Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-15
THE RAFTsMAN's JOURNAL,

the ordnance at the city of Erie was withdraw n
by the National Government in the summer of
1861. The Secretary of the Navy, on a re-
quest made, directed that the crew of the u :
nited States steamer Michigan should not be
disbanded, as has been usual. and that vesse
Will remain in the harbOr Of Erie during the
winter. Should the National Government un
expectly fail in its duty providing adequate
defences at our assailable points, East and
West, earnestly recommend that the Legis-
latnre take prompt means for that purpose.
We should be admonisned, by recent indica-
tons from abroad, to be prepared for our own
defence, as well as for the suppressi CT do
mestic Insurrection.
In Sc electng site for National Armory
if the public good be alone considered, Penn
Sylvania will be preferred, she affords the
combined advantages OF a central position "a
bundance of material and skilled mechanics,
and a people OF undoubted loyalty.
l commend to the attention of the Legisla-
ture the report of the Superintendent of the
Public Schools, the iourishing state of which
| and the rapid progress of education are sub
jects of just congratulation.
The reports of the Lunatic Hospital at Har-
| risburg and of Western Pennsylvania, of the
Houses of Refuge at Philadelphia and Pitts
burg, of the Institutions for the Deaf and
Dumb and for the Blind and the Northern
Home for Friendless Children at Philade lph ia,
and of the Pennsylvania Training School for
Idiotic and Feeble Minded Children at Media
show that these meritOrions charities are we'll
| administered, and recomme end that the coun-
tenance and aid of the Commonwealth be con-
tinued to them.
Under the joint resolution of 10th May last,
commissioners have been appointed to revise
the revenue laws, whose names will be forth
with submitted for the advice and consent of
the Senate. 1t is hoped that the commission
ers will be able to report during the present
session Of the Legislature. Considering the
great labor imposed on them, and the vast
Importance at the present time of an able and
efficient performance of the duties of the COM
missioners, suggest that the compensation
provided by the joint resolution should be
increased to an adequate amount.
1t was evident, long since, that it would he
impossible for the banks to continue to re-
deem their obligations in coin, in the face Of
the large issues of paper. the necessity for
which was imposed on them and the govern
ment by the exigences of the times. No
surprise, therefore, was felt at the suspension
of specie payments by the banks, which took
place on Monday, the Both Of December last.
Under the circumstances, recommend that
they be relieved from all penalties for this
breach of the law.
Pennsylvania has made great efforts to sup
port the Government. She has given more
and better clothed, and better equipped men
than any other State, and has far exceeded her
quota of the military levIes. The sons of our
best citizens, young men of education and
means fill the ranks of her volunteer regi
ments. Their gallant conduct, whenever an
opportunity has been afforded to them, has
done homer to the Commonwealth. The uni
versal movement among our people, signifies
that they loyal to the Government estab-
lished by their fathers, and are determined to
queil the present insurrection and preserve
the Union, and that they will not tolerate any
plan for either the dissolution or reconstruc-
tion of it. A. G.. CURTIN.
ExEcUFIvE E CHAMBER, Harrsb'g, Jan. 8, 1862.