Year: 1865

inc year iootI VIII n1y Iedsons iot
granting the same"


FoRFEITuRE OF REBEL PROPERTY


1t will be seen by an examination OF
the law passed November Is, 1868, Ito
provide for the forfeiture Of property in
this State belonging to the enemies
thereof that it is made the duty of the
Circuit Courts TO take cognizance of the
cases arising under this law, and TO pro-
ceed to dispose of the property forfeited
when it is made to appear" TO the Court
that there are such cases; but ii will also
be seen that it is not made the duty of
any officer or person TO bring such cases
before the Courts, and am informed by
the Judges that there is an indisposi-
tion on the part of private persons to
volunteer their services in aid Of the ex-
ecution Of this law If it is the inten-
ton that the law shall be enforced, it
seems to me that it should be made the
duty of some officer to bring the cases
properly before the Courts.


ELECTION LAW


The general Election Law provides
that the Supervisors of the several coun-
ties shall meet on the twelfth day after
the election and ascertain the result, and
in the case of the Presidential election
and some Others, to certify the same to
the Governor, who is required TO make
proclamation thereof, and if demanded,
give the person elected q certificate OF
the fact. Under the law of Congress,
aud of this State, the Presidential cleo
tion takes place on the Tuesday next at
ter the first Monday in November, and
the electors are required TO meet on the
first Wednesday in DecemberneXt there
after, and cast their votes, and certify
the same rs prescribed i'll the Constitu-
ton. Now il is fact that the certit-
actes of the supervisors from all the coun-
ties cannot reach the Governor by the or
dinary mode of conveyance in time for
him to give the successful candidates no
tics of their election by proclamation, as
prescribed by the law, or in any other
manner. This was the case after the
last election The proclamation was is,
sued only two or three days before that
fixed for the meeting of the electors, not
time enough for the notice to reach them
But the majority was so decided that
they were induced to appear without no.
tice. Had the contest been doubtfuli II
might have been otherwise. | recon-
mend that the law be SO amended that
the Supervisors shall be required tomeet
as early as the third day after the Prosi-
Dental election; and the more certainly
TO secure prompt action, that heavy pen
atty be- prescribed for failure to meet and
transmit the required certificate on the
day fixed.


NATIONAL CEMETERY


Soon after tho battle of Gettysburg in
July 1863, the patriotic people of the
country determined to secure portion
of the battle field, and prepare, arrange
and beautify the same as cemetery for
the honored dead who fell in that bat
tie, and there erect monument III
memory of the heroic deeds Of the
living and dead at that great and
successful struggle for national life. To
carry out this purpose in the proceed
ing winter an act incorporating
the Soldiers National Cemetery
was passed by the Legislature OF
Pennsylvania and / was requested
in a communication from Hon. Da
yid Wells, commissioner on behalf OF
that State, to appoint commissioner tc
represent this State in the organization
under the act of interpretations and on
the 4th of April, 1864, l appointed Hon
C.. D. Hubbard, who has attended the
several meetings of the commissioners
and has made his reports. The cores
pondence OH the subject and the com
missioRers' reports are submitted fol
your consideration. 1t will be seen that
West Virginia has lot in the cemetery
where repOse the remains of 4 number
of her soldiers who gave up their lives
in that memorable battle. We also have
an interest in the unknown dead and 1t
ia expected that our State will contrib
ute her proportion of the cost attending
this work in commemoration of the gal
liant deeds Of the brave men who on that
bloody field so nObly defended the llber
ties and saved the life of the nation.
trust that you will not hesitate TO make
tho necessary appropriation for this
purpose.


MILITARY MATTERS.


In pursuance of resolutions adopted by
the last Legislature, have caused flag
to be procured and presented to the sew
eral regiments therein mentioned.


The reports of the Adjutant General
and the Quartermaster General are sub
mitted for your consideration. The lat
ter exhibits the condition of the Quar-
termaster and ordnance stores OF the
State, and also the sums paid to the sew
eral military companies elsewhere more
particularly mentioned.


1t may be seen from the Adjutant Gen
erals report that this State has furnish
ed 26y540 soldiers TO the United States
service during the present war. lhis
certainly manifests the great devotion oi
our people 10 the cause of the country
when we consider the fact, which also
appears in the report, that the enrolment
by the Government shows that there ere
ONLY 33,774 men of the proper age ior
military duty in the State. From tins
report will also appear the condition OF
the militia of the State and the service
thew have performed. 1t gives Inc pleas
ure to endorse all that the AdJutant Cen
eral has said in commendation Of the
conduct of the militia whenever called
out during the past year. Ii has been
necessary to call them from their homes
and their ordinary basiness on several
occasions on short notice and without
time for preparation; yet they have IN
most instances responded promptly and
submitted to the hardships and depnva'
tions of soldiers fare without complaining