it s
VOL. i-m. 21.
CLEARMELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 18-58.
BY S. B. HOW.
5
Ol'ltSISTElVS GRAVE.
She died! "tuidst the flowers,
And we dug her a grave.
'.Neath the sheltering boughs,
Where the tall trees wave.
Towering majestic above the mound.
M'here Clarissa sleeps in the cold. cold ground.
Each forest king.
To betoken' his grief,
In silent sympathy.
Drops down a leaf,
M bespotted. or yellow, or dotted with red.
A token of remembrance to the silent dead.
Sad wailing winds.
tung a requiem deep,
Over the grave.
Where our sister sleeps.
Like a faded flower or a withered leaf.
JJer days, alas! were almost as brief.
'lis as lonely a spot
As eaa be found.
Amidst the marble
Slabs around ;
Yet yer mother loves to linger there.
And weep for her child with raven hair.
That loved ono dead,
JShe found no rest,
for her tender feet :
On the enrth's'coM breast.
n
ear'y called, and early blest.
Rest.
in the arls ot safety re-:l.
Tho" our hearts have been riven,
By the blow which was given,
A bright chain i f love
Iraws our souls nearer heaven.
Where, by no care nor sorrow oppret,
Peacefully that loved one in glory rests.
Tho' the spot be lonely.
With the dead around,
Still welove to think.
Of ncu :iieath the mound :
And her mother loves to linger there.
To weep for her child, now an angel fair.
Brady Tji.. Fa.. Jon. Otu. 1333 J. It. A.
IIOSS HEAD AM TIIJ
fop,
A UCJIOKOl'S SKETCH.
Hotels have now become so numerous
In
cities and f ire so reasonable , that tt.ey ;fre the
resort, at times, of nearly all classes of society.
The man who can ah'ord to travel from home,
fan a fiord to stop at a hotel; and as landlords
nro Misart enough in general to regard the
wants ot the million as well as those of the
millionaires, we find the rich and the poor,
the Idult and the humble, side by side at the
hotel tables. Homespun there sports a silver
fork with as much gusto as Mr. Broad cloth,
and the humble "Sally" is as much entitled to
and enjoys as fully tho good things of life at
the richly loaded table ot the hotel as the ac
complished Miss Josephine Martha Washing
ton Victoria Maria. Consequently the hotel i
is a good place to study human nature, for I
there we see men, and women, too, from all
the walks of lite, and of all classes of charac
ter. -liien est tonus meet," and when such
is the case, amusing incidents are Euro to
occur.
Sitting one evening in the oflice of the O.
House, in Cincinnati, my attention was at
tracted toward two genuine and unadulterated
lops who occupied seats near me. A descrip
tion of them would be uninteresting, for there
is no community in tbis broad land of ours
without its fopsj r.nd a Coy is a fop. and noth
ing else., the world all over. They admit of
ne distinction ci'.y fop and country fop;
mid they differ only iu the extent of their dress,
or exterior display, it being conceded, I be
lieve, that fops possess merely suriicient brains
to make an animal a human. The individuals
referred to were city lops, diminutive speci
mens of humanity, in every regard.
(lii'j of them had received a letter from a
lady, which he read to his companion, to
whom he declared the writer was "chawiiiing
beautiful ; but as she was without a pwo.-qtect,
( for a fortune,) he could not return her love."
Jle vowed that the billet doux annoyed him
i-xceedinglv, as he disliked to break the dear
creature's heart. While they were thus en
gaged in conversation, a tall, strapping 1 lousier i
tutored the hotel. He had a "liuena Vista" :
.n his head, and a red flannel "wanms" on his
shoulders, w hile his lower extremities were in j
brown linsey pants, and tiic stoutest hog skin j
hoots, His'hair was long and scraggy, his !
face unshared, at least for a week, w hile his
whole form was covered with dust, which in- j
dicated that he had Just arrived by railroad. ;
In one hand he carried a bundle, which was
evidently his clothing tied up in a '-span new" j
yellow and red cotton handkerchief, and in the j
I.ther hand a stout but rude walking stick, not s
long since from its mother hickory. 11c had !
that awkwardness of gait peculiar to country- j
men whose days a: e spent almost entirely on j
farms, and whose minds arc devoted to the j
one thing most sought after, Lut not the most !
desirable, the accumulation or wealth. He !
paused a moment at the door, glanced at the j
crowd w ithin, and at once attracted the alien-
tion of the Cops, who immediately gave a sort '
of consumptive laugh or sneer, at the homely j
appearance of the stranger. !
