.
VOL. 3.-XO. 22.
S. 1. R(TW.
CLEAREEELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, JMI7ARlr 14, 1857.
: bi
.For the "Raftsman's Journal."
.. ..- . - ' ,-MARY. -
- . BT JOnX nAMILTOS. '
Mary's sweet, and Mary's fair ;
"Iter's is golden, auburn hair;
Neat ber person, full of grace ;
. ; Mild the aspect of her face.
' Soft her words, and kind her heart ;
" Pure her love, and froe irom art;
Fit her prudence to control,
While her sweetness wins the soul.
t . .. - .
. , If me she loved as she has spurned,
IIow ardently 'twonld he returned ;
: : How quickly could a word impart
, The pura devotion o my heart,
"Which, waiting at her feet to lie,
' " Longs there to lire and there to die ;
, While fondest love could not excel
Sly love to her, I'd love so well.
And hare I loved ; 'twas Mary loved,
As Mary"s actions oft have proved :
"' Oft have I seen her dancing eye
Play light and quick when I was by ;
As oft I've felt all fluttering stiil
My heart leap out at Mary "s will ;
. Her sweetness I've bean still to admire,
. . And feel tho glow of Love's own fire.
' , Reported or the "Raftsman's Journal."
PASSING AWAY.
" BT Jf. nENEIETT4 GOODFEt.LOW.
! Read before th Clexrfi'Iil Tezrhers' Institute,
January XI, 1157.
Every tiling with which we arc surrounded,
Is subject to mutation end decay. The proud
aammiis of tho "everlasting hills," as they
are called, gradually crumble and fill the val
leys at .their base. The solid granite of the
.mountains waste by the ravages of time. Ve
.getable nature, that annually feasts tho eye
.with its beauties, yields to the same law. The
-blushing roso that unfolds its vermilion petals
to inhalo the ambrosial dew-drop of morn, is
swept away by the evening blast. The n!ght
. 1)10001103 Cerc.isr whose mignificent corolla
challenges a rival, and whose delightful fra
grance burdens tiie passing zephyr, does cot
permit the sun to add brilliancy to its beauty,
but in twilight's calm hour unfolds its charms
ard aids sweetness to the moonlight scene,
and ere the orb of day visits our fair world,
droops to revive no more. No plant nor flow
er possessing excellence or beauty, is saved
from the invasions of time. Change succeeds
change'in quick succession. Spring appears
with youthful beauty, but soon gives place to
niaturer summer; this soon is lost in autumn,
whilst anon tho hoarse winds of witter sweep
sil signs of life from the forest.
But we do not alone witness tho change of
seasons, and of the vegetable kingdom.
Where fiourishingempires and populous cities,
in our age cf the world, dazzle by their splen
dor aud magnificence, the vision of man, in
tho next, nought is presented to the gaze but
the time-houored vestiges of what had once
been great. Man hastens to decay. Our li
braries of Literature arc tho labors of the
dead ; those whose sublime geuius has un
tombed and translated the records of the world,
with the band that waked tho tender echoes of
the lyre, are numbered with the past. Where
are tho iliustVious patriots of tho Revolution,
whose glorious deeds entitle them to a chaplct
ofhnuioit.il fame? Echo answers, they too
hevo mouldered into dust. Our friends are
one leaving nought but the feint pencilling
of memory to trace to us their virtues. View
youth basking in tho sunshine of pleasure
surrounded with all that tends to captivate tho
heart, or render life desirable joy beams in
the eye ; health blooms on the cheek ; tho
sprightly imagination entwines a living wreath
of future enjoyments. -But, ah! tho scene
changes. Diseasa makes inroads upon the
tender Cores of this complex tenement. Tho
sunken eye and pallid countenance, arc euro
premonitors of the invader's approach. The
young, beautiful, and amiable fall by his pow
er. The furrowed cheek and palsied hand
. point tho aged to the grave.' That which tends
to sustain, also contributes to its destruction.
All with which we arc conversant, bears this
inscription "Fas-uno Awat !"
"When old Bogus' wife fell ill, he sent for a
doctor as sordid and avaricious as himself.
Before the doctor saw the patient, he wished
to have an understanding with tho miserly
husband.
