Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-08
VOLUME XVI.

OF as much money as may he necessary tC
effect named purposes, sometimes without
clearly designating by whom the money il
to be expended, or how the accounts are tt
be examined. This custom is very recent
and has already led to abuses
recommend that the practice be correc
ted, and that no appropriation be made
without having the exact sum appropria
ted, the specific purpose to which it is tC
be applied, and desi gnating the officer by
whom it is to be expended, and providing
that the accounts shall be settle in the
Auditor Generals office in the usual man
ner.
Notwithstanding the large expenditures
by the State for military purposes, since
the breaking out of the rebellion, the con
dition of the Treasury is now 2,555,579 I2
better than it was then, and am proud t.
be able to state further, that on the lst day
of recemher, 1865, the State debt was
S492, 93S sc less than it was on the lst of
January, 1861 These are truly gratifying
facts.
Under these circumstances it may be
possible, with entire safety to our finances,
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 is, 1861, was by that act expressly
pledged for the repayment of the loan of
$4,000. 600, thereby authorized, and of
course cannot be repealed or reduced until
that repayment shall have been made
recommend this subject to the careful and
deliberate consideration and Judgment of
| Legislature, and if it should be found that
the tax can be repealed, recommend that
all laws authorizing the levying of local
tax on bonds, mortgages, loans and all
property of that kind be also repealed
Such repeal wUnld largely encourage the
investment of capital In this State, and add
| immensel y to the wealth Of the State, while
the local authorities would loose very lit
tie, as it is notorious, that from the difficult
ties of assessment, they receive very little
from these sources
In case of such repeal, l recommend the
adoption of some effectual measures for ell
forcing correct returns of such objects of
taxation, with appropriate penalties for the
neg ect or refusal TO make them
| make these recommendations, believing
that it will lead to more equitable local
taxation and to greater economy in their
disbursement
Many acts are on our statute books. in
cooperating companies for various purpos-
es, which companies have never been Or
ganized or gone into operation. | recon-
mend that all such acts be repealed by
general law, and that provision be made
that i'll future every act authorizing a cor
poration shall become void, unless the cor
poration shall organize and use its fran
chises within limited time.
Since my last annual message the war
against armed treason has been brought to
close. Of the large contributions made
by Pennsylvania to the National army, but
u few of the men now remain in the service.
The spirit which animated our people, at
the outset of the rebellion, has never flag
ged and we can look back with pride and
satisfaction to the part taken by this State,
in aiding to maintain the unity of the Gov
ernment and in its defence against the as
saults of its enemies.
In my first inaugural address, took oc-
casion to declare that Pennsylvania would.
under any circumstances, render full and
determined support to the free institutions
Of the Union. The pledge SO made was
based upon my knowledge of the solid pat.
riotism of her citizens. At that time dan
ger 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 re-
sources have been fully justified by the
manner i'll 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
1868, setting forth that military organiza-
tions, of a formidable character, which did
not seem to be demanded by any existing
public exigency, had been formed in certain
of the States, and that, whilst Pennsylva-
MIA yielded to no State, i'll her respect for
aud Willingness to protect, by all necdful
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 encouragement
from the people OF this Commonwealth, and
asked for authority and means to organize
military bureau at the Capital, and to 50
amend and modify the militia laws as to
give vitality and energy to the military or
CARNATIONS of the State. On the 18th day
of the same month, | signed bill pro-
viding for the purpose indicated in my mess
age
1t will be remembered that this patriotic
action of the Legislature occurred before it
was known that hOstlities had actually
commenced-and is believed to be the first
official action by the authorities of any
State, or by the National Legislature.
The first call made by the President for
troops to aid in suppressng the rebellion,
was on the 18th of April, 1861, for seventy.
five thousand men and that of this num-
Der. the quota OF Pennsylvania was settled
at fourteen regiments, to serve three
months, unless sooner discharged With un-
surpassed alacrity and earnestness, volun-
teers answered to this call, in such num-
bers as manifested the intuitive conviction
of the people, that the monstrous wicked.
ness which had conceived an armed rebel
lion against tie Constitution and the laws,
could not be suppressed but by colossal
force.
Major General Robert Patterson was as.
signed, by the General Government to
command which included the forces raised
in Pennsylvania. Within week after the
call OF the President, communication with
WASHINGTON was almost entirely cut off