Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-01-13
90 a. 0fm nn

GiU.opu,BoU Uu
These bonds are in the Sinking Fund and reduce
the public debt to 500, ,079, SOB "a.
The tax on tonnage imposed by the acts of 30th
April and 25th august 1864, has yielded something
less than $500, 000-a much less sum than was an
ticipated | recommend revision Of these acts for
the purpose Of rendering this source of revenue
more productive, and amending other defects In
those bills
The revenue derived from the tax on banks during
the year amounts TO S539, 600 81 but under the en-
ahiing act of the State so many of our banks have
become National banks under the act of Congress.
that this source of revenue may be considered as
substantially extiRguiSaed and 10 will be necessary
in some way to make up deficiency from other sour
ces.
The act Of Congress authorizes the taxation By
the State Of the stock in the National bank in the
hands of the holders not exceeding the rate Of tax
alton imposed on other similar property and part Of
the deficiency may be thus provided for.
The amount of debt extnguished by the Sinking
Fund during the year Is unusually small; which Is
TO be accounted for by the extraordinary expenses
thirteen thousand dollars COO have been paid
to refund to the banks the money advanced by them
pay the volunteers IN service during the invasion
Of the State in 1863 One hundred thousand dol
lars tS100, ,0043 have been distributed among the
inhabitants of Chambersbarg, suffering by the rebel
destruction of their town. About two hundred
thousand dollars $500, 000) have been expended
under the acts providing for the payment Of extra
military claims, and In addition To these e3raOFdi-
airy ontlays, the amount appropriated 70 charities
was last year larger than usual.
In my opinion this matter of donations 10 chari-
ties is fast running into great abuse. Houses Of
Refuge, and Insane, Blind and Deaf and Dumb A.
synns, appear to be proper subjects of State bonn
ty. because their objects of public importance
and TO be useful, andwe andeeonomically managed
It seems ID be necessary, that they should be more
extensive than ronld be req red for the wants IF
particular county But in our system, ordinary To-
cal charities are left to the care Of the respective
localities, and 10 give the public money for their
support is really to the inhabitants Of all the
counties for the benefit Of one.
The national taxation is heavy and must probably
be made heavier and the local taxes authorized by
unwse legislation and paid by people are exees-
siTe. Iii view Of these circumstances. we should
endeavor 70 avoid increasing their burdens By max
ing undue appropriations for any purpose
IL being alleged that the Atlantic and Great Wes-
tern Railroad Company has not in various partien-
lars obeyed the law by whiehit Incorporated the
Attorney General on the suggestion OF parties
claiming 10 be thereby injured has filed inioTIna
ton IN equity against that company, seeking an IN
junction to prevent continuance Of its past, and
the persistence in its intended Illegal course.
Since my last annual message on the repor5 Of
John A. Wright Esq. that the Sanhury and Erie
railroad was finished, ordered the bonds remaining
in the treasury To be delivered to the company
1t is subject Of just pride to the people Of this
Commonwealth. that this great work Is completed,