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

,
the system of allotment and to encourage them
in adopting practical plan for carrying it in
to effect.
The several reports of these commissioners
are highly satisfactory.
For details on the several subjects connected
with the military operations of this State.
refer to the reports of the Adjutant General,
Surgeon General, Quarter Master General
Commissary General and Paymaster General
which accompany this Message.
The duties imposed on me were so generous
that found it necessary to invite the tempo
rary assistance of gentlemen on my staff to
aid me to perform them.
In this capacity, Coils. Thomas A. Scott,
Gideon J. Ball and John A. Wright contribu
ted their valuable services from the middle of
April until they were called away by other du-
ties. Col. Scott remaining until he became
connected with the War Department. Col.
Ball until the 1st of June and Col. Wright
until the 23d of July; for the time thus de-
voted to the service of the State they have
refused to receive any compensation.
Coils. Joseph ID. Potts, A. l.. Russell, ].
Brown Parker and Craig Biddle were in the
service up to the Goth of December. The
Department of Telegraph and Transportation
was under the exclusive control of Col. Potts.
The system and economy of its management
show how faithfully and we'll he fulfilled his
office.
1t is but just to all these gentlemen that
should bear testimony TO the untiring zeal
and fidelity with which their duties were per-
formed.
The quota of the State having been more
than filled, and her military force organized,
l was enabled on the twentieth OF December
last, to dispense with a personal staff, and
the temporary arrangement which had been
made for it's employment was then closed.
By the 18th section of the Act OF the 18th of
Mav II o,,fl,a Il
rants on the Treasury for sum not exceed
ing S20,OCO 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, 800, out of which
paid the compensation of my personal staff,
also other expenses of the military depart
ment, and the actual expenses of persons en-
ployd on temporary service, none OF whom
received any further compensation, and ex-
penses of the commissions appointed to inves-
tigate alleged frauds, &c, and the expenses
of establishing military patrols on the Mary
land line and five hundred dollars on secret
service. My account is settled in the office of
the Auditor General up to the 1st of Decem-
Der. 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 ex-
hibit 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 and
settled by the accounting departments here,
was made up to the 1St day of September,
1861, and presented on the 18th of that month
at the Treasury Department of the United
States for settlement and allowance. The
sum OF $500, 900, has been received from the
Treasury Department on that account. The
repayment by the General Government of the
expenses attending the organization and sup
YNnr 6ff ha Rn0 NOT h.
ed for by any existing act of Congress. As
these expenses were incurred by the State for
the benefit of the General Government, and
have been productive of results most import
ant to the welfare and safety of the country,
it would be right that act of Congress
should be passed providing expressly for their
repayment. 1t lies with the Legislature to
adopt the proper means for directing the at
tention OF Congress to this subject.
Assurances have been received from the
Treasury Department that the examination of
the military accounts of the State will be pro-
ceeded in without delay, so that the State
may receive credit for the balance due, in
time TO apply the same towards the payment
of her quota of the direct tax. Assuming the
completion of the arrangement, if the State
shall assume the direct tax for this year, a sa-
wing 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 State.
In case the State assumes the payment of
this tax there should be such revision of the
tax laws as will hereafter equtably apportion
the burden among the various interests now
subject or that can properly be made subject
to taxation. The saving of fifteen per cent.
to the people of the State be the assumption
is matter worthy of thought, but more
important consideration is that it will enable
you who represent all the varied interests Of
the Commonwealth to apportion the tax in
such a 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
for the ordinary expenditures of the govern
ment. BY the act of 18th May last, the tax
on this species of property has already been
increased one-sixth. Shonld the State refuse
to assume the United States tax the whole
burden of it will fall upon these interests, in
terests too, most unfavorably affected by the
war, whilst other kinds of property 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 con-
tribute one dollar of additional tax.
The militia system of the Commonwealth is
very imperfect. l recommend the establish
ment of a commission to frame and report
system more adequate to the exigency of the
times.
l earnestly recommend to the legislature
that provision be made for the military instruc-
ton OF youth. The appointment of military
instructor in the normal schools, would in a
short period give teachers to the common
schools who would be competent TO train the
boys in attendance on them. 1t would i'm my
opinion be wise also to provide for the pur-
chase or leasing by the Commonwealth of a
building for military school, and for employ
ing competent instructors at the expense of
the State, requiring the pupils to defray the