tht tootagtr, IL W. JONES, JAR: R. JENNINGS,} Editors. "Qne Country, One Constitution, One Destiny." iniSSIOINCTOI%) WINIVIDAY, APRIL 6, 1864. TP4, PRESIDENT IN }opt, GEN. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Mayo to tho Decision of the Desoccotic Na tifsnal Conpelgiov,) "While the army is fighting, you as cit. lama pep t h at the war is prosecuted for thm iesersation of the Union and the Bon; and of your nationality azd NW rjhtf sa citizens:: • jEO. B. IicCLELLANT. per“ The Constitution and the Union: I SW* a,* together. If they stand, they mania stand together; If they fall, they mat tall together."--Daniel Webster. Übel upon Gen. McClellan. The Abolition papers a short tiros ago con bdpad s statement that shortly after the bat tied Antietam, li'Clellan and the Rebel General Lee hada long interview,, at which, of wres t it was surmised that a vast amount of *pup was batched. This story found its way into the Republican of this place, No pane man, whose head was not turned by the die. eve ao prevalent now, aptly called "Negro on the brain," believed that there was the slightest foundation for the story. It now turns out that the story originated with a drunken schoolmaster by the name of Wal dron, This fellow was hunted up by the War Committee, (whose business is, princi pally, to hunt down Democrats who stand in the way of the mischievous projects of the Abolitionists,) but he bolted and refused to certify. He has since made the following publication in relation to the affair of the in terview A series of articles have appeared, of which I am charged with the author ship. About the 7th of March I met a person by the name of Graham, with whom I had no acquaintance. He asked me to write a letter for him to Colonel Sharp, in regard to an account he had With that officer. He told me that he was employed by the War Department tq seadVies to Richmond. Make We were talking about the bat tle of Antietam—l was telling him atioat Cifenerals Eilpatrick, Buford, Merlin and Colonel Campbell making my home a place for eating, &c.—this Mr. Graham asked me if there were at times many officerg met at my house; and I replied, in the way of a joke , of course, they have ; when he replied, if you will make an affidavit to that effect we can make a good thing out of it. I don't remember what reply I made to the proposition, for the reason that I was laboring under the influence of liquor for some days. He continued to keep this subject before me for two or three days, keeping me under the ingu., ence ofliquor during the time, He vis ited Gen. Milroy, and insisted on my going to see him in reference to this subject. I went to see General Milroy at the Avenue House, in this city, and to back up the statement which I had made to Graham, which was, that Lee and Mc- Clellan had an interview at my house, We had a conversation on the niatter for some time, of which I do not re member. On the 10th of March I was induced to go to the War Department, and was introduced to Colonel gardee and Mr. Dana, to say what I had to Graham and Milroy. Mr. Dana made the remark that he believed every word of it. The next thing that hapt;ened in this play was, I was sent after by the Committee on the Conduct of the War. That was the first time that I realized the position I stood in. FRANCIS WAIIPROIf It will be seen that the political General Ofilroy—famous for his Sery and vindictive Iy abusive speeches against Democrats, and for liar doing his duty at Winchester as a courageous and watchful commander,) was probably the instrument through which this i 14,04 slander reached the public, aided by other politicians about the War Department. If these gentlemen would heartily engage in the suppression of the Rebellion, and for get politics for a time, they would be much Potter employed than in an attempt to les sen the influence and cripple the aprtions of truly loyal men, every way their superi- An. r A rousing meeting of the friends of Gee, McClellan was held in the city of New York a #ew evenings ago, over which the venerable Axos KENDALL (Gen. Jackson's Past Muter General) presided. The meeting was addresand by Mr. Ken dall, Lieut. Gov. Jacobs, of Ket4,47, and Mr. Norton, a Union refugee from Tecas, and was quite an enthusiastic and spiritel affair. The House (the Cooper Institute) was' crowded to overflowing. McClellan stock is everywhere rislog. Sway Bill. In toilers popsy will by iteed the Bounty Bill, peeped by both 'LI* Volpi titare, , ig EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE. PHILADELPHIA, March 26th, 1864 OQr.. JENNINGS : My Dear reached ilarrisburg on Wednesday morning last, and remained a few hours, spending their. in fra ternal communion with Dr. Perron, COI. HOPEINS, SenatQr avow., 'Sqllf!