Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-01-25


proper exhibit of the ability of the Prison for
self support shows an aggregate profit for the
year of 1896 96. These results show that the
Prison when finished will not only realize the
purposes for which it was establish
ed, without being Pecuniary charge upon the
people, but that it may be made a permanent
source of revenue 60 the State.
The enlargement of the Prison, and construc-
ton of workshops, authorized by your act of
March last, have been diligently prosecuted.
In connection with this subject, venture to
suggest for your consideration in case you deter
mine upon the erection of new prison, that
provision be made for such a construction Of it
as will admit of a complete separation between
the minor and adult convicts. The humane
favoring such separation are too
obvious to need statement of them.
NTEMPERANoE AND CRIME.
By reference to the Wardens Report it will be
seen that of the nine hundred and thirty-two
convicts in prison, only one hundred and ninety
seven of them profess to have been temperate
in their habits, while three hundred and seven
ty mine acknowledge that they had been intem-
perate. The proportion of the crimes committed
under the influence of intoxication does not ap-
pear, but from the statement of the habits of
these convicts, and from other well known facts
relating to the subject, there can be very little
doubt that much of the crime for which they
are imprisoned, was not only committed, but also
originated under intoxicating influences.
And this is but the history of crime every
where. Could any fact furnish n more earnest
appeal to the Legislature to exert all its consti-
tutional authority for suppressiug the evils of
ntemperance? l trust you will give this sub
iect your prompt and serious consideration, and
that you will devise some sufficient legal reme-
dy for diminishing these evils, which will ad-
dress itself avorably to the people of the State,
and thereby secure their earnest support for it's
enforcement. 1t would be oflittle practical ben
eft for your legislation this subject to be in
advance of public sentiment but it should fully
meet the demands of that sentiment.
STATE REFORM sBHooL.
have much satisfaction in communicating to
you the official report of the past years opera
tions of the State Reform School. Many mate
rial Improvements in regard to economy, general
management, and discipline have been introdu-
ced into its administration. The enterprise
should no longer be regarded as an experiment.
Brief as is its history il has established its claim
upon the public confidence. Its success has
realized all the reasonable expectations of its
early advocates. The practical examples of re-
formation which it has furnished, give the most
gratifying assurance of its permanent usefulness
Its administration is excellent. l commend the
Institution to your fostering care.
STATE FINANCES.
refer you to the report of the Auditor for
detailed exhibit of the financial condition of thu
State, and earnestly recommend to your appro
val the plan which, with the concurrence of tn,
Fund Commissioners, he submits for the pay
ment of our entire public debt by means of tax
alton, without the renewal of any of the existing
loans The reasons presented by the Audto
in favor of the immediate adoption of this polio,
are, in my judgment, unanswerabe. The who'll
I i I = 4 4 I -
and temporary, is $l4,250233 50, which sum bu
/ little exceeds one and a half per cent of tn
taxable values of the State, amounting t
/ $90O,000O00, in round numbers With sucl
! resources at her command, it does not seer
reasonable that Ohio should look TO loans t.
meet her accrung liabilities-so inconsiderabl
when compared with her resources-unless tn
| increased tax over the present levy which vii
be required to meet those liabilities within
reasonable time, woUld impose an unnecessary
heavy burden upon the people. Such ! do no
think would result from the adoption of the pro
posed plan.
! The levy for the year 1861 for the payment
the interest and the gradual reduction of tn
/ public debt is one and four-tenths of a mill o
| the dollar The same levy continued, woul
result in the reduction of the public debt i
January 1871, to the sum of $l1 ,670392 90
| The amount to be raised in the meantime to met
the accruing interest and principal of the del
by taxaton-all the other sources of the Sinkin
Fund being nearly exhausted-would be $9,760
093 "a, making the sums paid to January, 1871
and to be paid thereafter on the principal of Ii
debt, 1921 ,430,465 "A.
Instead of adhearing to this mode of payin
the public debt the Auditor proposes an add
ton of six-tenths of mill on the dollar to tn
present levy, making the entire levy two mil
on the dollar, which will provide a suthciel
sum to meet the aecruing interest, and tho
portions of the principal Of the debt maturir
prior to- and on the first day of January, 1877
leaving then only $4000,O00 of the debt unpai
Under this plan the amount of principal pa
from January l, 1861,
To January l, 1871, would be ......- 50, ,So7 2iI
The interest paid during the same period
would be ------------------------- 5OI6,233
interest r. rr S67a.474
remaining unpaid January ISL --..-.-.. 4,OOO, 900
And the total amount paid to January
1871 and to be paid thereafter would 573 474
This is $lS56,99l 04 less than would have
be paid under the present system prior to, al
q on the first day of January, 1871. To this
e vOrable showing of the results of the propos
. plan of paying the public debt, it should be a
f ded, that while the increased taxation necessa
to consummate the plan will amount to less tn
, twenty five cents year, TO each inhabitant
! the State, after the year 1870, the people will
! relieved of three-fifths of this levy, as the I
: naming two-fifths will yield a sufficient sum
meet theinterest, and provide for the payne
q at its maturity, of the principal of the renal
ing four millions of the public debt.
. Iappend tables to this communication sho'
: ing the practical workings of the plans.
The following statement exhibits the amou
a and description of the entire debt of the Stat.