i!
BY S. J. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1870.
VOL. 16.--NO. 19.
Annual Message of
JOHN "W. O- E A. 33, "V3
Governor of Pennsylvania,
Gentlemen : From the days of William
Peon, the great and pious founder of our
Commonwealth, it has been- the universal
cuitom of my predecessors, when making
their annual coniuinnications to the General
Awniblv. to acknowledge their rratitude to.
and dependence upun the Great Lawgiver of
tbe universe, in iiuiisuon 01 ineir nooie
example, let us earnestly invoke ll's bless
ing and guidance in our efforts to perform
the great work of legislation now before us,
in such manner as to meet His approbation,
a well as that of our common constituents.
In transmitting to you the seventy-ninth
annual message since the organization ot the
present State government, ic affords me the
highest gratification to congratulate yoo and
our fellow-citizens generally on their enjoy
ing, to an unusual degree, the blessings of
health and unstinted prosperity: and that
our principles and institutions the pride
and bostof every true hearted patriot al
though tried again in the crucible of a heat
ed political contest, the heavings of popular
passion, and the collision of parties, from
which we have just emerged, remaiu unim
paired and vital in every part
Under such auspicious circumstances you
have assembled.for the purpose of discharg
ing the important duties, and assuming the
fpecial responsibilities which devolve upon
you. It is extremely difficult, even with the
greatest caution in your deliberations, to en
act laws that will fully meet the expectations
and approbation of all the people ; but much
of thi-j difficulty may be overcome by avoid
ing legislation for personal and special inter
ests, end not being unmindful of the magni
tude of the interests of the State, and of its
rapidly advancing population, wealth and
influence to destinies beyond the reach of
human vi-ion. A nobler heritage was nev
er given to man than that fehich we possess;
geographically and politically of the great
est nuporta-.ee ; an area of more than lorty
four thousand square miles ; diversified with
mountains, valleys, plains, rivers; moun
tains covered with majestic forests of valua
ble timber of almost every variety; plains
dotted with comfortable homestead-", and
presenting well cultivated farms and luxuri
enf fields marked by the advancement of ag
riculture the parent, supporter and stimu
lator "of every species of industry, exchange
and eom'ufrce : hills and valleys with teem
ing'niines of all the varieties of co.il,ir.-n,il
rait and other mineral; with iarmers,man
ufacturers, mechanic, wool growers, coal
and iron miners, oil producers, and mer
chants full of activity and confidence ; with
thousands of miles of railroad'1, and canals
to transfer the vast products to market, and
acommodate the travel of four millions of
ha-py aud prosperous people. Nor should
e be forgetful of education in all its branch
, of the public charities, prisons, reform
atories, the collection of properly imposed
taxes, the speedy redaction of the State
debt, the preservation of order, and the more
certain protection of life, business and prop
erty. All these interests and perhnps cth
er of equal imnortpnee. d.-mand legislation
of the most enlightened, liberal and com
prehensive character.
In conformity to the requirements of th
Constitution, I proceed to invite your atten
tion to such measures as are deemed neees
Kary for your consideration, and to assure
yu of my willingness to share with you the
anxieties and responsibilities of ail legislation
calculated to advance the prosperity of the
people and the best interests of tbe Com
nunwealth.
FINANCES."
From the reports of the A'ttlitnr General
tuJ State Treasiirer.the following statement
Li- been carefully prepared, and exhibits
the receipts and disbursement for the fiscal
year ending November 30, 186'. : Receipt ;
Halanee in Treasury, Nov 30. i860. $1,012,
'.'-5 37 ; ordinary receipts dnrinir the fiscal
yrar ending Nov. 30, 186!), $5,211,711 2S ;
t'.tal in Treasury during year ending Nov.
3J, HtW, $6,254,636 65. Disbursements ;
iTninarv expenses paid during the year
n ling Nov. 30, 1869. $2 485,114 27: Loans
Si., redeemed at Treasury, tlty,644 09 ;
l"ns redivmed by the Commissioners of the
Silking Fund. $:''.2,72 09 ; interest paid
at Treasury, $170 66- 74 ; interest paid hj
Commissioners of Sinking Fund, $1,725.
W y7 : Total,4 853.774 16: balance in
Treasury, Nov. 30. 1 869, $ 1 .400,86-2 4'J.
It will be observed from the ulove, that
rirt of the loans and part of the interest
m i aid at the Treasury, and part of both
U the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund.
This produces a complication of accounts,
"Inch, in order to avoid, and to simplify the
finaiicial statement, I recommend that au
ilioity be given by law to charge the Com-.
His-ioners with the whole amount of the
8:a:e debt, and also with all the money ap-p.:-ible
to the payment thereof, and that
t'lpy alone be credited with ail pavments on
t"ih principal and interest of the State debt
1'uUic debt The following is a statement
'nowing the nature of the indebtedness of
'lie Commonwealth, on November 30, lSe9 :
Wed lebt,viz : 6 per cen'.toans, $25,311,
3v oo; 5 per cent, loaas, $7,277,384 3s;
jl recent. loans,$l 12,000 OO ; Total, $32.
