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JOHN LUTZ, Bsnronn, Pa.
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& business Caul*.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
JOHN T. KEAGY,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW.
is- 095 ce opposite Reed A SeheU's Back,
ounsel given In English and German. [pl26]
AND LINGENFELTER,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA.
Have formed a partnership in the practice ol
•the Law, in new brick building near the Lutheran
Church. [April 1, 1864-tl
lyj. A. POINTS,
ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFORD, Pa.
Respectfully tenders his professional services
.o the public. Office with J. W. Lingenfelter,
Esq., on Public Square near Lutheran Church.
> SST-Collections promptly made. [Dec.9, 64-tf.
|_JAYES IRVINE,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Will faithfully and promptly attend to all husi
aess intrusted to his care. Office with G. H. Spang,
Esq., on Juliana Btreet, three doors south of the
Mengel House. May 24:1y
OSPY M. ALSIP,
Ci ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA..,
Will faithfully and promptly attend to all busi
ness entrusted to his care in Bedford andadjoin
a counties. Military claims, Pensions, back
pay, Bounty, Ac. speedily collected. Office with
Mann A Spang, m Juliana street, 2 doors south
ofthe Mengel House. apl 1, 1864.—tf.
B. F. MITERS J. W. SICSXRBOX
MEYERS A DICKERSON,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
BEDFORD, PESS'A.,
Office nearly opposite the Mengel House, will
practice in the several Courts of Bedford county.
Pensions, bounties and back pßy obtained and the
jarchaseofßeal Estate attended to. [mayll,'6B-Iy
F R. DURBOKROW,
'J., ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Will attena prompuy u, BU _
his care. Collections made on the shortest no
tice.
He •*, also, a regularly licensed Claim Agent
andwil give special attention to the prosecution
. 'sis * against the Government for Pensions,
Buck 1 y, Bounty, Bounty Lands, Ac.
Office on Juliana street, one door South of the
Inquirer office, and nearly opposite the ' Mengel
House" April 28. 1865:t
jg B. STUCKEY,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW,
and REAL ESTATE AGENT,
Office on Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth,
Opposite the Court House.
KANSAS CITY. MISSOURI.
Will practice in the adjoining Counties of Mis
souri and Kansas. July 12:tf
• . 1. RCSSBLL. J. M. LOKGBSECBKR
RUSSELL * LONGENECKER,
ASTTORSBVS A COCRSELLORS AT LAW,
Bedford, Pa.,
Will attend promptly and faithfully to all busi
ness entrusted to their care. Special attention
given to collections and the prosecution of claims
for Back Pay, Bounty, Pensions, Ac.
Office on Juliana street, south of the Court
House. Aprils:lyr.
J* M'P. SHARPS E. F. ERRR
SHARPE A KEKR,
A TTORNE TS-A T-LA W.
Will practice in the Courts of Bedford and ad
joining counties. All business entrusted to their
care will receire careful and prompt attention.
Pensions, Bounty, Back Pay, Ac., speedily col
lected from the Government.
Office on Juliana street, opposite the hanking
house of Keed A Scheil. Bedford, Pa. mar2:tf
PHYSICIANS.
yyM."wT JAMISON, M. D.,
BLOODT RCH, PA.,
Respectfully tanders his professional services to
tia people of that place and vicinity. [decS:lyr
QR. B. F. HARRY,
Respectfully tenders his professional ser
vices to the citiians of Bedford and vicinity.
Office and residence on Pitt Street, in the building
fcrmrriv occupied by Dr. J. H. HoSus. [Ap'l 1,64.
DR. S. G. STATLER, near Schellsberg, and
Dr. J. J. CLARKE, formerly of Cumberland
cc unty. having associated themselves in the prac
tice of Medicine, respectfully offer their profes
sional services to the citisens of Sehelisbnrg and
viesnity. Dr. Clarke's office and residence same
as formerly occupied by J. White, Esq., dee'd.
S. G. STATLER,
Schellsburg, Aprill2:ly. J. J. CLARKE,
M ISC ELL ANE"O U S.
OE. SHANNON, BANKER,
• BeFORD, PA.
BANK OF DISCOUNT AND DEPOSIT.
Collections made for the East, West, North and
South, and the general business of Exchange
transacted. Notes and Accounts Collected and
Remittances promptlymade. REAL ESTATE
bought and sold. feb22
DANIEL BORDER,
PITT STREET, TWO DOORS WEST OF THE BED
FORD HOTEL, BEIFORD, PA.
