Wbe fl3cMorfc inquirer. Jl B F McNEIL. Editor and Proprietor. geSfcrfl Sfaqaim IS PUBLISHED Erery Friday Horning on Juliana Street, OPPOSITE THE MENEE IIOI'SE. BEDFORD, BEDFORD COUNTY, PA. TERMS: 92.U0 a year if paid strictly in advance, 2.25 if not paid within three monthi, $2.50 if not paid within the year Rates of Advertising. One Square, three weeks or less $! 25 One Square, ea. h additional insertion lews than three months ; 30 3 Months. 8 Months, 1 Year. One Square .. $3 50 $q 75 $S 00 Two squares 5 00 7 00 10 00 Three squares 6 00 9 00 15 Oft i Column 12 00 20 00 35 00 One Column ... 20 00 35 00 85 00 Administrators' and Executors' notices $2.58, Auditors notices if under 10 tines, Estravs $1.25, if but one head is adrertiseii, 25 cents on every additional head. One square is the SPACE occupied by ten lines of min ion. Fractions of a square nnder fire lines count as a half square, and all over five lines a full square. Adver tisements charged to person# handing thein in. PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS CARDS. ENPYM. A LSI P. ATToiiser AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA., Will faithfully and promptly attend to all business en trusted to his care in Bedford and adjoining counties. Military claims. Pensions, back pay. Bounty, Ac. spee dily collected. Office with Mann A Spang, on Juliana street. 2 doors .,th of the Mengel House. April 1, 1861.—tf. J. It. DI'RBORRtiW. ATTORNEY AT LAW. BEDFORD, PA. tMlice one door south of the "Mengel House," Wgjl attend promptly to allbusiness Intrusted to his care Collections made on the shortest notice. Having, also, been regularly licensed to, prosecute ; Claim# against the Government, particular attention will !>e given to. the collection of Military claims of ail j kinds: Pensions. Back Par, Bounty, Bounty Loans, Ac. Bedford, apr. 8,136-1 —tf. ALEX. KINS, ATTOKXEY AT LAW. And agent for procuring arrears of Pay and Bounty money. Office on Juliana Street, Bedford, Pa. April 1,1864 —tf. KIH.F.LL A EI Nil ENFETTER. ATTOBKEYB AT LAW, BEDPOED, PA. Have formed a partnership in the practice of the Law Office on Juliana Street, two doors South of the Mengel House. April 1,1864 —tf. JOHN MAJOR. SUSTICB OF THE PEACE, HOPEWELL, BEDFOKD COL'.YTT. Collections and all business pertaining to his office will , be attended to promptly. Will also attend to the sale or renting of real estate. Instruments of writing carefully i prepared. Also settling hp partnerships and other ac- ; counts. April I, IS64—tf. JNO. MOWER; ATTORNEY AT LAW. BEDFORD, PA., April 1,1864.—tf. JOSEPH W. TATE, ATTOBSET AT LAW, BEDFORD PA. TXT ILL promptly attend to collections and ali business : IT en trusted to his care in Bedford and adjoining coun dies. Money advanced on Judgmen Notes and oher Claims. Has for sale Town Lots, in Tatesville, and St. •; ■Joseph.s on Bedford Railroad. Farms and unim proved land in quantities to suit purchasers. Office oppositethe Banking House of Reed A Schell. anr. 15, 1864—10 m. JOHN LLTZ, • ATTORNEY AT LAW, A.ID Pegularly licensed agent for the collection of Govern- j ment claims, bounties, back pay. pensions, Ac., will give : prompt attention to all business entrusted to his care. Office with J. R. Iturborrow, Esq., on Juliana Street, j Bedford Pa. August 19th. 1864. —tf. 1. A. POINTS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, BIDFOBD, PA. Respectfully tender* his professional services to the puldie. Office with J. W. Lingenfelter, Esq., on Juliana street, two doors South of the "Mecgic House." Bedford. Dec. 9, 3864-tf. DENTISTRY. I. N. BOWSER, Resident Dentist of Wood bury, X l""ILL spend the second Monday, Tuesday, and Wed. YY nesdity. of each month at Hopewell, the remaining three days at Bloody Run, attending to the duties of his profession. At,all other times he can he found in his of fice at U'oodburv, excepting the lest Monday and Tues day of the nmc month, which he will spend in Martins burg, Blair county, Penna. Persons desiring operations should call early, as time is limited. AH operations war ranted. Aug. a,1864,-tf. G. X. HICKOK. J. G. MIXXICn. Jb. DENTISTS, BEDFORD, PA. _ OJ/icc im the Bank Iluildin-j, Juliana Street. All operations pertaining to Surgical or Mechanical Dentistry carefully and faithfully jmrformeu and war ranted. TERMS CASH. jan6'6s-ly. DR. B. F. HARRY, Respectfully renders his professional services to the citiiens of Bedford and vicinity. Office and residence on Pitt Street, in the building formerly occupied by Dr. J. H. Hofius. April 1, 1864 U. 3. L. MARBOURG, M. D. Having permanently located respectfully tender? his ofe scion al services to the citizen* of Bedford and ri nity. Office on Juliana Street, opposite the Bank, one door north of Hall A Palmer"* office. April 1, 1864—tf. DANIEL BORDER. PITT STTEF.T, TWO noons WEST or TBE BEDFORD HOTEL, Bedford, Pa. Watchmaker A Dealer In Jewel rj . Spirtnrli'S. sfrc H e keeps ox hand a stock of fixe gold AND SILVER WATCHES, SPECTACLES OF Brilliant Double Refined Glasses, also Scotch Pebble Glasses. Goid Watch Chains. Breast Pins.FiDger Rings, best quality of Gold Pens. lie will supply to order any thing in his line not on hand, apr. 8, 1864 —n. U. S. HOTEL. HARRISBURG, PENN A., CORNER SIXTH AND MARKET STREETS, OPPOSITE READrSG It. R. PFPOT. l>. H. HUTCHINSON, Proprietor. UNION HOTEL. VALENTINE STECKMAN, Proprietor, West Pitt Street, Bedford, Pa., (Formerly the diet he If "tel.) ffMIE public are assured that he has made ampe ar- I rangement* to accommodate all that may favor him with heir patronage. A splendid Livery Stable attached. f ap'r6t. EXCHANGE HOTEL, HUNTINGDON, PA. JOHN S. MILLER, Proprietor. April 29th, 1664,—ft. A LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWSPAPER, DEVOTED TO POLITICS, EDUCATION, LITERATURE AND MORALS. AIMHIL MESS4CIK OF THE Governor of Pennsylvania. To the Senate and House of Representatives: During the past year the ptftple of this Common wealth have had reason to be grateful to Almighty , God for many blessings. The earth has been fruit- I ful, industry has thriven, and with the exception of < the injury suffered by the citizens of some of our 1 border counties, through the disgraceful barbarity of ' the rebel forces which ravaged parts of them, and ] burned the town of Chatnbersburg, we have no pub- | lie misfortune to lament. The year closes with a train of brilliant successes obtained by the armies ! of the United States, inspiring hope in every ioyal ! mind that the accursed rebellion will soon be j crushed, and peace be restored to our country. 