i&i lljujtiifyt IS PUBLISHED KVERY FRIDAY MOENINO, BY J. R. fiIRBORROH ,ISD JOh? LI'TZ, ox JULIANA St., opposite the Mc ngei House BEDFORD, PENN'A. TERMS: $2.00 a year if paid strictly in advance. If not paid within six months S2.RO. If not paid within the year $3.00. ATTORNEYS AT LAWT J* M'n. SH.VRPE E. P. KERR. SHARP i KERR. A TTORNE YS-A T-LA V. Will practice in the Courts of Bedford and ad joining counties. All business entrusted to their care will receive careful and prompt attention. Pensions, Bounty, Back Pay, Ac., speedily col lected from the Government. Office on Juliana street, opposite the banking house of Reed & Schell, Bedford, Pa. mar2:tf Jso. H. Pll.mil J. T. Khagy. 17IILLER A KEAGY ; Have formed a partnership in the practice of the law. Attention paid to Pensions, Bounties and Claims against the Government. Office on Juiiana street, formerly occupied by Hon. A. King. aprll:'6s-*ly. JOHN PALMER, Attorney at Law, Bcillorcl, I'a,. Will promptly attend to all business entrusted to his care. Particular attention paid to the collection of Military claims. Office on Juhanna st., nearly opposite the Mengel House.) june 23, '65.1y JB. CESSNA, ATTORNEY AT LAW, Office with JOHX CESSNA, on Pitt st., opposite the Bedford Hotel. All business entrusted to his care will receive faithful and prompt attention. Mili tary Claims, Pensions. Ac., speedily collected. Bedford, Jane 9,1885. J. E. DCRBORROW JOHN LUTZ. DURBOKROW A LUTZ, JITTORJVEYS .IT L.9W, BEBFORD, PA., Will attend promptly to all business intrusted to their care. Collections made on the shortest no tice. They are, also, regularly licensed Claim Agents and will give special attention to the prosecution of claims against the Government tor Pensions, Back Pay, Bounty, Bounty Lands, Ac. Office on Juliana street, one door South of the 'Mengel House" and nearly opposite the Inquirer o gi cc , April 2?, 18S5:t SPY M. A LSIP, ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFOCR, PA., Will faithfully and promptly attend to all busi ness entrusted to his care in Bedford and adjoin iug counties. Military claims, Pensions, bap A pay, Bounty. Ac. speedily collected. Office with Mann A Spang, on Juliana street, 2 doors south of the llengcl House. apll, 1864.—tf. TA. POINTS. ATTORNEY AT LAW, BR.NPJNN, PA. Respectfully tenders his professional services to the public. Office with J. W. Lingeu'oltcr, Esq., on Juliana street, two do rs South of the "Mengle House." Dec. 9, 1564-tf. KIMMELL AND LIXGENFELTER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. BF.UFORII, PA. Have formed a partnership in the practice of the Law Office on Juliana Streot, two doors South of the Mengel House. aprl, 1864—tf. J" OHN MOWER, ATTORNEY AT LAW. BEDFORK, PA. April 1,1864.—tf. ___ poriSTS. C. S. HICKOK J- G. XINJFICS, JR. DENTISTS, BEDFORD, PA. Office in the Bank Building, Julian" Street. All operations pertaining to Surgical or Me chanical Dentistry carefully and faithfully per formed and warranted. TERMS CASH. jan6'6s-ly. DENTISTRY. I. N. EOWSER, RESIDEST DENTIST, WOOD BERUY, PA., will spend the second Monday, Tues day, and Wednesday, of each month at Hopewell, the remaining three days at Bloody Bun, attend nir the duties of hi 3 profession. At all other iiiies he can be found in his office at Woodbury, excepting the last Monday and Tuesday of the same month, which he will spend in Martinsburg, Blair county, Penna. Persons desiring operations should call early, as time is limited. All opera ions warranted. Aug. 5,1864,-tf. FHYSICIMS. WJM. W. JAMISON, M. Lb, VY BLOODY RUN, PA., Respectfully tenders bis professional services to the people of that place and vicinity. [dec-clyr P. H. PENNBYL, M. D., (late Surgeon 50th P. V. VA BLOODY BUS, PA., Offers his professional services AS Physician and Surgeon to the citizens of Bloody Bun and vicin ity. declrlyr* R. B. F. HARRY, Respectfully tenders his professional ser vices to the citizens of Bedford and vicinity. Office and residence on Pitt Street, in the building formerly occupied by Dr. J. H. Hofius. April 1. 1864— ff. JI„ MARBOURG, M. IX, , Having permanently located- respectfully tenders his pofcssional services to the citizens of Bedford and vicinity. Office on Juliana street, opposite the Bank, one door north of Hall A Pal mer's office. April 1, 1864 tf. HOTELS. BEDFORD HOUSE* AT HOPEWELL, BEDFORD COI.KTY, PA., BY HARRY DROLLINGER. Every attention given to make guests comfortable, who stop at this House. Hopewell, July 29, 1564. ~BASKERS. C. w. Rl-pr O. r. SHANNON F. BENRDICT RUPP, SHANNON & CO., BANKERS, BF.DFORD, PA. BANK OF DISCOUNT AND DEPOSIT. COLLECTIONS uiado for the East, West, North and South, and the general business of Exchange, transacted. Notes and Accounts Collected and Remittances promptly made. REAL ESTATE bought and sold. apr.15,'64-tf. JEWELER, V JOHN REIMUND, CLOCK AND WATCH-MAKER, in the United States Telcpraph Office, BEDFORD, I'A. Clocks, watches, and all kinds of jewelry promptly repaired. All work entrusted to his care warranted to give entire satisfaction. [nov3-lyr DANIEL BORDER, PITT STREET, TWO DOORS WEST OF TIIE BED FORD HOTEL, BEBFOKD, RA. TCHMAKER AND DEALER IN JEWEL ■ RY. SPECTACLES, AC. He keeps on hand a stock of fine Gold and Sil ver Watches, Spectacles of Brilliant Double Refin ed Glasses, also Scotch Pebble Glasses. Gold Watch Chains, Breast Pins, Finger Rings, best quality of Gold Pens. H# will supply to order any thing in his line not on hand, apr. 28, 1865—zz. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. JOHN MAJOR, ~ JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, noPKWELt., BEDFORD COIXTY. Coilcctions and all business pertaining to his office will be attended to prompt ly. Will also attend to the sale or renting of real estate Instruments of writing carefully prepar ed. Also settling up partnerships and other ac counts. Apl '6l—tj. Q YES! O YES! The subscriber having taken out Auctioneer's License tenders his services to all those who de sire an auctioneer. All letters addressed to him at Bedford will reach him, and receivo prompt at tention. MARTIN MILLBURX. Bedford, Pa., March 2:3 m. -', , , BURBORROW & LUTZ Editors and Proprietors. THE CROOKED FOOT-PATH. Ah! here it is, the sliding rail That marks, the old remembered spot— The gap that struck our school-boy trail, The crooked path across the lot. It left the road by school and church, A penciled shadow, nothing more, That parted from the silver birch, And ended at the farm-house door. No line or compas traced its plan; With frequent bends to left or right, In aimless, wayward curves it ran, But always kept the door in sight. The gable porch, the w.oodbine green,— The broken millstone at the mill, — Though many a roadway stretched between, The truant child can see them still. No rocks across the pathway lie,— No fallen trunk is o'er it thrown— And yet it winds, we know not why, And turns as if for tree or stone. Perhaps some lover trod the way With shaking knee and ieaping heart— Aud so it often runs astray With sinuous sweep or sudden start. Or one, perchance with clouded brain, From some unholy banquet reeled, — Aud since our devious steps maintain His track across the trodden field. Nay, deem not thus—no earth-born will Could ever trace a faultless line: Our truest steps are human still, To walk unswerving were divine! Truants from love, we dream of wrath, 0, let us ever trust thee more! Through all the wanderings of the path, We still can see our Father's door. [O. W. HOLMES. SCHOOL GIRLS. Merrily bounds the morning bark Along the summer sea, Merrily mounts the morning lark The topmost twig on tree. Merrily smiles the morning rose The morning sun to see: And merrily, merrily greets the rose The honey-sucking bee; But merrier, merrier far than these Who bring on wings the morning breeze, A music sweeter fhan her own. A happy group of loves and graces, Graceful forms and lovely faces. All in gay delight outflown: Out flown from their school room cages, School-room rules, and school-room pages Lovely iu their teens and tresses, Summer smiles, and summer dresses, Joyous in their dance and song, With sweet sisterly caresses, Arm in arm they speed along. EDITORIAL CONVENTION. Pursuant to a call issued some time since, a Convention of Editors of the Union party in the State, met at the Joues House at four o'clock, Tuesday, March 6th, 1866. The following editors were present : E. S. Durban, Courant, New Castle, Law rence county. J. M. Knester, Journal, New Castle, Lawrence county. J. A. Hiestand, Examiner and Journal, Lancaster. T. T. Worth. Courier, Lebanon. J, M. W. Greist, Daily Express, Lancas ter. Jacob Ivnabb, Journal. Reading. R. M'Devitt, Journal and American, Huntingdon.. W. A. _ Rupert, Record and Courier, Conncautville. F. 11. Baldwin, Daily and Weekly Tele graph. Cony City. E. W. Capron. Bulletin , Williamsport. J. M. Weakly, Herald, Carlisle. . H. M.Jenkins, Herald . Norristown. H. T. Darlington, Intelligencer, Doyles town. George Bergner, Daily Telegraph, Harris burg. E. B. Moore, American Republican, West Chester. J. H. Seheibley, People's Advocate, New Bloomfield. Geo. Washington Fcnn, Register, Ly kens. W. W. M'Alarny, Journal, Couders port. M. H. Cobb, Agitator, Wellsboro'. Lucius Rogers, Miner, Smithport. H. H. Wilson, Sentinel, Miffiintown. J. J. It. Orwig, Telegraph, Mifflinsburg. 1). H. B. Brower, American. Danville. 11. Bart Jeffries, Western Hemisphere, Tyrone. J. R. Durborrow, and J. Lutz, INQUIRER. Bedford. B. Bannan, Miner's Journal, Pottsvillo. H. B. Masaer, American , iSutibury. Samuel Young, Banner, Clarion. John C. Harper, Commerci<d, Pittsburg. John Bilger. Tribune, Middleburg. Col. John W. Forney and J. RobleyDun glison. Press, Philadelphia. On motion of Dr. Brower, a committee of seven was appointed to prepare business to bring before this meeting. The Chair named Messrs. Brower, Darlington, Geist, Forney, Batman, Moore and Knabb. It was moved that the meeting resolve it self into a permanent association. Carried. It was moved that a committee of three be appointed to bring forward laws and reg ulations to govern the association. Carried. The Chair named Messrs. Jenkins, Young and Cobb. On motion, adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, at the State Capi tol. ON WEDNESDAY MORNING. Convention met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. J. W. Hiestand in the chair. The fol lowing additional names were placed on the rolls : John T. M'llhenny, Star, Gettysburg. Hiram Young, True Democrat, York. L. H. Funk. Miltonian, Milton. Emanuel Wilvert, Ann Jean, Sun bury. D. K. Wagner, Republican. M'Connells burg. S. 11. Miller, Dispatch, Mercer. The committee on resolutions made the following report, which was unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, We have an abiding faith in the principles upon which the great Union party of the loyal States twice elected Abra ham Lincoln to preside over the destinies of' ' the nation, and upon which that lamented A LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWSPAPER, DEVOTED TO POLITICS, EDUCATION, LITERATURE AND MORALS. patriot and statesman so successfully carried the Government through the most trying ordeal to which any people were ever sub jected; Ajid whereas, These principles were fully accepted and endorsed by Andrew Johnson, in lus acceptance of the nomination to the second office in the gift of the American people by which he affirmed that the founda tions of our Government should be fixed "on Srincipies of eternal justice which will en ure