Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-01-14
The financial affairs of the State we're never

vanced, during the past year, for the Cen
eral Government, in the care Of sick and
wounded soldiers, and in the payment Of
troops called to aid in the capture Of Morgan
and his band, the sum of $l53, ,436 03, and
have reduced our public debt, by payment
from the Treasury, the sum of s676,752 GO,
there still remained in the Treasury, to the
credit of General Revenue Fund. on the
18th of November last, the sum Of $423,.
7S6 81.
All taxes have been promptly and cheer
fully paid, exhibiting really a smaller de-
linquent list than ever before in the history
of the State. The Reports of the Auditor
and Treasurer Of State, which will be laid
upon your tables, exhibit in full, and in de-
tail, our financial condition.
Under the provisions of the statute, l
caused a thorough special examination Of
Osborn, of Lake county, shighly competent
bearing date the 10th day Of June, A. d.
1868, which was duly published according
to law, was highly complimentary to the
Treasurer and his assistants.
The Reports of the Directors of the sew
al Benevolent Institutions OF the State are
herewith submitted. These institutions are
all in most prosperous condition; the
same care and literality heretofore extended
are recommended. Your attention is par
tcularly invited to the buildings for the ac-
commodation of the Deaf and Dumb. |
fear that entire new structures will be found
to be necessary. The present main build
ing is lily adapted to the purpose, is in q
diapidated condition, and entirely too small
to accommodate this unfortunate class of the
children of our State. Workshops should
also be provided, SO that the boys may have
facilities for learning trades.
The Report of the Directors of the Ohio
Penitentiary herewith, presents that Insti-
tuition in highly favorable condition. The
report of Private Secretary Hoffman here
with, shows that the number of applications
for pardons during the year ending Novem-
ber Il 5th, were 81, of which Al were granted,
80 refused, and II continued. This report
also shows, in brief, the reasons or grounds
upon which the several pardons we're grant
Upon the application Of the military au-
thorities of the National Government,
requested the Directors and Warden of the
Penitentiary to receive for safe-keeping
certain rebel officers, taken in arms against
the Government within our State. They
were received on the 9th day of July, A.
D. 1868, and the greater portion of them
are yet there confined. regret to be COM
PEELED to announce, however. that, for the
want Of proper vigilance on the part of those
entrusted with the custody of these prison,
ers, the leader Of the band, the notorious
John Morgan, and six others, made their
escape. 1t is proper to add, that this negli
gence arose entirely from misunderstood
ing between the United States military au
thorities at this post and the officers in
charge of the institution. Full particulars
as to the confinement and escape of these
prisoners, will be found in Document No.
herewith.
had the satisfaction of visiting during
the fall the State Reform Farm, near Ian.
caster, and take great pleasure in bearing
management. The institution has proved a
profound success, and should receive the
fostering care of the Legislature. The Re
port of the Acting Commissioner and hi.
associates herewith presented, cannot fail to
grove highly interesting to you. Theil
several recommendations are approved.
Your attention is invited to the Report o.
the State Commissioner of Common Schools
4 Brief as his term of service has been, the
Commissioner has submitted report full
OF information upon the important interests
committed to his care.
i invite your attention to the Report o
the Superintendent of the State House
herewith. He has, in addition to comply
ing with the duties imposed upon him b.
law, given full history of the construction
of our magnificent State House, the perusa
of which history cannot fail to prove highl.
interesting. The recommendations of this
faithful officer are fully approved.
The organization of the State Board o
Agriculture was a wise measure, and shoult
continue to receive your fostering care. 1t
this connection allow me to refer you Il
, that portion of my message Of last year, re
lating to the Act of Congress, passed Apri
2 1862, entitled "An act donating publ
, lands to the several States ard Territoric
which may provide Colleges for the benefi
!! of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts" ~
have seen no reason to change my views a
: then expressed, and therefore respectful
8 renew the recommendation then made.
The several Canals of the State, now ur
der the control of Lessees, are, believe
kept in reasonable state of repair. hav
no means of knowing whether they prov
? remunerative to the Lessees or not
s, The several Railroads within tho Stat
!. are kept and maintained in good runnn
a order The managers.of the several road
Z have evinced disposition during the pat
j year to facilitate the movement of troops t
: :. the full extent of their ability so to do
!, The law recently passed for the taxation G
- this species Of property, if faithfully an
q discreetly administered is perhaps the bes
e that can be devised: Therefore recommen
y its continuance.
Y The recent legislation of Congress, on tn
i subject of Banks and the Currency, seem
n to have overshadowed all State legislatio
l. on these subjects. Without intending
:. approve or disapprove, of the plan sdopte
D. by Congress, it is idle to suppose that tn
e capitalists of our State would be willing t
# engage 10 tho business of banking unde
d any system that you could adopt; hence
It recommend that you simply give the sevel
a al banking corporations now. existing unde
n State authority all reasonable facilities fo
d closing the business OF their institutions.
" The Militia system adopted by the legi
Is lation OF last winter has proved a profoun
lr success. The Reports of Adjutant Gener
is Hill and Qhartermaster-G General Wrigl
e. herewith submitted, will furnish you all tt
d statistics, Us to the militia of the Stat
). daa n, ad nacaesai " m advise vou fully On Mi