The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-01-13

with confident belief that any preju-
dices you may have imbibed against it,
will disappear as you become familiar
with its workings. @.f -
Under its present management, it
cannot fail to exert a beneficial influence
as school of reform. In addition to
its educational training, the boys are
now requiring habits of Industry, and
becoming fitted for usefulness in the
world by learning good trade. The
reclamation of. the unfortunate juye-
niles of our State, who are thrown mp
OF, the world with, no restraint to pre-
vent their acquiring vice and crime, is
an indication of the Christian spirit
of the age, and is worthy, of our con-
tinued and jealous efforts. Seventy
six boys is, the extent of the present
capacity of the building--it will there
fore hold but eighteen more. I cannot
doubt that you will make provision for
an additional wing. s.a., ee
l am confident you will not fail to
take deep interest in the Reports ofthe
officers and Trustees of the Asylums.
That at Flint, for deaf and dumb and
blind, although the buildings are in
complete, has been in successful opera
ton since 1854, and the whole number
of pupils connected with it since its
organization, is l2S-of whom 81 were
deaf and dumb, and Al blind.
The whole number in attendance the
last year is Ill; and, under the super
intendence of the able, enthusiastic,
and devoted Mr.. Fay and his assistants,
they have made creditable progress in
the attainment of that knowledge
which is received under such peculiar
disadvantages, and which in its teach
ings, requires the exercise of great pa
tience and skill. Good progress has
been made in the completion of the
buildings, and the appropriations have
been judiciously and properly expen-
ded. ..=....' -. p. -. -
The State has suffered a severe los
in the destruction, by fire, of the main
building of the Asylum for the ms ane
at Kalamazoo, particular account OF
which will be found in the Report.
The pecuniary loss, which is estimated
at about s22, 900, is considerable, but
the delay and embarrassment in pro-
viding for that unfortunate class, whose
appeals are addressed to the better
feelings of humanity, are more to be
regretted. Under the circumstances,
the Board of Trustees have acted
wisely in completing the wing; and as
soon as appropriations are made to
furnish the building, it will be ready
for the reception of ninety patients.
The Trustees and Building Com
missioners of both these Institutions,
are deserving favorable mention for
the strict economy they have practiced
in the expenditure of the public money
and that fidelity and devotion to
the public interests. My opinion of
the urgent necessity of the completion
of these buildings, has been freely ex-
pressed heretofore. The people OF
Michigan are not unmindful of their
duty to these suffering and unfortunate
classes, and will freely submit to addi-
tional taxation, if necessary, to make
proper provision for their improve
ment and restoration to usefulness.
The military spirit, which had been
on the decline for several years, seems
to have revived lately; and from the
report of the Adjutant General, it will
be seen that there are thirty three well
organized independent companies OF
"well informed, well disciplined, well
drilled, citizen soldiers" and that they
ask slight appropriation at your
hands to defray incidental expenses
Standing armies in time of peace are
not in consonance with republican in.
stitutions; but for their protection
safety and permanence, reliance mus,
always be placed upon the gallantry
and patriotism of the militia. / regard
their ambition to excel, therefore, as
commendable, and their appeal to you
to sustain and sanction their efforts as
just and reasonable.
BY the terms of the act of the l4tl
of February, 1857, disposing of the
grants of land made to the State Of
Michigan for railroad purposes, the
several companies to whom the lands
were granted were required to pay q
specific tax of one-per cent. upon thhs
cost of their roads, equipments ard ap.
purtenances; and the Legislature, af
ter ten years, were authorized to levy
an additional tax of two per cent upon
their earnings. This, by several OF
the companies, was deemed to be une-
quail and oppressive and they declined
to accept the grant upon that condi
ton.
In the case of the lands granted tc
aid in the. construction of the Detroit
and Milwaukee Railroad, and the Port
Huron and Milwaukee Railroad, the
Board of Control were called upon tc
act, and made such disposition of the
lands as in their Judgment would Sc
cure their completion. Before any &C
ton was had in relation to the grant
to the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad
the Directors of that Company passed
a resolution, which / have filed with
the Secretary OF State, giving their con
sent to the alteration of their charter
and the imposition of tax of three
fourths of one per cent. on the entire
cost of the road, in lien of all Other
taxes, provided all other roads benefited
lby land grants were placed upon &
similar footing. I submit to you the