M' ■ ■ . ' ,', • • ■ ~ ~ '/ v , ' "OUR COUNTRY—MAY IT ALWAYS BE RIGHfC—BUT, RIGHT OR WRONG, OUR COUNTRY."
* 6, ~~~' ; ~
PEIUGAiY VOLUiXTEEI
BLISHED EVERY. TBDRSDAY MOn.VISO BV
JOIIJI B. BRATTON.
TERMS. ■ ■
Dollar amt Fifty Cents, paid
Wanoo; Two Dollars if paid within tho year;
t#o. Dollars and Fifty Cents, if not paid within
Thoao terms will bo'rigidlyadherod.to in
nsttyiico. No subscription discontinued until
wages are paiduuless at tho option of tho
] -Accompanied by thocASn, and
square, will bo. inserted three
ir/ and twenty-five cents for each
Those of a greater length in
H
°r»
in-1 •
Utah as Hand-bills, Posting-bills,
Labels, ,&o. See., executed with
> shortest notice.
Oh’S MESSAGE.
iXECDTiyE Chamber, , 1
t burg, January 4, 1860; J
■ ike Senators and Members of
Representatives' of the Com-
Pennsylvania,; .
-In complying with , that pro
institution of Pennsylvania,
the duty of the Governor,
), to give to the General As
ton of the state of the Coin
im most happy, on this occa
igratulato the representatives
r °> ion the highly favorable eon-,
, ;i|i;3hsv, mods of the State/ 1
pTm> _ , the State Treasury, from all
‘'•Hi for the fiscal year ending on the 30tli
«’;§|'itOT™royembor, 1859, were §3,826,350 14, to
,' .S ; add balance in Treasury; December 1,.
I 892,027 76, and it will bo seen that
L ij.yd.’j, sum available for the year, was §4,-
k gS, 90.' The expenditures, for all pinv
the .same period/were $3,879,-
'{leaving an available balance in the.
1 k/riTtifery, on the Ist day of December, 1859,
' v '0taM39,323 09, Included in the oxpendi-
the fiscal year, are the, following
k , redeemed,
cancelled.
J
iat certificates paiij,
ig of the public debt aotu—
paid, during the .year, ' .
sum of . 849.282 CO
inded and unfunded debt of the Com-
Ith, on the Ist day of December, 1858,
illows: •
Ft SIDED DEBT/
;ent. loans,
lo
lo
10 ,
|'' r , Total funded debt, 39.354,285 .67
i; ' rSFCSDED EEJiT.
iblicf notes outstanding,
' —,t- certificates, ,
‘ do unclaimed,
itic creditors,
il unfunded debt,
ig the entire debt of. the Coinmon
it the period named, §39,488,243 G 7.
mdcd and unfunded debt of the State,
use of the last fiscal year, December
stood as follows: ■
lout, loans,;
lo
il funded debt, ', 38,513,983 87
UNFUNDED DEBT.
notes in circulation, $101,213 0t
~ , ast certificates outstand’g. . 18,513 82
, f jitSiiiiDo ; unclaimed, 4,448 38,
j" : 'l)pme3tic creditors, 802 50
. unfunded debt,
iofe|S)iafcing the public debt, on the first day of
last, $38,638,961 07.
the close of the fiscal year, the Com
& of the Sinking Fund have redeem-.
i4*,,«dii®sthe five per cent, loans, thp sum of
V ,jfl|QMOOt leaving the real debt of the Com
■ flnbfWciilth, at this time, funded and unfund-
O7. If wo deduct from this
<; euinfjihetiMhount of the bonds received by the
the sale of her public works, and
/i her, as.follows;
>iif3»ttmbf Pennsylvania rail
fyJimaS’ot Sunbury and Erie
company,
" Wyoming canal
,397,961 07, tho remaining debt
lomvealth, the principal anil in
provided for, from the ordinary
ivenue.
ibaorveJ, that from the Ist day of
$5B, to the 31st day of December,
•d of thirteen months, besides
:he. ordinary demands upon the
me has been actually paid, on
of tiro public debt, $1,009,282
remembered, that during this
iw reducing the State tax upon
rsohal estate, from three to. two
mills, has been in full force, and
■ for the last year has been rocei-
Pennsylvania railroad company,
’ tax oh tonnage, making the ro
those two sources of revenue, loss
'red thousand dollars, than they
preceding yodr, it is a source of
>n that, under such circumstances,
4 *, has been produced by the
ordmarjtOperations of the Treasury.
- .For nearly two years past, the State has
been entirely free from the ownership or man
-■nbnt of canals and railroads, 'and the
mlt, thus far, is,' that her .public
less than it has been since'the
id is decreasing at the rate of
illion of dollars per annum. It
ly certain, that nothing but the
mnagomont of the financial ihr
.State, can. prevent, ifs'suro and
iguishmenti Why should not
i; press, onward until she is en
im debt? She is no'longer em
construction'of great works of
Jvomont, nor is she, the proprie
1s or canals, Relieved of these,'
IKS ... .< notion is greatly'simplified, and
now.happily limited to subjects of a purely
Having ceased to be
Asjfed in ordinary business pursuits, it is
Jvffl duty to devote her best energies to
her people from the burden of an
When this great result shall
have been accomplished, the necessary expen
ditures of an economical administration ot the
am-ornmont, can ho readily, mot without the
imposition of a State tax,on real or personal
estate tho remaining sources of revenue be
ing more than sufficient for all legitimate pur
poses. Uritil.tl.iat end, so anxiously looked to,
is secured, true wisdom, as well'as sound pol
icy, dictates, , that our resources should bo
carefully husbanded—that none of our pres
ent sources of revenue should bo cut off, or
diminished—that all departments of govern
ment should consult a proper economy—that
all extravagant and unnecessary appropria
tions should bo avoided—and that every new
scheme for embarrassing the Treasury should
meet with marked .condemnation.
