Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-01-15

Z
d a thoroughly educated people alon,
= can be permanently free. BY educa
tlona culture patriotism is expanded
a and the principles, manners and senti
:, menfs of the whole people are assimi
i laiei. MANY OF the sources of Jealous,
r and prejudice are diminished, socia
5 harmony largely increased, and the
I structure OIL our free and happy-system
: OF government eemented, strengthen
ed and adorned.
Soldiers OrDdaas' Schools.
In his report, the saperinten dent OF
Soldiers Orphans Schools, eyhib.
It's the total expenditure for their sup
port from December 1, 1867 tn Nav 81
1858, to be 1926, 970 2G total ndmber
OF pupils IN the schools 3, ,431 average
cost per pupil $50 063 for six months :
ana the average weekly expenses per
pnpii 81 653. The fiscal year Of these
terminates by iaW on the last day of
May ofeaeh year. The present report
% the superintendent, therefore en-
II braces only six months, and reports will
be made up to 3lst of May, annually,
hereafter. The Special appropriation
/ of FEBRUARY ., 1868, made in accord
I ance with an estimate Of the Superin-
tendent, presented in my last annual
message, exceeded the actual expenses
Sc 00I 74.
] Notwithstanding every possible effort
has been, and will continue to be made,
TO economic in the expenses Of the pre-
4 sent year, and to keep them as far as
! possible within the appropriation made
| by the last Legislature, it will readily
/ be observed that there Will be q deficit
for the year ending May 81, 1869, the
amount of which will be carefully as
4 certained and presented to the Iegisla-
/ ture prior to the close of the present
4 session.
The schools are all in good condition
and improving, and their usefulness is
I daily becoming more manifest. They
are among the most philanthropic in
( stituti0ns of the age, and reflect high
/ honor on the patriotism OF the Ieeis-
| lature by which they have been so lib
orally endowed and upon our people
by whom they are sustained. The
/ children who are the recipients oftheir
benefits are the offspring of brave men
who voluntarily 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 bravcly and heroically 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, now
sleep in death, leaving the 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
Commonwealth and 100 much praise
cannot be awarded Is 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 ap-
prOpriated public lands TO the several
States for the purpose of agricultural
and military education and the me-
chaBic arts, and prior to the tine when
Pennsylvania endowed the AgFicultu-
raj College with her share Of these
lands it was dependent wholly upon in
diyidual influence, without any other
means for lis support than ils own
sustained by their own internal resour- 4
ces. The education of youth in the +
higher branches Of knowledge seems to /
require The aid Of philanthropic con-
tributions, This institution had not
these benefits to any adequate extent,
and though the board of trustees be-
slowed upon it the most anxious care,
their zeal and labor, combined with
those Of its friends, We're rot equal 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 character Of its gradu-
ates and that its failure would enter
into the estimate which the world
would place upon the education it be-
slowed. This feature has now been re-
moved. The people, through their
Legislature, have endowed this institu
tiOn with the interest upon a fund of !
S3l9, 800 90, Invested in the United
States and Pennsylvania State six per |
cent bonds payable to it semi-annual-
ly. Last year this interest amounted !
to S25, 462 Is. The residue of the fund, ,
sl3,s ESQ 30, Aas been appropriated, un- {
der the law by the board OF trustees, TO
the purchase of three model and eXpe-
rimental fauns ; one at the college, IN
Centre county, for SS,00O 00, one IN
Chester county for Sl7,7j0 90, and one
in Indiana county for SIS, l3o %. Inc
board has also recently re-organlzed
the faculty aud remOdled the course of
studies. 80 as to adapt them to the
wants of the agricultural community.
This new o-der of things goes into OPP
peration at the commencement OF the
next session and it is earnestly hoped
will bea success. There is no profess
ion, trade or calling in life, where the
value acknowledge and the lights OF sell
ence, aud the practical application OF
both, are so potent for profitable re-
suits as in their adaptation to agricdI-
tural pursuits. And in this truly prac-
teal age it is well worthy of the con-
sideration Of parents, whether they
should not avail themselves Of the ben
efits Of this institution, now so gener-
ou5ly endowed by the State.
Military.
From the report of the Adjutant
General y0u will learn the condition
of the Military Department. The IN
activity in military affairs after the
cessation of hostilities and upon the re-
turn to peace, has in a great measure
been dispelied aud an active martial
spirit now prevails throughout the
State more particularly in Phlladel-
phia, where by a special legislative en-
actment, the minimum number OF men
required to form a company has been
reduced, and a brigade fund IS raised
by a tax upon those who are not mem
bers Of a military organization, out
liable to the per orm }nce Of military I
duty. [ recommend tae passage OF (
similar law for Che whole State. For I
the sake OF preserving the great inter I
ests involved, which include the lives, +
property and happiness of our people, /
this is presented TO you as an lmpor- /
tant subject for your delibera,ion,.
Every possible eeneouragemento OF vol /
unteers has been afforded, and notwlth- |
standing the difficulties indicated 1t has |
resulted as follows: In 1866 there were |
eight volunteer companies in theState; /
in 1867, thirty eight and in 1865, sew |
euty-seyen, and a number OF others IN |