'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,