Aoltum 6erritson, fro,prietors.
GOVERXOR'S MESSAGE.
To the Honorable the Senators and Members
of the Houle of Representutives of the Gen
eral Assembly.
Garrisressr:—ln obedience to the Consti
tution and laws of this Comtnonwealik you
have assembled to discharge the important
an d responsible duties that devolve upon you.
To -protect the rights and privileges of the
- people, advance their, interests, and plomote
the welifare and prosperity of the State, should
be the aim and end of all your legislation.
In the discharge of my dutiel, it will be a
pleasure to co operate ;with you in the ac
complishment of these objects. •
The past year has been one of unusual
P . rosperity. The -bounties of a kind 'Provi
dence have not been withheld from our Com
monwealth. A plenteous harvest has rewarded
the labor of the husbandman. Honorable
industry, in all its departments, has been en
couraged. No , financial embarraiLsrnents
DO commercial distress—no political or social
evils, have interrupted the progress, or
checked the energies of the people. The
great interests of education, morality and re
ligion, have 'been cherished and sustained.
Health and peace, with their attendant bles
sings, have been ours. To Him " who rules
the Nations by His power and from whence
cometh dowc every good and perfect gift,"
are we indebted for these mercies, and to
Him should be given the homage of our de
vout gratitude and praise.
The i financial Condition of the Common
wealth, is highly satisfactory. Every demand
upon Abe Treasury has been promptly met
and paid, without the aid of loans. The ope
rations of this department will be exhibited
in detail in the Report of the State Treasurer.
•
For the fiscal year ending November 30th,
1856, the receipts at the Treasury (including
the balance in.the Treasury on the first day
of December, 18.55, of $1,243,697 33) have
been $6,621,937 64. The total 'expenditures
for the same ptriod, were $5,377,142 . 22.
Balance in the Treasury . December Ist, 1856,
$1,244,795 42.
- Excluding the halm= in the - Treasury on
the first of' December p 5, the receipts,
from all sources, were $5,378,240 33. The
ordinary 'expendituresToi the same period,
were $4,113,144 77, showing an excess of
teeeipts of $1,205,095 56.
The extrordinary payments for the same
year, were $1,283,937.45, as follows, %iz:
To the completion of the Portage Railroad,
and for the payment of debts previously con
tracted on that Work, $1.81,494 11; to the
North Branch extension $122,723 52; to re-.
1a he south track of the Columbia Railroad
$267,000 00 , Tor motive power in. 1855,
$118,049 42 ; to enlarge the Delawate Di
vision of the'Pennsylvania Canal $13,960 00;
(or genera: repairs in 1853—'54—'55, $63,-
965 I 1 ; to domestic creditors $l5l 63 ; to
old claims on the Main Line, examined by
Commissioners,, and paid under the 'Act of
May 22d, 1856. $130,512 09 ; to the rodent!):
tion of Loans $327,824 47 ; and Relief notes
cancelled $38,217 00.
The interesuon the funded debt which fell
due in February. and August last, was then
paid, and that whiclebeeomes due in Feb'ry
next, will be paid with equal promptness, out
of available means now in-the Treasury. The
punctuality with which the interest on the
public debt has been paid, and the ability of
the Treasury ; to meet all legitimate demands
upon it, hare inspired public confidence in
our securitieri, and contributed- largely to es
tablish and abstain the omit of the Commoil
weal th.
The Convnissioners of the Sinking Fund
report the sum of $722,432 93 as due by
the Treasury to that fund. This amount will
be applied to the redemption of Relief notes
now in circutation,‘ and to the payment of
the funded debt. Ilertofere the available
means in the Treasury have been applied, to
some extent, in payment of outstanding tem
porary loans, which bear an annual in
terest of Six per centuin ; it being deemed
advisable as a matter of economy to pay tbeF.e
loans rather than the funded debt, which
is a much less rate of interest. It is expected
that the balance of the temporary loans will
be paid before the close .of the current rear,
and the operation of the Sinking Fund re
sumed and continued as directed by law.
The, funded and unfunded debt of the State.
including temporary loans, on the first day of
December, 18.55, as per Reports of the Auditor
General and State Treasurr, was as follows.
viz:
FUNDED DEBT: •
6 per cent. loan 9516,154 93
b do do• 38,903,40 04 -
4 1-2 do do 388,200 00
4 do do 100,000 00
Total F'd debt --- $39,907,766 97
' UNFUNDED DEBT.
Relief notes in
circulation, $258,T73 00
Inter% certificates
outstanding,
Domestic credi
tors,
Bel of temporary
loan April 19th,
1853,
Bal. of temporary
loin May 9th,
1854, .
Total unfted debt,
#2.5,000:00
Total dlDec. Ig, 1855, 41,067,994 22
The funded and Unfunded debt at the close
of the last fiscal year, Dec. let, 1850, was as
follows, viz:
6 per cent. loan. $511,781 00
6 . -do do 38,866.994 60
4 1-2 do ,do 388.200 00
4 do do 100.000 00
Total PI debt;-:. 539,866,975 50
UNFUNDED DEBT, VIZ :
Belief notes in
circulation ► " • $220,558 00
inter'Lkuortlicates
outstanding;
Inter% certificates
undulated,
Domestic credi.
tors,
dal. of temporary,
loan April 19th,
1 , 1353.