WATCHMAKER AND DEALER IN JEWEL
RY. SPECTACLES. AC.
He keeps on hand a stock of fine Gold and Sil
ver Watches, Spectacles of Brilliant Double Refin
•d Glasses, also Scotch Pebble Glasses. Gold
Watch Chains, Breast Pins, Finger Kings, best
quality of Gold Pens. He will supply to order
any thing in his line not on hand. [apr.2B,*6S.
£ P. HARBAUGH & SON,
Travelling Dealers in
NOTIONS.
In the county once every two months.
SELL GOODS AT CITY PRICES.
Agents for the Chambersburg Woolen Manufac
tunng Company. Apl l:Iy
T) W. C ROUSE, •
• DEALER IB
CIGARS, TOBACCO, PIPES, &C.,
, ' 3 street one door east of Geo. R. Oster
t 'Store, Bedford, Pa., is now prepared
sei. by wholesale all kinds of CIGARS. All
. irrs promptly filled. Persons desiring anything
bis line will do well to give him a call.
Radford Oct 10. '66.,
JOHN U'TZ. Ettttor and Proprietor.
Htujuirrr Mumn.
ADVERTISERS:
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Ikbfort Inquirer.
OOTESIOB'S MESSAGE.
To the Semite and House of Representa
tives of the Com mon wealth qf Pennsyl
vania: i
OENTLESTICN !—For the harmony
and general relations of eomily and
friendship existing between Pennsyl
vania and all the other States and Ter
ritories of the National Union ; for the
present prosperous condition of the
Commonwealth ; 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 mea higher gratification because ;
> t participate with your constituents in :
; the confidence mard''sled-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 I
determination of every question affect
ing the largest interests and gravest
responsibilities, and for a continuance,
| anu even an increase, of that prosperi-!
i ty which has hitherto been so signally
enjoyed.
It is not without a consciousness of
the great responsibility resting upon
me that 1 undertake the performance
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 Common
wealth, and recommend to their con
sideration such measures as he shall {
judge expedient." In conformity |
with i his requirement your attention;
will be called only to such matters of 1
public interest as'in my judgment de- :
serve careful consideration and action j
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 30, 1868:
Tbe reports of the Auditor General
and State Treasurer show that the
balanee in the Treasury, Novem
ber 30, 1867, was " $1,661,836 46
Ordinar.- receipts during the fiscal
Tear ending November 30, 1368 5,216,019 55
Depreciated funds in the Treas
ury, uiiavailable 41,032 00
Total in Treasury for fiscal year
euding NOT 30, 1663 $9,918,918 01
Payments, viz :
Ordinary expenses daring the fiscal
year ending November 30, lb6B $2,154,506 09
Loans Ac., redeemed 4,417,463 6}
Other payments 12,500 00
Interest on loans 1.979,690 91
Depreciated funds, unavailable 41,032 00
8,905.492 54
Balanee in Treasury, Nov. 30, 1868 $1,013,415 37
Sinking fund.
By an act appro veil April 10. 1063,
the transactions of the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund were ordered to
be thereafter reported annually to the
30th day of November. Their last re
port, therefore, includes a period of one
year and three months.
The following is the "recapitula
tion" of the operations of the sinking
veinner 3D, 1868 :
Balance in fund, September 3 1567 sl, 737,912 41
Receipts in fund from September 3,
1887, to November 30, 1868 3,413.992 31
5,156.90 4 79
Paid interest $1,(W0,905 84
Premiums paid as equivalent for
coin 49 98
Loans redeemed 2,414,816 64
4,222.871 96
Balance in fund Nov. SO, ISSB $924,032 76
By the sixth section of the act of May
16, IS6I, a special tax of one-half mill
on the dollar was especially set apart
for the payment of the interest and re
demption "of the loan created by an act
of May 18, 1861, entitled "An Act to
create a loan and provide for arming
the State."
Balance on hand September 3, 1857 $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
Total 743.912 37
Interest paid in January and July,
1868 169.245 00
Balrnce in fund November 30, 1568 $574,667 37
Out (lit ion of Balances.
Balance in siLking fund Nov. 30,
1857 $934,032 76
Balance in sinking fund Nov. 30,
1868 574.667 37
51.505.790 13
Deduct balance in Treasury, Nov.
30. 1863 1,013,415 37
Balance in favor of sinking fund $4y5,234 76
lied lie t ion of the Stale Debt.
