not be allowed to enter a _nolle
prosequi_ in any case of an indictment for a crime punishable by
imprisonment in the penitentiary or by death, without the written
approval of the attorney-general first given upon a written report
to him of the facts.

The importance of this is sufficiently shown by the fact that in
1869 the number of cases in which a _nolle prosequi_ was entered
exceeded fifteen hundred.

The Girls' Reformatory at White Sulphur Springs contains forty-nine
inmates, and it is now demonstrated that the number is likely to
increase as rapidly as the welfare of the institution will allow.
Whatever doubts may have been reasonably entertained as to the
necessity for such an institution prior to its establishment, the
report of the directors and superintendent and a thorough
investigation of the facts will, it is believed, satisfy you that
the institution is a very important one, and ought to be liberally
supported.

The report of the superintendent and trustees of the Soldiers'
Orphans' Home will engage your earnest attention. The duty of
providing for the education and support of the children of the
soldiers of Ohio who fell in the war for the Union was fully
recognized by the resolutions and acts of your last session. It is
not doubted that your action was in accordance with the will of the
people of the State, and they earnestly desire that the duty of
caring for the soldiers' orphans shall be performed in a manner
that will worthily express the affection and gratitude with which
these wards of the State must ever be regarded by a just and
patriotic community. I therefore respectfully recommend that the
legislation deemed necessary by the board and officers in charge of
the institution be enacted as promptly as practicable.

The report of the geological survey, to be laid before you,
exhibits the encouraging progress of that work. The future growth
of Ohio in wealth and population will depend largely on the
development of the mining and manufacturing resources of the State.
Heretofore, our increase in capital and numbers has been chiefly
due to agriculture. Important as that great interest will always be
in Ohio, the recent census shows that we may not reasonably
anticipate, in future, rapid growth in population or weal