"Is this yer a tavern ?"' He inquired of the j
fops. !
"A twavern ? horrible!" exclaimed one of
the fops, holding up both hands.
"A twavern, indeed ?" said the other, 'he
must b from the woods, Chawles," and both
renewed their laughter.
The Hoosier gave them an indignant look,
and was about to reply, when the clerk, who
had observed him, approached and iuformed
him that he was at a hotel, and inquired if he
wished to stop.
"Stoy? sxitin I do," was his response;
"you don't reckon a feller wants to pass sich
a smart tavern as this yer, without stoppm',
do vou Kurnell 1
"lliirdlv: sir will you allow tnc to take
yonr bagg'agc and furnish you with a room ?
; "Just as youve a mind I'm not at all pa
par-
tienlar xn T trt .iv ffet o' bed. and a
hull
placeatthe table. Golly hutan't thisascrou
gin' town ?"
"Quite a place, sir. Walk this way if you
please, and I will attend to you immediately,'
said the clerk, as he took the Hoosier's bundle.
"Wall, now, you're uncommon perlite, stran
ger, but I reckon you make a feller pay for it
all in the course of sarcumstanccs ; but as
you're sort or human set right up to a feller
what's in a strange country I'm the chap to
square your bili for fodder to figure, when you
fotch it up. That's my way o' doin' business,
Kurnell."
"I have no doubt of it, sir," said the cleik,
smiling and handing him the book for that
purpose, asking him to register his name.
"Do what 1" inquired the stranger, some
tvhat astonished.
I "Recristcr vour residence m this book, sir.
"Right dow n thar V
"Yes, sir."
"Cum now, Kurnell. none of your tricks,"
said the Hoosier ; it kind o' riles me to cum
across sich critters."
"Oh, sir, no trick, I assure, you. We re
quire it of our visitors, as much for their own
as our benefit ."'
"You don't tell!"
"Yes, sir, it is a fact."
"Want to know whether they can write, I
reckon. Wall that's on a squar. When a fel
ler goes away from hum, he ought to show his
ederkation. I only learned to write when a
shaver, but got up purty high in figures. I'll
give you a specimen of my chickography, as
old Squire Smith calls writin', in darned short
order; "and the traveller took the pen, squar
ed himself to tuit, and leaned over the book
towiite. His oddity attracted the attention
of all in the oflice, including the two fops,
who, amused at his remarks, gathered about
him at the clerk's desk. The pen iu his hand
ha 1 touched the book, when he paused, and
alter reflecting a moment, raised his head,
and addressed the clerk in the following style :
"Kurnell.do you want all of a feller'oname?"
"We would like to have your name in full."
'Tuil name ! Wall, that's a puzzler. You
see mv f.imilv name is Ilemplield, and then
my christian name is John Isaiah, that thar's
John Isaiah Ilcmpfield isn't it J"
"Yes. sir."
"Wall then, the boys down our way consid-
erin' me a rizht smart chan. kind a gin me a
second cristanin' t he v called mellossllead.
The information so innocently given, caused
a load burst of laughter from the crowd.
Hoss Head participated in it. for he lovect a
laugh, and could be as merry as the next one.
"A rale smart name, ain't it boys V he ask
ed, alter tho lauirbter had somewhat subsided.
"Would you put it down in the book ?"
"Certainly, certainly," cried all.
In a few minutes the stranger, after giving
his pen many circular movements over the
book, and changing his position several times,
succeeded in writing h:s name in full, as fol
lows :
fir. John Isaiah Ilcmpfield IIoss Ilead, Per
simmon Post Office, Yallcr County, Indiana.
He pointed to his specimen of "chickcgraph-
v," with itr.de, and seemed wonderfully pleas
ed with the fulsome praise bestowed upon it
by the gentlemen present.
Lxoresstn a desire to tret fixed tip, the
clerk showed him to the wash room, when the
fops who had endeavored to enjoy thelloosier's
greenness were struck with an iaea anout
such a one as generally racks the addeled
brains f men if men they may be called
of their slimp. Anxious to display their
smailrifss, and create amusement at the ex
pense of another, the fops seized the porter's
brushes and eivin-r the crowd a knowing winu
as miKh as tc say we'll make f un for ycu, ap-
uro.iched IIoss Head
'Shall I bwush vou, sirrah V he asked,
eud.-'avorintr to ldav the servant.
"Wall, now, iy thunder !" exclaimed IIoss
Head, as he dropped the soap from his hand
and ceased i. is ablutions. "1 always was good
at gr.esin', but this boats ail creation. Look
vfii. Kcrnc-11. addressing tnc clt'VK "I no
sooner Sied these fellers to-night than I guess
ed ri'ht out that they was servants."
