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VOL. t
tiv tmorrattc eta,
" 41 $ 4 151rffitti iltrettgera -
AIINTIIII AND '.I.IMILISIIIM IN lIIILLICITNIT,
*VERY' WEDNESDAY MORNING,
Jrr- HENRY HAYS.
Tintllo—sl,so In advance, or If paid within all
twonthe. 112,06 will be charged on all subscrip
tions runniiir to the end of the year,
APViaTflabilliNTB and Iluslneal Notices insert ,
ed'ar the usual rates, and every deeeriptfon of
a Crl3 PRINTINGF ,
EXEOUTaD In the neatest spanner, at the lowest
pprima, sod with the utmost despatols— Havin g
orehased a large oolleotion of type, we are pie
- pared to satisfy the order', of our friends,
at potumnits.
GOVIGINOR'S ANNUAL ItESSAGI.
To the Hon,_,etrable the Senator' (mil Members
•of the Hisuse of Represestiotires of the
(Jenaral ibsentbly •
USNSLItarIUt :
A. kind Proridence has greatly blessed our
Committeeslth during the vast year. No
foreign war. nq internal strife hare inter
rupted qv destroyed the peaceful quiet or
odr homes. All the great interests of the
Eeople have been eminently prosperous.—
The earth, in risk' abundance, hex .\ yielded
- tier increase - to- supply bur 'wants, and re
ward with her bounties the labor of the hus
bandman. Labor, in every department of
matailisituring and mechanical industry, has
beim stimulated and encouraged. The rave
\,,C4f disease and the horrors of the petal
have been averted from us ; and
Whilst the cry of human suffering, from
other Mates, has been heard invoking our
Sympathy and aid, we have been blessed
with health and permitted to enjoy the com
forts and happiness of social life. 'fit /Lim
who hath bestowed these blessings upon us,
Wind upon whose care we are constantly de
pendent, should be ever paid the willing ho
peso of our grateful hearts, .„ 4
The report of the State Treasurer %ill ex
hibit to you, in detail, the operations of his
department. The results are more matisfae
letill *ad encouraging than were anticipated.
The roeeipte at the Treasury for the fiscal
theending Noveinlier 1855, including
balance in the l'reasiiry on, the Ist day
of December, 1854, ($1,2411,9.7'2) amount
ed to 06,681,402 i 5. The total payments
for the same perNxl were 55,385,105 52 :
leaving a balance in the Treasury. on the :1(1(11
November, 1855, of $1,245,697.31. No
lama, temporary or otherwise, Were negoti
ated during the past fiscal year, as they
,were not required by the nililtd of the Tres
miry.
Tho receipts during the past year, from
All'eources, (excluding the balance in the
'Treasury on the first day of December, 1854,)
Wad $6,390,474.11. The ordinary expendi
tures far the same period, Including the in
rirt; the public debt, were $4,139,612.28,
atlibitoesa of receipts over ordinsay
mu of 01,250,961 83.
extraordinary payments for the year
were $1,246,11.0.24.1,,mqf0110n is, iii • T o the
,00mpletion of the itew Portage railroad over
t the Allegheny inotantainh, $446,762 I'2 ; to
$llO North lininclrilinel, Eil7 , 562.67 ; to. the
,Mlutabla railroad, to relay smith track,
$1133,400.00; to the pa) went of domestic
crediteirs, 61.629.85 : 'to are rode niption of
i10an5,100.6,540.60, and t,, rclief notes can
celled, 6260,598.00.
The balance in the Treasury will ho re
pared for the payment of the interest on the
ALate debt falling dye in February next, and
for
.unpaid appropriations. The interest on
thof undod debt.of the Commonwealth, which
-strte due in February and August last,
wait promptly paid : and it is gratifying to
!Rate that the interest due in I.vbruary neat
Will be aid with s.spial promptilesv. The
preditof tke :,ittate way be regarded as firmly
ystlibliShed, and with proper economy and a
fateful and honett.management of her titian-
Ata, an annual reduction of her th ht., to a
oppsiderable extent, may be confidently ex
pected. -
There Is due by the Treasury to the Sink
big Fend thd aura of 6335,011.39, to ho ap.
phad to the redemption of the rtdlef notes
pow in oircnintion, arid to the funded debt
pf the Commonwealth. The greater part of
the funded debt bears interest at the rate of
Jimiper cent. per annum ; the balance hears
a still less rate of interest. Put as the tem
-missy loans, which by law are to be .first,
paid out of the aVailableAkeans of the 'free.
pury, bear interest at the rate of six 45.. r
pent., it has been decrtued _advisable, an a
matter ef economy, to apply the surplus
revenues to the payment of theite loans.
When these are liquidated, the amount duo
and property applicable to the Smiling Fund
will oli e l l 4 , and ;tl4 operations continued as
klirect by law.
thatwithstanding the nwenireit for the last
four or_p.re years have Largely exceeded the
ardiuntry espeniliturea of the government,
yet In cionseiluence of flee large and insatia
bk dementia upon the '1 reetoity for the com
pletion of the North Itranch canal, the Yar
dage ralkesad and Ober kindred improve- .
oink, the public debt, instead of being ro
'duced, has 1101509 increased. This increase,
with the antonnt and co:Wilton of the debt pt
different period*, n be seen in the foliow
ing statement*:
Aroesertir of tks i funded and unfunded debt
ef the Comm° wealth on the let day 'of
December, 1851,a/spar rsport of the Atari
- General.
Weeded debt, viz
6 per amt. loans, $2.314.022 61
6 do 36.704.484 03
41 do 198 200 00
Total funded 'debt
Unfunded debt, els':
Bagel notes In circula
tion.
