CI GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE. {n‘ 7'o The Senate and House afßeprcsenta lives of (he Conmw’hweallh of Pennsyl- vama : FELLOW CITIZENS —-ln pertortning the resptinsiblc duties enjtiined hv the Con . .stilutttiit. on the Executive ol ilie State. a sincere pleasure in ten in addressing at the cnntmeriCetnent ol each session ol the Legislature the immediate representatives I ot. the people, 'ln present to them in lnithlul candor the true [Hulllon til public Ifleirs, '0 suggest remedies lttr known Wattle. toriid iii the enactment Ul WC“ meaitures as the interests. happiness anti wellare ol the citizens seem to demand. is not the 'eas grattlylng that it is made the dutv ol' the Executive department.— Tlie events til the past year, will not lail to teach us the lesson of an over-ruling 7 Providence anti the gratitude we owe u~t a people for the blessings which. through the wisdom til Alrriiglily Goodness. have been vouchaaletl tn the nation. “’neti the representatives ol the people last met. there existed between our country arid a neighboring republicl ii fierce and bitter war. The H’aull, indeed, was not doubt lul, lor. with a people justly celebrated among nations. lur their uttconquerable bravery,‘ unsurpassed skill in military til ftiirii. and their great superiority over their enemies in physical and mental qualities, victory was the necessary consequence; yet the undecided contest was a source til prolound regret. lor the sacrifice ol human lile. and the expenditure ol public & pri vale treasure necessary to the re estab lishment nl our own peaceful relations. it is lherelnre gratifying to know that the war has lully terminated, and that Peace. the rational desire oi all, sheds at gsid its blessings on every portion ol our country. To the Almighty Father, who in mercy turned the hearts ol the rulers ol both countries. to lay a~ide the sword. to cultivate the spirit ol brotherly kind certs, and to establish peacelul relations between the citizens ol their respective governments. we owe the deepest & rnost lervent gratitude. The abundance at our harvests. the blessings of continued arid general health. and the preservation «l our civil and religious rights, as guaranteed to us by the tree institutions at our coun try; while destitution. misery. anti can vulsed governments, and procattous civil and religious institutions harass the peo ple ol other lands. should produce in our hearts I lervent acknowledgement ol Hts luperintendtng kindness and mercy. In the late contest with Mexico. this Commonwealth was called upon by the 'National Government. to furnish ii por tion of the troops deemed rrceraary by the constituted authorities 'n Carry the war to a successful issue. Willi this re quisition it is scarcely necessary in state, our Commonwealth complied with the a lscrity which has heretulnre distinguimeti her among her sister repnhlteu. A large volunteer force was instantly placed at the dllpolal oi the National Government, atttl it is a matter oljuat pride to their ieilow. Citizen-i. that in the discharge ol every t'u~ (31y. t‘iese volunteers maintained the honor of the State, and the renntrn of their enun try. The citizen soldier who fortunately escaped death. has returned to his lamily and lriendit. alter havrng earned .lnr him iielt and the State. a reputatinn tor uri daunted bravery, lor enduring and patient stifle-ring. and manly and heroic virtue. that the Nine annulist will delight to re cord. It il due to these pattiotic (‘lllZt’rL-I, that this commonwealth do some art H 5 an ac knowledgement of ”If” pa~t tt|u~ttiuus services. To the memurv of the dead who tell in the servtce ol their c-nuntr)‘. il in the duty of the State to elect a ~uuluble monument. that their bravety nml virtue may be euduringly remembetetl. and their heroic sacrifice emulated In other times. should the hunt-r and salety ul lite cmtu try require it lrutn lutute generatiom. Stnce the adjournment of the lust Le- Eiblalure. the Chief Executive (”liter of the Commonwealth, the hue Gov. Shunk. has sunk beneath the tnalndy uhich tnen afflicted him. He died on the 20th (lay at July. 1848. It Will not be deemed improper in me to my a lew wordit tn reletenw to the character at the illustrious tlecemed. The late Governnr Shunk having spent a huge portion ul his Itle iii the public ser vice, and huvtng mingle-l much with his fellow-citizen, was well and extenstvele known tltroughottt' the Stun-. 