I'lwi tir.Kf.-TViiis l.inffh which followed was to
! ihfi-hasrin of the fops
"They just look," he continued, "as n tuey
w.irn't made for nothin' else than to scrape
the mud from a feller's legs and do llttl
chores around a tavern. I thunk that when I
first seed "em ; and by thunder warn't- I right,
though ? Brush me ofl ? Sartainly! and (w ith
a dignified air) nnud you make a clean sweep,
or I'il re'.ort vou to Kuriiel, thar
The l"o:)S finding that IIoss Head had put
the ioke ui-.on them, endeavored to recover
i.nt!nv informed him that he should not be
liruslu-il unless he rtaid in advance.
'Tav in advance ."' was IIoss Head's indig
nant ret.ly. "Thunder and salvation! don t
the tavern pay you for .your lazy, trifling work?
I n.ptnn vou "think I'm kinder creen, and
want to skin me, don't you "
"l:!i on ah we don't" replied one. '-Wo ah
speaUii g the truth," answered tho other.
Br this time IIoss Head was victorious, so
far as the spectators were concerned. AVhile
they could not sport with the Iloosier's ignor
ance o f citv manners, they could but despise
the senseless dandies w ho made him an object
of ridicule. Every hit, therefore, which Hoss
nal ave them, drew forth loud excbima
tions for "the centh-man from the country,
hi head a toss, which threw his
o '
tat to one side, he asked :
Ain't they fryin to skin me, boys l '
"Yes." came from a dozen.
"1 ibnnk so from the start, and therefore
was on the look out for 'em. "Squire Jones
; told me afore I left hum to look out for tavern
ii,i,.vrs. and bv thunder I've run am'n two of
I Vm rio-ht at the start."
I -Do vou mean to insult us ?" asked one of
! the foi'S. forcettins: the part he had volunteer
j d to play, and feeling that he ought to profess
! indignation on lieiiie called a tlnel.
i "If the shoe fits wear it," was IIoss Head's
I nointe.l answer.
"Did vou appir me icriu tavern unci io uj
aski'il the other fop
"S u tin. I did."
"Then, sirrah, we will let you know that we
onlv assumed the character of servants. We
are gentlemen, sirrah, and insist on youah tak
imr back the obnoxious appellation, or wc will
seek redress."
.V.. sirrah, wo will seek redress with our
nh." said his companion, as he flourish
od a slim specimen of a cane over his head.
"What!" exclaimed IIoss Head, drawing
inmsMr out to his full lencth, and giving the
diminutives before him rathera scornful look
"What, you want to fight, do you? Just
clear a ring, boys, and stand back, if you
want in pi ni eat them two critters in half a
minute. I can do it by any watch in the crowd
Just clear the rinff
Stop, stop," interrupted the clerk, who
saw that matters were going too lar, "we can't
have any fighting here."
"Then lai n your sarvants to be perlite
rvliod IIoss H?ad.
re-
"They are not servants, sir, and do not bc
innr fr. fho bouse. They are not even board-
- .t t .nrn vou. sir. I never saw them
before this evening." .
"Don't belong to the tavern, and tryin
to
"I presume, sir, they only intended to play
a harmless joke."
"That's all, pon honah," replied one of the
fops, who saw that matters were assuming rath
er a serious aspect for himself ana iriena.
"That was all we intended, wasn't It Charles V
"Pou onah, it was."
"Kinder pokin' fun at ine, oh 1 Wal, now,
I can stand a joke as well as the next man on
airth, and Kurnell, I'll gin twenty-five cents
all in silver, just to carry them ar men out of
the house."
"I have nothing to do with them, sir, and
you can act at your own pleasure," replied the
clerk.
The fops, surmising the intentions of the
Hoosier, started for the door; but ho seized
them and said :
"Hold on! its better to ride when it costs
nothiug. I've got to tellyou a story, ami larn
you a lesson before you leave this tavern,
and grasping both tightly by the collar, lie
held them as if in a vice. The fops remon
strated, but IIoss Head, to the delight of the
crowd, told them that there was no use a talk-
in' lor they could not go until tuey ueara trie
story. They consented to remain if he would
let go of them, to which he did not object.
Surrounded by such persons as are always
found in a hotel office, Hoss Head, with his
eyes on the fops, told the following story :
".My old man down in 1 auer uouniy owus
as nice a larm as lays in an mem uiggiuga.
