THE JOURNAL.
1109111.2 CT PRINCIPLES-24YPPODYED DY TRI:Th
HUNTINGDON, PA,
Thursday Morning, Jan. 9, 1851.
TEMA OF PUBLICATION:
Tits "Horn: woos JocusiAL" is published at
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paid during the year, 2,00
I paid after the expiration of the year,- • 2,50
To Clubs of five or more, in advance, • • • 1,50
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No subscription will be taken for a less period than
six months, and no paper will he discontinued un
til arreamges are paid, unless at the option of
the publisher.
V. B. PALMER
Te ottr authorized agent in Philadelphia, New
York and Baltimore, to receive advertisements,
and any persons in those cities wishing to adver
tise in our columns, will please call on him.
111 ,
A Change.
Q' Hereafter the " Journal" will he published
on Thursday morning in place of Tuesday as here
tofore. We make this change for the benefit of
our readers. The present arrangement of the
mails will enable us, by this change, to give later
news, as we almost invariably receive the impor
tant news in the early part of the week. The
Trough Creek packages will he mailed on Wed
nesday evening, and will convey to our numerous
subscribers in that region the very latest intelli
gence.
or The Code of Ethics given on our first page,
Is published by order of the Huntingdon Count
Medical Society. We invite attention to it.
or The Governor's Message has crowded out
several articles prepared for this paper. Several
advertisements are ♦LSo crowded out, which shall
appear again next week.
Pa. Legislature.
The Legislature assembled at Harrisburg on
Tuesday of this week. The House organized by
electing Jour CEESNA, (Loco) Of Bedford Speak
ar ; and on yesterday the Senate
,organized by
electing BENJ. MATTHIAS, (Whigf . of the city,
Speaker of that body.
M. BLIDON, Democrat. has been elected to
Congress, in the Il th District of this State, in
place of HON. CHESTER BUTLER, deceased, by
about 300 majority. Capt. Dana, independent
Democrat, was the opposing candidate.
GORR:COWS ME:MSGR.—The kindness of Goy.
Johnston, in furnishing our post-master with copies
of the Message for the press, to be delivered as
aeon as the Telegraph would announce its delive
ry to the two Houses, has enabled us, by uniting
forces with our neighbor of the Globe, to lay this
important document before our readers this week.
We have no room for comment. All will read it.
Magazines.
GODIT'II MAGAZINE, for February, is already
on our table. It is most superbly illustrated,
and abounds in the choicest literary productions.
There are forty-six engravings, including the grent
and elegant picture of Christ entering Jerusalem.
Godey deserves all the success he meets with.
Person, in the country forming clubs, receive
two copies for ss—fivo for $lO. Address L. A.
Goday, Philadelphia.
GRAMM'S MAGAZINE, for February, has been
received. As usual its pages arc filled with the
eboicest literary productions, from the pens of the
most popular American writers. The engravings
are very fine. This Magazine has always been
wall sustained, and will continue to be so long as
11 coutinneeto 7 possess its present merit.
Single copies $3; two copies $5 ; five'slo.
DAILY AMEIIICAN.-We have been in the daily
receipt of this spirited little paper since the first of
January. It is conducted with ability and enter
prise. The editorials are able and the Telegraph
ic and other news the very latest from all quarters.
If this paper continues to be conducted as it now
hi, it mast succeed. We should be pleased to
forward the names of some of our friends as sub
scribers to this paper. It will furnish the very
latest legislative news. Terms $4 per annum.
London Fair.
THOS. READ, Esq. and Gen. A. P. WiLsox of
this place, haveibeen:appointed by Gov. Johnston,
members of the committee to superintend the
Pennsylvania productions to be sent to the Lon
don Fair, in May next. These are good appoint
ments. Mr. READ has been engaged in manufite
curing and merchantile pursuits ever since he
entered business, and Gen. WILSON is an Attor
ney of high standing, and a gentleman of exten
sive general information. We understand that
both these gentlemen will attend the Fair.
Trouble in the Wigwam.
• portion of the Democracy of Pennsylvania
Ming dissatisfied with the call of tho State Cen
tral Committee, for a separate Judiciary Conven
tion at Harrisburg, a dispute has arisen on the
subject. A portion of the Committee called an
other meeting, which was held in Philadelphia on
Monday, 30th ult., and the original arrangement
wea repudiated and entirely upset. This portion
of the Committee say that the Judiciary shall al
so be held at Reading on the 6th of Juno, two
days after the Gubernatorial convention, at the
same place. The dispute is said to have raised
quite a furor in the Democratic wigwam.
