INTELLIGENCER & LANCASTERIAN,
GEO. SANDERSON. EDITOR.
ALFRED SANDEROO3r, -Associate.
LANCASTER, PA., JANUARY 8,• 1856
CIRCULATION, 2000 COPIES:
YOB PILIMIDEI;ZZ
JAMES BUCHANAN.
•
(Subject to the decision of the Dinucsatie 11'Olionci
Convention.) •
To Our Patrons
As yon were made aware last week, by an
announcement under the editorial head, that
I have become associated with my father in
the publication of the "Ixrcuicascsst & Las-
CASTERLLN," it would seem to be necessary for
me to say something by way of introduction;
but the crowded state of our columns, this
week, prevents me from occupying much
room. I must therefore content myself with
remarking that I shall confine my attention
more particularly to the local, department of
the paper, and will endeavor to keep its read
ers fully advised of all matters of interest
occnring in our midst—and no effort will be
spared to make the paper an interesting fam
ily and local journal, and, as such, deserving
the patronage of the public.
The political department of the INTELLIGES
& LANCASTERIAIi will remain, as hereto
fore, under the direction of the senior editor;
and it will be found in the future, as in the
past, battling for the ascendency of the Dem
ocratic party, and for the dissemination and
establishment of correct principles and meas
ures.
With these few remarks I leave the subject,
an&make my first and best bow to the-public
in general, and to the Democracy of Lancaster
county in particular.
ALFRED SANDERSON
Lancaster County Speaks
See the resolutions of the Democratic Con
vention, published in another column. The
Democracy of the county have unanimously
spoken their preference for Mr BUCHANAN for
the Presidency—and in obedience to the voice
of: he people, and in accordance with our own
sentiments, we this week place his name at
the head of our columns, and hope to keep it
there until he shall be elected President of the
United States, in November next.
The Convention was composed of sterling
and true' hearted Democrats. The utmost
harmony and good feeling prevailed during
its deliberations—there being but one heart
and one voice in favor of the distinguished
statesman whom we are all proud to acknowl
edge 'as our neighbor and friend.
The gentlemen selected by the Convention,
to represent Lancaster County in the ensu
ing State Convention, are all true and tried
Democrats, and devoted personal and political
friends of Mr. BUCHANAN.
Lancaster County has again spoken, and lies
Democracy send greeting to their fellow Dem
ocrats of the other counties of the Common
wealth, at this auspicious opening of the Pres
idential campaign.
The President's Message
We have no room for comment ou this ad
mirable state paper. It is sufficient to say
that it is in all respects worthy the head and
heart of its distinguished author, and merits
a careful perusal at the hands of all our read
ers—Democrats, Whigs, and Know-Nothings.
It is a document of great power, and will at
tract no little attention in Europe as well as
in our own country.
The Governor's Message
This is a paper of commendable brevity,
and contains a great amount of interesting
information relative to the affairs of the Com
monwealth. Several of the. Governor's sug
gestions are wise and commendable, and on
the whole the Message embodies far less that
is objectionable than we had reason to antici
pate,from such a source. We bespeak for it a
careful perusal.
Important Correspondence
The whole of the correspondence between
Mr. MARCY, Mr. BUCHANAN, an Lords CLAR
ENDON and PALMERSTON—in reference to Cen
tral American affairs—is
.published in the
Washington Union. We shall publish a sy
nopsis of the correspondence in our next issue.
IZS,..We are indebted to President PIERCE,
for an early copy of his Annual Message.
El Thanks to Auditor (leneral BANKS,
for a copy of his Annual Report.
Mr. SLIUMAN, of the Senate, and
Messrs. Bausu and REtstiot.n of the House,
will accept our thanks for furnishing us with
public documents. The last named gentleman
is entitled to double thanks for sending us a
list of Legislative subscribers for the session.
Butler County .Speaks
The Democratic Convention of Butler coun
ty met on the Ist inst., and appointed Gen.
Jno. N. Purvianee and Lewis Z. Mitchell, Esq.,
Delegates to the State Convention, with uncut
iniotts instructions to support Mr. BriIIANAN
for the Presidency.
Westmoreland All Right
The Democratic Committee of Correspon
dence, of Westmoreland county, according to
uniform custom, met on the 31st of December,
1855, in Greensburg, and appointed Robert
Given, William Ross and E. J. Keenan, Esqs.,
Delegates to the ensuing State Convention,
with unanimous instructions to support "from
first to last." the lion. JAMES BUCHAN_AIN fur
the Presidency. They also passed a strong
resolution in favor of Gen. 1 - lENRY D. FOSTER
for 11. S. Senator.
Legislative
A joint resolution has passed both branches
of the Legislature, appointing the 14th inst.,
for the election of U. S. Senator.
Mr. Wsr.su has read in place, in the Senate,
and Mr. BECK, in the House,- a bill to repeal
the net of the last Legislature to restrain the
sale of intoxicating liquors Several petitions
have been presented in both Houses for the
repeal of the law.
Know-Nothing tegislntion
Five weeks in session, at Washington, at
an expense to the people of over sloo,ooo—
no Speaker elected yet!. What " Reform
ers" these Know Nothings and Abolitionists
are!!
Aar...Our paper, this week, is pretty much
taken up with the Annual Messages of the
President and Governor, and with the proceed
ings of the County Convention—all of which,
doubtless, will be more than usually interest
ing to our readers.
lier The Harrisburg Patriot d Union will be
published semi-weekly during the Session 'of
the LegislatUre, or at $3 per annum, in
*ding tile semi-weekly issue during the ses
sion.
We can heartily commend this paper to
those of our democratic friends who may desire
to have a journal from the seat of Government
during the session. They will find it to be relia
ble in every respect, whether for its political or
legislative information.
Dar Hon. HENRI , A. WISE was duly inau
prated at Richmond, on the let inst., as Goy
.4rnor of Virginil, for the ensuing four years.
Ba.. The Governor has appointed E. Beat
ty, Esq., of Carlisle, Superintendent of Pub
lic Printing. This is a good appointment,
all things considered—but, friend . Beatty,
have you seen Sam
DEMOCRATIC
COUNTY CONVENT: OA.
The Democratic Corthntion of Lancaster
Conney met in this :City, agreeably to notice,
on Wednesday last, the 2d of January,lBs6.
The ftdlowing namea delegates presented'cre
dentials of their election, and were admitted
to seats, viz:
Bruknock—Ephraim Shober, Isaac Messner, Jonathan
Smith. - -
Bart—Wm. Pickel, Dr. John Martin, C. Graham, Isaac
Sharp, Amos Hockey,
Cavnarron—Thos. Edwards, Dr. B. F. Bunn. Jos. Spats,
David Williams, Jacob Albright.
Clay—John Eiser, Esq., Samuel Bell, W. W. Enck, John
Denimy, Fsaac Hershey.
Oilevain—John Whiteside David Walker, Samuel IPCon
nell, C. Blackburn, Joseph White.
Columbia X. Ward—John P. Meldrum, J. S. McMahon,
George Wolf, John H. Eberitne,
John L Martin.
• .A. Word—Peter A. Kimburg, Augustus Pelan.
