Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-01-15

the tfue area OF tne State exceeds the eStl-
mate hitherto received, as correct.
However, this may be, the gratify wing
fact is certain that federal ownership in
Ohio, approaches its termination, and that
the drafts upon her resources for the pur-
chase of the soil have nearly ceased
Henceforth the unembarrassed energies Of
her people may be directed TO the fullest
possible development of all her resources.
The General Assembly will cheenully
ecognize the duty of extending to the great
agricultural interests of the State all prop
er securities and encouragements. To this
end the State Board of Agriculture was or
ganized in 1916, and provision was at the
same time made for the better organization
and greater usefulness of County Agricul-
tural Societies. The wisdom Of this legis-
lation has been amply indicated BY its re
suits. Through the labcrs of the State
Board and of the County Societies, agri-
cultural improvement has been benefcially
stimulated. Their annual Reports embody
valuable contributions to agricultural
knowledge, the effect of which is becoming
more and more visible with the increased
skill, intelligence and energy with which
the labors of the farm are executed, and
the increased production with which they
are rewarded.
l respectfully submit to your considera-
ton, the propriety of increasing the funds
set apart for appropriation by the State
Board and County Societies TO premiums
for excellence in production and in man.
agement, and of making such other provis-
ion for the increase and diffusion of agri-
cultural knowledge as your own experience
and observation may suggest. 4
The proportion Of our population and of
our means engaged in Mining, Mechanical
and Manufacturing Industry, is steadily
and largely increasing. These pursuits of
Industry supply great market, constantly
becoming greater, for the productions of
agriculture. Care should be taken that
the financial burdens of the State be not
permitted to press in disproportioned meas
ure upon them.
l have already referred to the growing
extent and importance of our commerce.
No inconsiderable amount of Revenue is
collected by the General Government from
duties upon the importations of our mer-
chants from foreign countries. The treaty
of Reciprocity with Canada has enlarged
the field and stimulated the activity of
mercantile enterprise, especially in the
Northern part of the State. And the great
of commodities with our sis
ter States and between different parts of
our own Commonwealth, give continual
employment to large resources and active
energies. Wise legislation is never en-
ployed in arresting the development or in
cramping the activity of commercial inter
course.
Among the instrumentalities by means
of which intercourse is carried on between
different parts Of the State and different
sections Of the country, Railroads may be
considered the most important. The ra-
pidity and ease of transit by rail gives to
that mode Of conveyance a decided prefer
ence over every other; and the number who
commit their lives and property to the
skill and fidelity of railroad conductors
and other employees, already vast, becomes
hourly greater. The number of miles of
Railroad in actual operation in this State,
in 1855, according to statement made by
the late Secretary of State, was 2,593.-
The present number is about 2,S00.-
These Railroads have cost about ninety
millions of dollars; more than million of
passengers are annually carried upon them;
and their gross receipts are not less than
six millions of dollars year. 1t is donbt-
less within bounds to estimate the proba-
bic increase for the next ten years, in ex-
tent, cost, transportation and income, at
one quarter the present amounts, The
vast interest, affecting vitality so many 9th
er interests, has grown suddenly to its pres
ent dimensions, without system, without
general organization, and in some impor-
tant respects, without due responsibility
The benefits of Railroads are such, and
their safety and prosperity is so identified
with the safety and prosperity of the peo-
pie, that no proper protection or sup
port should be withheld from them while
the dangers from mismanagement are so
great that no reasonable precaution against
it should be omitted. respectfully rec
ommend, therefore, the organization of a
Board of Railroad Commissioners, with
power to exercise general supervision over
the construction and operation of the sever
al roads, and required to report from time
to time to the Govorner, for the informa-
ton of the General Assembly, a full state
ment of their condition and management.
l cannot, for moment, doubt that the
salutary influence of such legislation would
be speedily manifest in the increased value
of the roads and the greater security of
travellers and freighters.
A sound currency and secure exchanges
are not less important TO the intercourse OF
society than safe means of transportation.
In almost all, and, perhaps, in all civilized
the currency is composed OF
coin and of circulating notes, convertible
into coin, supplied either directly by the
Government, or by Banks organized under
its authority. In this State the powers,
functions, duties and liabilities of banks
have been defined by law; sometimes by
special laws under the name of charters,
and sometimes by general laws, amendable
and repealable at the pleasure OF the Leg
islature. Whatever difference may exist
upon the abstract questions relative TO a
mixed currency, none, / apprehend, will be
found among the practical men in regard to
the certainty that such currency will con-
tinue, for an indefinite period, to constitute
the actual medium of purchase and sale, IN
this. as well as every other State Of the