glaily.tirgrapt
HAFRISBURG, PA
Tharsdal Evening January I. 1864.
Th a Governor's M essage.
We have no room to refer at length, today,
to the Governor's Message. It is a docament,
however, which will repay perusal, and after a
calm consideration of its statements and senti
ments, it cannot fail to meet the hearty appro
val of all who are sincerely devoted to the
honor and prosperity of the Commonwealth.
Hereafter we shall refer to the message more at
length.
Who are the Oillee Ilientei - 4
Noon
The disgraceful delay which has attended the
organization of the Senate, is not made a matter
of principle by the mil:lefty engaged in this
business. The men who are waiting thousands
of doliara of the people's money by this delay,
and thus adding largely to the ptiblic,burdenti,
have no principle at stake in the matter, and
are contending only for plunder. They want
othosa for their followers. The lobbies of the
Senate are crowded with hungry copperhead
expectants, who are absolutely ravenous to get
hold of the public purse. The rotunda is filled
with gangs of old hangers on who are antici
pating a good time if the cops can succeed in.
"worrying" the representatives of the majority
into some disgraceful bargain to share the offi
cers in the organization of the Senate. Bat the
great and vital principle which is involved in
this struggle, will prevent the Union men from
yielding to the demands of the minority. Such
a precedent would be disaatrous to the prin
ciple of according to the majority the right to
govern. It would destroy the vitality of the
Governinent by denying to the majority the
absolute right to rule. In the light'of any
compromise looking to such a termination of
this struggle, faction_ would hereafter always
claim the right to decide the action of our Leg
islative bodies whenever it found itself in a
minority likely to be unable to govern without
resorting to these high handed measures. The
patronage cod the power of all branches of the
Government would thus be contended "for,not in
&spirit of just rivalry, but with the fierceness of
man who are accustomed to force their objects
to success as the assassin accomplishes his pur-
Vow—with cold seed.
—lf ever Pennsylvania was disgraced, she is
now being degraded by the action of the cop
perhead mloority in the Senate. The spectacle
presented by that minority Will be humiliating
in the eyes of the people of all the loyal States.
It will fill the hearts of our soldiers with dis
gust. It sill turn .the confidence of the people
front the:men who are guilty of it, and remain
as a black disgrace on the reputation of the
rotten old party under whale auspices it is con
ducted.
The Spaetaelea' Piesentatt by the Mheari..
ty In the Senate.
We defy any man to point out in history, or
if possible, to conceive a more humiliating spec
tacle then that presented by the minority in
the Senate. Sixteen grave Senators have- as
sumed an attitude which will attach ajoul die
grace to them, as long as they live and, move
among men. These men are contending for
what ? Are they promnting their solid front,' in
order to maintain the integrity and dignity of
the Commonwealth? No, because they have
already violated and outraged both, by thus
obstructing public business. Are they holding
oat thus persistenly in tha hope of contributing
to the success of the fighting men in the arm ?
No, because those sixteen Senators have voted,
within the past two days, one disgrace after
another, one insult after the other, to our
armies in the field. They have refused be a body
to enfranchise the fighting men of Pennsylvania
-they refused to tender to Gen. Grant and his
army, while their swords and bayonets are still
dripping with the gore of hard fought battles,
and while victory still lights up their banners,
'sixteen copperhead Senators in the Senate of
Pennsylvania have refused to fender Gen Grant
'and his army a vote of thanks. What a spec
taole i What an insult to the loyal men of
the Union I and how degrading is this info
moan conduct on the part of them, miserable
demagogues, to the Commonwealth cf Penn
sylvania!
Govansou &moue, of New York, it semi,
le not to haya his own way with regard to the
removal of the Commissioners of the Metro
politan Police without a .struggle for their
rights on the put of those gentlegien. Mr.
.cton, the President of the Board, has notified,
the Governor that, acting upon the advice 'of
counsel, the commissioners will hold onto their
poations, believing that they cannot be re
moved without an investigation of the charges
against them. They will continue to act until=
the Governor's power and their rights have
been judicially settled. He also reminds the
-Governor that, in communicating with the
Board a year ago, he used language folly ad
mitting this view of the case, to , wit: "Whale
your answers have been received, I will make
the proper order for an inquiry into the truth
of the charges made." The Governor will
probably fled that, whatever may live been
his motive, he has overstepped his authority. .
Had this action of the Governor any relation
to the arrests which he might surmise were
about to be made in New York of patties for
'sending supplies to, and in complicity with, the
rebels!
To BY Crorase.—Letters from. Chattanooga
announce that the clothes for the Army of the
Cumberland have arrived. There has been
• culpable delay somewhere in gettiang thfite
supplies forward. , The boys who marched so
gallantly over the serried lines of rifle-pits up
to the summit , of Missionary Ridge and Look
out deserved better of their country thin to
have to wait until midwinter for clothes to
make theincomfortable. Shoeleurind hatlesi,
with tattered garments on those bloody battle
days of November, have we seen these noble
spirits fight and fall.
