THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
To the Senate and lloOe of Representa
liege of the• Commonwealth of Ponnsyl-
EMS
GENTLEMEN.—Au All wise Providence
has permitted you to assemble under
circumstances demanding profOund grati
tude to the Great Lawgiver of the Uni
verse. Our acknowledgments are first
duo to Him whose hand has not grown
weary in showering blessings in profusion
upon the people in every department of
industry, and crowning their toil with
richest rewards.
.The circumstances under which ,you
commence the duties of the present ses
sion are; indeed; auspicious ; and at no
former period in our history has there
been greater cause for felicitation upon
the inestimable blessings wo enjoy, and
the happy and prosperous' condition of
our great and growing Commonwealth.
The meeting of the General Assembly
Is always a matter of deep interest to the
people, and perhaps never more so than
now, when an unusual amount of neces
sary general legislation will occupy your
attention, and questions of the highest
importance are to be discussed and de
termined upon. I sincerely trust your
industry and faithfulness in the perform
ance of the important woa: befoM yon,
will win you the proud title of the
working Legislature." •
Amid such circumstances our attention
should be directed to a careful review of
all the most important and essential
interests of the State ; and in the exercise
of that discretion which the Constitution
ha; contiAti to the Executive, I proceed
to communicate such information, and
to recommend to your consideration such
measures as are ' , deemed necessary and
expedient.
As first in order and ]post important,
I rill present a carefully prepared and
Precise statement of the financial
cor
diLion of the Commonwealth.
MIMI
It affords me pleasure to congratulate
Iho pepple upon the qatisfactory con
dition of the Treasury. Every demand
upon it for ordinary 'and other expenses
has been promptly paid,• and the public
debt materially reduced, which has in
'flPired such 'public confidence .in the
secnrities •or the COIIIIIIOII wealth as tO
cause them to command the highest
Premiums in the market. The operations
of this department will bo presented to
you more fully and in detail in the re
poid-S-of the Au itor general, State-Veas
urer, and gomrdii;sioners of the Sinking
Fund. The Collowipg statement-exhibits,
tie receipts and disbursements for the
,distal year eluting S;oyclilber, hO, 18.74):
BCCeipl3.
'Hulumb iu Transu ry. Nor. - 11,41w0;. , ,Z 49
tithary 1,999918 doriug thu list9Lt yt ttr
Nor so, 18eI
Total in Treamtry dot ing year ending
Nov. 30, 1,0
DisLtu•acnisn
Or Binary exprnles paid .
daring tbu year ending
Nov. 30, 1870 t 2,800.531 0
LO(1.10, ti ~ redeem,' 1.70'.;,870
I.litereee un loan. 1,001.811 77
. Total
lia l u nee in Tro,,sliry.Nnv :40:1570.. {1,11112.012 H 2
P'Publie Dilot
The public disILL due on Nevember
I'LLULI, has • ' q14,..1U
Deduct 11.11101111 t retlecillet)
by Sinking Fund COM
missiou6rs doriog the
lineal year ending Nov.
3(1, IS7O
Amount 1 eLletalled
Tressurer during
limo
1.b4
Tot it hutdie del , l, Ncv I ;31,111,661 'JO
MB
The following statement shows the
stature of the indebtedness of the Com
imonwealth, November 20, 1870 :
Funded debt, viz
Ammint of over tittoloaier 767,11;,V 11:1
Amount payablu in Intl
int 6 pot 2,70,2 L 01
Amount payable In 1872,
Int 6 p et
Atnuunt payable In 1872,
4ut p
Amount payable In 1e77,
int 6 p et
Amount payable In 1077,
Int b pet
Amount payable, In 1878,
int 5 p et
Amount payable 11,1870,
Int 6 p ct
Amount payubl,, In 1882,
Int 5 p et
A mount payallip in 1882,
int 4 , ,e. p et
Artiouldpayable in 18S2,
int 6 p et
DEMI
131=1
I=l
EIMI3
1,1:01,0 00
112,003 00
=1
Unfunded &Id, viz:
Itulfef notes in circulation $96,952
Interest certificates out-
•
standing
Interest certificates un
elslined
Tininestircreditors' ccr
Total public, debt, Nov. 30, 1070, ns
100,0 slated , ;11,171,rAvi 70
REDUCTION OF flIF: PUBLIC DEBT
On the fifteenth day of January, 1867,
the total indebtedness. of the State was
thirty-seven million seven hundred and
four aouiand four hundred and -nine
dollars and seventy-seven cents. Since,
then, and up to November 80, 1870, the
awn - of six: million five hundred and
ninety-two thousand seven hundred and
forty-seven dollars and eighty-seven cents
-Las - boon - paid7 --- TIM7 - relltretiod — ditring
the year ending November 30, 187 . 0 ; is
OM million seven hundred and two
thousand eight hundred and_seventy-sine
dollarsaud five cent a.
The average reduction per timmul, for
the last four years, is one million six
hundred and forty-eight Mousand one
hundred and eighty,-seven dollars.
In view of the fact that prior to the
dr'st 're duly, 1872, nearly eight pillions,
dollars of the. public debt will •be due,
and iu order that the Commonwealth
may continuo to Moot all its obligations
promptly at maturity,,l recomMond that
such provisions be_ made by the T,egisia: ,
turo, as will authorize the Coramission
ors '(:)f thei3inking Fund to self all the
Relicts that' may, be in their possession,.
and apply tho proceeds to the extinguish-.
mont of the debt l . or, 'at the option of
the Holders, to exchange them for the
outstanding • bopds of , the Common-,
wealth. ' • ,
"The indebtedness of the State might
be paid in the .following manner: As
already shown, it ins, on November WV
1.870; about thirty-one million dollai , s,'
from which amount, if the said assets,
$9,800,000, bo'daluoted, there would re
main Unpaid $21,800,000; After which,
'estimating the revenues , and expendi
tures to dontinue . as at 4 prosent, the' •n
-tire liabilities of the State could ho liqui
dated in about eight Years. .„.., .
If this mode of paying the State debt
should 'be regarded as unnecessarily
,1,,,,,
rapid and oppressive, then al ovement
to revise and modify - taxation ay meet
'Nvith much more-.genoral favor. opur
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debt is now held firmly by those to whom
it is a great benefit to have so secure an
investment. A. certain reduction of ono
million dollars her annum on it would,
perhaps, be more satisfactory to 'them
and to the people, than to strive to pay
it off so hastily. In an endeavor to force
things under the present mode of taxa
tion, there- is,groat clangor of driving
capital away from our manufacturing
centres. The landholder; has been
exempted from taxes' on his land for
State purposes, and the burden shifted
upon the active; energetic and enterpris
ing portions orthe community, who have
always - had their full share to bear. The
farmer-is at case, and runs no risk ;
whilst the business man, merchant and
manufacturer are. the motive power of
the community, upon which the farmer
himself must, in a' great measure, de
pend for a realization of his industry. 4
more liberal policy towards those en
gaged in mercantile, manufacturing,
railroad and mining pursuits should be
adopted. Unless these interests aro
fostered and kept in full operittion, all
classes of the people will suffer. They
are the very life-blood oft the State, and
should not, in any way, be Chilled or
impeded, by overbiirdening theM with
taxation for the iniffOliate payment o
the entire Slate MINH', les.
