Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-01-15
New Slate House win exhibit the progress

count of it, during the last year. II Is
with great pleasure that direct your at
tsntion to the careful economy, thorough
work. and substantial progress which have
DISTINGUISHED their administration. You
own observations, now that your sessions
are held in the new building, will satisfy
YOU as to the character and condition -oi
the work. The fact that of the ninety
thousand dollars appropriated for this ser
vice, more than forty-six thousand dollars
remain unexpended at the close of the ifs
cal year, sufficiently attests the economy o.
the management. T
The nature and magnitude of the trust
committed to the Quarter Master General
and the manner in which the duties of bis
office have been performed during the past
year, viii appear from the Report of that
officer. The suggestions of this report, and
particularly that relating to fhe construc-
ton of a State Arsenal, deserve your con-
sideration. The proceeds of the old Peni-
tentiary grounds may be advantageously
applied to the purchase of a site, and the
erection of the necessary buildings; or the
Legislature may direct the location of the
arsenal upon part of these grounds, and
the application of the proceeds of the resi-
due to construction. | recommend the
discontinuance of the per diem allowed to
the Quarter Master General, and the allow
ance of fixed salary sufficient to compen-
safe fairly for the time, attention, and in
telligence necessary to the proper perform
ance of his duties.
In this connection / beg leave to direct
your attention to the laws concerning the
Militia. The known existence of an Or
ganized public force, competent to the en-
forcement of all law and the defence of
right, is among the surest guarantees of Or
der and security. In all emergencies re-
quiring military force, the States of the
Union must rely upon the patriotism of
their militia. A wise regard to these con-
siderations dictated these provisions of our
State Constitutions relating to this subject.
To carry out these provisions and give
them due effect legislation is indispensable.
For the want of it the Militia of the State
is in danger of total disorganization; the
public arms, a valuable property, are expo
sed to danger and loss; and in contingen
cies, not impossible, various public interests
may suffer serious detriment. Iventure to
express the hopes that the necessary legis
lation on this subject will constitute one Of
the claims of this General Assembly to the
approval of their constituents.
l take great pleasure in laying before you
the Report of the Commissioners appoint.
ed under the act Of April 18th, 1856, pro-
viding the establishment of the Ohio Re
form School. The act required that two
of the three Commissioners should visit
three of the principal Reformatory Institu-
tons of the United States, and institute
all necessary observations and inquiries,
and that all should unite in reporting the
result to the Legislature.
The Commissioners have more than exc
cuted their trust. Instead of two all have
visited, not three only, but all the princi-
pal institutions in our own country, and
one of their number, at his own expense,
has visited the principal institutions of Eu-
rope. Their Report exhibited the fruit of
their extended researches and inquiries, and
,ommeads itself to your favorable regard.
The document collected by the Commits
iioners, and now placed at your disposal,
embody nearly everything that is known
Reformatory schools. For
these services no charge has been made
against the Treasury beyond those incident
to a literal execution of the law; and more
than one-third of the appropriation remains
rF.er
The Report of the Commissioners of
Common Schools has not yet been receiv-
ed. 1t will probably be ready by the Goth
inst. at which time it has been, heretofore
required, and will be promptly laid before
you. In the meantime l need not remind
you of the indispensable necessity of ade-
quate Public instruction for the welfare I'd
security of society. No public investment
is so safe and fruitful as that which is made
in the education ofthe people. Nopersons
better deserve the esteem and support of
the State and the People, than the Teach
ers of our youth. No essential modifca-
tions of the present school law are, in my
judgement, demanded by the general SEN
timent, except such as will increase its eff
ficiency without augmenting its expense.
There is, however, a prevailing opinion,
that under present circumstances, Township |
Libraries may be substituted, with advan
tage, for District Libraries; and l would |
further suggest that the Library of each
County Seat, should be made County
Library, and supplied as far as possible
with the published Documents of the
State and National Governments. For
he supply of the State Documents you
,an make the necessary provisions; a little
attention on the part of Senators and Rep
-esentatives in Congress will ensure full
supply of National Documents.
The benfcial results of the act requiring
The Public reports to be made to the Gov
srnor and printed in advance of the meet
ng of the Legislature, suggests further
application of the same principle. The
Constitution requires the Governor to COM
nunicate to the General Assembly at ev-
,ry session the condition of the State, and
!, recommend such measures as he may |
ieem expedient. 1t also requires him to
zee that the laws are faithfully executed
10 enable him the better to fulfill this in
urct;op, he is authorized to require infor-
nation in writing from the officers of the
xecutive department upon any subject
Connected with The duties of their respect
We offices. Would it not be well, in order
o give more complete effect to these Con-
provisions, to require the Boards