American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-23
Extracts from the Message Of Governor Hiestes
10 the Legislature Of PennsYlvania, Dec. 4, 1928.

tons appears to have become necessary for The
purpose OF ascertainlng, whether, by their prcsen
provisions, every citizen entitled to vote, is fully
protected in the free exercise of his elective fran
chise. Il has been represented as a subject Of com
plant, that some persons possessing all Other requi
site qualifications, nave been deprived OF their votes
by their being. either accidentally through
design, omitted in the assessment of taxes. TIL,
duration Of time necessary to constitute a residence
70 entlc qualified elector TO vote at any partcula
district, has been much disputed, and so differ
emily decided, at different times and places, that
Legislative provision to settle the question would
have happy influence, not only in The relief it woult
afford TO the Judges OF elections, but also in pre-
venting the excitement OF angry passions intemper
ate debate. and unnecessary delay. And it would
certainly be an important amendment, as it woult
essentially contribute TO obtaining fair expression
of the public will, il provision could be adopted
by which our fellow citizens might be secured a
galnst the receptions Of designing individuals t
which they are exposed at elections in the exercis,
Of their invaluable privilege OF voting.
As connected with this subject, | would submit
also the propriety OF so amending act, passed OF
the oath of March, 1917, entitled, An act TO pre-
vent wagering and betting on elecons,' as TO rem
der its provisions more competent to the objec
contemplated by its passage. Experience has pro
that in its present form it is but dead letter
The practice of betting, instead Of diminishing, ap
pears to have increased. The design Of the org
nal law, being, stated in its preamble 20 prevent
immortality and corruption every effort to amend
as TO render il efhcaclous in producing tina, impor
tant end, will receive the appreciation of all, who
consider the purity Of elections essential TO the
preservation Of our liberties and republican nstiu
tions.
Most Of the roads and bridges for which appro
priations have been made by the state, now
ported TO be completed, and the remainder expected
20 be finished in the course OF the ensuing season
The large capital the state has invested in these es
adjustments, requires adoption OF more efficient
measures, than are now provided by law, for keeping
the roads in repair, and securing to government that
portion OF interest to which it is entitled by the a.
mount of the subscription. A provision 10 secure
these objects appears to be rendered peculiarly ne
crssary BY the consideration, that of The roads
have been principally, if not exclusively, made by
the money approp lated by the state.
Among the various topics Of public importance
recommended 10 the legislature, in former commu-
nca,ions submitted TO their consideration there are
several not yet actedon, and TO which | would a.
gain respectfully invite your attention, particularly
On alteration Of the militia system, as to render il
less announcement TO individuals and less burden
some to the public, by dispensing with one Of the
days of training, and diminishing the expense, 10
which in its present form i, subjects the treasury
the repeal or modification Of The act imposing du-
~ on the retailers of foreign mcrchandlse--the en-
forcing more prompt and strict accountability OF
all officers and agents entrusted with the receipt
and expenditure Of the public money-the annual
examination Of the moncd concerns Of the treasury,
and the more early PRONUNCIATION OF the laws.
From the statement Of the finances Of the Com.
Tnonwealh for the present year, furnished by the
Auditor General, and his estimate OF the probable
receipts OF the treasury and demands on the same
tor ordinary purposes during the ensuing year, CO.
pies of which are herewith transmitted, il appears
that the receipts after paying the ordinary expenses
OF government, and the interes. en- loans during the
preseut financial year, leaves surplus of upwards
OF Fifty thousand dollars and agreeably to his est.
mate Tor the ensuing year, ending on the 5oth OF
November 1921, the receipts will be sufficient TO
discharge the demands for like objects, and leave
surplus OF more than seventy thousand dollars
1t is universally admitted that public prosperity
IS essentially promoted by the improvement Of roads
and rivers. Whilst the application of national or
state resources to these objects facilitates inter-
course, and relieves the farmer and manufacturer
from the burden OF expensive transportation, il
strengthens the ties of union and binds commun-
ties together by the lasting cement of mutual inter
est. Penns) lvania has not been remiss in her at
tention TO this subject. With berality highly
honorable, her legislature has at different times an
proprated large sums OF money in aid Of turnplkes,
bridges and other Improvements. The whole sum
thus appropriated from the year 1885, to the period
when entered upon the duties of the executive of.
fee, amounted to S2,423,287 Of which there was
paid during the same period, 900 COS dollars leay.
ing balance due on the 3oth OF November 1928,
OF 463,079 dollars.
10 meet the appropriations made blythe legisla-
ture at the time mentioned, recourse was had ia
loans, of which there remained also unpaid on the
3Oth OF November, 1890, the sum of $50 600 dol.
lars, making the aggregate amount Of debt at thai
period 945,070 dollars.
In prosecuting the system of improvement pat
ronised by the legislature the stock Of several OF The
companies proved inadequate to the expens. q