The foregoing recommendations, in
my npinion, embrace the true policy of
the Commonntealtb, and if adopted;'tvill,
doubtless, receive a hearty response and
endorsement from the people. The tax:
payers demand that all their social, in
dustrial, commercial and financial opera
tions shall be relieved from the burdens
of any more taxation than may lie neces
sary Ern the gradual payment of the
debt, as is last above indicated, and to
defray the frugal expenses of the ad
ministration of the government, Econ
omy and reform should no longer be advo
cated an glittering generalities, or mere ,
abstractions, without meaning or intent,
but as vital, living 'realities.
=1
lour years' 'experience as an executive
officer has given Ice hliundant oppor
tunity for careful observation upon flu:
workings of our fundamental law, 0,?!!
the legislation of the "t to • "'Ads ex
perience has strongly impressed me that
tkere should lie a thorough revision Or
the State Constitution, with such :amend
ments as the wisdom_ of :t convention
asseinhlCd for that purpose would un
doubtedly_ suggest„ butd_an taligh toned
public sentiment demand.
. The authority' for. holding tmeh -con
yentiorris-fontnrin thl 7- seCond section of
the ninth article of the Constitution, and
is declared in these wads: "That all
power is inherent in the people, .and all
free governments are founded_ on their
authority, and instituted for their peace,
safety, and happiness. For We advance
ment of these ends, they have, at, all
times, an unalienable and indefeasible
right to alter, reform, or al - dish their
government, in such manner as they may
think proper.'' •
The last convention for this purpose
was hold in 18138. During the thirty
two years which have i since elapsed, sun
dry amendments have been niad\ by
joint resolutions of the ("emend Assembly,
and in compliance with the tenth article
of the Constitution, were approved and
ratified by a majority of the qualified
voters of the State. The most important
were those of 1850, making the judges of
the courts elective ; pf 1857, creating a
Sinking Fund, regulating the public
debt and legislative districts ; and of 186.1,
conferring . the right of suffrage upon
those engaged in the military service of
the, State or Nation, and imposing sun
dry restraints on the power of the Legis
latitre. These amendments, though im
portant and valuable, give an incdligruous
and sort of patch-work character lo s the
Constitution, and are not consonant with
the requirements of the times.
This is a progressive period, and our
State has out-grown its fundamental
lair. That law should, therefore, be
made to keep pace with tlio ago in which
\relive. The existing Constitution, in
cluding the amendments 0f.187 mid 186.4/
impose many wholesome restrictions on
the poWer and jurisdiction of the Legis
lature ; hut experience has demcnstrated
their inadequacy to protect the people
against the evils intended to be remedied
and especially thoM Of corporate power,
and of special and local legislation. The
vamplilet law.‘ for the last four years
show that the geneitil laws for each
session made only about ong_lutudred
pages, Whilst DM local andorfiecial legis
lation for AIM- same period ;amount
annually to about thirteen hundred and
fifty. The resulting evils are manifold•
and aggravated ; and prominent among
the reasons and suggestions why a remedy
should be applied, I respectfully submit
the following :
Piti.. 7 -Different systems of laws for
roads, bridges, schools, electiOns, poor
hensen_and_many-other—thingsare-on=
acted for the several counties, townships
and boroughs, on subjects which ought
to be regulated by general laws, opera
ting uniformly upon all: a
Soond. 7 -1I- is impossible for the citi
zens, jildges of the courts, or members
of, the legal profession, to acquire or re
lain an accurate knowledge •of the
varying.systems of laws,in their. respect
lye districts; and frequoirtly- on removal
from one country to another, our people
find ...liemselves under almost entirely
din - en:mi.' codes. '
lIERIEEN
MEM
==
MEM
MHO
MEM
MEIN
ME=
1. n.. 1
MEM
En
111,461 -
Third.—Practically, the whole theory
of our Constitution and government is
subverted and destroyed by the present
systena
,of • local 'enactments. Tioprosen
tative mAkernment is f:ased on the idea
that tho laws shall be framed by, and be
the result of, the collective' Wisdom of
the people's representatives. But what
are the,actual facts? The ininds and
efforts of the members' are' so wholly
absorbed by private and local bills that
it is aim est, impossible to got a general
or public act oOnidered or passed. Tlio
special and local bills.are usuallydranon
by the member reprdienting the locality,
or. by some ono from tho district:inter-
Feted in the proposed, law. By what is.
called 'courtesy,. it is considered breach
of etiquette for any member of the Son
ato-or. Hon so to interfere with or oppose
a merely private or loCatbill of any other'
.member. result is; the bills are
passed as, originally''prepared, Without
examination got comparbien of VILOWa=
Often crude and ill-digestek and without
xonqd to 'coostitOional requirements,
Or_tend pOblio policy, Some alto.)
MuEs7llEsoMab
worst of these hasty and badly considered
enactments aro arrested every yeir by
Executive interposition ; but im the
nature of the case, the veto at best can
only be Made a partial restraint upon
the evil; and nothing can eradicate it
short of constitutional prohibition.
Fevrth.- Special " legislation is the
great and impure fountain of corruption,
private speculations. are public wrongs.
It has become a reproach to republican
government, and is one of the most
alarming evils of the times. Judicious
amendment's to the Constitution would
arrest and destroy the growing evil ; and
it is the duty of every patriotic citizen to
co-operate in all lawful measures to effect
so desirable a consummation. In the
enactment of laws a radical change is
demanded. Every bill presented for
adoption should be road, at least once in
full, and the yeas and nays be recorded
on its final passage.
is important that the State
Constitution should be made to conform
to the Constitution of the United States
as recently amended. '
Sixtho—Thc subject of minority repre.:
sentation is new much agitated, and is
receiving a large share of consideration
among thoughtful and considgrato men.
t embraces problems of great politico
importance, -and its manifest justice
commends it to public favor. Whilst
some of the objecti it proposes might. be
obtained by legislath`e enactments, the
general principles involved aro so ele
mentary and radical, they should, if
adopted, be incorporated into the fun
damental law.
Seven/h.—The members of the General
Aeambly slioidd be increased in num
ber.
Eighth.-There should he a s r.-
damelit al - limitation- to the powers of
corporations.
NinUi.—There is absolute necessity for
greater sevirity..for the public funds and
for their proper distribution.
