THE HUNTINGDON GLOBE, A DEMOCRATIC FAMILY JOURNAL, DEVOTED TO LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS, &C.
THE GLOB -4,,,
Circittationthe ldegat toiinty'
GITEITLIBMOiqg E? 2,
Wednesday, rebruary 25, 1857.
To Delinquents !---Pay up.
All those indebted for the Globe, adver
tising and job work, are requested to settle
their accounts at the earliest moment conve
nient—at least between this time and the first
day of April, 1857. This notice is particu
larly intended for those whose accounts have
been standing for two years and upwards.—
There are few, if any of these, who could not
pay their accounts at a moment's notice, with
out any difficulty; and we hope they will not
wait for another asking. We, as a general
thing, are not in the habit of dunning, but
justice to others requires this to be done.—
We pay cash regularly to our operators, as
well as for type, paper, ink, and so on, and
cannot recognize as friends, those persons
who are so negligent as to leave their accounts
run for several years, when they are abun
dantly able to pay. We like to do business
in a business way, and hope to be seconded
by our friends.
Money Registered, can be sent by mail at
our risk.
The License Law.
" Let well enough alone," is a -sound old
maxim that does sometimes to be applied in
these days of fast reform'. We should work
with the instrumentalities we have, before we
turn croakers, and flinging them aside, like
wayward children, demand something new.
Change is not always reform.
We make that paragraph preface to our
opinion respecting what is being said and
done in the temperance movement.
There is need to be on the alert to check
the increase of the vice of intemperance in
our borough. Nor is this the only time we
have said it. Among the moral agents here
—such as the pulpit and the press—we were
first to call public attention to the fact.
What ought to be done? Have more patch
ing up of the license system ? Or turn rad
ical, and go in for universal prohibition, or
else freedom for all to sell ? Verily, none of
these; at least, not till we shall have tried
what "good can' come out of Nazareth."—
Give to the present law a fair and thorough
trial. Then, if there be sufficient reason, re
ject it—but not till then.
That this law is in a large degree inopera
tive among us, we do not deny—in fact, as
was said before, the Globe was foremost to
publicly affirm this melancholy fact.
And now whose fault is it ? Need it be so?
We opine not, if those most deeply interested
would do their whole duty. Households should
keep watch and ward over the erring footsteps
of those they love. Let any parent or brother
to a minor—let any wife, or father, or son, or
brother to an habitual drunkard, mark well
the haunts where that dear one seeks the
fountains of poison. Let them be wary until
they find proof, and can drive it home upon
the transgressor of the law. The popular
sympathies, and the sympathy of the court,
will assuredly be with the prosecutors. It
requires no great deal of penetration to fore
see this ; in fact, we have witnessed instances
in point already ; but only too few attempts
of the kind have been made by parties inter
ested, to secure the " consummation devoutly
to be wished." Sharpen the teeth of the law,
and it will bite its violators.
The State Convention.
The Democratic State Convention will have
to nominate a candidate for Governor, for Su
preme Judge, and for Canal Commissioner.
The gentlemen spoken of for the nomination
are:
FOR. GOVERNOR.
Cot William Hopkins, of Washington.
Col. Samuel W. Black, of Allegheny.
Hon. John L. Dawson, of Fayette.
Gen. William F. Packer, of Lycoming.
Hon. William H. Witte, of Philadelphia.
Hon Ephraim Banks, of Mifflin.
Hon. George R. Barrett, of Clearfield.
Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, of Somerset.
Hon. William M. Hiester, of Berks.
Hon. Howell Hepburn, of Allegheny.
Hon. J. Porter Brawley, of Crawford.
Gen. Seth Clover, of Clarion.
FOR SUPREME JUDGE.
Hon. Ellis Lewis, of Philadelphia.
Hon. William Strong, of Berks.
Hon. Samuel Hepburn, of Cumberland.
Joshua B. Howell, Esq., of Fayette.
FOR CANAL COMMISSIONER.
Hon. Nimrod Strickland, of Chester.
Hon. David Lanry, of Lehigh.
