• ' .Phr the Agitator. THEVILLAQIBTRBAM. »TKm«-,1-POCT. «Bot I am changed since Isat I stood Beelde that mndlng ilresm.” ’’ The child srttii gej and thoq£ittall>ro* - Who, In Usova of rore, ; WUchedjoW kl»d wife* dux* ohm® • Or listened u their murmuring song Died out upon lbs shorn. TbSe dreams Mrs parted away^ IdoU *roand which my heart did twinv lad deem them Wtndshlp , a purest ihrlnfl long since hare turned to day. * A change baa came tfer rated and eotd, Yokeless, yet all beyoml cgctrol; And from toy choek and^row, The dew dt childhood’s monMjas fled— Time on its wings has swiftly ffc^d, And left me changed as how. But the dear friends who blessed my lot In those old hunts# an not forgot— In memory still they dwell. No change can etor roach myhtert To force mo with their natnee to port 0, still I lore them irolll And do I sigh for those dear hours Spent ’mW thy brightly blooming flowers t Ah, no, I would not be Tossed on the waves of hopes and fears w Which dim youth’s brightest htwrs within Tor all Its Joy and glee. Although Tm changed, a holier spell Thau ever on my lire had fell la thoee pure, guileless dare: Now cheers my heart where’er I rove, Shedding tho light of peace and lore Upon my silent way. Hmtani Valky, A too. jjolttical. ABSTRACT OF THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE, The report of (he State Treasurer will ejc hioil to you, io detail, the operations of his department. The results are more satisfac tory and encouraging than were anticipated. The receipts at the Treasury for the fiscal year pnding November 30, 1855, including the balance in the Treasury on the Ist day ol December, 1854, ($1,240,928 72} amounted to 88,031,402 83. The total payments for the same period were 85,385,705 52; leav ing a balance in the Treasury on the 30th November, 1855, of $1,246,607 31. No loans, temporary or otherwise, were negotia ted During the past fiscal year, as they were tiot required by the wants of the Treasury. The receipts during the past year, from all sources, (excluding the balance in the Trea sury on the first day of December, 1854,) were 85,390,474 11. The ordinary expen ditures for the same period, including the in terest on the public debt, were $4,139,512 28, showing an excess of receipts over ordi nary expenditures of $1,250,961 83. The extraordinary payments for the year were $1,246,193 24, as follows, viz:—To the completion of the new Portage railroad over the Allegheny mountains, $446,762 12 ; lo the North Branch canal, $87,562 67 ; to the Columbia railroad, to re-lay south track, 8133,100 00; to the payment of domestic creditors, $l 1 ,629 85; lo the redemption of loans, $316,550 60, and to can celled, $260,588 00. The balance in the Treasury will be re ouired for the payment of the interest on the Slate debt (ailing due in February next, and lor unpaid npproprialions. The inlerest on the fuuded debt of the Commonwenhh, which became due in February and August last, was promptly paid; and it is gratifying to stale that the inlerest due in February next will be paid with equal promptness. The credit of the Stale may be regarded as firmly established, and with proper economy and a careful and honest management of her finan ces, an annual reduction of her debt, lo a considerable extent, may be confidently ex pected. There is due by the Treasury to the Sink ing Fund ihe sum of 8335,011 39, to be ap plied to the redemption of the relief notes now in circulation, and to the funded debt of the Commonwealth. The greater part of Ihe funded debt bears interest at the rate of five per cent, per annum; the balance bears a still less rate of interest. But as the tempo rary loans, which by law are to be first paid out of (he available means of the Treasury, bear interest at the rate of six per cent., it has been deemed advisable, as a matter of economy, to apply the surplus revenues to the payment of these loans. When these are liquidated, the amount due and properly ap plicable to the Sinking Fund will bo paid, and its operation continued as directed by law. Notwithstanding the revenues for the last (our or five years have largely exceeded the ordinary expenditures of the government, yet in consequence of Ihe large and insatiable de mands upon ihe Treasury for the completion o( ihe North Branch canal, the Portage rail road and other kindred -improvements, the public debt, instead of being reduced, has been increased. This increase, wilh the amount and condition of the debt at different periods, will be seen in the following state ments ; Statement of the funded and unfunded debt of the Commonwealth on the lei day of December, 1851, ot per report of the Auditor General. Funded debt, vil f> per cenl. loane - I, 44 U Total funded debt. Unfunded debt, viz; Relief notes in circulation Interest certificates outstanding.,.. “ ** unclaimed Interest on outstanding and unclaim ed certificates, when funded Domestic creditors 9897.528 88 ToUl debt December 1,1851., 940,114,836 39 Statement t&oming ihi indtlledaw of the Common weauh on the l«| fay 0 f December t 1854, a* per Audtior General s report. Fundfcd debt, vis 6 per cent, loins.. 