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i : ‘ * . . . . fl /nnriii} jlfrtunppr: Drnnfri to 3#nrnlitg, ilEininitimt, |ti?nrr, ^Lrfs, Humsr limits, 3Hrrljauics; flgrirulturr, dmnpmratr, Soiurstir mii /nrrign $mis, &r.---Mr|iritttrttt of |5iirtq nr Irrt. _^ ^ ^ ^ '-'jf. Il:. " •*■ .■•■ i ...... - ■ ■ ~ ^ ^ ‘ ^^ - i- ; _ - ■ '...'I ' ^ -jg^aaBKatei^g! ’ - ■J’J',**w~"l'll>***~********~*w******<*,*^****^*^Tiiag^B^liiilMMilM^ $1.00 IN ADVNCE! BRIDGETON, N. J. SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1854. VOL. VI—NO. 307 -.■■■"_■'■' . • -mmm -•.».■■ .. i ,J ... ' ——i— Franklin Ferguson, Publisher, TER ]H S. G^“ The West Jersey Pioneer is pub lishcd every Saturday Moruiug, at $l.0C per year, iu advance, or $1.25 at the end ol the year. ADVER T1 SEME NTS Will be inserted for 40 cents a folio of IOC words, for the first insertion; 20 cents foi each subsequent insertion. A liberal deduc tion will be made upon all advertisements ex ceeding five folios in length, and which arc inserted for a logger period than three months. No advertisement of a folio or loss will be in serte 1 a single week, for less than 50 cents. IJT All letters and communications must bo post-paid, and accompanied by the au thor’s name, to insure attention. Office — Brick Rail ling, Corncrof Com merce ami Pearl Streets. Cijflirf $nrtri{. GOD KNOWS IT ALL. In the dim recess of thy spirit’s chamber, Is there some hidden grief thou may’st not tell? Let not thy heart forsake thee: but remember, Ills pitying eye,, who sees and knows it well, " Gad knows it all! And art fhou tossed on bilb ws of temptation, And*would'st do good, but evil oft prevails? O think amid the waves of tribulation When earthly hopes, and.earthly refuge fails— Go A knows it all! And dost thou sin, thy deed of shame concealing Iu some dark spot no human eye can ^ee, Theu walk iu pride, without one sigh revealing The deep remorse that should disquiet thee? God knows it all! Art thou oppressed and poor, and heavy hearted, The heavens above thee in thick clouds arrayed, And well nigh crushed; no earthly thought —i- ' No friendly voice to say, “ Tic not afraid!’.’ God knows it all! Art thou a mourner; are thy tear drops flowing For one too early lost to earth and thee? The depths of grief no human spirit knowing, Which moan in secret, like the moaning sea? God knows it all! Dost thou look back upon a life of sinning? Forward, and tremble for thy future lot! There's One who sees tiie end from the beginning, Thy sear of penitence is unforgot— God knows it all! Then go to God. Tour out your hearts before him; There is no grief your Father cannot feel! And let your grateful song of praise adore Him— To save, forgive, and every wound to heal. God knows it all—God knows it all! MISCELLANEOUS DB.Y C2LLAKS. Nothing is more important far a dwelling house than a dry cellar. When cellars are damp, the air in the upper part of the house oanuot be pure, and the aroma of everything in the cellar must, pervade the supernatant, at mosphere. Provisions will not keep well in damp cellars, and indeed the whole economy of housewifery is materially interfered with in such cases. Various means may he applied as remedies for damp cellars in springy or wet Boils. First vritk new cellar, the stone or brick walls should belaid in a mixture cf hydraulic ce- j ment and sand, instead of common mortar, j at least as high up as the surface of the ground j _above this common lime and sand mortar will do equally well—the outside, and not the inside of the wall, should also receive a coat ing of the mortar made of hydraulic cement and sand. The floor of the cellar should be small or broken stones, where flag stones can not be obtained, and grouted with a mixture of one part by measure of hydraulic cement, /» I 1 .. /I..!.} .... Ail tin oil t!dn I tu (WV ut MU») - 1 spaces between the stones, covering them a half inch or more. The ceutre or middle oi tho floor may be a few inches lower titan the side*, and here may be sunken, surrounded by the cement, a small cistern to receive the ilraiuage when washing the floor, ihisarch liko shape to the cellar floor will give it great strength, and enable it to withstand pressure of water from below. When flag-stones can be procured, they should be laid in cement made as above stated, and of two inches or more in depth. The Itosendale or Newark Hydraulic eement, can be procured in a fine powder at $1 per barrel, and at such price it costs but little if any more than ordinary lime. In our neighborhood, cioterns arc uiado of this cement. We first dig a hole in the ground of the desired size, and then with a brush coat the side with a thin cream of hydraulic ce ment and water. The fluid portion is absorb ed by the soil, and this tbin coating prepares the surface to receive a coating of one and a half to two inches, of a mixture of one part of hydraulic eement to two parts sand, with which the side and bottom of the cistern may bo coated, with the assistance of a common plastering trowel. This cement wall reaches to within eighteen inches of the top of the ground, when one course of brick is laid on top the wall and projecting beyond and out side of it, also laid in the cement. On this brick timbers and flooring arc laid across and then covered with earth. Such cisterns will last as long, and are as tight as any ether and may be made at light cost. We have oeveral such cisterns on our place for holding rain water, liquid manures, etc., and they arc all tight.—Working Farmer. A boy twelvo years of age, says the Sun, the child of respectable parents, -was carried through the streets of Wilmington Delaware, on Saturday, in a beastly state of intoxication. Ho has sippe (jjed from the effects of the rum. The Archbishop of Cincinnati and th< Society of Freemen.—On Saturday, Dee, 31 Archbishop Purcell sent a letter to the Socie ty of Freemen, which wo publish below, ir connection with the answer of the Freemen To the Society of Freemen—Men, Breth renl—When there is a question of relieving those who suffer and .-ye poor,nil difference! of faith and opinion should be forgotton. ] sincerely sympathize with those of your So j ciety, as well as of the Police, who were hurl | on Sunday night. Please accept the cnclosec j note of ten dollars toward the fund for which as I learn from the morning papers, you have i solicited from your fellow citizens. John P Fvrcctt, Archbishop, Cin. Cincinnati, Dec. 81, 1853. j To John B. Purcell, Archbishop Cincinnati I —Sir: We have received your note dated this 31st day of December, enclosing a ten dollar bill, which you, as a fellow citizen, have done tiie honor to 6end us. Sir, the blood of a I brother barbarously murdered; stands between I you and us. Our honor and our conscience i forbid us to accept a gift from a band which, j while it pretends to shake that off his brother under the garb of humanity subservient to i private views. And, persuaded as we sire, by j a long train of historical facts, and by the bite j occurrences, that a Jesuit under the guidance I of the despotic King of Rome can never mean j good, nor deal with sincerity toward men kuown to cherish Republican opinions and sentiments of justice and brotherly affection for mankind as we do. We leg to return the 810 bill to you, which you will find here in inclosed. We have the honor to remain, The President of the Freeman's Society Cincinnati, Dec. 31, 1853. According to the Baltimore American, the product of the Oyster Trade of the city is equal to or greater than the product of all the wheat and corn raised in the State of Mary land. The whole shores of Chesapeake Bay, and its tributaries are adapted to tbegrowiii of the oyster, and as one year is required fur tllP.ll* fllll frriiWtl) an inimo»icn r'.mfit nonrnne to those engagvd in the business,—a profit which is estimated at - some three hun dred to six hundred per cent. There are 250 vessels engaged in the business, which aver age about 0000 bushels to the cargo, and re quires nine or ten days for the trip. These vessels, makiug in the aggregate G,000 trips during the eight months in the year in which they are engaged, give a total of 4,800,000 bushels per year sold in the Baltimore mark et. The oysters bring an average price of 50 cents per bushel, which gives a grand total of $2,400,000 per year paid for oysters by' the dealers in the city. Some of the houses send by the Baltimore and Ohio, and Balti more and Susquehanna Railroad, to say no thing of the other mode of transportation, from eight to twelve tons of “ cauned” oys ters per day. • The shells are carried, for ma nure, to all parts of Virginia and North Caro lina. In the “ shocking” of oysters, the shells will increase about onc-fourtb, which would give a total of about 6,000,000 bushels of shells, which sell for two cents per bushel, making a return of $120,000 per year for the shells alone. Blood and Chickens.—Achitigongnamed Jacob Kaiser, of German Japannese descent, was arrested, in the northern part of the city, early on Saturday morning, having in his possession a dirk knife completely covered with blood.. It appears that he had been on a foraging expedition, for a bag which he had with him, and containing six pairs of half dressed chickens, explained the mystery of the bloody knife. The officer who arrested him, considering it rather a foul (fowl) busi ness, took him before Mayor Gilpin, who committed him for larceny and carrying dead ly weapons. Fish Culture. — It appears from a report published in France, at the Piscatory estab lishment at lluuinghen, on the Rhine, there have been deposited about two hundred thou sand eggs of the Rhine salmon and of the large trout ol the Swiss lakes, all of which are now duly fecundated; and that the new process has been found equally successful with about one hundred thousand egg3 of the same des cription, which were deposited some timesiucc at the college of France. Considerable mon ey has been appropriated lately for distribut ing these last throughout the departments of r.'.. pisciculture will probably be carried to such perfection that famine will take its place a mong modern impossibilities. A Soldier’s Allowance for Travelling■ It has been conceded by the Government’s accounting officers, that a private soldier, who received and accepted a commission as a com pany officer, claimed travel and allowances under the act of January 29, 1813, on the ground that he was honorably discharged as a private, and had a right to travel pay, in that capacity from the place of discharge to his residence. It was held that his promotion was not a discharge from the service, within the meaning of the law above mentioned, and his claim was rejected by the Second Comp roller. Shooting Match.—A Shooting Match came off'at Penngrove on Saturday last, fora hog valued at thirty dollars. There were ten chances at $3 each. A large number of per sons assembled to witness the sport, and the outsiders amused themselves by tiring at the birds after they had passed beyond the ring. Richard Sinnickson, who shot for Isaac Snit cher, was declared the winner, he having kill ed nine pidgeons out of ten, thrown from a spring trap. A gun bursted in the hands of Joseph Poulson, cutting his arm severely and John Kelley who was standing near received a wound in his check. A portion of the gun was found two hundred yards distant from the place of accident.—Salem Standard Fine Skating-—A largo number of gen tlemen indulged in this manly ^nd soul-stir ring exorcise on the Schuylkill yesterday-— Pour young gentlemen broke through the ice but thanks to the reels carried by the Skat ing Club, they were not suffered to remain under hydropathic treatment for any length of time. * | GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. ! Gentlemen of the Senate and of the General Assembly. You have assembled in obedience to the mandates of the constitution, to deliberate up on the affairs of state. It affords me great, pleasure to congratulate you on the event, at tended as it is by circumstances so auspicious to the people of New Jersey. Let us embrace the occasion to express our obligations to the Supreme ltulcr of thu uni vetse for the many favors conferred upon us iu a national, state, and individual capacity. Our state constitution is less careful of prescribing legislative duties to be performed, (ban of imposing certain restraints upon leg islative action. The examples of history and constant experience teaeli us that there is a tendency in political associations, as well as in persons, to an undue exercise of power in consistent with individual rights. This senti ment no doubt.strongly influenced the minds of those who participated in the formation of the constitution, and induced them to make ample provision for the security of those rights. In performing the functions with which you are invested, an unwavering adherence to constitutional principles, a constant regard for the rights and privileges secured to, and retained by the people, and a strict observ ance of the prohibitions upon legislation, should under all circumstances be maintained. It gratifies me to inform you that the state is in a highly prosperous condition. The past year has been characterized by general health. Every department of industry has been active and thriving, causing a marked increase in productions and permanent wealth. The revenues of the state have likewise been ample to meet all just demands upon the treasury. It is a matter of congratulation that for several years past our legislatures have mani fested a most commendable interest upon the subjectof education. While great, diversity of views has prevailed, the main object has been kept steadily iu view, and will, I trust, be speedily accomplished, of providing for the .—1 r. .r . .1:1 , -.1 • -J . w-... ~ our territorial limits. — Every enterprise has its attendant difficulties, which can only be overcome by unflinching perseverance. Many have been encountered, and more will present themselves, in carrying into practical opera tion our present system of common schools, or any other which may bo adopted. We should not be deterred, however, from pur suing the path of duty, and must eventually reap the reward of onr well intended efforts in the extension of education. The plan of free schools is pervading all parts of the state, and an increasing interest in their promotion is engaging the minds of our citizens. This argues Well for their per manent and universal adoption. The state superintendent of public schools reports an increase in the amount of money raised during the year, and a larger attend ance of pupils. The appropriations made the past year for school purposes, from all sourc es, amount to three hundred and twenty-five thousand two hundred and nineteen dollars thirty-nine cents, exceeding those of the pre vious year fifty-two thousand four hundred and eighty-one dollars and sixty nine cents. 1 Of the amount named, two hundred and one thousand two hundred and ninety-throe dol lars and nine cents have been derived from taxation. Increased state appropriations for schools and for the encouragement of teachers’ insti- 1 tutes, that our teachers may enjoy the means of improvement, and be fitted to discharge their responsible duties in a manner which 1 shall render our public schools more efficient and successful in furnishing a thorough edu cation, I would particularly recommend to your favorable consideration. An appropria tion of one or two hundred dollars to each county, in the ratio of population, in aid of such institutes, is deemed a sufficient sum. 1 Having on several occasions presented my views very fully to the legislature relative to the propriety and necessity of making liberal provision for educational purposes, I would respectfully refer you to my previous commu nications upon that subject. Knowledge is necessary for the masses of (he people. Unless they are supplied with it speedily and abundantly, society must retro grade. and our fate as renublics will be writ ten on the same page with those which have preceded ns. In effecting the universal dif fusion of intelligence, no effort should be spared, no expense withheld. Every citizen, whatever his circumstances in life, is deeply interested, and none more so than property holders, who are entirely dependent for its security upon a wise administration of. the laws. Political power, law, and government in this country are all derived from the peo ple. If ignorant and debased, they are as a corrupt fountain which devastates wherever it is poured forth. If intelligent and culti vated, they are qualified to discharge correctly their duties as voters, law makers, public of ficers and citizens. It is therefore the highest wisdom to pro mote, by every means within the ability of the state and the people, a complete system of free primary schools, in which every branch of useful knowledge shall be taught. To advance that object I would suggest the pro priety of removing all restrictions upon the amount of money which may be raised for schools, so as to enable the respective towu ships or districts to raise such sum as will be, when added to the state appropriation, suffi cient to maintain free schools during the en tire year. The act of fifth March last, concerning taxes, is a great improvement of legislation upon that important subject. Some better mode of obtaining a fair and equal assessment of real and personal estate should be devised. The valuation of property should not be con fined exclusively to assessors. The present practice is liable to abuse, and errors of esti mate are of frequent occurrence. * To remedy the evil, I would recommend that the inhabitants of the several townships be authorised to appoint annually, at their town meetings, a committee of revision, to consist of three rentable citizens, who, in conjunction with the assessor, shall meet pre vious to the first day of September, yearly, for tho purpose of equalizing and correcting tho valuation of real and personal property, and moneys and credits liable to taxation in their respective townships. It would also be advisable to provide for a county board of re vision for a like purpose. There are in this state, two sets of banking institutions, which are organized on entirely different principles, viz: such as are chartered by special legislative grants for limited peri ods and those which are organized in confor miiyto (lie piovisions of the “ Apt to author ize the business of banking.” and to the vari ous supplements of said act. There are twenty-four in number of those first named, whoso charters will expire at pe riods varying from one to twenty-one years, The charters of six will terminate within three years, and it is highly probable that these six banks will make application at your present session, for an extension of their char tered privileges. It will therefore devolve upon you to determine tho important question relative to the permanent, universal and im partial application of the principles of the general banking law to all existing special banks, or its entire abandonment, and a re version of our state policy in regard to these institutions. Free banking, as it is usually termed, is notan untried experiment, even in this state. Five or six banks at least, which have organ ized under the general law, are conducting a safe, useful and legitimate business. In some of the larger states, this system of banking has been extensively adopted, and has com mended itself to public favor. Wherever tested, the results have been generally satis factory, and have settled the question of its superiority as to public safety. While the average losses from insolvent special banks have becu eighty per c-eut., those from free or security banks, have been about fifteen per eet*t. Where ihc latter description of hanks have done bona fide business, and not becu banks of circulation merely, no material loss es have occurred. ' The system of free banking, which we have adopted, is believed to be in the main correct, and if fairly and honestly carried out, com bines all” the elements of security to tho pub n'liiolt Immon micrlfani dovie:) Thai it lias been abused, and its salutary provisions evaded, is indisputable. I have not failed officially to indicate these abuses, and to sug gest what I conceived to be a proper correct ve. Some of these suggestions have been made the ground of legislative enactment, , ind have had the effect of relieving us of a lepreciated currency, but not totally of banks which afford no .aid to the business commuui ;y. This evil eould be easily remedied by requiring the location of ali banks to be de- 1 ;ermined by7 the state bank commissioners or >y the legislature. This would at once re- | ievo the state of all merely nominal banks, , tnd obviate the necessity of a tedious legal , iroeess to discontinue au unnecessary and fic itious bank. The organization of the special • lank 5 under the general law would have a , ;reat tendency to suppress illegitimate bank ng- - . . i I can'never abandon the position that all j ssuers of bank notes should give full seen- • •it)/ for their ultimate, redemption. This is i irovided for by our general banking acts, and ;o far,, is a public benefit. Though simple j 'videnccs of debt, bank notes usually pass as , uoney, and are virtually a measure of value, rhe privilege of issuing such notes is an at- , ribute of sovereignity