American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-01-13
o,rp prNNsyr,yANrA REqINENrs.

regiments and statement showing the
several armies and departments they are
now serving. In this connection, | sug-
gest the propriety of Legislative authority
being given for the preparation of histo-
ry of each of our regiments and other or
CARNATIONS, to be preserved among our
archives. The necessary documents are
now accessible, and as they may in time
be lost or destroyed, the making of such
a record as propose should not be defer
red. 1t is due alike to theliving and the
dead that this subject should be promptly
acted on =
recommend that the proposed amend,
ments to the Constitution, giving to citi-
zens in the public service out of the State
the right to vote, be passed promptly and
submitted to vote of the people at as ear
ly day as possible, so that such citizens
may exercise their right of suffrage at all
future elections. This would be only do
ing justice to the brave men who are per-
ling their lives in our defence.
1t is highly important that we eshould
replenish the ranks of our regiments in the
field and supply the places of those volun-
teers whose terms will soon expire and
may decline futhcr service. | am happy
to say that a large proportion of our regi-
ments are re-enlisting. Efforts are max
ing by myself and by the people in vari-
Gus portions of the State to procure suf-
ficient number of volunteers, and with
promise of success, provided a reasonable
time be allowed for the purpose. Mean
while, persons professingto be offcersand
agents from some other States are most
improperly endeavoring to seduce our cit
izens into their service by extravagant
bounties and promises.
NO ENLIsTMENTs FOR OTHER STATES
The 18th section of the act of 10Th May
1861, prohibits any volunteers from leav-
ing the State without tle authority of the
Governor, and Inow recommend the pas
sage of law imposing penalties by fine
and Imprisonment on all individuals who
shall endeavor to procure or aid and assist
in procuring any person in this State to
enlist in the volunteer service of any other
State. Many of our counties and town
ships have filled their quotas at large
expense, and in others they are in course
of doing the same by offers Of liberal boun-
ties and provisions for the families of vol
unteers, and 1t is not right that these pa
triotic efforts should be embarrassed by iii
reference from beyond our borders, espe.
cially as we can not, in these circumstan-
ces offer bounties by the State, without
the injustice of compelling the counties
and townships which have already con
tributed largely in that way to assist in
paying, by taxation, for the deficiency OF
others.
TWO PEsTILENT EVILS 70 BF REFORMED
feel it to be my duty to call your az
tention to the pernicious practice Of leav'
ing many bills to be hurried through al
she close of the session. During the las
ten days of the last session, three hundred
bills were presented for my signature, ma
ny Of them of the most important charac
ter. The whole number of bills present
cd to me during the session was seven
hundred and fifteen. In consequence oi
this habit ndssbnly are bills passed with
out an opportunity in either House for ;
proper consideration of their provisions
but the Executive is compelled to eithei
sign them without examination, or to hole
them perhaps to the public Inconvenience
1t may often happen thata bill not approx
cd by reason of a single obnoxious clause
might if there were time, bcrepassed, omit
ting the Objectionable provision.
In connection with the subject of Leg
islation, | must refer to another mischief
General laws have been passed to give re
lief in certain cases which formerly requir
ed a special act in each case. As for in
stance the sale of lands by executors, adj
ministrators and trustees, the adoption o
children, the creation of minn9and manu-
featuring corporations, and 50 forth. Thes
laws were passed to ensure such an exam
ination in each case as would enable jus
tice to be done to the parties and to thu
public. and also to save the time and ex
pense consumed in private legislation
They have hitherto effected neither pur
pose, but do seriously urge ON the Leg
islature the consideration that whoeve
applies for special act undersuch circum
stances must either fear the result of an i'm
partial inquiry, or (if the application b
for a charter must desire the omission o
insertion of some provision contrary t
what the Legislature has determined at
ter mature consideration to be just and leg
itimate
| refer to the Auditor Generals an
State Treasurer reports for the details o
our financial affairs and to the reports Q
the Surveyor General, Adjutant General
Quartermaster General, Commissary Gen
eral, Surgeon General Agentat Washing
ton, Chiefof Transportation and Telegrap
Department, and Superintendent of Con
mon Schools, inregard to their several de
partments.
INVASION OF OUR STATE BY LEE.
In May last it was believed from infor
nation received, that General Lee intend
ed to invade the State. Communication
on the subject were Immediately sent
: Washington, urging that preparations fc
active defence should not be delayed
Accordingly the War Department cree
ed two new military departments, viz :
' The Department of the Monongahsla, il
J Guiding that portion of the State lyingwe
70 L 81, H., I'D l.