Governor's Message.
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
FEIM3
GENTLEMEN :
The past year has afforded us a new
cause of thankfulness to the Almighty
for the moral and material blessings
which ho has bestowed upon us.
The balance in Treasury
. _ _
Nqv. 30,1862, was 82,172,844 10
Receipts during fiscal year
ending Nov. 30, 1863, 4,289,451 65
Total in Treasury for fiscal
year ending Nov. 30,
1803 6,462,295 75
The payinetrts for the
same periud have been 4,314 b 964 05
Balance in Treasury Nov
30, 1863,
The operations of the sinking fund du
ring the last year have been shown_ by
key Proclamation of the Bth day of Sep
tember last, as follows :
Amount of debt Common
wealth reduced,
As follows, viz :
Coupon Loan Act,
May 4, 1662, 100,000 00
Five per cent' 790,710 60
Fuur and one half
per cent,
Relief notos can
63,000 00
963 00
celled,
Domestic creditors
certificates,
Interest, certificates
paid,
Amount of the public debt of
Pennsylvania as it stood on
the Ist day of Dec. 1802, $10,448,213 82
Deduct amount redeemed at
the State Treasury during
the fiscal year, ending with
Nov. 30, 1803, viz :
Five per c e.n t
stocks, 388,499 78
Pour and a half
per cent stocks, 03,000 00
Relief notes, 10'J 01)
Domestic ore slit -
ore' certificates,
Publio . cieti - 1566. - 1j; 1S
Fended debt, viz:
6 per cent loans 400,630 00
Funded debt, viz :
5 per cent
loans, 35,709,986 46
Funded-debt, viz :
Ilper cent
loans,
368,200 00
Unfunded debt viz
Relief notes in cir
culation,
fi-
Oates o utstdud
ing,
Interest certifi-
97,261 00
15,356 63
'miles unclaimed 4,448 38
Domestic creditors
certificates,
721 32
Military Loan per Act of May
15th, 18tH, $3, 0 00,000 00
Total indebtedness,
By the act of 15th May, 1861 author
izing the military loan of $3,000,000, a
tax of one half a mill was laid on real
and personal property, to fiirnish a fund
for redeeming the same. I recommend
that the commissioners of the sinking
fund be directed to invest the proceeds
of the tax in State loan, so that , it may
be drawing interest, to be in like man
ner invested, or that they should apply
such proceeds directly to the purchase of
certificates of the military loan, and can
cel such certificates as shall be purchas:d.
Although our finances are still in a
healthy condition, it is necessary to in
vite the serious attention of the Legisla
ture'to the consideration of the means of
maintaining them unimpaired in future.
By the act of 12th June, 1840, it was
provided that the interest on the State
loans should always be paid in specie or
its equivalent, 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
Governor, who should thereupon issue
his warrant to the agents or banks au
thorized to pay such interest on behalf
of the Commonwealth, to allow such dif
ference to parties receiving the interest,
or at the option of the parties to pay the
same in specie.
By the act of 11th April, 1862, it was
provided that for the purpose of paying
in specie or its equivalent, all interest
that should thereafter be due by the
Commonwealth, as required by the act
of 12th June, 1840, the several banks
who should avail themselves of the pro
visions of that act, (of 11th April, 1862,)
and who should refuse to redeem their
notes in specie, on deinana, at any time
within ten days upon or after the time
when such interest should become due,
should thereafter, when required by the
State Treasurer, by notice in writing,
pay into the State Treasury, in propor
tion to the capital stock paid in of each
bank, their ratable proportion of such
premium for gold or its equivalent, as
should have been actually paid by the
State.
By the act of the 30th January, 1803,
it was provided that the State Treasurer
should exchange with the banks an
amount of currency sufficient to pay the
interest on the State debt falling due on
the first days of February and August,
1863, for the same amount of coin, and
ishoull4 give to the banks specie oertifi
pato of exchange , not transferable pledg
ing the faith of the State to return said
Riq in exchange for notes current at the
time, on or before the first Monday of
March, 1864, such-certificates to bear in-
Orest at the pte of 2,i per cent. per an
puin.
• Under the provisions of the act of
T 862; certain banks paid into the ',Creas
pry 8140,768 80 as an • equivalent for
coin•for the payment of interest on the
publio_debt. .
