Qrafovi> c bt tto.sUr- !Free soli, Free Speech, Free Idea! Frost/out for Preis Territory. • ' E. 0. GOODRICH, EDITOR. Towanda, We,duesdq, - • • Terms of the It-eport tr. 1112 50 per ,tritilum: it pour w than t.,• y, deducted, tor cosh psud uctuoity HroOvoore, deducted. A,Dwrittrsr. - arna. per Perustr of tro 515* oeotii for thd Aro, and 25 cant, fOr C44:14 .V.llrinlitelit i,t5Cll/071• war commrrruEs or VIGILANCE.--The Democrat:c Stutadmr, Committee of Brad ford county, have appointed the persons hereafter named, Committees of Vigilance, and have direct ed that they call meetings on Friday. the 18th day of January 1850. (being the 6y upou which the :several Township and Hon; elections are to be 11054 between the hours (it 1 and - 7, P. M., for thr election of two Delegates to represent each election district in the County Convention to be held at the Courrlionse in Towanda on Tuesday evening Feb. .5, 1850 for the purpo_e of elecimg delegates to the Deal State Convent:on. We Irish to urge upon the Cominittchs the im portance and necessity of a full and faithful dis charge of their duties. The pes:inary meetinp - , :Amok( he called upon the day named:, at the place ino.t convenient for the Democrats of each distr.ct, and due exertions should be used to give ee - ery democrat notice of the time and place of balding the delegate meetings in order that all way have an opportunity ot Unending the same. ULYSSES MERCUTE, THOM AS SNEAD, STEPHEN PIERCE;, JOHN BALDWIN, B. LAPORTE, • GEO'. W. nurorr, J. E. CANFIELD. NELSON' RE IiNPOLIX3, ARUNAH WATTLES Towanda, Dec. 31; 1819. Albany—Joseph Menartii, Peter Sterirzece ; Armenia—L. C. Snepard, Irrastu.: Kart Asylum—T. J. Ingham, John M. Horton Athens Boro—Wm. Hancock, F. S. Hoyt ; Athens Tp—Solomon Bosworth. W. H. Overton; Durlingion—Hiram Gee., Morgan lk.witt Canton—W. IT 'Vandyke, Asa Platt ; Columbia—Charles Ballard, Alfred Furman; Durell—Martin T. Vangorder, Miner Biles : Franklin —N. L. Dodize, Stewart Smiley; Granville—Stephen rroman. Harrison Noss; Herrick—W. C. Knapp, E. N. Keeler; Le Roy—Jedediah Huai, Moses tValter; Litchae'd—Samuel Davidson, Benj. Park; Monroe—Patrick Dun fee, Guy C. Irvine; Orwell—E. N. Farrer, James B. Smith: Pike—A. S. Baldwin, G. G.Graves Rome--Chas. Forbes, E.G. Nichos ; Ridgliery—Mark A. Burt, C. I'. Wilsou; Sheshequin—\Vm. Tuttle. Danl Btirrlt , • Smithfield—C. M. Oerould. Herektah Huntingdon, Springfield—Allen Stacey, H. W. Hoot; South Creek—Benj. Quirk. Jas. L. Phillips; S.prinzhill—Harry Aekra, Cyrus ethumway: Standing Stone—Alex. Ennis, Wm. R. Storrs; Towanda Boro—C. F. Harder. Jerre 4 Op •"fp-11. C, F o x, Nelson Gilbert; Troy Born—C. C. 0:: vett, Elijah Ronyon ; " Tp—L. B. Morse, Alonzo Pratt; Elster—J. L. GArsline, M. S. NVarner; Warren—M,ranSa Chance, Jatnes Bowen; Weik—Lorenio Peters, J. 11. Cole; Windham —Abram Dunham, Wm. Sibley; Wyalusine—Harrison Black. J. H. Stallord; Wysom—J. M. \Vat tins, Morgan Striskiand; Kr The llnli lay s and the Messages are our excuse for the lark cf interem in .the Reporter fur a week or two past As both are now " endurek l ; •' we slia!l endeavor to make ample amends. Organizalion of the Le7,lslatore: The General Assembly of Pennsylvania assetn bled at 11artislotT., on Tuesday last, January Ist, ut 12 o'clock. M. Thirty-three Senators—the full oumber—o ere in attendance, and ninty-nine mem beri,of the House The Senate was organised by the election, on the eighth ballot, of VALENTINE BEST, of Columbia (ion*, as Speaker. The vote stood : For J. For- TER BRAWLEY, 15; VALENTINE BEST, 17.; F. F.B. STREETER,'I. BRAMI.CI' was the Democratic caucus can- tittlate for Speaker : and through all the ballots re ceived the tote of every Democratic Senator, ex - - rept his own and Mc. Beer's. In the first four 'ballots,: the Whigs in a body voted for Bctisatitis l i svrinvi.. A:ter that they began to scatter their votes, and upon the eighth bt Ilut casrilieir entire vote for Mr. sr. r. who satin fur its inse:f against the regular nominee of the party whose name he I • professes to bear wasihns Flec.ll.l Speaker. Tlje house of Representatives was organised by election of JOIIN S.lll•CaLmox . r,ol 1 unango,as Spen • kerotpon the first balict, tiz : Julio S. 111'Calmont. Darn., 53 Augustim IL ('urnyn, 3ti Jolla Allison, IVlitg. 1 John li.Conylighain, Pere.. The governor's Message was tian,rnoted to the Logiiilature on Wesinesday. at noon. Alter hear ing read, both branches adjourned The remaining ()tilt:era were elected on Thuns- .I.mount appropriated ittuing the year 1849 toward payment of pub lic debt, • 8495,479 39 In exhibi t ing the operations of the Treasury for the last fiscal year, the cum of 8130,000,.1xxroweil on special loan fur the avoidance of the Sclinyl• day, viz.: • • kill Inclined Plane, and inelnded in the a ,,,, rei, , ate Scnitte.—L. Pearson. (Whig) Chief Clerk. J. of the P)iblic debt in Dee-ember, 1849; should be P4riek, (Dem ) Assistaat Cleik :M. 111'Cauley, added to the abovestated - sum of 8497,4 7 9 39: (Whig) and K (Dem ) Sergeantr. The amount of receipts at the Treus n,.,., the y - ear. ending, Dec. John L •!!iforris and•Gt 11 - . Palmer, both I temocrats duri 1, 1819, is 84.433688 65 11aorkeeiteri 7 young, (11 hi t !) and Petersen. The amount of expenditures during; (Dim.) :tle.sengers the same period, is [ft ts ill be observed. from lit:it result, that Mr. Balanee in the Treasury on Dec. 1 ) speaker BEST has made impartiai tine of his Ceti- 1848 ' Rai-mock in the Treasury on Dec. 1, I..lg.vote 3 1319. tck, 1, \Vm. 1.. Picking, Amount paid to enmmismioners of Asso , tant Clerk . lea stet., (;-av u t i,i Air : - finking fund to Jan 1,1850,5227,- 51353. with which %val. , pun :has ' 'l-hariscribing Clerks : John Platt, Sergeant-a-- p.l in the moiled debt, and traits ] Isaac. lick. Dtmilteeper ; Ilenry 11 1 1,1 i ferreii It, the Commonwealth, Messenger—:.ll Dernrieitu.s. Ditterence between the indebted. Mr. Mei.x. itd - o.lueed into the I huse. on '4" ues. 