The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-01-22


those in sympathy with the rebellion, better it
should, than that these devoted, self sacrificing
people who have so nnhesitatingly adhered to the
Government, be left 70 suffer. Whenever pesti-
lcnee and famine distressed the people Of any por-
tion of our country, we have always heen foremost
in relieving them, and the people OF Pennsylvania
have extended their open handed henevoerce and
4 bread charity to the starving people OF foreign
countries. Shall it be said that the appeals OF these
people for bread fall upon the heart Of Pennsylva-
ria in vain, aud that we who have recently given
thanks for our abundance have no relief for them
in their extremitesa commend the subject
through you to the people of the State. as worthy
the immediate attention and active exertons of the
charitable and the liberal .1si
should be glad il the Legislature wouii m Ike
general revision of our Revenue Laws. with
view to their increased productiveness. IT ought
to be observed that for period of more than
twenty wears, no naterisl change has been made IN
the Revenue Laws of this Commonwealth. During
that time some interests have grown into new i'm
pottarce, AMI should he made to hear their inst
proportion OF the public expense, since all taxation
should as far as possible, press equally upon the
property and employnients of our people, i1g
Falling such revision, l recommend TO .he con-
sideration of the Legislature, the following sug.
gestions connected with the SUI ject. ~
/ l. There are several companies in the State
Which, in addition to large mining privileges have
the control of the routes of trsnsp ortation. hy.
which alone the products of. the mines of ipdiydu.
These companies thus enjoy substantial rnonopo.
! lies, by means OF which they not only receiya ihe
fair profits of their prosperity, hut enabled
to make additional heavy gains at the expense of
individuals. In NV opinion such privileges ought
never to have been granted but they exist it sp-
pears to be just that the class of mpapss which
enjoy them, should pay therefor an additional
specific tax.
=. Very large sums are due to the Common
wealth for uppatented lands. Forbenrance, elem
ency. and liberaiity have been in vain tried in the
! numerous attempts to procure the payment of at
least part Of this debt, from the larger portion of
those who are indebted on that account. The con-
tnuance OF this state of airs is unjust to the Com
monweath and to the vast majority of her people
who have honestly paid for their lands II
has become unendurable. recommend that the
| Legislature provide that the Surveyor General shall
file of record in the Office of the Court of Common
Pleas of each county, description of the lands
subject to the lien of the Commonwealth for pur-
chase money, aud statement of the amount of
principal and interest now due TO the Common
wealth, together with the patent fees on each tract
and ter per eeut the amount so due for the labor
i and cost OF making and filln3 such statement, and
The aggregate amount thus stated, for each tract,
shall be held to be the amount now due thereon TO
the Commonwealth, which sh III hear interest at
The rate of twelve per cent. per annum, till paid,
| and shall continue to he the first leH on the
land, till paid, and shall not be div erted by any
| judicial er ether sale whatever. ] also recommend
the adoption OF snsgsstion contained IN the Sur
veyor Generals report that specific tax be laid on
| all unpatented lands. -
3. BY existing laws municipal corporations are
required to deduct and pay iuto the. Treasury ,the
tax on all loans contracted by them. II is believed
that large addition would ac crns to the revenue
by the extension of this provision TO all counties
and to all corporations private or public. r -
| recommend that il be so extended.
4. tax on the gross receipts Of all railroad and
canal companies would, it is believed, be productive
and not oppressive.
Upon satisfactory reports according to Law,
made by Colonel John A. W right. have drawn my
warrants for the delivery to the Philadelphia and
Erie Railroad company OF another million of the
bonds deposited in the State Treasury. Four mil
| lions of said bonds have therefore been now de-
liyered. There can he no reasonable doubt of the
carly completion of the work, aud, when completed,
|. is confidently expected that the bonds held by
tho State, secured the road for So, 100000, will
| become COOL in'erest-paying securities. s.T
I | renew most earnestly the recommendation made
| in my last annual message OF revision of the
militia laws. They are al present shameiully de-
fective Indeed. if by militia law is meant law
Intended TO provide tor olirg and organizing
the military force of the State that il may bp put
into service when required, we may be said have
militia law. In each of the last tws years have
been obliged call ont the militia, but 10 fact those
who obeyed the call were volunteers and, with some
| exceptions, whrrn wholly unorganzeI, SO that al
| most in face OF the enemy, time had TO be consul
med in distributing tbs men into Companies and
regiments, in eecting officers and in other pfepa-
rations for effective organic alton. f.,. $500
In the report of the Adjuant General will BIO
found list of the Pennsy ivana reg inents and
statement showing the several armies and depart
ments in which they are now serving. In This con-
nection, suggest tho proprety of legislative
authority being given for tha preparation Of his
tory of each Of our regiments and other orginza
tions, to be preserved among archives. Tue
necessary documents are accessible, and as
they may in ims be lost or destroyed, the making
of such record as propose should not be defer
red II is due alike TO the living and the dead that
this subject should be promptly acted Cn.
! recommend that the proposed amendments to
the Constitution, giving to citizens in the public
service out of the State, the light to vote, be pas
sed p. omptly aud submitted to vote Of the people
at os carly day possih!ei so that such citizens
may exercise their right Of suffrage at all future
elections. This would be only doing justice to the
brave men who are perng their lives in our de-
fence.
/ 1t is highly important that we should replenst
the ranks of our regiments In the field aud supply
the places OF those volunteers whose terms will
soon expire and who may decline further service
I ] am happy to say that large proportion OF onr
regiments arc re- enlisting. Efforts are making by
myseIfand by the people p various portions Of the
State to procure sufficient number of volunteers,
and with promise of success, provided a reason
/! able time be lowed for the purpose. Meanwhile
persons professingt to be officers and agents from
some other States are most improperly endeavoring
to seduee oureitizens into Their service BY extrava
| CANT 6oitnties and promises.
The l2sh. ,sectior OF the act of 10th Nay. 1861.
prohibits any volunteers from leaving the State
witboutthe anthorityof the Governor, and now
commend the passage of n law imposing penalties
| by fue and Imprisonment on all individuals who
endeavor to procure or aid and assist in procuring
any pprson in this Stac to enhst in tho volunteer
service Of any other State. Many OF our coantiesn
and townships bayo filled their quotas at large ex-
pense, and IN others they are in course OF doing
the same by Offers Of lberal hounties and prov-
sions for the families of volunteers aud aud not
right that these patriotic efforts should be mbarras-
sed by interierencefrom beyoudons borders, espe-
cially we cannot, IN these circumstances cffar
bounties by the State, without the injustce ofcom-
pellng the counties and townships which have al
ready contributed largely in that way TO assist in