'WE CO WHERE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES POINT THE WAY J WHEN THEY CEASE TO LEAD, WE CEASE TO FOLLOW. BY JOHN G. GIVEN. EBENSHURG, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1850. VOL. G. NO. 14. n in ivii i x m n. nvii u liiuuuiiuiJi To the Senate and House of Representa tives of the. Commonwealth of Peim sylvania. Fellow Citizens: - - The Lcgislati ve branch of the Gov ernment, meets under circumstances calcu late J to produce deep emotions of gratitude. The events of the past year cannot fail to afford -assurance of the continued mercy of the Almighty Father of the Universe, and of the blessings He has dispensed to the people of this Commonwealth. While in other parts of our country, and in distant lands, pestilence has made fear ful ravages; leaving in its track the wretch edness of destitution and the tears of crushed affections; a healthful climate, in the disposal of a righteous Providence, has preserved the citizens of the State com paratively free from the miseries of the destroyer. During a period of war, fam ine and civil commotion in the old world, bringing in their train, desolation and want blighting the hopes, paralyzing the indus try, and ruining the prosperity of the peo ple; our beloved Commonwealth, in union with others, under the National Constitu tion, has enjoyrd the delights of peace, and her citizens, in the exercise of indus trial pursuits, have found contentment anil competence. To the Author and Guardian of our being, whose benificence caused all things to work together for our good, our de.ernce and gratitude are especially due. The recent efforts for the establishment of liberal political institutions in Europe, have excited in the people of this country the warmest sympathies. The conflict between the oppressor and the oppressed, whatever may be the incidents or results, haring for its objects a Government capa ble of protecting and extending political and social liberty, must be regarded by the people of the United States with the deep est solicitude. In the enjoymert of insti tutions which recognize the inherent rights of man, and are founded on the acknowl ed principle that all political power is a . trust to be exercised for the benefit of the i citizen- they cannot witness the struggle between despotism and freedom, without ardent hopes and sincere prayers for the triumph of liberal and enlarged justice. It is impossible to behold a people long the subjects of tyranny and oppression; en lightened by our example, and solicitous fjr equal enjoyments; rising up beneath the burthens which centuries have heaped upon them; casting aside the reverance for power, and pride of regal splendor; looking forward to the establishment of human rights; to the elevation of the moral and social condition of society; and placing their lives and fortunes on the hazard of a struggle for these objects; without, on our part, an earnest, and anxious desire that they may succeed. That struggle lias been unsuccessful. The arbitary Govern ments, in whose midst the noble band of patriots erected their standard, have suc ceeded with their immense force in main taining tyrannical authority, and the brave men who fought for freedom, have either perished under the barbarous exactions of despotic will, or they wander in foreign lands, exiles from homes that no longer afford security. It is not the policy ol our National Government to mingle in the controversies of foreign nations, nor is it desirable that it should by acts of hostility or friendship, break up the commercial re lations which exist for mutual advantage; but it is, nevertheless, no violation of inter national law to enter our solemn protestand warning, against acts of cruelty and bar barism upon heroic men and defenceless women. It is not wrong for our Govern ment to unite with others, in the expres sion of indignation against the violation of national faith and national law, involved in the demand, for sanguinary purposes, of the brave defenders of human rights. The consideration ot the Legislature is respectfully invited to the financial condi tion of the Commonwealth. The present funded debt is as follows: 5 per cent loans, S2.04 1,022 51 5 per cent do 37,336,716 90 4 percent do 200,000 00 $39,577,739 41 Unfunded debt to wit: Relief notes in cir culation, with out interest, 6653,169 00 Interest Cer'cates outstanding 179,422 41 unclaimed, 4,448 38 44 on certificates t'o be added when the same shall be funded or paid. Domestic credi tors on settle ment, 11,294 34 85,104 S8 -8933,434 51 Amount of canal, railroad, and motive power debts, contracted prior to Dee, finirnn vvnin vmnn inn lil II Ei nlVfliirX I IKXXA V UU T 1J1I 1, 1848, and unpaid by the appropriations of the last session, 63,239 53 Total indebtedness of the Commonwealth Decem ber 1849, 840,574,413 51 The funded debt -on'the 1st Dec. 1848, was $30,393,350 24 Unfunded debt, 1 ,08 1 ,385 69 Amount of canal, railroad and motive power debts, contract ed prior to Dec. 1,1818, 367,012 33 840,842,379 31 Amount of public debt paid duringjhe year 1849, ex clusive of the sum paid Commissioners of the sinking