Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-01-05

Sl0UUUO nlglh, Win safely. be applied 10 the
completion Of the North Branch Canal ac.
cordingy gave immediate notice of The fact to
the Canal Commissioners. and portions of the |
work it is understood have been placed under
contract Considered as a part OF the Public
improvements, aud recommended as a revenue
measure, that work should be finished at the
earliest day the condition of the Treasury will
permit. IL should not be forgotten, that the
present unfinished condition Of the work. bv
interrupting the free navigation of the river;
/ by the destruction of roads, and ininry to pri-
vate property, without offering any convent
ence to the community, Inficts wrong which
demands immediate reparation In addition to
the sum already appropriated, il is confidently
believed that $300,00O can, with propriety, be
given TO that Improvement in the present sea-
SON and in the following year, provision might
be made for its completion.
While it has been deemed advisable 10 bring
these subjects TO the notice of the Legislature,
considerations of sound policy, the interests of
'he citizens already heavily bu-dened with tax.
auon-and the general welfare of the Common
wealth, forbid an increase OF the public debt.
The equalization aud revision of the revenue
laws the proposed change in the manage
nent Of the Public Works, and their early i'm
provement and completion with a rigid
maintenance of the Sinking Fund, and the con.
sequent reduction OF the public debt would,
with the present resources of the Treasury.
produce in few years condition Of financial
prosperity, justi!ying the conviction of the
speedy relief OF our citizens from the payment
| of all taxes for the support Of Government,
schools and charities.
The Eastern and Western penIten.iaries
have been conducted with skill and prudence,
and IN the reformation, aud security of oifen-
ders, society has derived important advantages
1t is however worthy of serious consideration.
whether in the adoption of system of solitary
confinement, the severity of the punishment
/ authorized by law, does not Iniuriously affect
the mental and physical vigor of the prisoner.
The frequent recommendations 10 the Exec
utive tor the pardon of cOnvicts afflicted with
ll-health, and mental lmbeclIltY, would appear
TO require modification of the present laws
II Is earnestly recommended that small in
crease of the annual appropriations be made to
the House of Refuge, and the Asylums of the
Deaf, Dumb. and Blind. These institutions.
long the deserved objects of State bounty,
/ nave been increasing IN usefulness, and iucur.
Ilhg additional yearly expenses, while the an
nuai sums bestowed have remained the same.
In the growth Of popua ion the demands on
these Asylum must be augmented, and their
I expenditures necessarily enlarged, and the
same degree of lberaily awarded on former
occasions, would CAIN the appropriation Of
/ larger amounts.
In the prosecution of the work for the State
Lunatlc Asylum, the appropriation of former
/ year has been eXha austed, and a sum of ike
amount is required for its completion. Under
/ the supervision Of excellent and attentive trus-
/ tees, The building has rapidly advanced. and is
now under roof. The structure is plain. sub
stantial and beautiful; elgIby situated in re-
( gard 10 the comforts of the patients. and sus
ceptibe of a finish, honorable 70 the State. and
useful to the community. The proba bility of
its abandonment by the Legislature, or of a re-
fusal TO grant the additional sum required for
/ It's completion, cannot be entertained by the
Executive. Too long already has public char
ity been withheld from the Insane Poor of the
State too long have they been suffered 10
wander destitute and deserted the lest of the
thoughtlass. and the victims Of the protigate
while humanity and christian beaevoIence
claimed for them public protection. 1t is not
however protection alone that is contemplated
IN this Asylum. The reports from different
similar Institutions afford the gratifying intel
hgence that eighty. and in some instances.
ninety per cent, Of the number afflicted, are
radically cured. In this view of the subject
combining shelter and protection, with resiora
ton to health and reason, the inducements to !
energetic action on our part. cannot be over /
lookef. Ii Is esImqted that an additional sum
OF Soo,UOO Will finish the building, and ft it /
Tor Tue reception OF patients. and the same is /
respectfully and earnestly recommended.
Notwithstanding the revision, BY the las, |
Legislature, OF the laws, in relation TO common
schools, the system will require modification
II does not receive from the citizens the favor.
that sound and enlightened scheme of educa-
ton deserves, and tie evil must exist in the ,
In y,bfr It.
serious defect, Is the want of properly qualified /
teachers 1t is worthy your consideration |
whether the establishment of Normal schools in !
the different counties would not remove this /
evil. Education may we'll be termed the great /
measure of the age. In a Republican govern.
ment 1t is the safeguard ofiberty, and enlrght- /
ened statesmen regarding it IN this aspect /
Will cordially cooperate TO establish, to defend (
TO cherish end 10 maintain il. The Superin- !
tcndent having bestowed much thought On the .
subject, wall, at an early day, submit report
to which your attention is invited. /
The militia law of the last session is imper-
feet IN many OF It's details, and reqdires revi- (
sion. In the abolition of the mockery os pa I
rades incident TO the old system ard the es-
tablisment OF an effectual uniformed militia, /
well disciplined and drilled, it has been pro.
duclive of general utility. Slight modifca- /
tons of its provisions viii make it all that can
be desired. The report Of the Adiutant Gen
eral Is we'll worthy your consideration, and is .
accordingly submitted.
Reports from the Surveyor General and Au- /
ditOr General, exhibiting the condition OF their /
respective departments, are herewith transmit .
ted to the Legislature, and the latter will fur. I
nish IN detail much valuable information, in .
relation to the financial condition of the Com /
monwealth.
The duty of diatricting the State for the
election OF Representatives, will devolve upon
you. Returns OF taxables, required to be made
by the different counties, have not boen
transmitted, as by law they were directed; but
the officers charged with the duties under the
ln u. ~ nn1rnrnd in thnir nrena rafinn a md Ihar