i. <i ■ .i-1' 1 *#" i HI —i- ■ i . ' '■** iLiIM-aw
THE STAR OF THE NORTH.
* W. WEIRER FRTPMIR.]
voETJMinr
TUB STAR OF THE NORTH
It published every Thursday Morning, by
R. . WEAVER.
OFFICE—Up stairs in the New Brick building
on the south side of Main street, third
sftutre be/uto Market.
TERMS J—TWO Dollars per annum, if paid
within six months from the time of. subacid
bingf two dollars and fifty cents if not paid
within the year. No subscription received
for a'foss period than si\ months: no discon
tinuance permitted until all arrearages are
.paid, unless at the option of the editors.
ADVERTISEMENTS not exceeding one square.
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A liberal discount trill be made to those tcho ad
vertiu by the year.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
To tit* Honorable the Senators and Members of
the House of Representatives of the General j
Assembly
FELLOW CITIZENS: —A renewal of expres
sions of gratitude to the Almighty Father, ,
for his manifold mercies and protecting in
fluences duiing'the past year, and the utter- i
ance of a prayer "in spirit and in truth," for
the continuaiide of these Blessings, well be- ■
como a people who habitually acknowledge
the superintending care of a just and merci- i
ful God. Thw abundant harvests of the late
season, the general exemption ol the eom- ,
munity from disease, the rapidly improving !
condition of the country, in all things which ,
confer happiness and rational contentment, |
increased the facilities of ediicution, and the
enjoyment of religious privileges in its pu- :
iest forms, admonish us anew, that tho des
tiny of the people and government is direc. j
ted by the power of a Supreme Ruler, whose i
kindly providences are continually exerted
lot their welfare, and well being.
The melancholy duty devolves on me, of j
formally announcing to the General Assem )
hly, the fact eft the decease of the Chief j
Magistrate (tf the Nation, the venerable Za ,
I chary Taylor, who died at the City of Wash- j
I ington, on the Ninth of July last.
The soldier whose brilliant achievements j
in arms added new lustre to the military ;
fame of the country, and the Statesman !
whose policy, as shadowed forth ir. his re
commendations to Congress, was that of tho
wisest und most generous patriotism, died in j
the fufl possession of his great mental facul- j
ties, surrounded by endeared relatives, clier- j
ished friends, and patriotic members of gov- ]
orumeut with the calm resignation becoming j
a .Christian soldier, and founded on the faith, :
which tenches that death has no terrors for j
those Who faithfully endeavor to do their du
ty. The American people paid the highest .
liibuto o his memory by united and univer
sal sorrow.
111 the purity and disiuteresteiWess of his
motives, the patriotism of every iinralso as
bio public conduct, the perfect sin
cerity, ol his desire to act justly to all men,
ins winning gentleness of temper as mani
fested in his personal deportment, were to
bo found trai s of character which bou.id ,
closely to him his confidential friends, and
gave to their sorrow for his deiniso a bitter- j
ness which no lapse of time or change ol i
circumstauoescaa alleviate.
It is recommended thai a suitable expres- 1
siou of respect for the memory of tho de-1
ceased, and of rogrei for our bereavement, j
be made by the present Legislature.
Oil the death of General Taylor, by the,
provisions of tho Constitution, the powers i
and dutjea of tho Chief Magistracy were j
rested, without the least interruption of the |
public busirirUs, in Vico-President Millard |
Fillgiore, whose virtuo and patriotism, as j
inanifesfeil in the discharge of former trusts. [
■* as woll as in the ildrniiiistrdtion thus far of;
his new functions, justify the confident ex-!
pectaticn that the policy of tho Notional ad- :
ministration will eminently promote the host j
interests of the country. In its avowal of
the great principle of protection to American |
Industry, it has an especial claim tothe'con
fidcnce of Pennsylvania.
Resolutions expressive of tho feelings of:
iho last legislature on tho death of tho laic j
John C' Calhoun, Jiveio transmitted to his ,
family. I herewith transmit llie correspou ,
dence.
The amendment to the Stale Constitution,!
providing for tho election by the citizens of j
the judicial officers of tho Commonwealth, |
having received the sanction of a majority of |
tho people, is now part of the organic law.