,Sal. of temporary
loan May 9tb,
• *1854.
Total united debt,
Total tt. Dee. lit, 1856,
Total debt Dee.. let, 1855, $ 41 + 067 5 24 22
do do Jet, 1856, . 40401,835 25
Peeing.
29.157 25
1,264 00
346,000 00
$1,160.194 25
24,691:37
4,448 38
1,164 00
400,000 00
184;000 00
83L859 15
40,101,835 25
e 396,168 97
It thus appears that during the past , fiscal
year the sum of three hundred and sixty-six
thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dollars
and . ninety-seven 'cents has been paid in liqui
dation. of the public debt. This taken in
connection with the fact that during, the
year ending November 30th, 1855, six hun
dred and thirty thousand six hundred and
one dollars and two cents were paid cu the
same account, exhibits the gratifying fact,
that the process cf reducing the public debt
has commenced; and, unless checked by
reckless mismanagement and extravagant .
expenditure, must continue, until the people
and the, Commonwealth are relieved from .
the debt and taxation with which thee are
burdened. In addition to this reduction of
the public debt, large appropriations and
payments were made for the completion of
the Portage Railroad and for debts previously
contracted on that work—for old and un
settled claims recently adjusted by the Cont.
tnissioners appointed. Under the act of last
sessionfor re-laying-the south track of the
Columbia Railroad- 7 for enlarging the Dela
ware
Division of the canal, and for other
purposes. These extraordinary demands upon
the Treasury' have, or will . soon cease, with
the necessity that created their ; and thus
leave a still larger portion of the revenues to
be applied in payment of the public debt.
A careful examination of the financi
dition of the Commonwealth—her sourdts'of
revenue and the probable future expenditures,.
has inspired the hope that tile time is not far
distant when the public debt will be fully
paid, and this without increasing the subjects
or ratio of taxation. It has already been
shovrn that the revenues of the past year ex
ceeded the ordinary expenditures one million
two hundred and sixty-fire thousand ninety
five dollars and fifty six cents. The estimated
rec.eints• and. expenditures fur the current year
which will be presented to von in the report
of the State Treasurer, show that the excess of
receipts, over ordinary expenditures, may reach
the sum of one and a half millions of dollats.
These estimates, although approximations, will
not be far from the true result. Allowing.
then four hundred thousand deilars for mine
al,.oxtraordinary expenditures—and under' a
wise system of economy in no probable con
tingency can they exceed that , sum—we will
have at least one million of dollars to be ap
propriated annually fur the payment of the
public debt. _With the rapid
.developement
of the wealth and resources of the Common- -
wealth—the increase of -population—of the
value of real estate, and of the amount and
value of property of every description,
the revenues must and will continue to
increase. This natural and necessary in
crease of revenue will supply every deficiency!
and every demand upon the Treasury that
falls within the range of probabilty. If, then,
the sum of one million of dollars be apyropri
ated annnally it liquidation of this debt,-and
the accruing 'dnterest on the sums paid . be
applied in the manner of a sinking fund, the
entire indebtedness of the Commonwealth
will be extinguished in less than twenty-.
three years. If th e se premises are correct—
and their correctness can only be impaired
by unwise legislation, or the imprudent
management. of our financesthe truth of
the proposition is susceptible of the clearest
demonstration; . Assuming the public debt on
the first day of December, '1856, to be, in
found numbers, forty millions five hundred
thousand dollars, and that at the end of each
fiscal year one million dollars, with the ac
cruing interests on-former payments, will be
paid, unerring calculation will determine the
result so be as beforeindicated. Thus, before
•the expiration of the year 1879, Pennsylvauia
may stand redeemed 'from the oppression of
her public debt, and her people be released
from a taxation,imposed to- meetitiliccruing
interest, and to maintain the faith and credit
of the Commonwealtb. These views are not
utopian. By practicing strict economy in
all departments of the government—avoiding
extravagant expenditures--refusing to un
dertake any new schemes of internal imptove,
went, and holding to a rigid accountability
the receiving and disbursing agent of the
State, their realization may be anticipated
with confidence. -• •
I must again call the attention of the Leg
islature to a subject referred to, in my last an
nual message, in the following terms.
" By the thirty-eighth section of the Act of
the 16th of April; 1845, entitled 'An Act to
provide for the ordinary expenses of Govern
ment, the repairs of the canals and railroads
of the State, and other claims upon,tlie Com
monwealth,' the Governor was authorized to
cause certificates of State stock to be issued to
all persons or bodies corporate bolding certifi
cates
for the payment of interestion the fun- 1
ded debt of the State which fell due on the
first day of August, t 842, the first dais, of
February and August, 1843, and the first
days of February and August, 1844, in an
amount equal to the amount of certificates so
held, upon their delivering up said certificates
to!the Auditor General. In pursuance of the
authority thus 'given; certificates of State
stock ,to the amount of four millions 'eine
hundred and five thousand, one hundred and
fifty dollars and twenty cents, bearing, inte
rest at the rate of five per cent. per annum,
payable semi-annually on the first days of
February and August in each year, and re
deemable on or after the first. day f August,
1855, were issued. The minimum period
fixed bylaw for the redemption of th&•e cer
tificates expired on the first day of August,
1855. No provision has been made for their
renewal or redemption:
Although by the terms of the Act author
izing these certificates of State stock, as also
by the conditions of the certificates issued
in pursuance thereof, the time of payment,
after the expiration of the minimum period;
is optional with—the debtor, the Common
wealth, yet a due regard for, the credit of the
State requires that provisions should be made
for their renewal or redemption. To redeem
these certificates, a loan would become neces
sary, and as a loan cannot be effected, in the
present financial condition of the country, on
terms more favorable to the State, than those
tin which these certificates, were iisued,l would
recommend that authority be given to issue
the bonds of the Commonwealth in renewal
of said certificates, bearing interest at the
rate of five per cent. per annum, payable
semi-annually, and redeemable
and
or after
the expiration of twenif tears; and that the
bonds be issued with coupons or eertific.ates
of interest attached, in surnseqnal in amount
to the semi-annual interest tbercon,payable
on the first days of. February and August, in
each and every year, at such places 'as may
i be designated . Tbis ebauga i n the form and
. . .