IIere"s forty dollars," said Bogus, "and yon
shall bavo it whether you cure my wife or kill
her."
The woman died, and the doctor called for
the feo.
"Did you kill roy wife ?" asked Bogus.
"Certainly not," replied the indignant Doc
tor. "Well, yon didn't euro her 1"
You know she's dead."
Vcry well, then leave the house in double
quick time," said Bogus. "A bargain's a bar
gain. It was kill or cure, but you didn't do
cither."
Origin or Tua "Malakoff." The antiqua
ries of Sebastopol have made a curious discov
ery. Everybody has heard of the Malakoff
hill, in the Crimea, upon which was built the
tower, now become so famous. Such an im
mortality scarcely seemed destined this name,
which was that of a certain Lieut. Malakoff,
dismissed the Russian Navy on account cl in
corrigible drunkenness. Faithful to his pas
sion, alter his dismissal ho set up a grog shop
on this spot, which was frequented by sailors.
These latte.r, in a tit of sarcastic gaiety, gave
to tho hill in question the name of their tap
master, which, by the accident of a memora-
. tie siege having taken placs near the spot, baa.
Oow Dttuome imnrQrraf.
WASHINGTON GOSSIP. I
Public Lands. The Committee on Public
Lands are still undetermined as to the final
form of tho Pacific Railroad bill. At Mr.
Rusk's instance, the King and 'Walker Corpo
ration, with other companies were included as
grantees for the Southern route; bnt the pre
judice raised against the former has tended to
damage the prospect of the whole enterprise,
and, therefore, it may be reconsidered. This
and other causes have produced some reaction
on the minds of the real friends of the project,
so that hesitation is entertained almost against
any effort this session, from tho conflicting in
terests involved.
The Lane Grant Ststem. The system of
granting public lands to aid iu the construc
tion of railroads has been run into the ground,
and will hardly be further extended except in
favor of the Pacific Railroad. True, certain
parties are moving heaven and earth almost to
secure a grant ol land to aid the Territory of
Minnesota in constructing roads therein ; and
there is some plausibility in the pleas urged
in its favor. But the chances are that the mea
sure will fail, as it certainly ought to fail in
the shape in which it is now urged. The com
mittee on Public Lands in the House has sev
eral times agreed upon a bill, and subsequent
ly changed its form. They are now prepared
with a bill which will be reported to the House
whenever the committee is "called, and an ef
fort will be made to put it at ence upon its
passage.
Ma. Bichanax's Pbogramme. The self
constituted leaders of the South are by no
means satisfied with Mr. Buchanan's pro
gramme, so f ir as it is understood or indica
ted. Of the men named, not one is regarded
as strictly identified with the dominant senti
ment. Cobb, of Georgia, it is true, is accept
ed cf Stephens and bis interest, but not as a
representative man. They had antecedents
together a few j'ears ago, and it might not be
convenient to separate now. But Floyd, Ben
j.isnin, Rusk and that class do not answer tho
high-seasoned exactions of the fire-eating gen
try. They have said as much to Mr. Buchanan
by word of mouth aud by letter, and they mean
to repeat the protests when lie appears in
Washington a month hence. Nor are some of
the selections from the F ree States more pala
table. For example, the preference of Clif
ford over Toucey is especially condemned, not
only because the latter is admitted to be the
superior of the former, but because he lias
made "sacrifices for the South." They forget
he has an eye upon a foreign mission, and will
probably have his foot in it bclorc many moons
roll ovet his head. If this principle of rewar
ding doughlaces be adopted as a rule of pa
tronage, Mr. Buchanan will discover that bis
pension roll will soon assume a sectional shape.
In about fourteen States there are victims e
nough lor a citalogne as long as the moral law.
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
The Pennsylvania Legislature convened on
tho Cth instant. In the Senate, Hon. David
Taggart, of Northumberland. was elected Spea
ker, and in the House, J. Lawrence Getz, cf
Berks, was elected Speaker. The Governor's
Message was read to the two Houses on Wed
nesday. Tho O ld Fellows in the United States num
ber 3,307 lodges, with 193,014 members. They
expended in the year ending with June, near
ly half a million of dollars for the relief of
members and their families, and the education
of orphans their total receipts being 51, 180,
325. The Eucampment, a branch of the or
der, numbering 23,74!) members, received
$102,808, and expended for relief $30,G93.