Your attention is invited to such legislation
as may be necessary to carry into complete
effect ibis expression of the popular will
By the terms of the Constitution, the com
missions of the Judges will expire on the
first Monday of December, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one. It is
suggested that it will afford a favorable op
portunity to roroodel and greatly lessen tlio
number of Judioial Districts. At present
there are no less than twenty four judicial
districts, with District Courts in Philadelphia j
and Allegheny Counties. A reference to |
of business transacted in j
theeo iMSvfismed Courts, affords conclusive '
r evidence that tho in'ercsis of imi" communi- j
t f demand their continuance. Should a re
duction be made in the number of the Com
mon Picas Districts, the salaries now paid to
tha Judges ought to-be increased to suoh ex
tent as would be a fair renumeration for '.he
labor performed and the responsibility incur
red in the execution of the duties of their
high offices. It is no part of the character
of our citizens to require tho labors of oth
ers, without adequate compensation. Fair
salaries will best saenre the services of lion
* est intelligent and competent men, in -that
department of government, in the faithful
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1851.
administration of which every citizen ia so
deeply interested. An increase of the sala
ries of the Judges of the Courts of Common
Pleas and District Courts, would demand the
extension of the same liberality to such
gentlemen as may be selected to discharge
the higher and more responsible duties of
judges of the court of the last resort.
| Two annual elections appear to impose
j unnecessary burthens upon the citizens.
J Expense to the general treasury, and lose o f
j time to the voter, could be well saved by
i authorizing the elections now held in the
! Spring to be holden at the general election
' in October. To such counties as desire to
| try the experiment, the rignt might' be gran
-1 ted. I have been furnished with a state
ment of the expense incurred by holding
Spring elections in Dauphin county, and if
the amount is a fair average of the expense
to the other counties, the change indicated
will save to the people of the Commonwealth
annually upwards of thirty thousand dollars.
The project of creating an Agricultural
Department connected with the State Gov
ernment demands the favorable considera
tion of the Legislature. In such Depart- j
ment might be oollecteri much valuable in
formation for the use of the practical farmer, j
The recent improvements in the construction J
of implements of husbandry, the analysis of
earths, improved modes of tillage, and adap
tation of manures and seeds to various kinds ,
of soil, are subjects of absorbing interest to
the agricultural classes. Diffusion of knowl
edge respecting the best breeds of Horses 1
cattle and other stock, with suggestions in
an authorized and relitib'e form, and experi
mental expositions of ttie proper modes of
rearing anj training livestock of all kinds, !
could not fail to act beneficially on this great
interest of the Commonwealth.
Should the National Government erect an
Agricultural Bureaum conformity with the <
suggestion of the President, the State insli- !
tation would be an efficient auxiliary in the j
collection of local information, and lor the
distribution, here at home, of knowledge
aroase'ed in that department from other sour- '
ces.—ln this cvtablishment, the claims of
the mining, mechanical, and manufacturing
interests on the fostering care ol the Govern
ment, might be equally regarded. A pri
vate society in our metropolitan city by its ;
liberality, activity and learning has done \
much to devalope and encourage the arts
and sciences, useful in every-day I fe, and |
ha* largely aided our mechanics and manu
facturers to gain a reputation throughout the
world. Ily the measure proposed, I desire i
to accomplish for the advancement of the !
agricultural, mechanical, and mining iudus-1
try of the whole Commonwealth, what the'
Franklin Institute has done for those inter- j
est*, whichjhaveenjoyed the benefit of itsdis •
criminating care. County and township in
stitutions would speedily follow the creation i
of a State department; and by mutual action !
and counsels, results would ensue, highly j
gratifying to tho patriot, and beneficial to the
country.
Should tho returns of the seventh census
of the United States tie transmitted in time,
the apportionment of the State into Congres
cional districts may become part of our du
ty. In such event, it is hoped the custom
heretofore purrued of postponing action on
important bills of this description to the last
hours of the session will be changed. It is
a practice utterly (inconsistent with careful
and correct legislation, and destructive of
the rights of a co-ordinate branch of the
Government.
The committee charged with the inlro
dilution of gas lights into the public buil
dings, have complied so far as in their
power, wilh the directions of the Legislature.
An appropriation to meet these expenses,
and to enclose and improve the public
grounds should be made at an early day.
A complete set of balances, furnished to
the State by the General Government, have
been deposited in the buildings of the Land
office. Tho Commissioners of the several
counties ought to be required to have tho
weights and measures, under their care, a
gain adjusted and regulated.
An arrangement of the Geological speci
mens belonging to the S'ate, in some conve
nient place for general inspection, and the
publication of the' Geological reports are de
manded alike by the true interests of the
State and a just appreciation of her charac
ter for enlightened enterprise.
