The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-09

lsiatIlre, to take effect September 1, 1877.
A few claims have been reported,
amounting to about the sum of $1,000,
which were not presented to said Board
within the limit of the law. They are
represented to be of the same character
as others which were allowed and paid,
the parties who presented the claims at
too late a day to be acted upon by the
Board not being aware of the provis-
ions of law under which their claims
might have been settled.
do not think it desirable to revive
the old commission, or TO appoint new
one, but would recommend that a COM
mittee of the Legislature be appointed
to examine and adjust such honest
claims as ought to be paid
THE TWO PER CENT. CLAIMS.
Claims to the amount of nearly ST.
800, ,000-about one-third of which is
due to the State of Ohio-haye been
presented to the United States Govern
ment by the States of Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois, on account of the unpaid
balances of the five per cent. granted by
Congress to the several States on the
sales of public lands. The House of
Representatives in Congress last winter,
by a vote of two to one, recognized the
validity of this claim. The Senate
barely defeated the measure, if / mis-
take, not, by a single vote. A memorial
has recently been addressed to Congress
by the Governors of the three States in
terested, and we trust our efforts will be
warmly seconded by the Legislatures of
our respective States. 1t is believed
that a sense of justice will induce Con-
gress to accord to us what We maintain
is fairly due.
CENTENNIAL.
1t having been decided to celebrate
the one.hundreth anniversary of our
National Independence by grand ex-
hibition of the industry and resources
of the country, it is desirable that pro-
vision for this important event be made
upon a scale commensurate with the dig
nifty of the occasion. Foreign Nations
are already signifying their acceptance
of the invitation of our Government,
while exhibitors in this and other coun-
tries are applying for necessary space.
To make the Exposition such success
as shall present our young Republic to
the Governments of the Old World in
the most favorably light-such a dis
play as shall attract the attention and
command the admiration of the whole
civilized world-a large amount of mon
ey will be required. In order to raise the
necessary funds, and for other purposes,
the Centennial Commission appeals to
the patriotic Impulses and generous
spirit of all our people. Certainly no
State in the Union has greater cause for
gratitude and pride than Ohio, with her
three million inhabitants and her
abounding wealth. tits hoped the rich
and poor alike, each according to his
means, will contribute something toward
carrying out the designs of the Com
mission. To facilitate this, Hon. A. L.
Goshorn, Director General of the Cen
tennial, citizen of our own State, asks
for the appointment of State Boards to
cooperate with the National Board of
Commissioners.
1 would, therefore, earnestly recon-
mend that provision be made for the ap-
pointment, by my successor, o. such
State Board, and that an appropriation
of $1,000 be made TO defray the ex-
penses thereof, including the cost of
travel, postage rlerk-hire, &C. L am
convinced this is the least sum which
will answer the purpose.
1t is hoped Ohio viii not be behind
her sister States in the manifestation Of
her patriotism.
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COL
LEGEs.
The Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege was opened to students on the 18th
of September last. Thirty students en-
tered the institution at that time, and
classes were formed in almost all of the
departments of instruction. The Col
lege cen therefore be said to be in sue
eessful operation.
It's courses of study seem to have been
organized in conformity with the provis-
ions of the Act of Congress to which it
owes its origin; these provisions demand
ing an institution properly equipped for
"the liberal and practical education of
the industrial classes in the various pur.
suits and professions of life" Several |
of its more important professorships re-
main to be filled, but the trustees give |
assurance that appointments will be
made to one or more of these depart
ments during the present year.
The productive capital of the College
now amounts to S504, 900, while its farm,
its buildings, apparatus and cabinets, to-
gether with the unsold lands belonging
to it in the southern counties of the
State, make an aggregate of at least
$3.50, 900 more. Such a foundation can
scarcely fail to become very important
addition 10 the educational facilities of
the State, enlarged, as it certainly will
be private munifcence.
desire specially to commend this in
stitution to the kindly consideration of
the General Assembly and to the good
will of the people. 1t is the school of
the people; they own it, and are to profit
by it. trust they will hereafter have
great reason 10 be proud of it. Its
teachings will be thorough and compre-1
hensive; its doors will be wide open, and
is blessings wide spread; its support
ought to be generous and cheerfully ac-
corded.
BY act of the Legislature all the ma :
erial collected by the State Geological
Survey during its five years of service
becomes the property of the College, to
he keeping of which ii is already trans
erred. The collections are large, and
urnish a very satisfactory representa- q
ion of the mineral wealth and fossil I