At a "turkey shoot," in Watcrtown, N. Y.,
the lad who set up the turkeys stationed him
self behind a wagon near the mark, with his
sideface towards the shooters, and one of the
sportsmen, during a flurry of snow, mistaking
the boy's bead for the bird, fired a rifle ball
into it just back of his eye, severing tho optic
nerve and producing blindness.
A paragraph is going the rounds of the pa
pers commencing thus wise: "In a recent
sketch of tho life of Mr. Breckinridge, the au
thor says ho commenced life poor and parent
less." Rather a poor start that. Perhaps like
Topsy bo "wasn't born, ho growed."
A little girl about three years old went to
church. On her return homo she was asked
what the minister s;iid, when she replied, "Oh,
he went up on the top of a high mountain,
and hurrahed for somebody."
"Washington drew his last breath the last
honr in the last day of the last week in the
last month of the year, and in the last year of
the century. He died Saturday night, 12 o'
clock, Dec. 31sf, 17U9.
Criticus says that the difference between a
successful lover and his rival is, that the one
kisses bis miss, and the other misses bis kiss.
A distinction and a difference.
New Orleans papers of a late date state that
Gen. Walker had been whipped and compelled
to evacuate Nicaragua, and take refuge on the
island of Ometepe.
The State capitol of Vermont was complete
ly destroyed by fire on the 6th int.
ANNUAL MESSAGE OF
JAMES BOLLOCK.
GO VEESOS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
To the Honorable the Senators and Members of
. the Iomc of Representatives of the General
Jtssembly : .
Fellow-Citizens: In obedience to theCon
stitution and laws of this Commonwealth, you
have assembled to discharge the importaut and
responsible duties that devolve upon you. To
protect the rights and privileges of the peo
ple, advance their interests, and promote the
welfare and prosperity of the Stat.-, should be
the aim and end of all your legislation. In
the discharge of my duties, it will be a plea
sute to co-operate with you in the accomplish
ment c,f these objects.
The past year has been one of unusual pros
perity. The bounties of a kind Providence
have not been withheld from onr Common
wealth. A plenteous harvest has rewarded
the labor of the husbandman. Honorable in
dustry, in all its departments, has been encour
aged. No financial embarrassment no com
mercial distress no political or social evils,
have interrupted the progress, or checked the
energies of the people. The great interests of
education, morality and religion, have been
cherished or sustained. Health and peace,
with their attendant blessings, have been ours.
To him "who rules the Nations by his power,
and from whom Cometh down every good and
perfect gift," are we indebted for these mer
cies, and to Him should be given the homage
of our devout gratitude and praise.
The finaancial condition of the Common
wealth is highly satisfactory. Every demand
upon the Tn-asury has been promptly met and
paid, without the aid of loans. The operations
of this department will bo exhibited in detail
in the report of the State Treasurer.
For the fiscal 3-ear ending November SOth,
1850, the receipts at the Treasury (including
the b dance in the Treasury on the first of De
cember, lf55. of S1.213.C07 S3) have been
$t:o21,'.f37 04. The total expenditures for the
same period, were 5. 377. 142 22. l!;ilar.ce in
the Treasury, Dec. 1. 1830. $1,244,79-3 42.
Excluding the balance in the Trcusury on
tliu first of December 1353. the receipts, from
all sources, were S3, 378,240 33. The ordina
ry expenditures for the same period, were
$1.113.14177, showing an excess of receipts
over ordinary expenditures of $1,205,093 50.
The extraordinary payments for tho same
year, were $l,203,9'.t7 -13. as follows, viz : To
tho completion ol the Portage railroad, and
for the payment of debts previously contract
ed on that work, 5181.494 11; to the North
Branch extension, S122.723 52; to relay the
south track of the Columbia railroad 207
01)0 00; for motive power in 1855. S118.04'J 42;
to enlarge the Delaware divi.sion of the Penn
sylvania canal, S13.90O 00 ; for general repairs
in lS-33-"54-".33, $03,903 11 ; to domestic cred
itors, $131 03 ; to old claims on the main line,
examined bv the commissioners, and paid un
der the act'of May 22, 1S5G, $130,51:2 09; to
the redemption of loans, $327,824 17 ; aud re
lict notes cancelled. $38,217 00.
