The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-01-21
[Ffem the Cincinnati gnquirer.1
Abstract Of the Governors Mes
sage.

Frem the Cincinnati gnquirerJ
: Abstract Of the Governors Mes
J, sage.
g We publish, this morning, the annua
message Of Governor Cox, of Ohio, t
the General Assembly, which met on tb
9th inst, at Columbus. 1t is eccupie,
Exclusively with State matters, no refer
?. Irence whatever being made to Fedora
politics.
FINANCES. So
II The finance are 6rst noticed, and ",
are told the burdens of taxation hay,
been reduced the past year three million,
1of dollars, which was mainly in conse
lquence Of return from war expsndi
lures to the ordinary routine of peaceful
life. Yet, in this city, tax payers have
found their tax burdens increased about
onesthird over the previous year.
i PUBLIC DEBT. 80
i The State funded debt has been re
fduced during the year, $751;, ,S26 So,
leaving outstanding 81, ,O31 ,941 sc. The
reduction was made by transferring bal
ances.of various kinds to the sinking fund.
Who if any, were cheated by that sp-
leration, We shall doubtless discover ia
ldue time.
TAX LAWS.
| A revision of the tax laws is urged to
remedy the contradictions and anomalies
in the present laws.
t~r ~ r.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SCRIP.
S340,S94 40 are in the treasury, the
proceeds of the sales of the lands given
to the State by the Federal Government
for the endowment of an Agricultural
and Mechanical College. The Legisla-
ture is urged to make this fund available
as soon as possible for the object consem-
plated.
COMMON SCHOOLS
Two changes in the system are recon-
mended: l. Thatestablishment of coun-
ty superintendency, in order to bring the
stimulus Of competent supervisors closer
home to the district school, and 9, The
distribution of the school fund in pro-
portion to the henumber of pupils IN actual
attendance at the schools. This last is
SO just that we are surprised it was not
adopted long ago.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The reports from these institutions
show a satisfactory management, and are
highly creditable to the character Of the
State, 5..
REF0RM SCHOOL. ~
5 This schuuf rs m prosperous condi-
ton, suu q sCr5imaTy scIfJuT7TzUI TSrrlaI5s1
is recommended.
iggsE 80 PENITENTIARY. aii48ss
This institution has paid its way the
past year with a surplus of receipts over
expenditures of $4,000. A change of
the law is recommended that will i'm !.
prove the value and reliability of the
labor. A new prison is urged of grade
between the Penitentiary andthe Reform
Schools for the younger convicts and less
hardened criminals.
MAMMAL LAW seslo
AssimplE Eneation of the criminal law is
urged; also, the repeal of the lew which
permits the prisoner to be witness in
his own case. The French mode Of the
Court interrogating the prisoner is deem
ed prsferable.gg4 neas 9a
rRAILRoADs, TELEGRAPHs AND GAS.
The. commissioners appointed to SUI
pefintcnd these public. interests have
made their reports, which we are told
convey much Information Of interest to|
the people. No details are given.
3 PUBLIC WORKS.
Reference is made to the extension of
the lease for ten years, SO that it, now
runs to June 2, 1881. The Board of
Public Works express great satisfaction
with the energy and promptness Of the
lessees. -
BOARD OF MILITARY CLAIMS.
There yere three classes of these claims
one of which came under the supervis-
ions of State Boaad, another under that
Iof Federal Board; and a third that were
| to be adjusted by the Department at.
Washington. The outstanding military
claims against the United States amount
tosl, ,l00640 27. Of that the expecta
tion is S500,O00 will be paid during the
present session Of the Legislature g
IMMIGRATION. e
While the law provides for a Commis-
lsioner of immigration, no appropriation
has been made to- pay his salary, so the
I law is practically dead letter. 1t is
not advisable to give it life, as other
means can be- adopted better calculated
to induce immigrants to make Ohio their
home. Agricultural, geological and
other information would do the work bet
ter than Commissioner of immigration.
t...s RAyAGEs OF INSECTS.
tits suggested that as part of the
complete survey of the geology aud ma.
tural history OF the State, full investi-
CATION of the nature and habits .oi in
seets that often commit great rayase up
on The orchards and fields OF. the country
would be OF public service.
/ CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
The negro suffrage amendment wos sub
mitted at the October election, and was
defeated by majority Of so, 629 votes
! He regards the question as o6e Of Ma
tional rather than State policy, and the
progress of events, the Governor says,
has strengthened the convictions he had
before made public IN regard to it.
.
4 hr Instructions Eos Pendlefon-aa
1 8lo sBo aiit 0MAHA,qJ apaarys9i 1852,
4 The Nebrsska Democratic State Con.
| yention met at Nebraska City yesterday,