5 ♦* •* *i u 4 “ w . . • * Total funded debt 140,084,91490 I'n funded debt, rlz; Relief notea in circulation Interest certificate* outstanding. .. . “ “ • -unclaimed,..;,. Interest on outstanding and nnelaim. ed certificates, when funded..,., Pomestic creditors’ certificate* Balance of temporary loan of April 19, 1853 Balance of temporary loan- of Mar 9, 1854.. ; Total oilfiinded debt snd tempo. rary loans *1,538.680 84 Carrried forward 41,623,59574 Brought forward 141,633,596 74 To these should be added the follow- . ' jng relief notes, not included in ' rrclief notes in circulation,” viz: Relief notes made by the Lancaster 11 fl 1 f\ V » i , - ii •. , '-j i j * 7 • *' ‘ »?.».»•-***» v-v\> «.»n?w - r i <■ !•- jj 'j«ifl -. ~Is "• * ' ■- ,-;s '«ri ? s;s I',, '1 •[ -> ti\- i, -ou * zf ’ COBB, STCEBOCE, & CO., : vol. 1 - Bank; not charged 6a State Tree sprer’sbooks. .. • ««’••• • $25,00000 Relief notes pat in circulation Sep- . tember, 1854, end not redeemed. December 1,1654............;. ’ 50,000 00 75,00000 Total public debt December 1, ‘1854 41,608,595 74 “ “ “ “ 1851 40,114,23639 Increase of debt In three years, 1i584,359 35 funded and unfunded debt, including unpaid temperary loans, on the fust day of December, 1855, the close of the laetjieeal year, at per report of the Auditor Oeneral and State Treaeurer, mas ae follows, io teii; Funded debt, viz: 6 per cent. loan - . J-U. u 4J “ •• 4 " «•..... Tata! funded debt $39,907,800 47 Unfunded debt, viz: Relief notes in circulation 258,773 00 Interest certificates outstanding.... 29,157 25 Domestic creditors 1,364 00 Balance of temporary loan of April 19,1853 525,000 00 Balance of temporary loan of May , 9,1854 346,00000 Total unfunded debt 1,160,19435 Total debt December 1,1855.. 41,067,994 73 Total debt, ag above elated, De cember 1, 1854 Total debt, as above slated, De cember 1, 1855 41'067,994 73 Decrease during the fiscal year 630,601 03 This statement exhibits the gratifying fact that during the fiscal year ending November 30, 1855, the indebtedness of the Common wealth has been reduced $630,601 02. Du ring the same period large appropriations and payments were mode lor the completion of the new Portage railroad, re-laying the track of the Columbia railroad, and for other pur poses. These demands upon the Treasury were, without the aid of loans, promptly paid. Refusing to undertake any new schemes of internal improvement, limiting all appro priations to the actual demands of the occa sion, practising strict economy in all depart ments of the government, and holding the re ceiving and disbursing agents of the Com monwealth to a rigid accountability, will greatly reduce the expenditures, and under ordinary circumstances, leave an annual sur plus of the revenues to be applied to the re demption of the public debt. Although by the terms of the net authori zing these certificates of State slock, as also by the conditions of the certificates issued in pursuance thereof, the time of payment, after the expiration of the minimum period, is op tional with the debtor—the Commonwealth —yet a due regard to the credit of the Sjate requires that-provision should be made for their renewal or redemption. To redeem these cert ideates 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 on which these certificates were issued, 1 would recommend that authority be given to issue the bonds of the Commonwealth in re newal of said certificates, bearing interest at the rale of five per cent, per annum, payable semi-annually, and redeemable on or after the expiration of twenty years; and that the bonds be issued with -coupons or certificates of interest attached, in sums equal in amount to the semi-annual interest thereon, payable on the first days of February and August in each and every year, at such place as.may