VOL. 49.
The Huntingdon Journal ,
J. R. DITRBORROW,
PUBLISHERS AND PROPRIETORS,
°girt ON the Corner of Kid nod Washington streets,
Tan HUNTINGDON JOURNAL 18 published every
Wednesday, by J. D. DURBORROW and J. A. Nam,
under the firm name of J. It. DURBORROW & Co., at
$2.00 per annum, is ADVANCE, or $2.50 if not paid
for in six months from date of subscription, and
$3 if nut paid within the year.
No paper discontinued, vuless at the option of
the publishers, until ail arrearages are paid.
. .
Na paper, however, will be sent out of the State
unletis absolutely paidifor in advance.
. .
Transient advertisements will be inserted at
TWELVE AND A-HALF CENTS per line for the first
insertion, SEVEN AND A-HALF CENTS for the second,
and FIVE cairn per line for all subsequent inser
tions.
- --- -
Regular quarterly and yearly business advertise
ments will be inserted at the following rates :
SuilBml9mlld
3ml6ml9mlly
1 Inch 3101 4 501 55C 300 Vcol 9OOllB 001$ 2713 38
2 . 500 E 00.10 00 12 00 " 24 00 3131,0 50 85
3 " 700 10 0014 0018 00 4 "3400 50 00 85 80
4 " 800 14 00 1 20 00121 00 1 col 36 00 GO 00 1
80 100
Local notices will be inserted at Firings CENTS
per line for each and every insertion.
All Resolutions of Associations, Communications
of limited or individual interest, all party an
nouncements, and notices of Marriages and Deaths,
exceeding five lines, will be charged TRY CENTS
per line.
Legal and other notices will he charged to the
party having them inserted.
Advertising Agents must find their commission
cutable of these figures. .
Ali advertising 7xecounta are doe and col'ectable
schen the advertisement is once inserted.
JOB PRINTING of every kind, in Plain and
Fancy Colors, done with neatness and dispatch.—
Hand-bills. Blank., Cards, Pamphlet., Abe., of every
variety and etyle, 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.
Professional Cards,
A P. IV.
JOHNSTON, Surveyor and
• civil Engineer, Huntingdon, Pa.
Orrice: No. 113 Third Street. aug21,1372.
DR. H. W. BUCHANAN,
DENTIST,
No. 223 Hill Street,
_____
HIINTINGiDON, PA
July 3,'12.
CALDWELL, Attorney -at -Lqw,
D•No. 111, 3d street. °Mee formerly occupied
by Messrs. Woods b Williamson. [apl2,ll.
DR. A. B. BRUMBAUGH, offers his
professional services to the community.
Office, No. 523 Washington street, one door east
of the Catholic Parsonage. Dan.4,'7l.
"fil_ J. GREENE, Dentist. O ffi ce re
-1-td • moved to Leister's new building, llill street
Frentingdon. fj0n.4;71.
GL. ROBB, Dentist, office in S. T.
-• Brtwn's new building, No. 520, Hill St.,
Huntingdon, ra.
AC. MADDEN, Attorney-at-Law .
• - 091oe, No. —, Hill acreet, Huntingdon,
Pa. [ap.19,'71.
FRANKLIN SCHOCH, Attorney-
KR • st-Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Prompt attention
given o.l'll legal business. Office 229 Hill street,
corner of Court House Square. [dee.4,72
SYLVANUS BLAIR, Attorney-at
efl • Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Office, fill street,
hree doors west of Smith. [jan.4'7l.
JCHALMERS JACKSON, Attor•
• ney at Law. Office with Wm. Dorris, Esq.,
No. 403, Hill street, Huntingdon, Pa.
All legal business promptly attended to. Ejanl6
IL DURBORROW, Attorney-at-
J• Law, Huntingdon, Pa., will practice in the
several Courts of Huntingdon county. Particular
attention given to the settlement of estates of dece
dents.
Office in he JOURNAL Building. [feb.l,ll,
W. MATTERN, Attoruey-at-Law
J • and General Claim Agent, Huntingdon, Pa.,
Soldiers' claims against the Government for back
pay, bounty t widows' and invalid pensions attend
ed to with great care and promptness.
Office on Hill strett. Ejan.4,ll.
S. GEISSINGER, Attorney-at-
L• Law, Huntingdon, Pa. Office one door
East of R. 31,Speer'e office. [Feb.s-ly
J. HALL 31r9SER.
K. ALLEN LOVEL,
L OVELL & MUSSER,
Atto,:taells-at-Law,
HUNTINGDON,
Special attention given to COLLECTIONS of all
kinds; to the settlement of ESTATES, Ice.; and
all other legal business prosecuted with fidelity and
dispatch. in0v6,72
RA. ORBISON, Attorney-at-Law,
. Office, 321 Hill street, Huntingdon, Pa.
[may3l,'7l.
JOHN SCOTT. S. T. BROWN. J. M. BAILEY
LCOTT, BROWN & BAILEY, At
torneys-at-Law, Huntingdon, P. Pensions,
and all claims of soldiers and soldiers' heirs against
the Government will be promptly prosecuted.
Office on Hill street. Dan. 4,71.
WILLIAM A. FLEMING, Attorney
at-Lsw, Huntingdon, Pa. Special attention
given to collection., and all other legal basins..
attended to with care and promptness. Office, No.
929, Hill street. [apl9,'7l.
Hotels
JACKSON HOUSE.
FOUR DOORS EAST OF THE UNION DEPOT,
HUNTINGDON, PA,
A. B. ZEIGLER, Prop.
N0v12,13-6m,
MORRISON HOUSE,
OPPOSITE PENNSYLVANIA It. R. DEPOT
HUNTINGDON, PA
J. 11. CLOVER, Prop.
April 5, 1871-Iy.
