VOL. 46 The Huntingdon Journal, J. R. DURBORROW, o . ,glee on the Corner of Bath wed Washington streets. Ttte lICNTINGDON JOl 7 ENAL is published every Wednesday, by J. It. Duttuounow and J. A. NASH, Under the firm name of J. It. Dt•naonnow at Co., at $2,00 per annum, Ix ADVANCE, or $2,50 if not paid for in six months from date of subscription, and $2 if not paid within the year. No paper discontinued, unless at the option of the publishers, until all arrearages are paid. ARVERTISEMENTS will be inserted at Tea Crass per line for cash of the first four insertions, and Ft,: CENTS per line foi each subsequent inser tion less than three months. --. Regular monthly and yearly advertisements will he inserted at the following rates: 3m Gm 9ml 1 y I ~, ,clll 9003G00 3700,31100 ' lO, gr0Ftg6.9.0,1 0 01 yr 30 0060 00 8000 1000 3m 6mfi6o0 Scilly 110 300 4&s 000, 00 0 00,1?. 00 4 001 9 00113 50118 001 600,12 00.18 00120 00 7 54P18 00 , 22 50.30 OD 1 Inch 2 Special notices will be inserted at TWELVE AND X HALE CENTS per line, and local and editorial no tices at FIFTEEN CENTS per line. - All Resolutions of Associations, Communications of limited or individual interest, and notices of Mar riages and Deaths, exceeding live lines, will be charged TEN CENTS por line. Legal and other notices will be charged to the party having them inserted. Advertising Agents must find their commission outside of these figures. All adrertieing aerosols are doe and e.dlertalde when the adrcrtieemesd is once inserted. JOB PRINTING of every kind, in Plain and Fancy Colors, done with neatness and dispatch.— lland-bills, Blanks, Cards, Pamphlets, As. ' of every variety and style, printed at the shortest notice, and every thing in the Printing line will be execu ted in the most artistic manner and at the lowest rates. Travellers' Guide, pENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD. TIME OP LEAVING OP TRAINS. Winter An WESTWARD ;.:. 41 R-13 ~,,,. w. STATIONS. i El ;,r.- 1 '4 t , 9, ' 4 70 t PiTiA•m - ItiN44" . ;N. Ilamilthn 4 461 b....... 1 12 2 52 7 50310. Union....— 4 541.-- 12 01 ......31apleton Pfit " 11 - 1111rmirixonZtt . ' 5 35; . .. 12 47 ,rotorsburg 5 45i . 12 23 lllarree 5 53 „.... 1 07 'Spruce Crook 808 ...... 128 ;Birmingham 6 18 627 ' 145 Tipton 634 ...... 153 6 38 7 00 9 30 2 00 9 40 Altoona P. X. l A. X. P . M. A.N. The Fast Lind' Eastward, leaves A Itoona at 12 42 A. awl arrives at llantingdon at 1 17 A. U. The Cincinnati Exp Fess Eastward, leaves Altoena at 5 55 P. a., and arrives at Huntingdon at 7 05 P. M. Pacific Express Eastward, leaves Altoona at 8 25 A. a., and passes Huntingdon at 7 25 A. a. Cincinnati Express Westward, leaves Huntingdon at 3 35 A. a., and arrives at Altoona at 4 50 a. 3f. The Pot Lino Westward, passes lluntingdon at 7 55 P. a., and arrives at Altoona at 8 45 P. at. H UNTINGDON AND BROAD TOP RAILROAD. On and after Wednesday, Nov. 22. d, 170, PI Trains will arrive and depart as follows : STATIONS. Huntingdon. - Long Siding MeConnellstown Pleasant Grove Marklesburg Coffee Run Rough and Ready A. SI. 4,6 00 OS I 211 30 45 1 00 1 OS 1 23 1 27 1 43 1 50 1 OS 1 16 1_ se; P. m. I LE 5 26! 5 TS 5 42 5 49 43 08 6 18 6 25 Coy; Fishers Summit Saxton 6 48 AR 705 ..5 1 10 Itlddlesburg Hopewell Pipers Run Tatesville 12 USI Bloody Ron 'AOI2 12 Mount Dalai [OIIP's RUN BRANC] laxton, LI 7 101 Conlmola,. In 1 1 1 1 1551 Dndley, , Broad Top City JOIIN 11f Professional Gan IUiLES ZENTMYER, . Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will ai to all legal business. Office in Cum , KLOVELL, Attorney-at- Law, If i gntingdon Pa. Special attention given to COLLECTIONS of all kinds ; to the settle ment of Estates, &o.; and all other Legal Business prosecuted with fidelity and dispatch. . Olliec.in room lately occupied by It. Milton Speer, Esq. [jan.L'7l. • • W, MYTON, Attorney-at-Law, Hun- Esq. pan4,7l. tiALL MUSSER, Attorney-at-Law, • Huntingdon, Pa. • Office, second floor of Lcisler's•new building, Hill street. Dan. 4,11: A P. W. JOHNSTON, Surveyor A-- 1 -• • and Scrivener, Huntingdon, Pa. All kinds of writing, drafting. &c., done at short notice. Office on Smith street, over Woods .h Williamson's Law Office.[mayl2,'o9. • PM. 'M. S. LYTLE, Attorneys • at-Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will attend to all kinds of legal business entrusted to their care. Office on the south side of Ifill street, fourth door west of Smith. [jan.4,ll. JSYLVANUS BLAIR, Attorney-at • Law, Ifuntingdon, Pa. Mee, 11111 street, three doors west of Smith. JA. POLLOCK, Surveyor and Real • Estate Agent, Huntingdon, Pa., will attend to Survgini in all its branches. Will also buy, sell, or rent Farms, Houses and Real Estate of ev ery kind, in any part of the United States. Send fut a circular. [jan.4'7l. ]J. A: DEAVER, having located 9t Franklinvillc, offers his professional ser vices to the community. Dun.4,'7l. . W. ?VATTERN, Attorney-at-Law J• and General Claim Agent; llnntingdon, Pa., Soldiers claims. against the Government for back itay, bounty, widows' and invalid pensions attend ed to with groat care and promptness. Office on Hill street. JOTIN SCOTT. S. T. BROWN. J. M. BAILEY• SCOT'P BROWN & BAILEY, At torneys-at-Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Pensions, and all claims of soldiers and soldiers' heirs against tho Government will be promptly prosecuted. Office on Hill street. • Dan. 4,71. DR. D. P. MILLER, Office on Hill street, in the room formerly occupied by Dr. John M'Culloch, lluntingdon, Pa., would res pectfully, offer his professional services to the Mil seas of Huntingdon and vicinity. • L1an:4,71.. JIL PATTON, Druggist and Apoth • ecary, opposite the Exchange hotel, Hun tingdon, Pa. Prescriptions accurately compounded. Par, Liquors for Medicinal purposes. [n0v.23,70. DR. A. B. BRUMBAUGH, offers his professional services to the community. Office on Washington street, ono door mist of the Catholic Parsonage. [jan.4,'7l. J. GREENE, Dentist. Office re -m-l• • moved to Leister's now building, hill street _ Dan. 4,71. lluntingdon. RALLISON MILLER, Dentist, has • removed to the Brick Row, opposite the Court Muse. 0an.4,'71. VXOiIANGE HOTEL, Huntingdon, -. 