Year: 1861

tue. Cur system of common schools will ey-
er enlist my earnest solictude. For its grow.
ing wants the most ample provision should
be made by the Legislature. | feel that
need not urge this duty. The system has
been gaining in strength and usefulness for
quarter of a century, until it has silenced up-
position by its benefcent fruits. 1t has at
times lauguished for want of Just appropria-
tions, from changes and amendments of the
law, and perhaps from ineficiency in its ad-
ministration; but it has surmounted every
difficulty aud is now regarded by the enlight
ened and patriotic of every political faith as
the great bulwark of safety for our free insti-
tutions The manner in which this subject
is presented to the Legislature by my immc-
diate predecessor, in his annual message, full.
ly harmonizes with public sentiment; and his
recommendation for aid TO the Farmers High
School of Pennsylvania meets my most cor
dial appreciation. Invited to the rich prairie
lands of the West, where the labor of the
husbandman is simple and uniform. when
population has filled our valleys, it passes
away from our highland soils where scientific
culture is required to reward labor by bring
ing fruitfulness and plenty out of compara-
tive sterility. While individual liberality has
done much for an institutioa that ia designed
to educate the farmer of the State, it lam
guishes for want of public aid. An expert
ence of ten years has fully demonstrated that
the institution can be made self sustaining :;
it requires no aid from the State except for
the completion of the buildings in accordance
with the original design. A liberal appro-
priation for that purpose would be honorable
to the Legislature and a just recognition of
a system of public instruction that is Of the
highest Importance to the State in the deyel.
opement Of our wealth, the growth of our
population, and the prosperity of our great
agricultural interests.


The State having been wisely relieved of
the management of the public improvements
by their sale, the administration of the gov
ernment is greatly simplfed its resources
are certain and we'll understood, and the
amount of the public debt is definitely ascer-
tanned. A rigid economy in all it's various
departments and strict accountability from
all public officers, are expected by our peo
pie, and they shall not be disappointed Now
that the debt of the State is in the course of
steady liquidation, by the ordinary means of
the treasury, all unnecessary expenditures Of
the public money must be firmly resisted, so
that the gradual diminution of the indebted
ness shall not be interrupted.


To promote the prosperity of the people
and the power of the Commonwealth by in
creasing her financial resources, by a liberal
recognition of the vast interests of our COM
merce, by outstanding our means and dimin-
ishing the burdens of taxation and of debt,
will be the highest objects of my ambition,
and all the energy of my administration will
be directed TO the Accomplishment of these
results.


The pardOning power is one of the most
important and delicate powers conferred up
on the Chief Magistrate by the Constitution,
and it should always be exercised with great
caution, and never except on the most con
elusive evidence that it is due to the con-
demned, and that the public security will not
be pre- ejudiced by the act When such appli-
cations are presented to the Executive, it is
due to society, to the administration of JUS
tice, and to all interested, that public notice
should be given. By the adoption of such
q regulation, imposition will be prevented
and just efforts will be strengthened.


The associatiation of capital and labor, un-
der acts of incorporation, where the purpo-
ses to be accomplished are beyond the reach
of individual enterprise, has long been the
policy of the State, and has done much to ad-
vance the prosperity of the people. Where
the means of the citizens are moderate, as
they general y are in new and growing coun-
try, and where the concentration of the capi-
tai of r,any is necessary to development and
progress, such associations, when judiciOusly
restricted, confer large benefits on the State.
The vast resources of Pennsylvania, and the
variety of her mechanical and other industri
al pursuits, invite capital and enterprise from
abroad, which on every sound principle of
political economy, should be encouraged.
Much of the time of the Legislature is consum
ed by applications for special chartered
privileges which might be saved by the enact
ment of general laws and by such amendment
to our general mining and manufacturing law
as will relieve needless and burthensome re-
straints, and at the same time afford ample
protection to capital and labor, and to the
community at large. Our statute books are
full of acts of incorporation comforting spe-
cial privileges, various as they are numerous,
dissimilar In their grants of power, and Gne-
quail in their liabilities and restrictions. Well
considered and judicious general laws to meet
all classes of corporations, would remedy the
evil, economise time and money. relieve the
Legislature from the constant pressure for un-
due privileges, and be just and equal to all in
their administration.


The veto power conferred upon the Execu-
tive was given with much hesitation, and not
without serious apprehensions as to its abuse,
by the trainers of our organic law. 1t is, IN
my judgment, to be used with the greatest
caution, and only when legislation is mani
testify inconsiderate, or of more than doubt
ful constitutionahty. The legislators, chosen
as they are directly by the people, in such q
manner that fair expression Of their views
of the true policy of the government can al
ways be had, give to all we'll considered meas.
ures of legislation the solemn sanction of the
highest power of the State, and it should not
be arbitrarily interfered with. While ! shall
shrink from no duty involved by the sacred
trust reposed in me by the people of the Com.
nonwealth, | would have all other depart
ments of the government appreciate the full
measure of responsibility that deVolVes upon
them.
The position of mutual estrangement in
which the different sections of our country