The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-01-15

the temporary arrangement which had been
made for its employment was then closed.
BY the 18th section of the Act of the 18th
of May, 1861, was authorized to draw my
! warrants on the Treasury for a sum not ex
ceeding $4,000 for compensation to such
persons as might be required to serve the
country IN a military capacity, &c. Of this
fund / have drawn from the Treasury $8,.
600. out of which paid the compensation
OF my personal staff, also other expenses of
the military department, and the actual ex-
penses OF persons employed on temporary
service, none of whom received any further
compensation, and expenses of the commits
sions appointed to investigate alleged frauds,
&C., and the expenses of establishing militia
ry patrols the Maryland line and five
hundred dollars on secret service. My ac
count is settled in the Office of the Auditor
! General up to the lstof December. On that
day had expended Sc, 400, and except some
| inconsiderable payments made since. the
balance remains in my hands. The report
of the Auditor General will exhibit the
items of the account.
An account of military expenditures by
the State on behalf of the United States, as
| far as the same had then been ascertained
aud settled by the accounting departments
here, was made up to the lst day of Septem-
Der. 1861 and presented 90 the 18th of tina.
month at the Treasury Department. of the
| United States for settlement and allowance
| The sum Of S606, 900, has been received from
| the Treasury Department on that account
| The repayment by the General Government
of the expenses attending the organization
and support of the Reserve Corps, may not
/ be provided for by any existing act of Con-
gress. As these expenses were incurred by
the State for the benefit of the General Gov
ernment, and have been productive of re-.
safety Of the country, it would be right that
an act of Congress should be passed pro-
| viding expressly for their repayment 1t
! lies with the Legislature to adopt the proper
means for directing the attention of Congress
this subject.
Assurances have been received from the
! Treasury Department that the examination
| of the military accounts of the state will by
proceeded in without delay, 80 that the sta te
may receive credit for the balance due in
time to apply the same towards the payment
of the quota Of the direct tax. Assuming the
completion of this arrangement, if the State
shall assume the direct tax for this year, a
saving of fifteen per cent, will accrue to her,
and no present increase Of her taxation will
! be necessary.
Whether this credit be given or not, re-
commend that the payment of the direct tax
be assumed by the stale.
this tax there should be s1ch revision of the
tax laws as will hereafter equitably appor-
tion the burden among the various interests
now subject, or that properly be msde
subject TO taxation. The saving of fifteen
per cent. to the people of the state by the
assumt:on is matter worthy of thought, but
n more important consideration Is that 1t,
will enable you who represent all the varied
interests OF the commonwealth 10 apportior
the tax IN such manner as to bear equally
upon all.
Our revenue laws had imposed on rea
and personal property as its iull proportion
but little more than one third of the taxe
needed for the ordinary expenditures of tn,
government. By the act Of 18th May las
the tax on this species as property has al
ready been increased one sixth. Should th
, State refuse to assume the United State
tax the whole burden of it will fall upo
these interests interests too, most uniavor
ably affected by the war. whilst other kind
of pro perty and other sources OF revenue
judged by our laws able to pay nearly TIVE
thirds OF the present revenues of the State
would not be called on to contribute one do
: lar of additional tax.
The militia system Of the commonwealth
:. is very imperfect. 1 recommend the estai
lishment Of a comm IS on TO frame and II
port system more adequate to the exigeI
cy of the times.
| earnestly recommend TO the Legislator
!, that provisions be made foe the milItar
II instruction Of youth The appointment {
II = military instructor in the normal school
d would IN "A snort period give teachers to I'll
common schools who would lie competent
e train the boys ia attendance on them.
u would IN my opinion be wise also
:, provide for the purchase or leasing, by Il
[, commonwealth, OF a building for milItai
D, schools, and for employing competent /
! structurs at the expense OF the state, requI
% ing the pupils to defray the other expense
l. No pupil should be admitted to this scho
n without having passed a through examin
tion on mathematics and all htting suoJec
IF of instruction except the military art prOpe
IT | respectfully urge this subject on your ca
, ly considerations, as one OF material, pc
: haps vital, Importance.
Is have taken measures to direct the eff
h eent attention of the General GoyernmeI
d to the fortiication of the water apprOach
o on the sea board and the lakes, and arrang
n ments are in the course Of being etectt
# which it is hoped will be satisfaction in the
% results.
n / send with this message copy of coz
munication from General Totten, chief OF tt
l. Military Engineer Department at Washing
ton. ! have also represented TO the Secret
ry of the Navy the necessity for fioatius
) fences on the Delaware, and have his assul
It ance that they shall be prepared at the ed
II iiest moment.
J. have had correspondence with Il
,. authorities and some of the citizens OF Er
: on the subject Of the defenseless condition
e of that city, and the part of the State bo
Y dering gu the lake. On examination 1t
found that there are no defenees on the lax
/, and that the ordnance at the city of Erie W;
l. Withdrawn by the National Government ]
e the summer of 1861. The Secretary of Il
= Navy, on a request made, directed tnst II
z crew of the United States steamer Micniga
+ should not be disbanded, as has been usua
# and that vessel will remain in the haro'
# of Erie during the winter. Should tl
= National Government unexpectedly fan ]
J. its duty by providing adequate defences
our assailabie points, East and West | ca
7. nestly recommend that the Legisiatul
u take prompt means for that purpose "
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