Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-01-14
BEDFORD, Pa.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

We this week, to the exclusion of our usual
variety of reading matter, publish the Annual
Message of the Governor. 1t Is ably written,
and much shorter than these documents gener-
ally are. 1t shows the State debt to be aetua-
ly diminishing, and approves of the sale of the
public works, which has brought about this
happy state of affairs, although for the purpose
Of plumber, his party always opposed it, The
Governor truly says that ''The short export
encc that We have had already, proves conclu-
sivsly that the Commonwealth is greatly the
gamer, in financial point of view, and it has
been equally demonstrated that the people at
large have been as well, if not better, accom-
moda.ed by the change Itwould, in my judg-
ment, be public calamity, if by the happening
of any contingency, the Commonwealth should
be constrained to again become the owner, and
resume the management, of any portion of the
public improvements"
He recommends the abolition Of the Board
of Canal Commissioners. On the subject of
education his views are able, and his position
convincing
On the subject of Banks, Mr.. Packer oceu-
pies an anomalous position for n Democratic
Governor He advocates the system of free
banking, requiring all issues of banks bereaf
ter TO be secured by the pledge of Government
or State stocks. He says: "The certificates of
loan issued by the General Government, or by
this Commonwealth, at value to be fixed up
on, with the power to require additional depos-
its of security, from time to time, as the loans
depreciate in the market, would be as safe and
available as any guaranty which could be pro
yided."
lie recommends un increase of the appropri
atop for monument commemorative of those
Pa. volunteers who were slain or lost their lives
in the war with Mexico.
The Governor alludes to the Attorney Gem
crar DrII, winch was gotten up and passed
through the instrumentality of the late talented
Senator from this District, Hen. FIR. Jordan, in
terms highly complimentary to that gentleman,
who is the author of the bill. He says: ssThe
report of the Attorney General, which will be
laid before you, will exhibit the operations of
the Law Department of the Government for
the past year. The Act of the 2lst Of Anril,
1857, which requires the Attorney General to
keep an Office at Harrisburg, and which pro-
vides that all debts due to the Commonwealth
shall be collected by that officer, has proved TO
be highly beneficial enactment. Under its
provisions, large sums are saved which were
formerly paid for commissions and counsel fees.
Aud the improved state Of our finances is in no
inconsiderable degree owing to the prompt man
ner in which outstanding claims are collected
and paid into tie State Treasury"
After discussing several other matters, the
Governor comes to tue Tariff question, and ia
9ors specific duties on articles of foreign man
ufaeture. He is in favor of such Tariff as
will meet the wants of the people of our State
and nation.
On tho subject of Kansas, lie opposes the
policy Of the general administration in strong
terms, and is ia favor of the people of Terri
tory Masking their own laws and constitutions.
lie also condemns ;be Dred Scott decision in
strong terms.
The Message is all able one--one of the best
ever delivered by a Lccofoco Governor of
Pennsylvania, and we find no difficulty 10 sub
scribing to almost every position he advances.