iictfe Inquirer.
BEDFORD, PA., FRIDAY, FEB. I, 1837.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE
SCHOOL LAW.
YV e srecoived, a few days ago, the first
number of the "Teachers Advocate," en
closing a petition to the Legislature of
1' onsylviuiia, asking the establishment of j
y-tcm Of ccpinT taxation throughout ;!
State, for tie purposo of r a icing a school
fund sufficient to defray the expenses of tu
ition over tlic whole State for a minimum
chool term of not loss than six months,
and that (he fund lie distributed iu propor
tion to the whole uumber of pupils between
ihe age of six and twenty-one years. This
embodies substantially the resolutions of the
recent Bupeijlplncidents' Conventional liar
it burg. Like many well meant efforts of
adibcrative bodies, where time is wanting
to consider and digest the various plans laid
before them for adoption with a view to
ibe attainment of soiue definite purpose, it
aims at a laudable object and proposes some
i) ssures absolutely necessary to the accom
pi: h merit of its design, but it ends with
asking for that, which if granted would
inevitably frustrate tho very object, designed
to be accomplished. As a rule, longer
school terms and better schools are greatly j
needed throughout tho greater portion of
State. X either can be obtained without
•-station of the character above petitioned
sr. but it the general taxation audiimrea.ed
! propriati oil bo granted and the method of
■ iopriatioii made in proportion to the
while number of pupils, it will only nggra
. ate instead of ameliorating present evils.
Asa matter of course this was not the do |
I "ti of the Convention, nor is it the design
oi the petition referred to, but it will be tiie
it. citable result if the legislation thus ask
i iic granted. The mistake is iu the method
oi distribution proposed. By the present
method, there is a discrimination against
the sparsely settled school districts, where
helji is most needed and in favor of the
densely populated districts where it is least
needed. I his evil would be aggravated, by
the distribution in proportion to pupils, just
in proportion to the increased appropriation.
I,very teacher and director knows very well
that, whiic one teacher can with ease teach
fifty or seventy-five scholars, if properly
classified, there are schools required in many
districts where but.' twenty or twenty-five
-eholars can be gathered together. Yet
these twenty-five are entitled to as good
teachers and as long school terms as the
irger schools. By the proposed method
ol distribution the larger school with its one
tea her would receive three times as large
an appropriation as the smaller one though
the cost of tuition in each were the same.
We do not pretend to believe that the con
vention, nor the parties circulating the peti
tions, ever intended to ask the legalization
of such hardship and injustice, but we do j
believe that the great majority of the Con
vention and indeed of Superintendents and
teachers generally are wofully deficient in
their knowledge of the school statistics of
the State and the working of our school
laws already in existence. We can account
in no other way for the contradictory char
acter of these resolutions. It would be a
suicidal act for the friends of education to
- nact such a law. Under its working with
! minimum school term increased to six
months, half the schools of the State would
"-'C closed within the next year. Having
■Lawn up and urged the original resolutions,
uhniitted to the Committee of the Con
-1 ntion, making the distribution in propor
lion to the number of schools, we still be
lieve it to be the best method yet proposed
and most in accordance with the spirit of
our school system. By it each school would
vol the same amount of appropriation, gra
leu schools with several teachers counting
a c-hool for each teacher. Where better
hools or longer terms wore wanted, they
could bo obtained by the present system of
10-.-al taxation, which with building and inci
dental expenses would be a sufficient check
upon the tendency to an undue increase of
IOOIS. It may be objected that this gives i
and small schools the same amount of i
aid from the State, while the larger should |
-civc more, but it must be remembered 1
that the spirit of our system is to assist the !
ii ly, and that the small schools are inva- j
? found in poor and sparsely populated j
lrict ; where help is most needed. As an j
. !u ;ration of the comparative merits oft
: ..'0 three methods herein mentioned we will
' ike two districts in Pike county. Lacka
" . :,en had, in 1866, 703 scholars,ll schools,
paid $1012.00 tuition, paid teachers $23.00
per month, had four months school, and
received a State appropriation of $142.27
or about one-eighth of the cost of tuition.
There was an average of 64 scholars to a
school and the expense of each per month
for tuition was 40 cents. (The proportion of
the State appropriation to the amount rais
ed by local taxation for tuition for the whole
State was about one-sixth, the average cost
per month per scholar for tuition was 72
cents, and the average teacher's salary was
>). 31 1.) The distribution was made in pro
portion to the number of taxablea. If it
had been made iu proportion to the number
of pupils, it would have been 48 cents to
each pupil for the four months or $337.44
or one-third of the whole cost of tuition. If
it had been in proportion to the number of
schools each school would have received
52H.25. and the district $222,75 or about
one fifth of the actual cost of tuition. Pot
ter district had 18 scholars, 2 schools, paid
820-S 00 tuition, paid $26.00 per month to
teachers, had 4 months school and received a
inato appropriation of $9.02 or about one
twenty-third of the actual cost of tuition.
