Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-01-11
Annual Message of
ArnREw G. CURTIN, =,
Delivered January 4th, 1865.

I'M .AliiiiG IlN tfpI IbI many JASIA'lb-c-
The earth has been fruitful, industry has
1briven.an with the exception Of the injury
suffered bv the citizens of some OF our bor-
her counties, through the disgraceful barbar-
;fr nj the rebel forces which ravaged parts
uf them. and burned the town OF Chambers
burg we have no public misfortune to la
ment. The year closes with a train OF bril-
liant successes obtained by the armies OF the
United States, inspiring hope in every loyal
mind that the accUrsed rebellion will soon
be crushed, and peace be restored TO our
country.
The balance in the Treasury, Nov 30th
1863. was 50 l47, ,33l TO- Receipts during
fiscal year ending Nov. Both, 1864, $4,733,
3I3 "; Total in Treasury for fiscal year en-
ding Nov. Both, 1864, S6,SS0, GA y. The
payments for the same period have been ST.,
93S, Al %; Balance in Treasury, Nov. 80,
1864, 81 942,2Q3 63.
The operations Of the sinking fund dur
ing the last year have been shown by my
proclamation Of the 9th day of Septe nber
last, as follows: Amount Of debt of Com
lnonwealth reduced S26S, 800 30 as follows
VIZ: Five per cent. loan Of Commonwealth
S26S. COS O3; Interest certificates redeemed
s26i Il; making SOS, 500 30
The fiscal year accounted tor in the state
menr OF the Treasury Department, embra-
,.s the time from the lst OF December, 1863,
fa The 10th Of November 1864 The sink
ing fund year commenced the first Monday
IN September, 1868, and closed the first
Tuesday in September 1864. This will eX
plain the discrepancy between the statement
III the Treasury Department as to the reduc,
auction Of the pubic debt OF TIE State, and
the statement embodied in the proclamation
relative to the sinking fund.
Aiuuut OF public debt of Pennsylvania,
a il stood on the lst Of Dec. 1863 $50, 1885,
j9G Is; Deduct am redeemed AT the State
Treasury during the fiscal year ending with
Nov. 81 1864 viz Five per cent. stocks
&I"4.-22 %: tour and-a-half per Ct stocks
$1,000 %; Interest certificates 81, go Ii
making Sil6,9 992 81 Leaving public debt
Decculber J. 1861, $50, ,37g, 6O5 81.
Funded debt, VIZ SIX per cent loans, or
dinaIy S4UU, go 90; Five per cent loans, or
binary $50, ,60j. 263 -; -Four and-a-hali per
cent loans ordi nary $25S, 200 90; making
$50. 264, Ug3 - tntunded debt, viz Re
lci notes in circulation S9T ,2jl 90; Inter
est certificates outstanding $l3,0SG y; Iu-
tcrest certificates unclaimed 81. 448 80; DO
mestic creditors certificates S724 32 max
lag in all $50. 37q. 6g3 o. Add the Military
loan, "a per Act 10Th May 1861, Of 50, 0OJ,-
600 90, which makes the total public debt
Il
The Commonwealth holds bonds received
from the sale Of the Public Works, as fol-
lows: Penn Railroad Company bonds &c.
500 ZOO 90; Phil'a and Erie Railroad Com
pany bonds, 50, 500, 900 90; making $l0,-
500OOO 90 These bonds are III the Sinking
Fund, and reduce the public debt to S29,
0IgGU3 81.
The tax on tonnage imposed by the acts
Of 2Oth April and 18th August, 1864, has
Welded something less than $500, 000-a
much less sum than was anticipated. | re
commend a revision Of these acts for the
purpose Of rendering this source of revenue
more productive. and amending other de-
feet, IN those bills
The revenue derived from the tax on
banks during the year amounts to $3.50, $50,
g., but under the enabling act Of the State
50 many Of our banks have become National
banks under the act OF Congress, that this
source of revenue may be considered as sub
S,antially extinguished, and it will be neces-
sary. in some way to make up the efficiency
from OthersourceS.
The act OF Congress authorizes the taxa
tioa by the State of the stock in the Nation
III banks in the hands of the holders, not
exceeding the rate Of taxation imposed on
other similar property, aud part Of the de-
hcency may be thus provided for.
The amount Of The debt extinguished by
the Sinking Fund during the year is unusu-
ally small which IS TO be accounted for by
the extraordinary expenses which have been
incurred Seven hundred and thirteen
thousand dollars (S1I3,000) have been paid
10 refund to the banks the money advanced
by them TO pay the volunteers in service du
Iing the invasion of the State ir 1868.
,nc hundred thousand dollars iSl00,OOO}
have been distributed among the lnhabitant
OF Chambcrsburg, suffering by the rebel de
SrucJion Of their town. About two hund-
red thousand dollars l200,00Ol have been
expended under the acts providing for the
payment OF extra military claims, and IN ad-
dItlon TO these extraordinary OUTLAWS, the
amount appropriated to charities was last
year larger than usual.
In my opinion this matter of donations to
charities is fast running into a great abuse.
5lonSes Of Refuge, and Insane, Blind and
Deat and Dumb Asylums, appear to be prop
er subjects of State bounty, because their
objects are of public importance and to be
Useful, and well and economically managed,
seems to be necessary that they should be
more extensive than would be required for
lhe wants Of particular county. But in
our system, ordinary local charities are left
70 the care Of the respective localities, and
give to the public money for their support
really to tax the inhabitants Of all the
counties for the benefit Of one.
lhe national taxation is heavy and must
probably be made heavier, and local taxes
authorized by unwise legislation and paid by
oHI people are excessive. In view of these
Sta L I J j