griford faqnim. BEDFORD PA., FRIDAY, APRIL 7,1865. RICHMOND IS FALLEN J The dawn of Monday morning saw the solution of the mighty question which has for four years been under the discussion of the sword by the two greatest armies which have fought anywhere on the globe for the last fifty years. In the early hours of the day the ftag of the Union was borne victoriously into the rebel capital and citidel which has so withstood and defied the utmost power of our arms. The great rebel army had been driven from its works and trenches in front of Petersburg, had been forced from the fortifications around Eichmond, and was fly ing, in route, and dismay, for the moun tains and the plains, where it would but meet new and fresh forces prepared to effect its utter demolition. We may imagine from the feelings of the spectators at this dis tance, and all over the land, what were those of the actors on the spot —with what enthusiasm the whole of the veteran Army of the Potomac saw that the long-sought prize was gained—that their their struggle J was crowned with success, and that the hour of final triumph and peace would soon he theirs and their country's. The operation which has thus grandly terminated the great campaign which open ed in July, 1861, was commenced on Wednesday morning the 29th ult., and thus lasted through just five days. Poring the last three of these days there was fierce, bloody, continuous fighting, whose success is shown not only in the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, but in the thwarting of the enemy at every position, and in the vast captures of prisoners and guns. If the whole of Lee's force could not with stand Grant behind the tremendous works which they had been for four years in con struction and perfection, how can this mis erable remnant withstand him even for a day in the open field ? When they learn of the fall of their capital, they will give up the cause as lost and will fight no more, while such forces at may still attempt to cohere will be scattered to the winds by the cavalry of Sheridan. Such is now the wrecked and hopeless condition of Lee's army and the Southei n Confederacy. It only remains now for Sherman to scat ter the chaff under Johnson, and we will have an end of this whole rebel military power. It has been a long and despefate struggle for Richmond' and it will be forever memo rable in the annals of the Union, as well as in the history of the war. The many offi cers, who have led the various armies— McDowell, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Pope, Meade aud, finally, Grant —the differ ent routes taken to the rebel capital, the va rious circumstances and vast sacrificees of the successive efforts —the great number of gigantic battles —all pass before the mind, as they have previously sunk deeply into the hearts and fortunes of the nation. To the veteran and grand Army of the Potomac, which has thus crowned its labors in triumph and covered itself with glory, the nation gives boundless honor. Its great heroism, its great character, will make it and its deeds immortal. To all its comman ders be honor. And to the great leader and chief who has directed and secured its tri umphs, the people and history accord honor forever. $ THE POOR HOUSE REPORT AGAIN, In a former issue, attention was called to the vague and unsatisfactory manner of making out the Poor House report, and as it is of interest to most of our readers, we allude to it again, in the hopes of indu cing such a scrutiny into the subject, as will tend to accomplish the reforms so loudly called for — We have no doubt that the report of the treasurer is correct as far as it goes. Its discrepancies we have already noticed. Per sonally we have the highest respect for, and fullest confidence in Mr. Blymyre, and have only called attention to his part of the re port, in the hope that improvement might be suggested. But there is a screw loose somehow. Not being acquainted with the business routine of the establishment, we don't intend to blame any particular person; but wc do know that some one has come short of his duty. No one seems to take cognizance of the outstanding debts of the Poor House. They are not reported at all. It must be somebody's duty ; and no com plete and satisfactory report can be made without them. It is also absolutely neces sary that the receipts and expenditures of each year should le kept separate. Every cent of delnt and 'credit should be clearly set forth in its proper year, month and day. If the auditors, directors and clerks are not able to make out such a report they had better resign their position. We do not pretend to know they are incom petent or unwilling to make a plain state ment It must be one or the other. If they are unwilling to state the whole case, it must be because there has been such culpable mismanagement and neglect that they are afraid to let it be known. We think it most charitable to suppose that they have done the best they could, and therefore take the result of their effort as the best evidence that the interests of the county require that they should be relieved, from duties they arc so palpably unfit to discharge, at the very earliest opportunity. The Steward's report seems, at first sight to balance very nicely, but on a little exami nation ive find that he sold 151f bushels of wheat, 4 3J bushels of rye, 4 bushels of corn and 2bu &hels of buckwheat. These at the prices for which grain has been selling du ring the past year should have brought $439 97; i recording to the report he has only received for grain Mid flour sold, $l4B 95 laving $293 02 unaccounted for: yet the directors under their hands and seals certify that the report is correct.