The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-06

edly passed directing the expenditure of as
much money as may be necessary to effect
named purposes, sometimes without clearly
by whom the money is to be ex-
pended, or how the accounts are to be ex-
amined. This custom is very recent, and
has already led to abuses.
recommend that the practice be corrected,
and that no appropriation be made without
having the exact sum appropriated, the spe-
ei6c purpose to which it is to be applied, and
designating the officer by whom ii is to be ex-
pended, 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 S2,555,579 ~ better
than it was then, and / am proud to be able
to state further, that on the 1st day of Decem-
Der, 1865, the State debt was $492, 1888 sc
less than it was on the lst of January, 1861.
These are truly gratifying facts.
Under these circumstances, 1t may be posi-
BILE, with entire safety to our finances, to re-
duce 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 Of the loan Of S., 900, 900, 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authorized, and of course cannot be repealed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 judg-
ment of the Legislature, and if it should be
found that the tax can be repealed, | recon-
mend that all laws authorizing the leYying of
local taxes on bonds, mortgages, loans and all
property Of that kind be also repealed. Such
repeal would largely encourage the invest
ment of capital in this State, and add i'm
mensely TO the wealth Of the State, while the
local authorities would lose very little, as it is
notorious, that from the difficulties Of assess
ment, they receive very little from these
sources.
In case of such repeal, | recommend the
adoption of some effectual measures for en-
forcing correct returns of such objects of tax
alton, with appropriate penalties for the ne
glect or refusal 10 make them.
| make these recommendations, believing
that it will lead to more equitable local taxa
ton and to greater economy in their dis
bursemeut.
Many acts are on our statute books, incor-
porating companies for various purposes,
which companies have never been organized
or gone into operation. | recommend that
all such acts be repealed by general law,
and that provision be made that in future
every act authorizing corporation shall be-
come void, unless the corporation shall Or
ganize and use its franchises within n limited
time.
Since my last annual message the war
against armed treason has been brought to a
close. Of the large contributions made by
Pennsylvania to the National army but a
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 and salts
faction to the part taken by this State. in aid
ing to maintain the unity of the Government
and in its defence against the assaults Of its
enemies.
In my FIRST inaugural address, took occa-
sion to declare that Pennsylvania would, un-
der any circumstances, render full and de.
termined support of the free institutions of
the Union. The pledge so made was based
upon my knowledge of the solid patriotism
of her citizens. At that time danger threat
ened, but no one anticipated that it would
break forth SO suddenly, nor that it would
grow to such fearful proportions as it in a
brief time assumed.
My confidence in Pennsylvania, in her
even, yet stubborn will, her ability and re-
sources have been fully justified by the man
ner in which she has doHG 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 organizations, 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 Pennsylvania yielded to no State,
in her respect for and willingness to protect,
by all needful 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 q
military bureau at the Capital, and to so
amend and modify the militia laws rs to give
vitality and energy to the military organiza-
tions Of the State. On the 18th day of the
same month, signed bill providing for the
purposes indicated in my message.
1t will be remembered that this patriotic
action of the Legislature occurred before ii
was known that hostilities had actually com
menced-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 suppressing the rebellion, was
on the 18th Of April, 1861, for seventy FIVE
thousand men; and that of this number, the
quota Of Pennsylvania was settled at fourteen
regiments, to serve three months, unless soon
er discharged. With unsurpassed alacrity
and earnestness, volunteers answered to this
call, IN such numbers as manifested the intu-
tive conviction of the people, that the mon
strous wickedness which had conceived an
armed rebellion against the Constitution and
the laws, could not be suppressed but by o
colossal force.
Major General Robert Patterson was as
signed, by the General Government, to a COM
mand, which included the forces raised in
Pennsylvania. Within week after the call
of the President, communication with Wash
ington was almost entirely cut off General
Patterson, prompted by the necessities of the
situation, made, on 25th of April, a requisi-
ton upon me for twenty-five additional regi-
ments of infantry and one of cavalry, to be
forthwith mustered into the service of the
United States. Under this requisition, ac-
cepted, from amongst the many pressing to
be admitted into the service, sufficient num-
ber Of companies to fill it; care being taken
to allow to each county, as nearly as possible,
q fair representation. Only eleven regiments
however, in addition to the fourteen called for
by the President, were organized and muster.
ed into the service, before the order of Gene
raj Patterson was countermanded by him, un.
der instructions from the War Department.