H
A
JLo
VOL. XV. NO. 3.
IMIILADKLI'JIIA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1871
DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS.
FIRST EDITION
GOVERNOR GEARY.
W I B MESSAGE.
Our State Affairs.
Uotsiiled XeW?v.
rirJArrciAi. crisxiATioitfs.
THE CONSTITUTION.
33 oA'ision TVe,os;s;;xr.y .
She Iwcw Apportionment.
Our Great Resources.
JVi'C 'XVmtV Xd 11 sixmo..
The " Heathen Chinee."
Troo)s sxt ISlcctioiis.
An " Unqualified Bisapproval.'
The American Centennial.
Philadelphia the Place.
Special DespaUh to The Evening Telegraph.
Hakiusitho, Jan. 4. The following i the
annual message of Governor John W. Geary,
transmitted to both houses of the Legislature
this afternoon:
To the fienat '- and nun-" lirpres- ntaliroa cf the
Oimmomcciili k of l'cnnili'niiift.
Gentlemen: An all-wise Providence has per
mitted you to assemble uti ler :iiv.u nstaoees te
manning profound gratitude to the Great I.a vglver
of the universe, our acknowledgments aid first
due to Him whose hand lias not grown vvevy iu
Bbowering blessing 1" profusion upon the people in
every department of imiu.lry. and crowning their
toll with richest rewards. The circutustiuo' s
under which you commence the duties
or the present aesalnn a-e imio.vl auspicious; and
at no former period In our history Inn tin re been
greater cause for felicitation upon" Mm inestimable
blessings we enjoy, mid the hapiy and prosperous
i)ini4liim nf fm urnut unit irrfiiviiiT t 'ivti ill mi uiin I h
The meeting of tint General Assembly is a'wa.vs
a matter of deep lutciosi to the people and per
haps never more so than now, when an unusu i
amount 01 uuct-roiii y Kent-im it',;itMi ion win occupy
your attention, and questions of the highest Im
pel tuiiTe are to lie f iscussed an determined upon.
V ainn fvnal vimn iniliidtrir nn1 f.i r l fti i n ...... ...
the performance ri t lie important work before you
will win you the proud title of "the working Legis
lature." Amid such circumstances our attention should he
directed to a careful review of nil the most Im
portant and essenthti interests of the
Stnte; and in the exercise of that discretion
which the Constitution has confided to the Eec.u
tive, I proceed to communicate s ich Information
and to recommend to your consideration such mea
sures as are deemed necessary and expedient.
As Urn in order and most Important, 1 will pre
sent a carefully prepared and precise statement of
the financial condition of the Co.uiuon wealth.
FlnnncPH.
It ail'ords mo pleasure to congratulate the peop'e
upon t lie satisfactory condition of the Treasury.
s.tcry (leiimiui urori it ror ordinary nnd o'nerex
pt ns s has been promptly paid, and the pubic, del it
materially reduced, which has inspired such public
confidence in r.r.e s 'carries or tne commonweaitu
as to cause I hem to command the highest premiums
in tlie market. The operations of this department
will lie presented to you more fully ami In d-tail in
the reports of the Auditor-General, State Treasurer,
and commissioners of the Sinking Kutid. The fol
lowing statement evliHilts t lie receipts nut (lis
bursements for the fiscal year ending November 30,
it;o:
RECKIITP.
Italanee in Treasury, Nov. 30, 1 5'50 . . . . t!.400,S6J-49
Crclnary receipts during the llsoal year
ending Nov. be, ltsio b.csofitYsw
Total In Treasury during year ending
-NOV. so, 1-7U:
t7,737,4J5'7.i
IilSIlCItSEMENTtf.
Ordinary eNpeiisea paid
Curing" the year ending
Nov. 30, lhTO '2,S66.S32 09
Loans, etc., redeemed 1, oj,li-nr
interest on loans l,siii,8ll-J7
Total , .
balance in Treasury, Nov. 30, 18T0. . .
6,414.522 91
i,30i,94-jm
rrm.ic debt.
The public debt due on November 30,
lfe)9, was f 32, 1 1,540fl5
Deduct amonnt redeemed by
Kinking Fund Commis
sioners during the fiscal
year ending November 30,
lfc7u !, 002,321 -31
Amount redeemed by Trea
mirtT (timini; tlie same Lime. 100. 687 'It
Total....? l,70J,fi7905
Total public debt November 30, 1670. . .t3l,lil,681)
i The follow iriB statement shows the nature of too
YudebleduefcS of the Commouweaiiu .November JO,
jisTii:
Funded debt, viz:
lAmountof overdue loans 707,n',0 33
J Do. payable In JS71. int. o p. ct.... 2,7S,-iveuo
M Do. do. 6 do.... 4, 731.300-00
Do. uo. 1S72, 6 no.... z.-Meo
llo. do. 1S77. 6 do... 7,RBW0I)
Do. do. 1877, ft do.... 3,677,70) 00
J)o. do. 17S, 6 do 305,000-lM)
Do. do. Is79, 0 do.... 400,000 09
lio, (10. 1SK2, do.... X.13N.9SO-0O
Do. do. Hl, 4M10... 112.010HI
Do. do. 1S2, 6 UO.... 9,273,0'.0-O0
30,');,700'33
Unfunded aeut, viz:
lielief notes in circulation fW.CSi'oO
Jniert'bt ctrtitichtes ouiutaud-
iuK n,os r,i
Interest certificates unclaimed 4,4lv3o
linnuKtic creditors' cerliU-
dtcs 'i ina.w.ioi
Total public debt, Nov. 30, is70, as
above Btated 131,111,161 M
ItKOnCTION OF THE 1TBLI0 DEBT.
.... . ... t loitv tlia tntal in.
i in tne uiieeun ot hi nuurj, vv
... . . ..... A .,, ..u ,1,1., autumn ml nn
Vveu (moored ami luur thousand four linudred and
r li e llnllHI H UU l betuynievru tciu oiuwo mim
t n. I ...... K.', u.l lTlk thABiliilAf HIV milllOIl
up ,,ui i iiriji u", ioiv, bu.u
ve tiunnreo ano niueiy-iwu muunauu odvcu uuu
fed and forty-seen dollars and eighiy-seven teuts
as been paid. The reduction during ite year eLd-
lrg November 80, 1S70 Is ono million seven hundrd
and two thousand right hundred aud seventy nine
dollars and five cents.
The average reduction per annum ror the hut
fourjears is one million six hundred and forty
eight thousand one hundred and rigniy-seven
dollnrs.