fund, $267,935 85 Amount appropriated during the year 1819 toward payment of public debt, 8495,479 39 In exibiting the operations of the Treas ury for the last fiscal year, the sum of 3130,000, borrowed on special loan for the avoidance of the Schuylkill'lnclined Plane and included in the aggregate of the public debt in Dec. 1849, should be added to the above stated sum of 8495,479 35. The amount of receipts at the Treasury during the year ending Dec. 1 1849 Is, $4,433,688 65 The amount of expenditures during the same period is 4,084,771 80 Balance in Treasury on Dec. 1, 1848, 577,290 39 44 44 1849, 926,20724 Amount paid to Commis sioners of the sinking fund to Jan. 1, 1850, $227,- 513 53, with which was purchased of the funded debt, and transferred to the Commonwealth 253,000 00 Difference between the in debtedness of the State on the first of December 1818, and December 1, 1819, 267,965 86 Total amount of public debt paid during the year, $521,465 86 Estimates of receipts at the Treasury du ring the year 1850. From Lfmds, $20,000 00 Auction Commissions, 22,000 00 44 Duties, 50,000 00 Tax on bank dividends 130,000 00 44 Corporation Stocks, 160,000 00 44 44 Real and Personal Estate 1,330,000 00 Tavern Licenses, 80,000 00 Ketailers Licences, 160,000 00 Pedler's Licenses, 3.000 00 Broker's Licenses, 12,000 00 Theatre, Circus and Manageries Licen ses, 3,000 00 44 44 Biliard Rooms, Bow ling Saloons and Ten-pin Alley Li censes, 5,000 00 44 44 Distillery and Brew ery Licenses, 1,000 00 44 44 Eating Houses, Beer Houses and Restau rant Licenses, 15,000 00 44 44 Patent Medicine Li censes, 3,000 00 44 44 Pamphlet Laws, 500 00 Militia Fines, 2,000 00 Tax on Writs, Wills, Deeds, &c. 40,000 00 44 44 Certain Offices, 20,000 00 44 44 Collateral Inheritance 200,000 00 Canal and Railroad Tolls, 1,825,000 00 Canal Fines and Sale of old Materials, 5,000 00 Enrollment of Laws, 1 1,000 00 Premiums of Charters, 40,000 00 Tax on Loans, 125,000 00 Inclined Plane Loan, 270,000 00 Dividends on Turnpike and Bridge Stock, 2,000 00 Nicholson Lands, 300 00 Accrued Interest, 5,000 00 Refunded Cash, 5,000 00 Escheats, 2,000 00 Fees of Public Offices, 2,000 00 Miscellaneous, 2,000 00 Interest on'Stock purchased, 15,000 00 $4,566,300 00 Estimated payments during 1850: To Public improvement.-, 640000 CO Exoenses of Gov ernment. 235.000 00 Militia Expenses, 4.000 00 Pensions and Gratu ities, 20,000 00 Cbiriia'olo Institu tions, CO, COO CO Joniinmi Schools. 2.KU)!)D 00 Imerctl oit Loans, 2,005.01)0 01) (Ju oran:ts of lit. Iciest, 32.c03 00 Domestic Creditors. 10,003 00 Damages on Pultlic works, 20,000 09 Special Commission- ers. 2.003 00 State Library, 2,01)0 0U l'u 11 1 C Buildings and Grounds, 2.000 00 Penitentiaries. 15.0C 00 !1 KitecfR. foge, 5.U0J 03 Nicholson Lii.dj. 300 00 Efccheats. 2,000 0J Abatement of Slate Tax. 40,000 CO Counsel Fees and ComiuifSii.iid, 2.003 03 Misceliatie u. 5.003 03 Inciincd i'.ane, lS.:huIkil!.) 270.033 00 Nort Uraiicij Canal 15U.0UJ 00 Coiniiits'u Making 1-uaJ 233 030 03 54,034.800 00 8531.5'JO 00 The foregoing estimated balance in the Treasury, at the end of the fiscal year 1850, would appear to justify the appro priation of $40,000 toward the completion of the Western Keservoir at Johnstown, as hereinafter recommended. It would also authorize the appropriation of a sum not less than $300,000, in addition to the amount already appropriated, to be ex pended in the completion of the North Branch Canal. The Legislature at its last session au thorized the re-issue of the relief notes then in circulation, and suspended their cancellation for three ) ears. The amount of the whole issue now outstanding is $653,165 00 The amount paid into the Treasury ami supplied by a new issue is 443,537 00 Balance, $209,6-.i7 00 The above balance has been destroyed Or lias Lillet! tf r:Wll t!i 'Frr-scniMf rtiirin.T j the year. These notes, the redemption of which being amply secured, and afcordmg a safe and convenient local currency, have the confidence and the favor of the citi zens. It is therefore recommended that authority be given to proper officers, to keep them in good condition, by a new issue, in lieu of such as may become mu tilated and defaced. In addition to the suggestions made to the last Legislature on the subject of the : rnonied affairs of the State, it is deemed proper to call vour attention to the fact. that a portion of the funded debt is over i due a part bearing an interest of six per cent. and a part falling due the year 1850, as follows: j The amount of five per cent. funded debt overdue, ex- copt bank charter loans, is $354,519 10 The amount of six per cent. - funded debt overdue, is 1,752,335 00 The amount of five per cent. funded debt falling due on or before Dec. 1, '50 is 959,211 15 The amount of unfunded debt now due, 85,101 88 Amount demandable at the Treasury duringjthe year, $3,191,171 19 Provision should be made at an earlv day for arrangements with the creditors holding these claims. To permit them to remain in their present condition, would ! not only evince an indisposition to nav our i just uents, nut would also operate lujun- ousiy to me noiuers ol tne