Vol.. V, No. 11.]
MESSAGE
?ROM MIR GOVERNOR OF PENN-
SYLVANIA TO BOTH BRANCHES
OF THE STATE LEGISLA.
TURK,
Ti tit Senate and House of Representa
tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl
vania:
FELLOW CITIZENC —lt appears to me
an appropriate occasion in transmitting to
the Legislature my first annual Message,
to contemplate for a few moments the pe
culiar change in the circumstances that at
tend its present meeting, from those which
attended the meeting of the last Legisla
ture. The members of the present Leg
islature come together in a spirit of peace
and amity, to promote the various itnpor.
taut duties confined to them by the peo
ple. bring and discordant interests will
test,) I trust, distract their councils, nor
"contested elections," love of office, or
reluctance to yield submission to the will
of the majority, divturb their harmonious
action, and ;shake for a time the conh
dence of our sister States, and of the
world. in the integrity and stability of our
republican government itself.
The scenes witnessed at Harrisburg on
the 4th of December, 1858 and for see
oral ensuing weeks, are too memorable to
be soon forgot. During that unfortunate
period, for the first time in the history of
this Commonwealth, was it deemed neces
sary, by those entrusted with the func
tions of the government, to appeal to mil
itary force, to protect the civil authori
ties in the discharge of their own duties,
against the alleged interposition of a por
tion of the citizens of this Commonwealth
who were present at the seat of govern•
meat, as was their privilege, to witness
the ceremonies of organizing the Legisl a
ttire. Whatever disorderly occurrences
took place in the House of Representa
tives and in the Senate, on the day already
sawed, are to be deeply regretted, but
*till more is it to be regretted, that these
occurrences found it the least cause to cre
ate, or palliation ; to excuse them in the
conduct of men, whose stations, whose
duty, sod whose oaths all conspired to re
strain theta from flagrant and wanton vio
lation of the law and the constitution. It
-is a melancholy symptom of insubordina
tion, and hostility to the restraints of so
cial order, when even private citizens o.
?only set at naught tire laws ut the land,
st is conclusive proof of a spirit worse,
far worse in its tendency, when officers,
solemnly sworn to obey and execute the
laws, trample :hem contemptuously ma
iler loot. In cluing so, they seem to for
get that not only public officers, but even
laws and constitutions of government, ex
ert their authority over a tree people, only
by virtue of public opinion . Withdraw
front them this potent support, and they
fall alike powerless and unheeded.
The public officer will possess the con
fidence and enjoy the respect of the peo
ple, so long as his conduct is conformable
to their wishes, their wants, and the law;
but he will possess the one and enjoy the
ether no longer. The law or the consti
tution will remain in force, while it is be
lieved to be capable of promoting the
public happiness and the public good.
The moment either ceases to be ;produc
tive of this result, it is subjected to time
wholesome remedy of repeal or modifica
tion. The laws of nature, and the recog
nized principle of our own free govern
anent p mint out the justice and duty of
this course.
These elornentary principles should be
TABULAR STATEMENT
nature of Liana Dates of Acts authorising. %%ien reimbursable. Amount.
Stock Loan 2(1 April 1821 1 June 1841 41930,000 00
do So March 1824 1 January 1839* 220,000 00
de SO March 1624 1 May 1839* 380,000 00
de 11 April 1825 I January 1840. 150,000 00
de 1 April 1826 1 December 1846 300,000 00
do 9 April 1827 1 December 1850 1,000,000 00
de 24 March 1828 1 December 1853 2,000,000 00
do 18 December 195,8 1 January 1854 800,000 00
do 22 April 1829 1 December 1853 2,200,000 00
de 7 December 1829 and 1 1 May 1839* 90,000 00
de 4 January 1831 i 1 May 1844 62,500 00
l 1 April 1847 50,000 00
do li March 1330 4 March 1858 4,000,000 00
do 21 March 1831 1 July 1856 2,483,161 88
de 30 March 1831 1 July 1856 3( 0,000 00
de SO Match 1832 1 July 1860 2,348,680 00
do 5 April 1832 1 July 1860 300,000 00
do 16 February 1833 1 July 1858 2,540,661 44
d• 27 March 1833 1 July 1858 5.10,000 0(1
de 5 April 1834 1 July 1882 2,265.400 00
do 13 April 1836 1 July 1865 959,600 (10
Loan for Eastern /28 March 1831 and /28 March 1861 120,000 00
Fenitentiary. S 9 March 1833 S
Loan for U. Ca• / 1 March and
nal company. 516 December 1838 110 April
Temporary loan
far E & N a Ex S Res. 16 June 1896
Teloperary i leavi. 3 4 ,2 See act 14 Ap. 113418
de $ lie do do
; ,
22';--2;:L:'
i. ---7 , -, i , ,,\::::.....1
:jy
- . c . ~
r t.,..., j 7
m
• ... A ' .