:re/A.—The State Treasurer, Superin
tendent of Common Schools, and a
Lieutenant Governor,- the latter to
preside over the Senate, and perforM the
dutieA of Governor,__ifi.cf.. - -c,-,ot" his
!fliset=i, --sitarn'es's 'Or death, should be
elected by the people. The Attorney
General, Secretary of State, and the
Adjutant General, should, fOr ohviotuf
reasons, continuo to be appointi.id by the
Governot.
Pllerentlf.—The day for
_holding the
annual elections sonlil,_with____great.
propriety, lie changed, from the second
Tuesday in Octobei to the same day in,
- 1159vemufkr, diti - Avbich - nearly all -the
surrounding States now hold theirs.
This would dispense. with one election
every fourth year, and Prevent invasion
from other States for • - the - piniPose of
interfering with our elections, as the
citizens ofeach State would be occupied
with their own. The season, too, would
lie more satisfactory to the people of the
agricultural districts, as it would not
interfere with the harvesting, of their
corn and other summer productions.
Tho necessity for constitutional reform
is appreciated and adni,itted by all who
have reflected upon the subject, and
without distinction of party, the press
has been outspoken, and has almost
nnaninrously sanctioned the calling, at
an early day, of a constitutional con
vention.
For these reasme:, and many others
equally important which might be
enumerated, I earnestly recornmend that
the Legislature maim ',.provision for a
convention to thoroughly revise and
amend the Constitution of the State,
REVISION OL' FUE CIVIL COM.
The sozmnissioners to revise the
statutes have completed- their work.
The entire laws of the Commonwealth,
including those of 'British origin, except
such as relate to crime, have been
revised, collated and systematically
arranged in a volume of less than three
hundred pages, or about one third the
size of Pardon's Digest. Our laws are
the accretions of one hundred and seventy
years. Many of them aro incongruofts
l and disjointed enactments; wfireli have
lbeen increasing, from time to trine, by
fragmentary legislation, with ut any
attempt at system, logical arran , enient,
or conciseness of language. Fr mn the !
examination I have been able to give the
revision, I am satisfied that in the
discharge of their duty, the commission-
ors exercised great diligence, ability and
a conscientious desire for its successful
accomplishment. It cannot be presumed
that a work of such inagnitudii is perfect
in every particular ;land how , far it may
answer the purpose for which it was
undertaken, remains to be determined.
That it is an improvement upon what it
is intended to'supply therelis no room
for doubt. It adheres in the Main to the
text of existing laws, with occagional
changes to meet• present demands, but
which were nob needed when theyiwere
- first enacted, and also 'additional pro
visiehs Whiolithe progress of the ago
requires.. The , work, as presented,
might properly be adopted, without
material changes, making it the basis for
such amendments as time arid necessity
may suggest, or as may be recommended
by Dui joint committee•to which it was
referred for examipation . bythe Legis
lature of last year. It !Will be Semi that
some of its provisions Lava been Mined
with a view to throw muoh of our special
legislation into the courts; where it may
be 'disposed of with IeSS inconvenience
to interested parties, and a great sa#ing
in our annual expenditures.
WRITS OP miumi IN CRIMINAL CASES:
- At the , last session of the Legislature
an act 'Was passed, entitled " An Act
to allow writs of error in,cases of murder
and voluntary manslaughter." The first
section provides •that , a writ ,of error
" shall - be of right, and may be sued out
upon the oath of the defendant or defend
ants, as in dal prises."
Tho second section Maims it the duty
Of the judges of the Supremo Court, .in
all
.guelk cases, to review both the law
and tho`ovidenco.
Before this onactmontthoiatirod
the defendant to allege that.somo error.
had been committed by the court on the
trial, and to - lituv cause, within 'thirty
days, why the writ of error should be
granted ; but this law' gives a writ, ,
whether any error is alleged, or . not, runt
allows the defendant seven years lii whioh
to isSuo it, according to tAc practice in
civil cam. Heretofore the .ExamiLive
, did not ordinarily issue the warrant' for
execution of anrcriminal until Use oxpi
r tionof tho thirty dap vitAlit, which ho
_ -
was permitted to apply for his writ of
error.• That limitation of thirty days
being now virtually repealed, and seven
'years substituted therefor, islt expected
the warrant shall be withheld for the
soon years? If not, when may it
properly issue P And if issued at any,
time within the seven years, may not the
criminal supersede it at any time he
pleases by his writ of error P An& may
it not be reasonably ,9nreted that' this
will be the practical restilt in every such
case? This would seem like trilling with
very serious matters ; and I respectfully
- submit whether the act' of -last session
should not be repealed, or very material
ly modified, without delay. In my mks,
sage of tenth February, 1870, • returning
the bill with my objections; I gave sun
dry reasons why it should not be ap
proved, and the views therein expressed
remain unchanged': and the Supreme
Court of the State, in the recent Schceppo
case, express their opinion of this enact
ment, as follows : "
"It is not improper before closing to
say a fcw words in reference to the act
of 1870, to draw attention to some of its
delocts, and to the radical change in'our
criminal jurisprudence it will produce.
It was passed for this case, but owing to
the Governor's veto itcaniiitoo_late.---It-
is another evidence that laws which ar
the offsprin' of feeling aro seldom wisely
framed. It commands this court to re
view the evidence, and to determine
whether 'the ingredients to constitute
murder in the first degree were proved
to exist ; and yet in forgetfulness of the
former law, it provides no means to take,
preserve and bring up the evidence. This,
the first attempt to act under it, proves
it'slnefticieley, the judge below returnint,
to ofir certiorari that he was not able to
make the return of the evidence. He is
not bound by law to take the testimony
or to certify to it. A bill of exceptions
brings up only so much of the evidence
as may be required to explain the point
of law contained in the bill:
' , The effect of this law seems not to
have excited attention. It has changed
the whole doctrine of the criminal law as
to the speed and certainty of punishment,'
and left to the felon both the hope and a
door of escape, not only 'from the law's
delay, but by prisdn breach, !nu
various incises of itypiftia t , , - , ' - i•etributive
justice. At mo sent, two cases
To my memory of convictions of
murder in Allegheny county, delayed by
dilatory motions, where the prison doors,',
opened by unknown means, and
. the
priseners'escaped fOrerer. Any murderer
may, under .triis law—though like Probst
he may have murdered a whole family—
take out his writ of error, without limita
tion of time• or eendition, whether in
prison undersontenee, or stepping upon
the trap of the gallows, with cause, or
,without-it,-amt-stispend -his case - until
the next term of the Supreme Court. No
one Could condemn hint, if the death
warrant-not-preventing,- he -- Ootird:wait
till Vie - term of the Supreme Court be
passed, and- then take out, his writ of
error 'to delay the execution of his
sentence for a whole year. That only
security to, the public,- the examination
of the Case and allowance of the widt•for
cause, is repealed."
APPORTIONMENT.
The important duty devolves upon you
to apportion, in accordance witikkhe last.
census, the representation to the General
Assembly and to Congress. This will be
among the most laborious and difficult
works of the session. In its performance,
it is presumed and trueteibthat yon will
be guided and governed by a strict sense
of justice and impartiality to all parties
and to every district in the State, so that
no well-founded reason be given for coal
plaint or censure. -
Under the laws of the State it is made
the duty of the county commissioners of
the respective counties to make returns
to the Governor of the septennial enn=
meration of taxables on or before - the
first Tuesday of December. Not one
fourth of these returns have yet been re
ceived, although the attention of the
commissioners was invited to the subject
by special circular frem the Secretary of
the Commonwealth. As soon as the re
turns come to hand, the necessary ab
stracts will be made out and forwarded
to the Legislature.
• ,
I=
The report of the Superintendent of
Common Schools shows that there are
now within the State, 2,002 schdol dis
tricts ; 14,21'2 schools ; 2,982 graded
schools:; 413,100 directors ; 70 county and
other superintendents ; 17,612 teachers,
and 829,891 pupils. This•is an increase s
over the preceding year of 31 districts ;
276 schools ; 447 graded schools ; 200
directors ; 3 superintendents ; 470 teach
ers, and 13,138 pupils.
The cost of tuition for the past year, was
$3,745,475,81 ; building, purchasing and
renting school houses, $2,765,645.34;
contingeneics, $1,175,224.05; other ex
penditures,. $95,475 ; making ga total of
$7,771;761.20. Estimated value of school
prkierty, $15,837,183. Average salary
of male teachers, $40.65 per month ;
length of school term, 6.06 months ; and
the, cost per month of each pupil; 08
cents.
In addition to the above,five
schools are recognized by tie &tate.
These aro intended specially to instruct
iu:_tho__a _toad g s -and -to-furnish.
suitable teachers for the common schorde.
The many highly qualified insiuictors
that have graduated thoreim -- afford a
sufficient assurance of theicauccess ,and
usefulness. They have aided materially
in the - rapid advancoment,of our general
and widely approved educational system.
Since their recognitiom 12,00 students
have been received iilto them ; and 2,075
aro now enrolled. There aro 76 profes
sors and tutors. The libraries contain
8,185 volumes. The buildings and
grounds are valued at $363,667 ; and the
furniture and apparatus at. 575,000. •
Besides the schools thatrecoivelogisla
live support, there are,in the State 601
priKate . schools, seminaries and acade
mice, employing 848 teachers and having
24,815. students. - The estimated value .
of their property is $600,000,- and the
.annual amount received for ' tuition
$380,000. There are also' thirteewcol
loges, with
,157 moll:Spore and tutors,.
and 0,805 etudents enrolled. They Own
much valuable property, and their libra
ries number 0,,,000 volumes.' . ,
These statistics, will, doubtless, prove
interosting6.all who ' peruse them, and
those relating to the common schools
merit the especial attention of'the Legiu
latnre The prosperity • and: haPpiness
of all communities dope - 1W more than
anything else; upon their gonofal
geneo. Idleness, indhorality,: crime and
poverty. abound most where ignorance
prtivalls:.• 'rho greatest wealth a People
can ipoesess, and the highest ptditical
freedom and powor.they.can attain, aro
based upon' and derived from' a sound
and generonneducatfon. Fretsiloni fro n,
the many evile thitttlisturb tho peace of
society; social harmony ;_good and
-healthful government ; and all the mul
tiforiL„blessings that conspire to produce
human c happiness, are its legitimate
fruits. Money judiciously expended
. by
any community for the mental training
of its youth, cannot be lost ; it will not
fail to return in due time, bearing a lib-,
oral interest. The admirable workings
of our Pennsylvania school system are
everywhere admitted, and its great suc
cess is chiefly owing to the generosity - of
the Legislatdre by which it has been 'so
kindly mid so heniflcontly nurtnrcd, and
it is sincerely to be trusted that it will
never weary in this praiseworthy work,
which has thus far been so well accom
plished and so abundantly rewarded.
.
• _
SOLDIERS' ourwis' scuooLs.
Your attention is• r Tectkully invited
rt ,Li
to the report 'or the perintendent of
the Soldiers' Orphan ' Schools, for the
year terminating May 31, 1870.
— Since'the -first organization Or these,
schoOls the. whole number of children
admitted. is 5,03. And during,the same
period, the discharges, including deaths,
anibunt to 1,521, leaving 3,520 in the
schools at the clese'olthe , year -; of ligions
2_ 1 137 are in "grafied,l'—and_7_9:l-iii-pri—
mary schools,' :and 599 in "homes."
During the year terminathig May 31,
1871, 403 of these will be discharged on
age; in 1872, 477 ; in '73, 599; •in '74,
046 ; in '75, 046 ; in '7O, CO2; in 77, 584 ;
in '7B, 410, in '79, 291 ; and in '80; the
remainder, 171. From this-statement it
will be seen that all the children now in
the schools, on reaching, the age of six
teen, will be discharged in ten years on
age alone. The reinforcgments to the
schools will hereafter consist only of
children born prior to January 1, 1860 ;
conseqiientli all who may hereafter be
admitted must come iu dining the next
ten years, and they will be more than ab
sorbed by the discharges on order. The
number discharged this year, on age, 'is
400, and on ordely.23o, and 11 have died,
;making in all, 645. Should the rapidity
of, the discharges on order continue in
anything Bice the ratio of the preFent
xear, it will not require snore thaO five
years to exhaust the greater portion of
the schools, and the children remaining
in them will from time to time have to
be concentrated in a few of the schools
which shall ho deemed the best, to close
up the concern.
The expenditures of the system for the
-school year eliding May 31, 1870, are as
folrows, viz : • .
Eur_education-anil-mainterraff: -
. then In inFranciiii schools. - $2 , 41,00 .17
For eilocation and maintenance of chit
iieen in minim y schools 101,415 5S
Fur education and innintatinnce of chit
draft in boiniet 05 .201; 44
Foe chit biog. eh..., utak log, rinnollog, to. 2.1,903 7.1
Fur partial relief et thirteen children, nt • -• -
each geti 00
•
for amines! en tams., •
9,190 00
Total rzpenm , .-
To•nl
The sums appropriated is for the
amount estimated by - the Superintendent
in his report of 18119, but owing to the
extreme pressure of the guardians and
relatives of many indigent and authoring
applicants, the Superintendent, with my
consent, admitted a larger number of
children than he originally estimated for;
the balance, as above stated, has, for
this reason, necessarily and unavoidably
accrued.
Under an act, entitled "An act to
provide inean„s.kr the establishing a sol
diers' orplrtlis' Moot in each State
b
Normal selool district in this Common
wealth, now destittite thereof," approved
April 15, 1807, and a supplement thereto,
approved March 25, 1808, the sum of
twenty-one thousand dollars was ad
vaneed out r"' of the State Treasury as a
loan to five institutions. These being
fully established, are re-paying this loan
at the rate of five per cent quarterly, as
specified in the act. Sixteen thousand
eight hundred dollar's of this loan re
mained unpaid on May 31, 1870, and
owing to the change of the form of set
tlements which, by lae', went into hpera
tion at that time, it was, um:spec:o3ly
to the Superintendent, deducted frcilb,„
tllc appropriation by the accounting
ofilbers, and consequently bills for educa
tion, and maintenance for that sum and
the' above balance." remain unpaid., No
special appropriation for this amount is
asked ; but all that is required is the
passage of ajoint resolution, authorizing'
its payment from the sum appropriated
for the apomes of the current year,
wldch, in consequence of, a reduction in
prices, I alit informed will exceed them
to about the amount of the said balance.
The early passage of such a resolution
is necessary, because the institutions to
which the money is clue cannot afford to
wait long for it without serious incon-
V0111(311CC. Provision should also bu
by the Legislature that, as .the said mint
of $lO,BOO is re-paid in quarterly,instal
ments by institutioas front which it is
dm!,.:l;altall be appliedto_the reimburse—
Mott of the funds appropqated for , the
rulyances thus made.
The Supel:intendent estlinatcs the ex
penditures for education, maintenance,
clothing, &c., of 3,600 children, during
the star terminating May 31, 1872, at
$500,000. 'After l a careful . e'xareinetion' l
I find it correct, and respectfully request
an appropriation for that amount. This
estimate will, 'ft is believed, enable the
Superintendent to admit all proper ap
plicants. It is $20,000 less than the up
pi•epriation for the current year, and it
is 'confidently anticipated that hereafter
each succeedingsistimate for annual ex :
ponses will be 'numb ' nioro largely de-'
'creased: • -
I have personally visited; inspected
and examined quite a number of these
schools since the adjournment of the,
last Legislature ; and Ido not hesitate
to pronoutlce most of there superior,.in
all respects, to , any other institutions , of
a similar character in the country. :The
\
Supervision of the Bupoiintenclent, and,
the male and foetal° . inspectors has been ,
exceedingly faithful 'and eifectivo'; and'
those having the schools. in Charge, with
init few okeeptions, have disPhlyed a do
votion to their duties, and . to the inter
ests of the children, as unexceptionable
as if. dictated by the purest-parental af
fection. , .
The sanitary condition of those chil
dren is one of the most remrifkable
taros of the schools. During the five
iglus. they have been , in Operation, out of
5,053 children, only 71 have died, which
is but ci littlo over ono and four-tenths
per cent pot annum." Those facts aro
incontostiblo. (Widen es of the paroand
zgirgwi novolo
attention-that have been bestowed upon
these institutions.
The establishmett of these schools,
and the liberal encouragement and sup,
port they have received, have met the
approval and admiration, not only of the
other States of the Union, but of the en
tire - civilized world. Philanthropists
and statesmen from foreign nations are
constantly'making inquiries concerning
the laws - governing and directing the
operations of our soldiers' orphans'
schools, their management and the re
sults; and give frequent assurances of
unqualified commendation. '
The foregoing exhibit is, I trust, sum
cientlysatisfactory to. prompt a contiim
ance of the generous patronage already
extended to an institution unsiMpassed
by any other of the kind in usefulness.
Its benefits extend -beyond the mere
shelter, clothing,lfeeding and education
of the sons and daughters of our heroic
dead. In generations far remote i in
fluences will stimulate to deeds of Pfatrt:
otic ardor and heroism. Hereafter tlui
defenders of our country will not falter
when they reflect that shou)d they fall,
fluty have in the Commonwealth a -pa
rental protector of their beloved ones,
NN• io otherwise would be left desolate
and neglected. The State '4 lro abundant
cause to rejoice in ,whiA it has kno fur
its soldiers' orphans, and to be proud of
these schools, which noly constitute the
brightest .jewels that adorn its crown Of
glory.
• AOUICULTURAL COLLEGE.
This institution appears to be gradu
ally accomplishing the objects for which
it has been liberally endowed by the
.State._ It has about sixty students who
are instructed,, not only in the 'ordinary
branches of literature and .science, b at
in all the field operations necessary for a
thorough agricultural education.
l'he, Experimental Farms, established
under the supervision of the officers, have
thus far answered their expectations.
The experiments therein arc carefully
recorded.; every incident of cultivation,
the nature of the seed committed to the
soil, its inception, growth, progress and
results,' together with the conducing
causes, being accurately noted. The
publication of these observations, made
iu difTerent parts of the State, with vari
ous climates and soil, under the guidance
of skilled agriculturalists, _will _impart
valuable lessons for the benefit or the
practical farmer, and, doubtless, be the
means of establishing a "Science of Ag
riculture," having its foundalloOn_the
wisdom of- experience. Tho report-'of
the trustees furnishes a full description
of the educational
.and financial condi
tion of the college, together witlhothe
progress and results - of the Experimental
Farms during the year just ended.
MEI
14 1011 42
101,,0) 00
Your attention is invited to the ac
companying• report of the • Adjutant
Genefpl, for the details of the transac
tions of his department during the past
I year. The necessity of a military power
jmthe State, subordinate and auxiliary
to the civil authorities, has lsecn so fully
discussed, and so generally admitted, as
to render any argument on the subject
entirely superfluous. It is admitted, on
all hands, that a thoroughly oxganized
and well disciplined military force con
tributes essentially to the maintenance
of the peace and good order of society,
and to the security of the persons and'
property of citizens. It has been my
desire and aim to constituta such aforee,
to aid the civil authorities, should an
emergency arise, in the suppression of
public tumult ''or disorder. This has
been effected more successfully than was
at first anticipated. In 1866, there were
but eight volunteer companies in the
State ; the close of 1869, theN were
one hundred and eighty-four ; to which',
'lumber one hundred and lift y-eigh
companies wore added last gear. In the
meantime, thirty have been disbanded,
leaving three hundred and eleven organ
ised and active military comptOes, now
recoghized by act of the Legislature, as
the " National. Guard of Pennsylvania."
Fro Ile Company organizations
' 1 . 31151 - een regiments and fat; battalions
haVe been formed-Whilst I am not
disposed to encourage regimental organi
zations of cavalry or artillery, they
;being unnecessarily large and expensive,
I regard' seonnto or independent troops
and batteries of these branches of the
service, attached to brigndes or divisions,
as highly important. c,
}I !I 4.
The quota of arms due Pennsylvania
has been dravin from the General Gov
ernment. This amounted to forty-five
hundred breach-loading rifle-muskets
and accoutrements, with a proportionate
supply of the ifropCrammunition. These
haye been distributed, as provided by the
fifty-seventh section of act of May 4,
1534. in such manner as in my judgment
" most effectually, subservo the
military interests. mid neeessitiesoLthe
Commonwealth.".
--As heretofore stated, ail the State
military . departments created dining the.
war have been merged into that of the
Adjutant General., That department is
now- the. depository of all our military
records, the importance anti value of
which are,constantly indicated by the
daily .applications t of officials of the
General and different State governments,
of attorneys and agents, of soldiers
selves, -or their representatives, for,
certificates and exemplifications:- The
Adjutant General is alto the responsible
custodian of alP,the military property
belonging to the Commonwealth.
therefore, recommend that liis depart
me4 receive the favorable consideration
of the Legislature; and the continuation
of such appropriations as may be. re
quired'fOr its.efficient administration. -
RISTORY,
TIM Legislaturo, in 180,. passed an ant
anthofiziog. tho Governor "to appoint
some ocunpotont person to prepare a
military history of Pennsylvania volun
teers and , militla,'!' wile had boon or
might thereafter be the field during
the war of the rebellion. •In donfinpity
therewith, t'my • predecessor appointed-
Samuel. P. Bates, esq., to perform this
difficult' and responsible undertaking.
conimenced the task ,
zeal and
industry, and has promoted it with
ability. Tho'. - Work has iroved to be far
more extensiye, and' required a much
greater amount of• labor and research
than 'was , at first 'contem'plated.., Pour
large royal octavo voluinos, handsomely
printed 'and substantially bound, have
boon produecd, aiul thefifth, and last
volume, will be completed before the first
of Juno next. The book, i'solf, affords
the 'best comtnentaryor criticism of the'
t manner in which, the author has dis
&barged his duties. It puts in concise
form and perpetuates 'the most important
portion of our history, which otherwise
would have been forever lost. Hereafter
it will be invaluable to the Common=
wealth.
=II
• By the seventh article pf a Consular
Convention between France and the
United States, signed February 23, 1833,
it was stipulated that the citizens of the
respective counties should mutually have
the same rights to hold real and per
sonal estate, and to enjoy and transmit
the same. My attention has been,in
vited to this subject by a leder—from
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State
of the United States, dated May 0, 1870,
enclosing a copy of a communication
from the Minister of France to the
United States, resident at Washington.
That letter, accompanied by said seventh
article, and a copy of my reply Vhereto,
(marked A and B,) are herewith. cub,
Mittell to the Legislature •for informa
_tion,_and_with-11 le-reeom mentla tion-that
the subject be carefully considered, and
such action taken thereon as will make
the statutes of the Slate conform to our
obligations under the provisions of said
convention.
NATIONkk CEMETERIES
On the—first of July, 1870, an act of
Congress was passed amendatory to the
act, entitled "An Act to establish and
protect National cemeteries," approved
February 22, 1807.. The object of these
laws is to place under the National Gov
ernment the management and preserva-.
tion of these cemeteries, and to secure
the consent of the several States iu:which
they are located. phis consent has al
ready been given as to the cemetery at
Gettysburg, by the act approved April
14, 1888 ; and the National authorities
now ask for the same action by the
State as to the cenieteries at Glenwood,
Lebanon, Mount Moriall, Odd Fellows,
and Woodland, in Philadelphia ; and
also those at Harrisburg, Pittsburg and
York..
Copies of a communication on this
subject, from the_Speretary of IVar, and
of the act of July 1, 11570, (marked C
and D,) are herewith transmitted, with
the 'recommendation that the collisent'of
the State be given, in Compliance with
the laws of the 'United States.
1 17ie: objections heretofore exiating , to
the payinent of the appropriation for the
Tice of the Antietam cemetery haring
been removed, the sem appiepriated has
been paid over, to the treasurer.
I=l
In accordance with a request to that
effect, I submit, for your consideration,
a copy of the proceedings of the National
Immigration Convention, (marked " E")
which was called by the Governors of
the Western States, and was largely at
tended, at Indianapolis, Indiana, on the
twenty-third of 3covember last. The
main object of the oenvention, it ap-
pears, was the adoption of such resolu
tions as might induce the different States
of the Union to importune Congress to
enact such laws as wonld afford immi
grants, while in trans -Mc from other
rands, and upon their arrival in this
country, protection against the abuses to
which they are now notoriously sub
jected. As the encouragement of immi
gration, of a useful character, has al
ways heel) the approved policy or our
government, the object as presented, is
regarded as deserving of your attention.
=EMI
EIDE
About the close of the last session of
the Legislature, an act was liassed and
approved, entitled ^ A supplement t 9
the Milford and Matamoras Railroad
Company." The fourth section of this
enactment seems to have been intended
to take from the State, and give to the
company, the ten thousand dollars bonus
paid into the State Treasury annually by
- thp New York and Erie Railroad Com
pany, under the fifth section of the act
of twenty-sixth March,'ls-16. Soon after
the adjournment, my attention ~was di
rected to the pubjeet, and to guard
against loss I caused the Attorney Gen
eral to give police to the New York and
Erie - . Railroad Company that the State
would look.to that corporation for the
payment of the annual bonus, as hereto
fore, notwiGislauding the passage of,the
supplement referred to, I regard the lat
ter as having been - enacted and approved
through inadvertency in the hurry of a
closing session, and as hasty and incon
siderate legislation; at variance with•the
.settled potiey Of the State, and highly
prejudicial public interest ; 411111
therefore, earnestly recommend its im
mediate repeal, or at least solnueb::of it
irplatesAa the_hon us.- -----------
TELEOILAPII LINKS AND 11.111.80A-1)6
Tho. q ue, , slion of the assumption of the
control of the "-telegraph lines, and the
charterlwr ' of railroad companies within
the State by the cietieral Government,
was partially 9gnisitlered, by the Legisla
turo at'its last session, and is now ro-,
calving considerable attention. Regard
ing the tin! beet OH one of vast iniportance,
involving the iiovereign potter of the
State, the interests of corpUrations that
rtro.erffranchised by it, and of one citizens
who have invest:milts in stooks and
bonds 'amounting to many millions of
dollars, I most-earnestly invite Your
serious examination of it, itud your early
action thereon.
=9
•
A reliable geological and minuralogi-•
cal survey ivould be of incahmlable value
to the State. Without it WO have in
.delinito ideas of au• vast undeveloped
mineral wealth, and the expensp attend
ing it would be utterly insignificant when
compared with the beneficial results,
We dm, at present, without oven a.re..
liable map to indicate the locality, char
acter' and resources Of our miiieial
regions. And as good maps are the basis
of all useful rose:welt in every depar't
meet of science and the arta; especially
iifthe practical sciences of geology and
metallurgy, the'first stop toward a gee
jpgical survey is to - obtain as correct a
nutp as. possible, l it not of the entire
State, at least of such parts thereof as
are'of the moat importance to be studied
geologically. This will be a. work 'of,
labor-and time, and can only -be accom
plished successfully by triangulating 'each
coimty separately, and , from , the, county.
innps thus acquired, constfucting a com
plete and .accurate Snap of the whole
State. It is neither wise norjustpolloy
to delay this work because] it maybe
more perfectly effected at some future
time. There is tor it a present necessity,
and the time never will come when such
.a Work can be rendered perfect Thom
.can be no Hitch thing as a final geologi.
cal report.. New developments in min
oral resources, as well as additional
acquirements in scientific knowledge,
will constantly be made as long as the
world exists.