Interest eertifteetes out
, onandlag,
Do unolantert,
poorest on outstaadlng
•r unclaimed On
fleatal, when run
ea.
Pacip•Sie C9'6411°11
.
Remdebt, Poocobet j, 1854, 40.114.861 39
STATZ.IIIIOT sholoivig the indebtAindes of the
Dornatonseealth gm the let day of December,
1854, as per AudetorGenerare report :
Tended debt, vie:
I pot ant loans 8532.104 96 .
6 do '? 39.064.609 07..
v dodo
100 033300 00'00.000
eta fondod , dobt, , $40.084.914 00
!Unfolded debt, vie:
Rolle/ noted in °lron
lolten,
Intend oetilloatesont-
10, 84041 h1C _ 24,857 21
%De unclaimed, 4,448 98
bientaaan entalmeding
and untalmed Cern&
Wee, *Me funded, 4,870 07
•
Domes croditora' de -
tiflaatea, 2,707 61
Delano° of tamporary
- lone eltAprikibrieltrAliio,lll4 , lo l 4oPcw• q- ,
Do May 9, '64, 450.436 ay
Total unfunded debt
sect tamperary loam' . 1.638,680 84
To these Arnold be added the fol.
lowing relief notes, not included
in the 'lend' notes In often's..
lion," els
Relief notes made Or
the Lam:meter Rank,
not eherged on State
Treasurer's books, 1125,000 00
Relief notes pat in dr
culatton September.
1854,and not redeem
ed Deacember 1, '54, 56 000 00 ,
.15 000 00
Total public 4.191;te0- 1, '54, - 41.11011699 74
Do do '6l, 40.114.226 99
Increase of debt in Utter yeah, $1.6114.3611 85
The funded and unfubded debt, including
unpaid temporary load's on the tat day of
December, 1855, tho close of the last fiscal
year, as per report of the Auditor General
and !State Trepsurer, was as follows:
Funded debt, Ole
per dent. loan, $5lO 164 93
5 do 38 903 445 54
41 do
4 do
Total funded debt.
ltidunded debt, vii:
Relief notes in eireuls,
lion, 258.773 00
Interest certifiestes
outstanding29,ls7 LS
Domestic ered ' itere, - • 1,1164. 90 - • -•-
Bitterne of temporary
loan of April 19, '63, 526000 00
Do May 9, 464, 310.000 00
Total unfunded debt - 1.160.194 20
Total debt Deo. I, '55. 41.067.994 72
Do ae 'dated, Deo 1,'54, 41.698,595 72
Do do do 41 057.994 72
Deurenno during the lineal yeer,
Thin statement exhibits the gratifying
fact that during the fiscal year ending No
vember 30, 1855, the indebtedness of the
Commonwealth has been reduced 11630,601. '
02. During the same period large appro
priations and payinents were made fbr the
completion of the new Portage railroad, re
laying the track of the Columbia railroad,
and for Other purposes. These demands up
on the Treasury were, without the aid of
loans. prbmptly paid.
Refusing to undertake any new schemes of
internal improvement, limiting all appropri- •
ations to the nettial demands of the occasion,
practicing strict economy in all' departments
of the government, and holding the receiving
and ilitlmrsingligents of the Commodwealth
to a gid accountability, o ill greatly reduce
the xpenditures, and, under ordinary dr
comai mires, leave an annual surplus of the
revenues to br applied to the redemption of
the public+ debt.
The estimated receipts and expenditures
for the current 'fiscal year will be presented
to you in the report of the State Treasurer,
The receipts from the usual sources of reve
nue, above the ordinary expenditures, may
exceed the sum of one million and a half of
dollars. These estimates may approximate
the true result, but oauxiot -be veiled upon,
with certainty.
fly the thirty-eighth section of the act of
the 16th of April, 1815, entitled " An Act to
provide for the ordinary expenses of govern
ment, the repair of the canals and railroads
of the, state, nod other claims upon the
Commonwealth," the Covernor was author
ized to rause certificates of State stock to be
issued to all persons or bodies corporate hold
ing rertifientes for the pay mint of int erest
on the funded debt of the State, which fell
due on the Ist day of Atignst, 18.12. the Ist
days of Fein oars and August, 1813, and the
Ist days of l'ebruari% and August, 180, in
an amount equal to the amount of certificates
so held, upon their delivering up said certifi
cates to the Auditor Ceneral. In pursuance
of the authority thus given, certificates of
State stock to the amount of four millions
one hundred and the thousand one hundred
and fifty dollars and to enty cents, bearing
interest it the i ate of the per cent. per an
num, payable semi-annually, on the Ist days
of February and August in each year, and
redeemable on or after the Ist day of Au
gust, 11455, were issued, The minimum pe
riod fixed by law for the redemption of these
certificates, expired on the lot day of All
good, last. No provision has been made for
their renew al or redemption,
Although by the terms of the act author
izing these certificates of Stati; stock, as also
by the conditions of the certilleateii issued iu
pursuance thereof, the tone of payment, af
ter the expiration of the minimum period,
is optional with the debtor —the Common
wealth—yet a due regard to the credit of the
State requires that provision should be made
for then renewal or redemption. To nideelp
theme certificates a i an would become ne
aessary, and as a loan cannot be effected, in
the present financial condition of the coun,
try, on terms more flivorithle to the State,
than those en which these certificates were
issued, I would recommend that authority
he given to issue the bonds of the Common
wealth in renewal of said certificates, bear
ing interelit at the rate of five per cent. per
annum, payable sere-annually, and redeem
&Mena or after the expiration of twenty
years ; and that the bonds be issued with
contains or certificates of interest attached,
in +intim equal in ainomit to the semi-annual
interest thereon, payable on the first days of
February and August in caulks's' every year,
at such places as may be designated. This
change in the form and character of the cer
tificates, it is believed, will be so advanta
geous to the holders, without increasing the
liabilities of the Commonwealth, as to in
duce a willing and prompt exchange, at a
premium, fbr the bonds proposed to be is
sued. - •
The Condition of the public works, their
geAeral operation, and the receipts and ex
penditures for the past fiscal year will be
presented to you in the report of the Canal
1945 nKl.klaionets.