tr . , ..1 - 4. .r! ....I.''.
,t ...,.. . :
so
4 - ' r .4 .41
ever present to the mind of those who
are invested with authority. They would
enforce the lesson inculcated by all expe
rience, that no officer of the people can
depart from his duty, and continue to
command their respect and support.
They!would admonish public functionaries
that those who forgot them, those who de
termined to resist the pa:paler will and
treat elections as it they had not taken
place, must expect on the part of•the pen
ple, the keenest disapprobation, the deep
est popular commotion, and fit may be,
the most fearless and patriotic defiance
of their menaces and their power; against
which even legislative enactments are
vain, and the bayonets of any other soldi
ery than those of a - standing army point
less, impotent and unavailing. In such
emergoncies they would learn that they
could not put no reliance on the aid of
.citizen soldiers," for they will partici
pate in the feelings and the wrongs of
their fellow citizens, and refuse obedience
to those who would command them, if
they consider such obedience intended to
insult those feelings or aggravate these
wrongs.
Our own recent experience affords a
bundant confirmation of these general
truths. We can proudly refer to the histo
ry of Pennsylvania for proof, undoubted
proof, that our republican institutions are
reared on a loendalon not only perms
flint but impregnable. We have seen
them assailed, at times, by both corrup
iron and force, by adversity anal prosperi
ty, by foreign war and domestic discord;
by the independent energies of the pen
ple and the audacity of those they had
entrusted with power, they have with
stood all these trials, they have not been
shaken, but around them have clung with
a broader and a firmer grasp, every feel
in; of affection aid every principle of lib
erty that can annitnate the breasts of an
American people.
But a year has elapsed since the patriot
was ti enabling for the fate of this Com
mon‘. - ealth, agitated as it seemed, to the
very verge of a civil war between the
people and their tellers. The danger is
past--tranquility is restored —this legie
lature assembled as those did, composed
of the fathers of the republic, under aus
picious omens; scarce a trace of convul
stun remains, except in the stern and aw
ful Season it has taught to all the public
functionaries, a ilesson they will not in
future dare to deride, that when a majori
ty of the people has passed judgment on
any men or any measures, it is worse than
folly and desperation, to treat that judg
went as if had not been pronounced.
‘Ve are indebted to a gracious Provi
dence for a season of general health, cf
abundant harvests, and for its great a mea
sore of prosperity and blessings, as in his
inscrutable wisdom, he usually bestow.;
on the nations of the earth. Peace with
foreign nations, security to our wide and
extended commerce, and respect to our
flag, in all seas, characterize our national
relations, and demonstrate that their guar
dianslup is reposed in faithful hands.
In performing the ditty enjoined on me
by the cons , itution, of giving t a the legis
lature information of the state of the coin
munwealth, and recommending to their
consideration such measures as I may
judge expedient, l must in the first place,
invite your attention to our financial con
dition, as the subject of first importance
to the people. A full exposition of the
debt due by the state to the holders of the.
certificatesof the various loans authori
zed by law, will appear in the 'following
tabular statemeqt, showing the amount of
the several luaus—when authorized: when
due—for what purposes made, and the an
nual interest thereon.
STATE LOANS.
"ONE COUNTRY, ONE CONSTITUTION, ONE DESTINY."
A. W. BFNT'DICT PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR.
HUNTINGDON, PENNSYLVANIA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1840.
11011MALS,MMOMM/M•.••••••....
