The Life, Public Services and Select Speeches of Rutherford B. Hayes Part 7

It can be readily understood why a robust, positive, hard-fighting soldier like Hayes, should so ardently give his admiration to a firm-sinewed, iron-nerved, masculine man like the great minister of war.

On the 13th of April, 1870, the colored people of Central Ohio celebrated the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment at an immense meeting held in the opera house in Columbus. Governor Hayes, as their chosen orator, delivered the following brief address, which seems the inspiration of one who has the logic of history in his head and humanity in his heart:

FELLOW-CITIZENS:--We celebrate to-night the final triumph of a righteous cause after a long, eventful, memorable struggle. The conflict which Mr. Seward p.r.o.nounced "irrepressible" at last is ended. The house which was divided against itself, and which, therefore, according to Mr. Lincoln, could not stand as it was, is divided no longer; and we may now rationally hope that under Providence it is destined to stand--long to stand the home of freedom, and the refuge of the oppressed of every race and of every clime.

The great leading facts of the contest are so familiar that I need not attempt to recount them. They belong to the history of two famous wars--the war of the Revolution and the war of the Rebellion--and are part of the story of almost a hundred years of civil strife. They began with Bunker Hill and Yorktown, with the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Federal Const.i.tution. They end with Fort Sumter and the fall of Richmond, with the Emanc.i.p.ation Proclamation and the Anti-Slavery and Equal Rights Amendments to the Const.i.tution of the Nation. These long and anxious years were not years of unbroken ceaseless warfare. There were periods of lull, of truce, of compromise. But every lull was short-lived, every truce was hollow, and every compromise, however pure the motives of its authors, proved deceitful and vain. There could be no lasting peace until the great wrong was destroyed, and impartial justice established.

The history of this period is adorned with a long list of ill.u.s.trious names--with the names of men who were indeed "Solomons in council and Sampsons in the field." At its beginning there were Was.h.i.+ngton, Franklin, and Hamilton, and their compeers; and in the last great crisis Providence was equally gracious, and gave us such men as Lincoln, and Stanton, and George H. Thomas.

All who faithfully bore their part in the great conflict may now with grateful hearts rejoice that it is forever ended.

The newly-made citizens who seem to carry off the lion's share of the fruits of the victory--it is especially fitting and proper that they should a.s.semble to congratulate each other, and to be congratulated by all of us that they now enjoy for the first time in full measure the blessings of freedom and manhood.

Those, also, who have opposed many of the late steps in the great progress--it is a satisfaction to know that so large a number of them gracefully acquiesce in the decision of the Nation.

The war of races, which it was so confidently predicted would follow the enfranchis.e.m.e.nt of the colored people--where was it in the elections in Ohio last week? In a few localities the old prejudice and fanaticism made, we hope, their last appearance.

There was barely enough angry dissent to remind us of the barbarism of slavery which has pa.s.sed away forever. Generally throughout the State, and especially in the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo, where the new element is large, those who strove to avert the result over which we rejoice, leaders as well as followers, were conspicuous in setting an example of obedience to the law.

Not the least among the causes for congratulation to-night is the confidence we have that the enfranchised people will prove worthy of American citizens.h.i.+p. No true patriot wishes to see them exhibit a blind and unthinking attachment to mere party; but all good men wish to see them cultivate habits of industry and thrift, and to exhibit intelligence and virtue, and at every election to be earnestly solicitous to array themselves on the side of law and order, liberty and progress, education and religion.

The following letters, written during 1870, have come under our observation. We reproduce them because they exhibit to some extent opinions and character.

In one dated March 1, 1870, these pa.s.sages occur:

"I also agree with you perfectly on the spoils doctrine. This you would know if you had read my last inaugural. I am glad you do not bore yourself with such reading generally, but you are in for it now, as I shall send you a copy. I, too, mean to be out of politics. The ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment gives me the boon of equality before the law, terminates my enlistment, and discharges me cured."

Another letter, dated June 2d, in reply to a stranger in Baltimore, shows his tender regard for the private soldier, whether he be living or dead:

"I acknowledge with great gratification the receipt of your letter of the 30th, informing me of your patriotic attention to the grave of an Ohio soldier in your city on Decoration Day."

"Be pleased to accept my thanks for your generous action, and for courtesy of your letter."

To a friend in Congress he writes, on June 13th:

"You will as astonished as I was by this decision as to the right of the soldiers to vote at the Dayton National Asylum. But there it is. How can we get rid of it? Can you pa.s.s an act of Congress that will avoid it? I feel like saying that the soldiers must vote as usual, and test the case again. I merely call your attention to it with a view to Congressional action. You recollect the act ceding jurisdiction expressly provided that residents of Ohio retained the right to vote."