John Highly, James Hoar, Scott
Patton.
oxalic° East—Col. Andrew Ream, Samuel Strunk, Jacob
S P ico West—Dr. Samuel Wiest, John Garner, P. Roger-
Ise, Joseph Landis, J. Reinhold.
Cbnes toga—John Holy, -Adam Kendig, S. S. Welsh, F.
Sourbeer, Henry Hammer.
Conoy-John Rob, John Haldeman, Peter Eruerick, John
H. Smith, James Finley.
Donegal Fast—William Pinkerton, Jacob Bower, Chris
tian Peck, Jacob Spiese, George Murray.
Donegal Wen—Jacob Donecker, Jonathan Diffenderfer,
Martin Swigert;John G. Donecker, Jacob Gephart.
Drumore—James Barnes, Jr., John Jordan, Win. Barnes,
C. SL Johnston, R. n. Moore.
Earl—Jacob Stambaugh, Levi Hull, Peter Ranch, John
Hull. Samuel Hull.
Earl East—George Duclunan ' John E. Hammond, Peter
Eshleman, William N eater, laa ac H. Stauffer.
Earl West—Mark Connell, John Forney, Henry Fritz, Ja
cob Smith, Reuben Ruch.
Ephrata--Gen. Jacob L. Gross, Samuel R. Nagle, Samuel
Gorgas, BenJ. Ulrich, Samuel Hull.
Edso—Robert Montgomery, Dr. John K. Raub, Dr. Jas.
Duncan, Daniel Kauffman, Aaron Sill.
Elizabethtown Bor.—George W. Boyer. Jacob Felix, A.
V. Gross, James Laird. John Lynch.
Elizabelh—Wm. Ratter:, Christian Ruh!, J. H. 31'Catts
land.
F'ullon—LanTenee Hipple, JoMr H. Bicknell, Henry Hor
nor. Washington Whitaker, James 31'9parran.
Henlydreld E.—Henry Hoffman, .1. D. Keller, B. F. Lutz.
Henry H. Myers. Dr. Siunnel Parker.
Hempfield Hogendobler, Jacob Gamber,
Dr. J. Haldeman. Robert Ferguson, John M. Weller.
10/n4—Geo. M. Steinman, Jacob F. Kautz Dr.
Henry Carpenter, James Peoples, ' Geo.
Sanderson.
•• S. E. Wird—Philip Leonard, Henry Wilhelm, Wil
liam M. Gormly, Michael M'Gonigle,
W. F. S. Warren.
•• 11' Wird—Jacob Frey. John W. Jackson, Junius
B. Kaufman, John Michael, John Dor
wart.
'• E. ;Gird—Jacob Stornifelez. Henry E. Wentz,
James L. Reynolds, John Hamilton,
John Rose.
Luncadcr T trw.--11wijamiu Huber, Juo 0. Brenner, Gut
lieb toner.
Longed, Laot—Joel 1.. Lightner, John M'Srley. Bolden
Miller, Newton K, Sample, John It. Miller.
Lamyter West—Samuel Long, Jacob Kautz, Fred. Gall.
Leacuelc—Jno. L. Lightner, Rohl. J. Knox, Isaiah
lips, John Reed, l'eter Beam.
Leacock Upper—Dr. A. S. Bare, William Simmons, Wil
liam Diffenderter, Jonathan Simmons, Levi Reemsnyiler.
Little Britain—how, Patter:mu. Julie E. Gillespie, Mil
lion, Hopi, jr.
Marthein, Nelbling 4 I Eby. .1. E. Cross,
S. S. luring, Benjamin Donavln.
Xanheim 7'aip.--Benjoinin Eby. George Hambright, do
seph Whiner. Cornelius Smith, Jacob Long.
,Nano•—Jesse T. Brush', Park Mason, Frederick Saner,
liter Lynt4, Conrad Krause.
Mar/Tr—Not represented.
Murirlta Kelly, John J. Libhurt, Lewis
Housenl, John Houston, Win. Shields.
Mount Joy 80r.—J..001 31Torkle Samuel Elmunn, Josh
ua Lender, John 11. Itreneman, S. ti. Pinkerton.
.Mount Joy Top.—Jno. Shirtier, George Hem, Daniel 0.
Donne!, ,Invol, Grove. Peter Kemerer.
Parcolise—tleorge D. 31 . 11 vain, livery Eckert, George
Pondersmith, John li.: °Keel.. William Give in.
l4nu—Ducid 31. Eberly. Aaron Longenecker. ,Limes C.
Dunlap, Samuel Plasterer. James ItC3lullen.
l'equed—Not represented.
Prorielen,—,l no. Tweed. Thome Robinson, Henry Rush,
)111ullen, henry 3CFalls.
Enpho--John li. Masterson, Henry B. Becker, Sanniel
Nauman.
Strasburg Br.—W. T. M'Phall, Alexander Shultz, Alex•
tinder WCley. John E. Gitlin. John P. Kilbourne.
Strasburg • Tulp.—Franklin Clark, Henry Spindler. Henry
Raab, .levee S. Cantlell. John Itnub.
Scdisbury—.l.Enes If. Homiton i Thomas W. Henderson
Thinms 3Flloain. Eli Butter. 11. F. Houston.
melsbory—Sanmel Slokorn. W. F. Baker I 4. Ml:Bauch
lin. Isaac IValker. Samnel J. Boon.
114rwirk—Benjamln Colder, Tlivotlare Lioliontllalr, Dr
Levi' Hull. Peter Peilei, A. Kline.
11 - whir/Am—Dr. 11. 11. Muer. Jacob Allison. Cyrui
5hm.tr0 1 .„1,,,,,ph 1.. Chhrle., John Shartzer.
The Convention was permanently organi
zed by thii appointment 11 the following
officers :
President : '
JAMES PATTERSON, Esq., L. Britain
'rice Presidents •
Dr. LEVI Hum., Warwick.
JAMES 13.11 RD, Elizabethtown.
JOSEPH CHARLES, Washington Bor.
JOHN MICHAEL, City.
IVal. M'CCLLOLGH, Providence.
JonN FORNEY, West Earl.
JOHN W. JACKSON, City.
MARK CONNELL, West Earl.
JACOB NEIBLINO, Manheim Bor.
JACOB SPIESE, East Donegal.
Gen. JACOB L. GROSS, Ephrata.
JOHN WHITESIDE, Colerain.
JOHN ELSER, Esq.. Clay.
Dr. B. F. BUNN, Caernarvon.
JACOB STA3IBAUGH, Earl.
Jolly L. LIGHTNER, Leacoek.
FRANKLIN CLARK, Strasburg Twp.
-
J. 11. M'CAL - sLANn, Elizabeth.
Secretaries :
John H. Breneman, Mount Joy Bor.
John G. Offner, Paradise.
James Barnes, jr, Drumore.
Wm. T. :UPl:ail, Strasburg Bor.
On motion cf Capt. Geo. Sanderson, a Com
mittee of thirteen was appointed by the Chair
to draft resoluqOns expressive of the sense of
the Convention. The following persons were
appointed, viz :
Messrs. Geo. Sanderson, John Kolp, Peter
Feiles, Win. Hays, jr., John Hull, Dr. Sam'l,
Parker, Dr. A. S. Bare, John Lynch, Jacob
Camber, Geo. M. Steinman, Jesse D. Brush,
John H. Breneman, Isaac Walker.
