GIBSON T'EMOCK, Xak(r.
VOLUME XXII.-NO. 230.
ms's .
rix....g,:s - ,:is. - .:.4.•:,..ct„g
OF iIB Excitissoy
JOHN:..W.:::::OgARY
TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OP THE
. .;
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA,
January 6, 1866.
To the &nate and House of Representatives of
Commonwealth of Pentisy7eansa :
Getrrisisreir: For the harmony and general
relations of comity and friendship existing be
tween reptisYlvani's and all the ether, States and
Territories or the national Union; for the preteut
prosperous Condition of the Commonwealth; 'for
the glad signs of cording political tranquillity;
and for the success which attends the progress
of our free institutions, we owe a heavy debt of
gratitude to Livia° Providence. In view of the
favorable circumstances under which you
are now assembled, it becomes my
province and duty, as Itis , ray
pleattire, to offer you my hearty congratulations,
and to tender you a cordial welcome to Vie ie•gle
la. ive Halls of the State. This, indeed, affdris me
a higher gratification, because I participate with
your constituents In the confidence manifested
by them In selecting you to represent their indi
vidual interests as well as those of the Common
wealth. On your, wisdom, ,integrity, judgMent
and discretion, all will undoubtedly rely for the
corn a determination of every question affecting
the largest interests and gravest responsibilltins,
and for a continuatce. and even an lacrosse, of
that prosp eoyed .rry whlcbt Lista hitherto been so sig
n a lly enj
is not without a consciousness of the great
responsibility resting upon me thst I undertake
the performance efts cosstituttonal duty, top&
ring mat the Governor "stall from time to time
give to the General Assembly information of the
state of of the CoMmOnwealth, and - mem:mead
to their consideration such measureS as he shall
iodize expedient " In conformity with this re.
quite:smut, your attention will be called only to
such matters of public Interest as in my judg
ment deserve careful consideration and action on
your part during the present session.
Winancou
Tbe following ; prepared --stare
m nt of the financial "Condition of the State for
the meal year eno In November 80, 1868:
e reports of the Auditor Genera] and
State Treasurer show that the balance
in the Treasury, November 30, 1567,
wins, ....... . .. .
'..... .654,06',&30 45
Ordmary receipts doting the hsesl year
ending Nov. 30, 15G5... .........
Peprzeisted funda in the Treasury, non-
Total In Treseiny fOrtlecal year emdinz •
v . 80, ....... ...... $59,919,91801
l'itytteents.
Ord I bury expenses &Irina
the decal year ending Nov.
Sulk Ib6B $11.454.500 09
I.oszte, do , redeemed 4,417,463 64
tether payments 12,i010 00
I nip' est ten Want , 1,819,00 91
Depredated Mt de, unavail
able
Balance In Teary. Nov, 1863 $1,01.9,41.5 37
By an act approved April 18, 1868, the trans
actions of the Commissioners elf the Blotting
Fond were ordered to be thereafter reported an
nmlly to the 80th day of November. Their laet
rt 11, therefore, includes a period of one year
and three months.
The followine fa the "recapitulation" of the
reunions of the Sing Feud, from September
:t, io November SO, 1868.
lii ance lu rand, September 3,15 G.... .. $1,737,912 4L
Itectipre In fund from Septum'. er 3. 1867
to Aovemter 30, 1865
5,06,904 72
Paid interest $1,608,005 64
Premiums paid as equiva
lent (or coin..,
Loans redeemed
Balance in fund November SO, 1863 $934,032 76
By the sixth section of the act of May 16, 1861,
a special tax of one-half mill on the dollar was
especially set apart for the payment of the Inter
est and redemption of the loan created by an act
of May 18, 1861, entitled "An Act to creato.a loan
abd provide for arming the State."
Balance on hand September 3. 1867
Tr.° receipts from said tax and tax on
groan receipts from September 3, 1867,
to November 80. 1668, amount to 423,970 20
Interest paid u January and July, 1868
Balance in fund November 80, ISOB
CONDITION OF NLLANUrB
Bilsm* in sinking filnd.No
- inbor 80, 1868......... .
Balance in inking ilind,No
vember 60, 1668
$1,508,700 13
Deduct balance in Treasury, November
30, 1868,
Balance in favor of sinking fund
EEDUCTION OF THE STATE DEBT
By the report of the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fond- for the year ending September 3,
1867, the "loans redeemed" amounted to $1,734,-
569 50, and by their remit from September 3,
1867, to November 30, 1868, the "loans re
deemed" amounted to 82,214,316 64, making a
total redaction of the State cebt, in two years
and three months, of four 'billion two hundred
and nine thousand three hundred and eighty-six
dollars and fourteen cents.
The assets remaining in the Sinking Fund are
as follow, viz:—Bonds of the Pennsylvania RAU
road Company, six million, four hundred thou
sbnd dollars, and bonds of the Philadelphia and
Erie Railroad Company, three million, live hun
dred thousand dollars. These are millio n ,
ri
t
bearing bonds and will mature for many
yeara. I, therefore, recota trod to the conside
ration of the Legislature e propriety of the
passage of a law, authorizing the Commissioners
of the Sinking Fund to sell these bonds at public
sale to the hllyheat bidder, and direct the proceeds
to be applied tb the liquidation of the State debt.
Eva& DEBT.
Public debt outstanding December 1,
1867............... . .... $87,704,409 77
Dedurenun.deme;ti Itaie Tres-
bury dtuing the dead year ending No..
ievember 80, 1868,
TS per cent. loans
....14,854.253 64
.... 63,000 00
210 00
43 percent. ,10an5....
