The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-01-16


continued II should be properly supported"
The report above referred TO contains much
valuable Information, and many practical sug.
gestious in regard to the abandonment OF out
door relief to paupcrs; the separation and EN-.
ployment Of persons confined In jails: and the
life Imprisonment Of those incorrigible and pro.
fcssional criminals termed ''recidivists," who
have been repeatedly convicted. Attention
could profitably be given to that portion Of the
same repert devoted to
CERTAIN GLASSES OF INSANE.
II special provision were made at the Central
Asylum for the accommodation Of insane GRIM
inais II would relieve the Penitentiary Of o
duty, which, from necessity, 10 imperfectly dis
charged Such criminals. together with insane
persons whose mania tends to crime, who have
not yet been convicted thereof, should be con.
fined to a building separate from every other,
and erected for that purpose Similar separate
buildings ought to be provided for the epileptic
insane. Their complete isola tion from all other
insane is demanded by humanity and approved
by universal experience. This is especially
urged by the Board OF State Charities on &C.
count OF the dangerous character Of those un-
fortunates; as, also, on account Of their dam
aging influence over other insane. They could
be we'll cared for in this way at o less cost than
by the present method-and economy unites
with duty In calling for change. The Board
also strenuously insist upon the
Their argument seems unanswerable. I'm
beetle youths are taken core OF at the institu-
tion for that purpose, but adult imbeciles are
permitted 10 bo at large. They are found in
nearly every county infrmary. Restraint
should be put upon them by the State, especi.
ally upon the females, in order that the in
crease in their number may he limited. Besides
much better and more humane care could be
taken Of them, and. by systematic and intelli-
gent teaching, they might become partially SELF
supporting.
ELECTRICITY.
The application Of electricity is rapidly open.
ing new fields Of legislation. Unless something
be done to prevent the sacrifice OF life daily re-
sulting from defective electric wires, the COM
panies which put up and control them will have
grown SO rich and powerful that the passage
and enforcement OF proper laws will be difflcult.
Municipalities have attempted to enforce regu-
lations for protection from such dangers but
without satisfactory result The duty Of inves-
tigating the generation and distribution OF elec-
trical currents is one which presses upon you.
The investigation should be prompt and thor
ough; the result thereof made public, and such
action taken as may, In your Judgment, throttle
this evil In its infancy.
DEcENN1AL APPRAIsEMENT.
The decennial appraisement of real estate
will take place during this year. Your attention
is called to the necessity for procuring better
and more uniform valuation upon both real
and personal property. The subject is one
which demands consideration not only as q
matter OF income to the State, but because OF
injustice done citizens whose property is dis
proportionatcly assessed. The financial condi.
tion Of the State, and common fairness combine
In demanding q careful revision and equaliza.
tion Of assessments; and 1t is hoped you may
devise some legislation which will effect this
laudable result. The necessity for such action
Is too obvious to need comment.
CHEAPER SCHOOL BOOKS
Popular education is the foundation of free
dom and prosperity. Knowledge, being power,
should be furnished at the lowest possible cost.
The State builds school houses provides
teachers and controls every dc all Of education
save the furnishing Of books. Is there any
sound reason why 1t should not assume this
function also? Recent experience in the State
OF Indiana shows, ostensibly, that school books
equal to those in use here are delivered TO the
children OF that State at thirty.dve to fifty per
cent. Of their former cost. Other States have
tr cd the experiment with apparent success. 1t
seems to be an assured fact that school books
can be furnished, either by direct publication
OF the State, or by contract on behalf OF the
State, at less than present prices. 1t is not
necessary to inveigh against capital for monopo-
lizing this form of publication. II is sufficient
to ascertain whether books con be furnished
more cheaply by the State, without involving 1t
in material expenses, or liability. II this can
be proven, then it becomes your duty to
cheaper school books.
A RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
The office OF Commissioner OF Railroads and
Telegraphs seems to be more ornamental than
useful, and 1t is difficult to say wherein 1t has
benefited the community. Unless the place
be made one OF more efficiency and power it
might well be abolished. II II were intended to
exercise control over the railroads of the State; ;
to hold in check their encroachments upon the
public; to investigate and report the causes OF
every accident; and in other ways to regulate
them in the interests Of the people, such results
could have been much more effectively attained
by q Railroad Commission, somewhat similar
to that long since adopted In the State OF Iii
nois. A commission composed OF three persons
ought II judiciously selected, constitute u body
of sufficient Importance 10 successfully investi
gate every question of railroad management Of
fecting life and trafflc. Such plan is In the
line OF approved administrative methods, pro-
vided there be any necessity for the State su-
pervision OF railroads.
AGRICULTURAL.
The State Board OF Agricultural is carrying q
total debt OF one hundred and thirty thousand
dollars at six per cent interest. This includes
what is called the Centennial debt" OF $4,000.
The board can not pay such rate Of interest,
nor ought 1t to do so, innsmuch rs the credit OF
the State is ultimately responsible for the pay
ment Of both principal and interest Either q
part Of the debt must be paid and tho load
which the Board is carrying thereby lightened,
or the debt refunded at o lower rate OF interest.
Were this latter alternative taken. and the debt
placed at q rate which comports with the wealth
| OF the State, the Board could pay the annual
| interest charge upon its cntire Indebtedness,
| Action should be taken to save this burden
some sum. In this connection 1t might be in.
Quired why the appropriations for agriculture
have been so mcager The contingent fund has
| hoe ont mi hc NOT hav