‘e HEDGE and other old-time friends and acquaintances. I found the Doctor excellently well, and as handsome and "bright" as ever. He is one of the best looking men in the House, and has the good-will and respect of his fellow members in an eminent kgree. His constit uents may rely on his ability to serve them, and may feel assured of his habitual and dili gent attention to all matters of local and general legislation. If their interests suffer in any regard, it will not be his fault, but may be attributed to the loose, reckless and prodigal legislation of the arrogant and self seeking Abolition demagogues now controll ing the destinies of the State and nation. The general Bounty Law was under con sideration during our brief visit to the House, and we believe has since passed that body, and perhaps the Senate, ere this. The limits of this letter forbid any particular al lusion to its provisions. Mr. PEssnaro, of Cambria, a courteous, high-toned and talented gentleman, is the ac knowledged leader of the Democratic forces In the House, and Mr. SHARPS of Franklin, SEARIGHT of Fayette, and BARGER of Phila delphia ably second his views and exercise a potential influence in moulding and directing the course and policy of the minority. It is conceded, on all hands, that our party was never represented with more decided ability in either House. I reached Philadelphia on Wednesday even ing, in company with Messrs. Donumnar and Meerut= of Beaver, Maj. CAMPBELL of the "Johnstown Democrat" and other friends from the West. On Thursday, at noon, the Convention assembled at the Hall of the liatlopal (bards, on Race Street, and organ -44 iv calling Col. SEARIGHT to the Chair. The proceedings, in full, have doubtless been received by you ere this and appeared is your columns, and I need not, on that ac count, make any reference to them. The Convention was composed of men of very respectable ability, and its proceedings were characterized by entire good feeling, I con cur in the prevailing opinion that the Con vention werirjudicions to defering "any com prehensive declaration of the views and poli cy of the Democratic party until .that work shall be done by the general assembly at Chicago of the Democracy of all the loyal States. It was also eminently wise not to instruct the Pennsylvania delegation to Chi cago to vote exclusively and persistently for any one nominee, but to preserve their unity under the lead of a majority of the whole delegation, while they are left free to cast a solid ballot for whomsoever may oppear to be the choice of the greatest number of the whole Convention when it shall meet and dis cuss the question of a Presidential candidate In July proximo." It was well, however, to express the deci ded preference of the Democracy of the State for the gallant McClellan, who will in all probability be the almost unanimous nonnune of the party. On Thursday evening, during the absence of the Committee on Resolutions, a number of speeches were made by prominent Dem , ocrats from various portions of the State, the very happiest of which was that of Cul. JAs. K. KERN of Venango county. It was vig orously sensible, bold, manly, patriotic and orthodox, abounding in classical and apt his torical allusions and illustrations, and extort ing from everybody present the warmest en comiums. A report of this speech, lam in formed, will shortly appear, when I shall take occasion to lay it before the readers of the "Messenger," and promise them a treat they have not had for a long while, though the report is not at all likely to do justice to either the impassioned manner or admirable matter of the speaker. Col. KERB and Wu . . A. GALBRAITH, of Erie, were by all odds the ablest young men in the Convention, and are destined to make their mark on the politics of the State, though both are devoid of am bition, and spend the time in declining lion, ors other men du in seeking them, lam glad to say they are both delegates to the Kational Convention. I shall write you again Ida few days, Sincerely and everlastingly yours, R. W. J Gen. Fremont. The friends of Gen. Fremont are pushing his claims with no little vigor for the Presi dency, They have lately started a paper in the city of New York, and talk of one also in Washington. wince C,huse's withdrawal, Greg , ly is unequivocally ponatnittpd to his sup port. Ile made a speech at the meeting his friends in the city of New York a few days ago. The proceedings of that meeting are anything but friendly toward Mr. Lin coln. The German press, generally, throughout the country, are friendly to Fre mont. There is no little bad blood between the friends of Lincoln and Fremont. The following is but a slight specimen of this temper, which is copied from the Troy Whig, a strong supporter of Lincoln. Speaking of Fremont, ft says : His California career will not bear in vestigation, and was only remarkable for its pretense and insubordination, for which hp was tried by court-martial, and broken. In his western p.vperiment he suffered himself to be surrounded by a set of as precious scouodrels as ever went unhung, who hoodwinked him and defrauded the Government to their heart's content. In Virginia he gave up his command is the face of the ene my, on a point of etiquette, for which he should have been summarily dismiss.. ed the service, not only for the heinous ness of the offense, but to check the evil effects