My attention has been called to the large
body of original papers in the State depart
ment, connected with the Colonial and rev
olutionary history of the State, and their' ox
tremely exposed and perishing condition.
These records are worth preservation, as
containing authentic information of the ac
tion of our fathers in the struggle for nation
al existence. In tha Capital of Pennsylva
nia, and with the sympathies of her patriotic
People, was Independence matured and de
clared. Her soldiers were most numerous
around tho standard of the nation, and thqre
wcro more hatile fields on hor soil than in
the same urea elsewhere. Every memorial
of those days of devotion and trial should
be faithfully preserved. There exists a sin
gle copy in manuscript of Iho minutes of
the Revolutionary Executive Council a doc
ument by tar too valuable to remain longer
within the reach of accident or mutilation.
It would be gratifying to a large body of our
constituents if the Assembly would author
ize the employment of a competent gentle
man to select and arrange for publication
these memorials of an interesting epoch in
the history of the Commonwealth.
In the esrly spring the buildings of ,lhe In
sane Asylum will be ready fcr the reception
Troth and Sight—Sod aad our^euiilry.
of patients. This work ol charity, worthy
of the best care of the philanthropist, from
its admirable construction and healthful loca
lion, cannot fail to answer the ends of its
benevolent founders, It deserves the foster
mg care of the Legislature.
In the performance of your duties, alien
tion is most earnestly directed to the revis
ion of the laws in relation to taverns, res
taurants, beerhouses and ten-pin alleys. It
is alleged that in many instances they are
made the common resort of the young, the
idle, apd the worthless, to the great detriment
of the moral well-being of the rising genera
tioa.
The suggestions and recommendations of
former messages in reference to the equaliza
lien of Tax laws, payment of portions of the
public debt overdue, the currency, and pub
lie improvements, are again pressed on your
attention.—The ioan authorized at the last
session to redeem the over due public debt,
has not been negotiated.^
The financial condition of the Common
wealth is exhibited in tho following slate
ments .•
Amount of funded debt, including amount
in the hands of Commissioners of Sinking
fund, and also special loan to avoid Inclined
Plane at the Schuylkill, on the 30lh of No
vember, 1850, was $39,852,914 78
Am't of unfunded debt 1850 912,570 64
Total sum of debt, $40,775,485 24
In this gross sum is included the loan to
avoid the Plane at tha Schuylkill as above
stated—tho avoidance of the Plane authori
sed the sale of that portion of the Columbia
Railroad and Viaduct over the Schuylkill,
rendered useless by the construction of the
new road. A part of the road and bridge
was sold for $243,200, which amount is to
be applied as directed by the 18th Section of
the Act of 10th April, 1849, towards the per
manent improvement of the Columbia rail
way. The actual cost ol this great improve
ment, wheieby the Plane has been avoided,
the use of tho public works much facilitated
and an annual saving of thirty-one thousand
dollars secured to the Treasury, in the disuse
of the machinery and labor necessarily con
necled with the plane, is shown as follows :
Am't of cost of new road, say $400,000 00
Deduct price of old road sold, 243,000 00
The Sinking-Fund operation is exhibited
thus :
Am't of funds ree'd during year $197,193 74
Am't of stocks purcbas'd •' '■ 343,622 98
Am't in hands of Commissionnrs
on 36th Nov., 1850, ' 5,967 60
Whole am't ree'd since commen
cement ot system, 423,832 75
Whole amount of stocks purchas
cd, 459,122 98
Am't of money in hands on 30th
Nov., 1850," 5,967 60
FURTHER EXPOSITIONS OF THE PUBLIC DEBT. .
Am't of debt on 30th Novrim
her 1850, 40,775,485 12
Am't of stocks and cash' in
hands of Com'rs. of Sinking
Fund, $465,090 58
Deduct amount of special loan
—the interest thereof saved
in the discontinuance of the
Plane, 400,000 00 865,090 58
$39,910,394 84
Am't of debt on 30th Nov.'4B.
Funded, $39,393,350 24
Unfunded, 1.081,386 69
Canal, Railroad,
and Motive
Power debts re
turned in 1849
and 'SO, being
debts contract
ed prior to Ist
Dec. 1848, 373,861 48
Total indebtedness, $40,848,598 41
Actual indebtedness, including
Inclined Plane Loan on 30th
Nov., 1850, and excluding
am't., in hands of sinking
fund Commissioner, $40,310,391 84
Actual decrease of public debt
since 30th Nov., 1848, $438,203 57
Within the same period, there has been
paid from the treasury appropriations, that
may be called extraordinary, as follows :
Towards completion ol North
Branch Canal, $148,500 00
To avoid Inclined Plane, 309,446 02
If these sums, from the payment whereof
the Treasury will be relieved by the comple
tion of the improvements above stated, be
added to the actual reduction of public debt
above exbibitedthe conclusion is clear, that
at a very early dale, an annual appropria
tion of nearly one million dollars may be
made towards the reduction of the public
debt.
Annexed is an estimate of the receipts
and expenditures of the presont, with the
estimate of last year, and the actual receipts
at the Treasury.
Estimate Receipts Estimates
for 1850 for 1850 for 1851
Lands, if 20,000 $16,378 58 $16,000
Auction Cora. 22,000 19,673 75 20,000
" duties, 50,000 44,898 22 45,000
Tax on bank
div'ds, 30,000 154,877 14 160,000
Tax on Corp'n
stocks, 160,000 136,510 14 160,000
Tax on Real
and Personal
Estate, 1,330,000 1,317,821 55 1,330,000
Licenses, Tav'rusSO,OOO 107,427 59 100,000
" Retailers, 160,000 174,062 36 175,005
" Pedlars, 3,000 2,625 05 3,000
"Brokers, 12,000 12,228 73 11 000
" Theatres ft 3,000 2,384 50 2,500
" Ril'rdrooms, 5 000 3,045 81 4,000
" Distillery ft 1,500 3,203 91 5,000
" Eat'gho'sbc 15,000 6,530 97 10,000
" Pat medicine 3,000 2,633 04 3,000
Pamph'lt laws 500 345 50 500
Militia Fines, 2,000 12,953 73 10,000
Tax on Writs 40,000 45,409 47 45,000
" " Officers 20,000 14,047 24 15,00 d
" " loans, 125,000 119,358 30 120,000
On Col. Inher
itance, 200,000 102,298 07 150,000
CAnal & Road
Toils, 1,845,000 1,713,848 U 1,800,000
Sale of old ma
j terials, 5,000 6,953 63 5,000
Enrollment of
Laws, 11,000 10,270 fO 12,000
Premi u m of
Charters, 40,000 39,262 ?4 40,000
Inclined Plain
Loan, 270,000 270,000 00
Div 'ds on Turn
pike stocks, 2,000 2,460 00 2,000
Nicholson lands, 300
Accrued interest, 4,000 3,674 12 5,000
Refunded cash, 5,000 13,278 $1 5,000
Escheats, 2,000 1,000
Fees of Public
officers, 2,000 3.687 SO 4,000
Miscellaneous. 2,000 1,740 13 5,000
Interest on stock
purchasdd, 15,000 13,721 27 30,000
Foreign Insu
rance Agencies 2,160 83 3,000
$4,566,300,00 4,438,131 51 4,296,000
PAYMENTS;
Estimate Payments Estimate
for 1850 for 1850 for 1851
Publmp'mts, $640,00081,486 799 745890,000
Exp'e of Gov'mt'23s,ooo 262,899 71 250.000
Militia, 4,000 16,582 25 1 5,000
Pensions, 20,000 17,277 91 15,000
Charitable Insti
tutions, 80,000 62,267 85 60,000
Com. Schools 200,000 213,728 49 200,00b
1nt'5t0n10an52,005,0002,005,71451 2 005,000
Guarantees, 32,500 32,500 00 32,500
Domestic cre
ditors, ' 10,000 6,387 41 10,000
Dam's on pub.
works, 20,000 28,068 34 25,000
Special Com'rs, 2,000 2,556 03 2,000
State Libraiy, 2,000 1,000 00 2,000
Pub. Buildings, 2,000 2,002 78 10,000
Penitentiaries 15,000 14,283 79 15,000
House of Refuge 5,000 6,000 00 5,000
Nicholson Lands 300 192 75 300
Escheats, 2,000 • 1,740 53 2,000
Abate't of State
Tax, 40,000 42,525 04 40,01$
Counsel tees &
Cortim'rs, 2,000 g,984 15 5,000
Miscellaneous 5,000 8,180 44 5,000
Sinking Fund
Comm'rs, 293,000 318,864 03 2 50,000
Inclined P1ane,270,000 90,000
N. B. Canal, 150,000 250,000
Renew a 1 of
Relief Notes, 10,000
Expenses of Rev
enue Comm'rs, 2,500
$4,036,800 4,553,193 75 4,101,300
In the item of expenditure for public im
provements, is included $148,500 paid to
North Branch Canal, and $286,446 02 to
avoid Inclined Plane.
