Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-15
NUMBER Il.

respectively cOnftcIeU-
For the annual history of the Lunatic
Asylums and of the Asylums for the
Deaf and Dumb and for the Blind, and
for an account of their condition at the
close of thezyea l refer you to the re-
ports of the several Boards intrusted
with their management These reports
will be found to contain very many in.
teresting facts, and many judieious and
important practical views. I do not
doubt that you will cheerfuIly respond
to the proper demands of these institn-
tions to the full extent permitted by a
just regard to the financial condition of
the State.and to otherequai claims up
on the Treasury It Is gfatifyi4g To-
observe that the expenses of each insti-
tuition during the year have been less
than the appropriations for their sup
port. particularly commend to your
attention the economical use of the ap-
preparation of $4,000 for dormitory
for the Deaf and Dumb, to be hereafter
converted into workshops. The pur-
pose of the appropriation has been most
satisfactorily accomplished, and ball
anee of about $4,000 remains in the
Treasury. This circumstance, doubt-
less, will have its proper weight with
you when considering the expediency of
entering without further delay upon the
construction of the new Asylum edifce,
the need of which has been so long ac-
knowledged.
The report of the Commissioners of
the new State House will exhibit the pro-
gress of the work and the disbursements
on account of it during the last year.
It is with great pleasure that 1 direct
your attention to. the careful economy,
thorough work and substantial. progress
which have distinguished their admins
tration. Your own observations, now
that your sessions are held in the new
building, will satisfy you as to the char
acter and condition of the work. The
fact that, of the ninety thousand dollars
for this service, more than
forty-six thousand remained unexpended
at the close of the fiscal year, sufficiently
attests the economy of the management.
The nature of the trust committed to the
Quarter Master General, and the manner
in which the duties of his Office have
been performed during the past year will
appear from the report of that officer
The suggestion of this report, and par
ticufarty refuting to the reconstruction of a
State Arsenal, deserve your considers
ton. The proceeds of the old Peniten-
.iary grounds may be advantageously
applied to the purchase of a site and the
erection of the necessary buildings; or
he Legislature may direct the location
# the arsenal upon a part of these
and the application of the pro-
eeds of the residue to construction. I
ecommend the discontinuance of the
'er diem allowed to the Quarter Master
and the allowance of a fixed
alary sufficient to compensate fairly for
he time. attention and intelligence nec-
ssary to the proper performance of his
uties.
In this connection I beg leave to di-
ect your attention to the laws concern
lg the militia. The known existence
f an organized public force, competent
} the enforcement of law and the de-
ense of right, is among the surest guar
ntees of order and security In all
requiring military force, the
tates of the Union must rely on the
atriotism of their militia. A wise re-
ard to these considerations dictated the
rovisions of our State Constitution re-
ting to this subject. To carry out
lese provisions and give them due effect
gislation is indispensable. For the
ant of it the militia of the State is in
anger of total disorganization, the pub
C arms, a valuable property, are ex-
Dsed to danger and loss, and in contin-
encies, not impossible, various public
terests may suffer serious detriments.
venture to express the hope that the
ecessary legislation on this subject will
institute one of the claims of this GEN.
al Assembly to the approval of their
,nstituents.
l take great pleasure in laying before
ou the Report of the Commissioners ap-
9inted under the act of April Z, 1856,
for the establishment of the
hio Reform School. The act required
lat two of the three Commissioners
lould visit three of the principal re-
institutions of the United
ates, and institute all necessary obser-
Itions and inquiries, and that all should
lite in reporting the result to the Leg
lature. The Commissioners have more
an executed their trust. Instead of
%, all have visited, not three only, but
the principal institutions in our own
untry, and one of their number, at his
IN expense, has visited the principal
stitutions in Europe. Their report
hibits the fruit of their extended re-
arches and inquiries, and commends
elf to your most favorable regard
lie documents collected by the Com
ssioners, and now placed at your dis
sal, embody nearly everything that is
own concerning reformatory schools.
II these services no charge has been
lde against the treasury beyond those
,ident to literal execution of the
v, and more than one third of the APP
opriation remains unexpended.
The report of the Commissioner of
mmon Schools has not yet been re-
we'd. 1t will probably be ready by
; Goth inst, at which time it has here
ore been required, and will be prompt.
laid before you. In the meantime |
I'd not remind you of the indisnensi.
necessity of adequate Public Instruc-
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