Encouraging, as arc the results of the past
two years, it must not bo forgotten, that we
have, but just commenced the payment of tho
principal of our debt; and that to prevent a
misapplication of the public finances,: and
thereby insure a continuance of its reduction,
from year to year, is manifestly the first duty
of those placed by the Constitution'in charge
of tho Public Treasury, and to whom belongs
the exclusive right of raising, economizing
and appropriating tho public revenue, I ear
nestly commend this whole subject to the
careful attention of the Legislature—entirely
satisfied, that, os it is the most vital of all tho
interests committed to the charge of the Gen
eral Asseriibly, it .will receive that considera
tion which its importance so eminently de
mands, ■ ‘
In my last annual riiessage, I communica
ted to the general Assembly all that, up to
that period, had been done under the act, en
titled “An act for the sale of tho State canals,”
approved April 21, I’BsB. Since the adjourn
ment of the: last Legislature, satisfactory evi
dence having been given to me, of the com
pliance Sunbury and Erie • railroad
company, with tho conditions mentioned in
the third section of tho act referred to, tho
State Treasurer, under my direction, has de
livered to tho company, the canal bonds for
two millions of dollars, deposited in tho Trea
sury under the provisions of the said act; ,
The railroad company has also become en
titled to, and has received, one million of dol
lars, of the mortgage bonds referred to in tho
sixth section of the same act; Leaving mort
gage bonds amounting,to two and a-half mil
lions of dollars, still remaining in tho Treaau-1
ry of the Conimonwealth, to bo delivered to |
the company,"from time .to time, pari passu,
with tho progress of the work, ns ascertained
by tho returns and estimates of the chief en
gineer of the, said company,?’ When the
bonds, last mentioned, shall have been surren
dered to the company, as directed-by law, tho
State will still hold, as absolute owner, three
and a, half millions of dollars of the mortgage
bonds of tho company, payable in. the year
1872, and in six. succeeding years, .as men
tioned in the act of Assembly, with interest,
at tho rate! of five per centum per annum,
payable semi-annually, on the thirty-first days
of January and July of. each year.. Interest
ed, ns the Commonwealth .is, in tho oorly
completion of this important thoroughfare, it
affords me great pleasure to be able to in
form the General Assembly, that tho progress
of the work, for the past year, has been high
ly satisfactory^
The Eastern division of the rogd, extending
from Sunbury, in tho county of Northumber
land, to Whotham, in tho county of Clinton, a
distance of eighty-one miles, is finished; pas
senger and freight trains passing over it daily.
The Western division, extending from the
city- of Erio to the borough of Warren, in
Warren county, a distance of sixty-six miles,
is, also, completed, with regular passenger
and freight trains now running over itdauy.
Making one hundred and forty-seven miles of
railway, along the line of the route, that have
been already brought into practical operation
—one hundred and seven miles of which, ex
clusive of sidlirigs, wore finished during the
past year. .On the intermediate portion of
tho line,'between tho borough of Warren and
Whetham station, a distanCa of one hundred
and forty miles, ninety-five and a half miles
are graded, leaving but forty-four arid" a half
miles yet to bo graded, to place the whole of
the unfinished portion of the road in a posi
tion to receive the superstructure. If no un
toward event shall delay, its vigorous prosecu
tion, another year, will not pass before the en
tire lino of the road will bo finished and in
use; thus affording a direct and continuous
communication, by railroad, from tho city of
Philadelphia to the harbor of Erie.
By the twenty-second section of tho act ap
proved the 13th day of April, 1840, entitled
“An Act. to incorporate the Pennsylvania rail
road company,” it is provided, “that all ton
nage, of whatsoever kind or description, ex
cept the ordinary baggage of passengers, loa
ded or received at Harrisburg or Pittsburg, or
at any intermediate point, and carried or con
veyed on or over said railroad, more than
twenty miles, between the 10th day of March
and the Ist day of December, in each and eve
ry year, shall be subject to a toll or duty, for
the use of the Commonwealth, at tho rate of
five mills per mile', for each ton of two thou
sand pounds; audit shall bo tho duty of said
company, between tho 20th and 30th. days of
July, and between the Ist and 10th days of
December, in each and every year, after thirty
miles or more of said railroad shall have heon
completed, and in use, to cariso to bo nyicla.
out, and filed with tho Auditor Gcncral^O,
§840,302 30
.4,137. 00
, 4,843 30
■s' - ‘ $445,180 00
38,420,905 07
388.200.00
100.000 bo
$105,350 00
23,357 12
’4,448 38
802 50
133,958. 00
$400,630 00
37,625,153 37
388,200 00
100,000 00
124,977 70
$7,300,000 00
'3,500,000 00
281,000 00
11,081,000 00
true and correct statement, exhibiting the
amount of said tonnage, so loaded or received,
and the distance so carried and convoyed, du
ring the respective periods intervening be
tween the J.oth day of March, and the 20th
day of July, and between the said 20th day
of July and the Ist day of December, in each
;arid every year; which said statement shall
be yerifjed by the oath or affirmation of. the
receiving or forwarding agent or, agents, or
other proper officer of officers, of said compa
ny, having knowledge of the promises; and
at the time of filing said statement, or on or,'
before the said 30th day of July, and the 10th
day of December, in each and,every year, the
said company shall pay to the State Treasu
rer, the amount of said toll or duty,, so. accru
ing for the use of the Commonwealth, during
the respective intervening periods before men
tioned/’ And, in a supplement to the not
just referred to, passed on.tho same day, it is
further provided, “that in case the said com-.
[ pithy shall, at any time, fail to pay the toiler
charge on-tonnage, which may accrue or be
come ■ due to the Commonwealth, under the
provisions of said act, the same shall bo and
remain a lion on the property ,of the said com
pany, and shall have precedence over all other
liens or incumbrances thereon until paid.”
