Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-01-06

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where commented upon, as regulating labor and
compensation in public service. is specially IL
| lustrated in this class of cases. Oiher States,
that inpopulation and resources vastly infe-
| rior to 0lie,are paying auch higher compen-
satiOn to mansgers aud teachers Of similar in- &
slitutiens; and, If not securing superior talent,
are Constantly holding cut Inducements to those
whom it is our Interest to retain in or service.
| As men become valuable 20 I'd they ate taken
| away by other institetiohs We cannot oensefe
them. They are willing to serve w, but ask n
return that we give them at leastliving compeD-
sation. They merit, and should receive it.
| AT your last session you directed the erectIon
ofa new building for the Deaf and Dumb Insti-
tuition. Ia view OF the enhanced cess.t of bull
ding the time was uupropitious; butu,e move
ment could not have been I,nlgef delayed The
present building, apart from its inadequacy to
The wants Of thus class of pepulation, IN old and
much dilapidated. Though not past occupancy,
it will soon become SO; and is not such build
ing as should he kept in use any longer than
the erection of a new one may render actually
necessary
Az directed by the law, | took early measures
for the erection of the new structure. Mr.. J.
NJ. Blackburn, of Cleveland, was appointed Su-
perintendeni and in a short tine laid before me
full plans and specifications. They provided for
plain, but substantial structure with even less
of OrDamentation than my Owp judgment, under
other circumstances, would have sanctioned.-
The capacity and interior arrangements, with
some slight notifications were approved by the
Trustee and Superintendent of the institution
But the estimates were enlarged. | had directed
they should be made fully upt the actual cost,
They amounted to two hundred and eighty five
Thousand dollars.
At the same time it was shown that the same
building could have been erected at the price
OF labor aud materials IN 1862 for one hundred
and fifty two thousand. Under these circupI-
stances, | invited the members Ofthe committees
on Benevolent Institutions to meet NE at the
Capitol for the purpose of consultation. After
a full lDteTchance OF opInIOus, the conclusion
was unanimously arrived at, that in view of the
condition of the present structure we should
progress with the new building at least to the
extent of the foundation upon the plan submit
ted To accommodate the number of pupils fixed
by the law, it will not I've practicable Ia reduce
the size Of the building; while the present fom-
dation can readily be accommodated TO any
changes that may be ieened advisable or econ
Omcal.m the supeTsructure
Accordingly directed the progress of the
work. under the most careful and economical
system of contracts and superintendence CON
sistent with good aud permanent results. The
report ofthe Superintendent is herewith present.
ed. He has been attentive and faithful TO his
trust and has proved himself prudent and COM
petent. Keeping within the limits of your ap-
preparation, he has accomplished all that was
practicable during the season. IL would have
been good economy, had the means permitted,
TO have made larger purchases of lumber this
season, and to have let the contracts for brick;
but | was unwilling TO embarrass your future
action by any liabilities even of a contingent
character; and therefore the expenditure has
been kept within the means provided. The Su-
perintendent considers it practicable TO enclose
the building during the current year; but for
that purpose he will require an appropriation of
about two hundred thousand dollars do not
see how the necessity is 10 be obvited. The ex-
penditure is large one, but we are probably
better able to meet it now than we would have
been to erect such building, even at the reduced
coast, two or three years ago ] only trust that
in seeking TO reduce il, you will not contract
the capacity of the building nor unnecessarily
extend the time of its completion. The first, |
think, would be unwise; the last know can
not safely be done. The subject is commended |
to your careful consideration.
You also made an appropriation last winter of
twenty five thousand dollars for the purchase |
of site, and the erection of an Asylum for the |
Idotic Ofcourse il was not designed or expect |
ed that both objects would be accomplished with |
this limited amount. The Trustees were author
lied to locate the building upon the State ground
known as the "stone quarry lot" but careful |
examination satisfied them this location was ev-
cry way inJudciOus, and, in many important |
particulars impracticable. They therefore |
selected and purchased site a short distance |
south of State ground The location is eligible |
convenient. and every way adapted to the wants |
of the Institution. 1t has been purchased on |
fair and reasonable terms. l was consulted by |
the Trustees, and uDbesitatingly concured in
their action. In their report they present the
matter TO you in detail They are managing |
closely and economically; and trust you may
find it consistent with your duty to your con
stituents to grant them such appropriation as
will enable them to progress with the work.
Few Ofour sister States present more noble |
monuments of enlightened legislation and pub
lie benevolence than the State of Ohio. They |
should be cherished and extended, for they con-
portions of our public burthens have been so |
cheerfully borne as those imposed by the rection
and maintenance of these Institutions; and no /
complaint will come up from our people, if IN
providing for the care and education of the affiic
ted and unfortunate we avoid useless or wicked |
extravaganza.
Since writing the foregoing, l have received |
the report of the Commissioners of the Reform
School and Farm, which / have perused with /
much intesest This institution is yet in its in
fancy. II was considered an experiment, but it |
promises to prove a success In few years
more the increase of its products will not only
reduce the necessary appropriations, but admit
Ofits extension. | notice that large portion of /
farm products consumed are purchased, when
they really ought TO be produced. 1t strikes
me this is not good economy. The Commits
sioners state there is not enough tillable land
on the Farm for this purpose, and that the por-
ton now occupied with corn and grass could be
more advsntageously and profitably put to
other uses. They have the labor, but not the
field of operations. L do not find any data upon
which TO form judgment as to the amount Of
land desirable or the present cost of it. The
high values of real estate render the present an
unproptiOus time TO purchase; and our increas-
ing burthens counsel to all proper economy in
aspirations. But if the present will not admit
of this enlargement, it should be regarded as an
early necessity, and measures be adopted to ac-
complish it. | am satisfied the School is per-
forming good work in the reformation of youth:
that it is well and economically managed, and
merits encouragement.
nd Cd I |