'less. of ti," State on the Ist Dee. Dec. D a prearnable a-1.1 retulution express -ive of tvmpathy. , "I' and and ' the wr lags flu tgary i aii.l iii-ttructing our Sen•T o i a l ani nn o t o! public debt paid ;: •ore, t tim 1)1 +ion the year. F 521.465 813 I naLc mrse tt I, o.e Vienna. mild I Esti.ates of receipts ttt the Treasury during the le a: s'“ail be auknewletlz- Yew' 1450 : Fano Trie te., , ,)!1110.0. Cr. A qt.': 13s1 CG11: Mi:410111%, Itesolotipus have been adopted. in the :senate •r -, tin a CO4II(3itICE? of tier : i d the Tax r ni k bi vi d er a m. fir ap:h.finlinv, a Coin:nine° of stirrecn, to " Corporation Stock.. Beal 6s ti r e rsonal Estate, 31;10 'Lott the ;ale into Conqressivnal and Senato e Commi:tees hay.° tot yet been Retailers' License 8, in,,unced. it " Pedlar's Licenses, \Ve ill! proceedings worts:: - of note in " " Broker's Licenser, " Theatre Circus and Me , t.;12 107,i5trvive rep"rt... thus tar. im e Tartee Licenses, " " Billiard Rooms, howling • Saloons and ten-pin al ley Licenses, - " " Distillery and Brewery Licenses, " " Eating Houses, Beer how I , a:ne ut Cum r atutr.l post office in this Cozi..t . y has been (-hanged to Men:yell—the farmer DB= Kr- that excellent Democratic paper, the Reed ing Gneilif cornea 10 us enlarged to the mammoth t...a. • 1. ii Me of the very- best of our c xchaages, • GOVERNOR' 4-, MESSAGE. • *L . * . 4 . • . • col • , estoSelie . ; of* Ids of brancliL,Of thlk*over*lient, silipta under efeentrikances ev erfrtedlo•prorince deers iiinotioni of gratitude:4- • The events of tht past year cannot tail to afford assurances of theciantlt444-ln i ntr4,ol 41.11 A/Milt/Is. ~Fitfic f,£ Wis . :W . 4;4n", and of the blessings Ile has diepeirsed to the people of this Common wealth: While in other parts of our country, and in distant lands, pestilence has made fearful rava ges; leaving it, its track die wretchedness of des titution and the tearsof crushed affections; a health. rid eliniate • in the disposal of a righteous -Provi dence, has preserved the t , itizeus _of the Stateepin. free from the Miseries af the destroyer. During a pe r iod of war, famine and civil commotion ' in the ol.i lainoitig in their train. desolation an tA ant; blighting:die hopes, paralizing the iti ; dwery. and running the prosperity of the people; ' our beloved Commonwealth, in union with others tu,der the National Constitution, has enjoyed the kiellghts of peace, and her citizens, in the exercise of 'Au:Arial pursuits, have found contentment and competence. To the Ailthor and Guardian of our being, whose benificence caused all things to. wolfs tagether for our good, our reverence and gratitude are especittlly due. - The recent efforts for the establishment of liber al is,litical institutions in Europe, have excited in the people of this couterv, the warmest sympathies. The conflict between the oppressor and the op pi.eased, whatever may be the incidents or resul.s, having for its object a government capable of pro tecting and extending political and social liberty, must be regarded by the people el the United States with the deepest solieltdde. In the* enjoy. I ment of institutions which recogiqze the' inherent ri_;lim of man, and. are founded on the-ucknowletlg ed prilwiple that all political power is a trust to be exerei,ed for the benefit of the citizen, they can-, hot witness the struggle between alesimliSta and freedom. without ardent hopes and sincere pray. era for the triemph of liberal and enlarged justice. It ie impossible to behold a people hang the sub jects of tyranny and oppression—el lightened by our example, and solicitous for equal enjoyment— riehig 'up beneath the btxthens which centuries have heaped upon them—casting aside the rever ence for power, and the pride of regal splendor; looking forward to the establtsliment of human I nghts ; to the elevation of the moral and social condition of society; and placing their lives and fortunes on the hazard of a strwTM , le for these ob jects; without, on our part, an earnest, au anxious desire that they may succeed That struggle has been trasuccessieft The arbitrary Governments, in whose midst: the noble band of patriots erected their staudairl, have succeeded with their immense force in maintaining tyrannical- authority, and the brave men trio fought for freedom, have either pet ished under the balbarious exactions of despot ic a ill, or they wander in foreign lands, exiles from homes that no longer afford seem iv. It is not the of our National Government to mingle in the controversies of torcign nations, nor is it desirable that it should, by act of I ostility or friendship, break up the commercial relations which exist fur mutual advantage; lee it is, nevertheless. no vio lation of international law to enter our solemn pre test and warning, ai,saimt acts of cruelty and barba rism upcn heroic men and defenceless women It is no wrung for our Government to write with others in the repression of indignation against the viol:eh-el of national faith and national law, involv ed in the demand, for sanguinely purposes, of the brave defenders of human rights. , Thwermsideration of the Legislature is respect ; fully invited to the financial condition of the Com ! rnonwealth. The p:erent folded debt is as follows t per cent loans, $Z941.022 SL 