Year: 1873

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and Fellow citizens =
Permit me, through you. to tender my
heartfelt ,hanks to the people of this
Commonwealth for their partiality in
selecting me as their Chief Magistrate.


In obedience to law have appeared
before you to pledge my fidelity to the
Constitution. Its obligations and the
responsibility it imposes are hope, fully
realized. In the administration of public
affairs it is my earnest prayer that l may
be guided by Divine wisdom, and that
all my actions may reflect the peoples
will.


STATE REVENUES.


My predecessor presented in his annual
message Lis recommendations, and much
valuable information SO fully and so well
that it appears unnecessary to enter into
details. My views are in accord with
the general policy Of the State admins
tration for the past few years, although [
believe some changes might be for the
public good and to these shall bsiehy
alluae. Having been closely connected
with the finances of the State since 1866,
| spea / knowingly when say that the
revenues have been faithfully collected !;
exiravagant appropriations have been
avoided taxation has been equalized by
the repeal of the most burdensome taxes,
and by strict economy and good manage
ment the public debt has been largely
reduced. The policy of paying off the
entire Indebtedness of the State IS, be-
lieve, fully indorsed by Che taxpayers.
and it shall be my aim to adhere to that
policy.


THE PUBLIC DEBT.


The public debt, however, decreasing
while the revenues are increasing, it &C.
ours to me that further reduction OF the
latter should be made during the current
session of the Legislature. The increase
in the value Of our real estate and the
products of our manufactures, the steady
development of our resources, and the
expansion of our railway system, are rap
idly enriching our people. If we meas
uro the aggregate of our wealth and its
growth upon the basis of the late census,
we can readily understand how lighter
tax imposed upon the present taxed pro-
perty will meet all our necessities in the
future, provide an ample fund for the
liquidation Of our debt, and give decid-
ed impulse to the useful enterprises thus
relieved. | sincerely trust, however that
in any attempt to lessen the burdens Of
taxation, the Legislature will exercise
wise discretion, and properly discrimin-
ate in favor of our industrial interests.


OUR MINERAL WEALTH.


In every part Of this Commonwealth
are found rich deposits of minerals. To
make them available and productive
should be our earnest aim, and shall re-
ceive large share of my attention. 1t
can alone be done by the intelligent en-
ployment of labor and capital. This is
an object of immense interest, and can
best be subserved by first providing the
highest possible knowledge of the charac-
ter and location of the most valuable
minerals. Labor can be made inviting
by making it remunerasive. It's profits
must depend largely upon the measure
of protection afforded by Congress to our
home industries, question which may
safely be committed to our Representa-.
tives in the National Legislature.


CAPITAL AND LABOR.


Capital is the water for the wheel and
should be abundent, and the rates Of in
terest should be easy for active and
wholesome enterprise, and whatever leg
islation will best serve this end should
receive general support. Money will al
ways receive the highest rates, the secur-
ity being the same: and for that reason
it now gravitates to neighboring States,
where the legal rates are less than our
own. If we cannot remove our restric-
tions, and make money as free as any
other commodity, at least let us permit
the same rate as allowed by other States
and thereby retain it within our bor-
ders.