Miscellaneous
"PIC BOBLEY, Merchant Tailor, in
• Leistor's Building (second floor,) Hunting
don, Pa., respectfully solicits a share of public
patronage from town and country. [octtfl,72.
RA. BECK, Fashionable Barber
• and hairdresser, Hill street, opposite the
Franklin House. All kinds of Tonics and Pomades
kept on handand for sale. [apl9,'7l-6m
T_TOFFMAN & SKEESE,
Manufacturers of all kinds of CHAIRS,
and dealers in PARLOR and KITCIIEN FORM.
TITRE, corner of Fifth and Washington streets
Huntingdon, Pa. All articles will be sold cheap,
Particular and prompt attention given to repair
ing. A share of public patronage is respectfully
solicited. fjan.ls,l3y
WM. WILLIAMS,
MANUFACTURER OF
MARBLE MANTLES, MONUMENTS.
HEADSTONES, &C.,
HUNTINGDON, PA
STER PARIS CORNICES,
MOULDINGS. &C
ALSO SLATE MANTLES FURNISHED TO
ORDER.
Jan. 4, 71
FOR
PLAIN PRINTING,
FANCY PRINTING,
GO TO THE - JOURNAL OFFICE
.1 1 :1
.„.
0u r
a is
he
111_ I II
111,
Governor's Message.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House
Representatires :
J. A. NASH,
Since your last meeting a grievous pub
lic calamity, in the guise of a financial
panic, has visited the country, having in
its train a series of disasters. The indus
trial pursuits and monetary interests of
the State have become greatly depressed,
the wealth of many of her leading capital
ists and most public spirit citizens has
been wholly swept away, the business of
her corporations paralyzed, the machinery
of her manufactories arrested, her mineral,
iron, oil and other productions greatly de
preciated in value, and poverty and want
brought to the firesides of the humble
homes of thousands of her honest and it
dustrious citizens, who toil for their daily
bread. To remedy these evils, underwhich
all our industries are languishing, so far
as relief can be administered by legisla
tion, it is' barely necessary to suggest.,
should be the first duty of your honorable
bodies—a duty which I feel assured will
be undertaken with care and deliberation,
invoking to its aid a fair share of humanity
and the highest practical wisdom. In any
measures looking to this object it will be
my pleasure heartily to co-operate.
It is gratif ; log to observe that while
many of the most substantial securities in
the ma let were more or less depressed
during the recent panic, the finances of
the State were unshaken, exhibiting un
mistakable evidence of the stability of the
State credit. The following statement,
showing their satisfactory condition, will
challenge attention :
Debt Redeemed.
During fiscal year ending November 30, 1373
Six per cent. loan
Five per cent. loan
Chatnbersburg certificates.
Total,
Receipt,.
During tiecal year ending November 30, 1873 :
Balance in Treasury, Nov. 30, 1872.. 1,482,455 61
Receipt• 7,076,723 20
Tutal
Dicoursemente.
During 'seal ygar ending November 30,'1873 :
Ordinary expenses .4,666,325 67
Loans redeemed 1,504,672 70
Interest paid on loans 1,563,029 20
--$6,734,027 57
Balance in Treapury, Nov. 30, 1873.. 1,825,151 24
Funded Debt.
•
Six per cent. lonns $20,540,580 09
Five per cent. loans— 4,972,3 M 01
4} per cent. leans 87,000 00
23,599,934 01
Unfunded Debi.
Relief notes in eirculation-96,249 00
Interest certificates outsand-
ing 12,049 02
Intermit certificates unclaim-
[41V71.
Domestic creditor's certifi-
cates 44 67
Chambersburg certificates
outstanding 84,829 61
Do do unclaimed 267 22
Total public debt, Nov. 30, 1873 25.793,821 94
Bonds in Sinking Fend. .
Bonds of the Pennsylvania
Rano id Company 05,700,000
Bonds of the Allegheny Val
ley Railroad Company... 3,500,000
9,200,000
Cash in Treasury, N0v.30'73 1,825,151
11,025,151 21
Indebtedness unprovided for $14,773,670 70
In 1874 the receipts from all sources
Will he $1,500,000 less than the receipts
of 1873, while the expenditures will not
be diminished. This loss of revenue is
largely due to the repeal of taxes bearing
heavily upon the industrial interests of
the Commonwealth, and partly to the pros
tration of business. The receipts in 1875
may be about the same as those of 1.874,
but the expenditures will be greater,
owing to the additional outlay necessary
for schools, Legislature and Judiciary, un
der the new Constitution, which will then
be in full force. Notwithstanding this
enormout decrease in the receipts, and in
crease in expenditures, it is hoped and be
lieved, that by the most rigid economy in
every branch of the government and mod
erate appropriations, the revenues in the
future will be sufficient to meet all the
demands on the Treasury, and leave a
balance to reduce the indebtedness of the
State, as required by the Constitution. I
am in accord with those whe believe as the
debt decreases there should be a corres
ponding relief afforded to these interests
that bear the burden of taxation • but at
this juncture I would regard any further
reduction of the revenues as unwise. In
our list of taxes, howerer, may be found
some that are not strictly -uniform upon
I the same class of subjects," and very un
fair in their operation, and I think, there
fore, a revision of our tax laws is now de
sirable if not necessary.
