Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-01-21

sister States to Join with us in the repression
of small paner. and in such other particulars
of reform as require for complete success
their co-operation. Meantime to the extent
of our power let us exert ourselves to fur
nish our citizens with safe and staple cur.
rency; to prevent future financial conyul-
sions similar TO that under which the
community has for some time been struggl-
ing; and to relieve the government IN it's
fiscal action from the danger of deprecated
or worthless paper, aud the embarrassments
arising from dependence upon corporations
of her own creation.
The people of Pennsylvania by the recent
adoption of an amendment to the Constitu-
ton on the subject of Public Indebtedness,
have imposed an imperative obligation upon
their servants TO practise economy, to limit
expenditures, and to give their best efforts
to the gradual but eventual extinguishment
of the existing public debt. After eight
years experience under the sinking fund act
of 1919, we find our public Indebtedness but
slightly diminished. The constitutional
amendment just adopted demands the es'
tablishment of an effective sinking fund for
its payment, and / shall consider it one of
the leading duties of my administration to
see that that amendment is carried out both
in its letter and its spirit. cannot regard
the reduction of the mill tax on property
made at the last regular session of the Leg
islature, otherwise than as inopportun and
doubtless existing financial embarrasments
will for time reduce the amount derived
from other sources of revenue. Nor will
any very large amount of the purchase
money of the main line of the public works
be realized by the Treasury for q consider
able rcriod. Il viii therefore, be necessary
for the State To husband her resources, and
increase her revenues as far rs possible,
without oppression to any interest, in order
to meet her current and necessary ontlays,
the demands of her creditors, and the posi-
tive obligation of the constitutional amend
ment.
There is great lack of consistency and
principle in the laws passed during some
years in relation TO incorporations. They
have been created upon no settled, uniform
plan; are excessive in number, and many Of
them unnecessary TO the accomplishment Of
any legitimate purpose. They have doubtless
encouraged speculation, and IN various ways
contributed to the recent financial conyulsion.
Various and Inconsistent provisions appear in
acts establishing or extending the powers Of
corporate bodies Of the same class and general
character. The tax Jaws relating to them are
AtA SOHiC GOHlusIOH, CONSEQUENTLY IAAGS
paid by them unequal, while some wholly es-
cape any share ef the public burdens In
brief our system of interpretations has become
SO vast, diversified and difficult of comprchen-
sion that no reasonable industry can master
the whole subject, and understand precisely
where we are and whittier We are drifting
A thorough revision of our laws on this sub
ject, and the establishment Of general, uniform
regulations for each class Of corporate bodies,
with the Avoidance, as far rs possible. OF. spe-
eial provisions for particular corporations, are
reforms impcriously demanded by the public
in which | shall heartily cooperate.
| have no hostility to express against incurpo-
rations for proper objects beyond the power
of individual means and skill, nor generally
against Legislative facilities for the application
of labor and capital to the creation Of wealth.
where individual unprompted action will not
20. But no one can assert that We have lin
tied ourselves to such policy, nor that our
laws ON this subject have been careful, cORsis
tent and just.
But, Notwithstanding all topics nf regret or
criticism in our public career, land which
should bear their proper fruit in amendment
and reform,l We may we'll be proud Of this
Pennsylvania of ours-of her people her i'll
stitutions and her laws. She has become
great, prosperous and powerful; ranking
among the first of the States aud her condi-
ton at home and character abroad bear testi-
mony to her merits, and promise for her
distinguished future. Besides her agricultu-
raj resources, which are great and first in
importance, she is capable of producing in
untold quantities those two articles Of prime
necessity and universal use. Iron and Coal
Even in times of widespread financial calam-
ity, when speculation and extravaganza have
done their worst to cripple the operations Of
capital, and stay the hand Of labor in its use
full toll, the leading interests Of our State may
be counted among the first to reyiYc and to
furnish strong and reliable basis for the re-
Of activity in all the channels Of
employment, and in all the operations of trade.
That government weuld be unwise and blind
which would administer the public affairs of
this State otherwise than in a spirit Of kind
ness and protection to these great and capital
interests.
From the earliest period Of our history, 1t
has been the policy of Pennsylvania TO edu-
cate all her citizens and at this time our in
oflearning and educational facilities
are equal to those of any country. Our Com
mon School system is justly distinguished rs
one of the most practical and efficient in the
Union. Let US then cherish this traditional
policy, coming down to US from the fathers of
the Commonwealth, and by every means in
our power foster and strengthen the measures
now successfully producing the results SO ar
IDENTIFY desired by the patriotic men who have
gone before US.
While our domestic affairs and policy nat
urally will occupy most of the attention of
cur Government and our people, it is not to
be forgotten that Pennsylvania bears very in
teresting relations TO the other States of the
confederacy. and looks with an anxious eye
to the proceedings and policy of the General
Government. 1t is both our duty and our
interest to cultivate the most friendly relations
with our sister States, and to frown upon all
attempts to SOW among them feelings of alien
alton. We should exert our whole influence
to keep the government Of the Union in its
true position 0s the common agent Of the
Sta fas apd tf,a uoopIa pyarciliuv high pnSyara