The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-16


properly be made subject, to taxation
The saving of fifteen per cent. to the
people Of the State by the assumption is
u matter worthy of thought; but more
important consideration Is, that it VIII
enable you who represent all the varied
interests of the Commonwealth to appor-
ton the tax in such manner as to bear
equally upon all Our revenue laws had
imposed on real and personal property, as
its full proportion, but little more than
one third Of the taxes needed fo- the
ordinary 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 assume the United States tax,
the whole burden Of it will fall upon these
interests, too, most unfavorabiy affected
by the war-whilst other kinds of proper
ty and other sources of revenue, Judged
by our laws able to pay nearly two-thirds
of the present revenues of the State,
would not be called on to contribute Que
dollar of additional tax.
The militia system of the Common
wealth is very imperfect. | recommend
the establishment of commission to
frame and report a system more adequate
to the exigency Of the times.
[ earnestly recommend to the Legisla-
ture that provision be made for the mill
tary instruction of youth. The appoint
ment Of military instructor in the normal
schools would, in short period, give
teachers to the common schools, who
would be competent to train the boys in
attendance on them. 1t would, in my
opinion, be wise also to provide for the
purchase or leasing by the Commonwealth
of building for a military school, and
for employing competent instructors at
the expense Of the State, requiring the
pupils TO defray the other expenses. No
pupil should be admitted to this school
without having passed a thorough exam
ination on mathematics, and ali fitting
subjects Of instruction, except the military
art proper. [ respectfully urge this sub
ject on your early consideration as one Of
material, perhaps vital, importance
1 have taken measures to direct the
efficient attention of the General Gov
ernment to the fortifcation Of the water
approaches on the seabord and the lakes,
and arrangements are in the course of
being effected which it is hoped will be
satisfactory In their result.
| send with this message a copy of a
communication from General Totten, chief
of the Military Engineer Department at
Washington | have also represented to
the Secretary of the Navy the necessity
for detences on the Delaware, and have
his assurance that they shall be prepared
ut the earliest moment.
/ have had correspondence with the
authorities and some of the citizens of
Erie on the subject Of the defenceless
condition of that city, and the part of the
State bordering on the lake. On exam
ination it is found that there are no defences
on the lake, and that the ordnance at the
city Of Erie was withdrawn by the Nation
al Government in the summer of lS61.-
The Secretary of the Navy, on a request
made, directed that the crew of the United
States steamer Nichigan should not be
disbanded, as has been usual, and that
vessel will remain In the harbor Of Erie
during the winter. Should the National
Government unexpectedly fail in its duty
Of providing adequate defences at our
assallabie points, east and west, | earnestly
recommend that the Legislature take
prompt means for that purpose. We
should be admonished by recent indica-
tions from abroad, to be prepared for our
own defence, as well as for the suppression
Of domestic insurrection.
In selecting site for national armory,
if the public good be alone considered,
Pennsylvania will be preferred, as she
affords the combined advantages of a CEN
trail position, abundance OF material and
skilled mechanics, and Il people Of un-
doubted loyalty.
[ commend to the attention Of the
Legislature the report of the Superinten-
dent of the Public Schools, the fiourishing
state of which, and the rapid progress Of
education, are subjects of just congratula-
ton.
The reports Of the Lunatic Hospital, at
Harris burg, and of Western Pennsylvania,
of the houses Of refuge, at Philadelphia
and Pittsburg, of the institutions for the
deaf and dumb, and for the blind, and
the Northern Home for Friendless Children
at Philadelphia, and of the Pennsylvania
Training School for Idiotic and Feeble
Minded Children, at Media, show that
these meritorious charities are we'll admin
istered and | recommend that the coun-
tenance and aid Of the Commonwealth be
continued TO them
Under the joint resolution of 10th Nav
last, commissioners have been appointed
to revise the revenue laws, whose names
will be forthwith submitted for the advice
and consent of the Senate If iS booal