"".504 Unfunded debt, viz: Relief
"Jtes in circulation, $96.37 00; interest
iificateioutstandiiis.$13.0S6 52; interest
-t fii-ates unclaimed! $4,448 3S; domestic
"stars' certificates. $44 67 ; Total, $113,
'( 57; amount of public debt, Nov. 30,
9. $32,814,540 95. The public debt on
). 1808. $33,2S6,947 13; deduct
"Mount redeemed at the Treasury during
'wyear ending Nov. 30, 1869, vi : 5 per
loans.$472.387 18; relief notes can
colled $19 (),,; Total, $472,406 18; public
toot Nov. 30, 1869, as above, $32,814,540,-
ncJiction ot the public deb'. At theJ
" -oiiuenccment of the present administ-a-.!"a
in January. 1S67, the total outstanding
.;i.btedcea "f the State was thirty-seven
pillion, seven hundred and four thousand,
"ur nuriJied and nine dollars and eeveuty
venivn,s Since then, and up to Nov.
. C9- '"esum of four million, eight hun
ht"l eighty nine thousand, eight hun
weu and sixty-eight dollars and eighty-two
nts have beei paid, and at five per cent.,
ifum of -44.493 44, in interest, is an
nually .aVed to the Commonwealth. Con-
inontly, the total amount of indebtedness
Mtbe Commonwealth on Nov. 30, 1869, was
, rty-two million, eight hundred and four
,n thousand, five hundred and forty dol
'"'and nipety-five cents.
tie reduction during the year ending Nov.
' ' "?0'-1 amounU to four hundred and sev-y-two
thousand, four hundred and six
u'iars and eighteen cents.
ASSETS IX 8I.KIa FTSD.
e t?8 remainitig in the Sinking Fund
rVi Tlo"i Bonds of the Peno'a
uroad Company, six million, three hun-
i thousand dollars. Agre-ably toan a-t
.dated March 30, 1869, the Sinking Fund
Commissioners delivered all the obligations
of the Sunbnry and Erie Railroad Company,
being third mortgage bonds, to the Alleghe
ny Valley Railroad Company, ard received
therefor thirty five second mortgage bonds
of one hundred thousand dollars each, ma
king in all three million, five hundred thou
sand dollars.executed by the said Allegheny
Valley Railroad Company, and guaranteed
by the 1'enn.sylvania R. R. Co., the Nor
thern Central R. R. Co., and the Phil 'a and
Erie R. R. Co., payable to the Common
wealth as follows, vix: The principal one of
said bonds ($100,000) shall be payable each
aud every year, beginniug January 1, 1875,
and so continuing annually thereafter until
the said sum of three million, five hundred
thousand dollars shall be paid, with iute.est
thereon from January 1, 1872.
The citizens of Pennsylvania have always
borne taxation not only patiently but cheer
fully, and they are still as willing as ever to
contribute to the payment of all the obliga
tions resting upon the State: but they ex
pect their public servants who are intrusted
with the management of their affairs, to ct
upon the most prudent and economical basis.
In a word, they demand reform in tbe man
agement of the financial affairs of the State,
and. as far as possible, tbe retrenchment of
all unnecessary expenditures.
On the 30th of January last, replying to
a resolution of the Senate, I said : 1 have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt, thro'
the clerk of your honorable body, a copy of
the following resolution, passed on the 12th
inst., to wit :
"JtnuilceJ, That the Governor be request
ed to submit some plan to the Senate to se
cure the State from los. by the accumulation
of large amounts of surplus funds in the
Treasury.
"In reply, I beg leavo to direct your at
tention to ray message ot January 8. 1868, in
which I say, 'the balance now in the Treasu
ry might be rendered productive by being
invested in the bonds of the State, bearing
six per cent, interest;' and to tho message
of January 6, 1S69, where I remark, 'when
ever there may be surplus funds in the
Treasury, they can with safety and benefit
to the State, be employed in the purchase of
its outstanding bonds, and in saving the in
terest on them which would accumulate pri
or to their maturity.' "
Since making these suggestions, and ma
turely deliberating upon the subject, I have
seen no reason to change my mind in rela
tion thereto ; and now submit the same plan,
more specifically set forth, based upon tbe
following statement of the loans of the Com
monwealth, viz : Amount of over due loans,
including bank charter loans and relief notes
unredeemed, $369,482 25 ; amount payable
in 1870, interest 5 percent. $1,483,815 65;
payable iu 1871, interest 6 per cent. $2,820,
750 00; payable in 1872,iuterest 6 er cent.
$,907.150 OJ; payable in 1872, interest 5
lercent. $92,850 00, 'payable 1877, inter
est 6 per cent. $7,909,600 00; payable in
1877. interest 5 per cent. $3,934,400 00;
payable in 1878, interest 5 per cent, $321,
000 00; payable in 1879, interest 6 per coot.
$100,000 00; payable in 1882, interest 6
per cent. $9,273,050 00; payable in 1882,
iuterest5 percent. $1,185,950 00; payable
iu 1882, ioteiest4j percent. $112,000 00;
amount of loans,$32,810,047 90.
To the liquidation of these loans the snr
plus funds iu the Treasury could, with great
propriety, be applied. This indebtedness is
held in bonds bearing interest ; and it will
readily be perceived that this inie.cst will be
saved to the State up, n whatever amount of
these bonds may be redeemed. aud the State
be saved from all risks of loss by the accu
mulation of large amounts of surplus funds
in the Treai.ury.
