i Ryu I-'orn, . y tltS e Pl.iXd Cbromiclc (Bttnt, LEWISBIRG, WEUNESDAT, J1MARY I, 1Y.4. GOVElliNOirS MESSAGE. To the Ilonorallt the Senutort and Mtmher$ of the lloute of Riyratntatii et of the General Astembly : Gentlfmei : A bemficent Providence has fav oreii the ieiile or our Commonwealth with a high deere e of health and general prosperty during the year just closed, and with many other causes of pleasure and gratitude. Humbly acknowledg ing these blessings, let us ask Hi divine direction in the discharge of our uHicial obligations. It affords me unaffected delignt to welcome tne the tunes may wtm to deinanri ; an J to the dis chargt of tlti obligation I niw proceed. The reoeipis at the treasury fur ihe year 1853, exclusive of loans, a tit including the actual bal ance in the treasury on the firs I day of December, 1802, (lii $671,037 72,) amouuled to the turn of $5,932,474 47. The payments for the tame period, exclusive of loans and other extraordinary expenditure, make a total sum of $4,134,048 47, being $1,S1S,36 10 k... .v. ' (m .i... tMisA'.n: was paid to the Commissiineis of tbe Sinking ay of Uecemiier last, to the sum of six hundred and twenty-five thousand dol lars, to be used in tbe payment of the February interest. The receipts for the year 1S51 including the bal ance in the treasury on tbe Utof December, 1833, may, iu my opinion, be safely estimated at $5, 84G, 417 34. The exf-enditures for tbs same period, including $250,000 tor the payment of old debts on the pud v Inch 1 have already referred. But r.o additional (Wads should be made upon tt, without provision being made for their payment. At the tune of niy induction into office, the lia bilities of the State were as follows, to wit: Six per cent, bonds, $ 2,314,033 .'il Five do do 36,704 4'.H 03 tour and one-half per cent, bonds. Relief notes, per act of May 4, 1S41, Certificates for unpaid interest on the public debt for the years 1843, '44, and 45, with their accumula ted interest. Domestic creditors' certificates, 198,200 00 650 163 Oli '-vw 304,680 20 62,932 74 Total liabi.itiea, Dec. 1st 1 853. $10,151,475 48 A,A loan of April 2, 1852, for the completion of the .urlti Branch canal, uti 1,UU4,457 48 From which take the following payments : To the nuking fund $6S1,469 83 Interest on outstand ing certificate,. 50,752 91 732,222 47 Total amount of funded debt $40,272,235 01 To meet this apparent increase of $1 17,777 53 of the public debt, it should be observed that, by the cancellation of six per cent, bonds, we have a saving of $20,000 annually to the treasury, which is equivalent to a virtual payment of $400, 000 of the five per cent, bonds. The amount thus saved will be a permanent resource, without making any exaction from the people, and consti tute a substantial addition to the Sinking Fund. It will be a virtual reduction of the public debt to tbe amount of $285,222 47. Tbe floating liabilities and current demands upon the Treasury, at the period indicated, were as follows : Damages, balance, on contracts and for labor and materials on public works, prior to January, 1852, and since paid, as appear, on the books of the Auditor General $381,752 15 Temporary loan, 3U8.000 00 Unpaid appropriations 621.338 00 Total, $1,481,090 15 The floating liabilities of the Com monwealth, and current demands upon the treasury at this time, are: Railroad and canal debts $327,734 00 Temporary loans .'iUO.OOU 00 Unpaid appropriation, 305,695 00 1,223,429 00 Difference between the two period $177,661 IS It will thus appear that the floating liabilities are $177,661 15 less than when I assumed the du ties of my present station. It should be remarked that floating debt, as above stated, is no new thing. It has always existed to a greater or less degree, but has not usually been exhibited in this form. A balance of unpaid appropriations is unavoidable and has not been ao small for many years, as at present. Daring the years 1852 and 1S53, the following appropriations and payments have been made to ward, the construction of new improvement For relaying the north ttaek of the Columbia railroad, $355,500 00 For tbe construction of a new road to avoid the inclined plane, on the Allegheny mountains, 656,034 90 For the completion of Ihe Western reservoir, 62,380 41 For the North Branch canal, 1,000,000 00 For the new lock, on the Delaware Division, 80,000 00 Total, 2,1I3,'J15 31 From tbe foregoing figures it i, apparent that the operation, of the Treasury have exceeded our most sanguine expectations, yielding over a mil lion of dollars annually above the ordin iry charge, and expense,; and showing, that if Do new im provements had been in progress, two