By the report of the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund for the year end
ing September 3, 1867, the "loans re
deemed" amouuted to $1,794,569 50,
and by their report from September 3,
1867, to November 30, 1868, the "loans
redeemed" amounted to $2,414,816 64,
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, vizßonds of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, six
million, four hundred thousand dollars,
and bonds of the Philadelphia and Erie
Railroad Company, three million, five
hundred thousand dollars. These are
non-interest bearing bonds and will
not mature for many years. 1, there
fore, recommend to the consideration
of the Legislature the propriety of the
passage of a law, authorizing tin? Com
missioners of the Sinking Fund to sell
these bonds at public stile to the high
est bidder, and direct the proceeds to
be applied to the liquidation of the
State debt.
Public debt outstanding December
1. 1867, $37,704,409 77
Deduct amount redeemed at State
Treasury during fiscal year end
ing November 30,1868. viz,
5 per cent loans, $4,354 253 04
4J percent loan? 63,000 00
Relief notes cancelled 210 00
4,417.463 64
Public debt December 1, IS6S, $33,286,946 1.3
Statement showing the condition of
the indebtedness of the Common wealth
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
4i per cent, loans, 112.000 00
Total ftinded, $33,172,951 56
Unfounded debt, viz :
Relief notes in circulation, $96 415 00
Interest certificates outstanding 13,056 52
Interest certificates unclaimed 4,448 33
Domestic creditors' certificates 44 67
Total unfunded, 113,994 57
Total funded and unfunded, $33,286,916 13
Which is the amount of the State debt as before
stated.
During the last eighteen years there
has been carried ujnm the accounts of
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 com
mittee, by the Legislature, whose duty
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY, JAN. 151869.
it sisal 1 he to examine the said depreci
ated and unavailable funds and dispose
of them to the best advantage of the
Treasury ; or, if found to lie 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 80th of November,!
1887, has been used for the payment of
the twenty-three million loan and for j
the liquidation of outstanding claims j
against the Slate. 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, be 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 slate that the lost Legis
lature. although fully forewarned in
regard to the inset-uitty 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
I 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, strongaod efficient
fur the purpose indicated, and the en
joyment not only of the approbation,
hut the permanent gratitude of every j
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. 1 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 are
ready to strike down those who will
not take effective action in favor of
positive and radical reform. The mon
ey paid into the Treasury is the pro
perty of the people, every one of whom
has a just right to hold It is representa
tives to a strict accountability for every
dollar that may be appropriated or ex
pended.
I here renew the remarks uiade last
year on the subject of "annual appro
priations," to which yeu are respect
full referred. For four successive
years the genera! 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 bills without
proper investigaton, not withstanding
any objections he may have; suspend
the means to defray the operations of
the government for the ensuing year;
or call an extra session of the Legisla
ture. I repeat that "it is earnestly de
sired that theappropriation bill betak
en up, discussed and passed at a suffi
ciently early period during the session
examination which its import-lr,'""''^ l
mands." ,
Ed>• • common Senools.
te 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; 10,771 teachers; and 809, 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 5-5; of contingencies, $854,253 21.
These three items, with expenditures
for all other purposes connected there
with, amount to the aggregate sum of
$6,200,537 96.
These facts are exhibited with great
satisfaction, as they show the average
annual cost for the tuition of each pu
pil to be about seven dollars and sev
enty-four and a half cents. The aver
age amount paid to each teacher is a
bout $195 17] per annum. This, in my
opinion, is too small a salary to secure
the services of competent teachers; and
I am fully justified in urging the ne
cessity of increased compensation, it
is but just, and it will have an eleva
ting tendency not only upon the teach
ers but 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 all 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 in 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 IHJ
committed to houses of refuge, county
prisons or penitentiaries. Humanity
and sound public policy demand that
something i>e 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 of students 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 located at Blooms
brug, Columbia county, and the other
at California, Washington county.—
The value of these institutions to the
common sehool system cannot be esti
mated. Our schools areeomparatively
worthless without qualified teachers,
and such teachers can most easily be ob
tained from the 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 our
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 seem- 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 nurseries of that inquir
ing spirit to which we are indebted for
the purity ami 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
I discriminate between liberty and lleea
tiousness; to preserve an inviolable
j respect for the laws, and exercise "eter
i rial vigilance" against any eneroaeh
j ments upon them. It is admitted that
j a thoroughly educated people alone
: can let permanently free. By educa
tional culture patriotism is expanded,
and the principles, manners and senti
ments of the whole people are assirui
lated. Many of the sources of jealousy
and prejudice are diminished, social
harmony largely Increased, and the
structure of our free and happy'systetn
of government cemented, strengthen
ed and adorned.