Tbouggtrogate receipts at the Treasury
froth the Oldie works, for the year ending
November 30, 1855, were $1,942,3711.71.
The aggregate expenditures, including ordi
nary and extraordinary payments for •the
same petiOd, amounted to 81,838 ) 791.18,
showing an excess of receipts, over al) ex
of $103,585.53.
of $103,585.53.
Tfirdittrattrdinary . payments for the same
yearaexcluding 51.3,100.00 prtidkrye-lay
mg tho south track - of the Golumbia.radtoad,-
and P 3,000.00 for - re-building the Freeport
aqueduct) were $.690,427.78. The ordinary
expedditures were $1,148,363.40.
,_
Aggregate receipts, as above
Stated, - - - - $1,94;376.71
,--
660.163 00
180,381 82
4.448-88
9.752 91
92,932 74
.897.528 85
Ordinariexpendatures,asabove
• ••• atikked, - - - - 1,148,30.40
404 361- 00
Net revenues for the fiscal year 794,013.13
This balance exhibits a small increase in
the natoriveimos, as
and
with the not
revenues of NH notwithstanding the
withdrawal Of the transportation lines from
the main line Of the canal, the aggregate rev
i;s7iiinkfts. yow,...hasek. exoesid.ed the
rove ea p r NO4 by Mrs than twenty-three
the and dollars . Fro th tho abundant crops
of e past year, the iinproved condition of
the monetary affairs of the country and the'
general revival of business,.p. large otercaao
in the revenues for the current year hoar t)
confidently expected. ..,. _
The sum of 1161,125.25, has been paid
into the Treasury by the Pennsylvania rail
road company and other railroad coinpanies,
as the tax on tonnage passing over their
roads. This amount largely exceeds the
sunk paid by the same companies in 1854.
The Delaware division exhibits a satisfac
tory result. Tho total receipts were 8392,-
873.42 ; expenditures. 860,007.86 , showing
a net revenue of $332,575.56. If, all our
lines of improvement exhibited a similar ba
lance sheet, the people would luivq less
cause of complaint and more confidence in
the general operffon of the system.
There has been 11. large increase in tho bu
siness and tonnage of the Columbia railroad,
and a'corresponding increase in the receipts
therefrola. The Operations of this road for
the pest year have been highly satiSfactory..,'
lbe operations of that part of the Main lino
from the Junction to Pittsburg, including
the Portage railroad, do not present so fa
vorable a reault. The receipts have greatly
diminislitsi t and were not sufficient to meet
the ordinary expenditures. The revenues
from the main line do not renal the receipts
of the previous years. The causes of this
reduction are apparent, and some of them
have been referred to and enumerated. It
is but just to add that the expenditures on
this lino have been moth diminished by the
avoidance of some of the inclined planes on
the Portage railroad.
MB.'l 00 00
100.000 00
Eh 907 800 47
I.:regret to inform you that the railroad to
avoid the Inclined planes on•the Allegheny
mountain, has not been completed as was
confidently anticipated. Tho delay in the
completion of this work hasUecasioned much
inconvenience to the business of the main
line and a lois folleb "terfeAnetruf - ttre
monwealtk. The expenditures have largely
exceeded the original estimate% for its con
strimtion; and although the moth of $277,-
730.00 wax...appropriated at the last sessitin
of the Legislature for the completion of this
work—a sum covering tlitr`eitarnlate• of 'the
exigifteer—yet after the expenditure of the
whole amount thus appropriated, the road
is unfinished ; and to complete it, and pay the
debts contracted, the further sum of $177,-
573.0 b: as now estimated by the engineer,
will lie required. Either die estimates have
been very carelessly made, or large s u ms of
money uselessly and extravagantly expended
in the prosecution of this improvement. As
aiding the business of the main line, re
ducing still further its expenditures and re
lieving the Treasury from these constant de
mands, the annommcfnent of its early com
pletion will be hailed with pleasure by every
citizen.
$B3O 801 02
Although the completion of the North
Branch canal, befell , the close of navigation,
was certahalli-expaugaxlpt Ltia_expeetatio4
lab not been realized. TWelferte of the
present Superintendent, Mr. MalUt, during
the past year, to complete and put in suc
cessful operation this canal, deserve the
highest commendation. Everything that
skill, energy and_ industry could accomplish
has been done. The labor to be perfornied
714 grkat, and rendered more difficult and
perplexi4 by the impel feet and fraudulent
construction of the old work and some tier
hens of the new. The large quantity of
rocks, trees, stumps and roots placed in the
bottom of the canal, and the defective mate
rial used In the tniliankments, sufferat the
seater to escape &Waist RA rapidly as ad
mitted, and rendered a reconstruction of the
work, in many places, indispensably neces
sary. Its successful completion, it is hoped,
will soon Is! announced.
It will appear by the report of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means made do the
House of Representatives M 15.19, that the
entire amount necessary to complete and
put in operation the unfinished portions.of
this canal was estimattd at the sum" of
$1,100,037.00. The amount actually ex
pended on the work since that period, as ap
pears ftem tho reports of the Superintendent,
Engineer and Canal ComnussiOners,
81,857, :177.52, being an excess of expend!.
tures over the original estimates of 8751,-
340.52 ; and the canal not yet in operation.
