commissioners of the internal improvement fund such sums as may, from time to time, be necessary for the payment of interest beyond the means already devoted to that object. The foregoing statements are founded on a view of the financial situation of the commonwealth, under the most unfavourable aspect they can possibly assume. The committee take it for granted that the receipts from the various sources of revenue, within the present year, will in no wise decrease below those of the last year. A comparison of the receipts from the several subjects of revenue for the last four years, exhibits the most gratifying results, and encourages the committee to believe that a corresponding increase within the present year may be confidently relied upon. The receipts from public lands in the year 1827 exceeded those of the year 1825 by $52,018 94; showing, thus, an annual average increase of $17,339 64. In the year 1828 the increase was $21,741 74; and it is thence inferred that at least 20,000 dollars more will be received from the pub. lic lands within the present year than were derived from that source in the year 1828. The amount received from auction duties and commissions, in the year 1827 exceeded that of the year 1825 by 33,389 dolls. 53 cents; so that the average annual increase has been 11,129 dolls. 84 cents. The quarter ending the 28th of February, 1829, exceeds the corresponding quarter of last year, by $5449 17, without taking into the calculation the amount due for that quarter by some auctioneers from whom no statement has been received of the sum due by them for the last quarter. It is therefore safe to estimate the excess of auction duties for the present year, above those of last year, at 12,000 dollars. The annual income derived from turnpike and bridge stock owned by the state has increased within the last year about 4000 dollars. As the debts due by the several companies are gradually paying off, and as a great amount of travelling and transportation has been and will continue to be caused by the wants of the works constructing by the state, it is deemed fair to estimate the increase of revenue from this source, within the present year at 4,000 dollars. The increase of the tax on retailers of Foreign Merchandise last year was 12,614 dolls 95 cts. of the tax on tavern licenses, 6,000 dollars; of the tax on collateral inheritances, 4,000 dollars-in all 22,614 dollars, 94 cents. and bridge stock, must be immediately dependant up on the activity of our interior trade, the abundance of a circulating medium, and the demand for labor and for agricultural produce. Upon all these causes, the execution of the canals and rail roads, by giving employ ment, at a fair rate of compensation, to great numbers of our own citizens, and by introducing many others from a distance, who must purchase here all the necessaries of life, has produced, and will continue to exert a pow erful and favorable influence. The committee, in examining the resources of the commonwealth, for the coming year, and the means of meeting the interest of loans, have taken it for granted that a portion of the revenue, not regularly applicable to that purpose, must be transferred from the treasury of the commonwealth to that of the internal improvement fund. Upon this supposition, they have shown that no inconvenience will be created, but that on the contrary, a large balance will still remain for other purposes of the government. It is, however, by no means certain that any such demand upon the ordinary revenues will be necessary. It is more than probable that two sources of income, not yet referred to, and which belong exclusively to the fund for the payment of interest, will meet the deficiency heretofore stated as likely to occur, and thus leave untouched the large balance which the treasury accounts are expected to exhibit on the 30th of November next. It is confidently believed that 24 miles of the Pennsylvania canal, from the mouth of the Juniata to Middletown, and 80 miles of the western division from Blairsville to Pittsburg, will be in active operation for the whole of the present season. It is also expected, that by the month of August the navigation will have extended up the Juniata to Lewistown, 45 miles; and up the Susquehanna to Northumberland, 41 miles. The amount of revenue which these works will yield within the present year is, of course, a subject of mere conjecture. The committee, however, are decidedly of opinion that in estimating the not receipts from this quarter at $35,000, they not only keep within the limits of safe calculation, but that they fall greatly below it. A further resource for the payment of interest is found in the premium which may be expected upon the contemplated loan of $3,200,000. The committee are aware that no such premium was obtained on the loan recently effected, but they are clearly of opinion, after careful inquiry, that this failure may be traced to an erAs the tax on collateral inheritances has not yet gone ror in the mode of negotiating loans and effecting transinto full operation, several years being frequently refers of stock, rather than a want of credit in the comquired for the settlement of estates, it may be expected monwealth. This error they have endeavored to corto increase in a very large ratio. The committee be- rect in the bill accompanying this report, and they canlieve it safe to estimate the increased receipts from not but hope that the change will prove salutary.— these three sources at 20,000 dollars. Should a premium amounting to one and an half per cent. only be obtained, that sum with the estimated receipts from the finished canals, will make up the whole deficiency in the means of the internal improvement fund, for the payment of interest; and in that case, should the ordinary revenues of the commonwealth for the present year exhibit an increase corresponding to that of the year preceding, there will remain in the treasury of the commonwealth on the 30th November, 1829, a balance of above $193,000, instead of $145,615, as estimated in the report of the Auditor General; and such balance will be at the disposal of the legislature, for meeting the interest of future loans.. It appears, then, that should the receipts of the commonwealth, for the present year, be equal only to those of the last year, they will furnish means for defraying all the ordinary expenses of the government-of paying the interest of all loans for canal and rail road purposes already contracted, and of a loan of 3,200,000 dolls. proposed now by the committee on inland navigation and internal improvement, and yet leave a balance of 56,735 dolls, 46 cents. But should the revenues of the commonwealth continue to increase in a ratio, which by the experience of the last four years, they are warranted to calculate on, there will remain a surplus of 112,735 dolls. 46 cents. The Committee are led to believe, from all the inquiries they have made on the subject, that much of this increase to which they have alluded, may fairly be attributed to the great public works in which the com monwealth is engaged; and that thus, those improvements, even before they had been used for the purposes of transportation, are made, in part, to meet the expense of their construction. The retailers and tavern tax-the auction duties the payments for public lands, and the income of turnpike The committee have endeavored to show, that the present resources of the commonwealth,in themost unfavorablecircumstances which can posiblyarise, are equal to the payment of interest on the proposed loan of $3,200,000, without any additional taxation at this session of the le gislature; and should those calculations, which are justified by all former experience, prove to be correct, a large balance must remain after meeting the necessities of the present year, In this simple exhibition, the friends of internal improvement will find a warrant for pressing the works to 1829.] REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF WAYS AND MEANS. completion, with the utmost vigor-and those who have been alarmed by the prospect of taxation, or have apprehended that the state was embarking in the system of internal improvement beyond her means, will find a sure ground of consolation. 191 of Maryland is no less zealous in the cause of internal improvement. In the relative situation of the states, and from their political connexions, the policy adopted by any one of them must necessarily exercise a sensible influence on the others. The system of internal improvement would now appear to be the fixed and settled policy of all the states; and if the system adopted in this state is more extended than in others, the cause is to be referred to the natural advantages enjoyed by the state for improved inland navigation, which justify the employment of means commensurate with the magnitude of the object to be realized. To keep pace with the improvements made by neighbouring states, is imposed on this state as a measure of defence. All that Pennsylvania has to do to maintain The committee are of opinion, that the experience of her superiority, is to avail herself of the superior advananother year will suggest important changes in the rev-tages of geographical position, of climate, of agricultu enue system of the commonwealth. It is now the fact, ral and mineral wealth, by affording the means of their that the funds devoted to the ordinary expenses of gov- developement. ernment greatly exceed the regular demands upon the treasury, while those applicable to the payment of canal loans fall considerably short, thus rendering a transfer necessary from the excess of the one to meet the deficiencies of the other. All these sources of income are in a train of regular and rapid increase an increase which this year's experience may enable us to calculate with additional certainty. It may then be advisable, as it is ascertained that a certain tax or any fixed portion of it, is not necessary for the ordinary purposes of government, to vest the excess permanently in the fund for the payment of interest. By these means, and by the aid of the tolls, which, after the present year, must inevitably arise from the finished canals, it is confidently believed, that ample provision may be made for the proposed extension of the several lines of canals and railways, without a resort to taxation of any kind; and certainly without the necessity of imposing any tax of a burdensome na ture. In the view which the committee have taken of the finances of the commonwealth, as connected with the system of internal improvement, they have confined their investigation to the ability of the revenues of the state to furnish the means of paying the interest on the loans to be contracted by the state, to construct the various lines of canals and railways contemplated by the bill reported by the committee on inland navigation and internal improvement. As intimately connected with the fiscal concerns of the commonwealth, in relation to the system of the canal policy of the state, the subject of future loans to prosecute the public works, invites the serious attention of the legislature. The experience of the last two years has sufficiently demonstrated the defects of the present system of making loans, and calls loudly for the adoption of a remedy. The distance of the seat of government from the place where the great monied transactions are conducted, and the manner of advertising the loans, operate very disadvantageously to the interests of the state; and your committee are decidedly of opinion, that it would prove beneficial to the interests of the state to have a commissioner of loans appointed, to reside in the city of Philadelphia, who shall be empowered to contract for the state loans, and to make from time to time the necessary transfers of stock; for which purpose the committee make provisions in the bill accompanying this report. The system of internal improvement has been adopted by the legislature, as your committee believe, on a confident expectation and well founded calculation, that With the Bank of Pennsylvania the finances of the the public works, when constructed, will yield an in- commonwealth are closely associated. Three-fifths of terest on the expenditure, and a surplus fund adequate the capital stock of that bank are held by the state; and to the extinguishment of the debt contracted for their by far the largest portion of the loans made by the state construction. The experiment has already been fairly is held by this bank. Your committee have been satistested; and the developements of that experiment es-factorily informed, that the bank has afforded the most tablish beyond doubt, the fact, that a canal under favor-important aid in the various loans negociated by the able circumstances will pay the cost of its construction. state, and in the