Jrtcpmr.
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY JAN. 28, ISWi.
ttl ARANTEEINU A RKI'IBUCAX FOKM
OT GOVERNMENT.
In discussing the momentous question of
reconstruction, not only the people, at large,
hut also the President and many members
of Congress appeared to be at a loss to find
vmse safe and substantial starting print,
upon which to build their theories and ar
guments. There appears to us to be no safer
ground on which to base all Our logic and
argument than the Constitution itself. Ar
ticle IV, Section 4 of the Constitution of
the United State? reads thus —"The United
States shall guaranty to every State in this
Union a republican form of government."
Webster defines a republic to he "A State
in which the exercise of the sovereign pnw
er is lodged in representatives elected by
thepeopled' Here would seein to be a sol
id Constitutional foundation on which to
build. The only question to be decided is,
who are '"the people" of a state? This de
cided the course is clear, and no State can
be admitted to the deliberations of Congress
nor permitted to enact laws for its own peo
ple, except it adopts a republican form of
government. Now Webster neither says
the while people nor the black people but
THE PEOPLE, which,taken in its most obvious
and comprehensive sense, means the whole
people, or the free, adult, male population
of a State. But we are net left to specula
tion to determinethe meaning of the phrase
"thepeo2)fr, n It occurs frequently in the
old "articles ef Confederation," as well as.
in the present New Constitution. In the
Journal of the Congress of the Confedera
tion we learn that the fourth of the Articles
of Confederation, being under discussion,
which runs thus "the free inhabitants of
each of these States shall be entitled to all
privileges and immunities of free citizens in
the several States." "The delegates from,
that Judas among States, South Carolina,
moved to insert white between the words,
"free inhabitants," eleven States voted on
the question, two, of which South Carolina
was one, voted for it, one was divided, and
eight voted unanimously against it. Thns
early and emphatically was the distinction
between freemen rebuked. This is the most
satisfactory evidence that this question of
distinction was not overlooked; and it was
deemed so emphatically settled that nine
years later, at the adoption of the new Con
stitution, by the Convention, in which were
a large proportion of the former members of
the Congress that adopted the article? of
Confederation, it was not thought nec
essary then to define the meaning of the
phrase the people ■ If even this positive
evidence were wanting we would have oth
er scarcely less positive in the fact, that at
the adoption of the New Constitution in
1787, South Carolina was the only State,
of the thirteen ratifying it, in whose
Constitution the odious distinction was
found. The veriest simpleton would
not pretend to argue that twelve, of the
thirteen states then comprising the Union,
had consented to a distinction in the na
tional constitution, which they did not per
mit in their own. and which was so repug
nant to the then existing idea of a republi
can government. The leprosy that then
was only visible in South Carolina extended
itself insidiously, until it had well nigh
wrought the death of the nation. Happily
that calamity has been averted. But many
evidences of the effects of the contagion still
remain. There are few even of the loyal
States that would now bear this con
stitutional test of their republicanism. But
their infractions of the strict letter (with !
the exception of Delaware, Maryland and !
Kentucky) arc trifling compared with the
States lately in rebellion. They have for
feited no right by rebellion, and are fast
reforming their previous anti-republican ten
dencies, and may be safely left to take care
of themselves. But now is most certainly
as favorable an opportunity as we will ever
have of guaranteeing to the States lately
in rebellion their constitutional right to a
republican form of government. Two thirds
of the people of South Carolina, more than
half of the people of Mississippi, about half
those of Georgia. Alabama. Louisiana, and
Florida, one third of the people of North
Carolina, and one fourth of those of Teu
ne&see and Arkansas have never had a voice
in the government of their respective states.
In other words, those states have never had
a republican form of government. Surely
it is high time, the United States should
guarantee to them this Constitutional right
and not permit them to return to their place
in the Union without it.
RETTRX OF GOV. (TBTni.
Our readers will be gratified to learn that
his Excellency. Gov. Curtin, has returned
from Havana, whither he had gone on ac
count of his impaired health; and that he
has already resumed the duties of his ardu
ous position. The deep anxiety that has
been every where felt and expressed concern
ing Gov. Curtin, is evidence of the strong
hold he possesses in the heart of the people
of this great State. It is gratifying to be
able to say that his brief visit to Cuba has ;
greatly benefited him, while it is to be much
regretted that the duties of his position com
pelled 90 early a return, before he could be
fully restored by the mild climate of the
West Indies.
It is not to be disguised that politicians
and place-seekers complain bitterly of the
Governor because he has been unable to
elevate them all to lucrative offices; but the
people who want no place, and desire
nothing so much as a wise and patriotic ad
ministration of public affairs, .150 devotedly
attached to their Governor, and that surely
will make amends for all the wouuds that
the malice of disappointed partizans may be
able to inflict. The reception that has greet
ed the Governor upon his return has been
generous and enthusiastic. That he may
lire long and enjoy yet higher honors from
the people of Pennsylvania is the fervent
wish of thousands.
MF* Hon. Edgar Cowan, Hon. WUJ. D.
Kellay, Hon. George W. Householder, Hon.
M. A. Rosa, and Hon. D. B. Armstrong, will
accept oar thanks for valuable Congressional,
Legislative and other documents.