The following nominations were then wade
fur Delegates, viz :
James L. Reynolds, City.
James H. Houston, Salisbury.
James Barnes, Jr., Drumore.
Dr. Samuel Parker, E. Hempfield.
Dr. James Cushman, Marietta.
J. S. McMahon, Columbia.
John Gross, West Donegal.
Joseph McCorkle, Mount Joy Bor.
William T. McPhail, Strasburg Bor.
Benjamin Ebv, Manheim Twp.
Dr. Samuel Ringwalt, Earl.
John Kolp, Conestoga.
John W. Jackson, City.
Jacob D. Keller, East Hempfield.
John Tweed, Providence.
' Lewis Martin, Marietta.
William L. Carter, Marietta.
John L. Lightner, Leacock.
John Whiteside, Colerain.
.John Forney, West Earl.
Geo• D. Mcllvain, Paradise.
Jacob E. Cross, Manheim Bor.
Abraham Peters, Manor.
The Convention then adjourned till q
o'clock, P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Upon the re-assembling of the Convention,
the Committee on resolutions reported,
through their Chairman, the following, which
were read and enthusiastically cheered—and,
un motion of James L. Reynolds, Esq., unan
imously adopted :
Resolved, That the Democracy of Lancaster
County, with one heart and one voice again
present the name of their greatly beloved and
distinguished fellow citizen, as a candidate
for the Chief Magistracy of the Republic. His
services iiwthe National Legislature both as a
Representative and Senator—his brilliant ca
reer as Secretary of State during President
POLK'S eventful administration of the Govern
ment—and his great ability and success as a
Diplomatist, first at the Russian, and now at
the English Court—all go to point unerringly
to him as the man, above all others, for the
present crisis. We, therefore, the represen
tatives of the Democracy of Lancaster County,
in Convention assembled—speaking fur our
selves and the people whom we represent--
present, with pride and pleasure, the name of
JAMES BECRANAN, to the Democracy of the
Union, fur the Presidency in 1856.
Resolved, That ;lie Delegates who may be
elected this day to represent Lancaster County
in the ensuing State Convention of the Fourth
of March, be, and they arc hereby, instructed
to vote for none other than known and reliable
friends of Mr. Buttu:vAN, as Delegates from
Pennsylvania to the National Convention to
be held at Cincinnati.
Re&ved, That we have undiminished con
fidence iii-President PIERCE, and believe that
his administration of the Government has
been conducted on true National principles—
in consonance with the declared sentiments of
his.lnaugural Address—and in strict accord
ance witn the doctrines of the Democratic
party.
Resolved, That to the people of each State or
organized Territory under the Constitution,
should be left the regulation and management
of its domestic and local institutions. We are,
therefore, opposed to any intervention by Con
gress, or any , interference by citizens of other
States with such regulation—and look upon
all such interference, whether from the North
or the South, by anti-slavery or pro-slavery
agitators, as an invasion of the Constitutional
rights of the State or Territory, and_a viola
tion of the sovereignty of the people..
Resolvet. That in the approinliiiig conflict
.between-sectional and National parties, be
-tween sectibnal and Naticinal intereits, and
between seetional National opinions, the
Union-loving and patriotic of all patties are
called upon to repudiate. and condemn all sec
tional, insidious,. and oath-bound-organiza
tions, and rally around the National and Con
stitutional standard of the Democratic party;
—for it, and it alone, is able to uphold the scale
of equal and exact justice between the different
sections of the Union—to watch over and pro
tect the vast internal concerns and interests
of all—to maintain the dignity and rights of
the Republic abroad—and to perpetuate and
extend the blessings of our form of govern
ment, the beat the world ever saw, unimpaired
to the latest posterity.
Resolved, 'Chat the seventy-five good and
true Democrats in Congress, deserve the last
ing gratitude of the people for the bold and
manly stand they have taken and unflinch
ingly maintained in defence of correct princi
ples, and adherance to their nominee for
Speaker.
Resolved, That the isms of the opposition
to Democracy, at Washington, show their total
inefficiency and lack of principle, in their
continued failure to concentrate their vote on
any one candidate for presiding officer. The
spoils of office is uppermost in their thoughts,
and is of more importance in their estimation
than the legitimate business for which they
were, in an evil day for the country, elected
by the people. Had the Democrats been in a
majority, the House of Representatives would
have been organized the first day of the session.
Resolved, Chat we have full confidence in
the two Democratic Representatives from this
County in the State Legislature, Messrs.
BRUSH and RElNHOLD—believing them to be
men of sterling integrity and unflinching de
votion to the principles of the Democratic
party. Knowing them as we do, we hesitate
not to predict that they will faithfully and
intelligently carry out the wishes of their
constituents in every particular.
Resolved, That we have no confidence in the
Know-Nothing administration of Governor
POLLOCK, believing that it was "conceived in
sin and brought forth in iniquity." The peo
ple of Pennsylvania condemned it at the bal
lot-boxes in October last, and all its leading
measures—Jug Law and all—and the Guber
natorial election of 1857 will hurl it from
power, and, by an overwhelming majority,
again place the reins of government in the
hands of the Democracy.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the sale
of the Public Works of the State. These im
provements have cost the people too much of
their treasure, to be now sold, and that too at
a ruinous sacrifice, to a band of speculators or
public plunderers—especially when it is now
made abundantly manifest, that, under pru
dent and skilful management, they must soon
become a prolific source of revenue to the
Commonwealth.
Resolved, That the able and energetic man
ner in which Col. JOSEPH B: BAKER discharges
the duties of Superintendent of the Columbia
& Philadelphia Railroad, is alike honorable
to himself, and creditable to the Board of Canal
Commissioners who placed him in that posi
tion of usefulness to the Commonwealth.
Resolved, That any vacancies whiA may
occur in the Lancaster delegation to the State
Convention, shall be filled by the remaining
delegates then and there present from this
County.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Conven
tion are hereby tendered to thrtAm B. SWARR,
Esq., fur the able and energetic manner in
which he has discharged the onerous duties of
Chairman of the County' Committee during
the past three years.
_Resolved, That the President of this Con
vention be authorized to appoint a Chairman
of the County Committee thr the ensuing po
litical year ; and that said Chairman be di
rected to fill all vacancies that may exist in
the County or Township Committees.
Resolved, That these proceedings be pub
lished in the • 'INTELLIGENCER LANCASTER
IAN ;" and that the "PENNSYLVANIAN," "PA
-fluor & lidos," and the other Democratic
papers in the State be requested to copy
the same.
Jacob D. Keller's name was withdrawn,
at his own request, from the list of nomina
tions.]
After the adoption of the resolutions, the
Convention proceeded to ballot for Delegates,
when the following gentlemen were declared
duly elected, viz :
JAMES L. REYNOLDS,
Dr. JAMES CUSHMAN,
BENJAMIN EBY,
JAMES S. M'MAHON,
Dr. SAMUEL PARKER,
ABRAHAM PETERS.
