Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-01-15
WHOLE NO 96l

s'ouuo >, ana tne appilcatit
OF the proceeds Of the residue to construc
ton. recommend the discontinuance G
the per diem allowed to the Quartermaste
ueneral. and the allowance of fixed salar
sufhclent to compensate fairly for the time
attention and intelligence necessary to tn
proper performance Of his duties.
In this connection beg leave to direc
your attention to the laws concerning tn
Militia The known existence ofan organ
ized public force. competent to the enforce
ment OF law and the defence of right, 1
among the surest guarantees of order an,
security. IL all emergencies requiring mill
tary force, the States of the Union mus
rely on the patriotism of their militia.
wise regard to these considerations dictate,
the provisions of our State Constitution re-
lating to this subject. To carry out thes.
provisions and give them due effect, legisla.
tion is indispensable. For the want OF it
tne Militia OF the State is in danger o! tota
disorganzation; the public arms, a valuable
property are exposed to danger and los.
ana IN contingencies, not impossible, vari.
Gus public Interest may suffer serious detri.
ment. venture to express the hope thai
the necessary legis lation on this SUBJECT will
constitute one Of the claims the General
Assembly TO the approval of their constitu.
ents.
take great pleasure in laying before you
the Report Of the Commissioners appointed
under the act of April 7, 1856, providing for
the establishment of the Ohio Reform
School. The act required that two of the
three Commissioners should visit three OF
the principal Reformatory Institutions of the
United States, and institute all necessary
observations and inquiries, and tina. all should
unite in reporting the result to the TIegisla-
ture. The Commissioners have more than
executed their trust. Instead of two, ali
have visited, not'three only, but all the prin-
cipal Institutions, in our own country, and
one OF their number, at his own expense, has
visited the principal institutions in Europe
Their Report exhibits the fruit of their ex-
tended researches and inquiries. and COM
mends itself to your most favorable regard
The documents collected by the Commis-
sioners and now placed at your disposal,
embody nearly everything that is known
concerning Reformatory Schools. For these
services no charge has been made against
the Treasury beyond those incicpn. to a lit
eral execution OF the law: and more than
"ne-third OF the appropriation remains un-
expended.
The Report Of the Commissioners Of Com
mon Schools has not yet been received It
will probably be ready by the 20.h inst,
at which time it has been heretofore re-
quired, and will be promptly laid before you
In the meantime I need not remind you of
the Indispensable necessity Of adequate
Public Instruction'to the welfare and secu-
rty Of society. No public Investment is 80
safe and so fruitful as that which is made
in the education of the people. No persons
better deserve the esteem and the support
Of the State and the People than the teach
ers of oar youth. No essential notifications
Of the present school law are, In nv judg-
ment, demanded by the general sentiment,
except such as will increase its efficiency
without auymenting its expense. There
IS, however, prevailing opinion, that, un-
Ter present circumstances, Township Libra
les may be substituted, with advantage.
or District Libraries; and would further |
suggest that the Library at each Coun.y
Seat should be q County Library, aud sup
,Iied as ia. as possible with the published
Documents of the State and National Gov
For the supply of the State
Documents you can make the necessary pro-
'ision; q little attention on the part Of Sen
ltors and Representatives in Congress viii
INSURE full supply Of National Documents.
The beneficial results Of the act requiring
he Public Reports to be mads to the Gov
'rnor, and printed in advance of the meet
ng of the Legislature, suggest further
application of the same principle. The
Constitution requires the Governor to- COM
nunicate to the General Assembly at every
ession the condition OF the State, and 10
such measures as he may deem
xpedient. IL, also, requires him to see
hat the laws are faithfully executed. TO
nable him the better to fulfill this in;unc-
ion, he is authorized to require INFORM ,tion
n writing from the officers OF the Execatiye
Department upon any subject connected
With the duties of their respective offices
Would it not be well, in order 10 give more
omplete effect to these constitutional pro-
isions, to require the Boards and Officers
n charge of the different departments Of
he public service, to report their traniac-
ions and condition quarterly to the Cover
Ior! Such an enactment would concen-
rate in the Executive Ofice full iniorma-
ion, accessible to the people, concerning
u the public interests. while it would ena-
lie the Governor to fulfill his constitutional
Obligations " ith more satisfaction to himself
nd with more advantage to the State
Would it not be well, also, TO prescribe an
inform rule in respect to the times for max
NJ all reports! At present some are re-
uired 10 be made at the close of the fiscal
eai; some a, other periods; same bienni-
lily, and some annually, and SOM semi
nnually. 1t would conduce greatly to the
ltroduction OF order and responsibility into
ublic affairs, If ali reports should be re-
equired TO be made on he twentieth days
/ November, February, My, and June, of
ach year; the November report embracing
II the transactions of the fiscal year, and
ne other Reports only those of the preced-
is quarter.
Permit me now 20 invite your attention 10
few topics, intimately connected with the
ublic welfare, but not discussed in any OF
fese reports.
The safe of the law in relation to Married
Women deserves your consideration Oar
,sislalion is alread, honorab'y distinguish
by its prov rsiors in tina. behalf; but much
smans To be done. Many OF the Seneh-
ent provisions of the civil law might be
with benefit. to our code. Ii IL
ltiiclt to perceive any reason why vile,
llowtd to sue separately from her husband,
houid be required to sue in the naae of
e. next friend. Instances not unfreqaent-
: occur ot gross oppression through the ab-
olute control given to the husband over per.
onal estate, and particularly over house-