The Huntingdon journal. (Huntingdon, Pa.) 1871-1904, January 13, 1875, Image 1

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    VOL. 50.
Governor's Message.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
RPpreBentatives
The wonderful powers of recuperation
heretofore exhibited by the American peo
ple in recovering from panic and misfor
tune inspired the hope, twelve months
that the dawn of the present year would
disc ,ver the country released from the dis
trwit and effects of the financial panic of
1873, and inaugurate a period of confidence
and prosperity. That this hope has not
been realized, is painfully manifest, when
throughout the length and breadth of our
own great State are found furnaces chilled.
factories still, mining shafts in process of
decay, and myriads of unemployed men,
with no resources to provide for themselves
and families against the rigors of the win
ter that now holds all nature in its cold
embrace. We must not be unmindful that
distressinc , conjunctures, like the present,
often brood e ' a spirit of restlessness and dis
content that ascribes to the existing gov
ernment the ilia that afflict society. It is
therefore expected, in the presence of our
depressed trade and languishing industries,
that the efforts of those who are serving
the public shall be directed to the practice
of the most rigid economy. Let us con
firm these expectations by unusual dili
gence in the dispatch of the public busi
ness, a constant study of the general wel
fare, and the application of every means
in our power to reduce the burdens of the
people, and with this view I recommend
the closest scrutiny of every item of the
appropriation bill. In this season of dis
tress no outlay of money should be made
except what is absolutely required for the
ordinary expenses of the government, and
to make provision for the maintenance of
those reformatory and Charitable institu
tions with whose management the State is
charged. Where misery would be entail
ed upon any human being or the interests
of science suffer by withholding aid to
other educational or charitable objects,
humanity and a sense of public duty will
approve of some assistance, but unle,s for
these or equally imperative reasons it is my
solemn conviction that no appropriation
should be made for' any institution other
than those for which the people of the
whole State are responsible.
FINANCE.
The brief statement of the finances here
with submitted is made to embrace th de
tails of molt interest, and I invite your at
tention thereto with a view to a more in
telligent apprehension of the discussion
that follows :
Debt Redeemed.
Daring fiscal year ending November 30; 1874:
Six per cent. loan 51,219,050 00
Five per cent. loan. 9,000 00
Chambersburg certificates
Relief notes 53 Ott
Domestic creditors' certificates lO 87
Total.—
Receipts.
During fiscal year ending November :30, 1874:
Balance in Treasury November 30,
1873
Receipts
Total
Disbursements
During fiscal year ending November 30, 1874
Ordinary expen5e:L..33.946,126 G 2
Leans reJleetned 1,230,166 90
Interest ou loans 1,466,274 34
Bal. io Treasury November 30,187 , i 1,05.1,551 65
Public Debt.
Six per cent. loans ;19,321,530 00
Five per cent. loans 4,963,354 01
Fear and a, half per
cent. loans
87.000 00
Unfundeil Debt.
Relief notes in circalations96,l96 00
Interest certificates out-
13,049 02
standing
Interest certificated un-
4,448 38
claimed
Domestic creditors' cortifi-
Chambersburg certificates
outstanding 82,762 28
Chambersburg certificates
unclaimed
263 68
Public debt, November :10, 1874..,
Bonds in Sinking Fund.
Bonds of Pennsylvania railroad
company 55,500,000 00
Bonds of Allegheny Valley railroad
company
During the fie cal year ending November
30, 1873, the receipts of the Treasury
amounted to $7,076,723 20. It will be
observed that in the past year the reve
nues have sensibly diminished, and the re
mipts were only $5,871,968 27. This
diminution of $1,204,754 93 was Inca
bioned by the repeal, in 1873, of the taxes
en gross receipts of railroads, net earnings
of industrial and other corporations, and
the tax on cattle and farming implements.
It is worthy of remark that the relief af
forded by the repeal of these taxes was
mainly in the interest of corporations em
ploying the greatest number of working
men. With this reduction of the revenue,
and with an increased expenditure of per
haps $500,000, made necessary by the
new Constitution in the additional outlay
for schools, Legislature and judiciary, it
is manifest that the severest economy must
be observed in all the departments of the
government, and the appropriations con
siderately and wisely made, or the State
will be unable to meet its obligations un
der the existing tax laws.
By the Constitution, the proceeds of
the sile of public works, and by act of list
session, approved May 9, 1874, the tax
on the capital stock of all corporations
were assigned to the Sinking Fund, which
can only be applied to the payment of
loans redeemed and interest on the public
debt. The receipts from other sources
belong to the general revenue fund, and
as all the expenditures of the Government
are payable therefrom, it will be clearly
the duty of the Legislature to limit the
appropriation to the amount of this fund.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
The report of the Superintendent of
Common Schools, wherein the statistics of
our educational system are presented with
unusual care, will enlist the profound stidy
of those interested in the thental and m9ral
training of our youths. Convincing as
these details are, of the close relationship
existing between education and the true
welfare of the State, our people arc still
slow to adopt methods used in other
countries and States, whereby the boun
defies :pf instruction are extended, and
knowledge imparted of a more useful and
practical kind. Our common school system
is now fixed upon a firm basis, and a free
education assured to all who wish to avail
themselves of its benefits, and inquiry
should, iterefore, be directed to the dis
covery of the. best plan to fit our children
for the pinnerous vocations that aro the
outgrowth of .the
_peculiar resources and
varied industries of "the State. Upon a
survey of the agencies used iu unfolding
these resources of Pennsylvania, it must
be confessed, the mechanical work neces
sary for their proper development, requires
labor of the highest skill; and if this sur
vey extends over the vast and complex
system of her industries, how manifold are
the places where practical knowledge and
handicraft are needed.
It is to our mineral wealth and manu
factures we mainly owe our riches, power,
and the advantages we possess as a State,
and in our mines, furnaces, forges, rain , '
wills, locomotive works, and the myriads'
of factories, wherein her products are
formed for use, trained hands and minds
are always wanted. Cal they be found
among our own pe,ple ? Reasonable and
just complaint is made of the want of
skilled labor in our midst, and the con
stant recourse had to foreign countries to
supply this pres,ing need. In our great
iron and other industries, and wherever
skilled labor is required, the greatest
number of th bse employed have acquired
their experience in Europe, or the Eastern
States. Is it not time fur Pennsylvania
to absolve herself frona this dependence,
that imposes upon neatly of beg sons the
condition of common laborers, at the bid
ding of overseers from without the State?