2 .4 Pa. JOAN S. MILLER, Proprietor. Joetu!ury d, ISM F OR ALL KINDS OF . _ JOB WORK, GO to Tun Jounnet. BUILDING, corner of Washing ton and Bath stmts. Our press. and .type are all new, and work is executed in the best style. - 4 • T he r;,i 11.4 -A. ILL (101_ 1 1 orirnal• T 6 ADVERTISERS J. A. NASA, THE HUNTINGDON JOURNAL. PIJBLISIIED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING J. R. DURBORROW & J. A: NASD Office corner of Washington and Bath Sts., ITUNTTNODON, PA. EASTWARD. g- 5 • THE BEST ADVERTISING MEDIUM P. X.jP.M.!A. x 1313 31 CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. ...5 0519 24 ... 4 57 9 16 11 - 1241131; a II 4158 39 4 06 8 31 110 40 4 00'S 21 9 4618 12 10 - 303 19'8 06 1. 3 2917 57 I___---- I3 2317 61 3 18'7 47 10 00 3 00 7 30 P. M. P. M. A. M. CIRCULATION 1500 Tr-Aors. A. M. AU 8 40, 8 20 8 13 R 05 7 50 7 35 lIOME AND FOREIGN ADVERTISE- MENTS INSERTED ON REA. SONABLE TERMS. A FIRST CLASS NEWSPAPER. 1. 2 on _ :Q; _. :ILLIPS, TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION : 9.1 $2.00 per annum in advance. • $2.50 Attorney-at atendpromptly iningham's new Dan. 4,71. within six months. $3.00 if not paid withiu the year. JOB PRINTING ALL KINDS OF JOB WORK.. DONE NEATNESS AND DISPATCH AND IN THE LATEST AND MOST IMPROVED POSTERS OF ANY SIZE, CIRCULARS, WEDDING AND VISITING CARDS, BALL TICKETS, PROGRAMMES, ORDER BOOKS, SEG AB. LABELS, RECEIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHER'S. CARDS, BILL HEADS, LETTER HEADS, PAPER BOORS, ETC., ETC, ETC., ETC., ETC., Our facilities for doing all kinds of Job Printing superior to any other establish ment in the county. Orders by mail promptly filled. All letters should be ad dressed, J. R. DURBORROW & CO. DRUGS!! DRUGS!! DRUGS!! PATENT MEDICINES, NOTIONS, PAINTS, OILS, VARNISHES, TOBACCO, SEGARS, • AND PIPES, Crackers, Nuts, Fruits, &T., &c., &e., Choice Wines, Brandy, (in, &c., &c. and pure old Monongahela Rye whisky for family medicinal use. Special care given to filling Prescriptions. Call at the Depot Drug Store for any and everything you may iieed in our line. MEDICINES. Jan. 4, '7l. 1871 CARPETS:!! CARPETS !! CARPETS!! FALL STOCK, AT RED UCED PRICES ! JAMES A. BROWN Beautiful Patterns of Carpets, fresh from the looms of the manufacturers. Ills stock comprises VENITIA COTTAGY Window Shades and Fixtures, Druggot, Velvet Rugs, Door Mate, Extra Carpet Thread and Bind ing. I make a speciality of furnishing Churches and Lodges at City Prices, and invite Furnishing Committees to call and see goods made expressly for their purposes. Buyers will core money and be better suited by going to the regular Carpet and Oil Cloth Store, far any of the above goods. I defy competition in prices and variety of beautiful patterns. CARPETS 25 cts. per YARD AND UPWARDS. I have also the Agency for the Orignal HOWE SENVING MACHINE, so well known as tho best Family Machine in tho world Call at the CARPET STORE and see them. EASTON BLAKE. M. MARION M'NEIL. HUNTINGDON FOUNDRY. (Successor to J. N. Cunningham & Son.) Made in a first-class Foundry. We have always on hand all kinds of Plow and Stove Castings, Wash Kettles, Cellar Windows, Grates, Coal-hole Castings for pavements, Winslow weights of all sizes and weights, Pipe joints, Sled . and Sleigh rSolcs, Wagon-boxes, Machine Castings, for steam and water, grist, saw, sumac ands , plaster mills of all descriptions. We are prepared to furnish HEATERS AND IRON FENCES of the most improved styles, oven doors and frames, door sills, and in fact everything made in this line. We have a large stock of patterns, and can fur nish castings at short notice, and cheaper than can ho had in the country. Having a good drill, we are prepared to do drilling and fitting up of all kinds. - Office in Leister'F new street, Hun' tingilon, Pn. Jan. 4, '7l. • MONEY CANNOT BUY IT FOR SIGHT IS PRICELESS!! WITH Bet the Diamond Spectacle., will Peeserec THE DIAMOND GLASSES, IVhich arc now offered to the public, are pronounced by all celebrated Opticians of the World STYLE, SUCIIAS Natural, Artificial help to the human eye ever known They arc ground under their own supervision, from minute Crystal Pebbles, melted together, and derive their name "Diamond" on account of their hardness and brilliancy. The Selena* Principle on which they are con structed brings the core or centre of the lens direct ly in front of . tho eye, producing a clear and distinct vision, as in the natural, healthy sight, and pre venting all unpleasant sensations, such as glim mering and wavering of sight, dizziness, Ac., pecu liar to all others in use. They a, Mounted so the Fined Manner, in frames of the best quality, of all materials used for that purpose. Their Finish and Durability BUSINESS CARDS, CAUTION.