T7 TTTTS "TXTTF TXT T V
da v my ilixi yjr
VOL. V-No 2G.
PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, JAISTTJAiXlY 30, 18GG.
DOUBLE S1IEET TilltEE CENTS.
-U U U UJU I XlN JJ-V.b-X.JiJ LL 1,3 U , O
i
MESSAGE
or '
ANDREW 0. CURT IN,
Governor of Pennsylvania,
To the Legislature, Jan. 30, 1866.
Penhptlvania Executive CnAMBEn, I
Hakrikbcbo, l'a., January 30, 18f!fi. (
To the Senate and House of Representatives of
the Commonwealth of rennylvnnio.
Gentlemen: We have cause to he thankful to
Divine Providence for the blefflings of peace
within our borders, aoundant crops, unanimity
among our people, and that thus thii Common
wealth has been enabled to do her full duty to
the country, to herself, and to posterity.
I apprised you in my Message of the 27th of
November, IMS, and delivered to you at the bo
ginning oi your session, of the necessity under
the pressure ot which 1 was con, pulled, ' for the
, restoration of my health, to sojourn for a lime
in i warmer climate. I returned from Cuba re
freshed and Invigorated, and have resumed the
discharge of my public duties. I cannot omit to
acknowledge, with protound gratitude, the kind,
considerate, and atiectionate course which you
pursued during my constrained absence. A
heavy addition nas thus been miide to the debt
which I already owed to the peoplo of the Com
monwealtn and their representatives. ,
The ba ance in ibe Treasury, Noviuibor
80, mi 81,942,233 G3
Receipt dunii" fiscul year, ending No-
vowberoO, 1806 6 219,939 67
Total In Treapiny for fiscal year, ending
November 80, 18C5 8,1G2,193 30
Tbe payments tor tiie same period have
been 6,788,52510
Balance inTicasury, Not. 80. 18GS. 2, 873 .068 14
The operations of the Sinking Fund, during
the year ending, on the tirst Monday of Septeni-'
Ixsr last, as staled in my proclamation, were as
lollows: i
, Amount of .debt reducei, $7i"tSll-20, a9 fol
lows, viz.:
Five per rent 436,824 62
Coupon loun 23 ) 009 00
"War loan 70 4)0 00
Interest certificates 2,008 64
Domestio creditor 678-00
The discrepancy bet ween tbe reduction of the
public debt, as shown by the "tatemcnt at the
clo.-o of the fiscal year, and that in my proclama-
tion at the dot-e ol the Kinking fund year, arises
' from the fact that the one closes on the first
Monday of September, the other on the 30th day
. of November.
Amount ol the public debt of Pennsylvania, as
it stood on the first day ot December, 1864,
$39,379,603'94.
. Amount redeemed at the State Treasury dur
ing the fiscal year ending w.ta November 30,
1(566, viz.:
Five per cent stock $1,708 617 88
our-and-a-lialf per cent stocks 20,"tM 01
' Domestic creditor certificate 678 00
; .Military loan, act ol Muy 16, 1861 179,25j-O0
1.903 346 88
Puhlio Debt, December 1, 1865, $37,470,258 06.
Assets in the Treasury:
Bond Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany.. $0,700,000 00
Bonds I'hilauolpliia and Lrie Railroad
Company 3,500,000 00
Inter en on Bonds I'hilauolpliia and
trio Kailroad Company 1.050. 000 00
Ch in i tcusurj 2 878,638 14
18,623.668 14
Liabilities in excess of asset. ..
23,862,689 92
Liabilities in excess of assets, Novem
ber 80, I860., 20,408,168-94
Liabilities in excess ot assets, Nov em
ber 80, 1806 23,852,589 92
'Improvement in condition of Trea
sury, s.nce Nov. 30, 1860 2,555,679 02
By the report of the State Treasurer, it will be
observed that the extraordinary expenditures
growing out of the war, not refunded by the
General Government, have been $4,028,02721.
This includes the direct tax paid to the United
States by the State, which is not reimbursable.
In the balance is included the $(i71,47l,43 paid
to the militia, which, with a good portion of
the remaining expenditure, is clearly due the
State Irom the General Government.
The necessity lor extraordinary expenditures
having ceased with the suppression, of the late
Kebclliou, measures should be taken to examine
our resources, and relieve, as far as possible, the
heavy burdens to which our people are
aubiected.
It has been the habit of late years to appro
priate freely annual sums lor the support of
local charities; and such appropriations are
almost every jear increased in number and
amount. Houses of Reluge, Institutions for the
Deaf and Dumb and lor the Blind, Lunatic
Asylunis these appear to me to be proper
objects of State bounty, because a few ot them
are sufficient lor the whole State, and to leave
them to be provided for by the local authorities
would, in fact, be to deprive of protection the
unfortunate classes for whose benefit they are
designed. But mere local charities, however
meritorious and effective, should, I think, be
left to the support of the benevolent parties who
established them.
It is unjust that the people of the Common
wealth should be coerced to pay taxes, in order
that part of the money so raised may be given
to. the support of local charities, conducted by
private associations, especially when it is re
membered thut hitherto but a 'small proportion
of the private charities in the Slute have asked
for such appropriation.
I recommend, therefore, that.no appropriation
be mHde lor charities, beyond the institutions
which I have above specified.
The taxes at presem laid on corporations art
unequal, and to a certain extent thereby unjust.
I recommend the subject to the attention of' the
Legislature, with a view to a revision of tbs
system.