R. K. Campbell, Esq., of Green.
Hon. M. C. Trout, of Mercer.
Death of. Dr. Kane.
The United States mail steamship Ca,haw
ba, from New York via Havana, with dates
from the latter port to the itOth instant has
just arrived at New Orleans.
By her we have received the sad intelli
gence' that Dr. Kane expired at Havana on
the 16th insant, calmly and peacefully as a
little child.-
It had been evident for several days previ
ens to those around him; that his sun of life
was rapidly setting; and although the
-utmost care was bestowed upon him, in
hopes of prolonging his existence, he gradu
ally sank away,. and died on Monday of last
week.
The greatest possible sympathy was shown
by the officials of the Island and all others,
including the Captain General, who attended
his _funeral. The solemn cortege was very
long and imposing. The corpse was placed
on board the Caha.wba, and conveyed to New.
Orleans. It will be forwarded by the river
route to Philadelphia.
bribery and Cortnption in Congtess-z.
Will the Offenders be nttpelled?
The Committee seem to have gone to work
in earnest—without any considerations of
fear or favor—and whatever the result, they
deserve the thanks of the nation for their
manly independence. The evidence posses
ses extraordinary interest, and its perusal
cannot but startle the masses who have here
tofore listened with incredulity to the stories
of mercenary motives and actions that have
from time to time reached them from Wash
ington. If true and reliable, the offenders
should not only be driven from their places
in the Halls of the National Legislature, but
they should be denounced as recreant and
base by every high minded man in the coun
try. The results of the labors of the Com
mittee may be summed up in a few words.—
They charge four members of Congress with
disreputable conduct, viz :—Messrs. GILBERT,
of New York; WELSh, of Connecticut; ED
WARDS, of New York; and MATTEsor, of the
same State, and they recommend TTIEIR EX
PULSION. They also recommend that JAMES
W. SIMONTON, the correspondent of the New
York Times, be expelled from the floor of the
House, as a Reporter, and they, in conclusion,
recommend the adoption of a bill to protect
the people against corrupt and secret influen
ces in matters of legislation. It provides
that no person shall, directly or indirectly,
offer or agree to give any money or other val
uable thing, to any person on the contingen
cy of the passage or the defeat of any bill.
No person shall approach, converse with, or
explain to, or in any manner attempt to in
fluence any member of either House relative
to such measures without first distinctly ex
plaining whether he is interested personally
in his own right, or as an agent for any other
' person in the passage or defeat of any meas
ure. This offence is made a misdemeanor,
to be punished on conviction with imprison
ment from one month to a year, and a fine of
from $5OO to $lOOO. All combinations to in
fluence legislation are declared null and void
—and persons offending are to be punished
for misdemeanor.
Such, then, are the charges and suggestions
of the Committee. Their perusal produced
an intense excitement in the House, some of
the witnesses were denounced in unmeasured
terms, and the course of the Committee was
also bitterly complained of. It was, howev
er, determined by a nearly unanimous vote,
to print all the reports and the testimony,
and the further discussion of the subject was
then postponed. till Wednesday 25th. But
what is likely to be done? Will the Commit
tee be sustained, and the offending parties be
expelled, or will another stormy debate take
place, and the whole matter end in smoke?
The latter is likely to be the result. Indeed,
.should the friends of the individuals implica
ted determine to stand by and sustain them
at all hazards, either this subject will occu
py the remainder of the session, to the neg
lect of much important public business—or
it will be postponed indefinitely. Let us
hope, however, that the law appended to the
report, and intended to prevent like occur
rences for the future, will at least be agreed
to—for perhaps, the exposure that has already
taken place will prove a sufficient punisent
to the delinquents. If, however, Congress
should refuse to expel them, their constitu
ents" at home may, in the event of their guilt
being fully established, pursue the proper
course, and induce them to resign. There
are one or two points of the testimony that
deserve especial attention:—
F. F. C. Triplett, being sworn, said he had
"never approached any member upon any
subject with an improper proposition."