millions, at least, of the public debt could have been paid du ring the last two year. In additioo to these ex traordinary expenditure,, there wai paid oat of representatives u tue peoP. r-- , oVi,,,,,,! consequent relief of the people from,"' profits on the old line, tor the year just closed, eminent, and rely for a time, upon the aid of their f,,r ste purposes, is too manifest for ar-l furnishes the roost reliable indication of what we combined wisdom in the administration of pub he j ,., Entertaining these views, I could not mav anticipate from the new. The constantly in affairs ; a. it .s also '''' ' . perform the . t to sehemes of improve- creasing demand for coal, outrunning, as it has constitutional injunction that requires the execu- , m ' e ' ' for lbe ,,, of upp,y :uslifiei, ve. to " conm,un,c.,e. to the Ge.ier.1 Assemb.y ' ,;. the blic works fof ,h if it J, .,t force upon u. the conclusion, that so information of the State of the Commonwealth, ! . , prespntH. flattering picture as lioats can be constructed, and proper bu- and make such su-gestton. and recommendation, Z?A. t1 connection, formed, this canal w.il be p.- i iuc wtrimstr Jt me iir nc aiiiu tuc tr, lECiicirff l , . ' t debts and I he construct", n uf new work on tl . ! "f $1 ,177,742 75, leaving a net balla.ice of $704,- l discussion in the press of the N....h Bra. ch can and Po"ta -e r.lo.d beinr i but as this sum does not include any por- S'.ie, for some month, past, and without md.c.t. r, of Wm'LlIeiiVl 1 ,ion ot be "" f lomottve engine, and the !"B Pl.cy for the General Assembly, or ...tend part ot toe temporary nmt auinarizru t.y tne act t . .ri,i. n,. jlt, of rh. n. '"6 ishtest diseourtesy to the people's agents of the 19th of April last j which, together with ''"" or larm bridges, the deduction or the pro- ' , ' . , the balance in the treasury applicable to the ... ' V" pmnorfon of these will leave the sum of hom the management or ib, b anch of pub- , .... i i i . S7nt 7'.o 1J ih ernol net l,.i,r Ilc aflaua has been confided, I have deemed it my demption of outstanding loans, reduce, the actual , 38 ,hf C'U,J, ' ' l,nc' . , d,lttf to di.c,. some of the considerations incident 1.- I I :.! ftnfl .hi. ..i.aia nf 1 ,m sue ..mi vui asro iuiici oa a iiiuuti n iu mi- Hi I . lie works and S'lUO 00O for the Stnkinp r uin! unuer me iaw as mev now sir, uivihk no vornioi i ' . . lie worm and juu,uuu lor tne o.nung und, i , , the nublia works it 7t richt and Tue 6nt "T'V, therefore, is, why should should not, and if proper care be taken, will not or direction over ilie pubtio woras. it i, rigtit and works be sold ? The answer usuallv .iven exceed the sum of $4,000,000. leaving a balance P'wr ' should leave the explanation of ihe " ld ' in the treasury on the 1s. of December, 1854, tf "Mail, of their working, and management to .ho . " """f" I'f"" 1 SU.0.417 34. Deducting from this $625,000, !-.., who have ch.rg. of the . the am . unt that should remain , the treasury to ''J . . enti,, ,.nBoine that as I have no duubtthi-y will, receive your earnest meet the interest due February 1,1855 and w. ' ea7a 'ei' realization, however, must Lave a surp us revenue of over $7t.0.0UO. W1,h ,ne necessary cnange in tne system ot man- mjiJ , ,,,. It is thu, made apparent to n,y mind, .hat the . public improvement, can be made to ' lB.wB?ai.id.lrt treasury will have the ability durme the comine; yield erV handsome revenue to the treasury ; huld the it tere.t t n the public debt liquidated treasury win Dave tne sotiity, uiiring me coining ' ' , . . . , i"y the sale be less than the net profits arising from year, lo redeem the entire amount of the tempo- "" lue ""' ll"- " ,,' w k .. lt . . , f . ' ,collomv to ,,ii ' ,., ,, out.taudin and mv ihe debt, to "ie mouiitam division been confined to a reason,- ",e "". j,n it would be laise economy to sell, rary loai.s now ouistaiiutug, anu pay tue ueois to , , , In that ese the measure wnnhl not he nnw of r- 40 ..112 tf, MIS W.UfHfMf Utl.:. tS.a- T : 1 the treasury during aaid period, in pursuance of be cause of gratification to the people of the en laws p.ssd prior to 1852: for the State Lunatic lire State. Asylum, $70,700 ; for the publication of the Petin- Most auspicious and promising is it for the en sylvania Archives and Colonial R cords, $23,lri:t- lerprismg inhabitanta of northern Pennsylvania, 52; for thr improvement of the Siate. penitentia-. to whose untiring efforts its final comomation rie. $Tj,000; for the publieation of Professor Ko- may be mainly attributed. Through this channel, gera' Geological Survey, $1C.KI0; fur the prepa in the early part of next season, and during each ration of registration