BY 6EO. W. BOWMAN NEW SERIES. Select jpoctfji. The Crop of Acorns. There came a man in days of old, To litre a piece ot land lor gold, And urged his suit in accents meek : "One crop alone is all i seek ; That harvest o'er, my claim 1 yield, And to its lord resign the lield." The owner some misgivings felt, And coldly with the stranger dealt, Itiit found his last objection fail, And honied elocpience prevmi ; s. ( > took the pro tie red price in hand, And for one crop leased cut the land. 't he vvilev tenant sneered with pride, And soweit the spor with aroma wide, At fust like tiny shoots they grew. And broad and wide their branches threw; Hut long betore these oaks sublime, A-piiing, reached their forest prune, The cheated landlord mouldering lay Forgotten with its kindred clay. f)! ve whose vears unfolding fair, Are fresh with youth and free from care, Shou! ! vice or indolence desire The garden of your souls to hire, No parley hold—r> ject the suit, Nor let one seed the sod pollute. My child ! their firt approach beware ; With firmness break the insidious snare, Lest, a- the acorns grew and stiove Into a sun-excluding grove. Thy sins, a dark o'ershadow ing tree. Shut out the light of heaven from thee. s*oy. S'oSlocifs .oaesa*-;e. R ail in U(irr;sburi education, j moialitv and religion, have been cherished and j sustained. Health and peace, witu their atten- j dant blessings, hate been ours. Io Hun "who| rules the nations by His power, and from whom i corneth down evuv good and perfect gib, ' are; we indebted (or these mercies, anil to Hon I should be given the homage of our devout grat- j it ode and praise. J The financial condition of the Commonwealth ; is highly satisfactory. Evety demand upm the j Treasury has ion promptly met and pa.d, with- j out the aid of loans. Ine operations o( thisde- j partment will be exhibited in detail in the rt- j port of the State Treasurer. j For the fiscal year ending November 30, j 1 Sbti, the receipts of the I reasury (including j the balance in the Treasury on the first day ol December, lSi)s,of $1,243,69/ o3) have been $6,621,637 64. The total expenditures for the same period, were $:>,377,!42 bal ance in the Treasury, Dec. 1, 1b..6, sl,-44,- 79") 42. " Excluding the balance in the Treasury on the Ist of December, isfto, the receipts, from ai! sources, were $5,378,240 33. The ordinary expenditures lor the same period, were $4,1 .3,- 144 77, showing an excess of receipts over or dinary expenditures of $ 1,26:),09n n6. The extraordinary payments for the same ■year, were $ 1 ,263.99 < 4*n, as follows, o the completion of the Portage Railroad, and for the payment of debts previously contracted on that work, $1 SI .494 il : to the North Branch Ex tension. $122,723 52 ; to r lay the south track of the Columbia railroad, £267,000 00; for motive power in 1855, $118,049 42; to en large the Delaware division of the Pennsylva nia"*canal, 1854—'55, $1 3,960j for general re- pairs in 1853- 54-'55, $63,965 11; todomes 4ic creditors, slol 63; to old claims on lot main line, examined by the commissioners, and paid under the act or May-'2, 1856, $ I 3d,- 512 C 9 : to the redemption of loans, $327,- N'J J. 47 ; and reliel notes cancelled, $38,- 217 00. T"b** th<* funded t \vhith I* II due in February and August last, was then paid, and that which becomes due in I-ebruary next, will be paid with equal promptness, out of a vailable means now in the treasury. . ihe punctuality with which the interes' on the pub lic debt has been paid, and the ability of the Treasury to meet ail legitimate demands upon it, have inspired public confidence in our secu rities, and contributed largely to establish and maintain the credit of the Commonwealth. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund re port the sum of $722,'+32 93 as due by the Treasury to that fund. This amount vvi.l be applied to the redemption of relief notes now in circulation, and to the payment of the limn ed debt. Heretofore the available means in the Treasury have been applied to some extent in payment of outstanding temporary loans, hich bear an annual interest of six per centum; it being deemed advisable as a matter of economy to pay these loans, rather than the funded debt, which bears a much less rate of interest. It is expected that the balance of the temporary loan will be paid before the close of the current year, and the operation of the sinking fund re sumed and continued as directed by law. The funded and unfunded debt of the State, including temporary leans on the Ist day of l)e- ! cemeber, 1855, as per reports of the Auditor j! General and State Treasurer, was as follows, i viz: FUNDED Dil'tT. 6 per cent, loan $510,154 03 r> do. do. 35,00a, no ni i l do. do. 388,200 00 ; t do. do. 100,000 00 , Total funded debt $33,907,700 07 ( UNFUNDED DUET. | Relief notes in circulation $258,773 00 Interest certificates < outstanding 29,157 25 Home-tic creditors 1,304 00 Balance of temporary loan, April 18, 1853 525,000 00 Balance of temporary loan, " May 9, 1854 340,000 00 Total unfunded debt $1,1(50,194 25 i Total debt, December I, 1855 $41,007,994 22 The funded and unfunded debt at the elo-o ot the j last fiscal year, December 1, i BSO, was us follows, VIZ: (> per cent loan $511,781 00 5 do do 38.806.99t.r0 Mido do 398.200 00 ; 4 do do 100,000 00 Total funded debt 839,5C0,9.0 o'l UNFUNDED DEI.T, VIZ: : Relief notes in circulation $220,556 00 Interest certificates ! outstanding 24,691 57 ! Intere-t certificates lin j claimed 4.4 18 -8 i Domestic creditors l,ihl 00 I Balance of temporary loan, Apti! 10. 