The President then appointed H. B. SWARR,
Esq., Chairman of the County Committee for
the ensuing year. .
On motion, the Convention adjourned sine
slit.
Mr. Buchanan in Maine
The Belfast Republican Journal, one of the
ablest and most influential Democratic papers
in the State of Maine, has raised the name of
JAMES BucnAN.cs; to the mast-head as its fa
vorite candidate for the Presidency, and ac
companies the act with a powerful article
advocating his nomination. We shall pub
lish the article at length hereafter. In the
mean time we make the following closing
extract:
"Though a son of Pennsylvania, she cannot
appropriate him, for he belongs to the whole
Union. First in the Senate, first in the Cab
inet, and first in Diplomacy among living
statesmen, we believe him to be also first in
the hearts of the people.
"Although it is believed that Mr. BUCHAN
AN does not desire the nomination, he will
doubtless accede to the wishes of the Democ•
racy, when they shall have teen fully made
known. Believi❑g that the masses of the
Democracy of Maine prefer him to any
other candidate, and that his name would be
a tower of strength in the contest of '56, we
have departed from our usual course, and sug
gested him as the favorite candidate of thou
sands of the Democracy of Maine.
Presidential Items
The Editor of the New York Courier d• En
quirer, now at Washington, says of Mr. Bu
chanan:
"He is a conservative and a gentleman ; and
it is no small consolation to us to know, that
if we cannot elect an Anti-Kansas President
in 1856, Mr. Pierce will be succeeded by Mr.
Buchanan. Of this fact there can be little
doubt."
The Beaver (Pa.) Star, heretofonit favorable
to the nomination of President PIERCE, has,
in obedience to public sentiment in that coun
ty, raised the name of JAMES BUCHANAN ti) its
mast-head, and says that "should Mr. Bu
chanan be nominated, he will receive a larger
vote in that county than any other rrian in the
State or the Nation." And further.—" Let
the National Convention - give us our own Br-
CHANAN, and we will give him a majority in
Beaver county unparalleled in the whole his
tory of Democratic victories."
The Chillicothe (0.) Advertiser gives indi
cations of a preference of Mr. BUCHANAN' for
the Presidency.
Pennsylvania Legislature
Both branches were promptly organized on
Tuesday last, the first day of the session, by
the election of all Democrats to the carious
offices, as follows :
SENATE.
Speaker—W. W. Platt, of Wyoming.
Clerk—T. A. Maguire, of Cambria.
Aut. do.—H. Pettibone, of Columbia.
Sergt-at-Arms—Wm. Corey, of
Asst. do.—Wm. P. Brady, of
Door Keeper—Wm. Ralston.
HOUSE.
Speaker—R. L. Wright, of Phi.hide.
Clerk—Wm. Jack, of Blair.
Asst. - do.—Jacob Zeigler, of Butler.
Sergt-at-Arms—.J. B. Saneom,of Fulton
Asst. do.-0. A. Kurtz, of Alegheny.
—J. Glasemyer, of Phllada.
Door Keeper—J. Coleman, of Berks.
Trans. Clerks—W. S. Picking,! of York.
—J. W. Moore, of Philada.
—W. B. Gillis, of Elk. is
' —G. K. Minor, of Fayette.
ti 1. A treaty has just been formed between
Mr. Marcy and the old Nicaraguan Govern
ment, by which the claims of the latter to. the
Musquito country (now in dispute between this
country and England) has been fully establish
ed and recognized. What will the Lords Clar
endon and P4inerston say to this?
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
To the Honorable the Senators and Members of
the House of R , epp , sentalires ; of ths-gaitral
Assembly :
GENTLEMEN :—A kinorovilienet . ha:sir:eat-
ly blessed our Commonteiealth during the past
year. No foreign war, no internal, strife have
interrupted or destroyed: the peaceful quiet d
our homes. All the: great interests. of the
people have been eminently prosperous. The
earth, in rich abundance, has yielded her in
crease to supply our wants, and reward with
her bounties the labor of the husbandman.
Labor, in every department of manufacturing
and mechanical industry, has been stimulated
and encouraged. The ravages of disease and
the horrors of the pestilence have been averted
from us ; and whilst the cry of human suffer
ing, from other States, has beeu heard invoking
our sympathy and aid, we have been blessed
with health and permitted to enjoy the com
forts and happiness of social life. To him who
hath bestowed these blessings upon us, and
upon whose care we are constantly dependent,
should be ever paid the willing homage of our
grateful hearts.
The report of the State Treasurer will exhib
it to you, in detail, the operations of his de
partment. The results are more satisfactory
and encouraging than were anticipated.
The receipts at the Treasury ter the fiscal
year ending November 30, 1855, includiag the
balance in the Treasury on the lot day of De- -
cember, 1854, ($1,240,928 72) amounted to
$6,631,402 83 The total payments for the
same period were $5,385,705 52 ; leaving a
balance in the Treasury on the 30th of Novem
ber, 1855, of $1,245,697 31. No loans, tem•
porary or otherwise, were negotiated during
the past fiscal year, as they were not required
by the wants of the Treasury.
The receipts during the past year, from all
sources, (excluding the balance in the Treasu
ry on the first day of December, 1854,) were
$5,390,474 11. The ordinary expenditures fer
the same period, includit , the interest an the
public debt, wore $4,139 ,612 28, showing an
excess of receipts over ordinary expenditures
of $1,250,961 83.
The extraordinary payments for the year
were $1,246,193 24, as follows, viz :—To the
completion of the new Portage railroad over
the Allegheny mountains, $446,762 12; to the
North Branch canal, $B7, 562 67; to the Co
lumbia railroad, to re-lay south track, $133,-
100 00 ; to the payment of domestic creditors,
$1,629 85; to the redemption of loans., $316,-
550 60, and to relief notes cancelled, $260,-
588 00.
The balance in the Treasury will be required
fur the payment of the interest on the State
debt falling duo in February next, and fur un
paid appropriations. The interest on the fund
ed debt of the . Commonwealth, which became
due in February and August last, was prompt
ly paid ; and it is gratifying to state that the
interest due in February next will be paid with
equal promptness. The credit of the State may
be regarded as firmly established, and with
proper economy and a careful and honest man
agement of her finances, au annual reduction
of her debt, to a considerable extent, may be
confidently expected.
There is due by the Treasury to the Slaking
Fund the sum of $335,011 39, to be applied to
the redemption of the relief notes now iu circu
lation, and to the funded debt of the Common
wealth. The greater port of the funded debt
bears interest at the rate of five per eent..per
annum ; the balance bears a still less rate or in
terest. But as the temporary loans, which by
law are to be first paid out of the available
means of the treasury, bear interest at the rate
of six per cent., it has been deemed advisable,
as a matter of economy, to apply the surplus
revenues to the payment of those loans. When
these are liquidated, the amount due and pro
perly applicable to the Sliding Fund will be
paid, and its operation continued as directed by
law.
Notwithstanding the revenues for the last
four or five years have largely exceeded the or
dinary expenditures of the government, yet in
consequence of the large and insatiable demands
upon the Treasury fur the completion of the
North Branch c.inal, the Portage railroad and
other kindred improvements, the public debt,
instead of being reduced, has been increased.