OI?R COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
jjt
Evils arising from Unequal taxation.
We have demonstrated in previous arti-f
eles that trpas inequality arises iroin the;
presen#'iitt't%bds both of taxation and ap
propriation. Our present object is to show
that this inequality and injustice are but a
small proportion of the evils arising from
this source. It is a fact well known to every
person who has given attention to the sub
ject. that the development of all its resources
is of the highest importance to a Stats, it
increases the value of land, creates diversity
of pu.-suits and thus adds to the revenue of
the State and the comfort ef the people.
With these views every State cndcuvois to
offer inducements not only to its own citi
zens, but to citizens of other States to enter
upon, occupy and improve its wholly or
partially unoccupied lands, to fell its forests,
open its mines and manufacture their pro
ducts into fabrics for the use of man. It is
also well known that the richer sections of a
country are quickly settled, while the poorer
are left unoccupied, and that in all civilized
communities there is a natural tendency to
congregate in towns and cities. Idleness
everywhere and especially in cities and towns
is the source of untold evils and crimes. It
is obviously the interest of every state to
promote the settlement and improvement
of all its territory, and obviate the tendency
to centralization. How does the present
working of onr school laws operate upon
this point ? What inducement does it offer
to t lie settler in the sparsely settled dis
tricts? Enormous taxes, short school terms,
the smallest proportionate assistance from
the State, and hard labor and comparative
ignorance for himself and bis children. On
the other hand, we find in the rich and
already densely populated districts, are held
out the inducements, of lands already clear
ed, long school terms, light taxes, compare
tive ease, with intelligent society and the
largest proportionate assistance from the
State, to bring still more where the popula
tion is already overflowing. Who can
wonder then that the farmer moves to town
to educate hir sons and daughters, even at
the risk of all the dangers of town and eitv
life, ot to the far West-where the new States
hold out inducements superior to those he
ha? enjoyed among his native hills. Is it
any wonder under such circumstances that,
towns are crowded with idlers, while the
rural districts are crying for laborers and
the farms lie waste. Is it any wonder that
the sturdy sons of our noble State are
pouring in a steady stream into the wide
West, while her own broad acres are un
occupied, her mineral wealth undeveloped
her manufacturing facilities unimproved,
and her oil flowing ungathered to the
ocean. Vet these are the legitimate results
of an oppressive system of taxation in the
sparsely settled districts of the State. If
it was patiently borne the evil might be
less, though the injustice remained; but
it is not patiently borne, on the contrary
it is steadily and surely driving the young,
enterprising, and most valuable portion
of our population from their native State
to seek more favored homes in the far
West. Such arc the legitimate results of
the present unfair method of raising reve
nue for school purposes. A system that
discriminates against the poorer portions
of the State and in favor of the richer,
while the reverse should be the rule.
They can only be obviated when the peo
ple in their majesty demand, that the
laws be so amended, that the poor shall
no longer be oppressed because of their
poverty, nor the rich pampered because
of their wealth, hut that even-handed
justice be dispensed alike to all. How
this may be done we will endeavor to
show in our next.
PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE COM
MON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Senator Householder, of Bedford, on
Wednesday last, offe red a resolution which
was subsequently adopted by the Senate,
authorizing the appointmeut of a Commit
tee fr.;m each branch of the State Legisla
ture, whose duty it shall be to report by
bill or otherwise, a more uniform system of
reveuue for common school purposes and
such other improvements as they may deem
advisable. In advocating the passage of
the resolution, Mr. Householder made an
able speech, which showed forcibly the great
interest he felt in this important subject
and the trouble be had taken to prepare all
the statistics which were necessary to eluci
date his proposed changes in a system which
has always been considered one of the best
that could be adopted. Believing that that
section of the Constitution which says that
the Legislature shall provide for the estab
lishment of schools throughout the State
''in such manner that the poor may be
taught gratis''" should be strictly carried
out, be desires to have a bill drawn up and
passed which will relieve many districts in
the Commonwealth from the discrimination
which is now made between the rich man
and the pooi in the levy of taxes for school
purposes.— The Press, Jamiarj/ 22,
Those of our readers w ho have given atten
tion to the discussion of this subject in our
columns, will appreciate the importance, as
well as the necessity, for the above mention
ed action of our able Senator. Mr. House
holder's activity and vigilance in looking
after the interests of the whole State as
well as of his immediate constituency is
deserving of the highest praise. Our citi
zens fully appreciate the change inaugura
ted by the new jury law,to which we recently
called their attention, and for which we are
mainly indebted to Mr. Householder. If
hU present proposed revision of our com
mon school system meets with the success
it deserves, not only the people of this
county, but, of the larger portion of the
State, will have reason to thank him, for a
reform scarcely second, in its importance,
to the original establishment of our common
school system.
VOTES OF DESERTERS.—The queer de
cision of Judge King, of the Bedford dis
trict, that Congress'cainiot, without trial,
disfranchise a deserter, has been reversed
by the State Senate, which on Thursday
; ousted Mr. Duncan, the Democratic Sena
tor from Adams, on the ground that he
was elected by the votes of deserters; who
were permitted to vote by tho Democratic
election judges of that county. It is un
derstood this derision of the Senate was
reached under the advice of the' Attorney
General.— lhttZburgh Gazette.