Tho interest on the funded debt which fell
due in February and August last, was then
paid, and that which becomes due in Februa
ry next, will be paid with equal promptness,
out of available means now in the Treasury.
The punctuality with which the interest on the
pabiia debt lias leen paid, and the ability of
the Treasury to meet all legitimate demands
upon it, have inspired pullic confidence in our
securities, and contributed largely to estab
lish and sustain the credit of the Common
wealth. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund re
port the sum of $722.432 93 as due by the
Treasury to the fund. This amount will be ap
plied to the redemption of relief notes now iu
circulation, and to the payment of the funded
debt. Heri-toiore the available means in the
Treasury h ive I cen applied, to some extent, in
payment of outstanding teniporaiy loans. which
bear an anninl interest of six per centum ; it
being deemed advisable as a matter of econo
my to pay these loans, rather than the funded
debt, which bears a much leys rate of interest.
It is expected that the balance of the tempo
rary loans will be paid before the close of the
current year, and the operation of the sinking
fund resumed and continued undirected by law.
The funded and unfunded debt of the State,
including temporary loans, on the first of De
cember, 1833. as per reports of the Auditor
Gsncral and State Treasurer, was as follows :
' FCNDED DKBT.
C per cent, loan, $310,134 93
5 " 38,903,415 04
4 1 " 388,200 00
4 100,000 00
Total funded debt 539,907,799 97
C.NFfNDED DEBT.
Relief notes in cir
culation, $258,773 00
Interest certificates
outstanding, 29,157 25
Domestic creditors, 1,204 00
Balance of tempora
ry loan, April 9, 1853. 525,000 00
Balance of tempora
ry loan, May 9, 1854, 310,000 CO
Total unfunded debt 1,160,194 25
Total debt, Dec. 1,185-3, $41,007,994 22
The funded and unfunded debt at the close
of the last fiscal year, December 1, 1850, was
as follows, viz :
G percent, loan, 5511,781 00
5 " 38.800,994 50 s
4 J " " 388.200 00
4 " " 100,000 00
Total funded debt $39,806,975 50
CNFCNDED DEBT, VIZ !
Relief notes in cir
culation, 5220,556 00
Interest certificates
outstanding, 24,091 37
Interest certificates
unclaimed, 4,448 38
Domestic creditors, 1,164 00
Balance of tempora
ry loan,April 19,1853 400,000 00
Balance of tempora
ry loan, May 9, 1854, 184,000 CO
Total unfunded debt
834,859 75
Total debt, Dec. 1, 1856, 40,701,835 23
Total debt, December 1, 1855 $41 .007,994 22
' 1, 1850 40,701,835 23
Decrease,
360,158 97
It thus appears lht during the part Cal
year the sum of three hundred and sixty-six
thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dollars
and ninety-seven cents has been paid in liqui
dation of the public debt. This, taken in con
nection with the fact, that during the year
ending November 30, 1855. six hundred and
thirty thousand six hundred and one dollars
and two cents were paid on the same account,
exhibits the gratifying fact, that tile process
of reducing the public del t has commenced;
and, unless checked by reckless mismange
ment and extravagant expenditure, must con
tinue until the people and the Commonwealth
are relieved from the debt and taxation with
which they are burdened. In addition to this
redaction of the public debt, large appropria-J
tions and payments were made lor the com
pletion of the Portage railroad and for debts
previously contracted on that work; for old
and unsettled claims recently adjusted by the
commissioners appointed under the act ot last
session; for re laying the south track ot the
Columbia railroad; for enlarging the Dela- i
ware division ol thex anal, and tor other imr
poses. These extraordinary demands upon
the Treasury have ceased, or will soon cease,
with the necessity that created them ; and
thus leave a still larger poi tion of the reven
ues to be applied iu payment of the public
debt.