By the act of fhe_27th of March, 1848, the tax
on. tonnage of five mills per tori, per mile,
from the 10th of March to the Ist of Decem
ber, was commuted, to a tax of three mills per
too, per mile, dering the whole year, Sub
sequently, by the apt of the 7tb ofdtfay,lBl)s.
lumber arid coal wore iriado exempt from the.
tonnage tax,
, In pursuance of tho provisions of the seve
ral acta the Pennsylvania railroad
company has paid into tho Treasury of the
Commonwealth the following sums, viz:
Fortho fiscal year ending Nov. 30,1851, : $7,521 93
Do. 'do. do. 1852, 16,680 49
Do; do. do. 1853, 65,228 59
Do.' do, do. 1854, 112,880 60
Do. do. do. . 1856, 129,230 56
, Do. do. do. 1856, 226,018 6l
Do. do. do. 1857, 179,933 75
Do. .do, do, 1858, 222,033 02;
Sinpe July, 1858, tho railroad company has
refused to pay. this tax, and consequently
there is now due from said company, oh' that
account, exclusive of interest, the sum : of
.$350, 405 00,
: On the 21st of February, - 1859, an account
was settled, by the Auditor General, against
the company, for the tax bn tonnage, from the
21st day-of July, to the 30th day of Novem
ber, 1858, inclusive, amounting lb the sum of
$87,375 22, From this settlement,'the com
pany, on the 19th day of April, took an ap
peal to the court of common Pleas of Dauphin
county; and, in the specifications of'objec
tions- which were filed, it was averred that the
tax was unconstitutional, and am opinion to
that effect, signed by eminent counsel, was
filed in the office of the Auditor-. General, at
the time the appeal was entered/ Ifn. August
last, - the case was tried, and afterafulldnves
tigation, and argument, the constitutionality,
of the law imposing the tax was affirmed by
the court, and a verdict and judgment render
ed in favor of the Commonwealth, for the
amount claimed, with interest. The case has
since been removed, by a writ of error, to the
Supreme Court of tho State, and will, proba
bly, -bo heard and determined, by that tribu
nal, in tho course of tho present winter.
;On the'2sth day of August last, another ac
count was settled against the company, for the
tax on tonnage, from tho 30th day of Novem
ber, 1858, to the 20th' day of July, 1859,
amounting to the sum of §159,368 58, ' from
which an appeal has also been taken by the
railroad company; and which will probably be
tried during tho present month.
As this question largely affects the revenues
of the Commonwealth,. and" as the principle
involved is one of tho first importance, I have
deemed it a duty to lay before tho General
Assembly, somewhat in detail, the history of
this tax, and tho present condition of tho legal
controversy growing out of its imposition and
enforcement. It will bo observed, that the
power of the State to grant chartered rights,
and corporate privileges, to a railroad compa
ny, upon the condition that it shall pay to the
Commonwealth a portion of its earnings, in
the shape of a fixed tax upon the freight car
ried over the road, is questionod by the com
pany, and that, too, after the grant has taken
effect, and while the corporation is in the full
enjoyment of all . the benefits conferred upon
it by, its charter. Tho question,, it is true, is
a legal one, and its decision, therefore, rests
with the judicial department of the govern
ment j but, I have not the slightest doubt, that,
tho decision, when had, will entirely vindicate
the right of the government to impose tho tax, ’
and to compel corporations of its own creation
to-obey the law from which, they derive their
existence. When, it is remembered, that the
tax was originally.imposed; in order to indem
nify the State, to some extent, for losses which
she was. sure to sustain from a, competition,
which _ was inevitable, between the railroad
authorized, and her main line of public works;
and that this competition did, not only seri
ously affect the revenues of tho Common
wealth,derivedfrom her public improvements,
but ultimately induced the sale of tho main
line to the railroad company itself, at a price
many millions of dollars below what it would
have produced, in the absence ,of such compe
tition, it is certainly, not to bo presumed that
the Commonwealth will willingly yield her de
mand for revenue from this source, until she
is, at least, fully indemnified for the pecunia
ry injury sustained in tho depreciation of hex
own property, by her liberality extended to 1
the company which now denies her power to j
enfordp a contract, Voluntarily entered into,!
upon a consideration entirely adequate.
The-annual report of the Superintendent of
Common Schools, with the . tables and docu
ments accompanying it, will exhibit tho con
dition of the vast engine of social improve
ment to which it relates. The number of
pupils, in all tho public schools of the State;
is 634,651—0 f schools, 11,485—and of teach
ers, 14,071. Tho schools have been in opera
tion, on an average over tho whole State, five
months mid nine days. The average salary
of male teachers, is $2436, and of female
teachers, $l7 79, and the cqst of instruction,
per pupil, fifty-three cents per month. Tho
average tax for tuition, &c., is about five and
a half mills, and foi- building purposes, about
three and one-sixth mills, on tho dollar. In
cluding the city of Philadelphia, tho entire
cost of tuition, &c., was $2,047,66192; the
building expenses $531,413 85 ; and tho whole
expense of tho system, in the State,' for the
year, $2,579,075 77.
Though the school year ending on the first
Monday of Juno last, was one of unusual dif
ficulty in-money affairs, yet the system ma'ni-.
fosts an encouraging activity in all its depart
ments, while the rate of taxation, both for tu
ition and, buildings, would appear-, from the
official report’, to have somewhat-decreased. —
Bixt, it is by a contrast of the present condi
tion of the system, with that of 1854, when
the agencies now operating so beneficially,
wore created; that results are most plainly
seen; Within that period, the whole number
of pupils has been increased nearly one-sev
enth—of teachers, ohe;thrrteonth—and thp
salary of teachers, tho best index of improve
ment, one-sixth for males, and one-fourth for
females. Those results, with tho others which
tho official report will exhibit, unerringly,
point to tho duty, as well as necessity, of the
utmost care and attention, on the part of all
public agents, to this primary social institu
tion-primary in importance, no less than in
the career of each citizen. To strengthen, to
retain pure, and to properly direct, this foun
tain-head of social mfluence, is, it seems hi
mo, tho great duty of the law maker, in his
highest and most responsible capacity; as the
framer of the, future of tho State. ,
The.attention of tho General Assembly was
.called, somewhat at length, to tho existing
condition and further requirements of our
school system, in the annual message of last
year. It is not, therefore, necessary to repeat
(the, suggestions and conclusions then presen
ted. They are again, however, commended to
your fayorablo consideration; tho events and
experience of the intervening period, having,
-increased the conviction of their propriety.—.