1853, 400,000 00 Balance of temporary loan, j May 9, 1851, ' 184.000 00 i Total unfunded debt S ! 1.859 ,5 j To'al debt Dec. i, 1556 90, ,'>1,835 2o Total debt Dec. 1, 1853 $11,007,994 22 Do do 1836 40,701,835 25 Decrease 366,1. '8 97 . It thus appears that florin;: the past fiscal year the sum of three hundred and sixty-six J thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dollars j and ninety-seven cents has been paid in liquida- tion of tlit* public debt. 1 his, taken in con- ; motion with thf fact, that during the year end ing V.vemh r 30, 1555, six hundred and thir ty thousand six hundred and one dollars and two cents were paid nri the same account, ex hibits the gratifying fact, that the process of re ducing the public debt has commenced : and, unless'checked by reckless mismanagement and extravagant expenditure, must continue until the people and the Common wealth are relieved from the debt and taxation with which they aie ! burdened. In addition to tins reduction of the j public debt, large appropriations and pat merits i | were made for the completion of the Portage ; j Railroad, and tor debts previously contracted on i ! that work ; for old and unsettled claims recent ly adjusted by the commissioners appointed un- tier the act of last Session: tor re-laving the} smith track of the Columbia railroad : ! ! per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually, ion the first days of February and August in | each year, and redeemable on or after the first i dav of August, 1855, were issued. The mini ! mum period fixed lv law for Ihe redemption of 1 these certificates, expiod on the first day > f I August, 1855. No provision has been made i lor their renewal °r redemption. "Although bv the terms ot Ihe act authori j zing these certificates of Slate stock, as a' o hv ike conditions of the certificates issued in pur j stiatice thereof, the time of payment, after the • expiration of the minimum period, is cptiona! ! with tlie debtor, the CninitiOnvealtl), yet a line I regard tor the credit of the State requires that provision should be made tor their renewal or redemption. To redeem these certificates, a 'loan would become necessary, and as a fail ( an not he effected, in the pres< fit financial c r dition of the country, on terms more lavora! N to the State than those on which these certifi i rates w ere issued, i would recommend that an | thorits he given to issue the bonds of the o>nq | inonvvealtii in renewal of said certificates, heart I ing interest at the rate of five per cent, per am ! num, payable semi-annually, and redeemable or 1 lor alter the expiration of twenty yea;?; and i that the bonds be issued with coupons or cerlifi J rates of interest attached in sums equal ift r.- mount to the semi-annual interest 1 hereon, pay j able on th<- first days of February and Angus) in each and every year, at such piac as rnaji Ihe designated. This change in 'he form aim : chararter of the Certificates, it wjst be so advantageous 10 trie noioet?, uwlnout ips creasing the liabilities of tlm Commonwealth, as to induce a willing and prompt exchange 1 at a premium for the Lends proposed to be is sued." . . .i; i The report of the Canal Commissioners wt |be laid before vou, and will exhibit in deta i the condition of the public works—their gem ! ral opera!i -n, and the receipts and expending of the past fi-r a! year. The total rem ipts at the Treasury, from t l public works, for the year ending November 3 ! 16:56, were §2,006,015 66, being an incresj ! over the revenues of the previous v< ar, i $62,638 95. Of this sum §1,013,589 were canal and bridge toils, and §992,+26 •, toil- of the Columbia and Portage Railroads. I The aggregate hx peru!itures lor the same yr j were §1,9+3,896 S2, being an increase ov | these of the previous year, of $105,100 (, tlm revenues exceeding the expenditures OI , | §62,1 I s " Hi. The increase of the revenues from tin , j works would be encouraging, were it nit - | the fact that the expenditure* were increa. ij | n {.{in greater proportion —the expenditur ■ t ordina v and extraordinary, exhausting aim > i the entire revenue from this source. ine s - teni must be defective, or more care and eco i mv should be exercised in its management. : The receipts at the Treasury from the se- ral divisions wcie as follows, viz : Main Line Susouehanna, North Branch anil VVe>t Branch 428.620 Delaware Total receipts $2,060,01-1 The extraordinary payments during the y amounted to SH!IS.S92-"l6 : ordinary expes. tores, §1,135,00+ 00; ret revenue, (ex ding extraordinary payments and lor u.cf pujwer) §S7 i ,011 00. On the main line the tolls received nte Treasury from the Columbia road, were §:> 676 50; expenditures, $528,08+ 86; toljt Eastern division of ('ana', from Columhifi the Junction, §119,718 36: expenditf, §53.0 IS 50; receipts from the Jnncti Pittsburg, including the Portage rail-road §, 77S 00; ordinary expenditures §30+,702. Tlm total receipt's on the main line weij, 229.272 86 aggregate expenditures, (exl mg $267,000 00 paid for re-laying the h track of the Columbia railroad, anil $1:B9 +2 fur motive power in 1855, and after Dd -1 ber Ist, 1856,) were §885,835 65, beinn ex-c-ss of revenue over ordinary expenditipf §3+3,+37 21. „ , j Although tlm receipts from the Delawai vi ! practiced on some of the lint sol our imm inent.