Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-01-09
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

HJa8e Of Representatives Of the General assembly
FELLOW CITIZENS In the abundance of our
harvest, the universal health OF our people, and
the maintenance of peace. and individual aud
social prosperity are TO be found new motives OF
gratitude 10 the Father of Mercles, who holds
our destnes in his hands. That grateful ho-
mage, the acknowledged of onr independence
on his Almighty viii, it becomes US most cheer
fully TO render.
Never in the History of the Commonwealth,
has there been a period of more prosperous
tranquility The citizens OF the State, aside
from other sources of contentment, have at last
realized that cause of disquiet, which has for
the last twenty-five years oppressed them, ls
about to be removed. A beginning has been
made in the practical liquidation Of the public
debt.
On the lst of Dec. l848, the
amount Of the public debt
was slO,824379 81
On the lst Of Dec, 1851, the
amount Of the public debt
S40,ll4, ,236 81
Thus within the last three years, there has
been effected reduction of upwards of seven
hundred thousand dollars of Indebtedness, with
out impairng the efficiency Of the public works
OF retarding any plans Of practical benefcence,
such as the Legislature according to policy
Of wise economy, have thought proper to au-
thorize.
do not hesitate to attribute this important
result TO the successful operation Of the eff
cient and real sinking fund system, established
by the act of the 10th April A. ID. 1919 The
detailed transactions of the Commissioners of
the fund will appear in their report TO be sub
mitted to the Legislature.
This system copied in its leading features
from that which established in the early
years of our history, for the eXtinguishment Of
the national debt, has worked admirably. While
there can be no prec ipitated collection OF pub
lie securities such would derange and dis
turb our monetary relations, neither can there
be, under the present law, any such accumua-
ton of stocks in the hands Of the commission
ers as1o tempt or permit the application of the
fund, Under any accidental emergency, to other
purposes than that for which it is set apart
Pledged TO the payment of the public debt, it
must be sacredly regarded. The creation Of
this fund, and the adoption Of the system Of
making loans, unless provision for their
liquidation be made IN the laws authorizing
them, have already exercised moral influence
on public policy.
Like the protective system in national legis-
ton, though by another process, they prevent
the Representatives of the people from heed
lessIy incurring new debts they make the pay
ment of the public debt a part of the fixed
policy Of the State, which one will be willing
10 dlsayow or disturb they interfere with no
extension of public Improvements or eXpendi-
lures for benefcent purposes. The first appli-
cation of Surplus revenues is 10 pay portion
of the State debt, the next 10 extend and main
tlln such objects of public improvement
WILL when completed, increase actual revenue
I and difuse the greatest good. To maintain that
system of financial policy, which has for its
object the gradual and certain extinguiShmcnt
of the public debt, IS as well the duty as it will
be doubtless the earnest desire of the General
Assembly.
BelieTlng that the revenues of the Common
wealth, if properly guarded, are adequately
sufficient for both objects-the payment Of the
debt and the completion of the public improve
ments, again, and earnestly, press on the at
tertron Of the Legislature the claims of that
great section of the State lying on the North
Branch of the S usquehanna. TIL he North
Branch Canal ought to be finished without
further delay. lis completion would insure in
creased revenue to the treasury, and would be
a simple act of Justice to a large portion of the
people interested in its construction.
The propriety of calling upon the National
Government for a portion of the public lands
IN aid of the several great lines of railway COM
municat!on within our borders, is again sug-
gested and urged upon your favorable con-
sIIeTation.
To the existing aud completed Internal I'm
proyemeuts of the State or rather to the mode
of their administration, invite special attention
! There IS In It some radical defects which need
reformation. 1t is wanting in proper checks and
the enforcement of the responsibility to secure
which it is respectfully urged upon the LegIs-
iature TO make such change as will authorize the
election Of the Canal Commissioner by the peo-
pie for term of three years, To whom shall be
entrusted the whole supervision Uf the system,
and the selection By the Legislature of an En-
glucer to serve for similar term, TO whom shall
he committed the duty Of making the necessary
examinations and estimates Of the propriety and
cost of construction and repair OF the public
works. That commissioner or agent for pay
mcnt shall be selected by the Internal Improve
ment Commissioners, to be charged with the
! disbursement of the public funds annually APP
/ proprated TO these purposes. Officers thus
! elected, owing their appointment TO different
! powers IN the Government, would, from that
fact and the nature Of their duties, act as checks
upon each other, bring responsibility directly to
/ each department OF the system, and secure
more active and energetic discharge Of duty.
| 1t cannot be doubted that the revenues de-
! rived from the public works ought 10 be very
/ greatly increased. These Improvements should
now bring a clear revenue 10 the treasury In
other States, canals and railways have rarely
failed to become sources of such revenue with
in twenty years from the period OF their
struction while with US, from causes heretofore
suggested for legislative action and still within
( legislative control, the result has been widely
different
Our system Of public education is far from
! that perfection which is desirable. The defect
appears to arise from insutfciency Of funds, and
the want of proper teachers. 1t is manifest that
/ competent persons, IN sufficient numbers to
/ supply the demand for their services cannot be
/ had, unless some practicable plan is adopted as
/ part of the Common School system, to create
/ professional teachers The ability to impart
/ knowledge to others, particularly to young
| minds, is to be obtained only after long and pa
/ tient study, assisted by all the facilities which
science and learning afford. The future
greatness and happiness Of the country depend
SO much upon the enlightenment of the public
mind, that the statesman aud patriot cannot de-
vote his time, energies and talents, TO more