latlyr Abrallam.
INDEPENDENT AND PROGRESSIVE.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1870.
----- ---
LANCASTER CITY, eA.
Reollon3Y, Retrenchment, Faithful Collection
of the Revenue and Payment of the Public
Debt.—GBANT.
BUSINESS NOTICE.
MR. S. BARIR YOUNG, the Lancaster News
Dealer, who everybody knows, is agent for
FATHER ABRAHAM, and 18 authorized to take
subscriptions and receive money for the same.
OLD VIRGINIA.
The bill re-admitting Virginia to the
great family of American States, passed
finally on Monday last. Entirely re-con
structed ; no slavery ; perfect equality be
fore the law and without regard to race or
color, and a new system of education and
civilization : old Virginia will soon rank
among the great and powerful Republi
can States of 'Union. The world moves.
(YELL DONE
Judge Long, on Saturday, called atten
tion to the large number of bills which
are, at each term of this Court, ignored by
the Grand Jury, and in which the county
is mulcted in the costs for the want of per
sons to prosecute them. His Honor re
commended that in all cases in which suits
in trilling matters ate instituted, and in
which the persons commencing them do
not attend Court to prosecute them, the
persons making the complaints should be
made to pay the costs incurred in the pro
ceedings. This is a matter of importance,
and we have wondered that attention has
not been called to it before this. It may
interfere with the income of our cli4inytc
ished District Attorney, to be sure, but
the Treasury of the county will be benefit
ted just so much.
THE AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The report of our County Auditor's
Messrs. Samuel Shoch, Gco. W. Mehaffey
and Geo. W. Hensel, which was present
ed to the Court on Monday last, is a high
ly interesting document. For want of
space we can only give a very brief ab
stract.
The late Treasurer, Captain Thomas,
during his term of office, accounted for
$111.03, interest on county funds loaned
out, " showing an example that would
have been as creditable for his predeces
sors:to have imitated, as it will be for his
IleVeiriA3ol7 to imitate," stud the taxpayers
of the county will appreciate him as one
among many. The county Prison is man
aged for the sole benefit of the Keeper,
who pockets many thousands annually in
the shape of profits on rations ; the bridge
building swindles, and other schemes of
the corruptionists are referred to and fully
exposed. lu conclusion, they also refer to
the Commissioners' habit of charging con
structive mileage, and charge that mile
age accounts were overdrawn, by Samuel
Slocum, ;116.06; John Strohm, jr., Stoi
and Jacob IL Kready S6l. We shall refer
to this subject more fully hereafter.
VAGRANTS.
The report of the Grand Jury, at the re
cent session of the Court of Quarter Ses
sions, contains the following :
" The Jury furtker deprecate the cus
tom of our constables and committing
magistrates in the free use they make of
their authority in apprehending, arresting
and committing vagrants, who would
otherwise pass beyond the county. By
the abuse of this right our county prison
is continually tilled with them, and the
costs of their arrest and conviction, in
cluding the cost of their maintenance, ab
sorbs a large amount of the public money
that could otherwise be more beneficially
appropriated."
" Thereby hangs a tale," which it may
be proper to unfold, when we can get at
the facts. We have been told that this
vagrant business has been a source of
large revenue to Aldermen and Consta
bles of this city, as well as the prison
keeper, and after we get the facts in proper
shape, we will let the people know what
has been done in this direction, and who
did it —Republicans and Copperheads
alike.
CONTEMPTIBLE.
The howl raised by the Harrisburg
Treasury plunderers against the honest
and independent Republicans who had
the pluck to bolt, and kick to one side the
set-up for State Treasurer, charging them
with having entered into an arrangement
or understanding with the Democrats to
defeat certain party measures, such, for
instance, as the police bill, or to decide in
favor of democratic contestants for seats
in the Senate, is simply contemptible.
