The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-02-08
GoVERsoa's MESSAGE.
lConcluded from lat week. }


ton; and their management and efficiency re-
fleet great credit upon those to whom have been
committed their supervision and control. II is
TO be regretted that these schools, 50 credible 10
our great commercial and literary emporium,
and 50 honorable TO our Commonwealth, should
find no place 10 the annual report Of The Super
ntendent of Common Schools. As at present.
organized, these schools are independent of
the State SUPPLEMENTARY, and do net rs--
port to The school department OF the Common
wealth, As everything that relates to The oper-.
alton Of the common school system, ard the con-
dition Of the public schools in The State, IS I'M
portant and interesting, The statistics OF those
schools should be furnished to the State superin-
tendrnt, that the same might be embodied in the
annual report of the department A modtca-
ton of existing laws on this subject, SO far as 10
require the controllers of the public schools OF
Philadelphia, TO report 10 the school department
the number, gladc, and condition ofthrlr schools
-thr number of pupils and generally such in
formation in relation to their government as
may be deemed useful TO the cause OF education,
is respectfully recommended.
To improve the social, intellectual and moral
condition Of the people-reclaim the errine, and
ameorae human suffering, are objects that COM
mend themselves to the consideration OF the
philanthropst and the statesman. Our ednca-
tional, charitable and rrlormatory institutions
are Justly the pride Of the State, honorable alike
10 The wisdom that devised and The lberality
that founded and susans them They have
strong claims upon the bounty ofthe people, and
cordially recommend them to your care and
the ibrrality of the Commonwealth
The State Lunatic Hospital, at Harrisburg,
in lis objects and results, merits our highest APP
probation. fhe just expectations of It's ploltc-
tors and founders have not been disappointed
Kindness and love, with their softtning and
subduing influence, constitute the rule OF IFS
government. Many of its former unfortunate
inmates have been restored to reason, 10 friends
and home, and the enjoyments of social life
Those that remain require our sympathy and
aid They should not be withheld. The r.
port of the directors will exhibit, in detail, The
operations of the institution.
The necessity and importance of providing
additional accommodation for the insane oil wes-
tern Pennsylvania. have been strongly pres
sed upon my attention. The present accommc-
dations are clearly insufficient, and these have
been provided principally by the contributions
of benevolent citizens. 1t is urged that the
rapid advance Of our poPulaion-ihe gloomy
increase Of the inSanp-and the inadeqnacy OF
the present asylums for their care and maaage-
meut, render it iGlperatlvely necessary that ef-
irctve aid should be given to that portion OF the
State, for The establishment ola new and entire
ly distinct Western Insane Hospital, as home
to those of our Geow-cizens whose only allie
Walton is To be found in their own ignorance OF
the fruitful malady with which they are hurd-
ened. The subject is worthy OF calm and dlSpas-
sionate inquiry. l win cheeliuly cooperate
7 IN, ,II ,afn IN
complsh this object.
Should YOU decline to act upon this subject,
would then r, commend that adequate ap-
preparation be made to the Western Pennsyl-
vania Hospital Tor the purpose of extending lis
accommodations for the care Of the insane, as
distinct as may be practicable from the Other
class of patients and inmates. The charter of
this institution is liberal in It's provisions, and
comprehensive in the objects liable 10 be brot
under its care embracing the insane, as we'll as
the sick, helpless and lnhrm.
In this connection would commend to your
attention thr Pennsylvania Training School Tor
Idotc and Feeble Minded Children. The aid
of the Commonwealth has heretofore been eX-
tended To this institution Il is noble charity,
and appeals 10 the best feelings of the heart. 1T
deserves TO share the bounty of the State.
Tie House Of Reinge in Philadelphia, and the
Western House Of Refuge near Piusburg, are
institutions of great excellence: having for their
object the rpcalming Of wayward and erriDg
youth--thp employment of the idlp-the IN
siruciion of the ignorant-the reformation off
vicious and depraved, and the relief Of the
wretched. They schools, not prisons
homes, not places of punishment; they are re-
fng.. to the neglected and outcast children aud
youth of our Commonwealth. The success OF
the past is a sure guarantee Of their future use
fulnrss. They should receive your aid and en-
couragemeut.
The sBIind7 and the ssDeaf and Dumb Asy-
lnnl,' in Philadpph invite our sympathy, and
ask to share the heneiactions of the Common
wealth. They should not b. disappointed
The blind in their darknesS-the dumb IN their
sjlcnce-wil cherish the gift, and bless the gen
erous donor.
Legislation, in relation TO all questions ofmor-
al and social reform, should be carefully and
wisely considered and matured. On no sub
iect, within the constitutional authority OF the
Legislature, the people so sensitive; and u"
one more deeply interests every class and con-
dition oil society. Sumpuary laws, as gener-
al rule, are Of doubtful expcdiency and as
abritIgements ofthe liberty and privileges Of the
citizen, can only be justified on the ground of
necessity. Whilst this is admitted, it cannot be
denied that the evils resulting from iniempei-
ance. create a Necessity for regulating and res
training BY legislative acts, The traffic aud sale
OF Intoxicating liquors. TO what extent this
traffic should be restrained by positive law, must
depend on the will OF the people, determined
by CONSIDERATIONS oftheir own moral, physical