TERM OF THE GLOBE.
Per annum in advance'
Six menthe
EZEZEICI
A failtiro to notify -11.41fitontitionned , at the ospiration•of
the term 8 übHcribed for will ho considered a now engago
inent.
TERMS O 1 ADVERTISING.
1 insertion. 2 do. 3 do.
Four . linpS'or lCss,. $ 25.. ' ..$ 37, 1 /. $ 50
One square, (12 lines,) ..... ..... 50 75 ' 100
Two squares ) 1 ,00,: ... .... 1 50 2 00
Throo squares, , 1 50 2 25 8 00
Over three iveelt and lass than three months, 25 omits
per square for , each 'insertion. .
3 months. 0 months. 12 months.
...$1 50 $3 00 $5 .00
300 .500 700
Six lines "
or leas;.
One square,
~ V 0 qvarq,..
Three .ficp4ares,
rotir
Haifa:column,
Ono column;....
. -
rrofesdional and Business Cards not exceeding four lines,
• .. . •
brie; year,' 53 00
Administraters'And..Executorf? Notices, $ . l. 75
if.dsortisements not, marked with the number of inser 7
bons desired, will he continued till forbid and charged ac
bording to the'so terms.
MESSAGE.
lb the lionorahle the Senators and ienibers
' of the -Hotise'Of _Representatives of the•Gen
eras' Assembly :
,VELtpwAirriztNs obedience - to, the
Constitution arid. laws Of this Commonwealth,
you have assembled , to discharge the 'impor
tant and responsible duties that deVolve upon
you. To protect the rights and privileges of
the people, advance their, nterests, and pro=
Mote the welfare and prosperity of the State,
should be the aim and end of all your legis
lation. In the discharge of my duties, it will
be a pleasure to co-operate with you in the
accomplishment of these objects.
The past year has been one' of, unusual
prosperity. The bounties of a kind Provi
dence have not been withheld from our Com
monwealth. A plenteous harvest has rewar
ded the labor`of the husbandman. Honora
ble, industry, in all its departments, has been
encouraged. No financial embarrassments--
no commercial distress—no political- or social
evils, have interrupted the progress, or check
ed the energies of the 'people. The great in
terests of education, morality and religion,
have been. cherished and sustained. - .Health
and peace, with their attendant blessingS,
have been ours. To him " who rules the
Nations by his power, and from whom cem
eth down every good and perfect gift," are we
indebted for these mercies, and to Him should
be given the homage of our devout gratitude
and praise.
The financial condition of the Common
wealth is highly satisfactory. Every demand
upon the Treasury has been promptly met
and paid, without the aid of loans. The op
erations of this department will be exhibited
in detail in the report of the State Treasurer.
For the fiscal
,year ending *November 30,
1856, the receipts at the Treasury (including
the balance in the Treasury on the first day
of December, 1855, of $1,243,697 33) have
been $6,621,937 64. The total expenditures
for the same period, were $5,377,142 22. Bal
ance in the Treasury, December 1, 1856,
$1,244,795 42.
"Excluding the balance in, the Treasury on
the first of December, 1855, the receipts; from
all sources, were $5,378,240 33. The ordi
nary'expenditures for the same period, were
$4,113,144 77,, showing an excess of receipts
over ordinary expenditures of ,5.1.,205,095 56.
The extraordinary payments for the same
year, were $1,263,097 45, as follows, viz :
To the completion of the Portage railroad;
and for the payment of debts previously con
tracted on that work, $181,494 11 : to the
North branch extension, $122,723 52 ; .tip re
lay the south track of the Columbia railroad,
$267,000 00 ; for motive power in 1855,
$118,049 42 ; to enlarge the Delaware divis
ion of the Pennsylvania canal, $13,900 00 ;
for general repairs in - 1853—'54—'55, $63;965
11; to domestic creditors, $l5l 63 to old
claims on the main line, examined by the
commissioners,, and paid under the act of
May 22, 1856, $130,512 09 ; to the redemp
tion of loans,- 5327,824 47 ; and relief notes
cancelled, $38,217 00.
