The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-01-14

of public lands undisposed of, within th
i State. These facts render il highl
probable that the true area of the Stat
exceeds the estimate hitherto receive
a. correct. e 3ea
However this may be, the gratifyin
fact is certain that federal ownership
i Ohio, ,~appFoaches~i es~its-termfhation, an
! that the draft upon her resources for th
purchase Of the soil have nearly ceased
Hence forth the embarrassed energies
of her people may be directed to the full
est possible development of all her re
sources. X ~ tl5 aiio la
The General Assembly will cheerful,
recognize the duty of extending to tn
great agricultural interest of the Stat,
all proper securities and encouragements
To this end the State Board Of Agri.
culture was organized in ls46, and pro-
/, vision was at the same time made fol
the better organization and greater use
fulness of County Agricultural Socie
ties. The wisdom of this legislation has
been amply vindicated by its results
Through the labors of the State Board
and of the County Societies agricultu-
raj improvement has been benefcially
stimulated. Their annual Reports EN-.
body valuable contributions to agricul-
tural knowledge, the effect of which is
becoming more and more visible in the
increased skill, intelligence and energy
executed, and in the increased preduc-
tion with which they are rewarded.
/ respectfully submit to your consid-
Grafton the propriety of increas ng the
funds set apart for app, opriation by the
State Board and County Societies to
premiums for excellence in production
aud in Infringement, and in making
such o,her provision for the increase
and diffusion of agricultural knowledge
as your own experience and observa-
tion suggests.
The proportion of our population and
of our means engaged in Mining, Me-
ehanical and Manufacturing Industry, is
steadily, aud largely increasing. These
pursuits of Industry supply great
market, constantly becoming greater,
for the productions of agriculture. Care
should be taken that the financial bur-
dens of the State be not permitted to
press in disproportioned measure upon
them.
I have already referred to the grow
ing extent and Importance of our Com
cree. No inconsiderable amount of
Revenue is collected by the General
from the duties upon the
direct importations of our merchants
from foreign countries. The Treaty of
Reciprocity with Canada has enlarged
the field and stimulated the activity of
enterprise, especially in the
Northern part of the State. And the
great interchange of commodities with
our sister States and between different
parts ofour ownCommonwealth, ,giv econ,
tinusl employment to large resources and
active energies. Wise legislation is
never employed in arresting the devel-
opment or in cramping the activity of
intercourse.
Among the einstrumentalitiesb by means
Of which Intercourse is carried on be-
tween different parts of the State and
different sections of the country, Rail-
roads may now be regarded as the most
important. The rapidity and ease of
transit by rail gives to that mode of con-
Veyance decided preference over every
other; and the number who commit
their lives and property to the skill and
fidelity of Railroad conductors and other
already vast, becomes, hourly,
greater. The number of miles of Rail-
road in actual operation in This State, in
1855, according to a statement made by
The late Secretary of State. was 2,593.
fhe present number is about two thou
,and eight hundred. These Railroads
nave cost about ninety millions of dol
ars; more than million of passengers
ire annually carried upon them; and
heir gross receipts are not less than six
millions of dollars year. Il is doubt
ess within bounds to estimate the prob |
Ible increase for the next ten years, in |
'xtent, cost, transportation and income,
Il one quarter the present amounts
This vast interest, affecting vitally 30 |
many other interests, has grown sudden
y to its present dimensions, without sys-
EN-, without general organization, and
n some important respects, without due
esponsibility. The benefits of Rail.
oads are such, and their safety and pros
,erity are so identified with the safety and |
of the people, that no proper |
or support should be with |
leld from them while the dangers from |
are SO great that no
precaution against it should |
De omitted. 1 respectfully recommend.
the organization of Board of
Railroad Commissioners, with power to |
exercise general supervision over the |
and operation of the sever
i roads, and required to report from
lime to time to the Governor, for the in
ormation of the General Assembly, q |
ull statement of their condition and |
I cannot doubt that the |
Ialutary influence of such legislation |
would be speedily manifest in the in
creased value of the roads and the great
II security of travellers and freighters.
A sound currency and secure ex-
,hauges are not less important to the in.
ercourse of society than safe means of
In almost all, and, per.
laps, in all civilized communities, the |
is composed of coin and of cir |
,ulating notes, convertible into coin,
upplied either directly by the Govern
nent, or by Banks organized under its
authority. In this State the powers,
unctions, duties and liabilities of banks
ave been defined by law; sometimes
" special laws under the name Of char
ers, and sometimes by general laws,
.mendsble and repealable at the pleas
ire of the Legislature. Whatever DIFF
erence may exist upon the abstract
Iuestions relative to q mixed currency,
lone. [ annrehend. will be found among |