Soldiers' Orntuim' Schools.
In his report, the Superintendent of
! Soldiers Orphans' Schools, exhib
its the total expenditure for their sup
pert from December 1, 1867 t May 31,
ISIiS, to be 8236,970 26 ; total number
of pupils in the schools 3,431; average
cost per pupil $69 <KJi for-six months ;
and the average weekly expenses per
pupil 12 65]. The fiscal year of these
schools, like thatoftheeoininon schools,
terminates by Jaw 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 Febuarv 25, 1868, made in accord
ance with an estimate of the Superin
tendent, presented in my last annual
message, exceeded the actual expenses
$0,004 71.
Notwithstanding every possible effort
has been, and will continue to be made,
to economize in the expenses of lite 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 bo carefully as
certained and presented to the Legisla
ture prior to the close of the present
session.
1 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 whoare 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 iti 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 tiiis great
Commonwealth ; and too much praise
cannot be awarded its people for the
munificent and tender manner in
which they have thus far, through
their representatives, discharged the
sacred and delicate trust.
Agricultural College.
Before the General Gove~nment ap
propriated public lands to the several
States for the purpose of agricultural
and military education and the me
chanic arts, and prior to the tittle 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 iis own
sustained by their own internal resour
ces. The education of youth in the i
higher branches of knowledge seems to i
require the aid of philanthropic con- j
tribuiions. This institution bad not
these benefits to any adequate extent, j
and though the board of trustees be- ;
stowed upon it the most anxious care, •
their mil and labor, combined with j
those of its friends, were not equal to j
a contest with the want of means.— j
Hence the school did not command the |
confidence of farmers who were able to I
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 enter!
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 tbe interest upon a fund of
$318,500 00, invested in the United j
States and 'ennsylvania State six per j
cent bonds)payable to it semi-annual- i
ly. Last year'this interest amounted j
to $25,462 ?;>. The residue of the fund, j
$13,886 50, aas been appropriated, uii- J
iler the law by the board of trustees, to ■
the purchase of three model and expo- j
rimental farms ; one at tiie college, in
Centre couaty, for SB,IMK) fit), oue in
Chester cotnty for $17,750 (M), and one
in Indiana county for $18,133 50. The
board has sJso recently re-organized
the faculty lud remodled the course of
studies, so as to adapt them to the j
wants of the agricu'tural community. j
This new order of things goes into op-i
peration at the commencement of the }
next session and it is earnestly hoped
will boa suc?css. 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 it 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 tiie report of the Adjutant
General you will learn the condition
of the Military Department. The in
activity iii military affairs after the
Cessation of hostilities and upon the re-;
turn to peace, has in a great measure j
been dispelled and an active martial ;
spirit now prevails throughout the,
State ; more particularly in Philadel-j
phia, where by a special legislative eu- I
actment, the minimum number of men
required to form a company has been >
reduced, and a brigade fund is raised j
by a tax upon those who are not mem- ]
hers of a military organization, but j
liable to the per or<n nice of military
duty. I recommend the passage of a j
-iinilar law for the wi> >le State. For
the sake of preserv g 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 the difficulties indicated st has
resulted as follows: In 1666 there were
eight volunteer companies in i he State;
in 1867, thirty eight; and in 1866, sey- j
enty-seven, and a number of others in ;
preparation for organization. I
By a reduction of the number for aj
company from that now required to an
aggregate of fifty officers and men,
companies would soon be numbered by
the hundred, any of which could easi
ly be recruited to the maximum number
if required for active service. The
State that always maintains the high
est degree of preparation, accomplish
es most and suffers least in the conflict
of arms ;and by being in readiness it of
ten prevents improper encroachments
upon her rights.
The Adjutant General presents a full
and detailedstatenfent of the disburse
ments in his department during the
year ending November 30, 1868, with
an estimate for the necssary appropria-
■ tions for the current year, and also for
such amounts as have been discover
:edto be due from the transportation
department, contracted during the
i war.
Stale A ftency.