In compliance with the constitutional
amendment of 1857, the Legislature in
1858 created a sinking fund for the pay
ment of the interest on the State debt,
and for an annual reduction of the princi
pal in a sum not less than $250,000 per
annum. In addition to the securities des
ignated by the amendment, the revenues
arising from certain taxes were assigned
to this fund. From that time, each sue
cceding year ; the interest on the debt has
been punctually paid, and the portion of
principal redeemed instead of amounting
to $250,000 has grown to the immense
sum of one to two millions per year. The
reason is a simple one. The revenues set.'
apart for the sinking fund, by the natural,
growth of the special taxes, have become
annually much larger, while the amount
required to be paid on account of interest,
by reason of the rapid decrease of the pub
lic debt, has every year become smaller,
and in this way the annual credits to the,
sinking fund have swollen to proportions
never contemplated by the original friends
of the measure. As an illustration, it is
simply necessary to say, that the revenues
flowing to this fund were last year over
half the entire income of the State, or
$3,500,000, while only $1,500,000 were
needed to pay the interest on the debt. In
the mean time, the annual revenues allot
ted for general purposes has been less than
the amount of the annual appropriations
of the Legislature, and the Legislature
clever having made provision for the differ
ence by a reconstruction of the revenues,
it became necessary for the Treasurer to
pay the deficiencies of appropriations out
of the funds properly due to the sinking
fund or suspend payment. This condition
of affairs places the Sinking Fund Com
missioners in an anomalous position, from
which it is manifestly the duty of the Leg
islature to relieve them,
The progress of the work of preparation
for the Centennial is realizing fully the
expectations of our people. The distin
guished gentlemen charged with the de
tails of this vast undertaking are striving
zealously, with great intelligence and in
dustry, to perfect all the arrangements in
a manner commensurate with the impor
tant and conspicuous position our,Republic
occupies among the nations of the earth. A
becoming regard for the dignity and honor
of the country, we can hope, will now in
duce the General Government, and all the
States, to extend to.the Commission such
material aid as will secure this enterprise
from every possibility of failure. The city
of Philadelphia, whose generosity, in dif-.
ferent ways, in behalf of the Centennial,
has elicited commendation from all quar
ters, ceded to the Commission an eligible
site in the midst of her beautiful park,
whereupon the proposed buildings for the
exhibition, the plans of which have been
adopted, arc to be erected. This site was
formally transferred and dedicated to its
special uses on the 4th of July last, in the
presence of a large concourse of citizens.
Upon that occasion proclamation of the
President was made, wherein the celebra
tion and exhibition were commended to
the people of the United States, and a
cordial invitation given to all nations who
may be pleased to take part therein.
With this act the project became a na
tional one, and co-operation was invited
and expected from the whole nation; and
it is a pleasure to observe that the differ
ent States and Territories are earnestly
moving with a view to such contributions
as will place the celebration not only upon
a sound financial basis, but make it a suc
cessful exhibition of their various resour
ces and industries. To stamp the Cen
tennial, however, with the character of a
national enterprise, it rmq receive assis
tance direct and substantial from the Na
tional Government. Congress must set
the seal of-its approbation upon the work
of the Commission, and manifest not only
an interest in this great undertaking,. but
a determination that in its proportions and
gandeur the American Exposition shall
eclipse all those which have preceded it in
Europe, as the development of our resour
ces, the expansion of our grand railway
system, and the diversified employment of
the arts and sciences in all the avenues of
our industry surpass those of the old
world.
.$1,36,800 00
. ]53,112 46
. 42,760 24
1.504,672 70
Pennsylvania must not neglect this op
portunity for the display of her rich, va
ried and inexhagstible products, nor relax
her efforts to rescue the exhibition from
every mischance to which indifference or
distrust may expose it. It is true her
contributions have been large, but she
must not forget that the nation has sig
nally honored her people by designating
her metropolis as the place for the propos
ed celebration, and she must show by re
newed exertions that she appreciates the
distinction.
Pursuant to an act of the Generpl As
sembly, approved June 2, A. D. 1871, the
people, by a large majority, voted in favor
of calling a Convention to amend the Con
stitution of this Commonwealth, and the
General Assembly, by an act approved
April 11, 1872, provided for the calling
of the same, and in compliance with its
provisions the delegates thereto assembled
at the State Capital, at Harrisburg, on the
second Tuesday of November, 1872, and
adjourned sine die on Saturday, December
27, 1873. The Constitution adopted by
the Convention was submitted to the qual
ified electors of the Commonwealth, on the
third Tuesday of December, 1873, and by
a certificate of said Convention, on file in
the office of the Secretary of this Common
wealth, it appears 253,560 votes were
given for, and 109,198 votes against the
New Constitution.
8,559,178 81
4,448 38
198,887 93
In the schedule of the New Constitution
it is provided that it shall take effect on
the first day of January, 1874. In the
act calling the Convention, it is provided
that the returns of the votes cast for and
against. the New Constitution, "shall be
opened, counted and published as the re
turns for Governor are now by law count
ed and published," and when so ascertain
ed and certified, •'the Governor shall de
clare by proclamation the result of the
election." The Constitution of 1838, as
well as the New Constitution, provides
"that the returns of every election for
Governor shall be sealed up and transmit
ted to the seat of government, directed to
the President of the Senate, who shall open
and publish them in presence of the mem
bers of both Houses of the General As
sembly."
The Constitutional Convention. the last
day of its session, passed the following
preamble and resolution :
WHEREAS, It appears by the returns of
election in the several counties of the
State, held on Tuesday, the 16th day of
December, A. D. 1873, that the New
Constitution has been adopted by a ma
jority of one hundred and fifty-four thous
and three hundred and sixty-two; there
fore,
"Resolved, That His Excellency, the
Governor, be informed by the President of
the Convention, of the result, and that he
be respectfully requested to issue his proc
lamation thereof without delay."
I respectfully call your attention thereto,
that there may be no unnecessary delay in
the counting of the'vote cast for and against
the New Constitution; that I may in con
formity with the provisions of the act cal
ling the Convention, and in compliance
with the resolution of the Convention,
promptly issue the proclamation. -
The New Constitution having been ap
proved by a very decided majority of the
people, it is expected that all citizens will
yield cheerful obedience to its behests, and
unite to strictly and faithfully enforce its
provisions.
