Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-01-01

ncitlOn- 1uil ana Tree 10 all Is the boon We
ask for the children of the Commonwealth
ii is the duty. paramount to all others, tn,
State owes to her citizens. The aid Of the
Commonwealth should be literally bestowed
The subject, in all its relations, is warmly
commended to the generous care and patron.
age of the Legislature.
Legislation, whilst properly encouraging the
development of the material wealth of the
State, should recognize the still higher obli-
CATION to improve the social, intellectual and
moral condition OF the people. The ameliO-
ration of human suffering. the reformation OF
the erring, and the correction Of youthful Vi
ciousness. are objects that deserve the atten-
ton Of the philanthrOpiSt and statesman. To
secure these results, the educational, charita-
bic and refurmatOry Institutions of the Com
monweath should befOstercd and encouraged
by liberal legislation.
The reports of the State Lunaiic Hospital,
at Harrisburg, and the Western Pennsylvania
Hospital f1I the Insane, at Pittsburg, will be
laid before you, and will exhibit in detail
their operations for the past year.
These institutions, in theiI objects and re-
suits, merit and should receive our warmest
appreciation. The condition OF no class Of suf-
ferlng humanity appeals with more thrilling
power to our sympanies, than that Of the in
sane. Ignorant of the frightful malady that
oppresses them, shroUded in the fearful gloom
OF mental darkness, and shut out from the So
cial joys OF home and friends, the aid of the
benevolent and the benefiCtiORs OF the Com
monweath should be literally and cheeriully
given to them.
The House of Refuge in Philadelphia, and
the Western House of Refuge near Pittsburg,
again ask to share the bounty OF the Common
wealth These schools for the erring. neglected
and out-cast children and youth Of the State
these homes where kindness rules and love
subdues the vicious and incOrrigible, should
not be denied their request
The Blind and the deaf and Dumb"
Asylums at Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania
Training School for idotic and feehle-minded
children, present their annual claim for your
sympathy and aid. The darkened eye, the
silent tongue. and the weakened intellect, in
sorrow and sadness. appeal 10 the representa-
tives Of the people for this boon. 1t cannot be
refused
My views in relation to local, - especial
and ''Omnibus legislation, have been so fire.
quently expressed, in communications to the
legislature, that their repetition now is unne-
cessary. Such legislation, often so subversive
of private rights-so detrimental to the public
interest, and generally so misChevous in its
consequences-should not be encouraged or
permitted.
The report of the Adjutant General will be
laid before you. To its valuable and import
ant suggestions | invite your careful consd-
Grafton
must again call the attention of the Iegis-
lature to the subject of revising the militia
laws of the State. They are so crude and i'm
rvuro r,i' svo .fUtt J,IaO OstI'rfss, euat i. Is
difficult to discover the object intended or
comprehend the duty enjoinei The powers
and duties of the respective officers connected
with the military organization of the Common
wealth, should be more clearly defined. Greater
encouragement should be given TO the forma-
ton of volunteer companies the entire sys-
TEN should be remodeled and placed ia a posi-
ton To become alike honorable and useful TO
the State
The Select and Common Councils Of the
City OF Philadelphia. by an ordinance passed
the 9TH day of April, 1856, and officially COM
municated to the Legislature at their last gen
eral session, proposed TO convey to- the Com
monwealth OF Pennsylvania a lot OF ground.
in that city, for the purpose of erecting an
Arsenal thereon. By the act of the 9th OF
Nav 1851, the Governor was authorized to
accept from the Mayor of Philadelphia under
the seal of the Corporation, the conveyance in
fee simple of the lot of ground proposed 10 be
donated TO the Commonwe@ lth, for the pur-
pose indicated. The conveyance was duly
executed by the Mayor on the 26th day of
June, 1857, and delivered and accepted on
the 3lst day of July following, as directed by
the act. The fourth section of the same act
authorized the Governor TO apply the pro-
ceeds of the sale of the Arsenal in Philadel-
phia $3.50 900 00) to the erection of an Arse
nal on the lot of ground thus granted to the
Commonwealth. In pursuance of the author
ity conferred, a contract was made with a
skillful and experienced Architect, for the
erection aud completion of the proDOsed