If we are not greatly mistaken, the Re
publican Senators and Representatives
who were found among the " bolters
will do just what they ought to (10, during
the session, by supporting every fair and
just measure that may be calculated to
uphold and support the Republican party,
but that no mere petty and unfair partisan
schemes will receive their countenance
or support. And as far as they are con
cerned, we venture also to say that con
tested seats will be awarded as they ought
to be, to those who, according to the evi
dence that may be produced, shall appear
to be fairly and clearly elected by the peo
ple, and without the least regard to the
political complexion of this or that party
interest.
THE GREAT LIBEL CASE!
ARMSTRONG VS. FATHER ABRAHAM.
TRIAL BEFORE ARBITRATORS!
"NO CAUSE OF ACTION!"
THE PLAINTIFF TO PAY THE COSTS!
On Saturday last, the case of Andrew
Armstrong vs. Rauch & Cochran was
tried before Arbitrators, at the Court
House in this city, being an action for
$lO,OOO which the Plaintiff claimed in
consequence of an alleged libel published
in FATHER, ABRAHAM some time during
the year 1869, accusing Mr. Armstrong,
whilst a member of the Legislature, of
over drawing his mileage to the amount
of about $B3, and thus imroperly taking
money from the State Treasury.
The defense produced the original re
port of the Legislative Committee on mile
age (D. G. Steacy, Chairman) brought
from llarrisburg by Wm. L. Cooper, one
of the Clerks of the House, by virtue of a
subpoena, in which report it appears that
Mr. Armstrong was entitled to $l,OOO
salary, $25 for stationery and $8.40 mile
age, which, correcty added, amounts to
1033.40. By some strange mistake, the
sum of $1,116.80 was placed opposite Mr.
A. , s name, as the addition of these items,
for which a warrant on the Treasury was
issued and presented by him for payment.
Mr. Taggart, (who was then cashier in
Treasury Department) was called to the
stand and sworn. He testified that when
Mr. Armstrong presented said warrant
for payment, he called his attention to the
manifest 2tt iStala, by asking him (Mr. Arm
strong) whether the amount was right, and
the latter assured hin that it was, whereupon
he paid hint the ',item( g.
The publication of the articles in FATH
ER ABRAHAM, upon which suit was
brought,was not denied by the defendants.
The arbitrators consisting of Messrs.
Wm. M. Slayrnaker, Geo. B. Mowery and
Samuel M. Myers, awarded
" No cause of action."
Counsel for defendants, John B. Living
ston and A. C. Reinwhl, Esq's. FATHER
ABRAHAM is therefore still ahead—as far
as heard from.
THE COUNTY FINANCES.
Thuggery, it appears, continues to hold
on to the extensive use of the County
Treasury, and a new outrage upon the
taxpayers is about to be perpetrated by
imcreasing the rate of taxation for County
purposes from 3# to 5 mills on the dollar,
whilst an unexpended balance of $519,-
22 remained in the Treasury at the close
of capt. Thomas' term of office as Treas
urer. The following arc the figures pre
sented by the official statement :
Reed from Ellwood Greist,
former Treasurer it 24,045 17
Outstanding Taxes, 1807 7,Y27 43
Resources from 1807 32,772 GO
Tax of 2 1 4 mills, 180 s 153,402 03
Other sources 35,015 12
Whole resources for ISCS
Disbursements
Bala/nee $ 35,361 57
Outstanding Tax 24,818
Balance in Treasury 1u,542 96
35,351 57
Tax of 5% . mills, ISO
Other source;
Disbursements
• 68,910 22
outstanding Taxes $ 27,670 36
Balance in Treasury 31,248 H
Resources for 18,9
The increase of rate of taxation at this
time, from 31 to 5 mills, with $58,919.22
on hand, is simply an outrage. But, such
is Thuggery in Lancaster county, and we
suppose the people will have to put up
with it for one year longer.
THE BROKEN BINH.
