15 . ""V - 2" 1
jSJcuici to Jpalitics, jutctatitrc, Agriculture, Science, illoralitn, aub encval intelligence.
VOL 15.
STROUDSBURGj MONROE COUNTY, PA. JANUARY H, 1355.
NO".' 8,
. The: Emperor and his Daughter. !"" not wait for his dismissal to return to j GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
A few years since there was in the city, Ms regiment. He was on the point of Tq JIonorahle he Senators and Members
of St. Pcrtersburg, a young girl so beau- .setting out for Munich, when an aid-dc- 0ftlcuouseof Representatives of the Gcn
tiful aud so lovely that the greatest prince can,P of lie Czar came for uim- end Assembly:
;0f Europe, had he mother, even in a, h ave set out yesterday "ho j Gentlemen :Whilst the events of
-peasant's hut, might well have turned his sad to himself " might have avoided iXxQ year ;ust closed, present many causes
;hack upon a princess to offer her his hand wbat no awaits me. At the first flash of congratulation, and afford a
nd his crown. ,sa yourself from the thunderbolt." hJaiut reaSon for thankfulness to a be-
.f But, very far from having been the' The bolt m reserve for him was the ncficent providence for his goodness and
.light of a peasant's hut, she was born in following, tie was ushered into the cab-, m our pr0sPcrity and happiness, as
the shadow of the proudest throne on thoi wliere only kings are allowed to en- . j rrcto has not been un
earth. It was Marie Nicolocwna, the a- er. The Lmperor was pale and his eye . J TLc cneral th of thc coun.
domed daughter of the Emperorof ltussia. ! was moist, but his air was firm and reso- trtbe progrcss-of th art3 and sciences,
As her father saw her blooming like a . t . land other causes of moral and social corn-
May flower, and sought for by all the!
heirs of royalty, he cast his eyes upon
the fairest, the richest and most power
ful of them, aud with the smile of a fath
er and a king said to her
"Iv child, vou are now of an ace to
marry. I have chosen for you thc prince
who will make you a queen, aud a man
i :n a i.nnn i
who will render you happy
"Thc man who will render me happy,"
.said thc beautiful princess with a sigh',
which was the only objection to which
her heart gave utterance. "Speak, fatb
. er." she said, as she saw a frown gather
ill" on the brow of the Czar, "speak, fath-
. er,.and your maje-ty shall be obeyed.
mperor
is lilc; "it,
'Obeyed! exclaimed the
trembling for the fit time in his
is tnen oniy an act 01 oueuieuce iuai. you
irill renniin :l linli;ll(l :i t. 111V ll&nds."
The young girl was silenLand conceal-
.ed a tear.
"
"Is vour faith already plighted
Thc girl was still silent.
"Explain yourself, Marie; I command
you
At this word which sways sixty mill-,
ions of human beings, the princess lell at
a..
the feet of thc Czar.
. "Yes, father, if I must tell you, my
heart is no longer my own. It is bestow-
ed on one who knows it not, and who
shall never kuow it if such be your wish.
tt l.... i,t. f- nrt1w finiRR.it.
. :n o i. t
:poak t0
, it."
tarn.
u distance, anu win uoci pwr. i
, -p : j
cacti oiner 11 3our umjcavj iui u
The Emperor was silent in his turn.
IIo grew pale. Thrice he made the cir
cuit of the saloon. Uc did not ask the
name of the young man.
He who would have braved for a cap-
rice the monarchs ot the world at tue ,
head of their armies he, with his om
nipotence, feared this unknown youth who
disputed with him his dearest treasure.
"Is he a king?" he asked at last.
"Xo, father."
'A grand duke ?"
"Xo" father."
"A son of a reigning family !:'
At each step in the descending
the Czar stopped to recover breath.
"A stranger !"
"Yc?, father."
M'l.f lvmnnrnv f-ll hack into an
cale
irm
chair and bid his face in his hands, like ,
Agamem
inon at the sacrifice of Tpbigenia.
j.o --- . . ,
TD l,o in Knscm I" ho. reRu ui p.d. wit l .
an effort.
"Yes, father.
"At St. Petersburg
"Yes, father."
The voice of the young girl grew faint.
-Where shall I see him V? .aid thc
t.?r.r rsintr with a threatening aspect.
"To-morrow, at the review."
lTT.r. cl.oll T T-nr.nrTTM'A lilltl 7" mtlCnf,
iiun cuuii i. iwucumv " - -r
condition, and the Emperor was soon lost
'in deep thought.