81” u with pleauure the circumstance is recalled to my mind. that at our petind of hit |tle,l had the honor to enjoy his intittmteper annaL trig-ndnhip. ‘ During uur intimacy. it alwayyt gave t’nim great pleasure to aid and and assiut the young ttnd inexperienced, to relieve the distressed, and to impart In his tellnw men by words at ktndneas, and deeds of chattty. an~ lnrge .1 uhure of happiness us in! Condition wuuld nllutv. Hi: illlt‘rcnutee with others was courte ous‘ his lrieudahip~ were lasting. hlu ut tachments ntrong and enduring, while his I’EIEIHMEDKS tor injuries Were trnmitory and made no permanent imprerwinn in his bosom. It may with truth be said oi Gov. Shook. that he Was a alnrere friend. a good neighbor. a pure Christian and an honest man. Such was the reputation he suntained among his lelt'hw-cnizens when my intimacy With him. gave ["53 knowl edge 01 h” character. and although a dif ference of political vieuu separated us lor‘ "may years below his death. his friends. are later peuintl of his life, have borne ten timony that the some purity of intention and desire o! well-doing remained with him until the hour olhls dissolution. The [lt-gislnlure is reuiicctfuijy Invited to take such action in relutinn fto, the de- Cease of the first Chit-l Magistrate of the Commonwealth. whose death occurred du~ ring the periud lor which he was elected, tut tnav betleetned mmt appropriate the): press it» svmpathy for the ~orrotv and be reavunent oi the survtving relatives. and to testify its respect for the mt'fltoly oi the vrrtues of the rlistingut-hed tlt'itti. Prior to the deceit-eel Gov. Shook: on the 9th day of July. 1848. art appears by the records in the State Department. he resigned the office of Governor ol this Commonwealth. and thereupon. under the provisions of the 14th section of the 2nd article of the Constitutionl which (iFCifl'ed' that "in crtieuf the (It'tllh ur resignation of the Governor. or of his removal from office. the Speaker of the senate shall ex erciu- the tlirlCe of Governor, until annth er Governor shall be duly qualified,” the duties of the Executive Department ol the Government devolved on me. ()flicial information of the act of resigns tion. did not reach me until the 17th day ofJu|y.lB4B. The section of the constir ititioe herein referred iii also de:|ared in reference to the same subject. that ‘*in such case another Governor shallbe chosen at the next annual electron of Representatives, unless such death. resignation or removal shall occur urihin three calendar months immediately preceding such next annual e leciton ; in which case a Governor shall be chosen at the second succeeding annual ev leciton of Representatives." By the 34th sebtion ofihe act of the General Assembly relating to the elections of this Common wealth. It is provrded. that "in case any vacancy shall occur in the oflice of Gover nor of this Commonwealth. more than 3 calendar months next precedin the second Tuesday in October in any year, it shall ibe the duty of the Speaker of the Senate, or \vhoewr shall be in the exercise of the office of Governor. to issue his writs tothe Sheriffs of the several COUnIIPL requiring them to give the usual notice. that an elec tion to supply such vacancy will take place on the second 'l‘uesdayhptn October next thereafter. and when suiih vacancy occurs within three calendar months before the secOnd Tuesday in October. it shall be the duty of the Speaker of the Senate. or who ever shall be to the exerctse of the office of Governor to issue his writs as aforesaid. requirtng notice of such electign’ on’uhe 2d l‘uesday in October next. after the issuing of said writ, & In each case said writ shall issue at least three calendar months before the electtohJ’ ‘ An examination of the constitutional pro visions; the act of Assembly; and the cir cumstances of the resignation, Will satisfy you, that whi‘e the resignation occutred more than three calendar months before the next annual election of Representatives it took place at a time rendering a compli ance Wllh the act of assembly an’ElallOfl to the issuing of writs. utterly Impossible. In this new of the case. it might have been deemed a compliance thh duty, to have refrained from all interference in the mat ter. inasmuch as events had put it otit of my power to comply thlh the terms of the act of Assembly. directory of the mode iii which the Constitutional provwion on the subject should be carried into effect. Alter a lull and careful examination of the whole matter. I believed itmy duty to issue the ants requiring notice to be giv en, that an election would be duly hold on the second 'I uesday of October then next ensutttg. for the electron of a Chief Mseis Irate ol this Commonwealth. It appeared to me, that in all cases of doubt. theie was on safer resting place than submission to the decision ol the people, and tltat in the construction of the laws. relating to the pOIIII in question, ifunv doubt arose. the' better course in a republican goverunient.