66 WE ARE ALL EQUAL BEFORE GOD MID THE COIrBTITVTION.".•-James lEtaiebaniunt
ontrost, itsfintVtnita Coantl, fennta, (Cttr.Oan - I,llerning, laintarg 22, 1857.
el:inflicter of the certificates, it is believed, will
be •o advantageous to the holders, without
increasing the liabilities of theCommonwtalth,
as to induce a willing and prompt exchange,
at a premium for the bonds proposed to be
issued." -
The report of tho Canal Commissioners
will bo laid beforo von, and will- exhibit in
detail the condition of the_ public works—
their general operation, and the receipts and
expendituves for the past fiscal year.
The total reccipta at the Treasury, from the
public works, for the year ending November
30th, 18.56, wen; $2,006,015 66, being an
increase over the revenues of the previous
year of $63,638 95. Of this sum $1,013,-
589 16 were canal and bridge tolls, and
3992,426 50 tolls of the Columbia and Portage
Railroads.
The aggregate expenditures for the same
year were $1,943,890 82, being an increase
over those of the previottA; year of $105,-
105 64, the revenues exceecli'ng the expendi
tures on!y $62,118 84.
The increase of the revenues from these
works would be encouraging, were it not fur
the fact that the expenditures have increased
in a still greater proportion—the expenditures,
ordinary and extraordinary, exhausting al
most the entire revenue from this. source.
The system must be defective, or more care
and economy should be exercised in its man
agement.
The receipts, at the Treasury, from the
several divisions, were as follows, viz:.
Main Line $1,229,272 8G
Susquehrnna, North Branch
and West Branch.
Delaware
426,820 51
349,922 29
Total receipts, t 2,006,015 CO
The extraordinary payments during the
rear amounted to *808,892 1G; ordinary-ex
penditures $1,135,004 00 ; net revenue, (ex
cluding extraordinary payments and for mo
tive power.) *871,011 00.
On the Main line, the tolls received at the
Treasury from the Columbia road were $991,-
676 50; - expenditures $528,084 86; tolls on
the Eastern Division of canal, from Columbia
to thelunction, $119,718 36; expenditures
$53.048 50; receipts from the Junction to
Pittsburg, including the Portage Railroad,
tl 1 7,7 7 8 00; ordinary expenditures $304,-
702 22. The total receipts on the Main Line
were $1,229.272 . 86 - ; agg.sgate expenditures,
(excluding $267,000 00 paid for relaying
- the south track of the Columbia Railroad, and
$158,049.42 for motive power in 1855. and
after December Ist, 1836,) were $595,-
835 65, being an excess'of revenue over or
dinary expenditures of $343,437 21.
Although the receipts from the Delaware
Division are less than those of the previous
rear, yet the general result of its operations
is satisfactory. The net revenue at the Treas
ury was $264,095 40. Its management has
been characterized by a degree of economy
too seldom practiced on some of the lines of
our improvements.
Hoti.ever important this Division may be
to the trade and business of that portion of
the State, its proposed enlarg,ement • should
not be undertaken, unless demanded by rea
son of overruling necessity.. The experience
of the past, as connected with the Allegheny
Portage Railroad, and the North Branch Es..
tension, should warts us against undertaking.
- without great caution, any new tnea.sure of
improvement, whidh may drain the Treasury,
without aiding materially, if at all the-public
interests. If kept in good order by efficient
and timely repairs; its capacity will be fully
equal to all the demands of its trade & business.
The Portage Railroad is not fully com
pleted. A small additional appropriation may
yet be required to complete, for the fourth
time, this road. It is anxiously hoped that
this unproductive iMprovement may soon
cease its cormorant demands upon the Treas
ury. Every year's experience more clearly
reveals the impolicy of- the State in under
taking this work.
It gives me no ordinary pleasure' to inform
you that the Noith Branch Extension of
the Pennsylvania Canal has been so far com
pleted,-that boats freigilted with 'coal and
other products, were sueees , fully pas.-:•ed
through its entire length from Pittston to the
Junction Canal. This work was commenced
in - 1836—suspended in 1941—resumed in
1849, and finished in 1850 ; although its
completion was officiall! announced in .1853.
It extends from Pittston to the New York
State line, a distance of about ninety-four
miles, following the valley of the Su.squeitanna
to Athens, and thence alone , the Chemung
river to the State line, wars it joins the
"Junction Canal," and is thus connected with
the New York Improvements.
The importance and value of this improve-.
meat cannot easily be over-estimated. Pas
sing through one of the tichest mineral and
agricultural portions of the State, .it offers to
the immense and valuable products of . that
region, a safe and - cheap transit to the mar
kets of New York, Baltimore and Philadel
phia: In the completion of this canal the
difficulties to be overcome, and the labor to
be performed were great.. Both these, to a
great extent, have been accomplished under
the superintendency of Wm. R. Maffit, Esq.,
to whom this work was assigned.
This canal although colupleted,and before the
close of navigation,. used for the purpose of
transportation, is not perfect. Sinks in the
bottom, from the nature of the formation and
soils through which it passes, slides from the
bins, and breaches may occur, but these after
a few fears of well applied labor, will be
minished, and by vigilance and care en
tirely prevented.
This improvement, although subject to the
rivalry of competing railroads, if kept iu good
condition, under proper management, will
receive its full share of coal and other tonage.
It is anticipated that the revenues, for the cur
rent year, will equal, if not exceed the ex
penditures; and increasing with the facili
ties afforded, and the rapid development of
trade, will, instead , of its heretofore unceasing
demands upon thi) Treasury take precedence
in revenue over any canal in the Common
wealth. ' •
In relation to the propriety and policy of
the sale of the Main Line of our public Im
provements, my opinion has not changed.
Every consideration of pirblic.policy, of pres
ent and - future interest., requires the separa
tion of the State from the management and
control of these works. The expenditures on
that portion of the line, between the June;
Lion and Pittsburg, largely exceed the reve
nues, the excess averaging annually not less
'than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars;
.and caw* arsiti constant operation that will
still more increase tbis.deficiencv. This con-
tinual drain upon the Treasury to sustain a
work so unproductive, should at once be
checked. A sale of the Main Line, for a fair
consideration, and upon terms just and liberal
to the purchasers, is the proper remedy. Such
sale, on terms amply protective of the rights
and interest of the people, can, by proper
legislation be affebted. In connection with
the payment of the public debt, this question
becomes deeply important. The sale would
constitute a new.era in the financial history
of the State, and assure a still more speedy
reduction of the publin debt, than that to
which reference has bet:. made. The subject
is earnestly commended to your favorable
consideration.
The subject of banks and banking capital
in its relations to the currency—the general
interests of trade and commerce and the in
dustrial pursuits cif - the citizen, deserve Your
careful attention. My views expressed in -a
former communication remain unchanged.
The incorporation ew, or thskrecharter of
old and solvent Auks, when actually neces
sary, and demanded by the wants of legiti
mate trade in the community. where located,
should be favored; under no other circum
stances should either be permitted. In the
creation of banks the interest.v of the State
and the people Sbould be consulted ; and a
just discrimination as to number, locality and
the demands of trade be exercised. •
The rapid increase of population, the im
portanee and value of our home and foreign'
commerce, the constant development of the
material wealth of the State, the extent of
our manufacturing, mechanical and agricul
tural industry, the fact that the State .is
flooded by a depreciated currency introduced
by private bankers and En okers, might justify,
under the restrictions and limitations:indica
ted, 11 judicious increase of banking capital
within ,our Commonwealth. . This, whilst it
would aid the operations of trade, and supply
the real business wants of the people, would,
at the same time, remedy, to some extent,
the . evils of a depreciated - foreign and. illegal
currency.
By the Act approved the Gth day . ,of No
i
vember laSt, the thirtieth section of the Acti
of 1850, regulating banks, will be,. after 111.3 '
first day of July next, extended to all incor
porated saving fund, trust and insurance
companies. That section declares " that it
shall not be lawful fur any of the said hanks 1
to issue or pay out any bank notes other than - 1
those issued by itself, payable On demand in
gold or silver; notes of specie pa y ing banks j
rr
of this State which ate taken ocle.posite or
in payment. of delots, at par at the counter of
the bank where liaid out; or notes of banks
issued under the authority of the Actor the
4th of May, 1841, at the option at the per
son receiving the same."
These enactin•nts were intended to protect
the , community against the evils of a depre
ciated ciirrency,.and' prevent its introduction
from other However well intended
b,',,i,:cure these .objects, unless
made to 0,-,,..ace private bankers and other's
-of that class, whose profits are lar! , •ely de
dependent upon the introduction into the
State of such a currency. Ia ninny instances
the notes of our own banks are coilected by
private bankers and, brokers, and with these,or
with the specie withdrawn from the banks'
issuing, them, they purchase depreciated and
'foreign hank paper which is paid out at par
at their counters: By others large loans are
negotiated with banks out of the . State, at less
than the usual rate of interest; and their
notes, often of a less denomination than five
dollars, and always at a discount, brought
into the State and put into circulation in the
manner. indicated, and this too,. under an
agreement with the bank making the loan,
Sat the notes thus paid out shall be kept in
circulation. The effect of this system of
private banking has-been to limit the circu
lation of the par paper of our own banks,
and substitute in its place a foreign depre
ciated, and often a worthless currency. In
justice to the Bank, Trust 'and Insurance
Companies, paying a heavy annual tax to the
Commonwealth for their privileges, and for
the protection of the people against these
evils, either the provisions of the thirtieth
se , .ttien of the Act of 1850, should be repealed,,
orfurther extended so as to embrace private
I individuals and associations, whO map mo
-nOpolize and control,-to the detriment of the
public, this trafic in depresiated bank paper,
without restraint and without taxation.
