The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-01-10


} have done much for them, but speed
and proper relief can only be given then
by the systematic and continued benevo
lence OF the Commonwealth. The Legis
lature can alone afford immediate relie
to all of this class of our citizens, and, il
thus exhibiting gratitude to heroic and
faithful men who did much for the coun
try, the burden will fall equally on all hei
people.
BY our existing laws, juries are selected
by the sheriff aud commissioners of the
respective counties. As these officers are
generally of similar political affinities, the
system has always been in danger of be-
ing abused for partisan purposes. Dur
ing the last six years it has been frequen-
tly so abused in many of the counties.
To secure, as far as possible, the ad-
ministration of equal justice hereafter, !
recommend that jury commissioners shall
be elected In each county, in the same
manner as inspectors of elections are chos-
en-, each citizen voting for one jury com
missioner, and the two persons having the
highest number of votes to be the jury
commissioners of the respective county,
to perform the same duties in the selec-
tlon OF jurors, that are now imposed upon
the sheriff and county commissioners
1t is impossible to provide, in all re-
spects, for the increasing interests of our
people, by the enactment of general laws,
but to large extent it is practicable to
relieve the Legislature from special legis-
lation which is demanded and occupies so
much of its sessions. Special legislation
is generally passed withoutdue considera-
tion, much of it at the close of the ses-
sion, and is chiefly Objectionable frem the
partiality with which powers and privile-
ges are conferred.
[ again recommend the passage of gen
eral laws, when it is at all practicable,
| and In this connection recommend the
passage of a general law, regulating rail
roads now existing and the incorporation
of new companies, so that so far as posi-
BILE there may be just uniformity In the
franchises granted, and equal facilities af-
torded to the people of all sections of the
Commonwealth.
There are at this time, in the various
prisons, number of persons under SEN
tence of death, some of them for many
! years, and as it has become a custom that
an incoming Governor should not issue a
warrant of execution in cases uuacted op
by his predecessor, it not unfreqently
happens that in many cases, some of which
are recent, while some punishment should
be inflicted, that Of death may appear to
the Executive to be too severe.
[ earnestly repeat my recommendation
heretofore made, that provision be made
for the reception of such persons into the
penitentiaries, who may be pardoned on
condition of remaining limited time
therein.
[ re-appointed Hon c. r. Coburn,
Superintendent of Common Schools, on
the expiration of his term in June last,
and he continued at the head Of that de-
partment until the first of November,
when he resigned, and appointed Colonel
j. p Wickersham. 1t is due to Mr.. Co.
burn to say, that he fulfilled all the du-
ties of his Office faithfully and efficiently.
1t appears from his report, that there
were in the school years of 1865, 1868
school districts in the State, 13, l46
schools, 16, III teachers and 725,3l2 pu-
pills, with an average attendance of 47S,-
066. The total cost of the school system,
for the entire State, INCLUDING taxes lev
led and State appropriation, was for the
year 1866, 81, 1876, ,25S,57. The increase
in the number of school districts was &c;
in the number Of schools, 222; in the
number of children attending school, ,.l9,-
932 in the average attendance at school,
lS,945, and in the total cost of the sys-
TEN, 5Sl ,020,02. L invite your attention
to he valuable suggestions made in his
report, and that of Colonel Wickcrsham,
and commend our system of public in
struction to the continued fostering care
of the Legislature.
| herewith present theAeports Of Colo
mel L. Jordan, Military Agent of the
State, at Washington of Colonel H. H.
Gregg, Chief of Transportation of S. p
Bates, on military history of our voluu-
teers; of trustees of the Soldiers Gettys-
burg National Cemetery Of the proceed
ings and ceremony of the return of the
flags on the Fourth of July, in the city of
duu VI SOluuCi auSS w VI
rell, Commissioner appointed under an act
relating to the passage of fish IN the Sus-
quehanna and invite your attention 10
thsm, and the reports of Surveyor Gene
raj and Adjutant General.
The agency at Washington should, In
my judgment, be continued. 1t has prov
ed very useful in all respects, and espe-
cially to our volunteers and their families.
Four thousand six hundred and rinety
claims have passed through the Agency
during the past year, and three hundred
and eleven thousand seven hundred ami
three dollars has been collected from the
Government and transmitted to the claim
ants free of charge,
1t will be necessary to continue the Of
flee of Chief of Transportation, as there
are unsettled accounts with railroad com