The average number of scholars to each
-hool was nine and the cost of tuition
for each per month was $3.18. If
the distribution had been made in pro
-1 i don to the number of scholars, the dis
til would have received $8.64, or still less
>' - the miserable pittance it got by the
pre tit method. If it had been made in
roportiou to the number of schools, the
appropriation would have been $40.50 or
a? ut one-fifth the cost Of tuition, the same
i - portion Lack a waxen would have reeciv-'
td by the same method. Thus these poor \
ds tricts of Potter county would have re-j
<\ ncd a little more than the average pro-1
pbrtion of State appropriation, which
should be the intend ofos now giving
the larger prSfewtionate amount of aid to
the richer districts of the State- This sin
| gl case shows deafly that a distribution in
proportion to the number of' aehoois would
M>ric even uum 'the
fpt method, and in the event ci' larger ap
propriations rai ed by general taxation, the
evil would be aggravated. A earefjil oiain
ination of' the school statistics of the "State
will -how, that, while the results ofcompar
istms like the Shove wfll not all he exactly
tho same, the gen'SfaT results will approxt
uiato to the above. The subject of the dis
tribution of the State appropriations for
school purposes, is of the highest impor
tanee, and if the appropriations are increas
ed, will become one of the most important
connected wuh our school system, as mo w
directly affecting the prosperity of the
schools. Tu view of its importance it
should receive the careful investigation of
every friend of education. Tho method wo
have advocated, wo believe in practical
working will be found most in accordance
wit h the spirit of our school system. There
will be variations from strict and accurate
equality, but they will be in favor of the
poorer districts where taxes are heaviest,
teachers' wage slowest and the eln-.-lr niovi
inefficient. Tbev will bo in favor of th :
districts which have most need of aid ft -ni
the State ; the very object tho school law
wo i originallv designed to aceomuli-h.
. =
HARKISUIiRCJ CORRESPONDENT L.
H.ißßism ito, Jan. 1 .1807.
It was supposed thnt with the close of th.
late Senatorial contest there would be a lull
in political circles, and that for a year, at
least, there would be a cessation of the trick
ery and wire-pulling which has disgraced our
State tor som- time yast. But scarce!-, h.. .
we emerged from the late struggle until wo
find tho leading politicians laying their plans
and gently scheming for the success of some
body who wants to step into the shoes now
occupied by Buckalew. Quite a number of
names have already been mentioned in con
nection with the Senatorial election to be held
two years hence, but I forbear meutioning
any ot them at present. The public should
know, however, that the Senatorial question
will have much to do with the selection of
candidates for the Legislature next fall aud in
1808. It would be well enough for the peo
ple to be ou their guard, aud require a pledge
from all candidates for State Senator or Rep
resentative to obey the wishes of their con
stituents, and follow their instructions to the
letter when called upon to vote for a U. S.
Senator.
During the last week the Legislature was
in session but three days, aud a considerable
portion of this time was devoted to the con
sideration of the Constitutional amendment
—consequently but little business of general
or local interest was transacted. I give below
a synopsis of such as had special reference
to your locality :
Mr. Stutsman read in place in the Senate,
and presented to the chair, a bill entitled an
act to remit the five per centum penalty to
the county of Bedford, on State tax remain
ing unpaid on the Ist of August, 18C">, and
Ist of August, 18C0. Referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary Local.
Senator White presented a bill entitled a
supplement to an net approved March 27,
18)5, for the better and more impartial se
lection of Jurors, in the counties of Somer
set, Bedford, Fulton, Westmoreland, Juniata
and Perry. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Judiciary Local, and said com
inittee since reported favorably on it.
The Committee on Education has reported
favorably on the act to attach certain lands
and tenements in Bedford township to Bed
ford borough, for school purposes.
A rumor has been circulated in many of
the newspapers of the State, to the effect
that Hon. Andrew G. Curtin is about to re
move to Lancaster, aud make that city his
future place of residence. Your correspon
dent has the best authority for stating that
the report referred to is without foundation
in fact. From what I can lcaruit wa start 1
by a Copperhead paper published in Lai.v . -
ter. It is the intention of the Ex-Governor
to return to his former home in Bellefonte.
Centre county, and there resume the practice
of law, after making a European tour in com
pany with his family. They vacated the ex
ecutive mansion immediately after the inau
guration- of General Geary as Governor. The
latter will shortly occupy the building.
The action of ihe House of Representa
tives, in adopting a resolution censuring the
conrse of Edgar Cowan in the United States
Senate, has proven n bitter pill to the Cop
perheads. It is very humiliating to them to
have one of their most prominent leaders
made the object of censure, and they are
highly indignant. It is gratifying to all loyal
citizens to know that Cowan's place in the
Senate will soon be occupied by a man devo
ted to the true interests of Pennsylvania —a
man who will never merit the condemnation
of our Legislature. We have been mis-.rep
resented long enough. From and after the
4th of March we shall have a Senator who
will not prove a traitor to his party. Gen.
Cameron nevfe'r deserted his friends, nor
proved false to tliem In any respect.
The people of Pennsylvania have been
swindled to such an extent by the projectors
of bogus gift enterprises, that the Legislature
is about taking hold of the matter, and will
in all probability enact a law prohibiting the
publication of advertisements of such enter
prises in the newspapers of the Common
wealth. Such a law would certainly be ben
eficial to the public, and result in the saving
of large sums of money to individuals who
are disposed to "try their luck" in any
scheme that may bo brought to their notice.
The Executive mansion will probably be
occupied by Gov. Geary next week. It is
now being renovated and re-fitted—five thou
sand dollars having been appropriated for
that purpose.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Society
invites proposals for the location of the next
State fair, to be held in September. As in
all other sales, "the highest bidder will be
the buyc-r." Cannot your town seenre the
next fair?
Both branches of the Legislature adjoin ti
ed over from Thursday until Tuesday, and
inauy of the members have gone home.
Tour.
WtLUAM COOK.K, of ililesburg, Clearfield
county, last week shot three young men who,
with three others, had dragged him from a
house, where he was visiting some female
friends, with the intent of duckiug him in the
canal. It is stated that one of the men shot
by Mr. Cook, has since died.
GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.
' I'uk trial of'lfcydoel l.itidsiey, who whip
ped his child to death but Juno, h now pro
gnawing at Albion, 'Kew York.