The delay was not in the Government fur.
lashing the articles, but was owing .to the in
efficiency 'of thostr:having- the transportation:in
4barge, A great improvement could be made
by having the right man. In charge of affairs
from Nashville to Chattanooga.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Reprzsen'alives cf the
C0971,111.042D6a1th Cf Pennsykania.
GENTLE3LEB:
The past year has afforded tifl 113 W canes of
thankfulness to the Almighty for the mom'
and material blessings which he has bestowed
upon us.
The balance in the Treasury No
vember 30, 1862, was $2,172,841 10
Receipts during fiscal year end
ing November SO, 1863
Total in I)easnry for fiscal year
ending November 80, 1868,... 6,462,295 75
The payments for the same period
have bsen 4,314,964 06
Balance in Treasury November
80, 1863
The operations of the sinking fund during
the last year , have been shown by my Procla
mation of, the Bth day of September last, as
follows:
Amount of debt Commonwealth
reduced
As follows, viz:
Coupon Loan Act,_
May 4;1862 100,000 00
Five, per cent 790, 716 60
Four and one:half per,
cent 68,000 00
Relief notes cancelled .968 00
Domestic creditors'
certificates......
Interest certificates
paid.
Atuountof public debt of/Penn
eyldiiuia as it"stood on the IEI
da.V.of December, 1882 $40,418,213 82
Deduct amount redeemed at
the State Treasury during the
' fiscal year, ending with No
vember 30,,1863, viz:
Five per cent.
stocks $888,499 7S
Four and a half per
cent. stooks 63,000 00
Relief notes • 109 00
Damestic Creditors'
cat Mattes
$951,617 04'
Public debt Deeembor Ist, 1863,539,496,696 78
Funded debt, viz . :
_ _ _
• 6 per cent. loans $400,630 00
Funded debt, viz:
5 per cent. loans 36,709.986 45
Funded;debt, viz:
4? per eent.loans 268,200 00
' $36,378,816' 45
Unfunded debt, viz
Relief notes in cir•
cu1ati0n........ $97 , 251 00
interest certificates
outstanding
Interest certificates
unclaimed
DomestiC creditors'
certificates
16,366 • 63
Military Loan per Act of May
16th, 1861 $3,000,000 00
Total indebtedness
By the act of 16th May, 1861 authorizing the
military loan of $8,000,000, & tai of one half
mill was laid on real and personal property, to
furnish 'a fund for redeeming the same. I re
commend that the commissioners of the sinking
fund be directed to invest the procesda of the
tax in State loan, so that it may be drawing
Interest, to be in like manner inveateil, or that
thershould apply such proceeds directly to the
Purchase of certificat s es of the military loan,
and cancel such certificates as shall be pur
chased.
• Although our finances are still in a healthy
condition, it is necemary.to invite the. serious .
attention , of the Legislature to the consideration
of the means of maintaining them unimpaired
In future.
By the act of 12th June, 1840,11 was prvvided
that the interest on the State loans .ahould
always be paid in specie or its € quivalent, and that
whenever the funds in the Treasury should be of
less value than specie, the difference in value
should be ascertained and certified to the Gov
ernor, who should therenpon.isane hie warrant,
to tife j agents or banks author's Id to pay such
interest on behalf of . the Commonweakh, to
allow such difference to parties receiving the
interest, or at the option of the parties tu pay
the same in specie.
By the act of 11th April, 1862, it was pro
vided that for the.pUrpose of paying in 'specie
or its equivalent, all interest that should there
after be due by the Commonwealth., as required
by the act of -12th Tune, 1840, the several banks
who should avail themselves of the provisions
of; that act, (of lltir• Aprll, 1862,) and who
should refuse to redeem their notes in specie,
on demand,at any time within ten days upon •
or after the time when such interest should;
became' due, should thereafter, when required
by the State Treasurer, by notice in writing,
pay into the State Treasury, in proportion 'to
the capital stork paid in of each bank, their
ratable proportion of such premiumfor'gold
HS-equivalent, as slioaldlave been actually p id
by the State.
By , the act of the 30th Jrinuary, 1863, it was
provided that the State Treasurer shMild ex
change with the hanks an amount of currency
euffielent to pay
. the interest on the State
debt falling dus'on, the first diya of February
and. August, 1863, for the same amount
"of coin, and should give to the banks' sPecie
certifies* of exchange, not transferable,pledg
lug the faith of 'the State to return said coin in
exChange for notes current at the time; on or
befoie the first Monday of March, 1864', such
certificates to bear interest at the rate' of 2f
percent per annum.
• s
Under the provisions of the act - of - 1862, certain
banks paid into the State Treasury $140,768 30
as an equivalent for coin for the payment of lute
rest on tho public debt.
- Under the act of 1863, specie certificates have
been given to the banks, amounting in the
whole to $1,968,904 97, which, with the acorn
ing interest, will fall due on the first Monday of
Mardi next.