—None genuine unless hearing their trade mark stamped on every frame. AARON STEWART, Jeweler and Optician, is Sole Agent for Huntingdon, Pa., from whom they can only be obtained. These goods are not supplied to pedlars, at any price. Chute] 5,'70y CONCERT TICKETS, SMITH IN HIS NEW BUILDING, CALL AND EXAMINE. • IF YOU WANT GREAT BARGAINS GO TO LEGAL BLANKS, The host Sugar and Molasses, Coffee, and Tea Chocolate, Flour, Fish, Salt and Vinegar, Confec tionaries, Fruits,Cigars, Tobacco, and spices of the best, and akinds, and every other article usu ally found in a Grocery Store. Also—Drugs, Chemicals, Dye Stuffs, Paints, Var nishes, Oils Spts. Turpentine, Fluid, Alchohol, Glass, Putty, &c., &e. The best Wine and Bran dy for medical purposes, and all the best Patent Medicines, and a variety of articles too numerous 10 mention. PAMPHLETS, The public generally will please ,ic,, call andexam. inc for themselves, and learn my '. S. SMITH. Jan. 4, 11 WILLIAM I. STEEL, SADDLE AND HARNESS MAKER, Has removed to his New ROMP, on Main street, three doors east of the "Washington House," where ho has ample room and facilities, and is now pre pared to accommodate his old customers, and all others who may desire anything in his line of trade. Plain and Fancy Buggy Harness, Carriage, Tug, and Yankee Harness, Saddles, Bridles, Whips, Blankets, &c., always on hand, or made to order on the shortest notice, and most reasonable terms, Also, a good assortment of Horse Blankets and Sleigh Belle. Having had twenty-five years practic;lcaporienee in the business, he Hatters himself that he can ren der entire satisfaction to all who may patronize his establishment. Work warranted and Repairing neatly done. Unntingdon, Oct. 19, Ism Miscellaneous. (Stock New and perfectly Pure,) J. R. PATTON Near the Depot, Huntingdon, Pa. PERFITMERY FAMILY GROCERIES. MEDICINES. L constantly 2vcciviny at his nem CARPET STORE, HUNTINGDON, PA., TNIIR A INS. WOOL DI Ten,- HEMP, LIST and RA( CARPETS CARPET CHAIN, COCOA AND CANTON MATTINGS, FLOOR, STAIR AND TABLE OIL CLOTHS, and a largo stock of WALL PAPER, JAMES A. BROWN. Jan. 4, 1871 BLAKE & M'NEIL, IRON AND BRASS FOUNDERS. Iron and Bross Crurtingg, MANCPACTURED BY J. E. SPENCER & CO., N. Y., to be the MOST PERFECT, CANNOT BE SURPASSED. SMITH'S NEW STORE. HUNTINGDON, PA., JANUARY 11, 1871 GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representa tives of the Commonwealth of Pennryl- GENTLEMEN :—An All-wise Provi dence has permitted you to assemble un der circumstances demanding profound gratitude to the Great Lawgiver of the Universe. Our acknowledgements are first due to Him whose hand has not grown weary in showering blessings of profusion upon the people in every de partment of industry, and crowning their toil with richest rewards. The circumstances under which you commence the duties of the present ses sion are, indeed, auspicious; and at no for mer period in our history has their been greater cause for felicitation upon the in estimable blessings we enjoy, and the happy and prosperous condition of our great and growing Commonwealth. The meeting of the General Assembly is always a matter of deep interest to the people, and perhaps never more so than now, when an unusual amount of neces sary general legislation will occupy your attention, and questions of the highest importance are to be discussed and deter mined upon. I sincerely trust your in dustry and faithfulness in the.performance of the important work before you, will win Till the proud title of "the working Legislature." 1871 Amid such circumstances our attention should be directed to a careful review of all the most important and essential inter ests of the State; and in the exercise of that discretion which the Constitution bas confided to the Executive, 1 proceed to communicate such information, and to re commend to your consideration such meas ures as are deemed necessary and expe dient. As first in order and the most impor tant, I will present a carefully prepared and precise statement of the financial con dition of the Commonwealth. FINANCES. It affords me pleasure to congratulate the people upon the satisfactory condition of the Treasury. Every demand upon it for ordinary and other expenses has been promptly paid, and the public debt ma terially reduced, which has inspired such public confidence in the securities of the Commonwealth as to cause them to com mand the highest premiums in themarket. The operatians of this department will be presented to you more fully and in detail in the reprts of the Auditor General, State Treasurer, and Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. The following statement exhibits the receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1870: RECEIPTS. Balance in Treasury, November 30,186 Ordinary receipts during the fiscal year end ing Nov. 30,1870 0,336,653 24 Total in Treasury duriugyear ending N0v.30, 1870 DISBURSEMENTS. Ordinary exPrn'e!...P!!:lAnringn°lnl!nd: ing ifaventber 30, 1.870.....:52,866,832 CO Lonna, &n., redeemed 1,702,679 05 Interetta.on loans 1,864,611 77 Total Balance in Treasury, November 30,1870... 81,302,042 82 PUBLIC DEBT, The public debt due on November 30,1800, WBB 932,814,549 95 Deductinu amount redeemed by Sinking Fund Commt sioners during tho fiscal your ouding November 30, 1870 51,602,321 31 Amount rodeemod by Treas urer darn'g the mime time 100,137 71 Total Total public debt, November 30,1670 $:31,111161 9.1 The following statement shows the na ture of the indebtedness of the Common wealth, November 30, 1870. Fundod debt, via : Amount of over-due loans— $ 707,0'.0 3.3 Amount payable in 1871, int. 6 2,769,260 CO Amount payable in 1872, int. 6 p. ct. , 1,731,300 00 Amount payable in 1872 tnt 6 p. ct.: Amount payable in 1677 int p. ct., 7,893,560 00 Amount payable in 1677 tnt 5 p. Amount payablo in tB7B Int 5 p. et:, Ani aunt payable in 1919 int, 6p. et — Amount payable In 1882 tnt. Gp. ct ................ ..—.... Mai:Xi) 00 Amount payable In ISB2. int. 434 p. ct, 112,000 0) Amount payable in 1082 int 6 p. ct. 'Unfounded debt, viz Relief notes in circulation 606,382 CO Interest cortillcat. outstanding 13,086 52 Interest certificates unclaimed 4,418 38 Domestic ereditms' certilleatos 4l 67 Total public debt, No:. 