: V childish caprice," he said at length
"I am foolish to be disturbed at it.
She shall forget!" and his lips did not,
dare utter what bis heart added. "It
inc. lirt fnr -ill niv nnwor w ould be weak-
or fhnn'hnr tears.
At the review on the following day
Czar, whose eagle eye embraced all
fiance, saw in bis battalions naught
but a green plume and a black charger.
tie recognized in him who wore the one
and rode the other a simple Colonel of
,uuv .aau u.u. - - r---- ...
inu jjuaiiau xjiiiuu nvcv,
ai.. i T .t Umo Movimi mn
I 1. 1,1 A,.....fo KnotlhirtlOK Till
Duke of Leuchtenburg, youngest child of
ihe son of Josephine (who was for a brief
lime Empress of Jfrance; and ot Auguste
Amelia, daughter of Maximilian Joseph,
of Bavaria, an admirable and charming:
cavalier, in truth, but as far inferior then
.
to Marie Nicolocwna as a simple soldier
to an Emperor.
"it is possible i saiu tue vjzar to uim-
self, as he sent for the Colonel with the
"It is possible?" said the Czar to him -
"the sight of bis daughter fainting
calecbe.
"There is no longer a doubt," thought
Uhc Czar "tis indeed he."
i" . , , ai
ed thc Czar, with a stamp of the foot. suc as neen too nappy as a wue to cou
"Jiy his green plume and black steed." j sent to become a qucen.-.
"Tiswell. Go, my daughter, and pray; Teo:1o
God to have pity on that man." I "Does your son play Luchre!" said a
.;..Acc xbrlrw inn frmdhirr ' gentleman to Mrs. Partington, on seeing
design ot dismissing mm to juuuicn. ,wucn um ngut uu..u w ulv;ii', leaving a balance of 8774,
But at the moment when be was about ers in the socket to have the consolation' ; Yhichhowevcr, should be
" to crush him with a word, be stopped at ol "going out" in a Diaze oigiory. Amen. fium of 337.900. properly
1U livf.
And, turning ms uacu upou iUj o up j WflS tbe kby) wLjch tk woffian thrcc t yljich ia ciaimed by
fied stranger, he returned witu luane w t(jarfully begged to be auowed to keep, 'some as a part of ihe income from the
the Imperial Palace. ! while the man angrily refused. At length public works, we find a net revenue of
"For six weeks, all that prudence, tern- the wife almost threw tbe child into the 8807,000; a sum equal to the interest
pered with love and severity, could in- husbands's arms, and exclaimed, "Take , on seventeen millions of tbe five per cent.
; 'spire, was tried to destroy the image of it, lean soon have another !" debt of the State. The aggregate rc-
the Colonel in tbe heart of tbe princess. I . , ceipts were $57,121 less than for the year
At the ead of the first week she was re-j 0ne of the greatest luxuries of life, is . 185a, 5nd the reduction in expenditures
sicned: at the end of the second week she . & bm And yet there are some amounted to over 8159,287,00. Ihe
went- the end of the third she wept in' 1 who nevcr indlUgo in the thing at withdrawal of tbe business of the Penn
rmblic: at the end of the fourth she wish- a LetsucIl turn gquarc r0Und and try sylvania railroad from the Portage road,
FU 1 111. !.. IVifVinr" nt thf 1 - vnnliltT nonminti fnr fins dlfFftVPtino.
fn ennr hce nerBCJi lu mu,
flndofthe fifth she fell sick; at me euu
w w r . ,, . 1 1 , 1 1
!Toftbe sixth she was dying
J- -Kr flip Colonel, seeing himseii is pernaps me ncnesimanin tuu uci. Aivv.t,. ..
V f. (iie court of his host with.-'Uc pays 21 ,544 tax. At one time, we more tavorabio picture, oome ot tnem,
t Saring to confess himself the cause.'" believe be was a poor shoemaker. .in other States, have recently been re-
Lionel oe uu i c, uuciuPuj.
and penetrating him with his glance,
"you are one of the handsomest officers
.xauuw. , , 7j'has been unusual, both in number and
ve it true, that vou poses3 an e evated
. , i j t
nd, a thorough education, a very live-!,
mil
wsie lor lie aw, a oouie near, auu an
ldcJ character.
Ihe Uoloncl looked up.
