Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-01-17
industrial pursuits. its claims should receive a

Dumb, Imbeciie. and various insane institu-
tions, are grateful indications of a Christian
civilization always 20 be cherished. IL is not,
therefore, without Just cause that, as State,
we are proud of the number and superiority of
our State reformatory and benevolent institu-
tions. The ends aimed at as well as the large
amounts expended by the State in their estab-
lishment and support, call for wise and eco
nomical management of all their affairs. From
personal inspection of most of them during the
past year and reliable information from the 9TH
ers, have reason TO thus publicly commend the
efficiency and fidelity of those entrusted with
their management and can but hope that your
honorable body will embrace every opportunity
of inquiring into their exact condition and
wants not only as represented in their indivldu-
al reports, but through the direct investigation
of the several legislative committees appointed
for this purpose. 1t will be seen that the cur
rent expenses Of these institutions have been
greatly diminished, and hence large amount
has been saved to the State during the year.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ORPHANS HOME.
In reoraanizng the Soldiers and Sailors Or
phaus' Home. at Xeuia, during the last session,
your attention was doubtless directed TO want
of discrimination as TO the proper benehciaries
of the institution, which worked injustice to
many children who ought to have shared its pro-
visions; The former law placed on an equality
the children of deceased INDECENT and perma-
nently disabled soldiers and sailors, and the prac
tical construction given to il enabled the county
in which the institution is situated and q few
other counties, to monopolize its benefits to
the full capacity of the institution. to the eX-
cluson of deserving children in other coun-
ties, The amendment probably went too far IN
the other direction is too restrictive, and should
be promptly changed. The children of those
who died in the service, or of wounds received
or disease contracted in the service, should un-
doubtedly be preferred, but If these do not fill
the institution then the children of those who
have died from other causes, or who are perma-
nently disabled and even of those who havo
neither died nor been disabled, if destitute, may
well be admitted, proyided they do not displace
the other class. In all cases destitution should
be made test of admission, and this charity
should be no organized and so administered as to
reach all parts of the State.
GRAVE ROBBERY.
There is, at this time in every home through
out the land an intense feeling of anxiety and
sOlicitude concerning grave robbery. This feel
ing of insecurity and dread on the part of the
community concerning the ruthless disturbance
and removal of dead friends and relatives from
the resting places of their choice, is natural and
to be respected. While, therefore, some further
legislation is needed to quiet these painful ap-
prehensions in the public mind, it should not be
forgotten that to maintain the present excellence
of medical science and develop higher pathol log
ical skill, such attanments can only be reached
through familiarity with the appearance, loca-
ton and relations of anatomical structures not to
be gained by models and casts, however perfect
it should also be remembered that physicians
are held responsible by the courts for the pos
session of certain amount of skill while treat
ing patients, both in medical and surgical as
pect. To make them amenable to such penal
ties and fOrfeltures as the law imposes. and at
the same time to deprive them of the highest
means of attaining proficiency alike demanded
by law and the best interest of society would
work great injustice and wrong. There is n law
existing on our statute books allowing to medi-
cal colleges and societies the use of bodies of
unclaimed dead for anatomical study previous
to burial. But 1T will be seen that the condi-
tions for the surrender of such bodies are so
limited and hedged in by provisos as will render
compliance with il utterly nugatory.
The wisdom of your body will doubtless dis
cover some additional legislation by which
adequate amount of such medical subjects may
be supplied from recognized and well-detined
public sources and thus completely debar the
odtous tTdHc now outraging public sentiment,
and afford tranquility and protection alike to
the vlrtuous poor and rich.
PRESERVATION OF FORESTS.
deem it important to call your attention to
the necessity of providing by law for the protec
tion o.. f.forests and timber. The statistics for
1877 show that inslS70 there were 9,749333 acres
| of timber land in the State; that in 1871 there
were 5,ll73l0 acres of timber land in the State.
If the statistics are correct, there was, within
seven years. destruction of over 4,5O00O0 acres
Of forest: The day is not s far distant when If
ued the beautiful and valuable forests of our
State will soon disappear
In many countries in Europe the advantages
of forests have been learned in the school of me-
cessity, and now the study of forestry is taught
with as much thOroughness and care as is the
study of other sciences, while the cutting and re-
planting of trees is regulated and enforced by
systematic and careful legislation.