stock, by com pelling sales at a price below their par val ue. The annual demands upon the Trea sury, with the present means of the State, will not permit the payment of these loans; and the only practicable mode which sug gests itself serins to be the negotiation of new loans, stipulating an extension of the time of payment. It is believed that such loans could be negotiated at a rate of inte rest not exceeding 5 per cent. Should authority be given in the arrangements suggested, to stipulate that the said stock should be exempt from taxation, the in ducements to investments therein would create such competition as would be high ly advantageous to the Treasury. Justice and honesty require that these debts should be promptly paid, or arranged to the satis faction of the parties interested, and any provision which the Legislature mavdeem proper on the subject, will meet the cordi al approbation of the Executive. The establishment of the sinking fund, by the appreciation of State stocks, and the consequent increase of confidence in the abilily of the State to meet her engage ments; with a replacement by a new issue of the old and defaced relief notes, has had the salutary effect of enabling the Treasu ry department with slight expense in the exchange or transmission of means, to meet the payment of interest on the public debt in par money, as also to pay other creditors of the State in good funds. The payment of the public liabilities in the i manner aioresaid, and the adoption of a system to extinguish eventually the public debt, must bring to their par value, the stocks of the Commonwealth. If is esti mated that $13,049,000 of the public stocks are held in this country, and the addition in their value, by these simple operations demanded alike by sound policy and hon esty, wiL' increase their marketable worth in li.vJ-vuvis of the citizens $1,950,000. To the efii ciency of the State Treasurer, the Auditor (ieneral and other officers charged with the collection and disburse ment f the public moneys during the past year, is justly attributable in a high degree these fivorable results. The. beneficial 'results of the sinking fund canaot be doubted. The payments from various sources to the Commission ers, during the past ye ar have been as fol lows: From collateral inheritance lax, $180,212 41 44 Premiums on charters, 35,909 40 44 Eating and oyster houses and restaurants, 5,867 20 44 Billiard and bowliug sa- loous and ten-pin alleys, 2,985 50 44 Theatre, circus and mena gerie licences, 44 Distillery and brewery licences, O 4 ,210 CO 384 00 Amount received for the year ending Dec. 1, 1848, " $227,629 01 The estimated payments for the same purpose, for the year ending Dec. 1, 1S50, are as follows: From collateral inheritance t,ix, $200,000 00 44 Interest on stocks pur chased, 15,000 00 44 Premiums on charters, 40,000 CO 44 Theatre, circus and mena gerie licenses, 3,000 00 44 Distillery and brewery li censer, 1,500 00 44 Billiard and bowling saloons and ten-pin alleys, 5,000 00 44 Et--;id oyster huasc3 and restaurants, 15,000 00 44 Balance in Treasury after deducting appropriations herein before recommen ded, 91,500 00 $371,000 00 The opinion is confidently expressed that the estimated receipts above stated will be found to approximate the truth, should an adherence to the policy pursued by the last Legislature, in relation to pre miums on charter, and other financial mea sures be authorized and eountinued. Should such be the case, the above sum, at the present rates, would extinguish up wards of four hundred thousand dollars of the funded debt, during the present fiscal year. The sources from which the sink ing fund is supplied must necessarily in crease. The tax on collataral inheritance, and on theatre, circus and menagerie li cences, prior to the act creating a sinking fund, yielded to the Treasury about the sum of $45,600 annually. By the provi sions of that act, these have been increased to the sums above stated, and the other sources of revenue have been created by recommendations heretofore made lo the Legislatu re. With these means for the supply of the sinking fund, together with such additions as the probable resources of the Treasury, from time to time may justify, it is suscep tible of easy calculation to determine, how nearly approaches the period when the State taxes may be repealed, and the bur then of the people removed. So manifest ly important are these results upon the industrial pursuits of the citizens, and the interests and honor of the State, it is suo--gested for consideialion whether good pol icy would not require the transfer of all balances in the Treasury at the end ot each year to the Commissioners of the said Fund. Every consideration that can impose itself on a government demands the pay ment of the public debt. The local ad van -tagesofour Commonwealth the salu brity of our cilmate the vastness of our mineral depesites the fertility ofoursoil and the prosperity and happiness of the people, ahke require the repeal cf a system oflaws, which compel emigration pre vent the settlement cf uncultivated lands drive capital from our borders, and para lyze the industry of every class of our citi zens! Should these balances remain in the Treasury unappropriated to the said Fund, the history of the past will re mind us that prod igal expenditures will be mado lo ' objects of diminished impor tance. The subject of the revision and equali zation of the laws for raising revenue, is again earnestly pressed upon the attention of the Legislature Great injustice arises under existing enactments, from the want of adequate means to prerentor topunish ! indiviuals making false returns of proper ty subject totaxation. The conscientious citizen, scrupulously exact in the perform ance of his obligations to society, may well compl tin flaws which suffer the dis honest to eiude with impunity the pay ment of an equitable share of the public burthens. The tax on lands, mortgages, and moneys at interest, is ssessd so on. qua'ly, that great reasor, for complaint ex ists throughout the Stale. To remedy to some extent this ovil.it would be well to require Prothonotaries of the several coun ties, to collect f;cm the Plaintiff in Judsr merits the lax thereon assessed, and if necessary to compel payment by legal pro cess. A similar provision with regard to mortgages, giving the llecorders the au thority before stated in relation to Judg ments, would embrace these two items of taxation, and would doubtless compel the payment cfa large amount cf revenue, now fraudulently withheld. The laws subjecting lo a tax the com missions issued to the officers of ! his com monwealth, shold be extended to embrace commissions to non-residents. The jus tice of taxing the citizens cf the state, and of permiting non-residents who hold com missions under the government, to enjoy the emoluments free from taxation, canot readily be perceived. No effectual mode has been devised to compel the agents of foreign insurance companies to make a semi-annual exhibit j furnished to the bidders, the contract should of the amount of funds employed by their j stipulate the terms onawhich they should respective companies within this com- bs vsed monwealth? A law having an tffict cf j The transportation of passengers should this character, is highly necessary, and J be done by contract with the lowest bid would ie productive of decided advantage ; der. In the agreement it would te neces- j In the enactment of such a law, it would De wen to maiie trie certificate issued to agents of said companies, subject to taxa - ! tion. j Incorporated companies of various kinds, j deriving their character elsewhere, have j agencies in the state and transact business ! therein, and yet no accurate account is ta- j ken of the money employed or of the val - ue ot protits ot tneir investments, w ere tr.G proper departments icquwea to r.rsc . list of these incorporations, and authority given to ascertain the amount cf the invest- ments, the rate of dividends declared, or the profits made, and a tax was levied on such dividends, or profits, as well as on the capital stock employed, a large reve nue to the commonwealth would be the result. While money borrowed by citizens. boroughs, and incorporated districts, is subject, by existing laws, to taxation, it I expenditure necessary for the purchase of is not peiceived why money bcr rowed by j new locomotives; save to the State the im incorporated companies should be exempt j mense sacrifice in the old engines; accom from similar assessment. To make an rnodate the travelling public by a lower equitable distribution of the public bur- (rate of fare; and would advance the public thens. should be the special object of the interests by lessening the annual outlays Legislature, and care shonld be taken that j and increasing the income from the read no exemption should be allowed to any j more than $200,000. class of citizens over another where the s Discriminations in the lolls on the Pub property employed is the same. Atten- j lie Works against poations of our citizens tion to the foregoing objects of taxation, ! by means of a system of drawbacks and will not enly increase the revenue, but :s j maximum rates of tolls, are unjust and demanded alike by Justice and sound pol j improper. The iabor and property, in icy. common with others, were incumbered in Aext in importance to me puunc aeoi and the equalization of taxes, is the man. ajjement of the public improvementes. The vast expenditures annually niabe for j fioult to perceive upon what principle cf the repair and supervision of these works, i public policy, a Tariff of tollsjis maintain and the amount of revenue derived there- j td, discriminating agr.iust theij- interests, from; so materially affecting the condition j The demands of trade cannot excuse a of the Treasuary, render them objects of j palpable wrong of this character, while a peculiar interests. It is believied that an i reduction of tolls on the whole line of im incressed amount of nett revenue should j provements would produce an increase of ba derived from these works. The cnor- business, and sscurs the desired foreign mous appropriations of the l.'ist year, for trade. j their maintenance in repairs towards the payment ot dent tnereiore contracted ; pairs, and fcr the purchase ol materials should have placed them in a sound condi- j beyond appropriations for these purposes, tion, and would authorize the .conclusion J should be prohibited by severe penalties, that a small expenditure during the pres- j Nothing can be more destructive of all ac ent seas m would be sufficient. In the. j countability, or oiTVi stronger inducements absence of the annual report of canal com- j tQ extravagance, ihim such a power o ver missiners, no specific amount for these ob- J the publicYnoney. An ofiicerguilty of an jects can be given by the executive. j jct of this kind, violates the trust commit- The system for thd management of these J ted to him, and should be forthwith dis improvements, invites unnecessary ex- :' missed from the public service. Debts al penditures, and removes responsibility j ready contracted in this way should be from the proper pepartment. Were the j paid, for the labor in behalf of the State number of canal commissioners increased ' j,aS been performed, and it would inflict aa to five; the slate divided into districts j injury on those who could not have a for the election and supervision of each j knowledge cf the wrong, to withhold from Commissioner, the direct and inmediate them the value of their services, but im charge and control of the district imposed mediate measures should be adopted to upon one of these officer, requiring of him j prevent occurrences of a like nature ia the performance of the duties now execu- j future. A practice of this kind, author ted by superintendents and supervisors,: ized 'm somo means are by subsequent so und stipulating for the annual alteration of j propriations, of the Legislature, for the the said Commissioners; much practical payment of the dfbts thus contracted, can. information of interest to the State would J not foil to mislead the people, and cr.bar be acquired; a direct responsibility for the- aS3 the public oOirs in their estimates well ordered condition of the Public i arrj recommendations. The large appro Works, and the economy of expenses j pHations for the payment of old debts, wmilx! hf RpfM'T-p.d: rnrl thft lircre discretion- ! mun at the last session of the LegiS.ature, ary powers now vested in superintendents and supervisors, in the adoption ol plans and payment of money for repairs, would be placed in officers directly accountable to the people. In relation to this subject, legislation should be clear and specific, as discretionary power over ths money of ths citizen must be deprecated by riht . lliink in men. The method adopted in the management of the Public Works is evidently defective. Repairs on the canals and railroads are made in a way to prevent all competition. W ere the ssveral servicas performed by contract, and awarded to he lowest biddsr rivinr the required security can llnre exist a doubt of favorable results to the public interests. Ths State does not derive en adeqsats share of the profits arising from the use of the Columbia Railroad. The construction of the road; its maintenance and super vision, and the supply of the motive pow er, involving great expense and risk, de mand from the profits of the road a larger return than finds its way into the TreasuT'. An evii so detrimental to the public inter ests calls for a speedy remedy. It i3 suggested that the Canal Commis sioners should be required to invite propo sals for furnishing the Motive Power on the said road, stipulating in detail the ser vices to be performed; and the nature cf the security to be given. The object being to procure competition in the supply of the Motive Power, encouragement should be given to individuals, willing lo undertake the duty of running one or more locomo tives on ths road, whether belonging totha State or the individual bidder. Should the locomotives te'orging- ro the State, be sary that the Canal Commissioners should fix the kind ol cars and such other details, j as would secure the accommodation of the passengers, and faithfully guard the pub- He interest. J In the transmission of burden cars, nn arrangement might well be made with j their owners, by which the State would 1 receive instead of the present tolls, a por- ; uen of the freight charges. 1 he conse- ? queued woud be advantageous to Lota i parties. j These changes in the present system. j would, it is believed, largely diminish the expenses of the "motive power; would au thorize a reduction inthe rate of tolls; pro duce an increase of business upon the road; furnish with profitable labor many citizens now refused employment by rea son of the monopoly held by the State over the motive power on the road; prevent the ; the construction ot improvements; tneir in dustry and wealth have for years assisted and continue to sustain them; and it is dif- I The practice of contracting debts for re- j show the extent to which this practice has hern carried, and should admonish us to guard against a rccurrancc of the evil. In provTding by legal enactment against the mischief here stated, authority might given to the Canil Commissioners,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers