Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-01-12
Annual Message Of
TOH N W. q z a r x,
Governor of Pennsylvania.

Penn, the great and pious founder of oul
Commonwea lth, 1t has been the unIversa
Custom OF my predecessors, when making
their annual communications to the Genera
Assembly. to acknowledge their gratitude to
and dependence upvn the Great Law giver o
the Universe In imitation of their noble
example, let us earnestly invoke HIS bless
ing and guidance in our efforts to perform
the great work of legislation now before us
in such manner a, to meet His appreciation
a. well as that of our common constituents
In transmitting to you the seventy ninth
annual message since the organization of the
present State government, it affords me the
highest qualification to congratulate you and
our fellow citizens generally ON their enjoy
ing, to an unusual degree, the blessings OF
health and nnstinted prosperity: and that
our principles and institutions-the pride
and boast of every true hearted patriot-al-
though tried again in the crucible of heat
ed political contest, the heavings of popular
passion, and the collision of parties, from
which we have just emerged, remain unim
paired and vital IN every part
Under such auspicious circumstances you
have assembled, for the purpose of discharg-
ing the important duties, and assuming the
special responsibilities which devolve upon
you. 1t Is extremely difficult, even with the
greatest caution in your deliberations, TO en-
act laws that will fully meet the expectations
and appreciation of all the people but much
Of this difficulty may be overcome by avoid
ing legislation for personal and special inter
ests, end not being unmindinl of the magni-
tude of the interests of the State, and of its
rapidly advancing population, wealth and
influence TO destinies beyond the reach of
human yi-ion. \ nobler heritage was new
er given to man than that n hich We possess
geographically and politically of the great
est importance; an area of more than forty
four thousand square miles diversified with
mountains, valleys, plains, rivers; noun
tains covered with majestic forests of valua
bic timber of almost every vai iety; plains
dotted with comfortable homesteads. and
presenting well cultivated farms and luxuri
emf fields marked by the advancement of sg
rlcuiture-the parent, supporter and stImu-
lator OF every species of industry. exchange
and commerce: hills and valleys with TEEN
ing gmines Of all the va-ieries of coIl iry n, oil
salt and other minerals; with farmers, man
ufacturers, mechanics, wool growers, coal
and iron miners, oil producers, and mer
chants full of activity and confidence; with
thousands OF miles of railroads, and canals
10 transfer the vast products TO market, and
happy and prosperous people. Nor should
We be torgetiul OF education in all its branch
es, Of the public charities, prisons, reform
atories, the collection of properly imposed
taxes, the speedy reduction of the State
debt, the preservation of order. and the more
certain protection of life, business and prop
erty. All these interests and perhaps 9Th
ers of equal importance. demand legislation
Of the most emil ightened, liberal and com
prehensive character.
In conformity to the requirements Of til,
Constitution, | proceed 10 invite your atten-
ton to such measures as are deemed neces-
sary for your consideration, and to assure
you OF my willingness to share with you the
anxieties and responsibilities of all legislation
calculated to advance the prosperity of the
people and the best interests of the Com
monwealth
FINANCES
From the reports Of the Auditor General
and State Treasurer the following statement
has been carefully prepared, and exhibits
the receipts and disbursements for the fiscal
year ending November 80, 1869: Receipts
Balance III Treasury Nov 30. 1859. 81 ,0l2,
925 81 ordinary receipts during the fiscal
Year ending Nov. 80, 1869, S5,2fl III Is;
total in Treasury during year ending Nov
So 1869, S6,254, 636 65. Disbursements;
ordinary expenses paid during the year
ending Nov. 80, 1869 81 is5, ia 2T; Loans
&c., redeemed at Treasury. slO9, GA 90;
loans redeemed by the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund, $362, 162 09; interest paid
a; Treasury, $40 665 "A interest paid by
Commissioners of Sinking Fund, Sl,125,
- 81; Total, 81 S53.774 I6 balance in
Treasury, Nov 80. 1869, 81 400, S62 ~
| will t.a nhsprvad from, the rbovn that
part Of the loans and part of the interest
are Paid at the Treasury, and part of both
Sy the Com missioners of the Sinking Fund.
lhIs produces a complication of accounts.
Which, In order to avoid and to simplify the
lnaleIal statement, | recommend that au-
tholty be given by law to charge the Com
mIssIoncrs with the whole amount of the
ota,e debt, and also with all the money ap
pAeaole to the payment thereof, and that
iiney alone be credited with all payments on
ooth principal ahd interest of the State debt.
Futile debt-The following is statement
showing the nature of the Indebtedness of
me Commonwealth, on November 80, 1859
Iuhded deb.,viz 8 per cent, loans, $25, l.
nv W; 5 per cent. loans, S7.217, 3S4 IS;
+iper cent. loans, 5 II, 600 90; Total, 1872
Vt564 81. Unfunded debt, viz Relief
notes IN circulation, $50. 3S7 90; interest
'e''!ncates outstanding, Sl3. 0S6 80; interest
y-Tjhcates unclaimed, 81, 44S SO; domestic
Gsl'tors S-. certificates, S44 81 Total, 81 49,
10 81 amount OF public debt, Nov. so,
ESSo9' s32r rSl4, $40 %. The public debt on
-,oS' 80, 1868, s33, ESQ, ,9f7 10; deduct
amount redeemed at the Treasury during
.Ae year ending Nov. 80, 1869, viz: 5 per
"1'' loans, s472, 3S7 Is; relief notes can
IiLed, sl9 90; Total s472, 400 IS; public
uso' -: Nov. 50, 1869, ss above, $32, ,Sl4, 540,-
reduction of the public deb. At the
..souiAeneement of the present administI a
:.yq IN January, 1867, the total outstanding
.lI:EeOtedEess of the State was thirty seven
EH-IlIiTn' seven hundred and four thousand,
..at hundred and nine dollars and seventy
~ ven % cents. Since then, and up to Nov
~ 1863, the sum OF four million, eight hun
Jre9 and eighty nine thousand, eight hun
oIea and sixty eight dollars and eighty-two
u ,Su'' nave been paid, and at five per cent,
r rne sum OF S244 ,493 A, in interest, is an
a1aiy saved to the Commonwealth. Con-
oS!qqehtiy, e the total amount of Indebtedness
u ole Commonwealth on Nov. 80, 1869, was
.-F'y, two million, eight hundred and four
Isn thousand, five hundred aud forty dol
m and nipety-fve cents.
a. ne g, reduction during the year ending Nov.
a.. io09, amounts to four hundred and sew
JaH 1.-TWO thousand, four hundred and six
-''iars and eighteen cents.