Bebforb Inquirer.
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY FKB. % 1866
Ot R COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
NUMBER V.
A remedy for some of it defects.
With so great a diversity of surface, soil,
climate, density of population, &a, as ex
ists in our State, to obtain exact uniformity
and equality of educational advantages, is
practically impossible.
But a much nearer approximation, than
is obtained by the present system, is cer
tainly attainable. The plan we propose for
obtaining such approximation, and equaliz
ing taxation is as follows; viz : First by a
system of general aud equal taxation
throughout the State, to obtain a fund suffi
cient to defray the expenses.of instruction
aud keep open the schools a minimum term
ot four or five months, at the average sala
ries of teachers for the whole State, leaving
the present system of taxation iu force, for
the purpose of raising a building and con
tingent fund, and keeping open the schools
as much longer than the minimum term as
each district, for itself, may deem expedient.
Second, to distribute this general fund
among the various districts according to the
number of schools in each, instead of, as at
preseat, according to the number of taxa
bles. Since writing article No. 4, we have
received the speech of Mr. Householder, in
the State Senate, in favor of a revision of
our common school system, also the school
report of 1863- We shall avail ourselves
to some extent, of the labors of Mr. House
holder, by making use of his statistics. By
a laborious calculation he has ascertained
that a tax of two mills to the dollar upon
the valuation of the real and personal prop
erty of the State and about ten per cent, of
the gross receipts annually coming into the
State Treasury, a school fund of at least
$1,600,000.00 can be obtained. This near
ly equals the cost of instruction lor the
whole State in 1864, for an average of 5.53
months' school at an average teacher's sala
ry of $22.79, and by the proposed method
of equalization would be obtained at a rate
of taxation 1.27 mills less than the average
rate for the whole State in 1864. This is a
general system of taxation such as we have
had in view, and at the proposed rate
would secure a minimum term of at least
five months to each school in the State at
the average teacher's salary lor the State, of
$22.79. Thus far we agree. In the mat
ter of distribution we differ radically not
only from Mr. Householder but also from
the suggestion of Mr. Coburn our present
excellent State Superintendent. They both
propose a distribution per capita, according
to the number of scholars. That this
leaves the distribution as uncertain and une
qual as that according to the number of tax
ables, must be evident to every one at all
familiar with either school or census statis
tics, as the proportion of children to adults,
and of adults to taxable* under ordinary cir- j
uumstances is nearly the same, and every I
variation, produced by this method, from 1
the results of the present one, is as likely to
aggravate as to ameliorate the present ine
quality and injustice. After a careful ex
amination of this point, we are constrained
to adhere to our own proposition, as first
made, to distribute the fund according to
the number of schools. This we believe to
be the only method by which any near ap
proximation to equality of taxation and uni
formity of educational advantages can be
obtained. The chief objection to this i
method would be its tendency to unneccssa- I
rily increase the number of schools; this we !
believe would be entirely obviated by re- i
quiring each school district to provide for
building and contingent expenses by local
taxation. This would doubtless be a suffi
cient check upon an undue multiplication of
schools. We will now endeavor to give a
few additional reasons, why we deem our
plan the more likely to accomplish the de
sired result. At first thought it would ap
pear that the present method of distribu
tion according to the number of taxable*
ought to produce the result desired, and it I
was doubtless intended so to do at its adop
tion, but on a careful examination it will be
found that its failure results from well es
tablished laws of population and its effect
upon the value of property. These are,
that as population increases the value of
property increases, and that as the density 1
of population increases the average cost of j
education per scholar decreases, while the
reverse of both these takes place where
population decreases, that is, the value of
property falls while the average cost of edu
cation increases; thus in Bucks county, we
find the average cost, per month, per capi
ta, is but 43 cents while in Forest county it
amounts to $2.12 or more than five times as
much as in Bucks. These differences in
cost arise from the fact that in densely pop
ulated districts each school has the maxi
mum number of scholars, perhaps 70 or 80,
that a single teacher can successfully in
struct. but in the sparsely settled districts it
often becomes necessary to have schools
where, by reason of distance and bad roads,
there will be but 15 or 20 scholars at most,
yet there must be such schools or a large
portion of the children of the State be left
without the means of obtaining even the
most elementary education. This single
ease will fully exemplify the utter impossi
bility of arriving at any near approxima
tion to equality by Mr. Householder's sys
tem. Taking his own figures we find For
est county would get but $690.75 when the
actual cost of instruction in 1864 for four
months was $1,242.00. Thus by his distri
bution she would get but two months
school Bucks county would get $35,566.-
50 where the cost of instruction in 1864 for
8.28 months was $47,924.92. Ilere we sea
the rich county of Bucks would receive
from the State an amount sufficient to keep
her schools open 6 months at the average
salary of teachers for the whole State,
while the poor county of Forest, though
paying precisely the same rate of tax as
Bucks, would only get sufficient to keep her
schools open 2 months. Does this look
like equality ? Ah uno disce onutai. This
is probably an extreme case, but the same
general principles prevail throughout the
State and render any system based upon
population, whether of children, adults, or
iaxabies. objectionable and incompetent to
produce any near approximation to the de
sired equality. By the method we pro
pose. of distributing according to the num
ber of schools, the f 1.60U,000.00 would
give to each of the $i2,506 schools in opet
ation in 1864, if 127.32 enabling each tokeep
open 5. 14(months with the average teacher's
salary of $32.79. This would give Forest
county $1,782.48 and Bucks $32,657.58
and enable each to keep its school open the
same length of time while bearing the same
rate of taxation.
This wc lelieve to be the nearest approx
imation possible at present to the true spirit
of our common school system. With this
view of the subject wc shall await the ac
tion of the legislature, with the hope of
seeing it acknowledge the true and funda
mental priuciple of our school system, and
make the richer portion of the State assist
in providing for the education of the poorer,
instead of as heretofore making the poor
assist iu supporting the rich.
JIDtiE KINGS DECISION.
Iu another column will be found the decis
ion of Judge King on the deserter's vote in
Franklin county. The point, on which he
sustains the motion to quash the petition, is
that the Federal and State constitutions both
provide that ,I No man shall be deprived of
life, liberty or property, unless by the judg
ment of his peers or the law of the land."
With the highest respect for Judge King s
legal ability, as well as his personal merit, we
cannot, but think that in this case he has al
lowed his personal aversion to the discharge
of a disagreeable duty to bias his jndgment.
The act of Congress, disfranchising deserters,
certainly does Dot deprive them of life, liber
ty or property. But it is in the nature of
outlawry and authorizes similar proceedings ;
in fact almost exactly follows the proceedings
in similar cases provided, by the laws of Eng
land as well as those of our own State.
When we remember that outlawry is only
resorted to where the criminel can not be ar
rested and brought to -trial and punishment,
and that this was the precise case of the de
serters, the absurdity of requiring thetn to be
arrested and tried by a jury of theirpeers is at
once apparent. The Judge askes "is there
any dearer right than the elective franchise
and is that left entirely without protections?
Which may be answered by asking, is there
any greater crime than treason and shall it go
unpunished? However much we may admire
Judge Coulter's " I am a citizen of Pennsyl
nia:'" we very much prefer the "talismanic"
words "I am an American citizen."
SHALL THE WHITE TRAITOR
VOTE AND NOT THE LOYAL
BLACK ?
"Judge King has decided that persons
who evaded the draft or deserted from the
military service of the United States are
legal voters. This is just what the Demo
crats claimed them to be. How bitter a pill
this decision must be for those Abolitionists
to swallow, who bellowed so loudly against
the reception of "Skedaddler's votes" at
the last election."— Bedford Gazette, Janu
ary 26, 1866.
It was entirely a work of supererogation
for the Gazette to tell us that its party
claimed deserter votes to be legal. We
learned this significant fact during the late
campaign. But we do not intend to discuss
this matter at present, we design to contrast
with the above a second quotation from the
same issue. In speaking of the Republi
can delegation in Congress from this State
who voted for Negro Suffrage in the Dis
trict of Columbia, the earnest, ardent, and
zealous supporter of the right of traitors to
vote, who controls its columns, thus relieves
himself of the last month's accumulation
of bile:
"Let those names be banded down to the
latest posterity, on the roll of everlasting in
famy, as those of traitors to their race, ene
mies to their country, and breakers of the
law of God. which separates sociallly and
politically the white and black people."
Reader, which do you think is entitled to
vote ? Do you think that the traitor "who
evaded the draft, or deserted from the mili
tary service of the United States," to or
ganize resistance at home; to shoot at our
enrolling officers; to burn the property of
Union men; and to encourage others to de
sert is entitled to all the rights that you
are ? And, if he is, do you not think that
the honest colored man, who voluntarily
entered the army and gave all his assist
ance to crush the rebellion is also entitled ?
If the traitor, the curse of his country and
his children's shame, shall have a vote why
shall not the patriot "by all his country's
wishes blest." have the same rights? Will
the Gazette tell us why a traitor should vote
and not the patriot ?
leg*' We would call the special attention
of our readers to the letter of General An
drew Jackson on the importance of protec
tion to our home industry, which we pub
lish in another column. The British man
ufacturers and their allies, the free traders.
I are making a vigorous effort just now to
I reestablish the old free trade system and to
destroy our manufacturing interests once
j more. Tins letter written at a similar cri
] sis in our national affairs is peculiarly ap
| plicable to our present circumstances and
will be read with the deepest interest by the
| admirers of Old Hickory, in both parties.
THE WOOI.KN MANUFACTURE.—The re
port of the Secretary of the National Asso
ciation of Wool Manufacturers, states that
returns were received up to the 25th of
October of 917 woolen mills, with 4.100 sets
of cards and a weekly consumption of scoured
wool of 2,225,545 pounds, of which 1,619,
0,,s pounds were domestic, 61 3,497 pounds,
or 28$ per cent foreign wool; 550 pounds,
scoured wool is the weekly average per set.
Of 624 woolen mills DO statement has been
j received. From the official report of the
I nited States Tax Commissioners, the wool
en manufactured in the United States for
the year ending June 30, 1865. was sl2l
-
THE STATE OF COLORAHA.—WiIIiam. J.
Harden, a colored citizen of Colorado, tele
graphs to Washington from Denver that
negroes had the right of suffrage in that ter
ritory until 1864, when they were deprived
of it by a law signed by Gov. Evans, and
that the admission of Colorado at this time
would render their disfranchisement perpet
ual. He contradicts, moreover, the avsser
tion made in the East, that the enabling
act has been complied with, especially that
part which requires the constitution to ac
ord with the principles of the Declaration
of Independence.
THE Interior Department has just issued
to the State of lowa a swamp land patent oF
upward of 30,504) acres. The Land Office
is actively engaged in bringing the work tQ I
a close for that State.
Legality of the Deserter Vote.