1 The balance in the Treasury, Nov. j 30, 1863, was $2,147,331 70 i Receipts during the fiscal year end ing Nov. 30, 1864 4,733,318 02 j Total in Treasury for fiscal year end | ing Nov. 30, 1864 $6,880,644 72 ] The payments for the same period have been 4,938,441 09 Balance in Treasury, Nov, 30, 1864 $1,942,203 63 The operations of the sinking fund during the last i year have been shown by my proclamation of the j 27th day of September last, as follows: Amount of debt of Common wealth,re duced $268,569 50 As follows, viz: Five per cent loan of the Commonwealth $268,308 03 Interest certificates redeemed 261 47 268,569 50 The fiscal year accounted far in the statement of the Treasury Department, embraces the time from ■ the Ist of December, 1863, to the 30th of November, 1864. The sinking fund year commenced the first : Monday in September, 1863, and closed the first Tuesday in September, 1864. This will explain the discrepancy between the statement of the Treasury Department as to the reduction of the public debt of the State, and the statement embodied iq the pro clamation relative to the sinking fund. Amount of public debt of Pennsyl vania, ask stood on the first dav of Dec., 1863 $39,496,596 78 Deduct ain't re- . deemed at the State Treasury during the fiscal year ending with Nov. 30, 1864, viz: Five per cent. stocks $104,722 73 Four and a-half per ct. stocks... 10,000 00 Interest certifica tes 2,270 11 Public debt De cember 1, 1864 $89,379,606 94 Funded debt, viz: Six percent loans ordinary $400,630 00 Five per ct. loans, ordinary 35,605,263 72 Four ana a-half ordinary 258,200 00 36,264,093 72 Unfunded debt, viz: Relief notes in cir culation 97,251 00 Interest certifica tes out-standing 13,086 52 Interest certifica tes unclaimed.. 4,448 38 Domestic credi tor's certificates 724 32 115,510 22 36,379,603 94 Military loan per Act 15th Mav, 1861... 3,000,000 00 Total public debt Dec. 1, 1864 $39,379,603 94 The Commonwealth holds bonds received from the sale of Public Work-, amounting to ten million, three hundred thousand dollars, ($10,300,000 00) as follows. Pennsylvania Railroad Company bonds $6,800,000 00 Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Com pany bonds S, 500,000 (X) $10,300,000 00 These bonds are in the Sinking Fund, and reduce the public debt to $29,079,603 94. The tax on tonnage imposed by the acts of 30th April and 25th August 1864, has yielded something less than $200,000 —a much less sum than was an ticipated. I recommend a revision of these acts for the purpose of rendering this source of revenue more productive, and amending other defects in those bills. The revenue derived from the tax on hanks during the year amounts to $539,606 67. but under the en abling act of the State so many of our banks have become National Wnks under the act of Congress, that this source of revenue may be considered as substantially extinguished, and it will be necessary in some way to make up deficiency from other sour ces. The act of Congress authorizes the taxation by the State of the stock in the National bank in the hands of the holders, not exceeding the rate of tax ation imposed on other similar property, and part of the deficiency may be thus provided for. Tbe amount of debt extinguished-by the Sinking Fund during the year is unusually small, which is to be accounted for by tbe extraordinary expenses which have been incurred. Seven hundred and I thirteen thousand dollars (713,009) have been paid i to refund to tbe banks the money advanced by tnem to pay the volunteers in service during the invasion of the State in 1863. One hundred thousand dol lars (slUU,"oi>j have been distributed among tbe inhabitants of Chambersburg, suffering by the rebel destruction of their town. About two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) have been expended under the acts providing for the payment of extra military claims, and in addition to these extraordi ary outlays, the amount appropriated to charities was last year larger than usual. In my opinion this matter of donations to chari ties is fast running into a great abuse. Houses of Refuge, and Insane, Blind and Deaf and Dumb A sylnms, appear to be proper subjects of State bourn ty. because their objects are of public importance and to be useful, and well and"economically managed it seerhs to be necessary, that they should be more extensive than wonlld be required for tbe wants of a particular county. But in our system, ordinary lo cal charities are left to the care of the respective localities, and to give tbe public money for tlteir support is really to tax the inhabitants of all- the counties for the benefit of one. The national taxation is heavy and must probably be made heavier, and the local taxes authorized by unwise legislation and paid by our people are give. In view of these circumstances, we should endeavor to avoid increasing their burdens by mak ing undue appropriations for any purpose. It being alleged that the Atlantic and Great Wes tern Railroad Company has not in various particu lars obeyed the law by which it was incorporated, tbe Attorney General (on the suggestion of parties claiming to be thereby injured has filed an informa tion in equity against that company, seeking an in junction to prevent a continuance of its past, and the persistence in it* intended ilioca! Course. Since my last annual message on the report of John A. Wright. Esq., that the Snnbury and Erie railroad was finished, 1 ordered the bonds remaining in tb# treasury to be delivered to the company. It is a subject of a just pride to the people of this Commonwealth, that this great work is completed, BEDFORD, Pa., FRIDA\ JANUARY 13, 1865. and whilst it opens a large and wealthy part of the State to the commerce of the seaboard, and unites capital and enterprise within our borders, it secures to the Commonwealth the payment of the sums due her from the company. In my special mc-ssage of 30th April Inst, to which I refer. I communicated to the Legislature, in some detail, the circumstances connected with the advance by banks and other corporations of the funds to pay tne volunteer militia of 1808. It is not necessary her? to recapitulate them at length. The case was peculiar, and it is believed none quite like it has occurred. Thedhll for volun teers was made by the authorities of the United States, but it being found that men eould not be got under that call, the form of a call by the State au thorities for the defence of the State was, with the assent of the President, substituted. The United States agreed to furnish the arms, subsistence and supplies, but it was alleged that CongTess bad xnadt no appropriation covering the pay. In this state of tilings, the emergency being great, the Secreta-ty of War telegraphed me, thus : WASHINGTON, July 22, 1868. To His Excellent Gov. A. G. Cttrtin : Your telegrams respecting the pay of militia, call; ed out under your proclamation of the 27th of June, have been referred to the President for instruct ions and have been under his consideration. He directs j me toAay, that while no law orappropriation author izes tne payment, by the General Government, of troops that have not been mustered into the service of the United States, he will recommend to Congress to make an appropriation for the payment of troops called into State service to rebel an actual invasion, including those of the State of Pennsylvania. If, in the meantime, you can raise the necessary amount, as has been done in other States, the appropria tion will be applied to refund the advance to those who it. Measures have been taken for the ! payment of troops mustered into the United States service as soon as the muster and pay rolls are made out. The answer of this department, to you as Governor_of the State, will be given directly to yourself, whenever the department is prepared to make answer. (Signed) EDWIN M. STANTON. Secretary of War. The banks and other corporations refused to ad vance the money unless 1 would pledge myself to ask an appropriation from the legislature to refund it. It will be noticed that the pledge of the Presi dent is clear and distinct but, notwithstanding the money was paid and the accounts settled and placed in the hands of the President before the meeting of Congress, no such recommendation a? promised me was made, and for that reason the bill introduced for that purpose failed. The men were raised and placed under the command of Major General Couch and the other U. S. officers in this Department.— The troops were held in service longer than the emergency for which they were called out required. Several of the regiments were marched immediately into the distant parts of the State, by order of the officers of the army stationed in Pennsylvania, a gainst my repeated remonstances. They were re tained. as was alleged, to preserve the peaee and enforce the draft. if not quite, one-halt the money was paid to troops thus held, ana after the had expired. Finding that the appro priation was likely to fail in Congress, I laid the matter before the Legislature, just prior to their ad journment, in May last, and an act of Assembly was immediately passed to refund the money out of the State Treasury, which, as above stated has been done. I oughtto say that the appropriation by Con gress was vigorously supported by all the members,, from this State, in both branches. Hat ing done everything in my power to procure the payment of this lust claim of the State, 1 now recommend that the Legislature take the subject into consideration with a view to induce proper action by the President and Congress. By the act of August, ISovl, I w to cause an immediate enrollment of the militia to be made, unless that recently made by the United States should be found sufficient, and to raise by volunteering or draft a corps of fifteen thousand men for the defence of our Southern border. Ihe United States enrollment being found very defective. I directed an enrollment to be made, which is now in progress under the charge of Colonel Lemuel Todd, whom I appointed Inspector General- A draft by the United States w : as then in progress, and it was not thought advisable to harraes our people by a contemporaneous State draft, even if a draft had been practicable under the present law. Volun teers could not be obtained, there being no bounties and the men not being exempted by their enlistment in that corps from draft by tbe I nited States. For tunately the United States placed an army, under General Sheridan, between us and the enemy, and thus provided effectually for our defence- With such adequate protection as proved by the brilliant campaign of that army, 1 din not think it right to incur the expen • the State of an independent, army, and the withdrawal of so many of our people ironi their homes and pursuits. Meanwhile arrange ments have been made with the authorities at Wash ington for arming, clothing, subsisting and supply ing the corps at the expense ol the L nited Sta'es. andan order has been given by the authorities of the United States to furlough such __ volunteers in the corps as may be drafted by the United States. The corps so privileged not to exceed 5,G00 men. It- is mv intention to raise S.