As each day's experience reveals the
methods of administration, the conviction
grows stronger in my mind that good gov
ernment depends not so much upon writ
ten laws as upon the disposition of the
people to comply with the demands of the
laws, and the determination of those dele
gated to execute them, to see that their
mandates are enforced. Reform, it will be
conceded, cannot be obtained by mere con
stitutional enactment, nor by surrounding
offices ard trusts with additional restraints.
The world's history from the earliest
ages has shown that no code of laws, how
ever comprehensive or restrictive, - will
evade man's ingenuity if bent upon over
stepping their bounds, and wise and ne
cessary as the provisions of the new Consti
tution may be they will never secure the
ends designed unless sustained by a strong,
active, healthful and intelligent sentiment
that will interest itself in public affairs. It
will not suffice to enact that integrity and
fitness are essential qualifications for office,
unless the people see to it that none with
out these qualifications are selected. It is
the indifference and inattention of electors
to their primary political duties, connected
with nominations and elections, that de . -
spoil the law of its sanctity, and afford se
curity to those who wilfully disobey its re
quirements. Men do not fulfil the obli
gations of citizenship by merely enjoying
the protection our institutions afford. To
perform his whole duty to the State every
citizen shon!cl actively engage in political
concerns when the recurring elections in
voke his attention and interference. In
HUNTINGDON, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1874.
our system of government every man en
titled to vote is invested with a grave
public trust, and if, through indifference
or neglect, he fails to discharge the sacred
duties it imposes, he is almost as culpable
as the other who deliberately violates the
law. With this new departure in our or
ganci law, let there also be an accompany
ing resolution on the part of all good citi
zens that they will attend diligently and
conscientiously to the selection of men for
office whose dignity of character and intel
lect will be an adequate guaranty that the
new Constitution will be safe in their
keeping.
Upon the present Legislature devolves a
duty involving great care and labor, and
which if discharged, as I believe it will be,
with a proper regard for the public inter
est, will redound to its credit and honor.
To you is committed the important trust
of moulding existing regulations into con
formity with the change about to be in
augurated in the fundamental law of the
State. Bring to the performance of this
high and responsible duty all the wisdom
you possess, divest yourselves of all selfish
considerations, devote time and thought to
the work, and with the New Constitution
as your constant guide, build up a good
and symmetrical system of laws, and let
us so far as it lies in our ability start the
State forward upon her future career,
clothed with ample powers to extend ber
enterprise, and fulfill her great destiny.
To another consideration I invite public
attention. All special enactments are not
necessarily bad leis, while it may be
equally accepted as true that all general
enactments are not good laws. I enjoin
upon the people of the whole State in
creased vigilance in their watch over all
legislation. Attempts will doubtless be
made to obtain special objects through the
instrumentally of General laws, which,
while they may benefit one interest or lo
cality, might prove very oppressive to oth
ers. Let every citizen who has the inter
est of the State at heart lend his assistance
to the Legislature and Executive. to detect
and frustrate such schemes.
The interesting report of the Superin
tendent of Common Schools will command
your thoughtful attention, because of the
important subject of which it treats, and
the many valuable suggestions it contains.
Pennsylvania, it will observed, is making
decided progress in the cause of education,
increasing the number of schools, enlarg
ing each year the sphere of instruction,
extending the time within which school
ing may be obtained, and supplying more
of the conveniences necessary for the com
fort and health of scholars and teachers.
For years, in this State, doubts of the
practicability of a system of public schools
beset and crippled the cause of education,
but judicious and careful management has
happily dissipated all this mistrust, and
our people are now united in the convic
tion of the utility and wisdom of free and
universal instruction. Those concerned
in the administration of public affairs are
expected to devote to the vital problems of
education the time and consideration they
deserve, and I have no doubt that the
present Legislature will look into and pro
vide remedies for many of the deficiencies
that still exist in our present school sys
tem. Prominent among the defects is the
lack of proper training and other qualifi
cations of the teachers of the schools.
"Of the 15,003 teachers receiving certi
ficates to teach the year, only 374 were
found to have a thorough knowledge of
reading, writing, arithinetic, geography
and grammar, and that practical prepara
tion for their profession which insures
success," is the startling declaration made
by the Superintendent of Common Schools,
There must certainly be a radical change
in this regard, if we would have our chil
dren attain even the rudiments of an or
dinary eduction. Tho necessity of estab
lishing Normal schools wherein students
are especially qualified and trained for
teaching is conspicuously shown in these
statistics, and it 114 a gratification to know
that twelve of these useful institutions
have beea erected or are in process of
erection in various parts of the State, and
when all are furnished with an able corps
of instructors, we can confidental hope the
graduates therefrom will largely contribute
to supply this pressing need of good and
competent teachers. To afford some in
ducement., however, to teachers to prepare
themselves for the duties of their profes
sion, and some assurance of the public ap
preciation of the difficult, responsible and
delicate work they perform, I am satisfied
they should receive increased compensa
tion.
Dissatisfaction exists also and complaint
is m-de about the frequent changes of
school hooks, entailing expense upon pa
rents, and subjectino• ' pupils to novel and
perplexing methods of acquiring lessons
that mystify more than they instruct.
There seems to be an urgent demand for
more training of a technical-kind, that will
fit children for mechanical pursuits and
the practical duties of life. I suggest,
therefore, that school boards be authoriS
ed to make provision for giving instruc
tion in industrial and mechanical drawing,
both in day and evening schools ; also that
schools be established wherein trades may
be taught, or arrangements made fur such
instruction in connection with schools al
ready established, so that skilled mechan
ics can be graduated, and the principle in
culcated that there is nothing ungraceful
or undignified in honest and hard labor,
and that the handwork. of the skillful ar
tisan will confer in the future as noble a
title as any to be achieved in professional
callings. -
More thorough examination of the sub
ject strengthens me in the conviction that
the State must adopt some mode to compel
the attendance of those children whose pa
rents are unwilling or unable to allow
their offspring to avail themselves of the
benefits our school system affords. The
solution of this important question pre
sents grave difficulties, lint I expect to see
them all surmounted. Some plan must be
devised to snatch these children from the
career of idleness and crime to which ig
norance will consign them. By far the
greater portion of the inmates of out pen
itentiaries never attended schools, or bad
the advantages of education. Is modern
civilization unequal to the task of rescuing
the children of the indigent and the crim
nal from such a fate ?