Stock Loan 26 January 1839 1 July 1859 1,200,000 00
du 9 February 1839 1 July 1804 1,280,000 00
du 16 March 1839 1 July 1804 100,000 00
du Rei 27 March 1839 1 July 1863 470,000 00
du Act 7 June 1839 1 July 1859 50,000 00
du 27 June 1839 1 idly 1864 1,150,000 00
Temporary Loan 27 June 1839 1 31.irch 1840 220,000 00
Stock du 19 July 1839 1 July 1868 2,054,000 00
By the loans authorized
since the 15th of Janu
ary 1839, prov ision has
been made fur the pay
ment ot prior loans fal
ling :due belore the
meeting of the legis
lature in 1840 marked
thus* in the above ta
ble and amounting to
Whole amount of state
loans bearing interest
at 5 per cent. per an
num except $200,000-
00 which bears 4i per
cent. $29,914,003 32
The following State debts does not bear in.
wrest.
There was due on
the 15th Janua
ry, 1839, by ap
propriations to
internal improve
went purposes—
m iscel 'osseous ob
jects, &c. (see
state treasurer's
report Journal H.
1938-9, vol. 2,
page 11, the sum
of $2,076,786 87
There !has beets
paid on this ac
count by loansau
thorized at the
last session 457,750 00
Out ot funds ot trea
sury 25,89117
Leaving the sum of 1,360,145 70
Due the United :States on ac
count of surplus revenue 2,867,514 78
Aggregate ain't ot state debt $34,141,063 80
Abstract of the appropriations of the loans
authorized since the 15th January 1839
'Co pay interest en
the public debt $822,250 00
To .pay temporary
and stock loans 1,840,000 00
To pay debts due
on the appropria
tions previously
made to various
internal improve.
ments 457,750 00
To pay repairs of
the Huntingdon
brench a 30,000 00
To pay repairs of
attic canal and rail
ways 705,000 00
't'o pay for avoiding
Columbia incli
ned plane 69,000 00
l'o pay uld debts, 145,000 00
To pay damages,
new work on old
lines, canal com
missioners, &c. 105,000 00
To • pay for loco
motives, ropes,
&c. for railways, 100,000 00
To pay on account
recivoirs Portage
railway, 70,000 00
---- 4,094,000 00
Towards completing public works conttnen
ced in 11336.
North Branch ex
tension, $630,000 00
Erie extension, 800,000 00
Sinnemahoning ex
tension, 30,0'0 00
Wisconisco canal, 100,000 00
1,650,000 00
Towards the following improvements.
Survey . rail road
Harrisburg to
Pittsburg, 30,000 00
Stock in Franklin
railroad, 100,000 00
Stock in Pennsylva
nia and Ohio ca
nal, 50,000 00
-- 180,000 00
Whole amount of loans autho
riozed at the last session, $0,524,000 00
It thus appears that the state debt amount 3 $694,357 77
to the vast sum of $34,141.663 80—of which Repairs and cost of motive power, 431,626 ll)
the sum of $29,914,003 32 being duo upon
state loans bears an annual interest of $1,491, $252,731 67
700 16.1 --
This aggregate state debt (with the excep- 1836. Tolls received, $071,849 74
Lion of $lBO,OOO 00, appropriated at the last From motive power, 166,281 04
session of the legislature to the survey of a
I railway from Harrisburg to Pittsburg: to stock 838,130 78
in the Franklin rail road and to stock in the Repairs and cost of motive power, 551,024 83
Pennsylvania and Ohio canal as above stated)
we contracted prior to the 15th January, 1839 $287,106 13
the day of my inauguration. It is true that
the sum of $6.524,000 00 was authorized to 1837. Tolls received, $758,765 12
be borrowed since that period—but the whole From motive power, 216,585 37
of this large amount (with the above exception --
-was ,appropriated to the payment of debts 975.350 46
and liabilities due and falling due In the year Repairs and coat of motive power, 883,516 86
1839, for the payment of which no provision
had been made when I entered upon the du- $91,633 62
ties of my office.