- The interest on the funded debt which fell
due in February and August last, was then
paid, aud: that which becomes due in Febru
ary next, Will be paid with equal promptness,
out of available means now in the Treasury.
The punctuality with which the interest on
the public debt has been paid, and the ability
of the Treasury to meet all legitimate de
mands upon it, have inspired public confidence
in our securities, and contributed largely to
establish and sustain the credit of the Com
monwealth.
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
report the-sum of $722,432 93 as due bythe
Treasury to that fund. This amount will be
applied to the redemption of relief notes now
in circulation, and to the payment of the
funded debt. Heretofore the available means
in the Treasury have been applied, to some
extent, in payment of outstanding temporary
loans, which bear an annual interest of six
per centum ; it being deemed advisable as a
matter of economy to pay these loans, rather
'than the funded - debt, which bears a much
less rate of interest. It is expected that the
balance of the temporary loans will be paid
before the close of the current year, and the
operation of the sinking fund resumed and
continued as directed by law.
The funded and unfunded debt of the State,
including temporary loans, on the first day of
December, 1855, as per reports of the Audi
tor General and State Treasurer, was as fol
lows, viz :
FUNDED DEBT.
c,'516,154 93
38,903,445 04
A per cent. loan
- do d 0...
4, 1 7 2 ' d o 10 ...
do d 0...
Total funded debt
UNFUNDED DEBT.
Relief notes in circulation ...... '5258,773 00
Interest certificates outstanding 29,157 25
Domestic creditors 1,264 00
13al. temp'ry loan, April 19, 1853, 525,000 00
Bal. temporary loan, May 9,1854, 346,000 00
Total unfunded debt,
' 4 rottd. debt, December 1, 1855 41,067,994 2.2
,The funded and unfunded debt at the close
of the last fiscal year, December 1,185 G, was
118"f0110IVS, viz : - -
G per cent loan
do do
-
......
31L do • do
Total funded debt,
UNFUNDED DEBT, VIZ:
Belief notes in circu1ati0n.........5220,556 00
Interest &ertificatos outstanding 24,091 37
• Do unclaimed... 4,448 38
'Domestic creditors - 1.164 00
Val. of temp'ry loan, April 19, '53 400,000 00
13:11_ of temp'ry loan, May 0,1534 154,000 00
• • • Total urifunilud debt
Total debt, December 1, ISSG
;Taal debt, December 1,1555.
D 0...... ......do 1, 1856
Decrease
366,158 97
, It.thns appears that during the past fiscal
year the sum of three hundred. and sixty-six
thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dollars
and ninety-seven cents has been paid in li
quidation. ofhe public debt. This, takenin
connection with the fact, that during the year
ending November 30, 1555, six. hundred and
thirty thousand six. hundred and one dollars
and two cents were paid on the same account,
$l. 50
. 75
500- ' 800
7 00 10 00
-10 00
...15 00
.13 00
.16 00
.00 00
. 9 00
.12
20 00_.....
...20 00
....24 00
-50. 00
383;200 00
100,000 00
$39,90
lEU
.. $511,781 00
- 38,866.004 50
.. 388,200 00
.. 100,000 00
$39,866,075 60
834,859 75
10,701,835 25
541,007,994 :?.2
40,701,8.15 '25
WILLIAM LEWIS,
VOL. XII,
exhibits the gratifying fact, that the process
of reducing the public debt has commenced ;
and, unless checked by .reckless mismanage
ment and extravagant expenditure, must con
tinue until the people and the Commonwealth
arc relieved from the debt and taxation with
which they aro 'burdened. addition to
this reduction of. the public debt, large ap
propriations and payments - were made for the
-completion of tho Portage railroad and for
debts previously contracte on that work; for
old and unsettled claims recently adjusted by
the commissioners appointed - under the act
of last session; for re-laying the south track
of the Columbia railroad; for, enlarging the
Delaware division of the canal, and for other
purposes. These extraordinary demands up
on the
with
have ceased, or will soon
cease, with the .necessity that created them;
and thus leave a still . larger portion of the
revenues to be applied in payment of the pub
lic debt.