Within a few years. acts have been repeatedly
. passed directing the expenditure of as much
money as may be necessary to effect named
purposes, sometimes without clearly djsiguatlng
by whom the money is to be expended, or how
the accounts are to be examined. This custom
is very recent, and has already led to abuses.
I recommend that the practice be corrected,
and that no appropriation be made without hav
ing the exact sum appropiiated, the specific pur
pose to which it is to be applied, ana desigcat-
jng the officer by whom it is to be expended, and
providing that the amounts shall be settled in
ihe Auditor-General' office in the urual manner.
Notwithstanding the lurgo expenditures by the
State lor military purposes since the breaking
out of the Rebellion, tho condition of the trea
siirv is now $2.6,'i5.579,12 better tnan it was then:
and I am proud to bo able to stute further, thut
on the 1st nay ol ueeeniDer, ibuo, ine stute dent
wae $f9,9')8-66 less than it was on the 1st of
January. 1861. These are truly gratifying Iact9.
Under these circumstances, ll may be possible,
with entire mletv to our finances, to reduce or
even repeal the ordinary State tax of two and
a half mills on real estate. The tax of one-half
mill laid by the act of Way 10, 1864, was by that
act exprcHbly pledged for the repayment of the
. loan of $3,000,000, thereby authorized, and of
course cannot be repealed or reduced until that
repayment shall have been made. I recommend
this suhlect to the careful mwl deliberate con
sideration and Judgment of the Legislature, and
if it should be found that the tax can be re
pealed, I recommend that all laws autuoriziog
the levying of local taxes on bonds, mortgages,
loans, and all property of that kind be also re
pealed. Such a repeal would lamely euceurage
the Investment ol cardial in this State; and add
immensely to the wealth of the State, while the
local authorities would 1osj very little, as it is
notorious that, from the difficulties of assess
ment, they receive very little from these sources.
In case of such repeal, I recommend the adop
tion of some effectual measures for enforcing
correct returns ot such oojects of taxation, with
appropriate penalties for the neglect or refusal
to make them.
I make these recommendations, believing that
it will lead to more equitable local taxation, and
to greater economy in their disbursement.
Many acts are on our statute books incorpo
rating companies for various purposes, which
companies have never been organized or gone
into operation. I recommend that all such acti
be repealed by a general law, and that provision
bo made, that in future every act authorizing a
corporation shall become void, unless the corpo
ration shall organize and use its franchises
nithin a limited time.
Since my last annual message the war against
armed treason has been brought to a close. - Of
tho largo contributions made by Pennsylvania to
the national army, but a tow of tbe men now
remain in tbe pcrvico. The spirit which animated
our people at the outset of the Rebellion has
never flagged; and we can look back with pndo
and satiaiaclion to the part taken by this State
In aiding to maintain the unity of the Govern
ment and in its defense against the assaults ot
its enemies.
In my first inaugural address, I took occasion
to declare thai Pennsylvania would, under any
circumstances, render a full and determined
support of the free institutions of the Union.
The pledge so made was based upon my know
ledge of the solid patriotism ot her citizens. At
that time danger threatened, but no one antici
pated that it would break forth so suddenly,
nor grow to such fcarlul proportions as it in a
brief time assumed.
My confidence in Pennsylvania, in her even yet
stubborn will, her ability and resources, has been
fully justified by the manner in which she has
done her duty during the late eventful period.
On the request of the President of the United
States, I made a communication to the Legisla
ture, on the 9th day of April, 1861, setting forth
that military organizations ot a lorinidable
character, which did not seem to be demanded
by any existing public exigency, had been
formed in certain of the States, and that,' whilst
Pennsylvania yielded to no State in her respect
lor and willingness to piotect by all needful
guarantees the constitutional rights and consti
tutional independence ot her sister States, no
contemplated attempt to resist the enforcement
ol the national law could meet with sympathy
or encouragement from the people of this Com
monwealth, and asked for authority and means
to organize a military bureau at the capital, and
to so amend and modify the militia laws as to
give vitality and energy to the military organi
zations of the State. On the 12th day of tbe
same month, I signed a bill providing for the
purposes indicated in my messuge.
It will be remembered that this patriotic
action of the Legislature occurred before it was
1 , I. . . . 1 .1 a 11.. 1
nuu'vu iiihu uoBiimies uau ucuiuuy cuiiiuiuuceu,
and i believed to be the tirst action by the
auihorit es of anv State, or bv the National
Legislature.
'Ihe hrst call made by tho President for troops
to aid in suppressing the Rebellion was on the
16th of April, 1861, for seventy-five thousand
men; and that of this number the quota of Penn
sylvania was settled at fourteen regiments, to
serve three morths, unless sooner discharged.
With unsurpassed alacrity and earnestness,
volunteers answered to this call in such numbers
as manifested the intuitive conviction of the
peoplo that the rnonstioua wickedness which
had conceived an armed rebellion against the
Constitution and the laws could not be sup
pressed but by a colossal force.
Maior-General Robert Patterson was assigned.
by the General Government, to a command,
which included the lorces raised in Pennsylva
nia. Within a week after the call ol the Presi
dent, communication with Washington was
almost entirely cut off. General Patterson.
prompted by the necessities of the situation,
maae, on tne zotn ot April, a requisition upon
me for twenty-five additional regiments of
intantry and one of. cavalry, to be forthwith
musteied into the service of the United States.