In the amounts received from Canal and
Railroad tolls and collateral inheritance tax
es, the actual recai>n at' thus last year fall
short of tho estimates. In making these es
timates, it was supposed the suggestion of a
former message in relation to the convey
ance of passengers on the Columbia Rail
way would have been favorably regarded.
It is still believed that a largely increased
revenue would attend the adoption of the
changes heretofore recommended. That
the collateral inheritance tax is inefficiently
and carelessly collected in some of the coun
ties, and even when collected Irequently
retained in the hands of the officers longer
than necessary, is demonstrable by the fact
of the great disproportion received at the
Treasury from counties of equal population,
business, and wealth. A statement of the
amounts received from the several counties
during the last four years, will exhibit much
valuable information on the interesting
question of inequality ofGxation in the pay
ment of the public debt. All items of taxa
tion applicable to the sinking fund should
be required to reach tho Treasury quarterly
under the severest penalties.
A reference to reports of the Adjutant
General, Auditor General, Surveyor General,
and Superintendent of Common Schools, wilt
afford dotailed information of the I usiness
of their several departments, and furnish
views and suggestions of interest to the gen
eral weal.
The school system, although still imper
fect, is rapidly improving in its general con
dition, and promises the beneficial results it
was designed to accomplish. The education
of the people, is the great question of tho
age, and as such, it cannot fail to command
yoor earnest and enlightened efforts, for its
speedy and ultimate success.
In the competiiion for trade and travel, no
effort for the full repair of the canals and rail
roads of the State should be neglected. The
deleriorating condition of many of these
works, admonish that the system of supervi
sion is ineffectual to secure (he return of
which their construction gave confident as
surance' In a system of divided responsi
bility in their management, the difficulty ev
idently exisls. On a former occasion it was
suggested to divide the State into Canal and
Railway districts, and allot to each a Canal
Commissioner, to whom its entire control
should be given. This project is again re
commended, btit should it fail to meet your
approbation, the proposition of electing a
Superintendent, to whom for his whole time
and attention, a compensating salary should
be paid, and under whose sole control the
public works might be placed, is worthy of
consideration. All the evils arising from di
vided counsels and shifting responsibilities
would be avoided, and tftaPlnergy and skill
in their management securedyvhich cannot
be expected under the present system. It is
alleged this method of supervisiou of public
works has succeeded well and beneficially
in other States.
A commercial connection between Phila
delphia arid Europe by Steamships,—an en
terprise truly worthy the favoring regards
of the whole commonwealth and the coun
tenance and aid of the national government
by th# extension of mail facilities—-the com
pletion of the great Railway communication
now in rapid progress of construction to tho
navigable waters of the West, the thorough
repair of the Cumberland Valley road, and
tue erection of various lines of Railway in'
the valley of the Susquehanna, must throw
an amount of trade on the Columbia Rail
toad which will demand for its transit the
entire capacity of thrit thoroughfare in a con
dition of perfect repair. Every avenue by
which the trade of the west, as well as of
Central and Northern Pennsylvania reaches
Philadelphia, the entire people should feel
a lively interest, as identical with the pros
perity of the whole State. Whilst the inler
' nal trade is pouring into our metropolis, and
her local authorities are doing their part to
promote her commerce, it is our duty to de
mand from the General Government some
portion of its resources for die security and
improvement of the harbor of the Delaware.
Improvement of the' navigable rivers and
protection of the harbors of the Ocean and
Lakes ought to be no longer delayed.
In this connection I deem it my duty to
call your attention to the pending litigation
in relation to the bridge over the Ohio River
at Wheeling, erected under the authoiity of
Virginia, which, it is confidently asserted
puts in joopardy large commercial interests.
It lias been my care to watch the progress of
ttie controversy, and to direct the proper law
officer of the Commonwealth, associated
with the other distinguished gentlemen who
professionally represent the Stale, to protect
these interests before the judicial tribunal
which has cognizance of the case under the
Constitution.
