Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-01-06

though the circulation OF the iattef may 10, D.
positive law. These considerations have suggest
the Importance Of a stimuli action Of tn
StaiesSon the subject, and i, ha, occurred to mi
mird, that a convention of delegates from each
appointed by the respective legislatures, might b'
| a good mode Of directing public attention to The
subject, and securing efficient action.
| In the mean time, State can take the lead II
this work, rs she can also carefully restrict th'
evil tendencies Of the present system, by Tequir
| ing the Institutions now in existence to make more
frequent settlements, and render more rfficien
her present system, by confning the amount o
banking capital as a basis OF paper issues, 10 the
lowest point consistent with the demands OF legn
innate business. l believe the amount We nov
have comes up TO this standard. aud that the bes
interests of the people require that It should not bt
increased.
EHors, extensive, energetic and highly com
mendabe are being made in all parts OF the coun
t,y TO sdvsnce the interests OF agriculture, by
the dissemination Of correct information concern
ing this gses, pursuit, and in this way bestow
upon the farmer, the blessings OF a scientific. a:
well as a greatly refined practical understanding
of the noble work in which he is engaged.
Pennsylvania, so eminently an agricultural
State, and therefore so deeply interested, cannot
be ind dfferent to the merits Of this enterprise
Her best energies may wisely be exercised 10 Sc
cure Its success. Already much has been accom-
plished in the way Of removing prejndices here
tofore extensively cherished against any system
of agricultural education, and by the extinguish
ment Of doubts as to the utility, or even the Erac
ticabty Of applying the principles OF science to
the business OF farming.
The belief that these principles can be so ap-
piled, am gratified TO perceive is pidly gaining
popular favor. Indeed, the experiments which
have been made in this country and in Europe,
clearly establish the utility Of scientific farming,
and in both, the necessity for such system is
manifest.
A proper understanding OF the constituent ele
ments OF the soil-,he influence Of these in the
production of vegetable matteG-ihe means Of
maintaining these elements in their orig ginal
streugth-the nature Of stimulsnts for the soil
and their proper use-the quality Of seeds, and
the breed Of animals, make up the main features
of this system. These subjects will constitute
an agreeable, and | have no doubt, highly ad-
vsntsseous Study for the farming community.
In my last annual message | suggested the pro-
prety Of aproiutng an Agricultural Chemist, TO
be paid moderate salary, and whose labor, should
be given 10 the State and county Societies. still
entertain She opinion that such officer, surroun-
del by proper opportunities, could render great
service to the cause OF agriculture.
The utility of establishing an agricultural col
lege, with a model farm attached, wherein The
principles OF scientific cultivation Of the soil and
manual labor IN that pursuit would be Joined to
the usual academical studies, has been strongly
urged upon my attention. Such an institution and
system Of education, it is believed, would at the
same time improve the physical and moral condi-
tion OF the professional and me rchantile classes,
and promote the social and intellectual attain
ments Of the ag'iculruri.t, mechanic and laborer,
in addition to the vast benefits il would confer
upon the pursuit Of the farmer. These consdera
lions, and Others which will toubtes, be presen-
. Il Nv the advocates of the proposed institution,
10.
l, is believed that such an institution
,an be successfully organized under the auspices
u the State and county societies.
A highly useful insrirn,irinn has recan,iy b.. "|
organized at Philadelphia under the auspices Of
liberal and patriotic citi izens OF that city and vi
Unity, in pursuance Of act Of the last session,
named {" The Polytechnic College of Pennsylva-
,ia," in which the rducaio ion of youth in prac,i-
.al knowledge Of mining, manufacturing and the
mt chanic arts is united with the ordinary literary
tudies. Surely, as much can oe done TO impat
practical understanding Of the pursuit of the
armer.
Within a few years past the general govern
nent has expended a large sum Of money in the
construction Of a dry dock at the Philadelphia
lavy yard, with a railway attached, 10 facilitate
he operation of raising and repairing vessels. A
urvry OF the Delaware river has al been made,
which juslIies the opinion that there sufficient
irPIn OF water IN its channel 10 admit vessels Of
large class with entire safety. The location Of
his yard, on the bank OF the Delaware, in the
outhern part of the county of Philadel pha, &C.
ess,ble from all points, surrounded by vigorous
md hourishins population, and blessed with .
lealhy climate, gives TO 1t adj aniages not pass
ID by those surrounding the navy yards Of any
,iher section Of he Uuion. There Is, then no
'eason why 1t should not receive full share OF
from the government. Why il has not
,oen so favored l shall, not at this, time attempt
laaK hnf shats sbo fact has haa fba afl
egset and complaint among the people Of Phila-
phia and other paris of the State. is a c,rcum-
tance which cannot he disguised. No considera-
ions Of public interest, which have been able to
discover, would seem demand this policy.
Nothing, in my opinion, is gained by it 10 econo
ny, efficiency or skill in the construction Of ves-
els. The materials for this work can be convent
nifty end cheaply procured at Pbilsjelph as at
my other point in the country, and her mechanics
taud high any others in point of skill and eff
ieDcy in all the branches OF this business, and
re eminent in the construction Of steam machine
y. feel jnstfed, therefore. in entertaining the
lope that a more equal distribution of patronage
hall hereafter distinguish the action of the depart
nent at Washington.
The consolidation OF the city and county of
'hiladelIih into one munc pal government, is a
ubject that will be pressed upon your cons,dera-
ion during the present session. Without desiring
o express an opinion on the policy Of the sure,
may say, that regard it as involving vast con-
connec' ed with the welfare Of our me-
ropolis, and consequently to tae State NJ large,
Ind as such it should, as have no doubt it viii,
prompt and anxious consideration.
have long believed that the loans OF the State
honid be consolidated into three or four classes,
md be under the direct control Of the treasury de-
'artment at Harrisburg The books are now kept
t the Bank Of Pennsylvania, where the loans are
transferred, re-issued, and cut up into any shape
o suit the wishes Of the holder for which service
hat institution is claiming a heavy yearly COM
'ensation. There would be no difficulty what
'ver, ] am confident. in exchanging new coupon
,onds for the certificates of loan now outstand-
ng. without any average extension Of the matn-