USA > Ohio > Sketches and statistics of Cincinnati in 1859 > Part 16
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" Including Falton.
+ 1857.
1
Cincinnati. . 750
.
1,565
.
. ...
....
....
24,831
....
21,412
10,306
4,012
27,176
1830
New Orleans ..
Pittsburgh.
Louisville. 600
9,650
1810
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PERSONAL STATISTICS. .
118,761, or less than one in thirty-seven of the entire inhabitants of Cincinnati.
The increase of population here from 1830 to 1840, was ninety per cent. From 1840 to 1850, without allowing for the deficiency in the last census referred to, the ratio was one hundred and fifty per cent. Cincinnati may therefore be placed in the number of those cities, in the United States, whose growth is not exhaust- ing the elements, or diminishing the ratio, of their progress. And it will be found, on a comparison of this with other cities in our country of equal or greater magnitude, that there is no one whose ratio of increase for the last eighteen years has been so large. Nor is there any whose absolute increase is so great, except Phila- delphia and New York cities -- the one concentrating the most ex- tensive mining and manufacturing operations in the United States, and the other being the great emporium of its foreign and domestic commerce.
In estimating our population at this time to be 225,000 inhab- itants, it should be observed that I do not include the cities of Covington and Newport, in which many of the persons doing busi- ness here reside, and which are as really appendages of Cincinnati as the great part of the suburbs of Philadelphia, which are now in- corporated within the city limits, are of that place. These cities would swell our population to 250,000 souls.
NATIVITIES.
A large share of the inhabitants of Cincinnati, as is the case in most of our large cities, is composed of foreigners. Among these the German element preponderates largely, being more than two- thirds of the whole. The Irish is the next largest, and, with the nativities of the other British isles and dependencies, make up nine-tenths of the residue. Almost every part of the world, in small proportions, is represented here. Foreigners, thus, with their children born here, constitute more than half our population. Of the natives of the United States, those of Ohio make up three- fourths of the aggregate. Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Ken- tacky, Maryland, New Jersey, and Indiana, are of successive im- portance as to numbers. The entire New England ingredient does not more than equal that of either Virginia or Kentucky, and is not
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PERSONAL STATISTICS.
more than half that of Pennsylvania. Every State and Territory in the United States is represented here.
The Irish constitute the largest share of foreigners in the First- Third, Fourth, Thirteenth, and Seventeenth wards. In the other wards, the Germans greatly outnumber all other descriptions of emigrants. As a general rule, therefore, the Irish reside in the vicinity of the river, and the Germans occupy our territory to the north and north-west. These last, to a great extent, own the property on which they reside, and the high price of ground in the central and business parts of Cincinnati, together with their pre- occupation for other purposes than dwellings, has concentrated the Germans on the upper line of the city.
A comparative view of the facility with which these heteroge- neous elements become swallowed up in the absorbing and fusing process, now and for the future in progress, which is destined to render the Anglo-American race paramount throughout this great continent, would be sufficiently curious, although too extensive a subject to be brought into discussion here. It may suffice to say, that of all classes of foreigners, the German soonest assimilates to the great mass. It takes but one generation to obliterate all the distinctive marks of this race-even of language, usually a most tenacious feature. On the contrary, the Irishman, whose dialect does not differ much, except in accent and tone, from ours, retains his family identity for several generations. So, also, but in a less degree, with the English and Scotch.
To the industry of foreigners, Cincinnati is indebted, in a great degree, for its rapid growth. Their presence here has accelerated the execution of our public improvements, and given an impulse to our immense manufacturing operations, without which they could not have reached their present extent and importance.
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PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
IV. PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
COURTS OF JUDICATURE.
BESIDES Justices of the Peace, there are in Cincinnati the fol- lowing courts, viz: The District Court for the First Judicial Dis- trict of Onio, the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, the Superior Court of the City of Cincinnati, the Probate Court of Hamilton County, and the Police Court of the City of Cincinnati.