‘ was to refer to the ctttzen Vulcr the right ofl selecting at the earliest petioil his presi ding officer. rather than assume a position which would continue official station in myself. beyond .the earliest legal opporttt nity to surrenderit into his hands. The Organic law requited the election. and the Legislative enactment should be so con alrued as not In contravene the Commu lional provmun. Had the terms 0! the Conuilulidn and law; clearly given a (M {elem pnsmon lo the question, however unplealanl the task 0/ performing Ihe du- Ines of the office wuhoul the cndursemenl of the people's- Will, they would have been fanhlully execuled. In assuming n 9 Speaker of the Senale. the exercise of Execuuve funcliona, allho' nm deeming il nbsolulely necessary, pru dence suggested me prnpriexy of being sworn ‘0 a lailhful dlsrtmrge or line Execw "VB dunes. and an (mlh In thal efTecl “as adminlslored m me bv Ihe honmnble Spea. her of Ihu House of Repreaenmlives. A law [equiting in all cases ordeal!) or maignaliml nf the Govelnor. or of hlfl re moval from office: ”.81 write to the Sher ima of the different counties shall be issued as soon as the Speakeruflho Senate ehall be oflimally informed of such death. reaia nation or removal. and requirihg. funher, lhal the officer assuming Execulive lunc~ nuns should be sworn in me same manner and lo the same effect as in case ofaChief Magmuale Inducted into office, determin~ ing also the person aulhorized Io adminis let the oath, would O‘B‘viale future double. and the same is respec|fully recommend ed to me Leglsflalure. . It In worthy the attention of the Legis lntute and the people. that no provision ex ilts in the Constitution in the contingency utltho death. or inability to serve, ofthe‘ Speaker of thu Senate after the death. res! lenaliou. or removal of me Governor. for the selection of a presiding magi.elralu-—- Such an event happening. the uovarnmem would beJell without a conslilulinnal olfi- oer lo canyUon'ita operations. An omis uonlgofizq’pch Importance should be suppli ed a! macarheu'pmaible period. Resolutions expressive of rho profound mrrnw of the Legislature. lor me death 0! mm illustrious palrior and page; John Q. Adams} and of condolence fur the family in Ilmr bereavement, were passed byvthal body at Ma lust séuiun ; and "re Executive 'wasl directed to transmit the same to the widow and familt' pf the deceaued. The letter of the late Executive in the perlorm ttnce of that duty. and the reply ol the van erablc survivor. are heremth transmitted. The attention of the Legtslature having been called to the neglected and suffering condition of the insane poor of the State. an act was passed on the 14th day opriil. 1845. providing for the establishment of an asylum for this unfortunate class of otir in digent population, to be located Wllhln ten miles of the seat of government. The com ’ missioners named irt this act. with lunds contributed for the purpose by humans 8L benevolent citizens of Harrisburg. aided by a liberal appropriation made from the treasury of Dauphin county. purchased a farm of about 130 acres, eligibly situated within a mileland a halfof the State Capi tol. ln January. 1846, these commission ers made a report to the Legislature. in which they stated. that on a critical exam ination of tlte aforesaid act. such defects were apparent. that they did not conceive themselves justified in proceeding with the blllltllnfl. or in making any expenditure of the stim appropriated by the State, towards its erection, until some modification should be made in the law under which they were acting. To remedy these defects a sup pleriientary act was passed. on the llth day of April. 1848. upon which the corn missioners forthwith adopted measures for the commencement of the work A plan for the proposetl building was adopted, and a contract was made wtth an experienced architect and builder for its construction.— A considerable portion of the materials. as I am informed. has been provided; the ex cavation ol the cellars and foundation has been made; the laying ofthe stone mason ry commenced. antl the hydraulic appara- me for raising water lo the building nearly completed. ()I' lho appmpnafion made on account 0! thin bunldmg, a warrant has been drawn for 85.000. of which only $2,726 05 has been expended. It Is hoped and beliewd lhm the work Will be fnrwaxdcd with as much despulch as is consislent wnh prudence and n proper legard for lhe com Inus and restorallon of the aflliclpd insane pofnl‘." . i . , _ By tho! {and the 4m oany. 184 i. en- [lt'll "An act to pruvule rcvonuu lo meel lhe demands on me Irrnnmy. and [or oth er purpmn." certain banks Wt’rl' aulhnrl Zed luqubscribc [M a loan lo lhe Cum mnnweallh. It) on amnunl equal In a fixed per cenlazc lheseln alnled, on their respec tlve cnpvlais; lhc amount 0! puch luau to be placed 111 the lrra~ury lurlhe use [here- uL m nun-9 ul nu] bank: 0| lhe llrlllllllirh uliun nl one. lun, anal five tloilur‘. By the terms n! [he hm. Ihe loan was ruleema ble at any time wim-n five years. and was peremplmy [hat H xhould be paid. and lhc nutes uulhurizcd tu be issued. withdrawn frdin Cltculaltnn an or below the 4lh day uf‘May, 1846. The act nlm prumted. that the banks issumg uid nutea nhuuld receiw lhcm at par Value In payment at «lrbt- (luc these instilutmnn. It mu lhu't that by making their «edrmption depen- (lam un the lnllh of lhe Slulr. all well as nu lhut nl Ihe banks by Wthh lhry were issuml, a Rule and reliable curn-ncy would be cnnsliluletl. uhlle the Stale would be largely benefilletl by a loan at one. Inilrml ol five nml six per cenl., as on previouvt ()CCH‘IOHQ. 'l'lie notca thug issued, were sub