(XX men during the winter, and J have already adopted measures to that end.— There mav occur irruptions of irregular bodies of the rebels, and it is well to be provided against them. The number proposed to be so raised and put into actual service, will, in my judgement be sufficient, and a regard to economy requires that no more than are sufficent should be placed on pay. The remain ing 10,000 will be organized, and ready for service in ease of necessity. I invite your immediate atten tion to the very able report of the Inspector Gener al. which sets forth the defects in the law- which he has discovered in his preparation for carrying it into practical effect. The State agencies at Washington and in the South-west, are in active and successful operation. I communicate herewith the reports of Col. .lordau, at Washington, and Col, Chamberlain, agent for the South-west. The provisions of the law renuiring the agents to collect moneys due by the United States to soldiers, have been benificent. A refer ence to ther reports will show the magnitude and usefulness of this branch of their service. I desire to invite the attention of all our volunteers, officers, and soldiers and their families to the fact that the State agents will collect all their claims on the Gov ernment, gratuitously, as I have reason to believe that many are slit' ignorant of that fact, and are greatly imposed upon by the exorbitant commissions charged by th.* private claim agents. Under the act of the 6th of May, 1864, I appoint ed Hon. Thomas 11. Burrowes to take charge of the arrangements for the education of the orphans of soldiers. I communicate herewith a copy of his re port on the subject. He has discharged his duties with commendable zeal, fidelity and efficiency. 1 earnestly recommend that a permanent and liberal appropriation be made to support this just and worthy scheme of benificence. I recommend that an appropriation be made lor pensions to tlfo volunteer militia men, (or their families.) who were killed or hurt in service in the years 1882 and 1863. As soldiers sometimes ar rive here who are insane and who should be pro tected and cared for. I reecommead that provision be made for their Vicing placed in the State Asylum for the Insane, at this place, and kept until notice can be given to the authorities of their respective counties, who should be required to remove and care for them. I feel it to be ray duty to invite joar serious at tention to the fcviis growing out of the system of passing acts of incorporation, for purposes which are provided for by general laws. lie have passed acts authorizing charters to be obtained without special legislation. These acts have been-generally prepared with some care, and contain the provisions which the Legislature thought necessary to protect the Com man wealth and her citizens. If these gen eral laws are not found to answer such purpose, they should be amended and perfected. 11 any comjiany desires to lx- incorporated with greater privileges than are conferred, or to be relieved from any of the conditions imposed by these acts, it ap pears to me that it should be required lirst to obtain a charter under the general laws, and then apply to the Legislature for an act making the changes which are desired. The attention of the legislature wilj thus be drawn to the specific object, and a judge. mat *-an be formed of its propriety. I would also oferve that great evil results from the habit of ginting privileges to a corporation by a mere refer eirC to other corporations, sometimes without even i giiug the date of Uiese acts. All these practices at bad. and although they inay sometimes be pur eid by parties having no bad intention, yet they cefiiiiily originated in the design of surprising the ! Cjnmonweakh into grants of privileges which it ; wi known could not be obtained if their extent wfe understood, and they are often followed now fij the same fraudnlcnt purpose. ! strongly reenmmena the repeal of the act passed J rlt lfth day of r July, A. P. 1863, entitled "An act rdating to corporations for mechanical, manufac j tiling mining, and ouariying purposes." Its provisions are tound to be practically so in ♦•(hsistent with the due protection of the citizens and wjh the just policy of the Commonwealth, that it, oight not, to be allowed to stand longer on our stat ntt book. I approved the act in question with grttf rekictancc. and subsequent reflection and ob -cration have satisfied me of its mischievous charac ter, J also reeo.mmend the repeal of an act passed the 2% day of July, a. f>. 1863, entitled "A farther sup plement to enable joint tenants and tenants in com mci, and adjoining owners of mineral lands in this Conmonwealth, to manage and develop the same." phis act allows foreign corporations to Lold three kindred acres of land in this State for mining pur ples. It was passed, it is believed, for the purpose onmabling companies near our border engaged in tht manufacture of iron, to hold land as ore banks. BiJ under the idea that the sinking of an oil well is ! iiijiing. it is believed that companies have already bdtn organized under the laws of other States, and tnqre will be. for the purpose of holding lands and •■atrving on the oil business in this State. It would be bitter to remove all doubt on this question by re pealing the act. These companies, being foreign corporations, are not within the control of onr laws to the extent that they ought to be for the purposes of taxation and regulation. The immense development of wealth in some of out