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

fCftutO- tfttfrHp ~ tfc e]N""tet e'''~ ~ 80
House II Representatives.:
welcome you, with great pleasure, to
the iirst session of the General Assembly |
III tlio New State House.
In simplicity Of Design, in harmony of |
Proportions, and in massive solidity Of |
Structure, It stands, and may it long stand,
i monument aud symbol Of the clear
Filth, the we'll ordered Institutions, and
the enduring Greatness Of the People
whose House it is.
The year which has just closed, has been
marked by the steady advance Of the
great State, whose interests, for the pres
ent, have been confded to our care, in all
the elements Of wealth, honor and power
The returns Of Agriculture, though less
abundant than in some more favored
years, have yet been sufficient to supply
abundantly our wants at home, and to
furnish large surplus for exportation.--
The products Of Manufacturing Industry
have been steadily and greatly augmented.
The transactions Of Commerce have null
tiplied in number and increased in impor-
tanee. Vast mineral treasures, hitherto
comparatively inaccessible, have been
brought, by the extension Of Railroads,
within the easy reach Of enterprise, and
made tributary to the general progress.
a While the development and enlarge
incnt of our material resources have been
ensured by these and similar agencies,
other instrumentalities have been actively
employed in the promotion of the moral
and intellectual welfare of the people.
Public order and private rights have been
maintained BY an enlightened and impair
tial administration Of justice lnstitu-
tions Of Education have diffused, among
the masses, the power of knowledge; In
stitutions Of Benevolenee have ministered
- the children of sorrow, the wise and
noble charity Of the State; Institutions
Of Religion, sustained BY the voluntary
contributions and ready sympathies Of the
people, and made efficient BY the self de-
nying labors Of teachers and ministers,
have lent their powerful support to public
virtue and order, while they have enforc-
ed the obligations of private duty, and
cherished the aspirations Of individual
faith.
oy Nor are these the only benefits which
demand our grateful acknowledgements
Peace is the opportunity of progress, and
peace, unbroken, has prevailed through
out our borders. The pestilence which,
in former years, invaded and desolatod
80 many homes, has not been permitted Il
approach US. Health, in unusual meas
ure, has cheered our homes and animated
ourlabors.
From the pleasing survey, it is my duty
TO proceed to more detailed exposition o
the condition of the soil.
The primary interests Of Ohio connec
themselves closely with the ownership ant
cultivation Of the soil.
The whole area Of the State, according
Ia the computations Of the Federal author
lilies, contains 39,964 square miles, o
25,576,960 acres. A little more tha
half century aso, not an acre OF thl
urea had been cleared for cultivation, Q
even reduccd to private ownership.
The Federal Government asserted a
exclusive proprietary title in the who'll
except that portion included in the Coz
necti,ut Reservation. The hardy piol
GERS, who pushed forward in the wilde
ness, were compelled to buy Of the Co
ernment, or its grantees, the very 60
which they subdued. The whole burde
Of contributions for the support Of IL
State and ita institu ions, was cast upc
tho land thus purchased. The land
the Goyerament was wholly exempt; al
tie contributions Of the Government,
grants of land in aid of public improv
mcnts, were insignificant in comparisC
with the enhanced value Of the ungran
ed lands
Notwithstanding these serious disadva
tares, the process Of purchaseaDd settl
mcnt has gone steadily forward until me
than twelve millions Of acres, occupied
agricultural purposes, and nearly thirte
millions more, classed as ancultivate
have become private property, and co
tribute to the public revenue.
EaAYhen, in 1902, Ohio became St'
in the American union, every other OF
soyenteef members Of the confedera
mas more populous and better cultivat,
and six had large areas. Now, althOu
che number of the States has increased
rbirty-oue Of which nineteen arc latl
ihan Ohio, not one snrpasses her in
extent and variety Of her sgriculta
products.
A general outline Of tho gradual 9
vsrs5ri ofpublic into private owners
will reyMd attention.
Prior to 1903 the returns OF lands b
bg iudiyidHal prOprietors are meagre
unsatisfactory, 1910, tho n number mt,
acres thus 'owced was 1858, lOl.
1920 this quantity, had increased to
8l0,OIS acres: in 1880, estimating
uuuntity for two counties from VII
there were no returns, u lo,lS9,'
acros,in le40, estimating for one cou
y tolls, ,740. .2Sl acres; in 1850 TO g3'0
$50 acres, and in 1855 1920, ,OsS &c
These quantities are exclusive Of fO
and City lots Nearly all the land in
State, II will be observed; has thps becc
private property ana sabjeet 70 takati
The facts diSslssed by these xetnr
suggest a qucstiep Of the cOrrcctness
the Federal estimate Of the area Of
State. The difference between the
airns Of land for 1855, and the en-
area as computed at Washington, Is /