80,1670 as above stated REDUCTION OF TIIE PUBLIC DEBT. On the fifteenth day of January, 1867, the total indebtedness of the State was thirty-seven million seven hundred and four thousand four hundredandninedollais and seventy-seven cents. Since then, and up to November 30, 1870, the sum of six mil lion five hundred and ninety-two thousand seven hundred and forty-sveven dollars and eighty-seven cents has been paid. The re duction during the year ending NoveMber 30, 1870, is one million seven hundred and two thousand eight hundred and seventy nine dollars and five cents. The average reduction per annum, for the last four years, is one million six hund red and forty-eight thousand one hundred and eighty-seven dollars. In view of the fact that prior to the #ist of July, 1872, nearly eight million dollars of the public debt will be due, and in order that the Commonwealth may continue to meet all its obligations prompt ly at maturity, I recommend that such provision be made by the Legislature, as will authorize the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to sell all the assets that may be in their possession, and apply the proceeds to the extinguishment of the debt; or, at the option of the holders, to exchange . them for the outstanding bonds of the Conimonwealth. The indebtedness of the State might be paid in the following manner: As already shown, it was, on November 30, 1870, about thirty-one million dollars, from which amount, if the said assets, 89,500,- 000, be deducted, there would remain un paid 821,500,000. After which, estimat ing the revenues and expenditures to con tinue as at present, the entire liabilities of the State could be liquidated in about eight years. If this mode of paying the State debt should be regarded as unncessarily rapid and oppressive, then a movement to revise and modify taxation may meet with much more general favor. Our debt is now held firmly by those to whom it is a great benefit to have so secure an investment. A certain reduction of one million dollars per annum on it would, perhaps, be more satisfactory to them and to the people, than to strive to pay it off so hastily. In an endeavor to force things under the pre sent mode of taxation, there is great dan ger of driving capital away from our manufacturing centers. The landhold has been exempted from taxes on his land for State purposes, and the burden shifted upon the active, energetic and enterprising portions of the community, who have al ways had their full share to bare. The farmer is at ease, and runs no risk; whilst the business man, merchant and manufac turer are the motive power of the com munity, upon which the farmer himself must, in a great measure, depend for a relization of his industry. A more liable policy towards those engaged in mercan tulle, manufacturing, railroad and mining pursuits should be adopted. Unless these interest are fostered and kept in full opera tion, all classes of the people will suffer. They are the very life-blood of the State, and should not, in any way, be chilled or impeded, by over burdenino• ' them with taxation for the immediate payment of the entire State liabilities. The foregoing recommendations, in my opinion, embrace the true policy of the Commonwealth, and if adopted, will, doubtless, receive a hearty response and endorsement from the people. The tax payers demand that all their social, indus trial, commercial and financial operations shall be relieved from the burdens of any more taxation than may be necessary for the gradual payment of the debt ; as is last above indicated, and to defray the frugal expenses of the administration of the government. Economy and reform should no longer be advocated as glittering generalities, or mere abstractions, without meaning or intent, but as vital, liviqg re alities. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. Four years' experience as an executive officer has given me abundant opportuni ty for careful observation upon the work ings of our fundamental law and the leg islation of the State. This experience has strongly impressed me that there should be a thorough revision of the State Con stitution, with such amendments as the wisdom of the Convention assembled for that purpose would undoubtedly suggest and an enlightened public sentiment de mand. The authority for holding such conven tion is found in the second section of the ninth article of the Constitution, and is declared in these words: "That all power is inherent in the people, and all free Gov ernments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness For the advancement of these ends, they have at all times, unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish their government, in such manner as they may think proper." The last Convention for this purpose was held in 1838. During the thirty-two years which have since clasped, sundry amendments have been made by joint res olutions of the generl assembly, and in compliance with the tenth article of the Constitution, were approved and ratified by a majority of the qualified voters of the State. The most important were those of 1859, making the judges of the courts elective ; of 1857, creating a sinking fund, regulating the public debt and legislative districts; and of 1864, conferring theright of suffrage upon those engaged in the mil itary service of the State or nation, and imposino• ° sundry restraints on the power of the legislature. These -amendments, though important and valuable, gave an incongruous and sort of patch-work char acter to the Constitution, and are not con sonant with the requirments of the times. This is a progressive period, and our State has outgrown its fundamental law. I That law should, therefore, be made to keep pace with the age in which we live. The existing Constitution, including the amendments of 1857 and 1864, impose many wholesome restrictions of the power and jurisdiction of the legislature; but ex perience has demonstrated their inadequacy , to protect the people against the evils in tended to be remedied, and especially those of corporate power, and of special and local legislation . The pamphlet law for the last four years show that the general laws for each session made only about one hundred pages, whilst the local and special legislation for the same period amount annually to about thirteen hundred and fifty. The resulting evils are manifold and agrivated ; and promi nent among the reasons and suggestions why a remedy should be applied, I res pectfully submit the following : First.