Gov. Swa*),- ww, on the 2flth tilt., fleeted
b. S. Senator from Maryland, for six years,
from the -fth of March next. Of the !ih mem
bers in joint convention# fid cast heir votes
for Gov. Swaim.
jhk Seattte oil Tuesday lust vex-y property
refused to confirm the appointment by the
President of YV. b'. Johnston, Collector <>!
Customs, Jos. it. 1 ianigun, Naval Agent, an
J. P. lvilgore, Appraiser, at Philadelphia.
A iuspatcji from Junction City, Kansas,
•ays: The severest snow storm in five,years
has been raging here since two o'clock yes
terday afternoon. The snow h two feet deep,
and badly drifted.
Is Milwaukee, 1 'i OrePran-ie du-Gkiuu,
Madison, Wis,, St. Paul, Minn., the snow
storm was the heaviest that has fallen for
many year?, to the depth of eighteen to twen
ty inches on n level, and drilling badly. Tim
trains are all hauled off.
Thb -Sew Orleans Timers' Montgomery spo
stial dispatch says that the Judiciry.y Commit
tee of the Tfoti- c v. ili submit it biH for tho re
movafpf the. iilate capital W Mobile. The
eoaiuiiiteo aiood eleven t'*r a.id two a-'jji-.?,!.
the MtUaanre. t
Tut: West Che-:tor ,
the name of JTpn. .1 mry C . ai -. ,Pi i
deat Judge of that Di.-iriet, ... no Uemocrat
ic candidate fur Supreme Judge in the place
of Judge WoodwrfH. who • term expires in
December.
lus bill ghatigi-ig :he tutu of the meeting
of Ci.Mvicc. has I; en si-tar 1 by t .a Pre ident.
The new Cong-. trill f -n-no-e coaiuiem
ipediu'.ely after the :.-ljo .man Tof il p
eut Cougrt ;.
X. P. Wh.u . the :u. hor, di d m. Sunday,
tho 2 'th festa.J, 'his 6->'h hirth-dnyi at his
residence, Idle wild, hear >.\ . -N, Y.
fie was tii<- a.,lhor oi . ■:\ vral volumes tLut
had much popularity, lie leave a d ..t, 1.5.-r
by the first wife, and a son and two da iqhters
by the second.
BY on official statement from Washington
we learn that the actual circulation of green
back legal tenders is $260,609,869 —and of
national bank notes is $ 370,269.100 making
a grand total of paper money, exclusive of
fractional currency, of $t48,8i9,%b or near
ly six hundred and fifty millions.
THE Inquirer prmtiug establishment in the
city of Lancaster, was destroyed by fire last
Sunday morning. -The presses, engine, types.
Ac., are almost a total loss. Mr. Wylie who
owned the office, estimates his loss at $12,000
—insured lor SB,OOO. The building is be
lieved to have been set on fire.
THE widespread prevalence of snow storms
this year is well illustrated by the fact that
t has fallen during the present season in
Louisiana, the sixth time only during the
present century. Snow fell there in 1780,
1817, 1822, 183-1, aud 1852, The storms in
1352 aud 1822 w ere the chief ones, the others
slight.
siignt.
Tilt: Committee in the New Or!"HUB riot,
have summoned the reporter of the St. Louis
Democrat to testify as to the accuracy of the
report of the President's speech at St. I-ouio,
iu which Congres.s is charged with in -mating
the riot. Ihe reporter is on hand, lie wilt
al6o be examined by the Judiciary Commit
tee concerning the threat to kick mea out o
office.
Mi:. SHI:I ' A BAKU Kit, of Ohio, is drawing up
a new enabling bill for the Southern States.
It is based on the rsrac general principle of
the Stevens bill, abolishing tae present South
ern State governments. It i.- hardly believed
that any new reconstruction measure will be
put through this sea- on, for want of time,
but that the whole subject will g > ov r to the
Fortieth Ctmgr- s.
Tuts States which have rat : -cd the Consti
tutional amendment are Con •in - New
Hampdare, T l E Bfct> i ' '■ \-"" ;
Jersey, O.ogou, \cr out, N w 0.i.. Ohio,
Mi.SOuri, L.iti. 1.-. i.e. • < ...ji....., 11- j
linois. Indiana Und Minnesota sixt -a in oil.'J
Tn nearly all the?.- - atetfthe rot - in favor i
v.as very 1 r and in -n M tit |
•
'United States £ nator fr- . Now Jer • on i
Wednc:' lay by r. vote of
,
Upper 1I- seei'th'.- Kan 1. 'm ■ tin- ;
Lower HoWSo refusing tn go in'. an lc<-ti©. |
for the long term. Gov. .'tor! iu !
to the same position by fit-. !•: !.
ture.
THK .National 'Republic- Id- - t an j
article favoring arm r-1 resist ' r
cvcrajiju r.rod iu it, althe:. !-. •• cr lit 1 :
to that journal in different parts fthe country
accompanied by the ten.-. ~t tfaut it , au
thorized and sanctioned by the Pi evident.
The Republican says tha' it has the highest
authority for asserting that the article alluded
to was not authorized or sactioued by the
President in any journal at auy time.
Spetj.atoSs have falsely represented the !
condition of trade in New York. The re a !
son is obvious. Trade is not depressed In ;
nearly every branch of it there is an activity j
which betokens much promise for then en
future, and there is less fear manifested than 1
ever ufa financial crash. There is a strong ;
probability of suspensions, if not absolute
failures, in certain quarters, as the inevitable
result Of speculations which have an inade
quate basis. More than this need not be ap- i
prehended.
