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
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"
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au 10
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OS 0
u Cr. cm
.41
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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.
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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,