Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-01-05

assigned to duty within our borders, my
aid and assistance as Executive of the State.
It is extremely gratifying to be able to be-
lieve, that in this exercise Of official duty,
| have but met the wishes of very large
majority of the people of Ohio.
The financial affairs of the State were new
lin better condition. Although we have
advanced, during the past year, for the Cen
eral Government, in the care of sick and
wounded soldiers, and in the payment of
troops called out to aid in the capture of
Morgan and his band, the sum of $153, ,436O3,
and have reduced our public debt, by pay
ment from the Treasury, the sum of $676,-
752.6S, there still remained in the Treasury,
to the credit of General Revenue Fund, on
the 10Th of November last, the sum of $423,-
1861.
All taxes have been promptly and cheer
fully paid, exhibiting really 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
the Treasury to be made by the Hon. S. S.
Osborn, of Lake county, highly compe-
tent and suitable man for this duty. His
report, bearing date the 10th day of June,
A. D. 1863, which was duly published ac-
cording to law, was highly complimentary
to the Treasurer and his assistants. .
The Reports of the Directors of the sew
eral Benevolent Institutions of the State
are herewith submitted. These institutions
are all in most prosperous condition; the
same care and liberality heretofore extend
ed are recommended. Your attention is
particularly invited to the buildings for the
accommodation 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 a di-
| lapidated 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 a highly favorable condition.
The report of Private Secretary Hoffman
herewith, shows that the number of appli-
cations for pardons during the year ending
November 10th, were ninety-seven, ofwhich
forty-one were granted, thirty-nine refused,
and seventeen continued. This report also
shows, in brief, the reasons or grounds upon
which the several pardons were granted.
Upon the application of the military au-
thorities of the National Government, re-
quested the Directors and Warden of the
Penitentiary to receive for sate-keeping GER
tain rebel officers, taken in arms against the
Government within our State. They were
received ON the 9th day of July, A. ID.
1868, and the greater portion of them are
yet there confined. Iregret to be compelled
to announce, however, that for the want of
proper vigilance on the part of those en-
trusted with the custody of these prisoners,
the leader of the band, the notorious John
Morgan, and six others, made their escape.
1t is proper to add, that this negligence
arose entirely from misunderstanding be-
tween the United States military authori-
ties 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 Lam
caster, and take great pleasure in bearing
testimony to the fidelity and economy of its
management. The institution has proved
profound success, and should receive the
fostering care of the Legislature. The Re-
port of the Acting Commissioner and his
associates herewith presented, cannot fail
to prove highly interesting to you. Their
several recommendations are approved.
Your attention is invited to the Report of
the State Commissioner of Common Schools.
Brief as his term OF service has been, the
Commissioner has submitted report full of
information upon the important interests
committed to his care.
/ invite your attention to the Report of
the Superintendent of the State House here
with. He has, in addition to complying
with the duties imposed upon him by law,
given full history of the construction of
our magnificent State House, the perusal of
which history cannot fail to prove highly
interesting. The recommendations of this
faithful officer are fully approved.
The organization of the State Board of
Agriculture was wise measure, and should
continue to receive your fostering care. In
this connection, allow me to refer you to
that portion ofmy message oflast year, relat-
ing to the Act of Congress, passed April 2,
1862, entitled San act donating public lands
to the several States and Territories which
may provide Colleges for the benefit of
Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts" 1
have seen no reason to change my views as
then expressed, and therefore respectfully
renew the recommendation then made.
The several Canals of the State, now un-
der the control of Lessees, are, believe,
kept in reasonable state of repair. / have
no means of knowing whether they prove
remunerative to the Lessees or not.
The several Railroads within the State
are kept and maintained in good running
order. The managers of the several roads
have evinced disposition during the past
year to facilitate the movement of troops to
the full extent of their ability so to do
The law recently passed for the taxation
of this species of property, if faithfully and
discreetly administered, is perhaps the best
that can be devised: therefore recommend
its continuance. a
; The recent legislation of Congress on the
subject of Banks and Currency, seems to
have overshadowed all State legislation on
these subjects. Without intending to ap-
prove or disapprove of the plan adopted
by Congress, it is idle to suppose that the
capitalists of our State would be willing to
engage in the business of banking under
any system that you could adopt; henceII
recommend that you simply give the sew
eral banking corporations now existing
under State authority all reasonable facili-
ties for closing the business Of their insti-
tutions. e
The Militia system adopted by the legis-
lation of last winterhas proyedia profound
success. The reports of Adjutant- General
Hill and Quartermaster-Gene Wright
herewith submitted, will furnish you all
the statistics, as to the militia of the State,
deemed necessary to advise you fully on the
subject. The amendments to the law, sug-
gested by these officers, as also the appro-
priations asked for to render the system
f1llv -efficiput ara commanded tO vOur fa-