A few illustrations will s-how the benefi
cial workings of this plan. At the termi
nation ot the fiscal year ending Nov. 30,
186S, tuere was an unexpended balance in
the Xrasury of $1,012,915 37. If the sug
gestions heretofore made had been carried
out, by the investment of one million of dol
lars. at that time, in the five per cent,
bonds that will tall due July 1, 1870, and
which 1 am credibly informed could then
hve been purchased at something less than
their pur value, the interest on the same,
from Nov. 30, 1868, to July 1, I860, would
be seventy-nine thou land, one hundred and
sixty seven dollars and sixty seven cents,
which has been lost to the State. Again, on
the 30; h of November, 1869, there was in
the Treasury an unexpended balance of
$1,400,862 4v. If one million, tour hun
dred thousand dollars of this sum had been
invested in some kind of bonds, at par, on
the 1st day of December. 1869, the interest
for tbe seven remaining months, ending Ju
ly 1, 1870, would be $40,833 34, but which,
iu consequence of non-conformity to this
plan, will be lost to the Commonwealth. I
cannot reiterate too strongly my recommend
ations on this subject, and would, therefore,
recommend that a law be passed making it
the duty of the commissionres of the Sink
ing F'und to invest all surplus funds as rap
idly as they acme in the-Treasury, ir the
bonds of the Com mon wealth next falling
due.
I leg, once more, to remind the Legisla
ture that the salary ot the State Treasurer
slioulJ at least be equal to that of the Gov
ernor. It is only seventeen hundred dol
lais, a sum entirely insuSvcient locommand
the services of any rcspousible man, who is
required to furnish a bond with good and
approved sureties, for eighty thousand dol
lars, soil tJ run the risk of handling at least
five or six millions of dollars per annum,
without the unlawful use ol State funds, and
subsidies from sources that dare not be re
vealed to the public, because they are posi
tively prohibited by law, under penalties of
no ordinary magnitude. Yet there are but
few men who have held this office, however
poor they may have been wheu they took
charge of it, who have not become rich.
There' is certatuly some advantage to be
gained by the holding ot the position of
State Treasurer, unknown to the public.but
which readily accounts for the disgraceful
scramble, and for the political and moral de
bauchery which the people of this State
sectu to be doomed annually to witness, in
the election of that officer ; and because of
the disgrace it brings upon their represent
atives, the people hang their heads in indig
nation aud shame. Then, in the name of
the good people of Pennsylvania, I call up.
on the members of the Legislature, without
distinction of party to rise above the murky
ness of the polluted atmosphere of the
post, to tbe true dignity of manhood and
exalted patriotism, aud purify the election
of Treasurer as well as that of every other
officer within this Commonwealth, and pun
ish every one who tampers with the purity
of elections, whatever may be his position
or pretentions. And then every one who
shall have performed his whole duty to sus
tain the true interests of the State and to
maintain the kigh dignity of her character,
may return unpolluted and with a clear con
science to his constitituents, who will re
ceive him with open arms, and the joyful
exclamation of "well done good and faithful
servant.
Liberal appropriations are made annually
to our penitentiaries, lunatic asylums, and
other charitable and benebciat institutions,
without requiring from those who receive
and disburse tbe money any satisfactory ev
idence that it has been faithfully applied to
the obieets intended. This is wrong, and
should be corrected without delay. All of
ficers of the State who receive public mon
eys, not excepting the Governor.are requir
ed by kw tend Osage to settle their accounts,
on proper vouchers, in the Auditor Gener
al's office. This is right ; and there is no
good reason why the same accountability
should not be enforced against all those who
receivs annually snch large sums of money
from the bounty of the Commonwealth. I,
therefore, recommend that a law be passed
requiring all persons who receive and dis
burse State appropriation's, to take proper
vouchers for all moneys so expended by
them, and to make quarterly settlements of
the same in tbe Auditor General's office.
This is important, not only to protect ttw
interests of the btate. but also the good
name of those who receive and disburse
the money, and of tbe members of the Leg
islature through whose influence the appro
priations are represented to be procured.
For many years the general appropriation
bills have been signed on the day ot the
adjournment of the Legislature, and I h re
repeat my suggestion ot last year on this
subject. "Tbe Governor has been forced
either to sign the bt-lls without proper in
vestigation, notwithstanding any objections
he may have ; suspend the means to defray
the operations of the government for the
ensuing year ; or call an extra session of
the Legislature. It is therefore earnestly
desired that the appropriation bill be taken
np, discussed and passed at a sufficiently
early period during the session to enable the
Governor to give it that thorough examina
tion its improtance demands."
COMMON SCHOOLS.
The peculiar interest which h always
uianileoled by the people in the subject of
education, is an inducement to lay before
you, more at length than would other
wise be done, the principal statistics of the
system drawn from the report ot the Sa
perintendent of Common Schools.
I here are within the State 1.9.1 school
districts; 13,936 schools; 2,445 graded
schools; 1 2, 900 school directors; 76 super
intendeuts ; 17,142 teachers, aud 815,753
pupils. The average cost ot tuition tor
each pupil is ninety-seven cents per month.
The whole jn.st ot tuition lor the year is
$3,500,704 26. Total .cost including ex
penditures of all kinds during the year, $6,
986,148 92. Estiaiated value of school
piopcrty $14,045,632.
Notwithstanding the fact that our school
law was made general in the year I84S, it is
remarkable that there still remain live dis
tricts within the State which have not yet
conformed thereto. Hopes are entertained
that four of these will sooo accept the con
ditious of the law, and the remaining one,
known as the Harmony District, under the
control of the "Econoinites," having a good
school o: its own, will probably not- adopt
the public school system so lung as the pres
ent organization of that society exists. It
is, therefore, a subject worthy ot hearty
congratulation that our school system has
been so universally adopted by the volunta
ry consent and general acquiescence of the
people.