Local Papers.
sFir Col. Wallace, of the Philadelphia Sun
handsomely lays:—
We have always held that the first duty of our
country friends is to their local news-papers ; they
should he liberally supported, and no ono should
neglect them for the purpose of subscribing to a
city weekly. The local editors of the iutorior are
often at heavy expense and work night and day,
both with head and hands, for the accommodation
Irf their oorantunities, and they should receive aj
U+*.& retannvreekrs.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE,
To the Honcrahle the Senators and Members of
Me House of Representatities of the General As
semble.
FELLOW Cinzens renewal of expressions
of gratitude to the Almighty Father, for his man
ifold mercies and protecting influences during the
past year, and the utterance of a prayer "in spirit
and in trutli,'t for the continuance of these bless
ings, well become a people who habitually ac
knowledge the superintending care of a just and
merciful God. The abundant harvests of the late
season, the general exemption of the community
from disease, the rapidly-improving condition of
the country, in all things which confer happiness
and rational contentment, increased facilities of
estimation, and the enjoyment of religious privi
lege in its purest forme, admonish us anew, that
the destiny of this people and government is di
rected by the power of a Supreme Ruler, whose
kindly providences are continually exerted for
their welfare and its well being.
The melancholy duty devolves on me, of form
ally announcing to the General Assembly, the
fact of the decease of the Chief Magistrate of the
Nation, the venerable ZACIIARY TAYLOR, who sli
est at the City of Washington, on the evening of
the Ninth of July last.
The soldier whose brilliant achievements in
arms added new lustre of the military fame of the
country, and the Statesman whose policy, as
shadowed forth in his recommendations to Con
gress, was that of the wisest and most generous
patriotism, died in the full possession of his great
mental faculties, surrounded by endeared relatives,
• cherished friends, and patriotic members of gov
ernment, with the calm resignation becoming a
Christain soldier. and founded on the thith, which
teaches that death has no terrors for those who
faithfully endeavor to do their duty. The Ameri
can people paid the highest tribute to his memory
by united and universal sorrow.
In the purity and disinterestedness of his mo
tives, the patriotism of every impulse as affecting
his public conduct, the perfect sincerity of his de
sire to act justly to all men, his winning gentleness
of temper as manifested in his personal deport
ment, were to be found traits of character which
bound closely to him his confidential friends, and
gave to their sorrow for his demise a bitterness
which no lapse of time or change of circumstance
can alleviate.
It is recommended that a suitable expression of
respect for the memory of the deceased, and of re
gret for our bereavement, be muds by the present
_ _
On the death of General Taylor, by the provis
ions of the constitution, the powers and duties of
the Chief Magistracy were vested, without the
least interruption of the public business, in Vice
President Millard Fillmore, whose virtue and pa
triotism as manifested in the discharge of former
trusts, as well as in the administration thus far of
his new functions, justify the confident expecta
tion that the policy of the National Administration
will eminently promote the best interests of the
country. In its avowal of the great lniuciple of
protection to American Industry, it has an espe
cial claim on the confidence of Pennsylvania.
.„ ...
Resolutions expressive of the feelings of the
last Legislature on the death of the lute John C.
Calhoun, were communicated to Isis family. I
herewith transmit the correspondence.
The amendment of the State Constitution, pro
viding for the election by the citizens of the judi
cial officers of the Commonwealth, loosing received
the sanction of a majority of the people, is now
part of the organic law. Your attention is invited
to such legislation as may be necessary to carry
into complete effect this expression of the popular
will. By the terms of the Constitution, the com
missions of the Judges will expire on the first
Monday of December, in the year one thousand
eight hundred and fifty-one. It is suggested that
this will afford a favorable opportunity to remodel
and greatly lessen the number of Judicial Dis
tricts. At present there are no less than twenty
four judicial districts with District Courts in Phil
adelphia and Allegheny Counties. A reference
to the vast amount of business transacted in these
last-mimed Courts, affords conclusive evidence that
the interests of the community demand their con
tinuance. Should a reduction be made in the
number of the common Pleas Districts, the salaries
now paid to the Judges ought to be increased to
such extent as would be a fair remuneration for
the labor performed and the responsibility incur
red in the execution of the duties of their high
offices. It is no part of the character of our citi
zens to require the labors of others, without ade
quate compensation. Fair salaries will best secure
the services of honest, intelligent and competent
men, in that department of government, in the
faithful administration of which every citizen is so
deeply interested. An increase of the salaries of
this Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas and
District Courts, would demand the extension of
the same liberality to such gentlemen ns may be
selected to discharge the higher and more respon
sible duties of Judges of the court of last resort.
