Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-01-12


estz. The subject is therefore commended to
your early attention
{The Governor refers TO the report of the
'sAexico Monument" Committee states that
they cannot build for less than $50 900; that
they had not sufficient funds and await fur
ther legisiation.l
The Militia Law Of 1853 has not been fully
tested. but it is believed to be, in the main, an
improvement on the laws in force at the time
OF its passage. One of its best features, and
one that should be strictly enforced. is that
the system is self supporting In no contin-
gency should the department be a charge upon
the public treasury in time of peace.
The State Treasurer receives and disburses
between four and five millions of dollars an
nually and it not unfrequentIy happens that
there is balance in the Treasury exceeding
one million OF dollars. The bond OF the Trea-
surer is about eighty thousand dollars. He
deposits the money of the State wherever he
piedscs. and it is paid exclusively on his own
check. The monthly settlements with the Au-
dftor General afford some security that the
funds Of the Commonwealth will not be mis-
applied but Il is entirely inadequte to the
complete protection of the public interests.
Until the State shall adopt different sys-
tenn for the collection, safe-keeping aud dis
burscment OF her revenues, the money on
hand must be kept either in the Treasury
vault. or deposited with the banking instltu-
Z
mode has been adopted l respectfully
commend that provision be made by law that
no money shall be deposited in any bank by
the State Treasurer without requiring security
to be first given 10 the Commonwealth 70 the
repayment OF the sums deposited-that checks
issned By the Stale Treasurer shall be counter
signed by the Auditor General before they
are used-and that daily accounts of the mon
eys received and paid shall be kept in the Of
/ fee of the Auditor General Well as in the
| Treasury Department.
The Commissioners appointed to revise the
Criminal Code of this Commonwealth, are
progressing with the duties of their appoint
ment. and will report the revised code before
the adjournment of the Legislature.
The various charitable and reformatory in
stitutiOns, which have heretofore received
pecuuiary assistance from the State, such as
the State Lunatic Hospital, at Harrisburg, the
Western Pennsylvania Hospital at Pittsburg
the House of Refuge, at Philadelphia and
PittSburg, the Pennsylvania Training School
for idiOtic and Predetermined children, the
Asylum for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb, at
Philadelphia, the Norhern Home for Friend
less Children, at Philadelphia recommend
to your fostering aid and care. | cannot re-
commend appropriations to charitable associ-
atiOns of purely local character, however
praiseworthy the object and motives of their
founders and supporters: or however useful
they may be to their particular localities.
The present condition Of the revenues of
the General Government, demonstrate the ur-
gent necessity of increased duties upon for
eign impOrtations. The people of PennsyIva-
MA have ever taken lively interest in the
proper adjustment of 4 tariff: and they have
with singular unanimity, at all times, favored
such an assessment of duties, as would not
only produce revenue, but furnish the largest
incidental protection TO the great mineraL~1
manufacturing, and industrial interests of the
country. Had their voices heretofore been
more potential in the councils of the nation
ii is no longer predetermined that much Of the
pecuniary distress lately experienced by all
classes and conditions of business men might
have been 10 great extent ayerted.
The necessities of the government and the |
people, now alike demand a change-an in |
crease of duties-and take great pleasure IN |
endorsing the views of the President of the |
United States as expressed in his last annual |
message, relative to the change proposed. |
His advocacy OF specific duties on all ..com-
mOdities which are generally sold By weight, |
or by measure, and which from their nature |
are of equal or nearly equal value-such as |
IRON Of different classes, raw sugar, and for |
eign wines and spirits" has met with hearty |
response from the great body sf the people |
in this State. 1t is to be hoped that his views |
on this question will be favorably regarded by |
Congress, and that the action of the federal
government may correspond with the sugges-
tions of the President.
When l was called upon to assume the
Gnbernatorial chair, nearly one year ago, in
Difference TO public opinion, and my own feel
ings, after rapid review of events in Kansas, !
l stated that s'to the people of Pennsylvania
the admission of new State into the Union !
into that Confedcracy Of which she is a |
member-must be at all times subject of high |
interest. And L believe l express their senti- |
ments, as well as my own. in declaring that |
all the qualified electors Of Territory should |
have full and fair opportunity TO participate |
in selecting delegates TO form a constitution |
preparatory to admission as a State, and, if |
desired ny them, they should also be allowed |
an unqualified right 10 vote upon such consti- !
tuition after it is framed.
Subsequent events have confirmed me in
these sentiments. The deplorable disputes in
the first session of the present COngress-fte !
popular excitement resulting from those dis
putes, together with other proceedings in
their nature novel and alarming, would all
have been averted. had the people been secur-
ed in s'the unqualified right to vote upon
their dOPestic institutions. / regret TO be
compelled 70 say, that under various preten-
ees. this sacred franchise has been virtually
withheld from them. When they refused to
accept the LeeOmpton Constitution made for
theEI by delegates representing the minority. /
they were explicitly denied the privilege OF
making EheiE oEn constitution, unless upon
condition not previously eIscted. If they
accepted the LeeomptOn Constitution, they en-
tered the sisterboOd OF States at once, with
population less than one half of the existing
ratio Of Congressional representation but if
they refused that Constitution, they could not
bezdHlitted into the Union, with the Consti- |
tatioa of their choice, until they were ready
20 show by formal census they bad attained
population equal to that ratio. The results
have become historical.
The last expressive vote Of the people Of