As important auxiliaries to our common
schools, the Normal schoob are entitled to
assume the front rank. Their flourishing
condition ma be understood from the fol
lowing statistics: The whole number of'
students that have attended the four Nor
mal schools is 10,237, of whom 321 have
graduated. During the past year there were
in these institutions 76 teachers, and 4,178
students. - Since tuy last annual communi
cation, a State Normal school b is been folly
establisbcd and lecognizcd at Blotnnsburg,
Columbia county. Its buildings are of the
most finished ami snbststttial character,
and it commences its career under the most
auspicious circumstances. Another is now
in a state of preparation at California,
Washington eounty, and will probably be
completed during the current year.
Your attention has been invited to the
fact that there are about seventy-five thous
and children in the State that do not attend
schools of any description, and who are per
mitted to grow up in ignorance and without
employment, and, in manv instances, from
lack ot industrial and educational training
become not only tho votaries of vice but a
prolific source Irom which the inmates of
our prisons and penetentiaries are supplied.
The number of children throughout the
-State rttending private schools, is estimated
at eighty-nve thousand.
The aggregate of the educational condi
tion of the children of the Commonwealth,
may be thus stated : Attending the public
sehools,815,7S3: Attending private schools,
85.000 : Not attending schools of any kind,
75.0t'0: Whole number of children, 975, 753.
The subject of non attedance by so large
a portion ot Children, is especially recom
mended to your consideration. It is true
economy on the part of the State, if possi
ble, to save these children from ingnorance,
vagrancy aud crime. Doubtless in your as
sembled wisdom you will be able to devise
some effectual mode by which this evil can
be remedied.
Many of the recommendations contain
ed in the report of the Superintendent are
of the utmost importance, and eminently
deserving of serious attention and Legisla
tive action. The facts above set forth il
lustrate most forcibly the practical value of
our most admirable common school system,
and bear testimony that cannot be misun
derstood, to the wisdom and liberality by
which it has been conceived and so success
fully carried into effect.
soldiers' orphans' scnooi.s.
Attention is invited to the report of the
Superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphans'
Schools, for the year ending May 31, 1869,
in which is exhibited their condition, cir
cumstances and expenditures.
The whole number of children admitted
into these schools, from their origin to the
31st day ot May, 1869, is four thousand,
five hundred and nine; of whom three
hundred and seven have been discharged on
order, five hundred and eighteen on age, and
and fifty-three have died ; making a total of
eight hundred and seventy-eight, which
left three thousand, six hundred and thirty
one in the schools at the end of the year.
Up to May 31,1869, the number of dis
charges from the schools have exceeded
tormer estimates by one hundred and seventy-five.
The number of applications on file
and not acted oo, was seven hundred and
one; some from every county in the State
except six.
The sanitary condition of tbe children in
these schools has been remarkably good.
And from the foregoing statement it ap
pears that during the four years in which
' they have been iu operation, the whole num
ber of deaths has been les than one-third
of one percent, per arrauui.
The entire cost for maintenance, educa
tion, clothing and general expenses, for the
year ending May 31, 1869, differs but little
from the original estimate of the Superin
tendent, and amounts to $500,971 62, to
pay which there wasan unexpended balance
of $6,004 74. Appropriated April 11, 1863,
$400,000 00; Appropriated March 13,1869.
$50,0 JO 00; Tot J .$456 004 74. Balance un
provided for. $l ,Vt 6 Hi.
For which sum ihere should be a special
appropriation without delay, to meet the
pressing wants of the teachers of the differ
ent institutions, who have already been
compelled to await its payment for more
than seven months.
In his last report the Superintendent esti
mated the expenses for the the current year
terminating May31, 1870,at $494,700. Tho
sum appropriated for that year, by act
of April 16, ISO, was $450,000. As the
Superintend ut reports the expenses will
not materially vary from his estimate, there
will therefore be a deficit of $44,700 for the
current year, to be provided for during the
present sesstou.
For the maintenance of these schools
during the year ending May 31,1871, it is
estimated that $534,500 will be required.
Which sum I recommend to be apropriated
with thj positive understanding that tbe
expenditures shall n t exceed that amount.
We are admonished by the tapid expan
sion of the system, and by the constantly
increasing desire to ob'atii admission into
these schools.that some definite limit should
be doterminal upon bylaw. It is theie
f r- rccoMrmeiided that the indigent cliil
dren of Pennsylvania soldiers, who served
in Pennsylvania regiments, and who died
prior to Jaoi?ary I, 1866, rroai wounds re
ceived or disease contracted in the service
ot the LTnitud States during the late war,
shall be hereafter admitted, and- irone oth
ers. With unsparing patience, well considered
mea-ures, aud eariioMt.e s of purpose, many
defects have been eradicated.and the schools
have been advance:! to a Qore perfect and
efficient system than that by which they
were at first characterized, an i elevated to
a condition not second to any similar insti
tutions in the country. This humane and
phiianthropie service is being performed by
intelligent officers and faithful teachers,
which will be more fully shown by tht?ir re
ports, communicated for life information of
the Legislature.
