BY MEYERS & MENGEL.
|1 L E C T 11 1 e
TELEGRAPH IN CHINA.
THE EAST INDIA TELEGRAPH COMPANY'S
OFFICE,
Xos. 23 & 25 Nassau Street,
NEW YORK.
Organized under special charter from the State
of New York.
CAPITAL $5,000,000
50,000 SHARES, SIOO EACH.
D I 11 E C T O R S.
Ho*. ANDREW U. CVRTIN, Philadelphia.
PAUL S. FORBES, of Russell k Co.. China.
FRED. BUTTERFIELD, of F. Butterfield & C
New York.
ISAAC LIVERMORE, Treasurer Michigan Cen
tral Railroad. Boston.
ALEXANDER HOLLAND, Treasurer American
Express Company. New York.
Hon. JAMES NOXON, Syracuse, N. Y
O. H. PALMER, Treasurer Western Union Tele
graph Company, New York.
FLETCHER WKSTR AV. of Westray, Uibbs A
Hardcnstle. New York.
NICHOLAS MICKLES, New York.
() FFI CER S.
A. (1. CURTIN, President.
N. MICKLES, Vice President.
GEORGE ELLIS (Cashier National Ban\ Com
monwealth,) Treasurer.
HON A K McCLURE, Philadelphia, Solicitor.
The Chinese Government having (through the
Hon. ADSOU Burlingame) conceded to this Com
pany the privilege of connecting the great sea
ports cf the Empire by submarine electric tele
graph cable, we propose commencing operations
in China, and laying down a line of nine hundred
miles at once, between the following port t, viz
Population.
Canton 1.000,000
Macoa. 60.000
Hong-Kong 250.000
Swatow 200,000
Atnoy 250.000
Foo-Chow 1,250.000
Wan-Chu 300.000
Ningpo 400,000
Hang Chean 1.206.000
Shanghai 1,000,000
Total 5,910,000
These ports have a foreign commerce of $900,-
000,000, and an enormous domestic trade, besides
which we haa-e the immense internal commerce of
the Empire, radiating from those points, through
its canals and navigable rivers.
The cable being laid, this company proposes
erecting land lines, ana establishing a speedy and
trustworthy means of communication, which must
c mtnand there, as everywhere else, the commu
nications of the Government, of business, ami of
social life especially in China. She has no postal
system, and her only means now of coram uuicating
information is by couriers on land, and by steam
ers on water.
The M r estern World knows that China is a very -
large country, in the main densely peopled; but :
few yet realize that she contaius more than a third
of the human race. The latest returns made to
her central authorities for taxing purposes by the
local magistrate make her population Four hun
dred and Fourteen millions, and this is more
likely to be under than over the actual aggregate.
Nearly all of these, who are over ten years old.
not only can but do read and write. ller civili
zation is peculiar, but her literature is as exten
sive as that of Kurepe. China is a land of teach
ers and traders; and the latter are exceedingly
.juick to avail themselves of every proffered facili
ty for procuring early information. It is observed
in California that the Chinese make great use of !
the telegraph, vbough it there transmits messages
in English alone To-day great numbers of fleet j
steamers are owned by Chinese merchants, and ;
used by them exclusively for tho transmission of j
early intelligence If tbs telegraph we propose
connecting all their great seaports, were now in j
existence, it is believed that its business would
pay the cost within the first two years of its sue- j
e-sful operation, and would steadily increase ;
thereafter.
No enterprise commends itself as in a greater
degree renumerati ve to capitalists, and to our ;
while people. It is of vast national importanee '
siwtnercially, politically and evangelically.
I e"~The stock of this Company has been un- j
quaiifiadlj recommended to capitalists and busi
ness men, as a desirable investment by editorial
;rtioles in the New York Herald, Tribune,
.it <ii ld. limes. Tost, Express, Independent, and
la the Philadelphia North Ameriea.r Frets,
Lra.'er, hsuuirer, Age, Bulletin and 'Telegraph
Shares of this company, to a limited number, I
may be obtained at S3O each, $lO payable down,
sl3 on tiie Ist of November, and $25 payable in
monthly instalments of $2.50 each, commencing
December 1, ISO*, on application to
DREXEL & CO.,
34 South Third Street,
PHILADELPHIA
Shares can ne obtained in Bedford by applica
tion to Reed A Schel I, Bankers, who are author
ized to receive subscriptions, and can give all no
cessary information on the subject. sept2syl
IT7 E combine style with neatness of fit.
And moderate prices with the best workmanship,
JONES' ONE PRICE CLOTHING HOUSE
604 MARKET STREET,
GEO. IV. NIEMANN. PHILADELPHIA. v
[sepU.'SS.vl J
TM Y YOUR NOTIONS
*
•loc4 R w BERKBTRESSEU.
I)IjASTEII. — IThe 1 The subscriber would
respectfully inform the public that he bus
ju-t received from the city 60 tons of best Nora
Scotia
ROCK PLASTER,
and will continue to receive, as his stock diminish
es. until the first of April, which he will grind,
and have for sale at Hartley's Mill, and will seli
as cheap as can be bought for cash. Wheat, rye,
or corn, at the highest cash prices taken in ex
binge for Piaster Remember, only until the Ist
April. Thankful for pusr favors he solicits a
continuance of the same.
declSuiS ANDREW J MILLER
Ytooflanrt's Column.
YOU ALL
HAVE HEARH OF
HOOFLAND'S GERMAN BITTERS,
ASH
HOOF LA NO'S HERMAN TOXIC.
