Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-01-14

ready for the admission of intimates. The
Report Of the Commissioners charged with
its organization will be found interesting
and satisfactory.
The Reports of the different Asylums
exhibit in the main, satisfactory results
Their management has been marked in
general by ability, energy, fidelity. and sue
cess. The large average cost of each in.
mate, however, and the large aggregate
expenditures for these Institutions suggest
the necessity of the strictest economy, and
the expediency Of so modifying their regu
lations that payment shall be required for
admission and maintenance, in cases where
the circumstances of the inmate or his pa
rents seem to justify it. 1t is highly de-
sirable, also, that provision be made as far
as practicable for the instruction and en-
ployment Of the inmates in such industrial
occupations as may be suited to their Ca
pacities and abilities, for the double purpose
of diminishing the cost of their maintenance
and of preparing them for self support in
after life.
The conspicuous fact that in numero us
instances the causes of the in6rmities, and
especially of the idiocy, lunacy, and crime,
which fill our Asylums, our Penitentiary,
and our Reformatory Institutions, are to
be traced to the violation of natural laws,
and especially to Intemperance, cannot fail
to attract your notice. More general in
struction in the physical laws Of life and
well-being, and in moral and religious obli-
cations connected with them, must be re-
lied on for the diininution and prevention
of these violations. The Constitution Of
the State authorizes the General Assembly
to provide by law against the evils result
ing from the traffic in intoxicating liquors.
While Intemperance crowds our prisons,
desolates our homes, robs society of its
highest ornaments, and proclaims itself ev-
erywhere the foe of virtue, of peace and Sc
curity, all right-minded men will agree
that whatever can be rightfully done 10
protect the community from such an evil,
should be done. 1t will be your duty to
consider this object with wise reference
to the demands of public setiment with a
sincere respect for personal rights, and with
an honest purpose to accomplish the end
indicated by the Constitution.
The condition of the Public Works Of
the State is fully stated in the report or the
Board charged with their supervision. 1t
will be seen that the net income of the Ca
mails during the last year has fallen short of
the expenditures, including Commission
ers' salaries, by the sum of sl3,615 61.-
1t will also be seen that the actual cost of
repairs upon two sections, exceeds the con-
tract prices by $1s,oe4, 80, while the con-
tract prices upon four sections exceed the
actual cost by s45,567 4S; making net
difference in favor of actual cost of $27,-
472 81. Under these circumstances, the
sale of the canals will doubtless be urged
upon your attention. 1t may be admitted
that true policy requires the total separa-
ton of the State from the control and
management of public works of this descrip-
ton; but as they were constructed when a
different policy was strongly recommended
by the circumstances of the people, and
have thus become the property of the State
at immense cost, l am clearly of opinion
that they should not be sold except for
their actual value, and under such restric-
tions as will secure the ends of their con-
struction. 1t will be for the General As
sembly, if disposed to authorize a sale, to
determine the necessary restrictions, and
how far the results of the past year are to
be accepted as an indication of value. In
my judgment those results are to be ascrib-
ed mainly TO the temporary causes indica-
ted in the report of the Board, and have
little doubt that the income in future years,
under prudent and economical management
will realize their ancicipations.
Under these circumstances, it will proba-
bly, be safest in case sale be contemplated,
to take the average net income of the last
ten years as of proper criterion, and to es--
innate the value at the principal of which
that income would be the interest at six
per cent.
1t gives me pleasure to state that the
expenses of most of the State Institutions,
and of the different Officers and Boards in
the public service, have been kept strictly
within the limits of the Legislative appro-
priations. An important exception will
be found in the case of the Northern Lu-
natic Asylum. Debts have been contract
ed in behalf of that Institution largely be-
yond the appropriation for its support;
and in part, at least, in direct violation of
the act of March 80, 1857, which not on
ly expressly prohibits such contracts, but
subjects the officers making them to per-
sonal liability for their performance, and
distinctly declares that the State shall not
be liable. 1t is indispensibly necessary to
arrest a practice which, together with defal-
cation, has caused the present embarrass-
ment of our finances, and which, if permit
ted, will transfer the determination of the
amounts to be appropriated to the various
objects of the State Government, from the
Boards end Officers.
There are some aspects of the relations of
Ohio with the Federal Government, to
which l feel myself constrained to invite
your attention.
In my last communication to the Gen
eral Assembly, I stated some reasons for
believing that large sum is due to the
State from the United States, under the
compact relating to the proceeds of public
lands disposed of within our limits. l re-
commended the adoption of resolutions, in
our Senators and requesting our
Representatives, in Congress to urge the
payment of this claim.
The President of the Federal Treasury
have recommended to Congress the enact