• The Report of the Superintrndent of Conj. ,
mon Schools will exhi•oit to you the numbeei
and condition of the Schools—the number of I
teachers and scholars, and the general opera- •
tions of the system during the past year. To
the valuable statistical information of the re
port, and . the useful suggestions for the im
provement of the system, I invite your early
and intelligent consideration.
From . ft small and comparatively unimport- I
ant incident of the State Department, the care I
and management of the public schools of the
Commonwealth, with their seventeen hundred
districts.—ten thousand direetors—twelve
thousand teachers, and over five . hundred
thousand scholars, have become the most im
portant 'and - laborious branch of that Depart
ment. The increased and increasing business
of the system, has been stet by a correspond
ent increase of zeal, labor . and efficiency in
th e officers to-whom the law has. e,ommitted
its general direction and supervision.. They
should be sustained by wise and generous
legislation. The magnitude and importance
of the systeM, in its political, social; and mor
al relations to the present and future of the
people, require that this.should be done.. The
guardianship of the mind of the State, should
occupy a distinct and prominant place among
the noble institutions of the Commonwealth.
It should receive the effidient aid and encour
uffement of the governthent, and be sustained
by a virtuous and intelligent people: If the
revenue and treasure of the State—her public
improvements—her lands and their titles—re
quite apd deserve the marked and distinctive
care of the -government, how much more
should -her mental and intellectual treasures,
richer than gold—the social and moral- im
provement of J6r people, more valuable than
canals.and railways—the titles of her youth
to the boundleis fields of knowledge, higher
than any of earth or aught growing put of
its ownership, claim an honorable - position,
and receive -a care and aid commensurate
with their greater value and nsefulneeS.
The County Superintendency,'.wherever it
has been committed to faithful .and 'efficient,
men, has fully vindicated the wisdom and
policy of that measure. It is sloirly, -but
surely, removing the prejudices and gaining
the confidence of the people. Whatever de
fects time and , experience may develop; in
this or any other branch of the system, should
be promptly corrected. But until the nece*'
sity for change is established, he system, in
its unity and integrity, shouldte maintained ;
and if changed, changed only to render more
certain the accomplishment of its noble per
poses and objects.
- A sufficient number of competent, and well
trained teachers is the great want of the sys
tem. In its structure-and organization it. is
at perfect, if not more so, than any of the
stein's of our sister States. But the teacher
is wanted to give it proper vitality and effi
ciency—to developo its true force and value—
to secure the great object of its creation, the
thorough education of the youth of the Com
monwealth. How can this want be supplied I'
How are teachers to be trained and provided
to meet this educational demand t Must we
be dependent upon the training schools - of
other States I Must our system be jeoparded,
and its success perilled, by waiting the slow
and unaided efforts of voluntary-associations
to furnish the much needed teacher / Volun
tary associations of common school teachers
have accomplished much in their disinterested
and noble efforts to remedy this defect. They .
are worthy the highest commendation—they
deserve every encouragement. They can and
Will do more ; but unaided they cannot ac
complish the object desired. The Legislature
must provide the remedy—they can supply
the deficiency. •It should be done proinptly
and effectually. No subject of 'greater inter
-est can occupy your attention as legislators—
no one appeals more earnestly to dUty
_and
patriotism.
.
Ina former communication to the Legisla
ture the establishment of State
,normal schools,
for the educatiori of teachers, was urged us
indispensably necessary to the perfection of
the system. With full confidence in their
utility and necessity, I again recommend
them. These institutions, with their proper
Professors, and appliances, supported by the
State, would meet the wants and elevate the
character of our common schools.
Teacher's institutes, as auxiliary to Normal
Schools, when in operation, and supplying
their place till established; should be-aided by
the State. One such Institute in each coun
ty, meeting annually, under the fostering care
of the Government, would be productive of
most beneficial results. Whilst it would im
prove teachers and prepare them for their im
portant and responsiz duties, it would 'ele
vate and dignify a profession too 'long neg
lected and under-valued by those most -deep
ly interested in their honorable labors. These
measures, as also an addition to the annual
State appropriation for , common fehools, in
an amount limited only. by the neeessities of
the Titasury, would give energy to the sys
tem—increase its etliciency—aud thus pro
mote the true interests .of the people and the
Commonwealth. -
Our educational, charitable and reformato
ry institutions have strong claims upon the
bounty of the people, and .1 cordially com
mend them to your care and-liberality.
The State Lunatic Asyluni at LLarrisburg,,
and the Western Pennsylvania Hostpital for
the Insane, and other kindred purposes at
Pittsburg, are noble charities, and deserve the
aid 413i1 encouragement of the State. The
annual reports of these institutions . will be
laid before vou, and will exhibit .in detail
Their operations during the past year.
The House of Refuge in Philtidelphia, and
the western House.of Refuge near. Pittsburg,
' ace institutions of great excellence, and their
1 1 results dearly establish the yisdorn the pol
icy that founded and rustains them. They
ought not to be neglected ;* nor should the
aid of the; Commonwealth be withheld from
them. :
The " Blind" and the "Deaf and Dumb"
Asylums et Philadelphia ; and " the Pennsyl
vania training school for idiots and feeble
minded children" are institutions that appeal,
in silence and sorrow, to the best and purest
"feelings of the heart, and ask your sympathy
and aid. They should receive a generous
share of the benefactions of the State.