With such facts before us—such evidence
of mismanagement and reckless expenditure
as Use history of this canal shows, it is not
platter of gm-prise that the Commonwealth
and people are burdened with debt and tax•
ation.
In pursuance of the act of the htli of May
last, providing for the sale of the main line
of the public works, after giving the notice
required by law. I caused the same to be
exposed to public sale, the Merchants,
Exchange, in the city of Philadelphia. No
oilers were made and consequently the works
remain unsold. Sealed proposals fop the
"sale or lease of the main line," were sub
sequently invited, as directed by the seven
teenth section euf the Said act, and the pro•
pow& received arc herewith submitted to
the Legislature for their action and final dis
position.
Having en a former occasion presented my
VloWs (/ the propriety and policy of a sale
of this branch
ranch of out public Improvements,
a repetition of the sentiment/3 then expressed
becomes unnecennary. In relation to thin
subject My opinion has not changed. (In
the contrary the experience of the past, and
a careful examination of the question in its
economical and political relations, have
strengthed and omadinceed•it. That the State
should, long since, lase been separated from
- the management and control of these works,
the history of their Construction and man
agement clearly dembnstrates. Public po
licy and public sentiment demand this sepa
ration; and every consideration of prenent,
.aril future interest requires their sale. The
late financial embaransments of the country
—the imperfect character of some of the
provisaMs of the bill authorizing the sale,
together with the adverse Influence of rival
;interests, defeated the recent attempt to sell.
These , slifpculties have been, or can be, re
moved ands dale
,yet: efibeted on terns
amply protective of the rights and interests
of the people, and st the same time just end
liberal to t h e purchasers.,
To reduce the State debt and relieve dm
people from taxation, aro objects worthy
the earnest and anxious consideration of the
Legislature. To accomplish these ohjeets
speedily mad certainly, it sale of the whole
or'part of our public improvements becomes
important and necessary. The revenues of
the State, under the present system of man
agement of-the public works, are hut little
more than sufficient . to pay the interest of
her debt, ind the ordinary expenses of the
government. A sale of these works, for a
fair consideration, and upon terms just and
BELLEFONTE, PA., VVEDX I gSDAY, JANITARY / 9, 1556.
liberal, would constitute a beginning in the
process of liquidation that would free our
Lc' minanswealth from .iltAlPaind. bur people
from consequent 'taxation. In every mea
sure calculated to prOduce these desirable
results, I will cheerfully cooperate with the
Legislature.
The currenek of the State, in its; relation
to banking institutions, and thew increase,
is a subject that demands careful and intelli
gent.cenulderation. From the notice given
of nnputpue intended applications to the Le
gislature for new banks and Increase of
banking capital, this snAloct Wril doubtless
ho presented' tq, and StrOngly urged utxm
your attention. 'Shall - bhe number of banks
and the amount Of banking capital he sli
er/eased ? and if so, to what extent and in
what localities? are questions of absorbing
itildie interest.
Without aesirisg as tr e a nen d and
uncompromising hostalty all banks, or to
an increase Of bankitig capital, I cannot dis
cover the necessity tbat requires, or the cir
cumstances that woidd justify the incorpo
ration of all that m , be demanded from the
Legislature. The i corporation of new, or
the re-charter of old ud solvent banlts„ielien
indispensably neces ary and clearly del/-
tied by the actual business wants of I e
community in whic they may be Incased,
should not bo refuse' ; under no other cir
cumstances should their incorporation be
permitted.
necessity for increasing the number
Of t
hanks MOM he 'titermincittwnre - by the
actual wants of legitimate trade than by the
number of applicrtims and the ,wild fancies
of stockjobbers and specalatore. The sud
den and unnecessary expanslas ea lake.
rendrsbould be avoided, and whatever tends
to , produce such a result ought to be discoun
tenanced and prevented. In the rrl ation of
banks the true interest of the state and the
people should be consulted.; twd a
honest discrimination, as to number, locality
and the demands of trade, be exercised by
their representatives. Public sentiment does
not,depand,por do public grlmvateiWtrusts
re u ire, file creation oridnierons batiks.
In the present condition of the nuances,
and in aid of the revenues of the stat e , (i n
addition to the taxes now imposed by lan-)
a reasonable remium should be required to
he paid by ni l banks or saving imititutions
that may hereafter be chartered or re-chart
ered by the Legislature.
ds appropriate to this subject, and inti
mately connected wit.lt it, I cannot forbear
) express my disapprobiltion of ft prantice,
that has heretofore obtained to some extent,
of using the names of members of the Legis
latuie as corporators in bills pending before
them for the incorporation of banks and other
companies. Such a practice is peniicious,
and cannot be too strongly condemned. ft
perils the independence of the legislator
exposes him unjust suspicions, and stamps
with seltisline* at least. his legislative ac
tion in the iNinisee. Legislation should
be fret!, even from the appearance of nil
proper motive ; and every undue and cor
ropting influence, inside or outside the Leg
ial.",47* Wain. Laikks44.4lkaislaiAlua4alk
dettmed.
It is a CRUM" of more than ordinary ton
gratulation, that agriculture, the first, as it
is the noblest pursuit of man, has, in its
progress of development, vindicated Its out)
importance, and assumed in public esteem,
the honorable position to which it is so pistly
entitled. Constituting, IN it does, the sub
stratum of our great mechanical, manufactu
ring rind commercial intertsts, it should ever
be regarded as the chief source of State and
National prnapenty. First in necessity, it
is the highest in usefulness of all the depart
ments of labor, snstanung and promoting,
in their varied and multiplied relations, all
the other industrial interests of the country.
Our financial and commercial prosperity is
largely dependent upon the success of agn
cultural industry.
