VOL. 48
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE,
Po the Senate and Ilouae of Rqwesenialirrs
Chnimonwealth of Peonsy:ivnia
the
GENTLEMEN :—ln obedience to re
quirements of the Constitution I have the
honor of transmitting to yon sty sixth an
nual message. Since your last meeting
the general course of events, both State
and National, has been so propitious as to
afford abundant cause for mutual congrat
ulation, and of thanksgiving to that Al
mighty Providence whose will controls the
destinies of all. While we have been ex
empt front the calamity by fire that has
befallen the metropolis of a great sister
State, her misfortune has inured to the
benefit of our people by the enlistment of
that sympathy for the suffering which is
one of the most ennobling sentiments of
the human heart. The seasons, though
not so favorable for the productions of our
soil as in some past years, have been suf
ficiently fruitful; and no general epidemic
has appeared to disturb the pursuits. or fill
with sorrow the heat-is of oar pooniation.
Oar mining industries. manufactures and
internal commerce are being constantly
enlarged and extended, and their enter
prising proprietors are generally receiving
remunerative returns.
A great political conflict has occurred,
resulting in a signal triumph of the sante
principles that were asserted in the resto
ration of the Union. the amendments of
the Constitution, and the reconstruction of
the States. The victory in Pennsylvania
was decisive of the victory in the Nation ;
and will be remembered as an inestimable
contri ution to the harmony, prosperity
and glory of the country. The election of
the soldies, yho -is first in war," to the
office that makes him —first in peace," was
an appropriate exhibition of natiaual grat
itude, and inspires the deepest feelings of
satisfaction the hearts of his country
men."
While the Constitution wisely with
h ids from the Governor all power of in
terference in legislation, it imposes upon
him the duty of laying before the General
Assembly such inlitrmation of the state af
fairs, and recommending to their consider
ation su,h measures as he may deem 'cape
<tient and important to the public welfare.
I ant happy to inform you that pe
and good order have been. maintained by
the enforcement of just and equal laws.
and the legitimate exercise of authority
continues to find an enduring basis of sup
port in the intelligence, affections and
moral sense of the people.
The credit of the State remains unques
tioned abroad, because her public faith has
been inviolably maintained at house. The
following condensed statement of the re
eeipts, expenditures and indebtedness of
the Commonwealth is respectfully sub
anitted :
Receips.
lewee in Trenmury Nov. no, 1:;71..51,47a,50s 59
Or.linary receipts luring the Seen!
year ending Nov. ZO, 1572,
Total in Trenmiry during year end.
ing Nun. 30,1872 -
DiS4/97:iententS.
ampnases wad
during year ending
NU, 30, 1372. 5: 9 ,000,631 55
Loans etc.. redeemed... 2,176.326 00
Interest on loans paid.. 1,706,032 SS
Total disbursements..
.--$7,142,99J 4:
Balance in Treasury No r. 30, 1372—51,432,455 61
Public Debt.
The pubic debt on Nov.
30,'7., was
Add Chambers Certiti
cotes
Add Agricultureal Col
lege Land Script
fund, held in trust,
ns per Act approved
April :1, 1372
.t , 28,950,071
299,74.9 91
500,000 00
•-629,779,520 94
Deduct amount paid by Commission
ers of the Sinking Fund during the
y3Ar eadiag Nov. 39, 1972
Public debt, Nov. 30, lsT2
Deduct asset,' in Sink
ing Fund u 9,300,000 00
-And cash balance in
Treasury 1,482,455 61
:Amount of assets aut
cash
_ _310,782,455 61
Balance of public debt
unpruvided for 516,521,039 03
which can be extinguished in ten years by
the annual payment of one million six
hundred thousand dollars.
During the last six years payments ou
tin debt have bean made as thllows :
Awount paid in 1867 • $1,794,644 50
Do ._.IBOB 2,414.816 64
Do 1369 472.406 18
Do 1870 1.702,879 05
Do 1871 2,131,590 17
Do 1872 2,476,326 00
Total payments
Being a little over tioen.ly-nine per cent. on
the debt due December 1,1866, which was
then 837,704,499 77.
B;nizing Fund.
In raniarkiaz upon this subject, I trust
it will be instructive to refer, briefly, to
saute of the facts relating to the accumula
tion and payment of the public debt, and
the origin of the assets arising from the
sale of the public improvements.
However wisi our predecessors were in
opening avenues for trade and commerce,
and however great were the benefits re
sulting ti the people from the internal
improvements of the State, it is obvious,
that while those of other States rarely
failed to become sources of revenue, the
management of ours wassueh as to produce
results widely different. A lar g e majority
of the tax-payers, therefore, after long and
patient endurance, becoming dissatisfied
with their management, demanded they
should be sold; assuming it would be a
measure of economy, and would prevent
an increase of the public obligations.
The construction of the improvements
resulted in a public debt, which, in 1852,
reached its maximum. f 41,524,875 37.
The interest, premiums and other expenses
that have been paid upon the debt, fr. , in
its incipiency to
• November 30, 1872, sum
up 876.845,744 99 and make the entire
expenditure on account of the public
works, 8113,370,720 36.
In pursuance of law the State canals and
railroads were sold in 1857, for eleven mil
lion dollars in bonds; upon which the
State has received $1,700.000 00 in cash,
and $9,300,000 00 remain in the hands of
the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund,
as follows, viz :
Bonds of the Pennsylvania P.ailroad
Company. secured by lein on the
Philadelphia and Columbia Rail
road 55,800,000 00
Thirty-fire bonds of the Allegheny
Valley Railroad Company, each
for $lOO,OOO, guaranteed by the
Penney/vania Railroad Company,
Northern Central Railroad Com
pany. and the Philadelphia and
Brie Railroad Company. payable
$lOO,OOO annually, beginning.•tau
nary 1875, hearing 5 per cent. in
tercet from January i , 1'42
Amuont of n,
The proper and efficient management of
the finances is one of the most important
duties of the administration of the State
W- -
,
~.