—Different systems of laws for roads, bridges, schools, elections, poor houses and many other things, arc enact ed for the several counties, townships and boroughs, on subjects which ought to be regulated by general laws, operating uni formerly upon all. Second.—lt is impossible for the citizens, judg,s of the courts, or members of the legal profession, to acquire or retain an accurate knowledge of the varying system of laws in their respective districts, and frequently on removal from the county to another, our people find themselves under almost entirely different codes. hird.—Practically, the whole theory of our constitution and government is sub verted and destroyed by the present sys tem of local enactments. Representative government is based on the idea that the laws shall be framed by, and by the result of, the collective wisdom of the people's. representatives. But what are the actual facts ? The wind and efforts of the mem bers are so wholly absorbed by private and local bills that it is almost impossible to get a general or public act considered or passed. The special and local bills are usu ally drawn by the member representing that locality, or by some one from the dis trict interested in the proposed law. By what is called courtesy, it is considerea a breach of etiquete for any member of the Senate or House to interfere with or op pose a merely private or local bill of any other member. The result is, the bills are passed as originally prepared, without examination or comparison of views, often crude and ill-digested, and without regard to constitutional requirements or sound public policy. Some of the worst of these hasty and badly considered enactments are arrested every year by executive interpo sition; but in the nature of the case the veto at best can only be made a partial restr'int upon the evil; and nothing can eradicate it short of constitutional prohi bition. $7,737,463 73 430,003 00 9,373,030 00 V.10,097,7,i0 113.001 51 $31,111,601 90 Fourth.—Special legislation is the great and impure fountain of corruption, pri vate speculations and public wrongs. It has become a reproach to republican gov ernment, and is one of the most alarming evils of the times. Judicious amendments to the Constitution would arrest and de stroy the growing evil; and it is the duty of every patriotic citizen to co-operate in all lawful measures to effect so desirable a consumation. In the enactment of laws a radical change is demanded. Every bill presented for adoption should be read, at least once in full, and the yeas and nays be recorded on its final passage. Fifth.—lt is important th - a . t the State Constitution should be made to conform to the constitution of the United States as recently amended. Sixth.—The subject of minority repre sentation is now much agitated and is re ceiving a large share of consideration among the thoughtful and considerate men. It embraces problems of great political im portance, and its manifest justice commends it to public favor. Whilst some of the ob jects it proposes might be obtained by leg islative enactments, the general principles involved are so elementary and radical, they should, if adopted, be incorporated into the fundamental law. Seventh.—The members of the general assembly should be increased in number. Eighth.—There should be a fundamen tal limitation to the powers of corpora tion. Ninth.—There is absolute necessity for greater security for the public funds and for their proper distribution. Tenth.—The state treasurer, superin tendent of common schools, and a lieuten ant governor, the latter to preside over the Senate, and perform the duties of governor in case of his absence, sickness or death, should be elected by the people. The at torney general, secretary of state, and the adjutant general for obvious reasons, con tinue to be appointed by the governor. Eleventh.—The day for holding the an nual elections could, with great propriety, be changed from the second Tuesday in October to the same day in November on which nearly all the surrounding states now hold theirs. This would dispense with ono election every fourth years, and prevent invasion from other states for the purpose of interfering with our elections, as the citizens of each state would be occu pied with their own. The season, too, would be more satisfactory to the people of the agricultural districts, as it would not interfere with the harvesting of their corn and other summer productions. The necessity for constitutional reform is appreciated and admitted by all who have reflected upon the subject, and with out distinction of party, the press has been outspoken, and has almost unanimously sanctioned the calling, at an early day, of a constitutional convention. For these reasons and many others equally important which might be enu merated, I earnestly recommend that the legislature make provision for a convention to thoroughly revise and amend the con stitution of the State. REVISION OP TIIE CIVIL CODE. The Commissioners to revise the stat utes have completed their work. The entire laws of the Commonwealth, including those of British origin, except such as relate to crime have been revised, collated and sys tematically arranged in a volume of less than three hundred pages, or about one third the size Purdon's Digest. Our laws are the accretions of one hundred and sev enty years. Many of them are incongruous and disjointed enactments, which have been increasing, from time to time, by fragmentary legislation, without any at tempt at system, logical arrangement, or conciseness of language. From the exam ination I have been able to give the re vision, I am satisfied that in the discharge of their duty, the Commissioners have ex ercised great diligence, ability and consci entious