An interest on import - ant should receive
the encouragement of all classes of society.
No longer a mere art—an exertion of physi
cal strength, It has retched the dignity - of a
science ; and to its progress and improve
frient the - people and their representatives
should cheerfully contribute. State and
county agricultural societies have done Much
to promote this rause, and through their
Agency much valuable information has been
collected and diffused. Much yet retrains
to be done. More information is demanded.
More efficiency in the collection and diffusion
of useful knowledge is required. To secure
this result, the establishment of an agricul.
lurid bureau, in eimneetion with sortte. of the
departments of State, would largely contri
bute, The importance of such a bureau, pro
perly organized, as an aid to thu advancement
of agricultural knowledge and the success
of agricultural industry, cannot easily be
overestimated. The subject is earniAly
commended to your Attention.
By an act of the last session, an institu-
tion designated as the "Farmers' High School
of Pennsylvania" was incorporated. The
charter * WWI accepted by the trustees, and
the Institution duly organized. An eligible
site for the college has been swore,' in Cen
tre county, sod two hundred acres of valua
ble and highly cultivated and donated to
the trustees, for the use of the institution,
by Gen. James If4in, of that county. The
citizens of the county, with a liberality
highly commendable, have pledged and se
cured to the trustees, for the use of the col
lege, ten thousand dollars in addition to the
land donated. This liberality shows that
the farmers of Pennsylvania fully appreciate
the importance of such an institution, and
will support and sustain it. The course of
instruction 'will be thorough and practical.
Scientific and practical - agriculture, with the
usual branches of academic education, will
be taught, and the effort will be to Wake
good carmen, good scholars, and. good citi-
Senii.
Whilst individual liberality.iand energy
have done Much and will do more for this
institution, in appro priation by the State, in
such sum as the insisturp may deem pro
per, would not on yai and 4encourage this
laudable enterprise, hut would be an honors
bin and just recognition of the important in
terests involved.
The lawn now in operation, regulating
manufacturing and other improvement coin
panies, are in some of their provisions ton
severely restrictive, and should be modified.
Legislation ort.thealia LtlOects has .heretofore
nded to restrain the investment of capital
--check industry, and curb the energy of
the people in the prosecution of those enter
prises that aicT,the development of our im
mense resources, arid cotilribute so largely
to the wealth arid prosperity of the State.
Liberal and Judicious leglalation—encour
aging individual anturPrist—inviting the
iiin
vestment of capital aqi, mulatistg the va
rious departments of - ufac.turing and:
mechanical industry, wo greatly promote
the interests of the people--inorease our
revenues, and give to the Commonwealth
F-
that proininence and position, in the sister
hood of States, to w hich the churnoter of her
°Wrens find tier illisitable nateural.imaouroefi
justly entitle her. To thin subject your at.=
tent ion iR invited.
The report of the Superintendent of Com
mon Schools will exhibit to you their condi
tion and the general operations of the sys
tem throughout the Conmumwealth, dur
ing the past year. To the valitnble and use..
fail iiiiptgeations of the report, I ,woufft - carri ,
estly ask the attentam of the Legislature.
The operation suit results of the system
nti detniled are highly interesting. Our edic
cational system is slowly, but surely. con
quering the prejudioes and gaining the emit
donee of the people. Under the ,fostering
care of hheral and enlightened leg,l,l:dion its
ultimate triumph is certain. When the sys
tem was first witrochiced, it was Supposed
that it could be 'perlEcted and forced into
general and vigoropuiperation by the there
will of tie Legislatuic. Experience 11118
proven, that in,this, as in every other great
Social and moral reform, time and that con
sent which arises from a radical I.llllllge in
the popular mind, were required. This slow
pruccsa , osth r . KcJitnatioxpithe new ,yi,temi
to our social . arid moral ntruhvpherc, ha, been
iy operation for nearly to eat_ ears; and it
is now evident that the penal for another
effective interposition of legislative aid and
authority in favor of our noble system of
common schools, Inns arrived. In whatever
font this obviously proper and necessary in
terposition May preqnfr Itself, if ettlrillateil
to promote the great purpose in tieW, it
shall receive my chveiful SUppont.
After a careful examination of the sub
„feisty is clear eonrietiou that thssystisst
IN now. prepared for and requires increased
efficiency in its geneml supervision—inerels
ed qualification in its teachers, and increased
:mans of support.
The expernoeot or the County Superin
tendency wherever Wilily - i'arried out, hi;
not disappointed (lie ssxpectahons of the ad
voeatcs.of that measure. The improved con
dition of the schools, and the greater 011-
i-4:WY - or ali• 43 , 7,1 - elif, - Vffti-fy establish the
liropriety: and utility of such supervision.
The official Visits of an officer of the school
department to some of the counties of the
State, in-connection w=ith the County Super
intendency, hese denionstiated that the voice
of public authority to sustain, and the pres
ence of an official agent to encourage have
largely contributed to excite ,and maintain
the deep interest now felt b, the public in
our educational progress alit improvement.
' The most marked'linproverrnerrt:-Acently
effevted in, the syqem.has been in its corps of
teachers. With almost my rralleled disinter
estedness and devotion to the noble ratusii
which Mei arc engAged, the eoallllollBlllool
teachers of the :slate have in almost every
county been using all the means and appli
arn'es within their power, for self improve•
meat. 'these Ohio.. so creditable to them,
has c been highly beneficed 111 their results,
and clearly prove the necesso , and point
with unerring certainty to the esiabli-hrnent
of State No. mat Schools. Teachers' meet-
was fur r. d j ha la Ones to j,pat Marta
fora weak ; and them again to nurrieroila
Norront meennw+ continuing from 0110 to three
month. At every step in ibis pmeression,
It has become more apparent that permanent
institutions, with their proper proles+ors, and
appliances, vdikli nwtiing but the power of
ides si,tio cart provide, are demanded by, and
would meerthe warm of the ny form and the
()evasion.