Under this requisition, 1 accepted, from amongst
the many pressing to be admitted into the ser
vice, a sufficient number of companies to fill It;
care being taken to allow to each county, as
nearly as possible, a fair representation. Ouly
eleven regiments, however, in addition to the
lourteen canea tor ny tne president, were
organized and mustered into the service, betore
the order ol General Patterson was counter
manded by him, under instructions from the
War Department.
On the 14th day of May. 1861. the Secretary of
War. in a letter communicating the clan of
organization for three years regiments, con-
nrmea tne revocation or tne order in tne toitow
ing language: "Ten regiments are assigned to
Pennsylvania, making, in addition to the thir
teen regiments of three months militia, already
called lor, twenty-three regiments. It is im
portant to reduce, rather than enlarge this num
ber, ana in no event to exceed it. Let me
earnestly recommend to vou. therefore, to call
lor no more than twenty-three regiments, of
wmcn only ten are to serve during tne war, ana
if more are already called for, to reduce the
number by discharge."
Tho twenty-five regiments raised as above
6tated comprised 20,979 men. The ardor of our
people was unabated. Many of the companies,
under my order, had arrived in camp at llarrls
burg, and others maintained their organization
at home at their own expense and by contribu
tions Irom their neighbors and Iriends.
In the critical condition of the country, and
anticipating that, in case of reverse to our
arms, the borders ot Pennsylvania would be the
portaie to tne ricn granaries, manuiactories, ana
storehouses ot the North, I deemed it my duty
to convene the Legislature, that adequate pro
vision might be made to enable me to render the
military power of the State as available and
efficient as it should be, lor the common defense
of the State and the General Government; and
accordingly, on the 20th ot April, 18G1, issued
my proclamation, culling for a meeting of the
General Assembly on the 30th of the same
month.
In mv niessaup to the Lceuduture at its ooen.
ing, I recommended the immediate organization,
disciplining, and arming of at least lilteen regi
ments, exclusive ot those called into the service
ot the United States.
The Legislature acted nromntlv unon this sug.
edition, and made full wovisions for it effectual
accomplishment. , The result was the early and
complete organization, clothing, and enuiriinent
of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteor Corps,
Tiiiu iia luuiccu xvLiiicjiis oi luiauu y, oue ui
light artillery, and one of cavalry, uiid'T the
supervision of George A. McCall, who was
selected to command it, with the commission
ana rank of Maior-General. This coma con
tained 15,8.06 men, and tho whole expanse of
luiBiut;, uiuiuiug, eijuimjiau;, Bungisumr, ana
paying them, until their enlry into the United
States service, was $S5.r),444,87.
They were encamped in different parts of the
State, excepting two of the rcgiim-ntn. com
manded by Colonels Charles J. Biddle and Se
neca u. Bimmons, and two batteries ol artillerv,
under the command of Colonel Charles T.
Campbell, which, at the request ot the War De
partment, were sent on the 2'2d of June, 1861, to
the relief of Colonel Wallace, at Cumberland,
Maryland, and remained for about six weeks
there, and in Western Virtrlnia, engaged in ac
tive operations. Towards the close of July the
w noie corps was cauua ior ana taken, on a re
quisition, into tbe service of the United States.
Within four days alter the disaster at Bull Run,
eleven regiments, In all respects ready for activj
service, were In Washington and Baltimore. t
The troops sent to Western Virginia were re
called, and with the other ttvo regiments of tho
corps, forwarded to Washington.
On the 26th of July, 1861, the Secretary of
War expressed his gratification and thank for
the prompt response fiom Pennsylvania.
The wbdom of the Legislature in providing
for tho lormatlon of this corps, lor the intcresw
of the State and tbe nation, was hilly shown ov
subsequent events. Most of the men who tilled
its ranks bad been accepted by me under tho call
lor twenty-five regiments, which was afterwaris
rescinded.
Thev had left their families and homos under
a deep sense of duty to their country, and to
have sent them back unaccepted would have
caused serious difficulty in making future en
listments. By the acta of Congress of 22d and 25th July.
161, the President was authorized to call upon
the several States for volun'ecrs to servo for
three years. Under this authority requisitions
were made on this State, and lourteen regiments
were promptly furnished. In the meantime ail
thoiilies had been uranted by toe l'rcnidcnt and
the War Department to a number ot individuals
to raise regiments in ditierent parts of tho
Stute, wbieh seriously interfered with the action
ot the State authorities in tillimr requisitions
regularly made under the acts of Congress.
Ihe embarrassments arising from thib conflict
of authorities became at length so serious that I
was constrained to call the attention of the Pre
sident and Secretary of War to the subject, by a
communication dated tho 1st of August, 1861,
and on the 2uth ol September following, an order
was issued requiring these independent regi
ments to report to the Govcruor, and placing
luem under ms autnoriiy ana control. Acting
under this order, many of the independent regi
ments were filled up, others consolidated, and
seventy-three regiments, with an aggregate
strength of 89,048 men, were promptly sent for
ward.
Dnrinir the rear 1862 a draft was ordered 5hv
the General Governmeut, which was executed
under the State authorities.
Ol the quota ol the State, under the call of
July 7, 1862, fort.ythrce regiments of volunteers,
aegregating 40,3S3 men, weie put into service;
and under the draft ordered August 4th, of the
snmo year, fittceu regiments, containing an
aggregate force of 15.000 men, organized and
sent lorward. During the same period nine inde
pendent batteries ol artillery were organized in
the State, with an aggregate strength of 1358
ollicers and men.
