Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-01-10
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable the Senator's and Members
of fthe House of Representatives Of the gen.
sral Assembly,:


of the House of Representatives Of the gen.
sral Assembly:
Fe,ow. CITIZENS in the abundance OF
opr harvests. the universal health OF our peo-
ple. and The maintenance Of peace, and indi.
yidua and social prosperity, are to ee tonnd
new motives Of gratitude TO the rather oil
Nercies, who holds our des,nies in his hands.
That grateful homage, acknowledgment OF
our dependence on his Almighty Will, 1t be-
comes us most cheerfully ,n render
Never, in the history of the Commonwealth
has there been period of more prosperous
tranquility. The citizens OF the Stale, aside
from other sources OF contenlmen', nave AT
last realized that cause of disquet, which
has for the last twenty-five years oppressed
them, is about 10 be removed. beginning
has been made in the practical liquidation oil
the public debt.
On the lst of Dec. ls48, the
amount OF the public debt
was, S4o, ,oIf;o's OF
On the LIST Of Dec. 1851, The
amount of the public debt -
was, sac, 236 80
Thus, within the last three years, there has
been effected a reduction OF upwarlds OF sew
en- hundred thousand dollars OF indebtedness,
without impairng the efficiency OF the pub.
lie works or retarding any plans OF PRACTICAL
bene6cence, such as the Legislature, accord
ing to policy of wise economy have thought
proper TO authorize.
I do not hesitate 10 attribute this important
result TO the successful operation Of the eff
cent aud real sinking fund system, established
by the act of the 10h April, A. d., ls49 -
The detailed transactions of the commission
.ers of the fund will appear in their report, to
be submitted to the Legislature.
Th;s copcI n ts lpaIInp fpnturpS
from that which was established i'll early
years of our history, for the eXtinguishment
of the national debt, has worked admirably.
While there can be no precipiIated cancelIa-
ton of public securities, such as would derange
and disturb our monetary relations, neither
can there be, under the present law, any such
accumulation of stocks in the hands Of the
Commissioners as to tempt or permit the ap.
plica,ion of the fund, under any accidental
emergency, to other purposes than that for
which it is set apart. Pledged to the pay
ment Of the public debt, it must be sacred'y
regarded The creation OF this fund, aud the
adoption of the system of making no loans,
unless provision for their liquidatons be
made in the laws authorizing them, have al
ready exercised moral influence OH public
policy.
Like the protective system in national le-
gislalion, though by Another process, they
prevent the Representatives of The people
from heedlessly incnrring new debts they
make the payment of the public debt part
of the fixed policy Of the State, which no one
will be willing to disavow or disturb they
interfere with no extension OF pnhic improve
menis or expenditures for beneiicent pnrpo-
.es. The frs, application of surplus revenue
is to pay portion of The State debt. the next
to extend and maintain such objects Of pub
liz lt11nr nj tyh n nIl.tp 81
increase actual revenue and difluse the great
est good To maintain that system Of fnan.
eal policy, which has for its object the graz
dual and certain extinguishmcnt OF the pnblC
debt, is as well the duty as it will be doubt
less the earnest desire OF the general Assem-
bly,.
Believing that the revenues of the Common
wealth, if properly guarded, are adequately
sufficient for both objeeis-the payment of
the debt and the completion OF The public
Improvements, | again, and earnestly press
on the attention of the Legislature, the claims
OF that great section Of the Stale, living on the
North Branch OF the SusGsehanna. The
North Branch Caual ought 10 be finished with.
out further delay. its completion would in.
sure increased revenue to the Treasury. and
would be simple act of justice to Il large
portion Of the people interested in its con.
struc,ion.
The proprey Of calling npon the National
Government for a portion OF the public lands
in aid of the several great lines of railway
communication within our borders, is agaI
suggested and urged Upon your favorable con
sidsra,ion.
To the existing and completed Internal
Improvements of the State, or rather 10 tic
mode OF their administration, | invite specie
attention. There is in il some radical detect'
.pbi,b naoI II is ia
proper checks, and The enforcement OF prope
responsibility, 10 secure which it is respect
fully urged upon the Legislature 10 make suct
change as will authorize the election of one
Canal Commissioner by the people for Z
term of three years, TO whom shall be en-
trusted the whole supervision OF The system
and the selection by the Legislature Of al
Engineer, 10 serve for similar term, It
whom shall be committed the duty Of max
ing the necessary examinations and esli
mats of the propriety and cost of coEsiruc
tion and repair OF the public works. Tha
a commissioner or agent for payments shal
be selected by the lniernal improvement
Commissioners, 10 be charged with the dis
bursement of the public funds annually ap
propriated TO these purposes. Officers thus
selected, owing their appointment 10 differ
ent powers in the Government, would, from
that fact and the nature of their duties, ac
as checks upon each other, bring response
biliiy directly 10 each department Of the
system, and secure a more active and ener
gelic discharge of duty.
1t cannot be doubted that the revenue
derived from the public works ought to b,
very greatly increased. These improve
ments shsud now bring clear revenue tt
the Treasury. In other States, canals an,
railways have rarely become sources of suci
revenue within twenty years from the peri
cd OF their construction, while with MS, iron
causes heretofore suggested for Legislative
action, and still within legislative contro
the result has been widely different
Our system of public education is ia
from that perfection which is desirable.-
The defect appears 10 arise from insufticier
cy of funds, and the want OF proper teach
ers. II is manifest tha, competent persons
in sufficient numbers TO supply The deman
for their services cannot be had, unles
some practical plan is adopted as part Of til
Common School system 10 cIeale profession
al teachers. The ability 10 implrt know
ledge 10 others, particularly 10 your mnd
is 10 be obtained only afer long and palier
study, assisted by all the facilities whic