Relief notes cancelled
Public debt December 1, 1868.,
Siatement showthg the condition of the in
debtedness of the Ithmmonwealth on the first
day of December, 1868.
Funded debt, viz. :
4 per cent.
per cent loans
4 36 Per cent, loans
..$25,311,180 00
.„ 7,749.111 53
.. 112,000 00
$33,172,95150
Unhinded debt, vl2 :
Relief notes in circulation. $96,415 00
Interest certificate outst'ng , 18,0Q6 62
" unclaimed". 4,418 88
Domestic creditors' certiti-
Totia unfunded.
funaed And unfunded.....: X93:286,9465
•
- - ' '.. ' 2 ---:l* * 'l '.". 4 - - o }. ~r 4 " '.' '''''r : 4 't ,r i.. ,- 1,:..., '.- 0-•, ,, f- ~..,-,“ -,,. 7 , ij l.l ?,:r''' ti
4 - 1, - ,--- - - _,:ri
. . . _
- . .., . ..
. ,•
t ,
.:;?„ „. :.;•;' .:: - . 1. . '
. 1 . , . •,
~ . " ' " . 1 . ; ...• ' - -,' •
'= ' ','', f 7
G. ~.
, -
. ~
0.216,049 53
11038 .00
41,032 00
8.933.4 n 114
2,4180992 81
49 98
2.414,816 61
- $4.222,5T1 D 6
$319.933 17
743,912 97
169,24500
A 514,667 37
$934,032 76
574,667 87
1,011415 91
$495,2f4 76
4,417,463 64
, 3.280,940 13
110.994 6T
Wbleb to the amount - of the atito debt at be
fore scaud. ' • ' .
. ,
During the last eighteen years there has bl4ll '
carried upon the Recounts of the Auditor-General
and State Treasurer, and in their several pnblie
stattme•nts, "depreciated_ funds : unavailable" to
the amount of forty-one thousand and thirty-two
dollars. I recommend the appointment of a Joint
colon:11th e r by-thw Legislature r -.whosw- duty—it -
shall be to examine , the said depreciated , and un
available funds and dispOse of them to the best
advantage of the ;Treasury; or, if found to be
worthkse; to caned` and destroy them, so that
the accounting (Metre may be relieved from the _
necessity and responsibility of annually account
-in g for
'The large caeh balanee"rentaliting In the Tina-
myon the 30th of November, 1867, Mei been used
,for the payment of the twenty-three million loan
and for the liquidation of outstanding claims
against the State. The investment of the funds,
ht one of the models reeommended'in my last
annual meesnge s has, therefore,ln a great meas
-nre, been rendered tiniteasitiry for the present.
But in the event of large accumulations of;money
hereatte4,the - reeternmeedatiOns thnreilf a re • .
respectfully referred to,' and , renewed. wnen-!:
ever there may be ettlfldnilflindi in the TrennurY,
they,.itan, wig' safety and benefit tWthe State; be.
Umployed-in the-purchase , of- its ontetandiag
bonds; and In snvieg tbeintereat on them which
wouldttecuraulate prhor tetheir maturity
I `regret to state that thilast
though - I'OY Yorewarued in regard to they icuiccoi , ,
ray and want of- proper sad sufficient guards for'
the. S'ife4eeplag of the money ot the t:Ohimen
wealth. failed ",to determine upon any mOde' by
which the Treasury may A* effectually guarded
vgaiust the possibility of loss. The present
is-ghlature bus it itl its power to secure for Itself
ap ordivary honor. by the enactment of such a
law, strong and 'efficient, for the purpose indica;
cated, and the enkoment not only of the appro
uation, but the permanent gratitude of every cit.-
met,.
Notwithstanding the sati.factory reduction of
be public indebtedness, as shown lu the foregoing
statetrentr, en itemense State debt is still upon
us. requiring nearly two Million of dollars to be
eolected to pay the interest accruing upon it
annually. Its extinguishment at the earliest
practicable period, not Inconsistent with other
public Interests, Is of the highest Importance to
every tax-payer. 'I , cannot, thereforo,too strongly
urge the strictest economy in respect to every
xpenditure and the utmost retrenchment in
o cry dr pertinent.
}Mummer:trent is emphaticaly demanded by the
is °pie in legislative expentatore4, as`WeitAti Au—
• t try other branch of the government. Their
ey es are open to Investigate every traneaction,
and by their ballots they are ready to strike down
_
_ lye
those who will not take effective actin in favor
91 positive and radical reform . The oney paid
Into the Treasury is the property of e — Glad,
every one of whom has a just right ,to hold tda
rt pn.sen ta three to a strict fLOCOlltability for every
dollar that may be appropriated or expended.
I here renew the remarks made last year on the
subject of "annual appropriations," to which you
.tre respectfully referred. For four successive
years the general appropriation bills have been
biuned on the eleventh day of April, being snout
tee time of adjournment. The Governor has
been forced either to sign the bills without proper
investigation, notwithstanding any objections he
may have; suspend the means to defray the ope
rations Of the government for the ensuing year,
or call an extra session of the Legislature. I re
tor at that "It is earnestly desired.that the appro..
['nation bill be taken up discussed and passed
at a pathmently early period during the session
to enable it to receive that thorough examination
which its importance demands."
Sducaslon.
C 031415104, 616:000L.5.
The annual report of the Superintendent of
Common Schools exhibits the condition of that
eepartment in a highly satisfactory manner.
Within the State there are 1,918 school districts;
13 766 schools; 2,382 graded schools; 11,698 achool
directors; 73 county, city and borough superin
teodents: 16,771 teachers, and 800.515 _pupils.
The cost of tuition for tbc ye.ir was $3,273.263 43;'
of building, purchasing and renting school
bons( e, $1.991,352 55; of contingencies, $8'61,-
:f53 zl. These three items, with expenditures
for all other purposes connected therewith,
amount to the aggregate sum of $6.200,537 96:
These facts are exhibited with great satisfac
tion, as they show the average annual cost for
the tuition of each pupil to be about seven dol
lars and seventy-four and a half cents. The
verage =Mint paid to each teacher Is sboat
$195 I;3 t i per' annum. This, in my opinion, is
too small a salary to secure the services or com
petent teachers; and 1 am fatly justified is urging
the necessity of increased compensation. It Is
but Just, and it will have an el.vating tendency
not only noon the teachers but the manner in
which their duties are performed.
Four attention is called to the fact that, not
withstanding the ample provision now made by
taw for the education of all persons between Vie
g t s of six and twenty-one years, large numbers
of children, principally in our cities, do not at
tt any kind of echoci. Over twenty thousand
01 this class are found in Philadelphia, and the
number:in the State is estimated tone not less than
venty-five thousand. These children grow up
in Ignorance, frequently without employment,
and many of them contract habits of vice, which
eventually cause them to be committed to houses
of refuge, county prisons or penitentiaries. Hu
manity and sound public polic demand that
something be done to remedy th is growing evil,
and also that of the neglected condition of con
siderable numbers of children in the alms and
k•oclor houses in many of the counties.
Four Normal Schools are now recognized as
State institutions. Tho number of students at
tending them during the past year was 2,115. of
born eighty graduated. Two additional Normal
Schools will probably go into operation during
this year, one located at Bloomsburg, Columbia
county, and the other at Caldornia, Washington
county. The va'ne of these institutions to the
ct moron school system cannot be estimated. Our
schools are comparatively worthless without
qualified teachers, and such teachers can most
easily be obtained from the Normal institutes,
a here the art of-teaching is made a specialty.
A meeting of the presidents and other author-
Ith s of a number of our colleges was held in Har
rieburg last winter, the object of which was to
bring about a closer union of all our educational
institutions, and connect by a bond of sympathy,
it not of organic structure, the common schools,
high schools, academies and colleges. The estab
lishment of such an educational department
seems to be desirable.
There le no subject more worthy the delibera
tions of the Legislature than the promotion of
the ,welfare of our common schools. They im
mediately underlie the characteristic features of
our social system; they are fountains of that
wide-spread intelligence. which, like a perennial
vitality, pervades the nation, and arenurserfes of
that inquiring spirit to which we are indebted
for the purity and preservation of our free insti
tutions. In a Republican Government education
is a sure basis of power and public prosperity.
By it the people are taught to discern and esti
mate the value of their own rights; to distinguish
between oppression and the exercise of lawful
authority; to discriminate between liberty and
licentiousness; to preserve an inviolable respect
for the laws, and exercise "eternal vigilance"
against any encroachments upon them.' It is ad
mitted that a thoroughly educated people alone
can be permanently free. By educational culture
patriotism Is expanded, and the principles, man
ners and sentiments of the whole people are as
similated. Many of the sources of jealousy and
prejudice are diminished, social harmony largely
increased, and the atructure of our free and
happy system of government cemented,strengtk
cued and adorned.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' SCHOOLS. a
In his report the Superintendent of Soldiers
Orphans' Schools exhibits the total eipenditure
for their support from December 1, 1867, to May
81, 1868, to be $236,970 26; total number of
pu - pits 111 the schools, 3,481; average cost per
pupil $69 0634 for six months; and the average
Weekly expensmper pupil $2 65M.The fiscal
year of these schools, like that of the common
schools, terminates by law on the last day of
May of each year. The present report of the
Superintendent, therefore, embraces only six
mouths, and reports will be made up to the 31st
day of .May, annually, hereafter. The special
PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY,',TANUARY 6, 1869.
= appropriation of FebrtlMY26,,l: ,8, , made in ac
,cordance with an estimate,of the Superintendent,
plesented in my last annual message, exceeded
the actual expenses .6,004'74.
Notwithstanding every possible effort has been,
and will continue to-be, =We t , to ,economize in
the expenses of 'the' present year, 'add to keep
them as tar as possible within the appropriation
made by the last-Legislatnre,l It will readily be
observed that there will be a deficit for the year
ending May 01. 1869, the amount of which will be
carefully ascertained and - prmented to the Legis
lature prior to the close of the present session.
The schools are all In good condition and im
proving, end their usefulness As daily becoming
more manifest. They are among the most phi
lanthropic institutions of the age, and
reflect high honor on the-patriotism of the Legis
lature by which they have been so liberally en
dowed and upon our people by whom they are
sustained. The children who are the recipients
cf their benefits are the offspring of brave men
who voluntarily endan . gered.. , their lives in the
cause of their country in the most trying hour
of Its existence, and who, glowing with patriotic
ardor, fought as bravely and as heroically as the
noblest men in the world's history. Thousands
of them who left their homes in the bloom of
health and with the brighteet hopes of manhood,
uoweleep in death, leaving their widows and
little ones to the eare.of , the,cauntry in whose
service they fell, and' which' promised them its
protection. Their childrensre the wards of this
great Commonwealth; ',Ltd trip much praise can
not he awarded its people for the munificent
and tender manner in which they have thus far,
through their representatives, discharged the
sacred and delicate trust.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Before the General Geivenn'ent appropriated
public lands to the several States for the purpose
of agricultural and military education and the
mechanic arts, and prior to`the time when Penn
ey 'yenta endowed the Agricultural College with
bar share of these lends, It was dependent wholly
noon Individual influence, without any other
means for its support than its own earnings.
History proves thatecininarles of learning can
not be efficiently austained by their own internal
resources. The educatloff of youth In the higher
brunches of knowledge seems to require the aid
of philanthropic contributions. This institution
had not these benetits.to any adeqaate exteneand
though the board of trustees. bestowed upon it
the most anxious care, their zeal and labor, com
bined with those of its friends, were not equal to
a contest with the want of means. Hence the
E eh° ol did not command the confidence of far
mers who were able to educate their
sons, and who could not forget
Viet the character of the college at
tached to the character of its graduates; and that
its failure would enter into the estimate which
the world would place upon the education it be
stowed. ATinefeature has now' been removed.
.The pee e, through their Legislature, have en
dowed this institution with the interest upon a
fund of $318,5j10 00 (invested in United States
and Pennsylvania State six per cent. bonds),pay
able to It semi-annually. Last yearr this interest
amounted to $2.5.642 78. The - residue of the
land, $43,886 50, has been appropriated, under
the law, by the board of trustees, to the purchase
of three model and experimental farms; one at
the college, in Centre county. for $B,OOO 00, one
in Chester county for 817,750 00, and one in
Indiana county for $18136 50. The board has
also recently reorganized the faculty and re
modeled the course of .studies, - so as to adapt
Won to the wants of the agricultural community.
This new order of things goes into operation at
the commencement of the next session, and it is
eernestly hoped will be a success. There is no
profession, trade or calling in life where the
value of In towledge and the lights of science, and
the practliell application of both, are so potent
for profitable results as In their adaptation to
agricultural pursuits. And in this truly practical
age it is well worthy of the consideration of pa
rents, whether they should not avail themselves
of the ttenefits of this institution, now so gen
erously endowed by the State.
Blalitadry.
From' the report of the Adjutant-General you
will learn the condition of the dilitary Depart
ment. The inactivity in military affairs after the
cessation of hostilities and upon the return of
I.cace, Las in a great measure beentilspelled,and
an active martial spirit now prevails throughout
the State; more particularly in Philadelphia,
where, by a special legislative enactment, the
11OW11111111 number of men required to form a
company has been reduced, and a brigade
land is raised by a • tax upon' :those who
are not members of a military organi
zation, but liable to the performance of military
duty. I recommend the passage ora similar law
for the whole State. For the sake of preserving
the great interests involved, which include the
lives, property and happiness of our 'people, this
presented to you as an important subject for
3 our deliberation.
Every possible encouragement of volunteers
has been afforded, and notwithstanding - the Mtn
( ultles indicated it has resulted as fohows : In
1x66 there were eight volunteer companies in the
state: in 1867, thirty-eight; and in 1868, seventy
teveh'and a number of others in preparation for
"r ganlzation.
By a reduction of the number for a company
from that now required to an aggregate of lifts ,
oflieers and men, companies would soon be num
bered by the hundred, any of which could easily
be recruited to the maximum number if required
for active service. The State that always main
tains the highest degree of preparation accom
wishes most and suffers least In the conflict of
rme;, and by being in readiness it often prevents
improper encroachments upon her rights.
the Adjutant General presents a fell and de
tailed statement of the disbursements in his de
partment during the year ending November 30,
1868, with an estimate for the necessary appro
priations for the current year, and also for such
amounts as have been discovered to be due from
Me Transportation Department, contracted for
during the war.
STATE AGENCY
The existence of the Military State Agency at
Washington terminated on the 31st of July last,
ea, a bleb time the appropriation for the pay
ment of its expenses was exhausted. Much ben
efit resulted to many of the soldiers of our, Slate,
and their representatives, from this office A in
VY G
ich their just dues from the United States ov
rument were collected and transmitted to them
free of charge. In August, after the agency
ceased to exist, there still remained a considera
ble number of unsettled claims. and as no one
knew more about their condition, or could
possibly obtain an earlier settlement
01 them than the late agent, Colonel Cook, I per
mitted him, upon his own offer, to close up the
business of the office, and to transact any other
business for the soldiers of Pennsylvania at one-,,.
hull Melees that are charged by any other private
agency in Washington City. This arrangement
has thus far been carried out, and I am pleased
add, with very gineral satisfaction. All the books
and papers ot the agency will be transmitted to
the office of the Adjutant-General.
_ Registry Law.
At the last session of the Legislature an act
was passed known as the "Registry Law," the
intention of which was to protect the ballot-box
against corruption and fraudulent voting, to
which it has for many yeareteen disgracefully
exposed. This law seems to have been so defec
tive in some of its provisions as to have received
the condemnation of a majority of the. Supreme
Court, by which it was pronounced "incongruous
and unconstitutional." At the election imme
diately after this decision, it is alleged that frauds
were perpetrated, surpassing in magnitude, per
haps, any that have been consummated hereto
fore in the history of the Commonwealth. These
frauds have demonstrated the necessity of the
passage of some law, or laws, that will accom
plish the desired object, without being subject to
the exceptionable features pointed out by the
learned gentlemen who pronounced the opinion
of the Supreme Bench.
There,is no subject of ouch vital importance to
the whole country as the sanctity of the ballot
box and the protection of all citizens in their
flat to the elective franchise. This right is our
proudest boast. It, endows the American citizen
with a freedom and a power not possessed by the
subject of any other Government. It makes him
the peer of his fellow-man, whatever may be his
rank, station or position in life. • To be deprived
f it by any means whatever,hts boasted freedom
OUR WHOLE COUNTRY.
becoines a sham--his especial and exaltedpre,
rogative' a mockery,and a farce. What
avails it to th citizen that he
is entitled to a vote, if that vote is to be u
by fraud ? Such guards, then, should be thrown
around tit% polls as will effectually, If possible,
preserve them from the taint 'of a single illeval
vote. Not only Should false Voting be severely
pnnfrbec', but false swearing, - to-obtabr a vote, b 3
visited with the pains and'penalties* of perjury, -
and •with pi rpetual disfranchisement.
The people must be perfectly free to regulate
their, public business in their own way, and when
the voice of the majority is fairly and clearly ex
pressed all should bow to it as to the voicoof Clod.
They are the sovereign rulers, and their:will must
be the law of the land. Corruption of snffrage in a
Republican -government is the-deadliest' crime'
that can be perpetrated; it is aqsasaination of the
sovereignty of the people, and will be followed'
by a despotism, the motive power of whietewill
be money and perjury. And it this privilege be
tampered with, sooner or later the sure and hi
dignant popular condemnation will , be rendered
and Condign punishment administered, All good
citizens, of whatever political opinion. Lshould*
lend their aid for the accomplishment of any and
every measure that may tend to secure, to, each
voter, imt.only his right to the elective franchise,
but the assurance that his vote will not be rendered
voluelesa bytllegsltty, corruption or. fraud.
Every proper facility for the naturalizrttiotr of
citizens of foreign birth should be afforded; but
the Legislature, in its combined wisdom, can
rarely enact BO= mode to prevent 'the possi
bility of a single vote being east npon spurious
naturalization papers. and thus fully secure the
purity of the elective franchise.
~.
The commissioners appointed to codify the
statute laws of the !State have diligently prose.'
cured the work assigned them, and With every
prospect that it will be fully completed
within the time prescribed by the
legislative resolutions of April eighth,
1868 ; and in further compliance with them, they
will cause to be laid, before each branch of the
General Assembly, at its present session, various
titles of bills, with brief abstracts of the several
sections of each, which have been matured,
Insurance Department.
Among the subjects of importance to the citi
zens of Pennsylvania is the establishment of an
11 eurauce Department. Such departments are
in successful operation in several neighboring
States. by means of which the Interests of in
surers are guarded and promoted. So careful a
supervision ie - liad over the transactions of insu
rance companies that frauds are rendered almost
impassible. and spurious companies can have
no existence. The result of the protection thus
afforded, is, that whilst foreign companies, thus
protected, do immense business in this State, so
.ittle confidence is had in those of Pennsylvania
that their business is almost entirely confined
within the State limits; and lately some of them
have withdrawn their agencies from other States,
because no risks will be taken, in conseqaenee of
the inadequacy of the laws to afford protection
to insurers. To this defect;' moreover, may be
attributed the operations of the numberpf Worth
less companies whicn have suddenly sprang up,
without any solid basis, and as suddenly expired,
to the Injury of all whose' confidence they 0
taint nd to the dishonor of the Commonwealth.
Whilst Pennsylvania insurance companies trans
act little businessontslde of the State, It is alleged
that foreign life insurance companies aloneztaid
taxes last year on three million eight hundred:
thousand dollars of premiums received in Penn
-ylvania, a great proportion of which would be
confined to this State, if the same protection was
elven by law to its citizens as is afforded by other
States. The report of the Insurance Department
uf New York, published in 1867, shows that the
companies which were doing business in 1866, in
Pennsylvania, and also in New York, had risks
In force for more than five thousand million of
dollars; and it is believed that the risks in Penn
.ylvaffia companies, which, for want of a proper
Insuriancer- Department, can not be obtained,
wonld -sWell the amount to over six thousand'
:
In Vie* of these facts, and of the costly experi
ence of the people who have been imposed upon
and defrauded by unsubstantial and ephemeral
eninpaties,l repeat the recommendation made to
the Iraislature at its last session, that an Insur
ance Department be established, and a superin
tendent appointed by law, who shall have super
vision and control over all insurance companies
allowed to Transact business within the State,and
annually publish,tueder oath, fall reports of their
transactions. The community is deeply inter
ested in this matter, and demands the protection
which can thus only be afforded.
NOW Bospalal for the Insane.
The commissioners appointed by an act of the
last session "to establish an additional State Hos
pital. for the Insane," have notified me that they
will present a report of their proceedings some
time during the present month, which will be
mum unica u d abcn received.
Damages by Raids.
In accordance with an act of the last seesion,
providirg for an investigation and adjudication
f the claims of citizens of several counties
- whose property was destroyed, damaged or
tinpropriated for the public service, and in the
common defence in the war to suppress the re
t.ellion," a commission of three competent gen
tle men was appointed, who have performed the
allotted duties, and will soon make a full report
of their transactions.
Flirts Exposition.
I have received through the Secretary of State
of the United States, a bronze medal and diploma
from the Imperial Commissioners for the best
ecitnens or Pennsylvania anthracite coal ex
hibited at the Paris Exposition in 1867. These
tributes to an important branch df the internal
resources of Pennsylvania have been assigned a
glace among other valtiable relics in the Execu
tive Chamber.
Diligent but unsuccessful search has been re
putedly made for the coat of arms of the State,
and for the authority under which the present
design was established. It seems that for years
past no trace of either the original authority or
design could anywhere be found. and it is recom
int tided that the Legislature take the necessary
stems to supply the omission, by such means as
they in their wisdom shall determine.
A number of benevolent, charitable and other
similar institutions annually - receive appropria
tions from the State for their support. These
bt , proprlations,in most, if not in all cases,appear
10 have been adequate for the purposes to which
I t woe intended they should be applied, and are
as liberal as can reasonably be expected in the
present condition of the Treasury of the State.
A preliminary report on the Susquehanna fish
rrice has been submitted by Col.Jas.
Engineer, Commissioner under the act the Leg
islature in reference thereto. There are some facts
bieh should be embodied in the report, but
nbich cannot be ascertained until early in Janu
ary. Pomission has therefore been granted to
lip. Commissioner, at hie request,to postpone the
rubmission of his regular report until the earliest
day practicable during the present month.
Cattle bisetase.
The prevalence of contagions or epidemic dis
eaß s among cattle and other animals has for
some years past been a prolific source of anxiety
find alarm among the producers and consumers
of meats in many of the States. It waa therefore
deemed important to call a convention et emu-,
ret(nt persons to take into consideration the
means best calculated to remedy this great and
growing evil. This, convention, composed of
three corandsoloneris each from the fourteen
Stales represented, appointed in accordance with
ensgreentent by the several Governors, 2880M
bIcd In Springfield, Illinois, on the first of De
cember last, and an account of their transactions
is herewith presented. •
Without legislative authority, but believing my
action lir*tad be, sanctioned by the people's rep
resentativetiLl__appointed Dr. Hiram Corson and
Humes and A. Boyd Hamilton,
commiSsionerwto represent Pennsylvania In that
convention. These gentlemen freely gave their
time and experience, and also Ettanrred a pecu
niary expense of about three hundred dollars, to
defray which 'recommend that an appropriation
be made.
Bevision of the Civil Code.
State Coat of Arms.
state Beneficiaries.
The Susquehanna Fisheries.
statistics.
In view of the vast amount and great:variety of
the products of the State, a desk for the collet:-
, lion of Statistice ? relative to exports and, importa.
agticulture, manufactures. coal,iron, oil, luinber,
&c.. might, with prepriety and profit, be estatp
liehtd. This could be ficcompliebed by therem
plo)nunt of a competent clerk, under_the an-
Tervlsion of,onnot the present - tands - of_ depart--
111(101, whose duty 'should be, to collect and ,
petilleh such facts as might tend to
tw
stimulate :and ineree our productive en
ergies, instil new life "and,vigor into our
umnefaeturing interests, and lead to more ac
curate knowledge of all our internal resources
and .the proper methods for -their their development.
There is abundant space in the . Capitol buildlims
to be appropriated as a receptacle for books,
PaTVP, mineralogical and geological specimens,
and other articles that might be contributed ap •
propriate to such aidepartment and which in a
kw years would form an invaluable collection
Under- legislative-=direction, =the good remits
would be almost incalculable, and they Are re
quired by _the progressive spirit. of the age is 1
which we live. -•-
Resolutions of the Vermont Leglall
lure.
Your attention le called to the•accompanying
joint resolutions, passel at the last session of the
Velment Legislature, hearing •a just' tribute to
the late Hon. Thaddeus Stevens. Joint 'resolu
tions from the same body are also vsent von,
which I regard as wortby of your contilderation,
relative to the act of Congress "to establish end
protect National Cemeteries," and recommending
"to the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania
he passage of an • act empowering the 'board - of
commissioners having charge of the' Soldiers'
National Cemetery at llettvsburg, to transfer all
the right, title, Interest and care of, said Soldier's
Naticinal Cemetery to the General Government,
upon the 'completion of the amine."
In Itlemoranni.
It has been the misfortune of the State during
the past year to lose by death two of ., her ;r! ore
sentatives in the Congress of the nation: Ron.
Thaddeus Stevens, of the Ninth, and lion. D.tr
win A. Finney. of the Twentieth District. Both
were natives of Vermont, but in early life selec
t. d Pennsylvania for their borne, and
Identified themselves with her interests.
which they ';were chosen to guard in the
Legislature; and the people of the Com
monwealth will long remember withgratitude
their faithful arid efficient services. The first
wentdown to-his i graveafter-a-long-ilfebf public
usefulness and in well matured honors; the other
in tbb prime of manhood, which gave promise of
a scarcely lest, brilliant career.
Pardon..
The list of pardons honed during the past year
will be found among the, papers to which your
attention Is called. The principal reasons upon
VI bleb they were based, and the names of some
of the prominent petitirmers, are giveo In every
case. That a few of these pardons may have
beta unworthily granted, through misrepresenta
;lora of, relatives, friends sympathizing neigh.
bora and other Interested parties. there IS no
doubt; but in the majority of Instances It is, eer.
lain that the facts not °ray justified butdomanded
Ex e cntive eh men cy.
The whole number of applications, for pardons
dining the year has been bixteen hundred and
twenty-three. The number of pardons granted
in that time has been one hundred and six, which
ie a little over six-and.a-half per cent. Of those
pardoned about five per cent. have been again
*rough t before the courts in consequence of their
return to tte commission of crime.
I am fullydmpressed with the weighty respon
eibility of the pardoning power, which ranks
among the most difficult and embarrassing duties
of tire Executive office. Daily WICK with power
ful and pitifulimporianities, as 'fault as coaffict
ing representations, from those is whom he
should be enabled to place the fattest confidence,
in order to avoid errors in the decision of any
case, the Governor is compelled to take into con
sideration the action-of the court before which
the convict has been tried; the majesty of the
1. w which may or may not have been violated;
the condition of the prisoner; his temp
tation to err; the injury that may be
inflicted upon his helpless and depend
ent relatives, and the argumentri and ap
peals of citizens whose opinions and wishes he is
bound to respect. And however just his decision
and humane and generous his action, either in
favor of or against the petitioner for clemency,
le must expect to have his motives impugned,
his name and character maligned, and to suffer
virulent attacks for the exercise of this moat ion
percent and merciful prerogative.
The pardon report will exhibit that in many In
stances in which Executive clemency has been
Ir. veto d, outhful prisone re, charged with their
first offences and those of a trivial character,have
been the recipients. The object ot punishment, In
all cases, should not be so much to inflict lean as
to reform the sufferer and pr. vent the sepetition
of evil deeds. This fact is fre quently lost sight
of in imposing punishment upon criminals, es
pecially when inexperienced )(intim areehut up
in close cells with men hardened in crime, where
its .arts are daily taught, and a romance throwir
around its commission. Instead of betel{ im
proved, they come forth at the end of their terms
of sentence with the loss of self-respect, their
moral sentiments blunted, and prepared to prac
tice upon society the infamous lessons they have
learned. Such punishments tend to Increase
rather than lessen the quantity of crime. When
houses of correction and reformatories are con
structed or a proper system of c.mflotement and
prison discipline is adopted, there will ne a ma
total decrease of crime, and comparatively few
cases to demand the exercise of the pardoning
power.
Commutation ot Sentences.
There are confined in the Philadelphia county
prison the following named convicts, under sen
tence of death, for whose execution warrants
have not been issued: Edward Ford, sentenced
May 12, 1851; Jerry Dixon. May 30, 1863; Pat.
rick Finnegan, February 9, 1863; Newton Cham
pion, December 1, 1866, and Alfred Alexander
and Hester Vaughn, July 3, 1868. fSuccessive
Governors, for satisfactory reasons, have de
clined to order the execution of these
persons. The law requires that they
shall be executed in accordance with the
sentence, unconditionally pardoned, or held in
close confinement in the county jail during life.
The latter punishment. with the additional em
bitterment constantly preying upon the mind
that a death warrant may at any moment be
issued, Is, perhaps the severest that could be in
flicted. It would be both just and merciful to
he the Governor authority to commute the Sen
tence of death in the above•named cases to im
plisonment, at tabor, in the penitentiary, for
such a term of years as the ameliorating circum
stances may seem to justify and * demand: Oue
of the convicts nested' baa been
imprisoned about eighteen jitters, and
although it might not be advisable
to set him at liberty, humanity and a sense ofjus-
Lice require the commutation of his sentence In
the manner suggested.
Conclusion.'
The foregoing subjects lave been deemed of
sufficient importance to submit at• the present
time for your information and consideration.
Others may occur before the close of the seamen
which may be worthy of special communications.
It will be my constant care and determination to
co-operate with you in the prosecution of any
measures that may tend to preserve and increase
the prosperity of the State and the happiness of
itsjpeople, with the firm belief that, your united
wisdom will aim constantly to promote these de
sirable results.
Many of the events that have transpired since
my raWannual communication to the ligisla
ture have been unusually Interesting and signifi
cant. They have been infinitely more than poli
tical, and bear directly upon the great Interests
and most sacred destinies of the nation. Apart
from the vindication of the principles of the party I
which sustained the government and the army
during the contest !Or the priservation of the
Woo, and the election to the Presidency of the
first soldier of the age. is the fact that
the people hive by triumphant majorities forever
settled our controversy upon certain fundamen
tal principles. Parties may and undoubtedly
will arise upon other Issues, but there can be no
future struggle about slavery. itivolUcitary %or
F..Z
,vm.p.g - TgßEN , ,om.ro . !•.' .
vitude, as a intittoinily of labor, is forever 'air
stroyed. The monster obstacle- M. the neittiltar
progress has been removed, and heneeforwerdalt
ibe faculties of, ,our petiple , can ,be rdeVeirtele*,
"without let or hindrance! The fair "auff.extts.
hernias , fertile States of the South, heretofore
comparatively retrogressive and unproiluellVe r ;
relieved from this terrible curse 'wittr_theinfliix
of elorthem immigration and capital,. wilt soon : '
become the rivals of their Northente'elster Stab*
In nil the arts of peace. and additional , markets.'
will be developed in which to exchange the-Tarte*
products of the heretofore hostile sections.
hardly less magical Gr an d ' s eke etect linen' •
other nstions. General t election:hes cote.'
firmed - the hopes of our nation'e friendd, and this :
fears of its foes in the Old World: It supplements '
and seals the verdict of arms and thoprogrem of
republican principles. The downfall of..the re--
hellion in the United States was quickly followed%
by the great civil revolution in England; the;
peecefttil - expulsion of the 'last of the Bonthotte.
from Spain; the unrest of Cuba; the coneeselOnANT
more' liberal principles in - Germany; and the ries
teiettry negates : genes of the Eroperorof the French
in the republican sentiments he fears even as he
has betrayed them. What are these bat the„,
echoes of the dire catastrophe that has over
tebelmed the aristocracy of the United Settee. - ,
Nritivitbstanding the importance 'of the 'sizes
involved in the late canvass; , aird the bitterness of
feeling as well as the earnestness with wtdch
nes conducted. its termination has .happily- Met
with the acquiescence of nearly the whole peopbe„
end at rep time le the history of Ike nation - has,
there been opened before ne a brighter proapeet of
continued t este and increasing prosperity; ;and'
we have no , greeter canes for universal- congratti
teflon tharetheit no differences of opinion now
exist that can materially mar, our nationalbap
pinese, retard our onward progress, or threaten,
the peace or perpetuity of our government.
In conclusion, permit ere to remark that *the
voice of Pennsylvania, as well as that of a me
jotity of the States, has at the ballot-box pro?
claimed to the world that elf otir ristionatindebt
t dness, no matter-how-heavy-the burden. , will
paid according to !'the letter and spirit" of thee .
agreements made and entered into at the time
the debt was contracted; ' and that in this as in elk
other'respects our individual and national honor
"must and shall be preserved;" that we are de
ton:tined by' all honorable preens in our';
power to secure ample encouragenent and'
protection to each and every -branch
that "
Horne Industry, and every manly enterprise Mit
contributes capital, labor, skill and ,inclastry tee
our material wealth, Social advancemerie end psi
lineal tranquillity; that for all our citizens, the
children of the Commonwealth. being 'slab eittl.
zens of the United States, we demand. the fullest ,
protection, in their persons: their property,,not
in all their rights and privileges whereverthey
may go within the. national , jerisdiction,' or. Is
f adult lands;lad that whilst our financialpolloy
shall be such WM) maintain untrammelled' our
national credit, it is to be hoped that it may at
the same time, be such as will permit and sang
don the construction of, the great railways noir
in progress and stretching,ont their giant seine
to grasp the mighty commerce of the Pacific., to ,
develop the 'untold resources .of wealth in the in
tervening Territories. and to connect the most
distant portions of our country In a coalmen
union, not only with iron bands- bat by the still
stronger and more indissoluble ties of a comet=
in terestand a common brotherhood.
To lessen the burdens of the, people, and to
keep the expenses of the State as nearly as,pos
sible within the limits of . It absolute necessities.
will always be among the 'chief objects or wise
and just legislation: Let us, then, with te deo
sense of our obligations and high'responsibliities„
endeavor so to discharge our duties-as to secures
the greatest good of :the community and, mum
the approbation of him by whom, our Common
wealth lea been so abundantly blessed.
Jona W. Gilmer.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, I
Harrisburg, January 6,1869. j
FACTO. AND reoicans.
—The best linguist among the European sov
ereigns is the Emperor FranctsJoseph,of Austria,
who speaks every language spoken in his check
ered empire with the greatest ease and fluency.
His wife, the Empress Elizabeth, however, is a
poor linguist. She talks a little Italian besides
her German and French, and some broken Hun
garian. Her efforts to col:melee with the Mag
yars in their own strange and difficult language
generally excite the secret mirth of the bystand
ers.
-Father Ignatius, who has been lecturing in ,
London on "The Clthatianity of the Low Church.
Party," makes one sensible remark. He says
that in es sr nrlals all Christian people—the Church
of Rome, Anglicans, Evangelicals, and Protest
ants of all shades of belief—are one, and that,.
seeing that there are 900,000,000 of People In
the world who don't believe in Christ at all, It is
a great pity that believers in him should quarrel. ,
among themselves.
—Louis UR:tacit says, in the ltustnumher of Lrr
Cloche (The Bell): "The Procurear Imperial said,
in his late addrese to the Court: 'The Empire
rests on a pedestal formed by untversal suffrage
of ten million serried shoulders and twenty mil!-
lion hands joined.' I won't object to the phrase
that the Empire rests on our shoulders; bull
wonder only that a distinguished functionary
should take ns Frenchmen for monkeys, and in
vite us to think that our Empire is an Empire of
quodrumanes. He speaks of the million slioni
th rs: every man, as a general thing, has two.
shoulders. Ten million shoulders therefore,.
give ns a contingent of five million Individuals;
now five million individuals having twenty mil
lion hands at their disposal can not but be quad-,
:mance. And thus our functionaries um!.
&lousily speak in the most disparaging terms of
our citizens."
—Alton Mee, the French Count and err• Peer
who is now publishing his "Reminiscences" itt
tie Rerue Moderne, relates In the last number of
that magazine some interesting incidents regard
ing Louis Napoleon's trial before the French
House of Lords, to which Alton Shoe belonged
at that time. Ghee alone voted for the death of
the Pretender. He says : "Louis Napoleon had
at that time already luatreless eyes and
the physiognomy of a man just, aroused
frt. m his dreams. Ho presented a deci
dedly contemptuous appearance, despite the
older with which he had decorated his black
dress coat. Nothing In his looks indicated the
majesty which the supreme rank never fails to
develop. Nearly , eighty Generale of the Empire
were members of the court. The first words of
the Ptince were listened to in a kindly manner,
but he suddenly stoppe4 short, and, after hesita
ting for some time, and trying to refresh' his
mory, be drew a small paper from his pocket
and read his- defence, which greatly diminished
the impression he made on his judges." Jules
Fevre defended Aladenize, one pf. Louis Napa
ken's akcptiaplicos,..*Ml->the Prkiee seemed de ,
lighted with Fevre's impmisioccd appeal:.
/ A,sampte ocrEconoinatcat Matt servls)&
The apochryphal story told of Bob Errelett„
who, raffled and won seven turkeys,but never
was able to find more than one of them, IS
placed in the background by a recent din--'" f
envoy made in the Post•office Department:''
Two years ago a post route was eatabliihed
in the Territory of Arizona, and — the
contract, for the handsome sum of $90,000,
awarded to a brother of a 'delegate
irom that Territory. The new route gave
general satisfaction —no complaints were
made concerning the agent, and the 'eep
were paid promptly to K
the contractor.
When the first year's bill was paid, Governor
McCormick heard of it in "an indirect Mart-
Ter:' lie examined the matter thoroughly,._
arid Bent in a letter to the Department,' signed
in Lis official esPlioltSr,asserting that "not a
single letter or an ounce of mail matter had
ever been carried trier the route,"pronouneing
it a swindle, and protested alainst the pay
meat of any mom money: Notarlthittanding
this fact, it is asserted the contractor sue
seeded In getting the pay for thesecond year.
If this story be true (and such things hive
happened before), that route ahould ha din
continued at an early day. •
~ ~ _ _-4 >