*. ... However important this division nravu o the trade and business of that portion * State, its proposed enlargement should be undertaken, unless demanded by rea??t j over- ruling necessity. Ibe experience >e 1 past, as connected w'ith the Allegheny age railroad, and the North Branch exon, Frcedom of and Cpi^oa^ j shaild warn us against undertaking, without greit caution, any new measure of improve mejt, which may drain the treasury, without airing materially, if at all, the public interests. It icpt in good order by etlicient and timely re nai's, its capacity will be fully equal to all the demands of its trade and business. rhe Portage railroad is not fully completed. A small additional appropriation may yet be required to complete, tor the fourth time, this road. It is anxiously hoped that this unpro* dutlive improvement may soon cease its cor rucrant demands upon the Treasury. Every voir's experience more clearly reveals the impolicy of the State in undertaking this vv/irk. It gives me no ordinary pleasure to inform iyou that the North Branch extension of the (Pennsylvania canal has been so far completed 4hat boats freighted with coal and other products were successfully passed through its entire length from Pittston to the Junction canal.— This work was commenced in 1836—suspend ed in 184-I—resumed in 1849, and finished in 1856 ; although its completion w as officially an nounced in 1853. It extends from Pittst< n to be New York State line, a distance of a' art '4 miles, follow ing the valley of the Susque lanna to Alliens, and thence along the Che . tnung river to the State line, where it joins t! <• 'Junction canal," and is connected with the Ww York improvements. The importance and value of this improve i Tienl cannot easily be over-estimated. Passing I ftrougli one of Ihe richest mineral and agricul ■ cial portions of the State, it ojfers to the irn nense and valuable products of that iigiona • afe and cheap transit to the markets of New ■ York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. In the - cnmpMi-,n of this canal the difficulties to be em. rcome, and the labor to he peril rrned, w ere I gr< at. Both these, to a great extent, have been eaccotnplished under the superintendence of t Wm. R. Maffet, Esq., to whom this work was r assigned. a This canal although completed, ar.il h< fore :i the close of navigation, used for th<- purpose o< • transportation, is not perfect. Sinks in the < bottom, from the nature of the formation and s 'ils through which it passes, slides from the hills, and breaches may occur, but these, after a ■ few years of well applied labor, will be di b nfitiished, and Lv vigilance and care entirely * prevented. i 1 This improvement, although subject to the ut anv banknotes other than those issued by inself, payanle on demand in gold or silver ; notes of specie paying banks of this State which are ta ken on deposit or in payment of debts, at par, at the counter of the bank where paid out ; or ' notes of banks issued under the authority of the act of the Ith ot May, 1811, at the option of the person receiving the same." These enactments were intended to protect the community against the evils of a deprecia ted currency, and prevent its introduction lrom other States. However well intended they will fail to secure these objects, unless made to embrace private bankers and other of that class, whose profits are largely dependent upon the. introduction into the State of such a currency. In many instances the notes of our own banks are collected by private bankers and brokers, and uilil these, or with the specie withdrawn from the banks issuing them, they purchase de preciated and foreign bank paper which is paid out of the State, at less than the usual rale of interest', arid their notes, often of a hss denomi nation than 5, and always at a discount brought into the State and put into circulation in the manner indicated, and this, too, under an a greement with the bank making the loan, that the notes thus paid out shall be kept in circula tion. The effect of this system of private bank ing lias been to limit the circulation of the par paper of our own banks, and substitute in its place a foreign, depreciated, and often aw orth ies currency. Injustice to the bank, trust and insurance comjanies, paying a heavy an nua! tax to the Commonwealth for their privi leges, and for the protection ot the people n gainst these evils, either the provisions of the thirtieth section ot Ihe act of 1850 should be re pealed, or further extended so as to embrace private individuals and associations, who may inonop: lise and control, to the detriment of the public, this traffic in depreciated l ank paper, without restraint and without taxation. The report of the Superintendent of Common Schools, will exhibit to you the number and conditi n of the sch- als—the number ot teach ers and scholars, and the general operations ot the system during the past \>ar. To the val uable statistical information of the report, and the useful suggestions for the improvement ot the system, 1 invite your early and intelligent consideration. Fn-m a small and comparatively unimpor tant incident of the State Department, the care and management of the public schools of the Commonwealth, with their s ver.teen hundred districts, ten thousand directors, twelve thou sand teachers, and ovt-rfive hundred thousand scholar.