Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-01-16
Governors Message.

the New StaJc House.
In simplicity of Design, in harmony Of
Proportions, and in massive solidity of
Structure, it stands, aud may it long stand,
a monument and symbol of the clear
Faith, tho we'll ordered Institutions, and the
enduring Greatness of the People whose
House it is.
OUR PROGRESS
The year which has Just closed has been
marked by the steady advance Of the great
State, whose interests for the present, have
been confided TO our care, in all the elc-
ments Of wealth, honor, and power
The returns of Agriculture, though less
abundant than in some moro favored years,
have been sufficient to supply abundantly
our wants at home, and to furnish large
surplus for expectation. The products of
Manufacturing Industry have been steadily
and greatly augmented. The transactions
of Commerce have multiplied in number
and increased in Importance. Vast mineral
treasures, hitherto comparatively inaccessl-
bic, have been brought, by the extension of
Railroads, within the easy reach of enter
prise, and tributary to the general pro
gress.
While the development and enlargement
of our material resources have been ensured
by these and similar agencies, other instru-
meutalities have been actively employed in
the promotion of the moral and intellectual
welfare of the people. Public order and
private rights have been maintained 10y an
enlightened and impartial administration
of Justice. Inst itutions of Education have
diffused, among the masses, the power of
knowledge; Institutions of Benevocnce
have ministered to the children of sorrow,
the wise and noble charity of the State,
Institutions of Religion, sustained by the
voluntary contributions and ready sympa-
thies of the people, and made efficient 10y
the self-denving labors of teachers and min
listers, have lent their powerful support to
public virtue and order, while they have
enforced the obligations of private duty,
and cherished the aspirations of individual
faith
Nor are these the only benefits which de-
mand our grateful acknowledgements.
Peace is the opportunity of progress, and
peace, unbrokcn, has prevailed throughout
our borders. The Pestilence which, III for
mer years, invaded and desolated so many
homes. has not been permitted to approach
us. Health, in unusual measure, has cheer
ed our homes and animated our labors.
From this pleasing survey, it is my duty
to proceed to more detailed exposition of
the condition of the State,
The primary interests of Ohio connect
themselves closely with the ownership and
cultivation of the soil.
INCREASE OF TAXABLE LANDS.
The whole area Of the State, according to
the computations of the Federal authorities
contains 39,964 square miles, or 25,576,-
$50 acres. A little more than half Il centu-
ry ago, not an acre of this area had been
cleared for cultivation, or even reduced to
private ownership.
The Federal Government asserted an eX
elusive proprietary title in the whole, OK
cept that portion ncued in the Connecticut
Reservation The hardy pioneers, who
pushed forward into the wilderness, were
compelled to buy of the Government, or
its grantees, the very soil which they sub
dued. The whole burden of contributions
for the support of the State and its institu-
tions, was cast upon the land thus purchas-
ed. The land of the Government was
wholly exempt; and the contributions of the
Government, by grants of land in aid of
public improvements, were insignificant in
comparison with the enhanced value of the
ungranted lands
a. Notwithstanding these serious disadvan
tages, the process Of purchase and settle
ment has gone steadily forward until more
than twelve millions ofacres, occupied for ag
ricultural purposes, and nearly thirteen mil
lions more, classcd as uncultivated, have
become private property, and contributed to
the public revenue. +t Is
When, in 1902, Ohio became State in
The American Union, every other of the
seventeen members Of the confcderacy was
more populous and better cultivated, and
six had larger areas. Now, although the
number of the States has increased to thir-
ty one, of which nineteen are larger than
Ohio, not one SURPRISES her in the extent
and variety Of her agricultural products.
A general outline Of the gradual convcr-
sion of public into private ownership, will
reward attention.
Prior TO 1903 the returns Of lands held
by individual proprietors are mcagre and
unsatisfactory. In 1910, the number of
acres thus owned was 9,953, ,lOl. In 1929
.quantity had increased to l3,3l9,043
acres in 1880, estimating the quantity for
two counties from which there were no re-
turns, to 16,l99,6s2 acres; in 1910, esti-
mating for ono coiihty, 10 l9,740,2Sl acres,
in 1850 to 23,9el $50 acres; and in 1855
to 25,220,0S3 acres. There quantities are
exclusive of Town and City lots. Nearly
all the land in tho State, it will be observed
has thus become private property and sub
feet 10 taxation.
AREA OF THE STATE.
- The facts diseloed by these returns sug-
gest aIquestion Of the correctness of tho
Federal estimate Of the area of the State.
The difference between the returns of lands
for 1855, and the entire area as computed
at Washington, is only 25G,877 acres 1t
can hardly be doubted that a larger qaanti-
ty than this is included within the limits of
tho fifteen hundred cities anil towns ennm-
Grated in the Equalization Report for 1883,
and in the exemptions from taxation allow
ed by law. There remained moreover on
athc 30th of june last, according 10 the
statement of the Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office, which herewith trans
I.s.sx A.. I .,k.u lo..o 81.