Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-01-17


or-tbe benefit Of the General Government,
and have been productive of results most i'm
portant to the welfare and even safety of the
country, il would be right that an act of Com
gress should be passed providing expressly for
their repayment. Ii lies With the Legislature
10 adopt the proper means for directing the
atientionof Congress to this subject.
Assurances have been received from the
Treasury Department that taq examination of
lbs military accounts of the St4to will be pIo-
ceede1 10 without delay, so TINT the State may
receives credit for the balancs due, 10 time 10
ppy the ssms towards the payment of her
elnta Of tue direct tax. Assuming the com
pletion Of this arrangement, il the State shall
assume the direct tax for this year, savipg
fifteen per cent will accrue to her, and no
present increase Of her taxation viii be neces-
sary.
Whether this credit be given or not, reA
commend thar the pnymeu, Of the direct tax
be assumed by the State.
10 case the State assumes the pay ment Of
this tax there should be such revision OF the
tax lawa a, win hereafter equitably apportion
the burden aruong the various interests new
subject or that sau properly be made subject
TO taxaiion. The saving Of fifteen per cent,
10 the people Of the State by the assumption
is matter worthy Of thought, but a more i'm
Po7iaut consideration IS that it will enable you
who represent al the varied interests of the
Commonwealth TO apportlon the tax in such
manner as to bear equally upon all. Our rev.
enue laws had imposed on real and personal
property as It's full proportion but little more
than one third of the taxes needed for the or
binary expenditures Of the government. BY
tie act of 18th Nay last, the tax on this spe-
cies 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, interests too,
most nnfayorably affected bg the war, whilst
aiher kinds OF property and other sources of
revenue, judged by our laws able 10 pay nearly
tso thirds Of the present revenues Of the
States would hot be called 90 to- contribute
one dollar OF additional tax
The militia system Of the Commonwealth is
very imperfect. | recommend the establish
meut OF a commission to frame aud report q
system mcre adequate to the exigency Of the
times.
] earnestly recommend TO the legislature
that provision be made for the military instruc.
ticn of youth. The appointment of militia
~ instructor in lhe normal schools, would IN
q short period give teachers to the common
schools who would be competent 10 tram the
boys 10 attendance on them. Ii would in my
opinion be wise also to provide for the par !.
chase or leasing by the Commonwealth of a
building for military school, and for employ
lag competent instructors at the expense of
the State, requiring the pupils to detray tho
other expenses. No pupil should be admitted
to this school without having passed thor
eugh examination on mathematics and all ft-
ling subjects OF instruction except toe military
alt proper. / respectfully urge this subject
on your early consideration, as one of mate,
rial perhaps vital Importance.
have taken measures, to direct the efficient
attention Of tue General Government to the
fertilization Of the water approaches on the
seaboard aud the lakes, aud arrangements are
in the course of being effected which it is
hoped will be satisfactory iu their result
send with this message copy of COM
pusication from General Tottou, chief Of the
Military Engineer Department at Washington.
I have alseIepresented to the Secretary OF the
Navy the necessity for floating defences on the
Delaware, and have his assurance that they
shsll be prepared al The earliest moment.
have had correspondence with tho au>
thoriiies and some of the citizens of Erie on
tie subject of the defenceless condition of thai
city, and the part Of t&a State bordering OF
the lake. On cxamin4.fGn it is found that
there are no defenoes CT tGs lake, and thai
lie ordnance at the city of Erie was withdrawn
by the National Government ia the summer
of 1861 The Secretary OF the Navy, on q
request made, directed that the crew OF the
United States steamer Michigan should noi
be disbandea, as has been usual, and that yes
sci will remain in the haIbor Of Erie durinq
the winter. Should the national GoveInmenl
unexpectedly fail 10 its duty providing ade-
qaate defehces at our assailabie points, Easi
aud West. Earnestly recommend that the
Legislature take prompt meaus for that pur~
pose Va should be admouished, b recent
indications from abroad, to be prepared fOr
our own defence, as we'll as FOR the suppres.
zion of domestic insurreclion.
la seiectiBg site Tor National Armory, il
tue public good be alone considered. Pennsyl,
vania will DO preferred, as she affords the com
bioed advantages Of central position, abuu.
dance of material and skilled mechanics, and
people of undoubted loyalty
commend 10 the attention of tho l4egislaS
taEe The report Of the Superintendent OF tbe
Public Schools, the Furnishing state of which
and the rapid propress Of education are sub
jscts Of just congratulstio0.
The reports of the Lunatic Hospital at Har-
risbuig and Of Western Peunsylvania, 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 fer Friendless Children at Pbiladelphia,
and of the Pennsylvania Training School for
ldloiic and Feeble Minded Children at Media,
eaow that these meritorious charities are we'll
administered, anj recommend that the coun.
isOanee and aid of the Commonwealth be coz
tnucd TO them
Under The joint resolution or le:h May last,
commissioners have been appointed to revise