Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-01-10

power of minor political organiza-
tions to create debts and impose tax
es. The people naturally complain
of their burdens, when annual or
semi-annual payments of tax bills
are made, and but few stop to in
quire or consider whether the bills
are on account of local affairs, under
levies made for county, city, and
school district purposes, or for the
State at large. I commend this sub
ject to your attention.
Upon examination it will be found
that there is remarkable difference
between the expenses of several
counties, for the very same purpe-
ses, where there ought to be substan-
tial agreement; all of which could
possibly be remedied by legislation.
FISH CULTURE. f---.r,
When laborers are out of employ
ment, when times are hard and mon
ey scarce, the minds of men natural
ly and properly turn to considera-
tion of matters affecting the price of
subsistence-the cost of living. Ger
tainly there is no food more health
full or more palatable than the best
varieties of fish which are found in
our lakes and rivers. Yet the sup
ply has been growing less, year BY
year, until it can no longer be re-
garded as a common and cheap ar
ticle of diet, but should be classed
with the luxuries, which only the
rich or those In comfortable circum-
stances can afford. 1t is no longer a
question whether or not it is posi-
bic to re-stock our inland waters
with fish. Experiments in various
parts of the country have been made
on so generous scale, that it is now
certain we can repair the waste and
consumption which have produced
the present scarcity. And this can
be done with comparatively little
cost. The delicious white fish of the
lakes, instead of costing ten cents
per pound, as they now do when
placed upon eur tables, ought to be
afforded at four cents at most. But
to effect this there must be a more
plentiful supply. ii.-r F-..a
The General Assembly, at its last
session, authorized the appointment
of three Fish Commissioners, who
were to act without compensation,
but whose actual expenses while
prosecuting their Investigations were
provided for by a small appropria-
ton. These Commissioners were
not expected to undertake. the actual
work of fish culture, otherwise a
larger appropriation would have
been made. The Board are now
ready to commence restocking our
waters, and are satisfied that an al
most unlimited supply of fish can be
furnished, within three or four years
from the time when work is entered
upon in earnest. In the interest of
both comfort and economy, I recon-
mend an appropriation of at least
$4,000, for the purpose of erecting
Matching houses on Lake Erie, in
our reservoirs and rivers, and to pay
the expense of propagating the
most desirable kinds of fish. .-.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Two volumes of the Geolooical
Survey-one of Geology and one of
Paleontology-have been published
and distributed since the adjourn
ment of the last General Assembly.
The feld-work of the survey has been
completed, and a large amount of
material has been collected for fu-
ture volumes. 1t was hoped that all
the text would be ready for the
printer at the beginning of the pres
ent year, but it has been found i'm
possible, with the utmost industry, to
finish it. Sufficient matter for two
more volumes will be prepared by
the 18th of February next, when the
term for which the Geological Corps
was appointed expires by limitation.
Indeed, No appropriation has been
made for expenses beyond the lst of
the present month The plan of the
survey contemplates two other vol
umes, in addition to those 1 have
mentioned, one devoted to economic
Geology purely, and the other to 20
ology, botany, agriculture, etc. The
work will not be complete without
these latter volumes, the material
for which is now fully half prepared.
A general geological map of the
State should also: accompany the
printed volumes. To perfect the
whole in creditable manner will
require two years more of time at an
expense of Sic, 900 a year. taa
therefore recommend that an ap-
preparation be made for the publica-
ton of two volumes Immediately,
and that the sum of $4,000 be ad-
ded, to continue the work of the sur
vey another year. r.u bai sd f
The value of this geological sur
vey to the people of Ohio can hardly
be over-estimated. It has occupied
but little time, and its cost has been
much less than that of similar. enter
prises in other States. The work, so
far as published, is everywhere high
ly commended; in my judgment the
interests of the people. require that
it should be carried on to compile
ton. 1t would be an unwarranted
waste of time and money if the ma
terial now prepared should not be
utilized.
WAR CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED
STATES. .rH . u5
The following statement will
show the history and condition of
war claims presented by the State
of Ohio against the General Gov
ernment. -ss -.I-
Amount Of claims presented prior to
November 10, 1871. s., 1893 ,P66 7e
Amount presented during the last is
cal year. .......-.......-'.....'., ao,S4o "
Reimbursed prior to Nov. .-
Is, 1s79.. g, 1864 o.
last fiscal year........ S4,l74 30 ..
Amount outstanding. g.............. 1914, ,761 OF
r. Il