— Truly their ideas of correctness must be rather vague, when such glaring errors can pass unnoticed. These discrepancies ap pear in the report as it is. We have not chosen to discuss what might appear. We have nothing to do with wood hauling &e., discussed by the public: we are fully satis fied however, that irrespective of these matters, there is not only plenty of room, but great need, for improvement and reform in the management of the Poor House af fairs. SUCCESS OF THE 7-30 LOAN. Our readers will notice that subscriptions to the popular 7-30 Loan are still continued in the most liberal manner. To the Old World the success of these peoples' Loans is one of the wonders of a Republic. The Government does not seek to borrow in for eign markets; it offers no premiums to bank ers, but appeals directly to the people, and with what success is sufficiently shown by the fact that during forty-three day* they subscribed and paid the cash down for one hundred and sixty-one million collars of the 7.30L0an. There can be no stronger evi dence of public confidence in Government securities. While nearly all other stocks have gone down from twenty to fifty, and even a greater per cent, within a few weeks, all forms of U. S. bonds and stocks have re mained firm except the slight fluctuations that are incident to all rapid changes in the money market. Our readers will remember that the subscribers to the 7-30 Loan receive semi-annual interest at the rate of seven and three-tenths per cent, per annum in currency, and at the end of three years from June 15th, 1865, they will have the option of receiving payment in full, or converting their notes into a 5-20 six per cent, gold in terest bond. The late great decline in the premium on gold makes these notes more desirable than ever as an investment, and it should not be forgotten that their exemption from state or municipal taxation adds largely to their value. There is no interruption in the receipt of subscriptions or the delivery of the notes. All banks, bankers, and others acting as Loan Agents, will pay subscribers the interest in advance from the day of sub scription until June 15th. HARPER'S MONTHLY*— Harper's Month ly for April has been received, and contains as usual a large assortment of fine literary productions, nearly all of which are illus trated with fine steel engravings. Among the productions we find:—"A Dog's Pay Ended," "Where the Watcree was," "Love at Sea," The Petroleum Region of Ameri ca," continuation of "Heroic Deeds of He roic Men," "Miss Milligan's Sermon," "Wall Street in War time," "Armadale" "Soft Shineth the Moon," "Reccollections of Sherman," "Hearts and Trees." "Our Mutual Friend," A Sermon to servants." THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY for April has a scries of articles of more than ordinary inter est and value, mixed with a number of ro mantic and instructive essays, which will gratify those who do not carc for history or msthematics. The contributora are Dr. Holmes, Mrs. Austin, E. P. Whipple, T. B. Aldrich, 0. W. Holmes, Mrs. Stowc, J. R. Lowell and others. [We are gled to leara that the publishers of the Atlantic, Messrs. Ticknor & Fields, have become the proprietors of the North American Review, one of the best of A merican publications. Under their judi cious management we doubt not the North American will become the leading Review of he kind in this county.] HARRISBURG CORRESPONDENCE. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1 March 24, 1865. J MR. EDITOR :—Both branches of the Legislature adjourneg sine die, to-day at noon, after being in session only fifty-five wooking days. The Legislature which has just closed its labors may justly be regarded as having been more important, in all res pects, than any similar body which preceed ed it for many years past. It made prece dents which are worthy of being perpetua ted in the parliamentary parture of the state, which throughout all the proceedings the majorities in both branches manifested an independent and displayed a noble regard for the interests of the Commonwealth at large, which cannot fail to invest the party with which they are identified with future prestige, as yell as gratify and benefit the immediate constituent whom they represent. When the record comes fairly before the people it will be seen that the labors of the session have been herculean. In working days it occupied less time than any past ses sion, of a Legislature. . In the work accom plished, it is impossible to estimate its im portance, because the magnitude of labor may be regarded as having been confined as much to the stupendous sceme of specula tions and grasping for special privileges