be designated. This change in (he form and character of the certificates, it is believed, will be so advantageous to the holders, with out increasing the liabilities of the Common wealth, as to induce a willing and prompt ex change, at a premium, for the bonds proposed to be issued. The dondilion of the public, works, their general operation, and the receipts and ex penditures for the past fiscal year, will be pre sented to you in the report of the Canal Com missioners! The aggregate receipts at the Treasury from the public works, for the year ending November 30, 1855, were $1,942,376 71. The aggregn'e expenditures, including ordi nary and extraordinary, for the same period, amounted to $1,838,701 18, showing on ex cess of receipts, over all expenditures, of $103,58553. The extraordinary payments for the same year, (excluding $133,100 00 paid for re laying the south track of the Columbia rail road, and $28,000 00 for rebuilding the Free port aqueduct) were 8690,427 78. The or dinary expenditures wore $1,148,863 40. 82,314,093 51 36.704,484 03 198,200 00 839,916,707 54 9650,163 00 150,231 82 4.44838 Aggregate receipts as above stated.. 81,942,376 51 Ordinary expenditures “ “ 1,148,36340 Net revenues for (ho fiscal year 9.75291 82,932 74 The sum or 8161,125 35, has been paid into the Treasury by ilie Pennsylvania rail road company and other companies, as the las on tonnage passing over their roads. This amount largely exceeds the sum paid by the same companies to 1654. I regret to inform you that the railroad to avoid the inclined planes on the Allegheny mountain, has not been completed os Aas con fidently anticipated. The delay in the com pletion of this'work hasoccQsionedrnuchin convenience to the business of the main line and a loss to the revenues of tha 'Common wealth. The'expenditures have largely ex ceeded the original estimates for its construe tion; and although the sum of-8277,730 00 was appropriated at the lost session of lhe‘ Legislature for the completion dftliis work ,-»-h sum covering iha estimate of tho. engi neer—yet afier the expenditure of the whole amount thud appropriated, the road is unfin ished; and (o'complete it, and pay (ho debts contrasted, (he further sum of 8177,573 66/ as now estimated by the engineer, will be re quired. Either (he estimates have been very carlcssly made, or large sums of mnney usn lessly and extravagantly expended in the 9532,104 93 39,064,609 97 388,200 00 100,00000 494,361 00 84,85721 4,448 38 1,870 97 2,70761 360,000 00 450,435 67 -iA “ TIOGA COt’StY, PA., TIICMDAY ,TA^\TIT'I7,4S ,; T^ r; !^'./^ 9516,15493 38,903,445 54 388,200f1|) lOO,OOO 00 41,698,595 74 794,01331 **•*•''**■■*:-')■-i ♦ -'jtk. /<j T-CJB- • /iiinftsv.. * - . .rj.vanA-,, ’. V*>i**i«K yV^, •K'O iv-£ UJVt*£ V/ *'!*; <u*: r,i.V * W« /#«£ ‘'\^'’j'-‘a . iorrliTiorr op THOuoiLT is TnE BEGiNRiKO o* f>jf ,t tiiSsirnproyepriepl., aiding (he business of the main line, reducing still further ■jtß -eitpehdiiufea end relieving the TrdastiryTrbrti these 1 constant demands', the annquncemept of, its early completion will-be hailed withpldasure by every citizen. a Although the completion of the ’ North Branch canal, before the close of navigation, expected,,jtei bxpecfaiion has riot beeci realized. The efforts, of the present Superintendent, Mr. Maffil, during the p?sf year, to complete and pul in successful operation this canal, deserve the'highesl com 'niendution. Everything that skill, energy and industry could accomplish has beendone. The labor lb be performed was great, and rendered more difficult and perplexing by the imperfect and fradulenl construction pfihe old work and some portion of the new., The large quantity of rocks, trees, stumps and roots placed in the bottom of the canal, and the defective material used in the embank* roenls, suffered the water, to escape almost as rapidly as admitted, and rendered a re construction of the work, in many places, in dispensably- necessary. Its successful com pletion, it is hoped, will soon bo announced. It will appear by the report of the Com mittee of Ways and Means made to the House of Representatives in 1849, that the entire amount necessary to complete and pul in ope ration the unfinished portions of this canal was estimated at the sum of $1,106,037 00. The amount actually expended on the work since that period, as appears from the reports of the Superintendent, Engineer and Canal Commissioners, is $1,857,377 52, being an excess of expenditures