-, have become the most important and laborious branch of that Department. The in creased ai d increasing business of the system lias been met by a correspondent increase of zeal, labor and efficiency in the officers to whom tlie law has committed its general direction ant: supervision. Thev should be sustained by wise and generous legislation. The magnitude and importance of the system, in its political, social and moral relations to the present ar.d future of ifur people, require that this should be done.— The guaidianship of the mind of the State should occupy a distinct and prominent place among the noble institutions of the Common wealth. It should receive the efficient aid and encouragement of the government, and be sus tained by a virtuous and intelligent people. If the revenue and treasures of the State—her public improvements—her lands and their titles, require and deserve the marked and distinctive care of the government, how much more should iser mental anil intellectual treasures, richer than gold—the social and moral improvement of her people, more valuable than canals and rail roads—the titles ol her youth to the boundless fields of knowledge, higher than any of earth or aught growing out of its ownership, claim an t> C I 7 honorable position, rnd receive a care and aid commer.su rate with their greater value and usefulness. Tlie county superintendent}*, wherever it has been committed to faithful and efficient men, has fully vindicated the wisdom and policy of that nnasure. It is slowly but surely remov ing the prejudices and gaining tlie confidence of the people. Whatever defects time and expe rience may develope, in this or any other branch of the system, should be promptly cor rected. But until tlie necessity for change is establish'd, the system, in its union and integii tv, should be maintained: and if changed, chan ged onlv to render more certain the accomplish ment of its noble purposes and objects. A sufficient number of competent and well trained teachers is the great want of the system. In its structure and organization it is as perfect if not more so than any of the systems of our sister states. But the teacher is w anted to give it proper vitality and efficiency: to develope its true force and value; to secure the great object of it? creation, the thorough education of the youth of the commonwealth. How can this want be supplied? How are teachers to he trained and provided to meet this educational demand ? Must we he dependant upon the training schools of other States ? Must our sys tem be jeoparded, and its success perilled, by waiting the slow and unaided efibrts of volun tary associations to furnish the much needed teacher? Voluntary association of common school teachers have accomplished much in their disinterested and noble efforts to remedy this defect. They are worthy the highest commen dation—thev deserve every encouragement.— They can and will do n.ore ; but unaided they cannot accomplish the object desired. The Legislature must provide the remedy—they can supply the deficiency. It should be done promptly and effectually. No subject of great er interest can occupy your attention as legis lators—no one appeals more earnestly to duty and patriotism. In a former communication to the Legislature the t of State Normal schools, for the education of teachers, was urged as indis pensably necessary to the perfection of the sys tem. VV^t h full confidence in their utility and necessity, I agaip recommend them. These institutions, with*their proper professors, and appliances, supported by the State, would meet the wants and elevate the character ol our com mon schools. Teachers'lnstitutes, as auxiliary to Normal TERMS, S2 PER YEAR. VOL XXV. NO. 20. Schools, when in operation, and supplying their place til] established, should bp aided by the State. One such institute in each county, meeting annually, under the fostertog care ot the government, would be productive of most beneficial results. Whilst it would improve teachers and prepare their, for their important and responsible duties, it would elevate and dig nify a profession long neglected and underval ued by those most deeply interested in their honorable labors. These measures, as also an addition to the annua! State appropriation for common schools, in an amount only limited by the necessities of the Treasury, would give en ergy to the system, increase its efficiency, and thus promote the true interests of the people and the Commonwealth. Our educational, charitable and reformatory institutions have strong