which were signally defeated, and the laws passed and approved. There were projects put forward during the session which for a time defied all opposition, and the friends of which were sanguine of success. Had these succeeded, the consequences would have been frightful. That they did not succeed, may be attributed to the virtue and inde pendence of those who controlled legislation. It is right, therefore, that the people should know there facts ; and it would be to the interest of every constituency having a faith ful representative, to re-elect all men to the position to which they reflected so much honor during the past session. In this connection permit me to suggest that the people of Bedford county will make a great mistake if they do not return Mr. Armstrong. Always in hisseat. watch ing carefully every thing that is going, on, of a local or general interest, there has been no more attentivive, industrious or intelli gent member here this winter. Added to this he possesses fine social qualities, while his pleasant manuers, make him very popular with his fellow members, thus enabling him to wield a great influence. Although he is what might be called a working, rather than a talking mem ber, when he desires to explain a point or make a statement, he can do so in a plain, srtaightcforward manner, which always eommends the respectful attention of the House. The policy of changing members of the Legislature every year is a miseraWe one, and I hope in this case will not he carried out Mr. Armstrong makes a most excel lent representative, and I hope to see him back. Yours, truly, £. ARMY CORRESPONDENCE. BEFORE PETERSBURG VA., 1 March 25th 1865. J MR. EDITOR I write in haste to give you a brief state 'ment of a severe engagement that took place to-day in front of this Division. About four o'clock this morning the Rebels made a bold attempt to break through the Union lines which they actually accomplished, capturing one fort and deploying their skirmishers- ia side of our lines ; the alarm was immediate ly given, and at daylight the action com menced terrifically. The first Brigade, com posed of the 208 th, 209 th and 200th Regi ments lead the charge on the intruders, a&d drove them back to their own lines, and before nine o'clock our forces reoccupied their lines as before, capturing about twen ty-five hundred prisoners. The Rebel loss in killed and wounded is very heavy and that of the Union forces very small. I can only give you the casualties of Company K 208 th Regiment. KILLED. Eli Chamberlain. 4 WOUNDED. IstSergt. Jas. R. O'Neal—flesh Wound thigh. Corporal Samuel W. Williams —heel. Private Phillip Hollar —heel. Private Daniel Ritehey—flesh wound — thigh. Captain Weaverling and Lieut Sparks are all right. Lieut Bessor was acting on Brigade officer's staff and is also unharmed. Very Respectfully, Yours, JOHN E. SATTERFIEID. An Act Concerning the Election of Jurors. AN ACT for the better and more impartial selection of persons to serve as jurors in the several courts of Somerset. Bedford. Pulton, Perry, Juniata and Westmore land counties. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com monwealth of Pennsylvania, in General As sembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That at the general election to be held on the second Tuesday of October, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and tri-annual there after at such election the qualified electors of Somerset, Bedford, Pulton, Perry. Juni atta and Westmoreland counties, of this Commonwealth shall elect in the manner now provided by law, for the election of other county officers; two sober, intelligent and judicious persons to serve as juiy com missioners in each, of said counties, for the period of three years ensuing their election, but the same person, or persons shall not be eligible for re-election more than once in any period of three years. Provided , That each of said quailified electors shall vote for ooe person only as jury commissioner, and the two persons having the greatest number of votes for jury commissioner shall be duly elected jury commissioner* 1W ouolx wuuy. SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of said jury commissioners to meet at the scat of justice of the respective counties at least thirty days before the first term of the court of common pleas in every year, and there upon proceed with due diligence to select alternately from the whole male taxable cit izens of the respective county at large a suf ficient number of sober, intelligent and ju dicious persons, to serve as jurors in the several courts of such county, during that year, and as soon as the said election snail be completed, the said jury commissioners shall, in the mode and manner directed by law, place the names of the persons, so selected, in the proper jury wheel. SECTION 3. The said jury commissioners and the sheriff of the respective county or I any two of the three shall draw from the proper jury wheel panels of jurors for the trial of issues in fact which may be taken in any actipn in any of the courts of the sev eral counties aforesaid, in the manner now practiced and allowed, but before the said jury commissioners and sheriff shall proceed to select or draw jurors in the manner afore said, they shall severally take the oath or affirmation now prescribed by law, to be ta ken by the sheriff and county commissioners before selecting and drawing jurors. SECTION 5. That so much of any act or acts of Assembly of this Commonwealth as makes it the duty of the sheriff and county commissioners of any of said counties to se lect and draw jurors, shall be repealed and cease to have any force or effect from and after the second Tuesday of October next. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. Provided , That all acts and parts of acts of Assembly now in force in relation to the custody, sealing, unsealing, locking and opening of the jury wheel of the respective county, and all acts and parts of acts of Assembly; now in force, imposing any penalty or punishment on the sheriff and county commissioners on either of them for anything done or omitted by Uiem, or either of them, in relation to the keeping, locking, opening, sealing or breaking the seal of any jury wheel, or in relation to the selecting or drawing of jurors shall be taken, deemed and held to apply to the said jury commissioners and sheriff. SECTION 5. Each of said jury commis sioners shall be allowed and paid out of the respective county treasurythe same compen sation per day as is paid by the respective counties named in the hill to the county commissioners. SECTION 6. It shall be the duty of each of said jury commissioners to take upon him self and discharge the duties of his said of fice under a penalty of one hundred dollars for each, and every neglect or refusal to at tend the same to be used for, and recovered before anyjustice of the peace of the proper county as debts of like amount are now by law recoverable ten dollars of which shall go to the person suing, and the residue to be paid by the said justice to the treasurer of the respective county for the use of the same. SECTION 7. In case of inability of either or both of the said jury commissioners by sickness, death or other unavoidable causes to discharge the duties of said office, it shall be the duty of the President Judge in such counties wherein said vacancy may have oc curred, to appoint a suitable person or per sons as the case may be, Possessing the qualifications aforesaid to perform the duties of said office during such vacancy, and such persons after having complied with the re quirements of the 3a section of_ this act, shall proceed to discharge the duties of said office the same as if elected by the people. Thanksgiving. HARRISBURG, April 4. Gov % Curtin has issued a proclamation fixing Sunday next as a day of thanksgiving for the success of our arms, and calls upon the people to assemble in their respective places of worship and give thanks to Al mighty God for all His mercies. VICTORY! RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG CAPTUPED!! "BABYLON HAS FALLEN." Rebellion Bowed Before the Union—The Rod of her Power Broken. Thirty Years of Plotting Ended in Four Years of Blood. Rebel Coharts Crushed though En closed. in Triple Walls. Rebellion"!* Uwt City and Liutt Army at Ibe Mercy of a Conqueror. BfGHMOND AND PETERSBURG DIRS! JLee-H Jirmy a Flying *Mob ! LEE IN FULL RETREAT ON DANVILLE! OIIR ARMY IY PURSUIT ! NEGRO TROOPS OCCUPY RICHMOND! They are Welcomed tcith Joy by the Inhabitants. WASHINGTON, April 1, \ 11 o'clock, A. M. j" To Major General Dix, New York : The following dispatch from the President received to-night, shows that the desperate struggle between our forces and the enemy, continues undecided, although the advantage appears to be on our side. CITY POINT, April 1, 1 6—30, I'. M. / Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War : A dispatch just received, shows that Sheri dan, aided by Warren, had, at 2 o'clock P. M. pushed the enemy back so as to retake the five forts, and bring his own Headquarters up to B . The five forts were barricaded by the ene my and were carried by Diven's division of Cavalry. Thi part of the enemy seem now to be try ing to work along the White Oak road to join the mtin force in front of General Grant, while Sheridan and Warren are pressing them as closely as possible. A. LINCOLN. WASHINGTON, April 2, 1 6 o'clock, A. M. I To Mijor General Dix, New York : A dispatch just received from General Grant's Adjutant General, at City Point, an nounce the triumphant success of our Army after tlree days of hard fighting, during which the forces on both sides exhibited unsurpas sed valor. CITT POINT, April 2, > 6—30, A. M. / A dispatch from General Grant states that Sheridan's Cavalry and Infantry have carried all before them, having captured a wagon train tnd several batteries of Artillery. The prisoners captured in all, amount to several thousand. T. S. BOWERS, Adj't. Gen. WASHINGTON, April 2, II o'clock, A.M. To General Dix, New York : Thefollowing telegram from the President dated at 8:30 this morning, gives the latest intelligence from the front. A furious battle was raging with the contin ued success to the Union arms. ° E. M. STANTON. CITY POINT, April 2, 8:30 A. M E. M. Stanton : Last tight General Grant - telegraphed that General Sheridan