American citizen. (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, January 13, 1864, Image 2
fhc American tfitucn. ----- THOMAS ROBINSON, i Fditors CYRUS E. ANDERSON, j* aKors - BUTLER PA. WK».\E>iI)AV.::JA\. lit.lHOl. Aw'"Liberty and Union. Now and Forever, One and 'nieparable."—D. Webster. • FOR PRESIDENT IN 18(54 : ABRAHAM LH<OL\. ft®* We have looked with anxiety for Home definite action by Congress on the ("onscription act, but as yet nothing has transpired to justify us in even guessing what they, may do in the premises. There is little doubt however, that there will be of the draft for n few weeks. Mjst of (he districts are 'low making an effort to raise their respective allotments by volunteers. It is to be hoped this will be done all overthe county. Governor Ciirlln's Menage. As this state paper was not received in time to have it put on the outside of our paper, and being unwilling to defer its publication another week, we have placed it inside of this number, to the exclusion of other matter which we would fain have published this week. We bespeak for the message a careful perusal. It not only exhibits the fact that our finances are in a healthy condi tion, (the State debt having been reduced abont a million of dollars in the past year) I bnt. is full of practical suggestions, look ing to important improvements in our financial system, which must meet with a favorable consideration at the hands of the Legislature. But while that part of the message hearing on the state of our finances,, is both interesting and gratifyiug, that por tion of it devoted to our Federal relations is much more so. Our reputation as a loyal—as a patriotic State, will not suffer at the hands of Gov. Curt in. 11 is care for our soldiers—for their families, and their own comforts, endears him to all who are capable of feeling for the hard ships of the one, or the privations of the other. And last, but not least, his unyielding attachment to the cause of our common country, is a conclusive evidence that the people acted wisely last fall in refusing to allow him to vacate the Executive chair, which, for the last tliree years he has fill ed with so much, credit to himself, and benefit to the country. The liCKislaturc. This body, which met on the sth inst.. has not t: got under weigh" yet. The House organized at 1 o'clock, by electing H. C. Johnson, of Crawford Co., Speaker; A. W. Benedict, of Huntingdon Co., Chief Clerk; James Brown, of Mer cer Co., Assistant Clerk; James Sccbcrs, of Philadelphia Co., Sergeant-at-Arms ; James T. M'Junkin, of Butler Co., Door keeper ;C. C. Walker, of Philadelphia, Miles, of Tioga, Butterfield, of Erie, and A. I). Harlan, of Chester, Transcribing Clerks; R. W. Stewart, of Lawrence, Postmaster; Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, James T. Sample ,of Allegheny; C. An derson of Philadelphia, and Palmer of Bradford; Assistant Door-keepers, Craw ford of Allegheny, M'Culy of Philadel phia, and J. C. Sturtevant of Crawford. But the Senate has not yet been able to effect a permanent organization; par ties standing 10 to Hi, (Maj. White, Re publican, being a prisoner at Richmond.) The Administration men allege that Mr. Penny, the Speaker elected at the close of the last session, is flie Speaker of the Se nate till his successor is elected, while the Copperheads claim that his office expired on the meeting of the Legislature. To say fte least' of it, it is a small business for the representatives of a once great party, to thus attempt to overthrow the expressed will of a large majority of the people of the State, as announced at the last election. If it was a Democrat in stead of a Republican, who was in Rich mond, and his vote being necessary to or ganize the Senate on a conservative basis, Jeff. Davis, would soon send him home; but as it is differeutly, jve must abide the decision of that great arbiter of human events— time. MOVEMENT OF TROOPS. —The 16th regiment Michigan Infantry, and Ist Keg iment Michigau Cavalry, arrived iu this city yesterday, on their way to Detroit, to recruit for the war. The 16tli is under the command of Col. Welsh and numbers 300 men. The Ist Cavalry, under com mand of Col. Tonn, numbers 360 men. The men of both regiments enlisted en tire, with the exception of about twenty live. Both- [regiments passed through here in September, 1801, filled to the max imum number. The First was originally under the command of Col. Broadhead, f"*K our readers will remember, was killud at die second Bull Run tight, and who, while dying, said, "I die another victim of General McDowell's treachery." They ware furnished with a warm meal at the lHall of the Subsistence Committee. The 28th Pennsylvania is still on the load, and it was expected last evening. It started from Louisvilkon Christmas, Do we are informed. IJOV. (IRTIVS MISSMii:. To the Smile Una Home of Representa- I tive s of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl vania : GENTLEMEN : —The past year has af forded us new cause of thankfulness to , the Almighty for the moral and material , blessings which he has bestowed upou us. j The balance in the Treaaurv Nor. 30th, 1862, was $2,172,844 10 Receipts during fiscal year ending Xuv. 30,'63 4,280.451 65 Tot.il inTnujutrr for the fiscal year ending Nor. SO, 1868.. 