Litchfield enquirer., 1830-05-13

nited States, until the ensuing summer. TOl this proposition, assent was readily given by inc officer charged with the delivery, and the arms apportioned to this State, in virtue of that act, are deposited temporarily in the ar- senaIs of the United States. Their removal, however, ought soon to take place. T
 The necessity of repairing the arsenal, and more effectually securing the military stores placed therein, having been brought to the at tention of the General Assembly at its session in the year 1928, a resolution was adopted, authorizing the appointment of committee in conjunction with the Quarter Master Gene ral according to their discretion, to sell cer- tain arms therein enumerated, and the pow der previously purchased by this State, and to expend the avails thereof "nOt exceeding twenty five hundred dollars in erecting suita- ble buildings. and in repairing and securing the present buildings at the arsenal" A com mittee was accordingly appointed. But con- trary to the expectation then entertained, sales on reasonable terms, could not be affected by them, to the desilable extent. The sum thus raised being but eight hundred and twenty six dollars and five cents, was entirely inade- quate to the accomplishment of the whole object of the resolution, and its execution has therefore been suspended.
 There is little probability that further eff, forts of the committee to dispose of the infe- rior arms which alone they were empowered to sell, will be attended with more favorable results. Considerable repairs of the Arsenal are now required. as well as additional build ings to pretect and preserve the military e. shipments heretofore purchased by this State, | and the arms that have been, and may here after be received from the United States, which, according to law, must be there depos- ited.
 A more efficient provision, therefore. to ac- complish these important objects, has become necessary. It is estimated that they may he effected by an appropriation of two thousand dollars, in addition to the sum already appli- cable to the same purpose. The expediency of directing their accomplishments ,and making the requisite appropriation, is submitted to your Judgment.
 Notwithstanding the large disbursements arising from the establishment of the State Prison, and the erection of a new State House, within the four preceding years. am gratifi- ed in being able to inform you that there re-
 mained in the Treasury on the first of April
 last, d balance exceeding thirteen thousand , dollars. which, with the receipts of the cur. } rent year from the regular sources of revenue will be moresthan sufficient to discharge oul ? ordinary expenses for the same period, anG the balance of the appropriation for building . the State House. The aggregate of the pay. ] ments irons the Treasury during the last year, is sixty thousand four hundred and twenty
 three dollars and ffty-six cents. The receipts in the year, with the balance in the Treasury at its commencement, amounted to seventy four thousand one hundred and ninety-six 1 dollars and eighty seven cents. Of this sum only thirty y-seven thousand five hundred and eight dollars and twenty seven cents were derived from direct and indirect taxes. Our remaining permanent fund. the income of which is applicable to the expenses of the civil list, is S399, 7O2 G6. no alteration having re- gently taken!place in relation to its amount or investment.
 A strong sense of duty constrains me to call your attention to our common schools, notwithstanding my views on the subject have heretofore been particularly explained. To the intellectual and moral improvement of youth, is justly attached transcendant impOr- tance. While the ascendency ofpatriotisn shall be maintained, tbe reputation of the State valued. the augmentation of its power and welfare sought, and philanthropy exerts its proper and benign influence, the elevation of the standard of finstruction and attainments in our common schools. and the consequent diffusion of useful knowledge. will be anx- iously desired and warmly approved by free and enlightened people. If satisfied, howev- CT, with our past superiority in elementary education, other States shall be permitted to pass us in the career of mental improvement, we shall incur fearful responsibility. The tall ent committed to us by those who founded our free institutions on the basis of public in- telligence and virtue, we are bound steadily to improve. The spirit of the age admonish-
 es us to advance. The highest obligations
 impel us to sustain. the pre-eminence of our primary schools, once so generally acknowI-
 edged and now so undeniaby necessary to
 the honor of the State, and the psrpetuify 6f
 it's freedom and happiness. The work is not
 arduous. Our system is far from being radi-
 cally defective. Renewed energy in it's exe-
 cution is required, rather than any change of
 its general principles and provisions.
 The vital power of the system. = the prn-
 ciple of visitation and examination. That a
 proper exerti0n of the powers of the school
 visitors, with the cooperation of correct pub
 lie sentiment in relation to their importance,
 and general manifestation of interest in
 their advancement. and watchfulness of their
 management by parents, would elevate the
 character and augment the utility of our com
 mon schools. can hardly be questioned. The visitorial powers may bs cxerted alike upon
 teachers and pupils, with great public benefit.
 But there is too much reason to apprehend that the examination of teachers, and inspec-