True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-07

refer az 553 acres of nublic land undis-
posed Of. within the State. These facts
render II highly probable that the true
area of tie State exceeds the estimate
hitherto received as correct.
However tbis may be, the gratifying
fact i certain that Federal ownership in
Ohio approaches its termination, and that
the drafts upon her resources for thepur
chaseofthe soil have nearly ceased Hence
forth the unembarrassed energies Of her
people may be directed to the fullest pos
sible development Of all her resources.
The General Assembly win cheerfully
recognize the duty Of extending to the
great agricultural interest Of the State all
proper securities and enCouragements.
To this end, the State Board Of Agricul-
ture was organized in ls46, and provision
was at the same time made for the better
organization and greater usefulness of
County Agricultural Societies. The Wis
dom Of this legislation has been amply
vindicated by its results. Through the
labors of the State Board aud Of the
County Societies, agricultural improve
ment has been bene6cially stimulated -
Their annual Reports elnbody valuable
contributions to agriculture knowldage,
the effect Of which is becoming more and
more visible in the increased skill, intel
licence and energy with which the labors
Of the farm are executed, and in the in
creased production with which they are
rewarded.
| respectfully submit to your consider
alton the propriety of increasing the funds
set apart for appreciation by the State
Board and County Societies to premiums
for excellence in production aud 10 man
agemcnt, and of making such other pro-
vision for the increase and diffusion Of ag-
ricultural knowledge as your own expert
ence and observation suggest.
The proportion Of our population and
of our means engaged in Mining, Mechan-
ical and manufacturingihdustr is steadily
and largely increasing. Ihese pursuits
of industry supply great market, con-
stantly becoming greater, for the produe-
tiQns Of agriculture. Care should be
taken that the financial burdens OF the
State be not permitted to prSss, IN dispro-
portionate measure, upon them.
l have already referred to the growing
extent and importance or our Commerce
No inconsiderable amount of levenue Is
collected by the General Gesernmen'
from duties upon the direct importahon'
Of our merchants from foreign countries
The Treaty Of Reciprocity with Canada
has enlarged the field and simulated th'
: activity Of uc-chantile enterprise, es
pecially in the northern part of the State
. And the great interchange OF commodltle
with our sister States and between ditter
, ent parts of our Commonwealth, give con
tinual employment to large resources ant
active energies. Wiselegislation is neve
employed in arresting the development
or In crambing the activity Of commercial
, intercourse. II
{: Among the instrumcntalities by mean
| of which intercourse is carried on betwcel
/. different parts Of the State and differen
/. sections Of the country, Railroads ma
now be regarded as the most important
. The rapidly and ease of transit by raj
j. gives to the mode of conveyance decide
d preference over every other; and th
number who commit their lives and proI
Y erty to the skill and fidelity of railroa
# conductors and other employees, alread
vast, becomes, hourly, greater. The nun
It ber of miles Of Railroad in actual oper'
d ton in this State in 1856, according to
statement made by the late Secretary
Q State, was 1898. The present number
:. about two thousand eight hundred. The
,r Railroads have cost about ninety millio'
m of dollars more than million OF pas
is engers are carried. annually upon then
Or and their gross receipts are not less ths
six millions of dollarsa year ltisdout
IN less within bounds to estimate the prob
e, bic increase for the next ten years, inc
n, tent, cost, transportation and income,
n one quarter the present amounts. y
r. vast interest, affecting vitally sonnanyoth
" interests, has grown suddenly to its pr
oil ent dimensions, without system, withU
en- general organization, and in some imp
he tant respects, without due responsible
on The benefits of Railroads are such, a
of their safety and prosperity are SO ident
nd ed with the safety and prosperity of t
by people, that no proper protection or 81
re- port should be withheld from them; wh
on the daugersfrom Encouragement are
lt- great that no reasonable precaution agai
It should be omitted. I respectfully r
IL .oco.u tLo o,,.on;1ation NJ