The views expressed in the report of
the Superintendent of Common Salmis
upon this very point, embrace, in my opin
ion, a feasible plan to secure the attendance
at school of every child in the State. anal
earnestly solicit your consideration of that
part of his report, with the additional sug
gestion, that when these poor or vagrant
children aro gathered into ; schools or
homes, that the industrial plan be engraft
ed upon the conduct of these institutions,
so that those taught may also acquire use
ful trades. Observation shows that a man
thoroughly acquainted with a trade is se
cure against many temptation that opens
the doors of the prison to great numbers
whose hands are unskilled and who are
unused to any steady or exacting labor.
In the able and comprehensive report of
the Inspectors of the East4rn Penitentiary
for 1872, among other details of value is
found this significant statement: that of
the 240 convicts admitted to prison dur
ing the year 1871, 90 per cent. had never
been apprenticed, and 56 per cent. bad
never attended school. These figures are
eloquently and painfully suggestive of the
relations indolence and ignorance bear to,
crime.
No act of the State ever secured her
more honor than that which pledged her
people to the care and education of the or
phans of the soldiers who fell in her ser
vice, and no part of her policy has reflect.
ed so much credit upon her people as the
fidelity with which they have been redeem
ing that promise. The generosity which
former Legislatures have displayed in pro
viding for the maintenance and instruc
tion of these orphans will now, I am per
suaded, bespeak tor them like consideration
and favor. I feel constrained also to re
new my proposition that seine measure
should be taken to furnish these children
with trades.
During the past year the gentlemen
composing the Board of Public Charities
have fulfilled the important trust commit-.
ted to their care with their wonted fidel.
ity and zeal. The results of their labors
clearly demonstrate that true philanthro
phy, well guarded and directed, can be of
great practical service to the State.
The numbers of the criminal, pauper,
insane and other defective classes that are
in some degree dependent on public sup
port, must always be large, and the pro
blem of caring for these multitudes in a
way to decrease their number, and so add
to the productive force of the community,
is one which addresses itself with great
force to the attention of the Legislature.
In the light of the reports of the Board
of Public Charities and Prison Inspectors,
and of my own investigation, I am firmly of
the belief that the system of commutation
whereby the term of a prisoner is shorten.
ed by reason of his good conduct, has been
productive of reformatory results. By ex
amination, also, I am possessed of this other
conviction, that for the purpose of awak
ening the self-respe.t of a prisoner,
and to provide him with some incite
ment to good behavior and industrious
habits, every inmate of a prison should
be instructed in a trade. When com
petent to do the work belonging to his
particular trade the convict should receive
while iu prison as compensation for his la
bor, a portion of his earnings, to be given
to his family if necessitous, or if lie has
no fitmily, to be reserved for his own uses
when released. Accustomed in this way
to toil for these dependent upon his sup
port., the prisoner, when liberated will be
apt to carry into life the skill and habits of
industry thus acquired, and make of him
self a useful citizen. Society is as much
interested in the reformation as in the
punishment of the criminal, and experience
shows that teaching him a trade contrib
utes to that end.
The hospitals for the insane, under the
control of the State, are steadily aecom
plishing the beneficent work for which they
are intended. The hospital at Harrisburg
has been full during the whole year, and
at the time of the last report the inmates
were considerably in excess of the number
that can be properly cared for in this in
stitution. The building will have to un
dergo a series of repairs and improvements
to make it a safe and comfortable home
fqr these placed there for treatment.
The hospital at Danville has been in op
eration about a year, and at the latest re
port had 160 patients, and at the rate at
which patients have been admitted, • will
have More that/ its complimen t before anoth
er year has elapsed. It is desirable that the
additional wings to this hospital should be
pushed forward to completion at the ear
liest possible day to provide for those
greatly in need of accommodation.
To insure the delicate and peculiar
treatment required fur the insane, too
much care cannot be exercised to prevent
these hospitals from becoming crowded.
The commissioners appointed under the
act approved Aug. 18, 1873, to select a
site and build a hospital for the insane of
the ten north-western counties of the State,
fixed upon a property at Warren as the
most eligible for the purpose, and their
selection has been approved. This prop
lefty contains 330 acres of land, 800 acres
of which are arable land and cost $33,000.
The number of the insane in the north. wes
-IMrn section of the State, who imperatively
require the accommodations to be furnished
at this hospital, admonish us of the neces
ity for the immediate construction of the
buildings.
The suggestions of the committee of the
Medical Society of Pennsylvania, appointed
to prepare a memorial to the Legislature
in reference to the proper care and treat
ment of insane criminals, which will be
submitted to you, merit your respectful
consideration, The hardship and impoliey
of associating this class of the insane with
those sent to hospitals for medical and
moral treatment must occur to every ra
tional mind. The restraints necessary to
secure the few criminal insane in every
hospital bear with like rigor upon all the oc
cupants, to many -of whom the unusual
confinement is extremely hurtful, while it
is obvious that if the ordinary dicipline is
observed this criminal class are liable to
escape and renew their depredations so
ciety. Nor do the intimate relations that
must exist between the innocent and the
criminal insane confined together improve
the morals of the former, while some sen
sitive minds among these poor unfortunates
feel degraded by enforced contact with
those who have been expelled from society
for their crimes. It seems to be the duty
of the State therefore to provide for the
separate confinement of the criminal in
sane.