In cor;ceeding dila Loon to our children. j
through their teachers. WO are encouraged bi
the evarriplo of other eoninsies, and fir
penence_ol the put• llir'a~rrtf ; uFkutitt'tal t,
that no Shale of our Union, nor nation of the
old world, has penciled its system of public
110111101 DH, wiLouf n• h onl for the profession
al training of teachers, e•tahllshrrl .and sup•
ported'by, the public authority and meat's ,
and st to ne lees menatkable, and Hill more
encouraging, that no such taattiutiou has ever
yet been abandoned. From Proseia, whose
experience in this regard. is that of a century
and a quarter, to that of our young [sister
Alichigaii, whose existence is as of .yenter•
day, the Normal school has been tried
throu2hout Christendom with unvarying
success.
This result is in full harmony with the
laws of mind and of human screiety. Teach
ing is a Midi and honorable prolosonn : acrd
no profession hum more arduous and complex
duties to perform—no one greater responet
bduier lat 41:11telzr,..ituhiry one operats On, or
with, such valuable and numestaug material
The - Most ihorotp,2,ll pieparatimi is, therefore !
requisite, 411,1 as the dunes to I,ic performed
uie lint only responsible, but delicate. and
may affect the social, political. moral or reli
gions feelings and rights of the Clll7Oll, 110
source is so safe, no authority for their dis
charge so lice from suspicion mr bias, as the
State. Teachers trained by the State, anti
representing the vitality of its republicanism,
will be the firm support and sure guarantee
of its republican equality.
It is lime also that ltt teaching mindshonld
resumei
its true place the schools. In the
communication of knowledge, to be effect.
lye, mind, in sympathetic contact, must act
upiri mind, and with living, speaking ener
gy, leave ita impress there. The firekt Maq
ler himself thus trained the school which
Was to reform a wodd but now the book
hen too much) iqtruiled itself between the
teacher and the taught. Tho teacher has too
much became the mere ouolient, of the
printed page, and thu mind of !he learner the
e,s , ed copy of the text. fit thus saying,
the sulue soil importance of books, as a
means of knnwledge, are not intended to be
overlooked or decried; but the uses of 011 f
best .agencies have their limits; anti when
we find the book usurping the place of the
teaoher, to the injury of the mind of our
youth, we should restore each in its proper
posilloo—require from each the performanee
'of its appropriatsrfunctions, and, - thus confer
upon both the full measure of their useful
ness. •
Ali an eapedient to supply the place of
regular Normal Salmis, nil eatahlinhed, anti
ca a valuable auciliary to them when in op
enatron, the Tenchers - Institute Would be of
kutriumationable value. ft woolit'l,tring to
pther the teachers of a county under the born
nifluences 4 for conkilltalinn nod iitimovrt
manta said evhibit them before their fellow;
rathatris in their proper protessional character.
A portion of the means of the State, fir of
the respective counties, applicable to educa
tional improvement, could not be ni Die pro
fitably applied, than to the encouragement of
the meeting of At least one such inatitue, an
nually, in each county. An ekperirnent of
this kind recently made in the county of
Cheater, is said to have beep eminently rule
ceasful, and.ritrongly indicativir of the wisdom
of the measure.
If, in stir:titian to these,' or similar meas
ures, the Legislature shook/feel warranted—
and the measure his all the sanction this ex•
enttive document can give it—to,make a
large adman to the ttortuel. State apinopria
lion to common schools, I believe that all
will be done which the patriotism of the pea
ple's representatives can now
,elTect ; and I
do tint hesitate to el press the opinion that the
time has come for this prompt, full and deci
sive action. Let the integrity of the system,
in its gre'at porpose.4 and oljeuts, he mato
tattled ; and i(changed, changed only to ren
der it mote' efficient, Flll3 11 , 1 ipetease ila
power for gteater usefulness. What-level` else
may (lb-41149141 your present Pension, it is
'warding hole In predict. that more 110‘10,
sad benefit will result from the perfection of
the common school system of education;
than from any other exeleise of younjegiele,
live powers.
The public schools of Philadelphia pre
deserving of special notice and approval. In
their various gradations, from the primer,
IT to the high nchool.'they'are models wor
thy of imitation ; end their management and
"efflitieridy 'diem great credit upon those to
whom have been committed tlimr supervis
ion and control. It in to be tet„sretted Wit
these school.,. en creditable to our go:tat-can
mercial end Ittetary emportum i ttlid so lion='
°rabic to our Commonwealth, should tjtkeo
place in the annual report of the Supltinteral
ent of Common Schools. As Id present or
ganized, these Pchools are intlepeodent of
the State Superintendency, and do no t report
to die school department of the Common
wealth, 4_pyernlitnz, that Xelates.ta the
operation of the common school ei t stein, add
she condition of the public schools in, the,
Spte, is importsnt and Interesting, the statis
tics of thoike schools shoult} be tarnished to
iimgairpetistilitiperr Af
existing laws on thin subject, so fur nn to re-
Ipti ma the controllers of the piddle schools of
Philadelphi I, to report to the sChpol depart
Inept, the number. grade, and condition 0
their schools—the number of pupils. ace
generally such. Information in relation ic
their if li ern ni eat 114 may be deemed 1,55101
to lite cause of education, is respectfully re-
cotasnendisd.
