Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-01-13
SOLDIERS ORPHANS SCHOOLS.

In his report the Superintendent of Sol
diers' Orphans Schools exhibits The total
expenditure for their support from Decem-
Der !, 1867 to May 81, 1868, to be $780,
go 20; total number of pupils in the
schools B, All average cost per pupil S69,-
065 for six months; and the average week
ly expenses per pupil 50 654. The fiscal
year of these schools, like that of the COM
mon schools, terminates by law on the last
day of May of each year. The present re-
port of the Superintendent, therefore, en-
braces only six months, and reports will be
made up to the 3ist day of May, annually,
hereafter. The special appropriation of Feb
ruary 25, 1868, made in accordance with an
estimate of the Superintendent. presented In
my last annual message, exceeded the actu-
al expenses S6,004 "A.
Notwithstanding every possible effort has
been, and will continue to be made, to econ
omize in the expenses of the present year,
and to keep them as far as possible within
the appropriation made by the last Legisla-
ture, lit will readily be observedthat there will
be deficit for the year ending May 81, 1869,
the amount of which will be carefully ascer-
tanned and presented to the Legislature pri-
or to the close OF the present session.
The schools are all in good condition and
improving, and their usefulness is daily be-
coming more manifest They are among
the most pbilanthropic institutions of the
age, and reflect high honor on the patrio-
tism of the Legislature by which they have
been SO literally endowed and upon our peo-
pie by whom they are sustained. The chill
dren who are the recipients of their benefits
are the offspring of brave men who volunta-
rily endangered their lives in the cause of
their country in the most trying hour of its
existence, and who, glowing with patriotic
ardor, fought as bravely and as heroicaly as
the noblest men in the worlds history.
Thousands of them who left their homes in
the bloom of health and with the brightest
hopes of manhood, nos sleep in death, leav-
ing their widows and little ones to the care
of the country in whose service they fell and
which promised them its protection. Their
children are the wards of this great Com
monw alth; and too much praise cannot be
awarded its people for the muniticent and
tender manner in which they have thus far.
through their representatives, discharged
the sacred and delicate trust.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Before the General Government appro-
priated public lands to the several States
for the purpose of agricultural and military
education and the mechanic arts, and prior
to the time when Pennsylvania endowed
the Agricultural College with her share of
these lands, it was dependent wholly upon
individual influence, without any other
means for its support than its own earnings
History proves that seminaries of learning
cannot be efficiently sustained by their own
internal resources. The education of youth
in the higher brances of knowledge seems TO
require the aid of philanthropic contribu-
tions. This institution had not these bene-
e.. Il. l. IL
board of trustees bestowed upon it the most
anxious care. their zeal and labor, combined
with those of its friends, were not eqnal to
contest with the want of means. Hence the
school did not command the confidence of
farmers who were able TO educate their sons,
and who could not forget that the character
of the college attached to the characters of
its graduates; and that its failure would en-
ter into the estimate which the world would
place upon the education it bestowed. This
feature has now been removed. The people,
through their Legislature, have endowed
this institution with the interest upon fund
of S3lS.500 90. (investe ed in United States
and Pennsylvania State six per cent. bonds
payable to it semi annually. Last year this
interest amounted to S25 642 rs. The res
idue of the fund, s43,SS6 so, has been APP
propriated, under the law, by the trustees,
to the purchase of three model and expert
mental farms one at the college, in Centre
county, for SS, 900 90. one in Chester coun-
ty for SI7,750 90. and one in Indiana coun-
ty for SIS, ,l36 so. The board has also re-
Gently re organized the faculty and ren,od-
eled the course of studies, SO as to adapt
them to the wants of the agricultural COM
munity. This new order of things goes in.
to operation at the commencement of the
next session, and it is earnestly hoped it will
be success. There is no profession, trade
or calling in life, where the value of knowl-
edge and the lights of science, and the
practical application of both, are so potent
for profitable results as in their adaptation
to agricultural pursuits. And in this truly
practical age it is well worthy of the consid-
eration,of parents, whether they should not
avail themselves of the benefits of this insti-
tuition, now so generously endowed by the
State.
MILITARY.
From the report of the Adjutant General
you will learn the condition of the Military
Department. The inactivity in military af-
fairs after the cessation OF hostilities and
upon the return of peace. has in great
measure been dIspelled, and an active mar
tial spirit now prevails througout the State;
more particularly in Philadelphia, where, by
a special legislative enactment, the mini
mum number OF men required to form a
company has been reduced, and brigade
fund is raised by tax upon those who are
not members of a military organization. but
liable to the performance of military duty
| recommend the passage of a similar law
for the whole State. For the sake of pre-
serving the great interests involved, which
include the lives, property and happiness of
our PEOPLE, this is presented to you as an
important subject for your deliberation.
Every possible encouragement Of volun-
teers has been afforded, and notwithsian-
ding the difficulties indicated it has resulted
as follows: In 1866 there were eight volun-
teer companies in the State; in 1867, thir-
ty-eight; and in 1868, seventy seven, and
/. number of others in preparation for organ
ization.
By reduction of the number for COM
pany from that now required to an aggre-
gate of fifty officers and men, companies
would soon be numbered by the hundred, ANY
of which could easily be recruited to the
maxium number if required for active ser
vice. The State that always maintains the
highest degree of preparation, accomnlishes
most and suffers least in the conflict of
arms; and by being in readiness it often
prevents improper encroachments upon her
rights.
The Adjutant General presents full and
detailed statement of the disbursements In