Year: 1873

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governmental policy should command the
employment of more wisdom than that
which is to promote the instruction of our
youth 1t is source cf pride and salts
faction that our people contribute 50
free ly 10 en- object SO worthy as our
schools. aud the report of the superin-
tendent OF common schools must convince
every reader of the happy results accru-
ing from the judicious management of
our educational system. But while the
doors of our schools are opened wide to
every one, it is sad to think that there
are seventy five thousand children in the
State who do not, whether prevented by
the necessities of their parents, or other
wise, attend and receive the blessed priv
;leges of these schools. This is matter
Of grave import, and exac.s of US all,
people and Legislature alike, earnest and
thoughtful consideration.


SOLDIERS ORPHANS


Ii tn is connection, let me say word
in regard to a subjects that has cften en-
gagged my thoughts. and to which 1 in
woke tie attention of our lawmakers
No part of our system Of education has
secured so universal commendation as
that which is embraced in the circle of
instruction Of those who were made or
phans by the casualties of war. The
helpless condition of these little ones
touchingly appealed to the hearts Of our
people, and the response was the estab-
lishment of the orphans schools that are
now the pride of our State. But in res
cuing these children from desiitution, and
providing for their education until they
had attained the age of 16 years, have
we filled the measure of our duty to
them


Thrown out into the world to do bat
tie with life's trials at an age peculiarly
dangerous to youth, does not common
humanity require that the State should
maintain its guardianship to these chill
dren until their habits are somewhat set
tied and they have acquired the ability
to earn their own livelihood The estab-
lisLment of industrial schools, wherein
useful trades may be taught, seems to
promise the easiest and best eolution of
this problem.


THE MILITIA.


1t is highly important tina: in times of
instruction and rot there should be at
command coed and efficient force of
militia to assist the civil power to pro
tect property and maintain its authority.
To create such force it seems absolute
ly necessary that the State must extend
its aid in more substantial way to those
who enlist in her service. The fines for
the non performance of militia duty arc
.obno xious to many of our best citizens,
and yield at best but slender income.
and that, too, on wrong basis, for pro-
perty and not the individual should be
taxed The military should be well dis
tributed throughout the State, and the
number of companies limited, and within
the limit, to make them efficient. every
company accepted, when found to be up
to the proper standard of numbers, drill
and discipline. should receive directly
from the public treasury at least $500
per aunum.


INSURANCE..


The fse and life insurance companies
are making an effort to secure uniform
legislation in all the States, and the
States having large home interest in
insugance have been the first to adopt
tina; principle. To impose heavy fees
and taxes upon insurance companies in
corporated in other States, and doing


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business In this, reacts upon the home
companies by reason of the reciprocal
laws Of those States If it is deemed
desirable to protect and foster the home
insurance interest, already too long neg
lected, let uniform laws be enacted. 10
me it seems this interest is of sufficient
Importance to warrant the temporary loss
of portion of the revenue now received
from the foreign companies. The reve-
nue from our own companies will increase
by reason Of their enlarged business, and
we will thus be compensated for such
temporary loss.


CENTENNIAL.


The necessity for immediate action on
the part of our people to insure the sue
cess of the Centennial Exhibition must
be realized by every thinking man. Its
failure viii! be to our lasting shame-its
success must fedound to the honor and
permanent benefit of the Commonwealth.
Located in our metropolis, which is fast
moving to the front of the manufacturing
cities of the world atf,rdins an opportu-
nifty to display the products and resour-
ces of our State, and opening to foreign
ers new channels of information as to our
character and enterprises, it certainly is
the imperative duty of every citizen who
loves his State to lend his countenance
and support to this great exhibition. The