Prepared by I>r. C. M. Jackson, Philadelphia.
Their introduction into this country from Ger
many occurred in
1825.
TIIEY CURED YOUR
FATHERS AND MOTHERS,
And will cure yon and your children. They are
entirely different from -y t the many preparations
now in the country cal I—l led Bitters or Tonics.
They are no tavern-* *-preparation, or any
tiling like one; but good, honest, reliable medi
cines. They are
The greatest known remedies for
Liver Complaint,
DYSPEPSIA,
Nervous Debilitv,
JAUNDICE,
Diseases of the Kidneys,
ERUPTIONS OF THE SKIN,
and all Diseases arising from a Disordered Liver,
stomach, or
IMPURITY OF TIIE BLOOD.
Constipation. Flatulence, Inward Piles, Fullnes
of Blood to the Head, Acidity of the Stomach,
Nausea, Heartburn, Disgust for Food, Full
ness or Weight in the Stomach, Sour Eruc
tations, Sii king or Fluttering at the
Pit of the Stomach. Swimming of the
Head, Hurried or Difficult Breathing,
Fluttering at the ~ Heart, Choking or
Suffocating Sersa I ft tions when in a Lying
Posture. Dimness of V / Vision, Dots or Webs
before the sight. Dull Pain in the Head, Defi
ciency ot Perspiration, Yellowness ofthe Skin
and Eyes, Pain in the Side, Back, Chest,
Limbs, etc., Sudden Flushes of Heat,
Burning in the Flesh, Constant Imagi
nings of Evil and Great Depression of Spirits.
All these indicate diseases of the Liver or Di
gestive Organs, combined with impure blood.
HOOFLAND'S GERMAN BITTERS
is entirely vegetable and contains no liquor. It
is a compound of Fluid Extracts. The Roots,
Herbs, and Barks from which these extracts are
made, are gathered in Germany. All the medi
cinal virtueus are ex tracted from them by
a scientific Chemist. ■ ft These extracts are
then forwarded to this country to be used ex
pressly ftr the manufacture of these Bitters.
There is no alcoholic substance of any kind used
in compounding the Bitters, hence it is the only
Bitters that can be used in euses where alcoholic
stimulants are not advisable.
HOOFLAND'S GERMAN TONIC
is a combination of all the ingredients of the Bit
ters, with pt-RK Santa Cruz Rum, Orange, etc. It
is used for the same diseases as the Bitters, in case
where some pure alcoholic stimulus is required.
Y'ou will bear in mind that these remedies arc en
tirely different from any others advertised for the
cure of the diseases named, these being scientific
preparations of medicinal extracts, while the oth
ers are mere decoctions of rum in some form. The
TONIC is decidedly one of the most pleasant and
agreeable remedies ever offered to the public. Its
tasio is exquisite. It is a pleasure to take it, while
its life-giving, exhilarating, and medicinal quali
ties have caused-it to be known as the greatest of
all tonics.
DEBILITY.
There is no medicine equal to Hoofland's Ger
man Bitters or Tonic v >n cases of Debility.
They impart a tone |s and vigor to the whole
system, strengthen J- the appetite, cause an
enjoyment of the food, enable the stomach to di
gest it, purify the blood, give a good, sound,
healthy complexion, eradicate the yellow tinge
from the eye, impart a bloom to the cheeks, and
change the patient from a short-breathed, emaci
ated, weak, and nervous invalid, to a full-faced,
stout, and vigorous person. •
Weak and Delicate Children are
made strong by using the Bitters or Tonic. In
fact, they are Family Medicines. They can be
administered with perfect safety to a child three
months old, the most delieate female, or a man of
ninety.
These remedies are the best
Blood Purifiers
ever known and will eure all diseases resulting
from bad blood. Keep your blood pure; keep
your Liver in order > keep your digestive
organs in a sound, I healthy condition by
the use of these reine J.-2 dies, and no diseases
will ever assail you. The best men in theeountry
recommend them. If years of honest reputation
go for anything, you must try these preparations.
FROM HON. GEO. W. WOODWARD,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylva
nia.
PHIL.ADSI.PHIA, March 16, 1867-
X find that "Hoofland's German Bitters" is not
an intoxicating beverage, but is a good tonic, use
ful in disorders of the digestive organs, and of
great benefit in cases of debility and want of ner
vous action in the system.
Yours Truly,
GEO. W. WOODWARD.
FROM HON JAMES TAOMPSON.
Judgo of the .Supreme Conrt of Pennsylvania.
PBILAOKLI'HIA. April 28, 1366
I consider • Hoofland s German Bitters" a valua
ble medicine in case , of attacks of Indiges
tion or Dyspepsia I A can certify this from
my experience of it. 2. It. Yours, with respeet,
JAMES THOMPSON.
FROM REV. JOSEPH H. KENNARD, D. D.,
Pastor of the Tenth Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
DR. JACKSON—DEAR SIR:—I have been fre
quently requested to connect my nauic with rec
ommendations of different hinds of medicines, but
regarding the piactiee as out of my appropriate
sphere, I have in all cases declined , but with a
clear proof in various instances, and particularly
in my own family, of the usefulness of Or. Hoof
land's German Bitters, I depart for once from
my usual course, to express my full conviction
that for general debility of the S3'gtem, and es
pecially for Liver Com y plaint, it is a safe
and valuable prepara [V: tion. In some cases
it may fail ; bnt usual ll ly, I doubt not, it
will be ve.-y beneficial to those who puffer from the
above causes. Yours, very respectfully,
J. H. KENNARD,
Eigth, below Coates Street.