It is evident from this simple statement of 1938. Tolle received, $721,458 70
the public debt, that whatever may be its a- From motive pcwer, 244,570 94
mount, or whatever the inconvenience we suf
for from it, none of the responsibility rests up- 966,020 64
1863
200,000 00
• 200,000 00
• 000,000 00
• 240,000 00
on me. All the additions that have been
made to it, since I came into office, have been
either to pay debts already due, or to prose
cute contracts for works then commenced and
in a state so forward, as to forbid their aban
donment. This-public debt has been contrac
ted under full authority of law. The faith and
honor of the people are pledged, in the most
solemn manner, to the payment of the interest
annually accruing, and to the final payment of
the principal. Every consideratior. of duty,
integrity and national fidelity, binds us to the
honest perlbrmance of our part of the bargain
with the holders of the certificates of our loans.
It is immaterial whether we received these
loans in paper in-ney, or in gold and silver;
whether in merchandize, rail road iron, or any
other commodity;--we have received a eon
sideration in something; we have issued the
certificates of stock, and we must abide by the
contracts which we ourselves invited others to
make with us, and ratified in all duo forms of
law.
1,840,000 00
I stated in my inaugural address, that I be
lieved, although the state debt was large, and
a considerable portion of it had been incur.'
red by injudicious legislation and expenditure
yet that I was convinced the republic improve
moms constructed by it, and the general in-
crease el the value of the property in the com
monwealth, were fully equal to the whole a• I
mount of the debt. I still entertain the same
opinion, but in submitting to your considers
thin a statement of the resources of the com
monwealth, I feel it to be incumbent on me to
exhibit the actual productiveness of our inter
nal improvements, in a light somewhat less
flattering than that in which it has usually op
peared. I am constrained to pursue this course
by a high sense of duty, and not by any desire
to arouse hostility against them, or to weaken
the confidence of the public in their ultimate
value and utility. It has been customary pith
erto, to state the gross amount of tolls derived
from our canals and railroads, in such a man
ner as to convey the impression that they yield
ed that sem, clear of a!) deductions for mana
gement and repairs. The constant yearly in•
creases of tells has served as a powerful stim
ulant to the prosecution and extension of the
entire system of our improvemests. Men of
sanguine feelings have confidently looked for
ward to an early day, on which the tolls, ail
sing from our improvements would not only
pay the interest on the whole state debt, but
yield, in addition, a large surplus to be appli
ed to the extinguishment of the principal.
Local interest and ardent public enterprise
rapidly concurred in this opinion, We had
embarked in the system too deeply, both in pe
cuniary investments, and in state pride, to
turn back. The great undertaking must go
through;—we had pledged our faith, our frm
ness and our ability to that effort, and we gath
ered hope and confidence where,er they could
be found. It is not surprising, therefore, that
our governors, legislators and people, hayed°.
cieved each other, in pursuit of this favorite
object. It forms no just ground of censure a
gainst the active supporters of our system of
internal improvements, that they have fallen
short,—far short—of public expectation, in,
the amount of revenue they afford. Tirl
time may perhaps arrive , at no vP , :v Om'
tant day, when the increase of our population.
business and wealth, will enable WI to rea
lize
the flattering anticipation of the early
friends of the system; ~.tong whom, (than un-waverin
gi•
und l e
ctOUs p a r nd fi,
ispui
es, r o I
n f
p t
r h o a , ty
osteo
claim a rank. It to immaterial what we had'
hoped or what we now desire, on this subject;
it is our duty us prudent and faithful guardi
ans of the public interests, to examine it with
eander,and to act upon it without concealment
or fear.
If the income derived from our public im
provements is less in fact, than has been gen
erally represented and supposed, the present
is the time above all others, which it should
be made known, and measures be adopted to
meet the deficiency. The following tabular
statements show the amount received from
tolls and from motive power, during each of
the last five years; the amount expended for
motive power, repairs and management for
the same time and similar estimates of tolls
and expenditures for the ensuing year, to wit
1835. Tolls received, $517,631 67
From motive power, 86,726 10
Repairs & cost of motive power 1,069,657 71
—7
Deficit, 100,62 8 0
To which deficiency for said year
may be added for debtadue and
unpaid, the sum of 275,000 00
1839. Tolle received, 821,781 58
From motive power, 280,123 53
$3l 7.i4 003 12
1,101,004 11
Repairs and cost of motive power, 656,460 32
For this year the sum of $109,000 was ap
propriated to the support of motive power, but
of this only five or nix thousand dollars have
been expended.
