The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-01-14

. the sufferings of the insane and other pool
have been productive Of most valuable re
suits, and to its efforts we are under obi
cations for the marked improvement in the
! condition of cur jails and almshouses, and
for more enlightened sentiment upon the
whole important subject of public charity
A detailed report of the beneficial work
performed by the board during the pas;
year will be submitted for your inforina'
ton, and I cordially invite earnest atten-
ton to the several practical suggestions ii
embodies under the conviction that they
deserve your careful consideration.
FORESTS.
The attention Of the Legislature is again
directed to the necessity Of adopting some
measures to arrest the wnnton and indis-
criminate destruction Of the forests of the
State. The extent and variety Of the evils
involved in this waste, it is to be feared,
will fail to be appreciated until we are made
to sensibly feel their disastrous effects.
Lumbermen of experience declare that in
thirty years, with the present alarming de-
struction Of trees, Pennsylvania will not
have any salable timber within her borders.
The regions where this timber is found are
the natural reservoirs from which our
streams and rivers are fed, and observation
ton shows that the rainfall and supply of
water therein have been materially dinin-
ished since stripped of their forests It is
alleged, likewise, that decided atmospheric
changes are perceptible, and that the win
ters have grown more rigorous and the
heat Of the summer more intense in these
same regions, and that their dwarfed fruits
and stinted crops are plainly tracable to the
absence of the usual moisture occasioned
by denuding them of their trees.
To test the correctness of these observa-
tions and determine whether it is advisable
or practicable to regulate the destruction
of timber, | respectfully propose that the
commissioners of the geological survey be
empowered to employ person to make the
necessary scientific and practical inquiries.
| COLONIAL RECORDS
The General Assembly authorized last
session, the publication of the minutes of
the Board of War and Navy Board of
Pennsylvania, and the papers in the Office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth, here
tofore unpublished. These records and pa
pers have been carefully collated under the
supervision of the Secretary of the Com
monwealth, and the first volume of the Sc
cond series of the Pennsylvania Archives
will appear during the present month. The
second volume to comprise full record of
the rolls and services Of the Pennsylvania
line and militia Is also well advanced to-
wards completion.
EXEMPTION LAW.
1t is to be regretted that the act to
modify the exemption law of 1S49, 80 as
to forbid waiver IF the exemption by the
creditor, was not passed finally at the last
session of the Assembly. Its encountered
no opposition, and failed to become law
from inattention. The ability of creditors
to waive this exemption is frequently the
parent Of great injustice and misery, and
the considerations of humanity that proml,-
ted the passage of the law in the interest
of their innocent and helpless families,
| should secure its modification.
NAVIGATION OF THE OHIO RIVER.
In May, 1872, a commission was ap-
pointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania
to act in conjunction with commissions from
the States of West Virginia, Ohio, Ken
lucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Illinois, to
to secure the Improvement of the naviga-
ton of the Ohio river Several confer
ences were held and the event Of their de-
liberations was the adoption of plan to be
submitted to Congress at the present ses-
sion. This plan, the result Of continued
inquiry and experiments, was prepared by
engineers Of the United States army, is ap-
proved by the commissions for the improve
ment of the Ohio, and is in its main fea-
lures in practical operation in France where
it serves the ends proposed The commits
sioners Of Pennsylvania have made report
to the Executive embodying brief review
of their labors and the suggestions they
have to offer in regard to this enterprise
They recommend that the Legislature of
Pennsylvania pass a joint resolution asking
Congress to appropriate sufficient money to
commence this Improvement, and l heart
lily concur in this recommendation.
One OF the subjects OF engrossing inter
est to the people Of the west and south
west, and in which the east is as immedia-
tely concerned is TO obtain some means of
conveyance, whereby their commodities can
reach the markets, and they can receive in
return what they need at cheaper than
existing rates, and in addressing themselves
to the consideration of this great transpor-
tation problem, the Improvement of the
Ohio river is believed to be the mode by
which it can be solved with the least diff
Guilty. The Ohio is the natural highway
for the commerce Of this vast region, and
in seeking an outlet in the east or at the
sea, this trade must flow its mighty and
steady current through Pennsylvania to the
manifest benefit of her citizens who should
lend all measures for the improvement of
the river their influence and support.
IN MEMoRIAM.