A careful examination of the financial con
dition of the Commonwealth her sources of
revenue and the probable future expenditures,
has inspired the hope that the time is not far
distant when the public debt will be fully paid,
and this without increasing the Subjects or ra
tio of taxation. It has already been shown
that the revenues of the past year exceeded
the ordinary expenditures one million two
hundred and sixiy-fivo thousand ninety-five
dollars and fifty-six cents. The estimated re
ceipts and exjenditures for the current year,
which will be presented to you in the report
of the State Treasury, show that the excess of
receipts, over ordinary expenditures, may
reach the sum of one and a half million of dol
lars. These estimates, although approxima
tions, will not be f-r from the true result. Al
lowing, then, four hundred thousand dollars
for annual extraordinary expenditures and
under a wise system of economy in no proba
ble contingency can they exceed that sum we
will have at least one million of dollars to be
appropriated annually for the payment of the
public debt. With the rapid development of
the wealth and resources of the Commonwealth
the increase of population of the value ot
real estate, and of the amount and value of
property of every description, tho revenues
must and will continue to increase. This nat
ural and necessary increase of revenue will
supply every deficiency and every demand
upon the Treasury that fall illiin the range of
probability. If, then, the snm uf one million
dollars bo appropriated annually in liquidation
of this debt, and the accruing interest on the
sums paid be applied in the manner of a sink
ing fund, the entire indebtedness ol the Com
monwealth wiil be extinguished in less than
twenty-three years. If these premises are
correct and their correctness can only be im
paired by unwise legislation, or the imprudent
management of our finances the truth of the
pioposition is .susceptible of the clearest de
monstration. Assuming the public debt on
the first day of December, 1850, to be, in
round numbers, forty millions five hundred
thousand dollars, and that at the end of each
fiscal year one million dollars, with the accru
ing interests on former payments, will be paid,
unerring calculation will determine the result
to be as before indicated. Thus, before the
expiration of tho year 1879, Pennsylvania
may ttand redeemed from the oppression of
her pubiic debt, and her people bo released
from a taxation imposed to meet its accruing
interest, and to maintain the f.ith and credit
of the Coinmonweallh. These views are not
utopran. By practicing strict economy in all
departments id" the government avoiding ex
travagant expenditure refusing to undertake
any new schemes of internal improvement,
and holding to a rigid accountability the re
ceiving and disbursing agents of the State,
their lealization may Le anticipated with con
fidence. I must again call the attention of the Legis
lature to a sul ject referred to in my last an
nual message, iu the follow itig terms :
"By the thirty-eighth section of the act of
the loth of April, 1843, entitled "An Act to
provide for the ordinary expenses of Govern
ment, the repair 'of the canals and railroads of
the State, and other claims upon the Common
wealth," the Governor was authorized to cause
certificates of State stock to be issue:! to all
persons or bodies corporate holding certifi
cates for the payment of interest on the fun
ded debt of the State, which fell due on the
first day of August, 1842, the first days of
February and August, 1813, and the first day
of February and August, 1844, in an amount
equal to the amount of certificates so held,
upon their delivering up said certificates to
the Auditor General. In pursuance of the
authority thus given, certificates of State
stock to tho amount of four millions one hun
dred and five thousand, one hundred and fifty
dollarssind twenty cents, bearing interest at
the rate of five per cent, per annum, payable
semi-annually on the first days of February
and August in each year, and redeemable on
or after the first day of August, 1855, were is
sued. The minimum period fix d by law for
the redemption of these certificates expired
on the first day of August, 1855. No provis
ion has been made f or their renewal or redemp
tion. Although by the terms of the Act authori
zing these certificates of State stock, as also
by the conditions of the certificates issued in
pursuance thereof, the time of payment, after
the expiration of the minimum period, is. op
tional with the debtor, the Commonwealth,
yet a due regard for the credit of the State re
quires that provision should be inad.tfjrr their
renewal or redemption. To redeem tlfese cer
tificates, a loan would become necessary, and
as a loan cannot be affected, in the present fi
nancial condition of the country, on terms
more favorable to the State, than those on
which these certificates were issued, I would
recommend that, authority be given to issue
the bonds of the Commonwealth jn renewal of
aid certificates, bearing interest at the rate of
five per cent, per amim, payable semi-annually,
and redeemable on or alter the expiration
of twenty years; and that the bonds be issued
with coupons or certificates of interest attach
ed, in sums equal in amount to the semi-annual
interest thereon, payable on the first days
Of February and August in each and every
year, at such place as may be designated.
This chsng in tb fczm and baraetsr of th
certificates, it is believed, will - e so ndvsntag
eous to the holders, without increasing the li
abilities of the Commonwealth, as to induce a
willing and prompt exchange, at a premium
for the bonds proposed to be issued."
The report of the Canal Commissioners
will be laid lelore you, and will exhibit In de
tail the condition of the public works their
general operation, and the receipts and ex
penditures lor the past fiscal year.
The total receipts at the Treasury, from the
public works, for the year ending November
30. 1850, were $2,000,015 GG, being an increase
over the revenues of the previous year, ol
$03.038 95. Of this sum 51.013.5S9 16 were
canal and bridge tolls, and $992,420 GO, tolls
of the Columbia and Portage railroads.
The aggregate expenditures for the same
year were $1,943.890 82, being an increase o
vtrr those of the previous year, of $105,105 64,
tho revenues exceeding the expenditures only
DG2.118 84.
The increase of the revennes from these
works would be encouraging, were it not for
the fact that the expenditures have increased
in still greater proportion the expenditures,
ordinary and extraordinary, exhausting almost
the entire revenue Jroiu this source. The sys
tem must be defective, or more care and econ
omy should be exercised in its management.
The receipts at the Treasury lrom the sever
al divisions, were as follows, viz s
Main line, 51,229,272 86
Susquehanna, North Branch
and West Branch. 420.820 51
Delaware, 349,922 29
Total receipts,
$2,CCG,015 CO
The extraordinary payments during the year,
amounted to $808,892 10; ordinary expendi
tures, $1,135,004 00 ; net revenue, (excluding
extraordinary payments and lor motive tovier)
$871,011 00.
On the main line the tolls received at the
Treasury from the Columbia road were $091,
070 ijO ; expenditures $528.084 80; tolls on
the Eastern division of canal, from Columbia
to the Junction, $119 713 SO; expenditures,
$53.048 50; receipts from the Junction to
Pittsburg, including the Portage railroad,
$117.77800; ordiuary expenditures, $3L4,
702 22. - The total receipts en tho main 4ine
were $1,229 272 6; aggregate cxpendituies,
(excluding $207,010 Co paid f-T re-laying the
south track of the Columbia railroad and
$153,049 42 for motive power in 18-35. and af
ter December 1st, 18-50,) were $885 835 03, be
ing an excess of revenue over ordinary ex
penditures ot 5340,437 21.
Although the receipts from the Delaware!
division are less than those of the previous
year, yet the general result of its operations is
satisfactory. The net revenue at the Treasu
ry was 520493 4.0. Its management has been
characterized by a degree of economy too sel
dom practiced on some of the Hues of our
improvements.
However important this division may be to
the trade and business of that portion ol the
State, its proposed enlargement should not W
undertaken, i.nless dem md -d ly reasons of o-ve'-rulinjr
necessity. The experience of (he
past, us connected witii the AJieghery Portg?
railroad, and the North Branch extension
should warn us again.-t undertakii g. without
great caution, any new measure of improve
ment, which may drain the Treasury, without
aiding materialy, if at all, the public interests.
If kept in good order by cHkient and tiiuel-.
repairs, its capacity ill be fully equal to ail
the demands of its trade and business.
The Portage railroad is not fully complete 1.
A small addiliodal appropriation ni;-y yet le
required to complete, for the fourth time, tlfis
road. It is anxiously hoped that this iinpro
ductive improvement may soon cease ifs cor
morant demand rpun tho Treasury. Every
year's experience more clearly reveals the im
policy ol the irt.itc in undertaking this work.