To improve the social, intellectual anti
moral condition of the people—reclaim thin
erring, and amelimate the human suffering
aro objects that corwrnda themselves to tire
consideration of the philatithropiA and the
Statesman Our educational, charitable and
reformatory institutions are inruly . the pride
at the mate, honorable alike to the 'wisdom
that devii.eil and the liberality that founded
and sustains ibern. Tit , y hate strong 01111115
upon the bounty of the. people. arid I cordi
ally recommend them to your care and the
liberulitypf the Gommona viii ii
The ?flaw Lunatic' Hospital, at Harris. I
burg, in it olijklit and result', merits o ur
highest approbation. Ihe just expectations
of its projector. and founders have not been
di-appointed. hindness ~,ot:lore, with their
•Oltonrivr Cli n t irillurinee. constitute
'he rule ol its government. .Many of n form•
er tinforturiate inmates have been resoled
to rereinii, to friends and hotne, and thd en•
joymenbs - uf- social life. Vhose that remain
revilltro our sympathy arid aid. They should
not be wlthlfelif. ro Oct or the ditlliNwif
will exhibit, in derail, the operations of the
iregitirtion.
The necessity and importance of providing
additionala u c t i:7 l ll ,4 l , t , N i t a a , lini ve be
file w-quo of
western
p , u
pressed upon my attention '1 he prevent ac
commodations aro clearly insufficient, and
these have been provided principally by the
crintirbotionv of benevolent ciiisens. It is
urged that the rapid advance of our popula
,tiorvedlie gloomy Increase of the insaity—and
thr - mederptsey -of the pre.venr trevyittryi• tor
their care and rn sumueme;tit, render it roper
air vely necessary - that effective mil sliculd be
given to that portion of the State, for the es
tablishment of a new and entirely deninct
Western Irmme Hospital, as .t liorne to those
of ouLfellow-citizems whose only alleviation
In to bajaalill tit their ow o 1:11,0fal/CY of Iha
!rightful malady with which they are burden
ed. The subject is worthy of calm arid dies
passionate iiiiitory. I will cheerfully co-op
erate with the Legislature, in all proper efforts,
to accompli•ti thy; object.
Should you decline to act upon this enbjecli
would then rcommend that alt adequate
appropriation be made to the Wenterir Perim
sylyania Hospital, for the purpose of exien
drug en accommodalions for the care of the
insane, as diviiind as Illay be praticable hem
the other che.o of patients and inmates The
charter of this instoution is liberal in its pro-
VIAiOIIB, WO comprehensive in the Objects tie.
We to be brought antler He- ram l'entbnieerg
the insane as well as the sick, helpless and
infirm
In thin ronitection I would commend In
your attention .be Pennaylvaora Trattinig
School for Mimic and Feeble-Minded Chil
dren: The aid of the Commonwealth has
heretefere'Ven extended to thin Institution.
'lt in a noble charity, and appeufa to the beat
feelings of the heart. it deserves to Aare
the bounty of the ;mate.
The [rouse of Refuge in Philadelphia, arid
the Western House of Refuge neer Putsburg,
are institutions of great excellence, having
for their object the reclaiming of warren,'
and airing youth—the employment of the
idle—ihe instruction of theitignorant—the re
formition of the vicious and depraved, and
the fifiefof the wretched. They am schools,
not priarios—lionien, not platien of puntolt•
tnent , Ibex- are it refuge to the neglected and
()Meant children and youth of our Common
wealth. seccesn of the pant in a sure
guaruntess of their future usefulness. They
should receive your aid and encuuritgtoment.
The "Blitut" -and the "Deaf and Dumb
Asylums," in Philadelphia, invite our eym
pßthz, and ask to share the benefactions of
the Commonwealth. They should not be
disappointed The blind, iti their darkness
—the dumb, in their silence—will cherish the
gift, and bless the generous donor.
Legislation, in relation to all questions of
moral and social reform, should be careful
ly and wisely considered and matured. On
I/ l
0 subject, with the con e ' horns! authority
of the Legislature, ere t people so sensi
tive; mid no one more dee interests eve•
ry class anti crintlitkiti of society, Sun:sonar) ,
laws, as a general ruler, um of doubtful ex
pediency; and to abridgements of the liber
ty and priviliges of.the citizen, can duly he
relit - led on the ground of necessity. Wliik
this in admitted, it (-sown be denied that pys,
evils resulting from intemperance, create a
necessity for regulating and restraining. by
legislative acts, tbe'trafiti 'and nth of intokl
catir,p, liquors. To what' extent' this trafic
shobld be restrained by , positive law, must
depend, on the will of the people, determined
by considerations of their own moral, physi,
cal and timid welfare. Whatever may be
my crwn'opinion, or that of the Legislature,
or the peoplb, in reference
,to the law of this
last session, ''to restrain the sale of iotogioa•
tingliquoni," it must be.admittost that e full
return to the license system, in °potation
6. A
prior to the inteiage of the,present itsys, is not
demanded by enlightened publioilleolimont,
and wbeld vor'prositetebthe goott nyder and
tmplate's of the community. ThetAs lawn ,
then in existence were imperfect, and felled
to check or control the,evilaof inteniperanee,
is a proposition too plain to he doubted-ghat
they needed revision melt also lad donoeded.
In our large aide and !owner, the evil/ of the
system were mere severely felt. The Neill
ty and cheapness with which license* wan
I ohtaitied, , operated as a premium ;n viee and
immorality, and multiplied tippling, herpes
and plates where intemperance.. MOO 11 . 0
authority of law, was nut only permitted, but
encountered My Immediate predeoessdr, in
his list annual message to the Legibiature,
iu reference to the then 'license laws, save:
"So far as relates to the city of PhillidelAbblit
1 they are peculiarly prejudicial to public inn- , '
rale ; a n d seem to have been comeruets4 to
- promote the convenience of drinking (at
more than to restrain its evil eonsegnenaist."
