demands much time and no small amount of patience. The pleadings of relatives, friends and humanitarians must be heard and duly considered on the one hand, and on the other the action and decision of the courts, and in many cases the earnest protests of either sincere or malicious prosecutors. And after his decision is fairly given in favor of an unfortunate convict, the Executive must, in almost every case, be prepared to encounter acrimonious criticism from parties who have never given the subject one moment's consideration.

During the past year the applications for pardons numbered one thousand and twenty-three. Of these, sixty were granted, less than six per cent. of the entire number, being about one to every sixty thousand inhabitants of the State, and far below the average in any State, in proportion to the population, in which committees are appointed to exercise this power.

Accompanying this message will be found a pardon report, in conformity with a plan adopted the first year of my administration. These reports are made for the purpose of showing that no secrecy adheres to the exercise of the prerogative in question, and to inform the Legislature and the people, every one of whom has an interest in the subject, what reasons have been adduced for the liberation of persons convicted of crime, and what personal influences have been employed for the accomplishment of that object.

COMMUTATIONS OF IMPRISONMENT.

The act approved May 21, 1869, authorizing commurations upon the terms of prisoners convicted of crime, nas produced a decidedly salutary effect. The discipline of the prisons is reported as being greatly im proved by the voluntary good conduct of all desirous of availing themselves of the merciful provisions of the law; and reformatory influences have been manifest in many cases by the good behavior of those who have been the fortunate recipients of its benefits. The

improved habits of prisoners, during their confinement have gone with them into private life, and the wisdom of the Legislature in passing the law has thus been signally confirmed. In accordance with the act referred to, commendable conduct on the part of a prisoner, such as will merit and receive a favorable certificate from the warden of a prison, with the approval of its board of inspectors, secures the following deductions from the terms of sentence, viz:

"One month on each of the first two years; two months on each succeeding year to the fifth year; three months on each following year to the tenth; and four months on each remaining year of the term of sentence."

The number of convicts directed to be dicharged, under this act, before their terms of sentence had expired, from the State penitentiaries and county prisons, during the past year, amounts to five hundred and fiftythree, and it is a gratifying fact that thus far I have not heard of any one of them returning to habits of crime.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Herewith is submitted a communication from the President of the United States, in regard to the twenty-seventh article of the treaty concluded in Washington on the eighth day of May last, between the United States and Great Britain. It relates to the navigation of the lakes, rivers and canals along the northern boundaries of the United States. To which, and the accompanying copy of the treaty, your attention is invited.

In accordance with an existing law, the banks in the Commonwealth are required at stated periods to publish a correct statement of their business transactions and financial condition. A law similar in all respects should be passed in regard to all saving fund institutions.

A re-survey of the geological and mineralogical resources of the State has on several former occasions been recommended. The subject is again commended to your consideration.

The report of Col. James Worrell, Fish Commissioner, will be laid before you; from which it will be seen that although the work assigned him is progressing slowly, it is surely accomplishing the desired results.

In previous messages legislative attention has been called to sundry subjects upon which no action has been taken. Among the most important of these are the creation of an insurance department, the protection and multiplication of our fisheries, and the estab lishment of a bureau of statistics. With regard to the latter, it is important that the resources of the State should be more thoroughly ascertained and understood than they are at present. The extent and value of our oil, salt, coal and iron fields are unknown, and there is no reliable information to be obtained from any one source concerning the amount of these great staples, and the value of their annual production. The same may be said of all our productions, whether they result from mining, manufactures, agriculture or commerce. There should also be recorded in this proposed bureau all such facts and statistics as are accessible, concerning the condition, wages and treatment of all classes of our working people. Facts on all these and other subjects relative to the business and productions of the State should be collected and properly recorded by an officer appointed for that purpose, and who would not only keep them easily accessible to all persons desirous of using them, but publish them annually for general information. The expense of such a bureau would be insignificant when compared with the advantages to be derived therefrom.

The obnoxious doctrine of free-trade is again raising its hydra-head with a view to destroy, as far as possi

ble, some of the most important interests of the State and nation; but it is hoped and expected that our Senators and Representatives in Congress will interpose in solid phalanx between its advocates and the accomplishment of their designs.

My opinions, heretofore so fully and freely expressed in relation to a tariff protective of our products and manufacturers, and especially upon salt, coal, iron and steel, remain not only unchanged, but are greatly strengthened by reflection and observation. Any attempt to reduce the protection now afforded cannot but be regarded as an effort to benefit foreign interests at the expense of our Home Industries, and to place our toilers on a par with the ill-paid labor of foreign countries, which must eventuate in the destruction of the very influences which have, since the war, made us so prosperous a people, and laid the foundation of such great individual and national wealth. The available teachings of experience on this important subject should not be unheeded, and legislation on it should be for the welfare of the people and the nation. It should unhesitatingly protect American labor, maintain its compensation, hold out inducements to capitalists for investment, give the producer a home market, and afford the amplest opportunity for the development of the unbounded resources of the country, and not for the benefit of those who are industriously endeavoring to lure our capitalists to financial ruin, and bring about the impoverishment of our mechanics and citizens who are now prosperously engaged in all branches of trade and industry.

An "International Congress on the Prevention and Repression of Crime, including Penal and Reformatory Treatment," has been appointed to be held in London, on the 3d of July, 1872. By resolution of Congress, E. C. Wines, LL. D., has been chosen Commissioner of the United States. The philanthropic objects and

7-Vol. IX-4th Ser.

beneficial results contemplated are too numerous to be here set forth. The accompanying documents will furnish all necessary information. Commissioners from nearly every civilized nation are expected to be present, and a number of our own States will, doubt. less, be represented. It is suggested, very properly, that the Legislature of Pennsylvania authorize the appointment of one or more commissioners to represent the State in this important Congress.

Upon all national questions the views then entertained and advanced in my last annual message remain unchanged. On this account, together with the belief that Congress will soon dispose of the subjects. then discussed, and others that have since been brought prominently before the public, I deem it unnecessary to occupy your time with any especial remarks on the affairs of the nation.

I conclude with a sincere and earnest desire that your session may be characterized by universal kindness and generosity, while on my part I will be pleased to give a cordial concurrence in every measure calculated to advance the interests of our common constituents and the general prosperity of the Commonwealth.

JNO. W. GEARY.