In the various Railway projects now sev
erally terminating at Philadelphia, Harris
burg, and Pittsburg, tho people of the Com
monweallh ought never to lose sight of that
cither great en'.erpriso which, known as the
Sutjbury and Erie Railroad, was meant to
connect the Susquehanna, tha Delaware, and
the Lakes. Besides the command of tha
trade of the Northern Seas secured by its
construction, it would bring into market for
sale and settlement vast bodies of untenant
ed and unimproved lands, and devolope
treasures of inexhaustible mineral wealth
now wholly inaccessible.
The large indebtedness of the State, and
the necessity for its reduction, forbid the pol- !
icy on her part, of embarking in these vari- ;
ous improvements.
The debt of the Commonwealth was in- j
curred in the erection of works which were
largoly conductive to the settlement and sale !
of 'he dim a. in nf tho UnUod States, and
while sho lias secured no part of this inher
itance, other States have been liberally aid
ed in ;he construction of their internal im
provements by donation of public lands. It |
is a right on her part to demand a portion of 1
these lands to aid in the completion of the
important works partially completed and in
contemplation.
A system of banking, based upon State
stocks, under proper restrictions, is recom -
mended to the attention of the Legislature.
It is thought that the present banking facili
ties are unequal to tho wants oi the business
community. The large amount of notes of
banks of other States found in circulation a
mong our people, tho inability
with safety to their credit, to accqmmoda le
at all times the active de
mands of the country, opera
tions in the nature of
transacted on severe terms to j
demonstrate that increase ! facilitios are de- I
inanded to secure a healthy developement of I
our resources. Any considerable extension
of the present syetem is hardly to be anlici
"paled, nor is it desirable, if a more perma
nent basis for such operations cart be devis
ed. Free banking upon a deposito and
pledge of public stocks early recommenddt
itself to favor. It is not liable to sudden ex
pansions and contractions—more secure
from failure—less obnoxious to counterfeit
ing and fraud, and offers undoubted recuri
jty to the note holder. Should the stock re
quired be the loans of tho Commonwealth,
it would do predate their value, and also
have a tendency to withdraw them from
foreign countries, to which are annually sent
millions of the public money to pay interest.
A recall of these stocks, and the discharge
of the interest to tho residont citizens,
would lead to the expenditure of an equal
amount at home, thereby affording employ
ment to the people in tho improvement
tho State, in the erection of industiiat insti
tutions, and in various works of beauty and
taste. If this system is favorably regarded,
a relinquishment of a portion of the inter
est on the stocks pledged would be directly
advanlageous to the Treasury.
The confidence felt in the security, and
the desire to use the relief notes, when kept
in good condition, justify tho belief that an
issue of small notes from the State institu
tions, founded on a deposito of stocks, would
be highly acceptable to the people.
A reference to subjects, under the control
of the National Government, has long form,
ed part of the annuul messages of the State
Executives, and the custom
not only by its consonance with the peculiar
relations of the Stales to Gov
ernment, but in the deep siMHBHF felt by
individual citizens in tho action of the latter
on questions of pervading and direct inter
est to all. From the resolves of their Repre
sentatives in the councils of the States, the
opinions and wishes of tho people are often
well collected, and hence your action is fro
quently of great moment. In obedience,
therefore, to custom, and in order that the
sentiments of our common constituency
may have expression either through the Ex
ecutive Message or the action of their rep-
rcsentalives, it is proper to refer to some of
these questions of general interest, the dis
posal of which more esgpcial I / belongs to
the National Government.
A revision and alteration of the Revenue
laws, so as to give adequate and permanent
protection to the industry of the oountry, are
demanded by tha prostrate condition of the
mining and manufacturing interests. The
propriety of affording full protection to do
mestic industry, in the enactment of Tariff
laws, has been as fully discussed, that a
mere reforencc to former views, is all that is
deemed necessary at this time. In a late ef
fort to amend the present Tariff, its failure
may be fully attributed to the omission of
the last Legislature to give expression to the
perfectly well understood wishes and expac
rations of tho people. It is confidently hop
edno such omission will mark the conduct
of the present assembly.
A reduction in tho rates of postage, and
the construction oi railway commmiica'ions
tojtlie Pacific, wore urged heretofore as wor.
thy of friendly regard. Repetition of the
views then presented is unnecessary, as time
has only strengthened the conviction of the
propriety and Usefulness of tho proposed
measures.