over the original esli motes of 8752,340 52; and the canal not yet in operation. With such facts before us —such evidence of mismanagement and reck less expenditure as the history of this canal shows, it is not mailer of surprise that the Commonwealth and people are burdened with debt and taxation. In pursuance of the net of ihc 8:h of May Inst, providing for ihe sale of ihe main line of (he public works, after giving (he notice required by law, 1 caused the same lo be ex posed lo public sale, at the Merchants’ Ex change, in the cily of Philadelphia. No of fers were made and consequently the works remain unsold. Sealed proposals for the “sale or lease of the main line,” were subse quently invited, as directed by the seventeenth section of the said act, and the proposals re ceived are herewith submi'ted lo the Legisla ture fur their action and final disposition. Having on a former occasion presented my views of the propriety and policy of a sale of this branch of our public imoxovemenLa-n -repetition of the sentiments then expressed becomes unnecessary. In relation lo this subject my opinion has not changed. On the contrary the experience of the past, and a careful examination of the question in its economical and political relations, have con firmed and strengthened it. That the Stale should, long since, have been separated from the management and control of these works, the history of their construction and manage ment clearly demonstrates. Public policy and public sentiment demand this separation ; and every consideration of present and future interest requires their sale. The late finan cial embarrassments of the country—the im perfect character of some of the provisions' of the bill nmhririzing the sale, together with the adverse influence of rival interests, defeat ed the recent attempt lo sell. These difficul ties .have been, or can be, removed; and a sale yet t effected on terms amply protective of the rights and interests of the people, and at ihe same time Just and liberal to thd-pur chasers. To reduce the Stale- debt and relieve the people from taxation, are objects worthy the earnest and anxious consideration of tho Leg islature. To accomplish these Objects speed ily and certainly, a sale of the whole or part of our public improvements becomes import ant and necessnry. The revenues of the Stale, under the present system of manage ment of the public works, are hut littlo more than sufficient to pay the interest of her debt, and the ordinary expenses of the government. A sale o( these works, for a fair consideration, and upon terms just and liberal, would, con stitute a beginning, in the process of liquida tion that-would free our Commonwealth from' debt and her people from consequent taxation. In every measure calculated to produce these desirable results, 1 will cheerfully co-operate Villi the Legislature. The currency of the Slate, in its relation to banking institutions, and their increase, is a subject that demands careful and intelligent considpia'ion. From Ihe notice given of nu merous intended oppjicalione to the Legisla, lure for new banks and an increase of bank ing capital, this subject will doubtless be pre sented to, and strongly, urged upon your air teniiun. Shall the number of banks and the amount of banking capital be increased I and. if so, to what extent and. in what localities?, are questions of absorbing public interest. .... Without desiring to .assume a general and. uncompromising hostility to ajl .banks, otto an increase of bankingcapiulj I cpnnot dis cover,the necessity,that requites,,or, thq cir. cumstancea that .would .justify'lhp incorpora lion of all-thnt may- be-demanded'from the Legislature. Theincorpnration of new,.'or the rechnrter of old andisolvcnt’banks.'Whcn indispensably necessary andclenrly demand-' ed by. Iheaclual -businessitvanis of the'com munity in whichtheymdyibe-located, should not be refused ; under tlo olhercircumstanceS should their incorporaimn.be permitted.; ■ The necessity, for’increasing the number of banW should be determined more by the actual wants of legitimato trade, th»n by the number: offapplioniions.and the’Wild fancies of stockjobbers and Spcciilatora. Tho sudden and unncccssat'y expansion of the currency should bo avoided, and whatever Icqda to J - T pi | l»fl U M i i.l Mil ■ T«v K v fiJ \U3I Ulfe- produce auch a result ought.to, be discounte nanced ohd prevented.