The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-01-12
NO. 1.

Ueen III sosceeSioi operation during the
past year; having under its charge one
hundred boys, who, while they are care
fully instructed in all those branches of
science shioh pertain to a high order of
education, are daily engaged in all the
practical operations OF the fsrm-fittinr
them 20 return to rural lie. and to infuse
throughout the State an amount and kind
of knowledge which aust ultima ately pro-
duce a most beneficial influence upon this
most cherished branch of industry. The
practical workings of the school. for tho
past year, have Impressed tie trustees,
|ho have it IN charge, with the highest
hopes OF Its complete success The great
interest which is everywhere felt through
out the Commonweslth, in the further ex-
tension and progress of the institution,
com mends II to our care and protection.
The State Librarian will report to you
the completion Of the descriptive and clas-
sihed catalogue of the books in the State
Library, authorized by the &C, of the 18th
of April, lS5s.-a work, from the details
it embraces, Of much labor, but which
will greatly facilitate the use of the Lii
brary. Il will be seen, from his report,
that the origin of the Lirary dates far
back in the history of the Provincial gov
erDment, and that it received the foster
ing care of the Com nonweal,h during the
period of the Revolution 1t is crafty
ing, that, notwithstanding the waste to
which it has been subject II past years,
owing to the want Of proper attention.
under the careful supervision Of the pres
cnt Librarian, it has. since he has bad
the charge of it, nearly doubled Its num-
her of volumes, and now contains in all
% 600 solumes-the largest State Libra
~ in the Union, vith the single excep-
zion of that of the State OF Mex York
The collection OF Law books, aud especial
ly law reports, is considered by those
competent to judge, among the best in the
country. The Library from its intrinsic
value and Importance, and it's historic re-
lations. deserves. and l trust it will re-
ceive, the continued liberality of the Le-
gislature.
In my inaugural address, as we'll as in
my last annual message, [ expressed the
opinion that our present banking system
was extremely defective, and that, unless
! 1t wcre radically changed, I should con-
slider 1t an imperative duty 70 withhold
the Executive approval from all biIls Gre
ating new barks. Without sgsin giving
in detail the reasons whcb influenced my
action oD this question, or repeating the
suggestions and recommendation hereto
fore O ade to the Legislator, , it is proper
to remark, at this time, that my conyic-
tions have been confirmed, by time and
rehectioD-that my opinions remain un-
changed. sud that cannot approve Of
any increase of banking corporations un-
der existing laws If corporate privi-
leges, for banking purposes, are needed,
to accom- odate the business wants of
any portion Of the State. justice requires,
that such institution should be compell-
ed to protect the community receiving
it's circulation, By requiring that ample
security shall be given for the prompt re-
demptlon of its notes, the sufficicrcy of
which DO act Of the corporation could
impair. All experience in this State. and
elsew here, has demonstrated, that the
present system affords little or DO pro-
lection to noteholders, beyond the per-
sonsi Integrity OF the officers controlling
the management OF the several banks.
For full exposition of my views on this
question, | respectfully rall the attention
of the General Assembly to my last annn-
al message.
The reports Ofthe Auditor General, the
State Treasurer, the Surveyor General,
the Adjutant General, and the Attorney
General, will be laid before you. and will
zhow in detail, the operations of their re-
spectire departments for the past year
Deeply impressed with the belief that
the present mode of receiving, keeping
and disbursing the public revenue, is en-
tIrely unsafe, and inadequate to the com
plete protection Of the interests of the
Commonwealth involved. l again respect
fully, though earnestly, invoke legislative
action on this highly important subject.
The receipts and disburscmeuts Of the
Treasury arc each, annually from three to
four millions of dollars At times there
is on hand a balance exceeding one mil
lion of dollars The StDte Treasurer
gives security to The Commonwealth IN the
sum Of only eighty lhousand dollars
fIe deposits tie money of the State vhen
and where he plsases. and it is paid out
upon his own cheek exclusively. His ac-
counts are settled By the Auditor Geuer-
al, once + month. and this is, apparently,
the only safeguard proveded By Law to
pres ept tbe Illegal use Of the putlic funds
while under tie control Of the State Trea-
surer That the Treasury Of the Com
mop wealth has hitherto escaped from dis
astrous dedication. is owing to the intcg-
ritz of the officer, and not the efficiency Of
the laws; and while our main reliance, in
tho future, must be on the honesty of the
officers to HON the department is entrus-
ted, it is, nevertheless the plain duty Of
the gogsrnmeut, By proper legislative en-
aetments. to prevent. IS far as possible. the
Illegal, improper or fraudulent use Of the