In this opinion I folly concur. That a rapt'
ity was iteinanded. all will concede. Meth,
et the law of the lam session wan the proven
remedy, it le not toy provironi now to deter- ,
tuhri,“ ...Enact,. I try the representatives of he
pe0p15,...1 cave Will out roy Oficial appro 1.1.
I Recognizing the people as the source u all,
political potver, and their representstiveara.. ,
the immedrate exponent+ of their will, nurse;
you wilt devolve the responsibility til Jetliner
legislation• if any, on this subject. In all lita
retailer's, economical, ,political, social Awl.
moral, the question isomportant. and its pro. 1:-
per ile;erininiiiion weaves fearful resale+
tolitiev. It deserve. and should reneerns,
your aeflous coneideration. If action to lig
emsysswe•noalierselliset
it sviiikeranyirestirAW,-
promote the virtue, morality, and tree mane
-1 ems of our people and Commonwealth.
Leirralattoo, ad far an practicable, should
be general mid uniform. Local and yacht;
ingoulatiori should not he encouraged, when
the desired object earl be obtained by general
laws. Such legislation is urn only local sort
special in its character, butt frequently tempo
rary—:*he act of one session being repealed
by the act of the next, and periled!, replayed
by oue still more objectionable. which, ma
tan, soon shares the hie of its predecessor.
It crowds the statute book with useless and
urine' 7 laws=--vioates private rights--
creel •onfaidn and unterteinty—detitmys
uniformity of prabtice and decision—prolongs
the aeseions of the Legisleture, and increases,
the public expenses- Our general laws regd
ulati lig roads, highways era bridges, aim
providing for the support and employment!-
the poor, conetnue a well digested system fur
the aseomplistrtraertt of thews albeit.; and I
, ye t, under the system of Intial legislation
I heretofore parole:ed. we frequently find to
different townships of the same county, local
laws regulating these subjects. not onfrrlif
feting matessally from ilia general liar, kart ,
horn one another , Ref trio rim thou regard is
required, and to thied respectfully ink your
atteenon.
"Omnibus legislation" having been oon
&Diced and. abandoned, abould smot he
permjited wits to sully the, records orbs.:
Osborne wino. II *aloof telnOrt on, '
approval.
Numerous spplicationa will dnubtlesa he
made fur the incorporation of insurance,
gas, water and bourn Oulffrpaniel. To Gail.
intro hOtion on these rpteadone—economise
16n:1e-7:reduce the expenses of legialationl—
setae uniformity and confine the Compa
nies thereafter incorporated to tint legiti
mate purposes of their creatioe, f would
recommend the propriety of enacting gen
eral lawn - regulating such mit - potations...-
Already laws of this character for coal,
iron, c.itusl, railroad, turnpike, plank and
bridge enmpanies have been passed, alid'in
I practice have beet, fund highly woeful and
economical, tiot.li laws, well regehried
and careftilly guarded, would be productive
'Of similar melts in their application to
intinranee and the other-companies named.
i 'flit propriety of limiting and restrain
' ieg corporate babes to the object', and
purposes of their creation, will not be de
nied or coetroverted, la relation terthe
povrets and privlle4es of latturatme cesspit
ntes, this plan principle has been o'er
larked and disregarded. liy successive
&eta of legislation, many of these institu
tions have umpired discounting privileges,
and nearly all the power. sad beaks with
' out their guards rostrlethurtr and ilsttiliflus- -
This has been effected by the emelt of some
general prevision in tltit actineorphrsiting
1 the company, or by refilv i tone tit 'lmre for
gotten supplement eoncealed in the fells
lon an "omnibus bill," or losfr in sittc ; mazes
of the paintitilet laws. General fliers,
whilst; they would eqnfer on anch4g!nPa -
Men all the powers necessary to.stecepsolish
the objects of their incorporation, wouldat.
the same time prevent an ~extesisiosi nf
privileges foreigo to such aasociatiopr.—
This subject is commended to yoqr consid
eration
The jurisdiction of the oottets . 'rela
tion to real estate, trusts, the incorporation
of literary, charitable and religious snide
ties, manufacturing and other associations,
has beau grimily extended by recent legis
lation. This enlarged jurisdiction Arra
coufem-d for the purpose of relieving the
Legialaryra cram the pressure of onuitsroua
applications for special legislation is the
premises. The courts are,, theinfighe
proper tribunals to determine isiuMOtst
Lions; and in all catifillehilre the emblem
matter is within their jurisdiction,' the 14e
gislainre should refuse to ent4rulia the ap
plication.
Divorces, urileste in cases of mitre's' le
oesaity awl 'Aced,' beyond the jnrisdietioq
of the courts, should not be gniated lay,the
Legislature,
.he
entitled "Aq Act to 'Derrell! Ale ieVOIDUeI
end ditninith the lelislatiypexpenpee pf the
Cotnuionweelth," It wee filividetl' that
thereafter no private bill, thetwltile4fltied
cud taned, ehoold be onroilid ih likitiltiott
of the Secretary of the Oeignietitreekby (4
publieheckor ha.. the fovea en& 4iii of
law untiftbe party &eking or tepticiiithe
same should pay into the llresemry of the
Cornrow" cerelth the repßeeliitg toll4ll MVO
in said act. A. large number 9f l loll4rgesei
'i y
.4 former 4agiilaigref, set sit • *Ale
tax, reetOd cl
ie the tfiee of; AI.:
of Ow CoilmoniesllN 41,1.'0,44, r
qtno4a
h4ving bean paid: ' -4.444o*rett
i f •
(commune en venertnow44,l,„l„
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