books, $12,100 1'.'; to the. succeeding year, Pennsylvania will send greeting Hugar Valley and Deer Creek turnpike company, 1 to the people of a neighboring state the evidence $3 000. of fraternal alfectinq the assurance of political t will readily lie perceived, therefore, that fidelity, aud the blessings of an extended corn should the appropriations hereafter be confined merer, in the shape of inland vessels, freighted strictly to the ordinary expenses of government, with her richest minerals,fnnd receive in return, as we shall have an annual surplus reenue exceed-ihe certainly will be offered, from the vast vallie, ing one million of dollars, applicable to the pay- of the Empire State, now teeming with wealth in tnent of the funded debt. That such should be, the pnhcy of the Stale, after the completion of the; works now in progress, will not be doubted. The rnportance of aucb economy, in view of the great end 10 be attained the liquidation of the public amount ff busings was larger by twenty percent, ihun that of any former year, and the gr.rt. receipts mounted to the sum of $l,UoJ.4Jo ., bring an exce?s of but $35,083 91 over the receipts of Itvj-. This increase of tonnage without a corre spond ing increase of receipts is the consequence of a very (Treat reduction in the rate of tolls, a measure, in the opinion of the Canal Commission ers, demanded by public policy; ftnd it may be said that whatever has been lust to the treasury was given to extend commerce and trade. The I 7 V t A - '",,w,,u",8"'Yir" tinn nf tin fiiiimhial railrntiita attthiKil tin niniir ing state of affairs, as they also do on the North Branch canal and Delaware division ; on the other divisions of the canal they are tolerable; but on 'the Allegheny Portage railroad, the condition of affairs is entirely unsatisfactory. The system of j management heretofore practiced on that compli- O9t0.l ai.H rliltifitt iaviiilr tsvrsiiiil aam In ilcmnnil n speedy and radical change. But the Kiecui.ve, ble sum, the nett revenue, would h-ive reached near one million of dollars. Relieved from these absorbing demands by the construction of the new road, or in some other way, and we shall realize. : by the year 1853, a net profit equal to the interest Ion tweuty-lwo millions or more of tbe public debt. I The work on the railroad lo avoid the inclined ; planes on the Allegheny mountains, has not pro- ' . . .... greased aa rapidly as had beeu anticipated, it is Ihe opinion of the euainaer. however, as will ao- near on reference to his report, that should ,h. necessat lit The thi ball - - --- .. .... r - i i i i .l . .t - - non -ati u. irai cu inev wouui iiul leira 10 sen. ry mean, be promptly liiniished, the eotirer"- penecuy '"" ,iB le could be completed during the coming year.: " ""V"' , ..i,,. :, ith,t ,. grading for a double track i, "''eei,d, therefore, that the inqu.nes. examination, . exception of tour n,l. and the Co, of lb j mu$t nece,fi( lance, together with the expense, of laying down ' ' e tlliusanVdoilarV.' 'iff'afiiftoif 'fo Wie value of I U is apparent then that the effect of competition the old track. Tbe engineer also estimates the " value of these wotks ; tbe inroads which annual saving, as comiared with the expenditures'"1" be made by science and mechanic arts on on the old road, on a business equal to that uf 1852, jevery description of transportation facilities now at two hundred aud ninety thousand dollars. He '" existence; the casualties that may result also dates that the road between plane No. 4 and 10 them from the element,; in short, the mutabili ilollidaysburg.with a donb e track, will cost aboutj')' of human structures, and the propriety of sim eight hundred thousand dollars less than tbe Peun- iP'-'ving the duties of government, must constitute ylvania road, for a like distance. mainly tbe considerations in favor of a seperation Viewed in everyaspect.it must be confessed I br'wu the State and her improvements, that tbis branch of the public affairs presents anl n ' other hand will be presented tha hopes embarrassing alternative. The prompt completion l"f f"""e l""" Increased profit, to the of the new work will involve the expenditure ofi"e,'urv' Pdicated upon the rapid growth of the more capital than tbe State can command withoutC".mmonw',lth 5 her ''" v"eJ resources, resorting to farther temporary loans; whilst, onland tl,e ""'' of these upon transportation the other hand, the maintenance of the old road, W'""0 '"'; the increasing demand for fa t a cost of four hnnrfr.a .n.t flliy ih...,..na a..l . c 1 1 "" lo transport ber products to market the lars per annum, is quite out of the question. lt'"dless consumption