To the president of the Commercial Union of New York he wrote, June 20th:

"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 10th instant, inviting me to attend a meeting of the Commercial Union of the State of New York, to be held in the city of Rochester on the 15th of July next, and to express my regret that prior engagements will prevent me from being present on that occasion.

The subject to be considered--cheap transportation between the East and West--is of importance to the whole country, and especially to the State of Ohio. Earnestly hoping that the deliberations of the meeting will greatly promote this object, I remain, etc."

January 3, 1871, Governor Hayes delivered the following important annual message:

_Fellow-Citizens of the General a.s.sembly:_

The official reports, which the law requires to be annually made to the governor, show that the affairs of the various departments of the State government and of the State inst.i.tutions have been conducted during the past year in a satisfactory manner. I shall not attempt to give a synopsis of the facts and figures which the reports contain. The most important parts of them have been spread before the people of the State by the newspaper press, and the details which may be desired with a view to legislation can be best obtained from the reports themselves.

I also refrain from making many recommendations. Believing that too frequent changes of the laws and too much legislation are serious evils, I respectfully suggest that upon many subjects it may be well to defer legislation until the people have acted upon the question of calling a const.i.tutional convention. If such a convention shall be called, it is not improbable that the General a.s.sembly will be clothed with powers essentially different from those conferred by the present fundamental law in respect to the judiciary, railroads, intemperance, and many other important subjects, and that the legislature itself will be so const.i.tuted as to secure to minorities a fairer representation than they now enjoy.

The balance in the State treasury on the 15th of November, 1869, was $438,060.14; the receipts during the year were $4,399,932.53; making the total amount of available funds in the treasury during the year $4,837,992.67.

The disburs.e.m.e.nts during the year have been $4,071,954.57; leaving a balance in the treasury, November 15, 1870, of $766,038.10.

The estimates of the auditor of State for the current year are as follows:

Estimated receipts from all sources, including balances, $5,670,205.10; estimated disburs.e.m.e.nts for all purposes, $5,163,976.01; leaving an estimated balance in the treasury, November, 15, 1871, of $506,229.09.

The public funded debt of the State on the 15th of November, 1869, after deducting the amount invested in loans not yet due, was $9,855,938.27. During the last year there has been redeemed of the various loans, and invested in loans not yet due, the sum of $123,860.36, leaving the total debt due November 15, 1870, $9,732,077.91.

The fund commissioners were prepared to pay off a larger amount of the debt than has been actually discharged during the year, but none of the bonds of the State were due, and some of the holders demanded ten or twelve per cent premium, and others refused to surrender their bonds at any price.

The constant and rapid increase of taxation demands consideration.

The following table, showing the taxation for different purposes in 1860 and in 1870, and the increase of taxation in ten years, sufficiently exhibits the nature and extent of the evil.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | AMOUNT OF TAXES LEVIED. | +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |For what purpose. | 1860. | 1870. | Increase. | +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |County taxes | $1,309,137.46| $1,975,088.71| $665,951.25| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Bridge taxes | 487,538.40| 1,474,148.18| 1,036,609.78| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Poor taxes | 260,607.20| 657,116.42| 396,509.22| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Building taxes | 228,444.13| 783,960.73| 505,516.60| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Road taxes | 394,424.77| 1,199,767.26| 805,342.49| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Railroad taxes | 538,869.50| 461,848.72| ..........| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Towns.h.i.+p taxes | 349,360.86| 734,585.65| 385,224.79| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |T'p and sub-district | | | | |and district school | 1,487,247.44| 4,960,771.87| 3,473,524.43| |taxes | | | | +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Other special taxes | 349,236.33| 1,152,335.09| 803,098.76| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |City and town taxes | 1,506,083.86| 5,447,766.96| 3,941,683.10| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Delinquent taxes | 453,013.46| 667,188.69| 214,175.23| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Other than State taxes | 7,313,963.41| 19,464,578.28| 12,227,685.65| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |State taxes | 3,503,712.93| 4,666,242.23| 1,162,529.30| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+ |Totals |$10,817,676.34|$24,130,820.51|$13,390,164.95| +-----------------------+--------------+--------------+--------------+

This table shows that in ten years the State taxes have increased thirty-three per cent, and that local taxes have increased almost one hundred and seventy per cent; in other words, that less than one-tenth of the increase has been in State taxes, and more than nine-tenths in local taxes.

The increase of local taxation has been far greater than the growth of the State in business, population or wealth. It is not to be doubted that this burden has grown to dimensions which seriously threaten the prosperity of the State.

No full and exact statement can be made from the official reports as to the amount annually collected from the property-holders of the State in the form of special a.s.sessments for what are termed local improvements, but it is certain that this burden is also great and rapidly growing.