This is especially the case, in regard to the
plan devised by the act 6f 20th May; 1857, for
the duo training of teachers for the common
schools of the State. A' full supply of.odmpn
tent teachers, is admitted by all, to bo the,
great need of the system, and.the first want to,
jbe provided for. Unerring indications,in eye-,
ry quarter, not only establish this fact, but
point to the general adoption of tho proposed
■ means, at no aistant clay, The efforts ,gf tho
teachers, themselvesi for professional improve
ment, ’encouraged and sustained by air who
duly estimate the value and influence of the
teacher’s office, not only forotejl this, but tho
strong public sentiment in .favorof .institu
tions for tho purpose' id question, confirms the
probability of this result. In every quarter,
CARLISLE, PA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1860.
" ■ ■■■■ ■
indication's of this .porceiyed—-moro
or-less strong in prpfpyfeto .to the force.of lo
cal circumetancce. '; T in|ifflo ‘..Second ’Normal
district, compdsbd of Lancas
ter, York and lebanoniitm-ihstitution. -up to
tho full requirements of : 1857, has
been establisKed anft.olnpMMly recognized,’ and
is now ih’successfhlhpowtipu.' as q State Nofca
mal sohoohfjFofdts^sß^h^he"Legislature -is
the SUperinteqdeiit of but;
I should do l injustice;iq.|ffiq oiftelligont enter
prise which' mdhlded,' "enlarged phi
lanthrophy-whioh .prddhheqj'this noble insti
tution, a§ well as to were I
to forbear upon the resnlt.
It is the first fruit of which seems to bo
as much ip cautious, yet
generous, character bf oh|;pebplo, as ft is ad
mirably adapted to effeqi'tllo great end-in
view, : ’ u' ; ’rl'.i;-; :
AH that foil-effect
and general success toYhe plan, is, at this
juncture,, to guard it or ra
dical change. If the intelligent • and liberal
minds that are now weighing"the project, and
contemplating its parts of
tho State, be assured is the settled
policy, their efforts their
activity increased, and-firfaV shccess ho hast
ened. Whereas, radical fib;iiiiportaht chan
ges, will destroy this -confidence,
crush the hopeful efforts, made, and
postpone for years, if npt'iptally destroy, all.
hope of success in this essential dopartment oft
public instruction. The 'ttuq coiirso will be
to cherish the law, and brihg it info general
operation, by holding ’out|phe ; .;oertainty of
State aid to each institutiph|bstablished un
der it, as soon asa cert(uh'hwhber;.fo bo fixed
by law, shall have boctt logally rocognizod,
and are in full operatiop.■” >JPh’e money of the
State, appropriated. in/thisSumner, will ef
fect more benefit, in. to the outlay, -
than in any other of the opojtiraoiia’of tho sys
tem. The instruction of thsohil(l, is’ a duty;
but tho instruction of tho;teabhbr; is hoonomy
as well as duty. If will; .probably,be advisar
ble to make such appropriations, payable on-,
ly when the’ schools are letiilly recognized
and in full operation. This’cpursp will’ have
the double effect of guarding’hgainstrloss by
the State, and of stimulating into early exis
tence, a sufficient number of, institutions to
supply the existing want-in every quarter of
the State; , ’’' 1 ’
The period for tho third of ;Couhty
Superintendents is. rapidly approaching, and
the public mind will naturally bb turned to
the results of the office. My.ojivn observation,
as well as. information froffi-variffitto’ and relia
ble, sources, loads to the opinion; that this of
fice, when filled by fhe.propbhrperson.and its.
duties discharged hi full compliance with the
design and spirit of the law oi'ehfihg it, has
been of great advantage tq thh schools. In
deed, no candid person can doily the fact, ap
parent to even slight observation, that moro'
improvement has been 'offefMawh» the .work
ings and results otdttio sy Btqra,®nq6:tbbarea-,
tlon; of the' office, of-CountyiShpcrintendont,:
than',in aiiy pmJMia'
tiou. It is true,'that when exercised by in-
officers,' or crippledinsufficient
coniponsation, little, if any, advantage has at
brued. Biit this is no'argument against, the
office itself; and it is to be hoped that the di
rectors of counties, thus heretofore deprived of
the benefits of this agency, will, at the; next’
election, acting under the teachings of expe
rience at home, and the light of success from
other parts; Correct this' evil and realize the
full benefits of this provision of the law.
The increasing case and . soundness of our finan
ciaicondition, will, at no remote period, justify an
addition to tho common school appropriation. Tho
general policy of tho State has .boon that each dis
trict shall raise within itself tho, main support of its
own schools; hilt, an-annualdonation, distributa
ble amongst them nil, in proportion, to'population,
has. also been a. part of that policy. Tho object of
■this State grant seems to bo two-fold; First—-It is
a moaha.of securing regularity iin tho proceedings
and reports of the Several districts, so that the De
partment of Common. Schools shall have tho requi
site information for tho duo discharge of its func
tions : And second—lt lightens, in some degree, tho
burden of local taxation, to the .relief of the poorer
and more sparsely peopled districts. An increase
of tho annual .appropriation, would onhanoo both
these objects, and, whenever the finances of tho gov
ernment will justify it, commends itself to tho fa
vorable .consideration of tho Legislature..,
The aid- which tho Legislature' has hitherto ex
tended to tho establishment of tho Farmers’ High
School of Pohsylvania, strongly’evinces their high
appreciation of-the advantages which it is anticipa
ted willgrow out of that .institution,*, While it must
bo admitted that knowledge is as essential to tho
art of tanning, as it is' to all tho other employments
of life, wo cannofliut feci deeply interceded, that a
community; so peculiarity' agricultural as ivo ape,
should have all the .advantages .of an education
which combines in itself, as well to the knowledge
of the practical ai-t.of agriculture, as soientille ac
quirements in all tbose branohes of-- learning which
are especially applicable,, to its profitable pursuit.—
A school whoro agriculture is practically taught, is
a now Sold to which bur attention has boon called;
and one which, beoauso of its groat importance, well
deserves our attention. .It embraces tho principle,
that while youth aro taught habits of industry, they
are impressed with, thoproadconsideration, thattho
labor of thoir own bands contributes to' thoir. acqui
sition of knowledge. And time, too, education is
brought within the reach of many a bright genius,