Under the act of 1963, cspecie certifi
pates have been given to the banks,
viiouriting in the whole to $1,968,904 97,
pihich, with the accruing interest, will
Fall due on the first Monday -- of March .
pest.
• A.E i tho.provisiorm of this act were of a
lumporary eharacter,' the only pets now
in force on the subject are those Of 1840
and 1862, above mentioned, under which
it will be the,duty of the St.lte authori
ties to pay the interest on the Ist Febru
, pry, 1864, and thereafter, in coin or its
equivalent, and Wok to the banks that
may be liable under the act of 1862 fbr
reimbursement of the premium paid by
the Commonwealth.
In the face of all difficulties, this Com
monwealth, actuated by a sentiment
which does its people honor, has hitherto
paid its interest in coin or its equivalent.
Existing Circumstances make it neces
sary to consider now the fair extent of
her just obligations.
The exigencies of the times have com
pelled the Government of the United
States to issue large amounts of Treasury
notes for circulation, which are not re
deemable in coin, and—which form the
great mass of our circulating medium.
2,147,331 70
8054,720 40
It is our duty as a loyal State—it is
our interest as a State whose welfare, and
even safety, depend emphatically upon
the maintenance of the credit and the
success of the military operations of the
general government—to do nothing to
impair its credit or embarrass its meas
ures. On the contrary, we owe it to our
selves and to our posterity to give an ac
tive support to its efforts to quell the
monstrous rebellion which is still raging,
and thus restore, peace to our distracted
country.
13 00
27 90
$954,720 40
It is our own Government, and we
could not, without gross indecency, at
tempt to refuse its currency in payment
of taxes and othur debts due to the Com
monwealth.
In 1840 the case was very different.—
The difficulties then arose from the sus
s pecia+aymem ts.. Loy our_ litrae
banks, mere local and private corpora
tions, and the State very properly by the
act of that year, intended to provide a
gainst loss to its creditors by reason of
such suspensions. An exigency like the
present could not then have been foreseen
by the Legislature, and it is to be inferred
therefore that they could not have inten
ded to provide for it.
We derive our system of public loans
from Europe, and the true extent of our
- oßligraitin is - t 6 be - tcs - eeftitiberilly=refer
ring to the krowrr established practice of
European governments prior to the dates
when our loans were effected. I mean
of course such of those governments as
were held to have maintained their nation
al credit.
It is believed to have been the uniform
practice of such government to pay their
interest in paper currency, however de
preciated, during a legalized suspension
of specie payments. An observable in
stance of this is afforded by the coarse of
the British Government, which during
twenty-live years, from 1797 to 1822, du
ring which the bank was prohibited by
law from paying out coin fur any purposli . ,
paid the interest on its public debts in
bank notes, which during a great part of
than were at a heavy discount, some
times amounting to 30 per cent. or there
about. Their necessities then were not
greater than ours are now.
Among ourselves, at the present time;
INlassachusetts (whose debt is believed to
be very small) pays the interest in coin.
Ohio arid Indiana pay in currency. In
New York it is not known what will be
done. Iler Legislature by concurrent
resolution, ordered the interest to be paid
in coin to fbreign stockholders, in April
last.
8 26
$931,617 40
--$39j9678--
$36,378,816 45
$117,780 33
$36,498,[)96 78
$30,196,596 78
At the present rate of premium on gold,
the sum necessary to pay on 'an aciount
sufficient to dischar , e, the annual inter
est on the State debt, would be more
than $1,000,000, and to meet this, ad
ditional taxation to that extent would be
unavoidable. Thu demands on the Treas
ury for other necessary purposes must
probably be such as to render it impru
dent to throw' any part of this expendi
ture on the existing surplus. To borrow
money from year to year to pay the in
terest on past loans wonld, of course, be
wholly inadmissible. To leave the act
of 18(32 in force, and attempt to throw
the payment of this large premium an
nually on the banks, would be not only
flagrantly unjust, but quite impracticable.
