The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-01-13

sent ms anuudl ulSSStl9S " tHc it-lSisi-
ture. II opens with q statement of the
condition Of the finances, showing the
total public debt November 30, 1871. to
be 52S. .9S0.07t q. On November 80,
1870, the total Indebtedness Of the State
was S31. .l11,6 50, showing decrease
during the year Of g, ,13l ,590.17. The
total funded debt amounts to S29 $685.
1879, unGundcd S113, ,026 80, and the
two added together makes the total
debt The commissioners Of the sink
ing fund report assets in their hands
amounting to $9,40O 600. The Gov
ernor very wisely recommends that the
appropriation bill, which is generally
passed about the tinethe legislature ad-
jourus, be taken up and passed at an
early period Of the session, SO as to en-
able him to give it that examination
which its Importance demands.
In relation to the war claims the mes
sage says that under an act Of Congress
pissed july 27, 1861, the State held
claims against the general government.
filed in-six different installments, amount
lag y $3,172, ,2I819, while the nation-
al government claimed from the State
The sum Of 1,946,719,33, being Penn
sylvania's quota Of direct tax levied
on all the States to increase the revenue
Of the general government. In Jaau-
ury, 1868, Governor Curtin informed
the legislature that the direct tax had
been paid by a relinquishment Of por-
tion Of the sums claimed by the State
from the general government, with an
abatement Of Is per cent. on the tax, al
lowed by Congress for prompt payment
It subsequently transpired, however, ,that
no settlement had been made, and the
books Of the government showed the
State TO be indebted TO it 3, ,20z, us. .33.
This statement still left Il considerable
balance due the State, and TO collect
this balance, with other disallowcd and
suspended claims against The United
States, the Legislature passed resolu>
lion authorizing the governor to appoint
81 special agent, which he did by selecting
George 0. Evans, of Philadelphia, who
was successful in securing the rebatemenl
Of the fifteen per cent. on the direct tax,
and collected Tor the State claims amount
ing to 81 $40, ,4G9.1l, all of which he
DGlI ONCl ~ NlAS AJLtAtGs t&4hCl GCHuCiiil1 ttlS
commission of ten per cent. allowed him
by the law. The amount of the out
standing claims yet to be collected by the
State from the general government amount
to $461, ,749.O8.
In regard to the "Credit MoJiler Of Amer
lea, 4 corporation created by our legisla-
ture. the governor recommends prompt and
careful consideration Of the subject. and
hopes such action will be taken as will pro-
rect the interests Of the commonwealth in
the future.
Concerning constitutional reform, he re-
eommCEds that legislation be postponed
until the action Of the proposed convention
% revise the constitution be known.
lie considers the aPportionment OF the
state into congressional districts duty
worthy Of careful consideration.
Recommends the repeal of an act giving
20 the Milford and Matamoras railroad cons
pany the sum Of ten thousand dollars, an
puaily paid TO the state Of New York and
Erie railroad company, and he also denounces
the passage of that act as ''hasty and iucon-
siIerate legisatiOn."
Speaking Of the common schools the govs
eru0r recommends the adoption Of a liberal
policy in regard to the payment Of teachers,
and suggests an appropriation of S52O 900
in aid Of the common schools. and $3.50 900
for the soldiers orphans schools.
The National Guard is remembered in a
few complimentary remarks.
Ia his message Of February 20, 1870. the
governor gave his reasons why the ''Gct 10
allow writs of error in cases Of murder and
mausIauShtcr" should not pass the lcgisIa~
ture, land bis views as then expressed remain
unchanged.
The message also recommends legislation
concerning she~iH's prociamatious for cleo
tious, railroad consultations, capitol and
capitol grounds, revision Of the civil code,
and coal mines.
The governor is evidently in favor of
compulsory vaccination ; be dcpreCates the
want Of proper sanitary laws in our state,
and refers the legislature 10 statistics demon
stTating the necessity Of q compulsory vac-
cination law, besides quoting the opinions
Of eminent physicians. He also suggests
the organization Of state board Of health
and deaominates is as a measure that will
result in'great sanitary reforms. The re-
moval Of the quarantine station is suggested
aud IS a corporation Of the states Of New
Jersey and Delaware is necessary, the Gov
Crnor recommends that two commissioners
be appointed 10 confer with similar commits
sionera from the other states in relation to
the removal Of the station. The removal
Of the powder magazine to a mo,e isolated
district is also deemed desirable.
The Importance Of the board Of public
charities is recognized. and mention is made
of the death Of number Of distinguished
citizens Of the state.
The executives power Of par,loniug is
mentioned as an embarrassing and RESPONSE
bic duty. During the past year one thou
sand and tweuty-three applications for par
don were made, sixty Of which were granted
less than six per cent. Of the entire number,
Nothing is said. however, concerning the
case Of DR.. Schoeppe The wisdom of the
legislature in passing an act authorizing the
Communication Of terms Of imprisonment is
commended and its salutary effect noted.
The message closes with some general re-
marks upon questions not affecting the in
forests Of the state. aud in this connection
are not considered worthy Of special mems
tion.
n