As,. the provisions of this act were of .a tem
porary character, the only acts in force on
the subject are those of 1840 and 1862, above
mentioned, under which it will-be the duty of
the-State.authorities to pay !be interest on the
Ist Febrnary, 1884, and thertafter,in coittor its
equivalent, and look to, the banks that may be
liable under-the act of 1802 foK xeimburseme'nt
of the prengum paid by the Gtsmtnonwealth."
In the face of all ..difficulties, this Common,
wealth, actuated by a sentiment which dQes its
people 'honor, has hitherto paid its interest in
Com or its equivalent.
Existing circumstances make it necessary to
consider now the fair extent of her just oblige:
tions.
The exigencies of the. ttnies have .compelled
the Government of the United 'States to Issas
large amounts of Treasury notes for circulation,
which are not redeemable in coin, and which
form the great mass of our circulating me
diem.
It is our duty as a loyal State r -•it is our inte
rest as a State whose welfare, and eyen sifety,
depend , emphatically upon the Maintenance of
themedit and the anizaess of .the military ope-
Aistions,of the general goverOtueut,-.7t040 noth
ing,to Wipet. its credit or embarrass its
~meas
ures. thrthe contrary. we o.'We it tp.ourselvea
and to our posterity to give an *wake"support
to its efforts to quell the monstrous rebellion
Which Is still raging, and thus restore peace to
our distracted country.
It is our own Covmument, and we could not,
without grow indecency, attempt to refuse its
currency in payment of taxes and other debts
due to the Commonwealth.
In 1840 the case was very different. The diffi •
cultiee then arose from the suspension of specie
payments by our State banks, mere local and
private corporations, and the State very, pro
perly by the act of that year, Intencied.to - pro
vide against loss to its creditors by reason of
such suspensions. An exigency like the present
could not then have been foreseen by the Log
islatnre, and it ie to he inferred therefore that
they could not nave intended to provide for it.
We derive our system of public loins from
Europe, and the true extent of our obli
gation is to be ascertained by referring to the
known established practice of European gov
ernments prior to the dates when our loans were
effected. I-mean of course such of those gov
ernments as were held toshave maintained their
national credit.
It is believed to have been the uniform prac
tice of such governments to pay their interest
in paper currency, however depreciatediduring
a legalized suspension'of specie payments. - An
observable instance of this is afforded by the
course of the British Government, which during
twenty-five years, from 1797_ to 1822, during
which the bank was prohibited by law from
paying out chin for any purpose„- paid the in
terest on its public debts in bank notes, which
during a great part of that time were at a heavy
discount, sometimes amounting , to 80 per cent.
or thereabout.. Their necessities then were not
greater than ours are now.
Among ourselves, at the present time, Mas
sachusetts (whose debt is. believed-4o be very
small) pays the interest in coin. Ohio and
Indiana pay in currency. In -New. York it is
not known wbaterill be done. , Her legislature,
by concurrent resolution, ordered< the interest
toe be paid in coin to foreign stockholderso-in
Aptil last.
At the present rate of premium on gold, the,
sum necessary to pay on an amount sufficient to
discharge the annual intere.stenqhe_State debt.,
woull be more than 31,000,000, and to meet
this, additional taxation to that extent would
be unavoidable. The demands on, the Treasury
for other neceesary,purposes must probably be
such as to render ;it imprudent to throw any
part.of this expenditure on the existing surplus,
To borrow money from year to year , to. Tay the
interest on past, loans would„ of course, be
wholly inadmissible. To leave the act of 1862
in force, and attempt to throw the payment of
this. large premium annually on the banks,
would be not only flagrantly unjust, hut quite
impracticable. I recommend the whole sob- 1
ject to the careful and immediate consideration
Alf the Legislature. Some legislation ought to
be-had on it before the close of-the present
month. In my opinion the Commonwealth
will have fulfilled her obligations by ,ero
viding for the payment of her interest
in the currency of, the Government. If
the Legialature should think fit to con
tinue to pay it in -coin, it will be their duty to
levy forthwith „the heayy taxes necessary
for that purpose. must in passing observe
that the planadcipted . by,one of the States of
paying coin to foreign, and currency to domes-
tic loan holders, appears to me to be wholly
unwise, and ,founded on no_ legitimate princt-
4,289,01 66
2,147,381 70
$954,720 40
13 00
2790
$954,720 40
8 26
4,448 88
724,82
$117,780 33
$38,496,696 78
$39,498,698 78
At the close of the last session, nineteen bilis I
renewing the charters of certain banks for
another period• of. five years were presented to
me. Of thesis I have (for reasons which will
be hereafter c)mmueicated,) withheld my,stg
nature from one and approved the reinainder.
