Litchfield enquirer., 1869-05-13

Its claims are meeting hearty respon es 1 from the benevolent people of the State. a IoaI have thus briefly alluded to the condi- ton and wants of the. benevolent institu- ! tions of the State.
 The appropriations asked for may be large, and, while it is unquestionably our duty to provide for the comfortable main tenance of our unfortunate poor, justi ce to the people of the State, whose burdens are already large, requires that their boun. ty should not be lavishly, but judiciously and econo mically disbursed.
 | $ Expend itures absolutely required in the case of humani ty, will be cheerfully borne, but our citizens will look with suspicion 1 upon the growing tendency towards large i appropriations. N ~z
 Tho- merits of all applications for the public funds should be carefully scrutin Iized.
 Much valuable information is contained in the report of the Board of Education. The '.Free School Law" of the last Legis lature appears to be accomplishing the good results anticipated by it's friends and originators. It is now conceded, that, ed ucation being great public interest, should be maintained as other public in terests are, at the public cost Under the able and eaergetic management of the 1 Board, with its very capable Secretary, I much enthusiasm has been awakened in the public mind, scholars have increased in number and improved in regularity of att tendance, and salaries of teachers, general ly too low, which is especially true in regard to female teachers, have been some what advanced. The total receipts for for school purposes the past year were $l, O43. .O0671, being an increase over the previous year of $59, ,280.39. The total ex- penditures of the past year were $1.1O2,- ITO 19, leaving deficiency of about $60, OOO to be provided for by future taxation. This amount has been mainly used for new school buildings. -
 Some additional legislation is needed be- fore the normal school can be opened. That it should be opened at an early day, is, believe, the settled conviction of all who are conversant with it. There seems to be no doubt, that, under the present system the normal school can be made 8 valuable institution to the state.
 suggest the expediency of adding to the Normal School at New Haven, or of aiding in the establishment elsewhere, if opportunity presents, Polytechnic Insti- tute which shall give theoretical and prac- tical instruction to those wishing to engage h mechanical pursuits, fitting young men to be machinists, astizans, civil engineers, draughtsmen, &c., and young wo men for the many practical arts in which they may become skilled. as-s aeae@
 I would especially call the attention of the ' Legislature, to the importance of fur nishing to women such educational facili- ties as will better fit them for the indus 1 trial pursuits which the true progress of the times is opening to them.
 A large portion of our State Is devoted to agriculture, and I especially commend this important interest to your fostering care. f,,-1s, tr.,,.s
 3, The real wealth of community is in the soil and any Legislation which stimulates to greater productives, confers a material benefit upon all our. citizens. The Report of the State Board of Agriculture will be laid before you. giving full details of it's operations in the State would call the attention of the Legislature, to the neces- sity of 8 more perfect legal provision against the introduction and spread of contagious diseases among animals within the State. '# afs 1'@& ] The Sheffield Scientific School of Yale ] College, which received from the State the Congressional appropriation of $130,000, continues to afford free instruction in the various branches of science in their appli- cation to the useful arts. The number of persons holding State Scholarships for I gratuitous tuition is 31. The whole num- Der of scholars at the beginning of the cur rent year, was 132. The usefulness of this institution is not measured by the number ! of students who attend upon it's course of instruction. It is shown in it's scientific collections, lectures and publications, and ! the general diffusion of practical know1. edge upon agricultural subjects. Its val uable report will be laid before you. .} By the report of the Adjutant General it appears that the organized military force of the State consists of 169 officers and the State, available for military duty is s3, 1855.
 | The entire cost to the State, of our mil itary establishment, for the past year, has been $113, ,097.93. Deducting the commu- tation tax of $60, ,634. leaves the net cost, 1852, ,463 94. " '- l I wish to call your particular attention to the Bureau of Claims in the Adjutant : Generals office. It has accomplished a vast amount of good since it's organization having collected $7l1, ,698. 46 for soldiers, at no cost whatever to the claimants
 I The report of the State Librarian is, as usual, very full and comprehensive.
 Io The total Births during the year. were F, ,469; and the Deaths, 7,569. Showing a natural increase of 4, 920, being the largest annual gain ever shown. 4,.qt ,..zk The reports of the County Commission CTS as published by the Secretary of State, afford much valuable information. The whole number of commitments to the diff ferent jails in the State during the past year was 1891, being 128 more than the previous year. The number in confne. ment in all our jails, April 1st, was PA be- ing IT more than last year. ,o r. The report of the Directors of the SS,te Prison is highly satisfactory. The num- ber of prisoners in confinement is 183, be- ing less than last year. There are doubts in the minds of some of our citizens, as to whether the present system of contract la bor is the best, but inasmuch as it is. now under the able management of the present warden not only self sustaining but remu- nerative, it may not be worth our while to try any experiments. The earnings for the last year were $23, 94O. 50, while the ex- penses for the same period were $21, 127. 73 showing net gain of $2, ,236.S2. daesl 4a. I An amendment to the constitution of the United States is proposed, prohibiting |