conferred upon bank- , ng institutions, and should not be granted, 1 ■xcept upon safe grounds. ( It, would I conceive, be invidious and un air to permit one set of banks to issue their • ividences of debt to pass as currency without ( ■estraint, by which they may, to a great ex- > out; by their owu will, control the industrial ; iperations of the whole community, with no < eliable security to the.public for over-issues, , mprovident mai'ngement and unavoidable i esses, and to require another set of banks to leposit with the state treasurer ample sccuri- | y for every dollar of paper issues. When . we reflect that nearly one half of the banks , heretofore chartered in th's state have failed, i he necessity of such security is apparent. , It xnay be objected that tlie free banks do ' xot secure depositors. The deposit of money , n any bank is a voluntary act on the part of ihe depositor, and is regulated by his confi lence in those who manage it. As by all . banks, deposits are made the basis of loans, to meir customers, nicy must ue equally as saie in the free as in the special banks, the man igement of each being equal, in regard to which no distinction can be drawn. Though the deposit of money is^luntary, the use of bairk paper is quite imavoidable. Every member of society is consequently liable to become the creditor of a bank, and is entitled to an assurance of its safety. I feel constrained, therefore, to renew the recommendation made in my annual message at the last session of the legislature, that legal provision be made to enable the special banks “ to organize in aeeonjjnce with the provis ions of the general banking acts.” The average circulation of our banks on the first of July last, was as four of paper to one of coin on hand, with an amount due deposi tors nearly equal to the circulation. Some of die banks are of course in a less favorable con dition; and would be seriously affected by a monetary crisis. It shows the obvious neces sity of legal restraint upon bank issues. As an expression of views I still entertain, permit me to present the following observa tions from my message of the 11th of Janua ry, 1852: “ Such measures as effect an increase in the circulation of real money, will diminish the liability to monetary fluctadons and bank ruptcies. The abolition of small bank notes under the value of five dollars, is earnestly recommended, as promotive of that object.— Experience has proved that it will be impos sible to preserve the genuineness of our circu lation while we allow paper money to assume so thoroughly the place of the precious met als. If the measure be made prospective and gradual, no evil will ensue, as specie will im mediately flow in and supply the place of the prohibited bills. I would further recommend after the expiration of two years, the prohibi tion of notes of a less denomination than ten dollars. The abundant influx of gold from the Pacific coast would render it not only en tirely safe, but evidently feasible. If adopt ed by onr sister states, it would greatly im prove our circulating medium, and promote the prosperity of the country.” It would also most effectually produce a metallic circulation among consumers, and save the masses of the people from all losses in the use of worthless bank paper, while it would retain any advantage supposed to ac crue from a paper circulation between dealer and dealer. Our state banks would no doubt cheerfully acquiesce in such a law. Tlio un abated augmentation of the precious metals, renders it highly probable that in a short pe riod of time the issue and circulation of bank paper for ordinary transactions, will be alto gether dispensed with, and should now be, so far as is consistent with safety and propriety. In a few years, all bills under twenty dollars can be abolished. I am satisfied, however, that fifty dollars, as the minimum denomination of bank paper, should be our ultimate aim. If we excom municate all small notes, whether of our own or other states, specie must necessarily flow in to supply their place. The smallness of our territory presents no serious objection.— The constant trade with the large cities on our borders, would supply us with an abundance of the precious metals which no adverse poli cy of neighboring states could possibly pre vent. The state which soonest adopts the use of coin by the expulsion of paper in the smal ler business transactions, will outstrip all oth ers in the permanent prosperity of every branch of useful industry. Bank explosions and individual bankruptcies would then be as rare as they are now frequent. No state oc cupies a more favorable position for the adop tion of this policy than ours, as none has with in herself a larger share of the elements of iu Icpendent existence. I would advise great caution in regard to my further extension of the basis of banking. Under the present arrangement, bank notes, may be secured either by mortgages on real estate, United States stock, or the stocks of tome six states of undoubted credit. To which aas been added by an act of last session, the Jersey City water scrip and the bonds of the iity of Newark, to a limited amount. I con sider it highly injudicious to allow the depos ■ t oi mere corporation stocK as a security ior aaukiug. Safe discriminations could no doubt ae made, but a pretext would be afforded, if lie precedent were once established, of in roducing the unsafe stocks of worthless in stitutions for purposes of speculation, with he certain effect of prostrating the whole sys cin of banking upon security deposits. It may be objected that the basis now au horized bylaw, must soon become exhausted. L'his objection has no application to banking n New Jersey, where the basis is so exton iive, and the amount of. capital required is iqmparitively so small. With a united cir mlation of about four millions of dollars, the >anks can experience no difficulty in procur ng the authorized stocks without paying up m them a higher rate of premium than would )e safe. The act of tenth March last, already illuded to, authorises a basis of eight hund ed and fifty thousand dollars of municipal locks. Ileal estate to the amouut of one hi-rd of the capital of each bauk, is also ad nitted, and when mortgaged under the re trictious imposed by law, is a reliable secu ity. The state stocks of Now York, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, Pensylvania and Massa ihusetfs, and national stocks arc quite suffi ient, independent of other securities, for onc lalf ttie banking capital of the IJuion. The Ejection has therefore no force. The basis allowed by statue is ample for 11 bona fide banking. There being an un loubted abundance of good stocks of superior alue, it would bo suicidal to admit those of iri inferior value, while it would engender a pirit of reckless speculation, and foster to the xtent of the indulgence a crisis in the mone ary operations of the country. I am satisfied upon mature reflection that, he special banks in this state can and should ecure their issues and conduct their business iperations under the general law, and trust here'' will bo no further hesitation on their >art to comply cordially, and in good faith, vith its provisions. A departure from true irinciple in the regulation of moneyed insti utions, would continue the same liability vhich has heretofore existed to bankruptcies ind public losses; and must produce a reac ion which will utterly annihilate the whole -j -*--**-• In all cases, stockholders-, as well as officers ihould be absolutely liable for all the obliga ions of their bank, without any regard to the jharacter of their organization. This is a rea sonable and just principle, and would con tribute still more to secure bank creditors ind prevent fraudulent failures. It has been tried in Scotland for thirty years past with aighly beneficial results. With a banking capital exceeding fifty millions of dollars, scarcely any losses have occurred; although several commercial crisis have visited the jountry within that time, and thoroughly test ed their soundness. They do a profitable busi ness for themselves, and a safe and beneficial one for the community. Let the principle be engrafted upon our banking system, and there is no doubt of. like favorable results The persistent evasion of the law by some of the free banks calls for prompt and effici ent uctiou on the part of the legislature.— They are of no advantage to the business com munity, and add nothing to our reputation is a state. I would recommend that an in quiry be instituted in regard to these banks, to the end that such.as do not conduct a regu lar and bona fide banking business may be dissolved. This may be done by the legisla ture under the provisions of the seventeenth section of the general banking act. Should the-system of free banking become the settled policy of the state, it will be ne cessary to detach the management of bank af fairs from the state treasury, where it is now placed, and to provide a distinct organization or ‘ Banking Department,' with a superinten dent and such clerical force as may be required to conduct the business with correctness and dispatch. For a detailed statement of banking opera tions during the past year, you are referred to the report of the state bauk commissioners which will shortly be laid before you. In consequents of the numerous alterations made in the laws since the publication of th< Revised Statutes, comprising, with the pres ent year) eight pamphlet editions, their exami nation is attended with much perplexity. 1 therefore recommend that legislative encour agement be given to the preparation and pub lication of a digest of the public laws of this state to the present year inclusive. The discontinuance of the House of Refuge has devolved upon the legislature the duty ol making some other provision for the reforma tion of juvenile convicts, and the punishment and employment of those who may be found guilty of minor offences against the laws. It is believed that this object can be best effected by the establishment of work houses in con nection with county jails. I recommend a suitable appropriation to such of tho counties as may adopt the arrangement. I am satisfied that railroad charters should not be granted without reserving to the state the payment of passenger and transit duties. The general policy heretofore adopted, of re quiring railroad companies to pay a tax on their capital stock whenever their earnings enable them to divide a certain percentum, is perfectly nugatory. These maximum divi dends, for obvious reasons, arc never reached and the state consequently fails in obtaining her just rights. Nothing has been, or proba bly will be received for grants of this charac ter, which should honestly yield a large annu al revenue. These charters contain a com mon proviso, “ that no other tax or impost shall be levied or assessed upon the said com pany.” They thus escape all taxation, even for municipal purposes. As the period will soon arrivo when the state will be generally traversed by railroads, if tho same practice is continued no fiscal benefit will be derived from the grants. I would advise the passage of a law requiring all railroad companies (unless in cases already provided) to pay revenue to the state, either in the shape of transit duties or of tax upon their capital stoek, after they have been in operation a limited time. It is suggested that all railroad companies which have been in operation for five years pay one fourth of one per cent, and at the expiration of ten years, one half of one per cent, upon their capital stock. This would produce a permanent revenue, and be but a small return * 1.„ „ au„ ~ i:_c_1. ? enjoyed by these corporations. The great frequency of railroad accidents in this and other states, so disastrous to pro perty, and destructive to human life, creates anurgent necessity for some law of a prevent ive character. A better system of manage ment and discipline is needed in the running of trains, the attention to signals, switches, celerity of travel, &c., than has heretofore pre vailed. I would recommend an examination into the causes of these accidents, with a view to the adoption of such legal provisions as may bo required. There can be no doubt of the supervisory power of the state over railroads, for the purpose of effecting such reforms in their management as may be essential to the safety of the public. In my annual message of January last, I called the attention of the legislature to the great propriety of requiring the governor to reside at Trenton, and of making an increase of his compensation contingent thereupon, and I again submit it to your consideration. I recommend a revision of the law in relation to salaries. In consequence of the increased expenses of living for some time past, the compensation of many of our public officers is insufficient for the due support of themselves and families, and should be increased. Having heretofore, in messages to the leg islature, presented my views upon the subject of special charters of incorporation, deprecat ing their increase, and urging the passage of general laws; in relation to the extension of the elective franchise so as to embrace all the state officers; to a reformation in our system of jurisprudence; the expediency and utility of providing for a topographical and geologi cal survey of the state; the necessity of spe cific appropriations to authorize payments from the treasury; the propriety of placing the attorney generalship and the state snper intendency of public schools upon a different footing,. more specifically defining their du ties and increasing their compensation, I deem it unnecessary on the present occasion to make any extended remarks thereupon. The following statement exhibits the con dition and operations of the treasury during the past year. me receipts aunng me year enuing .De cember 31, 1853, have beeu as follows, viz: Transit duties from Delaware aud Ra ritan Canal Co., $30,257.86 Ditto from Camden and Amboy R. R. Co., 58,115.10 Ditto from N. Jersey R. R. Co., 15,799.95 Tax on capital stock of ditto, 10,494.60 Ditto on Paterson and Hudson River R. R. Co., 2,665.00 Pedlers’ Licenses, 1,325.00 Dividends on stock of Joint Companies, 21,000.00 Interest on bonds of Joint Companies and mortgages on real estate, 2,470.83 Surplus earnings State Prison, 5,000.00 House of Pvcfuge Commissioners, 1,038.28 Arsenal for sale of unserviceable mus kets, 687.64 Taxon insurance premiums, 23.40 Cash on hand last year, 7,698.98 * Total receipts, $159,576.73 Disbursements. Paid during last year for the ordinary expenses of government, $89,570.60 For extraordinary expenses, viz: Public Schools, $40,000,00 House of Refuge, 10,560.00 Lunatic Asylum, 5,145.00 State Prison repairs, 1,158.57 Improvements to Capitol, 4,326.31 -61,189.88 $150,760.48 Leaving n balance in the Treasury, January 1, 1854, of ■ 8,816.25 • $159,576 73 Estimated receipts and disbursements of the Treasury for the year 1854: Receipts. Cash on hand January 1, 1854, $8,816.25 Dividnerdson stock of Joint Companies, 21,000.00 Transit duties from ditto, 92,600.00 Tax on capital stock of N. J. Railroad, 12,500.00 Transit duties from ditto, 16,000.00 Tax on Paterson and Hudson R. R. R., 2,665.00 Pedlers’ licenses, 1,200.00 Interest on bonds and mortgages, 3,140.00 State Prison, 3,000.00 Miscellaneous sources, 600.00 i Estimated revenue for 1851r $160,821.25 Disbursements. Ordinary expenses, $90,000.00 Extraordinary ditto, tiz: Free Schools, $10,000 Lunatic Asylum, 6,700 Colonization Society, 1,000 Digest of Public Laws, 8,000 - $56,600.00 Estimeted disbursements for 1854, $146,600.00 Which, deducted from the estimated receipts, will leave a probable balance in the tressusy on the 1st of January, 1855, of fourteen thou sand two hundred and twenty-one dollars twenty-five cents. No estimate is made for the proposed exten sions to the State Prison and Asylum, nor for the encouragement of county work-houses. If appropriations are made for these purposes, it will absorb all of the surplus funds and cre ate a necessity for a public loan. The State has available assets, which may be Converted into cash, consisting of Joint Companies bonds, $44,000 Unpaid dividends, 6,000 Bonds and mortgages. 7,992 Add balance in the treasury, 8,816.25 Amount, $66,808.25 The State debt consist of a loan made in 1847 of $35,000 Loan of 1852, 30,000 Total debt of State, 66,000 To descharge which, we have available means: amounting, as above, to sixty-six thousand eight hundred and eight dollars and tiventy-five cents. The amount of the Free School Fund is $393,994.68 January 1, 1853, it was 376,791.06 Increase during last year, $17,208.62 By authority aud direction of the act of 25th March, 1852, the Trustees for the sup port of Free Schools have sold for the sum of three thousand six hundred and fifteen doll ars, being the best price that could be obtain ed, all the lands belonging to the State, at or near the city of Paterson, and have invested the same for the benefit of the School Fund. The payments into the treasury from tha various public works of the State, from which revenues are derived, have been, in the ag regate, one million five hundred and seventy nine thousand five hundred and fifty eight dollars; viz: from the Joint Companies since the year 1833, the sum of one million threa 1_J_.1 _J iL! i • .1 1 « uuuuitu nuu uin ij-niut (uuuBdUU BC > CU UUil* dred and sixty-five dollars and forty-two' cents; from the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company, since the year 1889, the sum of two hundred and seventeen thousand eight hundred and eighty-two dol lars and seventy-four cents; and from the Paterson and Hundson River Railroad Com pany, since the year 1842, the sum of twenty one thousand nine hundred and ten dollars. I submit herewith the reports of the offi cers of the State Prison and Lunatic Asylum, in relation to those institutions. Th.e admin istration of the piison has been conducted through the past year with ability and suc cess. Five thousand dollars of surplus earn ings have been paid into the state treasury,’ making the total sum of fifteen thousand dol lars during the three years that institution has been under its present management, and exhibiting a state of unexampled prosperity in its operations. The discipline is well maintained, aud habits of industry are judi ciously encouraged. Much sickness has pre vailed, and five deaths have occurred during the year. The labors of the Moral Instructor have been most salutary, and contributed es sentially to the good order and quiet of the prison. The number in confinement at the com mencement of the year was one hundred and niuety-seven. Since that time one hundred and forty-one have been received, making the whole number during the year three hundred and thirty-eight. One hundred aud sevt n teen have been discharged by expiration of sentence or pardon, leaving in confinement at the end of the year, two hundred aud seven teen, showing an increase of twenty over last year. The asylum has been conducted during the' past year without expense to the state, with the exception of the annual appropriation for poor lunatics, and the usual payments for of ficers’ salaries. The philanthropic objects of the institution in the treatment of the insane have been eminently successful, and compare ntAof fowAmKlir nritlv The number of patients at the beginning' of last year, was one hundred and eighty two. Thera were received during the year one hundred and nineteen. Of the number under treatment, seventy-five have been dis charged, cured or improved, seventeen have died, and there are remaining in the institu tion two hundred and five, being an excess of twenty-three over last year. Within a period of six years, six hundred and thirtyfour cases have been treated, and three hundred and thirty-nine cured or improved.' To aid the counties in supporting their pa tients, (amounting at present to one hundred and forty-three,) an appropriation of five thousand and six hundred dollars will be needed, and the managers ask the further sum of two thousand dollars for additional water tanks and repairs. Both objects will no doubt receive your favorable_attcntion. Authority was given at the last session of the legislature, to employ competent archi tects to make plans, specifications and esti mates of a hospital and another wing to the* State Prison, and for an extension of the Lu natic Asylum upon each wing, with suitable apparatus to heat and light the same. These instructions have been observed, and the re port of the officers to whom the duty Was eon fined, is herewith submitted. The lowest estimate for an additional wing to the prison, is thirty-five thousand dollars, and for the hospital alone, eighteen thousand dollars. The estimate for building two wings to the asylum, each one hundred and thirty feet in length, including furniture, fixtures, heating and lighting apparatns, is forty-three" thousand and tbirty-six dollars. That the erection of these structures would be highly advantageous to both institutions, cannot be doubted. Such is the Crowded state of the prison that the plan of separate confinement, as required by law, cannot be carried out. Some of the cells are necessarily appropriated to storage, and others to accom modate the sick. The large number of pa tients in the asylum seriously interferes with