and unlimited supply or ner exhaust.nc demands on the treasury must be S'"t ataple, of coal and iron, and their proximity apeed.lv obviated, and for my part I can see nol' ."' P'n" t the enlarged product, mode of doing thi, except bv the completion of of agriculture, and the rich variety of msnufao ihe new road. " lures, so rapidly multiplying in every part of the At the time I assumed the duties of my present station, I found this work in progress of construc tion; the western slope up to the summit having been placed under contract during the summer of 1851, On referring to the reports of the Canal Cninmi'sinners and the engineer, the only data which 1 could properly consult as to the policy of the measure, I found that the total cost of a single tiark was estimated at $1,015,000. The mate rials on the old road were valued at $218,650, which together with the appropriations previously made, reduced the atnount to be provided to com plete the woik to the meagre sum of $501,350. With these calculation, belore me, and even add ing a larger amount for errors in the estimates, and the enormous expenditures of the old road in full view, I could not doubt the expediency and econo my of tbe measure. But the unusual advance in the price of labor, material and subsistence, added I to the obvious errors in the estimates, has changed Ihe entire aspect of this entesprise. The sum of $650,000 ba, been appropriated since that time, and over six hundred thousand dollar, is still re quired with the value of the old road, to bring tbe line into use. The estimated cost of completing the North Branch canal, at the period already named, was $772,000. Una million of dollars has since been paid, and a sum exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand dollars i, still required to pay for its com pletion. With such unexpected demands upon the treasury within the short space of two yeats it would not be unreasonable expect an increase ly seen, will demand much careful examination, of the liabilities of the State; but it is alike grati- And in reference to this point, the wisest and best fying and astonishing to know, that this has not! may honestly differ, for the issue belongs mainly oocurred. Ito the future, and can only be anticipated from The Junction canal, extending from the New ''he results of the past. To these we may look York line to Elmira, will be ready for business'for a moment. during tbe present month, and the State work from For the years 1852 and 1853, the net receipts Pittston to the dam at Athens, a distance of nine-may be put down as equal lo the annual interest ty three miles, has been completed. The only un-'tipnn about fifteen millions of the public debt ; finished part of the work lies between Athens and and I am inclined lo believe that, wi.hout any in the State line, a space of about two and a half crease of trade except on the North Branch, the mile,, the construction of which was delayed by an net profits for the ensuing year maybe estimated effort of the Canal Commissioners and the Gover- at a sum equal in the interest on seventeen or nor, under an act of Assembly, to negotiate with eighteen millions of the debt, and that the com the Junction canal company for its completion. pleiinn of the road over the mountains, or relief in But even this section, 1 am assured, will be ready some other way, from the leeching demands of in ample lime for the spring trade. that portion of our improvements, will see the net These works will complete the last link in a revenues from this source swelled lo a sum equal continuous water communication between the to the interest upon twenty two millions of the Chesapeake bay and the northern lakes. The struggle for thta achievement has been long and arduous, covering nearly a quarter of a century, ut the triumph ia still a brilliant one, and must . . , B..U 1 II f.l. DAVID STENNINGER. 1 .- . . . . f- . lOpcctiilny suucitcil. I.ewiiburg, Aug. I, all its varieties, assurancea of full reciprocity, in affection, fidelity aud commerce. And in due time the coffers of tlieS ate, I am confident, will receive ao ample reward from these new relations of trade. Indeed, on this point, the large increase tf on i zed up ! its full capacity. A glance at the vast, neb and populous section of country wbicn it will be called upon to supply with coal, for every imaginable purpose, domestic, mechanical and manufacturing, and at the facilities a (forded by the New York canals and tbe Inkes, to reach all the points of that country, must satisfy ihe most skeptical as to the value and importance of tbis improvement. I congratulate you, therefore, upon the consu me lion of an enterprize which will be thus profit able to the State, and beneficial to the people. 