Invleworthe raet that prior to the Brst of July,
1R12, nearly eight million dollars of the public, dent
will bo due, ami in order that the (Jomnionwcaltn
may continue to meet all Its obligations promptly at
maturity, 1 recommend Hint such provision be nn le
by the Legislature as will authorize tlie Commis
sioners or the Sinking Fund to sell all the asset
that may be in their possession, and apnly the pr.
ceeds to the extinguishment or the debt; or, at the
option or the holders, to exchange them for the out
standing bonds of the Common wealt n.
The Indebtedness or the Slate might be pild lu
the foli wing mntner: As already shown,
It was on November 80, 1S70, about thir y
one million dollars, rrom which amount, ir
ihe said assets, $9,rin'i,mn, be deducted, there would
ten atn unpaid t'Zl,!Oo,Oiio. After which, estimating
, he revenues and expenditures to oon'iuae as at.
present, the entire liabilities of th a Stale could be
liouhlit cd in about eight years.
If this mode of pajliig the. Suite debt should he re
garded as unnecessarily rapid and oppressive, then
a niovenieht to revise and modify taxation may
meet with much more geueral favor. Our debt Is
now held lirmly ny those to whom It U a great bene,
lit to have so secure an liivesriuent. A certain
reduction or one million dollar per annn n on it
would, pernaps, he more satlsiaotory to them and
to the people, than to strive to pay It oir so hastily.
In an endeavor to rorce thioirs under the presot
mode ot taxation, thee ts great, danger of driving
eapltal away from our manufacturing et ntres. The
landholder has been exempted Iron tax.is on his
land for State purposes, and the burden stnftel noon
the active, energetic, and enterprising portions of
the community, who have always had their full
share to bear. The fanner Is at ease, and runs no
lick! whilst the biihiness man, merchant and manu
facturer are the motive power of the community,
upon which tim farmer himself must, in a greiit
n eahiire, depend ror a realization ot his lndustiv. A
more liberal policy towaids those engiired in 'ner
i nt lie. inaniitacturiiifr. railroad and mining pur
suits Miould bo adopted. Unless these inter
ests are fostered and kept In full op'-ration,' all
clnt-feB of tne people will suil'er. They are the very
llle-blooo of the State, and should not, la nay wav,
be chilled or impeded, by overburdening tTiein witn.
taxation lor the Immediate payment of the entire
State liabilities.
The foregoing recommendations, In my opinion,
embrace the true p-tllcy of the Commonwealth, an t
ir adopted will, doubtless, receive a hearty re
sponse and endorsement from the people. The
tax-payers demand that, all their social, industrial,
commercial nnd lluancial operations shall bo relieved
from the burdens of any mere taxation than may
e necessary ior me (rrmniai payment Ol r.tie debt,
us is lnt above Indicated, ami to" defray the frugal
expenses of the Government, liconomy and reform
should no longer be advocated as glittering gene
nilitles, or mere abstractions, without meaning or
intent, but as vital, living realities
CoiinlltutlonHl Convention.
TVur jiars' e.xpeiience as an executive
otr.cor has given me abundant op
poitimity ior careiui observation upou the
wort.iii's ol our fundamental law and the legisla
tion id the Male. This experience his strongly lin
piehseo me that there 8'iould Do a thorough revision
of the S'ate Constitution, with such ameulmeujs as
the vvisi.onioi a convention assetuo.'ed lor that pur
pose would iiiitloubiedly Bugg-st, and au enl'glit
( lied i iiblle. bclitliueiit demand.
'Ihe iiutiority fir hold big such convention Is
Irund in ihe feennd sectlo.i of tne ninth article of
the CoLst mtion, and is doclaied In thcte words:
"That all power is Inherent in the people, and ail
tree go' rniuenls ar fonndei on their authority.
and ii fclituied for their peace, safety, aud happl-
niBK ror the ii'ivnncenn ut o ineso ends, iney
have, at aU times, an unalienable a. id tttdefeasiolo
i iiftit to slier, r' foiiu or abo'lsh their govern Jitsnt,
In such milliner as t i.-y may think oropor "
i tie last coLveniion lor tins purpose was held in
IMS. Durliifi the thirty-two years whi'oh have since
elapsi d, sundry anieiulnieiits have been made by
joit t resolutions of the (Jencrul A'f.einbl.v, an I in
eompllai.ee w'lh thi tenth urtlcleof lln: Cons'itit
tioii. were iipproved and raMlied by a nnij illty ol the
fiuiiillied vol. rs of the State. The ino.t Imporlaut
w i re those ol ismi, making the judges of the courts
t lcctU'c; ol l'i", erenliiiit a Sinking Fund, reu
laiing the public debt ni d legislative districts; and
of I.-Ol, conferring itie right of HiinVuge upon
IlioM! eiga.ii'd in the military service of tlu
stale or i utioii, ami imposing sundiy restraint-) on
iiie pow er oi the l.e;:l"lature. ' hese ntuo'idmciits,
thoii'-h important and valuable, irive nn ltiootmr,!-
oiih and koi t of pateh.worii chai'ie-rcr to the Consti
tution, ami are not cousouant with the requlreiiiciits
of the tunes.
Ihis is a progressive period, and our State liis
outpiown Hi liindameiital law. 'J hat law should,
tin ii lore, t e mude to keen psee with the ag t i.i
which we live. The existing Constitution, inelu i
ing the anu nniuents of is.'ii and istil, impose many
v holt some restrictions on tlie power and jurisdiction
of the Legislature; but experience has demonstrated
their iiiailt nuacy to protect the people against the
evils Intended to bo remedied, and especially those
of corporate power, ami of special and loeel legisla
tion. J lie pamphlet lavs ior tne last .our years
show that the neueral laws for each session niad-)
only about one hundred p ges, whilst the local and
special legislation for the same pi nod amount annu
ally lo about thirteen Hundred and tirty. The re
turning evils are manifold and acrcrravated : a 'id pro
minent, Hiiioni- ine reasons ami sugirestions why a
remedy should be applied, I respectfully submit the
following:
1-'list, Diii'erent systems of laws ror roads, bridges.
schools, elections, poor-houses, and many other
tl iujfs, are enacted ror Hit several counties, towu-stiit-s,
and boroughs, on subjects which ought to be
reguiuieu by general laws, operating uniformly
U on all.
Hicond. It is Impossible ror the citizens, judges of
tlie emu is, or members or the legal profession, to
ac(uiie or retain an accurate knowledge ol the
vurjii'g s. stems or laws in their rtspective dis
tricts; and fieqiicntly on removal from one county
to another, our people tin J themselves under aluiu.st
entirely diii'erent codes.
