Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-01-08
Miami university, have mot yet been 70.

Ihe report OF tbc commissioner OF COM
mon schools has been delayed by the onis-
sion on the part of several county auditors
TO transmit the necessary returns; but am
assured that twill be soon ready to be sent
in. The labor of tho commissioner has been
vduous, and commend 10 your
favorable action his application for n clerk.
The great interest entrusted to his charge is
of primary Importance, That the people
tool aud understand its true character is APP
parent from the fact that of SO, ,169,401 90,
collected in 1857, and disbursed for state
purposes, 81 1856, ,764 40 was applied in sup
port of common schools. And no wiser APP
plication cf the public funds could be made.
The youth Of the state are the future state.
The state will be what, under present train
ing, they become. No body of mer do n
greater work, or deserve higher favor than
the teachers Of the schools. Their wishes
and suggestions merit your most serious at
tention and favorable consideration; among
them no ono appears to be Of greater mo-
ment than that Of q provision of an institu-
ton for the preparation of larger number
of thoroughly qualified teachers. respect
fully commend to you the inquiry whether
this provision may not be made by organiz-
ing a normal department for the instruction
of teachers in one or both Of the state uni
versities.
The report of the commissioner of statis-
tics was not required to be in readiness at
the commencement of the session. II is,
however, in preparation, and will be laid
before you as soon AS possible. The labor
of collecting, ,collating ana wing and arrang
ing the materials for this report must nee
essarily be vast and perplexing; but have
! full confidence it will be well and thoroughly
performed; and that the report, when made
will present most gratifying exhibit of tho
industry, resources and civilization of the
state.
The reports of the auditor and treasurer
will exhibit fully and in detail, the state of
the finances. They contain many valuable
suggestions which commend TO your con
sideration. The report of the auditor also
shows the amount of means provided for the
expenses of the current year, within which
amount il will be necessary that Legislative
appropriations be strictly limited.
Among the suggestions contained in the
report Of the secretary of state, that of secur.
ing uniformity of election returns by the dis
tribution to the returning officers of proper
blank forms prepared in the secretarys Of
fee, seems especially to merit being EN-
bodied in legislative enactment.
Your own observation as well as the re
port of the commissioners, will inform you
that the work on the new state house ha,
been carried forward during the past yeal
, with diligence and economy.
/ The report of the quarter master general
t will direct your attention to the condition o
the military department. The object of Tho
{ net of the last general assembly to organ
ize and discipline the militia aud voIuntec
militia, has been in part accomplished
, but some important notifications are nee
cssary to its most beneficial effect Pcac'
is among the highest interests and most sa
f cred duties of states rs well as individuals
70 secure domestic order, essential to peace
a a thoroughly organized system of police i
necessary; and asa part of this system of po
r lice, disciplined military force is often in
= dispensahle. | do not doubt that you vii
! cheerfully sanction such amendments ~ vii
best subserye the general purpose to be ful
filed.
Some progress has been made under
| resolution of the last general assembly il
the collection and sale of public arms unfi
for service; of which detailed statemen
will soon be submitted to YOU
= Tho remarkable immunity from dscas
7 of the convicts of the penitentiarv, their reg
ular instruction in useful knowledge and il
moral and religious duties; their genera
good conduct and steady industry, eyince
the judgment and fidelity with which it
concerns are administered. The recent los
sustained by fire was serious iuiury to tn
: institution, and accounts in part for the Sigh
excess which appears in its expenditure
= over its receipts.
The reform school, authorized bv the las
general assembly, has been established il
tho county Of Fairfield; and is now read,
for the admission of inmates. The rcpor
= of the commissioners charged with its or
ganization will be found interesting and sat
isfactory.
The reports of the different ayums ex
hibit in the main, satisfactory results
Their management has been marked i
general by ability, fidelity and Success
. Tho large average cost of each inmate how
ever, and the large aggregate expenditure
9 for these institutions suggest the nccoSsit
:. of the stricte,t economy, and the oxpclionc
|, of so modifying their regulations that pay
: mcnt shall be required for admission an,
maintenance in cases whore the circum
3 stances of the inmate or his parents seen
to Justify it. 1t is highly desirable, ais,
that provision be made as far rs practicable
for the instruction and employment of tn
inmates in such industrial occupations a
: may be suited to their capacities and abiIi
tics, for the double purpose of dimiuishin,
the cost Of their maintenance, and of pre-
pairing them for self support in after life.
The conspicuous fact that in numerous in
, stances the causes Of the infrmitics, and es
pccially of the idiocy, lunacy, and crime
which fill our Asylums, or Penitentiary, anc
our Reformatory Institutions, are to be- trac
: ed to the violation of natural laws, and es
pecially to Inlempcrance, cannot fail to at
tract your notice. More general instruction
in the physical laws of life and well being
and in the moral and religious obligation
= connected with them; must be relied on 70
the dcmunition and prevention of these vi
: olations.
The Constitution of the State authorize.
the General Assemblv 10 nrovida bv Iau