion that amicable relations betwee


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