The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-01-13


: should always be limited to moderate existence
E and be accompanied by the principles of indvi-
dual liability for all debts of the association
The convenience of special legal organization is
all the advantage that any association or ndivi-
duals should ask and it is certainly all that any
: proper enterprise need. The salutary effect
of this policy would doubtless be, that whilst it
could not restrain the association of capital for
wise and legitimate ends, it would save the le-
gislature the labor of considering unwise and
visionary schemes, and the public from their in-
furious consequences.
/ In message to the General Assembly durin g
its last session, / took occasion to refer to the
| growing inclination for special legislation, and
recommended the adoption of some measures
| to remedy the evil. A resolution was passed by
that body authorizing the Governor to appoint
three commissioners to prepare general laws for
the consideration of the Legislature, touching
various subjects therein named. Accordingly,
in June last, appointed Hon. James Nj. Porter,
Edward A Penniman, and j. Ellis Bonham, Es-
quires. commissioners under said resolution
/ These gentlemen have, for some time been devo-
ting themselves to the performance of the du-
ties thus devolved upon them. The result of
! their labors shall be communicated to you at an
early period in your session.
The evils of special legislation seems to have
been a subject of complaint in The early history
of the State. In the preamble to the law 1874,
intended to obviate the necessity for special or
private legislation, this complaint is freely ex-
pressed. The volume of laws for that year num-
/ bered fifty-nine pages of a small book in 1881,
( they count eleven hundred of a large one. This
evil was then in its infancy-it is now full grown
and should be corrected. This, in my opinion,
can only be done by the adoption of few more
general laws, and the rigid administration of
! those already in existence l deem it right to
say that L shall regard the maintenace of this
policy as high obligation to the people
| The law of 1871, and its several supplements
| me
of corporations for liberty, charitable, and reli
gious purposes, to create beneficiary societies,
and fire engine and hose companies, through the
instrumentality of the Attorney General and the
Supreme Court. The act of the 18th of Octo-
Der, 1929, extended this power to the several
counties. The acts of 1888 make provision fer
the association of individuals, through the in
strumentality of the Attorney General and the
Governor, for the purpose Of manufacturing
iron from mineral coal In addition to these
acts the general manufacturing law of 1S49, |
and its supplements, provide for the creation of
corporations for the purpose of manufacturing
wo Hen, cotton, fax, and silk goods, or for ma
king iron, glass, salt, paper, lumber, oil from
rOsin, mineral paints, artificial slate, and for
printing and publishing.
The commissioners already named have re-
commended the extension of this law to the bu-
siness of mining coal, and to the mining and
smelling of iron, lead, copper, and other ores,
and so to alter its provisions as to render the IL
ability Of the stockholders extensive
They also recommend the passage of law Civ
ing the courts more general powers on the sub
ject Of selling real estate by parties acting in
representative capacity, and another referring all
claims against the Commonwealth to the courts.
These things done, and a more general admins
tration of the law giving the courts the power
to change names, to erect boroughs, to incorpo
rate bridge and road companies secured, and we
shall have new era in the legislation of Penn
sylvania-shall save large amount of money
annually, and prevent many impositions in the
shape Of hasty legislation based on ex parte
statements.
These commissioners have also prepared with
great care, general tax law, simplifying the
laws as they now stand-extending their provi-
sions to certain new subjects of taxation, and
altering its features so as the more completely
to reach moneys at interest and other personal
property This is most intricate and impor
tant subject, and should be handled with the ut
most care. l have not had the opportunity suf-
fciently to examine this proposed law, to give
opinion as to its merits /; but am clearly Of
opinion that there is much room to improve the
tax system now in operation.
The subject of agriculture has not, it seems
to me- received that attention in this State which
its exceeding Importance would seem to Justify.
1t was the truthful remark of George Washing
ton, that there is mo pursuit in which more re-
al or important good can be rendered to a coun-
try, than by the improvement Of its agricul-
ture.' The art of tlling the soil in such man
ner as to secure the laI gest yield of vegetable
matter of which it is capable, and the applca-
ton of the principles Of science to that art, SO
far as indispensable to the attainment of this
end, is topic worthy of the attention of the best
minds Of the State Agriculture is the primitive
as 1t is the most necessary occupation of man.
1t was at the beginning of his existence, and it
is at the foundation of all his pursuits. In this
Commonwealth, it is peculiarly adapted to the
soil, to the climate, and habits of the
people, and constitutes their greatest source of
wealth and happiness. 1t is the agrcult urist
who pays the largest share of the country's tax
es in time of peace, and furnishes the greatest
number of her soldiers IN time of war. 1t is
the most steady, peaceful, and dignifed, as it is
the least exacting of all our great interests.
But 1t Is said by many good citizens that there :
Is no utility In the application OF the teachings
Of science to the practice of agriculture. This, .
in my opinion, is an erroneous idea. In Il late
report from the Patent Office, at Washington, it
is estimate! that lone thousand millions of dol
lars would not H. ore than restore to their org-
nal richness and strength the one hundred mil
lions of acres of land III ne United States, which
have already been exhausted OF their original
fertility" proper application OF science
would arrest this waste of the elements OF the
sell. In Europe, this process of ex :
haustion has long since excited alarm
What it is doing in country, is shown by the
startling facts alreadng presented. To coun-
teract its effects in the former country, aGout
three hundred and fifty agricultural schools .
have been established in the latter, there are
not dozen. The result of the European schools (
has demonstrated the practical utility of scen- S
q