be what remedy to apply, whether by reduction of impost duties At the rate of duties color removing internal revenue taxes. lected, the revenue will be simply immense, and nothing short of repeal of duties, except sufficient for bare revenue, will bring about a proper reduction as a measure of relief.

It having been demonstrated, by practical working of custom duties, that the lessening of duties on certain articles often leads to increase of consumption and augmentation of revenue, suppose what are known as the internal revenue taxes were removed from tobacco and whisky, would there be any relief to the now over-taxed people in all that pertains and enters into the ordinary and necessary expenses of their living? These articles may be strictly regarded as luxuries, and the tax paid for the use as voluntary, the abolition of the tax or duty only tending, by cheapening the article, to induce the greater consumption of what is generally considered a great injury to society and individuals, requiring all the wholesome restraint that the law can throw Free tobacco and free whisky around the use of the same. therefore mean the imposing heavier burdens on the necessaries of life.

The abolition of the compulsory and high war taxes on the raw materials will, alone, enable the American manufacturer to compete with foreign labor and capital, and thus contribute to the benefit and advance the condition of the laboring classes. Much of the present tariff taxation was laid, as every one knows, to meet the sudden exigencies of a great and devastating waran emergency that gave little time for consideration, and was alleged and believed to be only temporary. Then why, in time of peace, and a plethoric treasury inviting all manner of schemes for expenditure and corruption, should there not be an honest and frank effort made for a thorough revision and adjustment of taxes to meet the changed condition of the country; for certainly the present state of the manufacturing and agricultural interests of the nation must convince every reasonable person that the system of a high protective tariff has had the effect to invite the investment of capital in manufacturing to such an extent that the capacity and supply is entirely beyond the demands of the market, and therefore is no protection. The result of this policy has been ruinous, especially to the agriculturists, for at the present time this great and general interest-the foundation of all others -is almost paralyzed throughout the country. Over-production,

in both manufactures and agriculture, has produced stagnation. The condition is sad and distressing in some sections, and what has been predicted as the result of the system is upon us. The increase of the acreage of the farming lands, in this and foreign countries, with the aid of labor-saving machinery, has so increased production until, like manufactured goods, our wheat and corn, and other cereals, are down below the producing cost, at least in the older States, and unless a better foreign outlet is furnished, and the channels of commerce in all parts of the world opened, inviting the producer and consumer to meet on equal terms in a free market for the exchange of their commodities, cultivation will, of necessity, be abandoned. In fact, already many agriculturists have almost ceased to raise the cereals, and are turning their attention mainly to the cultivation of fruits, as the only means of realizing profit in the use of the land and earning a livelihood for themselves and families.

During the next fiscal year, it has been stated upon high authority, that "if Congress persists in the do-nothing policy, about $9,000,000 per month will be withdrawn from the active capital of the nation and stored up in the vaults of the treasury, useless and inert." How long can the business of the country, demoralized by discrimination, and the oppression of labor, stand a drain of this kind without serious financial disorder?

With the strong appeal now going up from the whole country for relief, and for a return to a just and equitable system of taxation, so that no undue and unequal benefit to any shall be given, but all interests share alike the favors of the government, may we not reasonably anticipate, notwithstanding the recent discouraging signs, that our tax laws will be so revised and reformed as to give special favors to none, proving that our system of government is based upon an indiscriminating treatment of all its citizens.

CIVIL SERVICE.

The President of the United States, in his recent message, says: "The continued operation of the law relating to our civil service has added the most convincing proof of its necessity and usefulness. It is a fact worthy of note that every public officer who has a just idea of his duty to the people, testifies to the value of this reform. Its staunchest friends are found among

those who understand it best, and its warmest supporters are those who are restrained and protected by its requirements." Under this statement, from high authority, criticism should pause, and the system be allowed ample time for development and trial.

TEMPERANCE.

This great moral subject should receive by you most thoughtful consideration, divorced, if possible, from party bias in its treatment. That great evils exist by reason of excessive indulgence in the use of intoxicating liquors is admitted by every one. Many are the remedies suggested for the abatement, some violent and revolutionary, and others moderate. Almost every conceivable expedient, in many of the States of the Union, has been adopted as a cure for what seems a disease in the body politic.

The appalling record of crimes and great wrongs affecting individuals and communities, traced to intemperance in the use of intoxicants, naturally appeals for restraint and even overthrow of the cause.

Your State Board of Education has acted wisely, and for ultimate good of the community, by introducing in our public schools a treatise on hygiene, that treats largely of the evils resulting from stimulants, and particularly alcoholic, so that in youth the knowledge obtained may prove of lasting benefit and as checks in mature years. A thorough diffusion of knowledge as to the injurious effects, before habits are formed and tastes acquired for stimulants, will serve as a restraint; for, with this knowledge is also infused the moral training and teaching of the observance of temperance as a Christian virtue. This is one great hope for the young of the present generation in this and other States. Human nature may, by this means, be in a measure controlled.

It is a feature of the physical conformation of mankind which must not be overlooked, that there is no nation, however civilized or savage, that does not habitually use some narcotic or stimulant more or less noxious in its effects. The abuse, and not the use, of these things have, in all ages of the world, constituted an injury to society; for be it understood that it is only when the offense affects society that the penalty of the law can be

evoked. You may regulate and restrain, but not destroy, that which was created and is often used for wise purposes. These things are not in themselves evil.

It would be instructive to know just how far Prohibition, in the places where it is said to have been effective, has been followed by the use of opium or other deleterious drugs, and also whether the moräle of the community has in any degree been favorably or unfavorably affected by the same cause.

I firmly believe that if the professed friends of temperance had been zealous and active in efforts for the enforcement of the license laws of this State, their beneficial effects would soon become more apparent. It is a serious question, and a doubt in the minds of many of our thoughtful citizens whether, if prohibition or local option laws were enacted, men would display any more zeal and courage in their enforcement than now in the execution of the present statutes. The old trouble constantly arises and asserts itself the interference with the personal liberty of the citizen-for it is only when society is offended that the rights of the citizen is abridged and limited. It is needless here to cite the well known provisions of our statutes passed for the prevention of the evils attending the sale of intoxicating liquors. As suggested in my last message to your predecessors, I would again recommend the passage of an act making it the duty of the public officers in each of the counties, who are clothed with the power of arrest, and are therefore conservators of the peace, to present to the Grand Jury any person violating the law, or, that commissioners be appointed whose sworn duty it shall be to see that the law is enforced. For, suppose local option or prohibitory laws were enacted, would not the same difficulties present themselves in the enforcement, and who would assume the responsibility? As has been well said by another: "If we can trust the statements made by the temperance party in the State of Maine last fall, thirty years of statutory prohibitions of the sale of liquor in that State has resulted in failure, and, judging by their own reports, it would not be pleasant to consider the effect of such legislation upon the tone of political morals in that State in the affairs of our little State." This all-important and vexed question has unfortunately been a cloak, in too many instances, for sinister partisan advantages, and not urged for settlement upon its own merits in a fair and honorable manner.

Let me further urge that if, in your judgment, our present license laws are not sufficiently remedial, then may further and more stringent statutes be passed, seeing well to it that constitutional limitations are respected and the rights of citizens in person and property preserved.

MILITIA.

Constituted as our government is, with only a small standing army, the importance of a State Militia is now more generally appreciated in all the States than formerly, and, in fact, in time of danger, is the right arm of the public service.

The State should bring the Militia, now under complete statutory law, into more intimate relation, by generous appropriations, in the way particularly of camp equipage sufficient for outfit. This ought not to depend upon private bounty. At least the necessary expenses for an annual encampment should be allowed as an encouragement and development of the service. This is important, in view of the fact that the government contemplates and will doubtless organize a system of training the Militia of the States, under skilled and tried officers of the army, without interfering with State regulations, thus, in a measure, bringing into a more perfect harmony and usefulness the State or Volunteer Militia. The generous appropriations by the General Government should be met by cordial response on the part of the State.

INSANE ASYLUM.

I earnestly invite your attention to this important subject, in the hope that suitable and ample provision be made for that most distressed and wretched portion of our community who have had the misfortune, in the order of Providence, to be bereft of their reason. The State has, at different times, passed laws for the relief and amelioration of the condition of this unfortunate class of our people. Arrangements have been made with asylums in the State of Pennsylvania for the reception and care of our indigent insane for a certain stipulated sum, but the number is limited for each county, so that it often occurs that applications are made for admission by the friends of the unfortunate when the quota is full and the aid of the State necessarily denied. Surely the obligation is as binding upon the State to benefit all of such persons so afflicted as the limited few assigned to each county.