By Mr. Orr—Have you been brought in
contact with any member in that connection?
Witness—l have. I suppose there is no
body who knows the organization of Congress,
who expects to carry anything through it
merely from love of justice.
By Mr. Orr—ls that the general reputation
of Congress ?
Witness—That is the general reputation of
Congress.
'During the examination of this witness in
relation to his order on the Clerk for $14,500,
in the event of the passage of a resolution
for the purchase of his book, he said he re
ceived a message from a member of Congress,
that he desired to be. introduced to him, and
to see him in reference to this book project.
Mr. Orr—Was it your impression, when
Mr. Sweeney made application to you for the
writing, that it was made in consequence of
anything that had passed between him and
the member; in other words, that his appli
cation :was based on an interview with the
member ?
Witness—That was my impression, though
the member never told me so. Ido not know
that he and I ever had a conversation about
that at all. The truth is, that Mr. Sweeney
came to me originally upon the subject. lie
knew all about the matter from the first. I
supposed he was a friend of this party, and
that if I paid him it would be satisfactory to
the party.
The witness hesitated to give the mime of
the member, but the committee unanimously
decided that he was bound to answer the in
terrogatory.
The witness then named William A. Gil
bert, of New York—saying, "of course I had
conversations with other members of the
House, but this was the only thing that seem
ed like a definite understanding with a mem
ber."
The witness further stated that another
member of Congress had conversed with him
about the book, "the tenor of which was based
upon the idea of receiving a part" of the con
tract, and he recollected that on one occasion
the member asked him, in the event of their
having to distribute more money than they
had contemplated, whether he (Triplett)
would not do what was right, or something
of that sort.
Question by Mr. Orr- 7 What was the name
of that member ?
Witness—Dr. Welch, of Connecticut.
Truly, we have fallen Upon evil times, if
our National Legislature deserves the rep
utation that is accorded - to it by the forego
ing. La us hope that Mr. Triplett was un
fortunate, and fell into the hands of the few
who are corrupt, and that he did not become
acquainted with the many who would scorn
to be influenced in their votes and conduct by
base motives. The details from first to last
are painful and humiliating, and yet the fact
that a Committee of this corrupt body has
been found willing to ferret out all the facts,
and to hold the culprits up to the scorn and
contempt of their fellow citizens,- is one well
calculated to show that there are some clean
hands and honest hearts among the members
—individuals too who have the nerve not only
to investigate in the most thorough manner,
the delicate subject confided to them, but to
point out in unequivocal language the proper
course, as well to rebuke and punish the guil
ty, as to vindicate the character of Congress,
and to uphold. the honor of the nation. It
now remains for the majority to decide upon
the recommendations of the Committee—and
this decision, we need scarcely state, will be
awaited by the country at large—by all who
take pride in the American name, and feel
that they are identified with the national
character, with the keenest interest.—Phila.
Inquirer.
A MODEL TOWNSHIP.—As was affirmed by
our correspondent last week, and as we see
by the published minutes of their Education
al Association, Catharine township, in Blair
county is ahead of all other districts in the
interior of_ Pensylvania, in - earnest and en
lightened devotedness to the_ cause of the
Common School. The population is mainly
that class of intelligent farmers who rightly
apprehend what is for their good. Nor is
their present course a mere spasm. The
generation of their fathers, now passed
away, felt the same interest in behalf of gen
eral education which their sons still evince.
Hence it is that "Old Morris" township (of
which Catharine is a fragment,) has sent
forth into the world those who have earned
distinction in literary, professional and busi
ness life—such men as Robert L. Johnston of
Ebensburg, Charles E. Kinkead of Daven
port, lowa, and the Author of "Kansas Re
gion." And it is pleasant to note that the
ancient stamina yet exists among the farm
er-citizens of this district of "Old Hunting
don." May they go on and prosper!
The New Cabinet
Public attention, every where, is drawn to
the new Cabinet of Mr. Buchanan, and there
appears to be an universal desire to know
who will form it. Those who have heretofore
not felt any apparent interest in the matter,
are now making their Cabinet speculations.
