govmr^.message.
•To ike HamraUe pit Senators mi 'juMerspf.
lb House of lUpesehtaliics qf, the General
ißSftSiff i—TOilsfc tho events of thcyciir
jilstdoScil.pttscnt ininy causes of joy artisan-'
Iffttuldtlcn, and afford abundant,'reason, for
tfiknkfoliicsfl jto* beneficent-Prudence for Ins
«ro3ncs%ond uiercy—bur- prosperity, an&hap
nlnS. as ft people. 1 regret to. say, has. .not
fe» unalloyed. The general growth of the
connlry, ,the progress of the arts and sciences,
and other causes of morbl and .social comfort;
haTcnot, it is trim, b«n; interrupteds butlbo
loss of Valuable lives bnd property, by the cas
ualties of the elements, basbeeh unusual, both
in number and extent ;• and in certain sections
of our Commonwealth’ the afflictions of pesti
lence and disease' hard also been sorely fell.—
Nor Bhould wo estimate lightly the suffering
that mahifcsily exists amongst the poor in onr
dties and , towns. The drought of the season
deprived, the,'husbandman, to some extent, of
lljc.anticipated rewards of his labor, and les
sijhcd the means of human subsistence; whilst
the. depression in monetary and business affairs
lias deprived many laborers and mechanics of
tbcirysual - earnings. The means of su insist
ent daro thus greatly enhanced in value, at the
same time that the opportunities of earning
them aro much diminished: -The field of char
ity is'cohscqncntly widCr than usual; and to
meet Us reasonable demands on the part of
those biased, with an abundance, will be to
sustain the Christian character, and measure-
bly to merit the continued'bounty of Heaven
The operations of tho Treasury for the Inst
Swill bo presented to you in detail, by the
of that department. The results are |
highly.satisfactory, showing a steadily incrcas-,
ing-rtyenue from nearly all the ordinary sour-1
CW, .
-The aggregate receipts for the fiscal year of
1891, including loans and tho balance in the
Treasury, on the 30th of November, 1853,
amounted to the sum of-56,055,012 01, The
grots;payments for the same period, to the sum
of $5,424,983 29; leaving a balance on the 30lh
ofNovembcr, of 31,240,920 72.
The extraordinary payments consisted of the
following items, to wit: loans repaid, 5235,-
888 40; to tho North Branch canal, $2OQ,>
552 76 ; to the construction of the new rail
road over the Allegheny mountains, $461,021
03 ; to the payment of debts on the public
works, $389,946 38. Of the balance remain
ing jp the Treasury, a portion is applicable to
the payment State debt, and the remain
der to current demands.
The simple, or‘ordinary operations of the
Treasury for tho same period, were as follows,
to wit: thb receipts, exclusive of loans and the
balance in the Treasury on the 30lh of Novem
ber, 1853; realized from permanent sources,
amounted to. tho .sum of $5,218,099 00- The
ordinary expenditures, including tho interest on
the State debt and all the payments on tho fin
ished lines of tho public works, excluding tho
payments on now works - and loans.- amounted
to $4,116,744 84;.being $1,101,490 15 less
than the receipts...,,.
■This statement may be regarded as the work
ings of;the Treasury .simplified; and as estab-
the gratifying fact, that the present rc
lipbleTeyenues of the State, exceed the ordina
ry jbr pnayoi^ablo expenditures, over o million
of,donarB ;i and that, relieved from the demands
for the construction of new improvements, tho
Treasury;Could pay a million or more of the
public debt annually. It will also bo perceived
that the Income from these sources is steadily
increasing. For instance, in 1846, with tho
State.tax at present rates, and the same extent
of improvements in use, with nearly all the
sources of revenue in operation, tho
grosp receipts amounted to but liulo over three
apd a.half millions.
No inoro reliable estimate of the operations
of. the Treasury for 1855 can Ikj made, than is
furnish&l in tho results for 1854. The ordina
ry receipts may be safely estimated at a million
of dollars above the unavoidable expenditures.
A portion of this excess trill bo required to
complete the new Portage railroad, and the
North Branch canaland the Remainder should ;
be faithfully applied toward the pay incut of the I
State debt. I
The aggregate receipts on the public works
for the past year, as reported by the Canal
Commissioners, amounted to the Mini of 81.-
870,078 88; ami the expenditures to the sum
0f,51,101,570 54; leaving a balance of 8774.-
508 34, from which, however, should be de
ducted the sum of 537,900. properly chargea
ble to the year, for now locomotives and other
unavoidable expenditures—thus reducing the
net profits to §736,008 34. If wc add to this.
8131,000 received from the Pennsylvania mil
road company for the three mill-tax. which ia
claimed by some as a part of the income from
the public works, we find a net revenue ofBBo7,
000 ; 4 sum equal to the interest on seventeen
millions of the five per cent, debt of the Stale.
The aggregate receipts were >57,121 leas than
for the year 1853. and the reduction in expen
ditures amounted to over 8159.287.000. Th«
withdrawal of the business of the Pennsylvan
ia railroad from the Portage road, readily ac
counts for this difference.
Viewed in every aspect, thj? exhibit is grat
ifying. Few similar systems of improvement
in the’country can present a more favorable
picture. Some of them, in other States, have
recently been reduced to a condition of virtual
insolvency. The increase of business on the
State works for the two last years, has ex
ceeded our anticipations; and but for the ne
cessity which scctned to exist for a reduction
in tolls to meet surrounding competition, the
revenue would have been largely increased.—
The general movement now on foot amongst
railroad companies, to advance these rates, may
perhaps relieve the State to some extent in this
respect.
The Delaware division makes a most grati
fying- exhibit. The grow receipts counted
8305.327 07, and the expenditures 850,738
67, showing a net profit of 8305.588 40: a
svlm equal To the interest on six millions of the
public d&bt, and to 20 per cent, on the origin
al cost of the work, including the expenditures
for now locks.
The North Branch canal and the Columbia
railroad also present favorable results. The
business and lolls on the former have increased
with marked rapidity : and the management
on both these branches Iwar the marks of skill
and economy. The expenses on the Allegheny
Portage road have been largely reduced, ami
the Imsincas better regulated tfion at any for
mer period. As a whole. T feel constrained to :
Ray that the condition of the public works has 1
been improved during thu lust year; in no j
other particular, to so valuable an extent, as In
tho matter of rontracling ibbtH, winch )( seems
almost entirely avoided. The officurs
on thu respective lines report ihat they have
paid all expenses; and some of (hem have gone
BO far aa to say to the Canal Board that they
will he personally responsible for any debts
that may hereafter be discovered. This is tru
ly & great reform—for nothing has cost the
State so much, as the pernicious practice of
making debts ontho public works ;—I still
think it should bo Interdicted by positive law.
In my last message 1 gave my wiewa at
length* a« to the principlcsand rules that should
Control in tho management of Stale improve,
meots, and I need not repeat them in this. I
would respectfully suggest, however, that so I
much of tho liiw that binds the Canal Commis
aioncra to a fixed rale of tolls for the whole
acason, should be repealed. Tho officers di
rooting tho operations of tho public works
should, it seems to me, bo left free to meet tho
exigencies in trade ami commerce, ns they may
**Xho work on tho Mountain railroad Ims pro
gressed slowly, and it is obvious Hint it will not
ho fully completed before tho summer of 1 Hop.