I still adhere to the principles laid down
in the Mifllinburg and Wood's Run vetoes
of last session. Recent events have dem
onstrated the necessity of fixing proper
limitations to the power conferred on these
moneyed 'corporations, and have afforded
a practical illustration of the wisdom of
rigidly confining them to objects that are
recognized by the people as distinctively
belonging to such institutions. When a
discount is permitted to become also a sav
ings fund, a trust company, an insurance
company, to buy and sell real estate, and
to have the rights and privileges of a
building association, it is difficult to de
termine what arc its legitimate functions
or what security a community has for the
safety of its deposits. I have always en
tertained serious doubts as to the proprie
ty of banks of discount paying interest on
deposits, and am now convinced that this
'pernicious practice should be prohibited.
Money will always flow to banks paying
interest on deposits, and the large surplus
thus aggregated seduced by attractive of
fars is sent to the great money centres
where it gives more impulse tospeculation
while the sections from which it is drawn
suffer in all their enterprises from the
higher rates ihey are compelled to pay for
the money remaining at home. This sys
tem of purchasing deposits was confess
edly one of the principal causes of the fi
nancial crisis of 1857, and of this year.—
When banks have large deposits on - call,
and have their loans on timo, in the event
of any great stringency in the money mar
ket, disaster is almost inevitable.
Within a few years many State banks
have been chartered, with the captivating
names of savings banks, designed to at
tract deposits. These banks and savings
funds are entirely distinct in organization
and purpose, and should never be associa
ted in their management. The one is a
bank of discount, intended to supply the
wants of business, the other is simply a
repository for people's money, limited to
small amounts to each indi% idual, the
aggregate of the amounts thus recieved to
be invested in mortgages on unincumbored
property worth double the amount of the
mortgage, and in secure public stocks, in
safe porportions. A bank is conducted
with the avowed object of benefit to its
stockholders; a savings fund is pre. , umed
to be managed entirely in the interest of
depositors among the laboring classes, or
those of limited means and business quali
fications, and the essential requisites of
which are such prudence and safety in the
disposition of the funds as will best en
hance their value for the benefit of these
classes of depositors. Men in charge of
savings funds should have no personal
ends to serve; should be above tempta
tions and receive their highest reward in
the good accomplished by inducing a sav
ing habit which, once fixed, leads to pros
perity. . .
Th'it objects of trust companies should
be equally specific and well defined.
Some of these companies are invested with
very extensive powers, arc the deposito
ries of immense sums of money and charm
ed with the keeping and management of
vast and important trusts. It should be
the duty of the State to see that their af
fairs are administered with fidelity, not on
ly to the individuals who confide in their
management, but to the public who are
interested in the security and stability
oKthese companies as barriers to wild
speculation and its consequent financial
panics. . . .
Allow me to suggest, therefore, that all
State banks, savings funds and trust com
panies be made subject to the examination
of a committee appointed by proper au
thority; that these institutions be requir•
ed to publish quarterly statements, under
oath, of the amount of their assets
and liabilities and the names of their
officers; that by a general law their stock
holders be made personally liable for double
the amount of stock held by them; and
that they be compelled to have constantly
in their vaults a cash reserve of ten per
cent. of their net liabilities. These exami
nations, reports and restrictions cannot be
hurtful to institutions of established credit
and high character, while they will disclose
the unsoundness or mismanagement of
those that ought not to exist.
The Department. established by an act
approved April 4, 1873, for the supervi
sion of the insurance'inte:ests of the State.
west into operation on the first Monday of
May last. By the terms of this act the
Department is self sustaining, and in no
way a burden upon the public treasury.
While Pennsylvania can boast of some'
strong and substantial insurance companies li
it must be acknowledged that the want of,
system in the organization nud manage
went of these corporations, and the reckless
manner in which the Legislature has grant
ed special charters, together with the en
tire absence of restraining supervision,
have introduced defects that cannot be too
soon remedied. The capital with which
fire insurance companines have been per
mitted to begin, and continue business, is
in most eases entirely inadequa'e, and im
mediate steps should be taken to place in
surance in this State upon a firm and en
during foundation. To this end, Irecom
mend the enactment of a law providing for
the organization and regulation of insur
ance companies, both fire and life, which
shall require a certain amount of capital as
a prerequisite to commence business, and
designate the kind of investment to be
made. It may also be advisable to compel
companies already organized to have, with
in a reasonable time, the entire amount of
their nominal capital actually paid in and
invested in good securities. Fire insur
ance, excepting that conducted within a
limited sphere upon the purely mutual
plan, requires capital, and this capital
should be actual and not in the illusory
form of stock notes. Taking into consitl
ation the enormous sums paid annually by
the citizens of this State in the shape of
premiums to insurance companies they
have a right to demand the largest meas
ure of protection against recklessness and
fraud.
The operations of the Fish Commission
ers have excited a lively interest among
our people, on account of the novelty of
the enterprise and the benefiti s arise from
the successful prosecution of their labors.
Fish culture, it. is now conceded, has
passed beyond the realms of experiment.
and its success in the future is only
to be measured by the wants of our people
and the capacity of the stresmc, rivers, and
lakes of the country.
Pennsylvania is' singularly blessed in
the superior advantages she possesses for
the cultivation of fish. Abounding in
wate s admirably adapted to their needs,
in the insect and other food they supply,
there is uo reasonable obstacle to stockin. ,
our rivers and streams with innumerable
and delicious fish of various and even rare
kinds.
The work assigned to the commission
has been diligently pursued and promises
substantial results. Availing themselves
of the use of Mr. Seth Greene's patent,
the Commissioners succeeded in hatching,
at Newport, Perry county, where the water
is peculiarly fitted for the purpose, about
2,700,000 shad, which were turned into
the Juniata river ut that point. Two
thousand six hundred black Sass were also
distributed in the Susquehanna, Lehigh
and Juniata rivers during the months of
July and August last, and through the
kindness of Prof. Spencer F. Baird, United
States Fish Commissi9ner, 27,000 Califor
nia salmon have been planted in the Sus
quehanna and its tributaries. The bass
are not migratory fish and are very proli
fic. Two or three hundred were' placed in
the Susquehanna, near Harrisburg, in
1870, and the rapidity with which they
multiply is manifest in the great nto»bers
of this beautiful and choice fish that now
are found in the river in that vicinity.
