The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-05
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1870.
TIE GOVERNOR'S MESSA0N


profound thought, and makes few or no novel
denoes that his Excellency has not been an
inattentive observer of the progress of events,
and that he is willing to urge upon the atten-
tion Of the Legislature such measures as have
commanded general approval.
1t appears by his statement of the public
debt that a reduction of nearly five millions
of dollars has been effected during his official
tenn; but total Of nearly thirty three mil
hons of dollars still remains unpaid, against
which, however, there is an Offset of railroad
bonds in the sinking fund amounting to six
million three hundred thousand dollars. The
outlines of the story of the State finances
may be summed in the statement that large
debt was contracted for the construction of
public works; that heavy taxes were levied
through series of years to pay the interest
on the State loans and to meet other expen-
ditures; and that the sale of these works has
not yet led to a material reduction of the
debt This result is by no means creditable
to the sagacity and integrity of former rulers
whose management produced it; but Cover
nor Geary is guiltless of all completely in
content with the present balance sheet if they
were satisfied that extravagance, folly and
dishonesty would be avoided in future 1t has
become the standard policy at Harris
burg to abnegate nearly every expensive
duty assumed by other commonwealths, and
for really beneficial and important purposes
the State organization is as nearly useless as
human ingenuity can make it. Nearly all
The real burdens of local government, includ-
ing the bulk of the cost of education, of the
support of the poor, of the construction of
roads, and the administration of justice, are
betrayed by township, borough, county, and
city taxes. This is one of the tricks of iegisla-
tion by which opportunities for making boasts
of reduction of the State debt are obtained,
even at times when the relation between the
sources of State expenditures should ensure
much larger diminution than that which is
Actually made, and when considerable sums
are squandered.
The Governors bold and striking COM
ments on the management of balances in the
State Treasury show that he has no disposi-
ion to shirk his duty in relation to that sub
ject, and his exposure throws upon the Legis-
lature the sole responsibility of continuance
of the Infamous system he has faithfully por-
trayed. 1t is time that the retention of large
sums in the hands of the Treasurer at periods
when State loans are maturing should cease
The Governor demonstrates that, by this
policy, the Commonwealth annually loses
considerable sum, and he is not backward in
intimating that this loss ofsthe people be-
Is. IL
officials. We heartily Join in his appeal
to the Legislature, Without distinction of
party, ''to rise above the murkiness of the
past to the true dignity of manhood and ex-
alted patriotism, and purity the election Of
Treasurer as well as that of every other officer
within this Commonwealth, and punish
every one ach0 tamp6rS acih tie parity Of cleo
HOns, whateuer mag be his position or preten-
si0ns." This is plain talk, but it is sadly
needed in the atmosphere of Harrisburg, and
it is to be hoped that it may evoke aa answer
ing echo in every legislative breast which is
not thoroughly tainted with corruption.
The Governor strongly recommends the
establishment of a home for disabled soldiers,
and an insurance department, as we'll as
system of inspection of mining operations.
His remarks on these topics deserve the
careful attention of the Legislature, and
should lead to prompt and appropriate action.
His appeal to the public to discourage ap-
plications for the pardon of criminals is also
well-timed. His own record during the past
year. as published, shows that he is now
disposed to use great caution in the
exercise of this important prerogative and
diminution in the pressure made upon
him may lead to marked decrease in the
number of cases of injurious distractions to
the due course of justice. The Governor
should remember, however, that he will be
Judged, not really by the number of his par
dons, but the grade and character of crimi-
nails in whose behalf he exercises Executive
clemency; and we trust he will be especially
careful to avoid pardoning dangerous ''pro-
fessionals" in future.
Following custom which is often more
honored in the breach than the observance,
the message concludes with review of
national affairs. A buge note is blown for
Fvee Cuba, which, in view of recent intelli-
Cence, is out of time and tune; but the Gov
ernor's views on the tariff and the currency
fairly reflect the average sentiment of the
State