Pennsylvania Legislature.
L:EssION•
EXTRA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, April 80, 1861.
Agreeably to the proclamation of the Gover
nor, tbe House of Representatives convened in
their Chamber at 12 o'clock, M., to-d ß ay , and
ye
opened with an impreedve prayer bv. r.'
Greene, of the Erie Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
The Speaker then directed the Clerk to call
the roll of members, when the following an
swered to their names :
Messrs. Abbott, Acker, Alexander, Anderson,
Armstrong, Austin, Ball, Bartholomew, Bisel,
Blair, Blanchard, Bliss, Boyer, Bressler, Brew
ster, Brodhead, Burns, Butler, (Carbon,) But
ler,) Byrne, Caldwell, Clark, Collins, o,pe,
Craig, DIMIERUI, Divine, Douglass, Duffield,
Dunlap, Ellenberger,Elliott, Gaskill, Goehring,
Graham, flapper, Harvey, Hayes, Heck, Hill
man, Hood, Hones, Huhn, Irvin, Kline, Koch,
Lawrence, Leisenrirf, Lichtenwaliner, Low
ther, MDoriough, itt 'Cionigal, Manifold, Mar
shall, Moore, Morrison, Myers, Ober, Osterhout,
Peirce, Preston, Pughe, Randall, Reiff, Reily,
Rhoads, Ridgway, Roller, Schrock, Seltzer.
Shafer, Sheppard, Smith, (Barks,), Smith,
(Philadelphia,) Stehnutn, Taylor, Thomas,
Tracy, Walker White, W ildley,
liams,
Wilson and Davis, Speaker. —SG.
The following members were absent :
Messrs. Ashcom, Barnsley, Cowan, Donley,
Duncan, Frasier, Gibboney, Gordon, Mullin,
Patterson, Robinson, Stoneback, Strang, and
Teller.
The SPRAIN& then addressed the House as
follows :
Reyresentatises of Pennsylvania:
Onvensitan :—After an absence of less than
two weeks, we have been summoned together
by the Governor. The business we will be
called upon to transact will be of vast impor
tance to the State and nation. I trust that
Pennsylvania, through her Representatives,
will now take her true position, and ha obe
dience to the unanimous voice of her people,
heard upon every breeze' coming up from our
teeming valleys, and re echoed from bill to
hill, we will proclaim that the Government
must be sustained, , the Union preserved, that
treason must ba ptlt d6iNn', and traitors brought
to justice. Our peoPle Will not be satisfied with
anything but poeitive leghdation. They ex
pect us to art—
Ad in the living present, heart within,
And God o'er head.
We are not only expected to appropriate money
and provide implements of war ; but the people
of Pennsylvania expect us to proclaim to the
world the position of Pennsylvania on this ques
tion. So far as lam conversant with the senti
ments of the people their voice is unanimous for
war—they have suffered much for the sake of
peace—and would bave borne much more before
they would hair° Inaugurated war. The war
has been forced upon us without provocation.
Government 'property has been destroyed, our
flag insulted and trodden under the feet of
traitors. Our people are thoroughly aroused,
and unanimously declare vengence speedy and
terrible. The people of Pennsylvania demand
that communicathm must be kept open between
the loyal States and the Capital.
But I will not debit's you longer; you all
know the objects of our coming together, I
trust we shall have the same spirit, patriotism
and mustalmity that governed our actions when
we separated.. May our motto be one God, one
country, one party, and death to traitors.
There Is but one question to be decided—
whether we have& government or not. And
the people are ready for the question, and
from present inditstions - will decide it the
strongest on earth. '
Tits GOVIERNOIL'S PROCLAMATION.
The proclamation of the Governor, convening
the Legislature, was then read as follows :
Penny/mkt, at.
In the name and by the authority of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
ANDRRIT G. CURTIN.
A PROCLAMATION.
Wanes, Au armed rebellion exists in a
portion of the States of this Union, threaten
ing the destruction of the National Govern•
ment, periling public and private property, en
dangering the peace and security of this Com
monwealth, and inviting systematic piracy upon
our commerce; and
Wnealas, Adequate provision does not exist
by law to enable the Executive to make the
Military power of the State as available and
efficient as it should be for the common de
fence of the State and the General Government,
and
WIIIIMAB, Au occasion so extraordinary re
quires a prompt exercise of the Legislative
power of the State; therefore,
I, Monism G. Ouarrs, Governor of the oom
cconwalth of Pennsylvania, by virtue of the
powers vested in me by the Constitution, do
hereby convene the General Assembly of this
Commonwealth, and require the members of
the Senate and House of Representative 9 to
meet In their respective Houses, in the Capitol
at liar tieburg, onIII33DAY,THE THIRTIETH
DAY OP APRIL, A. D. one thousand eight hun
dred and sixty-one, at twelve o'clock noon of that
day, then and there to take into consideration
and adopt such measures in the premisesos the
*zip noy may seem to them in their wisdom to
demand.
In teetimony whereof 1 have hereunto set my
hand Rad caused the Great Veal of the Common
wealth to berafilied tit Harrisburg, this twen
tieth day of April in the year of Our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of
the Independence of the United States the
eighty-sixtb.
By the Governor.