The law of 1873 authorizing the Fish
Commission, directed that four fish-ways
should be constructed at different dams on
the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, so as
to enable shad, on their spring incursions
from the sea, to make the ascent of these
streams. The question whether shad will
ascend an artificial way is still, however, a
mooted one, and encountering this doubt,
the commission, in the exercise of what
will be deemed a sound discretion, em
eluded to erect but one fish-way, and that
at the Columbia dam. This way is 120
feet long by GO feet wide, is very gradual
in the incline, and made as nearly conform
able as possible to natural ways over which
shad do undoubtedly pass, and will sff,rd
a practical test of this experiment. If in
the spring it is found shad do pass up this
fish-way, the others required by law will
be constructed without delay.
The hatching-house erected by the Com
missioners, near Marietta, and supplied
with water from an inexhaustible spring,
is said by those familiar with the subject to
be complete in its arrangements and fur
nished with all the necessary appliances
for the propagation of fish. The capacity
of the house is equal to the proper care of
700,000 young fish, and is susceptible of
enlargement. if required. The Fish Com
missioneis of New Jersey recently End a
conference with those of Pennsylvania,
with a view to obtain from their respect
ive States such concurrent legislation as
will best promote the shad and.other fish
eries in the Delaware river, and to so bar
monize-the laws of the two States as to pre
vent a conflict authority. Any sugges
tions resulting from this conference, and
submitted for your notion, will, I trust, be
respectfully considered.
The report of the Commissioner of La
bor and Statistics for the current year. em
bracing many instructive details, will be
read with interest. The organization of
this Bureau within a very limited period
has, of course, precluded it from making
any extensive investigations, but enough
has been done to demonstrate the necessi
ty for such a department and the serviceit
can render the people by enlarging con
tinuously the knowledge of our resousses,
trade, internal improvements, and the va
rious processes of educatic4i and enlighten
ment iu our midst.
This bureau was created with the spe
cial object of investigating the relations of
labor and capital, to discover the cause of
the frequent contests between employers
and employed; to determine what share
labor has in the progress and.prosperity
of the State ; to examine with a view to its
proper adjustment the question of wages,
and to campare and collect facts that will
afford a better understanding of the duty
of the State to the laboring classes having
in view their protection, amelioration and
happine's.
. . .
No more worthy object invites research
or should command public support, when
we consider how numerous are these clas
s, ‘ l, '- Commonwealth, how various
are the fields fer their labor, and how
much they have contributed to develope
and build up our present grand industries.
In this connection, the propriety of a
State census, to be taken in 1875. presents
itself with great force. It is of the utmost
importance that in 1876, the Centennial
year, we should have the most reliable and
recent information possible of the extent
of our population and products, and of the
condition of our labor, agricultural and in
dustrial interests, that we may acquaint
the world with all our capabilities and
thus prepare the way for tfie expansion of
our trade and commerce.
The wisdom of the new militia law is
already apparent in the increased efficiency
of the several commands, and the enthusi
asticspirit aroused among the troops. Rig
id inspectiins have been conducted by the
Adjutant General, and the companies r.ot
meeting the requirements of the law have
been promptly disbanded. Still more en
couraging and satisfactory results may be
expected from the operation of the new
system during the ensuing yeats.and I in
voke the National Guard to renewed ef
ficiency and perfect its discipline, that it
may deserve the confidence and support
the public are now willing to extend and
be worthy of the great Stets whose safety
and honor in some future crisis may de
pend upon the character and valor of her
citizen soldiery.
The State having purchased the prop
erties adjoining the Capitol grounds, with
a view to their extension, I recommend
the removal of the arsenal, situate thereon,
and that an appropriation be made to pur
chase a site and to erect an arsenal in some
other locality. The service requires a
building of this kind, and the cost of the
repair of the present arsenal would prob
ably be equal to the expense of erecting a
new one, while the beauty and symmetry
of the public park will be greatly enhanced
by the removal of all buildings from that
portion of the grounds.
Your attention is particularly directed
to that part of the report of the Adjutant
General which refers to the sale of the old
and purchase of a new site for a powder
magazine in the city of Philadelphia, with
a suggestion that the new site be sold, on
account of its unfitness for the special uses
designed, and the additional reason that to
build a new magazine would subject the
State to an expense of at least $25,000.
The parties storing powder, under any
proper restrictions imposed by . the 'city
authorities of Philadelphia, will doubtless
gladly avail themselves of the privilege to
erect store-houses or magazines of their
own, and the State will thus be relieved
of a charge which may hereafter be the
cause of the destruction of property and a
consequent claim for damages.
The report of the Surveycr General
gives a detailed and very satisfactory ex.
hibit ofthe business and condition of his
Department. Attention is called to the
valuable suggestions made in reference to
granting warrants to survey lands and the
enlargement of the right of pre-emption,
both being shown by experience to be
necessary to the better protection of those
holding titles from the Commonwealth,
and as the subject is of importance to a
large class of our people, I earnestly com
mend the same to your careful considera
tion.
In my inaugural address mention was
made of the rich deposits of minerals
found in every part of the Commonwealth,
and a suggestion offered that it should be
our earnest aim to determine the extent of
these deposits and make them available
and productive. To provide the highest
possible knowledge of the character and
location of our valuable minerals we should
first institute a thorough geological sur
vey under the supervision of gentlmen
whose scientific attainments will be a suf
ficient warrant that the work will be prop
erly performed. To attain this desirable
end, therzfore, I earnestly recommend
that a geological survey of the State be
made under the superintendence of a com
mission to be composed of ten scientific or
practical gentlemen representing different
interests and localities, who undorstand
the necessities for this survey and under
whose direction it shall be conducted, the
NO. 2
commission to serve gratuitously and to
have the selection, of a geologist who shall
receive such compensation as may be fixed
by law.
This survey should he made to embrace
a chemical analysis of the different soils
and subsoils of the State, and a simple
and intelligible classification and descrip
tion of the same, from which our farming
community may gather some easily com
prehended principles to guide them in the
cnl!ivation of their land. so as to pr,vent
its inip,verishment and increase its pro
ductiveness.
The late Governor William F. Johnston,
in his annual message in January 1851,
advised the selection and arrangement for
publication of the large body of original
papers in the State Department connected
with our Colonial and Revolutionary history.
In accordance with his advice an act
was passed, and during subsequent admin
istrations supplementary acts were passed
which resulted eventually in the publica
tion of the invaluable repository of Penn
sylvania history, known as the "Colonial
Records" and "Pennsylvania Archives
The minutes of the B .ard. of War and
Navy Board could not at the date of that
publication be found, and have only been
recovered since the commencement of my
official term. They cover an important
period of our Revolutionary history, and
are accompanied by vouchers and corres
pondence; including muster rolls of sol
diers and the names of officers, marines
and vessels of the Pennsylvania Colonial
navy.
As these minutes and accompanying
documents are valuable in an historical
point of view, and the Colonial Records
and Archives incomplete without them,
I respectfully call the attention of the As
sembly to the propriety of publishing and
preserving them.
The American steamship company, an
enterprise in which our commercial and
industrial interests are sl largely concern
ed, may now be considered an assured
success. The beautiful and capacious
steamers of the company have been making
the passage of the ocean in the sane time
as those of the old and established lines,
and the number of the passengers and the
freight carried are steadily on the increase.
Philadelphia is now in direct communica
tion with Europe, through the medium of
a line of splendid steamers of herown, and
from this time a new impulse will be giv
en to her commerce that will be felt in
every channel of trade throughout the
State.
A year's experience in the exercise of
the pardoning power has confirmed me in
the opinion, expressed in my inaugural,
that it is unwise and unjust to impose this
responsibility upon a single individual.—
The importunities of distressed relatives,
the personal appeals of men of character
and reputation, the inconsiderate and in
discriminate manner in which petitions arc
signed by responsible parties, the absence
of protests in almost every case, and the
disproportion between the offence and the
penalties frequently imposed, are all calcu
lated to P Pillar 1,1414 n»d prevent ,p; Fs h t
conclusion. When it is considered, also,
that the Executive, in any application, is
forbidden to enlist his sympathies, while
his discretion is presumed to be proof
against ingenuity and falsehood, the per
plexity of his situation can readily be con
ceived.
It has been my constant endeavor to
balance considerately the interests of soci
ety and the claims of humanity, to sift
carefully the evidence presented, and to
arrive at a determination only after an the
means of information had been exhausted.
To compass this latter enJ, it has been the
practice to procure the views of the judge
and attorneys of the court who tried the
offenders, and almost invariably have their
opinions influenced my decision. Ap
pended herewith will Le found a report of
the pardons granted during the year.
I especially invite your attention to an
evil of considerable magnitude, which
every year grows more aggravated, and in
certain regions, at times, is the occasion of
serious apprehension and loss. I refer to
the wholesale destruction of our forests,
the stripping our mountains and hills of
their trees, resulting in an enormous dim
inution of water for mechanical and fer
tilizing purposes, and in great changes in
the normal conditions of temperature and
moisture, affecting the general health and
at seasons bringing about devastating
floods. These consequences. as the effects
of this indiscriminate waste. are demon
strable, and a wise legislation will fore
caste the future and establish such regula
tions as will rescue our descendants from
the ills a perseverance in this practice wig
certainly entail upon them.
The act of 1840 exempting a certain
amount of the property of a debtor from
levy and sale, on execution or distress for
rent, was intended forthe wise and humane
purpose of protecting his family from
sudden and absolute want. This benevo
lent design is, however, often defeated.
ard the law practically nullified by the
harrassed debtor wavingthe benefits of the
act to meet the exactions of his creditors.
Do not sound public policy and humanity
demand a supplement to this law that will
forbid a debtor having a family waving the
benefit of the exemption, so that a house
hold may not be shorn, in an instant., of
all the necessaries of life by reason of the
weakness, recklessness or misfortune of its
head, or to satisfy the greed of a grasping
creditor?
By the destructive fire which consumed
the printing establishment of the State
Printer not only did he lose largely, but a
loss was also suffered by the State. At the
time of the fire there was considerable
work, finished and unfinished, on band,
belonging to the State and to the Consti
tutional Convention, which latter, by a
resolution adopted on the last day of its
sessions, authorized the Auditor General
and State Treasurer to settle and adjust
its accounts with the State Printer, Mr.
Singerly.
The State Treasurer and Auditor Gen
eral. I am informed, desire legislation to
enable them to carry out the resolution
and intention of the Convention, and I
would suggest the legislation you may
adopt may also confer like authority upon
them to equitably settle and adjust the
accounts for printing, binding, and other
work, finished and unfinished, done by
Mr. Singerly, for the State as well as for
the Convention.
The Commissioners of the State of Penn
sylvania, to the World's Industrial Expo
sition at Vienna, have made a report of
their observations. A number of sugges
tions included in this report will be of val
ue to those entrusted with the preliminary
arrangements and superintendence of the
exhibition to be held in Philadelphia in
1576, while the broad, liberal .and practi
cal views expressed by the Commissioners
will help our people to a more intelligent
(Concluded on fourth page.)