CAUTION.
lloofland's German Remedies arc counterfeited.
The Genuine have the signature of C. M. JACK
SON on the front of the outside wrapper of each
bottle, and the name of the article blown in each
bottle. All others are counterfeit.
Price of the Hitters, $1 per bottle;
< )r, a half dozen for >•".
Price df the Tonic, $1 50 per bottle;
Or, a half dozen for $7 50.
The tonic is put up in quart bottles.
Recollect that it is Dr. Hoofland's German
Remedies that are so universally used and so
highly recommended ; w v and do not allow the
Druggist to induce I lyou to take anything
else that he may say-M. 'is just as good, be
cause he makes a larger profit on it These Reme
dies will be sent by cxpressto any locality upon
application to the
PRINCIPAL OFFICE,
At the German Medicine Store.
No. 631 AIICJI STREET, Philadelphia.
CI I AS. 31. EVANS,
PROPRIETOR.
Formerly C. M JACKSON & Co.
These Remedies arc for sale by Druggists, Store
keepers and Medicine Dealers everywhere.
Do not forget to ex amine the article o u tup
lit order to get the genuine.
inay2V'6Sjrl
GOVERN O It'S n ESS A(i E.
To (Jte Senate and House of Representa
tive a of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl
vania :
GENTLEMEN: —For the harmony
and general relations of comity and
friendship existing between Pennsyl
vania and all the other States and Ter
ritories of the National Union ; for tho
present prosperous, condition of the
Oomnionwealth; for the glad signs of
coming political tranquility ; and for
the success which attends the progress
of our free institutions, we owe a heavy
debt of gratitude to Divine Providence.
In view of the favorable circumstan
: ces under which you are now assem
bled, it becomes my province and du
ty, as it is my pleasure, to offer you my
hearty congratulations, and to tender
you a cordial welcome to the Legisla
tive Halls of the State. This, indeed,
affords me a higher gratification because
I participate with your constituents in
the confidence manifested by them in
selecting you to represent their indi
vidual interests as well as those of the
Commonwealth. On your wisdom, in
tegrity, judgment and discretion, all
will undoubtedly rely for the correct
determination of every question affect
ing the largest interests and gravest
responsibilities, and for a continuance,
and even an increase, of that prosperi
ty which has hitherto been so signally
enjoyed.
i t is not without u consciousness of
the great responsibility resting upon
me that I undertake the performance
j of a constitutional duty, requiring that
the Governor "shall from time to time
| give to the General Assembly infor
; mation of the state of the Cornmon
' wealth, and recommend to their con
sideration such measures as he shall
judge expedient." In conformity
with this requirement your attention
will be called only to such matters of
public interest as'in my judgment de
serve careful consideration and action
on your part during the present ses
sion.
FINANCES.
The following is a carefully prepared
statement of the financial condition of
the State for the fiscal year ending
November 80, 1808:
The reports of the Auditor General
and State Treasurer show that the
balance in the Treasury, Novem
ber 30, 1867. was $1,661,836 46
Ordinary receipts during the fiscal
▼ear ending November 30. 1808 5,216,049 55
Depreciated funds in tho Treas
ury, unavailable 41,032 00
Total in Treasury for fiscal year
ending Nov 30, 1863 $9,918,913 01
Payments, viz :
| Ordinary expenses during the fiscal
year ending November 30, 1868 $2,154,506 09
Loans Ac., redeemed -1,417,463 6i
Other payments 12,800 00
Interest on loans 1,979,690 91
Depreciated funds, unavailable 41,032 00
8 905,492 61
Balance in Treasury, Nov. 30, 1868 $1,013,415 37
Sinking fund.
By an act approved April 10. 1608,
, the transactions of the Commissioners
; of the Sinking Fund were ordered to
ho thereafter reported annually to the
30th day of November. Their last re
j port, therefore, includes a period of one
i year and three months.
The following is the "recapitula
tion" of the operations of the sinking
fund, from September 3, 1867, to Xo
vember 30, 1868:
Balance in fund, September 3 1867 sl, 737 912 41
Receipts in fund from September 3,
1867, to November 30, 1863 3,418,992 31
5.136,904 72
Paid interest $1,808,005 34
Premiums paid as equivalent fur
coin 49 98
Loans redeemed 2,414,816 61
4,222,87' 96 j
Balance in fund Nov. 30, 1358 $931,032 76
By the sixth section of (he act of sJay
16, 1861, a special tax of one-half mill
on the dollar was especially set apart j
for the payment of the interest and re
demption of the loan created by an act i
of May 18, 1861, entitled "An Act to
create a loan and provide for arming j
the State."
Balance on hand September 3, 1867 $319,933 17 '
The receipts from said tax and tax
on gross receipts from September
3, 1867, to November 30, 1868,
amount to 423,979 20 j
Total 743.912 37
Interest paid in January and July,
1863 169,245 00 !
Balrnce in fund November 30, 1868 $574,667 37
Condition of Ilalances.
Balance in sinking fund Nov. 30,
1887 $934,032 76
Balance in sinking fund Nov. 30,
1363 574,697 37
$1,508,700 13
Deduct balance in Treasury, Nov.
30. 1863 1,013,415 37 |
Balance in favor of sinking-fund $495,284 76 j
Reduction of the Slate Debt.