A careful examination of the financial con
dition of the Commonwealth—her sources of
revenue and the probable future expenditures,
has inspired the hope that the time,is not
far distant when the public. debt will e fully
paid, and this without increasing the sub
jects or ratio. of taxation. It has _already
been shown that the revenues of the past
year exceeded the ordinary expenditures one
million two hundred and sixty-five thousand
ninety-five dollars and fifty-six cents. The
estimated receipts and expenditures for the
current year, which will be presented to you
in the report of the State Treasurer, show
that the excess of receipts, over ordinary ex
penditures, may reach the sum . of one and a
half million of dollars. These estimates, al
though approximations, will not be far from
the true result. Allowing, then, four hun
dred thousand dollars for annual extraordi
nary expenditures—and under a wise sys
tem of economy in no probable contingency
can they exceed that sum—we will have at
least one million of dollars to be appropriated
annually for the payment of the public debt.
With the rapid development of the wealth
and resources of the Commonwealth—the in
crease of population—of the value of real
estate, and of the amount and value of prop
erty of every description, the revenues must
and will'continue to increase. This natural
and necessary increase of revenue will sup
ply every deficiency and every demand upon
the Treasury that falls within the range of
probability. If, then, the sum of one million
dollars be-appropriated annually in liquida
tion of this debt, and the accruing interest
on the sums paid be. applied in the manner
of a sinking fund, the entire indebtedness of
the Commonwealth will' be extinguished in
less than twenty-three years. If these premi
ses are correct—and their correctness can on
ly
be impaired by unwise legislation, or the
imprudent management of our finances—the
truth of the proposition is susceptible of the
clearest demonstration. Assuming the pub
lic debt on the first day of December, 1856,
to lie, in round numbers, forty millions five
hundred thousand dollars, and that at the
end cf each fiscal year' one million dollars,
with the accruing interests on former pay
ments, will be paid, unerring calculation will
determine the result to be as before indica
ted. Thus, before the expiration of the year
1879, Pennsylvania may stand redeemed from
the oppression of her public debt, and her
people be released from a taxation imposed
to meet its accruing interest, and to maintain
the faith and credit of the Commonwealth.
These views are not utopian. By practicing
strict economy in all departments of the gov
ernment—avoiding extravagant expenditure
—refusing to undertake any new schemes of
internal improvement, and holding to a rigid
accountability the receiving' and disbursinn•
agents of the State, their realization may be
anticipated with confidence.
I must again call the attention of the Leg
islature to a subject referred to in my last
annual message, in the following terms:
"By the thirty-eighth section of the act of
the 16th of April, 1845, entitled 'An Act to
provide for the ordinary expenses of Govern
ment, the repair of the canals and railroads
of the State, and other claims upon the Com
monwealth;' the Governor was authorized to
cause certificates of State stock to le issued
to all persons or bodies corporate holding cer
tificates for the payment of interest on the
funded debt of the State, which fell due on
the first day of August, .1842, the first days
of February and August, 1843, and the first
days of February . Alid. August, 1844, in an
amount equal to the amount of certificates so
held, upon their delivering up said certificates
to the Auditor General. In pursuance of the
even, certificates 'of State
it of four millions one hun
and, one hundred and fifty
cents, bearing interest at
cent, per annum, payable
the first days of February
;h year, and redeemable on
Lay of August, 1855, were
issued. The minimum period' fixed by law
for the redemptiOn of 'these certificates, ex
pired on the first day of August, 1855. - NO
provision haS been made for their renewal or
redemption.
"Although by the terms of the act author
izing these certificates of State stock, as also
by the conditions of the certificates issued in
pursuance thereof, the time of payment, after
the expiration of the minimum period, is op
tional with the debtor,' the Commonwealth,
yet a due regard for the credit of the State
-requires that provision should be made for
their renewal or redemption. To redeem
there certificates, a loan would become neces
sary,amel as a loan cannot be 'effected, in the
present - financial condition of the country, on
terms more favorable to the State than those
on which these certificates were issued, I
would recommend that authority be given to
issue the bonds of the.CoMmonwealth in re
newal of said certificates, bearing interest at
the rate of five per cent: per annum, payable
semi-annually, and redeemable on or after
the expiration of twenty years; and that the
bonds-be issued with coupons' or certificates
of interest attached, in sums equal in amount
to the eerni-annual interest thereon, payable
on the first "days of February and August in
each and every year, at such place,as may be
designated. 'This . change in the' form and.
character of the, certificates, it is believed,
will be so advantageous to the holders, with
out increasing: the liabilities of the Common
wealth,-as to Induce a willing and prompt ex
chang.e, at a; premium for the bonds proposed
to be issued.