"What think you of the Grand Duch -
i w -r -vT- i
ess, my daughter Marie rucoloewnar'
rn .it i j i j
younman. It is time to say that he ad-'
nnmr nn,l o.lnr,? f! nrinPPw wiflinnf
being fully aware of it. A simple wor. , man subsistencenyhiW the depression ny Portoge road bavc been largely reduc
tal adores an anCol of Paradise 1 even as . netary and business affairs has do- ed and the business better regulated than
Ill m Jlvf nrlnr lllP illoil flf bpniltV
-" V "
-o
ueartwmi-:.
anger would crush me if I told you what;ed
o
I luln r M ll I r ll nil I fl fl 11 f T IT 1T1
you permitted me to say it."
Vnnlnro hnrr'f is wnll" said the Czar.1:," . " , ""w " - . ;
.. - . ' . ' , 4l ,
with a benignant smile; and the royal
hand from which the Duke was awaiting
thc thunderbolt, delivered to the Colonel:
t iii pirn I'.ir ni I . nnnrq im.iiii. i ,11111 111
.i 1 r I l
- - r - j
. - ,
mandant of the Uvalry of tho
fJlTt n. t, Z t i
ru,a rrV
ninjr Engineers-
-of President of the
i a i r l 1 C
Acaueuiv oi .-iri, auu meuiuuis ui
the
Academy of Scien,,s and of .he Univor-1
tw. of S l-etcrS mrsb o Moscow of
ivcasnn, 01 u.e uiiuary.cc-.ioo.b, 01 uie
Academv of bcienees and ol the Univer
-
saties of St. retersburirb, ot iMoscow
All 1,; i-ilt fhn ;flo' '
.111 una, witu iul iiin,jsf, fini, q12 fii Thft irrnss nnvmont.?? for
Ol 1 UUU 1 11 II IL'lIIIUha UUU aiJVUitll Ulllliuua i .
.rT i n: i j i .v, : 1 1 : ' ! j
r o jtuc same penou, 10 luu iuiu 01 csw,-,- jy SUggest, however, tuat so mucn oi tue
ol revenue. i 9S3 29: leaving a balance on the 30th of ci-.;tw1q tlm flnnnl flnmmissionera to
".Now ,d the Czar to tho voUg roan i of ,.240 29 72. , 7.7 the whole season.
I tx-1 1 - wna nntiifin iumvoir with int. "wii . ... . ,. . . , i
rnn nmt. 10 nrripo nt Unviirin. and hfi- - , . .. , " "r . .
. . . ."",, JLUC exiraoruiuai y nayumuis uuusiateu c inn r hi ronon .fid. Ttio oincers Uirecc-
, come tue uusuanu oi tue rnncess iuanes
.ti i t r .i t- if. .ill
rpl rr i r-ii
The young officer could only fall upon
j his knees and bathe with tears the hands
j of the Emperor.
"lou see that I also love my daughter,"
said the father, raising his son-in-law in
his arms.
On the 14th of July following
I Grand Bu chess was restored to health,
aud the Duke Beaucharnais de Lcuchtcn
jburg espoused her in presence of tbeKep
f resentatives of tho lloyal Families of
Europe.
oucu an act o
f parental love merited
f ,1 ! T
i oi nappiness. jieavcn, wnicu nas us &e
icrct?. had ordered it otherwise. On
. t.-t 1 !j.
lvl "iJ "J,"lJ6li"1-'- - -" j
Tuesday, Kov. 5th, 1852, the Duke of
! Leuchtenburg died at the age of 45:
1 .i , . it . v. . .pi a
! riuy to tue la i or nis uninani, uuuy ,
, and leaving to Mane Nicolocwna eternal
regrets
All the young princes of the world will
I t :.. ii. -r i 1 a 'U..
uispuie again me piiio ui uui iiuuu uuo
, i . , . .
. Ike enter with a peck of cards in his hand,
j "La sakes" answered the old lady
, looking over her spectacles, "Ikey don t
PiaJ LUU piauuy, uut x suuuiuu u wuuuui
if be could whistle it. Ikey, put up those
icked cards and whistle Euchre for the
gentleman."
"I can't," said thc young hopeful.
"No, my son, I dou't feel well
am
t lnA -.1 .i . i:t.r,i
ut;"usicu iiiiu iuc luiiuuruiiL v ui Lilts vuuiiE
the in
a
iuiaio
now-a-days," upon which Ike
fought the camphor bottle to tho 0
d "Ab," said she, Ikey, you ar
Id la-
are one
- "4 wvu.u.0.
