E ' • Intimately connected with the subject of our nub ile debt, are the assessment and collection of the lazes. The laws on this important branch of the 'revenue, require to be remodelled and arranged in each form as to insure equality and uniformity in the several counties of the State. The manner of adjusting and equalizing the valuation of property for taxation is a concern of deep interest to the people, and should, as far ate passible, be left in the hands of their Immediate representatives. Asses sors, it is suggested, should be required. in the exercise of their duties. to make return In a full and accurate statement of the various products of Farm and Manufaeforiu, of 'the kind. nature and • amount of the supposed annual value of the produc live Industry of each district; of the amount and nature of the local and general trade and business, with the meaner and cost, of ranching the nearest 'market, and the value of he article in market, et 'the nearest point to the district. Should an arum al'statement or this nature be deemed too expensive for practical utility, a triennial return might on ower the purposes intended. Returns of a nature so gen eral, of the resources and active industry of the State, while it would afford•valuable !elem.:ohm to the public officer, would place before ham such facts as would enable him to detect gross errors in the uniformity of the assessments. and would leave In the hands of the officer elected by the people. the duty of valuing and taxing their property., instead of casting a labor so important Into the property, of ir responsible Boards; The importance of legislative action on the dub jcct is enhanced by the fact, that on examination of the ordinary revenues and expenditures for the last few•yeara, furnishes evidence that the necessities of the treasury require increased resnurces: A state ment from the auditing department' is as fel lows : m V VVP VU VVV•VV . 34 9 .1 - i i i 2.'' "goi 2 . 3P. 1 i . me. , ma.. a r m. m= „,.:, -R m 4°, g ;F.; 3 .2,W ;I \ :,. V X 40.1 , 4 8 p,..., . = am 41 ,„ 21 =,— to .. ~, ___, 4 • .. ~ . . i. . .., ...„. ...c. - .s 0 e :p l. ,se... 71. tri •a• -, '4 - d ie- " 4 , ; ID " .., uw CA La . 04 ;i0 C 4 E g MEM 43 ' 04 or . ,I 03 ••••• C 4 GO 4 4 V ...1 • Na au 10 :4 5 4 4.4 Cn OS 0 u Cr. cm .41 CD .4 CD CD Expellees of the public works c , naidered • I . or dinary, notwlthatandlng mach of the am ' it Is really extraordinary ; but as tin off.-et to s, the tax on real and personal estat., received during each year, Is more than the assessment of a year, the excels being from outstanding taxes of previous years." The balance in the treasury on Dec. let, 1844, was 8663,851 88 Balance in the treasury, Dec. 1848, was 577,290 39' Deficit in balances in treas'y in 4 yr 5.586,561 49 Had the law of May 31et, 18.14, been complied with by the cancellation of the relief issues, the additional charge would have been made on the treasury of Which added to the above deficit makes 336,261 46 Deduct excess of apparent revenue, 87,349 30 Real defict under existing laws, 6245,912 1 in four years, exclusive of extraordinary expen ditures. The operation of laws on the part of the national government, framed wit a view to the assessment of duties and collection revenue, is a subject seriously affecting the fins es of the Common wealo state In the Unit depends in a great er de r. c, n the advantages o holesome enter prise. d the safe employment of capital, on the --stalailliy and agency of laws affording reasonable protection to domestic Industry. Our meuntains, filled with rich depositea of iron and coal, invite the, manufacturer to employ his skill and capitaLtlig these commodities, and when they are in demand the whole productive business of the State prospers. No interest feels the pressure of foreign competition morekeenly, none requires more certainly the fos tering careof government, Ilene spreads toe larger extent the active industry of all classes of citizens, than the peculiar manulacturing establishments of -our own Slate. The system established by the act of Congress of 1846, le framed fur purpose of revenue, anddiscriminates against r ;her than for protection. 'The effect of such laws .could neces sarily be, if continued, to strike down the manufac turer, and to depress every interest which directly or Incidentally leans on him firroupport. Of the interests favorably affected by the estab lishment of manufactories, none deserve more es pecial notice than the laboring and producing clas ses. Thesecompose the great mess of our popula- tion, and in all respects differ radically front the same classes in other countries. Here, they are a part of the government itself, apd as such are ire tquently frequired, in the exercise of the Elective Franchise, to decide; amen tons, effecting even tf in of our free institutions. t govt. (unmet@ under whit cow. ponent of the soverel from . a foreign power the miry, and took with others !Inuit questions involved. ' .harge In proper manner the coun try, to others, and t their time should be elven eon indention of public r trd of their labor, they shoe their condition in society, ;elves end families, - hot t the comforts and even th ye to •their children the bet mon, and to endure a coin! luall lied them for Betty ce of labor Is regulated by are of the article It prodllCPl labor Is small, and the, prot price, the reward of Indus iced ; when the demand fa es in value •and receives t once, whateverincrenses p tinily beneficial to the awn- them the means of cornfm al en joyment, and the op r c. in- Anion and performir tunny • the duties of eitizent. The manufacturer, if he be unstained In his enter prise, produces this reaolt, by opening to the labor. er anew source of employment. It Is frequently urged, that the system of protection to domestic industry Is of more interest to the manufacturer • than to the laborer, as it citable him to dispose of hls fabrics for's higher price, and to reallzo better profit on his esplitil ; hut is not the capital of the . taborer also Involved in the fabric, and does he not eceive a reward In proportion to the value of the 41111Cle? Let It be remetnhs.red, also, that his daily bread.