with his Cavalry and the sth Cons had captured 3 brigades of Infan try, a tnin of wagons, several batteries, and several thousand prisoners. This morning General Grant having ordered an -attack along tie whole line, telegraphs as follows: "Both Vright and Hart got through the ene my's lin:s. The battle now rages fnriously. Sherid&i with his cavalry and the sth corps, and Mills' Division of the 2nd corps which was senlto him since one o'clock this A. M., is now sveeping down from the west and all now loots highly favorable. General Ord is engaged but I have not yet heard the result in his frint. A. LINCOLN. WASHINGTON, April 2, \ 12:30 P. M. J The P-esident subjoins a Telegrgm giving the lateit news from the front. CITY POINT, April 2—ll A. M. Dispatches come in frequently: All is go ing on Inely. Hart, Wright and Ord, ex tending hom the Appomattox to Hatcher's Run havj all broken through the enemy's en trenchet lines taking some forts, some guns, and prisoners. Sheridan with his cavalry and the sth corps and part of the 2nd is coming it from the west in the enemy's flank and Wright is already tearing up the South side RaiWoad. A. LINCOLN. The following dispatch is just received from Philadel>hia, Monday April 3, 11 o'clock, A. M. [OFFICIAL FROM GRANT./ Retersburg and Richmond both captured with all the guns. CAPTURE OF RICHMOND COXFIRMED. CAPTURE OF 3IAHY QUIS THE PRESIDENT AT THE FRONT. WASHINGTON, April 3. Maj. Gen. Dix, N. Y. : The following official confirmation of the capture of Richmond, and anuounceing that the city is on fire, has just been receiv ed by this Department CITY POINT, VA., April 3 11 A. M. General Weitzel telegraphs as follows : We took Richmond at 8:15 this morning; Captured many guns. The enemy left in great haste. The city is on fire in one place. We are making every effort to put it out. The people received us with enthusiastic expressions of joy. General Grant started early this morning with the army towards Danville road, to cut off Lee's retreating army, if possible. President Lincoln has gone to the front. (Signed) J. S. BOWERS, Assistant Adjutant General. E. M STANTON, Secretary of War. Particulars of Saturday's Battle. HARD nmiTlMi ON ALL SIDES. A G-reat Viotory. 4,000 PRISONERS CAPTURED. The Last Railroad with Richmond Severed. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April 1. The greater portion of the army has aot been engaged with enemy to-day, the time beine occupied in erecting works on the new line, and repairing the roads connecting the different Corps. The late rains rendered it impossible to rttove the wagon train as fast as the troops advanced. One train took forty-eight hours to move five miles, one thousand assisting, but through the entiring industry and persever ance of the officers in charge of the Quar termaster and Commissary Departments, the army has been almost as well supplied as while in their old quarters. When the news of Sheridan's repulse reached here last evening, a part of the Ffth Corps was at once dispatched to his aid, and it is expected that to-night or in the morning we shall receive good news from that quarter. It appears that Sheridan was moving on the road leading to a place culled the Five Forks, which is about three miles from the Southside railroad, when two brigades of Rieket's division, which had been out in a great hurry, came down 011 a road which runs from Sutherland station to the one on which we were. Sheridan's cavalry having partly passed thejunctiou, this movement of the enemy threatened to cut him off. He, however, discovered his danger in time to get out his command with only slight loss, at the same time taking about 100 prisoners. Both the Lees were present, hut one of them at a re spectful distance. Sheridan on being rein forced this morning by the sth Corps, the enemy fell back so rapidly that their dead and many of their wounded fell into our hands, as well as those of our own unavoid ably left behind yesterday afternoon. The attack made on the enemy's line in front of the 24th Corps was hy Foster's Di vision, and about 200 prisoners were brought in, the 48th New York taking most of them. Some 300 or 400 yards of ground were taken from them, and our picket lines so much further advanced. At 4A. M. this position was assaulted and a few of our men captur ed, but in a very short time it was retaken with about 50 prisoners and a stand of col ors. Our losses up to the present time will not exceed 2,500, whilst that of the enemy, on some parts of the line at least, was greater than our own, hut of course the total a mount cannot be given. Major Dickenson, of the 15th New York heavy artillery, is re ported wounded and a prisoner. Three sharpshooters brought in to the Fifth corps headquarters this morning five cavalrymen belonging to Mr. Henry Ijee's command. Thev had been on picket, and were cut off by the force which went to the assistance of Sheridan. HEADQUARTERS ARMY POTOMAC, !