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HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO |
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CONCLUSION |
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When peace was proclaimed, after the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to
Gen. U. S. Grant, the volunteer troops disbanded, and a return to home indus-
tries instituted, Ohio, like many other States, gave direct attention to the inter-
ests of returned soldiers. The thrift of the State was augmented by a spasmodic,
and thereafter recognized as a fictitious, demand for products, commercial and
industrial pursuits redoubled their forces. But the great wave of stagnation
swept over this fair land---the re-action of a war excitement. Laborers were
many, but wages were inadequate. Deeper and deeper settled this lethargy---
called by many "hard times"---until the wheels of commercial life revolved
slowly, and from the workshops and the factories went up the echoes of priva-
tion and distress. There was no famine, no fever, no epidemic, it was simply
exhaustion. In the larger cities there was much suffering. Idle people loitered
about, barely seeking employment, the task seeming worse than hopeless.
During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, the stringent measures brought
about by the depressed state of business retarded any material advancement in
general matters. The years 1873-74 were marked by a preceptible improve-
ment, and a few factories were established, while larger numbers were employed
in those already founded. The year 1875 was under the direction of a Demo-
cratic Legislature. It was marked in many respects by a "reverse motion " in
many laws and regulations.
The Legislature which convened in 1876, January 3, was Republican in the
main. It repealed the "Geghan Law " passed by the preceding body. At
the time of its adoption, there was the most intense feeling throughout the State,
the charge being made that it was in the interests of the Catholics. Among
the general enactments were laws re-organizing the government of the State insti-
tutions, which the previous Legislature had ordered according to their own belief
to follow new doctrines. The office of Comptroller of the Treasury was abolished.
The powers of municipal corporations to levy taxes was limited, and their
authority to incur debts was limited. Furthermore, this body prohibited any
municipal appropriations, unless the actual money was in the Treasury to meet
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the same in full. A law was passed for the protection of children under fourteen
years of age, exhibited in public shows.
The temperance cause received more vigorous and solid support than was
ever rendered by the State previously. A common-sense, highly moral and
exalted platform was formed and supported by many leading men.
This year witnessed the serious "strikes" among the miners in Stark and
Wayne Counties. The consequences were painful---distress, riots and distruc-
tion of property.
The State Mine Inspector reported 300 coal mines in the State, with only
twenty-five in operation. Not over 3,000,000 tons of coal were raised during
the year, owing to the dullness of the times.
The State charities reported the aggregate number under public care to be
29,508. The taxation for the maintenance of these classes was one and one
six-hundredth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property.
The reports given of the year 1877 indicated a revival of business interests
and prosperity. The State produced of wheat, 27,306,566 bushels; rye,
914,106 bushels; buckwheat, 225,822 bushels; oats, 29,325,611; barley,
1,629,817 bushels; corn, 101,884,305 bushels; timothy, tons of hay, 2,160,334;
clover, tons of hay, 286,265; flax, pounds of fiber, 7,343,294; potatoes,
10,504,278 bushels; sweet potatoes, 126,354 1/2 bushels; tobacco, 24,214,950
pounds; sorghum, sugar, 7,507 1/4 pounds; syrup, 1,180,255 gallons; maple
sugar, 1,625,215 pounds; maple syrup, 324,036 gallons; honey, 1,534,902
pounds.
The year 1878 was marked by a more vigorous and combined effort of the
people to entirely overcome the stagnation of business, the influence of the
lethargy yet combating the awakened interest. This energy was amply rewarded
in 1879, by a general dawning of the "good times " so ardently desired. New
enterprises were instituted, manufactories erected, improvements carried on, and
agriculture was successful. Before the year closed, the State was basking in
the light of prosperity, and the year 1880 was ushered in when the confidence
of the people was again a permanent incentive---confidence in the nation,
their State, each in the other and themselves. The old-time crown of power,
influence and integrity, which Ohio has earned, is conspicuous in this year of
1881. The jewels have been reset, and we confidently doubt not that their
luster will remain undimmed intrusted to so faithful and so earnest a people.
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