It will be remembered that tho ardor and
promptness of our people, under such trying cir
cumstances, in pressing tho troops forward, was
such as to call from the President especial
tuanks, and to request me to express them to
the people of the State.
During the year 1H6J lortv-three thousand and
forty-six (43,046) men were furnished lor the
service, piincipally to ml regiments tu the
field which had been reduced by the exigencies
ot the war.
During the year 1864. under the various calls
of the General Government, thirty-two regi
ments, two battalions, and eiuht unattached
companies, of different arms of the service and
lor various periods, were organized and sent to
the Held, aggregating, with re-eulistinonts in
the field, amounting to 17,876, an aggregate
torce ol 91,704 men, lurnisnea lor that year.
Hn mv uiirrrrnat irvrt hn rt1iv rf fntiunl ftat'nc
our reduced regiments, and filling them up by
the assignment of new companies, was adopted,
and in 1865, under this system, besides organiz
ing three entire new regiments, seventy-flvo
companies were assigned to reduced resnmonta.
by which they were agsin filled to the regimen
tal standard . These three new regiments and
seventy-five comp anletr,- w IflT'v WW U tve fteettmar
lor regiments in tne field, reported by the super
intendents of that service, amounted, in the ag
gregate, to 25,790 men for this year.
in tne montn ot septemDer, isuz, oner tne
second disaster at Bull Run, it beca.ne evident
mat the enemy Had adopted an aggressive
policy, and was about to invade the Northern
S'ates throuerh Maryland and the southern bor
der of Pennsylvania. Under the sanction of the
President of the United States, on tho 11th day
ol that month, I issued my proclamation, calling
into immediate service titty thousand ot the
freemen of this State. Under this call twenty
five regiments and four companies of infantry.
lourteen unattached companies ot cavalry, ana
lour batteries ot artillery, were immediately
organized and sent to the border, the greater
portion advancing beyond the State line into
Maryland.
General John r. Reynolds, at that period
commanding the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps.
was temporarily assigned, Dy tne secretary ot
War, to ihe command ot these troops by whose
oi der thev were returned to Pennsylvania, and
by my proclamation, disbanded on the 24 th of
tne same montn. in acknowledgment ot tne
services rendered by the men of Pennsylvania.
Major-General McClcllan, commanding the Army
of the Potomac, by letter dated the 27th of Sep
tember, 1862, acknowledging the service and
thanking the State, uses the following lan
guage: ,
""Tbe manntr in which the people of Pennsylvania
responded to your ca t, and hastenod to toe defense
of their frontier, no doubt exerclaed a great influence
upon the enemy," and the Governor of Maryland,
His Exeellenoy A. W. Bradford, in an order dated
heptember 29, 1862, used the following language
in regard to these troops: "tbe readiness wltn
which they crossed the border and took their stand
beside tbe Maryland Brigade, show tbut the border
as, in an respects, nut an weal nne. ana tnat in sacn
aeaoBets now unites us, rennsyiyama wna Mary,
land are but one."
i In the month of June. 1863, it again became
evident that the Rebel army was advancing
North, -threatening also the western border of
Pennsylvania, and on the 26th of that month. I
again issued my proclamation, calling the militia
oi the State into immediate service. In the De
partment of the Mocongahela, five regiments of
iniantry, one company ot cavalry, ana one Dut
tery of artillery, lor ninety days' service, and
one battulion ot infantry, one battalion ot cav
alry, and one battery of artillery, for six months'
United States service, were organized. In the
Department ot tbe Susquehanna, twenty-three
regiments ana nvc uuauucueu companies oi in
funtrv. and two unattached companies of cavalry.
for ninety days; one battalion of infantry, one
battalion of cavalry, and lour independent bat
teries ot artillery, lortnree montns; tnree reel
incuts of cavalry, two battalions of intantry.
and three independent batteries of artillery, for
v mintlia Tin it oH yi a f oa uorvir',. wprp nrrra 11 1 1
There were also organized in this department.
for tbe "emergency term," eieut regiments, one
battalion and a number ot unattached com nanios
of intantry, two independent batteries of artil
lery, and two companies of cavalry.
In the Depaitmeut of the Alononcahcla, the
troops under this call were commanded by
Ma.ior-Geueral W. T. H. Brooks, and in tbe De
partment of the SuHquehanna, by ilajor-Geuerul
I). N. Couch, severally detailed by the War
Department.
The details of tho services of tho militia on
these occasion, as well as tho generous assist.
ance rendered by the militia of the States of New
York and New Jersey, have been fully recognized
in previous messages.
Acting under orders, they did not hesitate to
cross the State lino, and enter Ohio an I Western
Virginia, in tho West; and in the East, they de
fended the line of the Susquehanua, were at
Gettyshurg belore the advance of the Army of
the Potomac, aeienaea uanisio successtuuy
when attacked bv a superior force, miido long
marches, patiently suffering great privations tor
tho want of sufficient means of transportation,
crossed into Maryland, when ordered, and at
tacked tho enemy successfully, and saved the
Capital of their State from destruction. When
the history of tho Rebellion is truly written, no
part which relates to Pennsylvania will relloct
more credit on the patriotism, courage, ana
fidelity of her people, than their prompt answer
to the can maae ior military service tor aomcstio
protection. It is a record of whch the great
body ol the people are a party, and of which
they may all be proud.
in July. 1N64, aitebci army again crossed tne
Fotomac, threatening the southern border, and
marched to Washington.
