Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-01-05

the right of representation Surely not by
simply laying down their arms when they
could no longer hold them. The United
States have the right, and II is their dnty,
to exact suoh securities for future good con-
duct as they may deem sufficient and the
offenders, from whom they are to be exacted,
can have no right to participate in our coun-
ellis in the decision of the question OF what
their punishment shall be-.
We ought to- go on resolutely and rapidly,
with all measures deemed necessary to the
future safety of the country, 80 that all parts
of il may, at the earliest day, be restored to
lust and equal political privileges.
The annual report of Hon. Thomas ii. Bur-
rowes, Superintendent of the maintenance
and education of the soldiers orphans, will
exhibit the present condition and the result
thus far of that undertaking. Nearly three
thousand of the destitute children of the
brave men who laid down their lives that
the nation might live, are now not only
comfortably provided for and guarded from
temptation, but receiving an education which
will fit them to repay the care of the State.
The appropriation made for this purpose,
at the last session, has been sufficient to
meet all expenses of the financial year just
closed. And recommend whatever appro-
priation may be necessary, to continue and
perfect the system under which the schools
are conducted.
There can be no doubt that the appropria-
tion will be made. Were to select any
State interest which would more warmly
commend to your prompt attention and
liberality than another, it would be this
All Pennsylvanians are proud of it, and it
lies near the hearts of all true men.
Owing to their greater destitution and
want of information on the part of their re-
latives, the orphans of our colored soldiers
may require some special attention. Per-
haps authority to the State Superintendent,
to use, for short time, the services of on
agent, to ascertain their number and claims,
and bring them into the schools that may be
provided for them, will be sufficient. The
whole number in the State is not large, OF
whom few have already been temporarily
provided for.
recommend that provision be made fol
the maintenance of such of our soldiers as
are in poverty, and have been so manned as
to prevent them from securing livelihood
by their labor, by renting buildings at once
or such other means as you may deem wist
and proper, until the arrangements proposed
by the National Government for their sup
port are completed. They are probably few
in number, and it is due to the character o
the Commonwealth, that they should no
remain in, or become the inmates of, poo
houses, or pick up precarious subsistence
by begging. Patriotic and charitable citizen
have done much for them, but speedy ane
proper relief can only be given them by tn
systematic and continued benevolence of til
Commonwealth. The Legislature can alon
afford immediate relief to all of this class o
rcsf, i,,t tbno u;
to heroic and faithful men, who did so muc
for the country, the burden will fall equal,
on all her people.
BY our existing laws, juries are selected b
the sheriff and commissioners of the respeC
tive counties. AS these officers are general
of similar political affinities, the system ha
J always been in danger of being abused fc
partisan purposes. During the last six year
! it has been frequently so abused, in many
the counties.
To secure, as far as possible, the admins
} tration of equal justice hereafter, recon
, mend that Jury commissioners shall be ele'
, ted in each county, in the same manner {
inspectors of elections are chosen, eac
, citizen voting for one jury commissione
> and the two persons having the highe
, number Of votes to be the jury commissioner
3 of the respective county, to perform ii
! same duties, in the selection of jurors, th'
are now imposed upon the sheriff and count
commissioners.
1t is impossible to provide, in all respect
, for the increasing and changing interests
J, our people, by the enactment ofgeneral law
r but to large extent it is practicable to r
s licve the Legislature from special legislatic
r which is demanded and occupies so much
: its sessions. Special legislation is general
t passed without due consideration, much
! it at the close of the session, and is chief
t Objectionable from the partiality with whit
= powers and privileges are conferred.
# / again recommend the passage of gener
laws, when it is at all practicable, and
# this connection, recommend the passage
s a general law, regulating railroads now e
i isting and the incorporation of new col
: panies, go that so far as possible there mi
be just uniformity in the franchises granite
IS and equal facilities afforded to the people
IS all sections of the Commonwealth.
\ There are at this time, in the various p
sons, number of persons under sentence
IS death, some of them for many years, and
e it has become custom that an incomi
d Governor should not issue warrant of eA
's cution in cases unacted on by his predecess'
l. it not unfrequently happens that in maj
| CdScS, SUuc VI WuiCu are IcCcut, WuhO ooa
d punishment should be inflicted, that of dea
may appear to the Executive to be too scve
lie l earnestly repeat my recommended
E. heretofore made, that provision be made
re the reception of such persons into the pc
5, tentiaries, who may be pardoned on com
N ton of remaining limited time therein.
al re-appointed Hon. G. r. Coburn, Sup
10 intendent of Common Schools, on the ex
% ration of his term IN June last, and he CO
IS, tinued at the head of that Department un
Is the first of November, when he resigne
er and appointed Co.. J. P. Wickersham.
er is due to Mr.. Coburn to say, that he fulfill
g all the duties of his Office faithfully a
n efficiently. 1t appears from his report, Il
Mt there were in the school year of 1865, 1,s
IN school districts in the State; 49, lac schoo
lr l6,141 teachers, and 725, ,3l2 pupils, with
er average attendance of 47S,066. The to
a. cost of the school system, for the ent
State, including taxes levied and State |
to preparation, was for the year 1866, 81, 10
n 25S 81. The increase in the number
c. school districts was &c; in the number
schools, 222; in the number of childi
o. attending school, 1899 in the averi
It's attendance at school, IS, ,945, and in the to
he cost of the system, $581 ,020 02. / inv