The auditor of State reports cases in which such a.s.sessments have been made, amounting to half of the cash value of the property on which they were levied, and, in one case which he refers to, the a.s.sessment was double the value of the property.

In respect to these evils it is undoubtedly easier to find fault than to provide a remedy. No single measure will remove them.

Probably no system of measures which the General a.s.sembly can adopt will of themselves accomplish what is desired. A complete reform is impossible, unless the city, county, and other officers are disposed and thoroughly competent to do the work of cutting off every unnecessary expenditure.

Much, however, can be accomplished by wise legislation. Let the General a.s.sembly firmly adhere to the policy of the const.i.tution, and refuse to enact special laws granting powers to tax or make a.s.sessments. Let such powers be exercised only in pursuance of general laws. Local authorities should be empowered to levy no higher rate of taxation than is absolutely required for practical efficiency under ordinary circ.u.mstances. In extraordinary cases general laws should provide for the submission of the proposed tax or a.s.sessment to the people to be affected by it, under such regulations that it can not be levied unless at least two-thirds of the tax-payers approve the measure.

One of the most valuable articles of the present State const.i.tution is that which prohibits the State, save in a few exceptional cases, from creating any debt, and which provides for the payment at an early day of the debt already contracted. I am convinced that it would be wise to extend the same policy to the creation of public debts by county, city, and other local authorities. The rule "pay as you go" leads to economy in public as well as in private affairs; while the power to contract debts opens the door to wastefulness, extravagance, and corruption.

In the early history of the State, when capital was scarce and expensive public works were required for transporting the products of the State to market, public debts were probably unavoidable; but the time, I believe, has come when not only the State, but all of its subordinate divisions, ought to be forbidden to incur debt. The same rule on this subject ought to be applied to local authorities which the const.i.tution applies to the State legislature. Experience has proved that the power to contract debt is as liable to abuse by local boards as it is by the General a.s.sembly. If it is important to the people that the State should be free from debt, it is also important that its munic.i.p.al divisions should not have power to oppress them with the burden of local indebtedness.

It would promote an economical administration of the laws if all officers, State, county, and munic.i.p.al, including the members of the legislature, were paid fixed salaries.

Under existing laws a part of the public officers are paid by fees and a part by fixed annual salaries or by a per diem allowance. The result is great inequality and injustice. Many of those who are paid by fees receive a compensation out of all proportion to the services rendered. Others are paid salaries wholly inadequate. For example, many county officers and some city officers receive greater compensation than the judges of the Supreme Court of the State. The salaries paid to the judges ought to be increased; the amount paid to many other public officers ought to be reduced. To do justice, a system of fixed salaries, without fees or perquisites, should be adopted. The people of Ohio will, without question, sustain an increase of the salaries of judges and of other officers who are now inadequately paid; but it can probably best be done as a part of a system which would prevent the payment to public officers of enormous sums by means of fees and perquisites. To remove all ground of complaint, on account of injustice to present inc.u.mbents, the new system should apply only to those elected after its adoption.

In addition to considerations already presented in favor of a revision of the rates of taxation which local officers and boards are authorized to levy, another controlling reason is not to be omitted. By the recent revaluation of real estate the total basis of taxation for the State at large will probably be increased almost forty per cent, and in many of the cities the increase will be nearly one hundred per cent This renders it imperatively necessary to revise the present rates, so as to prevent the collection and expenditure of sums much greater than the public good demands.

Under prudent and efficient management the earnings of the penitentiary continue to exceed its expenses, and at the same time gratifying progress has been made in improving the condition and treatment of the prisoners. The hateful and degrading uniform of past years is disappearing; increased means of education, secular and religious, are afforded, and the officers of the inst.i.tution exhibit an earnest desire to employ every instrumentality authorized by existing laws to restore its inmates to society improved in habits, capacity, and character.

While much has been done in our State during the last twenty-five years for the improvement of prison discipline, it is not to be denied that much more yet remains unaccomplished.

a.s.suming that the time has not arrived to attempt a radical change of our prison discipline, the following practical suggestions, consistent with the present system, are offered for your consideration: A convict is now allowed a deduction from the period of his sentence as a reward for good behavior. The power to extend the period of the sentence as a punishment for bad conduct would also, under proper regulations, exercise a wholesome influence in the discipline of the prison.

The importance of cla.s.sification among convicts is now universally admitted. For economical or other reasons the establishment of an intermediate prison will perhaps be deemed inexpedient at this time. It is believed, however, that by employing convict labor the additional buildings and improvements required for a satisfactory cla.s.sification can be erected on the ground adjoining the old prison, recently purchased and now enclosed, at a small expense compared with the cost of a new prison. This plan, it is hoped, will receive your careful consideration.

It is also recommended that the Board of State Charities be empowered to aid discharged convicts to obtain honest employment.