Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-10-05
4lnliiral.
A d D Il z S S
MAvERLr. \. ]. Sept. %. 1851.
OF G0VlRyOR BIGLER
TO THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

WAvERLY, n. Y, Sept. %, 1854.
FdioiC- Citizens 1t is now yearly three years
since you entrusted me with the dis 1harge of the
duties Of the Office of Governor. l have endcav-
ored, 10 the extent OF nay feeble abilities, - per
form the trust in such manner as to develope
the resources Of the State, promote Just public
policy, and advance the welfare OF the people.
How far | have succeeded in this work is for you
to determine
a Democratic State Convention, in March last
presented me for your sutfrages for a second terra
In accordance with what appeared to be a recog-
nized custom, | left the seat Of government, near
the close OF last month, Tor the purpose ct ting
the people ii the several counties OF tie STATE.
an1 in pers u accounting TO them for my steward
ship, and declaring TO them my views ard inten-
tions on ali public questions of State policy. a
painful and dangerous illness has deprived me Of
this pleasure. For near three weeks have ben
confned'to the room in which write, during all
which time, as leara the canvass has been active
y pursued by my opponent. It IS n ~ imp 'ssi5le
for me TO visit more than few If any of the
counties prior to the election, and l can see No
mode Of reaching you with my views except
through the medium of the pres
In nay present enfeetled state of health, and in
this locality without access TO the books an doe
unle1ts which I ordinarily refer to, / shall limit
what | shall herein discuss TO those questions
which le Ultimately bear upon our State policy, or
which are in some degree involved in the present
canvass, and in reference to which may, in the
event of my reelection, be called upon to act in
my Official capacity.
What l have done, and what l wish to do, if re-
ele-.el, i is yoEr right to know.
I must in the first place, congratulate you
Furnishing condition Of ali the great interests Of
the State excepting only the agricultural, which
has suffered materially by the drought Of tie
season.
The finances of the Safe were never in more
who'e7ame condition. Our re-. .urces are equal to
all ordinary demands, with an annual surplus OF
about three-quafters Of million cfdoliars- which
is applicable to the payment Of the public ,iebt
For the three pa St years this sl!rg5 has been alb
sorhcd in the consunmat'on Of schemes OF IN
pr5venent coEImen ,el prior to my Induction into
Office. These undertaking : VIII COST the Sttte. il
all, over four millions and a half o. do lars But
for the Sc very large reclu ti1n in the State debt
would have taken pl ce during the term Of nay
service, N new tCmuS Il C&t en- -ture have
been commenced under my administration, save
only a small appropriation % enclose the public
croun ls and meagre sum 70 sustain an igliotic
school If | should he re-elecjci Governor. ! shall
employ the power of the Executive department t.
arrest all new schemes Of improvement at the OK
pense of the treasury.
have always regarded the proposition to sell
the public works as a business question The po-
Iicy of the N aasure depen ling largely upon the
price to BE- obtained ana the conditions Oh which
possession Of the works may he granted. If sale
be ma le for aggr ga5e sun, less than the
punt whIcA the net pr its wou!e. pay the
intere 4, then it would not be economy 10 sell;
such me4Su e would increase and not lesson the
burdens IF TIE people Sh III tine policy of sell
ing meet the appreciation OF the representatives of
the people mere after, the utru Js5 should DO
taken to secure a full compeasation and to make
the iitions such As most certainly to guard the
rights AMI interest Of the puhlc N the Of these
great highways | am sue al WI agree that 40
corporation should have the Improvements or
such terms as woQld cna',le it to impose unjust
burdens ON the internal trade Of tua State, or en-
c-olch upon the rights OF the people No such
measure can ever Tecsive my sanction,
l have spoken Of this branch of public affairs
with deliclcy, 5ocause its management and con-
troll have ben o5HIded to agents selected by the
people Themselves, and accountable only IN them.
the Executive having no power to direct IN what
manner the public works shall be lged.
As indicated in my last annual message, you
are aware that | regard the States system Of ma
naging the public works, as susceptible Of great
Improvement then expressed the opinion,
which still sustain, that the management should
be based on plain business principles.
The currency of the State seems to he in
wholesome condition. When | assumed the Exc
cutive Office, strong sentiment in favor OF what
is called the free banking system, nstigated man
ly by the influence of the preceding adtnlniSJTa-
ton, evidently pervaded the minds ot many good
citizens l felt required 10 in erpose the influence
of my position against this scheme. Subsequent
events must certainly satisfy all that such step
would have been disastrous to the true interests
OF the state, and especially 10 our own cherished
commercial metropolis. | also felt required. dur
ing the session of 1882, interpose the Executive
preroSatlve against a dangerous expan i'm of our
present banking system. l tiink there are few
who will now doubt the correctness of this step.
Had those schemes for the expansion Of papar
money prevailed. the consequences would have
been more disastrous than the mcst sasacions
could have foreseen. Our commercial netroro-
lis instead Of standing she has ood. inlrreg-
u able against the finau ia storm which has been
felt 30 seriously in other citis and states. might
herself have fallen a victim to the folly. Instead
Of boasting proud fidelity and punctnaity as
she now can, she might have been humbled and
dishonored Sensible of the defects of the system,
we have, I still regard it as safer and better than
those of most of the surrounding States. Whilst
there may be localities where growing and en-
larged business would seem TO demand the conve-
Sis'os II baokisg capitsl, no consfderftson CAP