The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-12-04

5he close Of your last session. In the
main they are working well, and are
in an eminent degree, the
design of their creator.
The reorgauizing acts of last
session have been productive of
good results. Especially is this
true respecting the Ohio Penitenti-
airy and the Central Ohio Hospital
for the Insane.
The Penitentiary has been manag
ed with ability and financial success.
It's Report shows that it has netted
the State, during the year, over and
above the salaries of officers ald eX
penses of maintenance, the sum of
$23,425, SO; and over all expenses, in
Guiding manufacture of gas for
State buildings, repairs, ect., the sum
of $7,412,02. This is a good show
ing for year of financial distress
and diminished demand for convict
labor.
The act abolishing the Board of
Trustees of the Central Ohio Lunatic
Asylum (now known as the Central
Ohio Hospital for the Insane) and
creating a Board of Commissioners
for the construction of the institu
ton, has produced results hardlyan-
ticipated by the most sanguine
friends of the measure. Three
gentlemen of eminent worth and pc
culiar adaptability to the wants of
the situation were appointed and
confirmed. This new board found
the unfinished walls of the building
much injured by exposure during
the preceding winter. There was,
also, an absence of such working
drawings in the Architects Office as
were necessary to the progress of
the work. This condition Of things
delayed work on the building until
after the middle of April. At the
present time, the entire edifice
{ Except the water tower in the real
central wing, which was taken down
and is being rebuilt) is not only
ready for the roof, but more than
one-half is now covered, and work
men are engaged in roofing the re-
mainder of it. An immense amount
Of work has been done during the
season, the number of bricks laid
in the walls being more than thirteen
millions, with the material and labor
OF other trades corresponding there
to.
The amount of the estimates fol
work done by contractors and forall
bther purposes connected with the
building, during the fiscal year end
ing Nov. Is, 1874, is $334,06S S.
The retained percentage upon the
same is $2S,746 04. The unexpend-
ed balance of former appropriations
in the Treasury on Nov. Is, 1874
was $69,4l7 70. In addition to this
sum, the Board ask for an appropri
alton for all purposes the present
year Of $450,00O.
The act creating the Board of Com
missioners limits their term of office
to one year, which will expire on
the first day of fApril 1875. l respect
fully recommend that the provisions
of this act be extended for one year
from that time.
We have reason for congratulation
that our State Institutions have es
capped serious calamity during the
year. A slight fire occurred at the
Reform Farm School, on the seventh
day of last month, which destroyed
the large workshop of the institution
1t was necessary that it should be
rebuilt at once, to prevent idleness
of the inmates, which would breed
all manner OF evil in such an institu-
tiOn. The Board of Commissioners
immediatelyproceeded with the work
and they call for a small appropria-
tion to complete it which 1 hope will
be made.
The reorganization of the Board
of Trustees of the Agricultural and
Mechanical College has been pro
ductlve OF good results. The old
Board was too unwieldy for success
ful management, while the dimin-
ished size of the new Board has en-
abled it to harmonic ideas and
views, and work with a singleness of
purpose that has been beneficial to
the college. L invite you to consider
the fact that this admirable institu-
ton of learning has not yet received
the public attention that it's merits
entitle it to. 1t is the college of the
people; and it should have their
good will and encouragement. 1t
has an efficient Faculty, handsome
endowment, with the accessories
common to the best colleges in the
country, and should have a much
larger attendance of students. l
respectfully suggest that the Gen
eral Assembly may devise ways and
means to aid the Board of Trustees
in bringing about this desirable re-
suit.
In pursuance of the act of Febru-
ary Is, 1874, creating q State Board
of Centennial Managers, five emf
nent citizens of Ohio were appointed
to constitute the Commission. They
have completed their organization,
and entered upon the discharge of
the duties assigned them.
In the execution of the several
laws providing for the re-organiza-
ton of the various Public Institu-
tions, passed at your last session, the
made by the Execu-
tive have, in every instance, proved
to be satisfactory-such appoint
ments having been made solely with
a view to promote the public interest,
regard to other considera-
tions, the officers appointed seeming
to be influenced in their action by
the same motives which determined
their appointment.
During last summer, the irritation
Of feeling in the mining districts
arising out of the disagreement be-
tween the mine owners and miners
assumed, in one instance, form of
which seriously imperilled
5he public peace. At the critical
moment, the prompt interposition of
5he moral authority of the State was
found sufficient to allay the exaspera-
ion of passions, and to reassure
peace and harmony, without a re-
sort to the material power of the
State.