* In the crealion ; of banka ineirue intereslsofthe Staleand peo-! consulted? Vnd ajusl and hon esldiscrimination, as.,(d.numbcr ll iocality and, the demands of trade, bo, exercised by their representatives.,- Public sentiment does not demand, nor do pubjicor private interests re quire, (lie creation pf numerous bank?. In the present condition, of .the finances, and in aid of the revenues of the State, (in addition to ilie taxes now imposed by law) a reasonable premium-should be required to-be paid by all banks orsaving institutions that ma yhereafter be chartered or re-chartered by the Legislature,. - •, As appropriate to this subject,-and. inti mately with it,l cannot forbear to express my disapprobation of a practice, that has, heretofore obtained to some extent, of using the names of members of the Legisla ture as. corporators in bills pending before theth for the incorporation of banks and other companies. Such a practice is pernicious, .and cannot 6b 100 strongly condemned.' It perils the independence of the Legislator— exposes him to unjust'suspicions, and stamps with selfishness, at least, his legislative action in the premises. Legislation should bb free, even from the appearance' of improper mo tive;'and every’ undue and corrupting in fluence, insids or outside the Legislative Halls, should be resisted and condemned. It is a cause, of more than ordinary con gratulalion, that agriculture, the first, ns it is the noblest pursuit, of nqan, has, in. its pro gress of development, vindicated its own im portance, and assumed, in public esteem, thel honorable position lo which it is so justly en titled. - Cunsiiiuling, as it docs, the sub-stra tum of our great mechanical, manufacturing and commercial interests, it should over be regarded as the chid source of Slate and National prosperity. First in necessity, it is the highest in usefulness of nil the depart ments of labor, sustaining and promoting, in their varied and multiplied relations, all the other industrial interests of Ihe country. Our financial and commercial prosperity is large ly dependent upon the success of agricultural industry. Tho report of the Superintendent of Com mon Schools will exhibit 10 you their condi tion and the general operations of the system throughout the Commonwealth, during, the past yenr. To the valuable and useful sug gestions of the report, 1 would earnestly ask the attention of the Legislature. The operation and result of the system as detailed are highly i interesting. Our educa ing the prejudices and gaining the confidence of the people. Under the fostering care of liberal and enlightened legislation its ultimate triumph is certain. When the system was first introduced, it was supposed that it could be perfected anil forced into general and vig. orous operation by the more will.of the Leg islature. Experience has proven, that in this, as in every other great social and mor al reform, lime and that consent which arises from a radical change in the popular mind, were required. This slow process of the ac climation of the new system to our social and moral atmosphere, has been in operation for nearly twenty years ; and it is now evi dent that (he period for another effective in terposition of legislative aid and authority in favor of our noble system of common schools, has arrived, in whatever frijm this obvious-' ly proper and necessary interposition may present itself, if calculated lo promote the great ‘ purpose in view, it shall receive my cheerful support. n After a careful examination of] the subject, it is my clear conviction that tho system is now prepared for and requires increased effi ciency in its general supervision—increased qualification in its teachers, and increased means of 'support; ■ The experiment of the County Superin tendency wherever faithfully carried out, has not disappointed the; expectations of tho ad vocates of that measure. The improved condition of the schools, and.the greater effi ciency of the system, clearly established the propriety aad utility of such supervision.— The official visit of on officer-of the school department to some of the coun'ies of the State, in connection with-lhe County Sopcr intendency, have demonstrated ihatHhe voice of public authority lo sustain, and the pres ence of an official agent to encourage,' have •largely contributed lo excite and maintain tho deep interest now fell by the public in our educational progress'and'improvernent. The most marked improvement 'recently effected in the system, lips been'in its .corps of teachers. , With almost unparalleled:dis iniercstedncss anddevoiionto the noble cause in which they ore engaged, the common school of the Slate, have in-almost every county been using' rill’ the means and 1 appliances within their (tower, for self im provement. These 'efforts, so r credits hie to them, hrivd' been highly i.bdiieileial inr their results; rind’ clerirlyT provO the necessity,’ and point With unerring certainty to thecs .ltihlishment Normal’ schools.