I recommend the whole subject to the
careful and immediate consideration of
the Legislature. Some legislation ought
to be had on it before the close of the
present month. In my opinion the Com
monwealth will have fulfilled her obliga
tions by providing for ,the payment of
her interest in the currency of the Gov
ernment. If the 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. 1 must
in passing observe that the plan adopted
,by one of the States 'of paying coin to
foreign, and currency to domestic loan
holders, appears to we to be wholly un
wise, and founded on no le'gitimate prinei
pit
At the close of the last session, nine
teen
bills renewing the charters of cer
tain banks for anoter period of five years
wore presented to me: Of these 1 have
(for reasons which will be hereafter com
municated,) withheld my signature from
one and approved the remainder. i have
been led to sign them by the considera•
tions that the bank of 'the Common
wealth pay a largo revenue which the
State can ill afford to lose, and that in
the -present condition of the country it
would be impolitic to drive so much cap
ital out of utive use or force it into new
employments.
If the National Banking system afford
sufficient inducements, capital will vol
untarily take that direction. his proper
to. observe that the charters of most of
the banks in question expire at an early
period, while in consequence of the inva
sion .of, the State, during the last summer,
they -could not have been reasonably ex
pected to give the necessary Uotice of
renewed applications for re-charter.
I recommend an extension of theliime
during Which the banks ariiiiow relieved
,from penalties for not paying their obli
gations in ooin.
‘di 1
AT TIISS
•
VOL. 64.
A. K. RHEEM, Editor & Proprietor
The increased expenses of living invite
attention to the salaries of our public offi
cers. Those of the Secretary of the Cam
monwealth, Auditor General and State
Treasurer, and of the Clerks in their em
ployment are in my opinion, too low, es
pecially as the exigencies of the times
have greatly enhanced the laborsand re
sponsibilities of all, and in the case of the
heads of those departments, enforce a
constant attendance at Harrisburg, which
was not formerly required
Under the Act of 16th April, 1862,
and the supplement passed 22nd April,
1863, the Adjutant eneralQuartermas
ter General and Commissary General
have been acting as the Board of Mili
tary Claims. They have, up to this time,
approved claims to the amount of $166,-
415,81, and others Lave been already
presented to the further amount of $132,
120, 2l), which have not' yet been acted
on. •
Under the Act of 22,nd April, .1863,
(P. L. 5293 the Court of Common Pleas,
appointed three appraisers to ascertain
the damage done in the counties on the
Southern border by the militia ealleil in
to service in September. 1::62., by the
Anderson Cavalry in the same month
and by the Rebels in their raid on the
10th and 11 th October, Iti6'2,.
The Appraisers have not yet e miple
ted the performance of their duties.—
\V hen their report shall have been made
to the Court of Cotnmon Pleas and af
firmed, in whole or initart, by that court,
it: will hii — ilie - atify - OT *We Oevern'or to
claim the payment of the atiounts from
the General Government, and on failure
to secure the same, then to report to the
next Legislature, recommending such ac
tion as lie may deem just and proper.
The expenses of the Transportation and
Tele„traph Department during the past
year have been as follows :
Paid (out, or appropriation made by
Military Loan act of 1861). $13,658,87
Vt.' paid -(the_appropriatiun-being
haunted) 16,764,79
Outstanding liabilities, estimated 5,000 00
These expenses have been mainly in
curred in keeping up the necessary cor
respondence of the military de-partinents
and in the transportation of Sick and
wounded and the dead bodies of our vol
unteers, as will be seen by the report of
the Chief of Transportation, herewith
communicated. I recommend an appro
priation to meet the deficiency, and alsq
to carry on the service of this department,
hereafter.
By the thirteenth section of the act of
the 15th May, 1861, the sum of 820,000
was appropriated to he expended by the
Governor for the compensation of such
persons as he might require to serve the
Commonwealth in the military organiza
tion of the State or the General Govern
ment, and for_ the expensos incident to
the busikess in which they might be em
ployed.
I have, according to law, settled an
nual accounts of the expenditure of this
fond in the Auditor General's office, to
which the Legislature is referred The
unexpended balance is now $1,521 98.
A further sum should be appropriated in
like manner. Out of this fund I have
paid the persons whom I found it neces•
sary to employ in the military depart
ment, and the expenses of the agency
which I was compelled to establish at
Washington to attend to the interest and
welfare ()lour volunteers. The continu
ance of this agency and the establishment
of a similar one in the West are of vital
importance to them. I recommend the
passage of an act authorizing the appoint
ment of agents at Washington and Nash
ville, and defining their duties, which
should include the collection of all boun
ties, back pay, pensions, etc., due to Penn
sylvanians.
On this subject I refer the Legislature
to the report of Colonel It. Biddle Rob
erts, late Agent of the State, at Washing
ton, herewith communicated and com•
mend it to your careful examination.
- On the invasion of the state during the
last summer, the President made a call for
militia, and with his assent I subsequent
ly made a call for volunteer militia fur
the defence of the State. Under these
calls wen were assembled and organized
with promptness, after the reality of the
emergency came to be understood by our
people. The General Government cloth
ed, 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 money should be advanced from
other quarters to recommend its imme
diate repayment on the meeting of Con
gress. It is understood that steps have
been already taken to fulfil this pledge.
Several of the banks cheerfully and read
ily advanced the necessary funds to the
amount of $671,476,43, on my promise to
recommend to the Legislature an appro
priation to repay them in case Congress
should fail to make ono. I accordingly
make that recommendation most empliat
ititilly. Shnnid — it to nocessaryJ will
•bereafter, in a special message, give the
details andeorrespondence relating to this
subject.
New York
,and New Jersey, under the
President's eon, sent regiments to assist
in our defence, for' which our thanks aro
,due to those Status, our good neighbors.
After the battle of Gettysburg, - in . whiell
loyal volunteers from eighteen State's,
inclutPn„ ,, Pennsylvania, were engaged, 4
appeared to me proper thdtall those States
should unite in establishing a cemetery
oh the spot, in which their soldiers who
had falleti:in that conflict, should be hon
orably interred. I accordingly tgipoint
ed David Wills, Esg ; of-Gettysburg, my
agent, and through him, a site was pur
pitagicl at a post of $2,475 87, and the
CARLISLE, PA., FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1864.
conveyances made to the Commonwealth.
On conimunicating with the authorities
of the other States, they all readily agreed
to become parties to the arrangement, and
on the 19th day of November last, the
cemetery was dedicated with appropriate
ceremonies in the presence of the Presi
dent of the United States, the Governors
of the States concerned, and other high
officers, States and National. On the 19th
day of December, on the invitation of Mr.
Wills, commissioners representing the
States interested in the cemetery. met in
Harrisburg and agreed upon a plan for
its improvement and earein the future,
and the apportionment of the stun of
money required, to the several States,
which is herewith communicated. The
expenses attending the establishment of
this cemetery, including the 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 required
to pay these expenses, and to meet our
portion of those attending its future
maintenance. It will appear by the pro
ceedings of the commissioners that their
due proportion of the expenses already in•
curred are to be rifunded by the States
on 'whose accohnt they were made. It is
just to say that Mr. Wills has discharged
his delicate and important duties with
fidelity and to my entire satisfaction.
The act for the relief of families of vol
unteers in service may require some revi
sion. It is alleged that in some parts of
the State the cnunty,au!herities are
,back .:
ward in executing the law. ll' this bo so,
the members flann the different counties
will be aware of the fact, and will be most
ready to make such further enactments
as may be proper.
I commend to the prompt attention of
the Legislature the subject of the relief
of pour orphans of our soldiers who have
given, or shall give their lives to the
country durin&yt his crisis. In my opin
ion, their maintenance and education
shoul4 be •provided fbr -by-the State.—
Fading other natural friends of ability to
provide .fu- them, they should be honor
ably received and fostered as children of
the Commonwealth. The $50,000 here
tofore given by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, referred to in 'my last annual
message, is still unappropriated, and 1
recommend that this sum,.with such other
means as the Legislature may think fit,
be applied to this end, in such manner as
may be thought most expedient and of
fective. In anticipation tf'-the adoption
of a more perrect syst6m, I recommend
Ai
that provision bo made ' . .u. securing thO
admission of such chil4r, n into existing
eduCational establislim fs, 15 - 156 — th - cra
clothed, nurtured and instructed at the
public expense. I make this recommen
dation earnestly. feeling assured that in
doing SQ, I represent the wishes of the
patriotic, the benevolent and the good, of
this State.
$34,423 Gti
I invite the attention of the Legisla
ture to the condition of the loyal people
of East Tennessee, which is represented
to be most deplorable, and appeals with
irresistible for cc alike to your sympathies
and your sense of justice. Their whoie
country has been laid waste by the con
tending armies of the Government and
the rebels. Four times large armies have
passed over that district, destroying or
carrying (fl all that had been gathered
fir the approaching winter, and now the
woolen and children are left in a state of
deArtution.