A WASHINGTON special to the Pittsburgh j
Chronicle says: lion. .John Covode had an ;
interview of some length with Secretary \
Stanton. Mr. Stanton was feeling very des- i
pondeut, and remarked substantially that be ;
had placed two million men in the '-Id dur- i
ing the late war, six hundred (hm an 1 of ;
whom had bitten the dust, or been maimed
and crippled for life, and yet. contemplating i
all these sacrifices, he considered the country j
was in a worse condition than at any time I
during the war.
A JOINT resolution was offered by the lion. 1
James Hughes, in response to the resigna
tion ofOovernor Morton, in both Houses of the 1
Legislature of Ind. on the 25th ult. It h highly i
complimentary to the Governor's personal
character and public rvit.fully . .nl-.i -ing
his late adnsiuistration, with entire confidence
in his ability to render distinguished service !
to the country in the new po.-s'idn' to which j
he has been chosen, and recoguwii g in th
person of his successor, Gov. Conrad Ttuia r, '
a faithful officer of distinguished nihility and I
unquestioned patriotism.
INCOXStsTJWiCJiiS IN JOI'KNAIiISM.
'1 he foil owing pertinent reijtarka upou the
inconsiderate and reckb i character of the
editorial cfl'usior.o of many of our public
journals we clip from the Pittsburgh 1-Jven
ing < 'hronick:
11 Newspaper readers frequently have o<*
easion, an 1 perhajs justly, to point out in
congruous or incoiMstcnt petitions taken by
journal;. A fruit kil cam# of thuse changes
of front on the part of newspapers, and one
which i.l not genemlly adverted to, is the
idea entertained by most editors that as soon
at a subject is ■broa hed, it must perforce,
be ctma.s-.ia3 in oije way by editors. They
hold even if theylonot avow the opinion,
that it is absolutely essential that they must
.. ry ; ouiething editjriaily whether they have
anything to say or not. Now we conceive
this obclnnctohojiiisohievou:. A mania
guilty of an iuipcrjueuee who sits reckless
ly dawu to write jpon a .subject which he
Las not c.xaiiiinodand upon which he lias
r ally funned no'oruvlctioiis. The people
who habitually d .this are uucifo oouirel
jois. They writs upon first impressions,
i: iperfect Lnowleig., of facts, and often un
'l; _ih iufliieucepf some sir I leu iinpu!.:
I b vanishes, ad of which tlmy are heart
ily ! rimed by tie time the paper ha - gone- |
to press. If thcf find causeto retract what
they have said, aid are candid enough to Jo
* they incur thi reproach of iecou-i ->U.-ucy, ;
and when thi. ofU'i, their iuflami ■
is , ioatly shaken pn ngst {heir reader.-.
" fbe.x is nocjß for y man to tall or
v. lie ual .-e, heli.il teutcli'iny to aa, His
■vi- „ may !> • wrofelutifhe has attempted
t ■ ge... <tue ku .wlijgcot what fi.. Ldi .our
. ; ... I IAUCCS he aya" he
Ahia i" ; i id... M
; ■ tin a vcrjtehildi h ! udm . . '
GAM n Ify noops by behig CQJII
' a A pi':.: lJm-Ui-!e uds i.
. because, it.is |i - ' 1 the pe
uni; little tllught 'is injected, into
the t. we hardljfcnow a more coutempt
!<- ■ tli.lU ill' ■ 1.
mon;| t< •tv-ervv. b.. heard of fine
bio "1 I ;.tcr dog-,v. ho would not bunt
wjt!: aa, who wa| '..-.tantlp missing his
i: iit - UJ: _fin-, t a mi.-fortui:c that
tvp. ill not be itVot 1 with such eou
o and volitu.. a ; revolt against
the "b;■■ ■; u es" to wiich they arc so often
constrained. The mrai of all thi ■ is, tl .at
there i no iuiperatTe and overwhelming
nec.-s-,iiy that an edir .-.hould publish a dai
ly " lead- r," unless h- feels that he at least ]
know- a little about foe subject matter, and
has form- ! some opition in the premises.
Until he has done sfl, the good natured
put V. will kindly exease him, and perhaps
not mi hitn at all. The experiment is
worth trying."
Extract of u Speech of Hon. ITm. II
Koontz.
Thif gentleman deliverer] an eloquent
Speech in the House of Representatives on
the J9ili inst, from which we take the fol
low i tract:
'i; it we are to le governed in our
pj iiiious by the action of our fathers, then
we. liould extend the ballot to the freedmon;
fori! iievo it to be a fact that after the
formation of the Government, in every
State u. pt ouo, the ballot was given to
i ali five men of color, thus showing thai, they
iv-utiiii ,1 the right of the colored man to
the elective franchise. I bold, however,
that iu a Government where the people
rule, every man who has a stake in the
■ Government should have the bid lot for his
own protection. Jlis r.roi>erfi' ia lif>k> n>
taxation for ike r iiiose of defraying the
, exp-.-n?:.-, ol the Government, Lis personal
.- ' .-vices are demanded by the Government
la tiuie uf war : he is Ulected by the public
legislation of the eouutry in his person and
property—th n why -hould he lie prohibi
-1 fn :n having a voice in the section of
his rulers ? The grcit cry now raised by
f il\ rate, for the immediate admission
■ f the rebel representatives i- that wo are
iiupo-iug taxation upsn them without rep
r - .1i:..• on. but they are not willing to ap
ply this principle to the four million blocks
who will now have to bear their share of the
burden of the Government. On the cen
tral;/, th y would bar} representation with
out taxation, lor tfcey seem exceedingly
anxious to represent the. e same f >ui million
black ■ whose taxes they do n.-t pa.-.' I claim
it IV.iber asaright at the bla 1 man be
cau- >.' has been tii.e to the Government
it! i - lute struggle with tre.oa. While
h'i .. ler, with all tlo advantages ofedu
(..•' a. 'iitellcctual c tllure, the right of the
h .t. -id uulimitu.! i oiiti 1 P otr *in a
i. j.unt;hat had known Lin; only to 1: 'aw
I HI & ' U3 ... a hiii, pi'v a a traitor,
t! • : . unt r.eiec!, illiterate clave proved
'
oy the (lot rnroent While
'
"
sr. c' . •*. i-?al that. ihc: igxist.- in the minds
or'the v id.: a deep scaled hatred against
the col ;ed T;: ■ ■ becau.-a they would not
identify themselves with the cattse o! their
inn- - rs. They have shown it in the Ira:
lation nacted -inee the nrctth'-.i'v of the
rebei.i n, by which they have inrtoduccd
slavery in everything except the name.
