The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-01-14
Message Of the Governor Of Ohio,
'gi4zassi ...a TO THy 900 '''ee-7
PIfty-secOnd General Assembly.
man ~ > AT ID a.5
THE ADJOURN NEDS SESSION,
COmInencing January s. 1857.

80 N'S'sNFf1NH'
s,Sweieorac you, with great pleasure, to the
first session of the General Assembly in the
SlewiState House. fl
ed In simplicity Of Design, in harmony Of Pro-
portions and in massive sOlidty of Structure, 1t
stands, and may it long stand, monument and
a symbol Of the dear Faith, the well ordered
Institutions, aad the enduring Greatness'of the
People whose House it IS 49,
THE year which has just closed, has been
marked by the steady advance OF the great State,
whose interests, for the present, have been con-
fided to our care, in all the elements of wealth,
honor and power,
The 1eturns-ef Agriculture, though less abun-
'iaht than in some more favored years, have yet
been sufficient to supply abundantly our wants
at home, ard to furnish large surplus for ex-
,portation. fThe products of Manufacture g In
taustry have been steadily and greatly augment
ed. The transactions of Commerce have null
tiplied in nutubcr and increased in Importance.
Vast mineral treasures, hitherto comparatively
inaccessible, have been brought by the extern
sion of Railroads, within the easy reach ofenter-
prize and made tributary to the general progress
-2'Wkiie the development and enlargement Of
our material resources have been ensured by
these and similar agencies, other instrumental
lies have been actively employed in the promo
ton Of the moral and Intellectual welfare Of
the people. Public order and private rights
have been maintained by our enlightened and
impartial administration of justice Institutions
OF Education have difused among the masses
ahespower of knowledge; Institutions of Bcney-
.olelce have administered to the children Of sor-
row the wise and noble charity Of the State; IN
stitutions of Religion, sustained by the volun-
,tary contributions and ready sympathies Of the
people, and made efficient by the self-denying
ialjors Of teachers and ministers have lent their
powerful support to public virtue and order, while
they have enforced the obliga tons Of private du-
ty and cherished the aspirations Of individual
faith. .
I Nor are these the only benefits which demand
our grateful acknowledgements. Peace is the
opportunity Of progress, and peace, unbroken
has prevailed throughout our borders. The
Pestilrnce, which in former years. invaded and
'dcsolated so many homes, has not been permit
ted to approach us, Health in unusual meas
ure, has cheered our homes and animated our
laborS
From this pleasing survey, it is my duty to
proceed to amore detailed exposition Of the con-
dition of the State.
The primary interests Of Ohio connect them
selves closely with the ownership and cultiva-
ton Of the soil
a. The whole area Of the State, according to the
computations Of the Federal authorities contains
33S64 square miles, or 25,576,J $50 acres. A
little more than half century ago not an acle Of
this area had been cleared for cultivation or even
reduced to private ownership.
The Federal Government asserted an exclu-
sive proprietary title in the whole, except that
portion included 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 Subducd The whole burden Of contTibu-
tiens for the support of the State and its insti-
tutions, was cast upon the land thus purchased.
The land of the Government was wholly eX-
elnpt; and the contributions of tie government
by grants land in aid Of public improvements
were insignificant in comparison with the en-,
hanced value OF the unglanted lands.
Notwithstanding these serious disadvantages
the process of purchase and settlement has gone
steadily forward until more than twelve mil
lions of acres, occupied for agricultural purposes
and nearly thirteen millions more, cIassed as
Uncultvatcd, have become private property, and
contribute TO the public revenue.
When, in 1902 Ohio became State in the
American Union, every other Of the seventeen
members of the coniederacy was more populous
and better cultivated, and six had larger areas.
Now, although the number Of the States has in
creased to thirty one, Of which nineteen are lar
ger than Ohio, not one surpasSes her i'll the eX-
tent and variety of her agricultural products.
A general outline Of the gradual conversion OF
public into private ownership will reward at
tention.
Prior to 1903 the returns oflands held by in
dvidual proprietors are mcagle and unsatisac-
tory. In 1910 the number Of acres thus owned
was 1858 lol. In 1920, this quantity had in
creased to 1898, ,043 acres; i'll 1880, estimating
the quantity for two counties from which were
no returns to 16, 1862 acres; in 1910, esti-
mating f one county, to l9,740.381 acres; in
1850, tC 23,9Sl $50 acres; and in 1855, to 25,-
22a083 acres These quantities are exclusive
of Town end City lots Nearly all the land in
Che State, it will thus be observed, has thus be-
come private property, and subject to taxation.
The facts disclosed by these returns, suggest
aquestion Of the correctness of the Federal esti-
mate 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
256,877 acres 1t can hardly be doubted that
alarger quantity than this is included within
the limits of the fifteen hundred cities and towns
enumerated in the Equalization Report for 49,
63, and in the exemptions from taxation allow
eddy law Their remained, moreover, on the
30th Of June last, according to the statement oi
the Commissioner Of the General Land Office
which herewith transmit, and to which shall
hereafter have occasion ID refer, 43, ,553 acres Of
public land undisposed Of, within the State
These facts render it highly probable that the
true area ofthe State exceeds the estimate hth-
erto received as correct.
However this may be, the gratifying fact is
certain that federal ownership in Ohio approach
es its termination, and that the drafts upon her
resources for the purchase Of the soil have nearly
ceased. Henceforth the unembarressed ener-
gics of her people may be directed to the fullest
possible development of all her resources.
The General Assembly will cheerfully recog-
nize the duty ofextendng the great agricultural
interest Of the State all proper securities and
encouragements. To this end the State Board
OF Agriculture was organized in 1916, and pro-
vision was at the same time made for the better
organization and greater usefulness Of County
Agricultural Societies. The wisdom OF this
legislation has been amply vindcated in its re-
suits. Through the labors of the State Board
and Of the County Societies, agricultural improve
rnents has been benefieialy stimulated Their
annual Reports embody valuable contribution to
agricultural knowledge, the effect of which is be-
coming more and more visible in the increased
skill intelligence and energy with which the
Iabors Of the farm are executed, and in the in
creased production with which they are rewar-
aed.
respectfully submit to your consideration
the propriety Of increasing the funds set apart
for appropriation by the State Board and coun-
ty Societies to premiums for excellence in pro-
dnction and in management and of making
euch s,fhar nrovison for tha increasa and diffil-