Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-01-14

sQ 10 OlnSr uses, dOO 10 increase II 70
he full extent of the constitutional re-
luirrment And l also recommend such
legislation as will ensure the future res
srvation Of the entire fund from every
use except that Of paying the interest and
principal Of the Public Debt, and the
safe investment of that part specially
applicable 10 the reduction of the prin-
cipal, until wanted for lha. purpose.
The chief sources Of our Public income
are the Grand Levy; Charter Taxes Of
Banks; Proceeds of Public Works; coll
leclions of Surplus Revenue loaned to
Counties; sales Of School and Ministe
rial Lands held in Trust; sales of Lands
grated to the Stale in. aid Of Improve
ments; and otherwise acquired; dividends
Of Stocks; Convict Labor; Pay ments by
the General Government on account Of
the three per cent Fund; and Licences
and Auction Duties. '
Some Of these sources Of revenue are
nearly exhausted; others we're never
productive; and the receipts from others
are in the nature of loans rather than Of
income.
Only about forty thousand acres-of
land in Ohio yet remain the property of
the General Government. Very little
more can be expected therefore from the
States three per cent. proportion Of their
sales. Not much land belonging to the
State remains unsold. The amount of
Surplus Revenue unpaid by Counties, is
reduced to S906.3 $40 II. The proceeds
of convict labor are absorbed in the sup
port of the PenitenIiary, and avail moth
ing to The General Revenue. And the
proceeds OF the School and Ministerial
Lands, as they accrue, become part OF
the Irreducible Debt. upon which the
State is bound to pay six per cent. inter-
est to The use for which they were gran
ted.
These facts admonish US that for the
expenses of the State Government. of
the Public Institutions, and for the pay
ment of the State debt, our main reii-
ance must hereafter be upon the ceatTl-
buttons of the people, in the form of
Taxes. They require Us to husband
every remaining resource. and demand
the stric,est economy in every depart
ment of expenditure. $3.50 11ss
No means exist Of sscertaining the
quantity of lands remaining unsOld.
whether belonging 10 the State, or held
in trust. recommend the provision Of
such means. -fA aal
suggest also. the expediency Of such
legislation as will expedite and ensure
the reimbursement TO the State Of the
unpaid balances Of Surplus Revenue, yet
re naming with the Counties. of
When Ohio came into the Union. she
relinquished the rightto tax the land Of
the United States within her limits, in
consideration. among other things, that
not less than three per cent. of the pro-
cet ds of all sales, past or future. should
be paid To the State. to be applied in
laving out roads. This is the origin Of
what is known as the Three per cent.
Fund. The General Government has
only accounted for the Sta'c's proportion
OF lands sold since the compact. and sold
for money. In my judgment, the spirit
il not the letter of the compact. entities
the State to the same proportion of the
sum which would have been produced
By the sale, at not less than the mini-
mum rate of a dollar and quarter an
acre, of all lands granted for MIlitary
services, or granted or reserved TO lndi-
yiduals. Companies. and Corporations
for their osn use and benefit. The qusn-
Iity of such lands, according TO the
Commissioner statement, herewith
transmitted, is 10. $40, $40 acres. A
large sum. therefore. if my view OF the
matter is correct. is due to the State
from the General Government, and it is
worthy of your consideration whether
some measures should not be adopted to
secure the recognition and pay ment Of
this claim. Its equity is the more sp,
parent. when it is considered that of all
the land States, Ohio has been the least
literally dealt with by the Federal Gov
ernment. Every other OF these Sales
has received much larger grants Of land
in aid of public improvements than Ohio.
Nearly every other. instead OF three per
cent OF the proceeds Of sales. has re-
ceived FIVE. Minnesota and ali the new
Territories. instead of one section in each
Township for the use Of Schools, have
received two Ohio does not complain
of this liberality to other States and Ter
ri.ories. BY her Senators AMI Repre-
s-ntaiives she has sanctioned it. She
only demands justice for herself 49,
After your adjournment in A pril last,
l received from the late State Librarian
a very interesting report upon the boun-
dary between Ohio and Pennsylvania,
made under an appointment by my pre-
decessor. in pursuance OF a resolution Of
a former General Assembly. now lay
the Report before you Ii will be found
to embody much valuable information
our Eastern boundary, which
is continuation from the Ohio 10 Lake
Erie. of a due North line, drawn from
the Western termination OF Msson's 4
Dixon's Line between Pennsylvania and
Virginia. Il will be for the Legislature
to determine What compenssiions, il any,
shall be made to the late State Librarian
fol his specia! service.
The Report of the Board Of The Pub
lie Works will advise you fully in respect
10 the management OF the important pub
lie concerns committed TO their charge.
The unusual drOuth Of the past season
has greatly hindered the navigation of
The Canals. in consequence of which the
gross revenues have been reduced from
1865. 93l, 90 in 1e54-5.- 10 S427.813C9
IN 1866. Much the greater portion Of
Ibis diminution appears in the receipts
Of the Miami and Erie Canal. the reasons
of which are fully stated by the Board.
The nett result Of 1856 is as follows: