The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-01-16
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF AN ABLE STATE
PAPER.

] X.
! Governor Pattison's annual message opens
by warning the General Assembly against
t6e evils of over-legistation His recon
mendations chiefly suggest the modification
Of existing laws. with a view to the removal
! OF abuses and the prevention of wrongs
| He reviews the details of the States rev.
enue and expenditures, ard recommends an
| equalization of the burdens of real and per-
sonal property, the former of which now
pays about S3o. 900, coo taxes on 8, SOC, 900
valuation. and the latter s., ,OOO, 900 taxes on
81, 800, O0O, 600 valuation. II there is any
discrimination it should be in favor of real
estate instead Of against it. The Governor
suggests such change of the revenue laws
as would make the corporation taxes pay all
the States expenses and would leave to the
| couEties the proceeds of all other taxes on
personal property. The simplest way to do
TINS would be to select some one class OF
corporate properly, such as paid up capital
aud assess the entire amount needed upon
H. The revenues would then be certatre
and the corporations would be benefited as
holders or real estate. The Governor recon-
mends that the depositors OF pubIie money
oe designated by law, and that deposits
with private bankers be prohibited
The Governor reports that the pardon
board has heard ia and refused I25 appIica
tons since his Inauguration. In view OF the
eases OF inhuman treatment of the insane
discovered by the lunacy committee of the
board OF public charities and the need for
future investigations by that committee the
Legislature is asked to appropriate a salary
for the committees clerk and to carefully
consider its report. 1t is also reminded that
the States charitable institutions, now sadly
oveTcrowded, have prior claim for appro-
priations as compared with private charities
Inc Governor urges prompt and liberal pro.
vision for public charities and reminds the
Legislature of his former vetoes of appro-
priations to private establishments.
In view of a possible cholera visitation it is
suggested that the Philadelphia lazsretto be
removed farther from the city-to Fort Del
aware or Reedy isiand-and the pilots and
vessel masters be required to report to the
health officer all persons boarding or leaving
vessels that have entered the Delaware
capes, under penalty of law that the laza-
retto laws be revised, particularly so as to
provide for the payment of the lazaretto
physician and the quarantine master by sal
recommends the establishment of State
board of health. He calls the Legislatures
attention to the recomm endation of the Su-
perintendent of public instruction that the
school fund be distributed on the basis of
school attendance, to be reported triennislly,
and comments on tie exc mplary condition
of the State militia.
The creation of a commission to revise the
bituminous coal mining laws, similar to that
appointed to revise the anthracite mining
laws, is recommended. The Governor sug-
gests the exclusive recognition of the State
board of agriculture as the head of the farm
ing interest and the cessation of appropria-
tiOns to the State agricultural society, a pri-
yate corporation conducted foI revenue only.
NEEDLESS OFFICES.
The Governor recommends the abolition of
the office of mercantile appraiser, saying
THE mercantile licenses can be assessed