The gbneral voice of the business coin
'nullity and land-ownership.of She State
demands this survey. It is especially
called for by the oil regions, newly dis
covered coal fields, and by the iron,
manufacturing, and railroad interests.
'Large portions of the State remain, to a
great extent, unstudied by scientific and
practical men. The old survey of 18:10-
.11 did_ a good work, but it is or little
value now, except in a few localities:
Since it was made, wonderful discoveries
have taken place, and problems of struc
ture and deposit still, remain. unsolved,
doubtless involving mans , millions of
dollars in value. Then, many of the
back counties were :comparatively un
settled, and scarcely 'any openings were
made in our mineral districts, except in
theyanthraeite coal basins and around
Pittsburg. Now, the State is full of
trial shafts and private explorations ;
extensive forests hare been. cleared ;
roads pentate, what were inaccessible ,
regions ;railways traverse 'whole coun
ties Will instrumental field work ; many
thohsands of oil and salt wells have linen
bored; valuable mines put in 'working
order ; the population has advanced lit
intelligence and grown more Observant
and enterprising, and the skill of the
geologist,-metallurgist,-and-sum ) or InuiT
readied a higher degree of perfection.
Posterity has its claims upon us ; and
it should be considered tbat whatever is
done in the present generation is so much
accomplished tor the generations that
may follow. One important function of
a geological survey is to preserve knowl
edge :for future use. Science is cumu
lative, and its advances are slow. It
must collect many facts before it arrives
at true conclusions. For want of a
proper bureau of statistics, and a corps
of observation and publication to collate
and relate the facts of our geology and
mineralogy as they have appeared, the
State ha's already suffered severely.
Much valuable information has been lost,
never to be recovbred ; and but little
certain knowledge of past mining, and
other scientific operations, has been pre
served-to govern and assist the future
engineer. The sootier, therefore, in my
opinion, a geological survey is author
ized, the better will it be for the pros
pective interests of the State, as well as
for its present necessities: • -
110.1ItD OF 11:111.1C
Under the requirement 4 of an act, ap
proved April 24, 1869, I appointed liBe
commissioners to constitute a Board of
Public Charities, who, at all times, ha de
full power to look into and examine the
condition of all charitable, reformatory
or correctional institutions within the
State ;and at least once in every year
visit all - such as are receiving State aid,
to examine everything connected with
their management, and especially to
ascortaln whether:the funds, appropriated
to them are cconomillallAandludiciously
exPended.: : The - rreritilsitO-number. of
gentlemen, possessing the 'necessary
qualiiications, have gener_ously consented
to serve on this Board, which is now
fully organized, and the objects con
templated are - being' , accomplished.
Early during the session their first an-,
nual report will be presented. for your
consideration, which will give a full ac
count of the extent and importance of
their philanthropic transactions in belnilf
' of the Commonwealth.
ItArTLE OF GhTTY 111: ILG
I am informed that the picture of the
Battle of Gettysburg ; painted by order
of the Legislature, has been completed.
As this valuable production is the prop
erty of the State, I deem it important
that you should appoint a committee,
with whom I shall be pleased to co
operate, to take it in charge and prepare
a place suitable for its accommodatbin.
This should be made sufficiently
caPacious, and so arranged as to afford
an opportunity for the display of the
flags and other relics of interest to the
citizens of th4stato, and to the numerous
visitors at the Capital.
I=
The Legislature, at its session of 18 110,
pnsscd an act, entitled " An Act to settle,
determine and lgeate the southern
boundary line of 'ere Commonwealth."
In conformity therewith commissioners
were appointed to act "in conjunction
with like commissioners on the part of
tho State of Delaware." That State,
however, has failed, thus fax, to make
the necessary appointments. The work,
consequently, remains unaccomplished.
and the boundary line is not definitely
fixed.
Under ordinary circumstances this
might not be regarded as important ; but.
when it is considered that there is a
material difference in - the penal codes of
the two States, and that the code of
Delaware emit:tins certain provisions,
and authorizes the indiction of punish
ments repugnant to all the citizens of
Pennsylvania, serious - evils may some
day arise out of the neglect to determine
this line. It is impossible to tell what
might transpire, shonimP the
_Slate of
Delaware seize upon a citizen and sul.i;
,jeet bitulto the disgraceful and abhorrent
punishment orthe pillory and the whip
ping post, who, upon subsequent investi-,
gation, was ascertained to have his re
sidence in Pennsylvania. The injured
party would have aright to demand, 'and
we- would be compelled to grant him
satisfadtion for the wrong he suffered.
,This, and other reasons, might be urged
fol. the immediate settlement of this
question, Pennsylvania. does not desire,
and cannot ailiUd, to come into collision
with.the Slide of Delaware.
MEE=
The Suprone Court has :lecidod that
the law requiring the owners of dan,, ip
the SusquellaniCi river to nathe lish-ways
iti tlie sante, ;it least - in MieS Piero they
had purchitscd their worts l'one the
State, is unconstitutional and void:
From this decision it does not appear
that the State cannot ha vu such ways
constructed at its own expense. But
1104 does not, scent advisable until con
current legislation can be obtained with
Maryland, 11)4 -State holding both banks
of that Susquehanna river at its mouth
and for many miles above. The subject
has been brought to :the, attention of
Maryland, the FA:gist:aura of - which
State, at its last, session, passed a law
providing for the appointment of coin
missioners of fisheries, to report at its
next, session, which will pot occur until
next winter. The fisheries under con
sideration are- nearly, if not quite, as
deteriorated. by the want of stttu
tory laws for their, prtitection as by thit
mechanical obstructionsin the streams,
The New England ,States and New
-York have commenced - Ale experiment
of lisp propagation in the largo streams
north of us on quite an extensive scale.
Their experience will ;be useful to us
when all obstacles arising from the
divided State ownership of the ^ river
Ames shall have been obviated. New
Jersey appointed fish, commissioners at
the last session of her' Legislature, and
the commissionerorPonnsylvania is now
in _treaty...with them in reference to
needed 'concurrent legislation. The
subject is,receiiing careful attention in
both States by their , delegated agents:
It is honed that Delaware will join with
Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the
reforms needed on the Delaware river.
