Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-02-07

pi,;o, Of the Attorney General of the United
States a copy of which was sent TO me. recon-
mend tia the Legislature make proper efforts to
have this injustice corrected
the Soldiers National cemetery. at Get;ysourg.
herewith transmitted shows the present condtuoh
of the cemetery AS the battie of Ge;tysours re-
smiled in a pIorious victory and was in fact the
beginning Of the end of the war, and occurred on
the soil Of the Commonwealth. think II Wonid
be well that it should be commemorated Dy an IN
historical painting 10 be placed IN the Capi'oi OF
the State and [ recommend that the Legislature
take measures for that purpose
The State of Maryland has proposed 70 ner SIS
ter States that they unite with her IN esa bshing
q cemetery for our soldiers who feil a Antieiam-
1 herewith transmit copies of the Maryland stat
ute, and other doeunents-on tnls sueJect- and re-
commend the passage OF an act heartily accepting
the proposition of the State of Maryland. All the
States having promptly and generously responded
10 our proposition to have a cemetery at Gettys-
burg, il would seem proper that we should recip-
rocate, and unite in this. The duty is made
more sacred when remember that more of
Pennsyiganias sons fell in that battle than those
of any other State
The report of the State Agent at Washington,
herewith transmitted, shows that under his eff
cicnt management the claims of our soldiers
promptly examined and paid. Every effort has
been made to apprise our officers and men that
their claims viii be collected by the State A gent
lCOi Jordan, without expense to them; yet it is
feared that many of them continue to employ
the claimants
Since my last annual message 1 have expended
of the secret service fund, the sum OF four thou
sand three hundred and ninety three dollars and
twenty cents out of which have paid my per-
sOnal staff and other extraordinary expenses.
No appropriation is required for the increase of
this fund.
invite your attention to the reports of the
Military Departments of the State, to the report
of the Superintendent of Common Schools, which
exhibits the prosperous condition of our system
.t lie s.1raar araau a1Af rta 0f
yeyOr General. and recommend to your favorable
consideration the many excellent suggestions
made by that officer.
commend to your earnest consideration the
suggestion made by the Surgeon General in his
report, herewith transmitted on the propriety of
Legislation for the protection of our people, by pro-
per sanitary measures from the ravages ofthe ehol
era,which is now approaching our shores.
commend 10 the wisdom of the Legislature
the subject of providing for the reiefof our many
manned and wounded soldiers. Possibly it might
be done by continuing and enlarging the acts
providing for boards of relief in the several eoun
ties. | recommend the adoption by the Legisla-
ture of this some other plan for doing justice
TO the class of men in question
By the joint resolution of May Is, 1861, author
izng me to give flags TO regiments it was
made the dGty'of the Executive to receive the
flags when the regiments returned This has not
been hitherto done. inasmGch "a they have not all
yet been mustered out. As soon this shall have
taken place, the flags will be received with ap-
propriate ceremonies, and l recommend that the
be hung in the new Library.
L refer to the suggestion of Brig. General Todd,
Inspector General, on the subject of the militia.
am not prepared to make any recommendation
on this subject, as observe with great pleasure,
that congress is proposing TO establish uniform
system throughout the United states
The arsenal at Harrisburg is decaying and
safe. The arms and munitions of the State there
deposited are of the value probably of half mil
lion dollars. | recommend that provision be
made for repairing it, or that a new arsenal be
constructed in this vicinity, for the purpose of
securing their preservation
Since my last annual message, the late Presi-
dent of the United States has fallen victim to
the most foul and base assassination recorded in
history. 1t will afford me pleasure and / will
heartily unite with you in any expression of in
dignation at the crime, and of appreciation of
the public virtue and services of its victim, Abra-
ham Lincoln.
Ny uniform course during the late war was to
avoid the discussion of the policy of the General
Government, while giving hearty support to the
National authorities in all their measures to sup
press the rebellion. L shall continue TO pursue
the same course during the embarrassments neces-
sarly connected with the entire restoration of
the country The principles expressed in the
message of the President, at the commencement
of the session of Congress, will receive my cor
dial support
During I'll last five years the people of this
State have suffered deeply from the calamities OF
war. Thousands of her men have been slain and
others MANNED and broken Almost every
family has been stricken, and everywhere there
widows and orphans many of them helpless
and in poverty II is subject of sincere congrat-
ulation, that peace has at last returned.
am not aware of the existence of any difficult
ty with other nations which may not be amicably
adjusted and therefore venture to express the hope
that long years of tranquility and happiness are
before A. G. CURTIN
Ex cHAMnER' Harrisburg, Pa, Jan. 80 1865.