claims upon the bounty of the people, and I cordially commend them to your care and liberality. The State Lunatic Asylum at Harrisbiirg, and the Western Pennsylvania hospital for the in sane, and other kindred purposes at Pittsburgh, are noble charities, and deserve the aid and en couragement of the State. The annual reports of these institutions will be laid before you, and will exhibit in detail their operations dur ing tbe past year. The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and the Western House of Refuge near Pittsburgh, are institutions of great excellence, and their results clearly establish the wisdom of the policy that founded and sustains them. They ought not to he neglected: n >r should the aid of the Commonwealth be withheld from them. The "Blind" and tiie "Deaf and Dumb Asv lumns" at Philadelphia, and "the Pennsylvania Training School for idiotic and feeble minded children," are institutions that appeal, in silence and sorrow, to the best and purest feelings of the heart, and ask your sympathy and aid.— They should receive a generous share of the benefactions of the State. Apiculture, in its varied departments, is the great interest of the Commonwealth. It is the basis alike of financial and commercial success, and of State and national prosperity. An in terest so important should be fostered by the State, and honored bv all classes of society.— To its promotion and success all should cheer fully contribute. In a former communication I recommended the establishment ol an Agri cultural bureau, in connection with some one of the State Departments, to give efficiency to the collection and diffusion of useful know ledge on this subject, and to encourage scientific and practical agriculture. Science, with wondrous energy, has aided the husbandman in his honor able vocation, and proffers still more help.— The State should nerve his arm and cheer hiin onward in this, the first and noblest pursuit of man. This subject, in connection with an ap propriation to the "Farmers High School of Pennsylvania"—an institution destined to be an honor to the Commonwealth—is recom mended to your favorable consideration. The "Polytchnic College of Pennsylvania," established by the enterprise and liberality of some of the patriotic citizens of Philadelphia, as a school of the applied sciences, deserves honor aide mention, and should receive the confidence and patronage of the public. In the teachings of this institution, literature, science, and art, in happy union, meet to prepare our young men for the practical business of life, for min ing, mechanical and civil engineering, and for promoting intelligently and efficiently the great interests of manufacturing and agricultural industry. The laws on the statute book regulating manufacturing and improvement companies, require revision. They are unnecessarily strin gent in many oftheir provisions, and thus de feat the object of their enactment. They drive capital from the State, instead of inviting its investment here: and instead of encouraging individual and associated enter prise and energy in the development of our immense natural resources, they bind and crush both by sevefa- restrictions, unwise limitations and personaHiabililies. The subject deserves cart ful attention and liberal legislation. T have 'so frequently expressed my views in relation to local, special and '•omnibus" legis lation, that their reiteration now becomes un necessary. Legislation, so far as practicable, should be genera! and uniform. Local and spe cial legislation, when the object desired can be secured by geneial laws, or by the action of the courts, should be avoided. "Omnibus legisla tion" cannot, under any circumstances, be jus tified or approved. Too much legislation is an evil that prevails extensively in legislative halls. Its avoidance would not be injurious to public or private interests. The practice of delaying the passage of the general appropriation bill until the last days of the session, and incorporating in it provisions incompatible with its general character, and obnoxious, when standing alone, to insurmoun table objections, is highly censurable and should be discontinued. The attempt thus made to force, by a species of legislative legerdemain, the passage of objectionable measures through the Legislature, and compel their sanction by the Executive, lias been too often successful. The practice cannot be too strongly condemned, it cannot receive my sanction. The mifitia law of the State is imperfect in many of its provisions, and should be revised.— The powers and duties of the Commander-in- Chief should be more clearly defined; as also of the other offices connected with the military organization of the Commonwealth. This is necessary to prevent a conflict of jurisdiction with other departments of the government, and to give greater efficiency to our military system. Volunteer companies should be encouraged : our entire military system should be remodeled, and made to occupy that honorable position which from its importance atld necessity it de serves. Near the close of the last session of the Leg islature, I transmitted to that body an ordinance passed by the Select and Common Councils of