The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-01-12

ileySd that lt can De ue1ncnSlF3teu tnat
the people Of Pennsylvania have thus been
robbed of more than twelve millions of
dollars during the past year. This esti-
mate does not include the money traudu-
lently taken from men who have actually
gone into the service.
The continuance Of these monstrous
and unparalleled abuses cannot be toiera-
ted.
Certainly more men are required 70 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
necessary force.
10 June last I gave letters to commit
tee of the prison society OF Philadelphia,
requesting that the members OF the
committee might be allowed to visit and
examine the prisons and poor-houses
throughout the Commonwealth. L trans
NIT with this communication copy OF the
report made to me by the society of the
results of their labors, and commend the
same to your attention, with view to the
adoption of proper measures to reform the
abuses which have been found to exist.
In connection with this subject, again
call your attention TO the expedlency OF
providing for the reception in the peniten-
tiaries, of persons convicted OF murder IN
the first degree, and who may be pardoned
on condition of serving limited time
therein. It has become a custom that an
incoming Governor should not issue a
warrant of execution in cases left unacted
on by his predecessor, and it not untre-
quently happens that even in cases which
are recent, while some punishment should
be inflicted, that Of death may appear to
the Executive to be too severe. The
result is that there are at this time in the
various prisons, some eighteen OF twenty
persons under sentence of death, and who
may lie there FOR an indefinite period of
time.
The vast amount of additional labor
which has been imposed upon the Secre-
tary Of the Commonwealth by the existing
state of affairs, renders it absolutely neces-
sary that the clerical force of his depart
ment should be increased. The making
out of commissions for our large army OF
volunteers in the field, and the preparation
of election blanks required by law to be
recording Of the returns of the soldiers
votes-the enrolment Of the yearly
increasing number of acts of Assembly,
and of charters obtained under general
laws and the making out of letters patent
for them-all these, together with the
previous heavy duties of the ofice-forn
an aggregate, the weight Of which must
ultimately break down his few subordin-
ates, diligent, faithful and enduring as
they are. | recommend, therefore, that
provision be promptly made TO meet the
necessities Of this case.
1t is subject of just congratulatiou
that notwithstanding the distracted con-
dition of the country, our system Of CON-
mon schools continues to flourish. The
report of the superintendent, which |
herewith transmit, shows that there has
been an increase of sch olars during the
past year. 1t is important to secure as
teachers a sufficient number Of men OF
suitable education and ability, and with a
view to this object, l suggest for your
consideration the expediepcy Of making
out of the school fund itself some provision
for the support of such teachers as shall
after a given term Of service become
superannuated or disabled while In the
performance of their duties.
Of the fund placed in my hands by the
acts of the 10th May, 1861, aud of the 4th
of May, 1864, and to be appropriated in
my judgment in military service, l have
expended in the last year $6,l24 68 in
support of the agency at Washing gton-uE
until the 30th of May last, for my person
al staff and other military service, an
account of which is settled in the Office Of
the Auditor General.
No similar appropriation will be requir.
ed at this session.
A bill was introduced and passed the
House at the last session of the Legislature
providing for the appointment of a eom-
mission to ascertain the damages done in
the counties of Bedford, Fulton, Franklin
Cumberland, York and Adams, by the
rebel army in 1868, which failed in the
Senate for want of time.
] commend to your consideration the
propriety of the passage of such a bill
during the present session. 1t is just to
the people of these counties who have
suffered, as well as to the Government;
that these damages should be fairly
ascertained and the evidence perpetuated,
whatever may be the view to be taken on
future consideration by the United States
or State Government as to the propriety
of paying such claims.
Major General Hancock has been au-
thorized bv the War Department to raise