This ibcrease, with the amount and condition
of the debt at different periods, will be seep in
the following statements:
Statement of the funded and unfunded debt of
the Commonwealth on the Ist day of December,
1861, as per report of the Auditor General.
FUNDED DENE SiE :
6 per cent. loans $2.314,0/3 51
IMEII3
108,200 00
04,215,707 04
Total funded debt
UNFUNDED mar viz
Relief notes In circulation
Interest certificate! outgand
Ing 1a0,531 Ez
Int'rst co rtiticates unclaimed 4 445 3‘...
Interest on outstanding and
and unclaimed certificate.
when funded
Domestic creditor.
Total debt, Ile:. I, 1 V
Statement showing the indebtedness of the Com
monwealth on the Ist day of December, 1854,
as per Auditor General's report.
FUNDED Dear, viz
6 per cent. Mans i5.^_.104 93
5 do 39,0)4,609 97
4 1 4 ....do 388,200 00
4' do 10,000 00
Total funded debt.... . .
UNFUNDLD DEBT, VIZ:
Relief notes iu circulation.. 454,361 00
lnterestcertiticatesontstand
leg 24,657 31
Int'rateertificates unclaimed 4,448 ifb
Interisiiton outstanding and
unclaimed certificates, when
funded 1.070 97
Domestic creditors' eertlfi
Cates 2,707 El
Balance of temporary loan of
April 19, 1653 Ao,oou 04
Balance of temporary loan of
May 9, 1854 .430,435 67
Total unfunded debt and
temporary- loans --- 1,538,680 64
Carried forward 41 .1123 .50 5 74
To these should be added the following re•
lief notes, not included In the •' relief
notes in circulation," Vie.:
Relief notes made by the Lan
caster Bank, not charged on
State Treasurer's books $2:,,000 00
Relief notes put In circulation
Sept.lBs4, and not lotletoned
Due. I, 1834 00,0 bu 00
Total public debt Doc. 1,1854
Do
Tnereuee of debt iu a years
The funded and unfunded debt, including un
paid temporary loans, ou the Ist day of Decem
ber, 1853, the close of the last fiscal year, as
per report of the Auditor General and State
Treasurer, was as follows, to-wit:
Funded debt, viz:
6 per cent. loan $516,154 03
38,903,445 54
•
348,200 00
4 ....do 100,80000
Total funded debt • $39,907,800 47
Unfunded debt, viz:
Relief notes in circulation.. 258.773 U 0
Interest certificates out.
standing 29,157
Domestic creditors 1,264 00
Balance of temporary loan of
April 19, 1854 525,000 00
Balance of temporary loan of
May 9, 1854 346,000 OU
otal unfunded debt...
Total debt Dec. 1,1355 41,007,994 72
Total debt, as above stated Dee. 1, 1854_ 41,698,595 74
Do do do.. 1, 1855... 41,007,994,72
Decree. during the tiseel year
This statement exhibits the gratifying fact
that during the fiscal year ending November
30th, 1855, the indebtedness of the Common
wealth has been reduced $530,601 02. During
the same period large appropriations and pay
ments were made for the completion of the new
Portage railroad, re-laying the track of the
Columbia railroad, and fur other purposes.
These demands upon the Treasury were, with
out the aid of loans, promptly paid.
Refusing to undertake any new schemes of
internal improvement, limiting all appropria
tions to the actual demands of the occasion,
practising strict economy, in all departments
of the government, and holding the receiving
and disbursing agents of the Commonwealth to
a rigid accountability, will greatly reduce the
expenditures, and, under ordinary circum
stances, leave au annual surplus of the eve
flues to be applied to the redemption of the
public debt.
The estimated receipts and expenditures for
the current fiscal year will be presented to you
in the report of the State Treasurer. The re
ceipts from the usual sources of revenue, above
the ordinary expenditures may exceed the sum
of one million and a half of dollars. These es
timates may approximate the true result, but
cannot be relied upon with certainty.
By the thirty-eighth section of the act of the
16th of April, 1845, entitled An Act to pro
vide for the ordinary expenses of government,
the repair of the canal and railroads of the
State, and other claims upon the Common
wealth," the Governor was authorized to cause
certificates of State stook to be issued to all
persons or bodies corporate holding certificates
for the payment of interest on the funded deb%
of the State, which fell due on the Ist of Au
gust, 1842, the let days of February and Au
gust, 1848, and the Ist days of February and
August, 1844, in an amount equal to the
amount of certificates so held, upon their de
livering up bald certificates to the Auditor
General, In pursuance of the authority thus
given, certificates of State stock to the amount
of four millions one hundred and five thousand
one hundred and fifty dollars and twenty cents,
bearing interest at the rate of five per cent.
ber annum, payable semi annually, on the let
days of February and August in each year, and
- redeemable on or after the let day of August,
1855, were issued. The minimum period fixed
. by law for the redemption. of these certificates,
expired on thi first day of -August — last.l: 7, No
provision his been made,,for , their 'renelial or
redemption.: , A
Although-by the terms of: ,the apt authori
iing.these-certifiestes of . gthte stock, as oleo.
by the nonditiona , Of the'certificates issued in
pursuance thergof, the time of payment, after
the expiration of the osmium perida, is option
al with the debtor—the Commonwealth—yet a
due regard to the credit of the State requires
that provision should be made for their renew
al or redbmp . tion. To redeem these certificates
a loan would become necessary, and as a loan
cannot be effected, in the present financial con
dition of the country. on terms more favorable
to the State, than those on which these
certificates were issued, I would recommend
that authority be given to issue the bonds of
the Commonwealth in renewal of said certifi
cates, bearing interest at the rate of five per
cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, and
redeemable on or after the expiration of twen
ty years ; and that the bonds be issued with
coupons or certificates of interest attached, in
sums equal in amount to the semi-annual inter
est thereon, payable on the Ist days of Febru
ary and August in each and every year, at such
place as may be designated. This change in
the form and character of the certificates it
is believed, will be so advantageous to the
holders,without increasing the liabilities of the
Commonwealth, as to induce a willing and
prompt exchange, at ai:lremium, for the bonds
proposed to be issued.
The condition of the public works, their-gen
eral operation, and the receipts and expendi
tures for the past fiscal year, will be presented
to you in the report of the Canal Commissioners.
The aggregate receipts at the Treasury from
the public works, for the year ending Novem
ber 30, 1855, were $1,942,376 71. The aggre
gate expenditures, including ordinary and ex
traordthary payments, for the same period,
amounted to $1,838,791 18, showing an excess
of receipts, over all expenditures, of $103,-
585 53.
The extraordinary payments for the same
year, (excluding $133,100 00 paid for relaying
the south track of the Columbia railroad, and
828,000 00 for re-building the Freeport aque
duct) were $690,927 78. The ordinary expend
itures were $1,198,363 40.
Aggregate receipts, as above Anted ;1,942,37071
Ordinary enpenditures " " 1,148,363 40
Net revenue:l for the fiscal year
This balance exhibits a small increase in the
net revenues, as compared with the net reve
nues of 1854 ; and notwithstanding the with
drawal of the transportation lines from the
main line of the canal, the aggregate revenues
for the last year have exceeded the revenues of
1854 by more than twenty-three thousand dol
lars. From the abundant crops of the past
year, the improved conditiotr of the monetary
affairs. of the country and tioe general revival
of business, a large increase iu the revenues
for the current year may be confidently ex
pected.
