USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The city of Cincinnati : a summary of its attractions, advantages, institutions and internal improvements, with a statement of its public charities > Part 6
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learning. It is to give their children the benefits of these schools that many families have come to Cin- cinnati, and thus the institution of the public schools has added to the wealth as well as the intelligence of the city.
After the public schools, we may mention the colleges and professional seminaries, some of which were founded long previous to the public schools. The earliest of these is CINCINNATI COLLEGE, with whose name and history is associated the honored memory of the oldest and best founders of the city, originally chartered as a purely literary seminary. It was for many years a regular college, in which many youths were educated. Having ceased its work for a period, it was again re- vived as a college and a medical school; but has now, for several years, been continued as a law school. In the meantime it has been relieved of all embarrass- ments by the payment of its debts, and possesses an unincumbered property worth $200,000. It is proposed to make this fund, in connection with some other, the foundation of the future University of Cincinnati.
Within a few years Mr. McMicken has given a large estate for the education of youth in Cincinnati, subject to some limitations, and intended ultimately to found a college or university. The property has been so man- aged by the trustees as to be at present a large endow- ment for whatever institution they may hereafter erect.
4
Picket & Sou, Architects
Ehrgott Forbriger & C'a lith Lin U.
ST XAVIER COLLEGE, CINCINNATI, O.
Ehrgott Forbriger & Co Lith. Cm
Picket & Son, Architects.
ST XATI, O.
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We may, therefore, expect that the McMicken Univer- 'sity will be a fact of the future.
The ST. XAVIER COLLEGE (Roman Catholic) has been many years in existence, and pursues a regular course of instruction, chiefly conducted by the Jesuits.
In addition to these literary institutions, there are professional schools-law, medical, theological, and commercial. There is but one LAW SCHOOL, which is a branch of Cincinnati College, and has been thirty years in successful operation. In that period it has had several professors distinguished for legal learning, for social standing, and political influence. It has graduated twelve hundred students, among whom may be found men who have adorned the bench and the bar, society and government.
The Medical Schools are the oldest professional insti- tutions, and have always had large numbers of students. The Medical College of Ohio was founded half a cen- tury since, and has probably graduated thousands of pupils. The Miami Medical College is a newer insti- tution, but with an able Faculty, and promises much future usefulness.
The Physio-Medical College teaches the peculiar doc- trines of what is generally termed the Botanical School.
The College of Dental Surgeons is one of the evi- dences that, in recent years, dentistry is treated as a science. This is, perhaps, the reason of the established
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fact that American dentists enjoy the highest reputation in all foreign countries. The College of Dental Sur- geons in Cincinnati has added to both the skill and the reputation of the profession.
Of theological schools, there are two-one Roman Catholic, on the summit west of Millcreek; and the other Presbyterian, on Walnut Hills. The latter, Lane Seminary, is well endowed, has considerable income, and maintains a regular course of theological teaching.
Another class of colleges, so called, are the commercial. These, however, do not pretend to teach what is usually understood as a collegiate course, but simply those prac- tical elements necessary to commercial business.
From what we have said, education for the masses, and for the common business of life, is well provided for. Every child may have some sort of education, and every one intended for business may here acquire well the elements of his profession ; and for those who wish to be instructed in science and the classics, the High Schools afford an opportunity ; yet, for high scholarship, the youth of the city must look to the coming, rather than the present colleges. The Cincinnati College Fund, the McMicken Fund, the Observatory, and some others which may be gathered in, would be sufficient to lay the foundation and build up the stately structure of a future university. Whether they can ever be united and concentrated for such a purpose, we know not; but
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after contemplating the noble and liberal contributions, private and public, made here for the universal instruc- tion of the people-after seeing so many tens of thou- sands already brought into the schools, and so many other thousands who have gone forth from these insti- tutions as merchants, lawyers, physicians, and clergy- men, to be useful and honored citizens of the republic- after all this, we can not help thinking and hoping that this broad and spacious edifice of popular education may be crowned with a Cincinnati University. Then the work of the children will well compare with that of their fathers, and scholars of profoundest learning go forth from the city which already furnishes the arts, and manufactures, and commerce which adorn and im- prove the Valley of the Ohio, and hence made herself the Queen of the West.
We have now finished our outline sketch of the growth of this city and of its principal elements. We said nothing of the young cities on the opposite shore, or of the far-extending suburbs to the north; but we may return for a moment to contrast this scene as it was observed by Judge Symmes eighty years ago, with that now seen from Eden Park, and that which will be seen in some future. Then, the proprietors of the Miami coun- try saw with delight this beautiful amphitheater sur- rounded with its wood-crowned hills; but then the forest was unbroken, solitude rested on the bosom of
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Nature, and the Red Indian looked with suspicion on the approaching white man. Now, the forest is cleared away, a great town is built up, silence is fled, the in- cipient roar of clanging industry thunders upon the ear, the voices of shouting multitudes are heard, and the visitor to Eden Park beholds these cities filling the valley below. The temples of God and the schools of youth, the factories of art and the vessels of navigation rise in the midst of forty thousand houses, filled with three hundred thousand people !
Such is the present scene compared with that when civilized man came to conquer the wilderness of nature. But it is not improper, and it will require no extraor- dinary gift of prophecy to look a little into what the future may, and probably will, produce. Cincinnati has now reached the period when, as New York did thirty years ago, it is passing from the condition of a respect- able town to that of a great city, where, in fact, capital is sufficiently accumulated and public spirit excited to make these extensive improvements, which both vital- ize its resources and adorn its aspect. Most of these we have already mentioned in this sketch, but we may group them together: first, the natural resources around the summit hills, the gentle curves of the hills, and their decline to the north, have made the suburbs of Cincinnati the most beautiful in the United States. No other city can compare with them.
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Then, to enjoy these suburban scenes, come the ave- nues : these will wind up the ravines, finally pass north of the hills, meet the valley beyond, and thus make splendid boulevards, to which no others can compare. · Then come the parks: these will be on the hills or in the northern valley, and, being reached by street cars, will make lovely and healthy country gardens for the resort of all classes of people. Then the reservoirs on the hills will furnish living fountains for the avenues and the gardens. Far to the west, in the Valley of Millcreek, what has heretofore been a great mud lake will be leveled and filled, built up, and the city extend to the western hills as it does to the eastern. Then the gardens and the avenues will crown the western sum- mits. In the meanwhile, the great railroad bridges over the Ohio will have been built, the Southern railroad will be seen as one of the great arteries of commerce, and the young cities of Newport and Covington will climb the hills of the south, as Cincinnati does those of the north. Then will be seen, on some of the sur- rounding points to the north, the University, and, near it, the Observatory; and science and letters, and the beautiful arts, will crown the scene which industry, and commerce, and education have created. Then, if a kind Providence shall favor the labors of man, the Cincinnati of the future will be, as it has been, the metropolis of the Great Central West.
CHAPTER V.
CITY GOVERNMENT-SCHOOL SYSTEM-BOARD OF HEALTH- POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS-ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
HE government of municipal affairs in Cincinnati devolves upon a mayor, a city council composed of two members from each ward, and a board of city improvements composed of the mayor, city civil engineer, and three city commissioners.
The city elections occur on the first Monday in April, most of the officers serving for a term of two years.
Candidates for council are required to be freeholders, and residents of the city three years previous to the election.
The following gentlemen occupy at present city of- fices as respectively named :
MAYOR .- JOHN F. TORRENCE.
CITY COUNCIL.
JAMES W. FITZGERALD President.
WARD.
1 ... T. F. Eckert. J. W. Fitzgerald.
2 ... Wm. Loder. Chas. Kahn, Jr.
3 ... V. Eichenlaub Conrad Schultz.
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4 ... Wm. H. Glass P. F. Maley.
5 ... Daniel Wolf. J. S. Hill.
6 ... B. C. Corbett T. Cannon.
7 ... L. C. Buente
David Baker.
8 ... James Morgan A. P. C. Bonte.
9 ... Chris. Von Seggern Jos. Eveslage.
10 ... Joseph Siefert ..
A. Wagner.
11 ... H. B. Eckelman.
Jos. Kinsey.
12 ... Jacob Benninger
.G. W. Ziegler.
13 ... G. A. Doherty
M. Corbett.
14 ... Wm. H. Harrison.
R. M. Moore.
15 ... A. T. Goshorn T. F. Baker.
16 ... Drausin Wulsin
W. H. Brickell.
17 ... James B. Doan A. K. Brookbank.
18 ... Clinton Buente
Samuel Beresford, Jr.
19 ... F. W. Schwencker
L. C. Frintz.
20 ... A. E. Jones.
Wm. Kirton.
CITY AUDITOR .- CHAS. H. TITUS.
CITY TREASURER .- ROBERT MOORE.
CITY SOLICITOR .- J. BRYANT WALKER.
CITY CIVIL ENGINEER .- R. C. PHILLIPS.
CITY COMMISSIONERS .- JOHN H. LAWRENCE, L. Mc- HUGH, THEODORE CHAMBERS.
JUDGE OF POLICE COURT .- WALTER F. STRAUB. CHIEF OF POLICE .-
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OF POLICE COURT .- MOSES F. WILSON.
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The public school system of Cincinnati has long been celebrated for its efficiency and the liberal scale upon which it is conducted. The efforts of such men as Nathan Guilford, John P. Foote, George Graham, and Samuel Lewis, established a broad foundation for future growth. The details of its workings can not, for want of space, here be given. The Annual Report, which, itself, constitutes each year quite a volume, may be referred to for all necessary information. A Board of Trustees, elected by the people, administer the business affairs. A Board of Examiners, appointed by the City Council, decide upon the qualifications of teachers.
John Hancock is the Superintendent of Schools. His administration has evinced great ability, and the schools have never been more prosperous than at present.
The Board, during 1868, made arrangements to open a Normal School, for the training of females intending to qualify themselves for teaching. The inauguration of this plan marks a new and important era in our sys- tem, and success seems to await it.
The following regulations exist for the government of the schools :
"None but the children of actual bona fide residents of Cincinnati shall, under any circumstances, be admitted to the common schools, free; but children of non-resi- dents may be admitted by the Trustees of any district,
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on payment, in advance, to the Clerk of the Board, the following tuition fees, viz. :
"For admittance into intermediate schools, at the rate of twenty dollars per annum; district schools, six- teen dollars per annum-payable, in each case, semi- quarterly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly."
The regular meetings of the Board of Examiners are held at the Office of Public Schools, City Buildings, on Eighth Street, between Plum and Central Avenue, on the second Thursday of each month, except July and August, at two o'clock P. M.
The Board grants two grades of Certificates, denom- inated, respectively, Male Principal's Certificate and Female Assistant's Certificate.
Candidates for a Male Principal's Certificate are ex- amined in Spelling and Definitions, Reading, English Grammar, Geography, American History, Mental Arith- metic, Written Arithmetic, Algebra, Theory and Prac- tice of Teaching, Natural Philosophy, Constitution of the United States, Ancient and Modern History, Anat- omy and Physiology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Geometry, English Literature, and Penmanship.
Candidates for a Female Assistant's Certificate are examined in Spelling and Definitions, Reading, English Grammar, Geography, American History, Mental Arith- metic, Written Arithmetic, English Literature, Theory and Practice of Teaching, Natural Philosophy, Con-
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stitution of the United States, Anatomy and Physiol- ogy, Penmanship, and Ancient and Modern History.
Candidates for positions in the High Schools will be examined in Chemistry and Astronomy, in addition to the above list.
The number opposite to each branch, in the column on the right of the list of studies on the certificate issued, measures the result of the examination, ten being the maximum. Less than seven, in either English Grammar, Geography, Mental Arithmetic or Written Arithmetic, is a failure. Certificates are valid as follows : For an average of seventy per cent. of correct answers, one year ; eighty per cent., three years; ninety per cent., five years.
A record of the character of the examination of each individual is preserved in a volume for the use of the Board of Education.
Candidates who have not taught in the Common Schools of Cincinnati, must leave with the Clerk of the Board, at least three days before the monthly meet- ing, a certificate of good moral character, together with a declaration that they are eighteen years of age, (or seven- teen, if graduates from the High Schools, or with similar attainments), and that they design to teach in the Public Schools of Cincinnati, if found qualified. Candidates are requested to leave their address, and a statement of any experience they may have had in teaching.
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Candidates shall be examined in the absence of all spectators, save the members of the Board of Education.
Candidates shall not be examined who are not pres- ent, punctually, at the appointed hour. None shall be admitted to a second examination, till after the expi- ration of six months.
No Certificate shall be issued without an average of seventy per cent. of the full number of marks.
The Board will grant no certificate to any candidate who entirely fails in any branch of study in which an examination is required by the Board.
Graduates of the Normal School have preference in the selection of teachers for the schools.
One week prior to the annual opening of the schools each year, all the teachers of the Common Schools shall be required to attend a Teacher's Institute, held in the city. Such institute shall be open to all persons who may desire to become teachers in the Common Schools of Cincinnati.
The salaries of teachers in the Cincinnati Schools range from $400 per annum to $2,100.
