The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-01-15

neeted with the manufacture of iron. The
beginning of the year found numerous blast
furnaces, rolling mills, foundrios and mines
closed, and many of those in operation not run
ming to their capacity, or on full time and
nearly every other industry was affected in
juriously to greater or lesser extent. Many
pen we're out of employment, and the so-called
&" tramps" were numerous that the General
Assembly, in its wisdom, sought to suppress
the excuses charged against this largo body of
idle men by tho enactment of strong repressive
legislation.
The close of the year finds the number of fur
nacos, mills, mines and foundries in operation
largely increased those in operation worked
to their full capacity; workmen more steadily
employed and their number increased to such
an extent that the vast majority of those who,
for five years have been denounced as
" tramps ''-men who preferred to beg or steal
rather than work-have secured employment,
have become producers as well as consumers,
and their sudden and willing absorption into
the ranks of the workers is the best possible
answer to the wholesale denunciation made
upon the idle men travelling in search of en-
pioyment. A demand for their labor has done
that which legislation never could have accom-
plished.
Further legislation on the subject of payment
of wages in script or store orders is believed
to be unnecessary. The present laws, if en-
forced, are sufficient to destroy the evil without
in any manner injuring or interfering with any
industry. The passage of law to prevent the
employment of persons to run stationary en-
gines who are not thoroughly competent by age,
training and experience, might be highly
proper, inasmuch that the large number OF
workmen employed in factories and shops in
which steam powers is used, have their lives
in great hazard from this cause.
RAILROADS.
The railroad interests of Ohio are so great
and so constantly increasing that it affords me
great satisfaction to be enabled to say that the
report of the Commissioner on Railroads and
Telegraphs, now rapidly approaching compile
ton, shows a far healthier condition than at any
former period. The railroads of Ohio seem to
be managed, except in few instances, with
great care. The outstanding debts of the Ohio
railroads, floating and bonded, is greatly de-
creased on account of the immense traffic
spened up by the late abundant harvest and
the improved condition of the finances of the
country.
THE REVISION OF THE GENERAL STATUTES,
Which took effect on the first day of this year
and, the appendix thereto, containing all the
laws of general or great local interest not en-
braced in the Revision have been published by
the State, in two volumes, and distributed &C.
cording to law. The importance of this work
can hardly be overestimated. It presents te
the people, the Courts and the public officers
all the general laws of the State now in force il
| a convenient form and the exhaustive annota-
tions, illustrating the text by reference to tht
| rulings of Supreme Court, and the full analytic
index with which the work closes, can not fail t
| make it acceptable to all, and to reflect credl
on those who protected it and those who exc
| cuted it. It is to be hoped that the revision
will have greater degree of permanence thai
| the desire fer change has heretofore accorded
| to former and less complete revisions. Genera
laws should not be readily changed. In thi
connection take the liberty to suggest that n
law of the land should be passed to take effec
| Immediately.
| COMMON SCHOOLS.
| The expenditure of 81, III 1925 for tho main
| tenance of common schools during the las
scholastic year, is fact going to show that tn
people of Ohio are not losing interest in tn
| cause of education. It seems to be admitte
| that the schools of our cities are second to non
| in their system of organization and manage
ment, the professional skill and high charac
ters Of their teachers, the proportion of tn
youth of school age which is under instructio
and the merit of the work done. The bes
exhibit of pupils work at the Worlds Exposi
ton at Paris, adjudged to be the best by tb
United States Commissioners, DR.. Philbric
| (whose assertion is that I" it had never had
parallel in the worldly, was that the product {
hS0s % an ohS fy til
attracting so much attention throughout tt
eastern part of our country, are credited bac
to the schools of another Ohio city where the
were learned. The excellence of these schoo
is due to the munifcence Of their support, an,
as before intimated, to their system of organ
zation and management. I warmly commen
to the General Assembly the question wheth
the cause Of popular education in Ohio can n
be furthercd by improvements in our system
school management, which will be possible onl
after proper legislation.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Before concluding this communication
your honorable body, I can not omit to urI
the propriety of the State making some pr
vision for tho purchase or erection of an E,
ecutive Mansion. In doing SO, am sustain'
by the example of other States, and that to
where the salary of the Governor in the
is greater than in our own. It seems, ther
fore, to me eminently proper, in the ve
necessity of things, and can hardly concei'
that the great State of Ohio, now the third
population, and in some respects ranking fir
in the Union, would willingly decline to
what her own dignity as State and public e.
pectation on the part of others demand. !
this time when no personal advantage on n
part can bo urged to challenge this suggestio
nor your action in this matter be regarded as
anywise partisan, trust the recommended,
will be considered opportune and advisable.
| RIcuARn NJ RIruoP