The sum ur *l6 1,15 25. has been I aid into
the Treasury by the Po.ns3lvania railroad
company and oilier railroad companies, as the
tax an tonnage passitr , over their roads. This
amount largely exceed s ' the sum paid by the
same companies in 1854.
The Deleivare division elbibits a satisfactory
result. The total receipts were $392,673 .th ;
expenditures, $60,097 86; showing a net rev
enue of $832.575 66 If all our lines of im
proveinent exhibited a similar balance sheet,
the people would have lees cause of complaint
and more confidence in the general operation
of the system.
There has been a large increase in the busi
ness and tonnage of the Columbia railroad,
Laid a correeponifing increase Zin the receipts
therefrom. The operations of this road for
the poet year have been highly satisfactory.—
The operations of that part of the main line
from the Junction to Pittsburg, including the
Portage railrond, do not present no favorable
a result The receipts have greatly diminish
ed, and were not sufficient to, meet the ordin
ary expenditures. The revenues from the
main line do not equal the receipts of the pre
vious years. The causes of this reduction are
apparent, and some of the have been refer
red to and enumerated. It is but just to add
that the expenditures on this ~line have been
much diminished by the avoidance of some of
the inclined planes on the Portage railroad.
I regret to inform you that the railroad to
avoid the inclined planes on the Allegheny
mountain, has not been completed as was con
fidently anticipated. The delay in the com
pletion of this work has occasioned much in
convenience to the -.business of the main line
and a loss to the revenues of the Common
wealth. The .expenditures have largely ex
ceeded the original estimates for its construc
tion ; and although the sum of 4;277,780 00
was appropriated, at the last session of the
Legislature for the completion of this work—
a sum covering the estimate of the engineer—
yet after the expenditure of the whole amount
thus appropriated, the road is unfinished ; and
to complete it, and pay the debts contracted,
the further sum of $177,573 66, as now esti
mated by the engineer, will' he required.—
Either the estimates have been very carelessly
male, or large sums of money uselessly and
extravagantly expended in the prosecution of
this improvement As aiding the business of
the main tine, reducing still further its expend
itures and relieving the Treasury from these
constant demands, the announcement of its
early completion will be bailed with pleasure
by every citizen.
Although the completion of the North Branch
canal, before the close of navigation, was cer
tainly expected, yet this expectation has not
been realized. The efforts of- the present
Superintendent, Mr. Maffit, during the poet
year, to complete and put in successful opera
tion this canal, deserve the highest commenda
tion. Everything that skill, energy and in
dustry could accomplish has been done. The
labor to be performed was great, and rendered
more difficult and perplexing by the imperfect
and frodulent construction of the old work
and some portion of the new. The large
quantity of rocks, trees, stumps and roots
placed in the bottom Of the canal, and the
defective material used in the embankments,
suffered the water to escape almost as rapidly
as admitted, and rendered a re-construction of
the work, in many places, indispensably neces
sary. Its successful completion, it is hoped,
will soon be announced.
,37,628 65
40,114230 30
41,093,595 74
40,114,230 39
1,58;,59 35
It willappear by the report of the Commit
tee of Ways and Means made to, the House of
Representatives in 1849, that the entire amount
necessary to complete and put in operation
the unfinished portions of this canal was esti
mated at the sum of $1,106,037 00. The
amount actually expended on the Engineer and
Canal Commissioners, is $1,857,377 52, being
an excess of expenditures over-the original
estimates of $751,340 52; and the canal not
yet in operation. With such facts before us
—such evidence of mismanagement and reck
less expenditures as the history of this canal
chows, it is riot matter of surprise that the
Commonwealth and people are burdened with
debt and taxation.
In pursuance of the act of the Bth of May
last, providing for the sale of the main line of
the public works, after giving the notice requir
ed by law, I caused the same to be exposed to
public sale, at the Merchants' exchange, in the
city of Philadelphia. No offers were made and
consequently the works, remain unsold. Sealed
proposals for the " sale or lease of the main
line," were subsequently invited, as directed by
the seventeenth section of the said act, and the
proposals received are herewith submitted to
tho Legislature for their action and final dispo
sition.
630,601 02
Haiing on a former occasion presented my
views of the propriety and policy of a sale of
this branch of our public improvements, a re
petition of the sentiments then expressed be
comes unnecesary. In relation to this subject
my opinion has not changed. On the contr try
the experience of the past, and a careful ex
amination of the question in its economical and
political relations, have strengthened and con
firmed it. That the State should, long since,
have been separated from the management and
control of the works, the history of their con
struction and management clearly demonstrates.
Public policy and public sentiment demand this
separation ; and every consideration of-present
and f etture interest requires their sale. The late
financial embarrassment of the country—the im
perfect character of some of the provisions of
the bill authorizing the sale, together with the
adveree influence of rival interests, defeated the
rscent attempt to s.II. These difficulties have
been, or can be, removed ; and a sale yet effect
edon terms amply protective of the rights and
interests of the people, and at the same time
just and liberal to the purchasers.
To reduce the State debt and relieve the
people from taxation, are objects worthy the
earnest and anxious consideration of the Leg
islature. To accomplish these object's speedily
and certainly, a sale of the whole or part of
our public improvements becomes important
and necessary. The revenues of the State,
under the present system of management of
the public works, are but little more than se-,
ficient to pay the interest of her debt, and'
the ordinary expenses of the government -
A sale of these works, for a fair consideration,
and upon terms just and liberal, would cori
stitute a beginning in the- process of liquida
tion that would free our Commonwealth from
debt and her people from consequent taxation.
In every measure calculated to produce these
desirable resnlti, I will cheerfully - co-operate
with the Legislature.
The currnnitof
,thefitiite, in its relation to
banking institutionsiyuidAeir increase, is a
subject that detatindn:icareful and intelligent,
cnngderation; - Prom:theo,notice gives of pi;;-
onerous intendediprilittatitins to the Legislator's
'for new banks _anti - :Xi - xi - increase of banking
subject' will doubtless be present.
ed to,'and strongly urged upon your attention.
numberinf banks and the amount of
banking capital be increased ? and if so, to what
extent and in what localities? ore questions of
absorbing public interest.
Wiihout desiring to assume a general and
uncompromising hostility to all banks, or to an
increase of banking capital, I cannot discover
the necessity dbat requires, or the circumstan
ces that would justify the incorporation of all
, that may be demanded from the Legislature.
I The incorporation of new, or the rechsrter of
old and solvent banks, when indispensably no
' cessary and clearly demanded by the actual
business wants of the community in which
they may be located, should not be refused;
under no other circumstances should their in
corporatien be permitted.
The necessity for increasing the number of
banks should be determined more by the actual
wants of legitimate trade, than by the number
of applications and the wild fancies of stock
jobbers and speculators.- The sudden and un•
necessary expansion of the currency should be
avoided, and whatever tends to produce such
result ought to be discountenanced and pre
vented. In the creation of banks, the true in
terests of the State and the people should be
consulted; and a just and honest discrimina
tion, as to number, locality, and the demands
of trade, be exercised by their representatives.
Public sentiment does not demand, nor do pub
lic cr private interests require, the creation of
numerous banks.
In the present condition of the finances, and
in aid of the revenues of the State, (in addi
tion' to the taxes now imposed by law) a rea
sonable premium should be required to be
paid by all bunks or saving institutions that
may hereafter be chartered or re-chartered by
the Legislature.
As appropriate to this subject, and intim
ately connected with it, I cannot forbear to
express• my disapprobation of a practice, that
has heretofore obtained to some extent, of
using the names of members of the Legislature
as corporators in bills pending before them
for the incorporation of banks and other com
panies. Stith a practice is pernicious, and
cannot be too strongly condemned. •It perils
the independence of the Legislator-texposes
him to unjust suspicions, and stamps with sel
fishness, at least, his legislative action in the
premises. Legislation should be free; even
from the appearance of improper motive ; and
every undue and corrupting influence, inside
or outside the r.iegislative halls, should be re
sisted End condemned.
It is a cause of more than ordinary congrat•
Illation, that agriculture, the first, as it is the
noblest pursuit of man, has, in its progress of
development, vindicated its own importance,
any assumed, in public esteem, the honorable
position to which it is so justly entitled Con
stituting, as it does, the substratum of our
great mechanical, manufacturing and commer
cial interests, it should ever be regarded as the
chief source of State and National prosperity.
First in necessity, it is the highest in useful
seas of all the departments of labor, sustain
ing and promoting, in their varied and multi
plied relations, all the ether industrial interests
of the country. Our financial and commercial
prosperity is largely dependent upon the suc
cess of agricultural industry.
Au interest so important should recieve the
eitcouragement of all classes of society. No
longer a mere art—au exertion of physical
strength, it has leached the dignity of a science;
and to its progress and improvement the peo
pie and their representatives should cheerfully
contribute. State and county agricultural so
cieties have done much to promote this cause
and through their agency much valuable infor
mation has been collected and diffused. Much
yet remains to be done More information is
demanded. More efficiency in the collection
and diffusion of useful knowledge is required.
To secure this result, the establishment of an
agricultural bureau, in connection with some
of the departments of State, would largely
contribute. The importance orsuch a bureau
properly organized, as an aid to the advance
ment of agricultural knowledge and the suc
cess of agricultural industry, cannot easily be
over-estimated. The subject is earnestly com•
mended to your attention.
• By an act of the last session, an institution
designated as the "Farmers' High School of
Pennsylvania" was incorporated. The charter
was accepted by the .trustees, and the institu
tion duly organized. An eligible site for the
college has been secured in Centre county, and
two hundred acres of valuable and highly cul
tivated land donated to the trustees, for the
use of the institution, by Gen. James Irvin, of
that county. The citizens of the county, with
a liberality highly commendable, have pledged
and secured to the trustees, for the use of the
college ten thousand dollars in addition to the
land donated. This liberality shows that the
farmers of Pennsylvania fully appreciate the
importance of such an institution, and will
support and sustain it. The course of instruc
tion will be thorough and practical. Scientific
and practical agriculture, with the usual bran
ches of academic education, will be taught,
and the effort will be to make good farmers,
good scholars, and good citizens.
Whilst individual liberality and energy have
done much and will do more for this institution
an appropriation by the State, in such sum at
the Legislature may deem proper, would nos
only aid and encourage this laudable enter
prise, but would be an. honorable and just re
cognition of the important interests involved.
The laws now in operation s regulating man
ufacturing and other improdement companies,
are in some of their provisions too severely
restrictive, and should be niodified. Legisla
tion on these subjects has heretofore tended
to restrain the investment of capital—check
industry, and curb the energy of the people in
the prosecution of those enterprises that aid
the development of ofir immense resources, and
contribute so largely to the wealth and pros
perity of the State. Liberal and judicious leg
islation—encouraging individual enterprise—
inviting the investment of capital and stimula
ting the various departments( of manufacturing
And mechanical industry, would greatly pro
mote the interests of the people—increase our
revenues, and give to the CoMmonwealth that
prominence and position, in !the sistereood of
States, to which the character of her citizens
and her illimitable natural rescurces justly
entitle her —To this subject your attention is
invited.
794,013 31
The report of the Superintendent of Common
Schools will exhibit to you their condition and
the general operations of the system through
out the Commonwealth, during the past year.
To the valuable and useful itiggestions of the
report, I would earnestly ask the attention of
the Legislature
The operation and resulte•of the system as
detailed arepighly interesting. Our educa
tional system is slowly, but sorely, conquering 1
the prejudice's and gaining the confidence of
the people. Under the fostering cure of lib
eral
and enlightened legislation its ultimate
triumph is certain: When the systeM was first
introduced, it was supposed that it could-be
perfected and forced into general and vigorous
operation by the mere will Of the Legislature.
Experience has proven, that in this, as in eve
ry other great social and m'oral reform, time
and that consent which arises from a radical
change in the popular mind, were required.—
This slow process of the acclimation of the
new system to oar social and moral atmos
phere, has been in operation; for nearly twenty
years ; and it is now evident that the period
for anothet effective interposiition of legislative
aid and authority in favor of our noble system
of common schools, has arri'ved. In whatever
form this obviously proper!and necessary in
terposition may present itself, if calculated to
promote the great purpose in view, it shall re
ceive my cheerful support.
After a careful examination of The subject,
it is my clear conviction that the system is now
prepared for and requires increayed efficiency
in its geheral supervision—increased qualifi
cation in its teachers, and increased means of
support.
The experiment of the County Superintend
ency wherever faithfully carried out, has not
disappointed the expectations of the advocates
of that measure. The improved condition of
the schools, and the greater efficiency of the
system, clearly establish the propriety and
utility of such supervision. The official visits
of an officer of the school department to some
of the counties of the State, in connection with
the County Superintendency, have demonstra
ted that the voice of public authority to sus
tain, and the presence of an official agent to
encourage, have largely contributed to excite
and maintain the deep interest now felt by the
public in our educational progress and im
provement.
The moat marked improvement recently ef
fected in the system, has been in its corps of
teachers. With almost unparalleled disinter
estedness and devotion to the noble cause in
which they are engaged, the common school
teachers of the State, have in almost every'
county been using all the means and applian
ces within their power, for self-improvement.
These efforts, so oreditabl to they, have been
highly beneficial in their results; and clearly
prove the necessity, and point with unerring
certainty to the establishment of State Normal
schools. Teachers' meetings for a day have
given place to institutes for a week ; and these
again to amnotous Normal mooting' ootttion.
ing - .m - one to - t .ree - mont.s. t every step
in this progression, it has become more appa
rent that perinatimatAmititutioos, with their
proper prorsitiortc . ar4Tiplianies, which mail
ing but thi'power liVtlie, State can provide,
are demanded by, rineWoufd meet the wants
of thireystein and the Occasion.