I roust confess myself sadly • disappointed as to
tho time and money consumed in tlio construc
tion of this work. 'J'lio expenditures, since I
oamo intooflloo, liavcgreally exceeded tho whole
amount estimated as necessary to complete the
lino: nod yet, it in but justice to W, Umt the
Pennsylvania railroad, lying parallel With it,
has cost a still larger some per uulo. 1
: I have endeavored, during my sendee, to
guard against the commencement of schemes of
this or any other charter, to cntail-futurejia-’
bilities v orv the Treasury, Tfiis ought to bo thb
settled policy of tho State*. No, nßw;’iniproto
tnents should be ai\y pretest 1
Whatever. The payment of the debt,and that;
only, should absorb the surplus revenues of the!
Treasury., If this policy bo pursued, no other,
financial scheme, to pay the debt, will d>cno
ecssary. The large annual surplus will reduce
the Slate’s indebtedness with sufficient rapid!-
ty.
. I rcgretpxcccdingly the necessity of announc
ing to you flml the North Branch canal is not
yet in full operation. It is now more than a
year since the Canal Commissioners directed
the water to be let into the main trunk of that
improvement, and declared their confident be
lief that it would be in successful operation
bythc middle of last summer: but; their san
guine expectations, .as well 03 those of the peo
ple, have, in this respect i bten" Sadly disap
pointed. A variety ;of unforseri)'difficulties
, presented themselves in the way.of the attain
ment of this end., .The old work, constructed
some twelve dr fifteen years since, os well as
some sections of the new! located on the hill
side, near tin* margin of the river, when tested
by the admissioh . orwatcr.'.tunied but, .to be
porous, and totally insufficientm its material,
and formation. Insoraeinstanctsrocha,,roots',
trees and slumps, have, hden concealed under
the bottom of tbe canal channel, covered only
by , a fe,w inches of earth ; thus presenting but,
a slight obstruction to the passage of .(he wa
ter out into the bed of- tho river, 1 This is es
pecially the case in much of the old work.' ; . In
all such sections or places, no remedy short,of.
a reconstruction ,of the bottom, of thecahjd;.
could prove sufficient; and.thls was neccssan-,
ly a tedious and expensive process.' There ia
still a considerable, portion of tho work, to re
model in this way, j'lmtit.is confidently be
lieved that it will pe .ready for use ih me early
part of the. coming season. That the "utmost
skill and vigilance nas at all limes been exhib
ited'by the agents of the Stale on’this lino, I,
do not bclicve : but.the deficiency in this par
ticular, on the new work, has not been so pal
pable as alleged by some. Indeed, since May
last, great energy has characterized the man
agement on this line; the, President of the Ca
nal Board haring devoted much of his time to
a personal supervision of the work. But it is
obvious no degree of capacity in the Slate's
agents, for the last year, could have overcome
all the difficulties that were encountered with
sufficient celerity, to have, entirely satisfied
public expectation.
At the time I came into office, the sum ne
cessary to complete this work was estimated at
57T2.000. Since that time the sumof $l,-
206,552 72 has been expended, and it will
still require, as estimated by the Cana) Board,
§60,000 to put it into complete operation,
Whilst 1 regret this unforscen cost and de
lay, I cannot refrain from repealing my unfal
tering confidence in the wisdom of the policy
tliat dictated the completion of this work.—
The large increase of business and tolls for the
year Just closed, on the older portion of the
line, indicates what we may safely anticipate
from the new; and t cannot doubt, that the
gross amount of business it will command, and
the revenue it will yield, wifi exceed the most
Sanguine expectations of its' advocates. The
inexhaustible mines of coal with which that
section of the State abounds, the products of
which are destined to pass through this avenue
to a limitless market, will furnish for it a never
failing supply of business and tonnge. Be
sides, its completion will bean net of justice
to the industrious and enteiprising inhabitants
oflbntpart of the Commonwealth,'who have
heretofore willingly enntributed towards the
construction of tho olbor improvements of the
State, from which they could derive but little
advantage. It will also add to tho general
prosperity of tho adjacent country : to tho val
ue of property, and consequently to the reven
ues of the State.
At tho timoof my induction in
to office tho funded debt,
including accrued interest,
amounted to the sun) of - $40,154,451 48
Add to this flic loan of April.
1852, to complete the North
Branch canal
Deduct payment os follows :
Interest on outsand
inpr certificates, $50,063 39
Receipt* to the sink
ing fund up to tins
time, - - - 1,057,656 15
Total funded debt. - $39,900,537 04
The floating debt and unpaid
appropriations nt (ho period
already indicate!. - - $1,421,090 15
Deduct the available balance
then in the Treasury, - - 750.000 00
The floating debt, temporary
loans, unpaid appropria
tions, except for repairs afier
the Ist December, 1854. - $1,630,000 00
Balance in the Treasury No
vember 3ft, 1854, after de
ducting the amount applica
ble to the obi public debt
and relief issues then on
hand. 8805,020 00
flnlnnrc,
During the same period the following appro
priations and payments havelieon made toward
the construction of new improvements, to wit;
For the re-conslrncting of tho
Columbia railroad, - ■ $514,407 CC
For tho new railroad over the
Allegheny mountains, • * 1,117.955 93
For tho completion of the Wes-
tern reservoir. ----- 52,388 00
For tho North Branch canal. • 1,200,352 70
New locks on the Delaware di
vision, - 100.310 99
Sundry special payments,
The foregoing figures exhibit the astonish
ing fact that the Tmasnryhas l»rcn annually
' pavmg over a million of dollars towards the
l construction of new improvements, and nt the
same lime accomplished a small reduction of
llic public drill.
Am made my duty by an net of the Legisla
ture. approved tho 271 h of April last, provid
ing for the sale of the mnin line of the public
works. soaUd proposals for its purchase were
invited, up to the first Monday of July last.—
N T o oilers were made under this invitation : and
public notice was again given, on the I4lh of
November last, in accordance with tho 20th
section of tho act, for proposals, to bo submit
ted to the General Assembly ; but none have
Ibeen received. This improvement is, therefore.
Hlill the property of tho State, subject to such
disposition aa the Ilegislature may deem neces
sary.
