Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-12

peultIt, anu, Ill ANY Case, So long as thew remain
under State management, the propriety of strict
compliance, in their administration, with the di.
rections of the Constitution will not beduestoned
The separation of them into several divisions and
the assignment of each division to the control OF
a single member of the Board Of Public Works, in
dependent, in most important respects, of the
! &oard itself, seems to me not only inexpedien,
but of more than doubtful constitutionality. re.
commend, therefore, such notifications of the act
of the last General Assembly on this subject as
will secure to the whole Board the control of the
Public Works which the Constitution commits to
its superintendence. / also recommend the res
toration of that provision of tie act of 1914 by
which the Governor, with the advice and consent
of the Senate, is authorized to appoint collectors
and inspectore; and renew the recommendation
addressed to your predecessors, of more stringent
provisions regulating the settlement of accounts
for repairs and other expenses of the canals. Un-
der the law, as itnow stands, there is too much
room for abuse, to the serious prejudice of the
public interests. ..-
During the year 1853, as was fully explained to
your predecessors, the sum Of SCI 1888 was ad-
vanced by the Treasury of State, upon my ad-
vice, concurring with that of the other Executive
Officers, for repairs of the Hooking Canal, greatly
injured and seriously endangered by recent foods.
The emergency did not permit delay; and as the
Legislature had made no provision for extraordin-
ary contingencies, an occasion seem to have arisen
in which public officers ought to take the respon-
sibiity of providing the means necessary to protect
the State from greatloss, and the citizens, depend
ant on the canal for transportation, from great
injury. The responsibility was taken; the means
were provided for by an advance from the Trea-
sury, unquestionably the most economical mode;
o larger amount than the sum advanced was
saved to the Treasury in tolls, and the benefits of
the navigation were secured to the people of the
locality. / am still of opinion that this money
was prudently and properly advanced. A public
officer who, in times of oyerruling emergencies,
will not take responsibilities clearly necessary to
the public good, as little deserves confidence, as
he who rashly assumes them on ordinary occasions
and without necessity. 1t win be for you to deter
mine whether the action of the Treasurer shall re-
ceive the legislative sanction which the last Gen.
eral Assembly omitted to give.
1t gives me great pleasure to say, that in the
department Of Public instruction constant pro-
gress and regular Improvement have been con-
spicuous.
Its burdens, however, now press somewhat
heavily upon the resources of the people.
Prior to the adoption of the present Constitution,
the fund annually raised by general taxation, and
distributed to the counties was Comparatively |
small. For several years the sum for distribution
was fixed at $200, 600; less than one-fourth of I
which was derived from general taxation, After
q time this annual sum was reduced, for a num-
bsr of years, to 81 SO, ,000; but finally increased to
$500, 900. During this period in the history of
our schools, somewhat larger sums than that de-
rived from the State were annually raised by local
taxation; but the aggregates from all sources,
State and local, did not reach one-third of the
totals under the existing system.
The tax for Schools and School Libraries now
somewhat more than three eighths of
Of the entire levies for State purposes, and nearly
one fourth of those for local purposes. The State
and local school taxes in 1855 were S2,7el ,S24 or
nearly one-third of tho aggregate levies for all
purposes. In 1859, the same leyies amounted to
s., 1872 I7S, and bore about the same proportion to
the whole. These facts will suggest to the Legis-
lature and to the local authorities the necessity of
prudence and the most careful economy.
Few citizens, trust, are disposed to abridge
the means and opportunities of education now Of
fered to the youth ofthe State. They know that
the power created by education, and made ayaila-
Die in all forms of labor, in all processes of art
and in every sphere of useful action, IS worth
many timesits cost. They feel, however, that the
cost is great, and care is needed, less by mprovi-
hence and extraragance disafection may be ex-
cited towards system SO benefcient.
With view to the increased efficiency of the
system again direct the attention of the Legisla
lure to the propriety of more effective aid to
ltdCucrS 1IistltuttS, dHQ Oi cOIlC luOflSfOu
agents to be appointed by the State Commissioner
o fulfil those duties of addressing public meetings
Ind comforting personally with local authorities,
low imposed on that officer, but impossible to be
sdequately performed without prejudice to de-
nands on his time and attention even more i'm
,ortant. {
With view of greater economy, it deserves
inquiry whether some additional limitations may
,ot be usefully imposed on the powers now exer- I
L IT. Il. n. -
The interest of the Irreducible Debt arising !. :.
rom sales of School Lands is now distributed |
Imong the counties according to their respective
interests in such lands In the counties it is again
among the townships in proportions de-
ermined by similar considerations. {
1t cannot be doubted that the Federal Govern
nent in granting those lands, intended equal bcne
its to all parts of the State The terms of the 9
rants, however, were originally constructed as 3
resting the title to them in the State for the use
If the townships in which the sections sixteen
we're situated or for the of larger districts for
which provision was made by grants of land not
within their limits. Whether this construction
vas correct ornot, it may not now be worth while
o enquire. 1t has long been acted on, and may
'erhaps be regarded as settled. 1t defeats, how
ver, to certain extent, the equal intent of the {
rant; imposed great labor on the State and 1
;ounty Auditors; perplexes the public ccounts; ,
nd embarrasses somewhat the general operation /,
# our school system.
Upon examination of the superintendent omong
he counties of the whole fund thus distributed,
m satisfied that very little, if any, cause of COM
laint would arise, ifthe various divisions of the
rreducible Debt into Virginia Military, United !
States Military, Section Sixteen, Section Tive /.
mime, Western Reserve and Morayian were !
Consolidated into one fund, and the whole interest
distributed among the counties in the same pro-
,ortion as the general School Fund. The saving
f labor and expense which would be effected by I
his reform, and tine clearness and intelligbiity,
Ghich it would introduce into our financial sys-
EN-, will, in my judgment, warrant some compen-
alton to particular counties, should it be fond
hat any are deprived BY it of revenue to which {
hey have a just claim. The subject is certainly I
{ sufficient Importance and interest to merit your
arcful consideration, and as such recommend il
o Jour attention.
The condition of the Benevolent and Reform
tory Institutions is upon the whoe, highly salts
actory.s ,
The number remaining in the Asylum for the
)eaf and Dumb at the close of the last year, was
SO; at the close of the preceding year $50. A $
reater number of inmates than the present can i
ot be accommodated, though, for want Of room, .
nany equally needed and equally deserving with !,
hose now received, must be excluded. The ex.
enses ofthe past year were SIS, ,l24, and hoset
( the preceding year $2l .443. A large part of A
he increase was for necessary repairs and i'm
beyond those of ordinary years. An
of $24 500 is asked for 1861 and Il
n urgent request for new building is preferred. n