Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-01-25


canal counties has arisen from the ex-
lstence Of the canals, so their destruction
would seriously depreciate the same, and
the basis of taxation being correspond
llngly lessened, the burdens of the public
debt, and sthe ordinary expenses Of the
government would thus be proportion
tally increased upon the remaining prop
ferty of the State. Whether sale can
be made on such terms as will secure to
sthe people the full use~of these public
works, is question which addresses
itself to the careful consideration of the
General Assembly.
The report of the Board of Public
Works, and the Auditor of State contain
many facts connected with this subject
that will aid in your investigations. SO
+ large an interest, involving so import
iantsquestions -efpublie- -peliays-aad~sseh.
vast pecuniary results should not be dis
posed of without the maturest consider
alton, After giving the subject my
earnest attention, am constrained to
repeat my former recommendation, and
suggest the passage of joint resolution
auth orizing the commission of three gen.
tlemen of large experience and capacity,
whose special duty it shall be to make
detailed examination of the entire sub
ject, and report to the Governor at the
earliest practicable period, such changes
and notifications in our canal laws, as
in their judgment may be desirable, to
lessen the expenses, or to augment the
income so as at least, to make the canals
self-sustainlng.
MILITARY
invite your special attention to the
Report Of the Adjutant General. The
subject of our State should not fill
place in an Executive Message merely
because the Constitution enjoins upon
ths General Assembly the necessary le-
gislation to render it effective. It de-
mandsa more considerate attention. The
Report referred to presents clear and
practical outline of the system establish
ed by law and regulations. the burdens
under which it struggles, and the neces-
sity of legislative action in its behalf.
The organized militia of the State
numbers at present little less than
twelve hundred men. These are uni
formed, armed and equipped, and are for
the most part in a commendable state OF
discipline. The unorganizet militia,
subject to be drafted for military duty in
the event Of insurrection or invasion,
amounted, in 1859, to 100000 men, and
the entire disposable force of the State,
at the present time, is about 295, 900
able bodied men.
The Constitution requires the enroll
mcnt Of all white citizens, residents Of
this State, being eighteen years of age
and under forty-fve years Of age, in the
militia. The law Of March 27, 1857,
provided for such cnrollment but so
much Of it as relates to that subject has
been repealed. I recommend TIE revival
Of the repealed sections.
The present militia system, I am ad-
vised, has received the favorable notice
of officers Of the army, and military men
Of other States but no system can work
successfully unaided by the State. The
experiment, wherever tried, has failed.
The citizen soldier is necessarily sub
jected to continual expense. By ex-
isting laws the State shares no part Of
the burden in maintaining our present
militia system. The bill which passed
one branch of the General Assembly at
its last session, proposing an allowance
to each we'll disciplined company, Of
certain annual sum for the care and
keeping Of the public arms, is in the
right direction. But I submit, with
great Difference, whether the basis of that
bill should not be enlarged, both as it
regards the sum to be appropriated to
each company, and the number of the
uniformed militia to be aided Certain
it is, that two thousand Of militia-the
estimate upon which the sum in that bill
is based-is number greatly dispro-
portioned to the extent and population
of the State.
By the theory of our Government the
general defense is entrusted to the mill
tia It is your duty to determine to
what extent that theory shall be practi
cally observed in Ohio. A majority of
the States have made liberal provision
for the support of their militia.
While it would be unwise to burden
the people with taxes for large military
appropriations in time of peace, it would
be equally unwise to disregard the sac
rifces and burdens of those who have
undertaken the duties and responsibili-
ties of the service, and the practical pur-
poses of a military organization. An
effective militia is one of the most reli-
able pledges of continued peace The
ability of the State to summon her citi-
zens to support her peace when threat
ened, or her laws when violated, is q ST
lent but impressive guarantee of their
perpetuity and supremacy.
1t appears that the State has received
81, 962 muskets and rifles, and has but
about 5000 at her present command. -
Of II, ,632 cavalry pistols, but 722 re-
main. Of 272 revolvers, about 40 are
supposed to be recoverable. Of 46 brass
cannon, more than three -fourths were
useless, or dangerous for service, from
neglected or bad usage, until the Qurter-
Master General restored them to service
able condition. The same proportion
of loss and depreciation runs through
the whole list Of arms received from the
United States, the original cost Of which
was S920,203.
While the present system of the issue
and care Of the public arms prevents
similar result for the future, it is for the
General Assembly to determine whether
the supply now owned by the State is
adequate to her wants. Other States,
under similar circumstances, have sup
piled the loss aud waste by purchase.
The annual quota received from the
| General Government diminishes with the
accession Of each new State and Terri
tory. 1t is at present less than one
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