The establishment of these institutions,
where the destitute orphao ch-ildren ot the
oldiers who lost their lives in the suppres
sion of the late retellion, aro fed. clothed
and educated at the public expense, contin
ues to command the cordial support, ap
proval and encouragement of our citizens,
and tends to elevate, everywhere, the repu
tation of Pennsylvania, (the first State to
establish such school.-, ) to the highest de
gree, for her justice, patriotism and philan
thropy. Most liPily have the people endorsed
the pasaction of their' representatives
in relation to these schools.aiid there exists
not a single doubt but that they will most
cordially approve all necessary appropria
tions for the continuance of the support,
education and KiiarJiatrs-hip of ihese adopt
ed children of the Commonwealth. To the
honor. State pride and humanity of the
Legislature is confided the guarding and
maintaining these sacred interests, and in
tbe faithful discharge of this noble duty,
yon shall receive from me a special and
zealous concurrence.
AGIUCriITKAL COLLEGE.
The establishment of this college was un
doubtedly intended as a progressive move
ment, and under tbe impression that it
would contribute much to the easy acquisi
tion of a combined knowledge of agricul
ture, science and literature, and to promote
the practical education of the industrial
classes in the several pursuits of life. It
has been fostered by the most liberal legis
lation.and is endowed with the sum of $381,
500, invested in I'nited St.ves and Penn
sylvania bonds, yieldinsr an aggregate inter
est this year of $25,551 90, which has been
paid to the trustecs of ttio institution.
Thus far the most satisfactory re?3lts from
the workings of the college have not been
realized. Rut it is now under the direction
of a president and six liarned professors.
It receives tor pupils only males over the age
ot fifteen years,- qualifiied for admission by
a good common school education. There
are in it at present forty-five stuvkmts, with
a fair prospect of a considerable increase in
number. Tuition, board and the ordinary
necessaries of life, arc there furnished at a
less rate than is generally demanded for
boarding alone, thus affording an extraor
dinary opportunity to the youth of the
country to acquire an accomplished educa
tion with comparatively small expenditures.
Under these circumstances the college de
serves the indulgent sympathy and support
of the people.
Three experimental farms are connected
with the college, purchased at an aggregate
cost of $43,886 50. One is located at the
college, oue in Indiana county, and one in
Chester county. Operations have been
commenced npon them under the prescribed
programme of a series of experiments with
promise of complete success ; the results of
which are to be reported annually to the
Legislature by the Professor of Agriculture.
It is confidently expected that the record of
these experimental results will prove highly
interesting and greaily beneficial to the com
munity. MILITABT.
The military department is one of great
importance to the honorable history of the
Commonwealth, and to that of her citizens
individcta-Hy. It is the custodian of all the
military records of the State.etnbracing that
of every officer and private soldier, aud tjie
history of every military transaction per
formed by the State for the suppression of
the rebellion. If has also in its custody all
the regimental, State and National flags
borne by our soldiers, and many trophies of
war won by their valor on the field. All of
which should be systematically aud carefully
preserved and perpetuated.
During the last three years all tbe staff
officers rendered necesssary by the war. and
the different offices established for the con
venience of the soldiers, have been discon
tinued, and the duties perlormed by them,
as well as the official books and papers, have
beeii transferred to the Adjutant General's
department. He is, therefore, the only
military officer remaining, to whom recourso
is constantly had for statistics and informa
tion, not only by the soldiers and their rela
tives and attorneys, but by other States and
the War Department at Washington. All
these circumstances, conuected with the
present flourishingcopditionof the volunteer
militia in the State, induce me to request
the continuance of legislative favor for the
Adjutant General's department, and that it
may be generously supplied with such ap
propriations as have been requested by the
Adjutant General for that office.
An unusual martial activity prevailf
throughout the State, but more particularly
in Philadelphia. The encouragement which
has been afforded to the uniformed militia
has been responded to with alacrity, aud is
exhibited as follows: In 1866, there were
eight volunteer companies; in 1867, thirty
eight; in 1868, sixty seven, and in 1869,one
hundred and eighty-four. No less than one
hundred and seven companies were organi
zed during the ear ending Nov. 30, 1869.
of which titty six are in Philadelphia, and
fifty-one in other parts of the State. This
is a sma'l but efficient and well equipped
force, which, in case of riot, rebel. ion, or
otber public danger, would be ready at once
to imperil itself for the enforcemeut ol the
laws, and the protection of the lives and
property of the cirizetis. It is, therefore,
desirable that the LegL-Sature should give
the volunteers such practical aid as would,
in some degree, compensate them for the
time and money expended to maintain their
organizations, in which the people are as
much interested as the volunteers them
selves. The report of the Adjut int General will
be'found a very interesting document, con
taining much valuable information and many
important t-ugg est ions. A cartful perusal
of its contents, and such i-ction thereon as
seems to be demanded by their importance,
is recommended. Gen. D, B. M'Crcary has
been elected to membership in one of your
honorable bodies, and with his last report
be closed his career as Adjutant General. In
losing his valuable services from a position
he lias so ably tilled for more than two years,
the hope is indulged that the department
will gain an intelligent and devoted friend,
and an able and efficient advocate in the
halls of legislation.
MIL1TAUY ntSTOHY.