— Teachers’ meetings for ,j» dny ’liriye given place,to institutes ’ forweekj. pnd these ,agqin-tp numy/otis, flprtiiai uing from one .to. monies, step jnt his pi^g^eBsiqnj'j(j,){M\jS^i)a^'ippjrc ,apparent that pejmaoeqt their properproreMgrs-and i qpphnnces,.yyhicli no|,hiog:l)fit the'poyv^t a 9r4h.o. I §(ate r j:qY pro-., vide, are demanded.by, and .would,-, meet the-, wants of lhe ay sterna nd the. . If, in addition ip .these,'/ qr^eimilprjneea uresitheJLegislaiure-sbQUtdifeel.warranted— qnd ihe meafiure' has.nlLihß saactioa thij ex ocutive document! cnn glve<i it—to.-make .a. large odditionjto thoannuolStntQ appropria tion to enmrffnn schools, Mielieve ,that all will, be done uhicb'lhepatriolisin of- llie-peojilo’s A - P ■ t it. r v^ iyv *■ -*S'*'. • w- -• y*,jl. . r '.^i ISHERS PROPRIETORS. ■' ; I'-.'t ,t tit i'•,? i’./'? * PDBL rept'^^^fioli*'eb ,6i»h‘ now effect I do'hot liesiiale lb.pxpreas opipjoh thst llio time has coma forties prompt, fulland decisive msiion,' ■ Lettheintegrityof the system,dn its great purposes and olijpcts, bomaintained; and if changed, changed only tp ; render ii more efficient. and to increase its power for greater usefulness. Whatever else may dis tinguish your present session, it is.hazarding fiitjo to predict, .that more honor and bepcfii will result from the perfection of the common school system of education, than from any other exercise of your legislative powers. In this connection I would.commend to your attention the Pennsylvania Training School'for and'Feeble-Minded Chil dren.- The' aid of the C6mmohwpalth Kas : heretofore. beten~exTfen'tfed'io This Institution'.— It is a noble Obarity,' and appeals to (he best feelings of the heart. It deserves to share the bounty of the State. The “Blind”- and-the “Deaf and Dumb Asylums," in Philadelphia, invite our sym pathy, and ask to share the benefactions of the Commonwealth. They should not bo disappointed. The blind, in their darkness— the dumb, in their silence—will cherish the gill, and bless the generous donor. Legislation, in relation to all questions of moral and social reform, should.be carefully and wisely considered and matured. On no subject, within the constitutional authority of the Legislature, are the people so sensitive; and no one more deeply interests every class and condition of society. Sumptuary laws, as a general rule, are of doubtful expediency ; and us abridgments of the liberty and priv ileges of the citizen, can only be justified on the ground of necessity. Whilst this is ad mitted, it cannot be denied that the evils re sulting from intemperance, create a necessity for regulating and restraining by legislative acts, the traffic and sale of intoxicating li q'uors. To what extent this traffic should bo .restrained by positive law, must depend on the will of the people, determined by consid erotions of their own moral, physical and social welfare. Whatever may be my own opinion, or that of the Legislature or the people, in reference to the law of the last session "to.reatraia tho sale of intoxicating liquors," it must bo admitted lint a full re turn to the license system, in operation prior to the passage of the present law, is not de manded by enlightened public sentiment, and would not promote the good order or happi ness of the community. That the laws then in existence were imperfect and failed to check or control the evils of intemperance, is a proposition loo,plain to be doubled—that - i h«y nn»dnJ-ronomn tmiwi . In our large cities and towns, the evils of the system were more severely felt. Tne facil ity and cheapness with which licenses were ob'aiped, operated as a premium to vice and immorality, and multiplied tippling houses and places where intemperance, under the authority of law, was not only permitted, but encouraged. My immediate predecessor, io his last annual message to the Legislature, in reference to the then license laws, says : "So far as relates to tho city of Philadelphia, they are peculiarly prejudicial to public mor als, and seem to have been constructed to promote the convenience of drinking far more than to restrain its evil consequences." fn this opinion ( fully concur. That a rem edy was demanded, all will concede.