The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-01-16


the State One such institute 10 each county,
meeting annually, under the fosiertng care OF
the government, would be productive of most
beneficial results. Whilst it would improve
teachers and prepare them for their important
and responsible duties, il would elevate and dig
Nifty profession long neglected aad underval-
ned by those most deeply interested in their
honorable labors. These measures, as also an
addition TO the annual State appropriation for
common schools, in an amount only limited by
the necessities of the Treasury, would give en-
ergy to the system, increase its efficiency, and
thus promote the true interests OF the people
and the Commonwealth.
Cur educational, charitable and reiormatory
institutions have strong claims upon the bounty
Of the people, and cordially commend them
10 your care and liberaity.
The State Lunatc Asylum at Harrisburg, and
the Western Pennsylvania hospital for the IN
sane, and other kindred purposes at Pittsburgh,
are noble charities, and deserve the aid and en-
conragement Of the State The annual reports
ofthcse institutions will be laid before you,
aGd VIII exhibit in detail their operations dur
ing the past wear.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and
the Western House of Refuge near Pittsburgh,
are Institutions OF great excellence, and their
results clearly establish the wisdom of the policy
that founded and susans them. They ought
not to b. neglected nor should the aid OF the
Commonwealth BE- withheld from them.
The "Blind' and the sDeaf and Dumb Asy-
lumns'' al Philadelphia, and ''the Pennsylvania
Training School for idiotc and feeble minded
children,' are institutions that appeal, IN silence
and sorrow, TO the best and purrst feelings OF
the heart, and ask your sympathy and aid
Ihev should receive a generous share OF the
benriactions Of the State.
Agriculture, in its varied departments, is the
great interest Of the Commonwealth. II Is the
basis alike Of financial and commercial SUCCESS.
and of State and national prosperity. An IN
trrest 50 important should be foStered by the
State, and honored by all classes of society,"
To lis promotion and success all should cheer
fully contribute. In former communication
! recommended tie establishment OF an Agri-
cultural bureau, in connection with some one
of The Stale Departments, TO give efficiency TO
the collection and diffusion of useful knowledge
on this subject, and 10 encourage scientific and
practical agriculture Science, with wondrous
energy, has aided the husbandman in his honor
able vocation, and prolltrs still more help
| The State should nerve his arm and cheer him
onwa ard in this, the first and noblest pursuit of
ulan. This subject, in connection with an ap
! preparation 10 the fsFarneTs High School of
/ Pennsyivania"-an institution destined TO be
an honor to the Commonwealth-is recon-
mended to your favorable consideration.
The ssPolytchnic College of Pennsy lvania,"
established by the enterprise and lberality of
some of the patriotic citizens of Philadelphia, as
a school of the applied sciences, deserves honor
able mention, and should receive the confidence
and patronage of the public. In the TEACHINGS
of this institution, literature, science, and art,
in happy union, meet to prepare our young
men for the practical business of life, for min
| ing, mechanical and civil engineering, and for
promoting intelligently and efficiently the
great interests manufacturing and agricultural
industry.
The laws on the statute book regulating
manufacturing and Improvement companies,
require revision. They unnecessarily strin-
gent in many oftheir provisions, and thus de-
feat the object of their enactment
They drive capital from the State, instead Of
inviting It's investment here: and instead of
encouraging individual and associated enter
prise and energy in the development of our
immense natural resources, they bind and crush
both by sevek restrictions, unwiSe Limitations
and liabilities. The subject deserves
careful attention and liberal legislation.
] have so frequently expressed my views in
relation to local, special and s.omnibus' legis-
lation, that their reiteration now becomes un-
necessary. Legislation, so FAR as practicable,
should be genera! and uniform. Local and spe-
cial legislation, when the object desired can be
secured by general laws, or by the action of the
courts, should BE- avoided. '<OmnibuS legisla-
ton" cannot, under any circumstances, be JUS
tilted or approved Too n,gca legislation is an
evil that prevails extensively in legislative halls
| It's avoidance would not be injurious 10 public
or private interests
The practice OF delaying the passage of the
general appropriation bill until the last DAYS of
the session, and incorporating 10 il provisions
incompatible with its general character, and
! obnoxious, when Standing alone, to insnrmoun-
table objections, is highly crnsurahe and should
be discontinued. The attempt thus made to
force, By species of legislative legerdemain, the
passage of Objectionable measures through the
/ Legislature, and compel their sanction by the
/ Executive, has been too often successful. The
practice cannot be too strongly condemned, it
! cannot receive my sanction.
| The militia law of the State is imperfect in
many of its provisions. and should BE- revised
| The powers and duties of the Commander-in-
| Chief should be more clearly defined as also of
the other Offices connected with the military
organization Of the Commonwealth. This is
necessary to prevent a conflict of jurisdiction
with other departments Of the government, and
to give greater efficiency 10 our military system.
Volunteer companies should be encouraged
our entire military system should be remodeled,
and made TO occupy that honorable position
which fInrn ifS innnnrtance and necessity Il de-