for all time;" that in the reconstruction of the rebellious States "treason must be made odions and traitors punished',—that the men who voluntarily gave their means and influence to destroy trie Government, should uot.be allowed to participate in the great work of' reorganization, and that the traitor even 1 'forfeited his right to vote with loyal men when he renounced, his citizenship and sought to destroy our Government," therefore. Resolved , That in the future, as in the past we will adhere to these principles, be cause we regard them as those only which will "fix the foundations of our government on the principles of eternal justice, which will endure for all time." Resolved, That ours being a republican form of government deriving its powers di rectly from the people, it is the duty of all loyal citizens to sustain their Senators and Representatives in Congress, and that while in this crisis, wo counsel moderation, we will give them our hearty support in a fair and faithful discharge of their duties to the loyal people of the " nation. Resolved, That we have full confidence in the integrity, patriotism and descernment of Congress, who have faithfully labored to maintain what we believe to be the true in terests of the loyal people of all States, that they alone have the right to determine the question of reconstruction of the States lately in rebellion, and to judge of the qual ifications of members asking admission to either branch. Resolved, That it is the imperative intent as well as the duty of every nation to protect its labor, which creates the wealth and adds to the grandeur of the country. We, there fore, earnestly call upon Congress to so ad just the present tariff that it will protect our different branches of industry, and at the same time, yield its proportionate reve nue to the coffers of the Government. Resolved, That we would earnestly re commend to Congress such a change in the rates of the present tarriff, in connection with interest taxation, that will give ample protection to all branches of American indus try, and thus remove the question as far as possible from legislation, which always un settles business and deters investment of capital, by authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to increase duties to a certain per centage whenever our importations are ex cessive. until our exportations exceed the importations, thus adopting a sliding scale, which will secure an equality of trade with other nations, and keep our coin at home as a basis for resumption when it is prudent to do so without unnecessarily contracting our currency, or disturbing the business of the country. Resolved , That inasmuch as the influence of the press depends largely upon the liber ality, dignity and impartiality with which it may be conducted, we earnestly urge upon our brethren of the Republican press the importance of upholding the character of the profession, and establishing its position as the instructor and leader of the people. REPORT. The following officers were elected on per manent organization. PRESIDENT. Benjamin Banuan, of Pottsvllle. VICE PRESIDENTS. E. W. C'apron, ofWilliamsport;S. Young of Clearfiejd; Col. T. T. Worth, of Lebanon. SECRETARIES. John Lutz, of Bedford; E. B. Moore, of West Chester. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. H. M. Jenkins, of Norristown. TREASURER. J. A. Heistand, of Lancaster. Our motioned, adjourned. SPEECH of Hon. G. W. HOUSEHOLDER OF BEDFORD COUNTY. On a Resolution relative to a more uni form system of Revenue for Camnion School purposes, delivered in the Sen ate of Pennsylvania, January 17, 18GG. Mr. Householder offered the following joint resolution, which was read : Resolved, That (if the House of Repre sentatives shall agree) a committee of three shall be appointed from each body, whose duty it shafi.be to report, by bill or other wise, a more uniform system of revenue for common school purposes, and such other im provements in the system as they may deem to be necessary. Mr. White —Mr. Speaker, this resolution seems to contemplate a radical change in our common school system, and as it is a subject affecting us all, I would be very glad to hear from the gentleman from Bedford what the resolution contemplates before I vote upon it. Mr. Householder said : Mr. Speaker : In regard to this subject, I must confess that I feel considerably inter ested, and it seems to me proper to offer a resolution of this character, in order to get a special committee for this special purpose. 1 have always been of the opinion that a standing committee never feel disposed to give their attention to a question of this character —to a question of such importance as I claim this to be. Again, sir, 1 observe by the Constitution of the State that all measures creating rev enue must emanate in the popular Branch of the Legislature. I conceive that a special committee could | better prepare the bill and adjust the system j and then present it properly to the other j branch of the Legislature. As the Senator from Indiana,(Mr. White) has asked for reasons why I introduced a resolution of this character, and why I wish a reform in the financial condition of the school system, I shall beg the indulgence of the Senate while I give some of my reasons. As this seems to be a new question, one which has not before been agitated in this Senate, at least for years, it may be well to state my reasons for introducing this meas ure, which I shall endeavor to do in as few words as possible, compatible with the im mense importance of the subject at issue; and I shall beg the indulgence of this 'Sen - ate whilst I give a few of the reasons that induced me to move in the matter. 