Life is but thc second edition of
.
a tallow candle; all we have to do with it
is, to live comfortably, to use the snuffers
j of humanity and knowledge trim the wick,
uuu u-uv u. .,a uum
running too strong, and we will be sure'
' and keep the grease ot meanness from
CSr Spunky! The St. Louis "Repub
lican" says that a fej day? ago, a man
! and his wife, in that city, were engaged
in arranging a seperation. The principal
on a tew.
j-Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati,
mi i at rtia in nwinrr iipniv 1 1 1 u it. - fi:t nn i j. - i I .... . I . .
,he( "It is strange how that boy has regen- . r-t, amonnted to hut litfln ' !i . L .. -i j i . 7 ' r "i
crated latelv." and taking un her knit- j "" 1 "i...ir M,:... , mat iu wouiu uu ... u. -i , c onsideration, and on terms amply
0 " tin, work commenced to knit ina deiected T.!". A" : , ' " " "? lhc n,lddlc ot aSt mmm U I live of the rights and interests of
w"w c " 1'J UIUIU IU1IUU1U V&MIMUli; Ul lUU UUUl U- ' cor.fTM.no ovnoc !) mnS. nS We 1 aS lUOSO Ol I , . ,!. ... ..: ,.4c. fil.i.
manner. i- c m r iorc i i b"" v.- ... - p o, ui uiu nuuiu i-hjj mt-uia ui
luujiiui. tlong of thelrcasury for 1855 can be un nonnin i.nvA. in this resnect been sad- L..' ,...i ,.f ;..?.,,.
f . nofc -fc .g true been interrrupt
j' . the casualities of the elements,
, . . . -i.
extent; and in certain sections of our Com
' p ct;i ,
nd
w alsQ be(Jn sorefy fefc
should we estimate lightly the si
Nor
suffering
'. ... J , . m, ,iifl rtf
i in our cities and towns. Ihe urouglit ot
I.. , . , , , A .
; the season deprived the husbandman, to
SOm. ' anticipated rewards j
uia iao.UI' tluu 1"!u"tiu iu. :
P-u uiauj iuuvio au iuuuuo vi
usual earnings. The means of sub-
sistence are thus greatly enhanced in val-!
pnvcu umuy luuorcrs ami mccuuuius ui i
,:.. tut n : .
ue. at the same time that the onnortuni-
tine rt norrnnrr r inm
arc much diminish- I
Thc field for charity is consequent-
ly wider than usual, and to meet its rca- '
J ort n n Vl r A nm o n e rn flirt r o r f rP flincrt
blessed wild abundance, will do to sus-
. tho ehristian chapter, and meas-
, , . . o.nntinnA honnf.v f
tt""" J
Heaven.
. . . .
The operations ot the Treasury tor the '
iast year, will be presented to you in de- !
results are uigblJ satisfactory, showing a
steadily increasing revenue from nearly
all the ordinary sources.
I 'Pirn n fTfrrnfrn f f rpnplnta fnr tlir fisonl
- Jgg d '
J, -n Tresu on be 30h No.
vmh. 1853 f,mont,i . fc ... f
G - t: J
i. iL fff.filflt
Ul " j ... . w
, oof?c- BHn An. . tlwi ssnr.t, iju
""5
.fc , e20fi552 70: to the construction
of the new railroad over the Allegheny
mountains, 8401,921 03; to the payment
of debts on the public works, 8339,940
38- Of the balance remaining in the
(Treasury, a portion is applicable to the
e I payment of the State debt, and the re-
mainder to current demands.
The simple, or ordinary operations of
the Treasury for the same period, were
as follows, to wit : the receipts, exclusivo wnoe amount estimated as necessary to I nually paying over a million of dollars to
of loans and the balance in the Treasury complete the line; and yet, it is but jus- 1 ward's the construction of new improve
on the 30th of November, 1853, realized tjce to that the Pennsylvania rail- ! incuts and at the same time accomplished
from permanent sources, amounted to the Y0SLAif tyin'parallcl with it, has cost a 1 a small, reduction of thc puplic debt,
sum of 85,218,099 00. The ordinary ex-1 st jargCr sulD per mile. j As made my duty, by an act of the Lc
penditures, including the interests on the j j jiave endeavored, during my service, 'gislaturc, approved the 27th of April last,
finished lines of the publio works, ex-1 to gUard against the commencement of providing for the sale of thc main line of
eluding the payments on new works and scliein cs of this or any other character, the public works, scaled proposals for its
loans, amounted to 84,116,744 84; being ' t0 cnta5j futurc liabilities on thc Treasury. ; purchase were invited, up to thc first Mon
81,101,490 15, less than the receipts. ! Tuis ougut t0 tne settled policy of thc ' day of July last. No offers were made
This statement may be regarded as tho ' state. No new improvements should be , under this invitation ;and public notice was
workings of the Treasury simplified; and j'fi,nn ,n r,rnivf. wl.ntnrnr. ; again given, on tne 14th of November
as establishing the gratifying fact, that
thc present reliable revenues of the State,
exceed the ordinary or unavoidable ex
penditures, over a million of dollars; and
that, relieved from the demands for the
construction of new improvements, the
Treasury could pay a million or more of
the public debt annually. It will also be
perceived that the iucome from these
sources is steadily increasing. For in
stance, in 184G, with the State tax at
present rates, aud the same extent of im-
provcmeuis iu uau, wiui uuuiiy uu cue
i ...:ii. i .ii it.
made, than is furnished in thc results for
1854. Thc ordinary receipts may be
I'""" -"-" v,u"""; '"vv'r'u j
nary receipts may
ri . ..i r ,1 ll
taiuiy usiuiiuiuu ul u luiuiuu ui uuimid a-
a million of
bove thc unavoidable expenditures.
A
jer should be faithfully applied toward thc
navment of the State debt.
I J "
rph aprGfyate receints on the public
woris for the past year, as reported by
the Canal Commissioners, amounted to
the sum of 81,870,078 00: and the ex-
the suid of Sl,b7(J,U7b UU; and the ex-
dit to tho g m of 1101.570 54;
508 34. from
deducted the
chargeable to
the year, for new locomotives and other
unavoidable expenditures thus reducing
the net profits to 730,008 34. II
to this, 8131,000 00 rccived fr
Pennsylvania railroad company
It we add
om thc
for the
""""J "uuul"' : .
Viewed in every aspect, this exhibit is
gratifying. Few similar systems of 1m-
t II rtifcli II L SUUrL'L'a U XUVt'I UU 1 UllUIiltlUIl. ,1 nn r nnf to IP
; portion oi this excess will De requirec to ; vcars since, as well as some sections
.complete the new rortage railroad, and tu new located on thc hillside, nc
i i fin ivfiri n tr-i iiimi i 'i ii'i!' -i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 i i nil i i i.
XT.!. 1 1. n 1. ,1 il ... ! . n . I 1 t..a,l
I
dueed to a condition of virtual insolvency, j
The incrensG of business on the State ,
works for the two last years, has exceed- ' still require, as estimated by the Canal Board,
ed our anticipations; and but for the ne- 880.00 0 to put it into complete operation j
,., . fny, . Whilst I regret this unforsecn cost and de-'
cessity which seemed to exist for a re- j cannot efrain from repcatinff my un. j
duction of tolls to meet surrounding com- fafleri confldcncc in lhc wisdom of the pol-1
petition, the revenue would have been icy that dictated l!ie conipiction of this work,
largely increased. The general move- ( 'phc arge increase 0f business and tolls for
ment now on foot amongst railroad com- the year just closed, on the older portion of,
panics, to advance these rates, may per- thc line, indicates what we may safely antic
haps, relieve the State to some extent in j ipate from the new, and, I cannot doubt, that (
this respect ' l'1G Sross amount of business it will commandj
The Delaware division makes a most ' and the revenue it will yield, will exceed the j
-r i -T. MCO Mo?nfc most sanguine expectations ot its advocates,
gratifying exhibit. Ihe gross receipts ineAaustibIo mines of coal with which !
counted $360,325 0i, and the expcndi- gection of the State aboundS) thc pro. t
turcs 859,738 07, showing a net protit ot ducls of which are destined t0 pass through ;
$305,588 40; a sum equal to the interest thi8 avenue to a limitless market, will fur
on six millions of the public debt, and to xilsli for it a never failing supply of business ,
20 per cent, on the original cost of the and tonnage. 33es.des, its completion will ,
work, including thc expenditure for new be an act of justice to the industrious and en
works i terprising inhabitants of that part of the Com- t
The North Branch Canal and the Co- monwealth who have heretofore willingly '
iv mii t c -ui ' contributed towards the construction ot the
lumbia railroad also present favorable re- , "l,iyUL"-
1x m, , . j a n i c othor improvements of the State, trom wliicli
suits. Ihe business and tolls on the for- ; th cou!d derive but ,iuIe advantage. It ;
rner have inreased with marked rapidity; wjn aiS0!add iol,e rrCneral prosperity of the '
and the management on both these
branches bear thc marks of skill and ;
economy. The expenses on ttio Aiiegne- ,
at auy former period. iis a wuoie, 1IC01
at aUy lormer peHOU. 1S 3 WUOie, i XCUI .