— the wants of his family,—the education oh hiethild rem all depend upon the success' of the establish ment at which he is employed, and the obietion can have but little weleht. it is also urged, that a reduction of nominal values to a snecifice stendard, would produce a result, requiting for domestic labor nu protection on the part of g tvernmenr. A doc trine of that nature is ratically wrong, and at van anee with the principles on which our free govern ment is founded. Bring down the standard of pri ces for labor to a npecifie standard i allow no greater reward for industry in this country :hap in England, and the working chines are necessarily foreed Into the oondition of foreign operatives, coin ' pelted to labor constantly and diligently to earn for themselves a miserable subsistence. All the luxu ries, many of the comforts. and even the necessaries .of Mix must be denied in them. while the eduestlon of their offspring must be whollyneglecied. These observations apply to the laborers engaged In the business of mining, and transporting our coal to market, as well as to the operatives More directly employed at manufactories. After the demand for bogeehol I nee Is enplaned, this tirade must seek a market In those districts cd country where menu (maturing industry abounds, and the demand for it Increases or 4 1 eittishea in proportion to the active operatiVf tbsea establishments; Hence, every fire that , .x ingulshed, and every wheel that. Is stopped, lessens the demand for cmil, decrespes ire • valne In the market, and reduces thepriges of labor, bylessening In value to the owner of the article, . When to this is added the fact of competition from abroad, underselling In the horde market the do . „,inestie article, the oedupedun of the laborer Is de; strayed, and the ruin is complete. The revenue system invitee such a result, while the system of dtsctiminnting for protection forbids it. Other classee of society are also injuriously or beneficially affected, us the laws on this :-Ishject favor the one or the other policy. The agricultur allet, inclined to measure the general welfare by the prices of his produce, and to remain contented while these nre satislactory, is required only, the exercise of his practical knowledge, to be Informed, that he sutlers also by n policy which strikes down the manufacturer. — The home market I. his only sure reliance. The condition of things ahrood ma afford increased prices fo r the produce of hie farm y ; the miseries of unhappy Irelattd, and the unsettled state of public affairs in other parts of the world, may create a temporary demand for grain, and thereby 'segment the value of his productions; but it would be unsafe to depend on contingencies of this nature, over which his government can have no control. The entire produce of his lends, whether distant or near the foreign market, must depend fin on uniform and fair price on the home demand. Any other reliance is dependant on the policy of foreign governments. the convulsions of unsettled power, and the unfruitful harvests of other producers. It is not however. In enhanced prices alone thnt he finds his reward. In the home market he Is his own factor, avoids the risk of agencies, the dengeig of transportation, and can select his own time for the disposal of his produce. The manufacturer carries to the market. In the fabrics he proposes to sell, the produce of the farmer, who Is thereby re lieved of the hazard_ and expense of conveyance. In another for eis still more largely benefitted. One of the eleme te of well-reguloted society, is unity of interest. Whatever may be said to the contrary, no nun al antipathies exist between caul tal and labor. They are dependant on, are support ed hy, and receive vitality from, each other. The manufacturer who invests under the fostering care of government his capital in profitable industry, opens n new source of wealth to the farmer, the artisan; and the laborer. An indentrioue population. whose reward ramie comfort and competence. gathers around him; other classes are attracted, and the stbrehouse, the orkshop, the school, and the church are erect( d villages eprlng up ; the din of active Industry and the sound of enjoyment mingle together; rends are opened. brides are built, lands rise In value; and the farmer finds a market at his door, not only for his ordinary surplus produce, but also for number less articles which were deem. d unworthy of trans portation. From that overflowing fountain, bY an ' hundred rivulets; wealth Is poured into his treasury. ,Ft` F,' • I H p. Ci ei .... .-• . . 03 VI . •—• V CD^ 1 . 6 . :8 .... i . m^ CO ..., ... - - ~, . . . . These ere a few of the many adVenteges of the agriculturist and the laborer. arising from a lair end reasonable protection of the domestic industry of the entinn y. The existing revenue laws of the national eayernntent. by opening our ports to foreign mane lectures, invite the labor of the wretched. 'untying operatives of Europe, to a competition with lIPB healthful and prosperous condition of !hinge. The consequences are ruinous to the Interests of the la boring mid producing classes, end dry the streams of prosperity In every, branch of Industry. It should not he forgotten, that the reliable wealth of a State consist"' in iheprofitnble industry and cap ital of the Citizens. Whatever tends. therefore, to prostrate individual prdsperity, to diminish the 'val ue of produce, to injure productive labor. or to drive from wholesome inyesttnent the mony capital of e k,4 the country. stokes with planning force Ate best in terests of the State. The revenues of th Com te.on wealth arc derived principally front real a d person... al (mate, and front odr railroads and cone's. In re lation to the former, A may he said, that every dollar shipped fur the perches , • of for , ign fabrics diminish- • es their value, depresses the home market, reduces the profits of the producer. and hence lessens the amount of revenue pall in the treneury.