In the future that awaits our great
State, with her exhaustless wealth, where
in are all the elements of empire, shall her
children be the hewers of wood and the
drawers of water, or shall they assume the
position to which their birthright entitles
them and direct and control her destiny ?
A very mail number of our boys become
artisans, and yet it is a maxim of political
economy that the measure of' a State's
productiveness is in proportion to the skill
of its labor. We disburse in this Com
monwealth ten millions of dollars annu,
ally to educate our children, and no one
doubts the wisdom, policy, or necessity of
this expenditure;
. and of the children who
complete their-terms at her schools not
one has any special titnesS for a trade or
any acquirements that will enable them to
compete successfully with the skilled laVor
engaged, in many instances at high prices,
in extracting our mineral stores, or in the
conduct of the great industries that are
the pride and chief support of the State.
I am persuaded the members of the
present Legislature are interested in any
design that concerns the honor and welfare
of the State, and I appeal to your judg
ment whether the dictates of common
sense and a proper appreciation of the true
sources of our prosperity do not demand
that some provision should be made for
training a portion of oar children in a
knowledge of the mechanic arts, and I be;
leave to offer a few suggestions as the out
lines of a plan to impart this knowledge
which, upon examination, I believe to he
feasible and applicable to our system of
education. Let young men iu our common
schools who desire to become mechanical
engineers or master mechanics, or acquire
a knowledge of some particular branch of
mechanical industry, be transferred to
schools where they can be taught the sci
ences that bear upon and especially math
ematics in their relations to the trade they
wish to learn. Lecture and draughting
rooms should be provided and a workshop
furnished with all the improved machinery,
the former to be presided over by a pro
fessor of mechanical engineering and the
latter carefully supervised by a master
mechanic. The time of the students could
be divided between the schoolroom and
the workshop, and the lessons taught in
the one be reduced to practice in the
other, and a knowledge obtained of the
mechanical processes made use of from the
simplest to the most complicated work.
Is there any practical obstacle to educating
boys in this manner so that they can cal
culate the size and parts of a machine,
then draught and finally make it with
their own hands, if required ? In Philadel
phia. Pittsburg, and other large manu
facturing cities, where the means of ae
quiring information of this kind are so
ample, schools, such as I have described,
might be established without great cost,
and where provision is made therefor by
the local school boards, the State should
be pledged to give them proper assistance.
$1,230,15G 57
7,697 110 51
6,642,567 86
-$24,371,5'i4 01
25 00
1U9.571 :6
24,568,635 :37
If a parent neglects the education of a
child or selfishness demands its earnings
when the State affords the facilities for its
instruction, can it be argued that it is
despotic or destructive of the principles of
free institutions to compel the attendance
of that child at school, and is it not a duty
which the State owes, not to the child
alone, but to her own safety, to rescue it
from the condition of life this indifference
or greet may impose upon it, and prepare
it, not only to be self sustaining, but a good
citizen as well ? All ignorant men are not
paupers or criminals, but from this class
are recruited the greatest portion of those
who fill our almshouses and jails. When,
in certain sections of the United States,
you find only seven per cent. of the people,
above the age of ten years, who cannot
read and write, and discover eighty per
cent. of all the crime chargeable to these
sections is committed by this ignorant
sevea per cent. it will not do to deny that
ignorance has a most intimate relation to
crime. The statistics of pauperism like.
wise show that the illiterate and ignorant
crowd our poorhouses, and a very small
proportion of the inmates of' these institu
tions have had any of the advantages of
education. Will it be said the—State has
no interest in the suppression of an evil
that is the prolific source of such misery
and vice? Crime and pauperism are bur
dens which the State has to bear, and to
make use of every preventive of these evils
is the dictate of good policy and„ humanity.
There is, however, a more urgent reason
why the State should compel the education
of all the children within her jurisdiction.
It is patent to every observer that where
there is an aggregation of the ignorant.
and criminal classes, the laws regulating
suffrage are frequently violated. The
most effective remedy for this pernicious
evil is the school. It is the nursery of the
good citizen ; regulates his will and action
by certain fixed principles, informs and
disciplines his mind, and excites and ford
fies his self-respect. Receiving his edu
cation at the hands of the State, the child
learns to look upon her as his benefactor,
and with the i ',crease of his intelligence
there is a corresponding growth in his
respect and veneration for the Common
wealth from whose beneficence he has so
rich an offering. That man must be an
ingrate, who, taught by the State and
having his mind enriched by the stores
from her bounty, will use the gifts thus
bestowed in corrupting her counsels or
undermining the faith of her people in
the sanctity or efficiency of her laws. The
lesson of the common school is love of
country and obedience to authority. Can
the time and attention of those entrusted
with government be employed upon a sub
ject more vital to the interests of society
than to secure the education of every child
3,500,000 00
0,000,000 00
The untie don Journal.
COMPULSORY EDUCATION,
within the operation of its laws, and I sin
cerely trust that from the wisdom of the
Legislature will be evolved some plan that
will at least gather the neglected children
of the Commonwealth into -institutions
where, jointly with the c`nitributions of
charitable people, she can provide for their
maintertanc....; and instructiun.
NAVAL SCHOOL.
I invite your attention to an act of Con
gress, approved the 20th clay of June.
1874, ut.der whose provisions a school
should be established at Philadelphia, for
the instruction of youths in navigation.—
The importance of a school of this kind
cannot be over-estimated, especially to a
commercial city like Philadelphia, and the
liberal offer of the National government
will enable the instruction to be given in a
practical way under a competent superin
tendent.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS,
The education and nrjutenance of the
soldiers' orphans will continue to elicit,
your sympathy and aid. No object. should
a more successful appeal to our con
sideration, than the condition of these un
fortunate children, whose future will be
shaped and usefulness largely determined
by the instruction they receive from the
State. A number of these orphans, dis
tinguished by their good conduct, and men
tal qualities that adapted thew to the call
ing of teachers, have been transferred upon
the expiration of their terms, from the
Orphan to the Normal schools ofthe State.
where they are being fitted for that useful
occupation. What the State should do to
obtain employment or a weans of livelihood
for the residue of these children who are
in need of assistance, is a matter, I feel
assured, you will not think unworthy of
attention.