; In relation to the extention of slavery and
| the duty of faithful observance rif her Federal
obligations bytho Commonwealth, the views
expressed in former messages remain mi
I changed. There is nothing in my judgment,
; in the history of the past, nor in the warn
lugs of tho future, to justify tho abandonment
!of the principles, sacredly regarded from
1 the foUnd&tion of the Stale, of nonintorven
lion in the domestic policy of other commu
nities, and of resolute determination of per
| mining no interference with our own Fi
delity in the discharge of constitutional du
ty has distinguished our government and
people, and if an opinion exiits within, or
has be n mischievously propagated beyond
our borders, that such is not the fact, it is
conceived in error of our true history, l'enn
sylvania, her peopla, and her authorities,
always have been loyal to the constitution.
They wish it neitherlobe evaded nor amen
ded. They will riot permit it to be resisted.
It has been intimated that the question
connected with the institution of Slavery,
and the rendition of fugitives lrom labor,
here have been indications of a disregard of
her Constitutional obligations. To the clauso
of the Constitutional relative to fugitives
from labor, and the legislation under it,
tKa;e evoi boa I In Pnnn*j.lvi.i*,
all her avowed aversion to domestic slavery,
implicit obedience. Wilh an earnest desire
that, by a free interchange of moderate and
yalional opinions, obedience to the law may
bo made, not only implicit, but cheerful, it
is proper to refer to some of the difficulties
in relation to the subject now existing in the
public mind.
The clauso of the Federal Constitution
relative to fugitives from labor involves these
propositions: 1. That unvoluntary service Or
slavery, may exist in the Stales of tho Union
by constitutional recognition. 2. That tko
escape of the person so held shall not oper
ate as a discharge from such service or la
bor. 3. That on the claim of the party to
whom such service is- due, there must be a
rendition of the fugitive.
To interfere by legislative enactment, or
otherwise to destroy or in any way affoct
the right of property recognized in the first
proposition, would be a daring violation of
the clear obligations of the Constitution. No
human being can pretend that by this Com
monwealth such an interference has ever
been attempted. Whatever may be the
feelings of the people in opposition to tho
further extension of slavery, and tho conse
quent increase of anti.republican and sec
tional representations in the Nation Legisla
ture, no effort has ever been made to dis
turb or destroy the vested rigtts of citizens
of other States; and when thoso righls may
i be endangered by the escape of a slave be-
I yond iho limits sf tho States, where tho re
lation is acknowledged, our citizens have
acted on the principle, that no sympathy
with individual suffering ought ever to wea
ken their sense of duty tb the plain require
ments of the organic law.
In the adjustment of rights and official du
ties under the last proposition, more difficul
ty has been fonnd to exist. By whoso agen
cy is the fugitive to bo given up? What
force is to be givon to the word "claim," as
used in the Constitution ? Is not the deliver
y of the fugitive to be made or.ly throngh
the agency of the National Government ?
These have been vexed and mooted ques
tions. The final decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States in a case to which
Pennsylvania was made a parly, and the re
cent fugitive slave law, gave a judicial and
legislative interpretation to this clause of tho
Constitution, which cannot be misapprehen
ded. The power and duty of enacting laws
to carry into effect the Constitutional direc
tion, being ruled to be in Congress and in
Congiess only, any inteferenoe on llie part ol
the State authorities is authorized and with
out binding force.
U tho Constitution implies a duty to be
performed by both National and State Govi
crnments, and vests each with power over
the subject, tho framers of that instrument
failed to express in clear terms, as in other
I cases, tho obligations of tne parties. The
| latitude of construction required to givd such
powers to the legislatures, would authoriz
the passage laws, and the enactments of reg
ulations Upon every delegated power of the
National Government, without regard to the
action on non-action of Congress. The Gen
eral Government is admitted to be due of
[Two Dollars per ABMHW.
NUMBER 51V
ascertained powers, but it ceases to do so ilj'o '
; moment concurrent jurisdiction vesta in State
Sovereignities. In the practical workings of
j the system of concurrent jurisdiction, mu h
evil would arise. Thirty 0110 Sovereignities
. might prescribe different rules of acTion—
each meant to make effective natio -al legis
lation, and the danger rt,su't'ugfrom conilic-
I ting enactments, and the coiise<|uont destruc
; tion of harmony arid Older could not !ai' ,'tc
i alarm the patriot.—Whenever power over a
subject matter is vested by the Constituti ' **
, in Congress, and the po'Ver has been oxer
: Cised; 11 10 authority Of the States Ins bee
; judicially <!e. I wed, as above staled, rrer- .1
and abolished This is the rule of law as '
well as .that of common sense.