%..' In*ncediug this beim to our children,
:through their tea,thers, we'are encouraged
. 133 , the example of other countries, and the
experience of the mat. i -It is a remarkable
fact:that no State bE our Union, nor nation
of the old world„ has perfected its system of
public instruction, without schools for the
professional training.of teachers, established
and supported by 'the public - authority and
means; and it is [no less remarkable, and
still more encouraging, that no such insti
tution has ever yet been abandoned. From
Prussia, whose experience in this regard, is
that of a century and a quarter, to that of
our young sister Michigan, whose existence
is as of yesterday, the Normal school has
been tried throughout Christendom with un
varling success.
' This result is in full harmony with the
laws of mind and of human society. Teach
ing is a high and honorable profession ; and
no profession has more arduous and com
plex duties to perform—no one greater re
sponsibilities to meet—and no one operates
on, or with, such . valuable end interesting
material. The diost thorough preparation
is, therefore, requisite ; and ns the duties to
be performed are :not only responsible, but
delicate, and may affect the social, political
moral or religiouS feelings and rights of the
citizens, no source is so . safe, no authority for
their discharge so; free from suspicion or bi
as, as the State. Teachers trained by the
State, and representing the vitality of its
republicanism, will be the firm support and
sure guarantee of its republican equality. .
It is time algid that the teaching mind
should resume its ,true place in the schools.
In the communication of knowledge, to be
effective, mind, in ';synipethetie contact, must
act upon mind, and with living, speaking
energy, leave its inipress there. The Great
Master himself thus trained the school which
was to reform a Nirorld.• But now the book
has too much intruded itself between the
teacher and the taught. The teacher has
too; much become' the mere exponent of the
printed page, and the. mind of the learner
the impressed co'y or the text. In thus
I
saying, the value nd importance of hooks,
as a means of knu -ledge, are not intended to
be overlooked or d cried ; but the uses of our
best agencies havt their limits ;laud when
we find the book Usurping the place of the
teacher, to the in`ury of the mind of our
youth, we should restore each to its proper
position—require rum each the performance
of its appropriate functions, and thus confer
upon both the ful measure of their useful.
n ess. /
~
. .-
As an expedient to supply die place of
regular Normal schools till established and
as a valuable auxfliary to diem whets in op
eration, the f eiteliers' Institutewodhl be of
unquestionable value. It would — hring to
gether the teachers of a county under the
best influences, for consultation and improve
meta, and exhibitithem before their fellow
citizens in their proper professional charac
ter. A portion of the -means of the State,
ur of the respectiive culinties, applicable to
educational impro'vement, could not be more
profitably applied, than to the encourage
ment of the meeting of at leaat one such in
stitute, annually, in each county. An exper
iment of this kind trecently made in the coun
ty of Chester, is said to have been eminently
successful, and , itrongly indicative of the
wisdom of the measure.
If, in addition to these, or siuiiiar l meas
ure.s, the Legislature should feel -warranted
—and the nieasure has all the ,ii.ction this
executive document ..au give it—to make a
large addition to the annual State appropri
ation to common I schools, I believe that all
will be done which the patriotism of the peo
ple's representatives can now effect ; and I
do nut hesitate to I express the opinion that
the time has comolfor this prompt, full and
decisive action. Let the integrity of the sys
tem, in its great, i)urposes and objects, be
maintained; and f changed, changed only
to render it mor efficient, and to increase
its power for grea er usefulness. Whatever
else may distingui h your present session, it
is hazarding little o predict, that more hub
or and benefit will result from the perfection
of the common ec uol system of education,
than from any oth r exercise of your legisla
tive powers.
The public scho Is of Phjladelphia aro de
serving of special notice and approtal. In
their varions gradations, from the primary
up to the high sat o', they are models wor
thy of imitation ; rid their management and
efficiency reflect great credit upon those to
whom have been committed their supervis
ion and control. it is to be regretted that
these schools, so creditable to our great com
mercial and literary emporium, and so hon
orable to our Commonwealth, should find no
place in the anntial report of the Superin
tendent of Common Schools. As at present
organized, these schools are independent of
the State Superintendency, and do not re
port to the schooll department of the Com
monwealth. As everything that relates to
the operations of the common school system,
and the condition of the public schools in
the State, is impor ant and interesting, the
statistics of those chools should he furnished
to the State Superintendent, that the same
might be embodied in the annual report of
the department. A modification of existing
laws on this subject, so far as to require the
controllers of the iltiblic sdhoOls of Philadel
phia, to report to stile school department, the
number, grade, and condition of their schools
—the number of pupils, and generally such
information in relation to their government
as may be deemed !useful to the cause of ed
ucation, is respectfhlly recommended.
To improve the social, intellectual and
moral condition o the people—reclaim the
erring, and amelio ate human suffering, are
objects that comm nd themselves to the con
sideration of the philanthropist and the
i
statesman. Our e ucational, charitable and
reformatory instittions are justly the pride
of the State, hone ble alike to the wisdom
that devised and t e liberality that founded
and sustains them
They have strongclaims
upon the bounty o the people, and I cordi
ally recommend t ens to your care and the
liberality of the C mmonwealth.
The State Lun tic Hospital, at Harris
burg, in its objec and results, merits our
highest approbatio . The just expectations
1
of its projectors and founders have not been
disappointed. Kindness and love, with their
softening and subduing influence, constitute
the rule of its government. Many of its
former unfortunate inmates have been resto
red to reason, to friends and home, and the
enjoyments of soctal life. Those that re
main require our s'mpathy and aid. They
should not be withheld. The report of the
directors will exhibit, in detail, the opera
tions of the instittion.
The necessity an importance of providing
additional accommodation for the insane of
western Pennsylvnia„ have been strongly
pressed upon my attention. The present
accommodations a e clearly insufficient, and
these have been pr aided principally by the
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contributions of benevolent citizens. It is
urged that the rapid advance of our popula
tion—the gloomy tncrease of the insane—
and the inadequacy of the present asylums
fur their care and management, render it
imperatively necessary that effective aid
should be given that portion of the State,
for the establishment of a new and entirely
distinct Western li3srine Hospital, as a home
to those of our fellow-citizens whose only
alleviation is to be found in their own igno
norance of the frightful malady with which
they are burdened; The subject iii worthy
of Calm and dispassionate inquiry. I will
cheerfully co-operate with the Legislature,
in all proper efforts, to accomplish this ob
ject.
Should you decline to act upon this sub
ject, I would then recommend that an ade
quate appropriation be made to the Weetern
Pennsylvania Hospital for the purpose of
extending its acc*modations for the care
of the insane, as dtinct as may be practica
ble from the other class of patients and iin
mates. The charter of this institution is
liberal in its provi. ions, and comprehensive
in the objects liabl to be brought under its
care; embracing the insane, its well as the
sick, helpless and infirm.
In this connectidn I would commend to
your attention the Pennsylvania Training
School for Idiotic And Feeble-Minded Chit
dren. The aid of the Commonwealth has
heretofore been exlended to this institution.
It is a noble charity, and appeals to the best
feelings of the heart. It deserves to share
the bounty of the'Rtate.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and
the Western Hone ofßofttge near Pittsburg,
are institutions- o great excellence, having
for their object th reclaiming of wayward
and erring you the employment of the
idle—the instruction of the ignorant.—the
reformation of lid) vicious and depraved,
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