advancement of instalments essential to The New York canals, constructed at an average cost of carry on the works of internal improvement; and has $25,000 per mile, have for some time yielded, not only thus lived up to the spirit and intention of its charter; an interest on the expenditure, but a large surplus fund one object of which, as declared in its preamble, was to be applied to the extinguishment of the canal debt. "to promote the regular, permanent, and successful The partial operations of the Schuylkill navigation and operation of the finances of this state." To sustain and Union Canal exhibit the most flattering demonstration support an institution in which the state has so deep an in favor of the same result in this state. With agricul-interest, is at all times a duty imposed on the legislature tural products equal, if not greater; with mineral as the guardian of the public weal; and to afford it now wealth, exhaustless in almost every variety, and a cli- every possible advantage would appear to be a measure mate more favorable to canal navigation, it cannot be dictated by a proper regard for the best interests of the doubted, but that the revenues of the canals in this state state. The charter of the bank will soon expire, and will greatly exceed those of the state of New York.- the time is drawing nigh, if not now at hand, when its With this assurance, nothing is left to hazard; and with charter is to be renewed. In the opinion of your comthe certain demonstration that the works to be construc-mittee, the magnitude of the interest of the state in the ted will ultimately pay the cost of their construction, ev- bank, and the extended scale of the financial concerns ery inducement is presented to persevere in a system of of the commonwealth, would render desirable some arinternal improvement, which will give to the state a rangement on the subject, if practicable, by which the power and wealth limited only by her physical capaci-interests of the bank and state may be mutually promotties. Indeed, in the opinion of your committee, a perseverance in the system of canal policy, to the extent recognized in former acts of the legislature, is not only justified by prudential considerations, but is demanded as a measure of defence. On one side, the state of New York, with the experience of the great advantages of her canals already constructed, is now extending ramifications of them in every direction of her own territory, antl even into this state. On the other side, the state of Ohio, still in infancy, is projecting and rapidly completing her canals on an extended scale;-and the state | ed. The report of the Auditor General, made at this session of the legislature, exhibits a statement of stocks held by the commonwealth, and of appropriations and loans remaining unpaid on the first day of December, 1828. Your committee, therefore, do not deem any further exposition necessary. Their investigations have been confined to the ability of the revenues of the commonwealth to meet the interest on loans contracted and those contemplated to prosecute the public works. And if the views submitted by them are correct, in their opi nion, the state of the finances of the commonwealth ful mended by the committee on inland navigation and ly justifies the expenditure, for the ensuing year, recom- I internal improvement. METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER, FEBRUARY 1829, Medicine for out-door poor 108 50 168 05 Some fine Mutton was exhibited at the Shambles of our neighbours Osborne and Matlack, the three last days of the preceding week. That fed by John Bradley, was claimed by a person, who had previously made 63 men-12 boys-65 women-21 girls.--Total 161 In the House, Jan. 1, 1829. Total aided and supported a bid for it, and was taken to Philadelphia: but as lbs. lbs. No. 9. 117 10. 84 11. 1214 12. 115 Total 43 204 Total during the year 1828, including those now Of these there were bound apprentices January 1828 །*།། 420 22 157 161 43 April Value at 9 cents per lb. $140.80, exclusive of Skins Mny and Wool.-Westchester Village Record. June July 150 132 126 133 Average number Independent Journal Adams County Poor-House. 35 Paupers remained in the Poor House on 8 January 1828. 70 do. (including out door) admitted in the course of the year. 43 do remained in the House on the 6th January 1829. 6 do. out door supported in part by the institution at an average of 66 cts per week Assistance given to poor families in the course of the year in flour &c. was $20. Expenses $2206 221. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. III.-NO. 13. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT ON THE FINANCES. EXPENDITURES OF THE COMMONWEALTH, FOR 1828. Summary Statements of the Payments at the State Treasury, for the year commencing the first day of December, 1827, and ending the thirtieth day of November, 1828 No. 1. $2,611,967 24 Internal Improvements Expenses of government Militia expenses state treasury, per act of 24th March 1828 Canal commissioners, for exploring canal routes, per act of 7th April 1826 Bridges. NO. 65. 150,000 00 2,000 CO -2,579,600 00 The commissioners of Somerset and Cambria counties, for erecting a bridge over Stoney creek, per act of 13th April 1828 2000 00 5681 50 State Roads. George Rider and others, improving a road in Fayette county, per act of 13th April 1827 Arthur Robeson, Jr. and Jno. Neyman, for improving a road from the town of Franklin, in Venango county, to the town of Butler in Butler county, per act of 7th February 1828 Commissioners of Cumberland and Perry counties, for a road from Landisburg to Carlisle, per act 14th April 1828 Public Ground. Commissioners for improving the public ground at Harrisburg, per act of 14th April 1828 2000 00 400 00 3029 69 3000 00 2,611,967 24 629 69 450 00 Canals. Clerks Union canal company 5,000 00 Transcribing Commissioners of the internal 4,651 50 Pay and mileage of the members 14,430 05 1,862 34 575 00 Sergeant at arms and doorkeeper 1,231 00 improvement fund, out of the stock loan of 1827 Commissioners of the internal 31,361 83 Commissioners of the internal improvement fund, out of the stock loan of 1828 improvement fund, amount of the temporary loan, per act of 14th April, 1828 Commissioners of the internal improvement fund out of the VOL. III. 25 House of Representatives. 1,732,600 00 490,000 00 Printing 8,258 12 Contingencies 10,496 63, 66,906 90 |