The report of tho Canal Commisssioners
will be laid before you, and will exhibit in
detail the condition of the public works—
their general operation, and the receipts and
expenditures for the past fiscal year.
The total receipts at the Treasury, from
the public works, for the year ending Novem
ber 30, 1856, were $2,006,015 66, being an
increase over the revenues of the previous
year, $63,638 95. Of this sum $1,013,589 1.6
were canal, and bridge tolls, $992,426 50;
tolls of the Columbia and Portage railroads:
The aggregate expenditures for the same
year were $1,943,896 82, being an increase
over those of the previous year,
.of $105,105
64, the revenues exceeding the expenditures
only $62,118 84.
The increase of the ,revenues front these
works would be encouraging, were it not for
the fact that the expenditures have increased
in a still greater proportion—the expendi
tures, ordinary and extraordinary, exhaust
ing almost - the entire revenue from this
source. The system must be defective, or
More care and economy should be exercised
in its management.
The receipts at the Treasury from the sev
eral divisions, were as follows, viz:
Main line $1,229,272 86
Susquehanna, North Branch and West Branch 426,820 51
Delaware 349,922 29
Total receipts
The extraordinary payments during the
year, amounted to $808,892 16; ordinary ex
penditures, $1,135,004 00 ; net revenue, (ex
eluding• extraordinary payments and for mo
tive power) $871,011 00
On the main line the .tolls received at the
Treasury from the Columbia road, were
$991,676 50; expenditures $528,084 86 ; tolls
on the Eastern division 'of canal, from Colum
bia to the Junction, $119,718 36; expendi
tures, $53,048 50 ; - receipts from the Junction
to Pittsburg ' including the Portage railroad,
$117,778 00; ordinary expenditures; •$304,-
702 22. The total receipts on. theniain line
were $1,229,272 86 ; aggregate expenditures,
(excluding $267,000 00 ' paid for, re-laying
the south track of the Columbia - railroad,
and 153,049 42 for motive - - eower in 1855,
and after Decemberlst, .185 b,) were $885,,
835 65,, being an'excess of , reVenue; over or
expenditures of $343,437 .
Although the receipts from the Delaware
division are less than those of- the previous
year, yet the general result of its operations
is satisfactory.. The net revenue. at the
Treasury was $264,095 40. Its manage
ment has been characterized byi!a degree of
economy too seldom practiced on some of the
lines of our improvements.
However important this division may be
to the trade and business of that portion of
the State, its proposed enlargement should
not be undertaken, unless demanded by rea
sons of over-ruling necessity. The experi
ence of the past, as connected with the Alle
gheny Portage railroad, and the, • North
Branch extension, should warn us against
undertaking, without great caution, any new
measure of improvement, which may drain
the Treasury, without aiding materially, if at
all, the public - interests. If kept in good or
der by efficient and, timely repairs, its capa
city will be fully .eqUal to all the demands of
its trade and business.
The Portage 'railroad is not fully comple
ted. A small additional appropriation may
yet-be required to complete, for the fourth
time, this road. It is anxiously hoped that
this unproductive improvement may soon cease
its cormorant demands upon thaTreasury.—
Eveyy year's experience more clearly reveals
the nopolicy of the State in undertaking this
work.
