Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-04


central association here, VIII be giao 70
work with them. If our aid societies are
satisfied with the present system OF work.
ing through the Quartermaster Depart
nnent, We will continue it, IN the hope it
will be much enlarged--that your supplies
VIII be increased --snd our soldiers COM
forted and strengthened under the periis
and suferings they are called to endure.
Like al other of your public servants,
your military agents are not adequately
compensated. at Washington, Louis vile,
Nashville, Chsttahoogs, Memphis and
New Orleans, their pay is not equal to
their actual subsistence at the present
time. Their service is very laborious, and,
to some extent, dangerous, especially in
the hospital Visitstions. A generous peo-
pie viii not object to more liberal com
pensation for 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
policy of the State that this class Of
Gains shsll be st.ended TO- and
collected by a State eficer, (of which
cordially spprove), then this agency should
be remodled and its capacity enlarged.
This business will continue to increase du-
ring tho war, and require attention for 8
year or two sitter its close 1 recommend
that bureau be established, under the
control of an officer to be styled the "Aud-
ftor of Soldiers Claims" to be appointed
by the Governor, with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate; that he be required to
give sufficient bonds, and pass his money
! Transactions through the State Treasury
The salary should be increased above the
present rate, and be should have such cler-
ical force as will enable himto keep up the
business Of the Department. A very large
number of our people are interested in
these claims. They are ignorant of the
manner of collecting them, and are not
unfrequently made victims of shsrpers
and unprincipled claim agents. The mat
ter is, in my Judgment, of sufficient i'm
portsnce to engage your early attention.
THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The reports of the Directors and Trus-
tees of the several Benevolent institutions
are herewith presented. They appear to
have been managed with the usual econo-
my and fidelity, and to continue to merit
the fostering care and protection of the
State. The Legislature and the people
will not be surprised that the appropria-
tions necessary for their maintenance must
be increased over past years. The princi-
pal reason for this is the advanced prices
of supplies of every kind, and of attend
ance and labor. This is felt in every con-
dition of life; and, of course, our institu-
lions cannot be exempt from it. As our
people thoroughly understand and appre-
oiate this fact, they will find it full iusti-
fcAtion for the increased burthens YOU will
thus be compelled to impose upon them.
/ am satisfied they would not approve any
attempt at economy that would tend to
cripple these institutions, or impair their
usefulness. sa
In this connection you will be called upon
to consider the suggestions made by several
of the Boards as 10 the salaries Of Super
lntendents and teachers. In many cases
these are undoubtedly inadequate to the
actual support of the parties employed.
The general principle have elsewhere
commented upon, as regulating labor and
compensation in public service, is specially
NL64 ia klle CAh65 Vi EdSG9. OLneT
States, that in population and resources
are vastly inferior 10 Ohio are paving
much higher compensation to managers
and teachers of similar institutions; and,
if not securing superior talent, are con-
stantly holding out inducements to those
whom it is our interest to retain in our
service. As men become valuable to us.
they are taken away by other institutions.
We cannot censure them. They are will
ing to serve US, but ask in return that we
give them at least living compensation.
They merit, and should receive it.
At your last session you directed the
erection of new building for the Deaf and
Dumb Institution. In view of the en-
haneed cost of building, the time was un-
propitious; but the movement could not
have been longer delayed. The present
Building, apart from its inade1uscy TO the
wants of this class of population, is old and
much dilspidated. Though not past oceu-
psncy, it will soon become so; and is not
such building as should be kept in use
any longer than the erection of a new one
may render actually necessary.
As directed by the law, 1 took carly
measures for the erection of the new struc.
ture MIR. J. NJ. Blackburn, of Cleveland.
was appointed Superintendent, and in a
short time laid before me full plans and
specifications. They provided for a plaiB,
but substantial structure, with even less of
ornamentation than my own Judgment,
under other circumstances, would have
sanctioned. The capacity and interior ar
rsngements, with some slight modifca-
tions, were approved by the Trustees and
Superintendent of the Institution. Bnt
the estimates were largo. had directed
they should be made fully up to the actual
cost. They amounted to two hundred and
eighty-fYe thousand dollars. At the same
time, it was shown that the same building
could have been erected, at the prices Of
labor and materials in 1862, for one hun
dred and fifty two thousand dollars. Under
these circumstances, invited the mem
bers of the committees on Beneyo-
lent Institutions to meet mo at the
Capitol for the purpose of consults-
ton. After full interchange of opin-
ions, the conclusion was unanimouslV ar
rived at, that, in view of the condition of
the present structure, we should progress
with the new building, at least TO the ex-
tent Of the foundation, upon the plan sub
mitted. To accommodate the number of
pupils fixed by the law, it will not be ac-
ticable TO reduce the size of tho building;
while the present foundation can readily
be accommodated to any changes that may
be deemed advisable or economical ia the
superstruetuTe. 4
Accordingly / directed the progress of
the work, under the most careful and eco
nomical system Of contracts and superin-
tendence, consistent with good and perma-
nent results. The report Of the Superin-
tendent is herewith presented. He has been
attentive and faithful to his trust, and has
proven himself prudent and competent
Keeping within the limits of your appro-
priation, he has accomplished all that was
practicable during the season. It 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; bat was unwilling to
ay7a harrsgs Vour futura actiou. bv anu lio