I have been led to sign them by, the considbrei
tions that the banks of the Commonwealth pay
a large revenue which the. State can ill afford
to lose; and that . • in the present condition; of
the country, it would _ be impolitic to &lye so
much capital out of active use or • force it , into
new employments. •
If the National Banking aystem afford suffi
cient inducements, capital will voluntarily take
that direction. It is .proper to °terve that the
charters cf moat of the banks in.question ex
.pire at .an early period,While in consequence'
of, the invasion of the State, dnring the last
summer, they could not have been reasonably
expected to give the necessary notice of renewed
applications for re-charter.
• I recommend.an extension of the time during
which the banks are , now relieved from penal-
Mettler not paying their obligttions in coin.
The increased expenses of living invite atten
tion to. the . salaries of our public officers. Those
of the • Secretary of the Commonwealth, Auditor
General and State Treasurer, and of the Clerks
in their employment are, in my opinion, too
low, especially as the exigencies of the times have
greatly enhance:l. the labors and responsibili
ties of all, and in the case of the heada of those
departments,; enforce a constant attendacce at
klarriabnrg, which was not formerly required.
Under the Act of 16th April, 1882, and its
supplement paaaed 22nd April, 1864, the Ad
jutant General, ciaartemaster General and
,Commissary General have been acting as the
Board.of Military Claims. They have, up to
this time, approved claims to the amount of
$166,415 81, and others have been already pre
aented to the. further amount of $332,120 22,
which have not yet been acted on.
Under the Act of 22nd April, 1863, (P. L.
520,) the Court of Common Pleas, appointed
three appraisers to ascertain the damage dorm
in ; the counties on the Southern border by the
militia - called into service in September, 1862,
by the Anderson 'CavalrY in the same month,
and by the Rebels in their raid on the 10th an.l
11th October 1862:
The Appraisers have not yet completed the
performance of. their duties. When their re
port shall have been made to . the Court of Com
mon Pleas and affirmed , in whole or in part by
that court, it will be the duty of 'the Governor
to claim the payment of the amounts from the
General Government, and on failure to secure'
the, same, then to report to the next Leg's'
recontarendirig such action as be may
deem just and Proper.
The eipenses of the Transpottation and Tele
graph Depattment during the past year have
been. as followa:
Paid, feat of. appropriation made
by Military Loan act of 1861).$18,658 87
Unpaid (the appropriation beitig'ex.%
~.. 15,764 79
Outstanding liabilities , estimated at 6,000 00
$84;428 66
Theite expeuses have; beenmainly incurred in
keeping up the inComasy correspondence of the
military departments and in the transportation of
sick:and wounded and.the dead bodies of our
volunteers, as will be seen by, the report of the
Chief of Transportation; heiewith communi
cated. I recommend an appropriation to meet
the deficiency, and. also to carry on the service
of this departinent hereafter.
By gig Airteenth section of the act-of the
l6th.lffey,lB6l, the sum of $.?4,000 was ap
prolate:W.6i be expendeerby Ace Governor for
the compensation of such persons as he might
require to serve the Commonwealth k the
military organization of the Stats or the. Gen
eral Govern**, and for the expenses inohierit
to the business in which they might he em
ployed. ,
I have, according to law, settled annual
accounts of the expendittire of this fund in the
Auditor. General's (face, to which the Legisla
ture is referred. The unexpended bahince Is
now $4,521 98. A further atm should be ap
propriated in like manner. Out of this fund I
have paid the - persons whom 'I found It'neces
, eery tg employ in the militarr,dePlirtment, and
the expenses of Ott agenoY,•which r was COM -
Pealtad $O. efitahNh,:a.k. W
-IJr: h t n tlt; o 4 tßatteid to
qi - late:rest arid welfata of our yoluntecret: 'The
coi4innantie thip . . - ,aitenpy and 'the establish
ment of taleteller one In tite - Wasfare of Vital
Importance to them. j recommend the pas-
2=:M1:1
eage of ah act authorizing the appointment of
agents at .Washington and Nashville, and de
fining their dales, which should ir.ci tide the
collection of all bounties, back pay, pensions,
ctc., due to Fenasylvanians.
Oa thissubject I refer the Legislature to the
report of Colonel B. Biddle Roberts, late
Agent of the State, at Washington, herewith
communicated and commend it to your careful
examination.
On the invasion of the State during the last
surninet, thia'resideat made a call for militia,
anitivith hiaitsient I subsequently made a call
for volunteer militia for the defame of the
State. Under these calls men were afsembicd
and organized with promptness, atter the real=
ity of the emergency came to be understood by
our people. The General Government clothed,
and subsisted this force, and agreed to
pay it, but as no appropriation for that purpose
had been made by Congress, the Presideot and
Secretary of War promised if the money should
.be advanced from other quarters to recommend
its immediate repayment on the meeting of Con
gresa. It is understood that steps have been
already taken to fulfil this pledge. Several
of the , banks cheerfully and readily ad
vanced the necessary funds to the amount of
$671,476,43, on my promise to recommend
to the Legislature an appropriation to _repay
them in case Congress should fail to make. one.
I.accordingly make that recommendatiOn most
emphatically. Should it bo neceasmry, I will
Hereafter, in a special message, give the details
and correspondence relating to this subject.
Now York and hew Jersey, under the Pre-1-
dent's call, sent regiments to mist in ourde
fence for which our thanks are duo to.those
.States, our good neighbors.
After the battle of Gettysburg, iu which loyal
vo'.unteers from eighteen Statei, including
Pennsylvania, were engaged, it appeared to'
Me proper that all those States should unite
in establishing a cemetery on the spot, in which
I their soldiers who lad fallen in that con-
Met, should be honorably. interred. I accord
ingly. appointed DAvid Wills, Fag , of Gettys
burg. my agent, and through him, a site was
purchased ate goat of $2,475 87, and the con
veyances made to the Commonwealth. On
communicating with the authorities of the other
States, they all readily agreed to become par
ties to the arrangement, and on the 19th day of
November last, the cemetery was dedicated
with appropriate ceremonies in the presence of
the President of the United States, the Dover
,nors of the States concerned, and other high
offiCers, State and National. Oa the 19th day
of December, on,the4uvitation of Mr. Wills,
commissioners representing the States Interested
in the cemetery, met ; in . Harrisburg bud agreed
upon a plin for , its Impiovement and care in
the future, and the apportionment of the sum of
money required, to-the several States, which is
herewith communicated. The expenses attend
ing the retahlishment of this cemetery, includ-
inithe cost of the site and of removing the
bodies of the slain, have thus far amounted to
$5,209 38, and an appropriation will be to
,qtaired lo pay these expenses,
and to meet, our
portion of those attending its future mainte•
nance. It will appear by the proceedings of the
commissioners that their due proportion of
the expenses already incurred are to be re
funded by the States on whose account they
were made. It is just to say that Mr. Wills
has- discharged his delicate and impoi taut duties
with fidelity and ta,my entire Eatisfaction.
The act for the'relief of fandlies of volun
teers in service may require some revision. It
is alleged that in some parts of the State the
county authorities are backward in e.xocuting
ibe law. If this be so, the members from the
different connt!es will be aware of the fact, and
will be most ready to make such further enact-
Meats as may be proper.
I commend to the prompt attention of the
Legislature the subject of the relief of poor or
phans of our Soldiers who have given, or shall
give their lives to the country during this cri- '
sis. In my, opinion,theirmaintenance and ed
ucation should be provided for by the State.—
Filling other natural friends of ability to pro
ilde for them, they should be Honorably re
ceived and foateied as children of the Common
wealth. The $50,0f0 heretofore given by the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, referred to in
My last annual meEsage, !Estill unappropriated,
and. I recommend that, this Sum, with such
other means as the Legislatnie may think fit,
be applied to this end, in such manner as may
be thoughtmost expedient and effective. In
anticipationof, the adoption of a more perfect
system, I iecommend that provision be made
for. Henri& g the edmiesion of such child? e• •to
existing oducatfanal establishments, to & ere
clothed, nurtured' and .instructed at the ;t 'lie
expense. I make this recommendatiOn earnestly,
feeling assured that in doing so, I represent the
wishes of the patriotic, the benevolent and the
good, of the State.
I invite the attention of the Legislature to
the condition - of the loyal people of East Ten
nessee. which is represented to be most derilo•
rattle, and appeals with Irresistible force alike
to you; sympathies and your sense of juetice.
Their whole country has been laid waste by the
contending armies of the Government and the
rebels. Four times large armies have pasted
over that &strict, destroying or carrying off all
that had been gathered for, the approaching
winter, and now the women and children are
left in a state of destitution. •
The representatione made by sundry gentle
men of tbe highest respectability, from that
State, are of ' the moat heart rendirig character.
Starvation; rioted and 'present, now exist. Can
we, in the midst of affluent abundance, for a
moment hesitate as to what our action shall be
towards the people whose only, crime hag been
their loyalty and deVotion to the Government?
Even if a portion of our charity should reach
the ;Starving' funnies of those yin sympathy with
the rebellion better it should, than that these
devoted, Self sacrificing people who have so un.
hesitatingly adhered to the Government, be
left; to puffer, Whenever , pestilence and famine
distreseed the people of any portion of our
country, we have alwais been foremost in
relievieg them, and the people of Pennsylvania
have extended their open handed benevolence
and broad charity to the starving people of
foreign countries. Shall it' to said that the
appeals of these people Tor bread fall upon the'
heart of Pennsylvania in vain, and that we
Who have so recently given thanks for 'our
abundance have no relief for them In their ex- 1 1
tremities! I commend the subject , through
yon, to the people of the State, 'as worthy,the'
inniediate attention and active exertions of the'
charitable and the liberal.,
I should be glad if the Legislature would 1
.make a general revision of our Revenue Laws, ;
with a view to their increased productiveness.'
It ought to be observedAhat for a period of
more than twenty years, no material change
has been made in the 'Revenue Laws of this
Commonwealth - . During that time some inter
ests ' have grown into new importance, and
should be made to bear their just proportion of
the public expense, since all taxation should as
far as poseible, press qually upon rho property
and employmenti of our people.
Falling eat& revision, - I. recommend to the
cOnsideration of the Legislatute, the fellowiog
suggestions connected with the sullect.
lTa : r:a seve r a lc9 m : ali el in ieetat3
which, ladd i tion tolargenle privi l eges, havethen oo theroutsofntation
by which alone the products of the mines of
individuals in their respeCtive districts, can
reach a market. These companies thus enjoy
enbAintlal monopolies, by - means of which they,
fled:only racily° the fair profits of their o
•proeerty, but are' enabled to make additional
heavy gains'at the'airpenta of individuals. In
AO ?pinion. such privileigas ought 'icier to have been panted, but tis they exist It aPteant to be,
just that the ciaaa of ''companies w !Welin) ,
APT/ 101 99 1 4 ttiffefoi an eddillenal sires lfF.
Very large elms are due to the CCIMMOU
wealth for unpatented lams. Forbearance,
clemency, and liberality have been in vain tried
in the numerous attempts to procure the pay
ment of at least a part of this debt, from the
larger portion of those who are indebted on
that account. The continual:loBof this state of
affairs is unjust to the Commonwealth and to
the vast majority of her people who have hon
estly paid for their lands. It his become unen
durable. I recommend that the Leglalatnre
provide that the Surveyor General shall file of
record in the office of the Court of Common
Pleas of each county, a description of the lands
subject to the lien of the Commonwealth for
purchase money, and a statement of the amount
of principal and interest now due to the Com
monwealth, together with the patent fees on
each tract and ten per cent. on the amount so
due for the labor and cost of making and filing
such statement, and the aggregate, amount thus
stated, for each tract, shall be held to be the
amount now due thereon to the Commonwealth,
which shall bear interest at the rate of twelve
per cent. per annum, till paid, and shall con
tinneto be the first lien on the land, till paid,
and shall not be divested by any judicial or
other sale whatever. I also recommend the
adoption of a suggestion contained in the Sur
veyor General's report that a specific tax be laid
on all unpatented lands.
3. By existing laws municipal corporations
are required to deduct and pay into the Treasury
the ttx on all loans contracted by them. It is
believed that a large addition would accrue to
the revenue by the extension of this proviaion
to all counties and to all corporations private
or public:. •
I recommend that it be so extended.
4. A tax on the gross receipts of all rail
road and canal companies would, it is believed,
be productive and not oppressive.
Upon satiafitotory reports,. according to law,
made by Colonel John A. Wright, I have
drawn my warrants for thedelivery to the
Philadelphia and Erie Railroad company of
another million of the bonds deposited IV the
State Treasury. Four millions of said bonds
have therefore been now delivered. There can
be no reasonable doubt of the early completion
of the work, and, when completed, it is confi
dently expected thatthe 'bonds held by the
State, secured on the road foi $3,600,000, will
become good interest-paying securities.
.
I renew most earnestly the recessgmendation
made in my last annual message of a revision
of the militia laws. They are at present shame:,
fully defective. Indeed, if by a militia law is
meant a law intended to proxide for so enroll
log and organiziag the military force of the
State that it may be put' into service when re
quired, we may ba said to have no militia law.l
In each of the last two years I have been
obliged to call out the militia, but in fact those
who obeyed the cell were volunteers and, with
some exceptions, were wholly unorganized, so
that almost in face of the enemy, time had to
be consumed in distributing the men into com
panies and regiments, in electing officers and in
other preparations for effective organization.
Iu the report of the Adjutant General will
be found a list of the Pennsylvania regiments
and a statement showing the several armies
and departments in which they are now wir
ing. In this connection, I suggest the propri
ety of legislative authority being given for the
preparation of a history of each of our regi
ments and other organizations, to be preserved
among our archives. The necessary documents
are now accessible, and as they may in time be
lost or destroyed, the making of -such a record
as I prcpo.e should not be deferred. It is due
alike to the,living rind the dead•that this sub
ject should e promptly acted on.
I recommend that the proposed amendments
to the Corietitutlon, giving to citizens in the
public service out of the State, the right to
vote, be passed promptly and submitted to a
vote of the People at as early a day as poSsible,
so that such chime mey exercise their right
"of suffrage at all'future elections. This would
be only doing justice to the brave men who axe
periling their lives in our defence.
It is highly important that we should re
plenish the ranks of our regiments in the field
and supply the places of those volunteers
whose terms will soon expire and who may
decline futther service. I am happy to way
that a large proportion of our regiments are re
enlisting. Effortst, are making by myself and
by the people in various portions of the State
to procure a sufficient number of volun
teers, and with a promise of success, provided
a reasonable time be allowed for the purpose.
Meanwhile persons professing to be officers apd
agents from some other States are moat 'lm
'properly endeavoring to seduce our citizens into
their service by extravagant bounties and pro-
Mins.
The 12th Section of the act of 15thilay, 1861,
prohibits any volunteers from leaving the
State without the authority of the Governor,
and I now recommend the wane of a law
haposici.penalties by fine and imprisonment
on all individuals who shall endeaVor to procure
or aid and assist in procuring any person in
this State to enlist in the volunteer service of
any other State. Many of our counties and
townships have filled their quotas at a large
exphnse, and in others they are in course of
doing . tho same by offers of liberal bounties and
provisions for the families of volunteers, and it
is not right that these patriotic efforts should
be embarrassed by interference from beyond
our borders, especially` as -we cannot, in these
circumstances offer bounties by the State,
without the iejustice of compelling the counties
and townships which have already contributed
largely in that way, to assist in paying,try taxa
tion, for the deficiency of others.
I feel it to be my duty to call your attention
to the.pernicious practice of leaving many bills
to.be hurried through at -the close of the mi
dden. Daring the last ten days of the last Bea
rden; 890 billa were presented for my Edgware.
many of them of the most. important char
acter:. ..The whole number of bills pre
sented to me during . the session was 715.
In consequence of this habit not only are bills
passed without an opportunity to. either Home
for a proper consideration of their provisiona,but
the Executive is compelled either to sign them
without examination, _ or to hold them over per
haps to the public inconvenience. It may often
happen that- a bill not approved by reason of a
ankle obnoklons dame, might if there were
time, he repassed, omitting the objectionable
provision. In connection with the subject of
Legislation,J must refer to another mischief.
General laws have been pissed to give,relief in
certain cases which formerly required a special
act in eachease. As for instance Meanie of lands
by executors, administrators and trustees, the
adoption of children, the creation of mining and
manufacturiog corporations,and so forth. These
laws were passed to ensure such en examination
in each case aa would enable justiceto be done to
the parties and , to thopublic and also to "save
the time and expense consumed is prviate leg
isifdion• They have hitherto effected neither
purpose, but I:do seriously urge on the I&gis
' lature the consideration that whoever applies
fora special act under such - circumstances must
either fear the result of an impartial inquiry or •
(if, the application be for a charter) must de
sire the qinitridOn arinsertion of some provision
eontrary to what the Legislature has determined
after mature consideration to be just and legitt-
I refer to the Auditor. General's and State
Treasurer's reports for the details of our Amur-,
cial affairs, and to the reportsOf the Surveyor
General, Adjutant general, quartermaster
rat Gleu,e,ngr 00 4;11 1 esurY (Lateral, Surgeon Gone
-11 ' 41 ) . 0 1 0' at Washington, Chief of Tramp:nu
trition and Telegraph Department, And Super
intendent of Common 6:chock's, in regard to
Oa* several departments •
,
Ar c ILY last It was believed from infornation
received . that General Leelntinded to invad e
this ate, DenununicationscratheinbjAwsre
Immediately sebtto Washington, Urging - Stud
preparations for effective detence should not
ba delayed. Accordingly the War Department
erected two new military departments, wiz
The Department of the Monongahe*lnctindlng
that portion of the State lying met of the
mountains, to be. commanded by Mai. Gen.
Brooks, an d th e ',„ F t.elmirtment of the Susque
hanna, comprlslok the remainder of the State,
and to be commanded by Maj. Oen. Itkauth.
Early In Janii Maj. Gen. Couch arifired at
Harrisburg and-assumed otannutrid of hie de
partment, which be has since exercised with
the soldierlike ptomptnees, energy and discre
tion which were to be expected from his keown
character.
The rebels having tett:llly entered the Slate
in some force, and the approach of their whole
army being imminent, the President made a
requisition for militia from this and some of the
neighboring States, and several regiments from
New Yoik-and New Jersey were promptly sent,
and our own volunteer militia began to assem
ble, bat some embarntssments arising, the Pre
sident assented to a call by the Executive of the
State, which was accordingly made. Under
these calla 6,166 of the men of Pennsylvania
were assembled In the Department of General
Brooks, and 31,4 n in that of General
Conch. To give the details, or even a
summary of the operations which ensued,
would b 3 impracticable within the limits
of a message. It is unnecessary to do so, as
I have recommended the adoption of measures
for preserving , the history of our several regi-
meats and other organisations, and in that
history the events to which I have referred will
be recorded. It is due, however, to the men
who came forward, that I should say now that
they made long and laborious marches in
parts of this and other States which had beau
plundered by the rebels, suffered great priva
tions, and were frequedly in conflict with the
enemy; and on all occasions acted in obedience
b military discipline and orders, and with
courage and endurance.
Some of the militia called in 1862, and
in 1868, were killed and others disabled . In
all these cases, where there are no laws for the
relief of these men or their families, I recom
mend the enactment of a law for that purpose.
The campaign on our soil was closed by the
victory of Gettysburg, gained by the veteran
Army of the Potomac under the command of
Major General Meade, officers and men of
which ffisplated all their accustomed valor and
endurance in the conflict, and in the forced and
rapid marches which immediately preceded IL
Under Divine Providence, to them and to the
military genius and unsurpassed energy of
General Meade, and the promptness and self
sacrificing gallantry of General Reynolds, we
are indebted for success en that bloody field.
We are proud to claim Generals Meade and
Reynolds as eons of our own Pennsylvania.
The first lives to enjoy the most precious of
all rewards, the grateful appreciation of his
countrymen. The latter fell in the very front
of the battle, and we can only pay homage to
his memory. Whatever honors have been at
any time deviled to commemorate the virtues
of a patriot—of a true, fearless, loyal citizen
1 and soldier,
be has abundantly deserved.
—mis survi ving companions in arms claims the
right, of themselves erecting a monument to
him on the field on which be fell, and it would
not be well to interfere with their pious inten
tion. But I hope that the Legislature will place
upon the records of the State some a
testimony of the public gratitude ta i l o rat i d
his surviving commander.
It would be unjust to omit referring again to
the loyal spirit of our people, which has been
evinced in every mode since this war corn_
minced. Not -only have they sent 277,409
men for the general and special Service
of the Government, • and supported with
cheerfrilneas the burdeas of taxation, but
our storehouses and depots have liter
ally overflowed with comforts and necasalke,
spontaneously contributed by them, under the
active care of thoireandsof our women, (faith
ful unto death,) for the sick and wounded and
prisoners, as well as for our armies In the flea
Their patriotic benevolence seems to be men
beast/bk. To every new call, the response
becomes more and more IlbeiaL When Intel
ligence was received of the bulimia' starvation
of our prisoners in Richmond, the garners of the
whole State were instantly throwiLopen, and
before any similar movement had- been made
elsewhere, I was already employed on behalf of
' our people In efforts to secure the admission
through the rebel lines c•I the abundaat euppiles
provided for the relief of onr suffering brethren.
Those of our citizens who have fallen into the
habit of disparaging our great Commonwealth
and the unsurpassed efforts of her people should
[ blush when they look on this picture.
That thisunnatmal rebellion may be speedily
and effectually crushed, we lie—all—under the
obligation of the one paramount duty—that of
vigorously supporting our Government in Its
measures to that end. To the full extent of my
official and individual ability it shall be so sup ,
ported, and I rely heartily on your cooperatir,a
I am ready for all proper measures to arm - ellen
its arm— to encourage its upholders—to alum
LPN by palkrilberality, to themselves and their
families, the men who give to it their personal
service—in every mode to invigorate Reaction.
We are fighting the great battle of God—of
truth-of right—of liberty. The A.lmighly
has no attribute that can favor our seine and
sit:generate enemies. No pet:pie - can submit to
territorial difinemberment without becoming
contemptible in its own eyes and hr those of
the world. But it is not only against territorial
dismemberment that we are straggling, but
against the destruction of the very ground
work of onr whole political system. The ulti
mate question truly at is.ne is the 'possibility
of the permanent existence of a-powerful Be-.
public,. That is the question to be now solved,
add by the blessieg of Clod, we mean Cam it
shall not be our fault if it be not wheel
favorably.
We have, during the past year, made mighty
Arid% toward such a solution and to all human
appearance we approach, its completiow But
whatever renewal' 'may happen-whatever
blood and treasure may still he required—
whatever sacrifices may be necessary—there
will remain the inexorable determination et
onr people to fight out this thing to the end—
to preeerio atd perpetuate this Union.. They
have sworn that not one star shall be raft from
the' constellation, nor its clustered brightness
be (Awned by treason and savagery, and they
will keep their oath.
Attack on Oar Form at
They are Compelled to &amender
C/ICINNArI, Y ALL. 7 .
A special dispatehto the Obereserefr,4 Ba p th a t
a force under Samuel Jones atfected our troops
at Jonesville, Va., Sunday, eetedethlg of about
300 men. After desperate mamma s owl troops
knfrendered, losing thirty killed and,telrty
fiounded, one gun and 'Wu small howitzers.
The Department of MUM&
Kaorrint, Jan. 6_
Major General Curtis has been assigned the
command of the Department of Kaman, which
consists of Kansas, Colorado, tyibraska and
the Wilma Territort.
Gen. Curtis will trays for ljanew corranlad
a 1 1 . 2 90 1/. as the roads ale issalge-
Vermont , U4uo . li,
weaatzeTalt, Tan. 7-
'
ThOgoo- AIL Woodbridge. of Val tooti,. uoi, of
i
hay
melted iitelOgreol stating th at f the
the State la fall, with a =rialto o 270.,besidai
the oullotmento of volonteerslii the field.
A. G. CUBTIN