CENTENNIAL
As the time approaches fir the Centen•
nial Celebration of the Nation's Indepen
dence, a broader and more generous sym
pathy with its objects is apparent, while
a more general disposition is shown to
make the exhibition on that oecasion, not
only a faithful representation of our va
rious natural and industrial re::ources, but
to manifest as well, that when the Nation's
pride, dignity or honor are concerned, the
American people move with a common im
pulse and have a common interest. It has
been conceded from its inception, that the
exhibition must have the sanction and an
thority of all the States, if it would be
clothed with the character of a national en
terprise, and the number of the States
that have already enlisted in the cause,
discloses the prevalence of this opinlon
and the desire for harmony and unity of
action. The Centeanial must be construct
ed out of materials furnished from the
whole Union, or its beauty will be marred
and its symnietery destroyed. We owe it
to ourselves, humanity and liberty to de
monstrate that the full development of a
country and its resouree-;, the education of
the masses, the grandest achievements of
science, the most abundant fruits of indus
try, the blessings of reli g ion, and the am
plest protection to life and property can
all be secured by, and are consistent with
the largest share of freedom to man. We
are to show that what the combined wis
dom of ages and all nations endeavored
and failed to obtain, a system of govern
ment uniting under its authority forty
millions of free people with no other re
straints than those imposed by their own
will, has had a trial of one hundred years,
a century crowded with triumphs in peace
and war, and unexampled for the progress
and develepuient of those arts that are
useful and help adorn human nature. Is
not, therefore, the interest, pride and pa
triotism of every American engaged to
make the Centennial in its proportions and
grandeur, a truo reflex of the intelligence,
genius and habits of our people, the mag
nitude of our resources and the benefits of
our institutions? This is the scope and
intention of the celebration, and if we mis
take not, the sentiments of the people of the
country, every State and Territory will be
represented in the exhibition in the man
ner that will best display its wealth, in
dustries and characteristics, and with the
more comprehensive view of making the
Centennial truly national and American
That the products of foreign countries will
be largely represented, is assured by the
number and character of the nations that
have signified their intention to contribute,
and the liberal appropriations they have
made to provide for suitable display.—
There has been no abatement of zeal in the
efforts of the gentlemen in charge of this
National undertaking, nor any cessation in
their labors to diffuse a proper understand
ing of its purposes and uses. No appre
hension of failure has ever seized them,
neither have they been disarmed by un
friendly, and at times unjust criticism,
nor. deluded by plausible suggestions that
might have turned them aside from the
supreme object for which they have striv
en. To their talents, dignity of character
and untiring energy, the country will be
indebted for a large measure of the success
of the Centennial, and in what remains fir
them to do, these qualities should banish
distrust and command for them confidence
and support. The work upon the buil4-
ings intended for the exhibition, is fro
gressing rapidly, and the structure in its
architecture and proportions will be a
credit to the nation. The space to be al
lowed has been carefully allotted to each
country, and ample provision made that
the articles exhibited will be properly and
fully displayed, while every facility will
be afforded for the examination of our own
products. Philadelphia is enlarging her
accommodations for the entertainment of
guests, the neighboring cities afford in
numerable opportunities of a like kind,
the extensive park where the Centennial
buildings are located. ii every day adding
to its natural beauty,-with the contribu
tions of art with which public and private
liberality is adorning its avenues, and the'
welcome accorded those whoattend the ex
hibition, will be in keeping • with the tra
ditional hospitality of the people of Penn
sylvania, and we trust will reflect honor
upon the whole nation. •
INSURANCE,
The necessity of an Insurance Depart
ment, and its utility, have been clearly
shqwn, since its creation, by the discovery
of a number of unsafe and insolvent com
panies that were doing business in this
State, one of which resorted not only to
fraud but to the crime of forgery to de
ceive the public. The published assets of
these companies, in some instances,amount
ing to hundreds of thousands of dollars,
upon examination melted away to worth
less securities, the very possession of which
was a convincing proof of an intention to
practice fraud. The protection of sound
companies, the retention at home of the
capital invested in insurance, the interests
of the insured, and the honor of the State,
alike demand the exposure of these fraud
ulent companies and the enactment of a
general law so stringent in its regulations
HUNTINGDON, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1875.
that it will be impossible for adventurers,
under the cloak of an insurance company,
to rob the public. Every facility for the
detection of imposture should be afforded
those charged with the examination of
these companies. The immense interests
involved in this business of insurance are
entitled to the utmost protection the State
can extend to them, and its inquiries
should be so thorough that no form of de
ception can elude its scrutiny. A more
comprehensive law, also, for the incorpo
ration of insurance companies should be
passed and made to embrace all classes of
insurance, and no company should be al
lowed to organize, or exist, that did not
give the amplest guarantees of solvency
and good faith.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION
One of the encouraging signs of the
times is the growing disposition on the
part of citizens to give more sincere atten
tion to the science of government and
measures for the purification of the chan
nels of administration and law. The most
pregnant mischief, however, of our politi
cal system, and fir which no remedy has
yet been found, is the disinclination of
men of character and influence to devote
a small partion of th-,ir time to educating
a correct public sentiment, and to the se
lection a c t nen for office who will fitly re
present that sentiment. It is considered
one of the first advantages we possess un
der our form of government to be permit
ted to vote for those who are to make and
administer our laws. If compelled by any
arbitrary power to surrender this privilege
we would do so only with our lives, yet
how many citizens discharge this most
important duty with as much indifference
and as little investigation as to the merits
of the candidates as they meet the ordina
ry requirements of their daily life. This
unconcern begat a brood of distempers
whose malign influence years ago reached
the dearest franchises of the people of this
State. It became evident that reform must
be had in many of the functions of' gov
ernment ; in some places authority was
strained and in others needed support;
abuses in legislation had grown intoler
ant; the will of individuals and localities
was enacted into law ; corporations that
were the creatures of the State became
more powerful than their creator, and
cities, through special grants were ruled
by the few to the detriment of the many.
