Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1844-01-11

u'SHt>, DcNolN payment lOr repairs, ana the
expenses OF their charge and management. during
the past fiscal year, amounted to $493 .651 3i.-
The current expenses of government, Including
the permanent appropriation to Common Schools,
and other purposes may be estimated at about
S15d,0h0 90. The resources of the State, iNde-
pendent OF taxation, and the receipts from the pub
lie Improvements, at about 100000 co. From
an examination of all these receipts and liabilities
OF the State. supposing the tax levied, under eX-
listing laws, to be punciually collected and paid
over, there would he an annual deficit OF about
SS50,000 CO. independent OF the balance due to
Domestic Creditors, for the punctual payment of
all which, the State is bound by every obligation
of faith and honor After most careful consid-
Grafton of the whole subject, have been unable
To devise any other mode Of meeting this respOn-
sibility than that of augmented taxation.
! took occasion in my annual message, trans
mitied to the Legislature on the 8th OF January,
1870. 10 speak upon This subject in the following
pointed and unequlvoca words. beg leave To
quote them. because | have reiterated, in every
annual message to the Legislature since, substan-
TALLY the same sentiments: and desire the Peo-
pie of PENNSYLVANIA. and the whole world, to know.
if there be ground to charge remssness Of duty 70
whom the fault is TO be Justly attributed:
In expressing my own opinion in favor Of a re-
sort 10 taxation 60 it with no inconsiderable de
gree of reluctance, but ii must be obvious TO eve
ry citizen of the Commonwealth. that his house.
his farm. and his properly. all pledged, beyond
possibility OF release, tn the ultimate payment OF
the State debt, and the intel thereon accrung,
agreeablv to the stipulation with the loan holders.
Nor is this the worst view of our situation. The
State has been actually compromising, for years
past, from million to million and halt nt in
ierest. annually: and the question is now submit
ted whether we thus TO continue adding. hall
yearly, this enormous amount OF interest 20 the
principal OF our State debt, and continue in this
pusillaninous copIse Of policy, from year 10 year
Of shutting of the evil day, and entailing this
frightfu legacy on poserity. It is reProach on
the people OF Pennsylvania to suppose they can be
longer kept in the dark, in regar! to the stuaior
in which we find them. All they want 10 know. To
ensure ready compliance with ih.s Indispensable
call upon their PATRIOTISM is to know the necessi-
ty Of the measure. The experience OF more than
half century, fortifes me in the belief that the
good sense of the people of this great Common
wealth is rarely appealed to in vain.
In assuming the responsibility Of recommending
this measure, am fully sensible OF what is TO he
encountered. and aware ot the consequences that
are to follow; Aid II. i'll this expression oi the hon
est couviciiOas OF nv own mind. and the fearless
discharge OF the duties incumbent on me, shall
rot be borne out by nv ieow-eitzens shall at
done that which cct:scen,ously believe 70 be
right, AMI which think viii hear the reelection Of
after years The time for evasion is gone; the
public mind has been too long ted wi,h miserable
eypedIentS. Inc time Tor action IS at hand. tSIr
country expects every na0 % d. his duty and he
tha; has not nerve enough :or the crisis. should
give place il those better fitted for the emergency.
Neither the present Legislature, nor mr>eif had
anything io do with contracting this dent-it is
fixed ou us by those who have gone before uS, and
the same rule oi prudence and sound policy that
would govern the conduct OF private individual,
holds equally good in the case Of the Common
wealth, under this state Il things. Thr privae
individual would tax his industry and his proper
ty, to the utmost. TO pay of debt, and Ae inter
est upon it, tha, consuming the avaltS oi his
industry and hls substance-so. also. it seems tn
me. should the representative OF wise and Judi
c.ous people. Taxation would paY t!le interest
il would eventually constitute sinking und 70
pay off the principal oil the State debl. anl should
be continued til the income Of tie public improve
ments would render longer taxation unnecessary.
The crisis demands The exercise o! the most far
reaching sagacity-iie camest judgment and the
most fearless patriotism. am sure the l.egisla-
ture will meet in the right spirit 10 dIsarm It q
its pertS. Coming, as Won 90 if0us all quarters
of.he State, and possessing more intimate knowl-
ole than | can. most cheerFully surrender this
important subject TO YOU. satisfied thai prudence
and justice will direct your action Upon l. :"
used strong terms IN speaking 10 The LecIaIa-
turc on this subject at that time. because II was
an hou. ol darkness. Iiuceitaniy and alarm. ne
explosion Of the Banks, tie paralysis OF toe bust
ness energies of the county. and TIE nurmuringS
of those whose ambition seeks 10 hightr aim than
that Of finding fauit. were All calculated to deter
even honest men from faithfully performing their
duty. SO far as | was c0uceried, was resolved
that both NY opinion and my course should be
clearly understood. -Four years have npW elapsed
time has been given to the excited 70 becoms calm
To the tmd 10 become Selt-poSsessed. and Tor FAC
tous partizaas 10 see the error OF their WY. j
look back with pleasure on my course because,
as had no do,i,,i from the beelnning, have been
sustained bg The honest yeoiGanry OF
Pennsylvania. They have borne without repln-
ing, every buriheu that was necessary To maintain
the honor OF the Stale aud they are ready 10 en-
dure yet greater sacrifices, i, they nc necessary.
for the same cause.
Il has of late been fashionable, n certain quar-
ters. TO denounce Pennsylvania and cite her. an
example iii point. to sanction the reproach which
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