The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-01-11
GOVERNORS .WEsS7GE.


GOVERNORS .WESSqGE.
This is precisely such document as we should
have expected from the high and Independent cha.
racter ofGovenor Porter at the present critical and
trying crisis in the affairs of our state and nation
calm and dignifed. yet firm and decided in its tone
-hesating not to cast censure, where censure is
due, or to recommend such measures of reform as
his better judgment dictates will conduce TO the best
OF the whole, notwithstanding they may conflict
with the sinister UietCS of some of his DrofeSsed
friends. 1t is able and truly estmable state pa.
per. lie neither wishes to destroy or even niure
banks, any farther than is necessary to sustain the
interest of the community against their encroach-
ments. He, therefore, recommends iudcious re-
form in the system, and such an one as in our view
will tend to give the banks stability and usefulness,
by placing them beyond the power of doing evil
We know he is not sufficiently radical to meet the
selfish views of the Danvie neU convcrts to anti
bankism; but we are satisfied that large propor-
ton of the people will look upon his recommends
lions as both correct and proper, and that the 1900
democratic majority of the "tStar of the North will
ratify them, and the junto be compelled to submit
to the will of the people.
Ihe extreme length of the message, and the late
ness Of the hour at which it was received will not
permit It's publication this week. but we shall COM
mcnce its publication in our next In the mean
time we give to our readers, from the Harrisburg
Keystone, the following correct review.
GOTERNOR'S EESAGE
The message Of Gov. Porter, found in
our columns to-day will be read with the
deepest interest, not only in our common.
wealth, but throughout! the Union. The
suspension Of specie payments by the banks
and the existing arrangements IN the none
tary affairs of the country, have impaired to
this document the very highest importance.
The Legislation Of Pennsylvania in reference
TO the reform and amendment of our bank
ing system and the general pecuniary in.
terests connected with it, will exert as an
example, powerful influence on the legis-
Iaiive action Of all our sister States
The crisis demanded from the governor
the most inaexiblc frmness of purpose, as
well as cool, careful and judcous rehec-
uon. His message meets i,not only accord
ing to the reasonable expectation of the pub
lie, but 1t far exceeds that expectation. We
hazard nothing in saying, that it is the mos
profound, luminous and satisfactory expo.
sition OF the present financial embarass.
ments oil this country that has yet appear
ed from any quarter. He does not merely
skim over the surface of things, as has usu.
ally been the case on such occasions as
this, but he pencrates TO the Fundamental
principles, and shows bv mastery course
OF reasoning, both the origin of existing diff
ticuiIcs and the only edectual remedy fol
them.
The message opens with some very ap
propriate remarks on the buckshot war o
las! winter, followed by some sensible de-
deductions that cut the authors of that mea.
sure to the quick, and will of course cal
down upon his head, their utmost virulence
and scurriity.
lie then proceeds to make an exposition
of ths amount Of the state debt, from which
it appears that il now amounts to the sum
Of $34.I4l 500 90, bearing an ANAL inter
est of 81 ,494, 200 IS, which interest mus
be paid in specie or lis equivalent. He alsc
states the fac! that greater portion of this
interest is due to foreign loan holders, and
must of course be transmitted 10 Europe
lie also states that there is q loan falling
due this season, contracted number e
years ago, amounting to 1870, 600 90. By
table containing the dates, the amounts
and the purposes for which the loans con-
shutting the state Of debt were contracted
he also shows that the entire debt originated
before he came INTO office, and that even
the six millions borrowed tie past season
we're TO prosecute the works commenced
under Gov. Rilner's administration, or 10
pay the debts it left unpaid.
The subject of finances, forms the next
object of notice. lie shows that much oi