To correct these evils the people demand
ed a change that would be radical, and
the New Constitution was made to embody
the reforms. Special legislation bequeath
ed to the State a legacy of wrongs that
have been fruitful of injustice, and some
of whoSe injurious effects upon the peace
and prosperity of the Commonwealth will
be perpetuated to posterity, and if' the
New Constitution had no other merit than
to confine this kind of legislation tc its
proper limits, it would secure the allegi
ance and duty of our citizens. The ready
acquies:nce of' our people in accepting the
provisions of' the New Constitution, and
the absence of all contest on the part of
corporations, many of whom were jealous
of its restrictions, are a gratifying illustra
tion of loyalty to the best interests of the
State. The public sentiment that demand
ed and obtained these returns must now
take care that new or w.nse disorders do
not creep into our political system.
A few suggestions will be pardoned
concernint , ' another habit of our citizens
which, Ifear, will banish integrity from
office, unless corrected.
Every well organized government pro
perly provides against betrayal of trusts,
or abuse of power by its Representatives.
The public has a right to expect honesty,
diligence and a conscientious discharge of
duty from those whom it distinguishes by
election or appointment, but on the con
trary, are not its servants when they ful
fill these essentials, entitled to conudence
and protection from detraction and abuse.
Men of character shrink from contact with
public employment, because it involves
suspicion, mistrust and slander. To pitrify
office, we must dignify not degrade it.—
Respect for law will not be increased by
holding up those who administer it to
public contempt. The propriety and jus
tice of official acts shoald be examined
with more candor, and honest people ought
not to take their opinions on trust, but
fairly and dispassionately investigate for
themselves. Good - citizenship requires
that we should scrutinize closely the ante
cedents, character and fitness of candidates
for office, and if they possess the necessary
qualifications, and are elected, it alike ex
acts of us that we should give them . a con
static and trustful support while in the
public service.
BANKS, SAVINGS FUNDS AND TRUST
COMPANIES,
We have in the State one hundred and
ninety-nine National banks, whose capital
is about $52,000,000; and one hundred
and seventeen State banks and savings in
stitutions whose capital actually paid in,
as per Auditor General's report of 1874,
was $8.370,168 S 5, in all three hundred
and sixteen banks and saving institutions,
with an aggregate capital of $60,000,000.
For the proper regulation of National
banks we are dependent upon the National
government. For the regulation of State
banks, savings funds and trust companies
the State government is responsible to its
people, and as it is probable a bill for the
enactment of a general law, in compliance
with the provisions of the new Constitu
tion, for the organization of- banks, may
come before you at this session, I invite
your special consideration thereto. In my
last annual message I called attention to
the vicious practice that had grown up in
the State, of incorporating banks, savings
and trust companies without fixing proper
and definite limitations to their powers
and privileges and providing for their en
fercement. In the enactment of a general
law, whereby they can be organized with
out limit,
_it is of the highest importance
to the business interests of - the people, and
the material development of the State, that
thEir powers and privileges be clearly de
fined, and any violation thereof should sub,
ject them to proper penalties or the for
feiture of their charters.
The charters of these State banks and
institutions were mostly granted within
the past f-.3w years, and many of them
possess powers and privileges which should
never have been conferred. The Auditor
General's report of 1874, shows they had
over $23,000,000 of deposits. gotne of
them are averaging $lO, $2O, $3O and
$4O of deposits for each dollar of capital
stock paid in ; depending, in some instan
ces, almost entirely upon their deposits for
banking facilities. These are obtained by
offering usually six per cent. interest, and
loaned back to the community in which
they are borrowed at higher rates of in
terest.
These banks and savings institutions act
as "middlemen" between the lender and
the borrower, resulting in the rates of in
terest advancing wherever they are estab
lished. That these banks and institutions,
with rare exceptions, charge interest great.
ly in excess of legal rates is notorious;
that excessive rates of interest enrich the
few and impoverish the many, is equally
undeniable, and the public welfare de
mands that a policy so injurious should b e
avoided. The large majority of these
State institutions are styled Savings Banks;
with few exceptions, their resemblance to
properly regulated savings banks exist only
.in name. Savings banks, properly organ
ized, are managed fur the benefit of their
depositors; the nature of their investments
prescribed by law, and the use of their de
posit-3 for general discounting purposes,
usually prohibited. Institutions of the
latter character arc highly beneficial, and
should not he confounded with those tv'eo
seek deposits for general discounting and
banking purposes, and might be more pro
perly designated as banks of deposit and
discount. Banks of discount should be
prohibited from paying interest on deposit.
The authority to borrow, that they may
have capital to lend, gives them great ad
vantages, a monopoly in the community
where located over individual borrowers,
often compelling the latter to pay whatev
er rates of interest the former may demand.
Another objection thereto, suggested in
my last annual message, I repeat : "Money
will always flow to banks paying interest
on deposits, and the large surplus thus
aggregated, seduced by attractive offers, is
sent to the great money centres, where it
gives more impulse to speculation, while
the sections from which it ie drawn suffer,
in all their enterprises, from the higher
rates they are compelled to pay for the
money remaining at home." The abund
ance and cheapness of money, the past
year, at the great-money centres, and its
scarcity and high rates of interest else
where, have verified the views then ex
pressed. If un entire reform of this evil
is not practicable, it may be greatly de
creased, by prohibiting banks of jlisconnt
from the payment of a greater rate of in
terest than four per cent., and to the ex
tent reduced, the ability of individuals to
borrow money at lawful rates of interest
would be increased. Money would remain
and be used at home, to the mutual advan
tage of both borrower and lender. That
National Banks ire permitted to pay in
terest on deposits, and some do so, is no
reason why a State should sanction a poli
cy so foreign to the principles of sound
banking and prejudicial to the interests of
its citizens. It is to be hoped the time is
neae when the National Government will
recognize and correct this evil
I also suggest that in any general law
that may be enacted for the organization
of banks they be required to have a rea
sonable amount of capital stock, not less
than $50,000, and to pay it up within cne
year after organization; that the stock
holders be made personally liable for dou
ble the amount of stock held by them res
peetively, and they be prohibited from
charging or receiving interest.abeve legal
rates-; and that this prohibition be extend
ekliike to seourities discounted or pur
chimed. I also renew my suggestions that
they be made subject to examinations, re
quired to publish quarterly statements,
under oath, and to retain in their vaults a
cash reserve of ten per cent. of their net
liabilities. Protection to depositors, who
furnish three-fourths of the money em
ployed by these banks, demands the en:et
melt of liberal provisions for the 3SCC . i.
taintnent of their condition.