who would otherwise struggle and languish for tho
want of ’ tho, means’ of acquiring it. Qur school,
within its limitod moans, has been-in successful op
eration during tho past year; paving under its
charge ono hundred boys, while they aro carefully
instructed in all thoso branches- of science which
pertain to a high order of.oducation,. aro daily en
gaged in all tho practical operations of tho farm—
fitting them to return to rural life, and to-infuse
throughout tho State an amount and kind of knowl
edge which must ultimately produce a: most benefi
cial, induouoo upon this most-.cherished branch of
industry. Tho. practical workings of tho, school, for
tho past year, have impressed the trustees, who have
it.in oharge, with tho highest hopes of.-its complete
success, Tho. groat interact which is everywhere
foit;throughout the. Commonwealth, in tho further
extension and progress of tho institution, commends
it to oup caro and protection, *
Tho State Librarian Will report to you tho. com
pletion of tho descriptive and classified catalogue of
the books in’ tijo State Library, authorized by tho
act of tho 16th | April, itioß—-a .work, tr oin (lie de
tails it embraces, of much labor, but which will
greatly facilitate the use.of thc'tnbraiy. It will,- bo
■seen, from bis report, that tho origin of tho Library
:dates far back in'tho history of the’Provincial gov-’
ornraept, and that it received tho fostering caro of
tho Commonwealth during the period of tho Revo
lution,’ It is gratifying,' that, notwithstanding tho
lynsto to which it; has boon..subject.in past years,
'owing to the want of proper attention—under, tbb
careful supervision of the present Librarian, it has,
since ho lias had,tho charge of it, nearly doubled its
number of volumes,.and nbw contains in all 22,000
volumes—tile largest State Library‘in, tho Union,
.with the single exception of that of the, State of
|New York, Tho collection of- law bookstand es
pecially law reports, js considered by these compe
tent to judge, among tip). boat in tho country. Tho
Library; from its intrinsic value and importance, and
its historic relations, deserves, and I trust it will red
coivo, tho continued, liberality of tho Legislature,
In my’ inaugural address, hs well as. in my last
annual message, X expressed the opinion! that our-
present banking system .was extremely. defective,
and that, iinlosq it wore radically changed, t should
, consider it an imperative duty to withhold tho : -Ex
ecutive approval from oil bills creating new banks.
Without again giving'in detail the reason’ wliioli in
fluenced ray action pu.thls question, orjropoating the
suggestions and r reeommendqtrQna heretofore made
to the, Legislature, to remark, at this
time, that my oonviotion have boon confirmed, by
timo and reflection—that my opinions remain uu
changed, and that I cannot approve of any increase
of banking corporations under-existing laws. If
corporative privileges, for banking , purposes, are
needed, to accommodate the business wants of any
portion of tbs State, justice require?/ that such in-
I ptitution should bo compelled to protect the com
munity, receiving.its; circulation,.'by requiring that
.ample security shall be given for tho prompt recemp
tion of its notes, tho sufficiency of which no act of
.the..corporation could.lmpair* All experience in.
this State, and elsewhere, has demonstrated, that the
present system afford* little dr db'prbfectioff to faote
holders, beyond the personal >ibtegrity of tho officers
controlling the management of,tho. several banks.f-r c
For a/nil exposition* of my' views on thisqueslioh,
Trospoctfully call-the attention of- the General . Asi
sOmbly to my last annual rabssago.
Tbe ropbfts of the* Auditor General, the State
Treasurer, the Survey or General, the Adjutant Gen.
oral, and the Attorney General, will bo laid before
you,'and will show, in detail, the operations of their
fccspcctivo departments for the. past year.
; Deeply impressed with the belief that the present
tiiodo ,of receiving, keeping and disbursing the pub
lip revenue, is entirely unsafe, and inadequate to the
complete protection of the ihtercsts of tho Common
wealth involved, I again respectfully, though ear. T
nestly, invoke the legislative action on this highly
important subject. Tho receipts and disbursements
of-tho Treasury are each, annually, from, three to
four millions of dollars. At times there is on hand
a balance exceeding one million of dollars. Tho
State Treasurer gives security to tho Commonwealth
in the sum of only eighty thousand dollars. Ho de
posits the money; of the State when and where ho
pleases, and it is paid out upon his check*exclusive
ly. His accounts are; settled by tho Auditor Gen
eral, once a month, and this is, apparently, the only
safeguard provided by law to prevent tho illegal use
of tho public funds while under tho control of tho
State Treasurer. . That tho Treasury of tho Com
monwealth has hitherto escaped from disastrous de
falcation, is owing to the integrity of tho officer, and
not-to the efficiency of tbo laws! and while our
main reliance,'in tho future, must be on thd honesty
of the officers to whom tho department is entrusted,
it is, nevertheless, tho plain duty of the government,
by proper legislative enactments, to prevent, as far
as possible, the illegal, improper or fraudulent use
of the funds of thd State by a. faithless or dishonest
public agent. I respectfully recommend, that pro
vision bo made by law that no money shall bo, de
posited in any bank, or elsewhere, by tho State
without first requiring security to bo giv
en to tho Commonwealth for tho prompt re-payment
of the suras all checks, issued by
thio-.Stato Treasurer, shall bo, countersigned by .the
Auditor General, before they are used; —and that
daily accounts of tho moneys received, deposited
ind disbursed, shall be kept in the office of the Au
ditor General well as in,tho Treasury Depart
ment j and that weekly statements.of tho balances
in the Treasury, and tho places and amounts of de
posits, shall bo kept in a book to bo provided for
that purpose in each'department,
: The Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the
resolutions of tho 19th of April, 1858, to revise the
Penal Code of this Commonwealth, have presented
to mo their final'report, which is herewith transmit
ted to tho General Assembly. Its importance to
our.whole community, and tho greatlabor devoted
to its preparation, commend it to your early and
earnest attention. The manner .in which the du
ties of tho commission have been performed cannot
fail in my opinion, to receive your approbation.
