Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-02-09
cunts shan be settled in the Auditor Gen.

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! by the State for military purposes, since the
breaking out of the rebellion, the condition
of the Treasury is now 50, 556.579 II better
than it was then, and | am proud to be able
to state further, that on the lst day Of De-
cember, 1855, the State debt was 1892, $685.
SO less than it was on the 1st of January,
1851. These are truly gratifying facts
Under these circumstances, it may be pos
sible, with entire safety to our finances, to
reduce or even repeal the ordinary State tax
of two and a half mills on real estate The
tax of one half mill laid by tho act of May
l6, 1861, was by that act expressly pledged
for the repayment of the loan Of SIS, 900, 600,
thereby authorized, and Of course cannot
be repealed or reduced until that payment
shall have been made. / recommend this
subject to the careful and deliberate consid-
Grafton aud Judgment of the Legislature,
and if it should be found that the tax can be
repealed, i recommend that all laws author
izing the leyying of local taxes on bonds,
mortgages, loans and all property of that
kind be also repealed. Such repeal would
largely encourage the investment of capital
in this State, and add immensely to the
wealth of the State, while the local aqthori-
ties would lose very little, as it is notorious,
that from the difficulties OF assessment, they
EECGlNG NSIt AIIiC 1IOnl tllGSE SOuIGGS.
In case of such repeal, recommend the
adoption of some effeetual measures for en-
forcing correct returns of such objects of
taxation, with appropriate penalties for the
neglect or refusal to make them.
/ make these recommendations, believing
that it viii lead to more equitable local tax
alton and to greater economy in their dis
tursement
Manxy aate oro m, o,,r sfatuta hooks in
cooperating 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all such acts be repealed by general law,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 It's franchises within limit
ed 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
aiding to maintain the unity of the Govern
ment and in its defence against the assault Of
its enemies.
In my first inaugural address, took occa-
sion to declare that Pennsylvania would, un
der 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 pa
triotism of her citizens. At that time dan
ger threatened, but no one anticipated that
it would break forth so suddenly, nor that 1t
would grow 10 such fearful proportions as 1t
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 man
ner in which she has done her duty during
the late eventful period.
On the request of the President OF the
United States, | made a communication 10
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 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 guaran-
tees, the constitutional rights and constitu
tional independence of her sister States, no
contemplated attempt to resist the enforce
~
sympathy or encouragement from the people
Of this Commonwealth, auI asked for au
thority and means to organize a military
bureau at the Capital, and to so amend and
modify the militia laws as to give vitality
and energy to the military organizations 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 patriot C
action of the Legislature occurred before it
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 suppresslng 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 sooner discharged. With unsurpassed
alacrity and earnestness, volunteers an
swered to this call, in such numbers as man
ifested the intuitive conviction of the peo-
pie, that the monstIous wickedness which
had conceived an armed rebellion against
the Constitution and the laws, could not be
suppressed but by colossal force.
Major General Robert Patterson was as
signed, by the General Government, to a
command, which included the forces raised
in Pennsylvania Within week after the
call of the President, communication with
Washington was almost entirely cut of.
General Patter on, prompted by the neces-
sites of the situation, made, on 25th OF
April, a requisition upon me for twenty five
additional regiments of infantry and one of
cavalry, to be forthwith mustered into the
service of the United States. Under this
requisition, | accepted, from amongst the
many pressing to be admitted into the serv-
ice, a sufficient number of companies to fill
it; care being taken TO allow to each county,
as nearly as possibleS fair representation.
Only eleven regiments, however, in addition
to the fourteen called for by the President
were organized and mustered into the service
before the order Of General Patterson was
countermanded by him, under instructions
from the War Department.
On the l4th day of May, 1861, the Secre-
tary of War, in letter, communicating the
/ plan Of organization, for three years regl-
ments, confirmed the revocation of the order
in the following language: Ten regiments
! are assigned to Pennsylvania, making, in ad
/ dition TO the thirteen regiments of three
months militia, already called for, twenty
three regiments. 1t is important to reduce
rather than enlarge this number, and In nj
event to exceed it. Let me earnestly recon-
mend to you, therefore, to call for no more
/ than twenty-three regiments, OF which only
ten are to serve during the war, and If more
are already called for, TO reduce the number
| by discharge.
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