Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-01-11
Governors Message.

Gov. Porers annual Message was delivered TO
she Legislature on Wednesday lasz, and fully cor
responds In sentiment with those which have here.
tofore emenated from the same source. 1t has
one decided advantage over its predecessors, in
as much as il is no, more than half as long as
either Of them. His EIcellency's views upon the
financial concerns Of the Commonwealth remain
unchanged, and he prophecies that we will soon
rise superior the difficulties and disasters which
now surround US, lie also maintains that the
State will be ultimately able TO meet and dis
charge all her pecuniary liabilities, and that the
IDEA OF repudt0.ion is thing which no public man
dare advise or sanction. This is all very good,
and looks well on paper. but il will not satisfy our
creditors, or pay the principal or interest Of the
public debt.
The only thing proposed TO help US out OF our
embarrassments, is Tax Of q few cents per ton
upon the coal and iron which is found so plenti-
fully scattered over every part of the State, and
this the Governor thinks will in time not only pay
the interest, but also the principal Of Debt
We are noa prepared TO express definite opinion
upon the feasibility Of this proposition, yet we
have strong doubts whether such tax would not
rather plunge US deeper into difficulties than re
lieve Us from our embarrassments. If Pennsylva-
MIA, alone, was concerned in the matter, it might
possibly answer But we send large portion of
our coal and iron to other States and they would
scarcely agree to pay the advance, merely for the
purpose of helping US Out OF debt, We certainly
have a right to tai our coal and iron, but if we do
go 10 oppressive extent, the other States will
be very likely to their power, which they pos
sess in Congress, TO lower the duties on those ar
iices. and thus bring into competition with for
tign coal and iron dealers. II therefore becomes
US 10 consider hose matters well before we en-
brace them.
The sale Of the public works is argued against,
on the ground that they would become monopoles
in the hands Of foreign capitalists This could
easily be prevented by proper Legislative restric-
lions, previous TO their sale. The secret of the
opposition, however, is, if the works were sold,
the Governor could not provide for the mass of
his political friends and hangers on.
Education is advocated upon liberal terms, and
the withdrawal Of the "Rcef Notes" from circu-
lation, strongly urged Two important measures,
which we nope will receive the serious attention
Of the Legislature.
Economy in Legislative affairs is urged. The
sum of Seo3lS has been received as our share of
the public land sales. And the poor laborers along
the fines Of improvements, have not yet been paid
oil.
The Act abolishing Imprisonment for debt, is
stated 70 be very imperfect, and recommended to
thorough revision. We hope it will have reg
ular orerhauling, for it sadly wants it.
The above are the principal and almost only
points, touched in the Message. As State pa
per it is poor thing, and altogether inadequate
and unsatisfactory for the times Nothing is pro-
posed, which can help US out of our difficulties;
but every thing is left for the Legislature to de-
wise and carry out The Governor assumes We
~ patriotic tone. and claims to be actuated by
nothing bu' patriotic motives in all bis public acts.
These professions comport but lily with the result
OF al hrs acts.