1 must profess, sir, that my feelings and inclinations, engendered by a long and close intimacy with the common school system of our State, have created a love within my breast for its prosperity and ultimate suc cess in the great work of education and ele vation of the masses, which no defeat in the law, or management in its administration, can abate. And 1 would further say, in this connec tion, that whilst I admire the noble philan thropy exhibited by the founders of our common school system, in placing within the reach of every child in the Common- BEDFORD, Pa., FRIDAY, MARCH 33, 1866. wealth the means to procure a liberal edu cation, I regret much that, thafin that ear ly day , when it would have beej more easy to have obtained the great objeft at which I am, the equity of the system ras not duly considered. I believe, sir, that the commoe school sys tem of Pennsylvania, and of theloyal north, originated in a desire to elevtte the stan dard of education and the general diffusion of knowledge among the masse* of the peo ple, irrespective of their individual ability to pay. That in doing so, ignonce might be dispelled—the rich am poor, the high and the low —the noble ind she ignoble might be made to stand ipon one common platform, according to the severel intellec tual capacities which their Creator had im planted within them. What a noble idea! Anl how consonant with the great and gloriogs principles of free government, as enuncited in the sec ond paragraph of the Decoration of Inde pendence. i "That all men are created equal—that they are endowed by their Cre-wr with cer tain inalienable rights—that unong these are life, liberty and the pursut of happi ness. '' 1 believe furthur, sir, that thi moral and political status of the America! people is mainly due to our system of com*on schools. That just in proportion to its dfieiency in the several States of the Union, >o has been the marked character and intellectual attain ment of their sons and daughter in the va rious pursuits and avocations oflife. It is singularly true, that the boundry of com mon schools has marked the h'vntbiry of treason in the late rebellion, for ji treason's land common schools, with thor popular system of education, were unknovn. But, Mr. Speaker, it is not mj inteution to pronunce a eulogy upon tfc common school system, but to point out jome of its defects, and, if possible, effect a remedy. There is scarcely a system devisql, perfect in all its parts and operations, at the time of its adoption; but most systems improve by age. It is unfortunate, in this instance, i and whilst in many particulars, I idmit, our common schools have improved in efficiency and have beon accomplishing nnch good, nu>rt, vastly more than could have been ef fected by any other system of education, yet I firmly believe we have been receding from the original intentions of its Founders, as clearly expressed in the seventl article, first section, of our organic law, which says: "The Legislation shall, as soon as conve niently may be, provide by law for the es tablishment of'schools throughout the State, in such manner that the poor may ce taught gratis.'' Now, sir, I submit that if thus action in the Constitution of our State proves any thing at all, it proves right the reverse of what has obtained in the financial workings of our common school system ever since its adoption in the year 1834. The language used in the latter clause of the section is so explicit that no one can for a moment doubt the original intention of the Legislature, and of the people in ratify ing the same—' 1 That the poor may be taught gratis." Let us inquire now, is our present system a common school system, financially consid ered, and are the poor being taught gratis ? The twenty-eighth section of the act of 1854 provides : "That the school directors or controllers of every district shall annually, and by the votes of not less than a majority of the mem bers of the board, determine the amount of school tcuc which shall be levied on their dis trict for the ensuing year, which shall, to gether with such additional sums as the dis trict may be entitled to receive out of the State appropriation and from other sources, bt sufficient and necessary to keep the schools of the district in operation, not less than four nor more than ten months in the year. It will certainly not be disputed that our noble State is one vast community; that there is a common interest and a common sympathy pervading every sectiofi; that our social and political system embraces all class es and extends to the mutual benefit and ad vantage of all her people. We contract debts, and devise means for their liquida tion, by a system of State taxation, in pro portion to the ability of her citisens to pay, in order that the burdens, as well as the blessings of free government, may be natu urally borne Dy all. If this be just in one instant, why should not the same equity be extended to the common school system, especially when it is so explicitly taught in the Constitution? It is manifest that an unjust discrimina tion is made in the section I have just quo ted, between wealth and property, compel ling "each district to levy its own lax," and at the same time fixing its term without any regard to the ability of its inhabitants to pay. _ If a district, perchance, happens to be wealthy—having a rich and populous com munity—with a highly cultivated soil, it will not feel the burden of taxation, in con sequence of its aggregation of wealth, and the absence of poverty. But when poverty stares a district in the face; when the topo graphy of the country forbids the presence of highly cultivated fields; when the inhab itants are compelled to subsist and rear their families upon nature's scanty stores, with which she so sparingly decks the fields of many