The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-01-16
Ghe Goeer,,orls Message.

lature Wednesday morning. The message
is sensible, straightforward, business
like iocument, free from the discussion of
irrelevant topics and abounding in valua-
bic suggestions to the legislature. AS
governor of the whole State its author
manifests a careful purpose to abstain
from tie discussion of all questions that
are calculated to recall past political con-
fiicts. The people of Pennsylvania of all
parties, laying aside partisan disputes,
have been united i'll the grand work Of Or
Gaining new constitution, and it is not
strange that the message of the governor
should be Pervaded by the same liberal
spirit that animated them.
After Ieciting briefly the history of the
new constitution, Gov. Hartranft plants
himself on the only safe and statesnaulike
ground, namely, that the new cOnstitu-
ton became the law on the day fixed 10y
the people themselves when they adopted
ii, and that it is therefore entitled now to
the cheerful obedience of all i'll authority.
In this he differs broadly from the speak
ers of the two houses, who asserted i'll their
addresses on Tuesday the false and per
ncious doctrine that the constitution is
not entitled to obedience until the vote is
counted and proclamation made by the
governor, and who thus gave preteXt for
obstruction and resistance To its operation.
| While properly abstaining from a discus
sion OF the details of the constitution which
he must enforce, the governor earnestly
appeals to the legislature to make it their
constant guide III building up u system OF
good and symmetrical laws. He warns
the legislature and the people al the same
time against the attempts which will be
made to obtain special legislation by
means of cuuningly devised general laws
! Gov. Hartranft's views on the whole sub
iect will meet the hearty approval of the
people of the State, and we trust that it
: will be effective in discouraging all plots
o. attempts to obstruct the operation OF the
! constitution.
The governor reviews the finances of the
State at considerable length. The total
amount of public debt ON the 1st of De
ccluber 1913, was $25, GgS, S2I, "a. De
ducting the railroad bonds in the treasury,
the debt unprovided for is $14, 7I3, 40.
Cash in the treasury on the 3Dth of No
vember 1873, was 81, S25, 151. IN couse-
Gucnce of the repeal of certain taxes and
the prostration of business, he estimates
that the receipts of 1874 will be million
and half less than those OF last year, but
he believes that with rigid economy i'll
every department of government and mod
crate appropriations the revenues will be
sufficient to meet all demands on the treas
ury. The attention of the legislature is
earnestly directed to the Sinking Fund.
/ In recent years the revenues accumulated
/ in the Sinking Fund have vastly outgrowu
the purpose for which they were created,
/ which was to provide for the interest on
/ the public debt, and to decrease the pIin-
/ cipal to the extent of $3.50, 600 a year The
/ governor recommends such a read djustment
of the revenues as viii enable the Commits
sioners of the Sinking Fund to meet the
requirements Of the Constitution.
/ On the subject of the Centennial the
/ governor earnestly appeals to the legisla-
/ ture to grant such aid as will ensure the
success of this great patriotic and national
project. AS this is q national enterprise lie
/ hopes that direct and substantial assistance
will also come from the general govern
ment, which has thus far manifested toe
little interest iii the great undertaking.
The excellent recommendations contain
! ed in the report of the superintendent OF
/ Common Schools and Soldiers Orphans
Schools generally meet the approval of the
! governor. In order that teachers may be
better able to prepare themselves for their
! professional duties the governor recon-
/ mcndS that they receive more liberal com
penSation. The frequent changes of school
/ books arc regarded as a great abuse, sub
/ iccting paIeutS to needless expenses and
/ pupils to novel and perpleXing methods of
acquiring knowledge. The governor sug-
gests that schools be established in which
trades may be-taught, 50 that skilled ne
/ chanics may Oe graduated, and the prin-
/ ciple incuicsted that nothing is unworthy
/ in honest labor. In regard to the soldiers
orphans the governor recommends that
/ measures lie taken to furnish these wards
/ Of the State with trades when withdrawn
/ from public care. Compulsory education
| is again brought to the attention of the
| legislature.
! Prison reform and the condition of the
institutions of the State for the care Of the
insane receive considerable attention, and
/ a number of important suggestions are
! made on these subjects.
The State banks, saving funds and trust
/ companies are considered. The governor
is eunvinced.that the practice OF banks oi
/ discount paying interest on deposits should
hc prohibited. lie regards tlis system ci
/ purchasing deposits as one Of the olliyl
causes of the crash of 1897. lie suggests
I the appointment OF commissioner to ex-
anime all State bauks trust companies and
/ saving funds, and that these institutions
/ be required TO publish quarterly statements
! Of assets and liabilities. There are Other
good recommendations in this connection.
but it is not likely that the leople will ra-
gard with much favor the Recommendation
of a commission. Such examinations as
liable to deceive than afford Information
FOR the protection of tic public.
The insurance bureau, the work of the
fish commissioners, the bureau Of statis-
tics, the national guard, the land depart
ment the State arsenal and other topics
Of public interest are discussed. For yet
another time the geological survey loom,
up. The governor Suggests that a survey
be made under tie supeIih:cndence of tel
interests and localities. i chemical anal
ysis Of the different soils of the State anC
an irtelligible classification of them is L
accompany the survey. Those considera
tions of economy and prudence in public
expenditures which the governor urges 81
forclbiy IN the opening paragraphs of hi
message are of sufficient weight to post
pone TINS job fOr some years 10 come.
The message concludes with congratula
tions that war with Spain has been avert
ed and that the country is at peace, ant
with the expression of an earnest hon,
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