— Whether the law of the last session wns the proper remedy, it is not my province now to determine. Enacted by tho representatives of tho people, 1 gave that act my official ap proval. Recognizing the people as the source of all political power, and their represents, lives as the immediate exponents of their will, upon you will devolve the responsibil ity of further legislation, if any, on this sub ject. In all its relations, economical, politi cs!, social and moral, the question is impor tant, and its proper determination involves fearful responsibilities. It deserves, and .should receive, your serious consideration.— if action is had, may we not hope lhal it will be such as will promote tho virtue, njoraliiy, and true interests of our people and Com monwealth. • Legislation, so far ns practicable, should bo general and uniform. Local and special legislation should not be encouraged, when the desired object can be obtained by gener al bias. Such legislation is not only local and special in its character, but frequently temporary —the act of one session being re pealed by the act of the next, and perhaps replaced by one still more objectionable, which, in turn, soon shares the fate of its predecessor. It crowds'the statute book with useless and unnecessary laws—violates private rights—creates confusion and uncer tainty—destroys uniformity of practice and decision—prolongs the sessions of the Legis lature, ond increases the public expenses.— Our general laws regulating roads, highways and bridges,'and providing for the'stippon and employment of the poor, constitute a well digested system fur the accomplishment of those 'Objects ; and yet, under ijte system of local legisfiftloo heretofore' practiced, we ‘frequently, find in, different townships of the sdtrie courtly,'.local laws tegqlai'ng these,sub jects, hot''only differing materially ,from the general Ijnv, but"from one another., Reform regard js required, nod jo, this I res pet:tl\ill,iysk:ypitr aUetjiion., ■“,o'innil|u,s legislation’! .haying been con demupij apd”qbandaned, should pot be per miUejjiUgain in sully .ihe records of legisla tive pq^ion,,, It, cannot iqceive my apptq. v,ql., :ij,, ..-». -:.j , .By a resolution of the,2othiday of .April,- 1855,. I waa requoatoduo procure fromi the Attorney general,-bis-opinion-ofthe right of: the Slate oft Now-York- to divert,water -from the natural bed and channel'of' theOheniiinu river,-to tho prejudice of- Ilrb publi<J:improve meins of Pennsylvania; tho said river be-’ longing lo- both States ; and communicate life aamo tb'tK^Kra^Stu^'jAs.^i*&eatC(L. been obtaimldj'Afftl* ’Communica ted f•« r-. ; •’■■■■.'i ;? . :-.0 Havingj at tha iimfcpf my'indiicfion* info offiWj- dealarod .‘iioi 3 Wy< feltow.'citizens ■ and their, repregoqiatives. my sentimonls m rela lion, to quesliqnacpnnocled; with our natioftal polilios, thqir reiteration now will:not be el pqeled. s To, the opinidnstheo ezpresaedj and* - (erred.-. • a- •;• r.,-,. ■ si-;*. •• y W To maintain in; their integrity theConstf imion.of dor Republic, and the Union of the Stales.—protect the civil-and religious privr ■ leges oflbe people—guard with jealous care the igeDernl, greai andjessential principles of liberty; and freegoyer nmCnl—of freedom and humaa righls—and 1 vindicate by a true and single * devotion to home and country, tho great.doctrine of American Nationality, are objectsthatawaken the patriotism and claim the energies and the heart of every Ameri can citizen.. In obedience to the requirements of the Constitution and laws of the State, as (fie representatives of the people, you • have as sembled to perform the high and responsible duties (hnl-devolve upon you. As a co-ordi nate branch of the 1 government, it will bo alike, my duty and pleasure, to unite wi k you in the. enactment of all such laws or will protect the ftghis.'of the people,-and ad vance iho tionor- ond prosperity of "the- Com monwealth. With a sole desire for (ho public good actuated by a spirit of enlarged and enlight ened patriotism, and guided by that wisdom which hath its beginning in the fear of God, 'may our efforts, in. harmonious action, be di rected to the accomplishment of these ob jects, and to the promotion of -that righteous ness which exalteth a