Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-01-13
VOL. 8, NO Is.

Report for 1858, and in the exemptions
from taxation allowed by law. There re-
mained, moreover, on the 30th of June.
last, according to the statement of tho
Commissioner Of the General Land Office,
which 1 herewith transmit, and"to which
shall hereafter have occasion to refer,
1868 acres ofpublic land undisposed OF.
within the State. These facts render it
highly probable that the true area of the
State exceeds the estimate hitherto received
. no o- o-er-.etn
' '" Jthis may be, the gratifying
Den5'eertain that Federal ownership III
TOhio approaches its termination, and that
the drafts upon her resources for the pur-
chase of the soil have nearly ceased
Henceforth the unembarassed energies of
her people may be directed to the fullest
possible dcvelopemcnt of all her resour-
ces.
The General Assembly will cheerfully
recognize the duty of extending to the
great Agricultural interest of the State all
proper securities and encouragemcnts.--
TO this end the State Board of Agri-
culture was organized in 1916, and provis-
ion was at the same time made for the bet
ter organization and greater usefulness of
County Agricultural Societies, The wis
dom of this legislation has been amply
vindicated by its results. Through the
labors of the State Board and of the Coun-
ty Societies, agricultural improvement has
been benefcially stimulated. Theirannual
Reports cmbody valuable contributions to
agricultural knowledge, the efect of which
is becoming more and more visible in the
increased skill, intelligence and energy
with which the labors of the farm are ex-
ecuted, and in the increased production
with which they are rewarded
respectfully submit to your consider
alton the proprie'yo 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 pro-
vision for the increase and diffusion of
agricultural knowledge as your own expe-
rience and observation suggest.
The proportion of Our population andof
our means engaged in Mining, Mechanical
and Manufacturing industry, is steadily and
largely increasing. These pursuits of in
dustry supply great market, constantly
becoming greater for the productions Of
agriculture. Care should be taken that
ths financial burdens Of the State be not /.
permitted to press, in disproportionate
measure, upon them.
| have already referred to The growing
extent and importance of our Commerce.
No inconsiderable amount of Revenue is
collected by the General Government from
The duties upon the direct irlportations Of
our merchants 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 interchange accommodates with
our sister States and between different parts
Of our Commonwealth, give continual en-
ploymeDt to large resources and active en-
ergies. Wise Legislation is never employed
in arresting the development OF in cramp-
ing the activity of commercial intercourse.
Among the many instrumentalities by
means of which intercourse is carried on
between different parts of the State and diff
ferent sections of the country, Railroads
may now be regarded as the most impor-
tant. The rapidity and ease of transit By
rail gives to the mode of conveyance de-
cided preference over every other; and the
number who commit their lives and prop
erty to the skill and fidelity of Railroad
conductors and other employees, already
vast, becomes, hourly, greater, Tie num-
berof miles of Railroad in actual operation
in this State in 1855, according to state
ment by the late Secretary Of State, was
1893. The present number is about two
thousand eight hundred. These Railroads
have cost about ninety millions of dollars;
more thana million Of passengers are an
nually carried upon them; and their gross
receipts are not less than six millions of
dollars year. 1t is doubtless within
bounds to estimate the probable increase
for the next ten years, in extent, cost, trans
portation and income, at one quarter the
present amounts. This vast interest, af
fecting vitality so many other interests, has
grown suddenly to its present dimensions,
without system, without general organiza-
ton, and In some important respects, with
out duo responsibility. The benefits of
Railroads are such, and their safety and
are SO identified with the safety
and prosperity of the people, that no prop
er protection or support should bo with
held from them; while the dangers from
mismanagement are so great that no rea-
sonable precaution against it should bo
omitted. respectfully recommend, there
fore, the organization of Board of Rail
road Commissioners, with power to exer-
else general supervision over the con
struction and operation of the several roads,
and required to report from time to time to
the Governor, for the information of tho
General Assembly, afull statement oftheir
and management. cannot
doubt that the salutary influence of such
Legislation would be speedily manifest il,
the increased value of the roads, AMI the
greater security of travellers and froighters.
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 civilisel
communities, the currency is composed of
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