of the townships and counties of this State—it is then, sir, that the inequali ties of the system are felt, and it is there, too, that the common school system has ob tained its unpopularity, and that with a reason. Permit me, Mr. Speaker, to appeal to the philanthropy of this Senate, and ask the question: Is it just—is it equitable—that poverty should be compelled to support and educate poverty, whilst wealth ana influence are eased of its burdens ? Is the moral right to educate the poor of one section of our Siate less obligatory upon the wealthy tax payer of a different section, than upon the man of means inhabiting the localities of poverty itself ? I hold not, sir. It is said, that "charity commences at home" I admit it; but that does not release her from the obligation of extending her aid to the remotest bounds, and the most ignorant and benighted regions of our Commonwealth. There is a common charity and a common duty to be performed, and how can it be more laudably done than in educating and elevating our system of common schools throughout every section of the State? The question may now be asked, how is that best to be done? By what system of laws can the grand object of universal educa tion be best promoted and made conform to the spirit of our organic law? I answer, evidently by a uniform system of revenue for school purposes; a system, whilstit is not oppressive upon any portion of our people, will greatly mitigate the burdens of the poor. Under our present law there is no unifouiity save in the particular district to which it solely applies, each one being independent of the other, and each compelled to keep open her schools without the mutual assistance and co-operation of its immediate neighbor, rich and populous through that district may be. Is tnat right? Is it equitable? Other States have moved in this impor tant matter, and many of them, seeing the inequalities of the system, have effected rad ical changes in their laws, all ten/ling to this uniform system of revenue; and it would bo much to the discredit of our noble State, if her Legislature, seeing the inequalities of her system, would fail to profit by the ex perience of others and reap the advantage the}' now enjoy. As the subject of reform has engaged my attention for some time, I would here re mark, that during the past year I have en deavored to obtain all the information possi ble concerning the various systems in opera tion in many of the States most noted for the efficient and successful management of their common schools. Through my corres pondence with several of the distinguished educators of New England, New York and Ohio, I have been able to obtain their school reports, and in several instances their digest of laws and other valuable papers, detailing the internal working of their several sys tems. In addition to that, I have had the the extreme pleasure of a personal interview with the very able and efficient Superinten dent of Common Schools for the State of Ohio, the Hon. E. E. White, at tiis office last summer, when passing through the cap ital of Ohio. The information 1 received on that occasion was of the most satisfactory character, and which convinced me that the laws regulating the financial condition of the common school system in that State were far superior to those of Pennsylvania. I also had frequent interviews with gentle men of large experience f.'om various sec tions of the country, during the sessions of the Teacher's National Convention, which met in this city last August. The knowl edge I obtained, on tbese several occasions, from gentlemen who have devoted their whole time and attention to the improve ment and perfection of their various schools systems, I conceive to be most valuable. Were it not extending my remarks en tirely too long, Mr. Speaker, I would detail to some extent at least, the internal opera tions of the school systems of several of those States. Suffice to say that, whilst I admire the pToficiency to which the common schools of New England generally haveattined. and would hail with delight tne day when Penn sylvania shall have arrived at that advanced state of literary anl scientific attainment in her common schools, I cannot think at this time we could safely adopt their systems; and whilst in most instances there seems to be great uniformity in the collection and distri bution of their school funds, they are never theless, so complex, and at the same time so expensive, owing, probably, to the ;?u --purahundancc of their irreducible school funds, that Pennsylvania, without a provi sion of that character (which, to the discred it of our national representation, years gone by, be it said, failed to secure for us) could not at this time safely adopt. I confess, sir, that lam better pleased with the financial workings of the common school system in the States of New Pork and Ohio. And although there is consider able differance in the laws regulating the school funds in these two States, they never theless seem to have the same grand object in view, viz: The alleviation of the burden of taxation from those who are least able to bear it —and at the same time dispense the blessings of a free and liberal education up on all classes and conditions of their people by a system of uniform and equitable taxa tion. The laws regulating the collection and distribution of taxes in the State of New York provide that there shall be levi ed upon the assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the State a tax .of three-fourths of one mill to the dollar of said valuation, which, in conjunction with the United States fund, (a small annuity derived from the sale of the public lands, under the distributing act of Congress, a few years ago,) she is enabled to keep