universal vaccination, could be, and was, adopted. The result is, that not a single case of small-pox has occurred in them.

My object in submitting these remarks to you is not so much for the purpose of convincing you of the truth of a proposition which but few attempt to dispute, as to ask the immediate enactment of remedial measures. It remains, therefore, only to consider how the object to be sought may be most speedily and effectually accomplished. In reply to this question, I earnestly recommend the passage of an act providing for compulsory vaccination, which should have such penalties annexed as would insure its undoubted enforcement.

I also recommend an enactment establishing a State Board of Health, whose functions shall be discharged under the auspices of the Legislature. Such an organization would be indispensable to the vigorous. and comprehensive execution of a law making vaccination compulsory, and would be eminently serviceable in enforcing such other sanitary regulations as might be deemed essential to the protection of the public against small-pox and other contagious diseases. The State Board might be constituted somewhat upon the model of the Board of Public Charities, with the addition of local boards for the counties, cities and larger towns. The expense of such a system would not be worth a thought, when compared with the value of the benefits that would be conferred by its operation. At all events, it would be far less than the cost in human lives annually sacrificed by the diseases it would be designed to prevent. It is not possible to estimate correctly such values. But for the purpose of illustration, the calculation of an eminent physician may be accepted. Dr. Ackland, of England, sets down every death by a preventable disease as a loss in money of £100, and £12 for loss of time

and maintenance during the period of sickness. Ac cording to this standard Pennsylvania lost during the last two years by small-pox alone more than $5,000,000.

From a joint report made to me by the Health Officer and Port Physician of Philadelphia, I learn that the health laws of that city and port are in a very confused and unsatisfactory condition. These gentlemen, in effect, say that the first comprehensive health law was passed in 1818; that continuous additions have been made since that time; that while some of the laws have been repealed, others have become inoperative and obsolete; that if certain of these were revived and enforced their execution would inflict positive injury, and, in short, that the whole system imperatively requires a thorough revision. I have good reason to endorse the truth of these statements, and I earnestly recommend the whole subject to your early and considerate action, and that the amendments which you may make for the better protection of the health and general well-being of Philadelphia be extended as far as practicable to the whole State.

CAPITOL AND CAPITOL GROUNDS.

The apartment in the Capitol building, familiarly known as the "Office of the State Historian," has been tastefully fitted up for the reception and display of the battle-flags carried by our soldiers in the war of the rebellion, in accordance with a resolution to that effect passed by the Legislature at its last session.

For the purpose of irrigating and beautifying the Capitol grounds, I recommend that you authorize the construction of at least two ornamental fountains.

I renew my recommendation for the purchase of a few small lots at the eastern corner of the grounds necessary to the completion of the square, and that the iron fence enclosing them be completed.

GOVERNOR'S SALARY.

As no charge of selfishness can, at this juncture, attach to me, I frankly remind you that the compensation of the Governor is entirely inadequate to enable him to live in a style corresponding to his position, and the reasonable expectations of the people of so great a Commonwealth. The truth of these assertions is so obvious that no argument is required for their confirmation.

The Constitution declares in section VI, of article II, "The Governor shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation, which shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected."

Should the Legislature concur with me as to the propriety of increasing the compensation of the Executive to ten thousand dollars per annum, I recommend that it be done prior to the twentieth of January, as on that day the period for which my successor has been elected will begin.

IN MEMORIAM.

It has heretofore been my sad duty to chronicle the departure of distinguished citizens from spheres of usefulness to that realm of eternal silence, from which no traveler returns. Among them may be enumer ated three ex-Governors; and now I am called upon to announce the decease of another who has occupied the Executive chair.

William F. Johnston was born November 29, 1808, at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, and died at Pittsburg, October 25, 1872, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and was subsequently a member of the House of Representatives, and of the Senate. As speaker of the latter, he became acting Governor upon the resignation of Fran

cis R. Shunk. He was afterwards nominated by the Whigs, and elected to the Chief Magistracy. He filled the office with honor and marked ability. After the expiration of his term he devoted his time to the construction and management of railroads and the development of the resources of the western portion of the State. He was endowed with strong natural abilities, was genial in manners and faithful in friendship. His services to the Commonwealth will not soon be forgotten. I trust the Legislature will do justice to his memory by appropriately noticing his death.

It is with profound sorrow, also, that I announce to you, officially, the death of Major General George Gordon Meade. He died in Philadelphia, November 6, 1872, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.

It is impossible, within the brief space allowed, to give an extended notice of the services of one so eminently distinguished. He was a graduate of the Military Academy at West Point; and served with distinction in the Seminole and Mexican wars, and as a Topographical Engineer in time of peace. At the commencement of the recent Civil War, his services were tendered to and accepted by the Government. From the rank of Brigadier General he rose through the grades of Division and Corps Commander, and was on the twenty-eighth day of June, 1866, without solicitation, appointed, by President Lincoln, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Potomac; and although he leaves behind him an undying record of his brilliant and heroic deeds wherever he was called into action, his name will be, particularly and forever, associated with the glory of the great turning battle of the war-fought at Gettysburg, on the first, second, and third days of July, 1863.

General Meade remained in the regular army until the time of his death. He was an accomplished gentleman, possessing a highly cultivated intellect,