Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-07

the debt of the State, at the close of 1890. sl2-
rs, 800 2S
Reform in the Ballot.
Ballot reform is referred to as follows:
"rhe foundation of popular government
is the ballot. Anything which affects the in
dependence or the security of the voter; the ab-
solute safety of his ballot when cast and the
honest count and report of the result, is of the
highest interest and Importance. There seems
TO be general belief, more or less widely ex-
pressed, that some reform in our system OF
registration and voting is necessary to preserve
TO the indiyidul voter freedom from dictation
and secrecy in the discharge of his duty as an
elector. 1t was believed that the provisions of
our present Constitution, at the time Of its
adoption, met and satisfied the requirements OF
pure ballot, as they were then understood.
The allegation now is, however, that our pres
ent system does not insure to the Individual en-
tire freedom from dictation and absolute
secrecy and security in casting his ballot; and
also. that the measure which was supposed at
the time more than any other to be preventive
of fraud subjects the individual to an espionage
which is not only undesirable. but may become
In the hands of unscrupuous persons, hurtful
There is no difference of opinion as to the
deslrability of securing such a system as will
insure the most perfect freedom in casting the
ballot, and the most correct result in its count
and publication. 1t is alleged by certain friends
OF ballot reform that the abolition of the num-
bered ballot is essential to such a result Others
equally interested In the subject are of opinion
that success can'be reached without a change
in our present Constitution. 1t is believed that
all the good results of what is known as the
Australian ballot may be secured without in
any way violating the provisions of our present
Constitution. If this can be done, and the evils
complained of are found to have substantial
basis, have no hesitation in recommending the
passage of such a bill as will secure to each in
dividual voter of the Commonwealth absolute
Independence and safety, freedom from every
form of dictation in casting his ballot. and abso-
lutte certainty as to its being counted as cast"
Schools of the Commonwealth.
THE increase in the annual appropriation
for common schools and the lengthening of the
school term have been attended with favorable
results. 1t believed that no further legisla-
! tion IN the direction of extending the minimum
of the school year is necessary. In our agri
cultural communities the present school term
of six months is probably quite sufficient and
lnasmuch as the length of the term is under tho
control of the directors of each locality wher-
evef it is thought desirable to extend its length,
1t can be done in accordance with the wishes of
the people" As to the Soldiers Orphan
Schools the Governor says that the Commits
sion is doing excellent work and the results
are satisfactory. He speaks highly of the
National Guard.
Speaking of til. law establishing the office Of
Factory Inspector. tbs Governor says:
by the fifth section of the act it is made the
| duty of the Inspector to report to the Bu;eau
of Labor Statistics of this State, on or before
the Both day of November of each year. the
name of factory number of hands employed
| and the number of hours of work performed
each week. No provision is made for the pu b.
| lication of this report. If published it would
necessarily be included in the publication of
the Bureau OF Labor Statistics The time for
the making OF the annual report of the In
spector should be changed so as to conform to
the period covered by the report of the Bureau
OF Labor Statistics, and this report should be
included in the publications of that bureau
No appropriation was made by the last Legis-
lature for the payment of the salary and
expenses of the Factory Inspector, although
the evident intention Of the law was to make
such an appropriation. Provision was made
for the payment of the salaries of tho Deputy
Inspectors in specific terms; but the salary of
not provided for. although the amounts thereof
were definitely fixed. Respectfully recommend
that an immediate appropriation be made to
provide for this defect in the law"
Some Other Recommendation.
Reference is made to the danger of loss by
fire of the collections under the charge of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Adjutant
General and State Librarian. and the Governor
recommends that an act be passed providing
for new building for the use of the State Gov
ernment. He suggests that prompt action be
taken relative to the Worlds Fair and ap-
proves tn ! work oone by the Gettysburg Monu-
ment Commission.
He also suggests that it would probably be
best to use what can be spared from the reve-
nues during the next two years toward increas-
ing the accommodations in the Hospital for
the Insane at Harrisburg. as the need is great.
Aooeaition, the plan adopfkd for the manare.
ment of the Reformatory'at Huntington seem.
ing to work satisfactorily.
Road and Canal Commissions.
Regarding the work of the various commits
sions, the Governor says:
The Road Law Commission has given much
attention to the subject committed to it. and
-Uin No hu fba
under which it was organized, communicate to
you directly report embodying bill for your
consideration.
THE Ship Canal Commission has indus
|, triously and enthusiastically entered upon the
careful consideration of determining the feast
bility of connecting the waters of Lake Erie
and the Ohio river by ship canal and of sur
veying and laying out route for the same. A
preliminary report upon this subject has been
made to me, and the commission will dou btless
communicate directly with the Legislature as
provided in the joint resolution under which it
was appointed. The work of this commission
has led to surprising and gratifying results Ii
is believed that the waters of Lake Erie and
the Ohio river can be connected by shin canal
the construction of which is entirely feasible
and comparatively cheap; that the supply of
water, which was considered a doubtful prob
lem. is beyond question and that the grades are
not of such character as TO seriously interfere
with complete success.
Great Advantages of the Canal.
'1nlS survey mas Deen undertaken with the
view of ascertaining the advantages which
could be secured to commerce by the con
struction of such canal. The results in this
direction will be beyond computation. but they
do not in my judgment, constitute the great
advantage which the successful completion of
such a waterway would secure to the people of
the Commonwealth and of the nation. If the
waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio were con-
nected by a canal such as is proposed and shown
to be entirely feasible. and If the present canal
from Albany to Buffalo were enlarged SO as to
admit vessels of the same size, these links
would secure chain of inter-waterway COM
muncation between New York and New Or
leans which would be invaluable for CONNER
cial purposes and in times of war would fur
nIsh an entirely safe means of communication
between these important termini and all in
terror points"
"It would in addition give us control for
defensive purposes of our lake front. which we
do not now have and which it is dou btful
whether we can secure in any other way under
present treaty stipulations. II the final report
of this commission shall prove to your satisfac-
ton that the construction of such a work is
feasible it seems to me very desirable, for the
reasons herein stated, that the subject be
brought in some way to the attention of the
Government of the United States with the view
of securing its cooperation in a work of such
magnitude and Importance"
Some Other Recommendations.
In conclusion the Governor says that the
laws relating to coal mining are defective, and
he recommends the appointment of a COM
mission, whose duty it shall be to make them
harmonious.
The Governor recommends that steps be
taken to secure uniformity of legislation in the
several States on such subjects as exrradition