ELI SLIFER,
Sarda rY of £h Cmll7llonuetilth
A Committee bora the Senate, consisting of
thwart BOUGHTER and PADRES, being in
troduced, anaounoed that the Senate had or
ganized and was ready to proceed to business.'
NOTIFICATION TO TUT MATO.
Mr. MOSE ogered the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee of two be appoint
ed to wait upon the Senate and inform them
that the Rouse of Representatives is organised
and ready to proceed to btudnesti.
adop Theted resolution was read a second time and
Messrs. PIJOR and ANDERSON were appoint
ed the Committee to act under the resolution.
NOTMCATION TO Tll2 OOTUROL
Mr. SELTZER, offered the following twirl
Lion:
Rsasiscl, That a Committee of three be. ap
pointed,' (if :the Senate concur) to inform the
Governor that the . General Assembly is organ
bad and ready taproceed to business.
Teiussolntkiti
.iyas reed a second ihne and
ad tessrs. SELTZER, BOYER and TRACY were
appointed the,'Cfpininittee, on the part of the
oue, to waitikike the Governor,
Ta Clerk of the Senate being introduced an
nounced that WINK • — LAWIMINI, GREGG and
Wi bad ban appointed a similar committee
on the Nan of the Senate.
Mr. THOMAS submitted the following :
Waimea, This sesdon was called by the
Governor to meet the extraordinary state of
our national affairs, by adopting measures to
maim the military power of the State available
and effident for the common ,defence of the
uspbll4l4len general Vernment. Therefore
.4*
_Zama a Ifouse Rexesentstiess
all. saga 01' vasseleasia, l rhatthere
1141- 46 'Valetta, durbig 41118 eesdOn ca
nt Mb as relates to our nattiatiratralta.s..
The resolution was laid over under the rule.
Mr. COLLINS offered the following resolu
tion:
Resolved, That the Governor he, and. he. is
hereby requested to eommuuicate to this ilouse
the number of volunteer companies who have
offered their services under the late call of the
President Of the United States, the names of
the counties from which each company comes,
time when offered and accepted, and whether
they are equipped for actual service or not ;
and if not, what number and where located.
The resolution wns read a second time.
At the suggestion of Mr. BALL, the resolu
Lion was modified by substituting "the Adju
tant Cieneral;' instead of "the Govenior." ,
The resolution as modified was adopted.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Mr. 111A11-IA.LL as.sked and obtained leave
of absence for Cr.AP GAzio, Assistant Sergeant
at-Arms.
Mr. BLANCHARD asked and obtained leave
of absence for J. R. Mmr.sa, one of the Asstst
ant•Doorkeepers
Mr. HAYES asked and obtained leave of ab
sence for Mr. PA=MON.
DIMINUTION IN NUMBED OF amens
Mr. PRESTON offered the following :
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk be requested to
retain only such number of Clerks, officers and
folders as may be necessary for the despatch of
business.
The resolution was read a second time and
agreed to.
REPORT OF COXVITTEZ9
Mr. SELTZER, from the Joint Committee ap
pointed to wait upon the Governor and inform
him that the Legislature was organized and
ready to proceed to business, announced that
the Governor would report to the House in wri
ting in five minutes.
Mr. PUGHE, from the committee appointed
to wait on the Senate and inform- them of the
otganization of the House, reported that the
committee had performed that duty.
RULES OF TILE HOUSE
Mr. WISON offered the following:
Resolved, That the rules of last session be,
and they are hereby adopted, for the govern
meat of the House during the present session.
The resolution was read a second time and
agreed to.
HOUR OF lIIENTING
Mr. RANDALL submitted the following:
Resolvedeglat this House meet daily at 10
o'clock A. AL, during the present session.
The resolution was read a second time.
Mr. SHEPPARD moved to amend by insert
ing the words "and sit till one."
Mr. RANDALL accepted the amendment as
a modification; and the resolution as modified
was adopted.
MESSAGE Of Tall GOVERNOR
The Secretary of the Commonwealth being
introduced, presented a message from the Gov
ernor, which was read as follows :
Exseunvx thualAra,
Harrisburg, April 1.01:0 •
7b the Senate and House of I?epresentat loss of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:,
Gentlemen :—The present unparalleled exi
gency in the affairs of our country, has induced
me to call you together at this time. With an
actual and armed rebellion in some of the
States of the Union, momentous questions
have been thrust upon us which call for your
deliberation, and that you ehourd devise means
by legislation for the maintenance of the au
thdrity of the General Government, the honor
and dignity of our State, the protection of our
citizens, and the early establishment of peace
and order throughout the land. '
On the day of my induction into the Execu
tive office, I took occasion to utter the following
sentiments :
" No one who knows the history of Pennsyl
vania, and understands the opinions and feel
ings of her people, can justly charge us with
hostility to our brethren of other States. We
regard them as friends and fellow-corintrymen,
in whose welfare we feel a kindred interest; and
we recognize, in their broadest extent, all our
constitutional obligations to them. These we
are ready and willing to observe generously and
fraternally in their letter and spirit, with tin;
swerving fidelity.