—Copit al in vested in the van •ue hrunches of ma nufectures. -ittlts In value, i•• proportl to to the depression of the hits!. nee' In which it in employed, and wh n foreign com petition is successful by reason of low duties, in driving from the home market the labric of the cap- I•ellet, his investment is comparatively valueless. and the revenues .hereft , m ere greatly reduce d. The profile front our internal improvements ere ' , till more seriously Alerted. The raw material in lot trattell, to the einnufeetorv, and the fahrie on its way I , ) r ti marker, are principally conveyed along our can Is and rn.ir Huh., thereby yieldi g a lin ndsome reve..ite to the Cimino belch. When, there.ore, the man ufacturer. un rotected by the government, is com pelled to dis Melte his lottsine...e,•not only the la borer, the Intl an end the egriculturist, but the State also is setio ly injured In the generhi depression of burliness. th . diminished wealth of the country, and the reduce value of capital. The poll of giving fair and reasonable protection to flue do laie industry of thecountry. has hereto fore receiv a Support PO cordielti h rom wise ed pat rioticlastore men who }rave condi AO the affairs of the netiona government, PP well a Aimee who have pteeeded m In the Administration • f this Common wealth, that I cannot refrain from the insertion of a few extract from their several meosagee. In his eighth message, Washington deemed it -proper to tiling the subject to the atb.ntion of Con gress : - it I i 7 F. 1 Z1", 2 1 1 UR 249,700 00 "Congress hove repeatedly, and not without Pile. cese, duetted their ;attention to the encouragement of manufactures. The object Is of too much conse quence not to Insure a eontinunnce of their tlllafts in every way which shall appear eligible." The eighth annual message of President Jefferson, contains the following reference to the subject: "The suspension of our foreign comnterce, produc ed by the injustice of the belligerent powers, and the consrquent losses and sacrifices of our citizens, are subjects of just concern. The situation into which we have thus been forced, has impelled us to apply a portion of our industry and capitol to inter nal manufactures end improvements. Theextent of this conversion is daily Increasing, and little doubt remains that the establishments formed anti finn ing will—under the auspices of cheaper materiels and subsistence, thefrcedom of labor from taxation with us, andof protecting duties and prohibitions—become I permanent." President Madison calls the attention of Congress to the subject, In the following terms: "Although other subjects will press more Immedi ately on your deliberations, a portion of them can not but he well bestowed on the just and round pol icy of securing to our manufactures the success they have attained and are still attaining in some degree, under the impulse of causes not permanent." And again, in his special message of February 20, 1516, he says: But there is no subject that cementer with great er force and merit into the duliherations of Congress than a consideration of the means to preserve end proniote the manufactures which 11111/e sprung into exi,tence, and attained an unparalleled maturity throughout-the United Slates during the Period of the European wars. This source of Notional Inde pendence and wealth. ] anxiously recommend, them fore. to the prompt. and constant guardianship bf Congress." In his seventh annual mesange, ho again recurs to the subject, as follow: "In adjusting the duties on Import': to the object of revenue, the influence of the tariff on manufac tures will necessarily present itself for consideration. However wise the theory may he, which leaves to the sagacity and interests of individuals, the appli cotton of their Ind:limy and resouices, there are in this, as in other cases, exceptions to the general rule. Besides, the condition which the Octal, itself implies, of a reciprocal adoption by o in r nations, elm nence teaches, that so many circumstances must occur in Introducing and maintaining menu facturing establishments, especially of the more coin oicated-k nds, that a country may remain long with ut them. i although sufficiently edvatieed, and in some respects even, peculinrly fitted f ft. carrying them on with success. Under elecum-tances giv ing a powerful Impulse to manufacturing indium y, it has made emong us a progress, and exhibited an efficiency which justify the ballet, that with a pr.to ,tection, not inure titan is due to the entennizing cit izens whose interests are now at stake, it w ill be come at an early day nut only safe egainat occasion al competitions from abroad, but a a niece of domes tic wealth and even of external commerce." • And again : "It will be an additional recommendation of par ticular manufactures, where the materials for them, are extensively drawn from our aviculture, and con sequently itinnyt and ensure to that great tend of national prosperity and independence. a. , encour agement which cannon & II to be awarded." President Monroe. in lois first inaugural address, says: ' Our manufaCturers will likewise require the styes tematic and lost-ling care of the government. Poe ceasing, as we do, all the raw materials, the fruit of our own industry, we ouglit not to depend in the degree we have done, on supplies from other coun tries. While we are thus dependant, the sudden event of_wor, unsought and unexpected. cannot fail to plunge us Into, the most serious difficulties. It is important, too, that the capital which nourishes our manufactures should be domestic, as its law') coca in that cane, instead of exhausting, as it may do, In foreign hands, would be felt adventageowly on agricul ore, and every other branch of it duetry. Equally I portant is it, to provide at home, a mar ket for our raw materials, as by extending the cum . petition it will enhance the price, and protect the cultivator against the casualties incident to foreign markers." • His Excellency. Simon Snyder, Governor of this Commonwealth, in his rue,sage of December 13th, Mb says: subject of manufactures, from full oriroonoo during the restrictive system and the war, is now so well understood, as respects the practicability of ad.' vantageouely carrying them on, as to the kind of goods which may be made, and the quality and du rability of the articles which have had a fair exparl.. merit amongst us, mat it is deemed unnecessary to urge arguments in their support. The general gov ernment hilly aware of the =porno:lee of the sub ject, will, it is confidently hoped, follow the dictates. of political wisdom, and protect our manufactures against injurious foreign competition or combina tion: a contrary course would protract the long anx iously sought real independence of our country, end again impose on us a depeedenee almost - colonial." His Excellency William Findlay, referring briefly to the subject, says: .. "As agriculture and manufactures are the great sources of wealth; and the only solid foundation of our comforts and independence, they are partirular ly entitled to the forering care of government." In the first menage of Governor Wolf, he speaks as follows: "The protecting policy hitherto sustained by the general Government cannot, under existing