My mind has undergone no change on tho
subject of soiling the public works, since tho
period of my last message. I think the policy
of tho measure depends mainly upon the prlco
, that can l>o obtained, and tho conditions on
I which purchasers may ho willing to hold those
works lor the use of the public. With a full
land fair consideration, and on terms amply pro
-1 lectivo of the rights and Interests of tho people,
In the future enjoyment of these highways—a
B,ilo might not prove Injurious to tho public
weal. Hut U U certainly neither wise nor poll
do to assume that they must ho sold for what
ever can he obtained i or that they should, In 1
any ovpnt, be given away. N othlng could have I
a more prejudicial effect upon tho Interests on
tho State nfl Involved in these Improvements,!
than die avowal of such a determination. Nor
is It lees unwise to disparage the value of the
Commonwealth’s property, at tho very' moment
of putting It in market tor sale. No Intelligent
private citizen would so net In reference to his
own estate. He would hardly K Jvo notice to
capitalists in advance, that ho would sell his
farm tor a fair price; but if unwilling to pay
auch reasonable consideration, they could have
it for half tho money M> Norwould such' 1
son proclaim, that of ill tho Arms' in tho.ooiin. 1
tty*.hl3 tho A least productive. • i
Vltl* cortainlyHho wish of^manygood citizens i
|of tho perhaps,of a majority—that tho,
public works should bo But this doslrp Is ;
evidently based upon\tho assumption that.the! :
measure .would ho ono.of real cconomy-rthat at .!
wouUncasen, without tho hazard ol:incr^hsiu^, :
thefr anhrial taxoa. ’’•Tha realizatiorripf such.an
object, it must be perceived, then, depends en
tirely upon the price and terms. Those who
dosiro a aaloycertainly expect tho Slate to bo the
gainer by suoh a tneasuro. No other important
or sulllclont reason for partingwilhthia proper
ty has been assigned.
It ts.usually sold that.thcworka should be sold,
to payTbo public debt and lessen tho burthens
of tho people: but it must bo observed that p*.
sale might be made at a price fantOo'low; to cf-.
feet such purpose; and if so, to give them away
would.be still less.likcly to produce (ho,desired
result. Should tho'gross sum received,'not bo
equal to (hat otLWhichlho nett learnings would
pay tho interest/then tho effect would be to in
crcaae','rather than:dimmiSU.lhbao.obnuftl.;bur
t lions.' Tins is oot what.thpdioopio desirp to ne
complish by n sale j .nof \Vi|i thoy.be satisfied;
with such disposition of Jheir pifpperty. f ,
Tho real value of'Hhti.puWic works,, is a.pro
ppsitlon,full 0.l difficulty; and I. '
UpheraV Assembly .iylll. approa‘cTjV : tbc Inquiry,!
duly, impressed, \vltn dja Ten mil
liona of dollars Was fiked by tho" few* Vi last bcr- 1
sion, ns tlic price for the‘main find; 1 This,mini
mum .Is said by some’.to 1 -bV too' hj£}i/and the
failure to' sollftegarded as’ the conscqychce.*—’
Others aUrllmle the-abscnco of bidders, to the
condition to! thomonoy market—to thoatringont
rcßtrictioni imposed upon the law-; and to the
efforts that had been previously made to dispa.
iragotha value 01-tho .lino. But it is obvious
Uhafc )noru than one o! theso causes may have
1 toporalpd ; aud u greater than all may have been,
I tl>q hope pi getting this property on better tonus
at a iilturb Umo.' -I feel very confident that the
’consideration, was not without its infln.
ouco. But, bo this as it may, it is certainly
wiser to fail to sell from any one of these causes,
than to hazard the Works In the market, without
any restriction or limitation as to price or con
ditioriß. A bad said wohld assuredly be a great
er misfortune than no sale at all.
Tiny benefits resulting to the people from these
improvements, have been numerous and diver
sified, They have facilitated trade and com
merce; stimulated productive industry in every
department; and have not only enabled tho far
tuer to reaPh a ready market with tho fruits of
his labor, but have furnished convenient out-lets
tor the rich Diiueral treasures of the Stale. —
Without them, the minor wuuld be deprived of
ins occupation, tho transporter loft in helpless
destitution, and tho Commonwealth itself bo |
permiitted to retain a parsimonious possession ,
of vast masses of natural and unproductive
riches. Our predecessors wore wise in opening
those avenues tn trade and commerce; and iT
wo wish to lie rated wfso hereafter, we shall not
rashly and hastily throw aw uy the advantages of
1 Uu-ir’fntnre use. This u.so, to (he fuff extent,
in the event o| a sale, cm only he secured h\ a
jealous protection of (ho right of the people to
enjoy it. -
’Hip very first conditions of sncli a measure
should be,that the works, and every branch ol
thorn, bo kept at all times In good order and in
operating condition, and remain forever public
highways, lor the nae of all persons who may
wish to transport goods or merchandise over
them, upon rates not greater than those charged
upon othersimnarimprovelncnts. No corpora
tion should get possession of these valuable
avenues, on such conditions ns would enable it
to impose unreasonable burthens On the internal
tnulu and of tho Slate, or in any way to
encroach,'upon the rights of the individual citi
zen, .To obviate such results, tho powers, pri
vileges ami restrictions of any corporation get
ting the works, should bo minutely defined.—
Tost experience suggests these prudential conn
nelsi for wo have often seen In this State how
difficult it is to confine tho operations of these
artificial bodies within tho limits prescribed by
, the law j and wo should hot full to profit by tho
lesson.
By tho 20th section of tho art of tho-oth of
May lust, providing tor tho ordinary expenses of
governuiijit anil other purposes, N itnrod Strick
land, of Chester county, John N. I’.nrviance, of
Butler county, and John StrobDitOf Lancaster
, county, worq named as Comniissuviers to settle
'certain debts and claims against nio Common
wealth. It was also mpdo the duty of tho Gov
ernor to supply, by appointment, any vacancy In
this commission which might occur. The gen
tlemen already named-having declined to serve,
I accordingly appointed William W. Williamson
of Cheater county. William English, of Phila
delphia, and John C. Maglll, of Westmorland
county, In their stead.
After a tedious and laborious Investigation,
i these gentlemen have completed tho duty ua
[ signed to them, and tho result will bo commu
nicated 1 to you, In detail. In their own report.
1 regret to perceive that tho accounts BO ex
amined and settled, exceed the amount of the 1
appropriation nearly $160,000. It Is well, how. i
ever, to sqo tho end of claims of this character,
and Inning accomplished this, it will bo prudent.,
to guard against the recurrence of a similar
st.de of affairs. Indeed, the practice of con
tracting debts on the public works,should boat
once and torever abandoned. It has been n
friiltlul source of confusion In the accounts, il
not of palpable wrong upon the Treasury. The
rigid to scatter the credit ol the Commonwealth
in this unguarded way, Is, I venture to assert,
without a parallel In the management of public
affair*. Ol the many defects In the svslcm ol
managing the State improvements, thi* has been
the most productive of evil. In my first, asnlso
in my last annua) message, 1 most eurncuth
urged the General Assembly to*>r»>id«, by law,
that no debt should be contracted by tho officers
on the public works; that the necessary labor
and material to maintain these works should Ih
paid for In cash ; and that each officer should be
compelled to settle Ids accounts promptly. 1 he
examinations just made, demonstrate still more
clearly the necessity for such reform.
Repeated attempts have been made to repeal
so much of the act incorporating the I’cunsyl
vanla railroad company, as requires it to pay
into tho Treasury annually, a certain per cent
ago on tho amount of touage which may pas*
over that road as an equivalent fur tho privileges
granted by the Commonwealth; but the General
Assembly have as repeatedly rejected the propo
sition i and 1 sincerely hope, that so long as the
State may need tho revenue front thlssourco, all
future attempts to accomplish lids end may meet
a similar f.ito.
Having been connected with tho legislation
which brought this company Into existence, and
clearly cognisant of tho motives and purposes
which governed tho Legislature In imposing Ibis
condition on the grant, f can discover no reason,
in subsequent events, to Justify the relinquish
ment of this valuable reservation ; but many, on
tho contrary, to sustain its Justice and utility.