The following are the names of the members of the Board of Education, for the years 1869-70, commencing in July :
WARD.
1 ... J. H. Brunsman. .W. J. O'Neil.
2 ... Peter Gibson J. W. B. Kelly.
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3 ... C. C. Campbell E. M. Johnson.
4 ... D. J. Mullaney Benj. J. Ricking.
5 ... Dr. Wolfley H. W. Poor.
6 ... F. Macke. J. P. Carberry.
7 ... C. F. Bruckner H. P. Siebel.
8 ... C. H. Gould J. C. Christin.
9 ... F. W. Rauch. Joseph Kramer.
10 ... Wm. Kuhn H. L. Wehmer.
11 ... S. S. Fisher
12 ... A. Themkaupf.
J. C. Krieger.
13 ... George D. Temple ... Wm. McClennan.
14 ... Henry Mack G. W. Gladden.
15 ... A. D. Mayo. Abner L. Frazer.
16 ... Francis Ferry John P. Storey.
17 ... S. A. Miller J. L. Drake.
18 ... A. Bohling Louis Ballauf.
19 ... S. F. Wisnewski Herman Eckel.
20 ... J. H. Rhodes. James F. Fisher.
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
President, S. S. Fisher.
Vice-President, Francis Ferry.
Corresponding Secretary, James F. Irwin. Clerk, W. F. Hurlbut.
OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOLS Superintendent of Schools, John Hancock. Superintendent of Buildings, John McCammon.
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POST-OFFICE.
C. W. Thomas, Esq., the late efficient and popular Postmaster of Cincinnati, has kindly furnished some interesting items in regard to the business of his de- partment :
As nearly every interest of a civilized people pulsates through the post-office, it undoubtedly furnishes the most reliable indication of numerical, commercial, and social progress. From a statement in the " Commercial Daily Advertiser," of November 19, 1829, we learn " there was received for postage the last year $12,150, having increased in three years upward of fifty per cent." This was when Cincinnati had a population of twenty-five thousand. She had outstripped all other Western cities, and was indisputably the "Queen." These figures afford an interesting comparison with the business done at the office during 1867-8.
The cash receipts of the Cincinnati Post-office, on postage account, were, for the past year, $264,587.47, and the expenses for salaries and miscellaneous, exclu- sive of those incident to the free-delivery system, were $62,306.06; net earnings paid over to the Government, $202,281.41.
The receipts and disbursements in the Money-Order Department of the office were each over half a mill- ion dollars. At the present rate of business, over
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$750,000 will be paid on money orders during the pres- ent year.
The number of letters received for delivery during the past year was nine million three hundred and eight thousand, and the number received for distribu- tion was twenty-eight million.
The amount of mail matter daily handled is about twenty-five thousand pounds. There are one hundred employés, including letter carriers, and the machinery of the office is incessant day and night.
It should be remembered, that in 1829, domestic postage on letters was 123, 182, and 25 cents, according to the distance conveyed. That year's receipts, $12,150, would be equivalent to the transmission of sixty-four thousand eight hundred letters at the average of 182 cents each. The same sum will now convey four hun- dred and five thousand half-ounce letters to any dis- tance within the United States; so the whole sum of $264,587.47, the postage receipts for the past year, fairly represents about nine millions of letters received by the people of this city.
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
of Mayor Charles F. Wilstach, dated April 9, 1869, congratulates the city upon the enterprise and pros- perity which has hitherto marked its career, and takes the most enlarged and comprehensive views of its fu-
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ture. It states the bonded debt of the city to be now $4,507,000, and the value of property belonging to the city at $11,350,000, showing nearly $7,000,000 on the right side of the ledger.
The following items in regard to some of the depart- ments of the municipal government are taken from the message :
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health has, during the past year, ac- complished much that has been valuable to the health and comfort of the citizens. Through its officers, it has succeeded in ridding the markets of unwholesome meats and vegetables. It has prevented the sale of diseased cattle, and has required of the venders of milk the most rigid conformance to its rules against adulteration.
It also prevented the spread of that terrible scourge called the Texas cattle fever. The Health Officer, Dr. William Clendenin, was especially energetic in his en- deavors to prevent its spread among the cattle of this vicinity. That these efforts were effectual, the results have abundantly proven.