desire for its successful accomplish ment. It cannot be presumed that a work of such magnitude is perfect in every par ticular; and how far it may answer the purpose for what it was undertaken, re mains to be determined. That it is an improvement upon what it is intended to supply there is no room for doubt. It ad heres to the main of the text of existing laws, with occasional changes to meet pres ent demands, but which were not needed when they were first enacted, and also ad ditional provisions which the progress of the age requires. The work, as presented, might properly be adopted without mate rial changes, making it the basis of such amendments as time and necessity may suggest, or as may be recommended by the joint committee to which it was refer red fcr examination by the legislature of last year. It will be seen that some of its provisions have been framed with a view to throw much of our special legislation into the courts, where it may be disposed of with less inconvenience to interested, parties and a great saving in our annual expenditures. WRITS OF ERROR IN CRIMINAL CASES, At the last session of the legislature an act was passed entitled "An act to allow writs of error in cases of murder and vol untary manslaughter." The first section provides that a writ of error "shall be of right, and may be sued out upon the oath of the defendant or defendants, as in civil codes." The second section makes it the duty of the judges of the supreme court, in all such cases, to review both the law and the evidence. Before this enactment the law required the defendant to allege that some error had been committed by the court on the trial, and to show cause, within thirty days, why the writ of error should be granted; but this law gives a writ, whether any er ror is alleged or not, and allows the de fendant seven years in which to issue it, according to the practice in civil codes. Heretofore the executive did not ordinari ly issue the warrant for execution of any criminal until the expiration of the thirty days within which he was permitted to ap ply for his writ of error. That limitation of thirty days being now virtually repealed, and seven years submitted therefore, is it expected the warrant shall be withheld for the seven years ? If not, when may it properly issue ? And if issued at any time within the seven years, may not the criminal supercede it at any time he pleas es by his writ of error? And may it not be reasonably expected that this will be the practical result in such cases? This would seem like trifling with very serious matters ; and I repsectfully submit whether the act of last session should not be re pealed, or very materially modified without delay. In my message of the 10th of Feb. 1870, returning the bill with my objec tions, I gave sundry reasons why it should not be approved, and the views therein expressed remain unchanged; and the su preme court of the state in the recent Shoeppe case, expressed their opinion of this enactment as follows : 'lt is not improper before closing to say a few words in reference to the act of 1870, to draw attention to some of its defects, and to the radical change in our criminal juris prudence it will produce. It was passed for this case, but owing to the governor's veto it came too late. It is another evi dence that laws which arc the offipring of feeling are seldom wisely framed. It com mands this court to review the evidence, and to determine whether the ingredients to constitute murder in the first degree were proved to exist; and yet in forgetful ness of the former law. it provides no means to take, preserve and bring up the evidence. This, the first attempt to act under ' it, proves its inefficiency, the judge below re- turning to our certiorari that he was not able to make the return of the evidence.— He is not bound by law to take the testi mony or to certify to it. A bill of excep tions brings up only so much of the evi dence as may be required to explain the point of law contained in the bill. „ . "The effect of this law seems not to have excited attention. It has changed the whole doctrine of the criminal law as to the speed and certainty of punishment, and left to the felon both the hope and a door of escape, not only from the law's de lay, but by prison breach, and all the vari ous means of avoiding retributive justice. At this moment two cases occur to my memory of convictions of murder in Alle gheny county, delayed by dilatory motions, where the prison doors opened by unknown means, and the prisoners escaped forever. Any murderer may, under this law—though like Probst he may have murdered a whole family—take out his writ of error, without limitation of time or condition, whether in prison under sentence, or stepping upon the trap of the gallows, with cause or with out it, and suspend his case until the next term of the supreme court. No one could condemn him, if the death warrant not preventing, he should wait till the term of the supreme court be passed, and then take out his writ of error to delay the execution of his sentence for a whole year. That only security to the public, the examina tion of the case and allowance of the writ for cause, is repealed." APPORTIONMENT. The imporant duty devolves upon you to apportion, in accordance with the last cen sus, the representation to the Cleneral As sembly and to Congress. This will be among the most laborious and difficult works of the session. In its performance, it is presumed and trusted that you will be guided and governed by a strict sense of justice and impartiality to all parties and to every district in the State, so that no well-founded reason be given fur complaint or censure. Under the laws of the State it is made the duty of the county commissioners of the respective counties to make returns to the Governor of the septennial enumera tion of taxables on or before the first Tues day