I Tho discussions ponding tlio incorporation of
the company, will best Indicate the object of this
restriction. The construction of a railroad from
Harrisburg to Pittsburg, parallel with the State
works, was very properly urged as indispensably
necessary to moot the wants of the travelling
public, and to enable our metropolis to compete
successfully with other commercial cities. Tho
▼cry first and most formidable difficulty which
presented Itself in tho way of this enterprise,
was tho prejudicial cflbct such a work might
have upon the business and profits of tho main
lino of tho public Improvements. It was urged
on tho ono hand, that tho State works had been
constructed at the expense of tho people oftho
entire Commonwealth—that those residing in
tho extreme portions of tho Stato, as well as
those of tho Interior, had annually contributed
towards the payment of tho Interest on tho debt
which had thus been contracted! and, therefore,
the Legislature could not, consistently with tho
principles of justice and equity, make a grant
that would depreciate the valuo of property
which belonged to all, for tho purpose of foster
ing tho growth and prosperity of o particular
portion of Urn Slate. Good faith and correct
moral principle forbade such action. On tho
'.other hand, itwas alleged Hint tho Increased
ibuslhuss which such an improvement would
[throw upon the Columbia railroad, and the cn-
Ihanced value of property adjacent to tho pro.
posed road, from which the SUto would derive
increased revenue In the form ol taxes—would
constitute an ample remuneration to her coffers,
and thus do full Justice to the people as tho
owners of the works to ho affected. But a ma-
i y °f thj Legislature concluded that some I
additional benefits wore demanded, and hence
I the adoption of the provision to which 1 have
referred.
The stock was subscribed w ith a full know
- 8.10,000 00
?41,004,457 48
1,103,019 54
5G71,090 15
£705,029 00
95.353 7
83,080,778 05
ledge of acceptance of
the'.chartcr by tho.couipahy,';,waV- tho .coiisura
tnullon of. a solemn agreement! between .thorn
indtlio Sfato.• ; •
fYet, iindcr tho spccibhs plea that ft imposes
ijtox oo tradoi.tho'CoramonwcaUb.ia noVasked
ip relinquish!this condition 5. ahdtho case.is
■nrguodas thougbJt Kail been tho policy .of the
Idw, that tho cbmpahyahoiiid lniposd this.clifti'ge
of three prills pcrto.hhfoon every species ofpror’
perty winch may^-'pad^over.-ito road f pnd lft'
this way it is'ycry readi that jon coal,
luralH«*,>-ai)d- other cheap tonago, this
charge would W tooigreat. But the company
are wpt obliged topascSs tins tax on all klnds t of,
tanagenor was it the intention of the act that
they .should do so, .The doslgn.wasto make an
exaction frOm tho not profits of the company, for
•tho use pf-tbo pub Vic-coffers, compensation
■for* V valuable! grants 'and! thereby, frrotec£:tho
public' improvements from tho competition of
this now rival.. The tax on tonago, therefore,-
was intended to Indicate only.the mode of ascer
taining the sum to bo paid,- r niul hot the specific
tonago.on.wlnchitghonld bo'chargcd. When
the sum ia-in-.thia way ascertained.- it.matters.
: no't to Hie'Staloliow'thc company obtains the
: money ; whether it bo by charges on freight,'or
on passengers—-oh lo6al, or on through (Onago.
Should) therefore,- certain kinds of tonago bo
Improperly'oppressed, the fault is with the com
pany, riotln’thfe law. And surely it willnotbo
contended that* tho protection thus: thrown
around the works-of the State is unnecessary';
so fur lronv -th!s,'the\viBdorn and utility of tills
feature of the comptffiy’a charter has already
• been made'manifest* - The very exigency anti
cipated by the Legislature has arisen i thocotn
• petition of .the tailroad Is-nlrcadyuctioußlyfoU
by tho tiiafn lino.- .Believed from this restraint,
. but a incagrd portion of tho carrying l trade
i would be 'loft' for that branch of our improvc
i menfir.'-Jfor will’it‘ho enutend'ed-that the
, Commonwealth does tfol need this source of te
i venue., t ■' '.
But viewed alone, as a matter interesting to thb
owners tonagejWhat guaran
tee would they llui-othat the rates'of transpor
tation wouldhe redufcejt,wertthla tax taken off?
None whatever,’ could"charge as
heretofore, and "thus the-amoum Of the
(;»x in addition to thoirpreaeut profits. Tf they
should hot do this,.their action would differ
from that "of similar corporations under like cir
cumstances. Bht to admit what is claimed, f hat
a reduction in the charges of transportation to
a similar extent, would take place, it hiust ho
perceived would duplicate the loss to the State;
for she would not only tborchV lose the amount
of the throe mill fax, hut he (tcfpfjfed of a very
large portion oftonapcwhich wmildhe attracted
to the company’s road hy this reduction In the
rates of transportation. 4 TTe are thus brought
to the simple the State shall
retain this vnluahloTn'chniO, to which she Is so
.justly entitled, or whether she shall give i( to
the railroad company. ‘ Most certainly the latter
allmuii vc should not Ift adopfed, so long nsthe
question of selling thjJStato improvements ro.
mains undecided.
Asa mere revenue treasure, this tax consti
tutes an important arid Increasing item in the
annual receipts of tho’Trcasury. Tn the year
lßsfi, it amounted to tko sum of $74,000, and
for the year 1854, to-$fCl.OOO.
That this amount'will he materially increas
ed hen-after, is self-cvT(tcnt. If this important
item ho withdrawn from* the sinking fund,
there will ho butliUlclcfl to sustain its opera
tions. r . ‘
T am aware that tlfiso views %iay be met
with tho p’ausible argument that trade and
commerce should net -lie thus hurthoned—that'
the effect |c prejudicial to the business 'Of the-
State. This is tnicto-jiv certain extent: and';
should have its full weight In thc.ndjustmcntjof
ii question of this cbaiifctor. But, It will sonroe-'
ly be contended that trade and commerce should
be sustained by contributions : from a,needy |
Treasury. On this prhfci'plc. it could os tcr- j
sonably be, maintained ihat the State should
make no charges whatever for tho use of her, |
own works. • ■. i • * . . 1
Tho administration of Gov. Sbunk commcn
i ced tho cancellation 'of the relief issues: and
l that of my immediate predecessor arrested the
process, leaving ?f)so,lGff of this nnrightlv enr- j
1 reney inl circulation. Jn the spring ef lP- r M,j
the policy of ntjain resumed : i
null nt*«THii* been re
reived info tbesinkingUwd. npplimhle fojhnf
purpose, leaving the meagre sum of ?ir>4.778.-
12, to pmrido for. .The- gratifying fact is ap
parent. therefore, that, without any further
legislation on this.subject, the entire outstand
ing balance of relief notes can be withdrawn
from circulation and destroyed during, the enr
rent year. Tt is true that thcscdssucs Imre not
eomo into the Treasury ns rapidly ns tho funds
for their cancellation hhyo accumulated, and
that, consequently, a portion of the rcecipts
have not been invested : but this difficulty will
bo obviated in Juno next, when the law will go
into operation which forbids the banks and re
ceiving officers of the Commonwealth to pay out
these issues, and requires them to be presented
at the Treasury for cancellation. Wo shall,-
therefore, soon see the last of a currency which
lias polluted the cnannefeol circulation for thir
teen years past: and I trust that the lesson
thus taught has been quitosafßcicnltowamus
against similar errors for all time to come, i
Mv opinions on all questions that concern the
rummer, have been so often expressed, that 1
they must ho well known to the T/Cgislature. 1
and neiil not l>e given, at length, in this com- 1
imimenlinn. Without, at any time, assuming
it would be wise for this Stale, regardless of I
the policy of other Gnmtnonwealfhs, lo dispense I
suddenly and entirely with banks of issue, it I
i has turn uniformly held that the amount of;
banking capital ns a basis for paper circulation,
should be closely liniU-dto (ho Urgent wants
of commerce anil trade. •( If the experience of
tht country is worth any* thing at all, it has
demonstrated the correctness of this policy :
awl that the use of smalt bank notes should bo
discouraged nnd forhuldan. Ip accordance with
this view of the subject. 1 have, on past occa
sions, refused to sanclion’any extensive increase
of banking capital.