Banks are a necessity—public interest
and convenience require them—and pro
perly conducted are of great public utility.
Their power is so great, the interests they
control or effect so vast, that any general
law enacted for their organization or gov
ernment demands most careful considera
tion, that we may avoid the evils of the
present system and inaugurate one whose
provisions will admit of no evasion. whom
penalties will command obedience, and
that will protect and secure, alike, both
borrowers and lenders in their legitimate
rights.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The suggestions in my message of last
year in reference to a geological survey of
the State, were embodied in a bill that
passed the Legislature of 1874. This act
authorized the appointment by the Gov
ernor, of a board of ten scientific and prac
tical gentlemen to serve gratuitously, to
whom was to be entrusted the selection of
a-geologist, and under whose direction the
survey was to be tirade.
An annual-appropriation of thirty-five
thousand dollars was made to defray the
expenses, and the whole work is to be
completed within three years. To com
pose this board ten gentlemen were chosen
from different portions of the State repro
stinting the various interests directly con•
cerned in the survey, and possessing, it is
believed, the necessary qualifications to fit
them fur the proper discharge of their
important and responsible task. An ex
perienced and competent geologist was
elected by the board in June last, and in
the brief period that has elapsed since the
survey began in September, the work has
progressed with great satisfaction, and the
results soon to be submitted to the public
in an intelligible form will, I feel confident,
bespeak for the commission during the re
maining two years of their labors the good
will and assistance of the people of the
State. With the limited appropriation in
vestigation could not be pushed within the
first year into every part of the State, but
during the next two years with corres
ponding zeal and faithfulness a thorough
and elaborate survey of the whole State
may be expected. The reports to be pub
lished within a few weeks will embrace the
results of the examinations of the iron ores
and roofing slates of York, Adams,'Lehigh
and Northampton counties; the fossil iron
ore belt of the Juniata valley ; the bitu
minous coal basins of Clearfield and Jeffer
son counties, and the oil regions of Venan
go county. Included therein will be de
scriptions of other minerals, together with
numerous analyses of ores, clays, coals and
rocks, the whole to be accompanied and
illustrated with carefully prepared maps.
The great benefits of the survey will be
at once recognized in this enumeration and
, particularly by those who desire to devel
ope, sell or lease their lands. A museum
of minerals will be collected at Harrisburg,
and when assorted and arranged will b.
an invaluable contribution to the exhibi
tion at the Centennial.
BOARD OF PARDONS
To comply with the provisions of the
new Constitution, so fir as it was possible,
and to satisfy a reasonable wish of the
public, at the request of the Governor,
early in the past year. the Attorney Gen
eral and Secretary of the Commonwealth
began to act as a board of pardons, select
ing a recorder, to whom all communica
tions and applications were to be address
ed, that they might be arranged and pre
pared for a hearing. It was also made his
duty to keep minutes of the proceedings
of the Board, to see that all requirements
were met, and to record the recommenda
tions for pardon and tha reasons therefor.
The Board thu.4 organivol. with one or two
intermissions. held ,tated monthly meet
ings, when applications have been publicly
heard and every opporLanity afforded Gera
full discussion of their merits or the rca* , nz
why they should not he granted. These bear
in':; hive at Horn,' et.2nded over
a pariod of rmr Bars. the sittings „t• the
1303rd at times rem:ll . ll).z far tha night.
The ze a l, fidelity, and iadu4: ry. with which
these gentlemen have sought ror the truth.
entitle them to the gratitnik .-,(the public
and should secure them its , 7 &knee.
As the proceedings before the il,mrd
arc without. precedent, it is not singular
that erroneous impressions prevail as to
its powers and the form the application
and discussion should take in behalf of a
prisoner. The common mistake is to con
ceive that the Board has the functions of
a court of review, where the errors of the
several courts of the Commonwealth may
be revised and corrected. This was man
ifestly never the intention those who
framed the Constitution and the composi
tion of the Iliard. only one of :rh,,m
necessarily be learned in the lin.. fo.-bids
any such construction.
It is a misapprehension Ms , . t.. sqppose
that it is incumbent lapin the board to lis
ten to exhaustive and elaborate arguments
for and against an application, when ail
the testimony marshalled on the trial is
again reviewed. If this practica should
obtain, as the applications increase, the
greater part of the time of the gentlemen
composing the board, will be consumed in
hearing applicants fir pardon. to the se
rious detriment of the public service in
their other official relations
To facilitate investigation and eaabl.,
exact justice to be done, the public and
especially those connected with the admin
istration of the law, should esteem it a du
ty to convey to the board all the informs-
Mon within their knowledge, that would
enlighten and help them to a ri.jhtful
conclusion. Would it not be wi'c to rc
quir3 every officer of the law, particulariy
the judge and district attorney, to furniAh
their opinion as to the propriety of the
pardon.
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS AND TAXA•
TION,
The creation and increase. of indebted
ness by the municipalities of this Common
wealth the past few ye trs, have justly ex
cited the apprehension of tax payers, and
greatly augmented their burthcns. So enor
mous has this evil become. that a provis
ion was inserted in the new Constitution
to check it, and at the last session, I ap
proved an act for that purpose. While
the letter of the Constitution may he open
to technical criticism, its spirit and inten
tion is in my judgment clear, that no city
whose indebtedness at the adoption of the
Constitution, exceeded seven per cent.,
shall be permitted to increase the same. in
the aggregate, to exceed three per cent.,
of the assessed value of the property
therein. If additional legislation if; De.
cess:try, compliance with the pirit et' thl
Constitution and protection to over-hur
thened tax-payers, demand we should per
mit no evasion of its wise and hens cent
provisions.
POLL. TAN
The payment of a State and county tax
is one (,f the qualifications of voters under
our Constitution. Formerly the State im
posed a tax upon trades, occupations and
professions which was repealed, and the
right to levy a similar tax fair county and
municipal purpose: exists. I s imposition
in some counties and municipalities is DOM
inal, in others it, is levied at the full cash
value of the occupation, and is a serious
burden upon mechanics arid workinzm"n.
whose only property is the receipt of their
labor, and tends to prevent their exto-e:-
sing their franchise by excessive !asation.
or that the tax imposed therefor ho one
goal. This qualification tax of voters
should be uniform, and I theref: soggest
the repeal of ail laws authorizing the levy
ing of taxes upon trades, oecupations and
professions, and that a county poll tax be
substituted therefor at a rate so reseonahle
as to be within the ability of all to pay.