Two annual elections appear to impose emcees
, sary burthens upon the citizens. Expense to the
general treasury, and loss of time to the voter,
could be well saved by authorizing the elections
now held in the Spring to he holden at the gene
ral election in October. To such counties as
de
desire to try the experiment, the right might be
granted. I have been furnished with a statement
of the expense incurred by holding Spring elec
tions in Dauphin County, and if the amount is a
fair average of the expense to the other countries,
the change indicated will save to the people of the
Commonwealth annually upwards of thirty thou
sand dollars.
The project of creating an Agricultural Depart.
anent connected with the State Gov'inent demands
the favorable consideration of the Legislature. In
such department might be collected much valuable
information for the use &the practical farmer. The
recent improvements in the construction of imple
ments of husbandry, the analysis of earths, impro
ved 'notice of tillage, & adaptation of manures, and
seeds to various kinds of soil, are subjects of alisor
bing interest to the agricultural classes. Diffusion
of knowledge respecting the best breeds of horses,
cattle, and other stock, with suggestions in all au
thorised and reliable form, and experimental expo
sitions of the proper tootles of rearing and training
live stock of all kinds, could not fail to act belled
chilly on this great interest of the Commonwealth.
Should the Natitanal Government erect an Agricul
tural Bureau, in conformity with the suggestion of
the President, the State institution would be an ef
ficient auxiliary in the collection of local infuriate
tion, and for the distribution here at home, ofknowl
edge amassed in that department front other sour
, cos. In this establishment, the claims of the mi
ning, mechanical, and manufacturing interests on
the fostering care of the Government, might he e
qually regarded. A private society in our me
tropolitan city by its liberality, activity and learn
ing has dune much to develop and encourage the
arts and sciences, useful in every-day life, and ims
largely aided our mechanics and manufacturers to
gain a reputation throughout the world. By the
measure proposed, I desire to accomplish for the
advancement of the agricultural, mechanical, and
mining industry of the whole COIIIIIIOII WC:11111, What
the Franklin Institute 114 S done liar those interests,
which have enjoyed the benefit of its discrimina
ting care. County and township institutions would
speedily follow the creation of a State department,
and by mutual action and counsels, results would
ensue, highly grutifying to the patriot, and benefi
cial to the country.
Should the returns of the seventh census of the
United States be transmitted in time, the appor
tionment of the State into Congressional Districts
may become part of your duty. In such event, it
is hoped the custom heretofore pursued of postpo
ning action on important bills of this description to
the last hours of the session will be changed. It
is a practice utterly inconsistent with careful and
correct legislation, and destructive of the rights of
• co-ordinate branch of the Government.
The Committee charged with the introduction of
gas lights into the public buildings, have complied
so far as in their power, with the directions of the
Legislature. An appropriation to meet these ex
penses, and to enclose and improve the public
grounds, should be made at an early day.
A complete set of balances, furnished to the State
by the General Government, have been deposited
in the buildings of the Land Office. The Com
missioners of the several counties ought to be re
quired to have the weights and measures, under
their care, again adjusted and regulated.
An arrangement of the Geological specimens be
longing to the State, in some convenient place for
general inspection, and the publication of the Geo
logical reports, are demanded alike by the true in
terests of the State and a just appreciation of her
character for enlightened enterprise.
My attention has been rattled to the large body of
original papers in the State department, connected
with the Colonial and revolutionary history of the
State, and their extremely exposed and perishing
condition. These records arc worth preservation
as containing authentic information of the action
of our fathers in the straggle for national existence.
In the Capitol of Pennsylvania, and with the sym
pathies of her patriotic people, was Independence
matured and declared. Iler soldiers were most
numerous around the standard of the nation, and
there were more battle fields on her soil than in
the same area elsewhere. Every memorial of those
days of devotion and trial should be faithfully pre
served. There exists a single copy in inanuscript
of the minutes of the Revolutionary Executive
Council, a document by far too valuable to remain
longer within the reach of accident or mutilation.
It would he gratifying to a large body of our con
stituents if the .Assembly would authorise the em
ployment of a competent gentleman to seleet dud
arrange for publication these memorials of an in
teresting epochs in the history of the Common
wealth.
In the early spring the buildings of the Insane
Asylum will be ready fur the reception of patients.
This work of charity, worthy of the best care of
the philanthropist, from its admirable construction
and healthful location, cannot fail to answer the
ends of its benevolent founders. It deserves the
fostering care of the Legislature.