circum stances, be abandoned or relinquished with the ap prebntion or consent of the people of Pennsylvania. Their interests, their prosperity, and, I may add, their comforts, are at this time essentially identified with that policy. The (111/era/A branches of in dustry in which our citizens are engaged, the char acter of the produetione peculinr to our soil, the mete of the foreign markets to which we had heretofore been accustomed to rearm for the sale and exchange of our staple commoditiee, and the interdicting du ties by which the produce of our agriculturalists is excluded from those markets, leave us no alternative courne to he puestied. We must either Puffer our sue , plus produce to perish upon our hands, or we meet establish a market for its consumption at home. We must either submit to the humiliating condition of becoming tributary to foreign industry, or by af fording encouragement to our oo n, rend r ourselves 'independent of foreign imposition end exaction. Under the encouragement and protection now af forded, our menufacturing establishments are as- Fuming a vigorous end healthful appearance, and give reasonable promise of promoting the general ' prosperity of the country, and of accomplishing the great end and design contemplated by the friends tied advoeltes of the protecting gotten]. Happily ter us in Pennsylvania, we have no constimiienal (difficulties to entherrasio us in reference to this sys tem. Our sinteeinen, who have hitherto) represent ed its in the Molehill Legislature, as well Hain that of the State, have uniformly expressed their opin ions affiirmntively. and in teens by CO means equiv ocal, that this nation possesses the rig, t, under the constitution, to protect Its industry by salutary enact• mints of its own. against thritojoinous cam ces of fere ign legislation, and that the acts ' gross imposing duties on imports are comet and their conniltuents have as unequivut poonded to those opinions." Governor Porter also refers to the subje following manner : " It is tin worthy the gro of Pennsylvania, in depend on the manufr 1 other State. or of foreign countries, to sit cilium a with those articles for the various ~.. of life which they ea, produce themselves as well, as cheaply and as abundantly as any ether people on the lace of the globe. Our %tallies teeming wi h phew our hills ith deposites ofr.e.oal foo anti irom—our strallls y. a bound ing with water peSver all purposes unsurpassed by tint in ally othi4. - countoy ; and o'er citizens slbnallPti 111/ ellterplins and possessing means to render It . ffeetual, should awalcan in us that spirit of independence wbieli disdains to seek at the hands .if where, that whirl, it can furnish with its owe. It Is with no feelings of envy or /of - kcal jealousy of ethers. that I brig this subject I , your notice, but with an honest feeling of St pride and a generous emulation, which Mmt spire us with a determinati..ti not to be Weilh others for those solid and useful means of promo our prosperity and independence which Nano( bounteously lavished on our (own citizens." A question of the greatest magnitude invol the honer of the State, and the interests of the zene, will arise in the consideration of the i debt. Tue regular pa. mein of the annual int a d the forention of a sinking fund for the brptil of the principal. ..t receive id reive the. drri.i and :Luella attention of the Legislature. It wit,, tile i 'grieved Wessure to unite %Oh you in any t, ,tuna t \ mode cnlculated • to facilitate an object so deeirabl .. The present deb the state is as follows: 6 per cent stocks, $ 8 7,549 06 5 per. cent do. 37,305,801 18 41 do. do. 200,000 00 $39,393,350 24 Relief Notes in cir- - - • - $702,664 00 Interest certificates outstanding, - - 220,789 452 Do. do. unclaimed, 4,448 38 Interest on unclaim ed and outstand ing certificates to be added to t tem dt•hen funded, - 14,165 89 Domes *c creditors, 89,318 95 --- 1,031,366 74, To amount of public debt, De- • cember 31st 1848, - . - $40,424,736 96 Of the above there is due and demandable at the. Treasury as follows: Relief Notes, - - - - $702,664 00 Domestic Creditors,. • - 89,318 95 Interest certificates of all kinds, 239,403 79 Total, It is presumed the gradual process of cancel lation of the relief notes, or their redemption as heretofore indicated will remoye a to that amount, 42, 0 the pressing nece 'i 1 es of the Treasury. The residue ' sum of - .41,031.386 74 (to wit :) due an demandable is 328,723 74 Funded debt due and demandable ,-,„ June Ist 1841, $28,951 80 August Ist 1846, 1,998,509 35 ' August Ist 1847, 22,335 06 $2.047,796 21 Present liability of the Treasury, $2,376,518 95 Residue of public debt falling due: March Ist. 1849, $59,551 46 December Ist 1850, 999.311 15 • April 11th, 1853. 136.214 00 December 11,1853,1,998.407 09 January Ist, 1854, 798;474 64 December Ist, 1854,2,197.849 55 August Ist, 1855,4,489.463 79 July Ist. 1856,2,780,808 26 March 4th, 1858,3,998,305 47 July Ist, 1858,2,540,010 60 July Ist, 1858, 529,92274 • July Ist, 1859,1,195,928 93 August Ist, 1859, 49,998 25 July Ist, 1860,2,643,777 64 • March 28th, 1861, 120,000 00 July. let, 1862,2,265.059 75 April 10th, 1863, 200.000 00 July Ist, 1864,1,378.375 99 June 27th, 1864,1,134.332 70 • August Ist, 1864, 860,680 89 July Ist, 1865, 959.540 79 ‘ Jauuary ISt, 1865, 808.873 13 July Ist, 1868.2.523.6 1 7 64 July I et, 1870,1,939.583 65 Bank Charter Loans, 678.375 96 Total amount of funded debt not demandable at the Treasury, $37,345,554 03 - . $39,722,072 08 Interest on 81,887.549 06, of the public debt, at 6 per centum 113.252 94 37,305.801 18, at 5 per centum 1,865,290 05 200,000 00, at 4i do. 9,000 00 QM Regular annual interest on Loans as they stood Dec. Ist, 1848, On a portion of the above loans, there will he due 81 rears in terest on the let of February, 1849, estimated at • - In whatever amount of interest . certificates may he funded be. tween the Ist of February and • the Ist of August next, there will he due at the latter period 4 years interest, estimated at Probable amount print. for 1949, $1,006,542 99 To which add guarantied inter eat nn Danville and Pottsville Rail Road and Bald Eagle and Tioga Navigation Companies, 32,500 10 . - • $2,039,042 \ . The estimated Revenue for the current year is as follows : Lands, - . Y 20,000 00 ,„, Auction Commissions, - 23,000 00 Auction duties,' - - 65,000 00 Tax on Bank Dividends, . 