The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-17
temporary arrangement which bad been ntsds


May, 1861, was authorized 10 draw nv war;
rants on the Treasury for sum not exceeding
$4,000 for compensation 10 such persons az
might be required to serve the country in
military capacity, Sc. OF this fund / have
drawn from theTreasury $500, ou. of which
paic the compensation OF my personal staff. al
so other expenses of the military department.
and the actual expenses Of persons employed on
temporary service, none oil whom received
acy further compensation, and expenses ofthe
commissions appointed TO Investigate alleged
frauds, &C., and the expenses of establishing
military patrols on the Maryland line and Eve
hundred dollars on secFe: service. NV ac-
count is settled in the Office OF the Auditor
General up 10 the lst OF December. On that
day | had expended 6,400, and except some
inconsidera5le payments made since, The ball
ance remains in my hands.
The report of the Auditor General will ex-
hiblt the items OF the account.
An account OF military expenditures by the
State on behalf Of the United States, as far as
the same bad then been ascertained and settled
by 'he accounting departments here, was made
up to the LIST day of September, 1861, and pre-
sented on The l2,h of that month at the Trea-
sury Department OF the United States for set
-
900, has been received from the Treasury De-
partment on that account The repayment by
the General Government of the expenses atten.
ding the organization and support of the Re-
serve Corps, may not be provided for by any
were incurred BY the State for the benefit of
the General Government, and have been pro-
ductive Of results most important to the welfare
| n nd fat fort he L.
right that an act of Congress should be passed
providing expressly for theis repayment. Il
lies with the Legislature to adopt the proper
means for directing the attention Of Congress
to this subject.
Treasury Department that the examination Of
the military accounts of the State will be pro-
ceeded iu without delay, SO thai the State may
receive credit for tie balance due, IN time to
apply the came towards the payment of her
quota cf the direct tax. Assuming the COM
petion OF this arrangement, if the State shall
assume the direct tax for this year, saving of
fifteen per cent will accrue to her, and no pres
ent increase Of her taxation will be necessary.
Whether this credit be given o. not, l re-
commend tina: the payment of the direct tax
be assumed by the State. u
T., ~.s~ ,rS oratr acsuurs Tue pay~-aat Of .l:-
tax there should be such revision Of the tax
laws as will hereafter equitably apportion the
burden among the various interests now sub
ject 10 taxation. The saving of fifteen per
cent. to the people OF the State by the assump-
ton Is matter worthy ofthought, but more
important consideration is that ii will enable
you who represent all the varied interests of
The commonwealth to approtion the tax in such
manner as to bear equally upon all. Our rev.
| enue laws had imposed on real and personal
property as its full proportion bu: little more
| than one-thrd of the taxes needed for The ordi-
nary expenditures Of the government. BY the
act OF 10th May last, the tax on this species of
property has already been increased one-sixth.
Should the State refuse to consume the United
States tax the whole burden OF il will fall upon
| these interests, interests too, most unfavorably
| affected by the war, whilst other kinds Of prop
| ertG and other sources Of revenue, Judged BY
our laws able TO pay nearly two-thrds Of the
present revenues OF the State, would not be
called on 10 contribute one dollar of additional
tax.
| The militia system ofthe Commonwealth is
very imperfect. recommend the establish
ment Of commission to frame and report a
system more adequate TO the exigency oi the
| times
earnestly recommend to the legislature that
provision be made foI the military instruction
Of youth. The appointment OF military IN
| structor in the normal schools, would ia short
period give teachers 10 the common schools
who would be competent 10 train the boys in
attendance on them. 1t would in nv oplnion
be wise also 10 provide for the purchase or leas-
| ing by the Commonwealth of building for
military school, and for employing contreteut
| instructions at the expense OF the State, reuuir-
ing the pupils to delray the other expenses.
No pupil shocld be admitted to this school With
| out having passed thorough examination on
mathematics and all fitting subjects Of nstruc-
lion except the military art proper. respect
| iuly urge this subject on your early considera-
tion, as one of material perhaps vital import
! ancy.
have taken measures 10 direct the efficient
attention Of The General Government to the
| forttfcation Of the water approaches on the sea-
board and the lakes, and arrangements are IN
the course OF being effected which 1t is hoped
| will be satisfactory in their result.
| | send with this message copy Of a COM
| munieation from General Totten, chief of the
Military Engineer Department at Washington.
have also represented TO the Secretary of the
Navy the necessity for floating defrnces on the
Delaware, and have his assurance that they
shall be prepared al the earliest moment
have bad correspondence with the au-
tborites and some of the citizens of Erie on
the subject OF the defsncsless condition of that
city, and the part of the State bordering on
the lake. On examination il is found that
there are no defences on the lake, and that
the ordnance at the city of Erie was withdrawn
by the National Government in the summer Of
1861. The secretary OF the Navy, on request
made, direct that the crew Of the uniled