The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-01-04

GOV. BUSHNELL'S MESSAGE.

Il" Ho less LOT Sucn an event, ana IL l.
my belief that the State can easily make
the appropriation from the present reve
nues, providing it is distributed during
the next two years, without resorting to
the disagreeable necessity of borrowing
The Canal System.
Or the total revenues of the canal sys
| TEN received from sources other than the
State treasury from 20 to 50 per cent
accrues through rentals and between 70
and % per cent through tolls. In fact
the canals are being used for their water
rights and land rent purposes rather than
for the purpose for which they were de-
signed. Nevertheless, the State is main
tanning an expensive system of control
as though the canal system were in the
flush of its original success. 1t seems to
me that under all the circumstances the
consideration of the whole matter can
but present the view of very poor bust
ness proposition for the State. If the
future is so uncertain and uncompromis-
ing as to inspire caution in the matter of
rehabilitating the canal system by an eX-
penditure of a great deal of money, why
is it necessary to continue such an eX-
pense of maintenance. when as good re-
suits could be accomplished with a more
modest method of control and inspection
AS it is now, the expenditures for such
control and inspection are entirely and
absurdly out of proportion to the results
accomplished financially and otherwise.
In common with a vast number of other
citizens of Ohio, am in favor of canal
system and would not willingly sacrifice
dollar of the States interests in these
public works unless it became an impera-
tive necessity, but like many others l
am convinced that there Is much to rem
edy in the present methods. 1t is my be-
lief that the officials of the Board Of
Public Works have done the best possi-
BILE. but they must admit that under the
conditions which rule in regard to the
use of the canal system the State is put
to much useless expense. l would advise
that your honorable body authorize a conf
mission, to be composed o. entirely un-
prejudiced and competent engineers. to
study the question for this State. Dur
ing any time this problem, for such
consider it to be, remains undetermined,
j would recommend that economy, wher
ever possible and consistent, having al
ways in view the preservation of the fea-
lures of the public works, be instituted.
1t is my belief that in the future it will
be found expedient to change the method
Of supervision of the canal system.
The State Library.
Ohio needs permanent home for its
library and for the collections of history,
archaeology and art, which have been
and are awaiting some such repository.
Given building which could be con-
structed in commemoration of the centen-
nial period and a place would be provid-
ed in which could be kept the almost
priceless mementos of the past, as we'll as
being modern store house of literature.
Furthermore, in three and one-half years
Ohio, under the present revenues and
the same average expenditures, Will have
no debt, and that would mean for the fu-
ture beyond 1908, the plain ability to ap-
propriate sufficient amount for the con-
struction Of such an honorable monu-
ment as memorial building would be.
Education.
The educational affairs of Ohio testify
In the most striking way to the wonder
full success of our commonwealth. Upon
the broad and liberal foundation laid by
the pioneers there has been reared
structure Of learning and of the opportu-
nifty to learn which will endure through
all the generations to come. The result
in this State speaks in glowing terms for
the originators of education in Ohio and
for those who have zealously maintained.
guarded and perfected the system. How
many are there who realize the magni-
tude of the school work now carried on
In this State? There are over 1,2OO, 600
scholars enrolled; there are about 1850
school houses, with over 25,00O teachers;
there are nearly 700 high schools, with
an enrolment of $4,000 scholars. To
provide for this system the people of the
State expend almost twenty millions of
dollars annually. In higher education
the record has been as remarkable and
the results are as gratifying. or per-
haps 120 institutions for advanced learn
ng or special instruction, 33 are to be
rated as colleges and universities. These
facts are cited to put clearly before your
mind the magnitude of our educational
system and to enable you to form a just
of the Importance of any
school measures that may be offered for
;cur consideration.