1, per cent do. 37,336.716 90 4! per cent t .do. 200,000 00 rnfonded debt to wit Rehet notes in tit culatioat (withuut in'ereg ) !Interemeet'catesont• 5653.164 00 standing, Interest utooaimed, " on certificates to be added when the same shall be funded or paid, Domestiek creditors (on sculetnerit,) Amount of 'canal, rail oad. and unitive power debts, coutiaeted prior to Dec 1, 1818, and unpaid_ by the appropriations of the last session, 63,238 '6B Total intlebtednefts ut the Common wealth, Dec. 1849, :310 ; 574413 15 The funded .. debt on the first Dec. '4B X 39.393,350 21 Unfunded debt, 1,081 ) 8.86 69 .Imunct of canal, ra:!road and mo tive power debt, contracted prior to Dec. 1, 1848, Arritittit of public , debt paid during the year 1849, exclusive of the rum paid Commissioners of the sinking fund, Amount paid during •lic year 1849 to the Commissioners of the sink fund, 'Fes and It...staurant Li censeg, ,5T7,739 41 179.42?. 9 F 4,41 R 313 P 1,294 34 85,104 88 $933 431 51 36 , 7,642 38 840,842,379 31 : ;287,965 88 227.313 33 4 . e54,771 80 577,290 39 926,207 24 n 3,500 00 217.966 86 820,00 b. no 27! 1 000 00 50.000 00 130.000 00 160,000 00 1,330 OW 00 80,000 00 160,000 00 3,000 00 12,000 00 3,000 00 5,000 000 1:0),00 1;000 de " " Pawnt Medicine Liens, ' 3,000 00 .11 ._,l‘ rasviers, .., 600 lialilkt Foul, 0, . :: • 1 Tex AM Wait, WO, Deeds, ile• e l ; tlX lo t, '.,_ _sf_ z : l Ciitainadiese, f •: , 1 OW ,i. '' —F4 C,olkieratlnberiamak - Alif c ona li n d iron s & Tale, 1 , ii, AD .sfrutiOad pd eof old Ma• :t v . l . . 1 7. Wills, 5,000 00 Enrollment of Laws, 11,000 00 itemitunsunftestmy-- , --4 , - , . - -.- 400009 -00 Tax on Loans, .125,000 00 Inclined Plane Loan, - 270,000 00 Dividedns on Turnpike and Bridge Stocks, Nicholson Lands, Accrued Interest, ItetundeJ Cash, Escheatk Fees of publii Nike", Miscellaneous, Interest on Sack purchased, 84,586,306 00 Estimated payments doting di. year 1850 To Public Inspire- 9640,000 00 menu, Expenses of Govern- mew, Militia Expenaesi Paulding, and Grata- ities, 20.000 00 Charitable buititu'ns, 80,0000 00 Common Schools, 200,000 00 Interest on Loans, 2,005,000 00 Guarantees on bit. 3'2,5000 00 Domestic Creditors, 10;000 00 Darn-spas on Pub lie Worlrs, Special Com'is. Stale library, Pubic Buildings & Grounds, • Penitentiaries, House of Refuge, Nicholson Lands, Escheats, Abatement of State Tax, Counsel Fees and Commissions, Miscellaneous, Inclined Plane (at Schuylkill) North Branch Canal; Com'ns on Sinking Fund, 511,500 00 The foregoing, estimated,fialance in the Treasury at the end of the fiscal year 1850. would appear to justify the appropriation of $40,000 toward the completion of Western Reservoir at Johnstown, as hereinafter recommended. It would also author ize the appropriation of a sum not less than 1300,. 000, in addition to the amount already appropriated, to be expended in the completion of the North Branch canal. The legislature at its last session authorized the re-issue of the relief notes then• in circulation, and suspended their cancellation for three years. The amount of the whole ism:Miaow outstanding is 5653,161 00 The amount.paid into the Treasury and supplied by a eaw issue is 443,537 00 Balance The above balance has been .destroyed, or has failed to reach the Treasury during the year.— These notes, the redemptiontuf which being am ply secured, and affording a safe and convenient local currency, bare the confidence and favor of the citizens. It is therefore recommended that au thority be given to the proper officers, to•lteepthem in good condition f by a new issue, in lien of such as may become mutilated and defaced. In addition to the suggestions made to the last kegislature on the subject of the monied. affairs of the State, it is deemed proper to call your attention to ther fact, that a portion of the funded debt is-over due ;—a part bearing an interest of six per cent and a part falling due the year 1850', as follows; The amount of five per cent. funded debt over due, excepthanit chatter loans, is The amount of six percent. funded debt over due, is 1,752,335 06 The amount of five per cent. funded debt falling due on or before Dec. 1, 1850, is The amount of unfunded debt, now due, is I Amount Demandable at the Treasury during the year, 53,191,170- 19 Provision should be made at an Carly day for arrangements with creditors holding there claims. To permit them to remain in their present condi tion, would only evince an indisposition to pay our just debts; but would ,also operate injuriously to the holders of the stock, by compelling sales at a price below their par value. Toe annual de mantis upon the Treasury, witirthe present means of the State, will not permit the payment of these loans; and the only practicable m de which sag vests itself seems to be the negotiation of new loans, stipulating an extension of the time of pay. ment. It is believed that such loans could be ne gotiated at a rate of interest not exceedig five per cent. Should authority be given in the - arrange• meats sug gested , to stipulate that the said stock should be exempt from taxation, the inducements to investments therein, would create such compe tition as would be highly advantageous to the Treasury. Justice and honesty require that these debts be promptly paid, or arranged to the isatisfac lion of the parties interested, and any provision which the Legislature may deem proper on the subject, will meet the cordial approbation of the Executive. The establishment of the sinking fund, by the appreciation of State stocks, and the consequent increase of confidence in the ability of the State to meet her engagements, with