West-Jersey pioneer., 1877-01-18

They conduct an experimental farm in con-
nection with the school, and thorough pro-
vision has been made for complete educa-
tion in agriculture and the mechanic arts.
objects contemplated by the act Of Congress
donating the scrip. The State is entitled
to have educated, free of charge for tuition,
forty students, apportioned among the coun-
ties according to representation in the Leg
islature, and to be received on the recon-
mendation of the County Superntendents.
Only thirteen counties are now represented
IN the school, but the vacancies have been
temporarily filled from counties already full
The reports of the Board of Visitors and
the Trustees exhibit the condition of the
school and the course of instruction, and to
these, as well as the report of the farm by
Prof. Cook, which is peculiarly valuable to
the farmer, l commend attention.
The Visitors ask some assistance toward
experiments at the Farm, and also for the
purpose of advertising scholarships and Civ
ing the public information regarding the
Agricultural College.
SCHOOL FUND.
| The following was the condition of the
| School Fund, October 81, 1876:
Investments, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. s1,2l4,333 so
| Balance in bank, Observation-Disclosures. 27,486 %
| Grants or leases of lands on payment
-, q OF per cent on principal sums Of 3717l7 81
| Amount unpaid from State Fund to
School Fund, 23s,OOO 90
s2,2Os, ,6s9 50
| Other rentals of land under water. S5,O95 annu
| ally.
fhis statement does not include arrears
of interests and rents. This fund has in
creased so rapidly from sales and leases of
lands under water that the income can now
bear the whole of the one hundred thous-
and dollars paid from the School Fund an
nually for public schools. Under the law
of March II, 1867, the income bears only
thirty-five Thousand dollars of this, and the
other revenues of the State sixty-five thous
and dollars. Such is now the law, unless
by the revision these amounts are changed
to $40, 900 from the income and $50. 900
from the State Fund. The inability of the
Treasury to meet the annual sums for the
last three years and upwards, has made the
Indebtedness of $23S, ,6sO,5O to the School
Fund. This should be paid as fast as the
condition of the State Fund will permit.
but for the future l recommend that the in
come of the School Fund be first liable to
pay the one hundred thousand dollars, and
if any deficiency, by reason of failure to
collect, or otherwise, that the same be made
up from the ordinary revenues.
v.-.... ESTIMATES.
The Comptroller estimates one million
six hundred and fifty thousand dollars 81
$50, ,0O0) as the amount of disbursements
to be made and provided for during this
year. That includes $1,000 for the prin
cipal of war bonds maturing January 1st,
1878, and $42, 1885 for interest to meet
Oh da--.n~I- &C .l.e Sinking Fund next voar
These sums must be provided for by the
taxes. 1t also includes $23s, 1000 now due
from the State Fund to the School Fund.
and $65, 900 to grow due for the year 1877.
Should the law be changed so as to relieve
the ordinary revenues, for the future from
the payment of this annual sum to the
School Fund, that last amount 1865, ,OOO,)
can be deducted from the estimate of liza
bilities. For further particulars of this
debit estimate, refer to the Comptroller's
report. The estimate of probable revenue
is one million six hundred and fitty-one
thousand five hundred and ninety-five dol
lars and forty three cents ($1,651. 595 49,
This is made up of the usual tax of one
and a-half mills on the dollar, according to
the ratables of 1876, and will amount to
1895, 402.06 being $23, ,694. so less than last
years tax, owing to decrease in the va lu-
alton of ratables; and the balance is esti-
mated from tax on corporations, dividends
on stock, and the other current revenues
These estimates do not include the two mill
school tax for the support of free schools,
WHICH must now be regarded as POI
1t is uncertain what effect the act of last
session subjecting railroad corporations liza
BILE to taxation under general law, to a
tax of one-half of one per ceut. on the true
ualue of the railroad equipment and appen-
dages, instead of taxing them under vari-
GUS provisions in their charters, as hereto
fore, on the basis of cost or net earnings,
will have upon the revenue. The probable
result will be known before the session
closes, as the companies are obliged to make
return to the Comptroller on or before the
first day of February next.
STATE PRISON.
The State Prison is overcrowded The
number of convicts October 81, 1876, was
S29 October 81. 1875, it was 6S4. The
daily average in 1875 was 656; the last year
it was 766. showing an increase of 10. The
whole number of cells is $50. Ten are used
for the Library, storage and the refractory;
twenty-five to thirty for the females, and
the rest, 400 to 495, for the males. 30S of
these cells are capable of holding only one
person. The others were built as single
cells, but may, with tolerable prudence,
contain two each; beyond that it is demor-
alizing to discipline and hazardous to health.
The males numbered October 81, last, 700,
and many of the cells were occupied by
three each. 1t is an imperative necessity
that additional room be furnished as early
as possible. The Keeper, Supervisor, Leg
islative Committee and Inspectors all re-
commend it, and respectfully suggest that
the matter receive the immediate considera-
ton of the Legislature. The mode of meet
ing the emergency is peculiarly within the
sound, practical judgment of your Honor
able Body.