The following is the opinion of Judge King
in the wise of Howe vs. Stenger, delivered in
the court of quarter sessions of Franklin
county on the 16th inst, in which be decides
that deserters cannot be disfranchised with
out conviction by due process of law. Of
the three points raised by the defence, he
decides bur one, as that governed the case,
leaving the questions as to whether the law
is ex post facto aud as to the power of Con
gress to regulate suffrage in the States,
undetermined. The ease will go the Supreme
Court in May next. We subjoin the opin
ion:
This case comes before us on the petition
of twenty or more of the qualified electors of
the county of Franklin, complaining that
W. S. Stenger was not duly elected to the
office of District Attorney; that the election
was undue, and D. Watson Rowe was duly
elected to said office.
The respondent has filed a motion to quash
this petition for the following reasons:
1. Because said petition was not filed
within ten days after the election for said
office of District Attorney, held on the 10th
day of October, 1868.
2. Because said petition was not tiled un
til after the time of swearing the said \Y. S.
Stenger into office had expired, nor until he
was in fact sworn into said office without any
objection being made.
3. Because the said petition is too vague,
indefinite, and unprecise to entitle it to a
hearing.
4. Became it does not appear that, if all
that is stated upon the face of the petition
is proved, the result of the election would
be changed, or that the court would be com
pelled to declare the election an uudne elec
tion.
5. Because even if it be true that the alle
ged persons named in the petition were
deserters from the military sei vice of the
United States, and that they did vote foi
the said William S. Stenger, still said per
sons were qualified electors of Franklin
county and this commonwealth, notwithstan
ding anything in the act of Congress of
March 3, 1865, entitled "an act to amend
the several acts, heretofore passed, to pro
vide for the enrolling and calling out the
national forces and for other purposes."
The first reason a-rigned has not been
pressed, and hut little stress has been laid
on the second by the counsel for the res
pondent; and the views we are about to sub
mit on the principal question in the case,
as presented by the fourth and fifth reasons
render it unnecessary to express any opinion
upon the third reason assigned We come,
therefore, to consider whether the votes of
v.'urtis Dulepon, George Miller, John Tal
iieltu and Abraham Sheeley were illegal, on
the ground that these voters had been draf
ted into the military service of the United
States, and had failed to report to the Pro
vost Marshal of the 16 th District of Pennsy
lvania, composed, in part, of the county of
Franklin.
The counsel for the respondent make three
points:
1. That the election laws of this common
wealth aie exclusively within the complete
and absolute control of the State authorities
and cannot be modified or changed by Con
gress.
2. That the act of Congress of 3d March,
1865, so far as relates to all persons drafted
into the military sen-ice of the United States
prior to the passage t hereof, is an ex pott
facto law and therefore unconstitutional and
void.
3. That even if the act be constitutional
the voters referred to in the petition could
not be disfranchised, without hearing and
trial according to the law of the land.
The first and second of these points in
volve questions of very grave importance aud
require time for their investigation; aud
having arrived at the conclusion that the
provisions of the act of Congress cannot be
enforced in this case, for the reasons we shall
presently state, we express no opinion in re
gard to them.
That Congress has power to punish deser
tion or refusal to report when drafted, or j
for evading the draft by leaving the jurisdic
tion ot the United States, we entertain no
doubt: and no punishment that can lawfully |
be inflicted for such offences cau be too severe
These are crimes against the country of the
most dangerous tendency, and admit of no
palliation and excuse; and it was on account
of this very enormity, that we hold that no
man can justly and lawfully be deemed guilty
ot them, until such guilt has been judicially
established. No man can be deprived of
life, liberty or property unless by the judg
ment of his peers or the law of the land.
But the Federal and State constitutions
guarantee this fundamental right to every
citizen. Have these safeguards been provi
ded, in the organic law of the Federal and
State governments, for no purpose? Is there
any dearer right than the elective f anchise,
and is that left entirely without protection?
\\ e can best answer these pregnant ques
tions by que ting the eloquent language of
Justice Coulter, in the case of Brown vs.
Hummel, 6 Barr, 91: "The talismanic words,
I am a citizen of Pennsylvania, secures to
the individual his private rights, unless they
are taken away by a trial, where he has an
opportunity of being heard, by himself, his
counsel and his testimony, more major/urn,
according to the laws and customs of our
fathers, and the securities and safeguards of
the constitution. Sir Edward Coke defines
the meaning of the words, by the lau: of the
land. —for they were used in Magna Char
ta, and have been sprinkled with the tears
and blood of many patriots— to Ire a trial by
due course and process of law: * * *
It is against the principles of liberty and
common right to deprive a man of his pro
perty or franchise , while he is within the
pale of the constitution aud with his hand
on the alter, without hearing and trial by
the course aud process of Idw.
In another part of the same opinion he
speakes of the right of suffrage as the most
important of all a man's franchises, and
asks "who does not feel its value, and who
hut would turn pale if he thought he couid
be deprived of it with out a hearing or t ial,
lhese fundamental principles of civil liberty
cannot be overlooked or disregarded by the
courts, to which we all look for protection
without seriously imperiling the safety of
the people- It is a thousand times better,
therefore, that Mr. Rowe should lose the
office he claims, lhaD that his right thereto
should be declared by trampling under feet
the sacred right to which we have just ad
verted. that no man shall be condemned
without an opportunity ot being heard in
his own defence.
For the ieasons we have thus hastily and
imperfectly presented, we sustain the mo
tion to quash the petition.
THE FREEDMEN OF MARYLAND.—Sena
tor Creswell has received a number of let
ters from different parts of Maryland, sta
ting that the freedinen, even in that State
which pronounced in favor of emancipation,
are constantly and brutally attacked by the
returned rebels, and are in such imminent
peril of their lives that the Freedmen's Bu
reau, tinder military protection, must be
maintained. It i* expected that he will
give to the public this important correspon
dence. In us we are every day newly ad
monished of the necesssity of maintaining
the stronghold of national authority even in
the border States.