the replacement by a new issue of the old and' defaced relief notes, has had the salutary effect of enabling the Treas ury Department with slight expense in the ex change or transmission of means, to meet the pay ment of interest on the public debt in par money, as al-o to pay other creditors of the State in good funds. The payment of the peblitilielfifities in the manner aforesaid, and the adoption of a system to extinguish , eventually the public debt, must bring to their par value, the 'stacks of the Commonwealth. It is vomiter that 813,019:000 - o1 the pablie stocks are held in thieconotry, and the addition in their value by these simple operations-demanded alike sound policy and honesty, will increase their mar ketable vrortH in the 'herds of the citizens 61,950,- 000: To the efficiency' of the State Treasurer, the Auditor General, and other offleere charged' with the collection and disbursement-of ther public man. ens during the past year, is justly attributable in a huh degree these favorable results. The beneficial results of the sinking fund can not be doubted. The payments from varionirsour ces to the Commissioners, during• the past year havei been as follows: From collateral inheritance tax, " Premiums ow charter., " Eating and oyster houses cad rettaurants, " Billiard and bowling Odom. and ten-pin alleys, 84 Theatre, emus and menager ie licenses, " Medley its brewery licenses,. Amount received fie the year fed, Mg 'December, 3,1849 j epnora. 01 The estimated payments for the same purpose, for the year ending Dee., 1850', areas follows: From collateral inheritance tax' 1.1200.000' 00 [I interest orratocks pruchased, 15,000 00 " -Premium's on charters, 40,000 00 Tbeatre,cireassaid menairrie licenses, " Distillery & brewery liCenses, -- r+:rn:a ...... , cG+7..;..r .+FwLY . HP~"".aKz». -✓....: w;nw~ a1,•4'~25~ .::.: n-.r,!^cr<v+. 2,000 00 300 00 5,01 W 00 5,000 00 2,000 .00 2,000 00 r,OOO 00 11,000 00 235,000 00 4,000 00 20,000' 00 2,000 00 2,000 00 2.000 00 - 15,000 00 5,000 OW 300 00 2,000 00 40,000 00 2,000 00 700' Off 270,000 MY 150,000 00 293,000 00 5434,800 00 $209,627 00 $354,31 . 9 10 999,21'1' tr 85.194 88 5190,212 41 35,969 40 5,867 20 '2,91‘ 50 2,210 00 384 00 2jooo 00 1,500 00 gi Billiard mod bowlieg askoons • - 101- 1 0 ,Y 1 aliffs.K;= 0 1 000 00 iftritsli blifri • p 1000 00 Adana ' *Tissii*Ohrr Oodifi4 sPl* o o lll kia berto . lionfpusmidieuad, gi,sols ME $371,000 00 The opinion is confidently exprenek that the intimated reeelparaWmilirluid; wane • • approximate the truth, should an adherence to the policy pursued by the last Legislature. in relation to premiums on charters, and other financial meas. ores be authorized B:continued. Ehould such be the case, the above sum. at the present rates. would extinguish upWards of four hundred thousand dol lars of the funded debt, during the present fiscal year. - The sources tons erhielv is supplied, must necessarily increase. The tax on collateral inheritance, and our theatre, circus, and menagerie licenses, prior to the act creating a sink ing fund, yielded to the Treasury about the sum of 846,000 annually : By the provisions of that act, these have been increased to the sums above stat- ed, and Mir other sources of revenue bare been created by recommentiatioss heretefoie made to the Legislators. With these means for the supply of tie sibling fund, together with inch additions as the probable resources of the Trearory, from 'time to time may justily, it is susceptible of easy calculation to der termitic., bow nearly approach= the period when 'the State taxes may be repealed,and the State tree from debt, and the burthens of the people remor- ed. So manifestly important are these resultsupon the industrial. pursuits of the citizens, and the in terema and honor of the stater, n is aiggeated for cmisideratinn whether good policy would not re quire the transfer of all balances in the Treasury, at the end of each year, to the Commissioners of the said Fucd. - Every consideration that can impose itself on a government demands the payment of the publlic debt. The local advantages of our commonwealth —the salubrity of our climate—the vastness of our mineral deposites—the finitely of our soil, and the provenly and happiness of the people—alike require the repeal of a system of laws, which com pel eurigratiotrprevent the senletnent of unculti. vated lands—drive capital from all borders, and paralyze the industry of every class Of our citizens ! Shoot d these balances remairrin the treasury ur.- sppropriated to the said Fund, the history of the put will remind us that prodigal expenditures will made to objects of diminished importance. The subject of the revision and equalization of the laws for raising revenue, is again earnestly. prcssed upon the attention of the legislature. Great injustice arises under existing enactments, from the want of adequate means to praventor to punish in dividuals making false returns of property *abject to taxation. The conscientious citizen, scrape lonsly exact in the performance of his ohli. , ations to society, may well complain of laws whi ch suff er the dishonest to elude with impunity the pay ment of an equitable share of the public burthens. The tax on bonds, mortgages, and moneys at :inter eat, is assessed so unequally, that great reason for complaint exists throughout the State. To reme dy to some extent this ervil.it would be well to re quire the Prothonotaries of the several counties, to collect from the Plaintiffs on Judgments the tax thereon assessed, and if necessary, to compel pay ment by le.nd process, allowing to the officer en trusted with this du.y, a reason able compensation, to be paid,. where the payment of the tax is made voluntarily, out of the fund • and by the Plaintiff, when the payment has bee n: compelled by legal process. A similar provision with regard to mort gages, giving the Recorders the authority before stated-in relation to judgments, would embrace these two items of taxation. and would doubtless compel the payment of a large amount of revenue, now fraudulent.y withheld. The laws subjecting to a • tax the commissions issued to officers of this Commonwealth, should be extended to embrace commissions Vahan residents who held commissions under the government, to enjoy the emoluments free from taxation, cannot readily be perceived. No effectual mode has been devised to compel the agents of Foreign Insurance companies to make a semi annual exhibit of the amount of funds em ployed by their respective companies within this Commonwealth. A taw having an effect of ibis character, is highly necessary, and would be pro. duc..tive of decided advantage. In the enactment of such a law, it would be well to the certifi cate issue d to agents of said companies, subject to ta.sahow. tricorporatettcompsnies or various kinds, deri . ring their charters elsewhere, have :veneers in the State, and transact business therein, and yet no ao curate account is taken of the money employed, or of the value or profits of their investments. Where the proper departments required to male a list of these incorporations, and authority given to ascer tain the amount of the investments, the rate of divi dends declared, or the profits made, and a tax levi ed on such dividends, or profits, as well as on the capital stork employed, a large revenue to the Commonwealth would be the result. White money borrowed by citizens, boroughs, and incorporated districts, is subject, by existing laws, to taxation, it is not perceived why money borrowed by incorporated companies, should be exempt from similar assessment. To make an equitable distribution of the public burthens, should be the special object of the Legislature, and care should be taken that no exemption should be al lowed to any class of citizens over another where the property employed is the same. Attention to the foreg oing objects of tasatiost, will .not only in crease t he revenue, but is demanded alike by jus tice and sound Next in importance to the public debt, and the equalization of the taxes,is the management of the public improvements. he vast expenditures an nually made for the repair and supervision of these works, and the amount of revenue derived there from ; so materially aflecting the condition of the Tremowy ; render them objects of peculiar interest. It is believed that an increased amount of nett rev enue should be derived liom these works The enormous appropriations of the last year, for their maintenance in repairs, and towards the payment of debts theretofore contracted, should have placed them in a sound condition, and would authorize the conclusion that a small expenditure during the pres ent season would be sufficient. In the absence of the annual report' Of Canal Commissioners, no specified-meant for these objects can be given by the- Executive. The system for the management of these im provements, invites untreCesmry eipetureures, and remeres responsibility. rrem the proper department. Were the number of Canal Commissinnersincreas ed to five ;—the State divided into dimrieus for the election and supervision of each Commissioner,-= the direct and immediate charge and control of the district- imposed upon one of these officers; requi ring of him-the pevformanceof fibril iniSs noir exe cuted by superintendents and supervisors, andstip ulating for the annoalaltematicn of theta:lid Com missioners. moch.practicid information of interest to the State would be tiermited ; a dtrem responsi bility for the well 'ordered conditioa of the Public "Works, and the minority of expenses would be se cured ; and the large' discretionary powers now. vested in superintendents and supervisors, in the adoption of plans and pa! merit of money fbr re- pairs, would be placed in officers directly aeconn table to the people. le relation to this subject, leg ialation should be clear and specific, as disenetiona ry power over the money or the citizen must Leda preciated by right thinking men. The metitett.adopted in the management of the. Publis Works is evidently defective. Repairs on the canals and railsoads are made in a -way to pra. vent all competition-. Were the several services performed by contract, and awarded to the lowest' bidder, giving the required eemerity, can there eit: w a deabt efavembla resells to the public inter oak The State does not derive.an adequate share of the profits arisinu from the me i of the Colombia Railroad. 'The bonstruition dr the road ; its main• wanes and supervision, and: the simply of. the Motive rower, involving great azpenee and risk, demand from the profits of the road 'a larger return thin finahi way tellte Treasdry: An evil so (let ' to tbe' • , inesur h int p the tetial i ‘den • *au • to invite propitealt- rfu ,rng t e er oh' die teams% .g 10 to be perfornive; the e. to etas Ailieriirto be given. Xhii • beteg to procure competition in the mippti of Motif*, Power, encooragerrent should be given to individ-t or moreiboontotives on theroad, whether belong- ing to the 14tete, or the bidividual bidder. Shoold the locomotives belonging to the State,'be furni,h ed to the bidders, theeontractehoeld- stipulate the terms on which they should housed Tbsi transiscration o(pl.s mgrs should be done by contract with the lowest bidder, hi the agree• nientfitwealdthesiseaseer4knittsbo.kenaal-Ceen2* missionms should fix the kind of cars, and such other details u would iicure the accommodation ?f the passengers ; -and .guard the public interest. Ir. the transmission of -burden ears, an arrange- meat might well be made with their owners, by which the State would =slat Instead of the pres ent tolls, a portion of „the freight charges. The ataseguenats would be advantageous to both par. ties. - These changes in the . pniseht system, would, it is believed, largely diminish the etpenses of the Motive Power -* *mild ainhottre a redut don the: rate of tolls; p roduce an increase of business upon the road ; famish itrith profitable labor' many citi zens now refused employment, by reason of the monopoly held by the Stale over the Motive Power on the road ; prevent the ettpenditute necessary for the purchase of new locomotive; save to the State theimmeule sacrifices in the ol engines; accom modate the: travelling public by $ lower rate of faro; and would advance the public interests by lessening-the annualoutlays, and increasing the in coree.fioni the read more than 6200;000. Discriminations in the tolls on the Public Works, against portions of our citizens, by means of a sys tem of drawbacks and maximum rates of tolls, ate unjust and improper. Their tabor and property, in common with others was incumbered m the con- stroction of the improvements ; their industry and wealth have for years assisted, and continued to as sist, to sustain them ;'and it is difficult to perceWe upon what principle of 'public . policy, a Tariff of tolls is maintained, discriminating against their in- The demands of trade catoot excuse a teresui palpable 'wrong of this character, while a reduction of tolls on the whole line of improvements, would produce an increase of business, and secure the de. eked foreign trade. The practice of contracting, debts for repairs,) and for the purchase of materials beyond appropriakont. forthese pormileri, should be prohibited by severe penalltes. Itßing can be more destructive of all accountabilily, or offer stronger inducements public ex travagance,' than such a power over the public money. Ati officer guilty of an act of the kind, vi olates the trust committed to him, and should be forthwith disinissed from the pulAke service. Debts stress!) , contrasted ip this way. sh W be paid; for the lisbor in behalf of the State has been performed. and it would inflict an injor) on those who could not have a knowledge the wrong, to withhold from them the value of their -services ; but immediate measures should be adopted, to prevent occurren- ces of a like nature in future. A. practice of this kind, authorized in some measure by ,subsequent appropriations - of the Legislature, 'for the pay-men , of the debts thus edntracted;cannot fail to mislead the people, and embarrass . the publ.c officers in their estimates and recommendations. The large appropriations for the paymere uf.old debts, made at the last session of the Legislature, show the ex tent to which the practice has been carried, and should admonish us to guard against a recurrence of the evil Yn pcoviding by legal enactment a~ainet the mischief here stated, authority might be given to the Canal Commissioners, 'tumid it be deemed necessary, to meet deirciences in the funds provided for any hue of improvements ; to draw from a specified appropria'ion for that purpose, re quiring from them a detailed and special report nu the subject, to the auditing department, as well as untie succeeding Legislature. , - The avoidance of the Scheyfkill Inclined Plane, and the improvements connecting with the Colum bia and Philadelphia Railroad, which are in rapid progress. of afoot action, must Materially increase the business on that public thoroughfare, and will render -the relaying of a portion of the said road, 'a work of absolute necessity. In the performance of this work, should the Legislature authorized it, good polity would seem to require, PO far as the miens of the Treasury will permit, that one track at least, should be laid with a- heavy rail ; and it is worthy of consideration whether the public inter ests would be greatly sobserved, by- a location of the new track, so as to avoid the many short eurea tares on the eastern end of said- road. They in crease the danger to passengers and freight • for bid a despatch safely pOrformed on a straight line ; and require greater force than would be necessary on a direct track with higher grades: In the event of the Legislature authorizing the relaying of the eastem.section of the said road, and the change of location before mentioned, a due regard to the pub lic interests acd the limited resources of the Treas ury would seem to demand that the improvement should commence at an early day, and progress from year to year, as the revenues would warrant, until it should be completed. The Portage Railroad, from the. cumpfetiort of our line of improvementetcr the present time, has been a serious obstacle to the business of the:com mainly, and the occasion of trade seek int • uther channels to the Atlantic markets. Any mode therefore, of lessening this evih must ,meet the hearty concurrence of citizens The sum of five hundred thousand dollars judiciously expend ed, will avoid all the abort levels, and tour of the five Inclined Planes, on the western slope of the Allegheny. The annual expense of l inaintaining these Planes is not I as than ten fuensand dollars; for each Plane, and if to that amount be added the cost the short evels, and the perishable nature of the materials connected