Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-01-13

tariff, adjusted to protect the pro-
ductive industry of the country, is not only
the true policy of the government, but is a
better regulatUr of the currency, and more
certain security against bank expansions. than
any system Of pains and penalties yet devised
for the control of banking Institutions, or the
operations of capital. To this we should re-
turn. Pennsylvania is yet true to her ancient
and long cherished convictions of its proprie-
ty and necessity. She may have been misled.
Political and partizan pressure may have tor
ced her from her true position. This was her
misfortune, not her fault. She sees and feels
the wrong, and with an emphasis, intensified
10y her injuries, will demand redress protec-
tion Tor herself. and the great industrial inter
ests OF her people.
The agricultural interests OF the country
should ever be fostered and sustained by the
State. They are first in necessity and useful
ness, and constitute the basis of State and Ma
tional prosperity. Upon their progress and
development depend the success OF our me-
chanical, manufacturing and commercial in
tercsts.
Agriculture, in IFS varied and multiplied re-
Iations, is the unfailing source OF national
wealth, and to its promotion all should con-
tribute. Individual enterprise and libcralty.
State anl county associations, have done
much 10 advance this important branch of pro-
ductIye industry: have collected and circulat-
ed much valuable information and encouraged
by their honorable eXcrtions, the progress Of
scientific and practical agriculture. Science
and art have nobly proiered their aid-the
State should not withhold her encouragement
and support.
/ have heretofore recommended the estab-
lishmcnt OF an agricultural bureau, in cOhnec
tion with some one Of the State departments,
to give efficiency TO the collection aud difiiI-
g,-1
pressed with the necessity and usefulness OF
such bureau, l again earnestly recommend
ii to your favorable consideration.
s.Thc Farmers High School of PeEnsylva-
nia," an institution Incorporated by the Legis
lature Of 1850, is entitled TO the especial atten
tioH OF the friends of agriculture. In the
teachings Of this institution the scientific and
the practical are united end whilst the art of
farming, and all that pertains to the manage
mcnt, business and work OF 4 farm, will be the
subject Of instruction, the natural sciences, in
their relation and application to practical agri-
culture, will also be taught. The student Of
the institution will be enabled 10 test, in lis
daily occupation, the truth and value OF the
knowledge communicated.
Much Of the land connected with the school
has been successfully cultivated during the
past year. Orchards Of every variety of fruit
and hedges, have been planted, and many val
uablc improvements made. y double storicd
barn, large and convenient, as also the farm
cr'S house and part OF the out-Luildings, have
been erected and occupied.
From the report Of the trustees we learn that
"a contract has been made for The erection Of
a Il editice calculated for the residence of pro-
fesSOTS, lecture halls. and dOrnIitories for stu
dents. to be built of stone, four stories high,
two hundred and thirty-thrce feet in front, with
wings, and TO cost fifty-fyc thousand dollars.
This building is already in progress, and it is
hoped that part of it may bc put under roof
and be so far completed as to enable the board
to make arrangements TO receive few stu
dents before the close of the current YEAR"
The Legislature, ut their last session. appgo-
priatcd eco TO this institution, one-halr Of
which has been paid: the remaining So, 600
Will bC paid on condition that an equal sum
bc realized from other sources, ithin three
years from the passage Of the act making
the appropriation.
The objects and character of this institution
its relation to agricultural knowledge. and
the pioneer in the great work Of agricultural
education, commend it to the generous pa
tronage Of the Legislature, and 10 the ccnfi-
dence and liberaiity Of the people OF the
Commonwealth.
The report TO be submitted by the Supcrin-
tcndent OF Common Schools will present a clear
and satisfactory statement OF the general ope-
ration of the system during the past year.
The separation OF the School from the State
Department, 10y the act of the last Srssiom, was
a just tribute 10 the Importance and value Of
our common school system. The great edu-
cational interests of the State, the care and
guardianship of the intellectual, social and
moral Improvement of the youth Of the Com
monwcalth, should occupy prominent and
independent position among the departments
Of the government. Ii the care Of the trca-
sure Of the Commonwealth. the development
OF her material wealth, and the advancement
ccived from the government the marked and
distinctive recognition of their importance
how much more should the mind Of her youth
with lis wondrous activiiies-its constantly
unfolding energies, and its infinite superiority
Ia the material and physical, claim a still
/ higher consideration, and receive from the
representatives OF the people, more honored
recognition.
Is au independent department, greater eff
cheney will be given TO the system-a more di-
rect amt immediate supervision viii be secur-
ed-the details OF its operation more careful
ly observed-its deficiencies discoyered-its
errors correctcd-ihe accomplishment of its
noble purposes and objects rendered more GER
tain, and the system itself saved from the
dangerous and debasing influence Of political
excitement, and partizan prejudice.
The county superintendgncy, tested by ex-
! PerieHce, has realized the just expectations of
| the friends Of the measure, and may now be
regarded as a permanent and indispensable
part of the system. When committed TO COM
petent men, ii has accomplished a noble work
| in promoting the success and usefulness Of our
common schools and wherever the duties of
the office have been faithfully performed, the
character Of the schools has been elevated,
| their number and the number of scholars in
creased, and the confidence and encourage
ment of the public secured. In the hands of
incompetent men, these results have not been
! obtained; but, on the contrary, opposition has
Deen provoked, and the cause of common
school education retarded. This office should