R. BUCHANAN READ, the painter and
poet is being urged at Washington for a for
eign mission.
COLT'S great pistol factory is readv once
more for operation. It was partially de
stroyed by fire some time since.
A NEW territory is about to be created
from the vast region of country lying west of
Arkansas.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2(J, 1866.
SENATE.
A joint resolution extending the time for
the completion of the Bur ington <!t Missou
ri railroad was passed. Ihe bill for the ap
pointment of pension ago ts by the I'rcsl
dent was taken up and pa -sed. Mr. Stewart
gave notice thai on Wednesday next he
would call up a bill for tl o administration
of Colorado. Mr. Truinl nil called up the
bill to enlarge the powers >f the Freediuen's
Bureau. Mr. Cowan offt ed an amendment
restricting the operations f the Bureau to
the States lately in rebellion. M. Trumbull
said this would exempt from the operations
of the bureau the States cf Kentucky, Mis
souri, Delaware and Man laud. Mr. Guth
rie contended for the exemption ofK nitucky
from the operations of tb bill. No vote
was taken. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House was not in s ssion. having ad
journed until Monday.
WASHINGTON . Jan. 22. ISO 6.
SENATE.
The Committee on the condition of the
late rebellious States reported a resolution
proposing an amendment ro the Constitution
which provides that representatives and di
rect taxes shall be apportioned according to
numbers, but where persons are disfranchis
ed ou account of race or color, all such per
sons shi.ll be excluded from the basis of rep
resentation: which was luid over for the
present. The bill in relation to the qualifi
cation of jurors was takei up and discussed,
and then postponed until Thursday. The
resolution to refer the paj ers and documents
on the subject of the representation of the
lately rebellious States to the Committee
on Reconstruction, was passed. The bill
for the enlargement of the powers of the
freedinen's bureau was ; aken up. An a
niendment to restrict its operations only to
the States formerly in rebellion was not
adopted. A proposition o abolish military
jurisdiction met with a lil e fate. An exec
utive session was held. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Bills were introduced lor the defence of
the Northeastern frontier to regulate elec
tionsin the District of ( olunibia; to pre
vent the passing of counti feit United States
money; for the establishu ent of a navy yard
on the Deleware river; gi inting pensions to
the soldiers of the war of 1812; to prescribe
an oath of office for the admission of the
State of Colorado into he Union, all of
which were referred. M Stevens offered
a resolution, which he )■ ibsequently with
drew, to instruct the Con uittee on Foreign
Affairs to report upon he expediency of
granting a loan to the K( public of Mexico,
to enable her to prevent the establishment
ofa ni'inarchical governn .nt on her soil.
Mr. Williams offered a resolution calling
for the immediate trial bj court martial of
Jeff. Davis and other hading men of the
late rebel government. Y resolution pro
posing an amendment to the Constitution,
makiug the Chief Just) -e of the United
States the legal successoi to the chief mag
istracy if both President and Vice Presi
dent should die or unable to act, was refer
red. A series of resolute ns declaratory of
the status ofthe Souther i States, was of
fered and referred. An -olution congratu
lating the President on his refusal to accept
a present of a carriage ai d horses was of
fered, but no definite action was taken. A
resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution was offered see Senate) in re
gard to representation. The matter was
discussed at length. Ad curried. The de
bate will be continued to day.
WASIHNGTOI . Jan. 23. 1806.
SENATE
A bill was introduced io amend the act
for the relief of seamen and others on the
books of vessels lest at se; . which gives of
ficers of the navy ind mai iue corps compen
sation, not to exceed one month's sea pay,
for personal effects lost at sea, provided that
no loss prior to April, 1861, be paid. It
provides, in addition, th: t the bounty mon
ey paid to any seaman or marine, when en
listing. be deducted from his prise money.
The bill to meet the expenses of collecting
soldiers' claims against the Government
was reported. An amen Iment to the bill
for the admission of Col< rado as a State,
sets forth that it would not take effect, ex
cept upon the principle tl at all persons there
should be equal before tin law. An amend
ment to the sale of po.-tage stomps and
stamped envelopes on credit were reported;
it stated that if it should become expedient
to change the style of postage stamps, the
Postmaster General be authorized to so
modify t he present contract as will allow the
contractors a sum sufficient to cover the the
expenses of manufacturing. Ordered to be
printed. A petition from the artisans of
the country for the adopt on of the eight
hour system was referred to the Committee
on Naval Affairs. A petition from the cit
izens of Alleghany co M P i., asking for the
relief of the -ufferers by the recent explo
sion of the Alleghany ar.-enal, was referred.
A protest from the California Legislature
a gainst the survey and saie of mining lands
of the United States wa- printed and refer
red to the Committee on Public Lands. A
protest from the citizens of St. Lawrence
county New York, against the renewal of
the reciprocity treaty w; s referred to the
Committee ou Finance, the Military Com
mittee reported against he sale of public
property ut Point Lookoi t, which was for
the present suspended. The bill to enlarge
the powers of the freed) l en's bureau was
then taken up, pending the discusion of
which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Committee on R construction wore
instructed to report upon the expediency of
authorizing the taking of a census of the
1 nitod States during th lire sent. year. A
series of resolutions were < nercd and referred
declaring that the Unite 1 States Govern
ment was formed by the people, and not by
States as such; and that the doctrine of
State rights is subversive of all governments.