Agriculture„ in its varied departments, is
the
great interest of the : Commonwealth. It
is the basis alike of financial.and commercial i
success, and of State and national prosperity. I
An interest so important should: be fostered •
by the State, and honored bY • all classes of
society. To its promotion and success. all
should cheerfully 'contribute. In a former •
communication I recommended the estab:ish- •
men t of an Agricultural, bureau, in connection
with some one of the',State Departments, to
give efficiency to the collection and diffusion
of useful.knouledge'on this subject, ned to
encourage scientific and practical agriculture.
Science,.with wondrous energy, has aided the
husbandman in his honorable vocaticn, and
proffers still more help. The Stale should
nerve his arm and cheer him onward in this,
the first and cobiest pursuit of man. This
subject, in connection with an appropriation
to the "Farmers ugh School of Pennsylva
nia"—au institution destined to be an honor
to the Commonwealth—is recommended to
your favorable consideration.
. The "Polytechnic College of Pennsylva
nia," established by the enterprise an,d liber
ality of some of the patriotic citizens of
as a school of the applied sciences,
deserves honorable mention, . and , should re
ceive the confidence- and patronage of the
public, In the teachings of this Institution,
literature, science and art, in happy union,
meet to prepare our young men for the prac
tical business of life, for mining, mechanical .
and civil engineering, and for promoting in-.
telligently and efficiently the great interests
of manufacturing and agricultural industry.
The laws on the • statute book regulating
manufacturing and improvement companies,.,
require revision. They are unnecessarily
stringent in many of 'their provisions, and
6.ns - defeat the object of their enactment— ,
They drive capital from the State,instead of in.
viting its investment here; & instead of encour
aging individual and associated enterprise and
energy in the developmont of our immense
natural resources, they bind and crush both
by severe restrictions—unwise limitations and
personal liabilities. .The : subject deserves
careful attention and liberal legislation.
.
I have .so frequently expreised my view's in
relation to-local, special and "omnibus" leg•
islation, that. their. reiteratiOn tiOW becomes
unnecessary., 'Legislation, so far as practica
ble: should .be general and uniform. Local
and special legrslatioir,lwtien the 'object-de
, sired can be secured.by.generallairs, or bv
the actionlof the Courtsi'should be avoided.
" Omnibus Legislation" cannot under any cir
cumstances be justified or approved. Too
much loerastioo is RC evil 'that prevails
tensively' in.Lekislative Ilalli. Its avoidance
would not be injurious to public or private
interests.
The practice of delaying the *saga of the
general appropriation:bill until the last days of
the session, and incorporating in it proyisiens
incompatible with its general character f an a l
obnoxious when standing. alone, to insur
mountable objections, is highly censurable
and should be discontinued. The attempt
thus made to force, by a species of legislative
legerdemain, •the passage of objectionable
measures through the Legislatufe, and com
pel their sanction by the Executice,-has been
too often successful. The practice cannot be
too strongly condemned—it . cannot receive
my sanction. • ;
The militia law of the State is imperfect k
many of its provisions, And .should be revised.
The powers and duties of the Cominander-in-
Chief should be Moro clearly deified -as also
of the other officers connected -with the - mill•
tary organization of the Commonwealth.-e
This is necessary to prevent a conflict of ju
risdictiorr with other departments of the g.ov
eminent, and to give greater efficiency to our
military system. Volunteer companies should
be encouraged—our entire military system
should be remodeled, and made to • occupy
that honorable position which from its im
portance and necessity it. deserves."
Near the close of the last session of the.
Legislature, I transmitted, to that body an
ordinance passed . by the Select and Common
Councils of the City of Philadelphia, approv
ed by the Mayor on the 7th of April, 1856, 1
and officially communicated to me, proposing
to convey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylva- ,1
nia, a lotof ground g io that city, for the purpose I
of erecting thereon a State Arsenal.. Want of
time alone prevented action on the proposi
tion then submitted. The ground thus offer-I
.ed to the State is valuable, and its location,
most eligible for the purpose intended. - The
conditions of the proposed grant are favorable
to the State, and highly creditable to the
municipal authorities of Philadelphia, -evinc
ing a liberality and public spirit worthy of
ail commendation. "The necessity of a State
arsenal in that city is so_apparent that the
subject needs no elaboration is this commu
nication. After the sale of the State Arsenal
in Philadelphia, the public arms - were de
posited. in an old building, or out house, un
safe and unfit as a.depository for public prop
erty. The sum of $30,060, realized from that
sale is now-in the Treasury ; and by, the 55th
section of an act passed the 19th day of April,
1853, entitled "An Act to provide for the
ordinary expenses of Government," rte., the.
Governor was authorized to apply the same
to the purchase of a lot of ground, and to the.
erection of an arsenal .thereon. .This sum was
found insufficient for these purposes, and con
sequently the ohjectintended by theapi ropri
ation has not beet accomplished: By the
cession of this lot, the State will be relieved
from the expenditure of any money for the
purchase of suitable grounds ; and the entire
cum of e 30,000 may be applied to the erec
tion of the necessary buildingi - ; to which
sum can be added, if deemed advisable, the
amount that may be realized,from the sale of
the arsenals at Meadville arid llairishing, as
recommended in my last annual Message.--
These sums would be ainply_sufficient to ac
complish this object. -
I would therefore again recommend the
immediate passage of a bill acceptiuei the
conveyance of the said lot of ground from-the
city of Philadelphia, for the purposes and up
on the terms and conditions contained in -the
ordinance ; and that- the sum of- :1;30,000 be
applOpriated-fox the erection of a State Arse- i
nal thereon. - f
On the sixth day of October, 1853, I ap
proved and sighed a bill, entitled. AD Act to
reseal the charter of the Erie and North East
Railroad Company, and to pro - vide for ,the
disposal of the same." In pursuance ofits
provisions, Hon. Joseph Casey was appointed
to take possession and have : the charge aud
custody of the road. Before possession, was
taken, application was made by the company,
to one of the. Judges of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania, for an injunction to restrain
the 'agent of the State from taking possessipn ;
and subsequently a cautionary order was made
by the Suprenie Court, in bane, to stay pro--
ceedings under the act. The questions then
pending before that court were determined in
favor of the Commonwealth--:-the constitu
tionality of the act.suttained, and the appli
cation for an injunction refused. Poismion
of the road was then taken by, the agent of
the State, as directed by law.
On the 22nd,day of April 1856', an act en
titled "An Act supplementary to tire act in
corporating the, Erie and North East. Railroad
Company," was passed. By this act. the Erie
and North East Railroad, as originally loca-,
ted and conatructeu, was legalized and confir
med; and certain changes in the road; were
directed to be made, and other acts to be
done by the company.. It eras also provided
that the Governor shall retain .Ipossession of
the. Erie and'North East Railroad, under the
act of the 6th of October.lB3s, until the pro
visions of this act shill have been accepted by
vote of the stockholders of the Erie de NOrth
East RailrOad Company, at a meeting\ ealled
for that purpose." .On the 15th day of Miy,
1856, at a meeting of the stockholders called
for that purpose, the provisions of the lint were
accepted by their vote. This acceptance,
duly certified, was reeeive - d and filed in this
department on the 15th of July last. Posses
sion of the road has been restored, and it is
now under the care and management-of the
company. A final account for money reed
from the road, whilst itt possession of the State,
will be settled with the company at the ear
liest practicable period. It is but proper to
state that since the acceptance of the- act of
the 22nd of April, 1856, ‘ „a writ of error, in
the cases adjudicated byi.the Supreme Court
of Pennsyl,vania, has , beeiti issued at the suit
of the company by the Supreme Court of the
United States, and Is now, pending in that
Court.
The Commissioner first appointed having
resigned, A. K. MVI u re, Esq., was appointed is
his place. The duties of both officers were ably
and ,faithfully performed, • Copies of their
correspondence and reports, herewith submit
ted to the Haute of: - Representatives; for, the
nse of the Legisiatureiwili furnish inforir:kation
in.detail on the iubleut now under considera
tion.
It is stneerely desired that good faith de boo
eery of purpose May characterize thetonduct
of thisoompine in the disohargiof the daties
amused by their acceptance of the act a the
224 of April lmt, and that thia mob vexed,
questiou will not 80in - disttirb the harmony`
or retardithe prospentinf the city of Erie,' Oi
Itotitint 14, gulubt
any,other,portiOu of this Cotnaionwealth.• . , 3.•
The yesolutions proposing amendmente , : - W
the Corstitution of . the CommenweeltlyJaiiiiS
been published as direeted by tbatinstrnattanie
It - will be , your. duty to take 'such - ..netto.it
reference to these amendments at-will i itbyour-,
jigment, lie most e,onsistent with theovrahes
of the. . .
appropriation will -ha
quired Wpay the , eipeose. 4 their. ,
two, and this. your earliest attention is le
. . .
quest
Thnimporiant duty of diStrittingt4tatt
for the electionof Senators_ and . Representa-,
tires, wilidesolve uponyon.., Thiadtity-should i
be performed faithfully and sitb_Striet t leferAz
ence to the taterests andfrights,42 the.. whole
people. Returns bf taxablesi, riquired to. - be ,
made by the different eepiitiey, have; !Mt. all,.
been forwarded ti i this department, as by , law
directed„ Cieciilars have been issued -to'. the.:
t if
o cam chariro - ',With. tb - ese :duties. arging,
t it speedy perform:ranee, - and .tte !,returrin
wt l, as soon at received, : bi iransinitted to.,-
. _ ,
The elective :franchise is the' higlresi, and
most : responsible priviledge:enjoyed:.
.41' the
American citizen. Involving in its exercise
the sovereignty of the people, and nonsititut.
in¢ as it does the substratum of outfits iu-.
stitutionk it eannot be tco highly appreciatcd
or carefully guarded. The ballot box through
which the-people speak their Will. should: _be.
preserved from violation at nvety bizsird.;.aitd
sawlike. Upon its putity and integilty,de
pend the existence of our republican govern.,
meet, and the rights arid ptivileges .9f -the .
citizen. Every legal voter, whatever iiay., be
his political affinities or party', predilictions •
is deeply interested id - this "question.: Any
attempt to sully its purity, or iinpaii hi dB-
Wendy, whether by violeaCe or fraud, should , -
be sternly' resisted and severely -punished.- ,
Illegal voting whether founded on forgery or,
perjury, or both ;,on falser asseasments or folio
and forged certificates of-naturalizaf on, ir - au
Oil that deserves the severest condemnation. :
ItTrevents an honest expresaion of-the pope= •
lar will, corrupts the sources' of ligitimate
power and influence and strikes a. fatal blow
at the cherished rights of 'freeme4-. -
Tber4
evili are alledged to exist 4Lour large cities
--the rural districts of the State are compar
atively free from suelt'corrupting abuses." ,
remedy co-extensive with the-evil should' be
provided. Every defence shotta ; lo:2lliroven.
around the ballot hex, awl yrbtlist. the' rights
of legal voters should' lie Seetifed and protec
ted, fraud in every- fornishoultrber prevented
and punisbel. Whether a jedicieus registry
law% or,sonie other measure Of
.yeform; ade
quate to the necessisie3 of the case, . should
be adopted is referred to the Wisdom of the
Legislature. .•
As.aptrgptiate to this subject, the •..reforro
of the naturalization laws—tbe prevention by
the National Government:of the itiaportationn
of foreign paupers, and,* more -
cetera], rigid and personal_ examination, by
our courts, of all persoui corning before them
as applicants for admission to the rights of
citizenship, would,to some extent; correct ex- r
isting abuses, and relieve thetallot-box from
the pressure of corrupting and dangeroJs in- -
finences.
To the pullet , and acts of of, - National,
Government, affecting, as they do, the, rights
and interests of the Cominonwealth, the. pee-. -
1 - de of the State cannot be indifferent. - Penn
sylvania, occupying a high and clmiservative
position in the sisterhood of Statei---deioted
to the ConstitutiOn and , the Union, in their
integrity and hai was been, and will -ever
be as ready to recognize -the rights - of her,'
sister States as to defend her own. These seed- -
ments she has never ahandoned—these,priu
eiples she has never violated. Pledged tO
the maintainance of the rights of the Nortb, - . ,
as well as those °Nile South—sincereTY deli=
roua to promote the peace harmony and wel-
fare of our whole country—and diaclaiming '
all intention or desire to interfere with_ the
Constitutional rights of the States, or their
domestic institutions—the people of this
Commonwealth 'viewed with alarm and,ap
prehension the repeal of the Missouri Coin-`
proinise—a compromise rendered. sacred tin
public esteem by its association and 'connec
tion with the greateanse of national
ony and union—re :tiding it as a palpable,
violation of tl e plighted faith and, honor of--
rho Nation, and as an unwarantable attempt
to extend the institution of domestie slavery
to territories then free.. This recklesa and in-'
defensible act of our National Congress, his not,
only aroused sectional jealoUsieseand renew- _
ed the agitation Of vexed and distiactii4
questions, but, as a cobsequerice, it has filled
Kansas with fraud, violence and strife, has
stained its soil with bleed, and by". . spited- .
of territorial legislation,; justly styled ," iirfA
mous," has made freedorit of speech -
the press a. felony, and perrilied the greht .
ftrinciples of:liberty and equal rights. If the
doctrine of ".'popular sovereignty" is in good ,
faith to be applied to that Teryitory.4-4 :the
people thereof are to . be left "perfectly frets to
form and regulate their domestic institutiona
in their own 1A ny,Pui t enlv to - tho Consti.'
tution of the United States.,"" then the
struction of the great National highwayis -of
the Northern - emigrant, the employment _ of
the'Nati3nal forces, and, the subveriion of -
'law and justice alike by-the officials in Kan
sas and Washington, to force Slavery upon
an-unwilling people, cannot be too severely
condemned. ' • - -
Freedom is the great centre-truth of Aurae
icon Republicanism-111e great law , of Amer
icon- Nationality ; Slavery - is the exceptione—'
It is local and sectional t, and extension .
beyond the jurisdiction creating it t or to this ,
free territories of the Union,. yes never de—
signed or contemplated by the patriot found-.
ors of the Republic. In accordipte with.
these sentiments;Peiitylvitnia, true. to the
principle of the Act. of 1780, which abolished--
Slavery within - her ten itoriallimits—trne.-to l
the great dontripea of theOtdinitnee of 1747, - ;
which dedicated to freedom'ihe North West
ern •territory of the Uniotitrust to National
,faith and National hotter, and ' expects;'
as due to her ovfn - citizensirher have in good
faith settled in the TerritorTofAansas; and
as dueto theindustry c and energy of a frea
[ people, that Kansas should be-free, ,
In Wit connection , and as eonsitiinent .riVe
on the repealer the Missouri CiomprOmi**
ference to apropo: A tionmade by ef
somO
leading Southern ournals,. eta more reimily.
sanctioned, by hig h offinist /Whorl7,li ILO*,
ter Stile t to reopen the,4frjean
will deem ed 110 atm!reproper.: -that SVC •
traffic; deplired f6lte exannitid
by the.ehratised, , ,weild-i440 . with
horrors. in every Atte ofiliklikrlicr: -141 ,
r4ingl4:llTerl ef.314Y04-4:iltOlii***rf
cry impultie:otpure 441'1141i
-11 "
Yf. •;•:-