Sir. it is a s.-lotnn, imperative duty that
this: l :i owe? to its colored people to
Scot them again t their and the country's
■o- :. It would be a burning, lasting dis
grace to the nation were it to hand them
over to their enemies. [ know of no way
in which this protection can be better given
than by extending to them the elective
franchise. Civil rights bill?, FrcedmenV
Uttr; an bills, and all kindred measures will
foil so long as they can be evaded by local
legislation ; but place the ballot in the
hand 1 of the black man and you give him
that which insures him respect as well as
protection. You send him forth armed
v ::h the panoply of the American citizen,
wielding that most powerful of all weapon?,
the ballot —
'"Which falls
Like suow (takes fall upon the sod,
1 ct executes a freeman's will
\s lightening docs the will of God."
A If KYl; ru:xp G IXTTON. —The Bishop of
Verdun, Franco, who died recently, was
considered the type of gourmands. So
stout was he (writes a Paris cot respondent)
that it was only 1 v mean-of considerable
manoeuvring that, lie ever succeeded in en
tori n. a cab. The amount of food he con
•u' at his various meals was something
fhbnlous. Owing to the frequent illnesses
brought on by his voracity ho as always
attended by n servant whose solo business
wan to prevent him from eating more than
was good for his health. Whenever the
bishop was invited to dinnor at a friend's!
house, this domestic stationed himself be- j
hind his cihair, investigated the amount of
cutlets, pates, perdreaux, trutfes. eaten i
by his master, and when he considered that
he had as much as was good for hits lordship !
he made a telegraphic sign to the mistress j
oi the house, who, warned beforehand, im
mediately cut off the supplies!
Hon. .1, ; i. Droomall on .\cro Suffrage.
In the lloase of Representatives, on (fie
; Jth instant, in the course of a speech on the
abject of Restoration, the J lon. J. M.
Uroomall, spoke as follows:
"But gentlemen on the other side of the
House say that this is a white man's Gov
eminent and they raise their hands with an
affectation of holy horror at the idea of ex
tending political rights to negroes. Do they
uot know that our government is emphati
cally the government of the governed? And
arc none hut white men governed by it'/
Do they not know that at the time of the
adoption oi our Constitution negroes voted
in every State in the Union but one? Do
they not know that members of the conven
tion that framed that instrument were voted
tor by negroes and that there was no law
and no principle of our institutions which
would have prevented a negro from sitting
in that convention if he had been duly elec
ted.' Do they not know that there is not
now and that there never has been any law
to prevent a negro from holding the office
of President of the United States if he
should bo othcrwiso qualified?
These gentlemen would like to make this
a v hip man's government. They seein
in is'' by af. ;r of the fiegro amounting to
monomania. Negro equality is Banquo's
"I" '-to th ;i> and it ever the negro should
o -trip ti in in the race of civilization it
v. i lie noif -dt. of theirs that he has had the
opportuui f. They will point upward of
course to r be dusky columns and exclaim—
" '■ "i ' >3 t not say I did it."
r. ■' moo know best what their
tie in a fair and i.ven race
' ;o under equal laws, and if they
"'i .tition it is but just to
: b • -e d rea-on to fear
't: n : r rve to allay their, terror of
c Luahty to remind them that the
- - : i !;•' "dvanc din civilization
1 Ired years than their
• w"Liin tvro thousand.
■ : a-, aft tation of consistency that
• bo envied, the same men who
• far of fair competition with
: yial laws object to his
■; of ' .g on account of his ignorance.
•:!;! s a great degree of igno
■ the negroes of the South; but
' , in ible for it? Not they.
\ . il \y it was a crime punishable by
at: tit: i mincnt in every one of the
in rebellion to teach negroes to
!. L' - . . fho Bible was by law a scaled
hi kto th.-iu. Certain portions of it selcc
tc i with especial reference to the pecuniary
advantage of their masters, might be read
to them bv judicious ministers of the Gos
pel; but il some simple minded philanthro
pist should attempt to open its full light
upon their benighted understandings it
would be well fog him if he could obtain the
advantage of the punishment meted to his
erimo by law. and thereby avoid the hemp
and the bowieknife."
legislative Keforin-A Constitutional
Convention Proposed.
In view of the recent manifestations of
legislative corruption, the Chamber,-burg
Jieposi'tory urges immediate and fundamen
tal reform in the Legislature. It asserts
that it i> die to attempt reform by the elec
ri uof "upright men," for these men by
reason of their supposed standing at home,
exercise a greater licenso in debauchery.