It gives me no ordinary,pleasure to inform
you that the North Branch extension of the
Pennsylvania canal has been so far comple
ted, that boats freighted with-coal and other
products, were successfully passed through
its entire length from Pittston to the Junc
tion canal. This work was commenced in
1836—suspended in. 1841—resumed in 1849,
and finished in 1856; although its completion
was officially announced in 1853. It extends
from Pittston to the New York State line, a
distance of aboUt ninety-four miles, following
the valley of the Susquehanna, to Athens, and
thence along the Chemung river to the State
line, where it joins the "Junction canal," and
is thus connected with the Now York improve
ments.
The importance and value of this improve
ment cannot easily be over-estimated. Pas
sing through one of the richest mineral and
agricultural portions of the State, it offers to
the immense and y'aloable products of that
region, a safe and cheap transit to the mar
kets- of New York, Baltimere, and Philadel
phia. In the completion of this• canal the
difficulties to bo ,overcome, • and the labor to
be . performed, were great. Both these, to a
great extent, have been_ acconipliShed under
the superintendency of Wm. lgaffot, Esq.,
to whom this work was assigned. ' - •
This canal although completed, and before
the close of navigation, used for the purpose
of transportation, is not perfect. Sinks in
the bottom, from the nature of the formation
and soils through whiCh it passes, slides - from
the hills, and breaches may occur, but these,
after a few years of well applied labor, will
be diminished, and by vigilance and care en
tirely prevented.
This improvement, although subject to the
-rivalry of competing railroads, if kept in
good condition, under proper management,
will receive its full share of coal and other
tonnage. It is anticipated that the revenues,
for the current year, will eqUal, if not exceed
the expenditures; and increasing with the fa
cilities afforded, and the 'rapid developinent
of trade, will, instead of its heietofore un
ceasing demands upon the Treasury, take
precednce in revenue over any canal in the
Commonwealth.
In relation to the propriety dial policy . of
the sale of the wain line of our public ipi-
HUNTINGDON, PA., JANUARY 14, 1857,
2,006,015 66
-PERSEVERE.--
proverriOnts, my opinion has not changed.—
Every consideration of public policy, of pre
sent and future interest, requires the separa
tion of the State from the management and
control of these works. The expenditures on
thatportion of the line, between the Junction
and Pittsburg, largely exceed the revenues,
the excess averaging annually not less than
one hUndred and fifty thousand dollars ; and
causes are in constant operation that will still
more increase this deficiency. This continu
al. drain upon the Treasury, •to sustain a
work, so unproductive, should
,at once be
checked. A. sale of the main line, for a fair
consideration, and upon terms just and liber
al to the purchasersos the proper rein6dy.—
Such sale, on terms amply, protective of the
rights and interests of the people, can, by
proper legislation, be effected. In connection
with the payment of- the public debt, this
question becomes: deeply important. The
sale would constitute a new era in the finan
cial, history of the State, and assure a still
More speedy reduction of the public debt,
than that to which-reference -has-been made.
The subject is_earnestly commended to your
favorable consideration.
"The subject of banks and banking capital
in "its relations to the currency—the general
interests of trade and commerce and the in
dustrial pursuits of the citizen, deserve your
careful attention. The incorporation of new,
or the re-charter of old and solvent banks,
when actually necessary, and demanded by
the want of legitimate trade in the commu
nity.where located; should,be favored; under
no other. circumstonees should either be per
mitted. In the creation of lianks, the inter
ests of the State and people should be con
sulted, and a just discrimination as to num
ber, locality and the ,demands of trade be ex
ercised.
The rapid increase of population, the im
portance and. value of our home and foreign
commerce, the constant development of the
material wealth of the State, the extent of
our manufacturing, mechanical and agricul
tural industry, the fact that the State is flood
ed by a depreciated' currency introduced by
private bankers and brokers, might justify,
under the restrictions and limitations indica
ted; a judicious increase of banking capital
within our Commonwealth. This, whilst it
would aid the operations of -trade, and sup
ply the real business wants of the people,
would, at the same time, remedy, to some ex
tent, the evils- of a 'depreciated foreign and
illegal currency. •
:By the act approved the-6th day of Novem
ber . 3 ..a5t,, the thirtieth. -section -of- the act of
1850, regulating banks,..will be, after the first
day . of July next, extended to all incorporated
saving fund, trust and insurance companies.