open her schools a minimum number of months, by a uniform system of distribution, wherein one-third of said school revenue shall be di vided equally among the whole number of schools in the State; and the remaining two thirds, alter deducting and defraying the ex- Eenses of the system for the year, shall also e divided equally ameng the schools, accor ding to the whole number of children in the State between the recognized school ages. The laws creating revenue for school pur poses in the State of Ohio, are three fold in their character —and, to me, it would seem for wise reasons. When Ohio was yet a territory, their dele gates to Congress, forseeing the advantages that must accrue to her offspring by provid ing a basis upon which a liberal system of education might be founded, secured to the State of Ohio a reservation of one section of land in each township in the State for educational purposes. The procoeds aris ing from the sale of this land is called irredu cible school fund, and applied exclusively to the support of common schools. Secondly, by the act of 1854, they provid ed a State tax for school purposes similar to that of the State of New \ orlc, which, a niended by the act of 1862, only requires a tax of one and three tenths mills upon the dollar, of the assessed valuation of the State, which, in conjunction with the interest aris ing out of the iireduciblc school fund, cre ate a revenue generally sufficient to keep open the schools in the State a minimum term of six months a year. And third and lastly, the law also provides for a school or district system of revenue by which a tax is created for building pur poses, and all incidental expenses relating to the schools in each district and its manage ment, and for such additional cost of instruc tion as may either be necessary to keep open theschoolsthe minimum term of months re quired by law, of such additional length of time, under the maximum, as the majority of the directors shall decide. Now, Mr. Speaker, you will readily per ceive the many safeguards that are thrown around the Ohio school system, by which poverty, wherever found, is made to feel the benefits of a common school education, without grevious and oppressive taxation, whilst at the safiie time due provision is made that each school must be kept open, at least, a minimum number of months, under forfeiture of all money acerueing to it according to the division of said funds a mong the whole number of .scholars residing within the State, and within the school a e- A system so uniform m its character, as either of the two I have just sketched, can not fail to become popular in any community and if applied to our present excellent sys tem of instruction, as practised in many por tions of this' State, and especially in the city and county of Philadelphia, would at once so popularize our common schools, especia ly among the masses, that our State would at once take rank as the most popular sys tem in the land. But I have extended my remarks already too long. I trust, sir, that I have sufficient ly answered the inquiries of my friend, the Senator from Indiana, and this Senate, of the propriety of passing my resolution, cal ling for a special committee for the purpose named. But before I close, permit me to ' exhibit, respectfully, for the consideration VOLUMES®: *0 12. of this Senate, a tabular statement of the operations of our present school system, in a succint and ■jomprehensible form, wherein the inequalities, irregularities and opprese eive character of the system are readily per ceived. I have taken occasion, in this cal culation, to take counties as they are arrang ed alphabetically, and generally selected, at random, two or more townships or school districts in each county, based upon the cal culation, showing the disparity existing be tween the sevenu districts in the same coun ty I have also predicted a system, which, by way of distinction, I have denominated "Revucd System," as estimated upon the basis of two mills to the dollar valuation, upon the real and personal property of the State, and about ten per cent of the gross receipts annually coming into the Treasury. This sum, taken collectively, will at anytime net over and above all the expenses of the department, collection of tax. &c., a school fund of at least one million six hundred thousand dollars, which, equally divided a inong the whole number of scholars within the school age, viz: seven hundred and nrre thousand nine hundred and thirty, accord ing to the school report for the year LSt>4. will give to each scholar, per month, forty five cents, or two dollars and twenty-five cents for a minimum term of live months' tuition, paying an average of twenty-four dollars and eighty cents per month to each teacher. In the first five columns of the subjoined table I get fourth the workings of our school system, calculated from the school report for the year 1864, and the sixth column ex hibits the fact what each county or district in the State as the case may be. would entit - led to receive from the State Treasury for school purposes, under the proposed system (Here follows the tabular statement which wc omit.) Now, Mr. Speaker, I am afraid I have al ready trespassed too long upon the patience of the Senate. I have but to say in conclu sion, that 1 only ask a candid and impartial consideration of this question. I think, sir, that it is worthy of it, and that the course 1 have taken in raising a special committee to digest a bill, will most likely acomphsh the purpose. I trust, sir that I have sufficiently given my reasons and that this Legislature will see the propriety of the measure. Mr. IJigham. Mr. Speaker, 1 have no doubt of the inequalities referred to by the Senator, (Mr. Housholder,) but