Even the Washington Union ) , which, up to
the present time, has scarcely alluded to the
subject, is new speculating with the rest.. In
its issue of yesterday, we find the following:
"For the last twenty-four hours public
opinion in Washington. seems to have settled
down upon the following.cast of Mr. Buchan
an's Cabinet:
Lewis Cass, Secretary of State.
Howell Cobb, Secretary of the Treasury.
•
John B. Floyd, Secretary of War.
A. V. Brown, Secretary of the Navy.
Jacob Thompson,. Secretary of Interior.
J. Glancy Jones,Postmaster General.
Isaac Toucey, Attorney General.
"We know of no information of an authen
tic character which justifies the confidence
with which the foregoing is received as the
Cabinet, or as so near the Cabinet that only
a single change is suggested. It may be
mere conjecture; but whatever may have cre
ated the general impression, it is certain, so
far as our observation has extended, the cast
of the Cabinet above meets with decided ap
proval. If this, or a Cabinet composed of
such names, is formed, our anticipations as
to the wise discrimination for which we have
given Mr. Buchanan full credit, will be en
tirely realized. We express no opinion as to
the correctness of the list of :names, for we
have no grounds for any opinion; but we ven
ture to say, that if the list is the true Cabi
net, the public mind will be entirely satisfied
that Mr. Buchanan's administration will start
under most favorable auspices."
In commenting upon which the Washing
ton Star says t—
"We have to say that, from all the signs
in the political horizon, we draw the conclu
sion that the gentlemen named above are to
form Mr. Buchanan's Administration."
"As a whole, we are very sure that it meets
the views of nearly every Democratic mem
ber of both Houses. Thus, it is already ren
dered certain that the'new Administration is
to start out with the confidence and the warm
est sympathy of every Democratic Senator
and Representative; a point never n,chieved
before—one of inestimable importance, as
will be apparent in six months. In the course
of our long experience in such matters, we
never before witnessed so universal approval
of the selection of a Cabinet by an incoming
Executive, as is just now being manifested
by all those to whose sympathy and support
Mr. Buchanan must look for the triumph of
the policy of his Administration."
This is the nearest'approach to a real, live,
new Cabinet, we have yet seen, and will we
be pleased to find the list correct. The gen
tlemen named are well known to the country,
as national men and statesmen of the first
order. Their countrymen fully confide in
their integrity and ability. But while we
shall be gratified at seeing Mr. Buchanan's
Cabinet formed of such names, and feel that
all sections of our wide spread country would
be satisfied, we must confess that there is
doubt about these rumored selections. Mr.
Buchanan has kept his own councils so well,
that we advise our readers who feel interes
ted in the matter to wait until the official an
nouncement is made. Then, and only then,
shall we know positively who are to be the
advisers of Pennsylvania's favorite son, the
President elect.
The Negroes in Africa.
We are permitted (says the Boston Post)
to make the subjoined extract from a letter
written by an officer of the United States
navy to a friend in this city. The writer is
a son of a late distinguished Senator from
one of the New England States. The letter
is written from on board the United States
ship St. Louis, and dated October 15, 1856,
at "Little Fish Bay, west coast of Africa:"
* * * "There is very little variety
upon this coast. "Niggers!" slaves! "nig
gers!" is the cry. This town is, like most
other places upon the coast, made up, of a
few people called white, and a crowd; a
mass of miserable, filthy, worthless, indolent
(niggers) natives. If Charles Sumner, Jack
Hale, or any other sensible man, who wishes
or is willing to be permanently cured of his
mock philanthropy and sickly sentimentality
in regard to the universal negro race, he has
only to take a six months cruise upon the
coast of Africa. If that will not cure him,
and convince him that his sympathy for the
three and a half millions of the happiest ne
groes on the face of the earth is misplaced,
then I have only to say he is past hope and
past cure.