That section declares . `. 4 that it shall not be
lawful for any of, the said. banks to issue or
pay Out any bank notes other than those is
sued by itself, payable on demand. in gold or
silver ; notes of specie paying banks of this
State which -are taken on deposit or in pay
ment. of debts, at par, at the counter of the
bank where paid out; or notes of banks issued
under the authority of the act of the 4th of
May, 1841, at the option of the person receiv
ing the same."
These enactments were intended to protect
the community against the evils of a depre
ciated currency, and prevent its introduction
from other States. However well intended
they will fail to secure these objects, unless
made to embrace private bankers and others
of that class, whose profits are largely de
pendant upon the introduction into the State
of such a currency. In many instances the
notes of our own banks are collected by pri
vate bankers and brokers, and with these, or
with the specie withdrawn from the banks
issuing them, they purchase depreciated and
forei.n bank paper which is paid out at par
at their counters. By others large loans are
negotiated with banks out of 'the State, at
less than the usual rate of interest, and their
notes, often of a, less denomination than five
dollars, and always at a discount, brought
into the State and put into circulation in the
manner indicated, and this, too, under an
agreement with the bank making the loan,
that the notes thus :paid out shall be kept in
circulation. The effect of this system of pri
vate banking has been to limit the circula
tion of the par paper of our own banks, and
substitute in its place a foreign, depreciated,
and often a worthless currency. In justice
to the bank,. trust and insurance companies,
paying a heavy annual. tax. to the Common
wealth for their privileges, and for the pro
tection of the people against these evils, either
the provisions of the thirtieth section of the
act of 1850, should be repealed, or further ex
tended se as to embrace private individuals
and associations, who may monopolize and
control, to the detriment of the public, this
traffic in depreciated bank paper, without re
straint and without taxation.
The report of the SuperiPtPOPO or Com
mon Schools, will exhibit to you the number
and condition of the schools—the number of
teachers and. scholars, and the general opera
tions of the system during .the past year.—
To the , valuable statistical information of the
report, and the useful suggestions for the im
provement of the system, 1 invite your early
and intelligent consideration.
From a small and comparatively unimpor
tant incident of the State Department, the
care and management of the public schools
of the Commonwealth, with their seventeen
hundred districts, ten thousand• directors,
twelve thousand. teachers, and over five hun
dred thousand . scholars, have become the
most important and laborious branch of that
Department. The increased and increasing
business of the system has been met by a
correspondent increase of zeal, labor and effi
ciency in the officers to whom the law has
committed its general direction and supervisr
ion. They should be sustained by wise and
generous legislation. The magnitude and
importance of the system, in its political, so
cial and moral relations to the present and
futnro of the people, requiro that' this should
be done. The ghardiariship of the mind of
the State should occupy a distinct and promi
nent place among the noble institutions of
the Commonwealth. It should receive the
efficient aid and encouragement of the gov
ernmont, and be sustained by a virtuous and
intelligent people. If the revenue and treas
ures of the ,State—her public improvements
—her lands and their titles, require and de
serve the marked and distinctive care of the
government, how much more should her men
tal and intellectual treasures, richer than
gold—the social and moral improvement of
her people, more valuable than canals and
railways—the titles of her youth to the bound
less fields of knowledge, higher than any of
earth or aught growing out of its ownership,
claim an honorable position, and receive a
care and aid commensurate with their great
er value and usefulness.
The County Superintendency, wherever
it has been committed to faithful and effi
cient men, has fully vindicated the wisdom
and policy of that measure. It is slowly,
but surely removing the prejudices and
gaining the confidence of the people.—
Whatever defects time and experience
may develop, in this or any other branch
of the system, shoUld be promptly correct
ed. But until the necessity for change is
established, the system, in its unity and
integrity, should be maintained; and if
changed, changed only to render more
certain the accomplishment of its noble
purposes and objects.