of December. Not one-fourth of these returns have yet been received, although the attention of the commissioners was in vited to the subject by special circular from the Secretary of the Commonwealth. As soon as the returns come to hand, the nec essary abstracts will be made out and for warded to the Legislature. COMMON SCHOOLS. The report of the Superintendent of Common Schools shows that there are now within the State, 2,002 school districts; 14,212 schools; 2,892 graded schools; 13,- 100 directors; 79 county and other super intendents; 17,612 teachers, and 828,891 pupils. This is an increase over the pre ceding year of 31 districts; 276 schools; 447 graded schools; 200 directors; 3 su perintendents; 470 teachers, and 13,138 pupils. The cost of tuition for the past year, was 83,745,475 81; building, purchasing and renting school h0u5e5,52,765,644 34; con tingencies, $1,165,226 05; other expendi tures, $95,475; making a total of $7,771,- 761 20. Estimated value of school prop erty, $15,837,183. Average salary of male teachers, $4O 65 per month; length of school term, 6.06 months ; and the cost pee month of each pupil, 98 cents. In addition to the above, five Normal schools are recognized by the State. These are intended specially to instruct in the art of teaching, and to furnish suitable teach ers for the common schools. The many highly qualified instructors that have grad uated therein, afford a sufficient assurance of their success and usefulness. They have aided materially in the rapid advancement of our general and widely approved educa tional system. Since their recognition, 12,390 students have been received into them; and 2,675 are now enrolled. There are 66 professors and tutors. The libra ries contain 8,135 volumes. The buildings and grounds arc valued at $364,667; and the furniture and apparatus at 875,000. . . Besides the school's that receive legisla tive support., there are in the State 601 private schools, seminaries and academics, employing 848 teachers and having 24,815 students. The estimated value of their property is $600,000, and the annual amount received for tuition $380,000. There are thirteen colleges, with 157 pro fessors and tutors, and 2,805 students en rolled They own much valuable property, and their libraries number 95,000 volumes. These statistics will, doubtless, prove in teresting to all who peruse them, and those relating to the common schools merit the especial attention of the Legislature. The prosperity and happiness of all communities depend, more than anything else, upon their general intelligence. Idleness, im morality, crime and poverty, abound most where ignorance prevails. The greatest wealth a people can possess, and the high est political freedom and power they can at tain, are based upon and derived from a sound and generous education. Freedom from the many evils that disturb the peace of society; social harmony; good and health ful government; and all the multiform blessings that conspire to produce human happiness, are its legitimate fruits. Money judiciously expended by any community for the mental training of its youth; cannot be lost; it will not fail to return in due time, bearing a liberal interest. The ad mirable workings of our Pennsylvania school system are everywhere admitted, and its great success is chiefly owing to the generosity of the Legislature by which it has been so kindly and so benifleently nurtured, and it is sincerely to be trusted that it will never weary in this praisewor thy work, which has thus far been so well accomplished and so abundantly rewarded. SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' SCHOOLS. Your attention is respectfully invited to the report of the Superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphans' Schools, for the year terminating May 31, 1870. Since the first organization of these schools the whole number of children ad mitted is 5,053. And during the same pe riod, the discharges, including deaths, amount to 1,524, leaving 3,529 in the schools at the close of the year ; of whom 2,137 arc in "graded,", and 793 in "prim ary schools," and 599 in "Homes." During. the year terminating May 31, 1871, 493 of these will be discharged on age; in 1871, 477; in '73, 599; in '74, 646; in "75, 646; in. '76, 602; in '77,584; in '7B, 410; in '79. 291; and in 'BO, the remainder, 171. From this statement it will be seen that all the children now in the schools, on reaching the ago of sixteen will be discharged in ten years on age alone. The reinforcements to the schools will hereafter consist only of children born prior to January 1. 1866; consequently all who may hereafter be admitted must come in during the next ten years, and they will be more than absorbed by the discharged NO. 2. on order. The number discharged this year, on age, is 400, and on order, 230, and 15 have died, making in all, 645. Should the rapidity of the discharges on order continue in anything like the ratio of the present year, it will not require more than five years to exhaust the greater portion of the schools, and the children re maining in them will from time to time have to be consecrated in a few of the schools which shall be deemed the best, to close up the concern. The expenditure of the system for the school year ending May 31, 1870, are as follows, viz : For education and maintenance of children in, advanced acbtals, $288,900 07 For education and maintonanco of children in Primary echools, . 