Thus it appears from these statements, that
the tolls for the preaent year, exceed the
amount of expenditures for motive power, re
pairs and management, only $445,443,79.
The tolls fur the last fiveyears, though gradu
ally increasing, only exceed the expenuitures
on the lines from which they are derived
$698,587,79—and in tact, in the year 1838,
tell short of meeting the expenditures $378,-
028,07, including the deficiency and debts
duo at the end of the year. And it the public
works be put in a situation, available for the
buisness of the coining year, the estimated
tolls will not more than equal the estimated
expenditures. It is perhaps due to the public
improvements to state,
that, after payment of
rapairs and all expenditures upon them the
tolls for the year 1839, thus appear to have
exceeded the tulle for the year 1839, the
sum of 8624,071 86. I refer you to the de
tailed report of the Canal Commissioners, for
such further information on this subject, as
may be essential to a full understanding of it.
The ordinary resources of the Common
wealth, arising from all revenues payable
into the treasury, together with an estimate
of the whole amount of public property will
appear from the fbllowing tabular statements:
Abstract of the ordinary revenue of the
State in 1839.
Canal and railway tolls, $621,780 58
Auction commissions and auction
duties, 101,729 01
Collateral inheritance tax, 35,909 79
Dividends on bank stock, 100,079 50
Do. turnpike, bridge and naviga
tion stock, 41,017 70
Land and land office fees, 48,594 95
Tux on bank div Woods, 133,440 78
Tux on certain offices, 2,882 90
Tax on writs, &c. 20,652156
Tavern licences, 49,027 77
Retailers' licences, 69,202 97
Tax on loan companies, 2,240 00
&cheats, 3,020 24
Bank charters, 100,000 00
Hawkers and pedlars licences, 3,925 15
Misselaneous, 18,617 35
$1,0:21,119 84
Abstract of the ordinary expenditures of the
Expenses of Government, $412,751 63
Repairs—canal and railway, 3746;3 6 79
Militia expenses, 25,981 1 7
Guaranty of interest, 24. 2 22
Pensions and gratuities, 03,568 74
Common schools, colleges .t.c. 385,253 14
House of Refuge, 5,000 00
Penetentiaries,e,uern and western,3o,B26 44
13Inatyer„erttorec'utoarns)ook-keepers, a
L l c ,
.2 7 96 0 : ( 0 ;
0 10 0 2 6 4 0
misselaneous, 28,552 40
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Bank stock, $2,108,700 00
Turnpike and bridge stock, 2,821,215 88
Canal and navigation stock, 602,570 91
Public works, canals, and rail-
ways, &c. 26,399,220 56
Money due on land, estimated, 1,000,000 00
The public improvements are estimated at
their original cost, and the Bank and rail road
stock owned by the state, at its par value. It
will be obvious that this estimate has relation
to the ultimate value of all (except the bank
stock) and not the present available value
which this public property may bear.
On a recapitulation of the foregoing state
meets, it appears from them that the public
debt amounts to the sum of $734,141,663 89
The public property to :35,249,0E5 28
Balance,
The ordinary expenditures of
the commonwealth for all
purposes for the last year are $2,798,303 47
The ordinary revenue from all
sources for the same year,
amounts to 1,624,119 S 4
Leaving a gross balance against ---
the State 0f51,057,743 63
_ . _
The Mfrs of the CommoiiWeath have
been for several years gradually verging
on towards deeper and deeper embarras
ment until we have at length rea&ed this
unexpected deficiency of funds in the
Treasury to meet the demands upon it.
The people have been told again again,
that our fiscal condition was floarishing
and prosperous, while in fact, our prospe•
rite was based on paper calculations and
loans, which loans we ay: just now begin
ning to perceive bear interest, and are
some day to be paid. We are now com
pelled to forego all temporary expedients,
and to look the true state of the things in
the lace. We must resort to taxes, the
sale of the public improvements, or to
further loans. The poblie improvements
cannot be sold but at a most ruinous sac
rifice; and, as to loans, it is doubtful whe
ther we con procure them at all, unless at
an unwarranted rate of interest. Not
withstanding all these difficulties, this sum
due by the State must be paid. To obtain
the means we have, at the beat a choice of
evils; and we ought to select that which
will impose on the people of the Common
wealth least inconvenience and detriment.