A sufficient number of competent and
well trained teachers is the great want of
the system. In its structure and organi
zation it is as perfect, if not more so, than
any of the systems of our sister States.—
But the teacher is wanted to give it proper
vitality and efficiency—to develop its true
force and value—to secure the great ob
ject of its creation, the thorough education
of the youth of the Commonwealth. How
can this want be. stiriplied? How are
teachers to be trained and, provided to
meet this educational demand? Must we
be dependant upon the training schools of
other States? Must our system be jeop
arded, and its success perilled, by waiting
the slow and unaided efforts of voluntary
associations to furnish the much needed
teacher? Voluntary associations of com
mon school teachers have accomplished
much in their disinterested and noble ef
forts to remedy this defect. They are
worthy the highest commendation—they
deserve every encouragement. They can
and will do more; but unaided they cannot
accomplish the object desired. The Leg
islature must provide the remedy—they
can supply the deficiency. It should be
done promptly and effectually. No subject
of greater interest can occupy your atten
tion as legislators—no one appeals more
earnestly to duty and patriotism.
In a former communication to the Leg
islature the establishment of State Normal
schools, for the education of teachers, was
urged as indispensably necessary to the
perfection of the system. With full con
fidence in their utility and necessity, I .
again recommend them. These institu
tions, with their proper professors, and
appliances, supported by the State, would
meet the want's and elevate the character
of our common schools,
Teachers' Institutes, as auxiliary to
Normal Schools, when in operation, and
supplying their place till established,
should be aided by the State. One such
institute in each county, meeting annually,
under the fostering care of the govern
ment, would be productive of most bene
ficial results. Whilst it would improve
teachers and prepare them for their impor
tant and responsible duties, it would ele
vate and dignify a profession too long
neglected and under-valued by those most
deeply interested in their honorable labors.
These measures, as also an addition to the
annual State appropriation for common
schools, in an amount limited only by the
necessities of the Treasury, would give
energy to the system—increase its efficien
cy—and thus promote the true interests of
the people and the Commonwealth.
Our educational, charitable and refor
matory institutions have strong claims
upon the bounty of the people, and . I cor
dially commend them to your care and
liberality.
- The State Lunatic Asylum at Harris
burg, and the Western Pennsylvania Hos
pital for.the Insane, and other kindred
purposes at Pittsburg, arc noble charities,
and deserve the aid and encouragement of
the state. The annual reports of these
institutions will be laid before yo 4, and
will exhibit, in detail their operations du
ring the past year.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia,
and the Western House of Refuge near
Pittsburg, are institutions of great excel
lence, and their results clearly - establish
the wisdom of the policy that founded and
sustains them. They ought not to be neg
lected; net. should this aid of the Com
monwealth be withheld from them.
The "Blind" and the "Deaf and Dumb
Asylums" at Philadelphia; and "the
Pennsylvani4 Training School for idiotie
and fdeble minded children," are institu
tions that appeal, in silence and sorrow, to
the best and purest feelings of the heart,
and ask your sympathy and aid. They
should receive a generous share of the
benefactions of the State. .
Agriculture; in its varied departments,
is the great interest of the Commonwealth.
It is the basis alike of financial and com
mercial success, and of State and national
prosperity. An interest so important
should bo fostered by the State, and hou-
Editor and Proprietor.
NO. 30.
ored byUil classes of society - . To its pro=
.
motion and success all should cheerfully
contribute. In a former comunication
recommended the establishment of an Ag
ricultural biirean, ih. ConneCtion with some
One of the State departments, to give efff. :
Ciency to the collection and diffusion of
useful knowledge on this subject, and to
encourage scientific and practical agricul
ture. Science with wondrous energy, has
aided tie husbandman in his honorable;
vocation, and proffers still more help.—;
The State should nerve his arm and cheer
him onward in this, the first and noblest
pursuit of man. This subject, in connec
tion with an appropriation to the "Far=
mers High School of Pennsylvania"—an
institution destined to be an honor to the
Commonwealth—is recommended to your
favorable consideration.
The "Polytechnic College of Pennsyl
vania," established by the enterprise and
liberality of some of the patriotic citizens
of Philadelphia, as a school of the applied
sciences, deserves honorable Mention, and
should r eccive.tbe confidence and patron
age of the public. In the teachings of
this institution; literature science and art,
in happy union, meet to krepare our young
men for the practionl business of life, for
mining, mechanical and civil engineering,
and for promoting intelligently and effi
ciently the great interests of manufactur
ing and agricultural industry.
