Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-01-09
NEW SERIES-VOL. I.-NO 25

an early completion OF that most impor-
tant improvement, have not been realized.
The work during the past year, however,
although greatly retarded, has been con-
tinually progressing; upwards of one mils
hon o. dolla having been expended on
the line from November, 1859, to Novem>
Der, 1850. The whole length ofthe road,
from the borough of Sunbury to the har-
Dor on the lake, at the city of Erie, is 2S8
miles; OF which l4S miles are now finish
ed and in operation, and lis miles of the
remaining portion of the line are graded;
leaving but twenty five miles yet to grade.
Pennsylvania is largely interested in the
early completion and success of this great
thoroughfare, not only because she is the
creditor OF the company to the amount of
three and half millions of dollars, but
Tor the additional, and more cogent rea-
son, that the improvement, when compile.
ted, will open one OF the most important
channels of trade between the city of Phil
adelphia and the great lakes of the west,
at the best harbor on Lake Erie, entirely
within the limits of our own State, which
has ever been contemplated. 1t will,
moreover, develope the resou oss of
large portion of Northwestern Pennsyl-
vania, abour ding with the richest miner.
als, and lumber region of unsurpassed
excellence which the munificent hand
OF the State has hitherto totally neglected
BY disposing ofhe bianch canals to that
company, in exchange for its mortgage
bonds, the State has already largely aided
IN the construction of this great work
ana IL may be necessary, to insure its COM
pletion, that further legislation should be
had IN order to render the means Of the
company available. 1t is evident that
liberal policy, on the part of the gov
ernment, VIII promote alike the interests
OF the Commonwealth and the railroad
company nevertheless, great care should
be taken TO protect, as 'ar as possible the
debt new due from the company to the
State. If all propositions which may be
made for change in the securities now
held by the Commonwealth, be carefully
considered by the Legislature, and no
more yielded than sound economy de-
mands, with proper provision for the due
application Of whatever means may be
realized, il is believed that sufficient re-
lief can be granted to the company, to
enable it promptly to finish the road,
while the security remaining will be fully
adequate 10 insure the ultimate payment
of the principal and interest Of the bonds
of the railroad company now held by the
Commonwealth. E..
commend this subject to the Legisla--
tUre as one entitled to its most careful
consideration, as well on account of its
vast importance to that portion Of the
State through which the railroad passes
to the cites of Philadelphia and Erie
and to the railroad oompany---as to tho
Commonwealth herself. Promising that
whatever policy it may be thought expe-
dent to pursue, should be adopted solely
with reference to She pr rejection and
furtherance Of the public interests.
The attention of the Legislature is again
invited to the subject of general educs.
tion. AT the present juncture it presents
peculiar claims. The experience of q
quarter of q century has satisfied the pro-
verbally cautious people OF Pennsylvania,
of the adaptedness Of the common school
system to their wants and condition. No
less has the severe ordeal of the past three
years shown its capability to endure those
sudden reverses which occasionally pros
trate the other interests Of the communi-
ty. Involving greater expenditure .hau
the rest of the departments of govern.
ment and that too, mainly drawn from
direct taxation, it is proud fact, that,
while most o the enterprises of society
have been seriously embarrassed, and
some of them suspended, by the pecunia.
ry crisis of 1857, our educational system
has not been retarded in any appreciable
degree. On the contrary, its operations
have been maintained, to an extent which
| plainly indicates that our citizens fully
appreciate its value Contrasting its main
results during the past year, with those of
1857, we find that the whole numoer of
pupils now in the schools, is CAT Ala be-
ing an increase of i,422; these were
taught in ll,577 schools, GIL more than
in 1857, during an average term OF five
months and five and one half days, at
50 cents per pupil, per monthby 4,065
teachers, being 529 more than in 1857.
The entire expenditure of the system, for
the past year, including that of The School
Department, is S2638, $50 so. These fig.
ures afford some idea of the magnitude Of
the operations Of the system bat neither
words nor figures can adequately express
the Importance of its influence upon the
present, or its relations TO the future
In contemplating the details of plan
for the due training of the youth of cons
munity, its large proportions and impos,
ing array of statistics do not display the
points Of its greatest impo rtance. Pupils
may be enrolled by hundreds of thou.
sands school houses of the best struc.
ture and most convenient arrangements
may he dotted at convenient distances
over the whole face of the land the most
perfect order Of studies may DO adopted,
aud the bsst possible selection of books
be made but what are all these, without
the learned and skillful, the faithful, NOR
al and devoted teacher? Without this
animating spirit, all is barren and un>
fruitful. In this vital department, am
happy to announce that the improvement
of the common school teachers of tue
State shows more solid advancement,
within the past three years than any 9TH
or branch of the system. This, therefore.
being the point whence al rsal progtess
in learning and culture must originate, is