In the performance of your ditties, attention is
most earnestly directed to the revision of the laws
in relation to taverns, restaurants, beer houses, and
ten pin alleys. It is alleged that in many instan
ces they are made the common resort of the young
the idle and the worthless, to the great detriment
of the moral well-being of the rising generation.
The suggestions and reccommendations of for
mer messages in reference to the equalization of
Tax laws, payment of portions of the public debt
overdue, the currency, and public improvements,
are again pressed on your attention. The loan
authorized at the last session to redeem the over
due public debt, has not been negotiated.
The financial condition of the Commonwealth is
exhibited in the following statements:
Amount of funded debt, including amount in the
hands of Commissioners of Sinking Fund, and also
special loan to avoid Inclined Plane at the Schuyl
kill, on the 30th of November, 1850, was
$39,862,914 78
Amount of unfunded debt, same
date, 912,570 64
Total sum of debt, $40,775,485 42
In this gross sum is included the loan to avoid
the Plano at the Schuylkill, as above stated—the
avoidance of the plane authorized the sale of that
portion of the Columbia Railroad and Viaduct over
the Schuylkill, rendered useless by the construction
of the new road. A part of the road and bridge
was sold for $243,200, which amount is to be ap
plied as directed by the 18th Sect. of the Act of
10th April, 1849, towards the permanent improve
ment of the Columbia railway. The actual cost of
this great improvement, whereby the Plane has
been avoided, the use of the public works much
facilitated, and an annual saying of thirty-on• Rion
sand dollars, secured to the Treasury, in the disuse
of the machinery and labor necessarily connected
with the plane, is shown as follows
Amount of cost of new road, say $400,000 00
Deduct price of old road sold, 243,000 00
The Sinking Fund operation is exhibited thus:
Amount of funds received during
year, $197,193 74
Amount of stocks purchased du
ring year, 345,622 98
Amount in hands of Commission
ers on 30th Nov., 1850, 5,967 60
Whole amount received since
commencement of 5y5tem,424,832. 75
Whole amount of stocks purcased 459,122 98
Amount of money in hands on
30th November, 1850, 5,967 60
FURTHER EXPOSITIONS OF THE PUBLIC DEBT.
Amount of debt on 30th Nov., 1850, 40,775,485 42
Amount of stocks and cash in hands
of commissioners of the Sinking
Fund, $465,090 58
Deduct amount of spe
cial loan—the inter
est thereof saved in
the discontinuance
of the Plane, 400,000 00 865,090 58
839,910,394 84
Amount of debt on
30th Nov., 1848.
Funded, $39,393,350 24
Unfunded, 1,081,386 69
Canal, Railroad, and
Motive Power debts
returned in 1849 and
1850, being debts
contracted prior to
Ist Dec., 1848, 373,861 48
Total indebtedness, $40,848,598 41
Actual indebtedness, including In
clined plane Loan, on 30th No
vember, 1830, and excluding
the amount in hands of Sinking
Fund Commissioner, $40,310,394 84
Actual decrease of public debt
since 30th November, 1848, $538,203 57
Within the same period, there has been paid
from the treasury appropriations, that may be
called extraordinary, as follows :
Towards completion of North Branch
Canal, $148,500 00
To avoid Inclined Plane, 309,440 .02
if Ole, sums, from the payment whereof the
Treasury will be relieved by the completion of the
improvements above stated, be added to the actual
reduction of public debt above exhibited, the con
clusion is clear, that at a very early date, an an
nual appropriation of nearly one million of dollars
may be nook towards the reduction of the public
debt.
Annexed is an estimate of the receipts and ex
penditures of the present, with the estimate of
last year, and the actual receipts at the Treasury.
Estimate Receipts Estimates
for 1850. for 1850. for 1851.