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
benefit resulted to many of the sol
, diers of our State, and their represen
! tatives, from tliis office, in which their
J just dues from the United States:
Government were collected and trans- i
j mitted to them free of charge.—
! In August, after tiie agency ceased to
J exist, there still remained a eonsidera
j ble number of unsettled claims, and as
j no one knew more about their condi
i tion, or could possibly obtain an earlier
j settlement of them than the late agent,
I Col. Cook, I permitted him, upon his
I own offer, to close up the business of
; the office, and to transact any other
business for the soldiers of Pennsylva
nia at one. half the fees that are charged
by any other private agency in Wash
ington City. This arrangement has
thus far befit) carried out, and I ana
pleased to add, with very general sat
isfaction. Ail the books and papers of
the agency will be transferred to the
office of the Adjutant General.
Registry Laic.
At the last session of the Legislature an
act was passed known as the ''Registry
Law," the intention of which was to pro
tect the ballot-bcx against corruption and
fraudulent voting, to which it has for many
years been disgracefully expo-i d. This law
seems to hare been so defective in some of
its provisions as to have rec< ived the con-
Jeniuation of a majority of the Supreme
Court, by which it was pronounced "incon
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, without be
ing subject to the exceptionable features
pointed out by the learned gentlemen who
pronounced the opinion of the Supreme
Bench.
There is no subject of such vita! 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 fran
chise. This right is our proudest boast. It
endows the American citizen with a free
dom 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 he deprived ofit by any means whatever,
his boa-ted freedom becomes a sham—his
especial and exalted prerogative a mockery
and a farce, What avails it to the citizen
that he is entitled to a vote if that vote is
to be nullified by fraud? Such guards,
j then, should be thrown around the polls as
will effectually if possible, preserve thera
from tbe taint of a single illegal vote. Not
only should false voting be severely punish
ed. but false swearing to obtain a vote, be
visited with the pains and penalties of per
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 of the majority is fairly
' and clearly expressed all should bow to it
jas to tbe voice of God. They are the sov
ereign rulers, and their will must be the law
of tlie land. Corruption of suffrage in are
I publican government is the deadliest crime
that can be perpetrated; is a-sassination of
die sovereignty of the people, and will be
<•." •• ...Oil win ne money ami perjury. And
if this privilege be tampered with, sooner or
later the sure and indignant popular con
demnation will be rendered and condign
punishment admini-tered. All good ciri- !
zens, o' whatever political opinion, should ;
lend their aid for the accomplishment of any
and every measure that may tend to secure
to each voter, not only his right to the elec
tive franchise, but the assurance that his
vote wiil not be rendered valueless by ille
gality. corruption or fraud.
Every proper facility for the naturaliza
tion of citizens of foreign birth should be
afforded; but the Legislature, iu its cotubin
ed wisdom, can surely enact some mode to
prevent the pos-ibility of a single vote being
cast upon spurious naturalization papers,
and thus fuliy secure the purity of the elec
tive franchise.
Revision of the Civil Coda.
The commissioners appointed to codify
the statute laws of the State have diligent
ly prosecuted the work assigned them, and
with every prospect that it will be fully com
pleted within the time prescribed by the
FM ;-!utive resolutions of April 8, 1668; and
in further compliance wttn luem,
cause to be 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 d_e- [
partments are in successful operation in
several neighboring States, by means of
which the interests of insurers are guarded
and promoted. So careful a supervision is
had over the transactions of insurance com
panies that frauds are rendered almost im
possible, and spurious companies can have
no existence. The result of the protection
thus afforded, is, that whil-t foreign com
panies. thus protected, do immense business
ill this State, so little confidence 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 be taken, in consequence
of the inadequacy of the laws to afford pro
tection to insurers. To this defect, more
over, may be attributed the operations of
the number of worthless companies which
| have suddenly sprung up, without any so;id
I basis, and as suddenly expired, ta the in-
I jury of all whose confidence they obtained,
and to the dishonor of the Commonwealth,
i Whilst Pennsylvania insurance companies
transact little business outside of the Mate,
: it is alleged that foreign life insurance com
! panies alone paid taxes last Tear on three
' million eight hundred thousand dollars of
premiums received iu Pennsylvania, a great
' proportion of which would be confined to
j this State if the same protection was given
! by law to its citizens as is afforded by other
Stales. The report of the Insurance De
partment^'New York, published in 1807,
shows that the companies which were doing
business in 1866, in Pennsylvania, and hlso
in New York, had risk" in force for more
than five thousand million of dollars; an 1 it
is believed that the ri.-ks in Pennsylvania
companies, which, for want of a proper in
surance Department, can not be obtained,
would swell the amount to over six thou
sand million. „ , ,
In view of these facts, and of the costly
experience of the people who have been itn*
! posc-d upon and defrauded by unsubstantial
1 and ephemeral companies, I repeat the
i recommendation made to the Legislature at
' its last session, that an Insurance Depart
! ineotbe established, and a superintendent
! appointed bv law. who shall have super-
I vision and control over all insurance com
! panies allowed to transact business wuhio
' the State, and annually publish, under oath,
full reports ot their transactions. Thecom
j munity is deeply interested in this matter,
and demands the protection which can thus
! only be afforded.
New Hospital for the Insane.
The commissioners appointed by an ac
of the last session "to establish an audition
al State Hospital lor the Insane, have
notified me that they will present a report
of their proceedings sometime during the
present month, which will be communicated
when received.
VOL. 42: A O. 2-
( Damages by JiaiJs.
In accordance with an act of the last
; session, providing for an investigation and
adjudication of the claims of citizens ol
several counties "whose property was de
stroyed, damaged or appropriated for the
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 & full re
i port of their transactions.
Paris Exposition.
I I have revived through the Secretary of
; State of the United States, a bronze medal
j and diploma from the Imperial Comtnissiop
| era for the best specimen! of' Pennsylvania
1 anthracite coal exhibited at the Paris Kx
| position in ISG7. These tributes to an iro
portant branch of the internal resources of
Pennsylvania have been assigned a place
among other valuable relics in the Ex
ecutive Chamber.
tit ate Coat of Arms.
Diligent but unsuccessful search has been
repeatedly made for the coat of arms of the
Slate, and for the authority under which
the pro-e tit design was established. It
seetuslhat for years past no trace of either
! <' O'.'vir'! authority or design could any
where be found, and it is recommended that
the Legislature take the necessary steps to
supply the omission, by such means as they
iu their wisd on shall determine.
State Beneficiaries.
A number of benevolent, charitable and
other similar institutions annually receive
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 he applied, and arc as liberal as
can reasonably be expected in the present
condition of the Treasury of the State.
The Susquehanna lisheries
A preliminary report on the Susquehanna
fisheries has been submitted by Col. James
Worrall, Civil Engineer, Commissioner un
der the act of the Legislature in reference
thereto. There are some facts which should
be em! odit-d in the report, but which tan
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 surliest day practicable during the
present month.
Cattle Disease.
The prevalence of contagious or epidemic
diseases among cattle and other animals lias
for some years past been a prolific source of
anxiety and alarm among the producers aud
eousumers of meats in many of the States.
It was therefore deemed important to call a
convention of competent persons to take
into consideration the means best calculated
to remedy this great and growing evil. This
convention, composed of three commission
ers each from the fourteen States represen
ted, appointed in accordance with an agree
ment bv the several Governors, assembled at
Springfield, Illinois, on the first of Decem
ber last, and an account of their transactions
is herewith presented.
Without legislative authority, but believ
ing my action would ba sanctioned by the
people's representatives, I appointed Dr.
Hiram Corson and Messrs. E. C. Humes
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 which I recommend that an appro
priation be made.
Statistics.
In view of the vast amount and great
variety of the products of the State, a desk
I for the collection of statistics, relative to ex
i ports and imports, agriculture, manufactures
propriety and profit be established. This
could be accomplished by the employment
of a competent clerk, under the supervision
| of ODe of the present heads of department,
! whose duty should be to collect and publish
>uch facts as might teud 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 appropriated as a receptacle for books,
papers, niitie r alcgical 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.
Jit solutions 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
worthy of your consideration, refatrfeTo the
act of Congress "to establish and protect
National Cemeteries," and recommending
"to the Legislature of the State oi Penn
sylvania the passage of an act empowering
the board of commissioners having eharge
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 Memnriam. ,
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, and Hon. Darwin A. If inner, of the
Twentieth District. Both were natives of
Vermont, but in early life selected 1 ennsj I
vania for their home, and identified them
selves with her 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
i his grave after a long life of public useful
ness and in w,ll matured honors; the other
in the prime of manhood, which gave prom
ise of a scarcely less brilliant career.
Pardon*.
The list of pardons issued during the pa-t
year will be t'ouud 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, arc given in event case. I hat
a few of these pardons may have been un
worthi'y granted, through misrepresenta
tions of relatives, friends, sympathizing
neighbors and other interested parties, there
is no doubt, but in the majority of instances
it is certain that the facts not only justified
but demanded Executive clemency.