I=
Tho accumulation of books belonging
to the State, by purctase, exchange. and
donation, largely exceeds the capacity of
the Crises now in the- library lor their
accommodation: Many thousand , of
volumes, of great value, are necessarily.
stored away • in such a manner as to
render them , inaccessiblo and bon*
quontly useless. I, therafore,,rommmend
that the Legislature allUiOliZO' the 70011 ,
stinetion of a 'sufficient number of
alcoves, to accord with the architectural
arrangement of the building. Theo
can be completed at moderate cost,
which will he more than compensated
for in the safe keeping of the books, and
in their accessibility and geberal_useful-
=I
Permit me to renew my recommenda
tions concerning the collection and
properly recording of statistical infor
mation relating to the dOVelOpillellt :11111
growth of the various rdsources of„the
Conimonwralth. "Such records are an
almost indispensable necessity. The
want of them is a source of constant
perplexity and annoyance to all the State
officers, and to others, including United
States officials and representatives of
foreign nations, who have business with
the different departments of the State
government. These statistics Might be
gathered,'at a moderate expense; by an
intelligent clerk appointed for that
purpose, and the books at all times kept.
open for inspection in the office of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
=EI
'Clic 'report of the . Sdrveyor' Geheral
furnishes a detailed account of the Land
Ullice. During the past fiscal year 2,-
080 patinas were issued, covering' . 027,-
880 acres, being more than one-lifty,
sixth part of tdmarea of the 84-its alhe
grey • amount-of work' in this depart ment
requiren several additional clerks. The
insecurity of the buildings renders neces•
sary additional iron cases or safes for
the protection of the muniments of title
and other public documents. The exl
penses of 'the including improve
ments, was $22,400, whilst the receipts,
from fees alone, amounted to $04.703,61,
Ili=
Herewith is submitted the report Of
the Inspectors of Mines, lilted with highly
important statistical information, to
which your careful attention is invited.
The necessity for such inspectors is de
monstrated by the number of casualties
reported, and the propriety of ex t en di ng
the provisions of the act by which it has
been instituted to all the mining districts
in the Stare, forcibly exhibited.
I=
This fearful epidemle made Hs appear
ance at the Quarantine Station in ,Imic
last, spreading Wirer through that neigh
borhood, and causing serious alarm in
Philadelphia. The disease assumed its
worst, type, and the pm centage of mor
tality was extremely large. was
'brought to the Lazaretto, from Jamaica,
by the brig "Ronne," whose captain
died during the voyage. The vessel was
detained by order of the Lazaretto Phy
sician, who, with the Quarantine laste
:lnd other valuable attaches of the sta
tion, fell victims to the pestilence, The
second mate and pilot _of the brig, in
violation of orders to the 'contrary, and
also of - the health regulations, Went to
the - city, where they both (lied ; and it
has been inferred that the deaths which
subseroontly occurred there are partly
attributable to their imprudence.
Wan 'the death of the Lazaretto Phy
sician and the Quarantine Master, I ap
pointed two physicians, both . of whom
were. known to have had 'mina experi
dice in yellow fever, to fill the vacancies--..
They volunteered their FierTieCS at a
time when it was difficult to obtain per
sons properly qualified. The results
proved the propriety of these appoint
ments. Soon after they entered upon
the performance of theirxlutics, the dis
ease was eradicated and the station re
stored to its usually healthy condition.
Some changes 'seem necessary for the
propel, management of
,the quarantine.
In my opinion the Quarantine Master
sllould by law be required to be a medi
cal man, qualified to' act as an assistant
to the Lazaretto Physician, and to per
form the duties of that officer, in case of
his absence, sickness or death. llad
this been the case when the late physi
cian led, the necessity fur calling as
sistance from without, would have been
obviated, and the sickness,.suffering and
mortality lessened. The salary of this
officer, as well as that of tile Lazaretto
Physician, should be materially in
creased, in order to retain competent
and responsible men for these important
Positions. The salaries now paid were
fixed many years ago, and are an- inade
quate compensation for the risks and ser
vices required.
Grateful \ acknowledgements are due
to the menThers of the Board of Health
for their excellent sanitary precautions
and personal services during the preva
lence of the epidemic, and also to the
attaches of the Quarantine Station fo,r
their fearless devotion to duty in the time
of danger, and their constant and self
sacrificing attention to the wants of the
sick and dying. Ifad it not been for
these faithful and efficient services, b,'
which the progress of the fever was ar
rested, Phita4lelphia and citherliopniffils
districts might have suffered a repetition
or the horrbrs of former yeat's when this
dreaded disease made such frightful rav
ages.
NI.Jp(ORIAM
nom William P. Packer, ex.-Governor,
died at •Williainspok, on the twenty
seventh of September last, He was one
of the .telf-made men of whom the State
has justly had cause to be proud. In
early life he distinguished himself' as a
journalist, and in the many public posi
tions he 'sulisequently occupied he ao
quire& a high reputation for his eminent
abilities as a statesman and.' executive
officer, During , his public career ,he
filled the offices of' . Canal Commigsioner
and Auditor General, and was.a- mem
bet. of each branch of the General Assem
bly, having served two terms as Speaker
orthe House. Hill last pttblie trastcwas
that of Chief Magistrate of the Coin
moirivea!th. Ifo was over sixty-three
years of age at the time of his death,
nittlintS_lett_hellind-him-an-untarnishcd
fame.
Hon., William W. Watt, late a mem
ber of the Senate, departed this life on
the seventeenth of November last. Ile
had saved four successive years as a
member of the house ofjleiiresentatives,
and was in the first year of his Sena
torial term at the time of his deatli: — lfe
wits well-known and highly
.respected,
unassuming in his manners, kind and
coo in hk deportment, and in the
discharge of his obligatihns, whether of
a public or a private nature, he woo the
esteem of those who know him.
- Tho Legislature will;trust - , tiitt, fail
to take suitable notice of the•demise of
these two distinguished citizens, who,
during their life-time, weruso prominent
in rendering services for the public wel
fare,
PARDONS
Accompanying tilts commtinication will
be found the report of pardons granted
during the past year. Compared,with
the increase of crime, amine great num
ber of prisoners, InAlio county jails and
Stato penitentiaries,
,the number is less
than , that of former years. In exercising
clemency towards persons Convicted of
crime I have strictly endeayored, under
all eirltunstances,
.to observe that caution
'and discretion contemplated in the Con
stitution, and tp impartially ,administer
'that merciful prerogative and extend its
beneficent protection only for the mil.-
rection of the errors juris ,
prudence, the relief 'hr. those Nvlio may
'have been "cruelly" or' " excessively"
. punished, and thosestwomul whom clus
ter mitigations andhmeliorating circum
stances.:
Tlie number of applications foepardon
during the paid year { , lllB twolve• hundred
and , forty, of sixty-two, or live
Ifor cent, were 6.autctl,
The comnintation of.Ooptenecs fOr good
behavior in prison, in accordance ),vitik
the Taw of 1800, dias ellbeted fivorable
results in the to net of prlsonas,.and
.their keepoi:e nnerit groat auxiliary in
Maintaining 'wholepine prison dis-
CCONCLITIED
,ON BECCiNI3 I'AOE.I