Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-09-18
ss.Diliay--Tbc Public welfare.


When the institutions of government are
founded upon popular rights and secure pub
ilc prosperity, what is most needed for its pro-
gress and permanence is stability in the polit-
zeal principles which have produced these
beneficial results. There is much wisdom in
the honlely phrase 'et we'll enough alone; ;
and if it had been acted upon by those who
have been too much accustomed to despise
: such plain admonitions, much of the disastrous
speculation and bankruptcy and disgrace
which were witnessed in times past might
have been averted
Let US make a practical application of our
/ proposition to the present condition of Penn
! sylvanla, contrasting it with the past, and ex-
hibiting the prospect of the future, as it may
i be influenced by changed state of circum-
stances
! According to the annual report of the late
! democratic Auditor General, John n. Purvi-
ance, made to the last Legislature, twenty
I years ago the State debt was S;20, 1872 so, and
at the period of his statement was $40, ,677,-
63 During this long period of time, but one
Wing administration intervened-tbat of Jo-
seph Ritner-between 1885 and 1888 No
debt was created under him, but on the con-
trary upwards of one hundred thousand dol
lars Of the permanent debt that was when he
came into Office was paid off by him, as the
records show the balance between twenty mil
lions and forty millions, made since he was
Governor, were all made under the Admins
trations of Governor Porter and Governor
Skunk, both Locofocos. 1t thus appears from
the Official records as made up by public
officer whose authority cannot be disputed by
1hof frN,D, tho4 4h l. J.
which this State now groans was accumula-
ted by succession of prodigal Locofoco ad-
mnistrdtons, who carried their reckless poll
cy SO far as finally to disable the Common
wealth from meeting the just claims for in
lerest, and to discredit its integrity, at home
and abroad. Thousands of partizans were
enriched by this disgracefuly system, while
Pennsylvania was everywhere ssigmatzed
with the brand of reputation. This was the
result Of Locofoco mlsrule, of the tyranny of
party, and of the venal schemes of those who
were most unfortunately entrusted with the
Executive and Legislative power of the State
Three years ago VIM. F. Johnston became
Governor by the resignation of Francis Z.
Skunk. He found the public fnancies en-
h4rrassed, the State credit impaired, and DIFF /
hcu!tles threatening him OH all Sides Moth +
ing daunted by these gloomy signs, he devo-
ted his energies and abilities to the emergen-
cy, and succeeded in paying the interest on
the public debt, without resorting to the usual
loan, and in gold and silver, at the depository in
philad'a. But he did more; for during the first
year of his Administration he paid off tenn
porary loan of two hundred thousand dollars.
and floating debt of four hundred and sixty
dollars, left as membranes by his
Locofoco predecessors. Nor was this all /: he
liquidating the principal of the
great State debt, and, as appears by his last
annual message, redeemed over half million
of dollars since the Both November, besides
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars appro-
priated to the North Branch Canal,-a work
which had been commenced and abandoned
under previous Locofoco Administrations, and
which is soon destined to be a source of rev.
enue to the State. These are facts which
stand out from the canvass; which challenge
scrutiny, and which contrast to the utter con-
lemnation of Locofoco professions and prodi-
yality. As long as Locofoco tenure of office
so long did the public debt increase;
md Ifthe same success had prevailed till now
which had marked the many successive years
previously, it would need no historian to re-
'ord the position which Pennsylvania would
occupy at this day. Her name would be
'y-word, her credit would be a reproach, and
Ter sons would find in the name of citizen all
hat was dishonored for broken faith and ru-
ned integrity.
Gov. Johnston did all these things, which
We have with so much satisfaction enumera-
ed, and still more. He established sinking
und, which yielded during the year l849
nd 1850, $424 ,S32 70; and if he is allowed
o perfect his own system, it will yield mil {
ion Of dollars annually before his next term
xpires, without any additional taxation.