of sub an example. jNational Banks are springing up all over the ooentry. The map the merrier, and the sooner the bubble will Writ. wife dos knows Ow voted *Or 411.1**46010; *ft hel any jut Democratic, State Convention. The Democratic State Convention met on the 24th ultimo at Philadelphia. Its proceedings were characterized by the great est enthusiasm and harmony. Every por tion of the State was represented, and the delegates were marked men, the principal citizens of this great Commonwealth. All were bent upon one great object—the restor ation of the Union, and the vindication of the Constitution. The great Democratic party was out in its strength, and every ef fort was made to rescue this great Common wealth from the tyranny under which it groans. One consideration surmounted all others. Personal feelings and predictions were forgotten in order to form a united par ty for the salvation of the country. The Democracy will go into the coming cam paign with a united front, to meet the com mon enemy. PROCEEDINGS lion. Charles J. Biddle, called the Con vention to order, which was convened at the National Gnards' Hall. Mr. V. E. Piollet of Br%dford, nominated as temporary Chair man, Mr. T. B. Searight of Fayette, who thanked the Convention in a short address. On motion William H. Witte, of Mont goMery county, was chosen permanent Chairman. Twenty-eight Vice Presidents and twenty one Secretaries were then selected by a com mittee on organization of thirty members.— A committee on resolutions compose 4 of twenty-eight members was also appointed, who reported the resolutions we append to day. An electorial ticket was then chosen, at the head of which stand the names of Rob ert L. Johnston, Esq., of Cambria, and Richard Vaux, of Philadelphia, as electors at large, or Senatorial electors. [This is a most excellent choice. All hail to Cambria county On the same Electoml ticket, we find the names of Thaddeus Banks, for the Seven teenth District, and Joseph 34, Thompson, for the Twentieth District. The general delegates to the Cbicago Con vention, are George W. Cass, of Pittsburgh; Wm. Bigler, of Clearfield; Wm. 4. Gal braith, of Erie, and Wru, V. McGrath, of Philadelphia. From the Johnstown District the Dele gates are IL Bruce Petrikin and Daniel M. Dull. From the Twentieth District, T. B. Searight and John Latta. The members of the State Central Com mittee, from the Johnstown District are, Jas. D. Rea, Jas. F. Campbell, Joseph W. Parker. The members of the same committee, for the Twentieth District are H. P. Laird, J. B. Sans3m and E. S. Roddy. Addresses were made by E. L. Johnston, Esq., Senator Wallace, Win. H. Witte, John S. McCalmont, Henry G. Smith, T. B. Sea right, Charles W. Carrigan, James K. Kerr, C. L. Ward and others, Mr. C. 1,, Ward, of Bradford, was then chosen chairman of the State Central com mittee. Mr. Ward is spoken of as a gentle man in every respect worthy of this impor tant position, A resolution was offered and referred unanimously to the Committee on Resolu tions, that the Pennsylvania Delegation to the Chicago Convention be instructed to vote as a unit on all questions before that Convention, The following resolutions wore than offer, ed by the Committee on Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. The second one declares Pennsylvania's choice fur the Pres idency most emphatically : &volved, As we have no State candi date to present to the people, and no issue involved in the coming election other than those which affect the wel fare and liberties of our sister States, equally with ours, we leave it to our yepresentatives at the Chicago Conven tion to unite with the representatives of other sovereignties of the North in em bodying the sentiment of the people in the declaration of principles acceptable to all the States on whom we rely to elect a President, and bring back peace to this distracted laud. itoolved, That the Democracy of Pennsylvania hereby express their preference for the nomination of Gen. GEo. a MCCLF►,LAN, as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency by the Chicago Convention, and that the dole gates to said Convention be instructed as a unit on all questions arising there in as the majority of the delegates shall decide. Resolved, Th a t the first necessary step to restore the Union and the welfare and prosperity of the American Repub lie is to get rid of the present corrupt Federal Administration, and the sure way to accomplish this end is through the organization of the time-honored Tiemooratic party, and the prevalence of uniim 4nd harmony among its members. The Convention was very harznonius, there baing but .ine contested-seat, and in that case the contostant. declined. There was no jarring nor que.preliug. very mem ber seemed inspired with an unusual patriot ism. The perils of the country demanded from earth one and received the sacrifice of every selfish feeling and consideration. This meeting resembled that of the patriots of 1776, in their calm deliberations, unyielding firmness, and self-sagificing devotion to the Union arid the