120,000 00 " Corporation stocks, 150,000 00 " Real & Per. estate, 1,350,000.00 Tavern Licenses, - 35,000 00 Retailers do. • - 150,000 00 Pedlars do.- 2,500 00 Brokers, do. - - 5,000 00 Theatre, Circus &Manageriedo. 1,000 00 Pamphlet Laws, - - 900 00 Militia Fines, - - 20,000 00 Tax on Writs, &c. - - 40,000 00 Tax on certain offices, 20,000 00 Collateral' inheritances, ' 60,000 00 Canal and Rail Road tolls, 1,650,000 00 Canal fines, old materials, &c. 3,000 00 Tax on enrollment of laws, . 3,500 00 Tax on Loans, • - _ 115,000 00 Div. on Bridge & Turnp. stocks, 2,000 00 Accrued Interest, - - 4,000 00 Refunded Cash, - 5:000 00 .. Escheats, - Fees on public offic Miscellaneous, Total, Estimated expendituri Public Improvements. $BOO,OOO 00 Expenses of Government, 220,000 00 Militia Expenses, -✓ 30,000 00 Pensions and. Gratuities, 23.008 00 Charitable Institutions, - 30,000 00 Common Schools, including nonaccepting districts. 250,000 00 Interest on Loans and guar anties of interest, - 2,040,000 00 Domestic creditors, - 12,000 00 Cancelled Relief Notes, - 200,000 00 Damages on the Publijrks, 30.000 00 Special Commissioners - 300 00 State Library, - 1,200 00 Public Buildings, - • 3.500 00 Weigh Lock at Beach Haven, 3;600 00 Penitentiaries, - - 23,000 00 House of Refuge, Nicholson, - D.cheats, Abatement of State Tar, Miscellaneous, , Total, - - - . • aced Reven over Ex penditure , . • et en • Fr.ttn' the foregoing stateme n t it would appear, i ll should the eseirnes of receipts and expenditures be correct, (aid they d .uhtless tip oxitmite the truth,) and -hould no titiforeseencasunie y occur, that the revenues will at least c fial the expenditures of the year. Admitting hover ~ r, the correctness of the es appnrent t State is placed in a con r by the lap e of time, as no materiel ay, of the bite debt is-sheeted. In • sparrvoi iyment o the annuhl interest has Jill (tepee on the an iciontion of a ly helonein to the ne t fiscal year. tidieg mea a to m the liabilities ich pays n of the debt and tit of the annual ietereet by drafts fur the dischurge of another duty, is from the people upwards of t rs yearly. require,' supervision Ad careful revision of the revenue laws -wealth, increasing the las on such ..,without injury an addition to their preset, .....,hens, with due economy in the nppropri ;ohms and expenses of government, would not only place the treasury on ti sound heels, with regard to the animal payment of the interest, hut woull also, If set -lnt for that purpose, create a sieking fund to meet the amount now due noel demandable of the State. A result of this diameter would lie hnnora ble to the Commonwealth, and gratifying to the cit izens. Confidence would be immediately restored to the community, pn..lic credit would be perma nently eetablished, end' ihe Treasury relieved of a portion of the public debt. The amount now de mandable is two millions three hundred and twen ty six thousand five hundred and eighteen dollars and lithely four cents. When the faith of the State is [waved, no time should be lost in udopting meas sures tO restore its credit. To form n fund for the liquidation of the residue of the piddle debt, is an object net less important titan the one just suggested. Pennsylvartin shotrid no longer hear the luirthene which now oppress her cit izens, without at least a vigorous and tnaniv effort to relieve herself from her liabilities. To the legisla ture h I nags the duty of devising such means, and enacting such laws, as will hest promote the inter est of the people, anti efforts so laudable will at times receive the approbation of, and be aided by such suegestions na nany - present themselves to the Executive. A more favorab opportimity mny pre sent its. If at the pre•Au-erssion, titan will soon again he offered. Many of die banks of this State have given the requialte notice, that they ptopose to apply for a renewal of their charters, and I would suggest, should it coincide with your views, the pol icy of exacting from each of these institutions that may come before the legislature, the payment of a certain per centage on its capital, in addition to the taxes already assessed on banks by existing laws. A sum raised in this way , might form the nucleus of a sinking hind, which, however smell, would regu larly increase In importance and value by the assis tance it might receive front that and other sources. The charters of all the banks in the Commonwealth will ,quire renewal, the increased prosperity„popti 'aloe and business of the country, may require ad ditional banking facilities, and during cacti year a 'small amount could be added to the hind. The in vestment of the fund tLus created in the purchased state stocks, (the present revenue laws of the State being preserved.) • and the Interest on stocks pur chased, being again invested In the same way. would increase the fund while it diminished the debt, un til all would appreciate Its importance and mishit r it with favor. Should our sources of revenue be come of greater value. as nun be reasonably antici pated, large balances expenditures of the government w e to the ury, a fixed pro portion of whiqh could properly be ai , d to the fund. Thus would it Increase in triple proportion until the enormous dent. with which we are encumbered, wild-be...-finnlly extinguished. Whatever may he the views of the legislature in regard to the plan e sug lid, it is ardently hoped it will distinguish its pro- Inge by the adoption of means to attain an ob jec wo,.desirable. In therevision of the laws on the subject of reve nut, whit a view to increase taxation, the farming Interest of the state should nut be further burdened. The state, county, school. road and poor rates, lev ied upon land, sod-the reduced price of the products of the agriculturalist. occasioned by the present rev enue laws of the national government, operating to the injury of the lie.me market, should justly and equitably relieve It front additional taxation. F .r many years no settlement•of the eccounts of the Calends:dem-re of the Internet Improvement hind has b. en made. It is worthy of considerntion. whether n commission to consist of .. Clerk nom the Auditor Gem-vi toand the Slate departmente, with a third to he appointed, nwhoriz d to make nn-ex amination of said account. as nla . to ascertain pre cise e the cond.tion of the treasury nun its ideburs- Mg agents, what moneys are due to the State from cerporatiens, individuals awl counties. and if Wen ces-gLe four.d to exist, the realms' why collections are delayed ; might tee by a