6,462.29* 7JS The payments for the muiu; period have been 4.314,9t>4 05 Balance in Treaaury, NOT. 80, 1863 2,147,331 70 The operations of the sinVing Fund during tho last year have been shown by my Proclamation of the Bth day of Sep- i tember last, as follows: Amount of the debt of the Commonwealth r«*duced $ 954,720 40 i As follow*, vis : ('••upon Loan Act, Ma> 4, 1802, SIOO,OOO 00 Five per cent - 790,000 00 Four and one half per cent 03,000 00 Kelief notes cancelled 963 00 Domestic creditors' certificates... 13 00 Interest of certificates paid 27 90 $954,720 40 I Amount of public debt of Pennsylvania, as it htood on the Ist day of December, 1H62,540,448,213 82 j Deduct the amount redeemed at the State Treasury, during the fiscal year, ending with November 30, 1563, viz': Five per cent. st.K-ks $ 88MW 78 Four and one-hair per «tocks.. C."..U00 OM Relief notes 100 is) Domestic creditor's certificates, 820 ?%LOl7 04 | Public debt December Ist, 186 ft $3!«,496,596 7S I Funded debt, viz : • Six per cent, loans $ 400.630 00 l'mided dfl.t. vi/. : FiveJperVeut. loaus. 86,700,986 45 Funded debt, vis: Four and one-half per cent, loans 268,300 00 $30,378,810 45 I'tifunded debt oat Relief notes in cir«flp<-i, $97,25 1 00 Interest of certifi< rtWri utstaud ing 15.350 03 (i.l • o|,-,.|t:*-ates uri.-luiaed 4.4 is 88 Domestic creditoiu* certificates... 72132 $117,780 38 $30,496,596 78 Military loan, per|act of May 15, 1801 *3,000,000 t» j Total indebtedness 130.490,596 78 ( By the act of 15th May, 1861, author!- j I zing the military loan of §3,000,000, a j j tax of one half mill was laid on real and I personal property, to furnish a fund for j redeeming the same. I recommend that t the commissioners of the sinking fund be directed to invest the proceeds of the tax ; ! in State loan, so that it may be drawing | I interest, to be in like manner invested, or j | that they should apply sueli proceeds di j rectly to the purchase of certificates of the I military loan, and cancel such certificates j I as shall be purchased. PAYING OI'R INTEREST IN SPECIE. Although our finances are still in a heal- I thy condition, it is necessary to invite the ! I serious attention of the Legislature to the ; consideration of the means of maintain- j I ing them unimpaired in future. By the act of 12th June, 1340, it was provided that the interest on State loans j i should always be paid in specie or its i j equivalent, and that whenever the funds j in the Treasury should be of less value I j than specie, the difference in value should i | be ascertained and certified to the Gov- ! ernor, who should thereupon issue his war | rant to the agents or banks authorized to pay such interest on behalf of the Com- : monwealth, to allow such difference to ; parties receiving the interest, or at the option of the parties to pay the same in j ■ specie. By the act of April 11th, 1862, it was j | provided that for the purpose of paying | in specie or its equivalent, all interest that j ' should thereafter be due by the Common- J wealth, as required by the act of June I j 12th, 1840,, the severai banks who should avail themselves of the provisions of that j act, (of April 11th, 1802.) and who j should refuse to redeem their notes in spe- j I eie, on demand at any time within ten j days upon or after the time which such I i interest should bcconfedue, should there- 1 | alter, when required by tho State Treasur- ! or, by notice in writing, pay into the State , Treasury, in proportion to the capital , i stock paid in of each bank their ratable i proportion of such premium for gold or its equivalent, as should have been actu- I ally paid by the State. By the act of January 30th, 1803, it •was provided that the State Treasurer , should exchange with the banks an amount i | of currency sufficient to pay the interest on the State debt falling due on the first days of February and August, 18(53, for ' the same amount of coin, and should give > to the banks specie certificates 'of ex - change, not transferable, pledging tho 112 faith of the Sfate to return said coin iu exchange for notes current at the time, on or before the first Monday of March, 1804.* ' such certificates to bear interest at the rate • 'of 2« percent, per annum. j • Under the provisions of the act of 18052 certain, banks have paid into the State Treasury $140,768 30 as an equivalent for coin for the payment of interest on the ' public debt. Under tli'c act of 1863, specie ccrtifi f eates have been given to the banks,amount - ing in the whole to $1,988,904 97, which, 5 with the accruing interest, will fall due on , the first Monday of March next. As the provisions of this act were of a ' temporary character, tlic only aet now in s force on the subject are those of 1840 and t 1862, above mentioned, under which it , w ill be the duty of the State authorities to pay the interest An the Ist of February, I*o4. and thereafter, in coin or its equiva -3 lent, and look to the banks that may be - liable under the act of 1862 for reimburse . ment of the premium paid by the Com monwealth. In the face of all difficulties, this Com ' monweftlth, actuated by a sentiment which > does its people honor, has hitherto paid its J interest iu coin or its equivalent. ! Existing circumstances make it neces sary to consider now the fair extent of her just obligations. 1 The exigencies of the times have com - petted the Government of the United ' States to issue large amounts of Treasury } notesfor circulation, which are not redeem r able in coin, aud which form the great 3 mass of our circulating medium. It is our duty as a loyal State—it is our • interest as ft State whose welfare, and even - safiity,dep«*vl emphatically upon the main - tenanoe ai the credit and the success of ' the military operations of the general gov - eminent —So do nothing to impair itscred ' it or embarrass its measures. On the con , trary, we owe it to ourselves and our pos -1 terity to give an active support to its ef , forts to quell the monstrous rebellion which ' is still raging, and thus restore peace to our distracted country. • ' It is our own Government, and we could • not, without gross indecency, attempt to - refuse its currency in payment of taxes ■ and other debts due to the Common wealth, j In 1840 the ease was very different.— The difficulties then arose from the sus ! pension of specie payment by our State Banks, mere local and private corpora tion#, aud the State very properly by the j act of that year, intended to provide | against loss to its creditors by renson of | such suspensions. An exigency like the ; present could not have been foreseen by | the Legislature, and it is to be inferred i therefore, that they could not have intend to provide for it. We derive our system of public loans from Europe, and the true extent of our obligation is to be Ascertained by referring to the known established practice of Eu ropean governments prior to the dates when our loans were effected. I mean of course such of those governments as were I held to have maintained their national . j credit. It is believed to have been the uniform \ I practice of such governments to pay their : | interest in pajier currency, however de- ' | predated during a legalized suspension of j specie payments. An observable instance of this is afforded by the course of the British Government.which during twenty j five years, from 17*7 to 1H22, during which the bank was prohibited by law | from paying out coin for any purpose, i paid the interest on its public debts in bank notes, which during a great part of | that time ware at a heavy discount some ! times amounting to 30 per cent, or therea i bout. Their necessities were not greater j | than ours are now. Among ourselves, at the present time, ! j Massachusetts (whose debt is believed to I be very small) pays -the interest in coin. | | Ohio and Indiana pay in currency. In New York it is not known what will be j done. Her Legislature, by concurrent i resolution* ordered the interest to be paid j in coin to foreign stockholders, in April last. " - At the present rate of premium on gold, j I the sum necessary to pay on an amount j j sufficient to discharge the annual interest i ion the State debt would be more than 81,000,000, and to meet this, additional! | taxation to that extent would be unavoid- J ! able. The demands on the Treasury for j i other necessary purposes must probably be j such as to render it imprudent to throw 1 | any part of this expenditure on the exist- i ] ing surplus. To borrow tnoncy from year I j to year to piy the interest on past loans i would, of course, be wholly admissable.— To leave the aet of 1862 in force, and at tempt to throw jhc payment of this large | premium annually on the banks, would be not only flagrantly unjust, but quite im ! practicable. I recommend the whole sub -1 ject to the careful and immediate consid [ oration of the Legislature. Some legis lation ought to bo l had on it before the close of the present month. In my opin ion the Commonwealth will have fulfilled j her obligation by providing for the pay ] inent of her interest in the currency of the Government. Ifthe Legislature should think fit to continue to pay it in coin, it | will be their duty to levy forthwith the ! heavy taxes necessary for that purpose.— I'must in passing observe that tho plan j adopted by one of tho States of paying | coin to foreign, and currency to domestic j loan holders, appears to me to be wholly unwise, and founded on no legitimate principle. At tho close of the last session, nineteen j bills renewing the charters of certain banks ■ for another period of five years were pre sented to me. (>f these I have (for rea | sons which will be hereafter communica j ted) withheld my signature from one, and approved the remainder. I have been led I to sign them by tho considerations that 1 the banks of the Commonwealth pay a | large revenue which the State can ill af- I ford to lose, and that in the present con ' dition of the country it wottldbe impolitic j to drive so much capital out of active use i or force it into new employments. Ifthe National Banking system affords l sufficient inducements, capital will volun tarily take" that direction. It is proper to ; observe that the charters of mast of the ] banks in question expire at an early peri od, while in consequence of the invasion of the State, during 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 penalties for not paying their obli . j gations in coin. SALARIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS. | The inereasod expenses of living in vite attention to the salaries of our pub ' lie officers. Those of the Secretary of the ! Commonwealth, Auditor General and ! State Treasurer, and of the Clerks iu j their employment are, in my opinion, too j low, especially as the exigencies of the times have greatly enhanced the labors and responsibilities of all. and in the case of the heads of those departments, enforce a constant attendance at Harrisburg,which was not formerly-required. BOARD OF MILITARY CLAIMS. X'nder thc*Act of 10th April, 1862, and its supplement passed 22d April, 1863, the Adjutant General, Quartermas ! ter General aud Commissary General have been acting as