Unrtl. l'luciicHlly, tlie whole theory of our Cou
etitution aid Government is subverted and de
stroyed by Hie piesentsystetn ot local enactments,
lit preueii'tulive govel tiincbt la b.tsed on the Idea
that the laws shall be frtmieiUby, and be the result;
of, the collective w isdom of the people's represen
tatives. Itut what are the actual (acts? The minds
and eilorts of the members jare so wholly absjroed
by pilva c and local bills that it is almost impossible
to (it t a jit uerul or public act considered or passed,
'1 lie special aud local bills are usually drawn by the
n eiutie-r representing tho locality, or by some one
iroin tlie ilibliict inteiefcted iu tlie proposed law. liy
what is called courtesy, it is conodvred a breach of
frluiiieitei lor any member of tho Senate oi House to
tnuilere w i t ii or oppose a merely private or local
bill of any o'her member. The re
sult Is, the bills are passed a-s originally pre
pa.rt e, v itiiout exainu.atioii or comparison of views
olleu ciude, and ill.oigt bli d, and w ithout regard
to const ii in tonal requirements or sound public
policy. Some of the woist ol these hasty and oadl.v
couhi'leied enactments ate arrested every year by
Kxei utive interposition; but In the nature of the
case, thi- veto ui bent can only bo made a partial
restiainl upon the evil; and nothing cau eradicate
it short of coiis ilulionul prohibition.
Fttirth. Spiciui legislation Is the great and im
pure inundation nl corruption, private speculations
nnd pi.blic wrongs.
It has become a reproach to republican govern
ment, and is one ol the most alarming evils of the
times. Judicious amendments to thj constitution
would arrest hmI destroy the growing evil ; and it is
the duty or every patriotic citizen to co-operate In
till h wful measures to ellect so desirable a eousuui
a at ion. In the enactment of laws a ra ileal change
Is demanded. Every bill presented for adoption
should be read, at least optce, In full, aud the yeas
and nays be recorded on its final passage.
Fifth. It is Important that the State Constitution
should be made to conform to the Constitution of
the United States as recently amended.
fcixth. The subject or minority representation is
now much agitated, and Is receiving a largo share
or consideration among thoughtful aud considerate
men. It embraces problems or great political im
portance, aud Its n-auifest justice commends it to
public favor. Whilst some of the o tjecta it proposes
might be obtained by legislative enactments, the
general principles Involved are so elemenUry and
radical.lbat they should, II adopted, be Incorporated
into the lundameiital law.
Seventh. The members or the General Assembly
Should be Increased iu number.
.Eighth There should bo a fundamental limitation
to the power oi corporations.
Niutn. There Is ubnuiute necessity for greater se
curity for the public funds aud for their proper dis
tribution. Tenth. The State Treasurer, Superintendent or
Common Schools, aud a Lieutenant-Governor,
the Utter to preside over the Senate, ami
pel foi in the duties of the Governor, in case
el Ins absence, sickness or death, should
be elected by the people. The Attoruev-Oeueral,
Secretary of Slate, aud the Adiutaut-iieueral should.
for obvious reasons, continue to be appointed by the
Governor.
J levetlh. The dsy for ho d'eg the annual elec
tions could, with great proprletv, be changed from
the sicond Tuesday In October to the sain ; day iu
November, on which nearly all the surrounding
Stales now hold theirs. Tin's would dispense with
one lee.tton every fourth yeir, and prevent Invasion
from other States for the purposo of Interfering
wnh our elections, ns the clll.ei's of each tato
wruhl be occupied v. itu their own. The season, too,
wou'il be more aa'lsiiictori t the p op e of the arri
cnltural d'Btili t. as It would urn, Interfere wnh the
liai'MB'lng of their corn and other sum ner produc
tions. The nrcrtsity contltiitlenal reform Is npprecl
nt d and Rdmliieii nv nil who have reflected unon
thetubject, nnd nlho.it dis 1 ictlon of party, the
ptf SB has hen o'iipnken. and has alnoit unani
mous Iv s'nc.iii nod the enlling, a t an early day, of a
Constitutional lit invent Ion.
For tin bo reasons, ami manv others equally Im
portant, which mljfht be enumerated, I rarnesMy
recommend that the I eglslatnre make provision for
a ennvt ntlon to thoroughly revise and amend the
Constitution of the State.
Krvl-lon of the Civil Cade.
The coninilssionets to revise the statutes have
comnlett 1 their work. The entire laws of the (;om
monweiilili, including those of Dullish origin, except
such as relate to crime, have bjon
revised, collated, and systematically arranged tna
volume of less than three hundred pages, or about
one-third the size of 1'iirdon's Digest. Our laws are
the accretions of one hundred and seventy years.
Many ef them are Incongruous aud disjointed enact
ments, which have been Increasing from time to
time, by fragmentary legislation, wl liout any at
tempt at sjstem, logical arrangement, or con
ciseness of language. From the examination I
have been able to give the revision, 1 am satis
lied that In the discharge of their duty the commis
sioners have exercised great diligence, ability, an I
a conscientious desire for Its successful accomplish
ment. It cannot be presumed that a work or such
mhgnilude is perfect in every particular; and how
far it may answer the purpose for which it was
undertaken, remains to be determined. That It is an
improvement upon what it is intended to supply there
Is no room for doubt. It adheres Iu the main to the
lextof existing laws, with occasional changes to
meet prcBeut demands, but which were not needed
when they were first enacted, and also additional
provisions which the progress of the age requires.
Tlie work, as presented, might properly be adopted,
without, material changes, making it the basis foi
such amendments as time and necessity may sug
gest, or as may be recommended by the joint com
mittee to which It was referred ror examination bv
the Legislature of last year. It will be seen that
seme of its provisions have been framed with a
view to throw much of our special legis
lation Into the courts, where it may be disposed of
w ith less inconvenh n e to interested parties, and
a great saving in our annual expenditures.
Writ of Krror In Crlmlnnl linsen.
A-the last session of the Legislature an act was
passed, entitled "An act, io allow writs of error in
cases of murder ani voluntary manslaughter." The
flist, fcciIou provides that a writ of error "shall be
of right, and may be sued out, upon the oath ol the
de'ciidaiit or defendants, as in civil cases." The se
cond sei ti m makes it the dmv of the judcres of the
Supreme Court, in all such cases, to review both tho
law and tlie evidence.
lielore this enactment the law required the de
fendant to niece that seine eiror had been com
mit ti d by the Court on the trial, a'id to show cause,
within lliiity da s, why the writ of error should be
planted; but this law glvps a writ, whether any
error is alleged or not, aud aliows the defendant
seven jears in w hich to issue it, according to tho
practice iu civil casts, lleret fore the Executive
old not ordiuni ily issue the warrant lor execution
ol any erim'nal until the expiration of tin thirty
(iuys within which he was permitted to apply for
his writ of error. That liiuiiation of thirty days
being now virtually lepealed, ami seven years sub
stituted then for, Is It expected the warrant shall be
withheld for the seven years If not, when may if,
properly issue? And il Issued at any time witliiu
tilt; t even ears, may not. the criminal supersede It
at any time he pleases by his writ of error? And
may it not bo reasonably expected that tuts will be
the practical result In i vt ry such case 7 This would
seem like truung with very serious milters; and I
respcci fully submit whether the ci of List session
should not be repealed, t-r ury materially modified,
w ii lion i tit lay.
ApporCoi. iiict t.
The Important duty devolves upon you to appor
tion, iu accordance with the last ccs is, the repre
sentation to tlie General Asseiuoly uud to Congress.
This will be among the most, i:i' ions ami di.ilcnlt
works or the session. In its performance it is pre
sumed nnd trusted that you will be guided and gov
erned by a strict sctmc or justice and Impartiality to
all parties and to every district in tho State, so Hint
no well-founded reason be given for coumlaint or
censure.
I nder the laws of the Shite it is made the duty of
the county-commissioners of the respective counties
to make returns to the Goveriiorortlieseptoiini.il
enumeration of taxables on or before the tfrst
Tuesday of December. Not one-fourth of these
returns have yet been received, although tins
atteutiou of the commissioners was invited to the
subject by special circular iroirt the Secretary of the
d innionwealth. As soon as the returns come to
hand the necessary abstracts will be made out and
fir warded to the Legislature.
Common School.
The report of the Superintendent of Gomrron
S' Pools shows that there are now within the State
unci tchoel districts, 14,212 schools, 2S;I2 graded
schoo s, 13,lno directors, 79 county and other super
intendent-, 17,012 teachers, and S2s,s91 pupils. This
is au increase over the preceding year of 31 districts,
270 schools, 417 grade schools, 200 directors, 3
superintendents, 470 teachers, and 13.1.",S pupils.
'I he tost of tuition ror the past year was S3, 745,-475-hl;
building, purchasing and renting setiool
houses, 82,7t'r,C44-i!4: contingencies, 8 l,lt5,'2'itj-ei.' ;
other espinoiiures. $' 5,47ft; making a total ot j7,
771,701 20. Fstiraated value or school property,
ir,s37,ls:i. Average salary or male teachers, f iti-C5
per month; length of school ferm, Omo months; and
ihe cost per month of ach pupil, as cents.
Ic addition to ti e above, tive Normal schools are
reecgi izt d by the State.
sii.ee their recognition, 12,390 students have been
received into them; aud 2ii7f are now enrolled.
There are CO professors aud tutors. The libraries
contain bl35 volumes. The buildings and grounds
are vuliii d at J;io4,007; aud tho furniture aud appa
ratus at f 7ft,ooo.
Desides the schools that receive legislative sap
poit, there are iu tho state Old private schools, semi
naries and academics, employing S4S teachers and
having 21,M& students.
Ihe estimate.! value of their property is iooo.ooo,
and tlie annual amount received for tuition, g:Si),oiio.
There are also thirteen colli ges, with 157 professors
and tutors, and 2S05 studeuis enrolled. They own
much valuable property, and their libraries number
Oft.uoo volumes.
'1 he admirable workings of our Pennsylvania
school system an; everywhere admitted, and Its
great success is chieily o Ing to the generosity of
the legislature, by which It has betn so kindly aud
so beneficently nurtured, aud It is sincerely to be
trusted that it will never weary in this praiseworthy
work, which has thus far beeu so well accomplished
and so abundantly rewarded.
Holdiers' Orphans' Hchools.
Your attention is respectfully invited to the report
of the Superintendent of tlie Soldiers' Orphans'
Schools Iwr the year terminating May 31, 1S70.
Since the first organization of these schools the
whole number of children admitted la 6053. And
during the same period the discharges, including
deatl'S, amount to 1524, leaving 3529 In the schools
at the close of the year; of whom S137 are
In "giadcd" aud 703 In "primary" schools, ami 8J9
In homes. The expenditures of the sys'.ein for the
school ytar ending MnvSl, 1870, wereMi.l2C'4 ;
the appropriations f 194,7 0; b ilauce f 19, 421-43.
'lilt? Superintendent estimates the expenditures
lor education, muintei ance, clothing, etc., of3ti,ooo
children duilng the year terminating May 31, li72,
at 5tio,i:co.
I have personally visit d, inspected and examined
quite a number of these schools since the adjourn
ment or the last Legislature; and I do uot hesitite
to pronounce most or them superior, In all respects,
to any ot uer iustitut'ons of a similar character iu
the couulry. The Banilary condition of these c hu
meri Is one or the most remarkable features of the
schools. Du'lngthe Dve years they have been In
operation, out of 5053 children, only seventy-one
have died, which Is but a litMe over one aud four
tenths per cent, of the entire numher for the whole
time, or less than three-tenths or one percent, per
annum. These facts are Incontestable evidences of
the care aud attt ntlon thai have been bestowed upon
these institutions.
The establishment of these schools, and the
liberal encouragement and support they have re
ceived, have met he approval aud admiration not
not only of the other states of the Union, but of
the entire civilized world.
Agricultural College.
This Institution appears to be gradually accost
pushing the objects tor which it has been liberally
endowed by the State. It has uhcut sixty students,
who are Instructed, not only in the ordinary
branches or literature and science, but In all the
Held operations ueeessary for a thorough agiicul-
lu.al u.liw utl,,n fl'hA L' f na, i 111 I1 1 u I k'uri,ld .SiU.
blisbi d under the supervision of the ulcers, have
thus fur answered their expectations.
IMIIttRr Mat'rro.
onr attention Is invited totnc report of the Ad
jut nt-Ucneral, for the detains of the trans ictl ns of
h;s dtparuneiii, during the pust yeir T'e lie -i-s-s
t of a n ilitary power In the Hta'.e, subo dinate
and snKll'larv to the civil authorities, has beeu so
fii ly discussed, and so Renersliy Rdmitfed, as to
render any argument on the subject eutL'ely super
fluous. It has been my desire and aim to cons' tut)
such a force, to aid the civil authorities, should an
emergency artse.ln the suppression of public tumult
ordhorder. This has been etrected more sinv.ess
fully than was at first anticipated. In lSoil
tdere were but eight volunteer compinles lu
tie State; at the dose of 1S69 there were one hun
died and eighty-four; to which number one hundred
and fifty-eight coni anles were added last year. In
the meantime thirty have been disbanded, leaving
three hundred and eleven organized and active mili
tary companies, now recognized oy act of the Legis
lature, as the "National Guard or I'eunsyivanl
From the coropnny organizations fourteen regl
nents and five battalions have been formed. Whilst
I am not disposed to encourage regimental organiza
tions of cavalry or artillery, they being unnecessarily
large nnd expensive, I regard separate or lodopeii-
dent troops aud batteries of these branches of the
service, attached to brigades or divisions, as highly
impt rtant.