NATIONAL GUARD.
Assurances were given in my List an
nual message that the National Guard, da
ring the ensuing year, would display un
usual interest in the service and be more
observant of its discipline, because of the
recognition accorded them by the Leg
islature in makidg some provision for their
support, and the decided improvement in
the condition of the troops at the fall in
spections justified this prediction. The
report of the Adjutant General cintains
many interesting details of tbe efforts made
by the guard to increase their efficie.ney
and merit the confidence of our eitisens.
The requirements of the service are rigor
ously exa.:ted of every command, and the
inspections were conJucted with great care
and with a view to have eve.y company
attain to the high standard tied by the
State. The number ofdivisions have been
reduced from twenty one to ten, the troops
of each division occupy contiguous terri
tory and can be easily and expeditiously
mustered. The officers in command are
soldiers of experience in field and camp,
and the rank and file are well instruetel
in the duties of the service and familiar
with and regardful of its dicipline.
The conduct of the several commands,
on occasions of public parade, have been
in general unexceptionably good. and
when a sterner duty was required of them.
the response was prompt and warranted
the belief that they could be relied upon
in any emergency. Officers are hid to a
strict accountability for arms and emni
tions of war in the custody of their coin
maods, and it cannot be too urgently
pressed upon the minds of the trop , of
the National Guard, that in no exigency
can the arms of 'the State be used except
in the hands of her uniformed and regu
larly enrolled sddicrs under the enema md
of tecir proper officers, acting by the di
rection of competent authority.
LAWLZBBII US.
The pe ,, ple of free governments are al
ways unwilling to contribute largely to
the tmiutenance of armies, and arc ever
jealous of military power, but experience
has likewise demonstrated how impolitic
and unsafe it is for a State to have no dis
ciplined or cffic:ent foci: strong enough
to compel obedience to its authority, when
the law and its officers are contemned and
opposed with violence by large bodies of
men. Pennsylvania has, at times, been
constrained to the painful necessity of em
ploying troops to enforce compliance with
law and the wisdom of providing for like
contingencies can no longer be doubted.
Men smarting under a sense of wrong, or
corporations in pursuit of what they con
ceive to be their rights sometiur,..s seek
their remedy through violence and in dis
' regard of the law and its process. No
government can tolerate this mod' of rs
i dress and exist. The supremacy of the
- - - - -
law wait hp• imiurAtionell mei *tire ei • kaawaseershiy isevetwol; seal oft*,
tained the proper Ina PotSlol6l4llll thetrfar.. that air severe 'haft will raw
channelr in t;e• ngrnver prrwrribe , i ivy the him with env ...wearewriwa•-•
the,e, &Ilk.' ne.n or etr- ivy ilar rivor
poi-At ionl h tvr ri.nr•til3tp,nre!*Thte 4,4 4 40.37 , t r h o
trim el.. t:lry e.sn.o.rt it per Jove Are r-elewparil wiri the
mizt•:; t• • o•rr7tio t raisfie esp. , iJiatr. ws4 •-te.* !.-•ore ap.
procar! w;, .1. niel thl tertsion4 Opus dry Airue erg pew- , we *-
and what •hr freak n.: 4 ha eoul.l not her- ige t.. thr song* nr tit Aid.
obta;n. .1.4 kg' trim r•-• , rt Lis A 4.•-1(.... we door Soh lin Apr:. bites
anal h. .an.l i t ars r:rwie eizh -:y SW, allatimeeil emit diet
any I, r ,P•••11+1i41111 W•ii T- . •t- ii eirmor 41 elle possm
their ers I• in We': l'. W. 17 th- Eteen eon --, -viral ; so 4 if it. MAmpow.•-eoll &le
tire pow. : : entorr.:. eke/lime, 34. the .43.1 wit essereat re th i p
tly'rity w o
ithoit fear or rotor. and for 'hie el-mole...me ether elha N cart will it
pfirpwi• • r..n-fritat;,n w'w•ly pr ire nyies4 t-r this 11.4 t* ammo& lir
a b o 4y so: , liery. Wit ft. ewe thee it it 4viovirgrat-4 afoot :brol&
are gray.• whei, is h‘wowswe •-aal- propylaea. aiiiirielfe in NI owes
neee44ory t trolt. to ieenre rne• an.l this win Emeb th f.eiteet semi Is
revect 1-r.r. it certainty nIV•Tt 112,4 in- Giiift nneline 4 eters! avi ;WEL
teede.l th.e: r;1 Natio-v-11 tiewl , awry Sine 4 !prows se •heedhl UP re
crnotrtstir.• :. .:true to rrfoon %termer the .10efirimill s.ebraartwered.
the (Intiey• i:epurseel upon 'he loral civil il l st - ss t ..e Triireir4,
- -
theritie,.. :sod th, tipsin every br,veb or T!
order iN oti.d be invoke Ito , app . - • Lalbsr _
?inn.. tne weir rougatirains• Mum,
the aff.,•,-
IP no 117 and uncle, - no .-Srettairpin, , ,, T I T " ' 41 " 1 . 7; : , j k " "" a ".„ 11 2 ... 16 "
51,,,111 c(iit-(ry force used :Itil the rt4...t
a.; 46
..r:: •• c;rii r.nth.ritie% erzhaineed
- --1
and !Ste (e5: 1 11...,k, avvitacv pronto-tinny or • 3 :3" Z
'owls tol.tr.itri le :Nat thee, (6...ev. w!•1 " r
be p swe-iess !o overetsact it Teo yea- :
eirot rca,,,..4 will at once varze4 them- ! . 11 "
et.ive,4 r.r
tii ..
p,;if.e. per
mple
are from: wows farilisias maiwirtmew
tied
iitive to, and keenly revenant of interfer-
. 1 stuff ebe 2/61141"11111),....a
enec lir a ny xithoritv that .»A-tv4 t i tike
th•• plac:•..t' their local or 'n - ise rale. es
pecially if 01i. interYen'ion tomes in the
stern and : re-snonin4 43p, of b o ro n .. • ; L a" -
and natio. tit • coot a trinspiartatiwn 3D4
sod e "'""" ere """ tt"" g ' 47 " 1 / 1 9Perfill.
su,
_e• ins
the es pt while eisnwins sasll esepostio.