On that ar farm he's got an old hoss, he calls
him Dick, as good natured a critter as ever
rubbed his nose in feed, and all anybody could
say of him was that he was right smartly com
mon in looks. One time a rich feller, who
lives some whar in this town, was truvelin' in
a carriage ana uroue uown rigni agin our
farm. He concluded he'd go in the cars, and
left his horses with tho old man to take care of
em, and I must allow that a purtier pair of
critters never rublied a brichen. The old man
put them in the barnyard along with old Dick,
and told 'em to make themselves to hum.
Old Dick was monstrous glad to have compa
ny and he cum rnnnin up to them in a neigh
borly sort of a war, and throwcu his lieaa
over fust one of their necks and then tho oth
er, and was as luvin' as any gal could want her
beau to be. The city bosses man t appear to
like this much, and they kinder drawed back,
took a good look at Dick, and seeiu' he was
uncommon ugly, they just turned np their
noses and flirted their tails and started off.
This kinder riled old Dick, for he knowed
he was just as good a hoss as lilted a hoof, and
lifter thinkin' to himself awhile, he determined
to have satisfaction on the two upstarts, who
tho't they was better thaa him. So he goes
up to them and turns his back to ttiem just this
way," ana licre noss iicau goi uown on an
fouis. with his hind parls to the fo, s. "After
ho had stood this wav about a minit, he rared
and kicked this way," aud the same moment
one of his feet was in the stomach of each of
the fops, and they found themselves sprawlin.
on the floor.
"Old Dick." said IIoss Head, unmoved at
what he had done, "keeled them over, and by
the time they war up he war thar, and he rared
again this way ;" and the fops, w ho had just
risen and were making lor the door, toutid
themselves on their stomachs. "Our oid hoss
kept follerin' 'cm up," continued Hoss Head,
as he moved back slowly on all fours, "until
he got the city bosses, who could brag of noth-
in' but thar purty bar and thar Hides, rigni tty
the bars, and he rared sort o' this way, and
sent them both out of the barn yard a kiten,"
and taking good aim he gave the fops a third
and harder kick, which sent them through the
open door on the pavement.
As soon as the fops could get up, tuey ran
off screaming murder at the top of their weak
feminine voices, which, however, were not
loud enough to alarm any one. The specta
tors of the scene nearly split their sides with
laughter, as kick after kick was given, hearti-
lv concurring in the opinion that Hoss Head
was administering a jtisi auu wen m-scn
punishment. After he had given the last and
most fearful kick, tha Hoosier resumed an
erect position, and participating in the gener
al roar of laughter, said :
"Wall, boys, I guess I learned them dan
dies that the best hoss don't always snow the
finest bar."
The event made IIoss Head quite a lion at
the hotel. Invitations todnnk were extended
to him ofleiier than was desirable, wine was
sent to the table, he was conducted in a
carriage through the city to see the sights,
and when at length he started for home, the
landlord told him l.e had no bill to pay, and
that he could consider his "hat chalked" for
that hotel whenever business or pleasure cal
led him to the cifv.
John Isaiah Ilcmpfield IIoss Head expressed
himself" highly delighted Aith the Queen city.
ind all the people within it, except lops, and
left the Western Metropolis a very highly
tickled individual. The fops have not been
seen since that '-ever memorable evening,"
when for a joke they assumed the character
of servants.
A celebrated divine, who was remarkable in
the first period of his ministry for a boister
ous mole of preaching, suddenly adopted a
mild and dispassionate stvle. One ot his
brethern inquired what induced him to make
chantte. He was answered, "When I was
young I thought it was thunder killed the peo
ple : but when I erew wiser i discovered tnat
it was the nehtnins so 1 determined to tnun-
der less and lighten more." Others might
profit by his experience.
A Dead Lock is Minnesota. Ihe people
of Minnesota have adopted a State Constitu
tion and elected State Officers and a State Le
gislature. The Government is all ready to go
into operation, and the legislature lias assem
bled at St. Paul, but there matters come to a
stand, for tho reason that nothing can be
done until Congress admits Minnesota as
State. No laws can be passed, for there is no
Territorial Legislatuie, and the State Legis
lature connot act.
Two Irishmen happened to get into an aflray,
in which one of them was knocked down.
ti: n nr. to him and exclaimed :
"Artah, Dennis,if ye be dead, n't ye spake?"
"I'm net dead, but spachless," returned the
other.
The bi-st-bopv. He labors without thanks,
talks without credit, lives without love, dies
without teais, without pity save that some
sav, "It was a pity he died no sooner."
A rural poet describing his lady love, says,
iin is as craccful as a water lily, while her
breath is like an armful of clover."