I shall recur to this subject again, in a sub
sequent part of this Message.
In this state of things the recent con'.
duct of the banks in this Commonwealth,
has prided, in no slight degree, to our em
bat asquents. On the 10 hof October last,
the banks of the city of Philadelphia sus
pended, wholly, or in great measure, the
payment of their notes and other liabili
ties in specie. Moat of the banks in the
interior speedily followed their example,
as did also the banks in nearly all the
other States of the Union. But the banks
of the State of New York, and a few oth
ers favored by peculiar circumstances, or
influenced by other causes, have been able
to withstand the current of demand, and.
have continued to pay specie until the
present time. 'this suspension was an
event unleuked for by the public, and pro..
ductive of the moat unhappy results. It
has paralized business—shaken both State
arid individual credit—crippled all our
monetary operations, and struck a death.
blow et ;he means of subsistence possessed
by that portion of our fellow citizens,
whose labor and industry form their only
capital. From all classes of the commu
nity, save those alone who are interested
in the banks, was heard a loud and deep
condemnation of this measure. Innumer
able remedies have been suggested—some
looking to the regulation of those institue
tions—others to their punishment and ex
tirpation. I was besought to convene the
Legisl tture at an earlier day than that fix
ed by the Constitution, and very unmet*•
one conflicting suggestions have been off
ered as to the measures of relief that
should be recommeuded. On a subject
so vitally interesting to the people at
large as that of the currency, I was pen
suaded that hasty legislation was neither
prudent nor desirable; and I accordingly
declined to convene you before the day
designated by the Constitution. Time tar
reflection, time for further experience,
and time to ascertain the general wants
and wishes of the people ass thus been
affbrded, and I confiJantlYtrust, that no.
e.
thin will be lost ty the delay.
. _
$378,628 07
4045,443 79
One of th. great evils of a suspension of
spec i e rA yinents by the banks, is the vast
of small notes issued without au
thority ()flaw, by individuals and corpora
ations, that is immediately forced into cir
culation, to supply the place of the specie,
ror purposes of small change. This de.
basement of the currency aggrivated the
consequences of the suspension in 1887.
It ended in great losses to the public and
in multiplied frauds. Satisfied that the
same evils would again be experienced, I
immediately caused the attorney general
to adopt proper measures to bring to jus
tice all offenders against the law prohibit
ting the issue and circulation of notes un
(kr the denomination of five dollars; and
I am happy to state to you that this mea
sure was entirely adequate to the suppres
sion of the issue of any notes of that dz
scription in the Commonwealth. Ample
arrangements had been made, as I am in.
formed, to throw into circulation a large
amount of this spurious Cillrency, but they
were instantly arrested ty the prompt and
energetic action of the attorney general;
and public opinion, with an unexampled
unanimity, sanctioned the measure, and
crowned it with success. It is true, in
the counties of the commonwealth border
ing on states that allow the issue of small
notes, it has been impracticable to restrain
altogether their circulation, still very few
of t hem have found their way into the
central part of the state. I shall call your
attention to this subject again in another
part of this message.
State in 1839.
$2,708,803 47
03,259,085 28
$882,578 52
The active currency of Pennsylvania,
and of the whole Union, is composed
mainly of bank notes• These notes are
made payable on demand in specie; and
while they continue to be so paid, no great
danger of loss to the community can
arise. The history of all bank operations
shows, that while their notes are redeem
able, and actually paid in specie when
presented at the counter, an over—issue to
any considerable extent, cannot early
take place. It is only when notes are is
sued to such an amount, or when ether ob
ligations are incurrred by the banks so
great as to prevent them from meeting
these demands with specie, that they may
be considered in an unsound sta+e, anti
the public in danger of• suffering loss from
the clef:illation of their notes. it is maul •
fast, therefore, that the suspension of spe
cie payments by the banks, is the precise
act above all others, that renders them
unsafe and dannerous to the public—and
he one which an future, ought to Le most
strictly guarded against by law, it to
CC•reliattor qa ferns* pair]
(Wlrome No. 219