Under the pressing demands of the national
authorities, all the organized troops in Pennsyl
vania were immediately sent forward. The
Rebel army was debated and driven back. A
Rebel column of three thousand men had, how
ever, crossed the border, and, on the 30th of
July, burned the town of Chambcrsburg. In
my Message of last year, I stated in dotal the
movements ol the enemv, and the circumstances
attending the destruction of that boroueh.
Although the people of all the southern border
Buffered much from annual incursions of the
enemy, Chambersburg is the only town entirely
destroyed witnin our border, and, it is believed,
in any loyal State.
The citizens ot tho town were suddenly re
duced to poverty, and, for a time, were sustained
by the active benevolence of the people ot other
parts ol the State, aided by au appropriation ot
one hundred thousand dollars Irom tho Com
monwealth. They have struuglcd energetically
to revive fiom this calamity, but it is now tearod
that lew ot them will be able to succeed. I sub
mit, therefore, to the wisdom of tho Legislature,
whether It woupi not ne proper ta extend to that
people same additional relie'.
me nutnuer oi iroopg lurnis'iea r:ie service,
from Pcnnslvaiila, during the Rebellion, may be
stated as mllows, viz.:
During tho year 1801 131 694
xi o do jm2 , n l it)
Do do 1M63 41 046
Do do 114 91 704
Do do 1865 25,840
862 2H4
This statement is exclusive of militia and
enlistments tor the United States now.
1 rcler. for more perfect details of all the mili
tary operations of the State, to the reports of tho
Adjutant-General, of the other military depart
ments oi tne state, and to my previous annual
messages, ibis brief military record would be
imperiect if I failed to commend the fidelity,
ze-il, and industry of the military departments
ol the State, and to express my personal obliga-
t ons lor the ready obedience and constant sun-
port I have uniformly received from the chiefs
ot tne departments una officers ot my personal
staff.
An approximate ludgment of the amount of
labor pcrlormed by these departments, and in
tho office of the Secretary of theCoramon wealth,
may De muae, wnen it is stated mat lorty-three
thousand (43,fi00) military commissions were
issued during tbe war.
The first reaucst for troops from this State was
dated at Wahbington, on tho 16th of Acril, 13ol,
and on the 16th tbe telegraph announced t the
War Department that over four thousand men
were at Hairisburg, awaiting marching orders.
it is our rjroud unviiege to nave it remem
bered, that tbe first military aid from the loyal
(States wbicn reached wasnington, was the lorce
of 460 Pcnnsylvanh.ns, who arrived there on
the 18th day of April, and that, when tho capital
ol the nation was the second time threatened,
alter the battle of BuilRun, the regiments of the
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps were the first
troopB sent forward.
from the beginning ot the war to its close tbe
State has never tailored in its support oi the
Government.
Proceeding in the strict line of duty, the re
sources of Pennsylvania, whether In men or
money, have neither been withheld norsquan-
aerea. xne nistorv of tne conauct oi our neon a
in the field 1b illuminated with incidents ot
heroltfrfl worthyot -ewasfTcuorrr nottoet" but IH
wouia De impossible to mention tnem in the
proper limits of a messaee without doing injus
tice, or, perhaps, malting invidious distinctions.
Arrangements are in progress to have a com
plete history of our regiments, such as has been
contemplated and is provided lor in an act ot
Assembly already passed; and on this subject I
commend the report of the Kxecative Military
Department to your favoruble consideration.
it vt ould be aiike impossible to furnish a his
tory of the associated benevolence and of the
large individual contributions to the comfort of
our people in the field and hospital, or of tbe
names Mid services, at all times, of our volunteer
surgeons, when called to assist in the hospital
or on the battlefield ; nor is it possible to do
justice to the many patriotic Christian men who
were always ready to,respond when summoned
to the exercise of acts ot humanity and benevo
lence. Our armies were sustained and strengthened in
the field by the patriotic devotion of their iriends
at home; and we can never render full justice to
the heaven-directed, patriotic, Christian benevo
lence of the women of the State.
During the war I had occasion, from time to
time, to communicate freely with the Legislature
on subjects bearing upon the interests of the
men representing the State in the armies of the
republic.
It is with a sense oi unfeigned gratitude that I
Acknowledge how cheerfully and promptly the
Legislature and the people actea upon mv sug
gestions, whether tor the support ot the Govern
ment, the enlistaient and organization of troops,
or for the comtoit of our people already in the
field.
Without this generous confidence and liberal
support, the labors of the Executive would have
been in vain; the treasure that has been ex
pended would have been wasted, precious lives
lost would have been an empty sacrifice, the
bruised hearts of kindred and friends would
have been without solace, the strong men,
whose health has been broken and whose bodies
have been maimed, would have been monuments
ot heroism wasted, and the honor of this great
Commonwealth would have boon degraded
amidst the fallen ruins of the institutions of the
republic.