constrJained to say, that the condition of;
tho nui: tvnrlrs lins been imnrovcd du-
. v. . . . , .
iw. inCf. nr- 5n nn n.irHRiil.ir. to so
ring the
valuable
valuable an extent, as in the matter of
nnntrnctinp debts, which it seems has
,Gen almost entirclv avoided. Thc of-
i I K ln4-
UCers OU llie respective hubs
ti,ev have naid all expenses: and some
them have" one so far as to say to the
.JLvlln J-ni!w
UUUi . iU. Lua" luV,V" , .
responsible for any debts that may here-
1 j
after be diSOovered. This is truly a great
ref0rm for nothing has cost thc State
thQ icious practice of
inakin d'ebts on the public works; I still
think it should be interdicted by positive
law.
t ij. . n T n ,,n m r ulnwc
at " to l prip Zs Zi u os
Jj 'j conlrol Lo.gm.ot of
:, . c..... :
LUU OWIU luiuiUYCUit-uw "vv."
ii K:r. T ,lr1 rncnnorhl 1 -
lUUUitl tliuiu ill tuia. j. iiuuiu iv.t:in.um.
. r . ... i p.i
lnir me OUUIU11U11S
puoiic wonts
SUOU10 it SCCIUS 10 U1C,
:-:c - t.,
be left free to meet
e ana comme
ce, as
thev mav arjse
rj ,70rij on the Mountain railroad has
pr0gresSed slowly, and it it obvious that
it Ju nnf he fullv comnletcd before the
summer of 1855. I must confess myself
ly disappointed as to the time and
money consumed in thc construction of
this work. The expenditures, since I came
:nto 0;c iiave 2reatlv exceeded the
' Tho payment of the debt, and that only,
phoufd Jabsorb tho surpiug revenues of tho
Treasury
other
irill Vn
! will thn Rtnfn'R indnl.tndnnss
Luu .,ir,-uf
I regret, exceedingly, the necessity of
announcing to you that the North Branch
Oanal is not yet in full operation. It is
now more than a year since the Canal
Com missi oners directed the water to be
1 . . . . .
lct juto tiie inain trunk ot that lmprove-
j disappointed.
I i;flrir.,1n;f,s T,resi
V . . , . ., I
i oiiucuiLiub iiuauuwji. luum.ou. . w
i-rr t mmcn pne in rilft
.,... . . c , a m.
i wnv Qi tue attainment oi tuia unu. o-iju
' oi,i ivnvlr Pftnt;f.riifif.fid some twelve or fifteen
y
J A Lai mvv v.
ot
ar
1,..
j the admission of water, turned out to be
I 11113 ILIlllL'llJ UI lllu im-'l tiaau.a .uw.u ,
m - ft n T 1 l'lir 1VIIIMI I I'll 11 V.
WUitVUi: Mil" 1
porous, anu totnny iiiauuiuieiit m uj .uu-
' terial and formation. It some instances
J rocks, roots, trees and stumps have been
' concealed under the bottom of the chan-
I nel", covered only by a few inches of earth?
thus presenting but a sngnt oDstruciion
to the passage of the water out into tho
bed of the river. This is especially thc
case in much of the old work, in all such
sections or places, no romedy, short of a
reconstruction of tho bottom of tho canal,
could prove sufficient; and this was nec
essarily a tedious and expensive process.
There is still a considerable portion of the
work to remodel in this way; hut it is confi
dently believed that it will be ready for use
in the early part of thc coming season. That
the utmost skill and vigilance has at all times
been exhibited by tho ugents of the State, on
this line, I do not believe; hut the deficiency,
in this particular, on the new work, has not
been bo palpable as alleged by some. Indeed,
since May last, great energy has character
ized the management on this line; the Pres
ident of the Canal Board having de voted much
of his time to a personal supervision of the
work. But it is obvious, no degree of capac
ity in the State's agents, for the last year,
could have overcome all thc ditiiculties that
were encountered, with sufficient celerity, to
have entirely satifcfied public expectation.
At thc time I came into office, the cum ne
cessary to complete this work was estimated
I . - - - . II II I . tl.JI.au aaa.... ..vr.
jv varieiv ui uiuuiauuu
at 877,000. Since that time thc sum of
1,208,552 72 has been expended, and it will
ndiacent countrv: to the -value of property, I
and consequently to the revenues of the State.