The mortality in Cincinnati for the year ending February 28, 1869, was 4,684. The population of the city, being estimated at 260,000, would make the death rate 18.05 in 1,000 inhabitants. This is a remarkably low mortality, and clearly demonstrates the great salu- brity of Cincinnati. In New York City, in 1868, the
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death rate was 32.27 in 1,000 inhabitants; in Brooklyn, the same year, it was 27.81; in Providence, in 1864, it was 23.50 in 1,000. In St. Louis, according to the last annual report of the Board of Health, for the year 1868, the mortality was 5,193; in Chicago, during the same period, the mortality was 4,604.
The mortality from particular diseases exhibits equally satisfactory results. For example, the mor- tality from consumption in Cincinnati during the year ending with February last, was 444, or 9.48 per cent. of the whole number of deaths in that time. The mor- tality from consumption in New York last year was 3,286, or 14.02 per centage on the total number of deaths. In Philadelphia, during the same period, the mortality from consumption was 1,947, or 15.38 per consumption during the year 1868, in St. Louis, were 503.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The Chief of Police, Captain James L. Ruffin, reports that the total number of arrests during the year, for all degrees of crimes, was 8,291, of which 6,734 were males and 1,557 females. In the lodging apartments of the different station-houses, there have been accommodated 25,000 persons, of whom 20,209 were males and 3,424 females ; for safe keeping, 1,152; lost children returned to parents, 255; deserters arrested, 11; number of per-
"Ehrgott Forbriger & Cr Lath Cincinnati
LATTA'S STEAM FIRE ENGINE.
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sons committed to the Work-house during the year, 1,176, of whoni 1,037 were males and 139 females.
The Police Telegraph has sent, during the year, 4,092 messages, as follows: Lost children returned, 755; estrays returned, 290; wagons, buggies, etc., re- turned, 200; prisoners discharged from Work-house, 169; officers to suppress riots, 7; orders issued, 20; prisoners for court, 150; miscellaneous 2,555.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
still maintains its supremacy over any like department in existence, and is famed throughout the country for its efficiency and promptness in subduing the ravages of one of the fiercest elements of destruction known to the . human race. Our city has enjoyed, during the past year, a marked immunity from large fires. New and powerful machines are being added to the present effective force, and nothing is left undone to render the department equal to the growth of the city and the de- mands of the citizens for the fullest protection.
Enoch G. Megrue, the veteran Chief of the Depart- ment, has continued to devote his entire energies to the discipline and management of the force.
The cost of the department for the past year has been $240,584.13. There have been 183 alarms and 90 actual fires during the year. Value of property destroyed, 8
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$447,382.00, the insurance on which was $271,016.00- making the actual loss to property-owners $176,366.00.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
1. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE are elected by the voters of each township, for terms of three years. They have jurisdiction in all civil suits, with a few exceptions, when the debt or damages do not exceed three hun- dred dollars. In criminal cases they have jurisdiction throughout the county, of minor offenses, and to hold persons accused of crime to answer the charge in the Court of Common Pleas.
2. THE DISTRICT COURT is composed of the three . judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, and one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Ohio, any three of whom constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Two terms are held each year, commencing on the first Monday of April, and first Monday of October respectively. It has but little original jurisdiction, its business being chiefly the de- termination of appeals, and cases in error from the Court of Common Pleas.
3. THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS is composed of three judges, elected by the people of Hamilton County, for a term of five years. The regular terms of the Court commence on the first Monday of January, the second
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Monday of May, and the first Monday of November in each year. The judges sit separately and alternately, in each of the three rooms of the court. They have authority, by statute, to classify and distribute among themselves for trial the business pending in the court. Civil cases are tried by the court in room No. 1, and before a jury in room No. 2, and criminal cases are tried in room No. 3. This court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases where the sum or matter in dispute ex- ceeds one hundred dollars, and has appellate jurisdic- tion from the judgment of justices of the peace, and also in certain cases from the decisions of the county commissioners. It has jurisdiction of all crimes and offenses in which persons are indicted by the grand jury ; of all writs of certiorari to the Police Court and justices of the peace in criminal cases; of petitions in error from judgments rendered by the Probate Court or justices of the peace; in cases of contested election of county officers ; and of petitions by administrators and executors for the sale of lands of deceased persons, and in habeas corpus. It also has powers and duties pres- cribed by statute, with reference to savings societies, petitions filed by railroads for change of grade or route, sales of property of religious societies; sales of ceme- teries in cities and towns; changes of names of persons, towns, and villages; vacation of town plats; appointment of auctioneers, inspectors, etc. ; sales of entailed estates ;
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