By the report of the Commissioners;
of the Sinking Fund for the year end- j
ing September 6, 1867, the "loans re- j
deemed" amounted to $1,791,569 50, j
and by their report from September 3, j
1867, to November 30, 186s, the "loans i
redeemed" amounted to $2,414,816 64, j
making a total reduction of the State
debt, in two years and three months, ,
of four million two hundred and nine
thousand three hundred and eighty-six ;
dollars and fourteen cents.
The assets remaining in the Sinking ;
Fund are as follow, viz:—Bonds of the |
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, six ;
million, four hundred thousand dollars,
and bonds of tho Philadelphia and Erie
Railroad Company, three million, five
hundred thousand dollars. These are
non-interest hearing bonds and will
not mature for many years. I, there
fore, recommend to the consideration
of the Legislature the propriety of the
passage of a law, authorizing the Com- i
missiouers of the Sinking Fund to soil ;
these bonds at public sale to the high
est bidder, and direct the proceeds to j
he applied to the liquidation of the |
State debt.
l'ublic debt outatanding December
I. 1867, $37,704,409 77 j
Deduct amount redeemed at State
Treasury during fi-cal year end- •
ing November 30,1363. viz,
5 per cent loans, $4,354,253 61 j
41 percent, loans 63,000 Oil I
Relief notes cancelled 210 00 j
4,417,463 64 j
Public debt December 1, 1363, $33,236,946 13 j
Statement showing the condition of ;
the indebtedness of the Common wealtii
on the first day of December, 1868.
Funded debt, viz .
6 per cent, loans, $25,311,180 00
5 percent, loans, 7,749,771 56
41 percent, loans, 112,000 00
Total funded, $33,172,951 56
Unfounded debt, viz :
Relief notes in circulation, $96,415 00
Interest certificates outstanding 13,086 52
Interest certificates unclaimed 4,448 33
Domestic creditors'certificates 44 67
Total unfunded, 113,994 57 j
Total funded and unfunded, $33,236,946 13 j
Which is the amount of the State debt as before |
stated.
During the last eighteen years there !
has been carried upon the accounts of j
the Auditor General and State Treasu
rer, and in their several public state
ments, "depreciated funds unavaila
ble" to the amount of forty-one thous
and and thirty-two dollars. I recom
mend the appointment of a joint coin-
BEDFORD, PA, FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 15, 18G9.
niittee, by the Legislature, whose duty
it shall ho to examine the said depreci
ated and unavailable fundsand dispose
of them to the best advantage of the
Treasury ; or, if found to he worthless,
to cancel and destroy them, so that the
accounting officers may be relieved
from the necessity and responsibility
of annually accounting for them.
The large cash balance remaining in
the Treasury on the 30th of November,
1867, lias been used for the payment of
the twenty-three million loan and for
, the liquidation of outstanding claims
against the State. The investment of
the funds, in one of the modes recom
mended in my last annual message,
has therefore, in a great measure been
rendered unnecessary for the present.
But in the event of large accumula
tions of money hereafter, the recom
mendations therein given are respect
fully referred to, and renewed. When
ever there may be surplus funds in the
Treasury, they can, with safety and
benefit to the State, he employed in
the purchase of its outstanding * bonds,
and in saving the interest on them
which would accumulate prior to their
maturity.
I regret to state that the last Legis
lature, although fully forewarned in
regard to the insecurity and want of
proper and sufficient guards for the
safe keeping of the money of the Com
monwealth, failed to determine upon
any mode by which the Treasury may
be effectually guarded against the pos
sibility of loss. The present Legisla
ture has it in its power to secure for
itself no ordinary honor, by the enact
ment of such a law, strong ami efficient
for the purpose indicated, and the en
joyment not only of the approbation,
but the permanent gratitude of every
citizen.
Notwithstanding the satisfactory re
duction of the public indebtedness, as
shown in the forgoing statements, an
immense State debt is still upon us,
requiring nearly two million of dollars
to be collected to pay the interest ac
cruing upon it annually. Its extin
guishment at the earliest practicable
period, not inconsistent with other
public interests, is of the highest im
portance to every tax-payer. I cannot,
therefore, too strongly urge the strict
est economy in respect to every expen
diture and the utmost retrenchment in
every department.
Retrenchment is emphatically de
manded by the people, in legislative
expenditures, as well as in every other
branch of the government. Their eyes
are open to investigate every transac
tion, and by their ballots they arc
ready to strike down those who will
not lake effective action in favor of
positive and radical reform. The mon
ey paid into the Treasury is the pro
perly of the people, every one of whom
has a just right to hold his representa
tives to a strict accountability for every
dollar that may be appropriated or ex
pended.
I here renew the remarks made last
year on the subject of "annua! appro
priations," to which you are respect
lull referred. For four successive
years the general appropriation bills
have been signed on the eleventh day
of April, being about the time .of ad
journment. The Governor has been
forced either to sign the hills without
proper investigator), not withstanding
any objections he may have; suspend
the means to defray the operations of
tho government for the ensuing year;
or call an extra session of the Legisla
ture. I repeat that "it is earnestly de
sired that the appropriation bill betak
en up, discussed and passed at a suffi
ciently early period during the session
to enable it to receive that thorough
examination which its importance de
mands."
Education.—Common Schools.
The annual report of the Superinten
dent of Common Schools exhibits the
condition of that department in a
highly satisfactory manner. Within
the State there are 1,918 school dis
tricts; 13,766 schools; 2,382 graded
schools; 11,698 school directors; 73
county, city and borough superinten
dents; 16,771 teachers; and 890, 515 pu
pils. The cost of tuition for the year
was $3,273,269 43; of building, purchas
ing and renting school houses, $1,991,-
152 55; of contingencies, $854,253 21.
These three items, with expenditures
for all other purposes connected there
with. amount to the aggregate sum of
$6,290,537 96.
These facts are exhibited with great
satisfaction, as they show the average
annual cost fur the tuition of each pu
pil to he about seven dollars aud sev
enty-four and a half cents. The aver
age amount paid to each teacher is ü
bout $195 174 per annum. This, in my
opinion, is too small a salary to secure
tbe services of competent teachers; aud
I am fully justified in urging the ne
cessity of increased compensation. It
is hut just, and it will have an eleva
ting tendency not only upon the teach
ers hut the manner in which their du
ties are performed- *
Your attention is called to the fact
that, notwithstanding the ample pro
vision now made by law for the edu
cation of ail persons between the ages
of six and twenty-one years, large
numbers of children, principally in our
cities, do not attend any kind of school.
Over twenty thousand of this class are
found in Philadelphia, and the num
ber iu the State is estimated to be not
less than seventy-five thousand. These
children grow up in ignorance, fre
quently without employment, and
many of them contract habits of vice,
which eventually cause them to be
committed to houses of refuge, county
prisons or penitentiaries. Humanity
and sound public policy demand that
something be done to remedy this
growing evil, and also that of the ne
glected condition of considerable num
bers of children in the alms and poor
houses in many of the counties.
Four Normal Schools are now recog
nized as State institutions, The num
ber ofstudents attending them during
the past year was 2,115, of whom eighty
graduated. Two additional Normal
Schools will probably go into operation
during this year, one loeatedat Blooms
brug, Columbia county, and the other
at California, Washington county.—
The value of these institutions to the
common school system cannot be esti
mated. Our schools arecornparatively
worthless without qualified teachers,
and such teachers can moat easily he ob
tained from tho Normal institutes,
where the art of teaching is made a
specialty.
A meeting of the presidents and oth
er authorities ofa number of our prin
cipal colleges was held in llarrisburg
last winter, the object of which was to
bring about a closer union of all oar
educational institutions, and connect
by a bond of sympathy, if not of or
ganic structure, the common schools,
high schools, academies and colleges.
The establishment of such an educa
tional department seems to be desir
able.
There is no subject more worthy the
deliberations of the Legislature than
the promotion of the welfare of our
common schools. They immediately
underlie the characteristic features of
our social system ; they are fountains
of that wide-spread intelligence, which
like a perennial vitality, prevades the
nation, and are nurseriesof that inquir
ing spirit to which we are indebted for
the purity and preservation of our free
institutions. In a republican govern
ment education is a sure basis of pow
er and public prosperity. By it the
people are taught to discern and esti
mate the value of their own rights ; to
distinguish between oppression and
the exercise of lawful authority; to
discriminate between liberty and licen
tiousness; to preserve an inviolable
respect for the laws, and exorcise "eter
nal vigilance" against any encroach
ments upon them. It is admitted that
a thoroughly educated people alone
can be permanently free. By educa
tional culture patriotism is expanded,
and the principles, manners and senti
ments of the whole people are assimi
lated. Many of the sources of jealousy
and prejudice are diminished, social
harmony largely increased, and the
structure of our free and happy'system
of government cemented, strengthen
ed and adorned.
Soldiers' Orphans' Schools.
In his report, the Superintendent of
Soldiers' Orphans' Schools, exhib
its the total expenditure for their sup
port from December J, 1867 t May 31,
1668, to he $236,970 26; total number
of pupils in the schools 3,431; average
cost per pupil $6!) 061 for six months ;
and the average weekly expenses per
pupil $2 654. The fiscal year of these
schools, like thatofthecominon schools,
terminates by law on the last day of
May of each year. The present report
of the Superintendent, therefore em
braces only six months, and reports will
be made up to 31st of May, annually,
hereafter. The Special appropriation
of Febuary 2-5, 1868, made in accord
ance with an estimate of the Superin
tendent, presented in my last annual
message, exceeded the actual expenses
$6,004 74.
Notwithstanding every possible effort
has been, and will continue to be made,
to economize in the expenses of the pre
sent year, and to keep them as far as
possible within the appropriation made
by the last Legislature, it will readily
be observed that there will be a deficit
for the year ending May 31, 1669, the
amount of which will be carefully as
certained aud presented to the Legisla
ture prior to the close of the present
session.
The schools are all in good condition
and improving, and their usefulness is
daily becoming more manifest. They
are among the most philanthropic in
stitutions of the age, and reflect high
honor on the patriotism of the Legis
lature by which they have been so lib
erally endowed and upon our people
by whom they are sustained. The
children who are the recipients of their
benefits are the offspring of brave men
who voluntarily endangered their lives
in the cause of their country in the
most trying hour of its existence, and
who, glowing with patriotic ardor,
fought as bravely and heroically as
the noblest men in the world's history.
Thousands of them who left their
homes in the bloom of health and with
the brightest hopes of manhood, now
sleep in death, leaving the widows and
little ones to the care of the country in
whose service they fell, and which
promised them its protection. Their
children are the wards of this great
Commonwealth ; and too much praise
cannot he awarded its people for the
munificent and tender manner in
which they have thus far, through
their representatives, discharge I the
sacred and delicate trust.
Agricultural College.
Before the General Govern ment ap
propriated public lands to the several
j States for the purpose of agricultural
j and military education and the me
chanic arts, and prior to the time when
Pennsylvania endowed the Agricultu
ral College with her share of these
lands it was dependent wholly upon in
dividual influence, without any other
means for its support than its own
earnings. History proves that semi
naries of learning cannot be efficiently
sustained by their own internal resour
ces. The education of youth in the
higher branches of knowledge seems to
require the aid of philanthropic con
tributions. This institution had not
these benefits to any adequate extent,
and though the board of trustees l>e
stovved upon it the most anxious care,
their zeal and labor, combined with
those of its friends, were not equal to
a contest with the want of means.—
Hence the school did not command the
confluence of farmers who were able to
educate their sons, and who could not
forget that the character of the college
attached to the character of its gradu
ates ; and that its failure would outer
into the estimate which the world
would place upon the education it be
stowed. This feature has now been re
moved. The people, through their
Legislature, have endowed this institu
tion with the interest upon a fund of
$318,500 00, (invested in the United
States and Pennsylvania State six per
cent bonds) payable to it semi-annual
ly. Last year this interest amounted
to $25,462 78. The residue "of the fund,
$43,886 50, has been appropriated, un
der the law by tho board of trustees, to
tho purchase of three model and expe
rimental farms ; one at the college, in
Centre county, for SB,OOO 00, one in
Chester county for $17,750 00, and one
in Indiana county for $18,136 50. The
board has also recently re-organized
the faculty and roruodled the course of
studios, so as to adapt them to the
wants of the agricultural community.
This new order of things goes into op
peration at the commencement of the
next session and it is earnestly hoped
will be a success. There is no profess
ion, trade or calling in life, where the
value of knowledge and the lights of sci
ence, and the practical application of
both, are so potent for profitable re
sults as in their adaptation to agricul
tural pursuits. And in this truly prac
tical age il is well worthy of the con
sideration of parent-, whether they
should not avail themselves of the ben
efits of this institution, now so gener
ously endowed by the State.
Military.
From tho report of tho Adjutant
General you will learn the condition
of the Military Department. The in
activity in military affairs after the
cessation of hostilities and upon the re
turn to peace, lias in a great measure
been dispelled and an active martial
spirit now prevails throughout the
State; more particularly in Philadel
phia, where hyu special legislative en
actment, the minimum number of men
required to form a company has been
reduced, and a brigade fund is raised
by a tax upon those who are not mem
bers of a military organization, but
liable to the perlqrqaanoe of military
duty. 1 recommend the passage of a
similar law for the whole State. For
the sake of preserving the great inter
ests Involved, which include the lives,
property and happiness of our people,
this is presented to you as an impor
tant subject for your deliberation.
Every possible encouragement of vol
unteers has been afforded,.and notwith
standing thedifficulties indicated it has
resulted as follows: In 1866 there were
eight volunteer companies in the State;
in 1867, thirty eight; and in 1868, sev
enty-seven, and a number of others in
preparation for organization.
By a reduction of the number for a
ompany from that now required to an
aggregate of fifty officers and men, ;
j companies would soon be numbered by
the hundred, any of which could easi
ly he recruited to the maximum number
jif required for active service. The
; State that always maintains tho high-
I est degree of preparation, accomplish
es most and suffers least in the conflict
of arms; and by being in readiness it of
j ten prevents improper encroachments
upon her rights.
The Adjutant General presents a full
and detailed statement of the disburse
ments iu his department during the
year ending November 39, 1868, with
J an estimate for the neessary appropria
tions for the current year, and also for
such amounts as have been discover
ed to be due from the transportation
: department, contracted during the
war.
Stale Agency.
The existence of the Military State
| Agency at Washington terminated on
! the 31st day of July last, at which time
the appropriation for the payment of
its expenses was exhausted. Much
1 benefit resulted to many of the sol
diers of our State, and their represen
tatives, from this office, in which their
just dues from the United States
Government were collected and trans
mitted to them free of charge.—
: In August, after the agency ceased to
exist, there stili remained a considera
j hie number of unsettled claims, and as
no one knew more about their condi
tion, or could possibly obtain an earlier
settlement of them than the late agent,
j Col. Cook, I permitted him. upon his
j own offer, to close up the business of
■ the office, and to transact any other
business fur the soldiers of Pennsylva
nia at one half the fees that are charged
by any other private agency iu Wash
ington City. This arrangement has
| thus far been carried out, arid 1 am
pleased to add, with very general sat
j isfaction. All the books and papers of
: the agency will he transferred to the
| office of the Adjutant General.
Registry Law.
At the last session of the Legislature an
aet was passed known as the "Registry
Law," the intention of which was to pro
tect the bullot-bcx against corruption aud
fraudulent voting, to which it has for many
; years been di-graeefully exposed. This law
seems To hare beeu so defective in tome of
I its provisions as to have received the con
demnation of a majority of tlje B'upreme
| Court, by which it was pronounced "ineon
gruous and unconstitutional." At the elec
tion immediately after this decision, it is
alleged that frauds were perpetrated, sur
passing in magnitude, perhaps, any that
have been consummated heretofore in the
| history of the Commonwealth. These
frauds have demonstrated the necessity of
the passage of some law, or laws that will
; accomplish the desired object, v.ithout be
j ing subject to the exceptionalle features
pointed out by the learned gentlemen who
pronounced the opinion of the* Supreme
| Bench.