,
r
. ..,
-
‘--- ,±,
,--,
ri
r, L.' ino do.n. E_ a,
-, 1:
D 1,., .:
:'
' ournat
.
a.,
.1 7 '
. : :: 7lt . t e
'"
' 4 . .i.
it
VIIMEt
_____) •:.,,....,
.
goVernment. The collection of the reve
nue; the economical expenditure; the safe
keeping of the public moneys, and well
guarded appitopriatien bills, are always
questions of deep interest to the tax-pay
ers ultheState.
• It is a lasting honor to the people of
Pennsylvania, that they have never, even
when struggling under the most oppressive
burdens, permitted' the integrity of the
State to be doubted, and now it cannot be
otherwise th .n gratifying to them, to learn
the rapid extinguishment of the public in
debtedness, the greater part of which was
incurred for improvements, which, as here
in already shown, utterly failed to be ad
vantageous to her coffers.
The rapid reduction of the State debt,
and the reduction of taxation, have gone
hand in hand throughout my entire ad
ministration, and have constituted a mark
ed portion of its policy, attesting, at the
same time, the concurrence and wisdom of •
;he Legislature, and the fidelity of those
who have been the cuStodians ol the public
funds.
This policy should be continued, and no
attempt to cover up or conceal the actual
expenses of the government should be
made for the purpose of obtaining the
people's consent to appropriations, or en
terprises of doubtful propriety ; which pro
' positions, if coupled with a condition to
raise the money by immediate and direct
taxation, would be unhesitatingly rejected.
The Legislative appropriations, during
the last six years, made iit aid of the vari
ous institutions fir the support of the
deaf, dumb, blind, insane, feeble-minded,
friendless, wanderers, orphans, soldiers'
homes, hospitals, universities, houses of
correction, penitentiaries, and thepayment
of military expenses, incurred during the
war; expenses of government, common
schools, and soldier's orphans' schools,
amount to about 617,000,060,00.
The expenses of the soldiers' orphans'
schools alone, during the same time, is $3,-
467,534.11, and, although it is a most no
ble and patriotic expenditure, it is, never- .
theless, and unusual one, and if such a
necessity had not existed, the reduction of
the State debt, during their existence,
would have be , ni nearly fifteen million dol
lars.
During the past six years, the current
of legislation has been steadily in favor of
reduced taxation, Not only have numer
ous local laws been enacted,. exempting
churches, cemeteries, schools, hospitals and
other institutions from taxation, but many
general laws of the same character have
been passed, as is shown by the following
enumeration :
By the "act to amend the revenue laws,"
approved, February 23, 1866, all real es
tate in the Commonwealth was thereafter
made exempt from taxation for State pur
poses.
By the act approved March 30, 1866,
all persons who served nine 'months or up
wards in the military service, or who were
honorably discharged therefrom by reason
of wounds or physical disability contracted
therein, and their property, were exoner
ated from all bounties, and per capita toe
“nary - mums : _ _
7,118,637 47,
$5 . .625,446 0 t
The act Of April 29, 1867, repealed all
laws requiring payment of taxes to the
State on sales of loans and stocks by nue-
tioneers.
By the act of April 10, 1867, all trustees,
or owners of property to the vales of
ty five thousand dollars, used ibr soldiers'
orphans' schools, were exempted from all
"county, road, city, borough, poor and
school taxes."
By the act of April 4, 1863, and the
supplements thereto, "all mortgages, judg
ments, recoguizauces, and moneys owing
upon articles of agreement for the sale of
real estate," were made`'-exempted from
all tatxatiou, except for State purposes.". •
•By act approved January 3, 1868, all
laws therein recited were repealed, which
imposed taxes upon "the shares of stock
held by any stockholder in any institution
or company, incorporated under the laws
this State, which in its corporate capacity
is liable to, and pays into the State Treas
ury the tax on capital stock imposed" by
the acts therein recited;
2,476,326 00
327,303,494 61
The act of June 2, 1871, repealed so
much of the law of April 29, 1844, as im
posed a tax of two per cent. on salaries,
trades. offices, occupations and professions.
And by the act of April 3, 1872, the
sixth section of the law of April 21. 1854,
was repealed, which imposed a tax of oat,
half of one per cent. on the capital stock
of all corporations creaied under laws "to
enable joint tenants, tenants in ccmmon,
and adjoining owners of Mineral lands, to
manage and develope the same."
In view of these facts, the practical ques
tions now are, can any further reductions
be properly made? And if so, on- what
subjects r _ _
.$10,992,662 54
heretofore on several occasions I have
invited the attention of the Legislature'to
the importance of adopting a more liberal
policy towards those citizens who are en
gaged iu industrial enterprises which em
ploy large numbers of working men, and
tend to develop the resources of the Com
monwealth. Involving great , risks, and
requiring for their successful conduct a
large amount of capital, these operations
have been, in the main, conducted by
means of ,ssociations, ontanized under the
general laws which regulate the incorpor
ation of manufacturing, mining and im
provement companies. These laws, while
they resemble in their principal features
the liberal systems in force in other States,
fail in their ostensible purpose of encour
aging manufacturing industry, because the
privileges they grant are enormously bur
dened with taxation.
This may be illustrated, by supposing the
case of twenty persons, who cash subscribe
five thousand dollars to the stock of a com
pany organized for the purpose of produc
ing nil, or mining ore or coal, or manufac
turing cotton or woolen goods. iron or
steel, or any other commodity. The fund
thus created must be expended in lands,
buildings and permanent improvements,
which arc taxable jb' al, puToses to the
Caine extent as if they were owned li/f an
individual operator. In addition to this
the company must pay a bonus of one-fmrth
of one per cent. to the Commonwealth upon
its sock amounting to' he sant of two hund
red and fifty dollars. It is hereafter lia
ble.to an annual tax upon its capital stock
at the rate of one-half mill for each one
Per cent. of dividends made or declared.