Th•. R<i * :onj contends there is but one
simple, practical, effectual remedy, and that
is a Constitutional Convention, which it says
should be demanded by petitions, by dele
gations by mass meetings, by the manly ut
terances ol an unshackled Press, until even
the corruptionists themselves shall bow to
the thunder of their masters. Let them
demand a Convention to incorporate in
their organic law provisions substantially as
| follows:
1. That the Senate shall consist of one hun"
dred members to be chosen by single districts.
-. That the House of Representatives shall
consist of four hundred members each to be
elected in a single district.
3. That all legislation relating to corpora
tion interests shall be by general laws and
that no special charters or corporate privile
ges whatever shall be granted but by the
courts.
•1. That there shall be no special appropria
tion of money from the treasury to claims ex
cept upon a judicial finding.
. 1 h, t the members of the legislature shall
be | aid live dollars per day for the period of
sixty Jay-: and be prohibited from appropria
ting to themselves any additional sum for
[••rot tact cd sets iocs or for extra or adjourned
-it,r.; b yond sixty days iu the rear.
. I'h .• r.o subordinate ofiiccr shall be ap
;am ted in cither branch or receive any com
pt n .tion fur services unless a bill shall have
be-n pa-- 1 Ly both branches creating the
office • :•! defining its duties
7. '1 hut i o bill of any kind 6hall pass either
branch v thout receiving a majority of the
whe ,r> vote on a call of the yeas and nays.
"It? i.'J bo the most expensive reform,"
. t: . r the <j ' b biers who unwilling to meet
t - p: 'v. wish to delay the day of
tl ( tl r "-koiiing of the people. We
n ;r that it would bo v:tstly economical,
wi e A of a legislature consisting of
od m il rs and the necessary
of. . nr. v r the foregoing provisions
;:d not 1 a mucu ts our present Legis
'• t • with i>ut one hundred and thirty
: or. . i would be the ineal
advatuage of the arrest of the pro
appropriation f money for any and
. .trpo-e that will pay the lobby; and
ir ;-iition to the advantages of saving the
ic f ure. it would secure honest leg
b- Harrisburg correspondent of the
IT; .dclph' i /. thus alludes to the
pr • :•■!<' istitutional Convention: "The
prciiminnrt steps for amending the Oonsti
; iti :i of tl j .State have been taken. Mr.
G my fas of :rcd a bill providing that, at the
next general election the people shall vote
cither i'or or "Against" a Convention.
Tiii? Convention if it is held, will be com
posed of delegates from every part of the
State whose duty it shall be to suggest
amendments to the Constitution. Nothing
has yet boen said as to the character of these
amendments One of those proposed will
probably bo to strike the word "white"
from the Constitution, and another to
change the mode of electing Senators and
Kcprcscutatives. It is impossible to effect
any amendment until 1869, the Constitution
requiring an interval of five years to elapse
be*ween each chango or addition to any of
it - provisions, and the soldiers voting clause
having been inserted in 1864."
Itcv. Henry Hard licet hcr's Letter t
t;ov. Brown low.
BROOKLYN, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1860.
Gov. Drownlova :
LEAR SIR : I have just been talking with
a friend returned from Tennesse, and have
learned a little more in detail than I before
ktiew of your present state, and what you
proposi to do. Pray do not think me med
dling with your business when 1 express my
anxiety for your success in the thorough
and permanent enfranchisement of the ne
gro, for Tennessee is, in some sense, a rep
rcscntative of the now nation. What the
whole people, above all things, need just
now is that onr Southern State should, of its
own will and by the vote of its own people,
come up fully on to the platform of equal
rights and full citizenship for all men. Then
there will be a model to work by—other
States will have the courage to believe that
such tilings can be done. Suffrage for the
whole people I deem a natural right. I
should urge it as a matter of justice. Should
you si euro it, it will raise the conscience of
the whole nation many degTess higher than
it is.
But in your case it is also a matter of po
litical safety. If some fear that such a
measure will kill them, so I am sure the i
want of it will them. To die for a princinh
is to make sore a resurrection; while polit
leal death without, and even against a prin
j iplo, is death perpetual and ressunrcction
leM.
Should Tennessee remain firm and work
out this great truth and duty of equal suf
frage (not forfeited hy crime) I -ban regard
it as the turn of the night. The day-star
will have arisen, and light will grow strong
er and darkness weaker every moment there
after.
I hope that God will be gracious to you
and remyigorato your frame He has made
your life predons to those who wish well to
the country. Into the struggle of the next
campaign you will carry not only the fate of
Tennessee, hut of the whole South, and so
of the nation. May God go with you and
bless you and bring you out victorious; then
it you wish to depart we will rejoice with
you in the inheritance of that rest which
remaineth for the people of God.
1 am, dear Sir, very truly yours,
H. W. BK£CUgR.
Southern Industry.
The natural resources of the South have
never been developed. A small portion of
the soil, ..nd much of that portion actually
among the poorer lands, has been brought
under the plough, depleted by a wasteful
system of culture, and either left to broom
sedge or pines or cropped still at a great ex*
penditure of labor for small returns. Some
of it is too rich to be exhausted by surface
working, and is still very productive. Even
that which is abandoned is not exhausted;
the culture received never weut deep enough
for that. But hy far the greater portion of
the richest and best lands that the South
ever possessed is yet in primitive forest,
awaiting the axe and the plough.
The mineral resources of this region are
compartively unknown. The whole Alle
gheny rang* is rich in iron, coal, gold,silver,
iead. and many other minerals, with a great
variety of earths valuable in the useful arts.
Those mines of wealth will not long remain
hidden. \\ hat is true of a section of the
original "Old Dominion,"is becoming true
of the entire mountain region of the south:
The manufacturing facilities of the South
are scarcely 'to be surpassed any where.