the Board of Military i Claims. They have, up to this time, ap . ; proved claims to the amount of 8106.415 81,and others hav calreadybecn presented to ! the further amount of 8332,120 20, which ! have not yet been acted on. Upder the Act of 22d April, I*o3, } (P. L., 529,) the Court of' Common l'leas j appointed three appraisers to ascertain the . ! damage done iu thecounties on the South ■ ern border by the militia called into ser vice in September, 1862, by the Ander son Cavalry, in the same month, and by the rebels in their raid on the 10th and October, 1863. TliFappraisers have not yet completed the performance of their duties. When their report shall have been m;«lc to the ■ Court of Common l'leas and affirmed, in 1 whole or iu part, by that Court, it will be . ! the duty of the Governor to claim the ■ payments of the amounts from the Gen eral Government, and on failure to secure the same, then to report to the next Leg islature, recommending such action as he . may deem just and proper. The expenses of the Transportation and Telegraph Departments during the i past year have been as follows : Paid (out of appropriation made by Milita ry Loan Act, of 1861) ♦15,668 37 1 ' Vnpiiid. (the appropriation being exhausted) 15,7*»4 79 ( ' Outstanding liabilities, estimated at 6,000 00 , J $34,423 00 These expenses have been mainly in . | creased in keeping up the necessary cor respondence of the military departments ' and in the transporfction of si?k anil ; wonnded and the dead bodies of our vol j euteers, as will be sees by the report of i the Chief of Traniortation, herewith ; communicated. I reommcnd an appro I priation to meet the efficiency, and also | to carry on the serviceof this department I hereafter. COMPENSATION TO {IILITARY AGENTS. Uv the thirteenth fection of the act of the 15th May, 1861, lie sum of 820,000 was appropriated to hi expended bv the Governor, for the cejtipensatiou of such persons as he might require to serve the Commonwealth in tlu military orgauiza-, tion of the State or the Gcnoral Goverti ment, and for the expenses incident to the ! business in which they might be employ ed. 1 have, according to law, settled annu- , ! al accounts «112 the expenditure of this ! I fund in the Auditor General's Office, to I ' which the legislature is referred. The unexpended balance is now M,521 98. A fur the' sum should be appropriated in like manner. Out of this fund 1 have paid tha persons whom I found it neces j gary to employ in the military department i and the expenses of the agency which 1 was rompclled to establish at Washington. I to aßend to the interest and welfare of our volunteers. The continuance of tliia agency and the establishment of a similar on; in the West arc of vital importance to them. I recommend the passage of an I aft authorizing the appointment of agents ! at Washington and Nashville, and defining | their duties, which should include the col- I tection of all bounties, back pay, pensions, etc.. due to Pennsylvania. On this subject 1 reter the Legislature to the report of Col. 11. Biddle Huberts, late agent for the State, at Washington. | herewith communicated, and commend it to your careful examination. On the invasion of the State during the i last summer, the President made a call for militia, and with his consent I subsequent . ly made a call for volunteer militia for the defense of the State, l uder these calls men were assembled and organized with j promptness, after the reality of this cmer- I gency came to bo urderstood by our pen pie. The Geieral Government clothed I and subsisted this force, and agreed to pay | it, but as no appropriation for that purpose | had been made by Congress, the President ! and Secretary of War promised if the ! ljjoney should be advanced from other I quarters to recommend its immediate re | payment on the meeting of Congress. It is understood that steps have been j already taken to fulfil this pledge. Seve ; ral of the banks cheerfully and readi'v ad | vaneed the necessary funds to the am >unt | of $671,476,43, on my promise to recom j mend to the Legislature aii appropriation j to repay them in case Congress should fail 'j to make one. 1 accordingly make tliat | recommendation most emphatically.— Should it be necessary, 1 will hereafter, in a special message, give the details and correspondence relating to this subject. New York and New Jersey, under the ; President's call, sent regiments to assist in our defence, for which our thanks are due to those States, our good neighbors. ESTABLISHMENT OF GETTYSBURG CEME TERY. After the battle of Gettysburg, in which loyal volunteers from eiglitecn States, in cluding Pennsylvania, were engaged, it appeared to me proper that all those States j should unite in establishing a cemetsrv on I ! the spot, in which their soldiers who had I j fallen in that conflict, should be honorably t interred. 