The daily gazette., 1883-01-02

your attention to the matter, so that yol
may take whatever steps, in relation theret,
l.you shall deem proper.
SCHOOL PUND.
As appears by the foregoing fiDancia
statement, the School Fund was augmented
by the conversion of the certificates Of loan
to the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti.
more Railroad Company into cash, (undei
the authority contained in joint resolution
adopted at the last session of the General
Assembly, $46,7 $50. This was very wise
and judicious act
Without increasing the present rate OF
taxation, the School Fund may be still
further augmented by transferring TO the
same certain portion of the revenues OF
the State belonging TO the General Fund.
The rate at which the bonds Of the State are
being extinguished, warrents the conclusion,
that, on the first day Of January, 1885, after
defraying the ordinary expenses of the
State government, and redeemiDg all the
bonds embraced I'm "sereis A." there will
be surplus in the Treasury belonging to
the General Fund. The bonds embraced
In "Series B." will not be redeemable until
July lst, A. D., 1886, during which time the
surpluss will steadily increase by the SINH
annual receipts. Now, in order to avoid
the existence Of an idle and inactive fund in
the Treasury, and to utilize the moneys as
the are received, recommend that portion
Of the revenues now belonging to the
General Fund be appropriated towards the
support Of the Free Schools of the State.
This can be done without postponing the
payment of the four per cent. bonds beyond
the period Of their maturity or redeema-
bility. The propriety Of such a step must
be obvious to the mind of every person, who
reflects, that upon the general diffusion of
knowledge depends the perpetuity of our
republican form OF government. Therefore,
TO make the free school system of the State
as efficient as possible, so far as that end
can be accomplished by legislative enact
ment, is an obligation which rests upon us,
for the proper discharge of which the
rising generation will hold us to strict
accountability.
SUPERINTENDENT OF FREE SCHOOLS.
herewith transmit the report of the
of free schools. To the
facts and suggestions contained therein, 1
invite your careful attention.
REPRESENTATION.
The large growth of population and
wealth in New Castle county since the
adoption of the present Constitution, has
an increase of representation from
that county In the Legislature, necessity.
1t is your duty, therefore, to adopt such
legislation as will result In the accomplish
ment of this needed change, or re-adjust-
ment, Of the basis of representation in the
General Assembly
CRIMINAL TRIALS.
In capital cases, the persons indicted may
challenge certain number of
jurors, while the prosecuting officer is not
authorized to challenge any. In order to
put the accused and the State upon an equal
footing with reference TO challenges in such
cases, recommend the passage of law
upon the Attorney General the
right to peremptorially ehallege an equal
number of jurors. Such law would se-
cure fiirer and more impartial trials in such
cases. and thereby strengthen the sense OF
public security, which the penalties of the
law inspire.
OF FUGITIvEs FROM JUSTICE.
The provision of the Constitution of the
United States, relating to persons charged
with crime, who have fed from justice in
one State and taken refuge within another
State, is intended to aid only in the admin
lstration of the criminal law. In scme in
stances this power has been successfully
sought for purposes alien to the spirit and
intent Of the Constitution. In order to pre-
vent the abuse of this constitutional proYi-
sion, recommend the passage of law
the Governor, when he shall
deem it necessary, to require au examiRa-
tion OF the facts and circumstances sur
the case, before the Associate
Judge of the county, either upon the ap-
pllcation for the demand, or for the sur
render of a fugitive from justice such
Judge to certify TO the Governor the result
of the investigation which shall be guide
to him in the performance of his official
duty in that behalf,
YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.
Youths of tender years, imprisoned in
the common jails of the State, as penalty
for the commission Of crime, are forced into
an association with old and hardened
which has a tendency to blunt
and impair their moral sensbitities and
thus destroy the power of reformation
When their terms of imprisonment expire,
with their baser passions quickened and
strengthened, they are ready to enter upon q
career of crime and dishonesty. If such
criminals could be placed In some House
of Refuge outside of the State, the object OF
which is the moral reformation of that un-
fortunate class, it would be blessing to
them, and would not cost the State much
more than maintaining them in the common
Jail OF either county. /, therefore recon-
mend that some provision be made for the
removal of such criminals to some reforma-
tory institution without the State.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The health of community is more essen
tial to the happiness of the people than
their material prosperity, hence any effort
put forth for the suppression of disease
should receive your generous encourage
ment. The gentlemen composing the
Board of Health are among the most emil
nent in their profession in the State, and
their suggestions should, therefore, COM
mand your most careful attention. | am of
the opinion that q small appropriation to
defray the expense of printing and distribu-
ting pamphlets concerning diseases, and the
best means for the suppression thereof,
would be advisable.
CONTESTED ELEC4IpNs.
In view of the delay necessarily incident
to the common law mode of determining
contested elections, | would suggest the
of establishing a more speedy
method of settling and adjudicating such
cases.
STATE MILITIA.
There are six volunteer companies in the
State, namely companies A, b, G, ID, E, and
+. They are organized into two battalions,
which are consolidated into one regiment.
Since the meeting of the last General As
sembly the State militia have participated
in the ceremonies of two memorable occa-
sions, one, the commemoration Of the cen
tennial anniversary of the victory at York
town, and the other the bi-centennial cele-
bration at Philadelphia. At both of which,
Notwithstanding their recent organization,