1 he expediency of selling the public works has to and growing out of the proposition. Indeed, it would be unreasonable tp assume either the alhrmative or negat ve of the question, and expect to be properly understood, without some explanation as to the price of the works and the conditions of sale. It is fair to presume that those who advocate the affirmative have distinct ideas as to what the s,'oulJ be, and that unless such consider. hef to the people, but must necessarily increase their yrarly burthens. And what reason is there tn suppoM that more ran be obtained ? Capitalists, it will be conceded, when weighiug the question of a purchase, will make the net profits on their investments the basis ,""""" V'" wl" "; '" i "!" - ; .-.i - iifn.nn.li ll- r....i.& rfrillllf Mflfi.lfl... i-"'i" .. , . - every e' nJ circumstance bearing on their real value: amd, Il is scarcely necessary to re- State, constituting at once a home business, with ages of duration before it, which no human agency can disturb, and which must contribute at all times a fair income to tbe government. In addi tion to these considerations against a salh, may be urged tbe necessity which would be presented fur tbe creation of a numlier of corporations, having a community of interests and feeling with similar bodies already in existacce, and the danger of thus inducing the organization of a controlmg power in the Commonwealth. But it is said that companies can manage these works with greater skill and economy than tbe State, and for that reason tbey would be most val uable in Ihe hands of the former, and thai the State can realize the difference by a sale. It must be confessed, that it is to these considerations, and these only, that we can look for arguments tosus- tain the idea that the State can gain anything, pe cuniarily, by tbe sale of ber improvements. That the dinerences in the expenses of the management of the works would amount to a fair per centaga in the estimation of some capitalists, I have no loubt ; but It is not so great a, estimated by some. Indeed, certain portions of our own works are now well managed, and it is hoped and believed that such changes can be made in the system of direc tion now practiced by the State, as to lead to gen eral skill and economy. But the main question will be tha minimum price that shall be fixed on these improvements : and the proper disposition of this, it must be readi. State bonds. If it be desirable to sell the pnblic works, we should not underrate their importance, nor is it just lo diiparsge the wisdom of their founders. , .i 1853 remeuy ever uiMiuicicu or Falling Fit. I We are prone to murmer against the policy that dictated their construction, because of the debt we have thus incurred, and yet, if the proposition I were submitted to cancel this liability by their idestruction or dhuse, we should be compelled to reject it. At the time of its adoption, this policy was ne- cessary and proper. Avenues of this kind through: the body of the State, to convey her vast produc- iu uiaraei,are as iiiuispentnuie lu ner vigor semDiy,anI ro secure Hie Sanction ot the execu- oua growth and physical development as are the, litre without that critical examinatiou so uidiapeav veins and arteries to the human system, to give;sable to a clear comprehension of their true circulation to the blood and consequent health and 'import. In illustration of the difficulties waits, vigor to the body. To stop or clog these, in either the practice imposes upon this branch of the gov case, would produce stagnation and ultimate de-jernment, it is only necessary to state, that within jSirni'iion. I Without reference to the abstract question of a sale, I may say, that under nocircumstanc.es should i we entertain the proposition to part with the pub lie works by the creation of a joint stock comf any, as heretofore repeatedly proposed, by which the ! Commonwealth is to remain a large shareholder, ut tbe direction to be in the hands of individuals or corporations, associated with her in the owner ship. I have always lejarded this as a most dan gerous and insidious measure. If the proposition to sell be seriously entertained, under Ihe present condition of the money market, it should be based un me inea ni a uutia ntie sale, tor a run compen sation, ill exchange fur the bonda of the Slate, and under such salutary reservations and lestriction, as the interests of the people may demand. j But it ia urged by many that the State's system the enrolment tax upon private laws. In bills9 of managing the public work, i, susceptible of! such as