with these works, with the delays and' mks incident thereto; tile annual amount hir dleir maintenance, cartmettie less than one hundred thousand dollars. Were these Planes avoided, and those on the eastern slope of the mountain repaired, the commerce cat the public Works would be faeilitaled' and - increa-ed, and the' Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company, would find it their interest for many years to use it Irmo nection with their greatioaproveinent. During the last session, the scircity of waters* the upper portion of the A'estern Division of 'the Pennsylvania Canal, materially injuted . the charac ter of the Public, Works, and diminishes the reve nue from that source net less thatt $30,000. To guard against a recurrence olthis evil, it is recom-, mended that the Western Reiervoir, in the con struction of Which, the stun of sixty thousand dol lars has been expentlitcr; be'corripleted. The esti— mated amount required Ric its eompletion is 540,- 000, and would, id the opinion of the Excutive, be audicious appropriation. it has been stgAesterl that an alteration in the ea. nal locks, by making them conform to the shape of the bottom of the boats, would not only strengthen them, but would be a saving of water. This might be effected, if deemed of sulfacieut imPortanee,-by the insertion of wooden bolome r ia etch manner as to produce the results indicated. By the reports of the Auditor General and Stift Treasurer, made under the directions of the act of the 10th of April, 14149, it-appeared that after the payment of the interest on the public debt, and the liquidation and payment of other claims for' which appmmiations had been made by .he Legislature, and retaining a reasonable balance. is the Treasu ry,. the sum of 3150,000 might, with safety, be ap plied to the completion of the North Branch Canal raccordlngly gave immediate notice of the fact to the Canal Commissirseenr s and 'portions of the work - it is understood; have been- placed under connate: Considered as.a. putt cf the Public Improvement, and re-commenced as a.revenue measure, that work should be finished at the earliest day the condition of the Treasury 'will permit. It should' not be for gotten, that the present unfinished condition of the work, -try interrupting the free :nudged= of the river : by the tlestructian of roads and injury to pri- vale property, wittiest aflording sty etinve n i onet qty, Whet smand a wregig which de i gl i tr i Me qty, paraii - on In addition to the su m . 1 *dir aclirpnated, it is con fi dently believ e d th ' 4 , IgtO, .n whir ptuprfety,- be given to th at ' al. vein in the present sewn and the f o li o . • year e provisiurr might hi: naade for its m ovie. While ii bas been deemed advisable t o b, t ., th _ r to ... the ow noticei vii iif ir sons already heavilyburdened- with tat ic e the general welfare of the spearatmeeallir, fo r % an increase of did: ptibfic debt. The egitalization"atid revisilm .of the laws; the proposed change in the management of the Public Works, atrd their ea.-1y improvement a n d com letion ; ° lath a rigid maintenance of the sink. iN erMilemsent reduction of the p op lin' debt, waoli), with the present resources of treasury, Mabee is I fair years a condition of ft ; nauckil prospenty, justifying the conviction o f , L speedy relief of our citizens from the pay meaf : taxer! for the support of government, standx f i ld " charities: - Pile Eastern and western pertitentaries have her e conducted with skill and prudence, and in th e „. fonnation •shil security of offleadenc, society ha, derived important adltantagds - . It is, tame st . worthy: ofseriods edllsideratidh, vehetfier in the 26 :1 .,. 'fion of a system of solitary. Confinement, the 5e,,,. ity of the puniihment authorized by law, does . injurionsly affect the mental and physical Vigor the prisoner The frequent recomulendationi tb Executire f a , the pardon of convicts 'afflicted with ill health ax mental imbecility, would appear to require a t0c.,!,. fimition of the present laws. it is earnestly recommended that asmall iners sm of the annual appropriations be made io the }loess of Refuge, and the Asylums of the Deaf, Dumb i s ! Blind. These institutions, long the- deserved ob . lest. of State bounty, have been increa.,ing in u se . fulness. and incurring additional' yearly .e.rpe ue , whilel the annual items bestowed bare the same. In the growth of population the de. mends on these Asylums must ' be augmented, as,, their expenditures necessarily enlarged and It s same degree of liherelity awarded on former ot. cations, *Sold claim the appropriation of largt a mourns. In the prosemittini of the work fot the State Le e atic Asylum, the appropriation el a former ) ear h a •...:` been erhaested, and a sum Of' like annum Li required for its completion. UndePdie supere.-„, .. of excellent and aftentive,trustees, the , buildia; h a --,- rapidly advanced, and it now under roof. . The structure is plain, substantial' and le e , 2 ' filet; eligibly sitnitedift' retest& to the co l le ct , 1 (tithe patients and stfreeptibly of a finish, b ona , , . 4 ble to the State, and useful to the community, The 1 Probability of las abandonment by the Legislate!' or of a refusal to grant the additional SIM regth e y -'.' for its comp.etion cannot bWeittertaiiVed by the ea iSt ecntive. Too lone already hes politic charity bee; 7 : withheld from the . insane Poor of the State--os - .11 long have they been suffered to wander destine a:AI deserted.—The jest of the thoughtless, and thi victims of the prothgate; white humannv and 1 , christian benevolence clainied for them public err.. tection. It •is uot, however, protection alone the is contemplated in thisrAsyluni. :The reports Imo different similar institution" afford the gratin tree. telligence that eighty, and in some instances. ni ce . ly per cent. of the number iftlicted, radically ca r . .. ed. In this view of the subject combining sheer arid protection, with restoration to health and m. on the inducements* to energetic action on 9nr. pr. cannot be overlooked. It is estimated that an se -- ditional sent of 550,000 will finish the beetle; r it for the reception of patients and the same sins -!....! peettaq and earnestly recommended. >.;. Note itlestending the4e.vision, by the last Lev., '.."1 lature, of the law., in relation to common itviwol l , the system will require modification. It does as receive from the citizen" the favor, that a sound aa. enlighteeeti scheme of education deserves, Wm ..1 evil lutist exist in the laws uhich control its pro. ;,1 cal operations. A. serious ticket, is die want i fy properly qualified tenchers. it iv worthy your ere 1 eideratiou whether the establishment of Nome schools in the different eicenties, would not remm this evil. Education may well be termed the gm.: measure of the age. In a Republican gorenmer ~ it is the eaftuainl of liberty, and enlightened stile `,`,.: men regatdints, it in this aspect, will cordially to '-•-) operate to establish, to defend, to cherish, and a 1 ' maintain it. The Superintendent having teems -? meth thottght on the sthiject, wit? at am early 1:Z submit a report, totiehkh your attention o torte - The militia law of the lesteession ii, inns= in many of its Joel's, and requires revision i the 'abolition of the mockery of parades tone to the old system, and the establishment ore effectual uniformed militia, well disciplined en •...,-, drilled, it has been prodeetive of general rat- ,;I, Slight modifications in its provisions will moil all that esn be de-ired. The report of the A, ezr. '...., General is well worthy "your consideiatico, and s '' ,-. .f, accordingly submi tee , Reports . from-the S urveyor General re: de.ie . i. General. exhibiting the condition of therrespeort -'- departments., are herewith. transmitted to '.h.e Le ~ i-lainre, and die latter will furcriAil'in-iiettil mitt -ii valuable infonnatiort,\ 1 relation to tr.s duels. ttti _ e condition of the Comm ‘wealth, The. duty' of districting e State for the skew , 3 of Representatives, a ill devolve upon you r,,, of tatabletr, reqthred to be made by the d,arr: ..1, counties, have not been transmitted. as le law Y , I were diverted : but the officers charged ere... 5 • ~, duties under the law, see ewpged• to their preps. lion and they will St aid at as early day hem the Legislature., .. --, By resolution passed at the lest testier, the Le votive was required - to transmit to cetiate eters. citizens or natives of the State, resolutions eiptes ive of the approbation of the Let,nr•ldtUre'b , " : . .e - distinguiSheti serviceis in the late warn ith )lens in performer , this•duly these resehtairgx. w re...cc smelted to stieti oithese,Officers, as by the to to of the Adjutant .General of the United S,atts. 0 '_--, been breveted for 0-ext'con&ect`. ", The resolutions for the amendment of the Cr .r "Motion, having been they* published accradirt t the terms of that ichartrment, it will be the S l5l the eg ielattire to take sect, action lei the seer- as may be most cons . ..peen t with the it iere it 12 ' people! If is proper to state that the apperld made trideffay the expenses of the .p.blirece/ these resolutions, was whnlly, insufficient tat at .. purpose, and an additional sum will be m eant.; ~,, Tn the message delis:ered at the (Ileum; ' fl late session, reference was made to tilt Nate* . .t. dime, who haul rottenest to his hertte after tail t; earned for himself -and the *tate in the tor "s Mexico, a reputation for undaunted brave~"P* l r' --, euffering and heroic virtue; and the opinion tee, pressed, that it traetibe 115 these pat Mete cilizeisti i the Corn menttbabh should make a seitahle * '. knowledgement for their service.. No eec te. '• ing been taken upon the suggestion. I w 0u134 0 call the subject to the attention or the Le; 144° .. . It IS ages' ptittpefeth 'refet to' the lecommead A : therein made, in relation tether death of t 7„ officers of theg evernment and the o mis,sionee, constitution to supply thevacancy. The etlr t deemettof sufficient importance to justify att o _l' eft hope that legislative action may not le ‘ held thereon. The practice of poetponin'a the psseaCe priation bills to lass day of the session helot'; - beration as well to the Legislature "t° th e r'is*..l Live and should hereafter he avoided. The' t .... requiring care and attetoisin to the re wc,6e ll 7 . dispoeing of large.amoutitZol tire public . te. l ; should ' be deliberately examined .beloi e tae!' ** .„; the sanction of laws. Nothing can eircui.ehat9l" unadvised leeislation, on a-subject so imPt i v' er In the publicinterests . it is confidently nor ....' t..at this Legislature ' will adivpi a rule of pr 4;,. more consistent with -prudence, econoral. - sound policy. ars • The intimate connection existinn between: oit : he dewy of the eiti,ens, and the currency of h , try. demands for that question the rodeo.' no. of the statesmmeand lawgiy er I i a utherizinelP e a ins or other lesinutirens. to create a c urrency . !, than Phi and silver, it would be unfaithful to trusts trusts to permit them, for want of preeer,c . n . : „ . and g uards t.; anew it to s o: , etre 1,....t4 .3!';-1- a
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