Constitution. Three evils now threaten to uproot every vestige of liberty—Secession, Abolitionism and a fra tricidal and misdirected warfare, and they felt it their duty to stem the torrent that is fast carrying us to destruction. Let us hop that what is now begun, may under a goad and kind Providence, be finally cansumated for the good of the fragments that are left us of a once glorious country. FerA member of the State Central Com mittee of the Republican party of the State of New York, who is an officer in the Cus tom House in New York City, is now a priso ner in Fort Lafayette, for sending contra band goods to the Rebels. Asa stamper for his party, before the. last election, he was puts profess` In charges of "disktpdtr MoMilan Mass Meeting in New York. The Journal of Commerce, in speaking of the enthusiastic demonstration at the Cooper Institute, New York, by the friends of Gen. Grotaos, B. IioCrIELLAN, says : [From the Journal of Commerce.] The McClellan meeting of last evening was one of the grandest demonstrations of modern times. The thousands of men who thronged the Great Hall and the streets around the building, were moved by one common feeling of patriotic devotion to the Union and Constitution, and of admiration and love for THE MAN who has so often saved the conntry from ruin. It should be re membered, in considering the moral force of this meeting, that it was not a politicians' meeting. It was not called for nor formally indorsed by any of the great political parties of the day, nor was it engineered by any of the party managers. But . the people took it up and made it a great success. The gentlemen who seem to have started the ball were those who were represented in the Convention which lnet at Philadelphia some months since, and nominated Gen. MCCLEL LAN for the Presidency. They were chiefly persons who never acted with any political party, although many among them are known as earnest opponents of the radical policy of the present Admidistration. Their call for a meeting in New York, unaided by any of the party machinery, was answered last night by enthusiastic thousands, Repub licans and Democrats, who recognize the no ble character and commanding abilities of Gen. MoCiELLAN. The great hall was packed and jammed to its utmost capacity. No arrangements had been made for outside meetings. No plat forms were erected or lights prepared. Not withstanding this, after the hall and lobbies were filled to suffocation, thousands crowd ed the streets in front of the Institute, stand ing in the cold March wind, and heard by moonlight a series of brilliant speeches, from the front balcony, while other thousands came and wont unable to get near the speak ers, Such a meeting, unaided by patty intv ellinary, wail never be seen in New York, or America, The enthusiasm was ta all parte of the vast gather ing, [From the World.] The Cooper Institute and the squares and streets around it lave seen few larger, and no more enthusiastic meetings than that which assembled last night in the ball of the Union, and in the open air around, to ex press the confidence of the people in, and their admiration for, Gen. GEORGE B. MC CLELLAN. The political significance of the meeting is this—that all those conservative men in the whole North who have not hitherto acted with the Democratic party, whatever their past names or creeds, will next November join with the great Democracy to place at the bead of the government a life-long Dem ocrat, and to nonduct, the nation through the military and political policy which he has announced and practiced, to a restored Union and a permanent peace. ItESOLL , PIONS The following resolutions were read and put to the meeting anti adopted with accla mation ; Wnittiu4s, A fratricidal war, originating in a disregard of the maxims and warnings of our fathers, is desolating the land threaten ing the permanent disruption of cur federal Union. And whereas, the present adminis tration by their fatal policy in the conduct of the war; hy their infringement upon State and individual rights; by a general suspen sion of the writ of habeas corpus, and sub stituting military for civil courts; and above all, by employing the army to suppress the freedom of elections and forcing govern ments of minorities upon the people of the States, has not only protracted the war in definitely, bringing upon the country inter minable taxation and financial ruin, but has created general alarm for the integrity of the Skates and the liberty of their citizens, all threatened to be swallowed up in a fanatical despotlam, the worst of all governments.— And whereas, the country has no guarantee for the speedy and successful termination of of the war under the imbecile and changea ble management of the present administra tion through any other means than by a change of men at the coming Presidential election c therefore REsoLvgn, That we earnestly invite all our fellow-citizens, of whatever politicel organi zations, to unite with us in one concerted effort to place at the head of our govern ment a man in whose wisdom, integrity and firmness the country may rely with hope for a speedy suppression of the rebellion, the cessation of bloodshed and the maintenance of the Union which our fathers bequeathed to us—a Union of independent States and free people, created by the Constitution, and to be maintained only by its observance.— (Applause.) RESOLVED, That the right of suffrage regu- , lated by the States is the only safeguard for individual liberty, and must be defended at every hazard. (Cheers.) RESOLVED, That we recognize in General GEORGE B. licetzu.en; (tremendous cheer ing, repated again and again), qqalifications which eminently fit him to be the deliverer and saviour of our country; and we hold it to be the paramount duty of all patriotic citi zens and organizations to abandon all dis turbing questions and rally around him as the destined preserver of our constitutional liberties. (Renewed enthusiasm, and cries of " Bravo !" The resolutions were adopted with greet enthusiasm. OrGood manners and elegant language are among the many blessings conferred upon the country by the infusion of the Ab olition elements into politics. For instance, this is the way they talk in Congress : Mr. Grinnell said Mr. Holman be longed to a very small party, the War Democrats. He briefly spoke in dero gation of McClellan, who, with his Democratic friends, were leagued with slavery, and would go down to hell to gether, Reit - The Troy Whig pronounces Parson Brownlow the most consummate blackguard and the most impious blasphemer brought to the surface by the "rebellioP," Than so. sarst. Joseph is alive whit eadirmito who are westward bound, goads are full and the crowds are °reapplied to camp out.— .. 11ff are going t 4 lO l O rid MOM sad ids" BOUNTY LAW. An Act Relating to the parlent of Bounties to Volunteers SsenoN 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Reprefentatives of the Com monwealth of Pennsylvania in General As sembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That all bonds, warrants, or certificates of indebtedness, is sued by the commissioners, or commission ers and controller, of any county, or the cor porate authorities of any city, ward or bor ough, or the school directors, or road com missioners, or supervisers, of any township of this commonwealth, fur the payment of bounties to persons volunteering to enter the military or naval service of the United States, under any requisition heretofore made by the President of the United States, be and the same are hereby legalized, made valid and binding upon such counties, cities, wards, boroughs, and townships, as if full and legal authority had existed for the issu ing and making of the same when they were issued and made ; and that iu all cases where any special committee, commissioner, or any individual or individuals, of any county; city, township, borough, or ward, shall have sub scribed and paid, or become personally liable for the payment of money, fir the purpose of paying bounties to volunteers under the late calls of the president of the United States, who have been mustered into the United States military service, and credited to such county, city, township, ward, or borough, with the understanding, or agreement, that a law would be enacted to levy and collect a tax upon such county, city, township, bor ough or ward, for the payment of such ad vancement and liabilities, all subscriptions, so paid, or money borrowed as aforesaid, shall be good and valid against such county, city, township, borough, or ward, as if the same had been subscribed or borrowed by the cor porate authorities of the same, under the provisions of this act; and it shall be the duty of the commissioners, supervisors, coun cils, or school directors, as the case may be, to proceed to levy and collect a tax upon such county, city, township, borough, or ward, gufficieut to pay the principal of all such claims, with interest thereon until the day of payment, together with the cost of collection thereof, &max 2. That all payment of bounties to volunteers, entering the service of the United States as aforesaid, by the commissioners, ' or the commissioners and controller, of any county, or the corporate authorities of any city, ward or borough, or by the school di rectors, or road commissioners, or supervis ors, of any township of this commonwealth, and all loans made by said authorities, for the purpose of making Such payments, be and the same are hreby legalized and made valid. Samos 3. That the authorities aforestdo are hereby authorized, and required, to ex ecute, and complete, all agreements, and , contracts, heretofore made by the aforesaid authorities of such counties, cities, wards, borouska4 townships, for the payment ot bounties, as aforesaid, or for refunding ad vancements made for that purpose by any , committee, special commissioners, or individuals, on condition that they should he refunded, according to the true intent and meaning of such agreements and contracts ; and for that purpose the said authorities are hereby authorized to borrow money, and is sue bonds, warrants or certificates, in the name of such county, corporations, or town ships, with or without interest coupons at- , tached, payable at such time and place as may be agreed upon, and to levy such taxes as may be necessary to meet the payment of the principal and interest of said bonds, warrants and certificates, as the same shall become due ; which taxes and levies shall ho assessed, and collected, as other county, , city, ward, borough, or township, taxes are assessed, levied, and collected: Provided, , That in all election, or enrollment, districts, not having any constituted authorities, as contemplated by this-act, competent to levy and collect said tax, the board of election officers of such district shall be authorized to levy, and proceed to have said tax collected in such districts, SaurroN 4. That all assessments hereto fore made ot taxes for the purpose of paying bounties, as aforesaid, bo and the same are hereby legalized and made valid : Provided, That the property of non-commissioned offi cers, and privates, in actual service in the United States army and navy, from this commonwealth, or who died, or were perma nently disabled, in such service, or hav ing been in such service for the space of one year and six months, were honorably discharged therefrom, and the property of widows, minor children, and widowed moth ers of non-commissioned officers, and pri vates, who died in such service, shall be ex empted from any taxation under the provis-, ions of this act : Provided, That the provis ions of the first, second, third and fourth sections of this act shall be so understood as to have reference only to such agreements and contracts as have been entered into by the authorities aforesaid, stlbsequent to the sventeenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, SECTION 5. That all the provisions of the fourteenth section of an act to create a loan, and provide for arming the state, passed the fifteenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, which authorized she associate judges, and county commission ers, of the several counties of this common" wealth, to costitute a board of relief for the families of such volunteers as have been, or shall be, enrolled and mustered into ser vice from their several counties, are hereby extended, and, applied, to the families of men who have been, or may hereafter be, drafted or conscripted, and mustered into the ser vice ot, the United States, and credited to the quota of said peunties, respectively; and all arrangements made by the several counties ot this oommon wealth, for the sup port of the families of volunteers, militia, drafted or eauscrpted men, mustered into the service, mol credited, as aforesaid, are hereby legallard, sad confirmed ; mid full and legal authority is hereby given sllt4. ;may era to borrow mone • for the y ment of such expenses, and for the extension of such relief to the families of all private soldiers, and non-commissioned officers, who have been mustered in, or may hereafter be mustered into, the service of the United States, and credited as aforesaid, in pursu ance of any requisition made, or to be made, by the President of the United States or by any law of the United States now made, or hereafter to be made, or by the governor of Pennsylvania, or any law of laid commonwealth now made, or hereafter to be made. SECTION 6. That the commissioners of any and every county in this commonwealth are hereby authorized to borrow such sum, or sums, of money as may be sufficient to pay to each and every non-commissioned officer and private soldier who volunteered from such county, and entered the military or na val service of the United States, on or after the seventeenth day of October, Ann() Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three ; and to each and every non-com missioned officer and private soldier who may hereafter volunteer and enter the ser vice of the United States from such county, and be credited to the quota thereof, in pur suance of any requisition of the president of the United States, or by any law of the Uni ted States now made, or hereafter to be made, a sum not exceedi❑g three hundred dollars : Provided however, That in that part of any county where school directors, or road commissioners, or supervisors, of any township, or townships, or where the corporate authorities of any city, ward or borough, or any committee, special commis sioners, individual, or individuals, have paid, or have now commenced to raise a fund for the purpose of paying, such bounties, it shall be lawful for such school directors, or road commissioners, or supervisors, of such township, or townships, or the corporate authorities of such city, ward, or borough, to box row such sum, or sums, of money as may be required to pay to each volunteer from such district, a sum not exceeding threo hundered dollars ; and it shall be law ful for such authoroties of said townships, cities, wards, or boroughs, to issue bonds of said townships, cities, wards, or boroughs, for such sum, or sums, of money, and in such amounts as may be necessary to pay the au thorized bounty to each volunteer required to fill the quota or quotas of such township, city, ward, or borough : And provided fur ther, That such townships, cities, wards, and boroughs, as have filled their quota, or quotas, under any call or requisitions here tofore made by the president of the United States, as aforesaid, without aid from the county, city, or borough, shall be exempt from any tax levied, or to be levied, by the said county, city, or borough, for the pay ment of bounties, or for the payment of any bonds issued by said county commissioners, city, or borough authorities, for the payment of bounties to volunteers to till the quota aforesaid : And provided further, That no county, city, ward township, borough, or other district, which shall have agreed, or offered to pay, as bounty to each volunteer credited to such county, city, ward, township, borough, or other district, a larger sum than three hundred dollars, shall be subject to the limitation as to amount liescribed in this act ; but any payment made, or to be made, or obligation given, or to be given, or liabili ty incurred, or to be incurred, in pursuance of such offer or agreement is hereby ratified, and declared to be lawfel and valid ; And provided further, That in case the coniniis soners of any county, or the commissioners and controller of any county, in this com monwealth, shall neglect, or refuse, to take the necessary steps to raise, or complete the raising of bounties in townships, wards, and boroughs, not having raised, or commenced to raise, bounties at the time of the passage of this act, then, and in that case, said town ship, ward, or borough, by their authorities aforesaid, shall have power to proceed and raise bounties as fully and as effectually as if done by the county authorities. Siw.riox 7, That the said county commis sioners, or school directors, road comn.is- signers, or supervisors, of any township, or corporate authorities of any city, ward, or borough, are hereby authorized, (for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act,) to borrow money, and issue bonds, or certificates, of indebtedness, no bond, or certificate, to be less than the sum of twenty-five dollars except when the horn- ty is less than twenty-five dollars, in the name of such county, township, city, ward, or borough, with, or without, interest cou pons attached, payable at such times, and in such manner, as may be agreed upon ; and to levy, and assess, on all property, profess ions, trades and occupations, subject to taxa tion, for state and county purposes, and col lect such taxes as may be necessary to meet the principal, and interest, of said bonds and certificates, as they shall become due, and payable ; which taxes • shall be collected as county, city, ward, and borough, taxes are now levied and collected, including a per capita tax, of not more than one dollar, cn all taxable male inhabitants : Provideei That only one per capita tax shall be levied in any one year: Provided, That in all cases, where any Person, or persons, liable to draft, have, for the purpose of raising the sum requisite to pay a bounty to the volun teers required to fill the quota of any °wan, ty, city, ward, borough, or township, stipu lated, in writing, to pay a sum greater than the amount of tax which would be due upon the assessed valuation of their real or personal, property, it shall and may be lawful for the corporate authorities of such county, city, ward, borough, and township, to collect the amount so subscribed : Provided, .That no bonds, or certificates, issued under any of the provisions of this act, shall be for a lon ger period than ten years : Provided fur ther, That in all cases where a borough and township have separate boards of school di rectors, and are embraced in one district, for the purposes of the military draft, the .directors of said districts are hereby author ized to act jointly in carrying into effect the provisions of this act. 13acricat 8. That in all cases where the county commissioners at any co un ty the school directors, road commissioners, or su • pervisors, of any township, or the corporate authorities of any city ward, or borough, have levied a per capita tax upon persons subject to draft, or military duty, the action of said corporate authorities be and the same is hereby legalized and made valid. SECTION 9. That in any case where a part of the bounty, authorized by this act, has been paid by any ward, township, city, or borough, and said ward, township, city, or borough authorities as aforesaid, shall neglect, or refuse, to pay such past as re mains unpaid by the terms of their agree ment to pay bounties to volunteers, then the difference between the sum so paid, and tho full amount of the bounty promised, (not exceeding, in the whole, the sum of three hundred dollars to each volunteer,) shall bo paid said volunteers by the county authorities,. in which said ward, townships, cities, or boroughs, are located; and the county commissioners, in which said ward, town shipS, cities, or boroughs, are located, shall! assess, levy and collect-a tax on such defaulting ward, townships, cities, or boroughs, as other ward, township, city or borough, tax es are levied and collected, in such amounts as may be required to pay the balance duo the volunteers, as aforesaid, from such de-. faulting township, city, or borough. SECTION 10. That the money so borrowed by the county commissioners, shall be paid• over to the treasurer of the proper county, who shall pay to each non-commissioned of ficer, or private soldier, who volunteered from, and has been credited to the quota of,. such county, and has been mustered into the service of the United States, or has been: honorably discharged therefrom, the sum of money to which such person shall be enti tled, under the provisions of this act, on, the warrant or order of the commissioners, drawn, on him for that purpose ; am!. said treasurer shall not receive more than one halfof one per centum on any money so paid over to him. SECTION 11. That the money so borrowed by the school direNors, or road commission ers, or supervisors of, any towship, or the corporate authorities of any city, ward, or borough, shall be paid over to the treasurer of said city, ward, borough, or township, or when such officer does not exist, to a person: duly appointed by said authorities of said township, city, ward, or borough, who upon giving sufficient bond, for the faithful per , formance of his duties, shall proceed to pay to such persons, in the manner directed by the tenth section of this act, and shall be al lowed the same percentage as is allowed to the county treasurer, by the tenth section of this act: Provided, That the compensation allowed to any collector of taxes, under this act, shall not exceed two per centum. Ssk-rioN 12. That in case any veteran sol diers, who have re-enlisted, and have not been credited to any special locality, shall hereafter be credited, on the present draft, to the locality from which they originally volunteered, such veterans shall be paid by the local authorities, whose duty it is to pay bounties, such bounty as, under the provis , ions of this act, shall be paid to volunteers from said locality. SECTION 13. That if any soldier, or non commissioned officer, or private, who would have been entitled to receive the said boun ty, shall have died before receiving the mon• ey, the proper authorities shall pay the same to such person, or persons, as by the laws of the United States would be entitled to receive the bounty of deceased soldiers. SECTION 14, That all accounts of the re ceipts and expenditurs of the bounty fund, arising from any taxes that have been as sessed, or that may be assessed for the pur pose as aforesaid, shall be audited in like manner as other county, township, city, borough, or school district, accounts are audited. SECTION 15. All bonds, warrants, certifi cates of indebtedness, or loans issued, under the provisions of this act heretofore' passed. or hereafter to be passed, authorizing par ticular cities, counties, wards, boroughs, or townships, to borrow moneys and pay boar', ties to volunteers, shall be exempt from all taxation. HENRY C. JOHNSON, Speaker of the House of Rpresentatives. JOHN P. PENNEY, Speaker of the Senate. A pruovEn—The twenty-fifth day of March. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred, and sixty-four. A. G. CURTIN. Da — There aro said to be $21,000,000 in. gold in the Treasury. Why not take it and pay it out to the soldiers, as the Democrats in Congress suggested? For the Messenger. The Suppression of Truth Intended to Answer the Purpose of Falsehood. The Republican of last week paraded the vote of the Democratic Senators of this State against taking up the proposition to increase the pay of soldiers as evidence 01 the hostility of the Democracy to the it* Biers. The Editor is either ignorant of what be is writing about, or he designs, wilfully, to deceive his readers. Ile ought to know that until the resignation of Speaker Penny and until the election of his successor, the Democrats of that body voted against any and every proposition dared then. In re garding the Senate as unorganized till the election of a Speaker, they but followed the, law and the precedents since the organization of the Government in reference to this mat ter. He ought to know that the votes of the Democrats in that body were nniformlx cast in the negative without reference to the merits of the legislation proposed, or their individual opinions or judgments upon them, but to show that they would not, by their example, recognize an attompted usurpation of a Speaker elected by a previous Senate, who had no more right to assume the Speak-, ership of the present Senate than any other member of that body, And Mr. Speaker Penny recently recogni zed the correctness of the view of the Democrats by resigning or yielding the of fice, and then permitting the Semite to do what they should , have done at the start, go into an election, and tlina complete a legal organization of that body. TI 11
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