The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-11

so.y w sd0 PuoilC SoOu, 10 iissAS NS'S' 'So |
,onfdence as he who rashly assumes them
ON ordinary occasions and without neces-
sity. 1t will be for you to determine
whether the action of the Treasurer shall
receive the legislative sanction which the
last General Assembly omitted to give
1t gives me great pleasure to say, that
in the department of Public Instructions
constant progress and regular improve
ment have been conspicuous.
Its burdens, however, now press some
what heavily upon the resources Of the
people.
Prior to the adoption of the present
Constitution, the fund annually raised by
the general taxation, and distributed to
the counties, was comparatively SMALL
For several years the sum for distribution
was fixed at 100000; less than one-
fourth of which was derived from general
taxatioa After q time this annual sum
was reduced for number of years to
$3.50, 900; but finally increased to $780,
900. During this period in the history
of our schools. somewhat larger sums
than that derived from the State were an
nuaIly raised by local taxation; but the
aggregate from all sources, State aud
local, Gid reach one-third of the totals
under the existing system.
The tax for Schools and School Lib
raries now constitutes somewhat more
than three eighths of the entire levies for
State purposes, and nearly one fourth of
those for local purposes. The State and
local School taxes in 1858 were $2,7Sl,-
S24. or nearly one-third of the aggregate
levies for all purposes. In 1859, the same
levies amounted to $2,7s2,17s, and bore
about the same proportion to the whole
These facts will suggest to She Legisla.
ture and to tho local authorities the me-
cessity of prudence and the most careful
economy.
Few citizens, trust, are disposed, to
abridge the means and opportunities of
education now offered to the youth of the
State. They know that the power crea-
ted by education, and made available in
all forms of labor, in all processes of art,
and in every yRphere of useful action, is
worth many times its cost. They feel,
however, that the cost is great and care
is needed, lest by improvidence and ex-
travagance disaffection may be excited
toward system so bene6cent.
With view to the increased efficiency
.of the system again direct the attention
of the Legislature to the p.opriety of more
effective aid to Teachers Institutes, and
Of some provision for agents to be ap-
pointed by the State Commissioner to full
6l those duties of addressing public
meetings and comforting personally with
local authorities, now imposed on thai
officer, but impossible to be adequately
performed without prejudice to demands
on his time and attention even more i'm
portant.
With q view to greater economy, it de
serves inquiry whether some additiona
! limitations may not be usefulIy imposed OIL
the powers exercised by the Township
Boards of Education.
The interest of the Irreducible Debt arisin,
from sales of School Lands is now distribute
tive interests in such lands. In'the countie
it is again distributed among the townships i
proportions determined by similar considers
tions.
1t cannot be doubted that the Federal Gov
ernment, in granting these lands, intende
equal benefits to all parts of the State. Th
n terms of the grants, however, were originali
construed as vesting the title to them in til
State for the use of the townships in which til
sections sixteen were situated, or for the us
, of larger districts for which provision wa
made by grants of lands not within their lin
its. Whether this construction was corre
or not, it may not now be worth while to eI
quire. l. has long been acted on, and ma
perhaps be regarded as settled. 1t defeat
however, to certain extent, the equal intel
of the grant; imposes grea! labor on the Sta
and Comfy Auditors; perplexes the public a
counts; and embarrasses somewhat the gene
!, al operation of our school system.
r Upon examination Of the apportionmel
. among the counties of the whole fund thus di
tributed, am satisfied that very little; if an
cause of complaint would arise, if the vario,
: divisions of the Irreducible Debt into Virgin
q Military, United States Military, Section 81
:. teen, Section Twenty Nine, Western Reser'
and Moravian were consolidated into one fun
u and the whole interest distributed among Il
: counties in the same proportion as the gener
{ School Fund. The saving of labor and e
ipense which would be effected by this refor,
and the clearness and intelligibility which
: would introduce into our financial system, wi
: in my judgment, warrant some compensate
e to particular counties, should it be found tn
q any are deprived by it of revenue, to whi
: they have a just claim. The subject is &c
tainly of sufficient Importance and interest
q merit your careful consideration; and as su
It recommend it to your attention.
q The condition of the Benevolent and R
formatory Institutions is, upon the who
highly satisfactory.
;" The number remaining in the Asylum
q the Deaf and Dumb at the close of the la
e year, was 15S; at the close of the precedil
year $50. A greater number of inmates tn
the present cannot be accommodated, thouy
& for want of room, many equally needy a
Is many equally deserving with those now
,r ceived, must be excluded, The expenses
! the past year were $25, ,123, and those of t
preceding year s2l ,432. A large Fart of t
increase was for necessary repairs and i
& pre- vements beyond those of ordinary yea
Of AZ, appropriation of S24, 500 is asked for 1st
.r and an urgent request for new building
:, preferred. Nor should hesitate to reco
ID mend new and enlarged structures ifthe re,