The report ot the State Historian is de
serving of your careful attention. In it you
will find a detailed account ot the operations
ot bis department from its commencement
to the present time. The work entrusted
to his care is one of no ordinary character
aud responsibility. requiring talents of a hiuh
order, patient industry, careful research, and
unbiased judgment. The labor to be per
lormed is immense, and can only be proper
ly appreciated by those fully acquainted with
its magnitude. It embraces a faithful ac
count of all the organizations of Pennsylva
nia troopn during tbe war of the rebellion ;
the collection and adjustment, in a compre
hensive form, of each military organization,
and au unprejudiced description of all mili
tary transactions of importance, so far as tbe
volunteers of this State are concerned, in
the camp and in the field, throughout the
most terriffie conflict of arms that has ever
. occurred in the history r.f the world. The
propriety of such a work must be apparent
to every intelligent citizen of the Common
wealth. Certainly it is due to the citizen
soldiers, who offered their lives in the de
fence of their country, and their names
should, at least,- receive a place in the ar
chives of the State, toward whose honor
and glory their gallant deeds have so largely
; contributed.
The work of the Historian, when comple
ted, will embrace four large octavo volume.,
in which the name of every Pennsylvania
volunteer will have its appropriate place.
Two ot thee volumes are already comple
ted, in a manner highly creditable to the
Commonwealth. The third is rapidly pro
gressing, and with a eenerous appropriation
on the part of your honorable body the en
tire history will be executed, if not before;
soon after the close of tfre preseBt year.
Most other States are publishing histories
similar to this, aud it is due to the impor
tance of the subj-'ct, and to the credit of tho
State, that Pennsylvania should not be be
hind in this patriotic undertaking.
UOME FOR DISABLFD SOLDIERS.
There is, probably, no State in the Amer
ican Union that has contributed so liberally
toward the support of charitable and benev
olent institutions than that ot Pennsylvania.
The appropriations annually made for the
benefit ot tbe soldiers' orphans' schools,
asylums for the deaf and dumb, blind and
insane, and many similar worthy establish
ments in which the poor, helpless and other
wise friendless are cared and provided for,
reflect great credit upon the Legislatures
who have donated the requisite means for
their support. Rut there is one other insti
tution needed, and the claims for which are
more strongly urged by every principle of
humanity and patriotism, than any other
now in existence, which has not yet received
the' attention its vast importance imperative
ly demands. This is a borne tor the soluiers
who have "borne the battle" in defence of
the honor, integrity and perpetuity of the
American Union. No men living have as
powerful claims upon the generosity and
nurturing care of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, as those who.upon the battle
field, fought to protect it against threatened
devastation and destruction, and who in this
patriotic service, endangered their lives, sac
nficed their health, lost their limbs, and be
came enfeebled and disabled lor lite. And
yet we daily see these men, (aud who does
not blush to see the in?) to whom we owe
the preset vation otour government, the
homes we enjoyyand almost everything we
possess, hobbling about our streets upon
crutches, with missing limbs, and otherwise
so enfeebled as to be entirely unfitted for
any remunerative employment, begging their
bread from door to door, or sitting upon the
corners of the streets turning an organ for
the few pennies the charitable passer-by may
feel disposed to lestow. Every one of these
helpless men, whose patriotic devotion to
his country has brought him to this deplor
able cDndition, is a burning reproach to tbe
State for whose welfare he has met the most
serious and lamentable of all misfortunes.
Ail ot them appeal, by their wounds and
destitution, to the people of tho Common
wealth for that care which, in snch contin
gencies, was promised to the soldier of the
Union, his widow, and his orphan children.
It is time that all such promises should be
redeemed. The wounded and helpless sol
diers have a claim upon the State which
should not. and cannot be ignored. And I
do earnestly recommend in their name, and
in their behalf, that measures be taken by
your honorable body. i establish for them
a home where they shrll be amply provided
with the necessary comforts of life, and no
longer be compelled to be pensioners upon
the scanty charity of the world. This is a
debt the State absolutely owes, and no time
should be lost in its honorable liquidation.
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
In two former communications your at
tion was called to the importance of estab
lishing in the State an insurance department
similar to those existing in other States.
Rut the Legislature has thus far failed to
give the subject that consideration which
interests of such magnitude to the people
seem to demand. Insurance departments in
some of the States are regarded of para-
m runt importance, as they effectually cuard
the interests of the insuied, and llnough
their healthy influence, frauds and spurious
companies, so common in Pennsylvania, are
rendered almost impossible. The greatest
benefits would certainly accrue both- to the
company and policy holders, as has already
been demonstrated in the States ot New
York and Massachusetts, where the subject
of. insurance has received the most careful
study and attention, and been reduced to a
science which commands the approbation
and confidence of all who seek its protection.
'I he necessity tor such a department, with
'.'ull powers to organize and examine all i i
surance'" companies, is sanctioned -by the
wisdom of experience. And as I have here
tofore remarked, the result of the protection
thus aft'i rded, is, that whilst foreign com
panies do an immense business in this State,
so little confidence is had in these of Penn
sylvania that their business is almost entire
ly confined within the State limits; and here
foreign companies maintain an ascendency.
To this same defect is attributabl : the op
erations of the number of worthless compa
nies that have suddenly sprung into exist
ence without any solid ba.-is.md as ssffcicnty
expired to the injnry of those' Whose conn
deuce they obtained, and to the dishonor of
tbe Commonwealth.
In view ot these facts, I earnestly repea;
the recommendation made to the Legislature
at its last session, that an iti.--UTaii clepart
ment be established, 'nnd a superintendon
appointed by law, who shall have supervision
and control over ail insurance companies al
lowed to transact business within the State.
The community is deeply interested in this
matter, and demands legislative protection.