1. The District Court meets on the first Monday of April and October of each year, and is composed of one Judge of the Su preme Court of Ohio and three Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, who are ex officio Judges of this Court, and any three of whom are a quorum for the transaction of business. Its jurisdic- tion is, within its district, co-extensive with that of the Superior Court of the State; it may issue writs of " mandamus " and " quo warranto," and all other necessary process for the due adminis- tration of justice in civil cases, but has no criminal jurisdiction except as a court of errors.
2. The Court of Common Pleas .- By the Constitution of 1852, Hamilton county is erected into a Judicial District, with three Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, elected by the people of the county, and holding their offices for the term of five years. The terms of the court commence on the first Mondays of January and November, and the second Monday of May in each year. Three separate branches of this court are held, each presided over by one judge, and at the commencement and close of each term or oftener, if they deem advisable, the judges meet in joint session for the regulation of the business and apportionment of the docket among the several judges. It has exclusive jurisdiction of all criminal cases which are required to be prosecuted by indict- ment or presentment of a grand jury, and of writs of error and certiorari to the Police Court of Cincinnati, and Magistrates' Courts in criminal cases, of which said courts have final jurisdic- tion. It has also original jurisdiction in law and equity of all cases where the sum or matter in dispute exceeds the jurisdiction of a Justice of the Peace, and concurrent jurisdiction with the Probate
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PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
Court in the sale of lands by administrators of the estates of de- ceased persons, and appellate jurisdiction of cases within the cognizance of Justices of the Peace, as also from the action of the Board of County Commissioners in matters pertaining to their office. It also determines all contested elections for county officers, ap- points a Commissioner of Insolvents, etc., and fixes the number and rate of compensation of the deputies of the Sheriff and Clerk of the county employed in this court. The Judges, whose terms will expire in 1862, are Hons. A. G. W. Carter, W. M. Dickson, and P. Mallon. Salary, each two thousand dollars per annum.
3. The Superior Court of Cincinnati was established April 7, 1854, and has concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Common Pleas in all civil cases arising, or where one of the defendants re- sides within the city of Cincinnati. It has no appellate jurisdiction, nor jurisdiction of writs of error to inferior tribunals, nor of cases of divorce or alimony, nor of any cases not specifically given by the act of its creation. A writ of error to this court in general term, lies directly to the Supreme Court of Ohio. It consists of three Judges, who hold separate or special monthly terms, commencing on the first Monday of each month, except July, August, and Sep- tember. General terms for the consideration of petitions in error, to review errors in law of the special terms, are also held monthly at the commencement and close of the month. All the Judges set in general term, any two of whom are a quorum. The Judges of the Superior Court are elected at the general spring election, and hold their office for five years. The salary is three thousand five hun- dred dollars per annum, fifteen hundred of which is paid by the State, and two thousand by the city of Cincinnati. The present incumbents, with their term of service ending, are Hon. W. Y. Gholson, 1859; Hon. B. Storer, 1862; Hon. O. M. Spencer, 1863.
4. The Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction in the probate of wills, granting letters of administration and testamentary, settling the estates of deceased persons, and ordinary distribution of estates, the appointment and removal of guardians and settling their ac- counts, the granting of licenses to marry, etc .; also to hold inquests of lunacy, and for fixing the amount of compensation to be made to owners of real estate appropriated by corporations under the law, and to try contested elections for Justices of the Peace. Be- sides this it exercises concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Com- mon Pleas-1st. In the sale of lands on petition by executors and
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PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
administrators, and the assignment of dower in such cases of sale; 2d. In the completion of real estate contracts on petition of execu- tors and administrators; 3d. In allowing and issuing writs of habeas corpus, and determining the same; 4th. To administer oaths, take acknowledgments of deeds, etc .; 5th. Of proceedings in aid of execution. The Probate Judge is clerk of his own court; is elected for three years by the people of the county, and is compensated by fees which are fixed by laws. G. H. Hilton, Judge.
