Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-04
OHIO WEDNESDAY MORNING. JANUARY A. 1865

his people are there; and he feels that he is
no object of charity when he partakes of
them. His remembrances of home are
freshened-his attachment to his State is
quiekened and dinereased-and he goes away
feeling that he isnot neglected or forgotten
THAT the cause of the country is still
worth upholding, and the dear old State
still worth defending from the encroach-
iments of the rebel adversary. And this is
doubly the case when the agent passes al
most daily through his hospital-bends over
the bed OH whichhe is stretched with sick
ness or wounds-inquircs kindly into his
wants, and ministers unto them from the
benefactions of his people, and the liberality
of his State. Surely this spirit Is worth
cherishing and preserving. '''1 ~"
While do not seek to limitthe cOntribu-
tions of our people through other channels,
invoke their attention to their own agen-
cies, and their active cooperation i'll the
labors of the opening year. If earnest be-
nevolent citizens will organize central
association here, | will be glad to work with
them. If our aid societies are satisfied with
the present system of working through the
QuarteTmasters Department, we will con-
tinue it, in the hope it will be much enlarged
that our supplies will be increased-and
our soldiers comforted and strengthened
under. the perils and sufferings they are
called to endure.
Like all other of your public servants
your military agents are not adequately
compensated. AT Washington, Louisville,
Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis and New
Orleans. their pay is not equal TO their ac-
tual subsistence at the present time. Their
service is very laborious, and, to some eX-
tent dangerous, especially in the hospital
visitations. A generous people will not OBJ
ject to a more liberal compensation tor their
labors and sacrifices.
The Military Agency at Columbus has
grown into such proportions as to require
special mention. The pressure upon it of
claims for back pay, pensions, &c., is very
large, and overtaXes the limited capacity
of the Department. If it is the settled poll
CIV of the State that this class of claims shall
be attended to, and collected by Il State
officer (ot which cordially approve), then
this agency should be-remodeled and its
capacity enlarged. This business will con-
tinue to increase during the war, and re-
l. quire attention for a year or two after its
close. / recommend that a bureau be estab-
| lished under the control of an officer to be
styled the auditor of Soldiers Claims" to
be appointed by the Governor, with the
advice and consent of the Senate; that he
| be required to give sufficient bonds, and
| pass his money transactions through the
Dllbc lledeuIy' lHc SdldIy sHouiu uO III .
| creased above the present rate, and he should
| have such clerical force as will enable him
| to keep up the business of the Department.
| A very large number of our people are in
terested in these claims. They reignorant
of the manner of collecting them, and are
not unfrequently made victims of sharpers
| and unprincipled claim agents. The matter
is in my judgment, of ofsufiicent importance
to engage your early attention.
u,,n nn>,,,,,o, ,,,,,r ,>-sr,r,,r,ovs
me DEN A' oi'AN iN' - io'''
The reports of the Directors and Trustees
of the several Benevolent Institutions are
herewith presented. They appear to have
been managed with the usual economy and
fidelity. and continue to merit the fostering
scareand protection of the State. The Leg
islature and the people will not be surprised
to learn that the appropriations necessary
for their maintenance must be increased
over past wears. The principal reason for
this is the advanced prices of supplies of
every kind, and of attendance and labor.
This is felt i'm every condition of life; and.
of course, our institutions cannot be exempt
from it. As our people thoroughly under
stand and appreciate this fact, they will
find in it full justification for the increas-
ed burthens you will thus be compelled to
impose upon them. L am satisfied they
would not approve any attemptat economy
that would tend to cripple these institutions,
or impair their usefulness. -.a
In this connection youwill be called up
on to consider the suggestions made by sew
eral of the Boards as to the salaries of SUI
perintendents and teachers. In manycases
these are undoubtedly inadequate to the ac-
tual support OF the parties employed. The
general principle have elsewhere COM
mented upon, as regulating labor and COM
pensation in public service, is specially illus
tratcd in this class of-cases. Other States,
that in population aud resources are vastly
inferior to Ohio are paying much higher
compensation to managers and teachers of
similar Institutions; and, If not securing
superior talent, are constantly holding out
inducements to those whom it is our inter-
est to retain in our service. AS men become
valuable to us, they are taken away by other
institutions. We cannotcensuret them. They
are willing to serve us, but ask in return
that we give them at least a living compen-
sation. They merit, and should receive it,.
At your last session you directed the erec-
ton of new building for the Deaf and
Dumb Institution. Inview of the enhanced
cost of building, the time was sunpropitiOus;
but the movement could not have been
\ longer delayed. The present building, apart
from its 'inadequacy to the wants of this
class of population, Is old and much dilapi
da.ed. Though not past occupancy, it will
soon become so; and is not such a4buiiding
rs sliouldbe Kept In use any longer than the
erection of a new one may render actually
necessary. ficy ~ 3.aVEsG 3
\ As directed by the law, / took early meas
I ures for the erection of the new structure.
Mr.. j. Nj. Blackburn, of Cleveland, was APP
pointed superintendent, and In short time
laid before me full plans and specifications.