American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1860-01-12

feRtiaung the settlement OF accounts Tor re
pairs and olhsE expenses on the canals. Tn
Der the law, a. il now stands, there is tot
much room for abuse to the serious pteiudic,
Of the public interests.
During the year 1858, as was fully explained
20 your predecessors, the sum Of $l6,333 wa
advanced BY the Treasury Of State, upon n,
advice, concurring with that Of the other Exc
cutive Ohicers, frr repairs of the HockinI
Canal, gTrstly injured and seriously endanRer
ed by recent foods The emergency did no
permit delay, and az the Legislature had mad,
no provision for extraordinary contingencies
en- occasion Seemed to have arisen in which
public othcers ought 10 take the responsibility
OF providing the means necessary TO protect
the State from great loss, and The citizens,
dependent on the canal for transportation,
nom great injury. The responsibility was
taken; the means were provided by an advance
nom the Treasury, unquestionably the most
economical mode; larger amount than the sum
advanced wss saved to the Treasury in tolls,
and the benefits Of the navigation were secur.
edto the people Of the locality. am still OF
opinion that this money was pridently and
properly advanced. A public officer who, in
times Of overruling 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. !. will be for you to
deteTmine whether the action OF The Treasur.
er shall receive .he legislative sanction which
the ,sst General Assembly omitted to give.
II gives me great pleasure to ssy, that in the
department Of Public Instruction constant
progress and regular Improvement have been
conspicious.
i,s burdens, however, now press some what
heavily upon the resources Of the people.
Prior to the adoption Of the present Consti.
tution, 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 e200, 900,
less than one fourth OF which was d. deriyed from
the general taxation. After time this annual
sum was reduced, for a number Of years, 10
SiS0.000, but finally increased to $500, ,O00.--
Durng this period in the history Of our schools,
some what larger sums than that derived from
thc Sate were annually raised by local taxa.
ton; but the aggregates from all sources, State
and local, did mt reach one third OF the totals
Under the existing system.
The tax for Schools and School Libraries
now constitutes some what more than three.
eighthS Of the entire levies for State purposes,
aud nearly one fourth Of those OF local pur-
pesos. The State and local school taxes in
1883 were ~, i,524. or nearly one-thrd oil
the aEEregat levies for ell purposes. In
teS9 the same levies amounted TO %, I92, ,l78,
and bore about the same proportion 10 the
whole. These facts will suggest to the Legis.
fnre and to the local authorities the necessity
OF prudence and the most careful economy.
Few citizens, trust, are disposed 10 abrdge
the meaus and opportunities Of education now
oitrted 10 the youth OF the State. They know
that The mas 4 atAd k.,a Id a..
available N all forms Of labor, in all processes
Of art, and in every sphere OF useful action, is
worth many times its cost. They feel, how>
ever, that the cost 10 great, and rare is nee ded
lest by improyidence and eKtravagance dsaf>
lection may be excited towards system so
benehcent.
With aview 10 the increased efficiency OF
the system again direct the attention Of the
Legislature TO the propriety Of more effective
AID 70 Teachers Institutes, and Of some PRO.
vision for agents to he appointed by the State
Commissioner 10 fulfill those duties OF address,
ing public meetings and confening personally
With local authorities. now imposed on that
ofiioer, but impossible 10 be sdeQuately per-
formed without prejudice 10 demands on his
time aHd attention even more important.
With view to greater economy, II deserves
inquiry whether some additional limitations
may not be usefully imposed TO the powrrs
now exercised by The Township Boards OF Ed
uoation.
The interest OF the Irreducibe Debt 10 now
distributed among the counties in the propor>
ton OF the sums derived from sale Of School
Lands, according 10 their respective interests
N such lands. In the counties It is again dis.
ttbuted among the townships in proportions
determined by similar considerations.
- ~. L.. A - a.. m
efnmsnt, IN granting these lands, intended
equal benefits TO all parts Of the State. The
terms OF the grants, however, were originally
construed as vesting The title 10 them in the
state fn the use OF the townships in which
the sections sixteen were situated, or for the
use Of larger districts for which provision was
made by grsnts Of lands not within their lin
lb. Whether this construction was correct or
mot, II may not now be worth while 10 enquire.
VI has long been acted on, and may perhaps
be regarded as settled. IL defeats, however,
10 certain extent, the equal intent OF the
grant, imposes great labor on the State and
County Auditors, perplexes tho public nc,
counts, aud embartasses somewhat the gener.
81 operation Of our school system.
Upon examination OF the apportionmsnt nj
among the counties Of the whole fund thus
distributed, am satisfied that very little, II
any, cause Of complaint would arise, il the
yanous divisions Of the irreducible debt into
Virginia military, United SlAtes Military, Sec.
ton sixteen, Section Twenty Nine, Western
hssrIve and MoTayian were consolidated into
one lVnd, and the whole interest distributed
among TIE counties in the same proportion as
the general School Fund. The saving of labor
and expense which would be effected by this
feinfm and the clearness aud intrllinbilty
Which Il would introduce into our financial
system, will, " mP judgment, warrant some
compensation TO particular counties, should
iths found that any are deprived by il OF reve
nue.. 10 which they have a Just claim. The
subject is certainly OF sufficient Importance
and interest 10 merit your CAREFUL considera.
ton, and as such Recommend il to your at.
tenlion.
The condition OF the Benevolent and Re.
lormaiory Institutions Is, up0n the whole,
highly satisfactory.
The number remaining in the Asylum for
the Deaf and Dumb at the close OF The last
year. was lbS-at the close Of the preceding
year l5O' A greater number OF inmates than
The present cannot be accommodated, though,
IoF want OF room, many equally needy and
eQualiy deserving with those now received,
must be excluded. The expenses of the mast
gear were $685. l23, and those of the nIeo,ed.
ing year 81 Asa. A large part Of the increase
was Tor necessary repairs and improvements
beyond those OF ordinary years. An appropri
alton OF 2i,bO0 dolls. is asked for 1850, and nm
urgent request for new building is preferred.
Nor should hesitate 70 recommend new and
enlarged structures II the revenue from m.
leyies OF last year would warrant me in so do
ing Should you see Al 10 take measures for
aseefta'ning the best location and plan OF such
AhueluT.A aud provide for the cost by the
necessary levy, do no, doubt that your action