Lands, $20,000 $16,378,58 $16,000
Auction cam. 22,000 18,673,75 20,000
Auction duties,so,ooo 44,898,22 45,000
Tax on b'k div as 130,000 153,877,14 160,000
" on corpora-
tion stocks,l6o,ooo 136,510,14 160,000
10 on Real an
personal es
tate, 1,330,0001,317,821,55 1,330,000
Licenses, Tay. 80,000 107,427,49 100,000
' 1 Retailers, 160,000 171,062,26 175,000
" Pedlars, 3,000 2,525,05 3,000
" Brokers, 12,000 10,228,73 11,000
11 Theatres, &e. 3,000 2,384,50 2,500
11 Bil'rd rooms, 5,000 3,045,81 4,000
" &e. 1,500 4,203,91 5,000
11 Eating hous
es, ac., 15,000 6 7 530,97 10,000
" Pat. medic., 3,000 2,633,04 3,000
Pamphlet laws, 500 345,58 500
Militia fines, 2,000 12,953,73 10,000
Tax on Writs, 40,000 45,409,47 45,000
" on Offices, 20,000 14,047,21 15,000
" on collateral
inheritance,
Canal and Road
200,000 102,295,01 150,000
tolls, 1,825,000 1,713,848,16 1,800,000
Sale of old mate's, 5,000 6,953,84 5,000
Enrol'nt of laws, 11,000 10,270,00 12,000
Prem. on chart' rs 40,000 89,262,21 40,000
Tax on loans, 125,000 119.356,30 120,000
Inc. plane loan, 270,000 270,000,00
Divid'ds of Turn-
pike stocks, 2,000 2,460,00 2,000
Nicholson kinds, 300
Accrued interest, 5,000 3,674,32 5,000
Refunded cusp, 5,000 13,276,61 5,000
Escheats. 2,000 1,060
Fees of public offices, 2,000 3,687,20 4,000
Miscellaneous, 2,000 1,740,33 5,000
Interest on stocks
purchased,
Foreign Insurance
Agencies,
15,000 13,721,27 30,000
$4,566,300 4,438,131,51 4,296,000
PAYMENTS.
Estimate Payments Estimate
for 1850. for 1850. for 1851.
Public Improve-
jnents, $640,000 $1,488,99 $BOO,OOO
penses of the
Government, 235,000 262,899,71 250,000
Militia, 4,000 16,282,25 15,000
Pensions, 20,000 17,277,91 15,000
Charitable Insti-
tutions, 80,000 62,267,85 60,000
Om. Schools, 200,000 213,728,49 200,000
'lnterest on loans 2,003,0(40 2,004,714,51 2,005,000
Guaranties, 32,500 32,500,00 32,500
Dornest. creditors, 10,000 6,387,41 10,000
Damages on pub
lic works, 20,000 28,068,34 25,000
Special Comm'rs, 2,000 2,554,03 2,000
State Library, 2,000 1,000,01) 2,000
Public Buildings, 2,000 2,002,78 10,000
Penitentiaries, 15,000 19,283,79 15,000
Houses of Refuge, 5,000 6,000,00 5,000
Nicholson Lands, 300 192,75 300
Escheats. • 2,000 1,740,53 2,000
Abatement of State
Tax, 40,000 43,525,04 40,000
Counsel fees and
Commissions,
Miscellaneous,
2,000 5,984,15 5,000
5,000 8,180,44 5,000
Sinking fund Com
missioners, 293,000 318,864,03 250,000
Inclined Plane, 270,000 90,000
N. B. Canal, 150,000 250,000
Renewal of Relief
Notesi'•
Expenses of ltcrq=
ziuo Connu'rs,
$4,034,800 4,553,193,75 4,101,300
In the item of expenditures for Public improve
ments is included $148,500 paid to the North
Brunch Canal and $286,446 02 to avoid Inclined
In the amounts received from Canal and Rail
',tit tolls and collateral inheritance taxes, the
actual receipts of the last year fall short of the
estimates. In making these estimates it was sup
posed the suggestion of a former message in rela
tion to the conveyance of passengers on the Col
umbia Railway would have been favorably regard
ed. It is (mil believed that a largely increased
revenue would attend the adoption of the changes
heretofore recommended. That the collateral in
heritance tax is ineficiently mid carelessly collect
ed in some of the counties, and even when col
lected frequently retained in the bands of the
officers longer than necessary, is demonstrable by
the fact of the great disproportion received at the
Treasury from counties of equal population, busi
ness, and wealth. A statement of the amounts
received from the several counties during the lust'
four years, will exhibit much valuable inffirma-
tint on the interesting question of inequality of
taxation in the payment of thd public debt. All
items of taxation applicable to the sinking fund
should be required to reach the Treasury quarter
' ly under the severest penalties.
A reference to th'e reports of the Adjutant
General, Auditor General, Surveyor General,ttral
Superintendent of Common Schools, will &101
detailed information of the businbss of their nye
,
rat departments, and furnish views and sugges
tions of interest to the general weal.
_ _
The school system, tatought still imperfeet, is
rapidly improving in its general condition, and
promises the beneficial results it was designed to
accomplish. The education of the people, is the
great question of the age, and as such it cannot
fail to command your earnest and enlightened ef
forts fur its speedy and ultimate success.
