The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-01-15

tDat WOuiQ DC radical, aDC the new Con-
stitution was made to embody the reforms.
Special legislation bequeathed to the State
a legacy of wrongs that have been fruitful
of injustice, and some of whose injurious
effects upon the peace and prosperity of
the Commonwealth will be perpetuated to
posterity, and if the New Constitution had
no other merit than to confine this kind of
legislation to its proper limits, it would Sc
cure the allegiance and duty of our citi-
zens. The ready acquiescence Of our people
! III accepting the provisions of the New
Constitution, and the absence of all contest
on the part OF corporations, many Of whom
were jealous of its restrictions, graft
Tying illustration of loyalty to the best in
terests of the State. The public sentiment
that demanded and obtained these reforms
must now take care that new or worse dis
! order do not creep into our political system.
! Every well organized government very
properly provides against betrayal of trusts
or abuse of power by it's Representatives.
The public has right to expect honesty,
, diligence and . Conscientious discharge of
duty from those whom it distinguishes by
election or appointment, but on the contra
ry are not its servants when they fulfill
| these essentials, entitled to confidence and
| protection from dctraction and abuse. Men
! OF character shrink from contact with pu b.
| lie employment, because it involves susp>
cion, mistrust and slauGer. To purify Of
flee must dignity not degrade it. Re-
Spect for law will not be increased by hold
| ing up those who administer it to public
/ contempt. The propricty and justice of
| official acts should be examined with more
| candor, and honest people ought not to
| take their opinions on trust, but fairly and
dispassionately investigate for themselves.
| Good citizenship requires that we should
| scrutinize closely the antecedents, charac-
| ter and fitness of cano Idates for Office, ard
and are elected, it alike ezacts of us that
we should give them constant and trust
! full support while in the public service.
BANK, SAVINGS FUNDS AND TRUST CoMPA-
/ MES.
We have in the State one hundred and
| nincty-nine National banks, whose capital
| 10 about $52, 900, 900 d; aud one hundred and
seventeen State banks and savings institu-
| tions, whose capital actually paid in, as
! per Auditor Generals report of 1874, was
| $3.50, 1855, in all three hundred and six
| teen banks aud savings Institutions, with
an aggregate capital Of $50, 900, 900.
| GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The suggestions in my message of last
! year in reference to geological survey of
| tho State, were embodied in a bill that
passed the Legislature of 1874. This act
authorized the appointment by tho Cover
nor OF a board of ten scientific and practi>
! cal gentlemen, TO serve gratuituusiy, to
whom was to be entrusted the selection Of
| a geologist, and under whose direction the
/ survey was to be made.
! The great benefits of the survey will be
at once recognized III this enumeration
aud particularly by those who desire to
develop, sell OF lease their lands. mu-
| scum of minerals will be collected at Har-
! rlSburg, and when assorted and arranged
! vii! be an Invaluable contribution to the
! exhibition at the Centennial.
POLL TAX.
| The paymeEs OF State and county tax
! is one of the qualifications of voters under
/ our Constitution. Formerly the State i'm
! posed a tax upon trades, occupations and
/ professions which was repealed, and the
| right to lesy a similar ia. for county and
/ municipal purposes exists. Its imposition
! in somc counties aud municipalities is nom
/ iual, in others il is levied al the full cash
vaIue of the ccuPation, and is serious
burden upon mechanics and woTkinBmen,
| whose only property is the receipts OF Their
labor, aud tends to prevent their exercis-
! ing their rights Of suffrage. 1t is not in
! harmony with our institutions that citi-
zens should be deprived of exercising their
| franchise by excessive taxation, or that
/ the tax imposed therefor be unequal. This
qualification tax of voters should be uni
form, and therefore suggest the repea sof
all laws authorizing the levying of taxes
upon trades, occupations and professions,
ard that county poll tax be substituted
therefor at rate so reasonable as to be
within the ability of all to pay.
RIOT At ARMSTRONG MINES.
The unfortunate aud prolonged conflict
| IN estinoFeIand C0s~ty, hetween the
Italian and resident miners wherein rUu-
I OF the Italians lost their lives and num-
Der were wounded, is a sad illustration of
the fatal consequences of want of deci-
sion and energy, when spirit of lawless-
ness or disposition to riot discover them
selves. The contest between these miners
was p:otracted over period of weeks,
| with almost daily use of ere arms. Daring
all this time, life and property were greatly
endangered, the public peace was broken,
women and children were driven from
their homes, and yet inquiry fails TO reveal
the fact, that q single warrant was issued
for the arrest of any of the parties inpli-
Gated. There is nothing TO show any ef-
ficient Interference on the part of the local
| authorities TO check these unlawful pro
! ceCdlngs, and there is no evidence that any
resTlar or official Investigation in relation
! to these troubles was had. until loss Of life
made it necessary. | feel confident that
prompt actien on the part of the authori-
ties i'll the vicinity would have speedily ter
minated, if not entirely prevented, hessdis-
/ tuIbauce.
! 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,
Kentucky, Tennessee Indiana and Illinois,
to determine what measures should be
taken to secure the improvement Of the
navigation of the Ohio river Several con-
ferences were held and the event of their
deliberations was the adoption of plan to
be submitted to Congress al tho present
session. This plan, the result of continued
inquiry and experiments, was prepared by
engineers of the United States army, is APP
proved by the commissions for the improve
mcnt of the Ohio, and is in it's main features
in practical operation in France, where it
serves the ends proposed. The commits
, sioners of Pennsylvania have made a re-
port to the Executive enboGying a brief
review of their labors and the Suggestions