The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-16

panies and consolidating weak and
inefficient regimental organizations.
The present system contemplates an
army of 10000 soldiers, equal in num-
ber to the militia force of the State OF
New York, which is the largest and
most complete in the Union, while
Ohio has little more than half the pop
ulation from which to subsist. It is
suggested by the Adjutant-G General,
whom I have reason to believe has
given the subject careful consideration,
that the numerical strength of the
State troops should not exceed 1000
men, rank and file-that this number
properly clothed, armed and equipped,
would be equal to any emergency like
ly to arise.
The compensation allowed by law
for duty in annual encampment is not
satisfactory to the military, as it al
lows no transportation to and from
camp, or subsistence while there. If
provision for these were made it would
enable laboring men and such as have
families to take more interest in the
military service. The great State of
Ohio can afford to do ample justice to
her soldiery. Since the passage by
congress of the act of June IS, 1878,
barring the use of the United States
army as n ''pOsse comitatus" for the
enforcement of laws, and the States
made wholly dependent upon their
own resources, the necessity of we'll
regulated militia, properly supplied,
must be apparent to all. To this end
I recommend to your favorable con-
sideration the enactment of the neces-
sary laws, and authorizing sufficient
appropriations to place the militia
force of this State upon war footing.
I respectfully call the attention of
members of congress from Ohio to the
importance of urging the immediate
passage of the bill now pending there
in for the settlement of Ohio accounts
with the Ordinance Department of the
United States.
That part of the report relating to the
disbursement of money appropriated
to pay the expense of the strike of 1877:
the payment of the camp and clothing
claims, and the State Capitol and
grounds; the unpaid claims against the
Department, together with the accom-
panying sub-report, are respectfully re-
ferred without comment.
PUBLIC WORKS.
In calling the attention of the Gen
eral Assembly to the snbject of the
Public Works of the State it will be
only necessary to say, on the 1st OF
December, 1877, the late lessees aban-
doned their contract of lease, and for
eleven days the works were without
responsible supervision. BY an ar
rangement between the lesees and the
Board of Public Works, a suit was
commenced in the Superior Court of
Montgomery county (and just now
decided adversely to the State), TO de-
termine certain legal questions con-
nected with the abandonment of the
lease. Under this arrangement the
Public Works were taken charge of by
Receivers, appointed by said court, and
remained in their charge, awaiting the
result of said suit until the 18th of May
last, at which time the General Assem-
bly, passed joint resolution requiring
the Board of Public Works to take
charge of them in behalf of the State ;
under which resolution they are now
being managed. The management OF
the Works, both under the Receivers
and Board of Public Works, has been
satisfactory, and the Works properly
cared for, showing them to be in fair
average condition.
The moneys collected by Receivers from
December l, 1877, to May 1875 were. $69.765. So
Collected by Board of Public Works
from May /, to Nov. Is, 1S7S...-.... 112.76O "a
s1s2.525 90
To which add amount reported as col =.
lected by lessees from Nov. Is to
December l, 1877 S77...-..-.--.-.....- 1S,102 Sc
Shows total col, for fiscal year - s2OO,62s 4s
m r..