Already it is understood that this interest,
next to agriculture, is to become the most
important in that section and enterprises
numerous, extensive, and various in charac
ter are initialed aud in progress.
It is beginning to be seen that a subdi
vision of f arms and the better cultivation of
improved lands and a larger expenditure of
capital in labor saving implements, will re
sult in greater personal and general wealth,
and a higher degree of intelligence and cul
ture.
The following paragraphs of the report of
the Commissioner of Agriculture to the
President, for the current year, are in point:
"In the reorganization of industry in
these States it is believed that the great
mistake of the past, the concentration of la
bor mainly upon a single branch of a single
grand division of productive industry, will
be avoided. This mistake has cost that
section one half the wealth it might have
attained and may have led to the sacrifice
in war of a portion of the remainder. -Ex
ec* ive increase of a single product, tending
to over supply and reduction of price and
attend with heavy expenses for outward
freights, aud tb e- purchase of all farm aud
family supplies burdened.with cost of car
riage and a long line of consuming commis
sions. points unerringly the way to national
poverty and individual bankruptcy. A pro-
per equilibrium of the products of industry,
saving uutold burdens of freightage, exces
sive profits and extortions of middle men,
insurance, breakage and manifold losses,
prevents reduction of prices from burdened
markets, lightens damages from failuresof
single products,gives employment to all clas
ses, comlitiuns, ;iu d capacities of labor, in
sures remunerative wages for the workmen,
renders possible necessary rotations and the
production of farm manures, and increases
the wealth, intelligence, and power of a
State. In political economy the smaller
products of a diversified industry are far
more than an equivalent for a single result
of organized labor, however absorbing or
important. The cotton crop, for example,
of the empire State of the South, in 1860,
was 701.840 bales, yielding little more than
$30,000,000, while the butter of Mew York
in 1865, one of several products of the diary,
was estiiaab <1 at $60,000,000; and yet the
census give _t > New York but 370,014 far
mer; aai farm laborers, and to Georgia,
including wle farmers and farm laborers,
and only tin males of the slaves, 310,478
person; engaged in agriculture. Besides
the other dairy pioduets, milk, cream and
che se, and the multitude of smaller pro
ducts of the farm, the principal crops make
[an astounding aggregate—as in 1864, when
the corn crop of New York was estimated
at $38,000,0-K), the wheat at 525,000,000,
tho oats at $33 000, WO, potatoes at $19,000-
000. air] lis} at $00,000,000. Including
the minor cereals, products of orchards ana
gardens, the production of beef and mutton
Ir . m pasturage, and a threat variety of mis
cellaneous and exceptional products, the
currency value of the agricultural produc
tions of this one State in that year was far
greater than iho money returns of any cot
tin Crop e r produced in the country, and
the gold value of such products would be
more than • , hvalcnt to the goldvalueof
half the cotton crop of IS6O.
'"lt is evident that the diversification of
farm industry, which secures these results
in one local: n, must be applied to reorgan
ized southern agriculture, with modifica
tions such as climate and soil may indicate ;
and while cetton. as is hoped and believed,
will ever Ir -a prominent crop, and a sure
reliance for immediate cash returns, it will
never again overshadow and dwarf other in
terests essential to permanent success in ag
riculture. And it is also equally apparent
that a portion of the labor of these states
will eventually be diverted from agriculture
and expended upon other departments of
industry j especially manufactures ; and that
the day is not far distant when a portion of
this cotton will be exported from the States
in which it is grown in the form of yarns
and coarse fabrics of various grades and
styles. And such a day will bring surer
prosperity and more abundant wealth than
ever blessed those States in the past."
IT is a remarkable fact that whatever
tuay have been the previous political views
of the several commanders who have been
suecv ;sively assigned to the departments of
the South, they have, quite without excep
tion, become Radicals, to all intents and
purposes. Generals Sheridan, Sickles,
1 Iciutzelman,Ord and many others—lifelong
Democrats, all of them—have been conver
ted by the cantankerous spirit that has re
lolled their kindly advances into worthy
disciples of Wendell Phillips himself. Will
these foolish Southern people never learn
nor forget anything. We are afraid there
is too much Dourbon among them.
MKW WAY TO MARK LlKEN.— Since the
process of photographing upon silk and
linen has been perfected in France many
persons have their portraits upon their linen
instead of their names or initials. VVashing
it is said, does not injure the portraits.
A PRIVATE dispatch states that at least one
half of the flourishing towu of Lagrange, Ga.,
embracing all the business houses, was burn
ed oa the night of the 24th ult.
THE Supreme Court of Alabama has de
cided that the act of Congress, requiring a
stamp upon legal processes, is unconstitu
tional.
Wedding Cards, Business Cards, Bill
Heads, Circulars, and all kinds of Mercantile
flanks, neatly and expeditiously executed at
ihe I.vqriitEß Job Office.
AGT7A DE MAGNOLIA
A toilet delight, (Superior to any cologn-,
to bathe the the face uod peraoii, to reo<kr the
kia eoft and fresh, to alia/ inflammation, to t.<.i
tuiae clothing, for headache, Ac. It in manufac
tured from the rich Southern Magnolia, ard i- oh.
raining a patronage quite unprecedented. It is a
favorite irith actreaees and opera ringers. It is
sold by all dealers, at 1.00 in large bottles, ai d
by Dxw-W Baairrn <fi Co., New Fork, Wholesale
Agents.
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggist
S. X. —1860—X.
Persons of sedentary habits troubled with weak
ness, lassitude, palpitation of the heart, lack
appetite, distress after eating, torpid liver, con
stipation, Ac., deserve to suffer if they will not
try the celebrated PLANTATION BITTEi:-,
which are now recommended hy the highest med
ical authorities, and warranted to produce an t'io
meHalt beneficial effect. They are exceedingly
agreeable, perfectly pure, and must supersede all
other tonics where a healthy, gentle etimulcnt is
required.