The year 1858 will be a very eventful one
to every oM maid that gets married.
.MESSAGE OF OOV. POLLOCK.
The Pennsylvania Legislature met on Tues
day the 5th inst. Mr. clsh, from the l orfa.
district, was elected fcpeaKer oi me oenaie,
and Mr. Longaker, of Montgomery, Speaker
of the House, (both Democrats.) On Wed
nesday morning the organization was comple
ted bv electing Wm. II. Miller clerk of the
Senate, and Capt. Ziegler clerk ol the House.
TUE JIKSSACE.
The Governor commences by reminding the
Representatives of the duties they have been
charged w ith by the people, and that those du
ties should be faittnuuy penormca, auu etcr
be regarded by them "as paramount to every
selfish or partlzan consideration." He would
co-operate cheerfully with them, durng his
term of oflice, in every legal and constitution
al manner, to promote the prosperity of the
State, and the general welfare of the people.
The past year, with the exception oi me re
cent financial embarrassment, has been one of
general prosperity, and gratitude to Almighty
God is expressed lor his numerous blessings.
The finances of the Ooramonweaitn are in a
very satisfactory coudition. During the past
year, every demand upou the Treasury has
been promptly paid Irom the revenues aenvcu
from the ordinary sources. For the fiscal year
ending Nov. 30, 1857, the receipts at the Trea
sury, including the balance in the Treasury on
the first day of Dec. 185G, of $i,-m,rJo 4,
were S5,935,383 26. The aggregate expendi
tures for the same period, were $o,40i,i rJ.
Balance in the Trcasnry, December 1, 1857,
$528,100 47. Excluding the balance in the
Treasury on the first day of December, 1850,
the receipts from all sources were $4,CU0,587
81. The ordinary expenditures for the same
period were $3,9'J2,370 29. exhibiting Rn ex
cess of receipts over expenditures of S008,
217 65. The extraordinary payments for the
year were $1,414,906 50, as follows, to wit :
To the completion of the Fortage railroad,
$49,061 92 ; to the North Branch extension
$138,798 85; to re-lay the south track of the
Columbia railroad, $91,405 40 ; to eularge the
Delaware division, S40.2G3 00; for motive pow
er in 185G, $81,004 21 ; for repair? in 1S55 aud
1850, $49,501 78 ; lor the redemption ofloans,
$820,097 03 ; damages on public works, $40,
552 05; old claims on the main line adjusted
under the several acts of Assembly, $40,54S
b7, and for the new StateArsenal and Farmers'
llioh School. S45.000 00.
The interest on the funded debt due in Feb
ruary and August last, was then promptly paid,
and "that falling due in February next, w ill be
paid out of available means now in the Treas
ur3. By virtue of the provisions of the act
of the 13th of October, 1857, entitled "An Act
providing for the resumption of specie pay
ments by the banks, and lor the relief of debt
ors," the State Treasurer will be enabled to
pay the interest due iu February, in specie or
its equivalent.. The credit of the Common
wealth has been fully and honorably sustained.
The promptness with which every legitimate
demand upon the Treasury has been met, has
inspired public confidence in our securities;
and although recent and existing financial re
vulsion may embarrass the operations of the
Treasurv, and reduce, to some extent, the
revenue", yet the ability of the State to meet
her engagements and maintain her credit, un
der an honest and economical administration
of her finances, is undoubted. The houor
and credit of tho State must and can be pre
served intact.
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund re
port the sum of SI14.220 29 ss now in the
Treasury to the credit of that fund. This a
mount will be applied to the redemption of re
lief notes yet in circulation, and to tho pay
ment ci the funded debt of the Commonwealth.
The commissioners cf this fund, en the 7th
day of Septemlter last, reported to me that the
sum of S1,042,S57 61, of the debt of the Com
monwealth, was held by them.
As required by law," I directed the certifi
cates and evidences of this indebtedness to be
cancelled ; and on the 19th ot September,lS37,
issued my proclamation declaring the payment,
extinguishment and final discharge of $1,042,
857 Gl of the public debt.
In addition to the amount reported to be in
the Treasury to the credit of the sinking fund,
and applicable to the payment of the public
debt, the commissioners of the fund now hold
the sum of $7,500,000, bonds of the Pennsyl
vania railroad co., pledged by law to the pay
ment of the funded debt of the Commonwealth.
By the 4th section of the 11th article of the
Constitution, as amended and ratified by a ma
jority of the qualified voters of the State, at
the general election held on the second Tues
day of October, 1S57, it is made the duty of
the Legislature at its first session after the a
doption of this amendment, to create a sink
ing fund, which shall be sufficient to pay the
accruing interest on the present public debt,
and any additional debt thereafter constitn
tionally contractcd, and annually to reduce the
principal thereof by a sum not less than $250,
000, which "sinking fund shall consist of the
net annual income of the public works from
time to time, owned by the State, or the pro
ceeds of the sale of the same, or any part
thereof, and of the income or proceeds of sale
of stocks owned bv the State, together with
other funds or resources that may be designa
ted by law. The said sinking fund may Ijc in
creased from time to time by assigning to it
any part of the taxes or other revenues of the
State, not required for Ihe ordinary and cur
rent expenses of government, and, unless in
case of war, invasion or insurrection, no part
of said sinking fund shall be used or applied
otherwise than iu the extinguishment ot the
public debt, until the amount of such debt is
reduced below the sura of $5,000,000."
This being the first session of the Legisla
ture since the adoption of this amendment,the
duty therein ecjoined devolves upon 3 0U, and
should be promptly and faithfully discharged.
The funded and unfunded debt of the State,
including temporary loans, was, on Dec. 1,
1856, $40,701,835 25. On Pec. 1, 1857, it was
$39,881,738 22. Decrease during the late fis
cal year, $820,097 65.
These statements exhibit the gratifying fact
that during the past fiscal year, the public
debt has been reduced $820,097 5-5. During
the same period large appropriations and pay
ments were made on account of onr public im
provements, for old and unsettled claims ad
justed under the act of last session, and lor
other extraordinary purposes.
Tho condition of tho Treasury prior to the
suspension of specie payments by the banks,
justified the appropriation of at least S200.000
more in payment of the public aeDt, nnu ar
rangements were made by the Treasurer, un
der the direction of the Commissioners of the
Sinking Toad, to liquidate, that amount ; but
after the suspension, and the consequent finan
cial embarrassment of the country, the pro
posed pavmcnt, from prudential motives, was
postponed. Had this payment been made, 111
addition to the payments already reported, the
statements and calculations submitted in my
last annual message, in relation to the early
payment and final extinguishment of the pub
lic debt, would thus lar have ueen Misianieo.
by their actual verification. The causes mat
prevented their realization, it is believed, will
soon cease to affect injuriously the revenues of
Hie Commonwealth. Actuated by that indom
itable energy that has ever characterized use
American people faltering for a moment, but
not disheartened by the adverse circumstances
that surround us roused to more vigorous ac
tion by disaster and defeat, our progress can
not long bo checked, nor our prosperity long
be interrupted. ...
As corroboratire of the opinion now nn.l
heretofore expressed, a brief review of the op
orationss of the Treasury during the past throe
years, as connected with the payment of the
debt of the Commonwealth, may not be inr.p
pronriatc. In my first annual message to the
Legislature the fact was stated, that during the
three rears intervening between December 1,
mree years intervening ue. "--"v -
1851. and December 1, 1814, the public dent
had been increased $1,584,359 34 ; and thatlhe
total debt at the close of the lsscal year, i'e
cembcr 1, 1854, was $11,698,595 71. At the
close of the fiscal year, December 1,185-, three
rears later, the funded and unfunded debt, as
before shown, was $39,881,738 22 ; decrease in
three years, $1,816,857 52.
Thus in three rears the public debt has been
decreased, by actual payment and without re
sorting to the expedient of temporary loans,
SI. 8 10. 857 57. If to this be added the sum of
$414,920 29, now in the sinking fund and ap
plicable to the payment of the funded debt,
the reduction will "be $2,231,777 81.
These facts are not only gratifying, but en
couraging. It has already been stated that
there is in the sinking fund the sum of $7,500,
000 bonds of the Pennsylvania railroad com
pany, bearing interest at tho rate of five per
centum per annum, payable semi-annually ,and
pledged to the pavmcnt of the funded debt.
It this sum be added to me reduction ueii.i :
stated, wc have presented to us a virtual if not
an actual decrease cf the State debt, of ?9,
731.777 81, showing tho total funded and un
funded debt of the State on the first day of
December, 1857, to have been $31,903,818 41.
In anticipation of tha sale of the main line
and the decrease in the public debt, the State
tax, by an act of the last regular session, was
reduced from three to two and one-half mills
on the dollar; a reduction equal to one-sixth
of the tax imposed for Srste purposes prior to
that act. These facts speak for themselves.
Well may the people be congratulated on such
an auspicious beginning in tiie process of li
quidation, and well may they w ith confidence
anticipate tho day of their dcliverene.c from
State taxation. Financial and commercial em
barrassment may postpone nothing but 1:11
wise legislation, and the imprudent or dishon
est management of our finances, can prevent
the early realization of their well founded an
ticipations. The condition of the public works, their
general operation, the receipts and expendi
tures during the past fiscal year, will be pre
sented to you in detail in the report of the
Canal Commissioners.
The total receipts at the Treasury, from the
public works, for the year ending November
30, 1857, including receipts from the main
line up to the first day of August last, were
S1.39?,59S 02. The aggregate expenditures
for the same period were $1,312,705 67; the
expenditures exceeding the revenues $ 1.107
05. The receipts at the Treasury irom the
several divisions were as follows, viz : 5I;;iu
hue, to August 1, 1857, $790,550 83 ; Susque
hanna and ""North and Vt'et Branch divisions
287.718 95 ; Delaware division 224,5129 31.
The receipts from the Delaware division arc
less than thosj of the previous year. 1 he
completion of rival railroads and other causes,
have lessened the receipts from this important
division of our public works; and it is feared
will continue to decrease them. Its manage
ment Las been satisfactory, and coraparcd with
other divisions of the public improvements,
economical. The net revenue, at the Treasu
ry, was $174,001 87, a decrease of 90,093 53,
a's compared with the receipts of tho preced
ing rear. In addition to the ordinary expen
ditures, the sum of $40,203 was paid lor the
enlargement and improrenientof this division.
The North Branch Extension of the Penn
sylvania canal, although so far completed in
the fall of 1856, that boasts freighted with coal
and other products, were successfully passed
through its entire length from Pittston to the
Junction canal, yet in consequence of a large
portion of the "Horse Race Dam" having been
carried away by tho freshet of last spring, bu
siness on the canal was suspended the greater
part of the past year. It was repaired during
the summer and ia the fall business was re
sumed along its entire length. Soon after,
the same dam was again extensively injured
bv a sudden and heavy freshet, and tiie great
arpart of the canal reudcred useless for busi-
ness. An appropriation win uu jcquucu iu
re-construct the dam.
This canal, although usef ul and valuable, ap
pears to be doomed to failure and disaster.
These are the fruits of former mismanagement
r.ud fraud in its construction. Every effort
has been made to repair the errors ot its early
management, and to complete and render use
ful this division of onr public works. Under
proper management it can be successfully ac
complished.
In jmrsuance of the act of the 16th day of
May, 18o7, providing for the sale of the Main
Line of the public works, after giving the no
tice required by law, 1 caused the said Main
Line to lie exposed to public sale at the Mer
chants' Exchange, in the city of Philadelphia,
on the 25th. day of June last, and sold the same
to tho Pennsylvania Railroad company for the
sum of $7,500,000, the highest price bid for
the same, and the minimum price fixed in tne j
act. After a lull compliance by the purcha
sers with the conditions of the act authorizing
the sale, and the delivery of their bonds in
number and for the amounts equal to and fall
ins due at the time provided for the payment
of the respective instalments, the Secretary of
the Commonwealth on the 81st day of July,
A. P. 1857, as directed by the act, transferred,
under the great seal of the State, to the Penn
sylvania Railroad company, their successors
or assigns, the w hole Main Line of the public
works, between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,
together with all the right, title and interest,
claim and demand, of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, to all property, real, personal
and mixed, belonging to or used in connection
w ith the same by the Commonwealth ; and the
purchasers having given notice of their readi
ness to take possession of the said works, pos
session of the same was accordingly delivered
to the company on the first day or August last,
cf which i.otice was given to all Superinten
dents and Agents of the Commonwealth, by
proclamation bearing date tho 31t day of Ju
ly, 1857, as required by the law authorizing
the sale.
The bonds of tho Pennsylvania railroad
con-.panv, in the sum of seven and one half
millions" of dollars, were received by the State
Treasurer and are held by him for the com
missioners of the Sinking Fund; the entiro
proceeds of the sale being required by tho
twelfth section of the act to be paid to the
sinking fund and applied to the payment of tho
State debt.
I cannot forbear congratulating the people
of the Commonwealth on the consummation
cf this sale. Public sentiment, as expressed
through the ballot box, and in other forms
equally significant, demanded it public poli
cy and the interests of the Commonwealth re
MUired it. It is done. The many approve
Jew complain those most who have gained
: , , . . .. ... ,.,t-tc .isc.
"i" . '"'J. " :r, 7L
card of the public interests, as exhibited id
the extravagant, useless and fraudulent expen
itures of the public money for selfish or par
tizan purposes.
The sale of the main line has directed pub
lic attention to the importance and necessity
of disposing of the remaining divisions of the
public improvements. The reasons and policy
that required and justified the sale of the one,
apply w ith equal force to the sale of the other.
The propriety of separating the State from
the care and control of the public works, is
not only evident to all who have given tho
snl.ject a candid and impartial consideration,
but the necessity is clearly established, by the
historv of their construction and management.
They "hare failed to be a source of revenue to
the Commonwealth, and if retained by the
State, will require an expenditure in their re
pair and management, largely exceeding any
revenue, that under the most lavorablc circum
stances, can bo deuved from them. In any
phase cf the question, this separation is desi
rable ; but in connection with the payment of
the public debt, and the reduction of State
taxation, it becomes an object of more than
ordinary interest. A sale, at the earliest
practicable period, cf the w hole of our public
works, for a fair consideration, upon terms
just and liberal to the purchasers, and at the
same time amply protective of the rights and
interests of the people, should be authorized
by the Legislature. Such sale, with the ap
plication of the proceeds to the payment of
the public debt, would secure its still more
rapid extinguishment. The subject is reccm
niendcd to your unbiased consideration.
The law incorporating the Penn'a railroad
company, imposed a fax of three mills per ton,
per miic.ou all tonnage passing over that road,
as an equivalent for any decrease in the reve
nues of the Commonwealth, that might arise
from the anticipated competitiou of the road
with the business of the main line of the pub
lic improvements. This tax is not imposed
upon the company, but upon the tonnage, and
is paid by the ow ners of the lreight transport
ed over the read; the company acting as a
gents in its collection and payment to IheStatc.
It is virtually a tax t;pon the trade and com
merce of the Commonwealth, and upon tho
commerce of other States, whose productions
seek an eastern market over this road ; aud
thus by increasing the rate of charges and tha
cestof transportatien the produce of the west
is forced upon the competing railroads of oth
er States and to other markets than our own.
The necessity that required this tax, as re
gards Ih Commonwealth aud her improve
ments, has ceased. Its continuance can only
be justifi-ad i.s a tcveuue measure. It should
ha the policy of the State fo invite the trans
mission of the products of olherStates through
her territory to her own markets, and, there
fore, the propriety of relieving the trade and
business of the Commonwealth and country
from this t ix upon it, is respectfully submit
ted for ycer consideration.
li consequence of the suspension of specie
payments by the banks of this, and the other
States of the Union, and the financial embar
rassment and general prostration of business,
1 deemed it my duty to call, as authorized by
the Constitution, an extra session ot the Le
gislature, to meet at llarrisburg on the sixth
day of October last. Although the relict
provided by this extraordinary session of tho
General Assembly, was not as ample as the
exigency of Cue case required, yet it was pro
ductive of many beneficial results, and served
to a'.lay the intense excitement and alarm that
peivr.ded the entire community. By the act
providing for the resumtion of specie payments
by the banks, all banking institutions accept
ing the provisions of that law, were required
to pay into the Treasurj- one-fourth of one per
cent, on their capital btock. The amount re
alized by the payment of this bonus has not
only defrayed all the expenses of that session,
but will leave a balance in the Treasury of not
less than thirty-five thousand dollars a result
certainly not injurious to the finances of the
Commonwealth.
My views expressed in former communica
tions on the snl ject of banks and banking cap
ital, in their relations to the curreucy and tho
general interests of trade, remain unchanged.
However diverse our opinions may be on this
subject, it must be admitted by all, that tho
banking and credit systems are so intimately-
interwoven with the business and commerce of
the country, that their sudden sepcration, or
a rash innovation, would produce consequen
ces of fearful magnitude. That the present
system of banking is perfect, is not pretend
ed ; that it could be essentially modified and
improved, will not be denied. The present
derangement of the currency may and will
suggest the necessity of reform, not only in
the system itseii, but -u the management of
our backing institutions. .
Unlimited credits by corporations or indi
viduals have and w ill ever be an unmitisrated
evil. They contribute to bank expansions.
rash speculations, extravagant living and ex
cessive over-trading ; always sure to be fol
lowed by ruinous revulsions. : What the rem
edy should be, I dq not deem it ray province,
under existing tVtcmnstanc.es, to suggest ; but
to be perma&ut aad effectual, it must accord
with, tha tatural and accessary laws of trade.
The currency of a country forms no excep
tion to these laws, and should be left to their
operation acJ control, so, far as may be censis-
therefore.
V" tv,tPin of free banking, based
oa un-
A