. An Opinion has been expressed bv men of
! ominom logal leairfing and pattioilV. ip.lfr 1
| legislative action on the part of the State t
I expedient to aid tn the execution of the pow
ers ot the general government. In tliii
j opinion I cannot concur. To admit l'< 6
• position would imply an inability on the part
of the national government to ckecuto Us
powers, and would prove destructive of the
theory so zealously maintained by our repuh
liran fathers, that the National and S:al6
j Governments ire independent sovereignities,
each ac ing within its proper constitutional
: sphere.
It was doubtless a conviction of the sound
HOBS of the foregoing views, which indeed
rily predecessor, Governor Shuiik, to sano
lion the act of the 3d March, 1817,
The power to act upon the subject of :he
extradition of fugitive slaves being thus ves
ted solely in the .National Governmortt, is
the plain duty of tho citizen to submit to its
enactments under tho Constitution. To cct
differently would be clearly rebellion to the
Government
If the word "claim" was intended to ex
press an ascertained right of property to the
person ol the fugitive vested in the claimant,
then much of the difficulty surrounding tlio
question is settled, and the mere demand for
the person of tho fugitive lives his destiny
by the terms of the constitution. Hi< tradi
tion would be determined d ithoilt proof of
ownership on the part of tho claimant a d
without evidence df the identity or High: of
the person claimed. If, however, the term
used in tho' constitution, signifies a challenge
of the property, belonging to tho claimant,
and withheld from liirn—and the enact
ments on the subject requiring proof of right
to substantiate the claim, and the concurring
uS ix._ fcpaa Pnim. rtnx rots
meaning to the terra, then tho question ari
ses, how. ai d through whom, sh.ill the clain
be made, and by what evidence sustained !
In the adoption of the proper remedy to
assert this clear right, patriotic citizens may
differ, and the privilege to maintain and ex
press that honest diversity of opinion must
not be impaired. To surrender it, under vio
lent threats and denunciatory clamor, would
bo an abandonment of the deeply-cherished
privilege of liberty of thought and speech.
Whon the enactments of the |national Con
gress fail to convince the people of . their
justico and propriety, it is their duty to seek
their modification and amendment. The
recently enacted fugitive slave law, while it
remains a statute, demands the support of all
the citizens, and unless our written constitu
tions are worthless parchments, under the
judiciary declare it otherwise, must be estee
med a constitutional enactment. Are it*
defects of such a nature as to warrant the
public in urging its amendment 1
That part of ih law which authorizes the
creation of a new and irresponsible tribunal
under the name of Commissioners, is liable
to exception. Waiving the inquiry whether
the Judicial power of thb United States can
I be vested anywhere but in regularly organ
' ized courts, with the records of courts, there
are objections of serious import to the insti
tution of this tribunal. All history shows',
j that special tribunals, clothed with discre
! tionary powers over person and property, are
I liable to abuse, and have been instruments
of oppression. *
If in these, the early days of the Repub
lic, when no reason of urgent State necessi
ty can be invoked, powers of a high judicial
nature over the liberty and properly of an
individual, are to be vested by appointment
of an interior tribunal, in an irresponsible
person, iho security of the life, reputation,
and liberty of the citi/.en in after times,
when new political or social liberties may
arise, will depend on a must precarious ie
nure. The courts of the United States,
whoso Judges have a pride of character, and
over whom a controlling influence is exerted
by the impeachment clause of the Constitu
tion, should alouo be Invested Willi these Ox
traordinary powers. Rather than hazard the
chances of illegal decisions, and tho cOnse
quent irreparable injury of an individual, re
suits so full of danger to tho peace and good
order Of society, the Judicial power Of tie
Nation might wisely be extended, if it be
deemed expedient to deity a trial by Jury,
and lodge tho adjudication of this of pfoperty
iu the breast of a single Judge, tho icind of
proof required should be indicated, and a
full record of the entire proceedings be mado
and preservod. Process issued should be
returned, and the extradition of any colored:
person, for whose arrest a warrant had issued!
without heating hadfirefore the Judge, should
be Visited with the penalties of kidnapping.
These modifications of the law, while they
could not Interfere wiih the rights of the own
ers of the fugitive, would greatly tend to
perform their constitutional duties.
One other matter connected with our Fed
oral relations, claims your attention. It is
the Union of the States. and the dangej*