. y ,
At the time of my induction into
otlice the funded debt, including
accrued interest, amounted to
thc sum of. ". S-JOjlu-MST 48
dd to this the loan of April. 1852,
to complete the N. Branch canal, 850.000 00
$11,001,157 4S
Deduct payments as follows:
( Interest on outstanding certifi
cates...... 5;)U,UUa 3U
Receipts to the sink
ing fund up toihis
time 1,057,850 15
1,103.919 5-1
Total funded debt, $39,900,537 94
The floating debt and unpaid ap
propriations at the period already
indicated 1.-121.090 15
Deduct the available balance then
in the Treasurv
750.000 00
$671.090 15
The floating debt, temporary loansj
unpaid apppropriations except,
for repairs after the 1st Decem
ber, 1854,
Balance in the Treasnry, Novem
ber 30, 1854, after deducting the
amount applicable to the old
public debt and thc relief issues
then on hand,
1,C30.000 00
SG5,929 00
Balance.
S7G5.929 00
Durintr the pame period the following appropri-
i ations and payments have been made toward tho
' construction of new improvements, to wit:
For the reconstructing of the Oo
! lumbia railroad
$514,407 cc
1,117,955 93
52.r.8S. 00
1.20G.352 7G
ioo,:ny 99
95,5:5 71
For the new railroad over the Al
legheny mountains,
T."1-... flirt rtrt.iTilntini nf" flw. " of-
' ern reservoir ..
! For the North Branch canal,
: New flocks on Delaware .division,
Sundry special payments,
?3,0S(,.77i 05
The foregoing figures exhibit the aston
ishing fact, that the Treasury has been an
'; last, in accordance with thc 29th section
of the act, lor proposal, to be submitted
! S"ljeet to SUcll disposition
tui'e may deem necessary
JIv mind has undergone no change, on
hicfil of sellimr thc public works
since the period of my last message. 1
think thc policy- of the measure depends
mainly upon the price that can be obtain
ed, and the conditions on which purchas
ors mav be willing to hold these works for
w - - i - - - - C J 1
I the use of thc public. "With a full and fair
proicc-
the peo-
e higb
ious to
tho public weal. But it is certainly nci-
. ... ... . . . ,1
, iim wisn nnf nmiLift to assume Liiat tnev
i . . . "
must be sold for whatever can bo obtain
edj or that tlicy should, in any event, be
given away. Nothing could have a more
prejudicial el toe t upon thc interests of the
State, as involved in these improvements,
than the avowal of such a determination.
Nor is it less nnwise to disparage tho val
ue of thc Commonwealth's property, at
the very moment of putting it in market
for sale. No intelligent private citizen
would so act, in reference to his own es
tate, lie would hardly give notice to
capitalists, in advance, that be would sell
his farm for njnir price; but if unwilling
to pay such' reasonable consideration, they
could have it for half thc money. Nor
would such a person proclaim, that of all
the farms in the country, his was thc "least
productive.
It is certainly the wish of many good
citizens of the State perhaps of a major
ity that thc public works should be sold;
but this desire is evidently based upon the
assumption that the measure would be
one of real economy that it would lessen,
without tho hazard of increasing, their an
nual taxes. The realization, of such an
object, it must be perceived, then, depends
entirely upon thc price and terms, lhoso
who desire a sale, certainly expect the
State to be thc gainer by such a measure.
No other important, or sufficient reason
for parting with this property has been
assigned.
It is usually sard that the works should
bo sold to 'pay the public debTiind lesson
the burthens of ftte?pdJople; but-it must' bo
observed, that a sale might be madcat :l
price far too low to efi'ect such purpose;
and if so, to give them away would be still
less likely to produce the desired result.
Should thc gross sum received, not be e
qtial to that on which the nett earnings
would pay thc interest, then the efi'ect
would be to increase rather than diminish
these annual burthens. This is not what
the people desire to accomplish by a sale;
nor will they be satisfied with such a dis
position of their property.
The real value of the public works, is ft
proposition full of difficulty; and-i doubt
not the General Assembly will approach
thc inquiry, dulv impressed with its impor
tance. Ten millions of dollars was fixed,
by thc law of last session, as the price for
the main line. This minimum is said by
some to be too high, and thc failure io
sell, regarded as the consequence. Oth
ers attribue thc absence of the bidders, to
the condition of thc money marketto
the stringent restrictions imposed upon the
law; and to the effects that had been pre
viously made to disparage, the value of
the line. But it is obvious that more
than one of these causes mar have opera
ted; and a greater than all may have
been the hope of getting this property on
better terras, at a future time. 1 feel very
confident that thc latter consideration
was not without its influence. But, be
this as it may, it is certainly wiser to fail
to sell from anyone of these causes, than
to hazard the works in the market, with
out anv restriction or limitation as to price
or conditions: A bad sale would assurcd
ly'be a greater misfortune, than no sale at
all.
The benefits resulting to the people from these
improvements, have been numerous and diver
shied. They have facilitated trade and com
merce: stimulated productive industry in every
department; and have not only enabled tbe far
mer to reach a ready market with the fruits of
his labor, but have furnished convenient out
lets! for the rich mineral treasusures of the State.
Without them, the miner would be deprived of
his occupation, the transporter be left in help
less destitution, and the Commonwealth itself be
permitted to retain a parsimonious possession
of vast masse? of natural and unproductive rich
es. Our predecessors were wise iu opening
these avenues to trade and commerce: and if
wo wish to be rated wise hereafter, we shall not
rashy and hastily throw away the advantages
of their future use. This use." to the full sxtent
in the event of a sale, can only be secured by a
jealous protection of the right of the people to
enjoy it. The very first conditions of sneh a
measure should be" that -the- works, and evcry
braucii of them, be kept all times in good order
and operating conditioi, . and remain forever
public highways, for the use of all persons who
may wish to transport goods or merchandise over
them, upon rates not greater than those charged
upon other similar improvements. No cor
poration should get po-esion of these valnRble
avenues, on such conditions as would enable it
to impose unreasonable burthens on the internal
irmlii :intl tnnnncre (if the State, or in anv way
to encroach upon the rights of the individual
citizen. To obviate such results, the powers,
privileges aud restrictions of any corporation
getting the works, should be minuter defined,
f'ast experience suggests these prudential coun
sels; for we have often seen in this State, how
difficult it is to confine the operation of these
artificial bodies within the limits prescribed by
the law: and Ave should not fail to profit by the
lesfon.
By the-20th section of "the act of thc
9th of .May last, providing for the ordina
ry expenses of government and other pur
poses Nimrod Strictland, of Chester coun
ty, John N. Purviance, of Butler county,
and John Strohm, of Laucastcr county,
were named as commissioners to settle
certain claims and debts against the Com
monwealth. It was also made the duty
of the Governor to supply 'by appointment,
any vacancy in this commission which
might occur. The gentlemen already
named having declined to serve, 1 accor
dingly appointed William W. Williamson,
of Chested county, William English, of
Philadelphia, and John C. Magill, of
Westmoreland county, in their stead.
After a tedious and laborious investiga
tion, these gentlemen have completed tbe
duty assigned to them, and tbe result will
be "communicated to you, iu detail, iu
their own report.
1 rejrrct to nerccivc that the accounts
: so examined and settled, exceed the a
! mount of the appropriation nearly $150,
1 000. It is well, however, to sec the end
! of claims of this character; and having au
! complishcd this it will be prudeut to guard
1 against the recurrence of a similar state
of affairs. Indeed the practice of con
! tracting debts, on Mte public works,
should be at once and forever abandoned.
It has been a.fruitfnl source of confusion
in thc accounts, if not of palpable wrong
upon the Treasury. The right to scatter
the credit of the Commonwealth in this
unguarded way, is, 1 venture to assert,
without a parallel in thc management of
public affairs. Of the inany defects in"
the system of managing' thc State im-
nvnvninnntc tint! bn loAM' the most iro-
ductive of evil. In my firft, as also iu my
; last annual message, I most earnestly ur
Assembly to provide, In
law that" no debt should be contracted by
tuc'ofiicers on the public works; that
thc necessary labor and material to main
tain these works should be paid for, ,
ocb mul that each officer should fii
, v-ti-J"
! compelled to settle his accounts promptly.
Thc examinations just made, demonstrate.
; more clearly the heeesity for such reform.
Bcpcated attempts have been made to
' repeal so much of tbe act incorporating tho
, Pennsylvania railroad company, as re
quires it to pay into the Treasury annual
J ly, a certain per centngc on tho amount
! of tonagc which may pass over that road
ns an equivalent for the privileges granted
by tbe Commonwealth; but the General
Assembly havo as repeatedly rejected
tho proposition; aud I siuoei'ely hope, that
I so long as thc State may need the revo
; nnc from thfc, sourc', a'l future attcutpta
(to acuomplUah this eml, may meet tvsittli'.-
ar -fatte; .