nation, and constitutes the true glorv of a free and independent people. ' JAMES POLLOCK. Executive Chamber, ) ' Harrisburg, January 1, 1856. $ A fashionable dry-goods dealer advertises a lace scarf worth 81,5300. Another has a bridal dross, for which he asks 81,200. Bon nets at 8200 are not unfrequently sold. Cashmeres from 8300 and upwards are seen by dozens in a walk along Broadway. A hundred dollars is quite a common price for a silk gown. In a word, exlrkvagance in dress has reached a height which would have frightened our prudent grandmothers and ap palled their husbands. A fashionable lady spends annually with her milliner, mantua-, maker, and lace-dealer, a sura that would have supported an entire household, even in her own rank in life, in the days of Mrs. Washington. A thousand dollars a year is considered, wo are told, quite *a narrow in come for such purposes among those pretend ing to be “in society” in some of our cities. Add to this the expenditure for opera tickets, for a summer trip to the springs, and for a score of little inevitable et cetqras, and the reader gets soma idea of the comparatively wanton waste of money carried on year after year, by thousands, if not tens of thousands, of American women. And for what end 1 Do these human but-- lerfliea improve their intellect, enlarge their culture, or elevnle their characters by this spendthrift system ? On the contrary, they deteriorate all. Da they bestow additional happiness on their husbands and fathers?— The very reverse; for to sustain these ex travagances, the father or husband, as the case may be, toils late and early, consumes his health, and often is driven into wild spec ulations that end in u ter ruin. Do they will the approval of 'tho other sex ? Never was the esteem of any worthy man secured by a costly, reckless stylo of dress. . All that this perilous extravagance effects is to gratify miserable personal vanity. The fos tering of one of the most petty of human vices is the only result of their spendthrift habits. Miss Poiipbar plumes herself on having outshone her -rival in laces at soma grand soiree, or in having worn more jewels ; and that is the single, barren harvest which she reaps by the expenditure of thousands. Can the pampering of such vanity benefit her or others 1 Alas ! the women who live for such triumphs as these, whoso souls are given to diamonds and dress, arc little filled to be wives or mothers, to bo companions for men or educators of children ? When the Roman matrons sunk to a similar con dition, Rome began from that hour to de cline. Fortunately for our country, however, such painted tnflers form but a small minor ity of the women of America. Unfortu nately, however, their influence on society is greater their numbers, fo‘r to their extravagance and vanity is united a presump tion which asserts for themselves, socially, n superiority over tho rest of their country women ; and this superiority, so undeserved, is conceded to them,' partly because of their claim to it, and partly because of their ap parent wealth. They are -thus enabled, practically, to-give a lone to society at large, fo city circles lesa.-ostenuuious, in country villages and even in western farm houses, their extravagance and vanity is copied, till, in half the families in the land, females spend, upon their dress more than they can afford. With too miny—happily wo need not aav with all-r-ador.iiing the person takes tho place of menial culture. |To he showily dressed is often considered of more moment than to Tre graceful, amiable, and intelligent. Where will alf thisend l If this continues for anoth er, genera lion, where will we bel—PhiladcU phia Ledger, A distinguished physician says; J antic ipate n period when the fairest portion'of life creation will step forth .unencumbered with slabs of wulnot and’tiers', of wfmlebone. — The constitution of our females, must beiflrsi rate to withstand, in any tolerable degree, the terrible inflictions of the corset eight long hours every day. No animalcould survive it.‘ V. .-tv. > r • ‘•a.V-.'Hr- 1 * Extravagance in Dress. ‘ls n l -tavern'in a small town, sal ii former, who was'plagued and bantered'by over a’ dozen gndsts who were present. ' ' : a VVeli,’-’ said the.faVrher at last, ‘‘l’ve got’ the"best of nil of you.” “How so?” asked all. " ' ,t -. • “In me, you've hhlv g d one fool, wli|le in you, I’ve got over a d O5 n,” '' ' ' ' ;1 '■
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers