The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-01-15

on the increase. Gbllaueiphia Is now Ip
direct com mmunication with Europe,
through the medium of a line OF splendid
steamers of her own, and from this time
new impulse viii be given to her com
merce that will be felt in every channel
of trade throughout the State.
pARDoNs.
A years experience in the exercise OF
the pardoning power has confirmed me
in the opinion. expressed in my inaugural
that it is unwise and unjust to impose
this responsibility upon single indivi
dual The opportunities of distressed
relatives, the personal appeals of men OF
character and reputation, the inconslderate
and indiscrimiuate manner in which petl
tious are signed by responsible parties,
the absence of protests in almost every
case, and disproportIon between the OF
fence aud the penalties frequently i'm
posed, are all calculated to embarrass aud
prevent right conclusion. When it is
considered, also, that the Executive, In
any application, is forbidden to enlist his
,ympathies, while his discretion is pre-
sumed to be proof against ingenuity and
ialsehood the perplexity of his situation
can readily be conceived.
1t has been my constant endeavor to
balance considerably the interests of so
ciety and the claims of humanity, to sift
carefully the evidence presented, and to
arrive at determination only after all
the means of information had been ex
hausted To compass this latter end, 1t
has been the practice to procure the views
Of the Judge and attorneys Of the court
who tried the offenders, and almost in
variably have their opinions Influenced
my decision. Appended herewith will
be found a report of the pardons granted
during the year.
FOREST TREES.
! I specially invite yoar attention to an
evil of considerable magnitude, which
every year grows more aggravated, and
in certain regions, at times, is the oc
casion of serious apprehension and loss
refer to the wholesale destruction of oul
forests, the stripping our mountains aac
hills Of their trees, resulting in an enor
nous dimiuution of water for mechanical
and fertilizng purposes, and great change
in the normal conditions of Temperature
and moisture, affecting the general health
and at seasons bringing about devastating
foods These consequences, as the ef
fects of this indiscrim mate waste, are de
monstrable, and a wise legislation viii
forecates the future and established such
regulations as will rescue our descendant
from the ills a perseverance in this prac
tice will certainly entail upon them.
TIE EXEMPTION LAW.
The act of 1919 exempting a certain
amount of the property ola debtor from
levy and sale, on execution or distress
for rent, was intended for the wise anC
hnmane purpose of protecting his famil
from sudden and absolute want. This
benevolent design is, however, often de
feated, and the law practically Dullified
by the harrassed debtor waving the bene
fits Of the act to meet the exactions of hi,
creditor Do not sound public policy
and humanity demand a supplement tC
this law that will forbid debator haviag
family waving the benefit of the cxemp
ton, so that household may not be shorn
iu au instant, of all the necessaries Of life
by reason Of the weakness, recklessness
or misfortune of its head. or 20 satisfy the
greed Of grasping creditor ?
STATE PRINTING.
BY the destructive fire which consumed
the printing establishment o! the State
Printer not only did be lose largely, but
loss was also suffered by the State Al
the time of the fire there was consider
able work, finished and unfinished, on
hand, belonging to the State aud to the
Constitutional Convention, which latter
by a rersolution adopted on the las. day
of its sessions, authorized the Auditor
General and State Treasurer to settle and
adjust its accounts with the State Prin
ter, Mr.. Singerly.
The State Treasurer and Auditor Gen
eral, am informed, desire legislation to
enable them to carry out the resolution
and intention of the Convention, aud |
would suggest the legislation you may
adept may also confer like authority upon
them to cquitably settle and adjust the ac
counts for printing, binding, and other
work, finished aud unfinished, done by
Mr.. SIngerly, Tor the State as well as foI
the Convention.
THE VIENNA COMMISSION.
The Commissioners of the State oi
Pennsylvania, to the Worlds Industrial
Exposition at Vienna, have made re
port of their observations A number oI
suggestions included in this report will
be OF valule to those entrusted with the
preliminary arrangements and superin
tendence of the exhibition to be held iu
Philadelphia in 1876, while the broad
liberal and practical views expressed by
the Commissioners will help our people
to more intelligent comprehension of the
purposes and advantages of the Great
Centennial.
IN MEMORIAM
On the 9Th of February last, by one OF
those sudden interpositions which are