The representations made by sundry
gentlemen of the highest respectability,
from that State, are of the most heart
rending character. Starvation actual and
present, now exist. Can we in the midst
of affluent abundance, for a moment hesi
tate as to what our action shall be towards
the people whose only crime has been loy
alty and devotion to the Government ?—•
Even if a portion of tar charity should
reach the starving families of those in
sympathy with the rebellion, bettor it
should, t han that these devoted, self-sacri
ficing people who have so unhesitatingly
adhered to the Government, be left to
suffer. Whenever pestilence and famine
distressed the people of any portion of
our country, we have always been fore
most in relieving them, and the people of
Pennsylvania have extended their open
handed benevolence and broad charity to
the starving people of foreign countries.
Shall it be said that the appeals of these
people for bread fall upon the heart of
Pennsylvania in vain, and that we who
hate so recently given thanks for our
abundance have no relief for them in
their extremities? I commend the subject
through you to the people of the State; as
worthy the immediate attention and active
exertions of the charitable and the liber
al
I should be glad if the Legislature
would make a general revision of our Rev
enue Laws, with a view to their increas
ed productiveness. It ought to be observ
ed that for a period of more than twenty
years, no material change has been made
in the Revenue Laws of this Common
wealth. During that time some interests
have grown into new importance, and
sirouid bo - rnadd - to - bear their juat propor
tion of the public expenSe. since all taxa
tion should as fur as possible, press equal ,
ly upon the property and employments of
our people.
Failing such revision, I recommend to
the consideration of the Legislature, the
following suggestions connected.Avith the
subject. _
1. There are several companies in the
State which, in .addition to large mining
privileges,:have. the control of,the routes
.laf tine.sPo,rtation, by which alone the pro. :
ducts.' Of the mines of individuals in their
respective districts, can roach a. marltet.
These-companies thus enjoy, 'substantial
monopolies, 'by means of which. they not
only receive the fair - profits of their own
,property, but ate amble to make addi-
rA 3 41,111,
TERMS:—SI,SO in Advance, or $2 within the year
tional heavy gains at the expense of in
dividuals. In my opinion such privi
leges ought never to have been granted,
but as they exist it appears to be just
that the class of companies which enjoy
them, should pay therefor an additional
specific tax.
2. Very large sums are due the Com
monwealth for unpatented lands. For
bearance, clemency, and liberality have
been in vain tried in the numerous at
tempts to procure the payment of at least
a part
,of, this debt, from the large portion
of those') who are indebted on that ac•
count. The continuance of this state of .
affairs is unjust to the Commonwealth and
to the vast majority of her people who
have honestly paid for their lands. It
has become unendurable. I recommend
that the Legislature 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 Jim of the Commonwealth
fur purchase money and a statement of
the amount of principal and interest now
due to the Commonwealth, 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 state
ment, and the aggregate amount thus
stated, for each tract, shall he held to be
the amount now due thereon to the Com
nionwea th, which shall bear interest at
the rate of twelve per cent. per annum,
till paid, and shall continuo be the first
lien on the lund, till paid, and shall not
- be-divested - or other-sate
whatever. 1 also recommend the adopt
ion of a suggestion contained in the Sur
veyor General's report that a specific tax
be laid on all unpatcnted lands.
3. By existing laws municipal corpo
rations are required to deduct and pay in
to the Treasury the tax on all loans con
tracted by them. It is believed that a
large addition would accrue to the reve
nue by the extension of this provision to
all counties and to all corporations private
or public.
1 recommend that it he so extended
4. A tax on the gro 4 s reeeip's of all
railroad and canal companies would, it is
believed, be productive and not oppress
ive.
Upon satisfactory reports, according to
law, made by Colonel John A. Wright,
I have drawn my warrants for the deliv
ery to the Philadelphia and Erie Rail
road company of another million of the
bonds deposited in the State Treasury
Four miltions of said bonds have there
fore-been - now delivered. There can be
no reasonable doubt of the early comple
tion of tb,e work, and, when completed,
it is couGdently expected that the bonds
held by the State, secured on the road
for $3,500,000, will become good inter
est-paying securities.
1 renew most earnestly the recommen
dation made in my last annu•tl message
of a revision of the militia laws. They
are at present shamefully defective. In
deed, if by a militia law is meant a law
intended to provide for so enrolling and
organizing the military force of the State
that it may be put into service when re
quired, we may be said to have no
militia law. In each of the lust two
years I have been obliged to call out the
militia, but in fact those who obeyed the
call were volunteers and, with some ex
ceptions, were wholly unorganized, so
that almost in face of the enemy, time
had to be consumed in distributing the
men into companies and regiments, in
electing officers and in other prepara
tions for effective organization.
In 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 serving. In this couneo•
thin, I suggest the propriety of legisla
tive authority being given for the prepa
ration of a history of each of our regi
ments and Other organizations; to be
preserved among our archives. The ne
cessary documents are now accessible,
and as they may in time be lost or de
stroyed, the waking of such a record as I
propose should not be deferred It is
due alike to the living and the dead that
this subject should be promptly acted on.
I 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
early a day as possible, so that such
citi
zens may exercise their of suffrage at all
future elections. This would be only do
ing justice to the bravo men who aro
periling their lives in our defence
It is highly important that we should
replenish the ranks of our regiments in
the field and supply the places of those
volunteers whose terms will soon expire
and who may decline further service. I
am happy to say that a large proportion
of our regiments are reenlisting. • Efforts
are making by myself and by the people
in various portions of the State to procure
a• sufficient number of volunteers, and
with a promise of success, provided a
reasonable time be allowed for the pur•
pose: - -- Meanwhile -persons -"professing to
be 'officers and agents, from. some -- other
States are -most improperly endeavoring
to seduce our citizens into their service
by extravagant bounties and promises.
The 12th` section of the act of 15th
May, 1861, prohibits any volunteers from
leaving the State without the authority
of the Governor, and I now recommend
the paisage as a law improsing penalties
by fine and imprisonment on all. individ•
uals.Who shall endeavor to_ procuce or aid
and assist in procuring any person in this
State to enlist inithe volunteer service of
any otbcr State. Many of our counties
and townships have filled theirquotas.at
Oargo. expense,. tind in others they .are
in .course of doing the stung by offers ,of
liberal bounties and provisions for the
familiesgoielunteers, and it is not Tighe: ,
that these patriotic efforts should beseni
barrassed by interference from beyond
'our. borders, especially as we cannot, in
these circumstances offer bounties by. the
State, without the injustice of compelling
the 9ounties-and townships which have
already contributed largely in that way,
to assist in paying by taxation, for the
deficiency of others.
I feel it to be my duty to call your atten
tion to the pernicious practice of leaving
many bills to be hurried through at the
close of the session. During the last ten
days of the last session, 890 bills were
presented for my signature, many of them
of the most important character. The
whole number of bills presented to me
during the session was 715. In conse
quence of this habit not only are bills
passed without an opportunity to either
1-louse for a proper consideration of their
provisions,--but the Executive is com
pelled either to sign thiun without exam
ination, or to bold them over perhaps to'
the public inconvenience. It may often
happen that a bill not approved by reason
of a single obnoxious clause, might if
there were time, be repassed, omitting
the objectionable provision. In connec
tion with the subject of Legislation, I
must refer to another mischief. General
laws have been passed to give relief in
certain eases which formerly required a
special act in each case. As for instants
the sale of lands by executors, adminis
trators and trustees, .the adoption of
- -chiltlren!,- - the-crea t o rrof - milsing=atithn
ufacturing corporations, and so forth.—
These laws were passed to ensure such
an examination in each case as wou!d en
able justice to be done to the parties and
to the public, and also to save the time
and expense consumed in private legisla
tion. They have hitherto effected neith
er purpose, but I do seriously urge on the
Legislature the consideration that who
ever applies for a special act under such
circumstances must either fear the result
of an impartial inquiry or (if the appli
cation be for a charter) must desire the
omission or insertion of s - une provision
contrary to what the Legislature has de
termined after mature consideration to be
just and legitimate.
I refer to the Auditor General's and
State Treasurer's reports for the details
.of our financial affairs, and to the reports
of the Surveyor General Adjutant Gen
eral, Quartermaster General, Commissary
General, General Agent at WmAtington,
Chief or Transportation and Telegraph
Department, and Superintendent of Com
mon Schools, in regard to their several
departments.
In May last it was believed from infor
mation received, that Gen. Lee intended
to invade this State. Communications
on the subject were immediately sent to
Washington, urging that preparations for
effective defence should not be delayed.—
Accordingly the War Department erect
ed Two new military departments, viz :
The Department of the Motiongaliela, in
cluding that portion of the State lying
west of the mountains, to be commanded
by Maj. Gen. Brooks, and the Department
of the Susquehanna, comprising the re
mainder of the State, and to be comman
ded by Muj. Gen. Couch.
Early in June, Maj Gen. Couch arrived at
Harrisburg and assumed command of his
department, which he has since exercised
with the soldierlike promptness, energy
and discretion which were to be expected
fio:n hie known character.
The rebels having actually entered the
State in sonic 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
York and New Jersey were promptly
sent, and our own volunteer Militia be
gan to assemble, but some embarrass;
ments arising, the President assented to
a call by the Executive of the State,
which was accordingly made. Under
these calls 5,160 of the men of Pennsyl
vania were assetirbled in the Department
of General Brooks, and 31,422 in that of
General Couch. To give the detals, or
even a summary of the operations which
ensued, would be impracticable within
the limits of a message. It is unneces
sary to do so, as I have recomuipp,ded the
adoption of measures for preserving the
history of our several regiments and oth
er organizations, and in that history the
events to which I have referred will be
recorded. It is duo, 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 been plundered by the rebels,
suffered great privations, and"liere fre
quently in conflict with the enemy ; and
on all occasions acted in obedience to
military discipline and orders, and with
courage and endurance.
Some of the militia called in 1862,
and in 1803, were killed and others dis
abled. In all these cases, where there
aro no laws for the relief of these men or
their families, I recommend the enact
ment of a law for that purpose.
The campaign on our soil was olciSed .
by the vio'ory of Gettysburg, gained by
the veteran Army of the Potomac, under
the command of Major General Meade,
the officers and men of which displayed
all their accustomed valor and endurance
in the conflict, and in the fOreed , anti rap
id marches which immediately preceded
it.
Under Divine Providence, to them and
to the military genius and unsurpassed
energy - or General Meade, and the prompt,
ness and self-Saciifleing gallantry of Gen
eral Reynolds;-we' are indebted for auc.
cams on that bloody 'field. •
Weave Oroud to claim Gdneralellicade
and Reynolds as sons of our pwn Penn.
sylvenia. -
The - Arst liveSlo'enjoy the most tire-
cious' , of all,reVrards, the grateful. 44
elation 'or his, countrymen. The 1a4,01.
fell in the very front 'of the' battle, and'
we can only pay homage to his memory.
Whatever honors have been at any time
devised toi commemorate , the. virtneli of a
patriot—of a true, fearless, loyal mtizon
and soldier, he has abundantly deseived.
His surviving companions in ( arms
claim the right, of themselves erootini_e
tnonument to him on the field on wlribh
he fell, and.it would not be well to.intern
fere with their pious intention. But I
hope that the Legislature will place upon
the records of the State some appropriate
testimony of the public gratitude to hitri
and his surviving commander.
It would be unjust to omit referring
again to the loyal spirit of out people,'
which has been evinced in every incidif
since this war commenced. Not only
have they sent 277,409 men for the gen
eral and special service of the Govern
ment, and supported with cheerfulness
the burdens of taxation, but our store
houses and depots have literally OVer...•
flowed with comforts and necessaries!
spontaneously contributed by them, up-,
der the active care of thousands of our
women, (faithful unto death,) for the sick
and wounded and prisoners, as well as
for our armies in the field. Their patri-.
otic benevolence seems to be inexhausti
ble. To every new call, the response
becomes more and more liberal. When
intelligence was received of the barbarian
starvation of our prisoners in Richmond,
the garners of the whole State were in
stantly thrown open, and before any Biel-,
ilar movement had been made elsewhere,
I was already employed on behalf of Mir'
people in efforts to secure the admission
through the rebel lines of the abundant
supplies provided for the relief of our sue,
tiering brethren. Those of our citizens
who have fallen into the habit of dis
paraging our great Commonwealth anl .
the unsurpassed efforts of lie;t
should blush when they look on this pia
ture.
NO. 1.
That this unnatural rebellion may be .
speedily and effectually crushed, we lie
—all under the obligation of the one par
amount duty—that of vigorously support
ing our Government in its measures to'
't Hat e'ri I`. "Tu'tlio full estehEtS"f lily offs
coal and individual ability it shall be so
supported, and I rely heartily on your co
operation. I am ready for all proper
measures to strengthen its arm—to en.-
courage its upholders—to stimulate by
public liberality, to themselves and their
families, the men who give it to their
personal service—in every mode to invig
orate its action. We are fighting the•
great battle of God—of truth—of right
.Almighty ...has no.. at,-.
tribute that can favor our savage and de
generatecomics. No people can sub
mit, to territorial distnemberindnt without
becoming contemptible in its own eyes
and in those of the world. But it is not
only against territorial dismeMberment
that we are struggling, but against WO
destruction of the very ground work of
our whole political system. The -lila- -
mate question truly at issue is the possi
bility of the permanent existence 0 . 7,1,
powerful Republic That is the question
to Ic now solved, and by the blessing. of
God, we mean that it shall not be our
fault if it be nut solved favorably.
We Lave, during the past year, made,
mighty strides toward such a solution
and to all human appearance we approach
its completion. But whatever reverse's
inay happen—whatever blood and treai
ore may still be required—whatever tate
rificet may Lie necessary—there will to;
main the inexorable determination ofciur
people to fight out this thing to the ond
—to preserve and perpetuate this Union.
They have sworn that not one star shall
be reft from the constellation,'nor its clus
tered brightness beldimmed by treason and
savagery, and they will keep their oath.
A. G. CURTIN.
Monroe Teachers Association
Met according to adjournment at the Bell
School House D.3c. 26, 1863. The roll be• '-
lug called, Messrs Shriver and Berkheimei
were found absent. In the absence of the
Secretary, J. A Eberly was appointed Seem=
Lary pro tern.
The minutes of last meeting wore read and
adopted. Mr. Goodyear thou conducted a
class-drill in Algebra, with his usual ability,
reflecting great credit upon himself.
The House was called to order by the Vice.
President, Messrs Shrivor and Ilerkheimor
still absent. Au elegant Lecture was deliv.
ered by Mr. Sollenberger on "Schools and
schoolmasters." Wrong impressions are made
upon the minds of young pupils before going
to school, inculcating fear or hatrot °file
teacher. Parents should be friendly to"thO'
teacher, should not speak disrespectfully of
him in presence of their children. Testator
should be a moral and conscientious man.,—
Rewards of the teacher not of Dollars and
cents. Alluded to the effect of kind words.
The discussion of Algebra was resumed by
Messrs Goodyear, Boyer, Graybill, Eberly,
Richwine and Solleaberger.
All agreed as to its importance, but some
doubted the propriety of introducing it at the
expense of other tranohes. An Essay was
read by Miss Kate Gloim on "Study."
Grammar was introduced by Mr. Sonia'.
berger and discussed by the ruombers of the
Institute. The age at which pupils should
commence the study gave rise to a lengthy
and spirited discussion.
A selection was read by Mr. D. Richwine,
after which, the Board of Directors very gen
erously appropriated funds for the Library.
The following Resolutions were passed. .
Resolved. That the thanks of the teacher's
of this Institute are due and are hereby ten-
dered to the Board of Directors for their lib
eral contribution to the District Library.
Resolved. That the thanks of the Institute,
be tendered to Messrs D. Brandt, Jas. Clark,
C. Brandt, H. N. Graybill,.Jacob
to
and
Mr.,ldoul, for their hospitality to the,eaem•
bore.
'The following appOintmenta for , next trieet,
ing have been made, Essay, Carrie J. I . :niek;
Selection, S B. Kline ; Lepture, J. _Eberly ;
Class drill in Geography, D. Richwime; 'Pa
rental Cooperation to be opened by J.
-Shriver;-•
'On rnoticin, adjourned to meet at Solo6l
house No. 12, Jan: 9th 1864.
' J. A. EBERLY, Beeretar3i.
Mrs. 'Partington is of opinion :that
Mount Vesuvius should take sarsaparilla
to cure itself of eruptions. The old lady
thinks it has been vomiting : so long noqt,
ing else would stay on its stomach.
The greatesenumber of our most tried
friends ',are those who - have been ;tried
\and found guilty.
" Can you toll me," asked a bloom
log lass of a suitor, what, ship oarrips
more passengers than the Great.. Eastern ?"
ipadain, I really don't think
can 1
.
"Why, it is courtship," 'replied . the
maiden, with a conscious blush.
AFTERNOON SES33ON