Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-13

punishment II takes charge Of those whose of1en-
often The result ol circumstances raiher Than
criminal intent; who fall by the influence of bad
example, of wicked associations, OF idle habi!s or
animal necessities or who sin because of utter
want of moral and mental PERCEPTION who do
wroug rather than right because they have not The
power TO distinguish between them. For such un-
fortunate beings, the House OF Refuge possesses the
advantages OF restraint and correciion-wih moral
and intellectual training well OF instruction in
the usual pursuits of life, without the disgrace and
chilling Influence OF prison confinement The re-
sus, therefore, often are, that lis INN les 60 back
to socle y, cured of all moral detection, and COM
peien 10 fill The place of correct and useful mem
bers OF The community.
During the past summer, The magnificent stIuc
ture erected under the supervision Of certain bene
violent gentlemen o Philadelphia, as a new House
of Refuge, was completed and thrown open 10 pub
lie inspection. The capacity, order, and arrange
mems, in every particular, OF This admirable build
ing, fnlIy equal 10 The design of its founders-
Ii is an honor TO them and an ornament TO The
beautiful city in which ii is si,uaed and its good
effects in future, under the same systematic and
wise discipline which so eminenly distinguished
lis past management will mol be readily over.
rated.
The western House of Refuge, situate on the
banks OF The Ohio river, short distance below
Pirsburg, | am grafed TO say, is also complete
10 size and capacity, than its stately compeer oil
the east, il posses all The order, economy OF space,
and perfect adap,lon 10 The purposes designed that
characterize the more costly Structure al Philadel.
phia; and il is also believed 10 be quite adequate,
as 10 size, 10 the present wants, while it is built
with express reference 10 future additions, should
they become necessary.
Neirher OF these buildings have, presume been
erected without involving their projectors in pecu-
mary Liabilities, and perhaps loss. The entire Safe
has deep interest in such truly merlorous nsti-
Iulions and whatever relief can be given 10 them
by the legislature, consistently with the condi ion
OF The Treasury or our public engagements, should
be cheeliuIly extended. .
TIL. interests OF Agriculture are ardently com
mended to your care. Extensive and energetic
efflrts have been recently made to disseminate
correct Attenuation concerning this great pursuit.,
and IN This way 10 confer upon the farmer the ad
vantages OF scientific as we'll as greatly refined
practical understanding Of The noble pursuit in
which he is engaged
Tne utility OF a College, devoted to Agriculture
with model farm ai,ached-wheIein the pTiuc-
pies of a scientific cultivation of lAe soil, and
manual labor in that pursuit, would be oined 10
The usual academical sludies-has been strongly
pressed upon my attention l. is believed that such
an institution be successfully organized under
the auspices Of The S;de and County agricultural
sociees.
General Assembly, in reference 10 omnibus bills
and spe3idl legislation, is an improvement OF such
value as to command itself as settled rule and
confidently trust this sa!ulary precedent may mol be
disregarded
Obscurily, confusion and inaccuracy in the con-
sructlon OF our laws, inroads upon private rights
and unguarded corporate privileges, litigation and
confusion in The Interpretation and administration
of our statutes have been The fruits of loose and
unguarded system of legislation. The evil has
been one oftae greatest magnitude, and The remedy
should be cherished with unyieldng lenacity-
Special legislation has so liule TO recommend or
sustain il in principle, it is surprising it has been so
long endured. Although much was done by the
two preceding legislatures by law 10 obvae any
supposed necessity for special acs, there still is
much 10 be performed in avoiding relLIn to this
unsafe practice. Ii is believed that general laws
can be so framed as 10 avoid in most cases the
necessity for special acts, and the proposition is
most earnestly commended 10 your favorable con-
| 81 Iteration.
The omnibus syslem-a pernicious mode OF leg
| islaon, by which the most opposite measures
good and bad, are thrown together in one bill and
under one hlle-was, I rejoice TO say, entirely
broken down and discarded by the last General
Assembly. The volume of laws for 1854 contains
no acts OF this character. Each law embraces but
a single subject, and that indicated by lis proper
| title.
| The 55th section Of The act providing for the ex
| penseS Of Government for 1853, authorized and re
quired The Government to sell The Stale arsenal al
Philadelphia and apply the proceeds OF such sale
| towards The purchase of another se and the erec.
| hon OF new building; and restricting the ex
| pendiure 10 The sum received for The old properly
The building and lot were readily sold for $50 600
| The selection of location, and the erection
OF another building, presented far more difficult
task. readily discovered that the sum thus ap.
| L.
the end in view. The price of a similar location
would leave but meagre sum with which 10 erect
The building Under all circumstances, have not
telt authorized 10 attempt TO carry out the law, and
would respectfully suggest the propriey OF ncreas.
ing The appropriation for This purpose.
Tine report OF The present able and energetic Ad
ju'anl general will inform you Of The condition of
the military affairs oil the Stale. This department,
OF public affairs, regret to say has been in con-
| fused and declining condition for several years
! The public Librarian has called my attention to
The fact, that The law reports of twenty-five other
Sa'es have been regularly received by this, and
that no provision has ever been made, on our part
TO reciproca,e This courtesy and generosity. | res
| pecIfuy suggest The propriey Of authorizing some
officers OF the Government 10 procure The neces-
sary copies OF the Pennsylvania reports 10 supply
| those States who have generously added 10 our
| library.
The registration act, respectfully suggest. has
essentially failed 10 accomplish The end designed.
and should be repealed amended. record SO
incomplete and imperfect can do no good but
may really do harm. 1t has already cost the Safe
about $4,000. 10 which there must be annually
| additions. The object is desirable one, but |
am confident il can never be attained by the mode
contemplated in This law. It's subject of con-
slant complaint by registers and physicians and
only such registration is made as is compulsory.
in order to egalize letters OF administration
BY the 9Th section OF the appropriation law of
last session the Secretary of the Common W wealrh
was authorized 10 continue the publication of the
Archives TO The year 1890. Under this authority
the selection OF documents from l7S3 10 1890 has
| been made, and the ten'h volume containing this
matter will be ready for distribution before the
close Of The session. Two additional volumes will
complete The work originally designed