5. The Police Court of Cincinnati has exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of breaches of the city ordinances, and the same powers and jurisdiction in criminal cases, arising under State laws, that are by law vested in Justices of the Peace of the county, and like power in the Judge to take acknowledgments of deeds and other writings. It has also final jurisdiction in all cases of petit larceny and inferior offences of every description committed within the limits of the city or within one mile thereof, which, by the consti- tution and laws of the State, are not required to be prosecuted by indictment or presentment of a grand jury. No appeal lies from this court to the Court of Common Pleas, but its proceedings may be reviewed and reversed by certiorari issued from the latter court. The Judge of the Police Court is elected by the voters of the city, and holds his office for two years. His salary, two thousand dol- lars, is paid out of the city treasury, but the County Commissioners make an additional allowance for his services under State laws. D. P. Lowe, Judge. The Mayor of the city, in the absence or disability of the Police Judge, presides in said court, and performs his duties. He is elected by the voters of the city for two years, and receives a salary of two thousand dollars a year out of the city treasury.
LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.
The fiscal and prudential concerns of the city, with the conduct, direction and government of its affairs, devolve upon the Mayor and a Board of Trustees of two members from each ward, usually known by the name of City Council, and a Board of City Improve- ments, composed of the Mayor, City Civil Engineer, and three City Commissioners.
The Mayor is elected biennially on the first Monday of April.
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PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
He must be an elector and reside within the limits of the city. He is the chief executive officer and conservator of the peace, and it is made his special duty to cause the laws and ordinances of the city to be obeyed. He has the appointment of police and the super- vision of the conduct of all the officers of the city, and it is his duty to examine the grounds of all reasonable complaints made against them, and cause all their violations of duty or their neglects to be promptly punished or reported to the proper tribunal for cor- rection. He shall keep the corporate seal of the city in his charge, and sign all commissions, licenses and permits granted by the City Council. It is made his duty to report to the City Council at their second regular meeting in April, each year, and at such other times as he may deem expedient, concerning the municipal affairs of the city, and recommend such measures as to him may seem advisable. He has within the county, in all criminal cases, all the powers of a Justice of the Peace, and can exercise within the city limits the powers conferred upon the Sheriff of the county to sup- press disorders and to keep the peace. Salary two thousand dol- lars per annum.
The Trustees composing the City Council are elected biennially, one in each ward, being elected at the annual election in April, each member serving two years. They must be residents and qualified voters of the ward in which they are elected. They de- termine the rules of their own proceedings, and it is made their duty to keep a journal thereof, open to the inspection of every citi- zen. They are required to take an oath of office, administered by the Mayor, and to elect from their own body a president, who is to preside over its meetings, and, when necessary, act as its repre- sentative. They appoint, from the qualified voters of the city, a City Clerk, who has the custody of all laws and ordinances of the city, and whose duty it is to keep a regular and correct journal of the proceedings of the City Council. They have the management and control of the finances, and of all the property, real and per- sonal, belonging to the corporation. They can make no appropria- tion unless money is in the treasury, and they have no power to anthorize any loan or appropriation not predicated on the revenues of the corporation for the current fiscal year, except for the pur- pose of purchasing necessary grounds and erecting suitable build- ings for the use of the public schools. Loans may, however, be made in anticipation of the revenue of the current fiscal year and
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PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
payable within such year to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. They have power to establish a Board of Health, and may provide for the election by the people or appointment by the Mayor of a police and city watch, and to establish and regulate markets, wharves and fire companies, and to license and regulate public shows. They are authorized to abate nuisances, to appropriate ground for new streets or alleys; to open, straighten, widen or re- pair streets; to license and regulate wagons, drays, hacks, etc .; and to levy and collect taxes for city purposes; and. it is made their duty to publish, for the information of the citizens, a particular statement of the receipts and expenditures of the public moneys. They have entire control of the township property, and all the duties performed previous to 20th March, 1853, by the Township Trustees, are performed by the Directors of the City Infirmary, under the control of the City Council. They are authorized and required, at the expense of the city, to provide for the support and regulation of the Common Schools of the city. No member can, during the term for which he is elected or for one year thereafter, be appointed to any municipal office which may have been created or the emoluments of which have been increased during the term for which he has been elected. Any member may be removed from office by a concurrent vote of two-thirds of all the trustees elected; but not a second time for the same cause. Vacancies are filled by special election ordered by Council. For their services the members receive one dollar per day, which is restricted to the actual meetings of the Board.
Board of City Improvements .- Under the new charter, passed by the Legislature, in 1853, a Board of City Improvements was created, " who shall exercise such powers and perform such duties in the superintendence and construction of public works, con- structed by the authority of the City Council or owned by the city, as the said City Council may, from time to time, prescribe; but no improvement or repair in relation to streets, sewers and bridges shall be ordered or directed by the City Council, except on the report, and recommendation of the said Board; and all petitions from owners of property in relation to such improvements, shall be presented to such Board, who shall report, from time to time, to the City Council, when any such improvements are necessary and proper.
The City Commissioners are elected by the people for three 15
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EDUCATION.
years, one being elected on the first Monday of April of each year. In case of vacancy, the City Council fills until the next annual city election. It is made their duty to enforce the ordinances and con- tracts of the city.
A City Marshal, City Treasurer, City Auditor, City Civil En- gineer, City Solicitor, Police Judge, and Prosecuting Attorney of the Police Court, are elected biennially by the qualified voters of the city on the first Monday in April.
Mayor, N. W. Thomas; Marshal, Benjamin Robinson; Chief of Police, J. L. Ruffin.
V. EDUCATION.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION in the United States is divided generally. into three kinds: that of Schools -- so called-that of Academies, or more recently called High Schools; and lastly, that of Colleges, or when Professional Education is added, Universities. The ob- ject of these three classes of institutions is to convey three differ- ent kinds or gradations of education, according to the time and means which the pupils or students have to spare. The Primary Schools, whether public or private, simply teach the elements of knowledge, such as reading, writing, grammar, arithmetic, and geography. The object of Academies or High Schools, is to give some knowledge of higher studies; such as mathematics, history, or the classics. The object of Colleges is to afford, what is termed, a thorough classic education, being a course of instruction in the Sciences, the Classics, Philosophy, and Belles Lettres. To this course is generally added a supplementary one-in Law, Medi- cine, and Theology-open to volunteer students for professional life. When a college has classes in these subjects, it is termed a University; an institution in which, it is presumed, instruction is given in all branches of human knowledge. In addition to these means of instruction, there are, in large cities, societies and rooms established for popular lectures, or popular reading; such as Lyceums, Mechanics' Institutes, and Mercantile Libraries. The means of education, whether public or private, are thus diffused in the United States through all classes of people; and there are none who cannot, if they choose, find access to useful instruction in almost any department of knowledge.
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EDUCATION.
Before Cincinnati attained one-third its present magnitude, all these modes of education had been established in the midst of its population successfully and prosperously. Our schools have at- tracted the notice of persons of the highest intelligence, both in Europe and America. That the means and system of education adopted in Cincinnati may be clearly understood, a brief review of its schools, colleges and other institutions for the acquisition of knowledge, follows.
Primary Schools .- Of these we have three different kinds-the Public, or City Schools; Parochial, or Church Schools; Private, or Individual Schools. The present system of public schools was established in Cincinnati in 1830-31.
In these " colleges of the people," as they are termed, the chil- dren of the masses of the people, of all conditions, are educated. There they acquire, in the short time most of them can spare for education, those simple elements of knowledge which are most useful in common life. The majority of children who enter these schools, probably obtain little other knowledge than that of reading, writing, and arithmetic; but the instruction afforded by the schools is not confined to these elementary branches. On the contrary, the studies of the older and higher classes exhibit ample proof that a wide range of study and acquisition is included in the scheme of Public Education. To this may be added, that these Public Schools are literally FREE; those attending them having all the ad- vantages which the best course of elementary instruction can con- fer, without price, charge, or special tax.
Of Funds .- The funds by which the Public Schools of Cincin- nati are sustained, are derived from two sources: first, the city's portion of the State School Fund; and secondly, by a direct tax on the property of the city in proportion to the wants of the schools. The State has granted 8200,000 per annum, heretofore, to the Public Schools-and it is probable will increase that sum in fu- ture-in addition to the tax, which the several school districts pay, or the other funds they have. Cincinnati has her portion of this general fund; then she taxes herself to the additional amount re- quired for the support of the schools. For many years the city has paid two-thirds of the whole. Of the city school tax, about one- fourth or one-third, is called the Building Fund, and is perma- nently appropriated to the repair, furnishing, and erection of
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EDUCATION.
buildings. The total amount of school revenue in Cincinnati, for the fiscal year 1858, was $205,569.
Organization .- The public schools of Cincinnati are managed and controlled by three distinct sets of officers, cach of which has distinct duties, and all of which result in a very simple and easily controlled system. These are the Board of Trustees, the Board of Examiners, and the Corps of Teachers. These are entirely separate bodies, but are harmonious and efficient in the school government of the great body of youth committed to their care. 1. The Trustees are elected by the people at the annual municipal elections, two for each ward, and have charge exclusively of what may be termed the business arrangements of the schools. Their duties are to make the necessary appropriations of money; to fur- nish, repair, and arrange the buildings; to prescribe the kinds of books employed in teaching; to appoint teachers, and make rules for their government, with all such powers as are incidental to the immediate government of the schools. 2. The Board of Exam- iners are appointed by the City Council, and their duties are to examine the teachers in respect to their qualifications and their pupils, whenever it seems to them proper. Without their certifi- cate no teacher can be appointed. 3. The Corps of Teachers per- form their duties of instruction and government under and in con- formity to rules prescribed by the Trustees. The public teachers now number two hundred and seventy-eight, being more than twice the force employed in 1850, and four times that of 1840; thus in- dicating very clearly the progress in numbers and property of our public schools. A difference is made in the age, qualifications and salary of teachers, in proportion to the age and standing of the classes under their charge. For small children, young girls are frequently employed, while for the higher classes of boys, men of intelligence, as well as aptness to teach, are required. The quali- fications of the teachers are generally amply sufficient for all the instruction they are expected to give.
Buildings,-The school buildings of the Public Schools are six- teen in number, constructed on a uniform plan, and conveniently arranged for the objects in view. They are capable of accommo- dating-including both day and night schools-full nine hundred pupils each. In addition, there are two other buildings used for the purposes of Public Instruction: one of which is the City In-
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EDUCATION.
firmary, and the other the Orphan Asylum, where pupils are under the care of the Common School Instructors.
Course of Studies .- The studies range, according to the age and capacity of pupils, from spelling and definition, reading, writing, grammar, including composition, elements of drawing, penmanship, geography, United States history, mental and written arithmetic, natural history, music, linear drawing, elements of natural philoso- phy and of algebra, analysis of language, constitutions of the United States and of the State of Ohio, declamation, drawing, to the ele ments of geometry, plane trigonometry, mensuration and surveying. It has never been intended by the trustees of Public Schools, in Cincinnati, to limit the amount of knowledge to be acquired in the schools. As there are, however, but few of the pupils who can spare the time required for a study of general science, the trustees have provided for those who need such studies, and are willing to pursue them, two High and four Intermediate Schools, which shall be referred to separately.
High and Intermediate Schools .- Within a few years past, there have been added to the ordinary public schools two High and four Intermediate Schools, for the benefit of those who have become so far advanced in the lower schools as they admit, and who desire to pursue a higher course of studies. In these High Schools-the Woodward and Hughes-are,
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