A CARD.
BEDFORD, .lan. 13,1866.
1 take this occasion, and to ten
der tny cordial sndhgrateftd thank# to She
political friends in Bedford County who so
faithfully Mistaincd me, under a storm of mis
representations, in the contest just closed.
In Mr. Cessna's reply of the tith inst. to
my address of the 4th are many unwar
ranted statements, and personalities, which
I will allow to pass unnoticed. I may have,
been gravely at fault as he suggests, in not
staying at home during the war, to help J>im
fight the party battles in the county, and in
not addressing War meetings, and aiding in
the trial of causes in court here, whilst I was
absent in tho public semce: and I am willing
to be punished for such things, without mak
ing any complaint. But, in his reply, he
raises a question of veracity, in such a shape
and of such importance, I feel compelled to
notice it briefly in vindication of myself, and
in justification of those who so manfully stood
by me.
The substance of my allegation was, that
in May, 1865, 1 had an interview and under
standing with him, in Bedford, to the .effect
that he was to support me for the nomination
and I was to have a clear course in the coun
ty. lu,his reply he calls this a "mistake;'
and endeavors to make it appear that he on
ly promised to support me if nominated-. I
submit, if it be not evident from both the
date and object of said interview, that the
subject matter of it would naturally be, as it
was, support for the nomination, and not
support afterwards. At that time J could
hare had no reason to doubt the latter.
Whilst professing to reply to what occurred
at that interview, he says: "On the contrary,
1 told him distinctly that that question" (of
being a candidate) "would be left with my
friends, and that when they determined it I
would inform him."
Now the unfairness of this statement, to
use no harsher term, must be manifest, when
it is known that this quotation is what he told
me, not at the Bedford interview, but at ant
other interview at Washington about jive
'months afterwards. It occurred in this way:
After the last October election, I heard a ru
mor that Mr. Cessna intended to be a candi
date for governor. I did not believe it: but
when lie came to Washington about the latter
end of that month, or first of November fol
lowing, I called upon him, and told him of
the rumor, and inquired if it was true. He
then told me what I have quoted above from
his reply; and then, for the first time, did I
know of his intention to be a candidate. At
the same time I asked him when he would let
me know his determination, and he replied
at. the meeting of Congress the first Monday
in December. He came to Washington at or
about that time, but did not inform me: and
when he next came I enquired of him wheth
er or not he had coueluded to be a candidate.
He replied in the affirmative; and that was on
the '2oth of Deeember last.
FR. JORDAN.
lIARUISBURG CORRESPONDENCE.
Return of Gov. Cnrtin—lmportant Res
olution offered in the Senate—Spree h
of Hon. G. H Householder —New
Candidates for Governor—The Contes
ted Election in the Senate—Hills read
in whieii lied lord county is interested,
Ac. A.e.
HxaiMJHtnio, Pa.. Jan. 23, 1866.
EUITORS INQUIRER:
Governor Cnrtin and suit arrived here last
Friday evening, and were enthusiastically re
ceived by the people. The Governor has
improved much in health, and is again able to
take care of the interests of the great State of
Pennsylvania. It is admitted by all parties,
that the interests of this Commonwealth can
be placed in no safer hauds than in those of
our present very worthy Governor,
The following in.portant resolution was of
fered by your able and patriotic Senator,
Hon. G. W. House-holler, last Wednesday:
Resolved. That (if the House of Represen
tatives shall ngree) a committee of three shall
be appointed from each body, whose duty it
shall be to report by bill or otherwise, a more
uniform system of revenue for common school
purposes, and such improvements in the sys
tem as they may deem necessary.
Mr. llonseholdei then addressed the Semite
in one of the most able and argumentative
speeches ever delivered in that body on the
question of Common Schools. It was none
of the buueome speeches so often delivered,
but- it carried truth, in all its bearings troui
beginning to end. He was very particular in
giving statistics, which showed conclusively
that our system needed revision. The reso
lution passed both Houses, and 1 have no
doubt but our present system will be revised,
much to the benefit of the poorer counties of
the State.
Nearly every day brings forth a new can
didate for Governor. Dr. Wilmor Worthing
ton, Senator from Chester, .fames It. Kelly,
Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
E. W. Davis, of Philadelphia, have been
strongly urged by their friends, during the
last week. According to my view of the case,
a few will be disappointed, as the Union
party, strong as it is, cannot afford to have
more than one candidate, while our Demo
cratic friends can hardly muster strength
enough to take care of so many.
The contest in the Adams and Franklin
Senatorial District was finally ended last
week by declaring Hon. David McConaughy the
legally elected Senator. By consent of the
parties interested, all other points were with
drawn, and the only question to be acted upon
was whether deserters were citizens entitled
to vote. The constitutionality of the act of
Congress declaring deserters, who failed to
report, disfranchised, was ably argued in the
negative by J. MCDOWEU, SIUREE, aud in the
affirmative by Hon. J. C. KCKKLK, of this
place. Both speeches were master pieces
but Mr. Sharp failed to make his point.