In Ohio the question is each year becoming
more and more important, and it is now time, in
my opinion, when the preservation OF forests
should become a subject of legislation. and that
carefully prepared statistics should be annually
collected, showing the area and condition of our
forests.
FEES OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
The times demand the strictest economy and
reduction of expenses in the administration of
the government. The present great depreciation
in the value Of property, and the low wages Of
pay taxes require that the salaries and fees of
public officers should be proportonately reduced,
and not continued at the old war rates. Accord
ing to the report of the Auditor of State for the
year 1874, the fees and salaries of county officers
amounted to 81 1893, 1881, being more than four
ceived by, the Legislature judiciary, state otfi-
GERS and department clerks. An act was passed
March ., 1875, reducing this compensation
sembly, on the sth of April, 1876, re
pealed this law, under the plea that it would
work unfairly and substituted a new act in its
place, claiming that it would also reduce the
compensation of county officials but the returns
in the Auditor report of 1877 show the pay of
these officers to he 81 900. being an in
crease of 575 COO in excess of what they received
before the passage of the law of 1875, thus add
ing to the burthens of the people of the State
$360,000 annually.
The following figures from the report of the
Auditor of State, in 1877, make apparent on their
face the working OF the present county fee law:
Auditors. ..s 2s26O2 SO Legislature ..5l29 75l 3s
Treasurers y759l5 00yudiciary .... 1S3,M7 81
Clerks...... 2s32S 92State officers. H,927 %
Probate jig. 2o9i7S S. " ' '''- ~
Total. . 81 ,333, ,2s6 9s Total. 1896, ,5O7 10
There are five of the above named officers in
each of the eighty-eght counties, making total
of four hundred and forty in the State, at an
average compensation of over $50 o each or
more than the salary of Judge of the Supreme
Court or the Treasurer of State. No further ar
gument is needed to prove that reform Is re-
| quired.
| In order to settle the question definitely and
| fairly, suggested an amendment to the Consti-
tuition fixing limit on the amount of compen-
sation by classifying the counties according to
population, which compensation should not eX-
coed the fees actually collected; that it should
| not be increased or diminished during the term
| of office; that all fees and allowances in excess
thereof should be paid into the county treasury.
| An addition should be made that the General
| Assembly snail pass laws as to reduce any
such surplus, by lowering the fees, for the bene-
| fit of the people. joint resolution (No. 55) pro-
| posing such Constitutional amendment is now
pending in the Senate, which, it is claimed, will
make a reduction of $500, 90 in these fees. The
time is opportune for the people to consider
| questions affecting their local State interests,
and hope this matter will receive your favora-
| BILE consideration, and that the pending amend
ment may be put in such a shape as to submit
the question to the voters of the State at the
suing October election to settle the matter def
| nitely.
| On the 10th of June last received a cOmmuni-
cation from w. Nj. Evarts, Secretary of State of
| the United States, with inclosure of letter from
| Sir Edward Thornton, British Minister at Wash
ington, to MIR. Evarts, and other accompaniments.
in regard to claim of MIR. j. Tomlinson, civil
engineer i'll the Canadian service for expenses in
CURED by him in January, 1877, in attending the
Coroner's Jury which passed upon the Ashtab-
| uld IdliIOhu ulbhhleI. lOIullubOn nhl DGell
requested by my predecessor, Ex-Gov. Hayes,
to perform this service, and it would appear
| from the correspondence herewith submit
| ted, that his claim was received about the
time of adjournment of the session in May, 1877
and assurances returned by the Governor
that the matter would be brought. before the
General Assembly last session.. OF this, how
| ever, had no knowledge, until the receipt of
the letter of the Secretary of State referred To
above. There being no provisions for any claims
of this kind, l addressed Mr.. Evarts and desired
him 10 advise the claimant that the claim would
be adjusted by the necessary appropriation al
the next session of the General Assembly, which
would convene in January, 1879. need hardly
suggest the propriety of providing for the imme,
diate payment of this small claim already toe
long delayed.
| BOUNDARY LINE COMMISSION.
In compliance with an act in regard to the
| boundary monuments on the line between the
States of Ohio and Pennsylvania passed by
your honorable body May :, 1873, l appointed
benville Henry b. Perkins, of Warren and
James Mackey, of Youngstown. Early in Octo,