The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-11

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ofJuiy, lsis, sl.27s ,s2l ss
Add to this the funds now in the
hands of Commissioners and In s.
the Treasury set apart for the
payment OF the foreign and do
mestic debt as il becomes dua 7b0,0 600 90
Total amount paid and in hand ap.
propriated to the payment of the c
State debt within the past s years 80, ,o23,92i IS
Thus it will be seen by the operation Of
our present financial system, and the in
creasing wealth of the State, our public
debt will silently but steadily diminish, and
in few years be extinguished.
History and experience will attest the
fact, that where science, general knowl-
edge and moral cultivation are most uni.
versally diffused among the people, there
liberty is the most cherished, the rights Of
persons and property are the most safe.
Virtue and religion, and whatever else can
adorn society and render mankind pros
porous and happy, are held most sacred.
10 extend and secure to coming genera.
lions the benefits of liberty and well regu-
lated free institutions, it is necessary for
the statesman to look with earnest care 10
the means of instruction for the youth Of
the country; for by them he may shape the
destinies of the State and the nation for
good or for evil through succeeding ages.
An efficient system of common schools,
thoroughly executed, is the only means OF
attaining this desirable object. Under our
present law on this subject much has been
done, but the law is imperfect. The law
which now processes to regulate this sys-
tenn has been in force many years. II has
undergone many alterations, is printed in
many different volumes Of the statutes, and
is thus made difficult to be found, and still
more difficult to be understood by the great
majority Of persons whose duty it profess
ses to point out. That portion which re-
lates to forming and altering districts from
two or more townships. and the portion
providing for fixing cites and levying taxes
for building and repairing school-houses,
and the supporting of schools beyond the
means supplied by the various school funds,
is obscure and of uncertain import-the
cause of much serious complaint and trou-
BILE, and begets much dislike to the whole
system.
| would recommend to your considers.
ton the propriety of thorough revision
of all the statutes on the subject, so as TO
make them plain to all, and effectual to
the accomplishment Of the objects desired.
On the 28th day Of September, 1850,
Congress passed a law granting to each
State, for specific purpose the swamp or
overfowed lands within its borders, still
belonging to. the General Government,
which will be made the subject Of special
message. ~
The difficulties in relation to the Wes.
tern Reserve school lands have been, dur.
ing the season, settled, and engrossed lists
obtained from the Department OF the whole
number of acres claimed. These lands
have been brought into market in pursu.
ance of the law, and have met with rapid
sale, making an addition to that school
fund, and affording the pleasing prospect
Of considerable increase to the popula-i
ton, improvement and wealth Of the sew
eral counties in which the lands are stu.
ated. a
The several Benevolent Institutions have
been conducted through the season, il is
believed, in manner generally satislac.
tory to all concerned, and with such sue
cess as does great credit to the State, and
confirms the wisdom and well-directed be-.
nevolence Of the Legislature, in their %.
tablishment. ii,
1t has for several years been manifest
that the Lunatic Asylum, even at its pres.
ent size, was insufficient to supply the
wants Of the people Of the State. The
Directors and Superintendent Of the Asy.
lum have in three successive annual re-
ports, called the attention Of the Legisla-
ture to this subject, and recommend that
the inclpient steps be taken for the erecI
ton Of one or more like institutions, in
different parts Of the State. Fii'3Fii
The following quotation, from their last
report, will show the opinion of those to
whom the oversight Of the Institution has
been intrusted by the General Assembly:
The directors Of the Asylum have more than
once, heretofore, advetted 10 the coming necessi-
fy Of making further provisions for the insane Of
the State, by the erection Of two additional asy-
ums lone 10 the northern and the other in ihe
southern part the State" fss
BY report Of the Superintendent, made Janu.
uary Is, 1919. in answer to 4 cell Of the Senate
for information on that subject. Il appesrs that The
number Of applicants for admission then pending.
which had been postponed for want Of room, wSs
one hundred and fory.fys. This numbes must
be far too small to comprehend all there are Inths
State who need the aid which Il was intended BY
the institution to bestow, This cannot be peme-
died without turning A large sll the incnrsblss,
class i much less thsn The numbsr Of the insane