Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
To the HonoroGie The Senator's and Members Of
the House Of Representatives, Of the General

GEHrLEMEN--By the sufrages OF your fel-
low citizens, yon have been charged with the
| duty of representing them and the interests
of the Commonwealth in the Legislative
branch of the Government The responsible
ties you have assumed and the duties to be
performed should ever be regarded as para
mount to every selfish partizan consideration.
The prosperity of the State and the general
welfare of the people, should receive attention
and be the aim and end of your legislative ac-
ton. To promote these objects, | will cheer
fully, in every legal and constitutional manner,
during the continuance of my official term, CO.
operate with you.
The past year, with the exception of recent
financial embarrassment, has been one of gen
eral prosperity. No foreign wars, no fraterLal
strife, has disturbed the peaceful quiet OF our
homes. Unwonted health, with its blessings,
has been vouchsafed to us. Seed time and har-
vest have not failed-the earth hath yielded
her increase, and richly rewarded the labor of
the huSbandman. The Arts and Sciences have
been advanced, and the great interests of Ed
ucation Morality, and Religion liberaHy en-
cOuraged and sustained. Our Nation in its
unty-our free institutions in their integrity,
with orr rights and privileges, civil and reli-
gious have been preserved. Recognizing in
these blessings the goodness Of the i lmig hty
God we should render to Him the homage OF
grateful hearts and the devotion of our sincere
praise and whilst humhly acknowledging
His merces to US as people, let Us still fur
ther express our gratitude to Him, by acts of
individual charity and kindness to the poor
and helpless in our midst Sorrow now fills
the hearts, and adversely darkens the homes of
of -oi.i -j,o h,,
generous our benefactions munifcent and
whilst the wants of the poor and suffering are
relieved, the generous giver will find rich re-
ward in the pleasures that result from COM
munlcated good
The finances of the Commonwealth are in q
very satisfactory condition During the past
year every demand upon the Treasury has been
promptly paid from the revenues derived from
the ordinary sources. The operations of this
Department will be presented to you in detail
in the report of the State Treasury.
For the fiscal year ending Nov so, 1857,
the receipts into the Treasury, including bal
ance in the Treasury on the lst day of Decem-
ber, 1856, of 81 PA, 795 AZ, were $685., 1888
26 The aggregate expenditures for the same
period were $5,407,276 10. Balance in the
Treasury December l, 1851, 1923, l06 A.
Excluding the balance in the Treasury on the
first day Of December, 1856, the receipts from
all sources were $4,000, ,5S7 81. The ordina-
ry expenditures for the same period were So
992, SO go !; exhibiting an excess of receipts
over expenditures of $685. 55. The ex-
traordinary payments for the year were ST.,
4l4 900 80, as follows, to wit To the COM
petion of the Portage Railroad ,06l 90;
to the North Branch extension $l39,79S IS;
to relay the South Track of the Columbia rail
road, S9l ,405 46 !; to enlarge the Delaware
Division, $46,263 90 for motive power in
1856 SSl ,604 "a for repair in 1855 and
1856, S49,564 7S for the redemption of
loans, $S20,09T 03 damages on the Public
Works $40, ,552 65 old claims on the Main
Line adjusted under the several acts of As
sembly, $40, ,54S 81, and for the new State
Arsenal and Farmers High School, $45, 900
CO.
The interest on the funded debt, due in Feb
ruary and August last, was then promptly
paid, and that falling due in February next,
will be paid out of available means now in the
Treasury. BY virtue of the provisions of the
Act of the 18th of October 1857, entitled
" An Act providing for the Resumption of
Specie Payments by the Banks and for the
Relief of Debtors" the State Treasurer will
be enabled to pay the interest due in Februa-
ry, in specie or its equivalent. The credit of
the Commonwealth has been fully and honora-
bysustained. The promptness with which every
legitimate demand upon the Treasury has been
met, has inspired public confidence in our Sc
curtieS and although recent and existing f.
nancial revusion may embarrass the operations
of the Treasury, and reduce, to some extent
the revenue, yet the ability of the State to
meet her engagements AMI maintain her cred
it, under an honest and economical administra-
tion of her finances, is undopb.ed The honor
and credit Of the State must and can be pre-
served intact
The Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund, re-
port the sum of S4l4,920 30 as now in the
Treasury to the credit of that fund. This
amount will be applied to the redemption of
that fund. This amornt will be applied to the
redemption of Relief Notes vet in circulation,
and to the payment of the funded debt of the
Commonwealth.
The Commissioners of this fund, on the 1th
day of September last reported TO me that
the sum of ST. 042,S51 64 Of the debt Of the
Commonwealth, was held by them, as follows,
viz
Loans of 10th Of April, 1858, over due, tenn
Loan, R d @th d May 1854, over due tempo. -.
Observation-Disclosures. l6l 000 90
IS per cent ....,........r...,... 66,5ol oe
5 per cent ...............s!......... s,sts g.
Relief Notes ca ceed and destroyed S13,040 90
celation ........,.............. 10000 90
Total. ,O42 s57 6i
A. required by law, directed the ccrtif-