Therein no subject of such vital impor
: tance to the whole country as the sanctity
of the ballot-box, and the protection of all
! citizens in their right to the elective frau
: chiae. This right is our proudest boast. It
endows the American citizen with a hee
doui and a power not possessed by the sub
ject of any other government. It makes
him the peer of his fellow man, whatever
; may be his rank, station, or position in life.
To be deprived of it by any means whatever,
bis boasted freedom becomes a sham —his
: especial and exalted prerogative a mockery
and a farce. What avails it to the citizen
I that he is entitled to a rote, if that vote is
to be nullified by fraud? Such guards,
then, should be thrown around the polls as
will effectually, if possible, preserve there
from the taint of a single illegal vote. Not
] only should false voting he severely punish
j ed, but false swearing to obtain a vote, be
visited with the pains and penalties of l'Cr
j jury and with perpetual disfranchisement.
The people must be perfectly free to reg
ulate their public business in their own way.
and when the voice ofthe majority is fairly
and clearly expressed all should bow to it
as to the voice of God. They are the sov
ereign rulers, and their will must be the law
i ofthe land. Corruption of suffrage in are
publican government i> the deadliest crime
that can be perpetrated; is asassination of
the sovereignty of tho people, and will be
followed by a despotism, the motive power
of which will be money ami perjury. And
if this privilege be tampered with, sooner or
later the sure and indignant popular con
demnation will he rendered anl condign :
punishment administered. All good citi- j
zons, >• whatever political opinion, should
lend their aid for the accomplishment of any '
and every measure that may tend to secure j
to each voter, not only his right to the eleo- j
five franchise, but the assurance that his!
vote will not be rendered valueless by ille- ;
galiiy, corruption of baud.
Every proper facility for the naturaliza :
tion of citizens of foreign birth should be j
afforded; but the Legislature, in its combin- j
cd wisdom, can surely enact some mode to I
prevent the possibility of a single vote being ;
east, upon spurious naturalization papers, j
and thus fully secure the. purity of the elec- j
five franchise.
Revision of the Civil (hide.
The c >mmissioners appointed to codify j
the statute laws of the State have diligent j
ly prosecuted the work assigned them, and !
wi h every prospect that it will be fully com
pleted within the time prescribed by tbe
legislative resolutions of April 8, 1868; and ;
in further compliance with them, they will 1
cause to he laid before each branch of the
General Assembly, at its present session,
various titles of bills, with brief abstracts of
the several sections of each, which have been
matured.
Insurance Department,
Among the subjects of importance to the j
citizens of Pennsylvania is the establishment .
of an Insurance Department, Such de- ;
partments are in successful operation in j
several neighboring Sta'es, by means of j
which the interests ol insurers are guarded ■
and promoted. So careful a supervision is
had over the transactions of iti-uranee com j
panics that frauds are rendered almost im- j
possible, and spurious companies can have
no existence. The result of the protection
thus afforded, is, that whilst foreign com
panies. thus protected, d > immense business
in this Hta'e, so little oonSdence is had in
those of Pennsylvania that their business is
almost entirely confined within the State
limits; and lately some of them have with
drawn their agencies from other States, be
cause no risks will he taken, in consequence ■
ofthe inadequacy of the laws to afford pro
tection to insurers. To this dofeot, more
over, may be attributed the operations of j
the number of worthless companies which ,
have suddenly sprung up, without any solid j
basis, and as suddenly expired, to the in- \
jury of all whose confidence they obtained, >
and to the dishonor of the Commonwealth. ;
Whilst Pennsylvania insurance companies j
transact little bu-iness outside of the State. I
it is alleged that foreign life insurance o-un- j
panies alone paid taxes last year on three ■
million eight hundred thousand dollars of j
premiums received in Pennsylvania, a great ;
proportion of whioh would be confined to j
this State if the same protecion was given I
by law to its citizens as is afforded by other j
Stales. The report of the Insurance De- j
part meat of New York, published in 1867,
shows that the companies which were doing !
business in 1866, in Pennsylvania, aud also j
in New York, had risks in force for more j
than five thousand million of dollars; and it
is believed that the ri-ks in Pennsylvania I
companies, which, for want of a proper In
surance Department, can not be obtained, !
would sw.-ll the amount to over six thou
san 1 million.
In v wof these facts, and of the costly
expeii n e ofthe people who have beenim- I
VOL 64.—WHOLE No. 5,474.
pos"d upon and defrauded by unsub-tantial
and ephemeral companies, 1 repeat the
recommendation made to the Legislature at
its la-t session, that an Insurance Depart
ment be established. and a superintendent
, appointed bv law, who shall have super
vision and control over all insurance com
panies allowed to transact business within
j the .State, and - annually publish, under oath,
I lull reports of their transactions. The com
munity is deeply interested in this matter,
and demands the protection which can thus
only be afforded.
Sew Hospital for the Insane.
j The commissioners appointed by an ac
j of the last session "to establish an addition
a! State Hospital for the Insane," have
I notified me that they will present a report
j of their proceedings sometime during the
present month, which will be communicated
when received.
Damages by Hauls,
In accordance with an act of the last
; aession, providing for an investigation anil
adjudication of the claims of citizens - of
; several counties "whose property was de
• stroved, damaged or appropriated for the
j public service, and in the common defence
in the war to suppress the rebellion " a
! commission of three competent gentlemen
! was appointed, who have performed the
| allotted duties, and will soon make a full re
! port of their transactions.
Paris Exposition.
I have rec ived through the Secretary of
I State of the Uuited States, a bronze medal
and diploma from the Imperial Commis.-ion
j ers for the best specimens of Pennsylvania
anthracite coal exhibited at the Paris Er
| position in 1867. These tributes to an im
portant branch of the internal resources of
Pennsylvania have been assigned a place
among other valuable relict in the Kx
| ecutive Chamber,
State Coat of Arms.
Diiigent hut unsuccessful search has been
| repeatedly made for the coat of ariut of the
j State, and for the authority under which
j the present design was established, It
icems that for years past no trace of either
| the original authority or design could any
' where he found, and it is recommended that
j the Legislature take the necessary steps to
j supply the omission, by such means as they
j in their wisd on shall determine.
State Beneficiaries,
A number of benevolent, charitable and
other similar institutions anuually receive
I appropriations from the State for their sup
■ port . These appropriations, in most, if not
| in all cases, appear to have been adequate
; for the purposes to which it was intended
; they should be applied, and are as liberal as
can reasonably he expected in the present
: condition o 1 the Treasury of the State.
The Susquehanna fisheries
' A preliminary report on the Susquehanna
| fisheries has been submitted by Cot. James
Worrall, Civil Engineer, Commissioner un
; der the act of the Legislature in reference
thereto. There are some tacts which should
| be embodied in the report, hut which can
| not be ascertained until early in January.
Permission has therefore been granted to
the Commissioner, at his request, to post
pone the submission of his regular report
until the earliest day practicable during the
| present month.
Cattle Disease.
The prevalence of contagious or epidemic
I diseases among cattle and other animals has
for some years past been a prolific soutce of
anxiety and alarm among the producers and
consumer* of meats in many of the States.
It was therefore deemed important to call a
I convention of competent persons to take
! into consideration the means best calculated
to remedy this great and growing evil. This
convention, composed of three com mission
! crs each from the fourteen States represen
ted, appointed in accordance wiili an agree
\ ment by the several Governors, assembled at
} Springfield, Illinois, on the first of Decern -
, her iast, and an account of their transactions
is herewith presented.
Without legislative authority, but believ
! ing my action would he sanctioned by the
people's representatives, 1 appointed Dr.
Hiram Corson and Messrs. E. C. Humes
I and A. Boyd Hamilton, commissioners to
represent Pennsylvania in that convention.
These gentleman freely gave their time and
experience, and also incurred a pecuniary
expense of about three hundred dollars, to
defray Jjwhieh I recommend that an appro
priation he made.
Statistics.
In view of the vast amount and great
variety of the products of the State, a desk
for tlie collection of statistics, relative to ex
ports and imports, agriculture, manufactures
coal, iron, oil, lumber, fcc.. might, with
propriety and profit he established. This
comd be accomplished by the employment
of a competent clerk, under the supervision
of one of the present heads of department,
whose duty should be to collect and publish
such facts as might tend to stimulate and
increase our productive energies, instil new
life and vigor into our manufacturing inter
ests, and lead to more accurate knowledge
of all our internal resources and the proper
methods for their development. There is
abundant space in the Capitol buildings to
be appropr iatcd as a receptacle for hooks,
papers, miiicafcgical and geological speci
mens, and other articles that might be con
tributed appropriate to such a department
and which in a few years would form an in
valuable collection. Under legislative direc
tion, the good results would be almost in
calculable, and are required by the progres
sive spirit of' the age in which we live.
Resolutions of the Vermont legislature.
Your attention is called to the accompa
nying joint resolutions, passed at the last
session of the Vermont Legislature, bearing
a just tribute to the late Hon. Thaddeus
Stevens. Joint resolutions from the same
hod)' are also sent you, which 1 regard as
worthy of your consideration, relative to the
act of Congress "to establish and protect
National Cemeteries," and recommending
ll to the Legislature of the State of Penn
sylvania the passage of an act empowering
the board of commissioners having charge
of the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Get
tysburg, to transfer all the right, title, in
terest and care of said Soldiers' National
Cemetery to the General Government, upon
the completion of the same."
In Memoriam.
It has been the misfortune of the State
during the past year to lose by death two
of her representatives in the Congress of the
nation, lion. Thaddeus Stevens, of the
Ninth, arid Hon. Darwin A. Finnev, of the
Twentieth Di.-triet. Both were natives of
Vermont, hut in early life selected Pennsyl
vania for their home, and identified them
selves with lic-r interests, which they were
chosen to guard in the Legislature; and the
people of the Commonwealth will long re
member with gratitude their faithful and
efficient services. The first went down to
his grave after a long life of public Useful
ness and in w< 11 matured honors; the other
in the prime of manhood, which gave prom
ise of'a scarcely less brilliant career.
Pardons.
The list of pardons issued during the past
year will he found among the papers to
which your attention is called. The princi
pal reasons upon which they were based,
and the names of some of the prominent
Petitioners, are given in every case. That
a few of these pardons may have been un
worthily granted, through misrepresenta
tions of relatives, friends, sympathizing
neighbors and other interested parties, there
is no doubt, Hut in the majority of instances
it is certain that the facts not only justified
but demanded Executive clemency.
The whole number of applications for
pardons during the year has been sixteen
[Continued on Fourth J page.}