The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-01-19

uance Of paymetit of such pension. The pay
ments finder this set during the year have
amounted to $40, 1873.
The lists in the Adjutant Generals Office
show that twoasy-six soldiers and sailors are
receiving pensions under one act, and two
hundred aud fifty-six widows.
Tho Governor thinks this lay should be
repealed Or modified to apply oiily TO soldiers
and sailors who are not entitled to pensions
from the United States. If this not Is not re-
pealed OF altered, 1t win require, from a cal
culatiofi based somewhat on the tables Of
mortality and the number and ages Of those
who have applied and yet to apply, about ore
hundred and SIXTY to seventy thousand dol
lars at least, to Satisfy its demands; besides
what has already been paid.
The last ynar's expenditure FOR printing
was SIS, 2o5.s0. The Comptroller estimated
$4,000 for the current year.
The total income from the State Prison last
year was $S1, 500 80, of which $70,04s.I5 was
from the labor of convicts. The cost of the
Institution to the State above receipts was
$59, 56O.79.
The National Guard consists of eight regi-
ments and two battalions of infantry, two
cavalry companies, and two batteries of ar
tillery. The expenditures last year on this
account were $44. ,22.
The Soldiers Chldren's Home has fulfilled
its mission, aud tile appropriation closes in
April next. The number cared for during
the year was 1874 of these only IS remained
nj tl,a Of tba hos
boys and IS girls.
| The girls will all be provided for at its
close, ard not over six of the boys will re-
main. If this property is not taken for a
deaf and dumb asylum some disposition should
be made of it this session.
The Industrial School for Girls is now
maintained exclusively by tile State. 1t has
but 90 inmates. For information concerning
the Lunatic Asylum and other institutions
the Governor refers to the reports.
The Riparian Commissioners are prosecut-
ing their duties with great benefit to the
State.
The appropriation of last session is made
quate to meet the expenses of the Centennial
Commissioners, and further one is recon-
mended.
The additions to the State House have been
completed in substantial and appropriate
manner, and within the appropriation Of
$4,000. An appropriation of $4,000 is recon-
mended to raise the main dome to give
symmetry to the structure.
The appointment of an examiner of the
accounts of Savings Banks is recommended.
The revenue received by the State from
/ Railroad Companies is not near as large as it
should be. These companies obtain their
require more protection from the various de-
partments of government, State and local.
than most others. They are undoubtedly of
great public benefit, and the. policy of the
State has always been to deal literally with
them ; but there is no good reason why they
should not bear, relatively. fair proportion
of the public burtheps. He discusses the
subject of the unequal taxation of railroad
companies by which some of them pay no
tax, and recommends tax of one half of one
per cent on the cost of all railroads. By a
fair estimate of the probable costs of the rail-
/ Apop' ~ WV Pe"tO, SASSp'hS bbooC WIFI iTEt-
pea able charters, and including equipment and
appendages / am satisfied that it will amount
to at least one hundred and twenty-five mil
lions of dollars ($l25, 200, 0O0). A tax on
rat of one half of one per cent. will produce
1925, 900. That sum, with the revenue from
1925, 900, which, with the income from other
sources, excluding school taxes, would nearly,
if not entirely, with reasonable economy,
after the Asylum is completed, and with a
cessation Of extraordinary appropriations,
pay all the ordinary expenses Of the govern
meht, including the annual payments from
the State Treasury towards the war debt.
The Report Of the State Superintendent
of Schools to the Board Of Education, gives a
very encouraging and satisfactory resume of
tie condition of the public schools. To Sc
cure free schools throughout the State is now
4 constitutional ddity. Free schools are safe
guards Of the State and nation, and should be
kept completely divorced from sectarian con-
troll or influence. 1t is cardinal principle in
our political economy, and fundamental in
our system of government, that Church and
State must be kept perfectly separate bit
mistaken notions arises oftentmes in apply
ing the principle. We should never lose sight
of the fact that this is a land of Christian, or
Bible, character and civilization, and that its
teachings are the foundation of our virtue and
social elevation. These, it is true, may and
do assume different shapes in mems minds, in
considering their relations to God, thereby
in using such religious scots and associations
for worship as may be deemed necessary or
better for that purpose, according to belief
but the great undisputed, underlying doc
trnes of duty to God and man and individual
virtue which make good citizens are in tie
Bible, and to exclude it from being read in
schools is a retogression towards heathcnfsm.
The simple reading of the Bible in schools Is
not the teaching of sectarian or peculiar re-
ligious belief, simply because it is used to cs-
tablish religious creeds and forms. The
schools should never be shut against the
Bible. Our law is perfectly just. It's words
are, "that it shall not be lawful for any
teacher, trustee or trustees to introduce into
or have performed in any school receiving its
frop6rtiou of the public money airy religious