I have already described, may be found a improvement that much ran be done by judicious numlier of items, some taxable, and oihera not, reforms to augment the receipts to the treasury, 'and the bill must be enrolled under its proper num and facilitate the business of transportation ; and, .ber and title, and the lax be first paid. One parly as much of this system results from positive law, (interested in this legislation may pay bis share, it may not be deemed officious on my part to make 1 another will refuse to do so, and a tliiid, on seeing 'suggestions on the subject. the amount f the tax, concludes that he can live In a special message, communicated to Ihe Gen- without the law ; and thus it has been no uncr.m eral Assembly, soon after my induction into office, mon thing for persons lo be forced lo pay tax on I advocated the policy of miking cash paymenta laws in which they have no interest, in order to for labor and materials, and the interdiction by .avail themselves of what the Legislatuie had ex law of the creation of debt by the officers on the P'essly granted. Such a state of affairs is scarce public works, and made allusion to other radical 'X consistent with the dignity uf a great State, and defects in the system, which could scarcely be reached by the Canal Board. To some of these I shall now briefly allude. I In tl.a first nl.e. i 1. imno.ihl to avoid the creation of debts, if the appropriations be insuffi- propriety and justice or passing each proposition ciemio meet unavoidable expenditures. The bu- separately, at least so far as the objects were dis .iness of transportation aud travel on these high.'n'l"- B" the evil st.ll exists, and I am deep wavs must be kept up, whether the expenses be 'r sensible of the d tB ulty which the application paid or not. These circumstances have defeated 'of a prompt and effectual remedy must always pre m some extent, the administration of the law of "l lo 'he General Assembly. A'ter much reflee May, 1852, requiring ea-b payments and prompt l' magnitude of this evil its vexations settlements by tbe fficers on these works, and inroads upon private rights, and its demoralizing prohibiting the creation of debt,. Thi, result, I tendency upon the interests of the people, and the regret, for I am still decidedly of the opinion, that more elevated purposes of legislation, I have de no other change in tbe system is so likely to beget termined lo co operate with the General Assembly Economy, purity and efficiency in their general di- 'O ' application of the mesi efficient means which rection. For the last year, however, this law was their wisdom may devise for its removal ; but in strictly earned out on some of the divisions, and the meantime, as a restraining part or the law it is sincetly desired that beteafter the praotice. making power, I must beg to be indulged in claim may be extended lo all. ln5 the privilege of considering each subject of I I need not discuss the consequences of tbe cus- legislation separately, and on its own merits, aa 'torn of making debts on tbe public wotks its er- contemplated by the spirit of the Constitution. rors are too palpable to need refutation by argu- Henceforth, therefore, bills containing a variety of ment ; and I shall only repeat what I substantially subjects of legislation, dissimilar in their character :id to the General Assembly on a former occas- and purposes, cannot receive the sanction of the ion, that in addition to the oppinunity it afforded present Executive. for extortion off the State, if not actual fraud upon; Another branch of the evil.rnd if possibles still the treasury, the idea tnat officers, for the time greater one, consists of special and being, should be allowed to .catter the credit of t i to this practice that ,Ui7fVosi unseemly Ihe Commonwealth broadcast, to be discovered '' """auYfor a separate code for nearly and redeemed, at some future period, by tlwirsuog JrveTiTioeality in Ihe State. The remedy for this eessors, is a monstrosity in the ecou - mil funj , t, ,dop.j00 0f few more g(e0. affairs. uewmeplausibilty, if not actual eral law., and the rigid administration of those al , .,lt"eiuefalleation,that the State, management "ady in existence. Special acts, yon will agree if' these works is exneniive and inefficient : and with me, should in no instance be passed wnere yet is not clear lo my mind, thai treated as a mete; ' i I l .......... - -tr.: 1. .. . .. . ..... n., wahU bit hf aa! cheap and efficient as that of corporations and in- dividuals. But the instability of ber agencies ren- corporation, lor literary, cnantaoie and religious der. accuracy and economy exceedingly difficult. I