Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-02-07


sources, and relieve, as far rs possible,
the heavy burdens to which our people
are subjected.
1t has been the habit Of late years.
to appropriate freely, annual sums for
the support Of local charities and
such appropriations arc almost every
year increased in number and amount.
Houses of refuge, institutions for the
deaf and dumb, and for the blind, lu-
natic asylums-these appear to me to
be proper objects Of State bounty, be-
leauson few Of them are sufficient for
the whole State, and TO leave them to
be provided for by the local authori-
ties would, in fact, be to deprive OF
protection the unfortunate classes for
whose benefit they are designed. But
mere local charitics, however merito-
rious and effective, should, think, be
left to the support of the benevolent
parties who establish them.
1t is unjust that the people of the
Commonwealth shall be coerced to pay
taxes in order that part of the money
so raised may be given to the support
of local charities, conducted by pri-
vate associations, especially when it
is remembered that hitherto but q
small proportion Of the private chari-
ties IN the State have asked for such
appropriation.
recommend, therefore, that no ap-
preparation be made for charities, be-
yond the institutions which | have
above specified.
The taxes at present laid on cor
porations are unequal, and to a certain
extent thereby unjust. | recommend
the subject to the attention of the Leg
islature, with a view to a revision of
the system.
Within few years, acts have been
repeatedly passed directing the expcn-
diture ofas much money rs may be
necessary to effect named purposes,
sometimes without clearly designating
by whom the money is to be expend-
ed, or how the accounts arc to be ex-
amined. This custom is very recent,
ard has already led to abuses.
/ recommend that the practice be
corrected, and that no appropriation
be made without having the exact sum
appropriated, the specified purpose to
which it is applied, and designating
the officer by whom the money is to
expended, and providing that the ac-
counts shall be settled in the Auditor
Generals Office in the usual manner.
Notwithstanding tho large cxpen-
ditures by the State for military pur-
poses, since the breaking out Of the
rebellion, the condition of the Treas
ury is now 81, ,555, ,579.12 better than it
was then, and / am proud to be able
to state further, that on the 1st day
of December, 1865, the State debt was
S492, 1886 less than it was on the
lst of January, 1861. These are tru-
ly gratifying facts.
Under these circumstances, it may
be possible, with entire safety to our
finances, TO reduce or even repeal the
ordinary State tax of two and q
half mills on real estate. The tax of
one-half mill laid by the act Of May
l6, 1861, was by that nc. expressly
pledged for the repayment of the loan
Of s3 600, 900, thereby authorized, and
of course cannot be repealed or re-
ducsd until that repayment shall have
been made. / recommend this sub
Ject to the careful and deliberate con-
sideration and Judgment of the Legis-
lature, and If it should be found that
the tax can be repealed, ! recommend
that all laws authorizing the levying
of local taxes on bonds, mortgages,
loans and all property of that kind
be also repealed. Such repeal would
largely encourage the Investment of
capital IN this State, and add immens-
ly to the wealth of the State, while
the local authorities would lose very
little, as it is notorious, that from the
difficulties of assessment, they receive
very little from these sources.
In case of such repeal, | recommend
lne adOpllOn oil some eilectual meas
urcs for enforcing correct returns of
such objects of taxation, with appro-
pirate penalties for the neglect or re-
fusal to make them.
/ make these recommendations be-
lieving that it will lead to more equi-
table local taxation, and 10 greater
economy in their disbursement.
Many acts arc on our Statute books,
Incorporating companies for various
purposes, which companies have never
been organized or gone into operation.
! recommend that'all such acts be re-
pealed by general law, and that pro-
vision be made that in future every
act authorizing corporation shall
become void, unless the corporation
shall organize and use its franchises
within a limited time.
Since my last annual message the
war against armed treason has been
brought to a close. Osthe large con-