101,4,5 Cl For education and maintenance of children In homes, For clothing, shoes, snaking, mending, &c., 63,993 75 For partial relief of thirteen children, at thir ty dollars each Fo; general expenoes, Total =pew., 614 126 42 Total appropriation, 491,700 00 Balance, 9 19,426 42 The sum appropriated is for the amount estimated by the Superintendent in his re port of 1869, but owing to the extreme pressure of the guardians and relatives of many indigent and suffering applicants, the- Superintendent, with my consent, admitted a larger number of children than originally estimated for; the balance, - as above stated has, for this reason, necessarily and una voidably accrued. Under an act, entitled "An Act to pro vide means for the establishing a soldiers' orphans' school in each State Normal school district in this Commonwealth, now desti tute thereof," approved April 15, 1867, and a supplement thereto, approved March 25, 1868, the sum of $21,000 was advance 4 out of the State Treasury as a loan to fivif institutions. These being fully establishef, are - re-paying this loan at the rate of 5 poil cent. quarterly, as specified in the act. teen thousand eight hundred dollars of this loan remained unpaid on May 31, 1870, and owing to the change of the form of settlement which, by law, went into opera tion at that time, it was, unexpectedly to the Superintendent, deducted from the ap propriation by the accounting officers, and consequently bills for education and main tenance for that sum and the above balance remain -unpaid. No special appropriation for this amount is asked; but all that is re quired is the passage of a joint resolution, authorizing its payment from the sum ap propriated for the expenses of the current year, which, in consequence of a reduction in prices, I am informed will exceed them to about the amount of the said balance. The early passage of such'a resolution is necessary, because the institutions to which the money is due cannot afford to wait long for it without serious inconvenience. Pro vision should also be made by the Legisla ture that, as the said sum of $16,800 is re paid in quarterly instalments by institutions from which it is due, it shall be applied to the reimbursement of the funds appropri ated for the advances thus made. The Superintendent estimates the ex penditures • for education, maintenance, clothing, &c., of 3,600 children, during the year terminating May 31, 1872, at $500,000. After a careful examination, I find it correct, and respectfully request an appropriation for that amount. This esti mate will, it is believed, enable the Super intendent to admit all proper applicants. It is $20,000 less than the appropriation for the current year, and it is confidently anticipated that hereafter each succeeding estimate for annual expenses will be much more largely decreased. 1 have personally visited, inspected and examined quite a number of these schools since the adjournment of the last Legisla ture; and I do not hesitate to pronounce most of them superior, in all respects, to any other institutions of a similar charac ter in the country. The supervision of the Superintendent, and the male and fe male inspectors have been exceedingly faithful and effective; and those having the schools in charge, with but few exceptions have displayed a devotion to their duties, and to the interests of the children, as un exceptionable a as it' dictated by the purest parental affection. The sanitary condition of these children is oue of the most remarkable features of the school. During the five years they have been in operation, out of 5.053 chil dren, only 71 have died, which is but a lit tle over one and four-tenths per cent. of the entire number for the whole time, or less than three-tenths of one per cent. per annum. These facts are incxmtestible evi dences of the care and attention that hate been bestowed upon these institutions. The establishMent of these schools. and the liberal encouragement and support they have received, have met the approval and admiration not only of the other States of the Union, but of the entire civilized world. Philanthropists and statesmen from foreign nations are constantly making inquiries concerning the laws governing and directing the operations of our soldiers' oriShans' schools, their management and the results. and give frequent assurances of unqualified commendation. The foregoing exhibit is, I trust, suffi ciently satisfactory to prompt a continuance of the generous patronage already extended to an institution unsurpassed by any other of the kind in usefulness. Its benefits ex tend beyond the mere shelter, clothing, feeding and education of the sons and daughters of our heroic dead. In genera tions far remote its influences will stimulate to deeds of patriotic ardor and heroism. Hereafter the defenders of our country will not falter when they reflect that should they fall, they have in the Commonwealth a parental protector of their beloved ones, who otherwise would be left desolate and neglected. The State has abundant cause to rejoice in what it has done for its sol diers' orphans, and to be proud of these schools, which now constitute the brightest jewels that adorn its crown of glory. AGRICULTURE COLLEGE. This institution appears to be gradually accomplishing the objects for which it has been liberally endowed by the State. It has about sixty students who are instruct ed, not only in the ordinary branches of literature and science, but in all the field operations necessary for a thorough agri cultural education. The Experimental Farms, established under the supervision of the officers, have thus far answered their expectations. The experiments Herein are carefully re corded; every incident of cultivation, the nature of the seed committed to the soil, its inception, growth, progress and results, together with the conducing causes, being accurately noted. The publication of these observations, made in illffeient parts of the State, with varionii 'Climates and soil, under the guidance of skill agricul turalists, will impart valuable lessons for the benefit of the practical farmer, and, doubtless, be the means of establishing a "Science of Agriculture," baying its founda tion in the wisdom of experience. The 300 00 0,100 (PO
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