Every commercial country is liable (q alter- 1
natc seasons of excitement and depression: to
periods of extravagant ''overtrading, followed
by ruinous revolutions. . Tho reaction now fell
is the inevitable, if not the natural counterpart;
of an undue expansion of credit, in the form of
bank paper, railroad, fftale and corporation
Itorids and individual obligations. Tu those
Slates wlurc the free, system
hail stimulated the expansion, tho workings of
the reaction have been dipstrous. fnour own
Moved Commonwealth the shock has been
sensibly felt, though far less severe than Ini
oilier parts of the country, • Her partial escape,
it is believed, is mainly owing to her prudent
nod restrictive policy in the use ofbaulc credit.
It is, at least, very clear, that had the free, or
stock-hanking plan, at oUc time so zealously
1 advocated, been adopted in this State, or had
our present system been greatly expanded, the
position of a flairs in our commercial metropolis
u ould not liavo been so favorable as at present.
Had the natural tendency to speculation re
ceived this artificial stimulant—the limits of
safely, like the lessons of experience, would
have been passed unheeded ; as it is, some good
nun. in the pursuit of useful enterprises, have
been prostrated. It is most unfortunate, that
under this influence, alt must suffer alike.—
Those who profit least by tho expansion, arc
often affected most by tlio contraction. 1 This
is especially tho ease with labor, which is uni
formly the last to bo elevated in limes of pros
perity. and tho first to £o down in those of de
pression. Tho banks, ns a general rule, pmho
the most out of these convulsions. Tt is often
their errror to flatter tho merchant and trader
when the tide of prosperity runs high, and to
forsake him on the first appearance of its ebb
ing. Even sound banks and of good repute, it
is said.-m o socking to make money out of the
present crisis, by sharing their capital and its
benefits with brokers nnd jobbers, instead of
aiding tho business community at legitimate
rates. 110w k far thescallcgalions aro warrant
cd, it is difficult to decide; but it is to l>o hoped
that few,' if any of our banks aro justly liable to
tlda charge, for such a practice would be highly !
improper, and well calculated to excite discon
tent- Such a departure from legitimate busi
ness would demand n prompt remedy at your
hands. U may bo difficult to ooufiuo these in
atitutionsto their proper business, with the
prospect of better profits in, other Quarters;
:but they should bo made to,/cel that they/|mvQ.
been pcrely.
to cnHcli'theßtockhpldefsi
' Tlid cVisiaaa a try ihg^orio; but.thcre !is still
reason, th Impo that the credit and the
countrV 'will iievcr aiiflcrjHs much' as it hogjdonc
on occasions,' .pflsVt. There is>
now no'National Brink'to mislead' - the mercan
tile class, and to embarrass the commerce which
itprofessed to aid.. Still the shock-will be great,
chough to lead the pinHic'raindT6“enquifo after
n,remedy .for-these, periodical
Arid, surely ,"wc may be permitted to hope,
that the good sense of-tho..people. wdU never;
agmn be imposcd'upbn by those crude experi
ments which have, on some former occasional
sd fearfully aggravated tlic evils they were in
tended to remedy. I respectfully advise the.
QencraVAsscmbly againstallsucb'espcrimcnts’. 1.
The remedy-, to bo must-bc a natu
ral one; artificial means may add' Vo" present
cgnpot -An
txteUßivb increase of.banUipg.capital and other
will, : • pressed - jipon
your a'ttcrition ;-butit is to bh hdped thrtt.no
suchiallacymayfind favor. - Nor'is there any.'
Sufficient treason for the alarm aiid sensitiveness
manifested’m the real-wealt h
of the country'stilt Exists’,' and ; tho uatufal-ele
ments of prosperity’are no less -than heretofore. •
It is the shadow, riot lhc.Bub.staiicC that is pass
ing away. . The' business cohnliUrnty, should
look the danger hi ‘the lace,
their energy, honesty, apd enterprise, overcome
jt. Mutual confidence and -forbearance should
he cherishedJt»y all,-,ns ,a means-of accomplish-■
ing this dcsiraolo end* . -
lii accordance With' the provisions of a law
passed in,April.last,-a 1 vote of‘the people was
taken, at the October election; oh the policy of
prohibiting the manufacture and Sale ofmtoxi
cating licjiloVs ; -158,342 Votes were cast in fa
vor of the mcasure, hhd '163;5r0 votes against
it. W,9 .; M-, 'V *.
The pbbpbr regulation of this subject greatly
conepms the moral welfare ol the people, and
('or that reason jvill claim your anxious consid
eration. '.Perhaps' no ; other moral question
wuhiu the range ofyoor authority, so :dccply
interests the people of every class,raccahd condi
tion. Indeed, the immoderate uRc of- nitoxica
trng drinks is an evil that has left its latal mark
in every vicinage. Its progress, fortunately,
has been steadily resisted -by individuals and
societies, who have employed the power of
truth and reason against it- These efforts have
, done much, ami may domdrcherefiftcr to ne
gate the evil. Avoiding alt vexatious encroach
ments upon the rights and privileges of every
citizen, there is elcarly'nd reason why the in
fluence,of a wclbdcsignwl law. regulating and
restraining the of intoxicating ’ liquors,, should
not ho brought fo aid of these individual
efforts. -Although the vote of the people would
seem to indicate their aversion to the particular
, measure of reform; it is nbt to be inferred, for
that reason they arc averse to all attempts at
reformation. Such an inference, X am Confi
dent, w,ould not, be a,true rcflectiohbflhcir sen
timents.-; So far from this, they acknowledge
the cxlsteiicc of ,the evil and t)jo necessity of
proper remedies. Our present license laws, to
this end, might, In my opinion, be usefully re
vised—the object of such, revision being to les
sen.the vice of intemperance. ' That those laws
need such revision, is conceded. . So far ns re
latcs to thc.citv of Philadelphia; they arc pecu
liarly prejudicial to public morals, nnd'seem to
have been constructed to promote the conven
tcnco'Ofdrinking farrtioro than to restrain jts
evil consequence*. The subject is worthy of
yourbarly and deliberate consideration.
