Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-01-22
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
TO THE lEcIsLA1rnE, JAN. S, 1856

TO THE LEGIsLA1rRE, JAN. S, 1868
70 tie Senai> and House of Represcntnti,re
5Me Commonwealth Of P.nnsylrania
GENTLEMEN Before performing tn
customary and constitutional duty Of trans
mitting to you information Of the affairs o
the Commonwealth, and recommendin,
such measures to your c q federation as arr
deemed necessary and expedient, it afford
me great qualification to tender to you m,
most friendly greetings on your assembling
at the Seat Of Government, and to welcome
you to the council chambers Of the State.
Our grateful acknowledgements are due
to the Bcneficent Author Of all good for the
continued prosperity and well-being which
everywhere prevail, for the abundance
which has crowned the labors Of the hus.
bandman, for the general health with which
VIC have so signally favored, and for all the
cnioyments Of peace, contcntment and hap.
piness within our borders.
Our country has just emerged from the
trials and dangers of an unrighteous rebel.
lion and entered upon period of import
ant political struggle arising thcrcfrom
Being convened as the representatives of a
confiding constituency, grave duties and re-
sponsibilities dcvolvc upon you to 50 legis-
late upon the great and manifold interests
committed to your charge as best to subscrvc
the welfare Of the people and advance the
honor Of the State. The fullest confidence
is entertained that your deliberations will re-.
suit bcnelicially and your public duties be
faithfully discharged; and on my part, per-
NIT me to give you assurances Of jealous
co cooperation in all your labors calculated to
promote the general welfare. :,
One Of the most important duties devolv-
ing upon the Legislature is the considera.
ton Of the public finances. Such action
should be taken for the provision Of funds
to defray the current expenses of the Gov
ernmcnt, the preservation Of the credit Of
the Commonwealth, and the speedy extin.
eui>hmcnt Of the public debt, as circumstan-
ccs shall be found to require. These objects
arc Of the highest importance and claim the
first attention Of the Representatives of the
people. s rfe
There is always discrepancy in announc.
ing the reduction of the State debt, be-
tween the annual proclamation of the Gov
,rnor and report the sinking fund year ter
inmates On the first Monday in September,
md the fiscal year Of the Treasury on the
'Oth Of November To prevent complica-
ions Of accounts and annual explanations
recommend that the termination Of the sink
ing fund year be made the same as that Of
he Treasury.
The promptitude with which citizens Of
Pennsylvania came forward last April aud
took the whole amount Of the twenty-thrce
million loan, lthe bids being up for upwards
If thirty-threc Millions may be considered
. very auspicious circumstance in the 6nan.
,ial history Of the State, and indicates un-
pounded confidence in the good faith and
substantial credit OF the Commonwealth
The foregoing statement Of the finances is
et forth with pleasure, in consequence Of
heir Aourisling condition.
In addition thereto, the balance in favor
# the General Government for Pennsylva-
Tia $ quota Of the direct tax levied in the
everal States for war purposes and for cash
rom the United States, amounting in all
o nearly two millions Of dollars, has been
cttled in full by the allowance Of claims for
expenses incurred by the
State duling the war. gFAst
In Consequence Of tho lapse Of time since
he remaining claims were contracted, the
rant Of sufficient vouchers and explanations,
ID the difficulty Of finding the parties, some
them being dead by whom they should be
-, render their settlement difficult, and
4 Mh1y instances doubtful, tho accomplish
1see (which will. however. be vigorously
M md tho results laid before the Leg
= the condition Of the Treasury
IL Ant at least four millions of dol.
t3 n loaned, and at four per
le the handsome sum or
~ 61GnM,. Or nearly the whole
hoa now in the Treasury
oauctive by being in
H. IT. the State, bearing
<Ssns though purchas-
bisht be invested