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