Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-16

In estimating the morals Of society we have
social tests, in the number and character OF
crimes, In the number Of violent deaths, and
IN the number Of marriages. While VIC canr ot
estimate the amount of vice existing beyond
the reach of the law, these exterior tests af.
iord means Of comparison between different
communities. The facts connected with this
subject have been for several years reported
by the Commissioner of Statictics, and may
be briefly stated.
The average number OF indictments for
crimes in Ohio for four years ending 1861 ,
was 3,400, Of which one half were statutory
offences, and the residue crimes against per-
sons or property. The proportion Of crimes
is 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 fl, hundred or one in forty.seven
hundred. The average number in Prussia is
one in eighteen hundred and seventy-threc -
Grimes of violence seem, therefore, to be
much less frequent here than on the CONT.
nent Of Europe.
The number Of marriages in Ohio varies but
little from one in one hundred; in Prussia me
in one hundred and ten. But the proportion
in Germany is probably greater than in France
or England. Ilcgitimacy and infanticide,
though frequent in den,ely populated coun-
tries, are comparatively rare here.
Reviewing these external tests OF social
maraliy, we find that while social evils OF
/ great magnitude exist among the most civil
| lied states, our own proportion is less than
in older countries, and sufficiently moderate
to prove that the existence of extraordinary
freedom has not given existence to extraor-
d+nary 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 communities, share eve n more largely
in this calamity, it can never cease to be a
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.
The Message recommends that the present
law with regard to statistics be so amended as
to provide for ascertaining the annual number
! of births and deaths in the State, which would
furnish more complete means of determining
our moral and sanitary condition.
B,ARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The State Board of ofAgriculture is perform
mig useful Offices in connection with our agri
cultural interests; | earnestly commend it
to the continued favor of the Legislature, and
trust that all proper facilities will be given it
to accomplish the greatest beneficial results.
In that behalf repeat the recommenda-
ton made to your immediate predecessors, for
tho establishment of an experimental farm, on
u poTIlOn Ol tue heIOTn oCnOOl arm, 10 Oc ul-
der the direction of the State Board of Agri-
culture, making it the duty OF the Board to
communicate the results of experiments in
the several departments of farming and stock
raising, to the farmers of the State, through
its Annual Report.
| call your attention also to the expedency
of having the State represented at the inter-
national exhibition of works of industry and
art. to be held at London in May next, and
to the propri iety of authorizing the State
Board of Agriculture to select delegate,
respectfully recommend that u suitable ap
preparation, therefor, be made by the Gener
al-Assembly.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The various Benevolent Institutions of the
State are in a prosperous condition, and have
been conducted during the past year with f.
deity and success. No State in the Union
has greater reasons to be proud of its chari-
ties than Ohio. They are justly encouraged
by legislative action, and have in a marked
degree the confidence and sWnpathies of the
people. take pleasure in again commend
ing them to the fostering care of the General
Assembly.
The number of patients in the Central,
Northern, and Southern Lunatc Asylums at
the end of the fiscal year were
Central Lunatic Asylum. ..................252 252
Southern " ..................l5 1853
Total
TIE expenditures for current and general expen-
diturcs were
Central Lunatic Asylum. .......... .S3s,47s III
Northern .,.......... 26,3S3 45
Southern ........... 27.294 Al
Total. .s92, ,256 81
Equal to Sl67 for each patient.
The estimated expenses for the current year,
for which appropriations are asked, are
Central LuLatic Asylum. m........... .$43 400 90
Northern ............ 27,GI2 2G
Southern ............ 80, 700 90
Total ............'......' .Slu4,'i2 20
Additional appropriations are recommend
ed by the Trustees and Superintendents of
the Asylums in their reports for special pur-
poses, to which ! direct your attention.
In June last, upon the request of Governor
F. H. Pierpont, directed the admission into
the Central Lunatic Asylum, of four Insane
persons from Virginis until provision could
be made for their custody and care by the au
thorities of that State. Although not direct
ly authorized by law, ! did not doubt that
this act would be warmly approx ed by our
fellow citizens, in the view of the condition
of Western Virginia, and their earnest sympa-
thies with its loyal people, who have success
fully struggled tor their liberties sgainst the
tyranny of the rebellious and usurping rulers
of that commonwealth.
The number of pupils in November last in
the Institutions for the Blind, Deafa Dumb,
and Idiots, was:
In the Blind Asylum. ............. .......l24
Deaf and Dumb asylum. ......... lao
" Idiot Asylum. .......,,....,..,.... Al
Total ...............3 304
The expenditures during the year were:
For the Blind. ...................S 1880 O0
Fer the Deaf and Dumb. ......... 23,5lo w
For the Idiots. -. ................ l,6oO w
Total. ....-..............S .S4o,2Ue UO
Equal to 1853 for each pupil.
The appropriations asked for the current year
are:
For the 9lind Asylum. m.............. $500 90
For the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. l6,5O0 90
For the Idiot Asylum ......... 1862 90
iOlul f-i'o- w
The tot al expenditures ofall the Benevolent
Institutions during tho past year were Sl40,-
364 67 the equivalent of a tax of 4-25 OF
mill on the taxable property of the State in
1860.
This does not include Longview Lunatc
Asylum of Hamilton County. By the act Of
March 10, 1857, the State agreed to pay to
| this Asylum a sum equal to the tax raised in
Hamil lton County for Lunatic Asylum purpos
es. The amount thus appropriated last year
was Sl4, ,l4S.
Number of patients ts....... 357
Expenditures of past year ....,.., So6,O5o ~
Equal to Sl40 per patient.
! 1t seems to me that the aggregate ofthe ex-