They purify, strengthen and invigorate.
They create a healthy appetite.
They are an antidote to change of water and diet.
They strengthen the system and enliven the
mind.
They prevent miasmatic and intermittent fevers.
They purify the breath and acidity of the
stomach.
They cure Dyspepsia and Constipation.
They enro Liver Complaint and Nervous Head
ache. -
They make the weak strong, the languid bril
liant, and are exhausted nature's great lestorer.
They are composed of the celebrated Calisaya
bark, wintergrcen, sassafras, roots and herbs, all
preserved in perfectly pure St. Croix rum. For
particulars, sec circulars and testimonials around
each bottle.
Beware of impostors. Kxaminc every bottle
See that it has our private U. 8. stamp unmutila
ted over the eork, with plantation scene, and our
signature on a fine steel plate side label. f>- c that
our bottle is not refilled with spurious and dele
terious stufi. Any person pretending to seli
Plantation Bitters by the ealion or bulk, is an
impostor. Any person imitating this bottle, or
selling any other material therein, whether called
Plantation Bitters or not, is a criminal under -he
C. 8. Law, and will be so prosecuted by us. The
demand for Drake's Plantation Bitters, from la
dies, clergymen; merchants, Ac., is incredible.
The simple trial of a bottle is the eviUcntc we
present of their worth and superiority. They are
stqd by all respectable druggists, grocers, physi
cians, uotels, saloons, steamboats and country
stores.
P. H. DRAKE & CO.
Saratogn .Spring Water, sold by all Druggists
Have you a hurt child or a lame horse? rise the
Mexican Mustang Liniment.
Forcutf, sprains, burns, swellings, and caked
breasts, the Mexican Mustang Liniment is a sure
cure.
For rheumatism, neuralgia, stiff joints, stings
and bites, there is nothing like the Mexican Mus
tang Liniment.
For spavined horses, the poll-evil, ringbone
and sweeny, the Mexican Liniment never fails.
For wina-galls, scratches, big-head and splint,
the Mexican Mustang Liniment is worth its
weight in gold.
Cuts, bruises, sprains and swellings, arc so com
mon and certain to oceur in every family, that a
bottle of this Liniment is the best inves'mcnt that
can be made.
It is more certain than the doctor—it saves
time in sending for the doctor—it is cheaper than
the doctor, and shonld never be dispensed with.
"In lifting the kettle from the fire, it tipped
over and scalded my hands terribly. • " i
The Mustang Liniment extracted the pain, rat; -
ed the sore to heal rapidly, and left very "tittle
scar. CIIAS. FOSTER, 420 Broad St., Phil.
Mr. S. Litch, of Hyde Park, Vt. writer: "My
horse wag considered worthless, (spavin, but
since the use of the Mustang Liniment. Ihave - Id
himforsliO. Tour Liuimcnt is d ii:g wonders
up here."
AH genuine is wrapped in steel plate engravings,
signed (i. W. Wcrtbrook. Chemist, and also has
tho private U. S. stamp of I'emas Barnes A Co.
over the top.
Look cloee/y, and be not dcccired by C ,--
eit*.
Sold by all Druggist", at 25, 50 ets., and SI.OO.
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggists.
It is a most delightful Hair Dressing.
It eradicates scarf and dandruff.
It keeps the head cool and clean.
It makes t'ue hair rich, soft and glossy.
It prevents hair turning gray and faiiing off.
It restores hair upon prematurely bald heads.
This is just what Lyon's Kathairon will do. It
is pretty—it is cheap—durable. It is literally
sold by the car-load, and yet its almost incredible
demand is daily increasing, audi there is hardly a
country store that does not keep it, or a family
that does not use it.
E. THOMAS LYON, Chemist. N.Y.
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggists.
Who would not be beautiful? Who would not
add to their beauty 1 What gives that marble
purity and ditlingue appcaram e ire observe upon
tho stage and in the city belle! It i< no longer a
secret. They uso ilagan's Magnolia Halm. Its
continued use removes tan. freckles, pimples, and
roughness, from the face and hands, and leaves
the complexion smooth, transparent, blooming
and ravishing. Unlike many cosmetics, it con
tains no materia! injurious t-> the skin. Any
Druggist wiil order it for you, if not on hand, at
50 cents per bottle.
W. E. HAG AN, Troy. X. Y., Chemist.
DUMAS IIMtMS A CO.
Wholesale Agents A. Y.
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggists
Heimstreet's inimitable Hair Coloring is not a
dye. All instantaneous dies are composed of
lunar cauatie, and more or less destroy the vitali
ty and licauty of the hair. This is the original
Ilair Coloring, and has been growing in favor
over twenty years. It restores gray hair to its
original color by gradual absorption, in a most re
markable manner. It is also a beautiful bair
dressing. Sold in two size*—so cents and $1 —liy
all dealers. C. lItiIMSTKEKT, Chemist-
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggists
LITOB'S ExrnAcT or PIPE JVUVICA GIBOKR
—for Indigestion, Nausea, Heartburn, Sick Head
ache, Cholera Morbus, Flatulency, Ac., where u
warming stimulent is required. Its careful pre
paration and entiro purity make it a cheap and
reliable article for culinary purposes. Sold every
where, at 50 ets. per bottle. Ask for "IYOS'S
Pure Extract. Take no other.
Saratoga Spring Water, sold by all Druggists.
July 13th, !S#6-cowly