western counties by the discovery of oil. has ad det vastly to the resources of tie Commonwealth. J have made efforts to ascertain the value of this product during the past year, but have failed in pro eiring information sufficiently accurate to justify me in. estimating its amount. It is already vast and is rabidly increasing. The productions and manufactures of the State have become so diversified and abundant that some measure should be taken for an accurate ascertain ment of them, so that their extent may be generally known, and also that the necessary taxation may be intelligently imposed. I recommend for these pur poses the creation df a Bureau, of which the Auditor General and State Treasurer shall be members, and the head of which shall be a new officer, to be styled Commissioners of Statistics, or designated by any other appropriate title. The act of2stb August. 1864. providing for the voting of soldiers, should be carefully examined, with a view to its amendment, and, indeed, a revis ion of our whole election laws would seem to be desi rable. with a view to the two essential objects of. 1. The admission of legal and exclusion of illegal votes at the polls: and, 2. Faithful tyid correct returns of the wfes actually polled. I communicate here with the opinion of the Attorney General on the conflicting returns for the 16th Congressional Dis trict, -which will show some of the practical difficul ties which rise under the existing system. Without undertaking to recommend the adoption of particu lar plv.i- I submit the whole subject to your careful and earnest consideration, in the hope that in your wisdom you will be able to devise some measure which will produce the result so essential to the ex istence of a free government: that votes shall be fairly taken in the first instance, and fairly counted and "returned afterwards. 1 bp,* 4 - '*de&vored since I came into office to exer- PViuffottsr? as posit>ie nw powers connfieiJ to the Executive, and avoid usurping any. I shall en deavor to persist in this course to the end. A new call has been made by the President for 300.000 men. This renders it proper that I should invite your attention to the evils which have resulted from abuses of the system of local bounties which was begun, in an emergency by the voluntary and generous loyalty of cur citizens, before the passage by Congress of the enrollment act. and has since been continued by sundry acts of Assembly. The result has been to the last degree oppressive to our citizens, and unproductive of corresponding benefit to the Government. In some counties and town ships, it is believed that the bounty tax during the last year exceeded the average income derived from tbe land. The iarge sums offered in some places in the competition foi men, have demoralized many of our people, an 1 the most atrocious frauds connected with'the system have become common. The men of some of the poorer counties have been nearly exhausted by their volunteers being credited to rich er localities paying heavier bounties. The system as practiced lowers the morale of the army itself. In putting into the ranks men actuated by merely mer cenary motives, and who are tempted to desert by the facility of escaping detection, and the prospect of new gains by re-enlistinent. a process which thev expect to be able to repeat an indefinite number of times. Of the number of men for whom bounties have been paid, it is believed that not one-fourth have been actually placed in the ranks of the army, and jeven-those who have joined it, have probably not on an average received for their own. use one half of the bounty paid for them. Immense sums have thus been appropriated by cheats and swindlers in many cases believed to be acting in complicity with agencies of the Government. An effort was made to prosecute some of the par lies concerned in such frauds under the act of As sembly of 14th August last, and they were bound over bv the Mayor of this city, but after the witness es had come here on the meeting of the court, they disappeared from the public eye. I recommend the whole subject to your careful consideration, that the system may be purged of these evils. I am officially informed that the quota of this State, undpr the receut call, 66,999, but I am not informed of the principle on which the draft is to be made. It appears from the President's proclamation that it is made chiefly to supply an alleged deficiency in former calls, lam surprised at the amount of this :arge deficiency, and can only account for the dif ference between the number of men furnished by the State and the deficiency alleged to exist in the assignment of the present quota by the assumption that the men never reached the array, although en listed and mustered after the payment of bounties by the localities to which they were supposed to lie credited. It is probable tbr.t there are very few counties in the State which have not paid large 'Otinties for a number ot men sufficient to fill their former quotas. Taking the local bounties at the low average of four hundred dollars, it is believed that it can be demonstrated that the people of Pennsylvania have thus been robbed of more than twelve millions of dollars during the past year. This estimate does not include the money fraudulently taken from men who have actually gone into the service. The continuance of these" monstrous and unparal leled abuses cannot be tolerated. Certainly more men aije required to aid our gal lant soldiers in the field in crushing this rebellion, and every consideration of patriotism and of regard for our brothers who are now in the face of the ene my, obliges us to spare no effort to raise the neces sary force. fn June last I gave letters to a committee of the prison society cf Philadelphia, requesting that the members of the committee