In case of no dividends having been made
or declared, Men three mills upon the ap
praised mine of the stock. . Also, a tax of
three per cent. upon the entire amount of
net earnings or hzeome. Also, a tal:office
per cent. on all interest paid to bondholders
and other creditors. (For all these taxes,
see act of May 1, 1898.)
An individual, wealthy enough to fur
nish a hundred thousand dollars in similar
business, - would be wholly free from these
exactions. The State imposes none of
these burdens upon him. It does not
keep an espionage upon his business, or
.500,000 00
9,300,000 00
demand from him sworn statements of his
annual profits. it discriminates in his
favor against the association of small capi
talists which it professes to encourage.
And without sharing in any of the stock
holder's risks, it makes itself a partner in
their profits and follows them with a grasp
ing hand, and a never-ceasing official vigi
lance of an inquisitorial character over
thrir affairs.
Such conditions arc unknown to the
laws of New England, New York and other
rival manufacturing States, which, with
out exception, carefully prohibit duplicat
ing of taxes upon their own industry.
Stock in manufacturing companies is gen
erally taxed by them at its value, like oth
er personal property, but first the value of
all real estate represented by the stock is
deducted, and made taxable like the pro
perty of other individuals in the region
where the landsaro located. It is by such
liberal provisions that these States have
fostered their industries and maintaineJ a
monopoly of capital ntid supremacy in man
tinctures.
The western and southern States, finr
many years our customers, are beginning
to be our rivals : and desiring to draw to
themselves the benefits flowing from di
versified industry, they are enacting the
most liberal laws for the encouragement of
coporate and-individual efforts to establish
manufactories, and in addition to this,
towns and cities are giving large subsides
to secure the erection of mills and facto
ries within their limits. Notwithstanding
the discovery of large bodies of coal in the
western States, and their close proximity
to vast masses of pure ores, Pennsylvania
would still possess at least equal. if not
superior, attractions for the investment of
capital, were it not for her oppressive tax
laws; all of which have a tendency to drive
capitalists beyond her borders to seek lo
cations less burdened for their investments.
Nothing but very strong necessity could
justify such a variety of taxes upon the
same thing. And if justification ever ex
isted, I believe it to exist no longer. The
time has come when, with proper diligence
in collecting and economy in expenditures,
the State can well afford a reduction of
taxation ; and the legislation in that di
rection should be such as to relieve the
undue burdens of taxation from every form
of productive industry. I would, there
fore reccomMend that the enrolment tax
upon private acts chartering industrial
companies, and the bonus upon stock of
such companies when organized under the
general laws, he considered a full equiva
lent to the Commonwealth for the privi-
loges of a charter; and that all Stite; tax
es upon 'capital stock, net earnings and
divided of manufacturing, mining mid
improvement companies, and all co-opera
tive associations, be repealiA. This reduc
tion will amount to $549,554.23—the
sum collected last year. I also recom
mend the repeal of that source of revenue
known in the Auditor General's report as
"Tax on Loans," which amounts to $192,-
407.28.
It is confidently believed that with
these proposed reductions, which amount
all her current expenses, the interest on
the public debt, and make an annual re
duction of at least onemillion five hun
dred thousand dollars upon the principal.
Numerous comumpications, signed by
many enterprising and intelligent citizens,
continue to reach me, on the subject of a
geological and mineralogical survey, urg
ing me to commend it to your careful
consideration.
In any annual inessig.24 of 1870 and 1871,
I laid before the General' Assembly the
necessity for a continuation of the surveys
already made, in order that the mineral
ogical resources of the State should be
mote fully and perfectly ascertained : and
expressed the opinion that tho results
would be interesting end valuable, not
only to our citizens individunlly, but to
the entire country. . .
Assurances have been given by the
officers of the "United States Coast Sur
vey" of the great interest they will take
in our State, in the event they carry out
their intention to cross the continent to
connect the "Ocean lines of Coast Sur
veys." This connection will pass through
Pennsylvania, and will materially assist in
determining and establishing one or more
points in each county through which the
line will pass, aid in triangulating so far
as to enable us to rectify our county maps
and connect them in a correct map of the
State. And as •the State Geologist pro
gresses with his studies and examinations,
he should cause to be accurately repre
sented upon the corrected maps, by colors
and other appropriate means, the various
areas occupied by the different geological
formations, and place them in the posses-'
sion of the people, for their information,
prior to the completion and publication of
a full account of the survey.
A State map of the kind indicated, with
all the discoveries marked in proper colors
thereon, would give to the thousands of
visitors from our own cou•itry and from
foreign lands, who will attend the Centen
nial celebration, some approximate idea
of the incalculable wealth beneath the soil
of our State; and would have an import
ance in their sight that could be conveyed
to them in no o. her possible manner.
The expenses of ageological corps, prop
erly organized. and such as would be com
petent to perform the duties required,
have been carefully estimated, and will
not exceed forty-five thousand dollars for
the first year, and need not be quite as
much annually thereafter. In recommend
ing this measure two years ago, I said:
' "For want of a proper bureau of statistics,
and a corps of observation and publication
to collate and relate the facts of cur geolo
gy and mineralogy as they have appeared,
the State has already suffered severely.