In the competition for trade and travel, no effort
for the full repair of the canals and railroads of
the State should be neglected. The deteriorating
condition of many of these works, admonish us
that the system of supervision is ineffectual to se
cure the return of which their construction gave
confidant assurance. In a system of divided res
ponsibility in their management, the difficulty evi
dently exists. Ott a former occasion it was sug
gested to divide the State Into Canal and Railway
districts, and allot to each a Canal Cotnmissioner,,
to whom its entire control should be given. This
project is again recommended, but should it fail
to meet your approbation, the proposition of se
lecting a Superintendent, to whom for his whole
time and attention, a compensating salary should
be paid, and under whose sole control the public
works might he placed, is worthy of considera
tion. All the evils arising from divided counsels
and shifting responsibilities would he avoided, and
that energy and skill in their management secured
which cannot he expected under the present sys
tem. It is alleged this method of supervision of
public works has succeeded well and beneficially
in other States.
A commercial connection between Phila
delphia and Europe by steamships,—an en
terprise truly worthy the favoring regards of
the whole commonwealth and the counte
nance and aid of the national government by
the extension of mail facilities—the comple
tion of the great Railway communication
now in rapid progress of construction to the
navigable waters of the West, the thorough
repair of the Cumberland Valley road, and
the erection of various lines of Railway in
the valley of the Susquehanna, must throw
an amount of trade on the Columbia Railroad
which will demand for its transit the entire
capacity of that thoroughfare in a condition
of perfect repair. Every avenue by which
the trade of the West, as well as of Central
and Northern Pennsylvania reaches Philadel
phia, ought to be opened and kept in such
perfect condition as to afford all possible fa
cility to business, for in the growth and
welfare of Philadelphia, the entire people
should feel a lively interest, as identical with
the prosperity of the whole State. Whilst
the internal trade is poured into our metropo
lis, and her local authorities are doing their
part to promote her commerce, it is our duty
to demand from the general government some
portion of its resources for the security and
improvement of the harbor of the Delaware.
Improvement of the navigable rivers and
protection of the harbors of the Ocean and
Lakes ought to be no longer delayed.
In this connexion I deem it my duty to
call your attention to the pending
litigation
in relation to the bridge over the Ohio River
at Wheeling, erected under the authority of
Virginia, which, it is confidently asserted,
puts in jeopardy large commercial interests.
It has been my care to watch the progress of
$457,946 05
the controveteh attd to direct the proper law
officer of the Commonwealth. associated
with the other distinguishsd gentlemen who
professionally represents the State, to protect
these interestO befote the judicial tribunal
which has cognizance of the case ceder the
Constitution.
In the various Railway projects now seer
ally terminating at Philadelphia, Hartisbarg,
and Pittsburg,. the people of the Common
wealth ought never to lose sight of that great
enterprise which, known as the Sunbury and
Erie Railroad, was meant to connect the
Susquehanna, the Delaware, and the Lakes.
Beside the command of the trade of the Nor
thren Seas secured by its construction, it
would bring into market fur sale and settle
ment vast bodies of untenanted and unim
' proved lands, and detelope (leagues of in•
exhaustible mineral wealth now wholly in ,
accessible.
The large indebtedness of the State, and
the necessity for its reduction, forbid the pol
icy on her part, of embarking in these vari
ous improvements.
The debt of the Commonwealth was incur
' red in the erection of works which were
largely conducive to the settlement and sale
of the domain of the United States, and while
she has secured no part of this common in
heritance, other States have been liberally
aided in the construction of their internal
improvements by donations of public lands.
It is a right on her part to demand a portion
of these lands to aid in the completion of the
impo t works partially completed and in
contMlation._ . .
2,760,83 3,000
A system of banking, based upon State
stocks, under proper restriction, is recom
mended to the attention of the Legislature.—
It is thought the present banking facilities are
unequal to the wants of the business commu
nity. The large amount of notes of banks
of other States found in circulation among
our people, the inability of the banks, with
safety to their credit, to accommodate at all
times the active bona fide business demands
of the country, and the large operations in
the nature of private banking_daily transac
ted on severe terms to the borrower, demon
strate that increased facilities are demanded
to secure a healthy development of our re
sources. Any considerable extension of the
present system is hardly to be anticipated,
nor is it desirable, if a more permanent basis
for such operations can be devised. Free
banking upon a deposite and pledge of pub
lic stocks early recommended itself to favor.
It is not liable to sudden expansions and con
tractions—more secure from failure—less ob
noxious to counterfeiting and fraud, and of
fers undoubted security to the note holder.—
Should the stock required be the loans of the
Commonwealth, it would appreciate their
value, and also have a tendency to withdraw
them from foreign countries, to which are an
nually sent millions of the public money to
pay interest. A recall of these stocks, and
the discharge of the interest to the resident
citizens, would lead to the expenditure of an
equal amount at home, thereby affording
employment to the people in the improve
ments of the State, in the erection of industri
al institutions, and in various works of beauty
and taste. If this system is favorably regar
ded, a relinquishment of a portion of the in
terest on the stocks pledged would be direct
ly advantageous to the Treasury.
The confidence felt in their security, and
desire to use the relief notes, when kept in
good condition, justify the belief that an issue
of small notes from State institutions, foun
ded on a deposite of stocks, would be highly
acceptable to the people.
A reference to subjects, under the 'control
of the National Government, has long formed
part of the annual messages of the State
Executives, and the custom has found favor
not only by its consonance with the peculiar
relations of the States to the General Gov
ernment, but in the deep solicitude felt by
individual citizens in the section of the latter
an questions of pervading and direct interest
to all. From the resolves of their Represen
tatives in the councils of the States, the
opinions and wishes of the people are often
well collected, and hence your action is fre
quently of great moment. In obedience,
therefore, to custom, and in order that the
sentiments of our common constituency may
have expression either through the Executive
Messages or the action of their representa
tives, it is proper to refer to some of those
questions of general interest, the disposal of
which more especially belongs to the Nation
al Government.
10,000
2,500
A revision and alteration of the Revenue
laws, so as to give adequate and permanent
protection to the.industry of the country, are
demanded by the prostrate condition of the
mining and manufacturing interests. The
propriety of affording full protection to do
mestic industry, in the enactment of Tariff
laws, has been fully discussed, that a mere
reference to former views, is all tbat is
deemed necessary at this time. In a late ef
fort to amend the present Tariff, its failure
may be fairly attributed to the omission of
the last Legislature to give expression to the
perfectly well understood wishes and expec
tations of the people. It is confidently hoped
no such omission will mark the conduct of
the present assembly.
A reduction in the rates of postage, and
the construction of railway communications
to the Pacific, were urged heretofore as wor
thy of friendly regard. Repetition of the
views then presented is unnecessary, as time
has only strengthened the conviction of the
propriety and usefulness of the proposed
measures.
In relation to the extension of Slavery and
the duty of faithful observance of her Fed
eral obligations by the Commonwealth, the
views expressed in former messages remain
unchanged. There is nothing, in my judge
ment, in the history of the past, nor in the
warnings of the future, to justify the abandon
ment of the principles, sacredly regarded
from the foundation of the State, of non-in
tervention in the domestic policy of other
communities, and of permitting no interfer
ence with our own. Fidelity in the dis
charge of Constitutional duty has distinguish
ed our government and people, and if an
opinion exists within, or has been mischiev
ously propagated beyond our borders, that
such is not the fact, it is conceived in error of
our true history. Pennsylvania, her people,
and her authorities, always have been loyal
to the Constitution. They wish it neither to
be evaded nor amended. They will not per
mit it to be resisted.
It has been intimated that on questions
connected with the institution of Slavery,
and the rendition of fugitives from labor,
there have been indications of a disregard of
her Constitutional obligations. To the clause
of the Constitution relative to fugitives
from labor, and the legislation under it, there
ever has been in Pennsylvania, with all her
avowed aversion to domestic slavery, impli
cit obedience to the law maybe made, not
only implicit. but efieerful, it is proper to re ,
fer to some of the di ffi culties in relation to
the subject now existing in the public mind.
The clause of the Federal Constitution rel.'
ative to fugitives from labor involves these
propositions: 1. That involuntary service
or slavery may exist in the States of the Uni.:
on by constitutional recog nition. 2. That
the escape of the person so held shall not op
erate as a discharge from such service or la.
bor. 3. That on the claim of the party to
whom such service is due, there must be si
rendition of the fugitive.
To interfere by Legislative enactment, et
otherwise, to destroy or in any way affect
the right of property recognized in the fire!
proposition, would be a daring violation of
the clear obligations-of the Constitution. Not
human being mm pretend that by this Com ,
monwealth such an interference ha s ever'
been attempted: Whatever may lie the feet ,
jogs of the people in opposition to the fur:
ther extension of Slavery, and the eonsecoent
increase of anti-republican and sectional/
representation in the National Legislature'?
no effort has ever been made to disturb or
destroy the vested rights of citizens of other
States. ' and when those rights may be endan
gered by the escape of a slave beyond the
limits of the State, where the relation is ac
knowledged, our citizens have acted on the
principle, that no sympathy with individual
suffering ought even to weaken their sense
of duty to the plain requireinerts of the or
ganic law.
In the adjustment of rights and official du
ties under the lust proposition, more difficul
ty has been found to exist. By whose agen
cy is the fugitive to be given up ! What
force is to be given to the word "claim" all
used in the Constitution I Is not the deliv
ery of the fugitive to be made only through
the agency of the National government !
These have been vexed and mooted ques
tions. The final decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States in a case to which
Pennsylvania was made a party, and the
recent fugitive Slave law, gave a judicial and
legislative interpretation to this clause of the
Constitution, which cannot be misapprehend
ed. The power and duty of enacting laws
to entry into effect the Constitutional direc
tion, being ruled to be in Congress and in
Congress only, any . interference on the part
of the State authorities is unauthorized and
without binding force.
If the Constitution implies a duty to be
performed by both National and State Gov
ernments, and vests each with power over
the subject, the farmers of that instrument
failed to express in clear terms, as in other
cases, the obligations of the parties. The
latitude of construction required to give such
powers to the State legislatures, would an
, thorize the passage of laws, and the enact
ment of regulations, upon every delegated
power of the National Government, without
regard to the action or non-action of Congress.
The General Government is admitted to be
one of ascertained powers, but it ceases to be
so the moment concurrent jurisdiction vests
in State Sovreignties. In the practical work
ings of the system of concurrent jurisdiction
much evil would arise.—Thirty-one Sov
reignties might prescribe different rules of
action—each meant to make effective na
tional legislation, and the dangers resulting
from conflicting enactments, and the conse
quent destruction of harmony and order '
could not fail to alarm the patriot. When
ever power over a subject matter is vested by
the Constitution in Congress, and the power
has been exercised, the authority of the States
has been judicially declared, as above stated,
merged and abolished. This is the rule of
law as well as that of common sense.
An opinion has been expressed by men of
eminent legal learning and patriotism, that
legislative action on the part of the States is
expedient to aid in the execution of the pow.
ers of the general government. In this opin
ion I cannot concur. To admit the position
would imply an inability on the part of the
national government to execute its powers,
and would prove destructive of the theory so
zealously maintained by onr republican
fathers, that the National and State govern
, ments are independent sovreignties, each
acting within its proper constitutional
sphere.
It was doubtless a conviction of the
soundness of the foregoing views, which
induced my predecessor, Governor Shank,
to sanction the act of the 3d March. 1847.
The power to act on the subjeCt of the
extradition of fugitives slaves being thus
vested solely in the National Government,
it is the playa duty of the citizens to submit
to its enactments under the Constitution. To
act differently would be clearly rebellion to
Government.
If the word "claim" was intended to ex
press an ascertained right of property to the
person of the fugitive vested in the claiment,
then much of the difficulty surrounding the
question is settled, and the mere demand for
the person of the fugitive fixes his destiny
by the terms of the constitution. His extra
dition would be determined without proof of
ownership on the part of the claimant, and
without evidence of the identity or flight of
the person claimed. If, however, the term
used in the constitution, signifies a challenge
of the property, belonging to the claimant,
and withheld from him—and the enactments
on the subjects requiring proof of right to
substantiate the claim, and the concurring
decisions of the Supreme Court, affix this
meaning to the term, then the question ari
ses, how, and through whom, shall the
claim be made, and by what evidence sus,
tained ?
In the adoption of the proper remedy to
assert this clear right, patriotic citizens may
differ, and the privilege to maintain and ex
prees that honest diversity of opinion must
not be impaired. To surrender it, under vi
olent threats and denunciatory clamor,
would be an abandonment of the deeply
cherished privilege of liberty of thought and
speech. When the enactments of the Nrjr
tional Congress, fail to convince the people
of their justice and propriety, it is their duty
to seek their modification and amendment.
The recently-enacted fugitive slave law,
while it remains a statute, demands the sup
port of all the citizens, and unless our writ
ten constitutions are worthless parchments,
until the judiciary declare it otherwise, must
be esteemed a constitutional enactment.. re
its defects of such nature as to warran
public in urging its amendment 1
That part of the law which authorizes the
creation of a new anti irresponsible tribunal
under the name of Commissioners, is liable
to exception. Waiving the inquiry whether
the Judicial power of the United States can
be vested anywhere but in regularly-organ
ized courts, with the records of courts, there
are objections of serious import to the insti