The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-01-15

ond, and to levy that precise rate when as
certained, prove, not unfrequently, to be
complex and embarrassing operations. The
requirement, also, that the gross amount Of
property and cans, embraced in the first
statement, shall be entered upon the dupli.
cate for taxation and taxed by different
and usually much less rate than that levied
upon the property OF individuals, is calcula.
ted to produce on impression in the public
mind, that property employed 10 banking is
not charged by the act with its lair propor-
ton OF the public burthens. Such an i'm
preston, in my judgment, cannot fail to
prove injurious. 1t is the true interest Of
banking Institutions, as well as of the peo-
Pile, that al legislation concerning them
should avoid even the appearance OF special
favor. The most absolute impartiality in
the distributions OF burdens is demanded by
every consideration of policy, as we'll as Of
justice. I, therefore, respectfully suggest
such amendments of the law as will require
all property employed in banking, to be en-
braced in one schedule, and entered upon the
duplicate for taxation at the same rate as is
imposed on other property.
The Constitution authorizes the establish
ment, in the Secretary of States Office, Of a
Bureau OF Statistics. Some provision for
the collection Of statistical information is
already mpde. The Township Assessors
ore required to make returns of the quantity
OF wheat and corn produced in their several
Townships each yfur. The District Asses
sors are required to report, under certain
class sificatiun, once in tix years, the number
of acres of taxable land in the different
counties. Various acts require the colec-
ton Of other statistical information, more or
less specific, in relation, to production, edu'
cation, population and crime. Under these
acts, although from want Of system and OF
adequate means of enforcement they are Of
ten very imperiectIy executed, large
amount OF useful Information is collected.-|
II is scattered, however, through many dis
connected reports, and consequently tails to
yield the full advantage which might be de-
rived from it. 70 CoubiHc this, and collect
other similar Information, and to present the
whole, so arranged as TO exhibit the mutual
relation Of facts and classes of facts, togeth-
or with their genera! bearing upon the pub
lie welfare, is the proper function Of Bu-
reau Of Statistics. can perceive no insur-
mountable obstacle to the collection of all,
or nearly all, the information required,
through agencies already existing, without
ncurriRg much new expense. For the pre-
sent, little more would be necessary than to
provide for the appointment of a thoroughly
qualified person to euperintend the whole
work, prepare and prescribe all necessary
forms, and to receive, CLASSIFY, and report
The returns. | cannot doubt that such pro.
vision for the collection and publication OF
the statistics of the State. Agricultural, In
dustrial, Social and Educational, would re
pay ten fold its cost in benefits.
Under the auspices 0! t6rmer legislation,
a Geological Survey of the State was COM
menced aud prosecuted for some time with
valuable results. | respectfully submit to
your consideration whether the time has not
arrived for the resumption OF that work, and
whether there should not be combined with
it, such an Agricultural examination as will
fully ascertain and disclose the productive
capacity ofthe different soils which compose
the surfuce OF the State, and the physical
laws and influences by which that produc-
tive capacity is determined.
In accordance with the provisions OF an
act of the last session, have caused to be
printed the Reports Of the Auditor and Trea-
surer of State, of the State House Commits
sioDers, of the several Boards of the Behev-
olent Institutions, of the Directors of the
Penitentiary, and of nearly all the other Of
fcers and Boards who seem to fall within | t
These Reports are now ready,
and subject to your disposition. The long
delay in printing the Reports of the Public
n "a. ,b ho i In.
ture, and the consequent want of necessary
information relating to public affoirs has,
heretofore, proved most serious obstruc-
ton to Legislative business. | congratulate
you upon the almost complete removal OF
this obstruction, a nd the salutary operation
of the act of the last session; and suggest
the extension of its provisions, so as to EN-.
brace every officer al board having charge
Of any department Of the public service, not
now included by it. ~
! refer, you to the Reports of the State
Auditor, and State Treasurer for full inlor.
nation concerning the financial condition OF
the State. A' a"+ ss ''
The state of the Public Debt, the amount
and distribution of Taxation and the uses OF
revenue, will necessarily engage your care
full attention. '''''' ~.s
The Debt of the State had its origin in
Internal improvements. Nearly the whole
of it was contracted to defray the cost Of the
State Canals ard to provide for subscrp.
tions in aid of Turnpikes, Railways and
Canals, projected and controlled BY eempe-
nies. Whatever may be thought OF the pol
icy OF these undertakings, no one doubts the
duty ofthe State to fulfill with scrupulous
exactitude, her duties to her creditors. On
this subject, happily, there is no diversity Of
opinion in Ohio.
To pay the interest Of this debt; TO reduce
aud,fnally extinguish the principals; TO pro-
vide for the necessary expenses OF the State,
Government and Pdblic Institutions; and
to detray the charges Of county, city, town
ship and district adm inistration5,i are the le't
climate objects OF taxation. To insure
responsibility for the disbursement Of revei
nue., aud thereby promote economy, the
constitution strictly enjoiiis that no money
shall be drawn from the Treasury exceptin
pursuance Of specific appropriations made BY
law. The faithful observance OF this pro-
vision should be ensured by your care. Wa,
Ii isthe duty of the public eflcer to dis.
burse appropriations, honestly economically
and solely Tor the purposes to which they are
applicable. Helms 20 right, to go beyond
them, either by overaraits upon the treasury,
or byi contracts in behalf of the State for
work to be done or supplies 70, be furnished
within the time for which the appropriations
are made; nor, unless specially authorized,
has he any right to contract any other obli-.
cations Of any description which viii require