American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-11
BUTLER BUTLER COUNTY PA, WEDNESDAY JANUARY Il, 1865

calities to which they were supposed
to be credited. 1t is possible that
there are very few counties in the
State which have not paid large boun-
ties for number of men sufficient
to fill their former quotas.
Taking the local bounties at the
low averages Of four hundred dollars,
it is believed that it can be demon-
strated that the people Of Pennsylva-
MIA have been thus robbed of more
than twelve millions Of dollars during
the past year This estimate does
not include ,thc money fraudulently
taken from men who have actually
gone into the service.
The continuance Of these monstrous
and unparalleled abuses cannot be
tolerated.
Certainly more men are required
to aid our gallant soldiers in the field
in crushing this rebellion, and every
consideration of patriotism, and of
regard for our brothers who are now
in the face Of the enemy, obliges us
to spare no effort to raise the necessa-
ry force.
In June last gave letters to a
Committee of the Prison Society of
Philadelphia, requesting that the
members Of the Committee might be
allowed to visit and examine the pris-
ons and poor-souses throughout the
Commonwealth. | transmit with this
Communication a copy Of the report
made tome by the Society of the re-
suits Of their labors, and commend
the same to Your attention with a
view to the adoption of proper meas
ures toreform the abuses which have
been found to exist.
In connection with this subject, /
again call your attention to the expe-
diency Of providing for the reception
in the penitcntiaries, Of persons con-
yicted Of murder in the FIRST degree,
and who may be pardoncd on condi-
tion Observing a limited term therein. ]
hns become custom that an incom-
ing Governor should not, issue a war
rant OF execution in cases left unact-
ed on by his predecessor, and it fre-
quently happens that even in cases
which are recent, while some punish
ment should be inflicted that Of death
may appear to the Executive to be
too severe. The result is that there
aro.at this time, in the various pris-
ons, some eighteen or twenty persons
under sentence Of death, and who
may lie there for an indefinite period
oftime.
The vast amount Of additional la
Dor which has been imposed upon the
Secretary Of the Commonwealth bs
! the existing state Of affairs renders it
absolutely necessary that the clerical
force Of his department should be in
creased. The making out Of com
Emissions for our large army Of yolun-
teers in the field, and the preparations
of election blanks required by law to
| be sent to the army--tho receipt, fill
ing, and recording the returns Of tic
soldiers yotcs-thc enrolment Of the
yearly increasing acts Of Assembly,
and Of charters obtained under gencr-
al laws, and the making of letter.
patent for thcm-all these together
with the previous heavy duties oi
the oliice-form an aggregate, tho
weight of which must ultimately
break down his few subordinates
/ dihgent, f4ithful,a and enduring asthey
| are. | recommed, therefore that
provisions be promptly made to meet
| the necessities ofthis case.
It is a subject Of just coneratula.
ton MISUNDERSTANDING the distract
ed condition Of the country, our sys
tenn of common schools continues tc
! to flourish. The report Of the Su
| perintendent, which herewith trans
nit, shows that there has been an in
crease of scholars during the pas
year. It is important to secure a.
teachers O sufficient number Of mer
of suitable education and ability, anC
with a view to this object, l sugges
for your consideration the expediency o
making out Of the school fund itself som,
provision for the support Of sucir teach
ers as shall after given term Of service
become superannuated or disabled Will
in the performance Of their duties.
OF the fund placed in my hands b,
the acts Of the Is May 1861, and he
4th Of Nav 1864, and to be appropria
ted in my judgement in military service
] have expended in the last year Sc, l24
6S in support Of the agency at Washing
ton-.up until the Both Of May last, 70
my personal staff and other military sen
vice. an account of which is settled in tn
Office Of the Auditor General
No similar appropriation will be requiI
ed at this session.
A bill was introduced and passed th
House at the last session Of the Legsla
: ture providing for the appointment Of
{ commission to ascertain the damages den
at.zs.-.., 49,, . u 81 Cord E,tlfor E-a,, /