7:7 Woe iltaisH ater., wri.ry. avower et ismer,-
any
s.!..ti.e, ste..
tbrenah in il ii r e v in :ewe Its rho... erwonsessei with ion ...a
disposition. ne:zlect, I;.•ar or any other than i ""
nor
an irresi-tilde ramie. Etil t.. apprehend or
make an eir.rt to Isprehand thooe w h., TT• "VW" " 4 she*age
trans;:ri•is :.:(e LES and break Cie pear 7. 11.- T it ' lks db. alma " alma ablaillse
peoory of the 'mat star at dim iamikap.
are I. Dettraze-1 LIW, 3411.1 .11..501. I
be panisheil an . ' time ipri the *lsom of tllle besteasee
citit,nrs who :-.;:pinely witaeo4 the rail:ire Ctrs
to perform their dun . are morally is nc>< re 4o henialmr. rilsoldrY
critni:t any first rlntsltv ~,ae"""diall" 1111.8 tie " 16 aialh
that follow. .1 determiantina to act with ; i re h imhallt h e • al ' an. 4 1111 " Y anis'
promptitude and runt. exhibited at the 3 " 4 time Isla, die
beginning of thee di.* srelt•rs. wmala often r"'"' 716 " 8 " 1 'perk' night/ 1110 lea*
intimidate th'se ronterwtl therein. and 11 ; 1g t " 21.4 Jr" L b "
eatt4c thiat to abandon their unlawful en
terprin-.... Therefore. if throc ri b any r•-
lisissne,vi or negleet (.1' dory o n the pry of " 1 " 1 --"'."._ " ''' "m" "." 1 "1 1 P". 4 Pl.b
the toed authorities the compelled , t . le "" -_,„ *.611161.111111.1114 an." letter
to adopt the enevtly prove:kr, or sp and !ewe meee g enel elesellalleselee 44f
tr..p4 G, Aubsine thaw onz,n4evl in a riot. what -5. 4.• fen"'" ""i"7 en cis "ii.""
I respectfully inbmit whether the e•canty I.
or countic + where this divtarbaaee took "'" " s stir~
piaci slistald ti:vt writ ti, da-fraT the 15 `. P P '
s """"'"
expenA,! ? N ap 'logy is neceocery fir
eler : l
„r, - , , cu(-i with whiA the., views a:-n L ee ' l " we er 1.111" W 711.
tented to you. f:r is .se inns ',ranee ee " ' lei ' 'Pia!'" :is allignitY
that till riell anthnriti.. ant the I " 41 he d r iga " bewaigab Nan
-
body or one rople vn ( n !,l h is . rs a r h" rwilmillirdhl" " 1 bir Po* 14110 *
no.k•ret:sn.l.n , . ..f the two s for whi.-It 3r " "' ew. ' a " . V ael.eavises 41-
Natioini I
an•
that h 7 serve that the memenailime at tbr sew
usimNsue,pti.sn of duty the *trey 4 eit. fin. "° ll4 le " ftme •
ismv toe hlaor A ta: ., P." 4149 T. ‘g door 4
Aa AA* LlMileeimsa et doe maim
I.
-v-w.rtaew. is maim boiler Same Illrar
LIM: the air -fi:eilts feet tar ninaliallas
Kiwi' AY
unloolrit.- 91 pr,PitOrtZ44 a 4 . 111 C, age Dealffilair rime : s larip tow
17own . ..rcifirr.! :03311. 'mashers ' 7 o' t'y mirhombrr. bergs eseugol fir tam
Italian mir.pri. /•41...i • r Arr ei su p t . b ee . bp.. d iode
of the I:2sattA 1,-4 !heir wr.l3 trAll• -wry -mt » 4 tfrr wit 4wrinv
Ler !der, :4 1 vai i:bs.trition le the wiaarr. inure - A ;4 inailWeetk
th.. 13:41 Wale 4 Agri*. t fra4. thy- Ira nt eseiger 0 "."( ti/ ,
ion Ell wis..l 3 opirrt of IntwinmPa- owl of ribb , .-wirreet rte.: ?ripe foiworery
ne..4 or I„, ri..e j:4enrer Oho* Los
pplres. 'Op* 1)4 twv«t the eti:ler. tib• 1 1 1 6 P
Run rr.trmeti-1 wt.?r peri..l i re .r.oi. it ...I *jib iff ter
with ahn.-4r tinity itoe 4 et! Depr;e2 m r..firrw ennomiminuelm. epeeeip.
a I thil tine ar..! prn - lry v.:ref:n-3- twenty 14117 Aram Iris!. die pier* am
ectletszor..4l, piLlie e v 53. oarporgspo r bap» svrigaid fa s p
ken. wota-3 arkil ehikirm yes,- 'lris.* ogromonfid easbers qi limey bropiagli k
f.•. - all their home.... Ansi vet iinitiry faiia a. Toe Iftetie oir the .eiltee SIM bigosihp er e
rcrerl th. fart , that 3 Jingle wnrrant trs erowireed. ww4 the 01110141 "rvflate tie
ir the arre-4 of .Iny of the Vi Wmww well salmi wit OP a WIPP
implient..l. Thew i 4 "welter 4 irewre am. annweins.--
e ffiej, n t iot.vr.rrnee 'h.! pin .4 the TbA a elneftol. Wee* ~ fsatalty ite talk.
104.11 ets.-c: these airlawro: p..46..40.411 of immberio pie- sire
and floor.. e. 4 efidpere lb.'s. fteto , s•wi the 1.2110 , brivirs. mai Arsoo..
p., ,
, n y r pp i l .. r ityr.-..ti.ptinn in re- ITteteeve iwriihJ segrellker ale tiw
talon to the4e triable!• vr• wl. treed) in rujigibighis shipainume. 'amp tligamp l is
or avt.le it eeergenr.r. en•Sirot eperesessetiesso mei filke
th:tt prompt eetionoet the part of the *a
thc.ritie-i in the vicinity wottld liter opete.i
ilv terminated. if not entirely peeve:eel
the disturbance.