It gives me no ordinary pleasuie to in'orm
Vou that the North Branch extension of the
Pennsylvania canal has been so lar compk ted,
thatl.i a's frieglited wiih coal :ind other j r
duc.ts, were successfully passed through its
entire !cni;ta from Pittston to the Jui.c'ion
canal. '1 his work was commenced in 1830
suspended in 1811 resumed in 1S19, and fin
is:. ed in 1S5G; although iM completion was of
ficially announced in 1853. It extends f:om
Fittston to the New York State line, a dis
tance of about ninety-four miles, following
the valley of the Susquehanna to Athens, and
thence along the Chemung liver to the State
line, where it joins the "Junction canal," an I
is thus connected with the New York improve
ments. The importance and value of this improve
ment cannot easily bo over-estimated. Pass
ing through one ot the richest mineral and ag
ricultural portions of the State, it oflcis to the
immense and valuable products of that region,
a safe and cheap transit to the markets ot New
York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. In the
completion of this canal the difficulties to be
overcome, and the labor to be performed.were
great. Both these, to a great extent, have
been accomplished under tho superintendency
of Wm.R. Mafict, Esq., to whom this work
was a -signed.
This canal although completed, aa1 before
the close of navigation, used for the purpose
of transportation, is not perfect. Sinks in the
bottom, from the nature of the formation and
soils through which it passes, slides from the
hills, and breaches may occur, but these,
after a lew years of well af p'ied labor, will
be diminished, and by vigilance and caro en
tirely prevented. .
This improvement, although sul ject to the
rivalry ot competing railroads, if kept in good
condition, under proper management, w ill re
ceive its full share ot coal and other tonage.
It is anticipated that the revenues, for the
current year, will equal, if not exceed the ex
penditures; and increasing wiih the facilities
afforded, and the rapid development of trade,
will, instead of ils heretofore unceasing de
mands upon the Treasury, take precedence in
revenue over any canal in the Commonwealth.
In relation to the propriety and policy r.f
the sale of the Main Lino of our pubiic im
provements, my opinion has not changed.
Every consideration of public policy, of pres
ent and futuie interest, requires the separa
tion of the State from the management and
control )f these works. The expenditures u
pon that portion of tlx.' line, between the Junc
tion and Pittsburgh, largely exceed the rev
enues, the excess averaging annually not less
than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ;
and causes are in constant operation that will
still more increase this deficiency. This con
t iBUftl drain ttpon mnrf t t tAeo&Iu
work, so unproductive, should t once bo
checked. A sale of the M n Line, for a fair
consideration, aud upon terms jus, and liber
al to the purchasers, is the proper remedy
Such sale, n teims amply protective ol Iho
rights and interest of the people, can by prop,
er legislation be effected. In connection with
the pavment of the public debt, this question
becomes deeply important. The sale would
constitute a new era in the financial Listory
of the State, and assure a still more s-eedy
reduction ot the public debt, than that to which
ref erence has been made. The subject is earn
estly commended to your favorable consider
ation. "
The sul ject of liar.ks and banking capital In.
its relations to the currency the general In
terests of trade and commerce and the indus
trial pursuits of the citizens, deserve your
careful attention. My views expressed in a
lormer communication remain unchanged.
The incorporation or new, or the recharter of
old and solvent banks, when actnally necessa
ry, and demanded by the wants of legitiuiato
trade in the community where located, s-oate
be favored; uuder no other circumstance
should either be permitted. In the creation,
of banks the interests or the State and pcoplo
should be consulted ; and a just discrimina
tion as to number, locality aud the demand
of trade be exercised. -
The rapid increase of population, ths im
portance and value ot our home and foreign
commerce, the constant development of" tr.e
material wealth of the State, the extent of our
mauul'acturii g.mechanical and agricultural in
dustry, the tact that the State is flooded by a
depreciated currency introduced by privatw
bankers aud brokers, might justify, under tb
restrictions and limitations indicated, a judi
cious increase of lianking capital within our
Commonwealth. 1 bus, whilst it would aid
the operations of trade, and supply the real
lusine'ss wants of the people, it would, at th
same time, remedy, to some extent, tna evils
of a depreciated 1 Jreign and illegal currency.
By the Act approved the Cth day ot Novem
ber last, the thirtieth section or the Act of
1859, regulating banks, will be after the first
day of July next, extended to all incorporated
saving fun i. trust and insurance companies.