The whole number of applications fur
pardons during the year has-been sixteen
hundred and twenty-three. Ihe number of
pardons gtaiitei in that time has been one
hundred and six, which is a little over oj
percent. Of these pardoned about five per
cent, have !cn again brought before the
courts in consequence of their return to the
commission of crime. . . ,
1 am fully impressed with the weighty
responsibility of the pardoning' power, which
ranks among the most difficult and embar
rassing duties of the Executive office. Oaily
beet with powerful and pitiful importuni
ties, as well as conflicting representations,
from those in whom he should be able to
place the fullest confidence, in order to avoid
errors in the decision of any case, the tiov
eruor is compelled to take into consideration
the action of the court before which the
convict has been tried; the majesty of the
' law which may or may not have been viola
! ted; the condition of the prisoner; hts temp
's tation to err; the injury that may be inflict
ed upon hi* helpless and dependent rela
tiveg, and the arguments and appeals 01
i citizens whose opinions and wishes he is
: bound to respect. And however just his
! decision and humane and generous his ac
; tion. either in favor of or against the peti
! tioner for clemency, he must expect to nave
i his motives impugned, his name and cliar
f acter maligned, and to suffer virulent attacks
RATES OP ADVERTISING.
All advertisements for less ;k*n t It
cents per line for each insertion. Speewl
one-b*lf additimai. All resolutions of
tioos, communication* of a limited or inditi<4i
interest and notices of marriage* and death*, ex
ceeding five lines, 10 eti. per line. All legal noti
ces of every kind, and all Orphan*' Court an 4
other Judicial sales, are required by law to be pub
lished in both papers. Editorial Notice* 14 centa
! per line. All Advertising due after first insertion.
A liberal discount made to yearly advertiser*.
3 monts. 8 months, 1 year
One square 4.50 $ 6.00 SIO.OO
Tre squares 6.00 0.00 16.00
Three squares 8.00 12.00 20.00
One-fourth column 14.00 20.00 39.00
lUlf column 18.00 25.00 44.00
One column 30.00 46.00 80.60
for the exercise of this most important and
merciful prerogative.
The pardon report will exhibit that many
instances in which Executive clemency has
been invoked, youthful prisoners, charged
with their fir.-t offences, and those of a triv
ial character, have been the recipients. The
object of punishment, in all cases, should
net be so much to inflict pain as to reform
the sufferer and prevent the repetition of
evil deeds. This fact is frequently lost sight
ofiu imposing punishment upon criminals,
especially when inexperienced youths are
shut up in close cells with men hardened in
crime, where its arts are daily taught and a
romance thrown around its commission. In-
-tead of being improved, they come forth at
the expiration of their terms of sentence
with the less of self-respect, their moral
sentiments blunted, and prepared to prac
tice upon society the infamous lessons they
have learned. .Such punishments tend to
increase rather than lessen the quantity of
crime. When houses of correction and re
formatories are constructed, or a proper sys
tem of confinement and prison discipline is
adopted, there will be a material decrease of
crime, and comparatively few cases to de-
mand the exercise of the pardoning power.
Commutation of Sentences.
There are confined in the Philadelphia
county prison the following named convicts,
under sentence of death, for whose execu
tion warrants have Dot been issued : Ed
ward Ford, sentenced May 12, 1851; Jerry
Dixon, May 30, 1863; Patrick Finnegan,
February 9, 1863, Newton Champion De
cember 1, 1866, and Alfred Alexander and
Hester Vaughn, July 3, 1868. Successive
Governors, for satisfactory reasons have de
clined to order the execution of these per
sons. The law requires that they shall be
executed in accordance with the sentence,
unconditionally pardoned, or held in close
confinement in the county jail during life.
The latter punishment, with the additional
embitterment constantly preying upon the
mind that a death warrant may at any mo
ment be issued, is, perhaps, the severest
that could be inflicted. It would be both
just and merciful to give the Governor au
thority to commute the sentence of death in
the above named cases to imDrisonment, at
labor, in the penitentiary, for such a term
of years as the ameliorating circumstances
may seem to justify and demand. One of
the convicts named has been imprisoned
about eighteen years, and although it might
not be advisable to set him at liberty, hu
manity and the ends of justice require th
commutatoin of his sentence in the manner
suggested.
Conclusion.
