will
disappear, and that other wholesome and much needed reforms in the
whole administration of our municipal government will of necessity
follow the adoption of what may be called the cash system in local
affairs.

Among the most interesting duties you will have to perform are
those which relate to the guardianship and care of the unfortunate
classes of society and to the punishment and reformation of
criminals. According to the latest official reports the State is
responsible for the support and care of about fifteen thousand of
her dependent citizens. The State is also bound to see that many
thousands more, who are imprisoned for longer or shorter periods on
account of crime, have just and wise treatment. There is annually
expended in the performance of these duties a sum exceeding two and
a half millions of dollars. The people of Ohio feel a profound
interest in what are known as the benevolent, reformatory, and
penal institutions of the State.

In order that the General Assembly might from time to time receive
full and accurate information as to the efficiency of the
management of these institutions, and of the county and city jails,
infirmaries, and work-houses, it was enacted in 1867 that a Board
of State Charities be established. It was intended that this board
should be composed of citizens of intelligence and benevolence, who
would serve without compensation. They were "to investigate the
system of the public charitable and correctional institutions of
the State, and to make such recommendations as they might deem
necessary." They were also required to make annually a full and
complete report of their doings to the legislature. In pursuance of
this law a board was organized, which, at a trifling expense to the
State, did much valuable work. By reason of their investigations
and reports, important improvements were introduced into the
infirmaries and jails of the State, and the general efficiency of
our penal and reformatory system was increased. In 1872 the General
Assembly, without due consideration, it is believed, repealed the
act creating the board. I respectfully recommend that the Board of
State Charities be re-established.

It is believed that an investigation in the interest of economy
will discover that several offic