Tl.e quota or arms due rennsvivania has been
diawn from the General Government. This amounted
to forty live hundred breach-loading ritle-muskets
nnd accoutrements, with a proportionate supply of
the proper ammunition. These have beeu distri
buted, as provided lu the act of May 4, 1SG4.
Allilinry Illntory.
The Legislature, In ist4, passed an act authorizing
the Governor "to appoint some competent person to
prepare a military history of Pennsylvania volun
teers and militia, ' who hail been or might thereafter
be In the Held during the war of the Kebelllon .In
conformity therewith my predecessor appointed
samuei r. uares, jisq., to perrorm tins ditticiilt and
resopnslble undertaking. He commenced the task
with zeal and Industry, and has prosecuted It with
ability. The worR has proved to be far more exten
sive and required a much greater amount of labor
and research tnan was at lirst contemplated. Fou'
large royal octavo volumes, handsomely printed and
substantially bonnd, have been produced, and the
tltih and last volume will be completed before the
llrst of June next. The book Itself affords the best
commentary or criticism of the manner In which the
author has discharged his duties. It puts in concise
form and perpetuates the most important portion of
our history, which otherwise would have been for
ever lost. Uereaftcr it will bo invaluable to the
Commonwealth.
Nnflonnl Cemeteries.
fin the first of July, is70, au act of Congress was
parsed amendatory to the act entitled "An Act to
Kstablish and Protect National Cemeteries,'' ap
proved Fi bruary 22 lsiJ7. The object ol these laws
Is to place under the National Government the
management and preservation of these cemeteries,
and to secure the consent of the several Sta'es in
which they ore located. This consent has already
bet n given as to the cenu tery at Gettysburg, by the
act approved April 11, lsos; and the National autho
rities cow ask for the same action by tho State as to
the cemeteries at (ilenwood, Lebanon, Mount Mo
rlah. Odd Fellows', and Woodland, In Plillnlelphia;
and also tho.e at Darrisbnrg, Pittsburg, aud York.
Tho itlllfoid unit illulit iiiorii Italirontl.
About the close of the lust session of tin; Legisla
ture an act whs passed anil approved entitled "A
supplement to the iMllford ami Matamoras K iilroad
Company." The fourth section of this en ictuient
seems to have been intended to take from the State
and give to the company the ten thousand dollar
bonus paid Into the state Treasury aLnually by the
ff!wYork and Krlo HaProad Company, under the
fi f til section of the act of 20111 M irch, IMS. Soon
after the adjournment my attention was directed to
the subject, ami to giurd against loss I caused the
Attorney. eJeneral to ni ve notice to t tie New York ind
Krie Kailroad Company that, th-- State would look
to that corporation for the pnyi ent of the annual
bonus, as heretofore, notwithstanding the ptssage
of the supplement referred to. I regard the latter
os having been enacted and approved, through in
advertnnce, lu the hurry of a clo-ing session, and
as hasty and inconsiderate legis ation, at, variance
with the settled policy of the State, and highly pre
judicial to the public, interests; and I iherofore ear
nestly recommend its Imoiciiiale repeal, or at least
to much of it as relates to the bonus.
i'eli arnph l.tnexniid It n 'iron tlx.
The quest iou of the assumption or the control of
the telegraph lines, r.nd tin; chartering of railio.id
companies w ithin the state by the General Govoru
n ent, was partially considered by the legislature at
lis last sets. on, mid Is now receiving considerable
attention. Kegarding the subject as one of vast
importance, involving the sovereign (tower of too
Sti.tr, the interests ol corporations that are enfran
chised by It, and of our citizens who have Invest -incuts
in stocks nnd bonds amounting to many tnll
lioisof dollars, I most earnestly invito your serious
examination of ir, and y our early action thereon.
Geological Murvey.
A reliable geological aud miuera'.ogical survey
would be of incalculable value t the State. With
out It we have iudeiiuite Ideas of our vast uude
vt'oped mineral wealth, and the exnenso attending
it would be utterly Insignificant when compared
with the beneticlal results. We are, at present,
without even a reliable map to indicate 4he locality,
character, and resources of our mineral regions.
The liist step towards a geological survey is to
obtain as correct a map as possible, If nut
of the entire State, at least of S'leli parts
tncieof as are of the most portau;e to
be studied geologically. This will be a
work of labor and time, and cau only be accom
plished successiiiiiy by triangulating each county
separately, and irom the couuty maps ttius acquired,
constructing a complete and accurate map of the
whole State. It is neither wise nor just policy to
delay this work because it may be more perfectly
eilccted at some future time. There is for it a pre
sent mcefsny, and tne time never win come wnen
such a work can be rendered perfect Tnere can
be no such tiling ns a final geological re
port. New developments in mineral re
sources, as well as additiona laeqiiirementa iu scleu
litlc knowledge, will constantly be made as long as
the world exists.
The geueral voice or the business community and
iHiid-ovvi erslifp or the State demands this survey.
It is et pet tally called ror by the oil regions, newly
discovered coal ileitis, and by the iron, manufactur
ing, and railroad lntt rests. Large portions of the
State remain, to a great extend unstudied by scien
tific and practical men. The old surveyor 1830-41
did a good work, but It is or little value now, except
In a few localities, since it was made, wonderful
discoveries have taken place, and problems of struc
ture and Uept sit still regain unsolved, doubtless In
volving many millions c Jollars Iu value. Then, many
of tho back counties were comparatively unsettled,
and s- arceiy any openings were made in our mineral
districts, except iu the anthracite coal basins and
u round Pittsburg. Now, the Stale Is full of trial
shafts and private explorations; extensive forests
have been cleared; roads penetrate what were ln
accesMble re'glons; railways traverse whole counties
with instrumental field work; many thousands or
oil anil salt wells have been buret! ; valuable mines
put in working order; the population h is advanced
in intelligence and grown more observant aud eu
terpiisli g, and the skill or the geologist, metallur
gist, and surveyor has reached a higher degree or
perfection. Posteiily has its claims upon us;
and it should be considered that what
ever Is done ror the present generation is so
much accomplished ror the generations that miy
follow. Cue important function of a geological sur
vey Is to preserve knowledge ror futu'e use. Scieiuo
is cumulative aud Its advances are slow. It must
collect many facta before it arrives at true conclu
sions. For waut ol a proper bureau of statistics
and a corps of observation and publication to col
late and relate the facts of our geology and mine
ralogy as they have appeared, the State ins already
suilered severely. Much valuable iulorniatiou has
beeu lost, never to be recovered, and but little certain
knowledge of past mining and other scientific opera
tions has been preserved to govern and assist the fu
ture engineer. Tlie sooner, therefore, iu my opinion, a
geological survey is authorized, the better will It bo
lor tho prospective Interests ol the State, as well as
for its present necessities.
Hoard of Public t hnrlllra.
Under the requirements of an act approved April
24, lhiiy, 1 appointed live commissioners to const .
tute a Loanl of Public Chanties, who, at all times,
have full power to look into and examine the condi
tion or all charitable, reiormatory, or correctional
Institutions within the State; and at least once in
every year visit all such as are receiving State aid,
to examine wvervthlnt connected with their man-
agi ment, and especla ly to ascertain wnetner tne
funds aunronrlatetl to them are economically ami
judiciously expended. The requisite number or
gentlemen, possessing the necessary qualllieatior'B,
Fiai-A eenerotiHly consented to Serve on this board.
which Is now fully organized, and the objects con
templated are being accomplished. Early d irhig
the session their Brat anuual report will be pre
sented ror your consideration, which win give a full
account of ihe exuut and Importance of their phi
lanthropic transactions in behalf of the Common-
weaun.
Delaware Ilouadary I.loe.
The Legislature, at Its session of lht9, passed an
act entitled "An act to settle, determine, aud locate
the southern boundary line of the Commonwealth. '
In conformity therewith commissioners were ap
pointed to act "in conjunction with like commis
sioners on tlie part of the Stace or Delaware.' rnat
Sta'e, however, tins failed, thus far, to make the ne-
cssaiy appointment. The work consequently re.
mains nnaeoorotmsncc, and tne Doumiaiy line Is uot
deiinite y llxct.
I uder ordinary circumstances tniB nugnt not. bo
rrgardt d as Important; but when It Is consider -d
that there is a material rtliteretice in the pen tl co tea
of the two States, and that the code of Dsle vare
contains certain provisions aud an horlzes r.he In
fliction or punishments repugnant to all the citizens
of Pennsyivsnla, serious evils may o ne day hHsi
out or the neglect to determine thm 11 ir. It is Im
possible to tell what might transpire should t.he stite
or Delaware seize upon a citizen and sunject nun to
the dlsgracetnl and abhorrent punishment or the
p'liory and the whipping post, who. upon subse
quent investigation, was ascertained to nive his
resilience in Pcnnsjlvaula. The Injured party wo-ild
r.n e a rig nt to demand, ana we would ne eoiuieiied
to grant him satisfaction ror the wrong he suil'erod.
The Hxlierlcn.
The supreme Court has decided that the law re
quiring the owners of dams lu the Susquehanna
river to make Ash-ways In the same, nt last In cases
where they had purchased their works from the
State, is uneocstltutlounl and void. From this de
cision It does not appear that the State cannot have
such ways constructed at its own expense I5ut thla
does not seem advisable until concurrent legislation
can be obtained with Maryland, thai Statu holding
both banks of the Susquehanna river at ita mouth
and for many miles above. The subject has been
brought to tho attention oi' Marylaud, the Legisla
ture or which State, at Its last session, passed a law
providing ror the appointment or commissi iners of
llsheries, to report at its next session, which will not
occur until next winter. The llsheiles uuder con
sideration are nearly, if not quite, as much deterio
rated by the want of statutory laws for their pro
tection as by the mechanical obstructions In the
streams.
Tie New Kngland States and New York have
commenced the experiment-of fish propagation in
the large streams north of us or. quite an extensive
scale. Their experience will be useful to us when
all obstacles arising from the divided state owner,
ship of the river shores shall have bcea obviated.
New Jersey appointed llsh commissioners at the
last session of her Legislature, and the eomtnis
sinner of Pennsylvania is now in treaty with them
In reference to needed concurrent legislation. The
subject Is receiving careful attention In both States
by their delegated agents. It Is hoped that Dela
ware will join with Pennsylvania and New Jersey
in the refoims needed on tho Delaware river.
The Land Department.
The report or the Sui veyor-General shows that
during the past, liseal year 350 patents were Issued,
covering 537,sso acres, being more than one-tlfty-sixth
part of the area or the state. The great
amount or work In this department requires several
additional clerks. The expenses or the oillce were
1 2:, ioo,while the receipts, irom fees alone, amounted
to i54,i03'Ul.
The Yellow Fever
This fearful opedenite made its appearance at tlie
(quarantine Station in June last, spreading terror
through that neighborhood, and causing serious
alarm in Philadelphia. The disease assumed us
ivoist type, and the percentsge of mortality was ex
tremely largo. It was brought to tho Lazaretto
irom Jamaica, by the brig Home, whose captain
died during the voyage. The brig was detained by
order ol the Lazaietto physician, who, with tho
(juaiantine master and other valuable attaches of
Die station, tell victims to tho pestilence. '1 he second
mate and pilot or the brig, lu violation or orders to
the contrary, and also of tho health regulations,
went to the city, w here they both tiled ; and it has
been inferred that the ilea1 In which subsequently
occurred there are partly attributable to their Im
prudence. Upon the death of the Lazaretto Physician and
the (Quarantine Master I appointed two physicians,
both of whom were known to have had muuu e.xpe
iience in yellow lever, to fill the vacancies. They
volunteered tlnir services at a time when R was
iliillcult to obtain persons properly quailiied. The
results proved the propriety or these
appointments. Soon alter they entered
upon the performance of their duties, the
disease wns eradicated and the station restored to
Its n-ii silly healthy condition, soma changes seem
ncocftaiy for tlie proper management of the quarau
tlte. lu my r pinion the (.niiraiitiiin Master should
by law be inquired io be a medical man, qu UlUed to
act s an nxtd.-itniit to the Lazaretto Physician, ami
to perform the duties of that otllcer, Iu ease uf his
absence, sni iiiss or death. Had this been the case
when the late physician died, the necessity for call
ing assistance from without would have been
obviated, and the sickness, sniveling and mortality
Idsseued. The salary of this oitleer, as well as that
of the l azaretto Physician, should be materially In
creased, in order to retain competent an-1 responsi
ble men for these important positions. The salaries
now paid were fixed many years ago, and are inade
quate compensation for the risks uud services re
quited. Grater tl acknowledgments are due to the mem
bers or the Hoard of Health for their excellent sani
tary precaui ions and personal services during the
prevalence of the epidemic, and also to ttt attaches
of the (quarantine Station ror their Tearless devotion
to du y in the time or dagger, r ,d their constant
and self-saciiiicing attention ni the wants of tho
sick and dying. Had it not been for these faithful
and eihtient services, by which the progress of the
fever was arrested, Philadelphia and other popu
leus districts might have suilered a repetition of the
horrors of former years when this dreaded disease
made such frightful ravages.
I'nrdoos.
ccompanyIng this communication will be
found the report ot pardons granted during
the past year. Compared with the increase
of crime, aud the great number of prisoners
in tne county jans au i state penitentiaries, the
number is less than that of former yean. In exer
cising clemency towards persons convicted of crime,
i nave biricny euueavoreu, uuuer an circumstances,
to observe that caution and discretion contemplated
In the Constitution, and to impartially administer
that mercilul prerogative aud extend Its beneficent
protection only ror the correction of the errors or
criminal jurisprudence, the reller of those who may
nave oeen -crueiiy - or "excessively" punisncd, and
those around whom cluster mitigations and ame
liorating circumstances.
VAt! number of aiili?atioM for pardon dtirlni the
past year van tuelce hundred and fully, if which nut y-
nrti ur lire )irr rem. were oraiueit,
The commutation of sentences ror good behavior
in prison, in accordance with tne law or lni.i, has
ell'ectetl favorable results In the conductor prison
ers, and their krepers hint ic a great, auxiliary in
maintaining a wholesome prison discipline. Its bene
iiciai cilect will doubtless be manliest In tho conduct
ol those who am released from prison because or Ita
reformatory IniliienceB, aim it is believed that fewer
con vlet a discharged under it will return to criminal
f ursuits than indcr the old system.
A General Review.
The cheerful aspect of natio lal ail'aies U a subject
for congratulation. A prudent aud patriotic ad
in in 1st i a titjii lias given to the country the substan
tial fruition or the vict Ties obtained lu the late
snuggle ror freedom aud the republic. Tne dis
severed Slates have been restored to the Union;
peace rtigns triumphant through all ourdoiuiniJiis;
the national crcGlt is established beyond the possi
bility of BucccsBful assault, and returning prosperity
abounds In every state aud department of the G jv
ei nn. tut.
H1EETKADK FAI.LACIKS.
The doctrine of freo trade, so beneticlal
to lorelgu interests and so inimical to
Anieiieun inoustry, If carried out to its
legitimate results would soon cause American labor
to be absolutely impoverished, reduce the free and
happy millions of tollers to the degraded condition
of the down-trodden population of Europe, and
copltal would no longer seek enterprises thus ren
dered unreinuueratlvn. Protection to our products
ami manufactures, when lightly viewed, is protec
tion to labor against competition from abr -ad
Labor in the Uniud States commands higher wages
tliuu iu any otheT country. Consequently our work
ing n en are tr-e more elevated. Labor is the found,
at on of Individual md national wealth, and
those nations that have muse thoroughly pro
tected It from foreign competil ion have been most
prosperous. During the late war tho tallsmanlc lu
ilueiicts of protection to our home Industries, and
upon tne labor and capital invested, were obvious in
deveh ping and raising them from their paralyzed
condition to tne substantial prosperity which has
since pervaded the country. And uow, when it
has been bo transceudeutly demonstrated! tnat we
are not only able to defend ourselves, but, want U
equally Important, "to depend upon aud live upon
our own resources;" and when the advocates of
free trade are endeavoring to persuade us to adopt
the absurd theory that "tariils hinder the develop,
mentor Industry and the growth or wealth," why
should not the wisdom of the Government make
available the teachings of experience, and at once
legislate for the good of the people? Way should
it not protect American labor, maintain
its compensation, give the producer a home market,
and develop the unbounded resources ot the coun
try T The duty on tea, coilee, and tropical produc
tions, and all inquisitorial and other tacation
under the revenue laws, except upon luxuries,
w hisky and other liquors, and tobacco, should be re
pealed. Fortunately, in Pennsylvania, there Is but
liitlr, if any, difleieuce of opinion on the subject of
a roflrnabio protective policy. Yon canno'- lei's
late on this subject, but yon can, ami you should,
i is r..tt your Senators and request your K ipresen
tatlves in Congress to use their best exercions to
pi tie ve ns from the baneful Influences of free
trndt , by which the emissaries of Great HrT.atu are
now, 1th syren songs, so anxiously and lntustrt
ousij endeavoring to mre us to destruction. . m
TUB "HKATITEN CHK3."
The Introduction of "Chinese Coolie," or "con
tric labor," Is one of the gteatesi evils that csn
befal the tolling millions of our country. Their pre
sence Is not ouiy degrading, but Impoverishing and
paralyzing to our patriotic and intelligent working
men, it Is a new species of slavery, equal In all its
injurious tendencies to that the extinguishment or
which cost th t nation such immense treasures and
so many thousauos of valuable Uvei. It should not
be tolerated for a single moment, as its results will
virtually be to debase and force, our worklngmen
Into unnatural rivalry with the dregs or the Chinese
population. Kestrifctive laws against the Importa
tion ol this kind or labor, such aa would stay its fur
ther progress, should be enacted without any unne
cestary delay.
THE CNPLEABAKTNERSES Wtni ENGLAND.
The claims against Great urltain for depredations
aponthe commerce of our citiKeus by the piratical
steamship Alabama and other vessels, and the dis
puted rights of our fishermen In the eastern waters,
are yet unsettled. The Imponanceof these Issues
save caused much bitterness or reeling, ami, to a
considerable degree, involved th peace and honor
or the country. Tne alleged cruel treatment by Eng
land of American citizens charged with complicity
In Bome of the Fenian movements, equalled only by
the historic horrors of Dartmouth ami Anderson
ville, loudly call for th prompt and humauo atten
tion of our Government. These three sub
jects, I am Informed, are now under
the consideration of the National Ad
ministration, whose Intention it Is to
settle them with as little delay as possible, and In
such manner as will, meet with general acquiescence
and approval.
Ot'R COMMERCIAL MARINE.
I have observed with pleasure tnat Congress Is
about to provide, by legislation, ror the building up
and protection fcf the commercial marine of our
country, and for postal facilities to and from roreign
countries by American vessels. These measures
should, and no ooubt will, receive the approval of
the people. It is also gratifying to flud the mercan
tile, manufacturing, railway, and other Interests of
our great commercial city of Philadelphia moving
with vigor, aud, I am assured, with success, In
providing the means necessary to establish
a first-class line of American Iron steam
ships to run between that city and Kuropean ports.
The Legislature w ill, no douot, grant liberal fran
chises to ellect a result tnat will place our Com
monwealth in aox'aneo of all others, lu the construc
tion and use or such vessels ror ocean navigation.
With tlie aid and facilities which tho Natloual and
State Governments niav find it their duty ami Inte
rest to extend, it is hoped that this enterprise will
be successful. The construction and maintenance
of steamers suitable for the purposes indicated
would consume large amounts of our great staples
Iron, Bteel, coat, aud lumber ami also give em
ployment to innusamis or our mechanics and citi
zens, and vastly benefit all branches of trade and
Inoustry,
THE END OK Tn REBELLION.
All good citizens win rejoice when the last dis
agreeable veBilges of the recent civil war shall have
been obliterated. Since the cessation of op ;n hos
tilities, the nation has set the whole world a noble '
example by Its unpiecedented magnanimity in for
giving the oirenses and restoring to citizenship the
great mass of those who warred against Its peace
and safety, in this regartl, we have been as gener
ous In peace ns we Inive been Invincible iu war;
and now but comparatively few of those who sought
to dissever the Uuion remain as aliens and strangers
to Its Government. The supremacy of the lsws
has beer maintained, and tlnir power Is no longer
disputed. The passions tnat, excited and protracted
deadly strife have subsided, and we are again,
practically, a homogeneous people.
There are, doubtless, here nUd there, some tlls
alTected spirits, but their numbers ure too few, aud
their power too Insignificant to give ser.ons cause
for uneasiness or alarm. Ai d even towards these,
conciliation will be more productive of good results
than the avenging force of triumphant power. It Is
gieally to be desired that universal peace, amity,
and national leliowship and brotherhood should
agnln prevail throughout our country. And the time
Is, lit list, close at hand when this grand and perlect
consummation will beeU' cted by universal amnesty.
It would efface the lingering distinctions
which are fostered by punishment df the very few
for crimes la which very many participated, and re
move tlie last pretext ior hostility aga'iist a govern
ment whose magnanimity is the crowning glory of
Us power. It will accord with enlightened ant! pro
giersive civlllZHtion, and harmoi.ize with tho tested
might ami grandeur of freo lns'itutions. It will
prei ent, too, the noblest government of the world's
history as Impregmule and iudlss iluble. because
founded, without eihtinciion, class, birth, or cir
cumstances, upon the virtue and intelligence or all
its people.
NATIONAL TROOPS AT STATU ELECTIONS.
The employment of United S ates troops
at elections, without the consent or the
local and State Governments, has recently
received considerable atiention and reprehension.
It Is regarded as n Interference with the sovereign
rigt'ts or tne states, wnicn was not contemplated
by the lounders of the General Government, aud,
II persisted In, must lead to results disastrous to
peace and harmony. The pnetice is one so serious
in its character, and so Injurious In its tendencies,
as to merit prompt cnuidcration and decisive
action, not only by tlie General Assembly but ly
Congress. One of tho complaints of the colonists
against the lb itish King was the oppression grow
li g out of the assumption of this power. They said,
"He has kept among us lu limes of peace standing
armies, without tlie consent of oar Legislatures;"
and, what la especially peri Incut to the case
in point, "lie has ait'ected to render
the military Independent of, and superior
to, the civil power." The alleged authority for the
nse of troops at our state elections 1 derived from
the tenth Bection or an act of Congress aoproved
May 3i, lb70, eii'lthd "An act to enforce the right
of citizens c.r the United States to vote lu the seve
ral States of tho Union, and ror other purposes,"
which authorizes United States marshals to call to
their assistance "such portion or the land and naval
foices of the United States, or or the militia, a may
be necessary to the per.onnance or the duty with
which lliey are charged, and to insure a faithful
observance of tho fifteenth amend
ment to the CoiiBtitulloii of the United States." Hut
it must be a forced construction of this law that
wil Justify the presence or armed natloual forces at
our places of election when no necessity exists
therefor, and where their presence la calculated to
provoke collision. With a good President, the
exercise of the power referred io might have no In
jurious results, tut in the hands or a bad man,
governed by personal ambition, it might prove ex
ceedingly calamitous. l'ii-,HMrioul a onod rrei
dent mi'iht beindurtd to tvijduy it uifoiu.ifuliy, a bad
one would be almost certain to use it' for his own
advancement. Under any circumstances, In my
opinion, it is unsafe, -ind antagomstiu to the princi
ples ttat should govern our republican
institutions. At the last October election
United States troops were stationed lu Philadelphia
for the avowed purpose of enforcing the election
laws. 1 his was done without the consent or even
the knowledge of the clvi authorities or either tlie
city or the state, and without any expressed desire
on the part ol the citizens; and as far as can be
ascertained, without existing necessity. From a
conscientious conviction of lis importance, 1 hive
called your attem'on to this subject. A nelect to
twe done so might have beeu construed asanen
il.)i semen tot a Measure. thl meet mp unqualified
dia)rovaL The civil authorities or Pennsylvania
have always beeu, and are still, competent to pro
tect Its citizens In the exercise or their elective fran
chise, am! the proper and ou'y time ror Untied
states military forces to intervene, will be, when
the power of the Commonwealth la exhausted, aud
their aid ts lawfully required.
THE C'KKTKMMAI. OF INDEPENDENCE.
The celebration of the Centennial Birthday of
American Independence Is exciting much public
attention. It will be an Important era in the his
tory of the nation. Congress has already agitated
the subject, and will, doubtless, soon take action lu
relation thereto. The place for this great occasion
should not be a question of controversy. So other
rovld be se appropriate an J'liilaiielphia.
Around the Hall of Independence cluster
all the brightest memories of the eventful
period to be commemorated. There Congress met;
there tue historic bell first proclaimed "liberty
throughout all the land unto all the Inhabitants
thereof;" there the Declaration of Independence
was lirst promulged, and there should be the na
tional celebration of the one hundredth anniversary
of the nation's existence.
IN CONCLUSION,
It is my sincere denlre that we may cultivate the
spirit of good will, forbearance, kindness and chari
ty, and uutte in constant eirorts to promote the
public good and general prosperity.
j0un w. gbary.
KxEiTtive Chamber.
llarnsOurg, January 4, DT1.