The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-16
VOL. 6. NO q

that at length such an arrangeme Mt was mad
with the authorities at Washington, which
was hoped would be effective, but there has bee
such tardiness in putting it into practical opel
lation, that recommend the legislature to il
vite the attention of the War Department t
the subject. Our suffering men have right +
the sympathy and aid of their State, to be $
rendered as not to injufe the service. If til
bringing themhomc tobeattended couldproduc
even Inconvenience to that, would not urge i
But it is cruel to leave them to the care and {
lregret TO say it) frequently to the neglect, o
worse, of strange officials, at points in Che i'm
mediate vicinity Of all the abundant comfort
which the soicitude of their famiIiasahd freud
would rejoice to provide for them.
In addition to the expenses of attending an,
bringing home our sick and wounded as ahof
stated, have expended less than $1,000 in th
transportation of friends of sick, killed, oi
wounded volunteers, and other persons seas b.
me for their cnro to the several batte-feltis an,
hospitals, and in bringing home for intermcnt
the bodies OF those slain. The whole expens,
incurred under the Joint resolution wasfyet thou.
sand one hundred and nineteen dollars and eigh-
ty-three cents, tho details Of which will be foand
in the report Of the Surgeon General and of The
Chief of transportation,
have uniformly, when applied to, allowed
the expense Of transportation of one person to
the field to bring home the body of his friend
or relation, and the expense of his return with
the body. The cost Of this has not exceeded
5000, which is included in the sum of less than
$4,000, above stated
In this connection Imust speak with applause
of the active beneyolenee of our citizens, who
have without compensation devoted their time
and care to their suffering fellow citizens, disa-
bled by the casualties of war. Not only have
many gone to the field, to administer their kind
offices, but in every part of the Commonwealth
thousands have applied their minds and exer-
tions 10 tho same end; and especially have the
women of Pennsylvania, obeying their true
womanly instincts, shown that they are worthy
10 be the mothers, wives and sisters of the brave
men, whom they stimulated TO their duty,
and soohed and nursed in the suferings that
have ensued the performance of it.
The city of Philadelphia having patriotical-
" offered to the United States, League Island
as donation for Navy Yard, Congress direct
ed commission TO report upon the availability
of that site and also of New London. TO the
general astonishment, majority of the commits
sion have reported in favor of New London,
but the minority has presented a report, which
is fortified by the approval of the Secretary of
the Navy, showing 80 conclusiveiy the superior
ity of League Island that ii is scarcely possible
that Congress should hesitate to select that To-
cation To establish Navy Yard for the con-
struction Of iron clad vessels at a point remote
from all necessary supplies situated on salt wa
ter, and accessible by more than one route to a.
ny enemy, who may have momentary superb
ority at sea, would appear to be inconsistent
with the wisdom of Congress, especially when
a site is offered convenient oiron, coal and 9TH
er necessary supplies, situated on fresh water
with sufficient depth for the draught of large
vessels, and safe from hostile attack by its posi-
ton.
Captain Henry z. Wrigley, of the city Of
Philadelphia. at my request, and without COM
pensation, has made report 10 me on the de-
fences of the Delaware, which l herewith trans
mil for information.
In July last, received. at PittSburg. by tel
egrapb, an offer from the Pennsylvania Rail
road Company, of a donation of fifty thousand
dollars to assist in paying bounies to volunteers
declined this offer, because | had no authors
ty TO accept it it on behalf of the public, and
was unwilling 10 undertake the disbursement of
the fund in my private capacity. | have since
received letter on the subject from the comp
any suggesting other modes OF disppsing OF the
money, a copy Of which is annexed to this mes
sage.
If the Legislature should accept the donation,
recommend that it he applied towards the C.
rection of an asylum for our disabled soldiers
and that the trustees appointed to superntend
the erection and management OF the ASYLUM be
authorized to accept such further contributions
as our citizens may ofi3r. In we'll managed
establishment Of that kind, il is probable that
the pensions to be allowed by the Government
to the men, viii enable them to support them
selves with comfort BY an act of Congress
passed ON the second day Of July, 1862, lands
were granted to the several States for the en-
dowment, support and maintenance by each
State, of at least one College for teaching such
branches of learning as are related to agrieult-
urc and the mechanic arts, without excluding
other scientific and classical studies, and inclu-
ding military tactics
recommend that proper provisions be made
by the Legislature for having the lands thus
granted to this State selected, and the title made
to the State, and that Congress be requested
to allow the lands in the construction and sun
port Of such an asylum as have above sug-
gested.
The details of the operations of the common
school, system, during the school year that ter
minated on the first Monday in June, 1862,
miniest scarcely any evil effects from the troub-
led state Of the country. Absence of the usu-
al degree Of progress in the various departments
is the only result observable TO have held its
own, however, during the severe ordeal to which
in common with all our great social interests
and enterprises, it has been subjected, is the
strongest proof of its inherent vigor, and of the
hold IL Possesses upon the affections as well