The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-24

the Act OF May Il, 1865, continues 10
work well in all the prisons, and has
produced decidedly salutaTy effect
upon the discipline of the prisons and
character Of the prisoners.
I Tie death penalty has been twice car
ried into effect during the year, once ii
Cambria County and once in Chester.
GENERAL REMARKS.
! In my official communications here
tofore to the Legislature, and in public
addresses TO the people, have without
hesitation declared my views in favor
Of protection to our Home Industries,
and in defence of labor against foreign
competition. Continued observation
and experience have tended TO confirm
me as TO the correctness Of the opinions
/ then expressed | now reiterate them
with undiminished confidence; and feel
peculiar satisfaction in the belief that
Congress will maintain a policy that
has 80 vastly contributed TO the pros
I perity Of the whole country.
The Interstate courtesies heretofore
/ exercised have been continued and fos-
tered by system of mutual exchanges
Of the laws and other public documents,
and III the enforcement of statutes
n tthoriizng requisitions and the rendi-
| tion Of fugitive criminals. During my
administration there has not occurred a
single circumstance TO mar the harmony
and friendship existing between the gov
ernment of Pennsylvania and that of any
other state or Of the nation. The obvi-
Gus advantages arising from such a con-
dition of our affairs must naturally tend
to advance the best interests of the states
land cement the bonds of the National
Union.
The recent elections prove, by unpre-
cedented majoritics, that the country re-
poses extraordinary confidence in the
patriotism, sagacity and integrity of the
| Republican party. In response TO this
sentiment that party should discharge
its sacred trust by a wise, honest, eco
nomical and patriotic administration Of
the government; a thorough reform of
thecivilservice; discrimination Of such
duties upon foreign imports as will Sc
cure and enhance the prosperity of our
domestic manufactures; the reduction
Of the scale Of internal taxes to the low
est degree that would be adequate to the
maintenance Of the public credit and
the gradual extinction Of the national
debt; the restoration Of our foreign com
mercc; the extension Of ample financial
facilities for the requirements of bust
ness; the encouragement and regulation
Ofimmigration; increase Of the means Of
cheap land and water transportation.
| with a view tn tho Ior syot ana HIDSt rap
/ id development of the national resources;
and such enforcement of the provisions
OF the amended Constitution as will pre-
serve peace in the states and secure, m
yond the touch of injustice and oppres-
sion, the rights of all citizens.
Al the circumstances considered.
may, in this connection he excused for
the indulgence of some brief personal
allusions. In the administration Of the
Chief Magistracy. | have. with only
good intentions, and unconscious Of in
territorial error, 70 the best Of my ability.
endeavored to discharge the various
duties that have devolvcd upon me, in
such manner rs to advance the public
welfare, by cOndemning waste and ex
travagance, practicing economy, reduc
ing taxation, paying the State debt,
promoting the public health, advancing
the cause of general education, cultivat-
ing humanity and charity, tempering
Justice from the fountain Of mercy.
maintaining the principles of the Con
stitution, and defending the honor and
sovereignty Of the State, and the rights
and interests Of her citizens.
During my administration the Legis-
lature has been in session three hundred
and eighty-s.ven days; in that time
nine thousand two hundred and forty
two bills and one hundred and fourteen
resolutions, were passed. Of which eight
thousand eight hundred and forty-two
bills, and one hundred and thirteen
resolutions, received my approval six
became laws without my sanction, and
three hundred and ninety were vetoed.
The vetoes average little more than
one per diem during the sessions, and
all Of which, with the exception Of four,
were sustained by the Legislature In
addition TO my six annual messages,
have also transmitted to the Legislature
one hundred and five special communi-
cations
The period for disconnecting my Of
fetal relations with the General AS
sembly having almost arrived, | may
/. properly avail myself Of this opportunity
to acknowledge the general courtesy
have received from the successive Leg
islatures with whom l lave had the
hor or to hold official intercourse, and
to express the profound sense Of graft
tude | entertain toward the people of
my native State, for the many honors
they have conferred upon me, and still
more for the steadfaSt confidence with
which they have supported me, and
sustained my administration.
/ To Hon. Francis Jordan, Secretary of