1 accordingly appointed David Willis. Esq., of Gettysburg, my agent, and through him.a site was purchased at a cost of 82,475 87, aud the conveyance , made to the Commonwealth. On commu , nicating with the authorities of the other States, they all readily agreed to become . parties to the arrangement, and on the 1 9th' day of November last, the cemetery was , dedicated with appropriate ceremonies in , the presence of the President of the Uni [ ted States, the <iovernore of the States ! concerned, and other high officers, State aud National. I On the 10th day of December, on the j invitation of Mr. Willis, commissioners representing the States interested in tlio , cemetery, me tin Ilarrisbvrg, and agreed 1 upon a plan for its improvement and care in the future, and the appoitionment of the sum of money required, to the several States, which is herewith communicated. The expenses attending the establishment of this cemetery .inclosing the cost of this site, have thus far amouutcd to 85,20'J 28, j and an appropriation will be required to pay these expenses, and to meet our por ' tion of tWe attending its future niainton -1 anee. It will apjiear by the proceedings e of the commissioners, that their due pro " portion of the expenses already incurred L are to be.refunded by the State on whose * j account they were made. It is just to say 1 that Mr. Willis has discharged his deli cate and important duties with fidelity, uiid to my retire satisfaction. ■ RELIEF OF FAMILIES OF VOLUNTEERS. '• The act for the relief of families of vol ' unteers in service may require some revis e ion. It is alleged that in some parts of 112 the State the countv authorities are back '' ward in executing the law. If this be so, J the members from the different counties 0 will be aware of the fact, and will be most 1 icady to make such futher enactments as may be proper. 1 ) I commend to the prompt attention of s the Legislature the subject of the relief of B poor orphans of our soldiers who have giv " en, orsliall give their lives to the country. " during this crisis. In my opinion, their maintenance and education should be pro )' vided for by the State. Failing other nat- ural frieuds of ability to provide for them they should be honorably received and few -1 tered as children of the Commonwealth.— a The 850.000 heretofore given by the Pcnn c nylvama Railroad Company, referred to in ii my last annual message, is still unappro e priated, and I recommend that this sum e with such as the Legislature - I may think fit, be applied to this end, in e j such manner as may be thought most ex ;- j pedient and effective. ,In anticipation oi e | the adoption of a more perfect system, 1 recommend that provisions be made fur so i curing the admission of such childreu intc e existing educational establishments, to be there clothed, nurtured and instructed al the public expense. I make this recom a mendation earnestly, feeling assured that 0 in doing so, I represent the wishes of the <i \ patriotic, the benevolent aud the good, of - ' the State. - j THE LOYAL PEOPLE OF EAST TENNESSEE s ' I invite the attention of the Legislature to the condition of the loyal people of East Tennessee, which is represented to be most deplorable and appeals with irresistible force alike to your sympathies and your sense of justice. Their whole country has been laid waste by the contending armies of the Government and the rebels. Pour times large armies have passed over that district, destroying or carrying off all that had been gathered forthe approaching win ter. and now the women and children are left in a stateof desolation. The representations made by sundry gentlemen of the highest respectability, from that State, are of the most heart rea ding character. Starvation, actual and present uow exist. Can we, in the midst of affluent abundance, for a moment hesi tate as to what our action should be towards the people whose ouly crime has been their I loyalty and devotion to the Government? | Even if a portion of our charity should reach the starving families of those in sym pathy with the rebellion, better it should, than that those devoted, self-sacrificing people who have so unhesitatingly adher ed to the Government, be left to suffer. Whenever pcstilenee and famines dis tressed the people of any portion of our country, we have always been foremost in relieving them, and the people of Penn sylvania have extended their open-hand ed benevolence and broad charity to the starving people of foreign countries. Shall it be said that the appeals id' these people for bread fell upon the heart of Pennsyl vania in vain, and that.we who have so re cently given thanks for abundance have no relief for them in their extremities ? 1 commend the subject through you to the people of the State, as worthy the immedi ate attention and active exertions of the charitable and liberal. REVISION OF Ol'll REVENUE LAWS. I should be glad if the Legislature would make a general revision id' our Revenue Laws, with a view to their increased pro ductiveness. It ought to be observed that for a period of more than twenty years, no material change has been made in the Rev-1 'enue Laws of this Commonwealth. Dur ing that time some interests have grown int 14 netv importance, and should be made to boar their just proportion of the puplie expenses, since all taxation should, as far i as possible, presscqually upon the proper ty and employments of our people. Fail ing such revision, I recommend to thecou • sieleration of the Legislature, the following ■ suggestions connected with the subject: RECOMMENDS TAXING CERTAIN RAIL ROADS. 1. There are several companies in the State, which, in addition to large mining privileges, have the control id' the routes of transportation, by which alone thepro -1 ducts 01 thc\ .ones of individuals in their I respective districts, c\v> roach a market. : These companies thus enjoy i.-'bstat.tutl - monopolies, by means of which they not , only receive the fair profits of their own I property, but are enabled to make addi tional licavy gains at the expense of indi viduals. In my opinion such privileges 1 ought never to nave been granted, but as ; they exist it appeal's to be just that the class of companies which enjoy them, - should pay therfor an additional specific tax. 1 REVENUE FROM TIIE PATENTED LANDS. 2. Very large sums are due to the Com t luonwealth from unpatented lands. For -4 bcarance clemency and liberality have been 1 in vain tried in the numerous attempts to 1 procure the payment of at least a part of ; this debt, from the large portion of those 1 who are indebted 011 that account. The , continuance of this state of affairs is un -1 just to the Commonwealth and to the vast • majority of her people who have honestly - paid for their lands. It has become 1111- r endurable. I recommend that the Legis -2 lature provide that the Surveyor Gen -1 eral shall file 011 record in the office of the i Court of Common pleas of each county, a 1 description of the lands subject to the lieu - ofthe Commonwealth for purchase money, 3 and a statement of the amount of princi -0 pie and interest now due to the Common wealth, together with the patent fees on q each tract and ten jler ccnt<>i«the amount s so due for the labor and cost of making i» and filing such statements, and the aggre -1 gate amount thus stated, for each tract, c shall lie held to be the amount now duo e to the Commonwealth, which shall bear in -1 terest at the rate of twelve per cent, per [. annum till paid, and shall continue to be t the first lien on the land till paid, and s shall not be divested by any judical or oth !, er sale whatever. 1 also recommend the 0 adoption of a suggestion contained in the ■- Surveyor General's report that a specific i- tax be laid on all unpatented lands, 5 RECOMMEND TAX ON LOANS.AND RAIL- RtIAD RECEIPTS. 1 3. liy existing laws municipal eorpora e tions are required to deduct and pay into y the Treasury the tax on all loans contract -- ed by them. It is beleived that a large tl addition would, accrue to the revenue by t«<: extension of this provision to all coun ties and to all corporations private or pub -- lie. i- I recommend that it be so extended, if 4. A tax on the gross .receipts of all l- railroad aud canal companies would, it is >, believed, be productive and not be op is prcssive. ;f PHILADELPHIA AND KRIE BONUS. > Upon satisfactory reports according ti law, made by Colontd John A. Wright, 1 if have drawn uiy warrants for the deliver) if to the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Com pany of another million of the bonds do r , posited in the State Treasury. Four mil ir ions of said bonds have therefore been now >- delivered. There can be no reasonable t-. doubt of the early completion ofthe work 1, and. when completed, it is confidently ex ». peeted that the bonds held by the State - secured on the road for 83,500.000, wil 1- become good interest paying securities, n REVISION OF TIIE MILITIA LAWS. j- I renew most earnestly the recommend 1, ation made in my last annual message o e a revision of the militia laws. They an n at present shamefully defective. Indeed c- | if by a militia law is meant a law intend if I ed to provide for so enrolling ond organiz I ing the military force of the State that i s- may be put into service when tcquired, wi ;o may be said to have no militia law. Ii ic each of the last two years I have beet it obliged to call out the militia, but in lac 1- those who obeyed the call were volunteers it and, with some exceptions, were wholh ic unorganized, so that almost in face ed tin if enemy, time had to bo consumed in dis tributing the men into companies and reg i. iinents, in electing officers, and in othoi ■e preparations for effective organization. OUR PENNSYLVANIA IIEUIMKNTS. Til the report of tho Adjutant General will be found a list of the Pennsylvania regiments and a statement showing the several armies »nd departments they are now serving- In this connection, 1 sug gest the propriety of legislative authority being given for the preparation of a histo ry of each of our regiments and other or ganizations, to bo preserved among our j archives. The necessary documents are ! now accessible, and as they may in time I be lost or destroyed, the making of such a record as I propose should not be defer red. It is due alike to the'living and the dead that-this suMect should be promptly acted on. SOLDIERS SIIOUI.K JIRLLOWED TO VOTE. 1 recommend that the proposed amend, ments to the Constitution, giving to citi zens 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 ear ly a day as possible, so that such citiccns may exercise their right of suffrage at all future elections. This would be only do ing justice to the brave men who are per iling their lives in our defence. It is highly important that we should j replenish the ranks of our regiments in the ' field and supply the places of those volun- ! teers whose terms will soon expire and | may decline father service. lam happy j to say that a large proportion of our regi ments are re-enlisting. Efforts are mak ing by myself and by the people in vari ous portions of the State to procure a suf ficient number of volunteers, and with a promise of 'success, provided a reasonable i time bo allowed for the purpose, ijeau- j while, persons profcssing»to beolhcers'and agents from some other States are most improperly endeavoring to seduce our eit- ! izens into their service by extravagant bounties and promises. NO ENLISTMENTS FOIL OTHER STATES. The 12 th section oftheactof 15th May, 1801. prohibits any volunteers from leav ing the State without authority of the Governor, and 1 now recommend the pas sage of a law imposing peitalties by Hue and. imprisonment on all individuals who shall endeavor to procure or aid and as.-ist In procuring any person in this State to ' enlist in t lie volunteer service of any fltlicr State. Many of our eountio* and town ships have foiled their quotas at& large ■ expense, and in others they are in course : of doing the same by offers of libertdjioun ties and provisions for the families of vol ■ unteers. and It is not right that these pa triotic efforts should be embarrassed by in : terferenco from beyond our borders, espo ; cially as we can not, in these circumstan i cos, offer bounties by the State, without • the injustice of compelling the counties • and townships which have already con . tributod largely in that way, to assist in i paying, by taxation, for the deficiency of t others. 1 TWO PESTILENT EV1..8 'X) lIF lEEORMKD. 1 feel it to be my duty to call your at " tcntion to the pernicious practice of leav -5 ing many bills to bo hurried through at • fclie close of the session. During the last 3 ten days of the last session, three hundred ■ bills were presented for my signature, ma ' ny of them of the. most important charac ter. The whole number of bills«present ■ cd to me during the session was seven " hundred and fifteen. ' In consequence of " this habit noWbiily arc bills passed witll -1 out an opportunity in either House for a ' proper consideration of their provisions, ' but the Executive is compelled to either 3 sign them without examination, or to hold J them perhaps to the public inconvenience. " It may often happen thatabill notapprov ' cd by reason of a single obnoxious clause, 112 might if there were time, be repassed, omit " ting the objectionable provision. In connection with the subject of Leg islation, I must refer to another mischief. 0 General laws have been passed to give re -1 lief in certain cases which formerly requir- I ed a special act in each case. As for in ' stance the sale of lands by executors, ad ministrators and trustees, the adoption of children, the creation of miningjand mauu- II facturing corporations, and so forth. These 1 laws were passed to ensure such an oxarn ■ ination in each case as would enable jus " ticc to be done to the parties and to the public, and also to save the time and cx -0 petise consumed in private legislation.— " Tkoy have hitherto effected neither pur -1 pose, but Ido seriously urge on the Leg islature the consideration that whoever applies for a special act undersuch circum ' stances musteither fear the resultof an im u partial inquiry, or (if the application be c ' for a charter) must desire the omission ot 0 insertion of some provision contrary to what the Legislature lias determined af ter mature consideration justand leg itimate I refer to the Auditor General's am t State Treasurer's reports for the details of e our financial affairs' and to the reports of the Surveyor General, Adjutant General. ( Quartermaster Genera!, Commissary Gen } eral, Surgeon General, Agentat Washing ton, Chief of Transportation and Telegraph Department, and Superintendent of Com jj inon Schools, in regard to their several de partments. V INVASION OF OUR STATE 1!Y LEE. In May last it was believed from infor mation received,that General Lee intend -0 ed to invade the State. Communication! 1 , i>n the subject were immediately sent t< v | Washington, urging that preparations toi i- i active defence should not be delayed.— a . Accordingly the War Department erect 1. cd two new military departments, viz w The Department of the Monongalmla, in le eluding that portion of the Stately ing wes k, of the mountains, to be commanded b; Major-General Brooks, and the Depart c luent of the Susquehanna, comprising th [ll remainder of theState, and to be command • eil by Major-General Couch. Early ii June Major.General Couch arrived at Hat []. risburg and assumed command of his dc u f partment, which ho hus since exercisci re 1 with the soldierlike promptness, cnerg; (I.and discretion which were to be expectei J. from his known character, z- The rebels having actually entered th it j State in some force, and the approach c re j their whole army being imminent, th In President made a requisition for militi iu from this and some of the neighborin et States, and several regiments from Ne' ■s, York and New Jersey were promptly sen ly and our own volunteer militia began to a ic scmble, but some embarrassments arising s- ; tho President assented to a call by the os g- ecutive of the Suite which was accordriy; jr ily made, Under these calls 5,100 of th ' men uf Pennsylvania were assembled i the Department of General Hrooks, and 31,122 in that of Gen. Couch. To give the details' or even a summary of the operations which ensued, would bo impracticable within tho limits of a mes sage. It is unnecessary to do so, as I have recommended the adoption of measures for preserving the history of our several regi ments and other .organizations, and in that | history to which 1 have referred will be recorded. It is due. however, to the men 1 who came forward, that 1 should say now that they made long and laborious march es in parts of this and other States which had been plundered by the rebels, suffer ed great privations, and wore frequently in conflict, with t'lie enemy, and on all occa sions acted in obedience to military disci pline and orders, and withtouragiMlid en durance. Some of the militia called iu 1862, and in 1803, were killed and others disabled. In all these eases, where there are no laws for tho relief of these men or their fami lies, I recommend the enactment of a law for that purpose. The campaign on our soil was-closed by the victory of Gettys burg, gained by the vcteann Army of tho Potomac, uiiiler the command of Major General Meade, the officers and men of which displayed all their accustomed val- I or and endurance in the conflict, and in the forced and rapid marches which im mediately preceded it. OULL DEBT TO U ENS. MEADE AND REY NOLDS. Under Divine Providence, to them and | to the military genius and unsurpassed en- I orgy of Gen. Meade, and the promptness : and self sacrificing gallantry of Gen. Rey nolds, we are indebted for success on that ! bloody field. We are proud to claim Ge n! erals Meade and Reynolds as sous of Our own Pennsylvania. The first lives to enjoy the most precious of all rewards, the great fill a]<Jireciation of liis countrymen. The latter fell in tho very front of the battle, and we can only pay homage to his memory. Whatever honors have been at anytime devised to commemorate the virtues of a patriot—of a true, fearless, loyal citizen and soldier, ho has abundantly deserved. Ilis surviving companions in arms claim the right, of themselves erecting a monu ment to him oil the field on which he fell; . I and it would not be well to interfere with | their pious intention. Hut I hope that the Legislature willplacoupon therecords of the Slate soineappropriate testimony of tho public gratitude to him and hts surviv . ine commander. It would be unjust to omit referring t again to the loyal spiritofour people, which 8 has been evinced in every mode since this - war commenced. Not only have they sent i 277,40!) men for the general and special 112 service for the Government, and support ed with cheerfulness the burdens oftaxa i. tion, but our storehouses and depots haW. litaraiij with comforts and necessaries, ppf.ntattc.iu.sly contributed lW I them, under tho active care of thousands t of our women, (faithful unto death) fpr j tho sick and wounded and prisoners, as well as fiir our,armies in the field. Their patriotic benovolenco seems to bo inex haustible. To every new call the rospouss , becomes more and more liberal, 112 SUPPLIES TO RICHMOND PRISONERS. When intelligence was received of tlio a barbarian starvation of our prisoners in Richmond, the garners of the whole State r were instantly thrown open, and before 1 any similar movement had been made else '• where, I was already employed on behalf - of our people in their efforts to secure the '■ admission through the rebel lines of the > abundant supplies provided for the relief of our suffering brethren. Those of our citizens who have fallen into the habit of disparaging our great Commonwealth and ■- the unsurpassed edicts of her people, uHould blush when they look on this piy» t- tnrr THE REBELLION MUST BE CRUSHED. '' That this unnatural rebellion may be speedily and effectually crushed, we lie — e a il—under the obligation of the one par amount duty—that of vigorously support ing the Government in its measures to that 0 end. To the full extent of my official and individual ability it shall be supported, ~ and I rely heartily on your co-operation. I am ready for all proper measures to strengthen its arm—to encourage its up " holders—to stimulate by public liberality to themselves and their families, the men who give it to their personal service—in 10 every mode to invigorate its action. We ' r are fighting the great battle of GOD —ot ° truth—of right—of liberty. The Almighty has no attribute that can favor our savage and degenerate enemies. No people can submit to territorial dismem '! bermeut without becoming contemptible in its own eyes and in those of the world. , But it is not only against territorial dis > memberment that we are struggling, but against the destruction of the very ground work of our whole political system. Tho ultimate question truly at issue is the pos sibility of the permanent existence of a c "* powerful Republic. That is the question to be now solved, and by tho blessing ot God. w<? mean that it shall not be our fault r_ if it be not solved favorbly. We have during the past year, made i mighty strides towards such 11 solution, t0 J and to all human appearance'we approach j its completion, lint whatever reverses - j may happen —whatever blood and treasure I may still be required —whatever sacrifices ~ j may be necesssary —there will remain the "" | inexorable determination-of our people to st j tightout this thing to the end—to preserve >V and perpetuate the I'nion. They have ' t_ sworn that not one star shall be reft from :ie the constellation, nor its clustered bright ! ness be dimmed by treason and savagery, in and they will keep their oath. ir_ A. G. CURTIN. le- , cd ,y MR. LINCOLN'S REPUTATION IN EU •d ROPE. —The London Spectator says : ••The last American telegrams reported he Mr. Lincoln ill of smallpox and unable to of! deliver his message on that account.—: he j There is good reason to hone that his ill tia npss is not serious; but the mind natural ig i ly glances at the possible calamity which •w the country might sustain in his death, nt 1 Few men of average abilities ever manag es- ed to inspiro a more profound trust in their i" integrity and firmness than .Mr. Lincoli\ £ j has contrived to implant inboth his friend* lg . j and toes, and certainly there is no man ii\ he I his cabinet, not even Mr. Chase, whom iu I the world would trust as well."