careful report, suegest alterntione beneficial in the manner of conducting our financial afloirs. In this connexion it Is also proper to mention that a chatige in the manner of drawing, money from the Treasury oft•.uld be adopt ed to affard more ample checks; the present system being deemed defict-ve. The Report of the Canal Commissioners will ena ble tile I. gislaturn to form an accurate judgment of the etateot thepublcimprovements. Notwithstand ing retinue interruptions caused by the destruction of t .e Fret port Aqueduct and other casu .1 ies, the revenue f this source has been so-large and so constantly increasing, that these works should he can fully guarded and preserved as a means useful to the citizentyptid highly advantageous to the State. le referring to the- internal improvements of the State, I cannot allow theopportunity to pass without alluding to the North Branch Canal. It is supposed' that a million of dollars would complete this work, at present profitless and rapidly going to ruin. Al ready bus the State expended upwards 6f two mil lions, which, while It remains unfinished, Is abso lutely lust. The country throug tch this im provement passes, is rich in the Melee of costand and iron, and In agricultural p ducts. Its comple tion by the increased tunoun of tolls received on it, and the addit oval freight town on to other por tions of the it Idle lo,pr v ents, would ntnply sr rm.,• the .tote c. on tic' .ost 4 its rot Welton Under a deep sens if tl correcttiese of these view., I could 1101 avoid bit ging the subject in your catty consideration. In this r, tenon It is proper to refer to the importance of avoiding the Schuylkill inclined plane. Surveys and estimates by a skillful Engineer have been made of three different routce, and the - $1,031,386 74 1,987,542 99 7,000 00 11,000 00 4,000 00 200 00 800 00 40,000 00 5,000 00 ,3,716,600 00 $135,300 00 result will be laid before you in the report of the gen tlemen to whom was entrusted the duly.. It Is well to observe that these estimates are not included in the estimated expenditures of the current year as given in it former part of the message. The attention of the legislature will be called to the subject of the currency in connt Anti with the Banking institutions, of the State. These inatitu lions have become so intimately identified with the business and interests of the citizens, and furnish such a portion of the circulating medium, that a necessity is created for their proper management and control. The standard of the value of things among civilized nations is conceded to be precious metals. The constitutional currency of this govern• meat is gold and silver. Whenever the conveniences of trade and business, the encouragement of Indus icy and enterprise, or the natural growth and devel orAtiments of the country require additional commer cod facilities, it is the duty of the public functions. pies to be watchful that the representatives of the ,Precious metals should maintain the standard value. Poe citizen healing in possession a note iasueil by a Sink of the Commonwealth, should he secure that heraolds the equivalent 'of gold and silver. In order is ehtnin this result, care should be taken by the leliiiiieture in the grants of authority to these corpo rations, to prevent them if possible from furnishing a Cess reit, ble currency. Banking institutions' have /oapezisted among us, and have been, when proper ty teetrieted, and judiciously managed, highly con disidive to the best interests of the people. Their notes when kept at par value, form a more conve nient teerrency than the precious metals; are equally walualk in all financial concerns, and promote the active industry of the country. Hence, solvent Wake, ake, whose notes are readily convertible into spe cie, should he sustained by the legislature, while elisee who fail to keep their notes at par, or to redeem them OR demand, by inflicting injury and injustice on tile community, destroy confidence, and forfeit • our favorable consideration. . _ . In judging of the amount of banking capital neces sary for the wants of the community, a sound and kealtithal state of business and trade afford the beet and safest criterion. These institutions arc better able to meet their liabilities and redeem their mom in a state of things ouch as ie here alluded to, than daring extraordinary depression, or unnatural ex citement. That the increase of banking facilities is Martian aital in relieving the country in times of commercial distress. is a belief as prevalen. - a it le unsound. It may postpone the mien. afford relief. The octave Itealthf.' country. and not the wanis of govern the 'tomes of the banks. commercial and manmacturing flan of the currency beyond tl wholesome mach:, lends lo UllWiel sporatlation. In short, the a l 11l medium should depend on the imaginary wants of the country, nervations, the legislature will readily perceive, that any extraordinary 'acreage of bank capital, in the present depressed condition al trade, is not consistent with Inv views of the general welfare. The location of a batik, as'near as practicable to the centre of its-business operations, Is a matter of setae moment to the community, and should the legislature in its examination of the applications for the re-charter of any institution now existing. he satisfied that the location of the existing. bank is unsuited to the convenience o' the business portion' of the citizens for wMise benefit it was established. a wise policy would die ate n refusal to re-charter, and the establishment of n new institution with the same amount of capital, at a place more advantage ous to the citizens. The old and well established banking institutions. whose credit and solvency are undoubted, and where the wants of the community In which they are located require it, should receive a renewal of their charters, but in no matinee ought a charter to be renewed. until a'complete, o thorotezh examination of the allidra of the Mannino's, and a nil statement of its liii-iness, with satistactory evi t ence of the BC-NA FIDE value of its assets. hall have unvinced a committee appointed fur that petrel:so. f its entire solvency and ability to redeem .11 its liabilities. Such statements duly aildienticated, should be filed of record in the State Department fur the inspection of all persons interested. The several laws in force . to prevent the use and circulation of notes of a less denomiention than five dollars, do not appear