"Ours is a National Government. It has with.
in the sphere of its action all the attribates of
sovereignty, and among these are the right and
duty of self-preservation. It is based upon a
compact to which all the people of the United
States are parties, It is the result of mutual
concessions, which were made for the purpose
of securing reciprocal benefits. It acts 'directly
on the people, and they owe it a personal alle
giance. No part of the people, no State nor
combination of States, can voluntarily secede
from the Union, nor absolve themselves from
their obligations to it. To permit a State to
withdraw at pleasure from the Union, without
the consent of the rest, is to confess that our
Government is a failure. Pennsylvania can
never acquiesce in such a conspiracy, nor as
sent to a doctrine which involves the destmc
don of the Government. If the Government
into exist, all the requirements of the Consti
tution must be obeyed; and it must have power
adequate to the enforcement of the supreme
law of the land in every State. It is the first
duty of the national authorities to stay the pro
gress of anarchy and enforce the laws, and
Pennsylvania, with a united people, will : give
them an honest, faithful and active sup rt.
The people mean to preserve the Integri ty of
the national Union at every hazard."
It could scarcely have been aiatioipated at
that time,that we should so soon be called upon
for the practical application of these truths in
connection with their support and defence by
the strong arm of military power.
The unexampled promptnas and enthusiasm
with which Pennsylvania and the other loyal
States have responded to the call of the Presi
dent, and the entire unanimity with which our
people demand that the integrity of the Gov
ernment shall be preserved, illustrate the duty]
of the several State and National Governmemteo
With a distinctness that cannot be disregarded
The slaughter of northern troops in the city
of Baltimore, for the pretended offence , ot ,
marching, at the call of the Federal Govern
ment, peaceably, over soil admittedly in the
Union, and with the ultimate object of defend=
ing our common Capital against an armed and
'ebellious invasion, together with the ob
struction of our Pennsylvania troops when
despatched on the same patriotic mis
sion, impose now duties and responsi
bilities upon our State administration. At last
advices the General Government had military
possession of the route to Washington through
Annapolis ; but the transit of troops had been
greatly endangered and delayed, And the safety
of Washington itself imminently threatened.
This cannot be submitted to. Whether Mary
land may profess to be loyal to the Union or
otherwise, there can be permitted no hostile
soil, no obstructed thoroughfare, between. the
States that undoubtedly are loyal and their nay
tional seat of government. There is reason:tcl
hope that the route through Baltimore may be
no longer closed against the peaceable passage
of our people armed and in the service of the
Federal Government. Brit we must be fully
assured of tids, and have the uninterrupted
enjoyment of a passage to the Capitol by any
and every route essential to the purposes of the
Government. This must be attained, peacea
bly if possible, but by force of arms if not ac
corded.
' The time is past for temporizing or forbear-
ing with this rebellion; the most causeless in
history. The North has not invaded, nor has
she sought to invade a single' guarantied right
of the South. On the contrary all political pat- ,
ties and all administrations have • fully recog
nized the binding 'force of every. prevision of
the great compact betieen the States, and re
gardless of our views, of State policy, our people
Peunziluaiiinit dipZetegraph.7 nag , fireit , 1 1 186 1.
4
have respected them. To predicate a rebellicn.
therefore, upon any alleged wrong, inflicted
or sought to be inflicted upon the South is to
offer falsehood as an apology for trcasqii...
will the civilized world and liist,4 joskt . `thi,
mad effort to overthrow the most beneficent
structure of human government ever devised
by man, - _
The leaders of the rebellion in the Cotton
States, which has resulted in the eshiblisliment
of a provisional organization assuming to dis
charge all the functions of governmental pow
er, have mistaken the forbearance of . thd Gen
eral Government ; they have accepti.d a 'frater
nal indulgence as an evidence;of weakness, and
have insanely looked to a
. united South, and
a divided : North:o giro succ : ere to ijie yi4dinan-.
Mimi that has led to the seizure or our ninon
al arsenals and arms, the investment and bom
bardment of our forts, the plundering tSf.oar
mints, has invited piracy upon our commerce,
and now aims at the possession of the. National
Capital. The insurrection must• now be -met
by forix of arms ; and to re-establish the:gov
eminent upon an encluring,,bseht by asserting
its entire supremacy, to re-poesess the forts and
other governnient prO — perbr SO unlawfully seized
and held; to ensure personal freedoin hndsafety to'
the people and commerce of thelJnion in every
section, the people of the lopal States demand,
as with one voice, and, will contend for, as with
one heart ; and a quarter of a Million of Penn
sylYtmian's sons will answer the call to arms,
if need . be, to wrest us from a reign of anarchy
and plitrider; and secure for themselves and
their children, for ages to =he, the perfietuity
of this government and -its beneficent institu
tions. . _
Entertaing these views and anticipating that
more troops would be, required than -the:: Mid.
her originally called for I,pontinued to receive
companies until we kital 'raised twenty-three
regiments in:PennsyWarda, , alL ; of 'which have
been mastered into the service the United
States. In this anticipation I was not mis
taken. On Saturday last, an additional requi
sition was made upon me for twenty-five regi
ments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry;
and there have:leen already•more ompernes.
tendered - than will taida-up the'entire comblel
meat.
Before th. regiments couldi be .clothe‘threse
of them . arerd Ordered by the National (Stover&
ment to proceed from this point to Philadel
phia. I cannot too highly commend the pa
triotism and devotion of the ,men who,, at a
moment's warning; 'Anti Withiktit ftuylwepar"-
tion, obeyed the order. Three of the regi
ments, under similar eireurnstanoes, by di
reotion of, and accompanied by offi
oers of theAlniteg
~§tites were Ararat
ported to Cockeysville, near Balthicire;
at which point they remained for two days, and
until by directions Of the Genenil Gipierninent
they were ordered back and7W - 04 into came at
York, where there are now regir!iente—",
Three regiments mustered into: service are now
encamped at Chambersbusg, under orders from
the General Government ; and "five regimeatii
'
are now in camp at this place, and seven have
heen organized and
_mustered into service: at
The regiments at this place are stilkeupPlied
by the Commissary Department of the State.
Their quarters are as comfortable as could be
expected, their supply of provisions abundant,
and, under the instruction of competent officers,
they are rapidly improving in military knowledge
and skill. I have made arrangements thOlothe
all our regiments with the utmost dispatch Ceti- ,
sistent with a proper economy, said am most
happy to say that' before the close of the present
week all our people now' under arms will be
abundantly supplied with good and appropriate
uniforms, blankets and other clothing. -
Four hundred and silty of our volunteers,
the first to reach Washington from any of the
States, are now at that city ; these are now
provided for by - the General Government; but
I design to send them clothing at the earliest
possible opportunity. I am gladto be able to state
that these men, in their progress to the Nation
al Capital, received no bodily injury, although
they were subjected to Insult in the city of
Baltimore, such as shoUld nothave been, offered:
to any law-abiding citizen, much less to loyal
men, who, at the call of the President, had
promptly left their own Safe in the perform
ance of the highest duty and in the service of
their country.
A large body of unarmed men, who were not'
at the time organized as a portion of the militia
of this Commonwealth, under the command of
officers without Commissions, attempted un
der the call of the National Goverrunent, asl un
derstand, to reach Washington and were assault
ed by armed men in the citybf Baltimore, many
of their number were seriously wounded, and
four were killed. The larger part of this body
returned directly to Philadelphia ; bit' many
of them were forcibly detained in Baltimore ;
some of them were thrust into prison, and
others have not yet reachod'their hoines.
I have the honor to say that the officers and
men behaved with the utmost gallantry. This
body is now organized into a regiment, and
the officers are commissioned ; they have been
accepted into the service, and .will go Wash
ington by any route indicated by the Federal
Government.
I have established a camp at Pittsburg, at
which the troops from Western Pennsylvania
will be mustered into service, and Organised
and disciplined by skillful and experienced
officers.
I communicate to you with great satisfaction,
the fact, that the banks of the Commonwealth
have voluntarily tendered any amount of
money that may be necessary for the com
mon defence and general welfare of the State
and the nation in this emergency; and the tem
porary loan of five hundred thousand dollars
authorized by the Act of the General Assembly
of the 17th April, 1861, was promptly taken at
par. The money Is not yet exhausted ; as it
has been impossible to have the accounts prof
perly audited and settled with the accounting
and paying officers of the government as re
quired by law,
an aeoountof this expenditure
c umot now be furnished. The Auditor General
and State Treasurer have established a system-
of sbttlement and payment, of which I e.ntieely
approve, that provides autp).y for the protee din
of the State, and to which • all parties-4in
claims will be obliged to conform.
A much larger sum will be required than has
been distinctively appropriated; but Icould net
receive nor make engagements. .for moneys
without authority of latcartil-Ne - - .oB ll lx.
you together,. not only to provide, fora o2w,
plete re- organ ization the militia Oftlieffffite,'
but also, that you may give. me authority to
pledge the faith of the Commenwealth to Ixtr-_.l
row such sums of money-as you may, in your
dbtcrellon, deem necessary. fh theMs
Extiaotdi
nary requirements. -
It is impoesible -to piiidiet the leniths to
which "the madness that rules the hour" in
the rebellious Stately shall lead us, or when the
calamities which threaten our hitherto happy
country shall terminate. -We know that many
of our people have already left the State in the
Service of the General Government, and that
many more must follow. We have a long line
of border on States seriously disaffected, which
should be protected. To furnish ready,eupport to
- to those who have gone out, and to protect our
borders we should have a well regulated mill-
tary force.
; therefore, recommend the immediate or
gaization, disciplining and arming of at least
fifteen regiments of cavalry and infantry, ex
clusive of those called into the .service of the
United States; as we have already ample warn
ing of the,necessity of being InelgiFeAfc'r any
sudden exigency tliatMay, arise. , 'cannot too
much impress this upon rm.: s :
I cannot refrain "froit alluding tir Me gent,
erous *timer iii ivhrch the people of all its
of the State have i frem, theirlpriishe Yneflak
Wovided ioLthie &LIU:SO th4 -4 £4404 -01 " 441.
who are now under arms. In many parts Of. ik*
ConalionintaTerazid Juries, and Comte 1451
municipal co po rations have recommended the
appropriations of moneys from their public
fuel, fur the wile commendable, purposc. I
would recommend the passage of an Act legal
izing and autlierishai such appropriations and
expenditunsi. :1.3 .
it May be expected that, in the present de
rangement of trade and commerce, and the
withdrawal of so much industry from its ordi
nary and productive channels, the selling value
of property generally Will be depreciated, and
a large portion of our citizens deprived of the
Ordinary means of meeting engagements. Al
though much forbearance may be expected from
a genercitia 'and magnanimous people, yet I
feel it my duty to recommend the passage of a
jaelicionti law to prevent the sacrifice of pro
'Party by forced sales in the collection of debts.
You meet together at this special session,
surrounded by circumstances involving, the
.most solemn responsihilitiea; the recollections
of the glories of the past, the reflections of the
gloomy present, and the uncertainty of the fa
titre, el alike ball upon you to discharge your
duty: in a spirit of . patriotic courage, compre
hensive wisdonrand firm resolution. Never in
the history of our peace-loving Commit:Cm:Blth
have the, hearts of our people been so stirred in
i
the' depths: as at the present moment•• And,
I feel
, that I need hardlyeay to you, that in the
perf rmalVe.ef yObr dtdies on this occasion,
and n prOilding.the Ways ! and -means for the
maintenance•of our country's glory and our in
tegrity as a nation, you should be inspired by
feelings ofself-sacrifice, kindred to thope which
aniniate the, brave men who luive devoted their
lives` to the perils of the battle field, in defence
of mir nation's Bag. "
Gentlemen, I place the honor of the. State in
-Your hands. . And I pray that the Almighty
God, who protected Our fathers in their efforts
to establish this our great constitutional liber
ty—who has controlled the growth of eivfliza
bon and ohristianity in our midst, may not now
forsaker us; that He nierwatch over your coun
sels, .and..inay, in ES prOVIIIALLCCI, ; lead those
who have left the path of duty, and are acting
in open. rebellion to the government, back
again to perfect loyalty, and restore peace, har-,
anon, and fraternity to our distracted country.
A. G. CURTIN.
'The reading;of the message being concluded,
Mr. BALL moved that it be.referred to a se
lect committee of seven.
Mt. WI LaT4..10 moved to amend by adding
the words, instructions to report by bill
or otberwise.'?:
M BALL uCcepted the amendment ,as a
modification; - :and the motion as modified was
agreed to.
Elviirtox OF XMTAIIT LAWS.
M. WILSON moved thole Select Committee
of five be appointed to revise the military laws
of this Conunonwealth.
The resolution was read a second time and
PUNTINO GIOVIMITOIt'S lIMEOLGR.
ArtAPER submitted the . folloiring:
Resolved, That, 10,000 aphis of the Goverar's
Message be printed for the use of the House.
Mr. BLEAR moved to amend by adding: "and
3000 in German: ,
AgreedtiLir •
The res ell WitiOnaed was' adopted
TELE STAY LA..343,
Mr. DI7FFMLI)-,(on. leavp : given) read in
place a bill entitlea;clan'Act-relating to judg
ments ant Mc anclthoyed ins reference
to the Special tomtnittott. pf seven, to whom
were referred the several stadpctapnibraced in
the GoVerito4Metiffaig.
The bill yeas so referred:. :. • ,
Eqtaispntr vntkpaiinats, Ann.
.
Mr. DAVIS (on leave given) presented a peti
tion from citizens 0,1 : Veitaxi4o .00unty, numer
ously signed,..prayMg lor„tho passage of-a law
authorizing nurooMthiZtitiners Of that county
to subsczOinioney for the equlpment of troops
and the support of the:families-of .absenteei in
the wars-
Referred. to, the. Select Contio4tt.o on the lacw
oxnqr's message:
SUPP9ItT Okr r.sanyes .or vorantiurd.
.
Mr. TRA.GY;(on: leave given,) read in place
a bill, entitled " an Act for the relief and sup.
port of the fentilliOf suCli'Vpltinteers as have
been, or ratty lieiertfter.' be, acoepted by the
Governor thee Commonvicalth from the
county of Bradford."
Referred to the Committee int the:Judiciary,
"dt •
On motion of Mr. the House
- Adjourned.
SENATE. - '
TUESDAY, - April 30, 1861
Agreeably to the proclaatatson of the Gover
nor, cowre**, the
.oe):itgiaerablY.of this
Commonwealth to meet in their respective
Chambers at 12,
i o'clock,l4,„thls day:
The Siitisiistaisernilledin Ohlarriber, and
was called to order by.§peakerdl4.l.4.
The Clevk 0:14164 414 ion,: vaiiii:ll4i,fellowing
Senator's answei‘ctiii their names •
Present—Messrs. Blood, :BonghterT:Hound,
Clymer -.Connell, %Crawford, r Finneyt f ,;
Gregg, illestand, Imbrie, Liiitience, M'•
Cline, Meredith, Nichols, Palmer, -PirkeiiPen
nay, Rob Thomp
son,Wash; Whar ton, Hall, Sp 27. .
A quorum of 'Senators belng .inelient, an BP'
propriate and patriotic., prayer rwas, offered by
Rev. Mr. MauterT r ofl4hanprb j,.
or m ,spwdqt
Tho SPEAKER rising, delivered the following
address : .
Bravoes—The occasion of our convening so
soon after a final adjournment is An extraordi
nary one; and is calculated to diminish those
pleasurable emotions which we would naturally
have in rediezimiding is associaate! and friends.
The reasons` rerielling the Exacta:lyd to convene
the General Asenillly- of -the -Commonwealth,
in extra session at 'thitrthrie; (as ' indicated in
his .proclamation),commend themseltes to our
serious attention s ,ln view of, the present con
dition of the onintrand the dht3r Pennsylvania
owes tsithellatkeialacivernment i the impracti
cahility.of our - present military system must be
obviotuflo ell, and ditaaglslative power. of the
State is properly called, en4emnder it available
and effective. The statute regilating and or
gar4z4ig-..014 illigkeYSitgaie tif. this. State mere
.pted a time of ; peace, when .there was no .
hematite etirehension of war- - certainly none
oP :ThWdlit not, therefore,, receive
that .'itarefeitand earnest consideration which
would he - likely to make their practical work
bag effective in times like these.
Our 'people hatre evinced the moat intense ar
dor in the service -.of the State, and a general
and irrepressible desire to be_galled into thefield
in defence 'Pt; the . ..Government. Thousands of
brava- and .feirdY volunteers, emulating each.
other"in the race of honor-and glory, who ten
dered their services to the Governor in answer
to the first call of the President, have not yet
been accepted,-as the number required was be
fore made up. ' - .-
At a moment'ewerningtheY will gladly rally
around-their country's . zMindard. let prompt
and energetic qneastcree -- he adopted for the
equipment and organization`of as.many of our
citizens as offer tiler Let not meet
thefoe on an unequal footing. We shudder as we
think that part of our unarmed troops- might
have been cut to pieces iitarching through the
streets of Bintimoye thrtingisil with the rebel
lious mob, thirstinAortherr blobd : The stern
necessity „of provi 7PriiiiiitlYlei any emer
gency commends Atark,to.cinr ,immediate con
sideration. NOW m the very Millis of our Na
tional fatp. .The - lpoplex -- Statesi seem to be Fe-,
g plunge 'of 'secession. We
of with-any-degree-of- confidence er4s6ct
'scything but opposition &tan •:nibit of them.
'"Pe
,fires 1 1 ; MI ) 4 1 41% 11 -smi Olga* -OF Avied-
Watd." " to sparkittrA'borms on the breeze."
A decisive and overwhelming blow struck now.
in the beginning of this conflict into which the
Federal authority has been forced, such a blow
as the great North, teeming with its free mil
lions, is capable of inflicting, may decide the
contest forever.
I have been unexpectedly called upon to dis
charge the duties of the position your kindness
elevated me to before our adjournment, and I
am not unmindful of the difficulties of the
place.
I am encouraged, however, by reflecting upon
the candor, dignity and decorum, which have
characterized your deliberations during the late
session. Nothing could tend so much to re
lieve my mind from the embarrassments of the
office as a continuation of the same happy and
congenial temper, and the same attention to
the rules and order during the time we may
be here.
The Clerk then read the proclamation of the
Governor convening the eztra session.
ORIGINAL RESOLUTION
Mr. LAWRENCE offered the following reeo
lution, which.wae twice read:
Resolved, That a Committee of three be ap
pointed to act in conjunction with a similar
C.ommittee froth the House of Representatives
(should the House of Representatives appoint
such Committee) to wait upon the Governor
and inform him that the-Legislature is organ
lied and ready to proceed, to business.
The resolution was agreed to, and
- Memi LAWRENCE, GREGG? ind WELSH
were appointed said Committee.
PARKER, offeredthe following resolution,
which was twice, read:
#esolveci,'hitt a Committee-,"of two be ap,
ponttedloAnfor*.the Represeritatives
that the Senatitis now organised' and ready. to
proceed to business.
The resolution was agreed to, and
~Messrs. PARKER and BOI7GHTER were ap
pointed said committee.
Troottivcr m=;iLwerr
Mr. WELSH. move that when the Senate
adjourn it adjourn to Meet to-morrow at ten
o'clock;and hereafter' adjourn at one, P. M.;
and that those be the atandinghoun .for the
meeting and adjournment of the Senate.
Mr. PENNEY. I move to amend the_ motion
M.
by providing that, the Senate meet at eleven,
A.
The purpose of my amendment is simply
this suppose that we will have no business
before us during at least the first two or three
days of the session, which will require unto sit
in session for three hours. Our business will
first have to be carefully matured in commit
tee.
Mr. WELSH. We can very easily meet at
ten 'o'olocK, £ M., and if theie is no business
fortis to do, we can ; adjourn for a certain time ;
but 'the sooner we get thrtrugh with our busi
ness, the batter will it be foraus all and we
will: thus be enabled to get to our liomes.
On agreeing to the amendment of Mr. PEN-
The yeas and nays were required by Mr.
PENNEY and Mr. WELSH, and were as follow
viz :
Yeas—Messrs. Bonghter, Clymer, Crawford,
Eflestand, Imbrie, Meiedith, Nichols,
Parker, Penney,. e l;. s3mith,
Thompson and. Hall, r— , ls.
NAYS--Illessra. Bound, Connell, Finney, Ful
ler. Gregg, M'Clure, Palmer, Robinson, Welsh
and Wharton--10.
So the amendment was agreed to ; and the
motion as amended was agreed to.
COXXITTES FROM TICE ROM
Messrs. PIIGHI3- and ANDERSON, a com
mittee from the House of Representatives, be
in i introduced, informed the Senate that the
House of Repreientatives was duly organized
and ready to proceed to business.
BMW L' PLACE ON LEAVE.
Mr. SMITH read in his place and presented
to the Chair bill entitled "an Act to provide fur
the inspection of salted provisions for the navy
and army and for exgortation."_
Laid upon the:table.
Mr. IRISH moved that, the Senate take a re
cess of ten s ndnutea.
Not agreed to.
3[EIGA.OI7 most THZ lIOUBL
The Clerk of the House of Representatives
being introduced, informed the Senate that the
House had appointed Messrs. SELTZER, Born
and TRACY a committee on the part of the
House to wait upon the Governor and-tifform
him that the Legislature is organlied and ready
to proceed to business.
EXPORT OP A SELECT COMMITTEE
Mr. LAWRENCE, from the Joint Committee
appointed to wait on the Governor and inform
him that the Legislature is organised, etc., re
ported having performed that duty and that
he would in a few moments, communicate with
both Houses in writing.,
MISTILQZ DRAM THE Govrßicort
The Deputy Se4;retery of the Comiuonwealth
being introduced presented a message from
the Governor which was read
EMMEN OF THE EXTRA TESSION
Mr. FINNEY offered the ' following resolu
tion which was twice read
Resolved, (if the House concur,) that all legisla
tion during the present Extra Session of the Le
gislature shall be confined to the subject matter
referred to in the message of the Governor; and
matters incident thereto.
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr. FINNEY. There is one matter in con
nection with the resolution which has just been
adopted to which I desire to call the attention
of the Seruite.
At the last session of the Legislature an Act
was passed extending extraordinary privileges to
the banks of this Ctimmonwealth, and imme
diately following the passage of that Act the
consequence has resulted which is bearing with
great burden upon the citizens of this - State
that is, the currency has become utterly de
ranged, and the rate per cent. of exchange has
become enormously high, so much so as almost
to obstritct the business transactions of the
iiiuntry. I attribute this state of things par
ticularly to the passage of that bill. It has en
abled the banks, acting upoa their speculative
'fears of credit of one another to discharge their
own currency ; and' when it is offered in com
mercial transactions, it is refused—and refused
by the banks themselves. This' was provided
against in 1857 by compelling the banksto take
their own currency, but now instead of there
being any benefit derived to the busineis of the
country from-the exception of this extraordi
nary provision, we have the remarkable;result
that the business of the countryis,taxed far be
yond the amount of taxes which are required to
carry on this government. Between the cities
of Philadelphia and Pittsburg to-day the rate of
exchange is five per cent, and in Harrisburg
three percent: This should be corrected by
legislation, and whether it be &matter of bad
ness incidental to that of thiii session or not,,it
should be corrected at this *se.
There is a general system of banking in the
State of Pennsylvania, and in times like
these that system should sustain itself ;
that is, it should sustain its ' currency
and unless a bank is unsound in its charter aid
condition, the other banks should not r@ di,
ate or discredit its currency. They should not
be allowed to do this, especially when they are
asking for extraordinary privileges and exemp,-
dons from the operation of law. Itfisone part.'
of the duty of- the Legislature- at this time - to"
',furnish to our people in the present 'exigtncy,
it currency with which they can Perfotlivithe;
busbies" transactions ;of life. The evils Vd64 .
I have refirred to may be provided against by
I compelling these institutions to act in °ogres°.
Lion, as they have voluntarily noted under
another system of banking in Vie State of New
York. The great strife in the west is to ob
tain the currency of the States ,•of Ohio and.
New York, which is above par , while the,cur
rency of Pennsylvania, which 'it hall 130140 it-
tempted to benefit by legislation, is novitdo.
her owa borders and among her own business
men, from five to ten per cent below par. I
object to the banks of this Commonwealth
making a virtue of the fact of their money ly
ing idle, in preference to a safe investznent,on.
the credit of the suite, and at the saute time
destroying the business relations of the State;
and hence, if the resolution just passed is not'
broad enough, I hope the Legislature willmake
it sufficiently broad to admit of a consideration
of the subject of a currency.
Mr. Iiii'CLURE: I suggest to the Senator
from Crawford that the resolution is amply
broad.
- .
3Sx. PINNEY. I move' Id 'neOnsider thto
vote by which the resolution I offered was
agreed to.
The motion to reconsider was
airria
Mr. FINNEY then asked. and (Mamas the
unanimous consent of the Senate to rimed. .the.
resolution by adding the following words time
to : "and to consider the subject of currener"
Mr. SMITH. I presumd that no member or'
the Legislature will introduce a bill during the
present session which does not bear upon the
ortbject for the consideration of which we have
been called together. My attention has been
called to the matter referred to by the Senator
froni Crawford. Ido not know whether the
evils alluded to resulted from our legislation et
the ordinary session of this body, but there
ought to be something done, with a view to
meet at least some of the difficulties which have
grown out of the present condition of things:
I have had a bill sent to me, the providing; of
which set forth that the banks ntay—not to be
compalkd—hut that they may take the notes of
each other in payment of debts and pay thou '
out at their counters.
Mr. FINNY. That is the law at present.
Me SMITH. It is not construed to be the
law with regard to the city banks. They base
not the right to pay out the notes of other banks
at their counters on checks. The law immeits
them from so doing.
Mr M'CLURE. The idea that the Legisla
ture cannot compel the banks to do what the-
Senator from Philadelphia has referred to, is , in
my judgment absurd. Prior to the pass 'e Of
the law, mentioned by the Senator from Craw
ford, not one of these thanks in the State of
Pennsylvania had a charter. They were acting ,„
without the sanction of law, and were mak*
at the mercy of the Legislature ; and when this
body stepped in and relieved those banks, not
only from the penalties to which they were
subject by their suspension, but gave them ex: ,
traordiruary privileges—the moment they secur
ed their own charters, instead of relieving the
necessities of the people, as every person sup
posed they would, they seemed to have com
bined flir the purpose of extorting from the
business community a tax on their own cur
rency. This is simply an imposition on the
business community ; and this Legislature ha i
the right to compel those banks to take the!
notes of every sound bank in Pennsylvania at, .
not less thou three-fourths per cent. -
The iesolutiort, as ' amended, eta. .
Passed finally.
greYnnvo ocenansts.
The SPEA.KEit. The Chair a:Monaca that
the Ltanding Committees created at the last
sesbiun will be continued during the pres•wt
session. The vacancies occasioned by the tbo
don of the present Speaker, will ba filled by
the appointment of the Senator twin' Schuyl
kill; (Ads. PALMS?. )
The Stan , ing Committees for the present'
extra session, as remodelled, are constituted as
follows
Financ&—Mesars. Finney, oaregg, Wes,
Smith and Benson.
Tudiciary.—Messrs. Penney, Yardley, Palsnet #
Keith= and Smith.
Retrenchment and Reform.—Mends. Nichols,
Penhey, Yardley, Berrill and Schindel.
Educe:kn.—ltaus. Ketcham, iliestand,
Fuller and fiewndel.
Accounia.—Mesgra. Connell, Imbrie, Bound,
Clymer and Crawferd.
:Agriculture and Domestic' Manufaduree,..4feepre.
lifemdith,Landon,Berrill,Lawrence,and Thom
son.,
Estates end Escheats,—Mesars. Palmer, Irish,
Benson, Boughter and Clymer.
Gregg,Gregg,
Wharton and Nichols.
Penzions and Gratuities.—Mesers. Yardley,
Ketcham, Meieiitb, Berrill and Blood.
Library,—lllessrs. Belll3olk, Penney and , lknunl.
Rita& and Pridga. —Messrs Hamilton, Thomp
son, Lawrence, Blood and gat
Compare Bilk. —Messrs. Robinson, Faller,
Boughter, Bound and Clymer.
arporations.-- Messrs. Smith, Palmer, Con
nell; Robinson and Hamilton.
Banta.—Messrs Lawrence, Parker, Mestand,
Wharton and Welsh.
Vice andjmmorality. —Messrs. Landon, Thomp
son, Fuller; Schindel and Blood.
Private Claims and Damom—Maim rrlalt;" •
Connell, Hamilton, Schindel and Mott. ,
Canals and inlind Navigation.Messra Parket,
Wharton, Bound, Mott and Crawford:
Railroads.—Messrs. M'Clure, Gregg, Parker,
Landon and Blood.
Election Districts. —Me.ssrs. Imbiie, Fuller,
Crawford, Nichols and Robinson.
Public Printing.—Messrs. Hiestand, Welsh,
M'Clure, Imbrie and Robinson.
Public Buildings,—Messrs.` Bringhter, `Mere•
dith and Crawford. •
New Counties and.thuray Seats.--1 Thonig
son, Wharton, Serrill, Clymer and Mott.
PRINTDG OP TIIS GOVERNOR'S 1003SSIGE.
Mr. FINNEY. I move that 3,000 (sepia of
the message of the Governor be panted for the
use of the Senate.
114 b.CHINDELL moved to amend by insert,:
lug the'following: "and 2,000 copies In Ger;
The amendment was, agreed to, and 'the
motion as amended was agreed to.
BILLS READ Sal MADE.
Mr. SMITH read in his place and - prawn
the;Chair a bill, entitled "an Act lefialisint i tha
Home Guard of the city of Philadelphia."
laid on the table.
Mr. BOUGUTER read in place, "art Act au
thorizing and , directing the Conuniseksiele of
Lebanon county to appropriate $lO,OOO for the
purpose of making suitable provision for the
volunteers of said county."
Referred to the Committee-on the
Also, au Act authorizing gin, additional tax
in the city of Harrisburg for the same per
pose. '
Referred to the Committee on the Judit3ar-:
Mr. PALMER. "An Act to authorize the
ommissioners of Schulkill county to appro
priate $30,000 for the support of the families of
the volunteers mustered into the service Of
United States from said county; and lirovlcling '
for the distribution of gild fund." . .;
Referred to the Committee on the Jitdiiii4 6 ::
Mr. Iti'CLURE: If Senators - will-allow-me—
tb th a k e a suggestion, I would informAhis body
of a plan which will obviate colusiddrable - difa;
culty. At the session of to-morrow morning, ' t
a bill will be read in place, after harmg _bet
carefully matured, attthorizing.allthe stiaktati fi
-
..tions referred to in the bills now read invlsee,-
and legali7ing all that they propose. ThisWili .
all be done 14 one general Act of Assembly. .
Mr. Salim. moged.that .the reel:
place by and on. the bac,
prisitedlosttlie Ue of the Senate.
The motion was siCECW* •
Ft motion of
len atone, ,
Lai