• ' .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 '■