purpose,, and to create beneficiary societies and Her periodical change of officer, ha,alwaya de-:'e engine and hose companies, through the instru prived her of the benefit nf experience in ihis'mentalityof the Attorney General and the Supreme work ; and this, ir. any bosinesss, you will agree Court. Theact of the thirteenth of October, 1829, with me, is equivalent to a fair profit, and that it extended tins power to the courts of tbe several it eminentlv an in the renair anil svneral snnervis- i Counties. The acts of 1836 and 1838 make ptOVi- ion of railroads and canals. This shifting prac - tieehas had the effect of making her works a species of Normal schools for the education of eo- oineera and siinervisnra to take chaise of other ; improvements. Tbis instability results trom the 'aw to encourage manufacturing, passed in 1819, lieeognition of places on the State works, as poht- nl ita supplements, provide for associations for ical offices, instead of scientific and mechanical !e purpose of manufacturing wollen, cotton, flax iwork shops; and bring to bear on their control and silk goeds, or for making iron, glass, salt, pa and direction, our notions of rotation and short Pr lumber, oil fiom rosin, mineral paints, aitiff tenurein office. These idea, are sound and fe. cial slate, aud Tor pr.nting and publishing ; and tbe publican, and should never be disregarded, in re-'upplem"t of 18-53 extends its provisions, in .ference to tbe offices appertaining lo our political modified form, to the business of mining of al Jorganization as a government ; but it must L-a enn- most every description. ceiled that a mere business operation to make' n the subject of erecting new townshirs and money, in competition with the creatures of g.iv- incorporating boroughs, the courts have unlimited ernment and tbe efforts of individuals, was not power ; and in tbe matter of selling real estate, contemplated as an office in the organic law of 'he property of minors, by guardians, exeeutorsor tbe State ; and hence, it is not strange, that Ihe others, act ing in a fiduciary capacity, Ihe act of principles proper for one do not apply usually to session on this subject will, in my opinion, the ciher. What, I would enquire, would be ihe reach every imaginable ca,e. Its provisions should 'condition of the Reading railroad, the Pennsylva- not he infringed, for the subject belongs mostlegi nia railroad and other similar works, were they '' ately to ihe courts. required to change their engineers and superin-! ' can see no reason why the power to designate tendents, at short periods, and bring strangers into, lection houses should not be confided to the com their employ T Tbe answer may be readily dis- missioners uf the several counties. These officers covered in the State's experience. I have long are usually familiar with tbe localities, and can been of opinion that in reference to al! the subor- readily determine what arrangement woald best dinates of the Canal Commias oners, changes subserve the convenience of tho electors. In ad should not be periodical and prefixed, but should dition to the fact, which will nut be disputed, that be made as demanded by the exigencies of the 'his business receives but partial consideration in public service. The delinquent in any one of the 'he Legislature it i, objectionable, because of the obligations of duty should be dismissed at once, great space it annually occupies in the journals and the only guaranty of continued employment and laws. I am aware, however, that it has been should be fuund in the superiority of Ihe services suzgested that the laws of the United States pro rendered the State. All other rules for appoint- vide that ihe places for holding the elections for ment and dismissal should be speedily obliterated members of Congress shall be fixed by the Legls from the system. The present practice deprives lature of the several States, and that, therefore, the State, to a great extent, of the benefit of that 'he end in view cannot be attained. In answer to incentive lo excel, which actuates all men where this objection, it may be remarked, that the Legis character, position and emoluments are at stake, lature having in other Instances delegated doubt Ol couise, my suggestions in reference to the im-.f"' powers, such as the right to delegate a function portance of experience will not be understood as so expressly conferred. applying lo all the agents on the works ; for in-! A '"'ge number of the laws of the last session stance, it requires but little experience to make a consist of special acts to incorporate companies to collector, but it has and always will requ re this to construct