- April 1 —Midnight. , A courier from Sneridan has just arrived with the most cheering news. The combined forces of cavalry and War ren's infantry advanced against the enemy this afternoon, driving them several miles and capturing about four thousand prisoners and a number of guns. They retreated to the Five Forks, where they were flanked by a part of the Fifth Corps, which had moved down the White Oak road. It was here the large number of prison ers were taken. The rebels then retreated south along the White Oak road, and were vigorously pur sued by Gen. Sneridan, while McKensie's cavalry from the army of the James advan ced west on the Ford road towards the South Side road, and when the njessenger left was only three miles from it would un doubtedly reach it before morning. Thus the last great line of railroad the rebels have to supply their capital and Lee's army is about to be severed, and it is firmly believed they will immediately leave their present positions at Petersburg and Rich mond. Sharp cannonading is now going on near the centre of the line held by "the left of the 6th corps. THE GREAT VICTORY. 28 Locomotives A ISi Cars in Kichmond. LARGE CAPTURES OF PRISONERS. WASHINGTON, April 5—11:15 A. 31. To Gen. Dix. N. Y. The following particulars, dated at City Point, April 4th, 8 A. 31., gives the latest information received from Richmond: General Weitzel telegraphs from Rich mond that of the railroad stock he found, there were 28 locomotives, 44 passenger and baggage and 106 freight cars. At 3:30 last evening General Grant tele graphs from Sutherland station, ten miles from Petersburg, toward Burkerville, as follows : General Sheridan picked up twelve hun dred prisoners to-day, and from three hun dred to five hundred more have been gath ered by other troops. The majority of the arms that were left in the hands of the remnant of Lee's army are now scattered between Richmond and the place where his troops now are. The country is full of stragglers, and the line of retreat marked with artillery, ammu nition, burned or charred wagons, caissons, ambulances, &c. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. FROM FORTRESS MONROE Capture of Richmond and Petersburg PETERSBI RU OCCI'riED OX MONDAY MOKXINO. The Rebels Leave in Great Haste. FORTRESS MONROE, April 3. Intelligence of the capture of Petersburg and Richmond reached here to-day at 10 o'clock by dispatch from Gen. Weitzel, da ted 8:15 A. 31. Riohmond, which announces theglorious event The small steamer Dictator arrived from City Point at 4:80 this afternoon, with addi tional particular* of this great struggle. Petersburg was occupied by our troops at 3 o'clock, A. M., on Monday. The gunboats were all well up the James river, and it was thought a fight had taken place with the rebel iron dads. Large fires were-s Jen up the James river last night towards Fort Darling and in the vicinity of other rebel works, from which it was inferred that Lee was abandoning his works and retreating from his long cstab lished line. Immense numbers of prisones were captured, estimated at from 15,000 to 18,- 000 and more continually coming in at City Point. It was estimated that there were 15,000 this morning, when the Dictator left. This morning a salute was being fired by all the war vessels at City Point. The steamer Cossack also arrived here to day with a large number of Union prisoners including General M'Laughlin and men of his brigade, captured by the rebels in the assault on Fort Steadman. Such was the haste of the rebels in hurrying Union pris oners through Richmond on Sunday that in many cases they were not even paroled.— Five hundred out of the number on board the Cossack neverer received parole. These prisoners say that in coming through Rich mond yesterday (Sunday j.tney saw manifest indications of evacuation of the city. The hills were alive with people of all classes and conditions, manifesting intense excitement. All Union prisoners in Libby had been or dered to be exchanged by rebel authorities, and were hurried through the city towards various landings, in the greatest possible haste. THE CONNECTICUT ELECTION. Ten thousand Republican Majority- Gain of One Member of Congress~ Neiv England Semis no Democrat to Washington—A• Fitting Res ponse to Grant's Victory. Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Times. NKW-HAVKN, Monday, April 3, 1865. We have re-elected Gov. Buckingham, by about 10J000 majority, and have also elected our entire congressional delegation. So New England wul send none but Republican to Congress next winter. Of twenty-one State Senators, we eleet every man. Glory enough for one day.— Three times three, for Grant and our crown ing victory ! N. D. SPERRY, Chairman of Union State Committee. Seven-Thirties in Richmond—The Rebel Capital a Rase for the Sale of United States Bonds. WE UNDERSTAND that the box of Seven tnirty circulars, cards, etc., send by Mr. Jay Cooke, Subscription Agent, to Richmond, Va., and which has been lying at City Point for the last two weeks, was started on its way to Richmond yesterday morning, and in all probability before this reaches the eyes of all our readers, will be safely landed in that place, and delivered to the agent ap pointed by Mr. Cooke to dispose of the bonds in the late Rebel Capital.— Phila. Eve Telegraph, Tuesday. HEADQUARTERS, PKOVOST MARSHALL, } SIXTEENTH DISTHICT, PEXX'A., [ C'hambcrsburg, March 23, 186a. , J The following Opinion of the Attorney General of the United States is published for the information of the people of this district. GEO. EYSTHR, Capt. and Pro. Mar. 16th Dist. Pa. OPINIO*. ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, March 14,'65. HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary ot War:— SIR : The first question propounded in your letter of the 10th inst., is, whether the 23d section of the Act of Morch 3d, 1865, ''super cedes" the 4th section of the Act of February 24th, 1864. The 4th section of the Act of February 24th 1864. enables any enrolled person, before the draft, to furnish '"an aceeptable'substitute who is not liable to draft, nor, at the time, in the military or naval service of the United States'' and provides that the person so furnishing such substitutes "shall be exempt from draft during the time Jor which such substitute shall not be liable to drajt, not exceeding the time for which such substitute shall have been ac cepted Under this enactment, any person enrolled, and liable to draft, may obtain exemption from the draft during the whole period of time for which he shall procure a substitute to be enlisted, provided the substitute shall be so long not liable to draft. It is not a mere credit for a particular draft which such person obtains by furnishing a substitute before the anticipated draft, but it is an absolute exemp tion which he acquires from liability to be drawn at any and every draft which may oc cur during the entire time for which his sub stitute has been accepted by the Government, provided the substitute be so long not liable to draft. If, for example, his substitute is accepted as a three years' volunteer, and re mains so long not liable to draft, the princi pal, by the provision bf the law of 1864, just referred to, is insured againßt the risk of be ing drafted during the whole period for which his substitute enlisted, no matter how many drafts may occur between the enlistment of the substitute and the expiration of his term of service. But the Government, under this provision, is to be at no expense in conse quence of the authorized substitution of one individual for another in the draft. The par ty who desires to avail himself of the benefit of the privilege conferred by the law, is prop erly and justly required to compensate the substitute. Such being the provision of the law of 1804 on the subject of "substitutes" furnished in anticipation of the draft, the law of March 3d, 1865, provides (in its23d section) as follows: "That any person or persons enrolled in any sub-district may, after notice of a draft, and before the same shall have taken place, cause to be mustered into the service of the United States such number of recruits, not subject to draft, as they may deem expedient, which recruits shall stand to the credit of the persons thus causing them to be mustered in, and shall be taken as substitutes for such per sons, or so many of them as may be drafted, to the extent of the number of such recruits, and in the order designated by the principals at the time such recruits are thus as aforesaid mustered in." It is clear that this enactment provides for quite another case than that contemplated by the provisions to which I have been advert ing in the statute of 1864, and confers upon an enrolled person a privilege entirely distinct from that given to him by that statute, of which he may avail himself at his option, in preference to the privilege conferred by the Act of 1864. Under the provision of the 23d section of the Act of 3d March, 1865, he may, in advance of u draft, "cause to be mustered into the ser vice a "recruit not subject to draft," which reoruit will "stand to the credit" of the enrolled person, causing him to be mustered in, in the event of the principal being drafted, and be taken, on the happening of that con tingency, as a substitute for such principal. But the "credit" shall avail hit only for the particular draft in advance and anticipate which he may have secured the "recr,H 1 There IB no provision in the Act of I that the person furnishing a "recruit," u 1 the 23d section, shall be "exempt from A r • during the time for which the meruit 'i have been accepted and enlisted. g at 1 only benefit which a person so farnisht 1 recruit derives, under the act of lseg J securing, in the event of his being drafted 1 a "credit" on the particular draft ; n '1 pation of which the "recruit" may h ave wl furnished. The "recruit" may be into the service for three years, and yet, ' substitute, he can only avail the person J caused him to be mustered in for, and J respect to the one draft before, and in ant ; ( pation of which he was obtained. The li ity of the principal to be drafted at any drafts occurring after the mustering in of J "recruit," and during the term of his is not at al 1 effected. There is maoif est j therefore, no conflict between the sections of the Acts of 1864 and 1885 ( J which you have called my attention. , J does not impinge upon, nor even cn>s £ J path of, the other. They give different J distinct rights and privileges to the i-jtbJ liable to draft. He has the alternative cod to pursue before any draft, either to Lurj "substitute," and secure him to be g . ..J in, and thus obtain exemption from die jJ during the entire term of enlistment 0 f substitute, if the latter be so long notliat; e , draft, or he may procure for the goverem a "recruit" not liable to draft, and y credit for such recruit in case he should a drafted, subjecting himself, however, to J liability of being compelled to repeat die J eration at every succeeding draft that mav y ordered by the President. Chiefly, I suppose, the design of the p: o .| sion of the act of 1865, under conaiderauo i was to offer inducement and present a siiaj lus to numbers or associations of individual inany sub-district, before the liability of all of them became fixed by a draft, to obtai] volunteer recruits for the army. Congress, ! this law, offers such associations a premiJ to use their exertions to fill up the armies I says to the residents of the multitadinoi counties, townships, wards, and precincts throughout the coontry, "Organist yourgt into recruiting societies; idduee volunteers v enlist into the service before the draft; pa , them such amounts of bounty as you mav i* able to raise by your contributions to the r cruiting funds of your .several districts: jJ when they have been enlisted into the serried the volunteers you may have raised will to the credit of as many of you as may ha; mi to be drafted, to the extent of the number o recruits, 'in the order designated,' at theiitm the recruits are mustered in." Such is the declaration, and promise of th new law. Its policy is to encourage recruit ing, not the procuration of substitutes; to in duce the people to organize associations fo the advancement of volunteering, rather thai the purchase of substitute*. In enacting this new law, and inaagsra ting this new policy, Congress, however, ha not taken away the right of the enrolled per son, before the draft, to furnish a substitute with the qualification before stated, and thi secure his exemption from draft during & time for which his substitute shall have beei accepted. He still has it in his power to si ercise that right in preference to the right conferred by the 23d section of the Act o 3d March, 1865, of obtaining a "rec reft' previous to each draft as it may occur; ut securing thereby a credit in the event, on uj occasion, of his being drafted. I am of opinion, therefore, that the 23i section of the Act of March 3, 1865, doe.- 37 supersede the 4th section of the Act of Feb ruary 24, 1864. The second question which you have refer red to me, is, whether the "recruits," wines are "to be taken as substitutes," are toh considered and borne upon the muster-rob and records of the office of the Provost ME shal General, as other volunteer recrcia which are obtained at the expense of the l is ted States, or as substitutes which are fi nished at the cost of the principals. lam of opinion that the "recruits" wkta persons enrolled in any sub-district mi|| "cause to be mustered into the service oftbj United States," in pursuance of the 23d se ' tion of the act of 3d March, 1864, are to b| considered and treated as other volunteer : who are obtained at the expense of the Us - ted States. It will be observed, from the E alysis of the law contained in the foregoin remarks, that the idea involved in the law t'j 1864 is substitution, while the idea of their j lof 1865 is crediting. The section of the 1:! of 1865 under consideration does not speak ■ the "recruits" in question as "substitute? J but declares that they "shall be taken as st stitutes for the persons who cause them ; be mustered in. They are not substitute-,! but only of the nature of substitutes. primary and essential character, under tkS law, is that of credits for their procurers (J principals: and this description is the first de l scription given them in the section in qces-J tion, for, after saying "which recruits stand to the credit of the persons thus causinfl them to be mustered in," the seciion proceed?l "and shall be taken as substitutes for sachl persons, or as many of them as may be draft ! ed, to the extent of the number of such re-l cruits." A critical study of the words of the statute thus developes the fundamental idea which I have supposed, from other indications. *a< intended to be embodied in the law. The '•recruita' who are to "stand to the credit" of the enrolled persons, causing them to he mustered in before the occurrence of a draft. I am of opinion, then, are to be considered a< other volunteer recruits which are obtained a the expense of the United States, and not a 1 in the ordinary sense of that term, which are furnished at the cost of the principals. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES SPEED, April 7, 18t>5. Attorney General. QUE AT REDUCTION IN PRICKS Of j DRY GOODS. AT CRAMER'S. BARGAINS, BARGAINS, ITV , BARGAINS FOR CASH. Stock Must be Reduced. ■ *>ar3 A. B. CRAMER A CO. NOTICE. —Having left my Books and Liat in the hands of H. NICODKMUS, of Bedford, for settlement, all persons knowits themselves indebted to me will please call on hia at his office, and settle. WM. DIBERT, Late proprietor of the Washington Hotel Bedford, March 31,1856.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers