The Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1861-1862, 1862-01-11
. AyENNA, OHIO, SATURDAY,9 JANUARY11. 1852

about the same as in Great Britain, but the
proportion against property is much less.
The average number of deaths by violence
in Ohio is FIVE hundred, or ono in forty-seven.
hundred. The average number In Prussia is
one in eighteen hundred and seventy three
Crimes Of violence seem, therefore, to be much
less frequent here than on the continent Of
Europe. ~. - .'.',,..,+ I, ! & 81. ,.,,..
The. average number of marriages in Ohio
varies but little from one in one hundred; in
Prussia, onein one hundred and ten But the
proportion in Germany is probably greater than
in either France OF England Illegitimacy and
infantieide, though frequent in densely popu-
lated countries are comparatively rare here.
+ Reviewing these external tests of social
evils OF great magnitude exist among the
morality, we find that while social
iaasE lived ststes, our proportion sis less
than IN older countries, and sufiicently iro
crate to prove that the existence of .extiaor.
dnary freedom has not given rise to extraor-
dinary vice. The Statistics of the State show
that one half of all its crimes are due to in
temperance While it is easy to prove that
other States and other communities, share
even more largely in this calamity, it can new
er cease to be subject of profound regret, that
people placed under the happiest auspices
should be unable to deliver itself from an evil
so great and so disastrous.
In concluding this roview Of material and
social progress in Ohio, during a period of
sixty years, we must acknowledge at once the
elements OF success; the wisdom of the pion-
eers, who laid its foundation so wisely and
broadly, and the untiring labors and sagacous
intelligence of the people who have sustain
cd and matured its institutions. These insti-
tutions were founded on the broadcast basis Of
freedom, and in vain will other States, and
other ages be sought for better examples Of
just and equitable government.
Itakc this occasion to say that hct Bureau OF
Statistics provided for by the Constitution,
and organized by the act of 1857, has proved
of essential service, i'll procuring and Systcmat-
izing accurate information upontthe elements,
resources and development of the State. The
annual E:ovemcnt in each department of agri-
culture, industry, commerce, and society, is
now perfectly determined, and furnishes a re-
liable basis of legislation. Statistics, in the
most advanced states of Europe, have bcenre-
duccd to a science, and are quoted and relied
upon, by both statesmen and philosophers, as
the best means of ascertaining the true condi-
ton of society. If the present law on this
subject We're so amended as to provide for as
ccrtaining the Eumbcr of births and deaths, it
would furnish more complete means of deter
mining our moral and santory condition.
commend this subject to your favor.
The Stat, Beard of Agriculture is perform
ing useful offices in connection with our aS-
ricultural interest earnestly commend ii
to the continued favor of the Legislature, anc
trust that all proper facilities will be given tc
it to accomplish the greatest beneficial results
In that belief repeat the recommendation
made to your immediate predecessors, for tn
establishment of an experimental farm, on
portion of the Reform School Farm, to be un
der the direction of the State Board to com
: municatc the results of experiments in tn
. srveraEdepartment of farming and stock rails
...,, - - - formers of the State, through it
! Annual Il 'ror%.
I call yout e..cntion also to the expedienc,
, of having the State represented at the inter
national exhibition of works of industry anC
art, to be held at London in May next, and tt
the propriety of organizing the State Board o
Agriculture to select delegate. If Congres:
shall fail to provide for the payment of the
expense of such delegate, l respectfully rec.
ommend that a suitable appropriation, there
fore, be made by the General Assembly.
The various Benevolent Institutions of the
State are in prosperous condition, and have
been conducted during the past year with fl
deity and success. No State in the Union
has greater reason to be proud of its public
charities than Ohio. They are justly encour-
aged by legislative action, and have in a
marked degree the confidence and sympathies
of the people take pleasure in again com.
mending them to the fostering Gre of the
General Assembly.
Thc number Of patients in the Central
Northern and Southern Lunatic Asylums a
the end of the last financial year were: