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William S. Robinson, of
Malden, was re-elected clerk of the
House by a unanimous vote.
The address of the
Governor was delivered before the two branches of the Legislature, on Friday, Jan. 9.
It was a document of remarkable force and eloquence.
It not only discussed the position of
Massachusetts in the war, but also a variety of topics relating to the social, physical, financial, agricultural, and educational condition of the
State.
The receipts in the treasury from the ordinary sources of revenue, for the year 1862, were $2,947,732.48, of which $1,763,108.62 were raised by direct taxation upon the property of the
Commonwealth.
The disbursements for the year amounted to $1,683, 390.93, of which $435,251.77, was for State aid to the families of soldiers.
The Governor then presented in concise form the labors performed during the year in raising and equipping troops for the
general service, and the number of men sent to the front, which has been stated in preceding pages.
The Governor said,—
I have always insisted, that, so far as possible, every corps should receive a full outfit and equipment before leaving the Commonwealth.
This much I have felt was demanded by my duty to the soldiers and the people.
He deeply regretted that his request to have the troops destined for the expeditions to
Louisiana and
Texas embark from our own ports, where they could have been protected from needless hardships and perils, encountered by some of them in their embarkation from New York, had been refused.
‘The conduct of the troops of this Commonwealth,’ he said, ‘whether in camp or on the march or under fire, has won the unqualified commendation of all the generals under whom they have served.
They are universal favorites, sought for by commanders for their intelligence, obedience, and valor.’
In speaking of the draft by which it was proposed to raise the nine months troops, he says,—
Questions of grave, practical importance, affecting the interest and feelings of large masses of the people, sometimes involving local and geographical considerations; points of honor, on which whole communities
