The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-01-30
Inaugural Address of Gov. Hartranft


Commonwealth for their partiality ir
selecting me as their Chief Magistrate.
In obedience to law | have appeared
before you to pledge my fidelity to the
Constitution Its obligations and the re-
sponsibilities it imposes are, | hope, fully
realized. In the ADMINISTRATION of pub
lie affairs 1t is my earnest prayer that /
may be guided by Divine wisdom aud
that all my actions may reflect the peo-
pies will
My predecessor presented in his annual
message his Recommendations and much
valuable information, so fully aud so well
that 1t appears unnecessary to enter into
details. My views are in accord with the
general policy of the State administration
Tor the past few years, although | believe
some changes might be !or the public
good, and to these shall briefly allude.
| Having been closely connected with the
fiuances OF the State since 1865, speak
Knowingly when | say that the revenues
have been faithfully collected extrava
giant appropriations have been avoided ::
taxatiou has been equaized by the repeal
| OF the most burdenSome taxes and by
strict ecouomy and good management
/ the p"hlic debt has been largely reduced
The poiiuy of paying off the entire in
debteduess of the STATE is, believe, fully
iudorsed by the taxpayers, and it shall
! be my aim TO adhere TO that policy.
The public debt, however, decreasing
! while the revenues are increasing, it oc
ours to me that further reduction of the
latter should be made during the current
session of the Legislature The increase
! in the value of our real estate and the
! products of our manufactures. the steady
! development of our resources, and the ex
pansion OF our railway system, are rapid
ly enrichins our people. Ii we measure
the aggregate OF our wealth and its growth
upon the basis Of the late census, We can
readily understand how lighter tax i'm
| posed upon the present taxed property
will meet all our necessities in the future
! provide an ample fund for the liquidation
of our debt, and give decided impulse
! TO the useful enterprises thus relieved
| sincerely trust however, that in any at
| tempt to lessen the burdens of taxation
| the Legislature will exercise wise dis
cretion, and properly discriminate in ia
vor of our industrial Interests.
In every part of this Commonwealth
are found rich deposits Of minerals To
make them available aud productive
should be our earnest aim, and shall re
ceiye large share of my attention. 1t
can alone be done by the intelligent EN-
ployment Of labor and capital. This is
| an object Of immense interest, and can
best be subserved by first providing the
highest possible knowledge of the charac
ter and location of the most valuable
minerals. Labor can be made inviting
| by making it remuneratve. UT profits
must depend largely upon the measure Of
protection afforded 10y Congress to our
| home industries. question which may
safely be committed to our Representa-
tives in the National Legislature.
Capital is the water for the wheel, aud
should be abundant, and the rates of in
terest should he easy for active and whole
some enterprise, aud whatever legislation
will best serve this end should receive
general support. Money will always re
ceive the highest rates, the security be
ing the same and for that reason it now
gravitates to neighboring States, where
! the legal rates are less than our own. II
we cannot remove our restrictions, and
make money as free as any other com
modi;y a; least let US permit the same
rate as allowed by other States, and there
by retain it within our borders.
1t will be my pleasure, as it is my du
ty. to have a watchlul care over the school
system OF our State n part of our gov
erpmental policy should command the
employment of more wisdom than that
| which is to promote the instruction Of
our youth. 1t is source of pride and
satisfaction that our people contribute so
freely to an object so worthy as our
schools. and the report of the superntend
ent of common schools must convince
every reader OF the happy results accru
ing from the judicious management OF
our educational system But while the
doors of our schools are opened wide to
every one, it is sad to think that there
are seventy FIVE thousand children IN the
State who do not, whether prevented by
the necessities of their parents, or other
wise. attend aud receive the blessed prIvi
leges of these schools. This is matter
of grave import, and exacts of US all, peo
pie and Legislature alike, earnest and
thoughtful consideration.
10 this connection. let me say word in
regard to subject that has often engag
ed my thou ghts, and to which L invoke
the attention Of our law makers. No part
81 o,,r GUSTAV, of oIuration has secured so
universal commendation as that which Is
embraced 10 the circle of instruction Of
those who were made orphans by the
casualties Of war. The helpless condition
of these little ones touchiugly appealed
to the hearts of our people, and the re
sropse was the establishment OF the or
phans' schools that are now the pride of
- Rnt In rpsecu uiQn these chll