to have produced the result 'hounded. A large portion of the eurreney of the Slate consists of notes of a lower denomination, many of them spurious and defaced, issued by for eign institutions, about whose solveitcy no knowl edge can be possessed by the citizens. This circa !mein, while it intliets injury on the community, Is in direct contravention id the express terms of the law. As it is manifest, the existing laws will not remedy the evil, it is suggested, that an act prevent ing under severe penaliou, the banks and brokers dealing in money. from receiving an deposit, ex changing, or paying the same front their counters, wou'd have a beneficial effect in driving these notes from circulation. Should the circulation of notes of a less denomination than five dollars. be desirable, it is infinitely to be preferred, that they should be issued by our State banks, whose solvency is known, rather titan foster a circul 'thin issued by Institu tions whose nbilities to redeem them rosy lie uncer tain. Kith these blight modifications of our present system, taking care that no unnecessary and 'mach vised increase of banking capital be made, anil_W all cases either of new iostitutiois, ur. the retfiTwal ni those, now existing, that their entire solvency aliould he undoubted, and that too danger to the till zens w1:1 arise front these gra itsot power. I :dein hi deem it right to leave tee present policy in relation to these corporations, as it has been maintained iu former rears. During the last session of the legialature, en net was p o s w ol regulating the hours of lama in histories, and specifying the age at which minors shall be a mined therein. It is respectfully submitted, whether this law dues nut require amendment, sit LIB to preA vent special contraeis to labor inure than the fixed by the net. The operrition of the law as at present in force, gives to those violating its spirit, an advantage liver him who faithfully carries it into ellect, by permitting the owner and operative to enter into such contracts inl.relation A° the extension of time, ashy ma elm proper. If it be right to limit the Wilma labor in PactUrles, (and who that desire the education and comfort of the citizens can doubt it,) t lie law should he so changed as to operate alike in all. such establishments. Should the legis lature concur in this opinion. it would be proper to repeal the proviso, allowing of special contracts by parents and guardians for the labor of minors above the age of foe teen years. They should not he left in a condition of more hardship 'than the adult. I have brought this reinject to the notice of the Legis lature, as well because of the justice end propriety of the suggestion, its that my trieedship for tire mea sure was well known to the people, and has been approved by them at the late general election. It gives toe unfeigned pleasure to announce the fact. that the common school system is at length oriented throughout the Slate. 'Pile friends of edu cation Miler be deeply gratified. that a columnia tion co desirable, promising such advantages to the citizen and security to the State, had heel attained. It may well be considered as a conspicuous epoch in our history. The bled Inca of rational and mural cultivation dispensed throughout tile Common wealth will inflation the condition of the people, en large their sphere of usefulness, and give to the State a character for intelligence and virtue. The report of the Superintendent will furnish valuable informa tion to the Legislature for the further improvement I of the system, and will enable it to remedy existing ' defects. The Adjutant General's report on the subject of M the e ta, contains many important Ouggestions, well worthy the consideration of the LegulatuKt.— It is the production of a practical military oflicer, who has bestowed much thought on the subject, and will be found interesting and valuable, patlieularly AM pointing out a mode by which the vast expeniii-' tare of the present system tnay be saved I to the Treasury. lu the reports of the Auditor General and Surveyor General, you will find a detailed account of the titian clal operations of the year ending on the first of December last. To these reports I would re er you for a full ointment of the condition of the affairs of the Commonwealth in their several departments. The acquisition of New Mexico and California, presents again in the National Congress, the im portant question of the extension or non-extension of human slavery. At the aduption of the national Consiiiution, the longer continuance of what was then considered an evil was strongly agitated, and resulted in a compromise permitting it lit the Staten where at that time it existed. The Consitution being submitted to the States, was adopted with' others by Pennsylvania, and after the lapse of more than half a century, it remains the great fundamen tal law of the Union. To preserve and perpetuate h.—to acknowledge its supremacy,—to maintain and defend its principles,—and to submit to its compromises; are duties to which every citizen is pledged, whatever his opinions in relation to ques tions arising under it. This fundamental law re cognizes the right to hold slaves in the States which were parties to the compact, but it makes no farther acknowledgment. It bears on itsplain and expressive page nu agreement; express or implied, for the further extenaton of human slavery. That this national wrong has been extended with the progress of population, Is not an argument in favor offtsjustice, its constitutional right, or of the salu tary effects it has produced In the territories where it has been admitted. Shall it be still further ex tended 'I To the Congress of the United Slates be- Itnigs the authority to settle this important ques tion. llefure it shall have been determined, the opinions of our einzena on the suliject should lie yglty and distinctly made known, through their public functionaries to the confederate States. The right t., instruct our Senators. and request thh rep resentatives in the National Coartelkoolbt Aka to . be uttid on light and trivial occasions, whihror- ' jects gravely affecting this well being o t e un try it becomes a duty which none w a nu to decline. In the exercise of this admit ed g ut, tile I L legislature will find the opportunity to ex tress in terms not to be miAtaken, the position which is held by Pennsylvania on this grieve and momen tous question. . While the compromises of the Constitution should be erfainteined In good faith towards our southern brethren, It is our deity to seethe' they are preserved with equal fidelity in ourselves. No eficioncliments however sanctioned by use, should be acknowledg ed as precedents for further wrongs against the in terests, prosperity and happiness of the non-slave holding States of the Union. If slavery be, In itself, an infraction of human rights—if it be directly op posed to the enlightened spirit of our free 'nettle tions.—if it destroy the equality of power in the general governmeut, by Warping where it exists,. the constitutional represennition—if it possess a direct or indirect influence against northern anti western policy and ititere-ts, by pronintlng a sys tem of laws, destructive to domes to industry, and vitally affecting free Inbor,--of it retard the natural growth of population and improvement, by the ap- Neill% lion of large tracts of land, for the benefit of the few , to the Injury of the many—Wit be in open defianceof the spirit of the age, the march of ration al truth, and the enlightened policy of mankind,-.-- it is time to arrest its further progress. These, it is believed, are the settled convictions of our citizens, and their determination to m ntain them is un alterable. Fetzow•CertzeNs: 11 uty is now, performed. I have endeavored to esent to the representatives of the people, otters as tire deemed important to the inters is of our mutual constituents. To the wisdom, ire end intelligence of the assembly, with a fir rellence upon the assistance of the ni l Omnipotent Being from "whom cometh every good and perfect gift," may be safely confided the performance of every duty ctilculitied to secure the happiness, the honor and the welfare of the cant,- try. WM. P. JoriNsTox. EXCCUTIVIt CHAMBER, Jan. 6, ISM Legislative Proceedings. HAVIRIIIIIOIO, January 17, 1849. SENATE.—In the Senate, on motion of Mr. Matthias, it was resolved that the Senate will. on Monday, the 15th, at 12 o'clock, M., proceed to the Hall of the House of Representatives, for the purpose of electing a State Treasurer, and that a teller be appointed on the partstfttile ate. The chair appointed Mr. Matthias the teller. On motion of Mr. Johnson, the Senate proceed. ed to nominate candidates for the office of State Treasurer, when the following nominations were made : Mr. Johnson nominated Gideon J. Ball, Small Arnold Plumer. • Ner Middleswarth. , a Wm. Williamson. \\ a Charles D. Trego. John Strohm, . The Speaker presented communications from. the State Treasurer and Auditor General, fur- • nishing an estimate of the contingeifixpenses of their respective departments for the year 1849' " Mr. McCaslin submitted the following pream ble and resolution. Whereas. Numerous applications are about to be made to the present Legislature for Bank ing privileges, and whereas, it is the duty of the Legislature before granting such privileges, to investigate with becoming scrutiny, the merits, abilities, and necessities of all applications made for such purposes. Therefore, Resolved, If the House of Representatives con- - Leurithat before any charter or re.charter shall' r be granted to any bank or Savings Institution in this Commonwealth, it shall be the duty of the President or Cashier, or other responsible person representing the same, to appear in person before a joint meeting of the Bank Committees of the two Houses, there and then to answer under oath or affirmation such questions as may be neces sary to ascertain ` the permanent means, true con dition, ability and necessity of such institution, - keeping in view the soundness of the circulating 111 rrediutn, and t ultimate security of the com munity. And t at said investigation shall be signed by the p ris on or persons so interrogated, aulentered on th journals as a part of the record of the Legislate . The resolutio was, on motion, referred to the Cunningham Brooke Matthias " Stine Committee on Banks. Petitions have been presented by Messrs Boas, nd Crabb in the Senate, fur the incorporation of a Bank at Allentown. Mr. Boa presented several petitions to divide the Ho f Allentown into two wards. Mr. Br g , offered a resolution that the Com mittee on I once be requested to inquire into the expediency of authorising. the State Treasu rer to negotiate a loan of $500,000, to be applied to the redemption of the Relief Notes issued un der the authority of the Act of May,1844 ; which was adopted. HOUSE.—The speaker laid before the House a letter from Hon. Arnold Plumer, State Treasu rer, giving a list of public defaulters to the Com monwealth. The letter was ordered to be printed, 2000 copies in English, and 600 in German. . A resolution was then ;tiered to instruct the Committee on the Judiciary to report a bill abol ishing Capital Punishment in the State. The resolution was lost by yeas 92, nays 82. A resolution was then offered instructing the committee on elections to enquire into the ex pedienoy of altering the laws so that the names of all persons voted for at the general State elec lions should be on one ballot and deposited in one box. The resolution was lost by yeas 40, nays 53. A resolution was offered instructing the Com mittee of Waye'riiia Means to enquire into the eipediency of eliding the assessment laws, as to require all assessments to be made in • early part of April. Mr. Klotz introduced a bill to incorporate Carbon county Council of the order of U. American Mechanics at Mauch Chunk. Mr. Marx presented a petition from citizen Weissenbutg township, Lehigh county, for a alteration of the school law. • Mr. Klotz presented the petition of Eliza Hum mel for a 'divorce. Mr. Myers, an act to erect Berks county into a separate Judicial district. Mr. Grittinger offered the following resolution: Resolved,Tha[ the Committee on the Judiciary System be requzited to inquire into the expedien- CYjrP l \siig 'n law. authorizing the several Courts or ommop Pleas of, this Commonwealth [to grant Corporate privileges with limited 'capi . tal, exceptfor banking,) to form and change elee tion 'hod school districts, and change the places for holding elections, &c. &coo be reported Dy bill or otherwise. The Speaker and members of the Senate were introduced at 12 o'clock into the Representative Hall, and the Convention proceeded to vote for State Treasuter. The fifth ballot resultea iti election of Mr: 11 by the folkiivitivate : Ball, -5 ;. Innate I . ; 60 Ofßi't; sj,
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