Much valuable information has been lost,
never to be recovered; and but little cer
tain knowledge of past mining, and other
scientific operations, has been preserved to
govern and assist the future engineer. It
is, therefore, neither wise nor just policy
to delay this work under the pretext that
it may he were perfectly effected at some
future time. There is a present necessity
for it, though the time never will come
Wileir such a work con be considered per
fect. New developments in mineral re
sources, as well as additional acquirements
in scientific knowledge, will oonstantly be
made as long as the world exists, The
sooner, therethre, in my opinion; a thor
ough survey is authorized, the better it
will befor the prospective interests ofthe
State, as well as for its present necessities."
The golden destiny of the Pacific States
may well be envied; but our coal, ore, oil,
lumber and soil are a much better founda
tion for wealth and pernianent greatness
than the products of all their placers, and
the transient prosperity they have pro
duced. Let us build upon an enduring
basis and the world will forever pay a
golden tribute to our products and indus
tries—the true wealth of Pennsylvania.
HUNTINGDON, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1873
By an act approved April 12, 1872, es
tablishing a Bureau of Labor Statistics
and of Agriculture," the Governor was
authorised to appoint a Commissioner of
that department. Accordingly Thomas C.
MacDowell; of Dauphin county, was ap
pointed. lie immediately established his
office in the Capitol building, as required
by the act, and commenced the work of
collecting the necessary information and
arranging the statistical tables, in proper
and convenient form to be laid before the
Legislature, and far distribution among
our citizens.
The functions of the commissioner em
brace the examination of nearly all the
varied industries of the State, and arc
defined in the act as follows : "The duties
of such officer shall be to collect, compile
and systematize statistics, with reference to
the subject of labor in its relations to the
social, educational. industrial and general
condition, wages and treatment of all class
es
of woaking people, and bow the same
effect our permanent prosperity and pro
ductive industry. It shall also be the
duty of such Bureau to collect, collate and
classify statistics relating to the mineral,
manufacturing, agricultural and commer
cial productions of this Connnonwealth."
The fourth section makes it the duty of
the chief of such Bureau to report annually
to the Legislature, in convenient form, the
result of his investigations.
The act does not appropriate auy mon
ey to defray the necessary contingent ex
penses of putting the Department in
wcrking order, nor does it prescribe the
manner •of obtaining the information re
quired, or that it shall be furnished; and
it leaves the commissioner without any
means by which he can obtain it, except
by the voluntary act of those engaged in
business. These were evidently over-sights
which will doubtless be corrected by an
appropriation, and by the passage of such
enactments as will enable the commissioner
to procure, from the proper sources, the
information required to carry out the
intent and meaning of the law.
When it. is remembered that Pennsyl
vania ranks second in population; second
in manufactures; sixth as a wheat grow
ing State. and• first in point of mineral
wealth and resources, among the States of
the Union ; it should not be a question of
dollars and cents, whether her vast and
varied resources shall be left to be devel
oped by the slow process of casual discov
ery, or be properly introduced to the
notice of capitalists at home and abroad,
by authorized and official - statements of
11104.
The information that will Le furnished,
will not only be of great practical value to
the citizens of the States, but. it will allord
the representatives of the people, who are
charged from. year to year with the re
sponsibilities of legislation, the best and
inset compendious source of information,
the iniportanee of which can only be es
timated by experience.
Pennsylvania stands pre-eminent timber
mineral resources, possessing, as she does,
the only known anthracite coal •fields, of
any consequence, whilst her iron ores, and
_oil are a source of inexhaustible wealth,
that defir.ls-von, T rat-atimir.--: ft,w items en ly
are necessary to prove the c3rrectness of
these remarks. The production of coal,
from the anthracite regions, in 1820, was
365 tens; in 1870 it reached the enormous
amount of 19,951.585 tons, and it is es
timated the product will be swelled in
1872, to upwards of 22,000,000 tons. It
the increase in the production of authra
cite coal has been so rapid and wonderful
in a period of fifty-two years, who can
estimate its growth within the next half
century? The product of our bituminous
coal fields, in 1874, foots up 14,968,465
tons. The two make an aggregate of 31,-
920,050 tons for that year.
Meanwhile, the development and growth
of the oil production of the north western
counties, almost challenges the credulity
of our people. FroM august, 1859, when
Drake sunk the first well, t , the close of
1864, the production was 221,000,000
gallons, yielding the sum 0f529,820,000.
In 1864, about 62,000*00 gallons were
refined, the average price of which, in bond,
at New York, (sixty-two cents per gal
lon,) gave a value of 638 440,000. The •
entire production, up to 1868, was 327,-
692,524 gallons, equal to 8,493,339 bar
rels of crude oil.
There is t‘o doubt the future reports of
the commissioner will disclose an equally
rapid increase in the production of oil, and
other facts concerning it not less gratify-
ing.
The remunerative prioes paid at present
for pig metal is iadueing the erection of a
large number of first class furnaces, which
will materially increase the wealth of the
State, and give a new impetus_ to other
branches of business dependent upon their .
products for active and profitable results
in the near future.
There are other questions of much in
terest to the public welfare, which can
only be evolved with any degree of certain
ty by careful investigations; such as those'
effecting the healtli, comfort and general
well being of the people, but more espe
cially the industrial classes, who arc the
main dependence of the state for its con
tinued prosperity. The question of labor,
in all its relations is one that constantly
engages a large share of attention, and the
subject can only be intelligently and prop
erly legislated upon, after th 3 researches
of the statistician are laid before the Leg
islature, with such accompaning testimony,
us will reduce to a demonstration the
abusses . which exist in our social system.
Much might be said in this connection,
but your patience shall not be unduly taxed
by mere extended observations, as I am
confident the question of labor, in all its
relations, cannot fail to engage the serious
attention of enlightened and patriotic rep-
men toti yes.
In view or all the filets connected with
the Bureau of Statistics. I most earnestly
bespeak for it liberal appropriations, as
well as the ibstering cm; of the Legisla
ture.
On the night prior to the adjournment
of the LogiQature at its last session, a bill
was submitted for my approval apportion
ing the State into Cengessional districts,
for the period of ten years, under the na
tional censu-4 of 1870. The enactment was
highly objectionable in many of its fea
tures; and Congress than had under con
sideration a suppltauentxl bill proposing an
increase of representatises, that would give
one additional member ;a this State. This
afterwards became a lay, thereby giving to
Pennsylvania twenty-even members of
Congress instead of twenty-six, as provided
forin the legislative eractment of the last
session. The latter htving failed to re
ceive Il.secutive approval, the Congression
al elections last Getober were held under
the former law, and the three additional
members apportioned !o the State were
chosen as members at hr - e by the vote of
the whole people. Heace, the duty of en
acting another apportionment bill devolves
upon the present Legislature, and I re
it that careful and patriotic con
sideration required by the magnitude of
the interests involved.
The sixth section of the sixth article of
the Constitution declares that—
"A State Treasurer shall be elected an
" finally by joint vote of bath branches of
"the Legislature."
Bat the Legislatures by joint resolution,
passed at two consecutive sessions, and ap
proved by popular vote at the last October
election, has amended this part of the
Constitution, by striking out the section
above quoted, and inserting in place there
of the followinr. •
"A State Treasurer shall be chosen by
the qualified electors of the State, at such
time, and fur such term of service as shall
be prescribed by law."
The adoption of this amendment will be
of 2ially proclaimed on the second Tuesday.
of January, 1873, and will supersede ex
, is:itr. laws for the election of State Treas
urer'by the Legislature. Inasmuch as so
provision seems to have been made by law
fir filling this office, from the first Monday
of May next until an election can be had
by the people under the amended Consti
tution, I invite the attention of the Legis
lature to this eandition of the subject, and
recommend such action as will carry out
the amendment, and in the meantime se-',
cuts so important an interest of the Com
monwealth.
The several duties imposed upon the
Executive and Secretary of State, by the
act of the last session authorizing the con
vention, were duly pertl.mnied. The dele
gates having boon chosen at the October
election. convened in this city on the 12th
day of November. The convention, after
completing its organization, appointing its
committees, and adopting rules :or its gov
ernment, adjourned to meet at Philadel
phia cm the 7th of the present month.
Careful revision of our fundamental
law is imperatively demanded by the high
est considerations of public, welfare ; and
it is.c.mfidently hoped the action of that
body may be such as to meet the just ex
pectations of enlightened public opinion.
Atuy of the laws now upon our statute
books were designed to fortify the ballot
box against corruption and fraud, but
practically they have often been rendered
impotent for that purpose, and even for
the prevention of false returns. Numerous
complaints hive been made to ice on this
subject by many highly respectable &ti
'zens, who have requested that I would,
once more, urge it upon the attention of
the Ivislature, and ask the passage of
more stringent enactments for the sup
pression of such crimes against the rights
of the citizen, Redress for these wrongs
is expected from the Constitutional Con.,
vention, and it is hoped the public expec
tations will be realized It is believed,
however, the Legislature can remedy. some
of the evil:, complained of, and your atten
tion is earnestly invited to the subject, in
order that whatever is practicable may be
done to guard the purity of the ballot-box,
and the rights of electors.,
. .
The attention of the Legislature is again
incited to the importance of writs of•error
in Criminal eases, and reference is made to
my last two annual messages for the argu
ments and reasons why there should be
additional legislation upon this subject.
With groat propriety, the Superintend
ent, in the opening of his able report, con
gratulates the people upon the continued
growth and prosperity of our public schools.
Their progress is clearly indicated by
comparing the expenditures of the last six
years, with those of the six years prior to
1867, viz :
Total cost for tuition float un to 1872 521,576,15S 61
Total coot fur with. from 1661 to 1606 12,741.061 71
Incre.e.
55,833,196 90
Total expenditures of the system from 1861
to 1,72 ..42,952,152 11
Total expenditures of the system from 1861
to 1856
Tomes-. 323,361,002 60
Pennsylvania, less ihrtunato than tinny
of her sister States, has uo school fund.—
The legislative appropriations amount only
to about. six haudred thousand dollars an
nually; but the people, in the several dis•
tricts, voluntarily vote all other moneys
necessary to support the schools. The
foregoing statements briefly exhibit the
deep and increasing interest entertained in
behalf of popular education.
Intelligence and virtue are conceded to
be indispensable conditions of the perma
nent existence and prosperity of any'forea
of government. The necessity of these
supports increases in proportion as the area
of freedom and privilege is enlarged. It
follows, from these unquestioned maXinis,
that the demand for general education is
more imperative in the United States than
in any other country. Our Constitution
recognizes the people as the inherent
source of all power, All participate in
the great act of creating the country's ru
lers. The ballot decides all questions of
choice, and fills all official positions, from
that of the chief magistrate of the nation
to that of the lowest town officer. This
supreme and resistless power of universal
suffrage, at once suggests the absolute ne
cessity of universal education. The trtith
of these premises admitted. no argument
is required to establish the conclusion.
The (num school system doubtless
owes its origin to a common conviction that
no people can be properly and permanent
ly self-governing, whose intelligence is un
equal to the comprehension of their rights,
privileges and responsibilities, or whose
virtues are too feeble and imperfect to re
strain them from a violation of those du
ties which they owe to their (boater and
to each other.
When the system was introduced, thir
ty-eight years ago, it was generally viewed
in the light of an experiment. The act
creating it made its adoption dependent
upon the vote of the people in their res
pective districts, Their reluctant avid tar
dy acceptance of the priceless hoop is
neither matter of surprise to us, nor re
proach to them, when all the circumstan
ces aro duly considered. Its present pop
ularity is indicated by the entire absence
of complaint, and a still wore signifioant
roadinesl, by the people, to assume the ex
panses requisite fin• its .constant improve
ment and efficient application. Doubtless
many years mast elapse before the full
fruition of its influences can be received,
but, meanwhile, it will be gradually mould
ing the pepular mind into more perfect
conformily with the requirements of our
free institutions.
Fortunately the old plwjedice against the
syste-a no longer exists ; but hub:pence,
to a lamentable extent, occupies its place.
From the report,of the Superintendent it
appears that the number of children in the
State, who do nut attend school, exceeds
seventyfivc thousand. This criminal neg
lect is most prevalent in the cities. In
Philadelphia twelve per soot. of the chil
dren between the ages of five and fifteen
years do not attend school. But mere sig
nificant and alarming still, of the whole
number registered as attendants, forty-six
per cent. arc absent from the daily ses
sions. In the State at large the unregis
tered amount to six per cent., and the ab
sentees to thirty-three per cent. And, ..s
was naturally to be expected, the resulting
ignorance from this neglect has proved a
Fruitful source of crime. Sixteen per cent.
of the inmates of the State prisons are un
able to read.
Obviously, therefore, it in not sufficient
that the State makes ample provision.—
Such measures should be immediately
adopted as would secure a universal parti
cipation of the benefit. The children are
not to blame. They naturally prefer free
dom and amusement to the confinement
and studies of the school room. Parents
and guardians are the parties with whom
the State must deal. She owes it alike to
her own peace and security, and to the
highest welfare of the children who are to
be her future citizens, to see that t . ey
shall be rescued front the perils of igno
rance.
After careful and anxious deliberation
upon all the facts, and their inevitable
consequences, I recommend the adoption
of a compulsory system of education. That
a law to this effect will encounter objec
tions is not to be dotOted ; for in view of
the probability of such a measure, its op
ponents have already commenced to mar
shal their forces.
In Norway, Sweden and Prussia this
system was first adopted and such have
been its salutary effects that other Euro
pean governments have made haste to fol
low their example. Austria, admonished
by the defeat at Sadowa, France, by the
crushing disaster at Sedan, and England
by the possibility of areal "battleof Dork
ing," have decreed by statute that all their
children shall be taught to road and write,
influenced by a conviction that knowledge
gives increased growers in war as well as
capacity and integrity for the peaceful
pursuits of life And it is a fact of stri
king significance that none of the States
that have passed such enactments have
abandoned or repealed them.
In passing from this topic, of paramount
importance to the future well being of the
Commonwealth, I unhesitatingly - express
the hope that the day is not distant when
through the Bureau of National Educa
tion, seconded by the concurrent legisla
tive action of the States, every child in the
American Union, without reference to
creed, caste, color or condition, will be.
thoroughly and effectually instructed in
all the elementry branches of English ed
ucation; and that uniform text books, set
ting forth the true history and theory of
our National and State governments, will
be provided and introduced into all the
schools of the country, Approximation.
of thought and opinion on these subjects
is of vital consequence to the permanence 1
of the Union, and the stability of our re- 1
publican institutions. Had such a measure
been opportunely initiated the war of the
rebellion would scarcely have been possible.
Staid you &tem your powers inade
quate to enact suitable laws upon this sub
ject, the Constitutional Convention, now
in session, should not hesitate to habilitate
you with such authority, and thus lend
their aid and influence in making Penn
sylvania the vanguard in the great mission
of universal education.
From the report of the Superintendent
of Soldiers' Orphans' schools, and other
sources, I feel fully authorized in assuring
you they were never before in a more
flourishing and prosperous condition.
Every child, legally eligible, and having
made application, is now admitted to these
schools, The whole number of admissions
since 1865 is 6,429; the discharges from
all causes 2,902, leaving in attendance
3.527. No larger number will probably
hereafter be attained, and it may confident
ly be expected that this number will be
subject to an annual reduction of at least
500, until the system shall have accom
plished its mission.
The entire expense of these schools to
the State, since they went into operation
in 1863, is $3,467,543 11. Their cost
during the last year was e 45,345 47. It
is estimated by the Superintendent that
the future expense, to the period of their
final extinction. will not exceed one mil
lion five hundred thousand dollars.
The health of the children has been ex
cellent. Their exemption front small pox,
while it was prevailing all around them, is
remarkable; and no stronger evidence of
good management and the propitious re
sults of systematic vaccination, could be
adduced. The exemplary conduct of the
pupils after their discharge is one of the
most gratifying circumstances connected
with their history. The following state
aent of the Superintendent will be highly
satisfactory to the Legislature and the
people: "Front the beginning of tbsse
schools to the present, the greater part of
the children who have received their ad
vantages have been honorably discharged.
And from facts in the possession of the
department, it appears that' more than
ninety-eight per cent. are daing (cell, and
seem likely to become upright and useful
citizens."
Among the States of the American
Union, Pennsylvania stands pre-eminent
in her .‘ears for the soldier who has borne
the battle, and for his widow and orphan
children." Her noble scheme for clothing,
educating, maintaining and adopting the
orphan children of her soldiers who gave
their lives in decease of the National
Union, is her own invention. In this the
generosity of her people has been imitated,
hut not equalled by those of any other
State. To her will forever be accorded
the leadership in this work of patriotic be
nevolenee. It will form the brightest page
of her history. It will seal the devotion
of her people to the common country; and
our legislators, in view of its benign influ
ence will continue to accord a cheerful
and liberal support to a system so fruitful
iu blessings to the orphan children of our
martyred heroes.
Upon no material interest of the State
is the influence of education more salutory
than that of agriculture. Pennsylvaitia,
by wise legislation, has authorized the pur
chase of the exoriniental farms, and the
establishment of a College, all of which are
now in successful operation, and the result
of the scientific working of the farms have
already added much practical knowledge
upon the general subject.
The Agricultural College has just closed
a most prosperous year—the number of ,
students being 'one hundred and fifty—
which exceeds that of any year since the
opening of the institutioo. Any one, of
three courses, is optional to the students,
viz: Agricultural, scientific or classical, to
all of which is added a general course of
military iustruction.
The admission of females, which was first
permitted sixteen months ago, has thus far
worked exceedingly well. Thirty young
women have availed themselves or the op
portunity thus afforded to obtain a first-'
class education.
All students are taught to regard lab. r
as beneficial and honorable. The rule of
the college requiring ten hours manual
labor per week from the students is cheer
fully complied with, and results advan
tageously to their health and comfort.
This State institution is pre-eminently
the People's College. Its preparatory de
partment receives students at a low grade,
as well as those mare advanced. The
school is "cheap enough for the poorest
and good enough fur the richest," either
in mind or elate; and it affords healthful
exercise, instruction in useful labor, and
free tuition in every branch of its ample
courses of study.
For the details of the organ'zation of t..e
National Guard, and the general business
of the Adjutant General's Department,
your attention is invited to the accompa
flying report of that officer.
At the close of the late war the State
was without a single military division, and
the few scattered companies which existed
at its commencement had been, generally,
disbanded by the enlistment of their mem
bers in the active military service of the
General GoVernment.
In 18GG the militia of the State com
prised only eight volunteer companies.
Since then four hundred and eighty-three
have been organized and one hundred and
sixty-eight disbanded—the latter princi
pally on account of the almost . entire want
of encouragement and support from the
State, and their own inability to maintain
themselves. To this fact is mainly attri
butable the reduction of the volunteer
force in the First division (Philadelphia)
during the past year. The Legislature, at
its last session, having repealed all laws by
which any military fund could be raised
in that division, left its organization en
tirely dependent upon themselves and the
voluntary contributions of citizens.
The organzations of the National Guard,
not yet disbanded. consist of fifteen regi
ments and six battalions ; comprising, with
unattached bodies, three hundred and
twenty-three companies,
viz : Six artil
lery, eight cavalry, and three hundred and
nine infhntry. The aggregate of enlisted
men is 13,566, and of commissioned offi
cers 1,126.
Convinced of the necessity, in time of
peace as well as in war, of an efficient mil
itary three to maintain the civil authority,
I have at all times entertained a deep in
terest in tho military department of the
State, and it affords me pleasure to say
that the present condition of our volunteer
organizations is as complete as is practica
ble under the admitted imperfections and
illiberal provisions of our military laws.
Whets: "the greater security of life and
property" is tile question involved, it
would seem superfluous to employ argu
ments to convince any property holder,
business man. or good citizen, that it was
his individual interest to support a system
designed to uphold the civil authority.
But as practical illustrations, of recent
date, I may refer to the scene ofJuly,lB7l,
in the city of New York, as well as to
those enacted in our own State. at &ran
durine• the months of April and May,
of the sal& year, and still more recently
followed by the disturbance of the public
peace in July last, which so seriously
threatened the city of Williamsport. The
civil arm of the law was paralyzed, and
peaceable citizens were at the mercy of the
rioters. Appeals came from the divil ans
charities and the people. for the protection
of' the military against tumult which they
were unable to quell. The military of the
nearest division promptly responded to the
call of the Executive, the majesty of the
civil law was vindicated in the suppression
of' the disorder, and at comparatively tri
fling cost to the State, the peace And quiet
of two of her flauriching cities were re
stored, immensely-valuable property pre
served, and very many honest and indus
trious laborers enabled to resume the work
on which the subsistence of themselves and
their families depended. Such occurren
ces surely demonstrate both !Jae value and
necessity of A well otganized and thor
oughly disciplined National Guard to main
tain the civil authority. I cite these cir
cumstancee us uu act of official duty, and
from a desire to avail myself of this oppor
tunity of leaving on record my apprecia
tion of the importance of such action, on
your part, as will maintain a well equipped,
disciplined and reliable State military force.
For a full statement of the disturbances
at Williamsport, and of the operations of'
the military called into service, on appeal
of the civil authorities, you aro referred to
the official statement of Major General
Jesse Merrill, commanding the 11th Di
vision, which appears at length in the
Adjutant General's report.
-The discreet and judicious conduct of
the Major General, and the officers and
men under his command on that occasion,
not only won the approval of the citizens
of that community, but entitles them to
general commendation,
Provisions should be promptly wade for
the payment of the expenses necessarily
incurred on pay rolls and accounts duly
audited and certified by the proper offi
cers; the amaunt of which will not exceed
fifteen thousand dollars.
The period determined upon by the Leg
islature for the delivery of the picture of
the battle o 7 Gettysburg, painted for the
State by P: F. Rothertnel, artist, having
arrived, no place in the Capital, or other
public buildings at Harrisburg, was found
suitable ib e its reception and exhibition.
Finding that the picture could not long
remain rolled up without considerable in
jury, and, perhaps, total destruction; with
the approval of several members of the
Senate and of the Goose, I consented to
place it in the hands of the Park Commis
sioners of Philadelphia, subject to the or
der of the Legislature.
A building 140 feet long and 43 feet
wide has been erected in Fairmount Park
for the reception of this historic painting,
within a few hundred feet of the Green
street entrance. The site is the very best
that could have been selected to afford the
public easy aecess. The gallery is perfe.et
ly adapted for the safe keeping and proper
exhibition of the picture.
Under existing laws many important
documents are filed in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, which,
fin , greater security, ought to be recorded
in suitable books for that. purpose. Prom
inent amo igthose referred to may be enu-
'aerated papers relating to the merger and
consolidation of railroad companies; the
increase of capital stock and bonded obli
gations of corporations under both general
and special laws; correction of errors, and
confirming corporate organizations; exten
sion of charters and diSsolutions of corpor
ations; the change of name of corporations
and the looatian of their principal offices ;
the acceptance of the provisions of act of
Assembly by earFrations; and contracts
to which the State is a pariy. This list
might be extendea, but enough has been
given to indicate the grave importance of
the interests involved, and the necessity
for the utmost care in preserving, in pro
per and accessible shape, the evidence of
such transactions. I therefore recommend
such enactments as will confer the author
ity required upon the Secretary of the
Commonwealth.
The State authorizes the publiction of
statute laws, and the di,,,ribution of them
to sundry enumerated officers and persons.
Justices of the peace and aldermen are re
quired to carefully preserve the copies
received by thzni and hand them over to
their successors in office. But the annual
volumes being large, and bound only in
paper covers, it is almost impossible to
preserve them whole for any reasonable
time. I recommend the passage of a law
requiring them to be properly bound be
fore distributi a.
The eminent and philanthropic gentle
men composing the Board of Public Char
ities have carefully investigated a number
of subjects which they deemed of sufficient
importance to lay belbre the Legislatu e.
Among them may be specially noticed
Prison Discipline—a question now gener
ally occupying the attention of statesmen
and philanthropists throughout the civil
ized world; the condition and treatment
of the insane and the workings of that class
of institutions known as local charities.
founded and conduced for benevolent
purposes. These asylums are located in
various parts of the State, mostly, however,
in Philadelphia and Pittsburg.They are
performing an excellent work—relieving
the sick, indigent, infirm and neglected
portions of our population. The General
Agent has devoted a considerable portion
of his time to their inspection, the results
of which will appear in his able report to
the Board, in which he exhibits their
character and the largo amsunt of private
charity bestowed upon them.
This board was organized during my
administration,and I have entertaiued a deep
and lasting interest in its labors. Thegen-
Omen who compose it voluntarily devote
their time, without compensation, to this
noble work of benevolence. The impress
of their intelligent efforts is every where
perceptible; and the large annual contri
butions of the State to charitable institu
tions have, under their snpervision and
examination, been properly and systemati
cally applied.
The third volume of their reports will
be submitted at an early day. It will
present a large amount of statistical infor
mation, and many interesting facts and
valuable suggestions upon subjects of great
importance. I canna too strongly com
mend this Board—the great regulator of
State charities—to the favorable consider
ation of the Legislature, and recommend
such appropriations for expenses and ad
ditional enactinL tits as may be necessary to
increase its efficiency. -
From a personal inspection of the pen!.
tentiaries i I am able to bear testimony to
the evidences that were everywhere man
ifested of their general good management
and excellent discipline.
The Eastern penitentiary has long been
deservedly regarded as the model prison in
which the "separate" or "individual treat_
merit" system of imprisonment is applied,
and the annual reports of its faithful
Board of Inspectors, embracing their oh
nervations and investigations, show that
they have elevated the subject of crime
punishment almost to the dignity of a sci
ence.
Among the circumstances that attracted
my attention was the insufficient number
of cells to carry out the "solitary confine
ment" principal, and the incarceration
there of a number of boys and youths for
first offenses, and of females untrained in
crime. Sometimes two or more in one
I cell where thus unavoidably brought into
associatiLns which could scarcely rail to
produce contamination of character and
morals. I would, therefore, recommend
that the Legislature enable the courts to
sentence minors and fetra'es to the county
prisons, where with proper teaching—
training in some handy.craft business—
and with due attention given to discipline,
the object of punishment would be more
effectually attained; and the penitentiary,
thus relieved, would have cells sufficient
for all ordinary purposes. It is a great
mistake in almost all cases of minors con
victed for their first, and often trivial
offence, to send them to a State's prison ;
because the punishment is less in its effect
than the idea of degradation iu the after
life of the prisoner. Such persons should
be punished in the locality where the crime
was committed, and the disgrace would
not be so likely to permanently affect the
character after the discharge of the pris
oner.
From 1829 to 1871, inclusive,
only
three hundred and forty-six females were
received in the Eastern penitentiary, and
of this number oue hundred and twenty
seven were minors These facts would
fully justify the propriety of such action
by the Legislature as has been suggested.
The Western penitentiary contains am
ple space for present demands. It is con
ducted on the "combined" system of "soli
tary" and "congregate" imprisonment, the
w“rkings of which are giving entire satis
faction to all concerned.
The commissieners from this State to
the International Prison Congress, lately
hold in London, England, report that
twenty-one governments were represented,
principally by men who have made crimi
nal legislation and penal treatment a study.
America sent seventy-three delegates, re
presenting penitentiaries, asylums and re
formatory institutions. Among these were
ninny experts in every branch of penology.
The deliberations of the Congress contin
ued ten days. Its results are difficult to
estimate ' • but it is hoped the great inter
ests of humanity involved in the proper
treatment of crime will be happily subser
ved ameng all civilized nations.
The managers of the "Pennsylvania Br
form School" (late the Western House of
Refuge) propose to change their location
from Allegheny City to a farm, containint:
503 acres, in Washington county, seven
teen miles from Pittsburg, near the Char
tiers Valley railroad, and adopt for its
government the best features of what is
known as the "family system" of juvenile
reformatories. These will mainly consist
in the abandonment of walls, bolts and
bars for confining the children ; and in an
earnest effort to govern them through sym
pathy and kindness, and prepare them
useful occupations.
The Board will ask an additional appro
priation to pay for the land and improve
ments.
Of all my official recommendations, I
deem those most important which relate
to the public health. Facilities for the
material development. and the accumula
. .
tion of wealth, estimated at their higheq,
value, arc of but minor consequence when
compared with the preservation of life
itsalf: "All that a man hath will he give
for his life!" At the time of presenting
my last annual message, small pox was
fearfully prevalent in Philadelphia and in
NO. 3.