The laws on the statute book regulating
manufacturing and improVeinent compa
nies require revision. They are unneces
sarily stringent in many of their provis
ions, and thus defeat the object of their
enactment. They drive capital
,freim the
State, instead of inviting its investment
here; and instead of encouragine. ° indi
vidual and associated enterprise and en
ergy in the development of our immense
natural resources, they bind and crush
both"by severe restrictions, unwise limi
tations and personal liabilities. The sub
ject deserves careful attention and liberal
legislation.
I have so frequently expressed my views
in relation to, local, special and 'omnibus'
legislation; that their reiteration now be
comes unnecessary. Legislation, so far
as practicable, should be general and uni
form. Local and special legislation,when
the object desired can bo secured by gen
eral laws, or by the action of the courts,
should be avoided. "Omnibus legislation"
cannot, under any circumstances, be justi
fied or approved. Too much legislation is
an evil that prevails extensively in legis
lative halls. Its avoidance would not be
injurious to public or private interests.
The practice of delaying the passage of
the general appropriation bill until the;
last days of the session, and incorporating
in it provisions incompatible with its gen,
eral character,and obnoxious, when stand
ing alone to insurmountable objections, is
highly censurable and should be discon
tinued. The attempt thus made to force,
by a. species of legislation legerdeman, the
passage of objectionable measures through
the Legislature, and compel their sanction
by the Executive, has been too often suc
cessful. The practice cannot be toe
strongly condemned : it cannot receive my
sanction.
The militia law of the State is imper
fect in many of its provisions, and should
be revised. The powers and duties of the
Commander-in-Chief should be more clear
ly defined; as also of the other officers
connected with the military organization
of the Commonwealth. This is necessary
to prevent a conflict of jurisdiction with
other departments of the government, and
to give greater efficiency to our military
system. Volunteer companies should bo
encouraged; our military system should be
remodeled, and made to occupy that hon
orable position which from its importanc
and necessity it deserves.
Near the close of the last session of the
Legislature, I transmitted to that body an
ordinance passed by the select and coin,
mon councils of the city of Philadelphia,
approved by the Mayor on the 7th of
April, 1856, and officially communicated
to me, proposing to convey to the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania alot of ground
in that-city, for the purpose of erecting
thereon a State arsenal. Want of time
alone prevented action on the proposition
then. gu.brpitted. The ground thus offered
to the State is valuable, and its location
most eligible for the purpose intended.--:
The conditions of the proposed grant aro
favorable to the State, and highly credita
ble to the municipal authorities of Phila
delphia; evincing a- liberality and public
spirit worthy of all commendation. • The
-necessity of a State arsenal in that city is
so apparent that the subject needs pq
elaboration in this communication. After
the sale of. the State arsenal ip philadel 7
phia, the public arms were deposited ha
an old building, or out house, unsafe and
unfit as a depository for public property:
The sum of $30,000 00, realized • from
that-sale, is not in the Treasury; and by .
the fifty-fifth section of an act passed the'
19th day of April, A. D. 1853, entitled
act to provide for the ordinary ox:--
peuses of government," &c., the Governor
Was authorized to apply the same to the'
purchase of a lot of ground and to the
erection of an arsenal thereon. This sum
was found insufficient for these purposes ?
and consequently the object intended by
the appropriation has not been accom
plished. By the cession of this- lot, the
State will be relieved from the expenditure
of any money for the purchase of suitable
grounds ;:and the entire sum of $30,000 00
may bo applied to the erection of the ner
cessary buildings; to which sum can be
added, if deemed advisable, - the _amount
that may be realized from the sale of the
arsenals at Meadville and Harrisburg, as
recommended in my last, annual -Inessage •
These sums would be. amply sufficient tg
_ .
accomplish this object.
would, therefore, again rec,ommend
the immediate passage of a bill accepting
the conveyance of the said lot of ground
NO:s.;CLCTUED ON FOURTH I'AGE.I