plank roads. Thia object, right and pro render an agent efficient in the construction and P" 'n itself, might it seems lo me, be reached by irepair of railroads and canals, to foresee exigen t general law, authorizing the association of any etesand give harmonious direction to the current; number of citizens to construct these highways on operations of this complicated branch of public proper conditions. service. In short, the management wants the ap- lu former communications 1 have held the doc plication of business organization and principles, trine, that but little legislation of any kind was es- A system of books should supplant the use of check- sential to Ihe ends of mere business enterprise mils, and the operations be so systematized lhat'0 promote objects understood by all and within Ihe receipts and expenditure, of each month, as the resch of moderate means; and that most cer- : the season passes by, could bo annouroed to the lainly, whatever might be deemed expedient should public. be general in its character. That the Legislature I Contusion, obscurity and redundency in onr an- had no moral righl lo grant special advantages to 'nual volume of laws vexatious inroads upon pri 'one citizen and deny them to another ; and I have vate rights attempts at the usurpation or power declined lo approve any act on this subject, where and consequent strivings and litigation, are in my. the corporators were not made liable in their indi opinion, the legitimate fruits of our system of. vidual estates for the debts of the corporation. special and omnibus legislation. Indeed, the trntn or these propositions is loo palpab'e tn admit or. argument. It is mantlested in every year's expe ' rience, and in some instances the government, as a consequence, has been forced into the humilial- ,ing position of becoming a litigant against ber own j creatures. Its demoralising influence is marked, and admitted on all bands aud imperiously de- .mantis an efficient remedy. That the present' .General Assembly may be distinguished and blesa-l 'cd for applying the axe at the root of the evd,ejid i fv.e n. nf. Km tense ; whirh ihev oner at verv low --.a r. r-, " f ' I ' I marking the era of ita final termination, ia ray sincere bope. A prolific source of mischief consists in the prac tice of passing a number of laws, entirely d 'Sim ilar in their characteristics, in the tame bill, or in what ia familiarly known as the "umnibussystem." The inevitable, and indeed the frequently lamented effect of this mode of legislation, has b-en to faciU itate the passage of bills through the General As two days preceedm; tiie final adjournment of the j last Legislature, no lesa than one hundred and sn bills were presented for Executive consideration, containing three hundred and thirty-four different subjects, aome of these t ills contain as many as twenty dissimilar items of legislation ; and of these some weie not even indicated by tha trans cribed title. In addition lo Ihe difficulty of comprehending the import of such a betrogenious mass of matter. the F.xeeutive frrauenilv finds himself forced into the dilemma of signing a law which his judgment j rejects, or returning another which he leally sp proves. Neither alternative, you will agree with me, is in strict accordance with the mandates of the Constitution. Great inconvenience a:so results to the people, undtr this system, in the payment of certainly demands an efficient remedy Some of my predecessors have urged the Gene ral Assembly to change this system, and in several - previous communications, I have tugg. sti-d the the object can be reached under general laws. Tk- i ... t 17IU .. .1 : . . I . i The law of 1791 and its several supplements- make provision for the creation and amendment of 'ston for ihe association of individuals, through the instrumentality or the Attorney General and the Goemor, tor the purpose of manufacturing iron '' mineral coal. In addition to these acts, tha No clearer evidence, il seems to me, can be fur nished lo show thai much of this special legisla tion is sought and is valuable only becanse it is special; than is found in its own history. It will be remembered by many of you, that during the administration or the lamented Governor Shunk, numerous applications were made for special acts to incorporate manufacturing companies, and that tbe Governor refused to give his assent to their passage. In 1849, a general law to encourage manufacturing, liberal in iu piovnioru, was adopt I rCod quality and strait B ""'V, !l Proposals will be recetved rropnsaia ...iin- nr fum.shintr.he .boy.wa" Drices.r noioaic I 1-
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