I doubt very much whether during the term of any of us— unless we are re-elected once or twice —the system proposed by him will be adopted. It is not necessary to say that such a sys tem would equalize the burden to a certain extent. The poorer counties would be benefitted, but our friends from Philadelphia may be very well satisfied that they would not find their financial interests advanced by the propposed change. But without now going into that matter, what I propose is, that as wo are going to have a financial com mittee to revise our revenue laws —board composed of three State officers, who meet next month —I would suggest, whether or not this joint resolution might not be amen ded so as to have the committe act in con nection with the board of State officers, who are to revise the revenue laws. 1 am more intimately acquainted, on ac count of our proximity, with the school sys tem of Ohio than with that of New York. It is true that the systorn of Ohio, in refer ence to the valuation, assessment and collec tion of taxes, is largely in advance of ours. For example: Ohio, in general terms has over eleven hundred millions dollbrs of property upon her assessment books. The amount in Pennsylvania, as fixed by the last revenue board, is six hundred millions in round numberti. I presume there is no per son here who doubts that the Commonwealth is worth two and a half times what it is as sessed. Ido not believe there is a county in this Commonwealth that is not worth two and a half times what it is assessed. My own county is certainly wrote more than that -—I will not say how much. The question is, could we not vastly improve that? lam in favor of the proposition recommended by the State Treasurer. I received a note from the State Treasurer last night, stating that he is not well, but he hopes to be hereby the middle of next week and I think that the joint committee, in connection with the board of State officers, might act on a more general scale than what is proposed here. In reference to the particular system of schools advocated by the Senator from Bed ford, (Mr. Housholder,) I think that would be so radical a change that there is no hope of its adoption this year certainly. Philadel phia has so far as the whole city is concerned what my friend proposes to extend to the State. Pittsburgh, also, has that same sys tem. Some twelve years ago, when that was made the system of the city, we had a great fight in the old wards against the new —the new wards being more largely benefit ted by the introduction of the system than the old, in consequence of the "number of children in the new wards. I have no doubt the mountain districts will be largely benefit ted by this change. I would suggest to the Senate that instead of the reform being confined to the school system, that this joint committee be directed to inquire into what improvements can be made in the revenue system of the Common wealth generally. If the taxes are taken away there would then be no motive for under valuation. We have, under the old assessment system the oaths of over three thousand persons, and you can hardly make the English langu age stronger in reference to the oath and du ties of assessors and revising boards than they now are. that they shall appraise pro perty at a cash valuation and yet there is not a Senator on this floor who cannot select out instances where the assessment is not one tenth the value of the property assessed. I think I have presented the subject so that the Seuate can understaud iny idea. I was not aware that the subject in this form would be introduced, and have nothing prepared upon the subject. I only offer some general suggestions. I suggest wh ' her the Senate had not bet ter strike out the part of the resolution which bears upon the common school system alone, and apply the resolution to the revenue sys. tem of the Commonwealth. I think now is the time, when the com mittee can act in connection with the intelli gent gentlemen who have charge of the State finances.—Some of their terms will soon expire and then we cannot have their experience. I suggest, this amen-'merit to the Senate. Mr. White—Mr. Speaker. I have only a word to say. I always listen with great re spect and with groit interest to the remarks of the Senator wl.o has just taken Iris seat, up on any question of finance. I have the ! most implicit confidence generally in his j opinions upon that subject, and i think there is uo Seettor upon this floor who does not entertain the same sentimeut. His head seems to be foil of statistics, and f > >■ to bejust the kindof ainan th rod upon a committee in the re vis; up ul the reve 1 nue aysi mof the Commonv .itb. I make these remarks sincerely, because I! feel them, and I agree with him that it is RATES OF ADVERTISING. All advertiwsnciiu for lens than 3 months 10 cents per line for each insertion. 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It seems to me that it may be necessaiy to get up a special committee on that subject, who may sit during the recess, composed of members of the legislature, or otherwise, as may be deemed best. But it appears to me that the committee need not millitate against the committee ap pointed under the resolution of my friend, the Senator from Bedford (Mr. Househol der. The interests of the school system are sufficiently great to engage the attention of a committee such as is contemplated, and I apprehend that the action of that commit tee may be submitted to the Legislature for their information ; and there is no reason why the action of that committee, and the committee appointed upon the general reve nue revision, may not harmonize. I'ou will infer from the remarks of the Senator from Bedford that it is an extensive subject, and I think the action of a commit tee would relieve the labor of the Senate to a great extent. For these reasons I am in favor of the res ( olutions of the Senator from Bedford, and trasttheennmittee asked for will be ap ! pointed. Mr. Householder.—Mr. Speaker, it may be necessary to reply to a few of the remarks of the Senator from Allegheny (Mr. Big ham)*! thought when the idea first occurred tome, of a revision of the common school system and ot its financial condition, that we had better unite the two objects as sug gested by the Senator from Allegheny; but upon more mature consideration, I perceive that the subject is too great, too complex, and that we cannot harmoniously blend them ! together and bring out a perfect and elabo rate system. The system I have proposed, I must con fess, does not meet my entire approbation, but it is the best that I could devis? and pre sent iu a tangible form before the Legisla ture. I think ty taking the good of the system of New England, Ohio, New York and else where, and rejecting that which does not suit us. we can perfect a system in its de tails which would be superior to that of any of the systems in tbi.- country. The plan I have suggested does not con template perfection. Myideawili secure entire uniformity, but I have suggested that it is. not as equitable r irougbout all the country as I should pre fer. I think that r: committee appointed for this special purpose would be preferable. The revision of the sehool system and tin general revision of the revenue laws, which the Senator from Allegheny contemplates, would be a very great task for one com mittee. I think there had better be two com mittees appointed, one for this special pur pose and another for that general revision, and let the two committees harmonize aud co-operate together, if necessary. I think by an interchange of opinions between the two eommttees they could gpt up something that would meet the approbation of the Senate upon the common school system, and also upon the revenue system. I have examined both to some extent and perceive, I think, thiee different plans of adjusting, or partly adjusting, the defects in the school system, contingent upon the revision of the revenue: but, of course, they are all based upon the same general idea, but I cannot think tnat the general revision of the reve nue system and of the sehool system by the same committee would be preferable. As the Senator from Allegheny, Mr. Big harn has referred to the city and county of Philadelphia, permit me to make one remark. 1 bad theextreme pleasure of visiting the board of control of Philadelphia a few weeks ago. and I must say of those gentlemen thit, I met a very cordial recep tion indeed. They very kindly gave me all the formation in their possession. Their reports and their assessments, and whatever pertained to the general management of their school system. The revenue which supports the school system of the city of Philadelphia is derived from a general fund and is distributed equitably throughout all the schools of the city of Philadelphia. This is what I desire for the State at largo. I want an equitable system extended to the whole State of Pennsylvania, that no one portion of the people will be oppressed by taxation. . Mr. Champneys.—Mr. Speaker, I have listened with great satisfaction to the re marks upon this subject, and I have no ob jection to the committee which the Senator from Bedford (Mr. Householder) suggests. It is a subject which is, of course, dear to me The common school system should shed its light into every heart in the land—not of the poor alone, but of all classes. This is the great beauty of the system. There are inequalities in the present sys tem, but whether they can be remedied or not is another question. It is an experiment and therefore I would be satisfied with the resolution. But my friend, the Senator from Alle gheny, (Mr. Bighaiu,) wants to launch into a general revenue system, and, upon a revis ion of our finances and start with new project I presume. Such a course may involve us in increased taxation and lam not prepar ed for that. Now as to con) missions. I think that wo have had commissions enough upon that subject. We have Had a commission to re vise the revenue laws. I read a report of the commission with care and commended it almost from beginning to cad. It was for altering everything, and I do not think would be of any benefit to the TV■■■ssury of the stte daatis my judgement al that ooiniuissi .n. ihe juan they pr* ft would rather in crease taxation. I rise, not to object to •• re vision pf the common school system, i n merely to olyect to being set to sen. without chart or compass upou an expedition to -..arch a new revenue system. It would require the committee to sit at least six months to review the revenue laws of other States and r. yV. our awn. I would therefore oppose 100 prom>;,j4wi /. the Senator from AH'v.liCm.v, '(Mr. Bfahdui ,*) but shall vote f>r the re.-oration ot the Sui:;.<- tor from Bedford (Mr. flou.-cbe Idfir.) Mr. Bingham.'—Mr. Speaker. I mcvlv made * sugg-.-t.oB, and instead of prop--jug to increa-e the Uixatioa, I proposed Tic tax ation at all lor Stat,.; purposes. I pfiored no ninendu'ftui- ty uq resolution and (io rot ea.: about miy. Icm perfectly wnhiig tnar tric S •rtm fion; Bedford shall feavtf hi- eeuihftttw. At the end of ten year;, tucre urn,, ho perhaps sou:* system like that vvhjcn ue- propos .> adopted in ref erence to onr COBJJU. IH schools, but he will -.1 it siow work. I think he will be .re-elec ted at least three times as I Pope he may fee from his own Senatorial district by the time ho secures this change. The resolutions of Mr. ! louseholJer worej then adopted.
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