The report of the Hon. Thomas II. Burro wes,
shows the gratifying result, under his active
management, of the system adopted by the
State for the maintenance and education ol tho
orphans of our soldiers. His report exhibits the
fact, that 1242 orphans are now actua'ly admit
ted to the schools, and that 1846 applications in
all have been allowed, and order issued for their
admission, many of whom have been admitted
6ince his rcoort. It will also be seen, that the
largest appropriation that ever will be
required, will be for this and the two ensuing
years, and that then the amount will be gradu
ally reduced. I have heretotore commended this
charity to you, and I deem it unnecessary to
add another word, in asking a cont'nuation of
an appropriation which is to provide tor and
educate the best blood of the State, and support
the living legacies which have been bequeathed
us by the men who laid down their lives for the
country. W hen we remember that every sort
ol pubiic and private pledge that the eloquence
of man could devibe or utter, was given to our
soldiers as they went forward, that If they fell
their crphans should become the children of the
State, 1 cannot lor au instant suppose that you
will hesitate to continue an appropriation
which is to bless their little one, providing
comfortable homes, instead of leaving them in
want and destitution, many of them to fall vic
tims to vice and crime.
At the time of the invasion ot the North, in
18( 3, bv the Rebel army, the Prebident made a
requisition on me tor militia to erve during
the emergency. The men came forward
prornpilv, to the number of 30,6Hrt, of whom
upwards of 25.0110 refused to be mustered into
the service of the United States, In consequence
of circumstances of prior occurrence not neces
sary to be here stated.
In this embarrassment, the emergency boing
very pressing, attor cousultittion with the Presi
dent he authorized and requested me to call
then! on behalf of the State, and lor the defense
of the State, the United States paying all the
expenses of their clothing, equipment, subsist,
euce, etc. It was, however, alleged that there!
was no sppropriatton for their pay. To remove
this difficulty the General Government apolied
to banks and other moneyed corporations in
Philadelphia to advance the amount ol the pay,
on a pledge that, when Congress met. the pas
sage of a bill to reimburse them should be
recommended. ,
Thwo Institutions declined this proposition,
but expressed tbeir willingness to make tho ad
vanees if I would pledge myself to recommend
to the Legislature tbe passage of such an act in
case Congress should not provide for reimburs
ina theai. Under these circums'ances I received
irom tho Kxecutive of the United States tho
pledge which ho had proposed to eivo to tho
banks, ct. and upon that I eave the necessary
pledge to tnem, and they advanced the required
funds accordingly. The following telegram trotn
the Secretary of War will Bhow in ptrt the
ground on which I acted:
Washibotok, Jay 2 1868. To bis Excellency
Governor A. U. Curtin: Your to'eerams respecting
tbe pay oi militia called out under your proclama
tion ol the 2'itb ot June bare been reluried to tuo
Pre-itlont lor instruction, and have been under bis
conaiutiation. lie direct mo to nav toat, wnite no
law or appropriation authorize the paviwut by tlio
General Oovernnent of tioous tnat have not ue :n
pumurcd it to tho service of be United State, ha
wlil recommend to 'onirrcaR to make an appropria
tion lor IK' payment of iroooa called into 6! at a ser
vice tori-ei an actua invasion, inoiunlng tbute ot
tl o Maie of 1 enncylvanla it, in the mn.ime you
can rai'O n.o necranarv amount, at Inn been done in
other States, tbe appropnaiiou will be applied to
lefeiul tie advauco to thone who miido iu
-IKai-uies have been taken lor tho payment of
tnoia mustered into tho Lniied State service as
soon as tho ri.uelrr and pav-roll are made out. Tho
aiiower ol this Department to you. a Governor of
tlio fctulo, will be givon direct' y to youim.ll wbenover
tne Departmiint is pieuared io mnke answer.
(Simed) tuwiN M.ititon, becro ary of War.
When Congress met, the Exeotitive of tho
United Slutes did not recommend the passage
ot the necessary act. I have understood that
the subject was called to the attention of the
pioper committee, by the Secretary ot War, but
as the President did not send a message ex
plaining the circumstances of the case, the
appropriation failed, as the members of Congress
hi.d tnus no means of explaining to their con
stituents the difference between this case
(which was in suostauce a loan to the United
Stuics, upon the pledge ol the Executive for it
retavnicnt) and the case of the voluntary ex
peiidiu.ro of money lor military purpose by
Pennsylvania and mostol tlio other State.
1 will add, tnat the men came into tho service
tor the cmerceucy only, und on the faith that
they should be discharged as soon as, in my
Jiiucment, the emergency should have ceased.
Ihe emergency ceased immediately after tho
battle ol Gettysburg, which commenced on tho
1st of July, 1863; yet the men, against my urgent
and repeated remonstrances, were kept m the
ei iee lung afterwards, and usd by the United
Slates for various purposes. The lust, of thein
vi tie tot aiscnarged uu in sscptemoer.
1 recommend thut tho Legislature adopt mea
sui cs to briug the subject again beforo Congress.
nr.d obtain repayment of this sum, amounting to
iU.4V6'43, witn interest on tbe same, which tuo
General Government has tnus lar so un warrant'
ably withneld.
(i cat injustice has been done to private sol
diers, who went into service under the provi
sions of the act ot Congress, by refusing to pay
them the full bounties offered by the terms id'
tbut act. The following letter, which 1 ad
dressed to tho Secretory of War, sufficiently ex
plains the position ot tuts aituir:
1 xircTiVB Cuamubr, Uarmbbdbo, Th , Juno
6, 1866. Sir: Tbere are two subjects connected
Willi tho discharge of volunteers which are of o
much importance that 1 feel justiiiod in calling your
auention to lliom.
'"Jun'. 1 be men are boing paid only to the day of
tlx ir arrival at tho place thev a.e to bo discharged
Tins will cause tbvni to lose a tew days' pav, dopeud-
iur rincii a.iy npon tne promptness ana Ulspo-itlon
of the ollicers ot the United button having the matter
in charge. It is a mattor of little moment to tho
Government, but the men lelt it to bo an injustice.
and il, under the acts ot Congress, they can be paid
until dipoliargcd, 1 think you will arree with itieiu.
- r-ecoud. In Circular No. 19 rom Vrorodt-Uarsbat
Central' Office, dated July 19, 1364, "under wuioh
tbe volunteer now to be discharged were raised."
itiBstaud that the bounty provided by law is as
lonowg i
"For recruits, including representative recruits,
white oi eo oied. $100."
And it is turther added, that the first Instalment
ot tbe bounty will be paid when tbe recruit la mug.
tered In, a follow :
"lo a recruit wno enlisted in tho army for one
Tear. S38-H8."
On these terms the men endsted, and they are of
opinion that tbey are entitled to tne iwmainuer ot
Iboir bounty when disonanred from e vice.
It i proposed, however, to pay them but a part of
thi remainder, because the Government doe not
require theT service lor the full term of their on
lihtrueiit, and appear to bo a breach of tbe contract
bciwoen tne uovernment ana tne men. rue bounty
wns beia out by tne uovernment a an inducement
to enlist, not a additional pay for servioe to be
rendered. 1 be men became entitled to it by tuo
fnoc ot enlistment, and could only lorfoit wiiat re
mained unpaid by some misconduct, of which suob
icrieituie snouia is a ierai penalty.
Ti.fse matt on are or ating uiuoh unpleasant 'eo
lrjjr among the men. 1 need not say to you, tboy
have behaved gallantly, and the country owe them
fevervtiiintr: and if it can coasiblv be avoided, tbey
oucrni not to De rem nome unaor tne leeung mat tne
Government, when tneir service are no longer re
quired, take the first opportunity to treat them un.
justly and violate it contract with tbem.
1 assure you that unless these dilUoultie are re
lieved, theie will be created a reuorul discontent,
wbich will b injurious hereafter ; and It is my fer
vent desire for the success of your administration
which lead me to bring them directly to your notioe.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. U. CUKTIS.
To the President.
The refusal has been persisted in. under an
opinion of tho Attorney-General of the United
States, a copy of which was seut to me.
I recommend that the Legislature maice proper
efforts to have this injustice corrected.
The report of David Wills, Ksq., President of
the Soldiers' National Cemetery, at Gettysburg,
herewith transmitted, shows the present condi
tion of the cemetery. As the battle of Gettys
burg resulted in a glorious victory, and was in
lact the beginning of the end of the war. and
occurred on the soil of the Commonwealth, I
think it would be well that it should be com
memorated bv an historical painting, to be
plated in the Capitol of the State; and I recom
mend that the Legislature take measure for
that purpose.
The State of Maryland has proposed to her
sister States that they unite with her in esta
blishing a cemetery tor our soldiers who fell at,
Antictam. 1 herewith transmit copies of the
Maryland statute, and other document on thi
subject, and recommend tbe passage of an act
heartily accepting the proposition of the State
of Maryland.' All tbe States having promptly
and-geuerously responded to our proposition to
have a cemetery at Gettysburg, it would seem
pioper that we should reciprocate, and unite in
this. The duty is made more sacred when wo
remember that more ot Pennsylvania's sons fell
in that battle than these of any othor Stale. - i
The report of the State Agent at Washington,
herewith transmitted, shows that under his efti
cient management the claims of our soldiers are
prornpMy;exaniined and paid. Every etlort has
been made to apprise our otlicer ana men that
their cluiius will be collected by the Stut Agent
(Colonel Jordan) without expense to tbem ;' yet
it is Jeared tnat many of them contiuuo to
employ private claim agents, whose fee bear
heavily on the clalinanU.
Since my last annual message I have erpended
of tbe secret service fund the sum of four thou
sand tbrco hundred and thirty-three dollars aud
twenty cents, out ot which I have paid my per
sonal staff" and other extraordinury expenes.'
No appropriation is required for tho increase of
this I und.
I invite your attention to the reports of the
MiliUry Departments of the Stute, to the report
of the Superintendent of Common Schools,
which exhibits the prosperous condition ol our
system of public education, and to the report of
the Purveyor-General; ana recommend to your
favorable consideration the many excellent sug
gestions made by that officer.
1 commena to jour earnest consideration tne
suggestion made by the Surgeon-General In his
report, herewith transmitted, on the propriety of
legislation for the protection of our people,, by
proper sanitary measures, from the ravages of
the . cholera, , which is now approaching our
shores. ,
1 comment! to the wisdom of the Legislature
the subtect of providing for the relief of onr
many maimed and wounded soldiers. Possibly
this might be done by continuing and enlarging
the acts providing for boards of relief in the
several counties. I recommend the adoption bv
the Legislature of this or some other plan for
doing tustlee to the class of men in question.
By the joint resolution of May 16, 1861, authori
zing me to give flags to our regiments, it was
made the duty of the Executive to receive the
nags wnen tbe regiments returned, in is nas
not been hitherto done, inasmuch as tbey have
tiot yet all been mustered out. As soon as this
shall have taken place, tbe flags will be received
with appropriate ceremonies, and I recommend
that the Legislature make provision lor causing
tnem to be bung in the new Ltorary.
I refer to the suggestion of Brigadier-General
Todd, Inspector General, on th? subject of the
militia, l am not prepared to make any recom
mendation, on this subject, as I observe, with
great pleasure, that Congress is pronosing to
establish a uniform system through jut the
United States.
The arsenal at Ilarrisburg Is decaying and un
a!e. The arms and munitions ot tne State there
deposited arc ot the value probably ot half a mil
lion of dollars. I recommend that provision be
made for recalling it, or that, a new arsenal be
constructed in this vicinity, tor the purpose of
securing their preservation.
Since my last annual message the late Presi
dent of the United State has fallen a victim to
the most foul and base assassination recorded in
history. It will affordme pleasure, and 1 will
heartily unite with you in any expression of
Indignation at the crime, aud of appreciation of
the dublic virtue and f-ervn o) ot its victim,
Abraham Lincoln.
My uniform course during the late war was to
avoid the discussion ot tho policy of the General
Government, wbllo giving a hearty support to
the national authorities in all tbeir measures to
suppiess the Rebellion. I shall continue to pur
me the same course during the embarrassments
necessarily connected with the entire restoration
ot the country. The principles expressed in the
mefsage of the President at tho commencement
ot the session of Congress will receive my cor
dial support.
During the last five years the people of this
State have suffered deeply Irom the calamities ot
war. Thousands of her men have been slain,
and others aro maimed and broken. Almost
every iamily has been stricken, and everywhere
there are widows and orphans, many of them
helpless and in poverty. It is a subject of sin
cere congratulation that peace has at last re
turned. 1 am not aware of the existence of any diffi
culty with other nations which muy not be ami
cably adjusted, and therelore venture to express
the hope that long years of tranquillity and hap
piness are before us. A. G. Cuktin.
THE WEST INDIES.
Tbe Late Revolution la Ht. Domingo
Against Prkllent Buck Capture ol
Salunve ttiaaMilBfaeilon ot ! INopl.
vtltn the Present Administration Vlu-
tctlTnNK and Unnopnlttritjr of Baea -The
Cholera lu the Interior of Gnada
loupe Over Eleven Ttaoonand Deaths.
By the arrival of the steamship South America
we have St, Thomas dates to January 23.
The chjleta, which had somewhat abated in
tbe principal towns of Gaudaloupe, retained its
full force in the interior of the country, and
there has been no diminution ot deaths. Accord
ing to official reports the deaths have amounted
to eleven thousand two hundred in alL
All Consuls named by the Dominican Govern
ment have been suspended until new treaties
are formed with the diflercnt countries.
Sr. Domingo, January 0. It has been ascer
tained that General Luperon and several others
I the leaders in the late revolution at Puerto
Plata against the Government of President Baez
escaped to Turk's Island.
Salnave, who figured so prominently at Cape
Haylicn, was among the revolutionists. lie is
now a prisoner at Puerto Plata, and will shortly
be si nt to tbe city of St. Domingo.
Altr-ough this revolution ho been so easily
quelled, yet there are doubts about Mr. Baez
remaining in power. A coup d'tat effected his
elevation to the Presidency through the treason
ot General Cabral, the only other candidate,
who, knowing his own incapacity to occupy that
high position, suddenly, and at the last moment,
relinquished his pretensions in favor of Mr.
Baez, who was further aided by the armed force
ol a man named Pedro G uillermo, Cabral com
promising many of the most respectable citizens,
who had pluccd all confidence in him.
Recent events clearly show that the majority
ot the nation are not in favor of the administra
tion of Baez, and nothing but the approaching
tobacco crop could have fru'trated the attempt
to overthrow his power at Puerto Plata. The
people cannot understand what right he has to
the first magistracy, lor durlna the stniegle with
Spain, while they were fighting ior their inde
pendence, Mr. Baez calmly watched the event
occurring in Europe, he being at the time a
Field Marshal, in tne pay of thi foe to the Re
public, and this rank he only resigned after the
evacuation of the island by the Spanish troops.
At the present moment the different Consulates
in the city of St Domingo afford a scanty pro
tection to a number of persons perse
cuted by him upon suspicion of being implicated
in the not at Puerto Plata; that this is a measure
of revenge in consequence of their opposition to
his iormer rule cannot be doubted. The prisons
are crowded with those who had not the good
iortune to reach the shelter of the Consulates;
many who Lad been absent, arriving U the
moment, were conveyed from the lauding to
prison.
Although fair promises had been given that
those poiiiical animosities would be buried in
oblivion, yet Mr. Baez proves by his acts the
falsity of such promises. A general rising is
expected, from tuo fact that the population are
greatly incensed at the acts of his administra
tion. It is reported that the President has not
been seen in the streets since ihe day of hi
inauguration. -
Moreover, Mr. Baez' residence n Europe has
influenced him to lean towards French policy,
while the inhabitant sympathize entirely with
the policy of the United States.
The health of 1 he islaud is good. Tho tobacco
crop in the northern part of tbe Island will be
exceedingly large in comparison . itli former
years. iV. Y. Met aid.
Breakino Open Mabket Stalls.
Walter Rowland, aeed fourteen yearR, was ar
retted, yesterday, upon the charge of breaking
into the stalls in the Eleventh street market,
lie has been engaged iu thi practice for ab;iut
six months, and when arrested he had a Hrge
bunch of keys in his pobesfion. He was com
mitted to the House of Reluge by Alderman
Tittermary.
Timely Disco veb y. This morning, about
2 o'clock, Officer Hilton, of the Nineteenth
Ward, discovered a Are on the roof of Thomas
Harrison's laboratory, at Fiddler and Harrison
streets. The flames were extinguished by the
workmen without the abslstauce of the fire companies.
i
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