Our laws in relation to lite insurance com
panies are defective and need revision and
correction. Without the protection referred
to these laws bear unequally upon our own
and foreign companies. The latter, being
protected by legislative enactment, are en
abled to transact an immense amount of
business within the limits of this Common
wealth, whilst our companies, having no
such protection, cau do but little in other
States. The consequence is, that foreign
companies can readily afford to pay a license
of five hundred dollars to conduct their" ex
tensive operations iu Pennsylvania, whilst
our companies would be sorely oppressed by
the imposition of the same license tax in
States w hete their operations are exceeding
ly limited. And yet theseother States have
retaliated upon our license law, by adopting
its provisions and demanding from our com
panies the same amount ot license in each
State that we demand of their companies in
ours. This is not only oppressive to our
own neglected companies, but it tails to fur
tiish a just and equitable revenue from the
variout companies for the amount of busi
ness transacted. TIhj tax should be made
to bear equally upou all comi auies whether
home or foreign, and be adjusted propor
tionately to the extent of their several oper
ations. This arrangement would be juxt to
all, oppressive to none. The abolishment,
therefore, of the licerrse law, and the sub
stitution in its place of a reasonable and
equitable tax, would moot the approbation
ot all companies, in favor ot equal and ex
act justice, whether bt'longing to this or any
other State. At the same time it would in
sure a larger income to the Treasury. For
instance, there are thirty seven life insurance
companies from other States doing busiuess
in Pennsylvania, who each pay a license of
five hundred dollars, making the sum of
eighteen thousand and five hundred dollars.
Not one of these companies would object to
paying an equal tax ot say one halt of oue
per cent, upon the auiount of their business.
This, in the aggregate of the thirty-seven
companies, is more than five millions of dol
lars, on which a tax of one-half ot one per
cent, would be twenty-five thousand dollars,
increasing the revenue of the State from
this source more than six thousand dollars,
and at the same time equalizing the tax in
L accordance with the business done an I profits
received. An elhcicnt law, cstabiismug an
Insurance Department, such as is recom
mended, would meet this and all matters
connected with the subject of insurance, in
all its branches.
THE AVONDAI.E DISASTER.
TherecoDt disaster iu the Avondale Coal
Mine, in Luzerne county, is still fresh in the
mitid- of the people. U eiused a thrill of
horror to spread throughout thecountry.and
even in Europe it has been productive of tho
most pair.ful emotions and deepest sorrow
for the sufferers. Women aud children who
had been accustomed to regard the oocupa
tion ol the miner as one of ordinary charac
ter, now look upon it as fraught with danger,
and part with relatives and friends, when
about to pursue their perilous occupation,
with fearful forbodings. And even the sturdy
miner himself, trembles a his dangorous
calling. and demands greater protection than
has hitherto been afforded.
The history oft his terrible calamity seems
to be as follows : Karly on the morning of
the 6th of "September last, one hundred and
eight men entered the Avondalo Mine to
prosecute tl eir avocation. Noue of them
anticipated danger as thty descended the
fatal shaft; not one supposed that be was
entering a tomb in which hi was doomed to
be buried alive. But the destroying angel
bovered over them, and the shaft.eonstructed
principally of combustible materials, having
become ignited from some causo, yet unde
termined, was soon a sheet of flame, and
huge burning timbers came tumbling from
above, choking up with tire and smoke the
only avenue ot escape. Sensible of their
peril, tbe unfortunate men sought a place! of
safety, but it was not found. They cried lor
succor, but no earthly arm could give them
help; hopeless they huddled together, and
clasped in each others arms, met death in
one ot Its most irigunui anei agouiziug lorms.
Whilst this fearful scene was transpiring
below, the immense wooden structure above
'the shaft took fire, and burning with fright
ful rapidity, was soon redueed to a crumbling
mass. Thousands of men, women and chil
drcn soon -surrounded the place, and being
unable to afford the slightest relief to their
suffering friends below, filled the air with
lamentations, appalling even to the stoutest
hearts. Never befoie was a scene more
heart-rending witnessed within the limits of
this Commonwealth, and it is trusted that
through your prompt and efficient legislative
action, another such will never be permitted
to occur.
The mines in many cases are constructed
and managed in the most selfish and parsi
monious manner, the cwners exacting the
largest amount of profit from them, like
that of AVondale, are nothing but under
ground man traps, without any other out
lets than wooden chimnies, and these con
stantly liable to become blazing volcanoes,
through which escape is impossible. The
lives otTo useful a class of men as our
miners should not, and must not be permit
ted to be thus sacrificed upon the altar of
human cupidity. Vet a reprehensible ne
glect to give them- that protection by law
which theic valuable, atrviees, at best labon-
' ous and dangerous, unquestionably deserves.
renders our tinning system worse than that
of any other country, whilst our mining in
terests are unenualled by those of any other
pa:t of the world.
llie most ap ailing accidents on record
have been traced to uusafe methods of ven
tilaiioti. aad more especially to Che employ
ment of furnaces at or near the bottom of
the shafts. W here the turnace is used, and
the smoke carried through a wooden chim
ney, it seems almost certain that, sooner or
later, by the inevitable accumulation c f soot
or carbon upon the frame-work, k must ig
nite trom the ascending sparks or frcui the
beat of the furnace, and a conflagration en
sue. To guard against this it should be
made obligatory, if the ventilating turnace
b- still allowed, to build the chiuiuies, .he
sides of the shaft, and the buildings sur
rounding it at the top with incombustible
materials. Hut even this nreranrinn is not
I j- 3 i' . i... Z :.. i: i e. ...
veuic NiCuaiu, lor i lie lire is uauiu, ai any
moment, to cou.iuumci.le niih the "&e
d imp" or other gaseous vapors, that, des
pite of all known means of prevention, will
gem-rate in the best regulated mines. The
propriety of dispensing entirely, therefore,
with the furnace, has received the serious
consideration of scientific miners aud en
gineers, and the tan in many instances, has
been suLstued, which being worked by ma
chinery at the s-irtae-e", produces a more con
stant current of air, dispenses it more freely
through the gangways and chambers, and,
in all respects, accomplishes the object de
sired with better effect; and when the
slinl 9 and sarface buildings are fire-proof,
without the possibility of danger. This
system of ventilation, with advantages so
palpably obvious, will, no doubt, be univer
sally adopted. But the very nature of
luiniMg. operations subjects them to othef
dangers. The wlls and roofing of the
mines;, from the effects of blasting and oth
er causes, tiequcntly give way and fill up
the gangways so as to reudor them impassa
ble;, the more recent calamity at Stock
ten, which resulted iu the death of ten per
sons. Hence it is absolutely necessary, and
should be imperatively demanded, that eve
ry mine should have more th;jn a siogla
avenue of ingress aud egress. Whatever'
sys5u of ventilation may be approved, or
safety lamp adopted,-the means of escape
iVom the mines, when danger occurs, will
deper-d very materially upon the provision
lor the exit of the miner.
The be -t method f constructing, ventila-'
ting and working the mines, should te utr
be-itatinaly adopted ; and the system a
iiopted rigidly enforced. The i iqi.i.-y, there
fore, into the causes which" produced this
s'x'cking catastrophe tbe various theories
that have been pr ituulgated coucermug it,
the remedies for the prevention of similar
occurrences hereafter, the construction and
ventilation of collieries, and the modes cf
conducting their operations so that the op
eratives may prosecute their labor wit Wat,
imperiling I heir lives, ure proper buLjoewJ
for legislative con-si Jeratiou,
Such laws as you may enact can most
Cirtaiii'y be enforced by competentf-inspet t
ors iu the mining districts, who should bj
chosen with strict regard to- character,
integrity, capability and scientific knowl
e Ige ; and whose du ies should be to specif
ically defined that they cannot be Diinuuder-
btood.
I. therefore, most resrectfully and earn
estly recommend that this whole subjec
receive tho attention its importance de
mands, and that a law be passed, so general
in its character ind so stringent in its pro
visions, that the people of this Common
wealth will never again be appalled by a
calamity, within her limits, so sad as that
of Avondale.
BOARD OT PCBLC CHARITIES.
In aeeordance with an act of tho last
legislature, a Board of Public Charities
has been appointed, consisting of the fol
lowing gentlemen, viz : (Jen. Thomas L.
Kane, for five years; F. B. Penniman.Esq.,
four years; Hon. G. Dawson Coleman,
three years; GoergeL. Harrison, Esq., two
years ; and one year. TLo
I oard organize 1 l.y rli in g Jen. Kane,
Piesidctit, and Hoc. Wilmer Worthington,
Secretary and General Agent. From the
establishment of this board, and especially
from the high characteran l qualifications of
the gentlemen who have consented to as
sume its important trusts and rcsponsibili--t.es,
we have reason to hope for the most
beneficial resu'is. This change in the man
agement of our charitable affairs is deem
ed of the highest importance by many per
sons intimately conversant with the work
ings and management of these institutions.
A thorough review of ail the establish
ments receiving appropriations lrom the
State by this board, will give an assurance
to the Legislature and the people, which
they have never heretofore possessed, that
their beuefactions will be worthily bestowed
aud properly employed.
Some time during the present .session, the
boaid will present to the Legislature, a re
port of tho condition and requirements of
the various institutions that have been re
cipients from tbe State, with such recom
mendations as may be deemed necessary;
and, therefore, no information concerning
them, except the animal reportsot the su
periittetKieiits will at present be laid before
you.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Many prominent citizens have represented
that there exists great necessity for a more
complete geological and mincrlogical survey
ot the State than now exists.
There is no doubt but the developments
of mineral wealth that would result from
such a survey would be immense, and the
beneficial returns to the State would many
times more thau reimburse the Treasury for
the expenses attending it, including the
printing of reports, maps, &c., sufficient for
the information of the people.
Should the Legislature concur in these'
views.and pass a law authorizing such a sur
vey, it will meet with Executive approval.
INSPECTION OF OAS.
At the last session a law was passed crea
ting the office of iuspector of gas metres for
the county of Allegheny ; and in accordance
therewith, I have appointed an inspector
possessing the necessary scientific qualifica
tions. Tbe necessity for such a law has been long
and extensively felt, and it has been ear
nestly demanded by a large number of high
ly respectable citizens, whose opinions are
eminently worthy of consideration. I there
fore respectful'? recommend that the just
and equitable provisions of the Allegheny
county law be extended to other counties ii
which gas is h'fe'y consumed.
REVISION OF TIIE civil conn
The law on his subject does BOt contenl
plate a full report from the Commissioners
toievivethe genera', statutes of the State,
before the session of J87T. It may, how-tve.-,
be important to state that this work
has S3 far progressed as to make it almo.-r
certiiu that il will be couipkted au-i j.c-ady
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