Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-01-09


these suggestions in anticipation ol
a possible danger, considering tht
experiences of the past year.
RAILROAD BRIDGES.
The investigations already made
demonstrate the necessity for {
thorough examination of all tht
railroad bridges and trestle-work O
the State, some having been found
in a very weak and dilapidated con
dition. / recommend that the Com
missioner of Railroads and Tele
graphs be authorized to employ suct
assistance as may be needed, ano
that he be provided with funds tc
pay the expenses thereof.
AUDITORS REPORT.
Details regarding debts, taxes and
railroad projects, will be found in
the State Auditors report, which
for the first time, contains a full
statement of local Indebtedness
You are also referred to several i'm
portant suggestions made by the
Auditor, with reference to legisla
tion affecting his office.
ADJUTANT GENERALS REPORT AND Wal
CLAIMS.
By reference to the Adjutant Gen
erals report it will be seen tina
there are claims for reimbursement
now pending in the Treasury De
partment at Washiagton,on accoun
of expenses incurred by the Stat
of Ohio during the war of the re
bellion, amounting to $117,747 "a
of which claims to the amount o
$4S,5l2 79 were prepared and pre-
sented during the year 1872.
The following Is general state
ment of our war account with tn
| United States:
Total presented for payment; s., ,19s, ,sS6 :
Total pad y, ,es6,24f u
Awiting settlement. 1I7.947 "a
Balance suspended and rejected. s254, ,9711 6
| Great labor is required in prepar
ing these claims for settlement, anC
there is necessarily much delay, a
all accounts at Washington are ex
amined in their order, and as man,
items reqire explanation from State
officers acquainted with the fact
concerning them. Commendabl
progress has been made during tn
last year, and we hope for an earl.
adjustment of all pending wa
claims.
TWO PER CENT. CLAIMS.
There is now due from the gener
al government, as we maintain, t.
the States of Ohio, Indiana, ant
Illinois. very large sum of money
on account of the five per cent. gran
ted by Congress to the several State
upon the sales of public lands. Thi
five per cent. has been paid in full t.
all the States entitled to it, excep
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, whicl
States have received only three pc
cent. A memorial was addressed t
the Senate and House of Represen
tatives at Washington, in January
1872. by the Governors of the thre
States named, and the subject Wi
be pressed for final action at tn
present session of Congress. 1t
believed this claim is so palpabl,
just that its payment will be direct
ed. The House of Representatives
by a decided vote, has already take
action to this effect, and we onl
wait for the concurrence of tn
Senate. Certainly, after the settle
ment of similar claims with othe
States, refusal in our case, whicI
we have no reason to expect.
SCHOOL LAWS.
The necessity for codifying an,
revising the school law of the State
has been long felt, and is now mos
urgent. The public sentiment O
the prominent teachers of Obi,
seems to have approved the bil
(before amendment) reported b,
the House Committee ON Commo
Schools, at the session of last wiz
ter.
Your attention is especially inv
ted to the following subjects:
First. Normal instruction.
Second. County superintendency
Third. Township organization a
, modification of the district sy:
TEN.
/ have mentioned normal instrut
ton first for the reason that bt
lieve it to be the most importan
I We cannot have good schools will
out good teachers, and we cannC
have competent teachers unless the
J are properly instructed in their dl
ties. County superintendency migl
: and undoubtedly would, somewh;
assist. but the fact is, the lack {
competent superintendent is quit
as great as the scarcity of goo
teachers. We want normal school
/ to instruct both, and these school
the State ought to supply. INT
we have them, large portion of til
5 enormous sums expended for edit
cational purposes, will be throw
!: away. 1t is undoubtedly true tn:
the schools in or large towns an
, cities, compare favorably with thos
of other States, but even these ougl
! to be improed. 1t is certainly tru
, that our country schools are inferi
or in many respects. An effol
should be made to elevate the stal
dard of these school, so that all til
) children of our State may enjo
: equal advantages. 1t should be
, subject of inquiry, as to what col
stitutes the difference between til
: city and the country schools, an
: there should be such legislation, 6
will give the greatest possible az
vantage, to the greatest number {
our youths. In my judgment, OF
first necessity is normal schools, pc
manently located, created, supper
, ed and regulated by the State; tn es
for the present at least, to be SUI
plemented with normal instructio
: upon the institute system, reachln
2 into every county and under I'll
t control of a State Board. Reason
able expense, incurred in promotin
the intelligence of the people, wi
be found judicious and economical
| Common school education is til
E basis of our prosperity, and it shoul
be made as complete and exceller
+. as possible. 1 have no doubt tn;
E with normal schools to educat
teachers and superintendent, "
should reap from the money no
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