"As I live,l do not believe there is one
negro in one thousand upon the coast of Af
rica, -who is as well off, morally, physically,
or socially as the worst abused slave in the
United States. Slavery here is slavery in
deed, and of the most horrible kind. Cruel
ty practised here by " black" slave owners
is heart-rending to witness. Some • chiefs
(black) own thousands—they sell, torture, or
kill them, at pleasure. Ninety-nine of every
hundred negroes, slaves of free, even in
towns, would gladly exchange their condition
with the meanest, most ill treated slave in
the Union. It is impossible .to picture the
miserable condition of the native African
upon his own soil. Civilization, or even
partial culture, with the mass of natives, is
an idea so perfectly absurd that it does not
admit of a thought. With the combined ef
forts of a million competent, honest, indus
trious, persevering philanthropists ; with
millions of money yearly expended to the
best possible advantage for a million of
years, would not develop one hundred native
Africans who would be of any account to the
world at large. So much for "niggers".
Having seen our negroes at home in our
southern States, and having seen them here,
I regard the "institution" as it exists there
as jbeni , m, nay, heavenly institution, and
our southern brethren deserve the thanks of
the whole Christian world; for having ameli
orated, in such strikin ~ contrast with their
brethren here, three and z ' a half millions of
negroes. * * * * 'You may imagine
that, although never a democrat, I pray for
the election of Mr. Buchanan, and mainly
because upon this negro question the demo
cratic party is right."
FARMER'S HIGH SCHOOL.—Petitions are be
sing signed in this and other counties for such
aid to the Farmer's High School; as "may
be consistent with the true interest of the
people at large."
This is a very modest request from our
farmers, and asked in a very modest way.—
Though tax-payers almost by vocation, they
have seldom or never asked for any special
appropriation for their great interest. And
now, when the Farmer's High School, found
ed by bequests and donations of private in
dividuals, absolutely requires for the erection
of its buildings, the institution of experi
ments, and collections of apparatus, &c., the
sum of $75,000, they only ask for what Le
gislature will please to give.
Can the Legislature find any better object
to foster by the pecuniary aid it annually ap
propriates than this?
At present there is no school to which the
farmer can send his son to learn the accom
plishments necessary to the practically sci
entific country gentleman, or to give him a
taste and preference for them. Nor have we
in town or country, any men who properly
understand some of the most common rural
operations. If we employ a man to prune
or graft our trees, the trees are disfigured or
mortally injured. If we hear of any, new
seeds, machines, manures or processes, we
have no means of learning their good and
bad qualities save by the account given by
interested salesmen. Should. not farmers
establish an agency for the trial—once for
them all—of the necessary experiments,
mostly requiring too much care, -expense,
time and special devotedness, than busy in
dividual farmers can give?
The plan of the Trustees combines all
these and many other great advantages, and
we hope and trust that all our citizens, and
especially our farmers, who are the dispen
sers of the bounties of Providence to us all,
will press upon the Legislature their modest
request.
The appropriation was lost last winter by
five votes.—Clintom Democrat.
DRESS WARM.—Read the following good ad
vice Our climate is changeable. Pleas
ant and charming weather soon passes into
raw and cold-taking days, which, unless pro
vided against, are most disastrous to the
health of the people. But the women—the
young ladies—are the most exposed. Pride
makes the most insensible and foolish beings
which claim anything of reason and pru
dence. They dress to be, sick, and half of
them are, because
. they despise thick and
warm clothing. Away with such nonsense,
men and women, and prepare for the change
of season. Better be healthy, beautiful and
robust, than fashionable, thin-shoed and
flounced-dressed gentry, with a genteel cough
and consumptive look. Then dress warm !
Put away your wafer understandings and
summer trappings, and betake yourself to
thick, warm, sensible and protecting clothing,
such as sound-minded men and women ought
to choose."
Another Legal Opinion.
If "distance lends enchantment- to the view," and said
"view" refuses to return it„ has "distance" a legal cause
of action, and is she entitled to recover? Will one of our
legal friends give an opinion ?—Globe of last week.