By an act of secession the States forfeit
their rights and privileges, and the territory
formerly controlled by them reverts to the
Government. The resolution also declares
that Texas should beset apart for the color
ed population. The amendment in relation
to the apportionment of direct taxes and
representation was taken up and discussed
until the hour of adjournment.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24. 1800.
SENATE.
A joint resolution was offered proposing
an amendment to the Constitution proh bit
ing payment by the United States, or any
State, for or on account of the emancipation
of any slave or slaves, nor for debts con
tracted in aid ofthe rebellion against the
National Government; referred. Samuel J.
Kirkwood was sworn in as a Senator roni
lowa. A petition from citizen® of Colorado
was presented, asking that the Territory he
admitted as a State, but with the word
' white st ricken from her constitution; also,
another asking that the right of suffrage be
extended to women. A resolution wa3 a
greed to, instructing the Committee on the
Judiciary to inquire and report what legis
lation is necessary for the protection of loyal
citizens whose property was confiscated by
rebels. 'lhe bill to enlarge the scope cf the
freedmen s bureau was token up. An un
successful attempt was nu de to nullify the
title to the Sea-island lauds, given Dy Gen
eral Sherman to the negrtes. Several other ( .
dilatory amendments were made, and all
negatived. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill was introduced giving soldiers of
tbe war of 1812 increased pensions. Also, a
bill granting additional bounties to the sol
diers of 1861 and '62. The joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the Constitution
in regard; to apportionment of representa
tion, was taken up and discussed at great
length. The House adjourned without
coming to a conclusion on the subject.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25. 1866.
SENATE.
The bill relative to the sale of postage
stamps on credit was reported. A bill was
introduced abrogating the charters of the
cities of Washington and Georgetown, and
investing the government of the city in a
commission to be appointed by the President.
A petition was presented Asking for such
action as shall prevent States from making
any distinctions in civil rights on account
of color or race. The bill to restrict the ex
pense of the collection of soldiers' claims
was willed up and discussed without result.
The bill to extend the powers of the freed
uien's bureau was taken up, debated, and
passed; yeas 37, nay 10. An executive ses
sion was held. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Twenty-five thousand copies of the reports
of Generals Grant and Schurz on the South
ern States, were ordered to be printed. A
resolution was adopted requesting the Com
missioner of agriculture to communicate to
the House the amount of revenue received
and disbursements made by his bureau
since he took charge of the same. The
Committee on Commerce were instructed to
report upon the propriety of renumerating
owners of property thrown overboard or
otherwise destroyed at sea in order to pre
serve human life in case of shipwreck. The
Committee on the District of Columbia
were instructed to report a bill excluding
room suffrage in the District all parties who
have voluntarily borne arms against the
United States. A resolution was adopted
asking for information whether any employ
ees of the Government who could not take
the oath were required to give bonds, and
whether the sureties were liable for breach
thereof. The discussion of the suffrage a
mendment was resumed. No vote was tak
en, and the House adjourned without com
ing to any action.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26. 1866.
SENATE.
A bill was introluced to provide for the
improvement of certain harbors in Ohio;
referred to the Committee on Commerce. A
resolution was submitted directing the
Committee on Finance to inquire into the
expediancy of providing by law that bank
directors, who were organized under the
authority of the United btates laws, should
give bonds for the faithful performance of
their duty. A resolution instructing the
Committee on Pensions to inquire iuto the
expediency of providing for the payment of
pensions to the widows of enlisted men
employed as artificers, was agreed to. It
was ordered that when the Senate adjourned
it adjourn until Monday next. The House
bill for the extension of time for the with
drawal of goods for consumption from pub
lie store-houses, was called up and passed.
A resolution was introduced and adopted,
instructing the Committee on Commerce to
inquire into the expediency of appropria
ating one thousand dollars for erection of a
post office and custom-house at Topeka,
Kansas. A bill to amend an act entitled an
act for the relief of seamen and others, borne
on the books of vessels wrecked or lost in
the naval service, was called up. The bill
was passed as reported by the Naval Com
mittee. A discussion on the appointment
of Provisional Governors in the Southern
States then took place, pending which the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
A petition of ten thousnad citizens and
soldiers of the United States for the equal
ization of bounties to soldiers who served in
the suppression of the rebellion, for an in
crease of pensions to disabled soldiers, their
widows and orphans, and reminding Con
gress of the feeling of the public in favor of
confiscation of the lands of the rebels and
their donation to the soldiers was presented.
A report from the Committee on Elections
stated that Alexander H. Coffroth, who has
the certificate of election for the Sixteenth
congressional district of Pennsylvania, has
pnnin facia the right to the seat from that
district, and is entitled to his seat. A re
port from the minority of the Committee
stated that W. H. Koontz is entitled to his
seat. The reports lie over for future con
sideration. A resolution was introduced
and passed directing the Committee on Mili
tary Affairs to report as to the expediency
of directing the Secretary of War to con
struct a military road from the western
boundary of Minnesot ato the gold fields of
Idaho and Montana; and also, for the pro
tection of the emigrants, to establish milita
ry post along the line of said road. A dis
cussion then took place on the constitution
al representative amendment. Adjourned.
THE LEGISLATURE.
IIARRISBURO, Jan. 23.
SENATE.
A remonstrance against Sunday-ear travel
was presented. A resolution was presented
commending the action of our Representa
tives in voting for the colored suffrage bill,
and requesting our Senators to support and
vote for the measure. The committee ap
pointed at the last session to investigate the
alleged railroad briber}- case (the $30,000
affair) made a long report upon the matter,
which was ordered to be printed. A debate
ensued. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The resolution making appropriation of
I five hundred dollars to the heirs of Corn
planter, and five hundred more for a tomb
stone to be placed over his grave, were
passed. The Indians were on the floor of
the House at the time. An act authorizing
an additional notary public for this city was
passed. In the evening, the resolutions in
regard to the death of President Lincoln
were deputed and eulogies were delivered
upon the distinguished deceased. Adjourn-
HARRISBCRU, Jan. 24.
SENATE.
Petitions in favor of and remonstrances
against the running of Sunday cars were
presented. A memorial of the managers
of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum for an ap
propritlon was offered. A bill was present
ed which provides that as by act of Congress
deserters are disfranchised, and therefore
not citizens of the United States, and so be
ing unable to vote, that any election officer
who receives the vote of such disfranchised
person, or any deserter who attempts to
vote, shall be deemed guilty of a high mis
demeanor and liable to severe punishment.
The Senate then met the House in joint con
vention and afterwards adjourned. (See
House.)
HOUSE.
A bill was presented prescf-ibing eight
hours as the limit of daily labor, the pro
visions of the act to extend only to Phila
delphia. Leave of absence was granted to
Mr. Thomas of this city, on account of au
accident sustained by him on the railroad.
The committee appointed to investigate the
railroad bribery case made a further report.
The Senate entered, and the two chambers
resolved into joint convention, and proceed
ed to count the votes of the late election.
John F. Hartranft was declared elected Au
ditor Genera], and James 11. Campbell Sur
veyor General. A bill was presented for
the relief of citizens of Cnainbersburg,
whose property was destroyed by rebels, in
the invasion. Adjourned.
HARRISBURO, Jan. 25.
I BENATE.
Several private bills were passed. Ad
journed till Monday.
HOUSE.
Joint resolutions were introduced instruc
ting our Senators and Representatives at
Washington to apportion Representatives
according to the whole people not disfran
chised. They were made the special order
for Thursday, February Ist. An act exten
ding the time for presenting military claims
for one year was ordered to a third reading.
An aet authorizing the tax upon mortgages
to be deducted from the tax upon the real
estate upon which the mortgages is secured
was lost. A resolution to print a number
of copies of the resolution and proceedings
relative to the death of President Lincoln
was defeated. A bill to amend the revenue
laws of the Commonwealth was presented.
A copy of the joint resolutions in regard to
the death of President Lincoln was ordered
to be forwarded to Mrs. Lincoln. Adjourn
ed.
HARRIHBURG, Jan. 2f'.
SENATE.
The Satiate was not in session, having ad
journed until Monday.
HOUSE.
The resolution, ordering four hundred
copies of the speeches, resolutions, etc., of
the House, in regard to the death of Presi
dent Lincoldj which was defeated onThurs
dry, was again called up and passed. Peti
tions for and against Sunday travel were
presented. A number of bills were pass
ed, and the House adjourned until Mon
day.
THE TARIFF.
UEN. JACKSON TO DR. COLEMAN.
WASHINGTON CITY, Aprif26, 1824.
SIR : I have had the honor this day to
receive your letter of the 21st inst., and
with candor shall reply to it. My name
has been brought before the nation by the
people themselves without any agency of
mine; for 1 wish it not to be forgotten that I
have never solicited office, nor when called
called upon by the constituted authorities
have ever dee'ined where I conceived my
services would be beneficial to my country.
But as my name has been brought before
the nation for the first office in the gift of
the people, it is incumbent on me, when
asked, frankly to declare my opinion upon
any political or national question pending
before and about which the eountry feels an
interest.
You ask me uiy opinion on the tariff. I
answer that I am in favor of a judicious ex
amination and revision of it; and so far as
the tariff before us embraces the design of
fostering, protecting, and preserving within
ourselves the means of national defence and
independence, particularly in a state of war,
I would advocate and support it. The ex
pedience of the late war ought to teach us
a lesson, and one never to be forgotten. If
our liberty and republican form of govern
ment, procured for us by our revolutionary
fathers, are worth the "blood and treasure
at which they were obtained, it surely is
our duty to protect and defend them. Can
there be an American patriot who saw the
privations, dangers, and difficulties experi
enced for the want of a proper means of de
fense during the last war who would be will
ing again to hazard the safety of our coun
try if embroiled, or rest it for defense on
the precarious means of national resources
to be derived from commerce, in a state of
war with a maritime power which might de
stroy that commerce to prevent our obtain
ing the means of defence and thereby sub
due us? I hope there is not; and if there
is, I am sure he does not deserve to enjoy
the blessing of freedom.
Heaven smiled upon and gave us liberty
and independence. That same providence
has blessed us with the means of national
independence and national defense. If we
omit or refuse to use the gifts which He has
extended to us, we deserve not the continu
ation of His blessings. He has filled our
mountains and our plains with minerals -
with lead, iron and copper—and given us a
climate and soil for the growing of hemp and
wool. These being the grand materials of
our national defense, they onght to have ex
tended to them adequate and fair protection,
that our own manufactories and laborers
may be placed 011 a fair competition with
those of Europe, and that we may have
within our own country a supply of those
leading and important articles so essential
to war. Beyond this I look at the tariff
with an eye to the proper distribution of
labor and revenue, and with a view to dis
charge our national debt. lam one of
those who do not believe that a national
debt is a national blessing, but rather a
curse to a republic, inasmuch as it is calcu
lated to raise around the administration a
moneyed aristocracy dangerous to the liber
ties of the country.
This tariff —I mean a judicious one —pos
sesses more fanciful than real dangers. I
will ask what is the real situation of the ag
riculturist? Where has the American
farmer a market for his surplus product* ?
Except for cotton he has neither a foreign
nor a home market. Does not this clearly
prove, when there is no market, either at
home or abroad, that there is too much la
bor employed in agriculture, and that the
channels of labor should be multiplied ?
Common sense points out at once the reme- j
dv. Draw from agriculture the superabun- '
dant labor, employ it in mechanism and
manufactures, thereby creating a home mar
ket for your bread-stuffs and distributing
labor to a most profitable account, and bene
fits to the country will result. Take from
agriculture in the United States 600,000
men, women, and children, and you at once
give a home market for more breadstuff*
than all Europe now furnishes us. In short,
sir. we have been too long subject to the
policy of the British merchants. It is time
we should become a little more AmmatntZ'
ed, and, instead of feeding the paupers and
laborers of Europe, feed our own. or else in
a short time, by continuing our present poli- j
cy, we shall all be paupers ourselves.
it is, therefore, my opinion that, a careful
ff is much wanted to pay our national
debt and afford us the means of that de
fense witliiu ourselves on which the safety
and liberty of our country depend: and last,
though not least, gives a proper distribu
tion to our labor, which must prove benefi
cial to the happiness, independence and
wealth of the community.
This isa short outline of my opinions gen
erally on the subject of your inquiry, and
believing them correct and calculated to fur
ther the prosperity and happiness of my
country, I declare to you I would not barter
them for any office or situation of a tempo
ral character that could be given me.
I have presented you my opinions freely,
because I am without concealment, and
should, indeed, despise myself if I could
believe myself capable of acquiring the con
fidence of any by means a< ignoble.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedi
ent servant.
ANDREW JACKSON.
RAPID CONVERSION.— The New York
Times of Thursday, says:
We learn from our special Washington
dispatch of last evening that at the Repub
lican caucus of Monday night there was a
majority of two to one in favor of qualified.
as opposed to universal, negro suffrage
The vote of the House, on Thursday,
however, showing a majority of two to one
in favor of universal, against qualified , suf
frage would indicate if the information given
by the Times is correct the most rapid con
version on record. If the Republican mem
bers were two to one in favor of qualified
suffrage on Monday night, they must have
changed their minds in a body between
Monday aud Thursday. Andyet'Mr. Ray
mond did not make a speech in all that time
the thing is inexplicable.— lfittslrurgh Ga
zette.
THIS re-organization of the armies of the
Republic to be be in accordance with a plan
furnished by Gen. Giant, which plan has
been embraced in a bill now before Con
gress.
KX -SLAVEHOLDERS and traitors through
out the South are acting with great brutality
towards aged and iufira negroes, who are a
charge to parishes.
Protection to Southern Royalty.
The Memphis Daily Loyalist states that,
at a remit meeting of old citizen, at Wal
nut Hill Mississippi, resolutions warning
those who did not go into the rebellion to
leave that section of the country at once,
were adopted. A memorial from Nashville
now on its way to Washington, set# forth
that such is the feeling in that State, that
it those who were in rebellion, obtain con
trol of civil affairs, there will be no safety for
loyal men in that State, and that, rather
than this should happen, they would prefer
that the State should remain under, provis
ional. or even military government, for some
time to come. Soon after hostilities ceased
it is well known that open military rule was
relaxed and the civil courts opened; the first
use made of them by pardoned rebels and
sympathizing secessionists was to institute
prosecutions against Union men. and espe
cially against those who entered the military
service of the United States, for damages.
Willing judges and complaisant juries have
been found to award and enforce these claims
It was to put au end to these persecutions
and to protect loyal men from these annoy
ing persecutions that Lieutenant General
Grant issued his order of the I2tb.
There is no doubt whatever that the ha
tred of the men who, living at the South,
remained true to the flag, is more intense
than toward the blacks or the whites of the
North. The manifestation of a disposition
to persecute and hunt down these men is
calculated to increase the difficulties that be
set the work of reconstruction, already suffi
ciently involved. Whether the States are
in or out of the Union; whether they are to
be rebuildedfrom the foundation, or restored
on the old theory that they have simply been
out of their proper relations to the Federal
Government are questions about which loyal
and good men may differ, but there is no
division of sentiment as to what is the plain
duty of the Government toward those who,
through evil and good report have adhered
to it. They will be protected, though civil
government is not restored in the Southern
States during the next twenty years.—Cin
cinnati Commercial.
PENNSYLVANIA COAL.— The amount ol
anthracite ccal mined and sent to market
from Pennsylvania in 1865, was 9,488,396
tons. In 1860 the amount as stated in the
census was 9,397,332. This is a very slight
increase in quantity, although the value has
been greatly enhanced.
A FORT SMITH, Arkansas, paper, says the
price of "poor green lumlier" in that place
is SSO per thousand feet. "And yet," says
the paper, "we have in great abundance the
Itest of timber, including pine upon our river
hanks, and are actually in the greatest c< d
region in the world—in the center of a coal
bed 400 miles in length."
DURING the year 1865 about 125,000,000
letters passed through the Post Office of the
city of New York. The amount of postage
on both letters and papers, was $1,721,579
40; amount received for box rents. $67,786
75; expenses of office. $359,791 71; profit to
Government over expenses, $350,174 22.
jg STATE OF STEPHEN TUCKER, dee'd
The understgned having been appointed by the
Orphans' Court of Bedford county. Auditor to
make distribution of the balauee in the hands of
E. M. Alsip, Esq.. a lui'r of Stephen Tucker,
dee'd., hereby notifies ail persons interested that
he will attend to the duties of his appointment at
his office in the borough of Bedford, on Saturday,
j the 3d day of February, A. D. 1566, at 10 o'clock
A. M S. L. RUSSELL, Auditor.
Jan. 19, 1566.
SHERIFF SALES.
By virtue of a Writ of vend, exponas and
Sundry Writs offi. fa., to uie directed, there will
j he sold at the Court House, in the Borough of
I Bedford, on Saturday, the luth day of February,
j A. IL 1566, at ten o'clock A. SI., the following
| Real Estate, vii:
I A tract of land containing 123 acres more or le.s
j about 60 acres cleared and under fence, with a
twe story log house, and new double log barn
thereon erected. Adjoining lands of John Swarts,
Daniel Davis and others, situate in East Provi
dence township, Bedford county, and taken iD ex
ecution as the property of John Sleightcr.
A I.SO.
One lot of ground in Clearville, fronting 39
feet on Main street and extending back 173 feet
to an alley: adjoining lot of John L. Grove on
the east, and George Weimer on the west, situate
in the town of Clearville. Monroe township. Ised
furd county, and taker in execution as the prop
erty of Isaac Mick feel.
A I. SO.
j One lot of ground (unimprovedj containing 20
I acres, more or less, adjoining land of Noah D;cbl
on the South, and others, situate in Napier town
ship.
ALSO, another lot of ground (unimproved) con
taining ton acres, more or less, adjoining land of
j Joseph Souaer, situate in Napier township, Bed
; ford county, and taken in execution as theproper
j tv of Isaac Flegle.
JOHN ALDSTADT,
Sheriff.
January 19, 1866.
EGISTER'S NOTICE.
AH persons interested are hereby notified that
the following accountants have filed their accounts
in the Register's office of Bedford County, and
that the same will be presented to the Orphans'
Court in and for said county,on Tuesday the 13th
day of February next, at the Court House in Bed
ford, Tor confirmation:
The final account of Adam Weaverling, Adm'r
of the estate of Jacob Weaverling. late of West
Providehce township, dee'd.
The account of Levi llardinger, Adm'r of Jona
j than C. Dickcn. dee'd, who was Executor of the
i last will. Ac. of David Dieken, late of Cnmber
j land Valley tp., dee'd.
The account of Jeremiah Baughmau, Adm'r of
the estate of Jonathan Snider, late of the United
States Army, dee'd.
The account of Frederick Mowry, Adm'r of the
estate of Henry Mowry, late of Juniata tp., dee'd.
The account of Atriel Koontz, Adm'r of the
estate of Charles Koontz, late of Bedford town
ship, dee'd.
The account of James Sill. Adm'r. of the estate
of I'etcr Berkhchner, late of St. Clair tp. dee'd.
The account of J. B. Cessna. Esq.. Adm'r of
the estate of Jacob 11. Orris, late of Bedford twp.,
dee'd.
The account of Andrew B. Snowberger, Adm'r.
of the estate of Polly Replogle, late of S. Wood
berry tp., dee'd
The account of John Zook, Esq., Adm'r. with
the wili annexed of Maria Zook. late of .Middle
Wood berry tp., dee'd.
The account of Edmund S. Blackburn, Adui r.
with the Will annexed of Jos. G. Blackburn, late
of Napier tp.. dee'd.
The account of Jacob Fritz, Adiu'r of the estate
of Matilda Fritz, lute of Juniata tp., dee'd.
The final account of John S. Gf .Tr, Adm'r. of
the estate of Isaac Grove, lata ot Monroe town
ship, dee'd.
The account of Wm. SS. Elder, one f the Ad
ministrators of the estate of Robert Elder, dee'd.
who was guardiau of Charles A Matilda Nicode
rnus. minor children of John A. Nici dcmus,dee'd.
The account of Thomas Jamison, Adm'r. of the
estate of Lawrence Jamison, late of Bedford Bor
ough. dee'd.
The account of Philip Snider, guardiuu of Geo.
W., Leonard N., Eve Ann and John IV. Snider,
minor children of John and Sophia Snider, dee'd.
The guardianship account of Jacob ,o:tg. guar
dian of Nancy Jane, Louisa and Henry Lougcn
ecker, minor children of Mary Longenccker, late
of .Middle Woodbcrry tp., dee'd.
The administration account of Wm. Jackson
Kerr, Adm'r of the estate of Mary Kerr, late of
Harrison tp., dee'd.
The account of Jacob Kcgg, Adm'r <q Rachel
Kcgg. late of Colcrain tp., dee d.
The account of Josiali Mowry, Adm'r of the
estate of John R. Mowry, lato of Union tp., dee'd.
The account of David M. Replogle, Adm'r d'the
estate of Geo. Sharp, late of Middle Woodberry
tp., dee'd.
The second account of Jas. M. Barndollnr, Esq.
one of the Executors of the las' will Ac. of Jacob
Eurodollar, Into of Bloody Run Borough, dc. d-
The second account of Jacob I!. Williams, Esq..
one of the Executors of the last will Ac. of Jacob
Eurodollar, late of Rloudv Run Borough, dee'd.
janlfi O. K. SHANNON. Reg-
VALUABLE PASTURE LOTS FOR
\ SALK, by 0. K. SHANNON,
u-.-v. 17*:4t
SALT.
A LAllUfi quantity—in sanka aud in barrel
tvholtea! and retail—at Bloody Kuu Station.
00t.18,'64-ly JOUK W. BARNDOLLAR.