Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-01-15

w IOICc, ny SItCles VI icgtsiatiNe iCSCiuen"in
the passage of Objectionable measures through
the Legislature, and compel their sanction by
the Executive, has been too often successful
The practice cannot be too strongly condemn
ed it cannot receive my sanction.
The militia law of the State is imperfect in
many of its provisions, and should be revised
The powers and duties of the Commandern-
Chief should he more clearly defined as also
of the other offices connected with the military
organization of the Commonwealth. This is
necessary to prevent conflict of jurisdiction
with other departments of the government and
to give greater efficiency to our military sys-
TEN. Volunteer companies should be encour-
aged our entire military system should be re-
modelled and made to occupy that honorable
position which, from its Importance and neceS-
sity, it deserves.
Near the close of the last session of the Leg
islature, transmitted to that body an ordi-
nance passed by the select and common coun-
ellis of the city of Philadelphia, approved by
the Mayor OH the 7th Of April, 1856, and Off
cially communicated to me, proposing to con-
vey to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a
lot of ground in that city, for the purpose of
erecting thereon q State arsenal. Want Of
time alone prevented action OIL the proposition
then submitted. The ground thus offered to
the State is valuable and it's location most
eligible for the purpose intended. The condi-
tions of the proposed grant are favorable to
the State, aud highly credtable to the munich
pal authorities of Philadelphia, evncing IL
berality aud public spirit worthy of all COM
mendation. The necessity of State arsenal
in that city is so apparent that the subject
needs no elaboration in this communication
After the sale of the State arsenal in Phia-
delphia, the public arms were deposited in an
old building, or out house, unsafe and unfit as
depository for public property The sum Of
100000 90, realized from that sale, is now in
the Treasury and by the fifty fifth section of
an act passed the 10th day of April, A. D.
1858, entitled An Act to provide for the or
dinary expenses of the government" &c, the
Governor was authorized to apply the same to
the purchase of lot of ground and to the
erection of an arsenal thereon This sum was
found insufficient for these purposes, and con-
sequently the object intended by the appro-
priation has not been accomplished. BY the
the cession of this lot, the State will be reliey
ed from the expenditure Of any money for the
purchase of suitable grounds ; and the entire
sum of $50, 900 90 may be applied to the cree
tion of the necessary buildings to woich sum
can be added, if deemed advisable, the amount
that may be realized from the sale of the ar
senals at Meadville and Harrisburg, as recon-
mended in my last annual message. These sums
would be amply sufficient to accomplish this
object
| would, therefore, again recommend the i'm
mediate passage of a bill accepting the con-
cxl., 1t oc g. ~
ty of Philadelphia, for the purposes and upon
the terms and conditions contained in the orti-
nance and that the sum of $4,000 90 be
appropriated for the erection of State arse
nal thereon.
On the 9th day of October, 1855, approx
ed and signed bill, entitled An Act to re-
peal the charter of the Erie and Northeast
railroad company, and to provide for the dis
posal of the same" In pursuance of its pro-
visions, Hon. Joseph Casey was appointed to
take possession aud have the charge and Gus
tody of the road Before possession was ia
ken application was made by the company, to
one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Pa,
for an injunction to restrain the agent of the
State from taking possession ; and subsequent
ly a cautionary order was made by the Su-
preme Court, in banc, to stay proceedings un-
der the act The questions then pending be-
fore that court were determined in favor of
the Commonwealth conStitutionaiity of
the act sustained, and the application for an
Injunction refused. Possession of the road was
then taken by the agent of the State, as di-
rected by law.
On the twenty-second day of April, 1856,
an act, entitled " An Act supplementary to
the act Incorporating the Erie and North East
railroad company was passed. By this act
the Erie and North East railroad, as original
ly located and constructed was legalized and
confirmed !; and certain changes in the road
were directed to be made, and other acts to
be done by the company. 1t was also provid-
ed that the Governor shall retain possession
of the Erie and North East railroad, under the
act of the sixth of October, 1855, until the
provisions of this act shall have been accept.
ed by vote of the stockholders of the Erie
and North East railroad company, at meet.
ing called for that purpose" On the fifteenth
day of May, 1856, at meeting of the stock
holders called for that purpose, the provisions
of the act were accepted by their vote This
acceptance, duly certified, was received and
filed in this Department on the fifteenth day
of July last Possession of the road has been
restored, and it is now under the care and
management of the company. A final account
for money received from the road, whilst in
possession Of the State will be settled with the
company at the earliest practicable period
1t is but proper to state that since the ac-
ceptance of the act of the 22d of April, 1856
a writ of error, in the cases adjudicated by the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, has been is
sued at the suit of the company by the Supreme
Court of the United States, and is now pend
ing in that court
The commissioner first appointed having re-
signed, A. X. Mcclure, Esq, was appointed in
his place The duties of both officers were
ably and faithfully performed Copies of their
correspondence and reports, herewith submit
ted to the House of Representatives, for the