"MY DEAR GLOBE :-Am not well versed
in legal matters, therefore, Icannot say wheth
er "distance" could sustain a suit. But to
preserve harmony in the field, I suggest, that
in such cases, "distance" take "views"' note,
payable it sight. Yours truly,
We commend the above to the attention of
the correspondents of the Hollidaysburg Reg
ister. It might possibly have some remote
bearing on the Forgemen controversy.
The nd of an Ezperimerit of Socialism
in Illinois--“ The Icarian Community."
We find the following in the Springfield
(In.) correspondence of the Missouri Repub
lican:—
An interesting paper, slrowing the work
ings of socialism, to some extent at least, in
a memorial now before the Legislature for
the repeal of an act incorporating the "Ica
rian Community," passed in 1851.
This society was founded at Nauvoo in
1849, by one Citizen Cabet," for the pur
pose of realizing his social and political sys
tem. It was to create a better state of soci
ety, in which there was to be no more pover
ty, misery, vices nor abuses. All were to
live a life of peace and harmony. There was
to be no antagonism nor rivalry. Its "mate
rial" object was to clear the lands and to cul
tivate them, to construct habitations, to put
into operation all useful arts, to civilize and
render fruitful the wilderness. Its funda
mental principle was the "fraternity of men
and people ;" the consequences aimed at uni
ty, equality and solidarity.
Contrary to the Fourierite of free love doc
trine, the Icarians were strict in their regu
lations with regard to marriage. They ex
acted the greatest regard for the gentler sex,
and the utmost purity in the connubial rela
tion. Each family had a separate household.
The community were to work in common and
enjoy together the fruits of their labor. All
men to be equal, none have any privilege (as
such) and none possessing individually any
torture. The political organization was to
be essential democratic and republican.
Their by-laws required the Icarians to be
industrious, temperate, careful, economical,
cleanly, orderly, obedient to law, free from
moral and physical vices, and to make fra
ternity and communism their religion.
Such. was the beautiful theory that induced
.some twelve hundred souls to leave their
homes in France and form a colony in the
United States, for the purpose of making the
experiment of its practicability. I said beau
tiful theory, for I doubt if any refined mind
can withhold the application of that term to
a system apparently so devoid of evils, and
yet a system Utopian and ethereal.
Enthusiastically to contribute to what they
deemed the welfare of mankind, the Icarlans
placed their money and property, all they
,possessed, together with their happiness, and
that of their women and children, in the,coin
mon stock of the community. But after sev
en years of experience, after innumerable
sacrifices and privations, on the part of near
ly all, the experiment as practised at Nauvoo
has thus far proved a failure, and the colony
has dwindled down to four or five hundred
members. In -this family of brothers, dis
sentions, ill-feeling and hatred arose. On the
3d of February, 1856, the society itself di
vided into two almost equal parties upon
questions of internal government. An ami
cable separation was proposed by the minor
ity, but it was not listened to. The powers
of the elected officers were usurped, and the
colony was declared to be in a state of revo
lution.
A meeting was called, which lasted from
8 o'ckek in the evening till 6 o'clock in the
afternoon of the following day. The Ge
rance (or executive officers) refused to give
up possession of their offices, and then came
open rebellion. The majority party crowd
ed in the streets resolute to instal their chos
en members by force. The two factions met
in a state of unusual excitement, armed with
guns, pistols and knives; scenes of violence
ensued, the majority trying to force their
way through doors and . windows, and the
minority repulsing them.
At another time doors were broken in
with axes, and a melee took place, in which
men and women were wounded. Anxiety
and alarm prevailed throughout the commu
nity, as throughout the city. In the con
stant fear of attack or surprise, both parties
had established regular night guards, and
more than once the Mayor and public officers
were requested to interfere for preserving
quiet. These disruptions, alienations and
enmities continue to exist to a greater or less
extent, and the memorial now before the Le
gislature asks the repeal of the law incorpo
rating the community, that the petitioners
may withdraw their quota. of stock, amount
ing together to about $40,000. A bill for
that purpose has been printed, I understand,
and will probably pass, if in the mass of
business it can be reached.
LAST OF KNOW-NOTHINGISM IN CINCINNATI.
--The Cincinnati Enquirer, of a late date,
says:
Know-Nothingisni finished its career on
Monday, and disappeared forever from the
political theatre in this county. The six
thousand men who supported Fillmore last
November, almost to a man, turned in and
supported the Black Republican candidate.
Although they had taken the most solemn
oaths against foreigners, such was their in
vincible hatred of Democracy that they for
got them, and enlisted under the banner of
Molitor, Hassaurel & "foreign Dema
gogues, who left their country for their coun
try's good." Hereafter Know-Nothingism
will exist but in history. There are now but
two parties in Hamilton county—the Demo
cratic and Abolition—and voters will be com
pelled to array themselves upon one side or
the other.
"NEW PAPER COVERLETS."-A
,correspon
dent of one of the morning papers, gives the
following important suggestions in reference
to keeping warm during the cold weather :
"I would state for the benefit of the pub
lic at this cold season, that they may sleep
much more comfortable, and with fewer bed
clothes, by placing one or two thicknesses of
paper (common newspaper will answer) be
tween the coverlets of their beds. This may
appear ridiculous to some, as it did to me
when I first heard of it, but, having tried it,
I can testify, from experience, that it is an
effective remedy for cold sleeping. If those
who minister to the wants of the poor, will
give it a trial, I believe they will find it a
valuable aid in relieving their sufferings."
The plan is certainly worth a trial.
I 1 EASY METHOD OP DETECTING SPURIOUS
COIN.--,A shopkeeper residing in Deptford,
appeared before the magistrate at the Green
wich Police Court, as prosecutor in a case of
"smashing," and in his evidence stated that,
having taken a vast quantity of bad money,
he had at length discovered a certain test for
silver coin. It was his invariable custom, on
receiving a doubtful piece, to rub it with
blue vitriol stone, and then slightly wet it.
The effect is immediately seen ; for if the
coin be spurious metal, it at once turns
black, but if genuine there is no alteration
in its appearance.—English Paper.
The Murder at Altoona
A young physician,' named Samuel T 1
Norcross, a native of Lexington, Mass., Wasi
brutally murdered at Altoona, - in - this State,
on the morning of Friday, the 16th of Janu
ary, by a man named David Stringer McKita,-
who started from Pittsburg with . him as ar
traveling companion, Norcross- being quite
unwell in consequence of an abscess an the
side. The murderer is still at large, though
it has been but a short time since he was
seen in this city.
High Constable Blackburn, of this city,
has been on the search for McKim for some
time past. The . officer, after visiting Pitts
burg, and obtainining a full description o£
the alleged murderer, visited Chester. and
Delaware counties, where it was found that ,
he was charged with the larceny- of 23
ses. He also discovered that McKim had
three wives, his lawful one residing in Dela- -
ware, and the others in New Jersey.
At Altoona it was ascertained that a than'
answering the description was seen lurking'
about the building in which the inquest upon
the murdered man was held until a verdict'
of murder was rendered by the jury. He'
then disappeared, and was not traced again
until the officer arrived at Reading; here it'
was found that he had spent several days,-
and then left with two women of loose mor
als, after having purchased dresses, jewelry,
&c., for them. From this place he went to
Pottsville with his female companions, rent
ed and furnished a house for them at an ex
pense of about $BOO, and here he would have
been arrested but for the foolishness of a
gambler who made his acquaintance.
It appears that while the supposed mur
derer was on his way to Pottsville with the
women, the gambler entered into conversa
tion with one of the women, and by this
means received an invitation to visit the house ,
to be opened by their friend. ' The gambler,-
finding that the man had some money, deter- -
mined inveigle 'him into a *am% and strip'
him, but before he could acninplish his ob
ject, he (the gambler,) saw a description of
Norcross's companion and' supposed murder
er, but, instead of having McKim arrested
immediately, he (the gambler) commenced
telegraphing to the Mayor of Philadelphia
for a fuller description, and after two days
had. been spent in this way, the gambler came
to the conclusion that .McKim was the man,.
and telegraphed to the
. Mayor to send an of-'
fifer up.
In the meantime the gambler had inform'.
ed one of the women of the discovery he had
made, and requested her to keep quiet; but
she, feeling, 1 suppose, some compassion for
the man that had clothed and fed her, inform
ed McKim 'that he was suspected, and he,
without admitting the truth, left Pottsville
two days before the officer from Philadelphia
arrived. McKim was seen after this in Phil
adelphia, but all traces now have been lost of
him. His trunk is still at the Pennsylvania
depot, and in it is a carpenter's rule with his
name upon it. 'The furniture which he had
in the house at Pottsville, and the jewelry
which he gave the women, has all been seiz
ed by the authorities of Pottsville, and will
be sold, and the proceeds given to the friends
of the deceased. The women that lived with
him were hooted and pelted with snow balls
as they were going to the depot to leave the
town. McKim is about 6 feet high, stoop
shouldered; sandy hair, bald in front; high
cheek bones, and there is a scar in the palm
and on the back of one of his hands, caused
by a pistol shot.—N: American.
From the New York Times, of Feb. 19th-
The New York Tragedy.
On Saturday, the day after the murder
,of
Dr. Burdell, a man called at the Trunk Store
of Mr. Hill, No. 439 Hudson street, near Mor
ton, and purchased a large carpet bag, into
which he put a bundle of clothing, after
which he• locked the bag and took the key,
stating at the same time that he would leave
the bag for a short time as lie was going to
New Haven. The bag remained for several
days and the man not calling, a suspicion
arose in Mr. Hill's mind that the bag might
have some connection with the Bond street
affair. Mr. Hill called in a policeman and'
the bad was opened and its contents examin--
ed—" it contained a. number of bloody gar ,
merits, and other suspicious indicatkuts,P
which it is thought may afford a clue to un
ravel the mystery that surrounds the Burdell
tragedy.
PROMISE TO PROVE AN ALIBI FOR SNODGRASS.
To the Editor of the New York Times—
Seeing many fale statements in relation to
George V. Snodgrass, I will simply say that
be has been in my employment since the Ist
of January, and he has always fulfilled his
duties to my entire satisfaction, and was in
my store at the time the dagger was said hp ,
have been purchased, which can be proved
when called for by young men in my employ
ment. Hoping that this will silence the many
slanders against him and his family, I remain
DAVID MCMURRAT, Jr.,
No. 252 Pearl street.
New York, Feb. 18, 1857.
ANDREW JACKSON AND FRANKLIN PIERCE.
—General Jackson was, if possible, says the
Journal of Commerce, a better-abused man
than Present Pierce has been. Truth and
justice will yet do for the latter what they
have done for the former. His defamers
will skulk away as Gen. Jackson's "do now,
and very likely will claim to have been
his friends. In our opinion, President Pier
ce's administration has been as honest and
patriotic, and about as advantageous to the
public interests, as General Jackson's was.
What one thing, foreign or domestic, has he
undertaken that he has not accomplished,
and what one measure of public policy , has
he accomplished that the nation,- as. a whole,
would wish to see reversed ? Echo answers,
"WHAT ONE?"
DarA man passing himself off as Dr. Ste
venson, has been cutting a figure at Peters
burg, Va., and was about to marry a menti-*
ber of a respectable and wealthy family,
when it was established that he was a peni
tentiary convict from York, Pa., who had
served a full three years term at the weav
ing business in the East Pennsylvania insti- -
tution.
bliss ANN TIQUITT is said to be the
oldest female known in history.—Boston
Star.
Pshaw! she ain't near as old at; arunty: Di
luvian !—Syracuse Journal.
Both old, to be sure. But didn't Ann Te
rior precede them?
Yes, but we think Mrs. Ann T. Terior was
ahead of Ann Terior.—Daily Sun.
Your vision is clouded, Mr. Sun. Was
not Miss Pri Mary the first of all 2—Reading
Journal.
You are all in error. Aunty C. Dent was
"slightly previous" to the whole of your
family.—Lewisburg Chronicle.