4TATK
itithosity emiferrell by tbe lost
Legi.46tore. the old aromrel. twasseirly *it.
ost.A lin :he f i Apitoi Aiii , was tura ;bow,
anal remor:•fi 311;1 the gruzwis shirpe4 inn
in )re ,punt•-trieal twos. 111 eitirgitt«.
site wet pttrehvie.l inr mei ar.eigel. >t -
BSort di-t.tnee Cr.tit the city. ift.l the eel,.
Lion 1)133.1irr.: titef..vs coranarneel
without deli 7. This structure 2011 sourly
i 4 honi6:ase and dutotanti-i!.. sovi
ailmirohly :uiwe•i to the !var. fir which it
Is inperior £.r ;l
is ink-wit-1
the gtor..ge of 3rta4 ant( torsoitiofto tor or tr
in lance or 4ntill trumtitiro. enstsi biae4
itunith carpenter shop.. Igril the n..-
ee4Fory wnes ~t. an 376...n:ce run 411
within
.1 Krotrinl inter et in the enit;•.-..iron .4
VI by artifi-iat ner=si TIO I n
throngliont the country awl it im
to n..t e that on: peoples are &volitive thew
seiri.s to the inveseiptin of this nasal
anti important Anhjeet in s moaner that
will establish th snerirmi or faifire 4,1' the
esperiment in the varios.• wailers 4 the
State Th e 1 3 4, 4 .4 or' the Cowsweineltusww
of Fisheries eontinoe to sLed osimisseid
re-.=ms for encouragement. Der* the
pa4t ye.ar they hare Flawed in the eyries,
litre IWI that empty int. the *en. ifilfrit•
California snil 1 , Kennebec ashmn.
fh,.se. streams were selected beams is is
the habit or tbr initi, , sate to , and
from the sea. If it found that thew
retari to there riser. aim
State will be amply repaid foe the ruin
eipeiase incurred in aid of Soh esker*.
Under thl ~ a periateganore or the emnp.
mini:men; '35.400 inhume wont were dm- I
tributrii in different bodies or water where
the ehanres for proesrias toed mai the
dulgen:e of their peculiar habits were
met promising. Thtne fish are rapid is
their giowth. increase eery fart. wain a
large sir.c. and are a dei:ieate article 4
fod. .t general di-gritortion wan aka
made or a large number of Mack bas., a
very ehoiee awl beastatel
that grows anti multiplies with saarasksia
rapidity in our streams. The bateltimg et ,
shad was reennsed last spring. and 2„Nit.
004) of young felt werr termed. iota del
Setwinehanna. The Commeemeilth ap
preprinted a feed to be airmailed joie*,
with the fah eautaissiosers et NeirJerary
in hatching shad to be pissed in the Dela
ware. The Legislature of New Jamey. I
regret to my. failed to mita a similar ap
propriation, and in essaserreesse ass shwa
were hatehed for that river. There ate
no obstacles whatever lathe sr shod
in the Delaware, at they ems N fres dr
sea, the tint is mil to Ile puisimirly
adapted to their wanes, awl wish pope
eo-operstioa the supply of dud miry be
tine nitnitelle
=Arty .1104 lbw
Iww twmailikiner
wrath i .11/111
eitioses. Assavoss so lisr Ilsiosess
mit 1 :fir &a rid dime, k isseeismi
issue egurseires - mime lbw signor,
Ni else filly sod Ails: prolhe.
ti-• • .814 ..et Air arm.
flit 1111111 11111%111
inewaser4 if eir
I`:a-
4-:i•Eateve 4PM I to, weipoire ire.* lb,
"ve.krian 4 floe evivotafti isimmer 'b.
C isseree..lllb. tiwte garried s mires a.
vbirlb year pertissier alsaisis is asidesi.
The welkje.e Wear :tir of 'NA
.sionfellerr. red *a die ors 46.
doe reimrit sr. 5i0..4 Am?
,vaiallererel serl
belimilirdlop lieloint
47 . ...f u tr ra tariff1 SNP mai** so
%RD fiC re Stir rig tarn Me
• hie or tie ...re leelpfei spades AR
piory•ri eariin Ime frw rim a. rest
swat tie wythrw 4 tbrve• elbow pewew
• awnotal ph-oiral iviermieheromireliem
ilea SPINA/firms 4 id, Seas. gm Me is
tairepent «sperrisipe 4 a ieai 4f Milk
wir ewe vesperismi by h. as
exavore. /.h& refirimeery amt Aria
shim iassiMilipm. asesain •11101 ems
ami Mestatirseeeived. lbw
iliwiseurrevel balm 4 Air bra Msilv ,
vista tier .tulles*, 4 doe ism, ami ei‘
sr per hear brie primitive 4 owe iris
able vereler. 1114 ft. AI% 41ww• w aroimmis ,
Woodier fir merievi isposivamisi
in the , nop•fiti-n ~Oh sell star
Mom and fie verve mellsbeemi MIN*
meet ere dm WIN& impreire rulijmo
Areirv. 4reigairi -"ere vier
imeefeivil
sari eirtemmi h Tie Meryl
do. pet per will is Wilma fir
per iiiimumeince. meal 1 emelidly ireier
earesa selleestimo ar the memad persisist
seepieisam it meimfeew sir Or eialriau
the time dairy iirrivw. mar rwri•fhi
imam.-,
The itt,weir.se dr WI
Kioissoi eo trio otontoiejmow
sorimioo to mom dor onis s si hlis ilollo.
minims? •looriseigis Jew llipsis 4As
boo Vie ovine ami vans" the virile
involved is OS sow it it si Its Ihroil.
sill foil so lo sprosoral soil war.
soboatoisly illisismoss
Irmo ` Less bireisi 4 ispabsees idols
is Alloy pow ebb is pesies
vignaing ilisirssios ems
oasis Isiiiiimirislailllodoellor=
Wilms Ti. NOM sew der limbs
issoil ow die sissoll issirosai foss
svamo awl doss so IA tape
allesessiss skims dim
sop* 4 wow dissoisi bow Um mop
Sony dilisike dam Mimi Asir
fesum k itallkiZLlssdow dim 4-
@Ad wasiplied. simpoissiplibp.
• Coseladiol 11APP-
NO. 2.