'1 lut section declares "that it sha'l not be Uw
lul for Kiiy ot the said banks to issue or pay
out any bank notes other than those issued by
itself, payable ;n demand in gold and sitxer ;
tiotts oliecie paying banks ol this State
which aic taken on deposite or in payment of
lcl ts, rt p.:r s.t the counter of the t-ank w here
p lid out ; or notes of banks issued under tho
authority of the Act of the 4th of May, 1341,
at the opt.ou tl the person receiving tb
sa;ne.r'
These enactments were intended to protect'
the community against the evils of a depre
ciated currency, aud prevent its introduction
from other States. However well iutended.
they will fail to seci re these objects, unless
made to embrace private bankers and other
.f that class, whose proSts are largely depen
dent upon the introduction into the State of.
such a cu:rency. in many instances the note
of our own banks are collected by private
tankers und brokers, and with these, or with
the specie withdraw!! lrom the banks issuing
them, they purchase depreciated and foreign
bank japtr which is paid out at par at their
counters. Ev others large loans are negotia
te I with batiks out of the Siate, at less thstt
the usual rate of interest, and their notes, of
tn of a less denomination than five dolUr,
and always at a discount, brought into tbo
State and put into circulation in the manner
indicated, and this too, under an agreement
nith the I an'.i m iking the loan, thnt the notes
thus j a d out shall be kept in circulation.
The eb'ect ot this system of private banking
has leen to l::i.it the circnl ition of the par pa
per .fourou:i bal ks, and substitute in its
pi xv a foreign!, j rcci tted. and often a worth
less currency. In justice to the Biuk, Trust
nd Insurance Cofp-inics, paying a heavy an
nual tax to the Commonwealth fer their privi
h g. 3. a'id f.-r t! e protection of the people -enlist
these evils, either the provisions of t jo
Act .l 185:.', should be repealed, or rurrher -extended
so as to embrace private individual
anl Mssj-ciutio.-.s, who may monopolize unl
control, to the detriment of the public, this
traffic in depreciated hank pal cr, without re
s rain and wi.hni.t taxation.
Ti e Report of the Supeiintrndent of Coxn
nt'in Schools will exhibit to you the number
and condition of the Schools the number of
teachers and s-.hohirr. and the general opera
tions of the system during the past year.-. To
the valuable statistical information of the re
port, and the us-Tut suggestions for tho im
provement of the system. I invito your early
ui.d intelligent consideration.
From a small and coinT-aratively un'.nipor
t in: hidden! of the State Department, tho cre
and management of the public schools ot the
Commonwealth, with their seventeen bundr-d
districts, ten thousand directors, twelve thon
smd teachers, ami over five tiundrcd thousand
scholars, have become the most important and
laborious branch of that Department. The in
creased and increasing business of tho system
b is been met by a correspondent increase cf
zeal, labor and efficiency in the ofUcers to whom
the law has committed its general dirctlcn
and supervision. They should l sustained
by wise and generous legislation. The mag
nitude and importance of the system, in i:
political, social and nior.il relations to t!.e pre
sent and future of the people. requi:e tl.sl
this should be dne. The gu.rd:an.-i.ip ct 1.9
n.ind of the State should occupy a distiuit acd
prominent place among the nobis ;ns:.t:;ti.r.s
of the Commonwealth. It should receive th
efficient aid and encouragement of the govern
ment, and be sustained by a virtuosi and intel
ligent people. If the revenue and treasures
of the St ate her public improvements her
lands and their. t itles, require and deserve tho
marked ami distinctive care of the govern
ment, I on- much more should her mental and
hitcll-ctiird treasures, richer than gold the
social and morn! improvement of her people,
more valuable than canals r railways the ti
tles of her youth to the boundless fields ot
knowledge., higher than any of earth or aught
growing out ol its ownership, claim an honor
able position, and receive a care and aid com
mensurate with their greater value end useful
ness. The Connty Snpcrintndincy, wherever it
has been committed to faithful and efficient
nisn, has tr.lly vindicated the wisdom and pol
icy of that measure. It is slowly, but Barely
removing the prejudices nod gainirg t'-. con
fidence of the people. Whatever defects tiss
aud experience msy develop, in this or
37wur hnvDoli of tin &atjc ahitull to