I do not wonder that the decision was giv
en in tLe affirmative, as who can possibly
think that the men who refused to euter the
service of their country when drafted, desert
ed their companions when in the field, are
entitled to citizenship, thus attempting to
rule a country which their cowardice or trea
son induced them to desert. What patriotic
soldier will not rejoice, when he learns that
those who refused to stand by their country
in the hour of its trial have been for once fair
ly dealt with by a committee of as able and
just men as Pennsylvania can boast of.
The people of Adams and Franklin can
point with pride to their able Senator, Mr.
McConaughy, and rest assured that their inter
ests will be well cared for by him.
The following bills have been read ia place
by Mr. Armstrong, all of which are of inter
est to Bedford county:
An act incorporating the Bedford Gold and
Silver Mining Company.
A further supplement to the act approved
April 19, 18ti2, for the adjudication and pay
ment of certain Military claims (Militia).
An act, incorporating the Hopewell and
Paitonsville Turnpike Road, which last bill
passed the House.
The choice of Bedford county for Governor.
Hon. John Cessna, meets with much favor at
(lie Ht:Ue Capitol- It is concecded by ail
that he could poll Sapowerful vote in the State
as most of the Douglass Democrats would
join the Union party, in order to honor the
man who was the friend and supporter of the
lamented Douglas.
It is generally conceded that the nominee
of the Union party will succeed this fall by a
majority greater than any given for Governor
since 1840.
E. K. Haines, Esq.. of Somerset, was re
elected Transcriber of the Senate, ar.d M.
Edgar King, of Fulton, was elected.to the
same position iu the House. They both
make excellent officers. Your district has
been well cared for in the distribution of the
patronage.
I will endeavor to keep your readers post
ed in all matters of importance as they trans
rire at the State Capitol during the session,
whether of local or general interest.
SI'ECTATOn.
Texas Correspondence.
CAME J'Jm U. S. C. Infantry, |
■ Browxsvim.f,, Texas, \
Daeember 13, 1865. j
Mr. J. 11. lhtrborrow ;
Sir, having just returned from "ap the
river''where T have been for some two weeks.
T have concluded to give you a brief
account of uiy trip and its etcetras. 1 left
this, November 24th ult. on board the Govern
ment steamer E. Paiuero, plying between
Brazos and Fort Ringold, some 3bo miles
above Brownsville. The ostensible purpose
of the expedition was to get timber to fit up
our camp for winter, consequently I was pro
vided with 20 men and 20 day's rations, with
instructions to "stop when 1 pleased." Af
icr making inquiries, I concluded to go up
some 200 miles, where I learned 1 should find
I the best timber, as well as the best hunting
ground, which I can assure you was no small
consideration with me, having taken the pre
caution to provide myself with 1000 rounds
of ammunition extra. On hoard I found
rather a motley crowd of people, com
posed of officers and men of the U. S., Impe
rial and Liberal armies, with quite a number
of ex-rebels and returning fugitives from both
this and the other side of the river, represen
ting almost every nationality ar.d color. The
conveniences on board were by no means
great, yet we managed to make ourselves
quite comfortable, (barring the hosts ofnius
quetoes that swarmed the cabin at night.)
The time was spent bv some in shooting at
some of the thousands of wild geese, ducks,
and cranes which everywhere lined the is
lands ana sand-bars, and which had not been
sufficiently alarmed to keep out of range of
our rifles. Some amused themselves at games,
while others were busy with their Spanish,
and the present was an auspicious moment,
as the cabin was well sprinkled with Liberal
officers, who where as auxiouy to master the
English as we were Spanish, so that we were
mutually improved. The ltio Grande is one
[ of the erookedest rivers in the world, as well
as muddiest. We were frequently aground,
but not long, and thus made a very quick, as
well as pleasant trip. As to the country,there
was little that was inviting or particularly in
teresting to the traveller, as the same uncul
tivated soil existed with here and there a
fanche, with perhaps from one rood to ten
acres of land under cultivation, and now
groaning under a splendid crop of corn. The
soil is a black sandy loam, and I believe as
good as any in the west, yet these people are
so lazy that, they raise but barely sufficient to
support them from one crop to' another, while
they can always raise two crops of cor n
fully matured. Notwithstanding the soil is
capable of producing everything that they
might choose to plant, yet I saw nothing
raised but corn and pumpkins, which in con
nection with fresh beef forms their only arti
cles of food. I did not see a potato growing
while upthe river, yet thanks to our good old
Uncle Samuel, I succeeded in purchasing
some of our Commissary, at two and one half
cents per pound and those were raised "way
down in Maine." As lo the houses or "ran
ches" they are constructed of "bamboo"
with exception of the roof which is of grass
or the hides of cattle.
ft is really astonishing how many persons
can be accommodated in those ranches. In
fact they frequently resemble (from their
number of population) small towns, having
as many as three or four hundred people. Tn
manners they are quite rude as not unfre
quently, you see children of both sexes en
tirely naked. In fact I tan see that the Grea
ser is little in advance of the Aborigines on
our frontier. Edinburg is the only town on
our side of the river and garrisoned by the
116 th U. R. colored infantry. On the oppo
site side (if the river is Benosa, a town of
three or four thousand inhabi .nnts and a very
fine Convent. The town was occupied by
Cortinas and his band of brigands, but as
Gen. Mejia, with 2000 men was just below,
there was a great skedaddle of the natives
with their effects to our side. In fact there
were thousands of horses and cattle on the
river bank, which had, or were iu process of
crossing. One of the most pleasing sights
was several loads of most, luscious oranges
just from Monterey. Having remained at
Edinburg for a few hours, we continued up
the river some 20 miles where 1 concluded to
disembark in a pleasant willow grove—having
been nearly tour days on the passage.
