Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-07


which have grown out of the broad and liberal |
construction given by the Auditor General, to |
the resolution of the 7th of April, there yet re-
mains very deserving class OF creditors, who |
have received none of its benefits, nor was it at
all practicable to bring them within its provis-
ions. The poor laborers scattered along the |
improvements, who with their own hands do |
the work necessary TO keep them in navigable |
condition, should b. objects of the first care of
the government. In this instance they were
entirely overlooked, the appropriation for re-
pairs being inadequate. From the character
OF their claims-their comparatively trifling a
aiount, and their number, it was found inexpe-
dent to enter them on the books of the Auditor
General. If they had been entered, it would
in many cases have cost the whole sum due to
procure the dividend from the Treasury-and,
indeed, 1t would be a mockery for the govern
ments instead OF payment, TO offer poor laborers
pro rata divldent on n claim of u few dollars.
II is ardently hoped that this worthy and in
most cases suffering class of domestic creditors,
will receive the immediate attention of the lie.
gislature.
1t has happened in relation TO the banking
system OF this Commonwealth, as has on many
occasions heretofore been the case with the in
sttutions founded on unsound principles, that
with all its power, and with all its hold on pub
weight OF its own imperfections. Ifany legis-
latlve action can restore public confidence in
the banks, or render them gilmore service TO the
community, It viii become your duty 10 furnish
1t. The mode and detail of the aid to be rem
dcrcd, leave in the hands of the representa-
tivcs OF the people. But the public certainly
expect, that you will not adjourn until YOU
have made ample provision for Withdrawing
from circulation the notes issued by the banks
Nl,l.. III
1t will afford me great pleasure to cooperate
with you in any measure that may be deemed
most advisable for the accomplishing of this OBJ
jcct. At the same time, will take occasion
to suggest one source, from which the means
may be readily obtained to eXtinguish large
portion ofthese issuos. refer TO The sale of
the Bank, bridge, and other stocks, in which
the State is interested. ] think an amount
might be realized, in this way, sufficient TO an
swer the purpose, if provisions be made by law
that the proceeds of the sale be exclusively ap-
piled 10 that object
The present condition of the Bank of Penn
sylvania requires the most careful considcra-
tiun of the legislature. The State has deep
interest in the proper management of that in
stution, and equally so in winding it up, if
that be deemed polite measure. Several acts
were passed during the last session in relation
to it ; but owing to some defeat they did not
answer the purpose designed. One sugges-
tion | will make on the subject, and that is. in
no contingency should the control ofthe bank
! be placed exclusively in the hands of the pri-
vate stockholders. Let the State and the stock
holders be put on the same tooting-each ha-
wing respectively, the share of control equal to
| the amount of stock held. No just complain
| can then be made, and the interests Of all par
ties will be properly guarded This much at
least, the public has Alright to expect
| The passage of law providing for the c.
| lection of members OF Congress will be one of
the subjects demanding your early attention.
| The apportlunment of members of the two
Houses of the General Assembly is also a mat
ter in which the people are deeply interested,
and which will, OF course, claim your most
careful consideration. The basis of an appor.
tionment bill on this subject, should be equai-
! ~, fairness, and Justice TO all sections of the
| State. In no other manner can the various
! interests be faithfully represented. The fonda
mental principles ola republican government,
and our own Constitution, guarantee these
/ rights to every county in the State. The
| apportlonmcnt bill passed on the 10th June,
1886, will not, conceive, be regarded as a
precedent, or an example, but as beacon, to
be Stunned by every legislator who understands
and is honestly desrous of carrying into execu-
ton the in functions OF the Constitution. No
eHtraneous considerations can Justify depart
ure from it, and on all occasions whena depart
ure has been attempted, it has recoiled with
ten fold force on the heads of those by whom it
| was made.
Ihave repeatedly called the attention of the
| legislature to the subject of selecting Jurors in
the several counties in the State. | cannot
torbear to urge again upon You, and 10 add,
that there is one grievance very much com
| planned of in those counties, where il exists,
under the law,-that is, that where separate
wheels are kept for the purpose of drawing
] jurors for different courts, there is much COM
plant as TO the manner of selecting the names
put into these different wheels. 1t has been
suggested that if one wheel only provided, out
Of which all the panels of jurors for all the
courts were drawn, this objection would be in
great measure obviated. will merely fur
ther remark, that the system Of drawing jurors
would be very greatly perfected, il the selec-
tion nn1 drawing of the same were 10 be done
by the commissioners and sheriff in open court,
under the supervision of one or more of the
Judges. Recent experience calls aloud for
the protection of the jury box from even the
possibility of suspicion.
My views have been so fully expressed in
former messages, in favor OF The support of a
liberal and enlightened system of education by
common schools, that need scarcely repca,
them. will content myself by reterating
that sound education, based upon proper moral
and religious training, is the best legacy a
parent cal beQueath to his child, and the best
provision patriot can make 10 secure the per-
+ manence and purity of our republican institu
tions Irefer you TO the very full and elaborate
report OF the Superintendent, for the condition
and details of onr common schools, academies