I commend to your fostering care tho State Lu
natic Asylum, at Harrisburg—the Western Pennsyl
vania Hospital for tho insane, at Pittsburg—tho
Asylum for tho Blind, at Philadolphid-rtho Asylum
for thO'Doaf and Dumb, at Philadelphia:—tbo Penn
pylvania Training School for idiotio and feeble
.minded, children, at Media—tbo .House of Refuge, at
Philadelphia-r-and tho Western Hbusc-of Refuge, at'
Pittsburg., - ; Those excellent, charitable and reform
atory State institutions have done, and are doing,
almost'incalculable good, in tho relief of suffering
humanity, and in tho reclamation and reform of tho
erring young.' They have,strong claims upon*tho
continued bounty of the Commonwealth.. The an
nual report of those noble charities will bo laid be
fore you, and will-exhibit, in detail, their operations
[ during tho past year.
I refrain from recommending, as proper olyocts
for tho bounty of the State, a number of benevolent
and charitable associations, equally humane and
beneficent in j because they are en
tirely local in their character, and however, merito
rious their claims nlay bo, and unquestionably arc,
upon tho respective communities for whoso partic
ular use they are founded and conducted, in m3'
opinion, they, have no claims, upon tho Treasury of
the State, which oau bo recognized with a just re
gard to the interests and fights of other sections of
the Commonwealth.
Tho editor of tho Colonial "Records and Pennsyl
vania Archives has prepared a copious index to tho
whole work, which will bo laid, before tho Legisla
ture, at an early day of tho session,. This publica
tion is.now completed, and it is a satisfaction to
know, that tho records of tho colony, as well as
those of the State, preceding tho adoption of tho
Constitution of 1790, are now of easy access to tho
public, and in a condition which renders their en
tire destruction impossible. I recommend that a
suitable sum bo paid, by tho Commonwealth, to the
editor of the Records and Archives, for tbo work
performed by him since tho discontinuance of his
salary. •• ■
I have so repeatedly presented ray views to tho ;
Legislature, of tho evils arising from local andclass
legislation, - that it is not necessary again to repeat
them. X desire, however, to call the attention oftho
General Assembly to the fact that vfo have, on our
statute books, general laws providing for the incor
poration of railroad, turnpike, bridge, plank road,
gas, water, insurance and other similar companies,
and that all corporative powers granted by the Leg
islature, to such companies, should be under these
general laws, so that there may bo uniformity in
the provisions of similar associations, and that the
timo of tho General Assembly may not ho occupied
in.pasting bills of great length, when a simple ref
erence to thp details of tho general laws would an
swer ©very purpose. x
Tho practice of sending to tho Executive a largo
number of bills-immediately preceding tho final ad
journment of tho Legislature, is highly objcctioua-,
bio, and,ought, as far as.practicable, to bo discon
tinued. Its necessary consequence is, cither to com
pel tho Executive to approve bills which ho. has'not
fully examined, to sign them after tho final adjourn
ment, or, if he disapprove them, to return, them to
the next General Assembly, with his objections.—
Thus imposing upon a succeeding Legislature the
final disposition of bills, with the origin and pas
sage of which it had no connection. To illustrate
tho evils resulting from this practice, it is only ne
cessary to inform you, that, of tho largo number of.
bills presented for my approval, within a day or two
of (ho adjournment of tho last Legislature; I am
constrained, by a souse of duty, to return, with ray
objections, twenty-three to tho present Legislature,
for ro-considoratiou.
It is apparent from tho exhibit of tho financial
condition of tho General Government, recently made
public, that the wants of tho Federal Treasury will,
demand a revision of tho existing tariff laws of tho
United Statics, with a view to an increase of the rev
enue derivable from imports. When this revision
shall talco place, it is greatly to bo desired, that a
proper regard fojjftbe industrial interests of the coun
try will prompt tho Congress of tho United States,
to place her revenue laws upon such a basis, as to
afford jto oxlr groat mining and manufacturing in
terests tho largest and incidental protection. To
substitute specific and ad valorem duties, on a cer
tain class of articles which from thoir nature are of
ec[ual or nearly equal yaluo,—or to change Uio for-
oign to a homo valuation,—with a moderate inoreaso
of tho rates now imposed, would, I am satisfied, in
fuse now lifo and vigor into all tho various depart-
ments of industry, and, at tho same time, without
imposing burdens upon tho people, afford to tho
General Government a revenue amply sufficient for
nil its wants.
The early admission of tho Territory of Kansas
as one of the sovereign States of tho Union, under a
constitution legally enacted, and fully ond fairly
ratified by tho direct votes of a largo majority of tho
people of JUo ■Territory, will remove from tho 2?tt
■ilonnl Legislature a subject which has hitherto, m
no considerable degree attracted the attention of tho
(Nation and which, from tho naiuro and extent of
the discussions in Congress, has boon productive of
imuoh crimination and recrimination between tho
i various stations of oiir common country. Popular
sovereignty having finally prevailed, la tho full, free
and .fuiy adoption of the fundamental law of tho
Territory, according v io tho. wishes' of tho people, this
vexed and dangerous question, in that Territory,
may now he considered as satisfactorily and perpet
ually settled. *
Copies of tho correspondence between tho Gover
nor of Virginia and the Governor of Pennsylvania,
on. the subject of the recent outrage at Harper's
Ferry, aro herewith transmitted to tho Legislature*
Tho letter addressed by tho Governor of Virginia to
tho Governor of Pennsylvania, was missont to Har
risonburg, Virginia, and henco was not received un
til tho first day of December, one day before tho.
execution of John Brown; ond, therefore, it was im
possible to reply to.it, by mail, in time to reach tho
Governor of Virginia before tho execution. Thp
answer, wds consequently ’sent by. telegraph, which
will account for its brevity and sententious charac
ter. ■ '
i >Tho.robent seizure of tho public. property oftho
. United States at Harper's Ferry, and tho invasion
of the State of Virginia) by a small band of despera
does, wlth 'an Intention to excite..the, slave popula
tion to insurrection, have drawn attention to the,
dangers which-besot our . federal relations. It is a
scarce of satisfaction to know that the authorities of
Vitginia possessed the means and the determination
to punish offenders with promptness and justice j— ~
that the military, force of the United' States was. a'
power, immediately available to aid in putting down,
the outbreak against the -.public peace;—that tho
slave population wore contented with their .'condi
tion, ana unwilling’to .unite with disorderly white
men in acts of treason andmurdorand that the
.great masses of tho people have no sympathy, what
ever, with any attack upon the rights and institu
tions of any of tho States, and bave a deep and abid
ing devotion to our great and glorious Union. To
us, ns 'Pennsylvanians, it is gratifying to believe
that tho citizens of this Commonwealth have not. in
any manner, participated in this unlawful, proceed
ing, and to know that when sora6 of tho guilty per
petrators w er e arrested, within our jurisdiction, they
wero promptly surrendered to tho justice of the of
fended and injured Stpte,
Tho several States of this Union are independent
sovereignties, except so .far as they have granted
powers to-the Federal Govcrn
montr*, not provided for in tho Federal
Coustitutlbbj tho several States, in their relations to
each other, ought to be governed, by the principles
which regulate tho conduct of civilized nations.—
These principles forbid, in all nations, “ every evil
practice tending to excite disturbance in another.
Stateand are founded on tho maxim* that Vdif
ferent nations ought, in time of peace, do to one an
other all the good they can,. without prejudicing
their real, interests.” This maxim, recognized by
all civilized governments, applies %ith peculiar
force to tho several. States of this Union, bpupd to r
getber, as they are, by a sacred compact for ttiiitupi
support and protection ; and, therefore, any attempt ;
in one State, to exciteinsurrection in another, is an
offence against all tho States, because all aro bound’
by tho Constitution to put down such disturbance;
and tho act of Congress authorizes the President of :
tho United States to call out tho militia,of tho sev
eral States for tho -purpose. It is a, high offence
against tho peace of-our Commonwealth, for disor- i
derly persons within our jurisdiction, to combine to- 1
gotherfor the purpose of stirring up insurrection,
in any of tho States* or to induce the slaves in the
Southern Status to abscond from their masters; and
it would be proper, in my judgment, for tho Gener
al Assembly to consider whether additional legisla
tion may not bo necessary to insure tho prompt pun
ishment of such offenders against our peace and se
curity,
ln determining our relative duties-towards our
sister States, the morality of servitude is not an op
en question, for wo are boned by tho legal and mor
al obligation of the compact of tho Union, under
which wo have been brought into existence, and pre
served as .independent States, as well as by the
principles of international law, to-rospeot the insti
tutions which'tho laws of tho several States recog
nize, and in no other way can wo faithfully fulfil our
obligations, as members of this confederacy., -
While I entertain no doubt that the great Repub
lican experiment on this, continent;.so happily com
menced, exalted
position, in the eyes of tbo.world, will continue un
der.tho Providence of; God, to bp successful to tho
latest generations, it is the.part of ‘wisdom and pa
triotism to bo watchful and vigilant, and to careful
ly guard a treasure so priceless. ‘ Lot moderate
counsels prevail—let a spirit of harmony and, good
will, and a national fraternal sentiment bo cultiva
ted among tho people, everywhere—North and
‘South—and tho disturbing elements which tempo
rarily threaten our Union, will now, as they have
always heretofore, assuredly pass away.
Pennsylvania, in tho past, has performed her part
with unfaltering firmness—lot' her now, and in the
future, bo oyer ready, to discharge her confederate
duties with unflinching integrity. Then will her
proud position entitle her, boldly and effectually, to
rebuke, and-assist in crushing, treason, whether it
shall raise its crest in other States, in tho guise of a
finatical and irrepressible conflict between tho North
and tho South; or assume tho equally reprehensi
ble form of nullification, secession, and a dissolution
of tho Union.' Her central geographical, position,
stretching from tho bay of Delaware to the lakes—
with her throe millions of conservative population
—entitles her to say, with emphasis, to tho plotters
of treason, on oithor hand, that neither shall bo per
mitted to succeed—that it it? not in tho power of
oithor to disturb the perpetuity - of this Union, ce
mented and sanctified, as it is, by the blood of our
patriotic fathers—that, at every sacrifice, and at eve
ry hazard, tho constitutional rights of tho people
and tho States shall bo maintained—that equal and
exact justice ahall .be done to tho North and to tho
South—and that these States shall bo forever Uni
ted,
Wo, as a people, have great reason to acknowl
edge the Providence of God, who rules over tho na
tions of the earth. Under Hia' guardianship, hith
erto signally enjoyed, wo fool an unabated confi
dence in promunoncy of our free government, and
look forward,* with cheerful hope,.to a future glori
ous destiny., In, tho blessings that have crowned
our own Commonwealth tho paat year—in the suc
cess that has accompanied all our industrial pur
suits—in tho steady advance of our educational in-
stitutions—in tho quiet and peace of our domestic
homos—in all that can advance a nation’s prosperi
ty and happiness—wO recognize tho band of the
Great Giver of all Good.
WILLIAM F. PACKER. 1
' If a Body Meet a Body!”
Ifarbody meet a body coming through tho
ryo, and if a body kiss a body need a body
cry ?~~Bur7is, old Song.
If a feller catch a feller carrying off his
wood, should a feller whale a feller if a feller
could ?—r Germantown Emporium,
■ If a body catch a body stealing his old rye,
should a body kick a body till a body cry?—
Cincinnati Enquirer.
If a body spy a body creeping round his lot,
shouldn't a body treat a body to a load of
shot?— Norwich News,
If a body catch a body stealing hia Express,
shouldu'ji.a body seize a body and try and get
redress t—~Petersburg Express. . •
If a body want a body his store, to patron
ize, shouldn't a body pay a body money to
advertise 'l-r-Lynchburg Express,
If a body see a body appropriate his hat,
should a body kick a body just for doing that ?
— Star.
if a body catch a body stealing his. chick
ens, should a body lick a body like the very
dickens?— Covtre Democrat.
If a body should hoar a body say, “I'll pay
my printing bill#” wouldn't a body stare at a
body for such an expression of his will?—
Maryland Sentinel P
If a body catch a body stealing all his corn,
should a body make a body wish ho wasn't
I born ?— Jonesboro ' Gazette.
If a body spy a body “totin" off his goose,
' should a body Hog a body like the very deuce ?
Mount Vernon Star:
If a body ask a body to take the country
news, should a bbdy to a body say, “I beg to
bo excused ?"— rHomc JournaU
■ If a body see a body with bricks within his
Me, ought this sly-body treat that tight body
to wink or jeer or smile?— Savannah Geor^
gian.
If a body nick a body “.sand-papering" a
body's hair, need a body sue a body if the skin
is bare ?— Reminiscences q/' ; 59.
, If a body court a body like a pretty lass,
and if ho didn't kiss this body, should she bid
him “go to grass?"— Richmond News.
If a body meet d with a cowhide and
a gun, and a body trios to whip a body should
a body run ?— Rockingham Register':
dbbs anb fnk
, O'” In a calm sea every man is a pilot.
JK3" Lucky men need no counsel.
tSSS~ Can a nigger ever get “ blue 7"
O” Can a tall man without money be
“short?". '
C®'Out of good men choose acquaintances;
of acquaintances, friends, ‘ :;:
When flatterers meet,, tho. deyil gosktb
dinner,
. O” Flirting, like strong drink,' in timA t»£- >
nisbos the fairest reputation. •
O” Never hire a men to do a piece of work
which you can, do yourself...
,' [C f! ‘_The grandeur of man is to prefer whit
ho believes to be truth to himself. ■ 7.
D 77” He that is not aware of his ignorance
will only Be misled by his knowledge.; .
DT?” Gold may be all the time in a man's
mind, and yet none of his thoughts Bo golden.
Js®“[ It is the best proof of the virtues of & •
family circle to .see adiappy fireside. , 7
O’“Among all my boys,” said an old .
man, “ I never had but one boy who took a£
ter mo with a blub"' ’
O’A follow went into a ball-room, the
other night, .and commenced kicking the seali
about. After getting his own kicked, he left. ■
07 Sonic bachelors join the army because
they like war, and some married men because ;
they like peace.
O* “ I shall soon leave." as. the oak said to
the pine in the spring; “ You’ll bo green if
you do," was the reply.
. J®*Tho gentleman rides on the right, ad
that the lady's riding-dress may float proudly
and jvidei ’
JS®* There are a great many fool-killers in
the world. Every fellow that commits suicide
is one.
CC7* Let friendship creep gently to q, height;,
•if it rush to it, it may soon run itself out of
breath.
[CT'It is easier to increase our wants, be it
ever so.muoh, than to reduce them, be it ever
so little;
ITT" lie who,labors for mankind, without %
cam for himself, has already began bis im
mortality; ••
IT" Boiling- to death was made a capital
punishment in the time of the Tudor Henry
the-Eighth of England.,
O” The books in the library belonging to
the British, Museum, in London, oocupy ten
miles of shelf,
, In Franc.©, love is a comedy; in Eng
laud, a tragedy; in. Italjr, on opera; iniGer
many, a,melodrama; , .
• 'U®“.lf,tho bills before Congress ate not
counterfeit, why should there bo such diffi
culty in passing them T
IT” An epicure once asserted that two were -
required to make a meal of a chicken—him
self and the chicken. '■
C 7” If you want an ignoramus to respect
you, “ dress to death,” and wear watoh|soals ■
about the size of a brickbat; ’ :
Mr. Jones writes to a friend, and closes
I by saying, “I am glad to bo able to say that ;
my wife is recovering slowly.'"
IT” It is said that a watchdog is. not sq
large in the morning as at night, because he
is let out at night and taken in the morning.'
KT“ The most economical time to bUy cider 1
is, when it is. not very clear; for then it will *'
settle for itself;
, - C 7” Why are a country girl’s cheeks like
French calico? Because they ard “warrant*,
cd to wash and retain their color;" .
KT" The yoilng lady who saw- b. baby with
out kissing it has acknowledged that her
friend’s bonnet is handsomer than her own.
T7*' The love that has nought but beauty to
keep it in good condition, is short-lived, and;
subject to Shivering fits;
, BST Society, like vshaded silk, iiiust be
viewed in all situations; or its colors will de
ceive you; :
C©*Ho that dies a martyr proves that ho;
was not a knave, but by no means that ho was
not a fool. - '
IT* Wo would forget that them was any
such thing as suffering in the world; wSro
not occasionally reminded of it through our
own. ,
O” Mohammedans say that ono houi 1 , of
j ustice is worth seventy years of prayer, One
act of charity is worth a century of eloquence."
CT* Tho vain man idolizes his own person, :
and here he is wrong, but ho cannot bear his
own company, and here ho is right! !■■
Cv* Tho water that flows front a spring
does not congeal in winter. And those sent?
monts of friendship which flow from the heart
cannot bo frozen in adversity.,
BQyAs a razor is best whetted, in .oih so
■wit. is bast sharpened by politeness. Tho
look of edge in both is discovorablo.frora the'
offense or pain they give; .
(C7* There is a relief in ridicule and good T
natured satire. Laughing at the misconduct.
of the world will, in a groat measure, ease ns
of any disagreeable passion about It. ■
(£7* Old men's lives are lengthened aha-],
dows, the evening sun falls _ coldly ,on the.
earth, but the shadows all point to the morn
ing. ■ ’
e&For a lady to sweep her carpet with!
embroidered undo'rsleeves, would’be consider
ed indecently dirty; but’to drag the pavement
with her skirts seems to be very genteel.
K 7" An exchange advises husbands to love
their wives;' The suggestion is good, but we
amend by adding an admonition hot to love
each other’s wives.’
PC?" If you want to have a man for your
friend, never got the ill will of his wife; Pub-’
lie opinion is the average prejudices of wo
mankind.
O” TKe editor who kissed his. sweet heart
saying, Please exchange,” is believed not
to have exceeded the proper “ liberty of the,
press.”
O" A sound mind in a sound body are, the,
chief desiderata; necessary for rendering exist
ence a happiness. When these rtro possessed - ,
all other causes of infelicity, are mostly of ojlli
own production;
. JJSg“ Dickens says of a mother ■Who died
with her babe on her bosom i j> Clasping that
light, spar with her amis shid drifted out
the dark and unknown sea that rolls around,
tho world; ,J ” > '
NO. 31.