As to the timber here it is not generally
good in kind or quantity, being generally
muskeet (a species of Mohuganyf yet seldem
growing sufficiently large to be useful for ve
neering. The most beautiful, if not among
the most useful timbers here is the Ebony.
They are covered with a verdure so rich iu
color as to be almost- black in the distance
hence always visible, and selected by those
desiring to shield themselves from the sun.
The "tepe wahie" is also very beautiful, as is
the palmetto, yet the latter is by bynomeansf
plenty on the river. The hackberry and wil
low are the most plentiful, hence the best, as
they grow very large, and can be used for
building purposes. The groves here possess
a majestic appearance from the quantity o
moss which everywhere festoons the trees,
hanging in masses frequently from 12 to 15
feet in length. In fact it grows so long and
dense as to not unfrequently cause a weight
sufficiently great to break the largest limbs.
During the time I remained up the river I
had ample time to see the surrounding coun
try which I assure you was very unenviting to
all save the hunter, as the chaparral and tall
grass always undergrow the large timber
which vras skirted by canehrakes so dense, as
to be impenetrable, save through the paths
made by the cattle, of which there were a
groat raany T>elonging to settlers on the Mex
ießii sitie who graze them in Texas. There
we many deer here, Lut do not often the
rivet and it was ncopfuy to go back .aome 10
mile* to iind thcta. Wolves inhabit the
cruebrakes and make night hideous with
their howlings. Beavers are found horderitit?
the river and lagoons. Bears are unknown.
The principal game is geese and turkey which
everywhere existed in large unmbers The
lagoons cover a large portion of the country
along both sides of the Rio Grande and make
it inconvenient for both travelers and hun
ters. Fish abound in large quantities in the
lagoons and seemed quite sportive as they
frequently threw themselves above the sur
face forming a scene truly. inviting to one
fond of the sport of fishing. These lagoons
are usually overflown by the spring freshets
and their inhabitants find an outlet into the
river as they subsequently do the table of the
epicures ol Brownsville and Matamoras.
During my stay I made several trips across
the river in a small "dug out" to visit some
ranches in Mexico which came near proving
fatal to your correspondent, as the boat upset
spilling us into the river. Being good water
men we succeeded in getting out with the loss
of a small portion of our baggage. The
weather was very warm and caused us little
iuconvenience. Having finished the object of
the expedition we again went on board the
"E. Prinero," on her downward trip, taking
on board a large load of lumber, and after
the usual stoppages by being "stuck" on sand
bars, reached Brownsville a few days sooner
than expected. The weather is quite blustry
at present, but we have not had even a frost
as yet. We are rejoiced not a little at the
result of the late elections in the States, es
pecially as "Jersey" has returned to the
union and foundly hope that Bedford county
mav.'do the same in '66.
Yours, F. H.
BRITISH FREE TRADE; the TRICKS
OF 1816, AND THE WARNINGS
OF 1865.
To the Editor of the Chicago Republican:
StK : Now that the question of our sources
of revenue is of such vital importance, and
we should be so carefully planning the best
means by which our home industry may
thrive, and thus our expenses be met- and
our debts paid without distress, it may be
well to look back to some foreign efforts to
influence our industrial and financial condi
tion in years not long gone by. 'Ve allude
especially to the so-called "British free
trade" efforts, which may more fitly be call
ed the endeavors of a powerful class of Brit
ish capitalists, whose reliance for continued
power and ascendency must he largely on
their manufactures, to maintain that ascen
dency as toward this country by talking of
free trade while carefully protecting them
selves.
Tn 1840 the first move of importance was
made in this direction by a report to Parlia
ment of a committee of which Joseph Hume
was chairman. How ready he would be to
inaugurate real free trade may be judged
from his wish expressed some years before
in Parliament, that "the manufactures of
the continent might be strangled in their
cradle."
The keynote of this experiment was the
statement of one of the witnesses examined
before that committee (J. D. Hume). He
.-.aid: "There is a very strong impression in
all foreign countries that we have risen to
our present prosperity through our system
of protection, and that thev have only to a
dopt the same system in order to succeed as
we have done; and that he would remove the
protective duty on cotton manufactures for
the sake of holding out to the world an ex
ample."
That is, decrease the tariff on cotton, or
any other well-established manufactures, in
order to do aw ay the "very strong impres
sion" abroad, that protection had made
Euglaud rich, keep up protective tariffs on
whatever products of English works needed
them, and magnanimously cry "free trade."
In the "Parliamentary Report of the Com
mittee,' published in England, vol. 5, p. 93,
may be found this testimony. In a report
of Mr. Hume's committee, published for
circulation iu this country, it is not to be
found. It was not "adapted to our lati
tude," as the aluiauac makers say.
Another witness before that committee
(P. Dillon) said: "Yerry great objections
lie to advalorem duties; they arc constantly
evaded. Few attempt to deny that when
lliey make returns of values, they make
false returns." This is not found in the re
port for circulation here. Of course it was
for their interest that we should keep up
the ad valorem system, whereby importers
of British goods could better defraud out
revenue.
The changes in the British tariff were of
so little moment, that the average of duties
for two years before the vaunted revision of
1840 was £22,637,404, ami for two years af
ter £22,720,886.
When our tariff was reduced in 1846,
whatever may have been the motives of
some of its supporters it was intended to
encourage the importation of British goods,
and British influences were largely brought
to bear. On reliable authority we have a
list of subscriptions of persons and firms in
Manchester, Glasgow, &c., amounting to
£l2,<>oo or .£50,000, pledged to this end; and
over £1,000,000 of British money were said to
have been spent in Washington to shape our
revised tariff to suit their interests. The
result was that while our average imports
for five years, from 1842 to 1846 inclusive,
had been 102,459,356, the average for the
next five years, after that revision, rose to
237,369,944. Of this vast increase England
largely gained the benefit, and then came
the crash of 1857, with its failure of capital
ists and distress of the poor. May we not
take warning now?
During that session of 1846. while Con
gress was engaged on the tariff, a basement
room of the Capitol was used for showing
samples of British goods, and estimates
were made of their peiees, and singular state
ments of the effect of the old tariff in in
creasing those prices.
Such shameful use of our country's Capi
tol might well be buried in oblivion were it
not full of warning needed by us to-day.
There Southern members of Congress
were taught the mystery whereby an arti
cle sold for six cents a yard was increased
four cents a yard in price, by an odious duty
for the benefit of "Yankee monopolists: '
and thus was inflamed a bitter hatred that
has since blazed out in a terrible rebelliou,
to which British capitalists readily furnish
ed their Alahamas and Shenandoahs to
sweep the ocean as pirates fitted out by
foreign neutrality. British manufacturers
made skilful use, in 1846, of Southern jeal
ousy toward the prosperity of the free labor
of the North, and the South gave forty-eight
votes, seventeen from Virginia, for what
might fitly be called the Manchester tariff.
Now that slavery is gone, and the inter
est of free labor is one all over this knd, let
us beware of deceptive "free trade" cries
and foreign plots against our industry, and
learn to give fair and living protection to
all branches thereof on the "live and let
live" principle.
The need of watchful vigilance now may
be seen by the following extraet, from a let
ter of our American Consul at Liverpool to
a gentleman in this country last May :
Great efforts will now he made by Eng
lish capitalists and manufacturers to induce
us to reduce our tariff, and to permit them
to do all our manufacturing- tney are be
gfoaing to stir this matter already.
"They will struggle bard to break down
our tariff.
"'There will he a terrible pressure put on
the <! ovet ninent.'' j
The mining Jourtwd, a large and able
English sheet. from London, Dec 16, says
in its report from Staffordshire: '"The for
mal constitution of a Ftee-trade League in
the 1 uited States is a very hopeful sign. Lt
is hard for dwellers in another land to judge
of the prospects of stlcb an organization,
hut it has clearly many things in its favor. I
"The representatives from the South are ;
almost sure to vote for it, and it will he !
strange if the West does not. * * * Should
these anticipations prove true, we may ex- I
pect a very large trade with that country.
It is significant that there foreigners sup
pose the Eauth to be still opposed to free
labor, and therefore that it will stand under
the shade ofits old prejudices and vote for
their interests. Wc may see them mistaken.
The South wants manufactures in its new
condition. As tor the West, with its thou
sands of workshops, its growing wool manu
factures, its great iron business of some $35,-
000,000 yearly, and just beginirg, its diffi
culty in sendiug its produce abroad and need
of a home market, we judge our people will
see their interest in manufactures here, rath
er than in encouraging the "very Jarge
trade" with England which so rejoices in
prospect these free trade advocates over the
water, especially as such trade would add a
"very large" debt to our heavy burden of
that kind abroad.
Any arrangements for mutu.il good on the
part of England or any other country should
he met in a generous spirit. Any fair plaits
of foreigners to put their capital here are
all well; hut if they choose to do so, it should
be borne in mind that thereby their inter
est, .-o far, is one with ours, and that our
prosperity will he solid only as our home
industry thrives and our policy is shapped
to that end.
WESTERNER.
XXXIXTH CONGRESS -SYNOPSIS.
SENATE.
Monday Jan. 15.
Mr. Wilson introduced a hill requiring
every officer to appear before a competent
board of examination, and those who failed
to pass a satisfactory examination to be pla
ced on the retired list or dropped from the
rolls. Referred. Also, his bill reorganiz
ing the army on a peace basis, which was
similarly disposed of. Mr. Sherman offer
ed a resolution dismissing from the Naval
Academy cadet James L Wheclor, who was
formerly in the rebel service. Referred. A
number of petitions were presented. A
mong them was one from manufacturer.- of
siieet iron, bronze colors, salt, segars and
other articles, stating that the import duty
is so low as to operate against home manu
factures, and asking for a remedy in increas
ed import duties. The Military Committee
reported the bill for the re-establish men t of
a National Military and Naval Asylum for
the relief of a totally disabled officers and
soldiers of the United States army. Mr.
Howard offered a resolution recommending
that Jeff. Davis and Clement C. Clay he
tried immediately by military commission.
Objected to. and laid over. Mr. Chandler,
in view of the refusal of Great Britain to
settle the hill for damages by rebel pirates,
offered a resolution that the President be
requested to withdraw our Minister from
the Court of St. James, and make procla
mation of national non-intercourse. Objec
ted to, and laid over.
HOUSE.
The credentials of three Representatives
from Arkansas were presented and referred
to the Committee on Reconstruction. Mr.
Broomall offered a resolution providing that
as the white wen of the District of Colum
bia had decided that the negroes should not
vote, the Committee on the District of Co
lumbia shall report upon the expediencv of
ordering an election by which the colored
men should express their opinion as to the
white uieu voting. Laid on the table. The
hall of the House was granted to the United
States Christian Commission on Sunday,
February 11, for its anniversary meetings.
The Committee on the Judiciary was in
structed to inquire into the expediency of
amending the act of January 24, 1865, rela
ting to the test oath, so as to allow attorneys
at law to practice without taking the oath.
Mr. Kas SOB, of lowa, pronounced untrue a
statement of a New York paper that cer
tain articles had been taken away from the
White House by the family of the late Pres
ident Lincoln. One article used in the fam
ily, and much admired by Mr. Lincoln, was
taken by permission of the Secretary ot the
Interior. The bill to extend suffrage in the
District of Columbia was then taken up and
discussed at some length by Messrs. Kelly,
Karson and Price.
ST. NATE.
Tuesday, Jan. 16.
A potion of citizens of the District of
Columbia, asking for the repeal of all laws
in ulceration in the District making distinc
tion on account of color was presented. The
Military Committee reported the bill to es
tablish the military peace establishment of
the United States. Mr. Chandler called up
the resolution requesting the President to
withdraw our Minister from Great Britain.
The bill in relation to the National Military
and Naval Asylum for totally disabled ofh
eers and men of the volunteer service wa
passed. The resolution recommending tl
trial of Jeff. Davis by military commissi. n
wns called up and ordered to be printed.
The bill to regulate the elective fianchi-'-
in the District of Columbia was then dis
cussed.
HOUSE.
Mr. Conkling offered a resolution-making
as requirements in the re-establishment of
the federal relations in the late msdrrec
tionary States the absolute renunciation of
the doctrine of secession; the repudiation of
all debts contracted in aid of the rebeilion:
the assurance of human rights to all per
sons. regardless of race, creed or color; the
impartial distribution ot politicai power
among all sections of the country, and the
elections of Senators and Representatives
who have never been ringleaders in the late
revolt. Objected to and laid over. The
Judiciary Committee reported the bill to in-
Corporate the United States Mutual Protec
tion Homestead Company, which is intend
ed to encourage emigration to and settlement
in the States lately in rebellion. The Sen
ate resolutions authorizing the Committee
on Reconstruction to send for persons and
papers were concurred in. Mr. Haws intro
duced a hill to amend the act to provide du
ties on imports.
SENATE.
Wednesday, .fan. IT.
The credent ials of Hon. \\ . A. Graham,
of North Carolina, were presented and laid
on the table. A petition of nine months'
troops for $25 bounty was offered by Mr.
Sumner, of Massachusetts, and another
against arming the Alabama uiiiitia. The
Committee on the Judiciary asked to be
discharged from the further consideration
of the petition of colored citizens of Colo
rado, which was referred to the Committee
on Territories. The Committee on Print
ing reported 10,000 instead of 100,000 cop
ies of Grant's report. A hill ceding cer
tain lands to West Virginia was referred.
Mr. Chandler asked for information on mat
ters on the southeastern border, and if any
violations of neutrality have occurred there.
The hill of the Military Committee was read,
making our military peace establishment
consist of seventy-two regiments, and de
tailing the organization; wheu the Senate
proceeded to discuss the establishment of
provisional governments in lately rebellious
States.
HOUSE.
Resolution was adopted asking for infor
mation as to w 11at idtate deposits of money
had beeu made, and the dates and amounts
of such deposits, The credentials of Hon.
J. A. Goodwin, of Arizona, were presented
arid be was qualified A resolution direct
ing the Secretary of War to suspend the
.sale of property at Point Lookout, Md.
was passed. The House then discussed the
bill incorporating the National Protection
Homestead Company, which was tabled.
The bill regulating the terms of the District
Court for Maine passed. The bill extending
suffrage in the District of Columbia was ar
gued. A bill was introduced granting lands
to Western Virginia for railroad purposes,
and another asking for a navy yard on the
Patuxet river, Md. A memorial relative
| to the French exposition was referred.
Thursday. Jan. is.
SENATE.
The Committee on Commerce reported
the House bill to extend the time for the
withdrawal of goods from bonded ware
bouses; also a bill authorizing the construc
tion of a telegraph line between New York
and the West Indies. The Committee o n
| Territories reported a bill for the admission
'of Colorado as a State. The resolution of
, Mr. Ilowe, providing for the appointment
| of Provisional Governors for the southern
i States was then taken up and was discussed
; at length by Messrs. Nesmith and Wade,
the latter replying to the speech of Mr.
; Doolittle made on Wednesday. No action
was taken; however. A bill granting to
Mrs. Lincoln the franking privilege during
her lifetime was passed unanimously,
HOLI.SE.
The Committee on Agriculture reported a
bill extending the time for States to accept
the grants of lands for agricultural colic?'
purposes. Postponed for one week. Th
.Judiciary Committee reported, with amend
ments, the bill providing for a uniform sy>
tern of bankruptcy throughout the l~nited
States, which was made the special order
for the 30th inst. The Committee on claims
asked to be relieved from the consideration
of all claims from the rebellious States grow
ing out of the destruction and damage or
appropriation of property by the nnv and
navy, while engaged in the suppression of
the rebellion. The committee say that tl;
amount of the property destroyed cannot
be stated, but any attempt to idemnify the
numerous class of claimants would require
more money than the revenue of the nation
could at any time satisfy. Mr. Lynch offer
ed a resolution that all vessel- once Ameri
can, whose national character has been
changed, or placed under a foreign flag or
register, should be treated as foreign-built
vessels, and never a train be allowed ar>.
American register. Referred to the ( m
uiittee on Commerce. The considers!
of the bill to extend suffrage in the Di-u
of Columbia was then resumed. A motion
to lay on the table was negatived. Yea- -Id,
nays 123. A motion to postpone until :1K
first Tuesday in March was also disagreed
to. Also a motion to recommit the bill to
the committee on Judiciary. The bill was
then passed as originally introduced by Mr.
Kelley. Yeas 116: nays 54.
Friday. Jan. 19
SENATE.
Bills were introduced limiting and restric
ting the fees of agents and attorneys in pre
paring and collecting .-oldiers' claims against
the Government, for the payment of offie -
of colored troops who performed services
in the grade of commissioned officers lie
tween date or appointment and must':
which wore referred. Mr. Doolittle pre-eir
ted the credentials of William Marvin. S u
ator elect from the State of Florida. After
some debate, they were laid upon the tabf.
The bill to enlarge the powers of the Freed
men s Bureau was taken up and discussed.
The amennment confirming the titles t
lands granted under General iSheruian's or
der at Savannah for the three years was
adopted. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
A resolution was adopted, calling on the
Secretary of the Treasury to report the ap
portionment of national bank notes which
has been made on the States. The naval
appropriation bill was discussed in Commit
tee of the Whole. A proposition to enlarge
the Portsmouth navy yard was discu--ed,
but voted down. The consideration of die
President's Message was resumed, but im
conclusion was arrived at. Adjourned.
LECISLATIAE PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 15. 1866.
Bills were presented incorporating sever
al companies, which were referred; also, to
organize the police force in .Schuylkill coun
ty: a general railroad law for the formation
of a more perfect union between Pennsylva
nia and her sister States, and. supplemen
tary to an act establishing the House of Ref
uge. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Rills were read inflicting a penalty lor
the manufacture of fireworks in Phil'a.
for the improvement of the condition of
prison and almshouse inmates, and allowing
flour to be shipped to foreign port- with
out tiity .tuition of the State inspector. A
resolution was referred setting forth that
treason was a crime deserving death, and
that the people demand the speedy trialand
capital punishment of Jeff Davis and his
fellow-conspirators. Adjourned.
Haurisbvrg, Jan. 16. 1866.
SENATE.
A number of unimportant hills were pre
-i-nted. A resolution was offered instruct
ing the Committee on Railroads to altopta
more liberal policy by reporting a general
law for the organization of" roads, to devel
op the State, and declaring that the scheme
of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad
ought to be encouraged. After much dis
"cussion it was postponed. Adjourned.
HOI'SE. '
A bill was introduced to pay a bounty to
veteran volunteers, who have not received
any bounties. Adjourned.
H.VRRISBT'RG, Jan. 17. 1866.
Roth Houses were in session yesterday,
but nothing was done except the reading in
place of a few hills of limited or private in
terests.
Harktsw-RO, Jon 18, 1866.
SENATE.
The usual number of pri\ ate bills were
presented and referred. The e<intested-elee
tion case of McConavrghy vs. Duncan was
called up, and decided in favor >f the for
mer; he then took bis seat. The hill mak
ing Washington and Beaver counties a sep
arate judicial district was jmsscd.
house.
A hill was presented allowing the banks
to charge seven percent, intcre- A spec
ial session was ordered to be held on Tues
day next, to consider resolutions in refer
ence to the death of President 1/noln. A
resolution to close the hall of the House on
Sui day was laid on the table, Itc-olutiOns
were passed returning thanks to General
'Grant. Adjourned.
Harrisbi rg, Jan. lti 1866.
SENATE.
The chief object of interest in the Senate
proceedings was the visit of the two Indian
chiefs, grandsons of Rod Jacket and Corn
plantcr, 6f the Seneca Indians, win came
to make a statement in reference r< land
which they claim had been given to their an
cestor, Uornplanter. The Speaker received
them with a short speech, and the chief re
plied. His remarks, found ni the U'gisla
tive record; are couched in the usual phra
seology of the Indian. Both spoke their
native language, and communication was
only through an interpreter. Their pet -
tion was referred t-o the Committee on
Claims. A resolution was adopted appro
prioting fire hundred dollars to the Indians,
part of which will be expended in erecting
a tombstone over the grave of Cornplanter.
No other important business was done. Ad
journed.
The House was not in session yesterday.