, The report of the Superintendent will exhibit
to yoft in‘detail, the operations of (he Common
School system for the year just closed;, aud’T
respectfully' recommend the suggestions of that
officer to your capful consideration.
TKcf! •email law of Ik-19. with’ amendments
and modifications, was re-modcUd by the last
f Legislature. The most material parts of the
( old law. which were omitted in (lie new. were
1 the sub-district, the endowment; and sectarian
| features. The former was rejected because of
1 the-unnecessary thultipUcatton of offices which’
it authorized, and the conflict which perpetual
ly nrtwc between the committees and directors;
and the latter, because in manifest hostility to
(lie true intent of the common school system.
Those provisions, which seemed to contemplate
a separate school establishment.under sectarian
patronage, although controlled by the common
school directors, were originally engrafted upon
the acts of 183fi and 1838, and were again re
enacted in 1849. They were very properly
stricken from (hc.sysdcin by the law of last
session. Should efforts he made in the future,
at similar innovations, come whence they-may,
it is hoped they tnny bo promptly rejected—
The system, to he effectual, must tie simple
and uniform in its operations. Special legisla
tion. inconsistent with the general law. appli
cable to particular localities or districts, to an
swer temporary or partial ends, always has,
and always trill embarrass the administration
of the general system, and should for this rea
son be carefully avoided. The integrity of its
form, not less than the means to sustain its
operations, should be constantly maintained,
and sacredly cherished by the government.
A new feature in the system, adopted in the
law of last session, creating the offlee of Coun
tv Superintendent has nnf. ns yet, been fully
tested: and there evidently exists some diver
sity of opinion as to the wisdom of the provis*
• ion. It is already very obvious, at least, that
its beneficial workings must depend mainly
upon the character of the agents selected to
• rarrv it into operation. Competent and faith
ful Superintendents may produce the happiest
results; whilst the agency of the ignorant or
, Inefficient will be attended by Die reverse con
sequences. In order to give this new feature
of tho law o fair trial, in will be necessary,
, therefore, for the directors. in the respective
counties, to select Superintendents with sole
reference to their adaptation to the duties of
tho station.
Of the many obstacles in the way of tho.com*
plotc success of our common school system, tho
one'most prominent, and most difficult to re*
. move, is the want of competent teachers. In
some communities, T to soy, the system
| has fallen Intocomparalivcirnfflcjcncy.because
' good teachers cannot be found : and in others,
. themost vexatious ronscqenecshnve arisen from
the employment of the illiterate and incompe
tent. Nothing could exercise a more prejudi
rial influence; indeed, lictwecn a very bad
teacher and none at all, the latter alternative
might, in many jnscanCrS bo preferred. This
deficiency id clearly manifest, and hard to ob.
vlqtc.. Sd/rtooftho best minds of'the Stale
imyo been occupied and perplexed with it, and
until recently, no general and practicable plan
for its removal had been devised.
Tho plan of grouting permanent profess
ional certificates, by officers skilled In the art
of teaching, ami eminent in literary and scien
tific acquirements, to teachers who satisfactori
ly pass a thorough examination, in the several
branches of study* which tho act of May, 1854,
requires to ho taught in every district, and also
in tho art of teaching, is already obviously ef
fecting podded improvement in this regard, and
it is believed will do much towards placing tho
profession upon a high and Arm basis.
. Normal schools, it is urged, could in addition,
to some extent, supply the deficiency, but tho
expenses of such an institution would he heavy.
Tho snuroo of this difficulty; it is clear, con bo
traced in a great measure, to tho want of a
proper appreciation In the public mind, of the
position and husincss of a teacher. Tho pro
fession, for this reason, in addition to tho ab.
scnco of a fair compensation, has not been at
tractive, Indeed, it lias scarcely been regarded
as a profession at all, but rather ns ‘a prelimi
nary step to some other pursuit. 'Well direct
ed efTortshavo recently been made lo change
the general sentiment on this point, and I re
joice in tho belief that these have not been in
vain; and that tho day is not far distant, when
tho profession of teacher bo equal to tho
aspirations of tho roost ambitious of our people;
when its distinctions, dignities and pecuniary
rewards, will command tho time and thoughts
of (he most gifted. I con-see no reason why
this state of feeling should not prevail ; why
the profession of teacher should w\ukr in
hqpor nnd profit tbq oilier learpqdprbfca
slops; why the science ofdqvelopingThc Uumdn
intelicQl^qfgiving sedpe ancl'forco tb; mind—
ofelevalinglhe moral, faculties ofourxace—of
the passions and ~thd dc*.
aijhjs,- should' not top esteemed jas highly os those
professions and. calling? jjvhpAp oroatneatshavp
received'hll'thcir- polish iti-thb.
hands of the comparatively humble and illy re^
.sYardedjteachcr,. _ 1 .... .
' I earnestly recommend' the common sclidbt'
system to your gl|ardian;carcfing/the ijo3t6ac»
red of alTpur institutions.'' Tile offspring 'of a
constitutibhalinjunction. on the .Legislature, the
extcnsion ahd pcrpctuity of its usefulness is the
i plain duty of all. Resting at thoyery/foundn
jtionbf the government, its pfdctidaiMvbrkings
.should be a true reflection of our republican
system; .‘and 1 ils‘ blessed .opportunities*'made
amiable to all, regardless of raa\>» or. condition,
or persuasion. tshquld aid, the poor, advance
tl)e ; rich f- and maho^thcignorant wise, :• ' :
’ I .confidently anticipate, for it, a day, of great-,,
cr perfection and .wider, influence. fso,,better;
object can engage tbq attention of government,or.
consumeiia means,tiiau the education of the peo
ple in the comprehensive sense of the tenn;,
embracing the use.of loiters, the cultiyation'-of
the moral faculties, and the diffusion of-qhns
"tida truth/ Ju’tbis wo havo-tho surest gdar
raritee for the perpetuity of our republican gqv-:
eminent, apdfor the tnijoymcpl.of civil libcHl’
and religious freedom., { Such an edneationmay
bc,'safciy,claime<l.AS thqmostjpotont means,of
preventing crime—of,jncrcasmgindividnal bap- 1
pipcss and, national r dignity —:of promoting
Christianity- and civilisation— of, extirpating
mpraland political evils—of elevating, dignify
ing and‘adorning our social condition., ■ -. > -
Our,various cliarildbicwjd reformatory
slifulions—so. creditable to the State, and
which; in their-prnclical operations, have . done
so much for,.the relief of, suffering, humanity —
will claim the continued caro and .bounty of
tho Commonwealth. ,
The.Slnto Lunatic Hospital at Harrisburg,
undpr its present efficient-control and manage-,
ment, meets tho-jnst,ant'cipations .of jits .wise
and benevolent advocates. ; Its-humane and
benignant, agency in ameliorating the condition
of the,unfortunate class for whose relief it was
designed, cap be judged by no ordinary stand
ard. The Imneilts of such an institution rise
above nl] mere pecuniary, estimates. Its pur
poses address themselves to the best and no
blest feelings of..ouf.nalurc, auclvcnn only be
rated at>thc price of dmman hopo and human
reason. ; , ' .
A sqmewhat dissimilar, though not less meri
torious institution has recently been establish
ed in Philadelphia, for the mental training of
the Idiotic and the Imbecile. The astonishing
results it.has already achieved in .developing
and Invigorating-the weak and clouded Intel
lect, should secure for it public confidence and
patronage. It commends itself to the bounty
and caro of the Stqfo.
.The institutions for the education of the
Pcaf and Dumb, nml Blind, will also need, as
theyjusl.lv merit, the usual annuity from the
State. They are in a flourishing condition,
and continue to bestow numlierlesH blessings
upon the unfortunate beings committed to their,
charge. . _
As a scheme for correcting . and reclaiming
wayward and offending youth, the House of
Refuge stands pro-eminent: and is every where
gaining public confidence. Its general influence
upon tins class .of erring creatures. Is far more j
effectual and humanizing than that of ihe ordi
* nary modes of punishment. It takes charge of
those whose offences arc often the result of cir
cumstances rather than criminal intent; who
fall I»v the influence of bad example, of wicked
association, of idlu habits or animal necessities;
br who sin l>ocansc of theutterwnntpf raondand
mental ; who do wrong rather than
right, because they hove not the jjower to dis
tinguish between ilium. For such unfortunate
beings, the I louse of Refuge possesses the ad
vantages of restraint and correction—with
moral and intellectual training, as well as of
instruction in the usual pursuits of life, with
out the obUling influence of prison
copfipcmcnt. The results, therefore, often arc,
that us inmates S n back to society, cured of all
moral defection, and competent to fill the place
of correct and useful members of community. |
During the past summer, the magpificeut
structure erected under the supervision of ccr-
I lain benevolent gentlemen of Phiadelphia. as a
new . House of Refuge, was completed and
thrown open for public inspection. The capa
city, order and arrangements, ip every particu
lar. of this admirable building, are fully equal
to the design of its founders. It is on.honor to
them and an ornament to the beautiful city in
which it is situated : and its good effects in fu
ture, under the same systematic and wise dis
cipline which so eminently distinguished its
past management, tnll not be readily over
rated.
The Western House of Refuge situate on the
Ohio river, ft bhorl distance Wlow I'ilUbnrjr, I
tun gratified in say, is also completed and ready
for inmate)}* Though loss imposing, as to size
ftnd capacity, than its stalely compeer of the
cast, it possesses all the order, economy of
space, ftnd perfect adaptation to the purposes
designed, that characterize tho more costly
structure at Philadelphia; and it is also bo
lived lobe quite adequate, as to size, to present
wants, while it is built with express reference
to future additions, should they become neces
sary.
Neither of these buildings have, I presume.
l»cen eroded without involving their projectors
in pecuniary liability and perhaps loss. The
entire .State has a deep interest in such truly
meritorious institutions : and whatever relief
ran bo given to them by the Legislature, con
sistently with tho condition of the Treasury or
our public cngngmmcnts, should be cheerfully
extended.
The interests of Agriculture arc ardently com
mended to and energetic
efforts have been recently made to disseminate
correct information concerning Hus great pur-,
suit, and in this way to confer upon the farmer
the advantages of a scientific ns well as a great
ly refined, practical understanding of the noble
pursuit in which ho is engaged.
The utility ol a College, devoted to (ho
science of Agriculture, with a model (linn
attached—wherein the principle* of asclon
tillo cultivation of tho soil, nod manual la
bor in that pursuit, would bn joined to tho
usual academical studies—has been strong
ly pressed upon my attention. It Is believ
ed that such nn institution cun bo success
fully organised, under the auspices of Ibo
Stato and County Agricultural societies.
The practice adopted and maintained by
tho last General Assembly, In reference to
omnibus Mils mid special legislation, is
nn improvement of such value as to com
mend itself as ft settled ruloj and I confi
dently trust tills salutary precedent may
not bo disregarded.
Obscurity, confusion and inaccuracy in
the construction of our laws, Inroad# upon
private rights, and unguarded corporate
privileges, litigation and confusion in tho
interpretation and adraisislraUonof out sta
tutes, have been tho fruits of ft loose and
• unguarded system of legislation. ; Tlio.»oyU .
bus boon bno of the greatest magnitude, ,
and tho remedy should bo cherished with
unyielding ■ tenacity. Special legislation
has so little to recommend or sustain It in j
principle, It is surprising U bad been so
long endured. Although much was done
by tho two preceding legislatures by gener-;
nl laws, to obviate any supposed necessity
for special nets, tboro still is mnoh to l»o
performed in avoiding arclurn to tills un.
safe practice* It is believed that general
law# can bo so framed as to avoid in most
cases tho necessity for special nets, and tho
proposition is most earnestly commended
to your favorable consideration. ,
The omnibus system, a perniciousmodo
of legislation, by which tho most" op
posite measures, good and bad, aro thrown
together Jn one bill and under ono title,
was, I rejoice to pay, entirely broken' down
and discarded by tho last General' Assem
bly. The volume ol laws for 1854 contain#
nonets of this- character, Each low em
braces but a single sniffed, and that Indioa
ted by lu proper title.
: ■ Of tUo'actftfo’vidintr fcfr »
| t&'a oSpdhsos of Gdveramoht ToYTBSB, au*- -t
; thqrizcd and required,)^,Pflycrnor ,to aoll 7
j the SfctbpfBoflfl.l'atPhflad|>]plil^‘and^pi^ t
> tbeproebeda of'Sucti' sald ibvrardfi tw put-
I, chase of another flito'grid.thop erection of. ts
] now; building p and restricting .the expend!"
|.film;ld:tho sutiCfecolyeil‘f6r;jth'o 6lS r pY6bbr>£
'
• tor £BO,OOO. -Thd sqlectloirbf l a’iieW*
, '(l6n,:and.'tho ,6r6(jtl6h pf anothcr.;bmTdinft,’;
■ jitijsch^ed'n‘far mow diffibiflt task! ' itbadU - 7>
‘fy discovdted thnt-tffd ■6um'thnk'appropriat«--, ’I
? ed tyas entirely. inodequhtbtfr theetui' l in 7 .' :■
[urlcwi . : Tbe price ofa-aimilar.location r
1 -iroald loAvc but a-hioagW-iaurairith^tvlifch; r
, bonding*.';* Under fill the [.ah* V,. (
. 'cnmslfincos; I‘Kliavo.not felt* authorhfod: iv'-, .
■ attempt to carry out tho law* and wopldirfij
fipo'cli voly-auggeat'the-propriety, of increa**f.
ingdhOttpproprlatibd Cor/thlupnrtfdqe.-Vl ].]-
• Tllo-teport df tbbprdacnt.aUe and :ohet. „
; gctic-Adjntant (lenprabwill’inform you of
the condition of tli,a mUitnry affairs of the
; State. This dopartment-of; public affairs, I
regret to say* haft hedh in h . Confuse j and
declining-condition.for several years.
The public niy nU'
tcntlon t‘o Ibe that tlid lasV feporta of
other SfatcSjbayp bßenrogqlay*-
ly received by this, auqjtnat ho provTslott
has'ever boon-made, on oucpp.rL.to recip
rocate this courtesy nndjjcnerosily. I rc
-, spoctfully suggest the? propriety of .author-,
izing some/oiUqcrspf the, .Govoriiniertt fb
p.recufc. the- ’ copies .of th'qTTftsjm
' gyVvania reports, to supply thoso'Slatcs whb
have so generously added to .our library., \,
> v act, I respectfully
’ gest, has.essopUally failed to accomplish,
tho.ohd designed,- ; ahd should bo Yepealed
1 or amended. ' A record's© incomplete 1 and
imperfect can do npgood.t buLmay. realjy
' do harm, it liaa hfrbady.doSV tho' Slate
about 520,000, to which. tberemust be an
' nual additions!; 'The phject'la u - ,desirable
one, hut I.am confiddnt It efih .Tidvcr be at- .
talncd by the' mode 'contemplatiJd; Iti' this ‘
law. It is u subject bf constant qomplaint
. by registers and physicians, and. Only; such
registration is made bs‘is compdfsoty, id
. order to legalize letters of.administration.
By the G7th section o i the' appropriation
law of last session dho Secretary 6f ; ltio
Commonwealth was auUibrizcdlo continue
the publication of tliq VA'i chives to UmyOdr
1791). Under this authority the' selection ! of-’
documents from 1783 to-1790 has been made,
ami the tenth volume,‘containing this mat
ter, will be ready for dist ribution before the
close oftbo session. - Two additional Vol-
umes will complcto the work as 1 .originally
designed. - •- : ’ i 7
The councils of Philadelphia/by ah" 6r
dinauco passed fa October, 1632, dedicated
tho necessary ground In - Independence'
Square, In the erection of«' mooumehtcoth
memorativp of the Declaration of Iridcpcn- 1
donee; and tondoroil the possession. of tho
promises to tho representatives of. nine or
more of the original Slates.' ' • • > *•
Since that time, the States orNow-xork,
Now Jersey, Now Hampshire, Khodo Is
land, Connecticut, Georgia and Pcnnsylvn-
nia, have signified their. willingness to ac
cept the proposition on-the terms.indlealW...
by the councils, amt to participate in Una. •
patriotic work. Delaware,' Maryland.Vlf
ginia and the two Carolinas, have taken no
action on the subject.
I cannot refrain from again* expressing
my unabated solicitude for the -success ! of.
his movement. If American history fur-r
nishek a single event worthy of commemo
ration by a monument, the Declaration Cl
1 iidependunce ls Hint event. Jn moral gran-.
(U’ur it is without a parallel, and stands
above all others lor the mighty. Influence
which it has exerted upon the political, re
ligious and social condition 01 s iqankind.—
It has boon justly, said,it ushered-in a new
member into tho family of nations and elec
trified all Europe, It opened hew revela
tions of liberty, and changed flip.’, reUflons
of people and government, by teaching tho
one limv (o resist and conquer oppression,
and (ho other the absolute necessity to its
own continuance, of recognizing and re
specting tile .rights ot humanity From'
that lime forthi'a now, vital ami quicken-,
log spirit has pervaded the world* Thtojica ’
have been shaken, empires havcbccn-ovcr- ’■
tnrnod, Society hftsjhcon poprnlsed,. bTbyd, V
and carnage have desolated Dio earth ; bat ‘
still the intelligence and.sbnls of tho peo
ple of all Christendom have been oo'vili
fied, elevated and expanded, to a compre-,
honsion of their rights, as will never bo 0b,,. „
(iterated or foj-goiten; hut will advance,
enlarge and increase, until that moral and
social preparation fur the appreciation and
eidoyment of liberty shall bo effected, which,
in the divine economy 13 so indispensable
to the permanence ufYrcc institutions.
As the third generation of that posterity,
for whom the men of chiefly j
labored and suffered, and died, It f» pecu
liarly fitting that we should erect such rep
resentations of their great and controlling
nets as shall speak to our own hearts, to
our children’s hem Is. and shall testify to
God and the world; that wo appreciate and
ruveruncs, and would cultivate anddls»co\-
iiutc the mighty truths and principles which
brought our nation into existence, which
constitute {is very life, and of which U .
seems designated by Providence to be—the _,
special defender And protector. .
I believe w« should have a monument to
perpetuate tho remembrance of the. great
event, troin which such manifold and ines
timable blessings have sprung p 'some Im
perishable memorial' of our gratitude to
the authors of tho Declaration of Indepen
dence; lo tho heroes who participated In
tho mighty struggle; an enduring witness
of the great things done amougst us ahd
forusjuu embodiment of tho origin and .
principles ol our government; some dlstlu- /j
guishhig mark uf the place of the nation**,
birth; a consecrated ' temple of liberty*
about which uuborri generations df
cans may meet and renew their assurances '
onMeliiylothc principles of tfio Declarer,
tion and to their natural offspring—tho Con
stitution and the Union. ’ Jam fCrtblswork
most earnestly; and I trust that Pennsylva
nia will not permit it to fall; .but thaV.lt '
may bo pressed upon thb attentlon 'oC. lho>
original 'thirteen States, until each and ‘all •
ahull evince a willingness and detenhlOft*r f
tion to participate In tho. orcction.pf thfari
glorious structure. To this end I respect- . .
fully Suggest to (he General Assembly, the,
propriety.of again calling 0)Q attention/ of
the original States to (he subject,' by •
lotion' or otherwise, ' ,
In closing my lost communication to
General Assembly, and terminating my o®-'
clal relations with the people of my n**'*®
Commonwealth, I may bo indulged m »
brief nnd;gi‘ner.»l reference to hor pfe#cn»
proud position as ft member ol too
family of Status, mid to the patriotism,'’ tar* 1
togrlly, and general prosperity of to*
icons. . Tlio advantageous geographical pq*
sition of Pennsylvania, wlfhafluo harbor
open to the Atlantic, and another connect
ing her centrally with die magnificent cn#m
of western lake navigation—her long bromjb- ,
Ing rivers, spreading their arms and arteries
through every portion of hfcr territory—,
lull added tn her fertile soil and expansile##;
deposit# of valuable miucnvls—ptcseni »
combination of the natural elemeot« J cf
greatness, scarcely cquallod'ln our own
any other quarter of the globe. r xwM f '
have made hoi an attractive field 1 fat *
science, industry,'and. enterprise of mlat
and all her natural advantage# have been. :,
.cherished and cultivated, until eho.bo,
reached a condition of varied wealth ana
positive prosperity. Ilor system of •
nal improvements will safely compare with
those of any sister Stato, whether In regard
to completeness in, construction, or tho ax
tont of country which they traverse. Nor
have tho hlghpr hopes of humanity been
disregarded by our statesmen, nndl tho peo
ple ol largo { us tho liberal provision* for
common schools, Academics and Colleges*
nnd our numerous crowded Churches attest |
while, at tho same,time, tho various Asy
lum# for tho losanb, and for the unfortu
nate of all classes find conditions, and if oU
sus of Ilcfugo, for.tho reformation of tho
wayward and erring, silently, yet surely,.,
boar witness that the cause of bynovolcnco
j iaa always found effective advocate# within f
her borders. t ..
In physical improvement and population
hot progress bus boon steady and rapid.—
In tho day# of Governor Snyder tho-.oroc- '•
tion of a bridge over tho Susquehanna Ur«