might be allowed to vis it and examine the prisons aud poor-houses through out the Commonwealth. I transmit with this com munication a copy of the report made P) me by the society of the results of their labors- and commend the same to your attention with a view to the adop tion of proper measures to reform the abuses which have been found to exist. In oonnection with this subject. I again call your attention to the expediency of providing for the re ception in the penitentiaries, of persons convicted of murder in the first degree, ana who may be par doned on condition of serving a limited time there in. It has become a custom that an incoming Gov ernor should not issue a warrant of execution in eases left unacted on by his predecessor, audit not i unfrequentiy happens that even in cases which are recent* while gome punishment should he inflicted* that of death may appear to the Executive to be too severe. The result is that there are at this time, ID the various prisons, some eighteen or twenty per sons under sentence of death, and who may lie there for an indefinite period of time. The vast amount ol additional labor which has been imposed upon the Secretary of the Common wealth oy the existing state. of affairs renders it absolutely necessary that the clerical force of his department should be increased. The marking out of commissions for onr large army of volunteers in the field, and the preparations of election blanks required by law to be sent to the army—the receipt, filing and recording the returns of the yearly in creasing number of acts of Assembly, and of char ters obtained under general laws and the making out ot letters patent for them —all these together with the previous heavy duties of the office —from an aggregate, the weight of which must ultimately breaK down his few subordinates, diligent, faithful and enduring as they are. I recommend, therefore, that provision be promptly made to meet the neces sities of this case. It is a subject of just congratulation that notwith standing the distracted condition of the country, our system of common schools continues to flour ish. The report of our Superintendent, which I herewith transmit, shows that there has been an in crease of scholars during the past vear. It is im portant to secure as teachers a sufficient number of men of suitable education and ability, and with a view to this object. I suggest for your consideration the expediency of making out of the school fuodfi itself some provision for the support of such teach er* as shall after a given term of service become superannuated or disabled while in the perform ance of their duties. . Of the fund placed in my hands bv Ihe act of the I6th May. 1861. and of the 4th of May, 1864. and to be appropriated in my judgement in military ser vice. 1 have expended in the last year $6,124 68 in support of the agency at Washington—up until the 30th of May last, for my personal staff and other military service, an account of which is settled in the office oi the Auditor General. • No similar appropriation will be requnred at this session. A bill was introduced and passed the House at the last session of the Legislature providing for the appointment of a commission to ascertain the dam ages done in the counties of Bedford, Fnlton. Franklin, Cumberland, York and Adams, by the rebel ariny in 1863. which failed in the Senate for want of time. I commend to your consideration the propriety of the passage of such a bill during the present ses sion. It is just to the people of these counties who have suffered, as well as to the Government that these damages should be fairly ascertained and the evidence perpetuated, whatever may be the view to be taken on future consideration by the United States or State Government as to the propriety of paying such claims. Major General Hancock has been authorized by [ the War Department to raise a corps of veterans, to be called the First Corps. One of the regula tions is that an application by the Governor of anr State, recruiting officers will be designated for such State. I have been requested by General Hancock to make such application, but have hitherto de clined to comply with the request. It appears to me that the families of men raised on the plan adopted by the War Department would probably not be entitled to the relief provided by our own laws for the families of volunteers. I have inquired of General Hancock whether the proposed corps is to form part of the regular army or of the volun teer force, and if the latter, under what act of Con gress it is to be raised. He has referred that com munication to the War Department, from which I have as yet received no answer to it. The following letters have passed between General Hancock and myself on this subject: PESXSYLVASIA EXECUTIAE CHAXBER, HARRISBURG, Pa, Dec. 29th, 1864. GENERA;. :—I received your letter at the moment of my departure for Philadelphia on Monday last.—- I returned this morning and hasten to reply. Having no knowledge of the organization of the corps you are to command than what appears in the newspapers and orders. I will be obliged if you will inform me if it is to be regarded as a part of the regular army of the United States or as part of the volunteer service. If it is part of the army of the United States. I certainly have no connection with it, as Governor of the State. If it is organized as volunteers, be pleas ed to inform me nnder what, act of Congress ? I need not say, General, that I would be most happy to do all in my power personally and officially to raise a force to be commanded by you. Can we not raise you two or three regiments in Pennsylvania, in the usual manner and according to the act of Con- j gress, for your corps ? Of course. I would consult you in the*selection of officers and only commission where you approved. I cannot understand the importance of my asking that persons be sent to Pennsylvania |to induce vete rans to go to the District of Columbia to enlist. I certainly will do nothing to embarrass the plan pro posed. We have benefits, by general and special legisla tion in Pennsylvania, which attach to the volunteer and his family. While I will do nothing to deter the veterans of the State from entering your corps, 1 hesitate to connect myself with a mode of enlistment which may deprive them of such benefits, unless it is my duty unaer the law. I am. General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. G. CURTIN. Major General WINDFIEU) S. HAXCOCK. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CORPS, ) WASHINGTON. D. C-, Dec. 31, 1864. / To Hi* Excellency Hox. A. G. CURTIX. Governor of Pemisyltania: SIR :—I have the Hbnor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th inst., and have referred the same to the War Department. I thank you for your kind expression of personal good will, and regret that there should be any occasion for hes itation on your part to lend your official influence, as Governor, to the raising of the corps as proposed by the War Department. "It is not within my province, perhaps, to discuss the plau of organization, as I am acting under the direct orders of the War Department, and my own views, therefore, are of no practical moment- "l may say. however, that I have no knowledge of the organ ization other than what I have derived from the or ders and circulars of which I mailed you official co pies December sth. I cannot see bow volunteers for this corps from your State lose any of the; advantages attaching to those for other organizations. Thev are credited to the localities where they or their families are domiciled, and count on the quota of vour State. Jt should be borne in mind that this is an effort to get men into service who are not subject to a draft. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant. WIN'FIELD S. HANCOCK. Major General U. S. Volunteers, commanding First Corps. The only act of Congress for raising volunteers that I am aware of. requires that the field and line officers shall be commissioned by the Governors of the several States. The men in this corps are not to lie formed into organizations of the respective States, and it is proposed that its officers shall be appointed by the general government. I know of no act of Congress or of Assembly under which men so raised will,be entitled to pensions or their fami lies to benefits from the United States or State Gov ernment. In addition. I will observe that without any feeling of jealousy, I am still not ready to parti cipate actively in transferring to the United States illegally the right of appointment vested in the State, and which the State authorities can exercise with more discrimination by reason of having a greater familiarity with the merits of the citizens of their own State, than the United States authorities can possibly have. I will transmit any further commu nication that I may receive on this subject. It will be perceived by reference to the correspondence, that I have offered to raise, in the manner provided by law. two or three regiments of veteransfor Hancock's- Corps. My desire is to assist the Government in every legal mode in raising men, and especially to facilitate an officer—a native Peunsylyanian —so dis tinguished as General Hancock, in his efforts to or ganize a new corps. I shall throw no obstacles in his way on the prcs | ent occasion, but I cannot, certainly, be expected to invite violation of law in carrying put apian which sacrifices the rights of the State under existing laws, and would leave the men unprotected under them, so far as concerns future provision for their comfort and that of their families. I will further observe that it appears by the report of the Adjutant General, herewith transmitted, that the State, under the system established by law, has pet into the military service of the United States, since the commencement of the war, the following number of men, viz: Troop* ment Mo serrfce during 1864. Organizations for three years' term 0,867 Organizations for one hundred days* term - 7,675 Organizations for one year term 18,094 Volunteer recruits - 26,567 Drafted m*n and substitutes .l£i6ol Recruits for regular army 27974 Re-Enlisted Pennsylvania Volunteers : Infantry 15.862 Cavalry 2,83* Artillery - 799 Accredited to other States 389 17,876 91,704 Troops sent into the service of the United States since the commencement, of the rebellion, including the ninety days" militia in the department of the Mo nongahelaand Susquehanna tn 1863* During the year 1861.... 130,594 1862 - 71,100 " 1863 - 43,046 " 1864 73.828 Re-enlistment of Pennsylvania volunteers 17,876 336.444 The twenty-five thousand militia of 1862 are not in cluded in this statement. I call the attention of the Legislature to the Report of the Surveyor General, herewith presented, and commend the suggestions made by that officer to your consideration. This message is accompanied by full reports of all the military departments. They pxhibit the large amount of service performed during the past year, and contain a full history of all the military opera tions of the State. Many valuable recommendations are made in them to promote the efficiency of our volunteers, and the comfort of the sick and wounded, which 1 commend to your earnest and immediate at tention. It affords me great satisfaction to bear tnv testimony to the ability, diligence and fidelity of all the officers in these several departments. Before closing this message I desire to advert to the delay which las sometimes occurred in the pas sage of the general appropriation bill. It is neces sary that this bill should become a law, as otherwise the action of Government would be stopped. To delay its presentation to the Executive as was done at the last regular session—till a late hour of the ! night before the morning fixed for the final adjourn ment. is to deprive the people of their right to have all bills submitted to the revision of the Legislature before becoming laws, in case the Executive should net approve them. If there had been time. I should have probably returned the appropriation bill of last year for such revision, as when I nad the opportuni ty of deliberately examining it, I found provisions which I could not have approved—but that opportu nity was denied me before the bill became a law. and in fact, as the Legislature was on the point of ad journment. the only question presented to me was whether that should become a law without amend ment or the necessities of the government remain unprovided for. The gallantry of our soldiers in the field still sheds lustre on the Commonwealth, and that their merit is appreciated by a generous people is shown by the continued and cheerful liberality with which the men and women of the State contribute of their means for their comfort and welfare. May the blessing of God be on those brave men who have stood by the country through the dark hours of her trial. A. G. CURTIN. KißcvnraCitkMWEa, 1 Harrisburg, Jan. 4, 186-5. j THE OIL PB0DI(T"F PE.miLYAJfIA. From the Cleveland {Ohio) Leader. To those who are unacquainted with the facts in connection with the discovery and development of oil in Pennsylvania, an exhibit of the actual pro duction of oil furnishes material important re flection. The business has already become so extensive that petroleum, furnishes that medium of exchange with foreign countries, which was lost in the cotton kept out of market by the rebellion. In 1862, the entire exports amounted to 10,182,020 gallons; in ten months of 1863, to 26,070,569 gallons; and since the first of January, 1864, to 30,182,020 gal lons. In its magnitude it alreaey competes with the coal andiron interests of that State. The esti mated value of the petroleum found in Pennsyl vania daring the last twelve months, is two millions of barrels, wttich at eleven dollars a barrel, a high average, was worth at the wells, twenty-millions of dollars. The pig-iron interest of Pennsylvania during the same time amounted to 700,000 tons, which at an average of SSO per ton, produced $37,500,000. — The coal product for the same time is estimated at 12,000,000 tons. This at an average price of $6.50 a ton. would make $78,000,000. Ihe grand total of coal, iron and oil would therfore reach the enor mous sum of $130,000,000. These figures show that petroleum, which has been comparatively but a few months in develop ment, promises in the course of the nexjt year to take precedence of both iron and coal in the State of Pennsylvania. Arrangements are being made for sinking a vast number of wells during the coming summer, so that in one year from this time the number of wells in operation will be three or four time 3 those now pumping or flowing. In addition to this are the re gions in Southern Ohio, Western Virginia and Eas tern Kentucky, that promise to make vast additions to the amount of oil already produced. No one can form any adequate idea of what will be the result when the productions of oil reaches a point far be yond its present position. It will, if we are not much mistaken, attain during the coming year, a value four times the present annual aggregate, and thus materially aid in keeping down foreign ex change, beside adding immensely to the material interests of the country. As yet there have been no statistics that have shown the actual amount of oil produced. It is estimated at from four to five miluons of barrels. REMARKABLE EXPLOSION* OF AN OIL WELL.— As Mr. Jacob Crowe, of George's Creek Fayette Co.. Pennsylvania, was engaged on Monday week, in boring for oil on his farm, the augur struck up a a deposit which began atonce to rushupward with irresistable force, flowing over_ the ground and Saturday everything in the vicinity. A stream ot hvdrogen tras accompanied the ou, making a loud noise and tilling the atmosphere. Finally, warning into contract with a sfcovfc in a slianty a little dis tance off. a terrific explosion ensued, fortunately injuring no one. The flames darted into the air sixty feet high, threatening a general destruction. It soon gave in, however, and the men succeeded in extinguishing it before any serious damage was done. For some time the most lively alarm pre vailed, and it is safe to predict that the engineers boring on George's Creek for oil will take the precaution in future to put out all the fires in the neighborhood while at work. THE YO- S KM ITR SCEX KKT SURPASSED.— Prof. Whit ney's party of geological explorers in California have found, during the past season, even more wonderful regions for mountain aud rock sc qnery than the mous Yo-Semite, and a grove ol Digger trees thfit those of Calavares, which have heretofore been the pride of California for natural wonders and curiosi ties. and the great object of interest to all travellers to the Parificfctates. These newest, rarest wonders lie farther south in Tulare County; they include moun tains 15.000 feet high, the highest in the limits of the whole United States territory, and higher than tha king of the AlpiS. Mont Blanc; also perpendicular walla i of rock 7,000 feet high, or twice as high as those that | give such grandeur and fame*to the Yo-Semite valley, and a grove of big trees—bigger than those into whose I hollow tronks three horsemen ride abreast, and on whose stumps the Californium hold in ass meetings —which is 25 miles in extent. These new discove ries are in the valley of the Ken River.— Springfield Republican. Vol 38: No. 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers