The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-08

tions are unequal, and to a certain extent
therebF Unjust recommend the subject
! to the attention of the Legislature, with a
| view to the revision of the system
| Within few years, acts have been re-
peatedly passed directing the expenditure
of as much money as may be necessary to
effect named purposes, something's without
clearly designating by whom the money
| is to be expended, or how the accounts
are to be examined This custom is very
recent, and has already led to abuses.
| I recommend that the practice be cor
rected, and that no appropriation be made
without having the exact sum appropria-
ted, the specific purpose to which it is to
be applied, and designating the officer by
whom it is to be expended, and providing
that the accounts shall be settled in the
Auditor Generals office IN the usual
manner
Notwithstanding the large expenditures
! by the State for military purposes, since
the breaking out of the rebellion, the
condition of the Treasury is now s., $685.
! $40 IL better than 1t was then, and am
proud 70 be able to state further, that on
the 1st day of December, 1865, the State
debt was S492 93S &c less than it was on
the lst of j anuary, 1861. These are tru-
ly gratifying facts.
| Under these circumstances, iG may be
possible, with entire safety to our fnan-
! ces, to reduce or even repeal the ordinary
State tax of two and half mills on real
estate. The tax of one-half mill laid by
the act of May 16, 1861, was by that act
expressly pledged for the repayment o.
the loan of . 5000, 900, thereby authorized,
and of course cannot be repealed or re-
duced until that repayment shall have
been made. | recommend this subject
to the careful aud deliberate consideration
and judgment of the Legislature, and ii
it should be found that the tax can be re-
pealed, recommend that all laws author
izing the levying of local taxes on bonds,
mortgages, loans, and all property of that
kind, be also repealed. Such a repeal
would largely encourage the investment
of capital in this State, and add immense
iy to the wealth of the State, while the
local authorities would lose very little, as
it is notorious, that from the difficulties Of
assessment, they recsive very little from
these sources.
In case of such repeal, recommend
the adoption of some effectual measures
for enforcing correct returns of such OBJ
jects of taxation, with appropriate penal
ties for the neglect or refusal to make
them.
| make these recommendations, believ-
ing that it will lead to more equitable To-
cal taxation aud to greater economy In
their disbursements
Many acts are on our statute books, in
cooperating companies for various pur-
poses, which companies have never been
organized or gone into operation I rec
ommend that all such acts be repealed by
a general law, and that provisions be
made thaS in future every act authorizing
corporation shall become void, unless
the corporation shall organize and use its
franchises within limited time.
Since my last annual mes sage the war
against armed treason has been brought
to close. OF the large contributions
made by Pennsylvania to the National ar
my, but few of the men now remain in
the service. The spirit which animated
our people at the outset of the rebellion,
has never tagged and We can look back
with pride aud satisfaction TO the part
taken by this State, in aiding to maintain
the unity of the Government and IN its
defence against the assaults of its enemies.
In my first inaugural address, took
occasion to declare that Pennsylvania
would, under any circumstances, render a
full and determined support of the free
institutions of the Union. The pledge so
made was based upon my knowledge of
the solid patriotism of her citizens. Al
that time danger threatened, but no one
anticipated that it would break forth so
suddenly, nor that it would grow to such
fearful proportions as it in brief time
assumed.
My confidence in Pennsylvania, in her
even, yet stubborn will, her ability and
resources has been fully justified by the
manner in which she has done her duty
during the late eventful period.
On the request of the President of the
United States, made communication to
the Legislature, on the 9th day of April,
1861, setting forth that military organiza-
tions, of formidable character, which
did not seem to be demanded by any exis-
listing public exigency, had been formed
in certain of the States, and that, whilst
Pennsylvania yielded to no State in her
respect for and willingness to protect, by
all peedful guarantees, the constitutional
rights and constitutional independence of
her sister States, no contemplated attempt
to resist the enforcement of the National
law could meet with sympathy or encour-
agement from the people Of this Common
wealth, and asked for authority aud means
to organize military bureau at the Capt.
tai, and to so amend and modify the
militia laws as to give vitality and energy