Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-17

have more personal interest iC their protec-
| ton, the recommendation Is made to author
| ize the Governor to designate the parts of the
| State III which it should be raised and to
save the time and expense of transporting
! troops from remote parts OF the State and
! the subsistence and pay in going to from
/ the border
! \ body of men SO organized, Will it is be
/ lleyed, be effective to prevent raids and IN
cursions. The expenses Of clothing, arming
and equipping such a force cannot be cor
rectiy ascertained, but the Quartermaster
| General has been directed to make approx
mate estimates for your information, which
Will be independent of pay and subsistence.
! The State should provide at least six four
| gun batteries of field artillery with all the
modern improvements.
The suggestion has been frequently made
! by unrefecting persons that the State should
raise force and keep it permanently in the
field Tor her defence. Apart from other
considerations, it is observed that the ex-
penses OF such a measure would be quite
beyond the persent ability of the State.
10 raise and maintain an army OF fifteen
regiments would involve an annual expendi-
ture OF more than fifteen millions Of dollars,
and any smaller force would be inadequate.
| The plan which | have above proposed
would [ think, give to the State efficient
protection, and If the Legislature should
think fit to adopt 1t, the expense can be
readily provided for by loan or otherwise.
Having an organized force under the con-
troll OF the authorities of the State, and mus
! tered into service for domestic protection, we
would not, as heretofore, lose time in arrang-
ing for transportation and supplies with the
National Government, when it became ne
cessary to call it into the field. When thor
oughIy organized, it should be in all its APP
polntments an army which could be increas-
ed by draft made from our enrolled and elias
siied citizens.
The plan which / have above suggested is
the result of reflection and experience which
| have had during the last three years, and
| have felt it to be my duty to submit it for
your consideration. Ofthe purpose Of pro-
vidIng for the effectual defence OF the State
| of course cannot doubt your approval. If
the Legislature should prefer the adoption
of any other plan more efficient, and ecC-
nomical, than the one which have herein
proposed, it will give me pleasure to coop
crate heartily In carrying 1t into effect.
In accordance with the act of May t, 1864,
have appointed for the Eastern Armies
Col. L. Jordan as Agent at Washington,
and Lieut.. Col. james Giliiland Us Assis-
tant Agent at that place and also for the
South Western Armies Lieut.. Col James
Chamberlin as Agent at Nashville. These
Agents are now actively engaged in the per
formance Of their duties, and it is desirable
that our people should be aware that part
OF them consists in the gratuitous collection
of all claims by Pennsylvania volunteers or
their legal representatives IN the State and
National Governments. Volunteers having
claims on either OF these governments can
have them c0iectet5hrodgn these as9ls3
without expense, and thus be rescued from
the extOrtions to which it is feared they have
sometimes heretofore been subjected Hav-
ing received information from the agents of
the State that our sick and wounded were
suffering greatly from the wants Of comforts
and even neceSsaries, | have been recently
compelled to call on the people to contribute
supplies mainly in kind for their relief, and
it gives me pleasure to say that this appeal
has been cheerfully responded to, as have
been al my former appeals to the same end.
It seems impossible to eXaust the liberal
lty OF eur generous people when the well
being OF our brave volunteers Is IN question.
In my special message OF 30th April last, |
stated the circumstances attending the ad-
vance by banks and other corporations, Of
funds for the payment of the militia called
out III 1868. In consequence the Legisla-
ture passed the act of 4th May, 1864, au-
thorizing loan for the purpose of refund
ing, with interest, the amount thus adyan-
ced, in case Congress should fail to make
the necessary appropriation at Its then cur
rent session. ! regret to say that Congress
adjourned without making such appropri-
alton.
The balance in the Teasury being found
sufficient to reimburse the funds SO adyan-
ced, without unduly diminishing the Sink
ing Fund, / have deemed it advisable not to
advertise for proposals for the loan, and re-
commend the passage of an act directing the
payment TO be made out of the moneys III
the Treasury
As the omis. ion of Congress to act on this
subject involved an unprecedented disregard
of the good faith of the National authorities,
] recommend that the Legislature take mea-
sures for procuring an appropriation at the
next session of Congress.
The Revenue Bill passed at the last ses-
sion has been found to be defective in sever
al points, and recommend careful and im-
mediate revision of it.
The Bounty Bill passed at the last sessions |
found to be defective and unjust in many ofits
provisions, and from the manner IN which 1t
is administered III some parts OF the State |
oppressive on the people. | therefore re-
commend careful revision OF 1t.
As the present session has been called for
the consideration of matters of vital public
importance, | commend them toyour earnest
and exclusive attention. a. G.. CURTIN.
Fanny Fern, who ought to know, says
e,.aa Einr Of Tho lsJiao al |