The foregoing subjects have been deemed
of sufficient importance to submit at the
present time for your information and con
sideration. Others may occur before the
close of the session which may be worthy of
special communications. It wiil be my con
stant care and determination to co operate
with you in the prosecution of any measures
that may tend to preserve and increase the
prosperity of the State and the happiness of
its people, with the firm belief that your
united wisdom will aim constantly to pro
mote these desirable results.
Many of the events that have transpired
since my last annua! communication to the
legislature have been usually interesting
and significant. They have been infinitely
more than political, and bear directly upon
the great interests and most sacred_ destinies
of the nation. Apart from the vindication
of the principles of the party which sus
tained the government and the army during
the contest for the preservation of the
Union and the election to the Presidency
ftic 1 j.'vtpie" n'&'Vc I>y "fri£3uphaht ' majori
ties forever settled our controversy upon
certain fundamental principles.
Parties may and undoubtedly will arise
upon other issues, but there can be DO fu
ture struggle about slavery. Involuntary
servitude, as a monopoly of labor, is forever
destroyed. The monster obstacle to the
national progress has been removed, and
henceforward all the the faculties of our
people can be developed ''without let or
hindrance." The fair and exuberantly
fertile States of the South, heretofore com
paratively retrogressive and unproductive,
relieved from this terrible curse, with the
iufiux of northern immigration and capital,
will soon become the rivals of their northern
sister States in all the arts of peace, and ad
ditional markets will be developed in which
to exchange the varied products of the here
tofore hostile sections.
Hardly less magic-al lias been the effect
upon other nations. General Grant's elec
tion has confirmed the hopes of our nation's
friends, and the fears of its foes in the Old
World. It supplements and seals the ver
dict of arms and the progress of republican
principles. The downfall of the rebellion
pyhle'irrifat 1 CKTl' "revtrruißm-Vir- itaSouoJ
the peaceful expulsion of the last of the
Bourbons from Spain; the unrest of Cuba;
the concession of more liberal principles in
(;,-rmany; and the necessary acquiescence of
the Emperor of the French in the republi
can sentiments he fears even as he has be
trayed them. What are these but the
echoes of thedire catastropho that has over
whelmed aristocracy in the United States?
Notwithstanding the importance of the
issues involved in the late canvass, and the
bitterness of feeling as well as the earnest
ness with which it was conducted, its ter
mination has happily met the with acqui
escence of nearly the whole people; and at
no time in the history of the nation has
there been opened before us a brighter
prospect of continued peace and increasing
prosperity; and wo have no greater cause
for universal congratulation than that no
differences of opinion now exist that can
materially mar opr national happiness, re
tard our onward progress, or threaten the
peace or perpetuity of our government.
In conclusion, permit me to remark that
the voice of Pennsylvania, as well as that of
a majority of the States, has at the ballot
box proclaimed to the world that all our
national indebtedness, no matter how heavy
the burden, will be paid according to "the
letter and spirit" of the agreements made
and entered into at the time the debt was
contracted; and that in this as in all other
respects our individual and national honor
"must and shall he preserved;" that we are
determined by all honorable means in our
power to secure ample encouragement and
; protection to each and every branch of Homo
Industry, and every manly enterprise that
contributes capital, labor, ski 1 and industry
to our material wealth, social advancement
and political tranquility; that for all our cit
izens the children of the Commonwealth,
being abo citizens of the United States, we
demand the fullest protection, in their per
sons, their property, and in all their rights
and privileges wherever they may go withm
the national jurisdiction or in foreign lands;
and that whilst our financial policy shall be
such as to maintain untrammelled our na
tional credit, it is to be hoped that it may
at the same time, b* such as will permit and
sanction the construction of the great rail
way now in progress and stretching out
their giant arms to grasp the mighty com
merce of the Pacific, to develop the untold
resources of wealth in the intervening terri
tories; and to connect the most distant por
tions of our countiy in a common union,
not only with iron hands, but by the still
stronger and more indissoluble ties of a com
mon interest and a common brotherhood.
To lessen the burdens of the people, and
to keep the expenses ot the State as nearly
as possible within the limits 01 its absolute
necessities, will always be among the chiet
objects of wise and just legislation. Let us,
then, with a due sense of car obligations
f and high responsibilities, endeavor so to
- discharge our duties as to secure the great
s est good of the community and merit the
approbation of Him by whom our
- wealth has been so abundantly Wes_sU y
! EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, 1
s Harrisburg, Jan. 6,1569. j