Every respectable Republican paper in
Pennsylvania appears to rejoice over the
glorious result of the State Treasurer's
election—the complete overthrow of the
ring of treasury robbers and the emanci
pation of the Republican party from Cam.
eronian tyranny. Below we give a few
extracts, in addition to those published
last week:
From the Clarion Republican : " The
Ring men in the Legislature have come to
griet. * * All the Republicans who
voted for Irwin have done their duty, and
have placed themselves on the high ground
of public respect."
From the Sharon Herald: "We are
glad to announce that our representative
from this county, Mr. E. A. Wheeler,
was among the " bolters." * * We are
confident all true Republicans in Mercer
county who believe and expect a represen
tative to serve their interests will sustain
Mr. Wheeler. and gain renewed confidence
in his integrity."
The Butler Citizen says : " The power
of rings about llarrisburg has grown so
great, and the corrupt use of money 6o
glaring, that it was time they should be
broken up."
The New Castle Journal says : " The
worst dyspeptic, who knows the members
of the political ring in Pennsylvania, will
be forced not only to smile, but to laugh
outright, when they listen or read the
stories put in circulation by the ring man
agers in relation to the defeat of R. W.
Mackey for State Treasurer. The absurdi
ty that his defeat has destroyed the Re
publican party has been repeated so often
by the ring men of this locality, that the
most verdant Republicans know it to be a
ruse."
air In the last fiscal year ending June
30, 1869, the total receipts of the Govern
ment from Internal Revenue amounted to
$143,027.988. This does not include the
moneys derived from the taxes on sala
ries, stamps and passports. To the above
total Pennsylvania alone contributed $15,-
000 000.
The great question of reconstruction is
about settled—the ratification of the fif
teenth amendment by Nebraska and Texaf
during the next few weeks will put an end
to all political controversy about right.
under the constitution on account of racy
or color. Thus in the brief space of teL
years, the great Republican party has
taken possession of the government, con
ducted the greatest war of modern times,
liberated four millions of slaves, and
finally secured to every State a Republican
form of government, and to every citizen,
regardless of race or color, exact equal
rights before the law. And thus the great,
leading object for which the Republican
party was organized, has been accom
plished.
What next? We say this same Republi
can party must not only continue to I.rbb
the party of progress and civilization, but,
it must also be the party of reform, econo
my and honesty. A set of political gam
blers and corruptionists and thugs and
thieves are after the party organization.
and mean to run it for their own base pur
poses, but it will be for the honest, inde
pendent and true Republican people to de
termine whether it shall or shall not be so
—whether the party shall be kept together
merely for spoils and plunder—to feed and
fatten a ring of unprincipled and irre
sponsible political trimmers, or whether
its future work shall be a restoration o'
honesty and common decency in our Legis
lative halls; whether public officers shal,
be held strictly accountable to the people.
and whether honesty and character shalt
be among the principal qualifications for
office.
The people do unquestionably desire
honesty, retrenchment and reform hi
every branch of the government—in Na
tion, State, County, City, Ward, Borough
and Township, and that party will secure
the lease of power for the next ten years
which proves itself most earnest and sin
cere in the cause of reform. As far as we
are concerned, we mean that the glorious
old Republican party shall deserve and
have a continuation of political power.
In helping to burst up the ring of politi
cal corruption, in which our former friend
" Id. S. Quay appeared to enjoy
considerable notoriety, we did not mean
to "ruin" him personally, or injure him
in any way. We never considered him at
all responsible for the various little tricks
and rascalities in which he was engaged,
well knowing that he was compelled to
wear the brass collar and act the part of
mere lackey to his master, the old Winne
bago Chief himself. All that we mid
about poor Quay personally was for llif
own good. But, according to an article
which appeared in his paper of the 21st
inst., he is unable to appreciate our in
tended kindness as he indulges in some
very unfriendly language, such as "
" pilferer," " leper," " skunk,"
" ruffian," "knave," " fool," " rogue,"
" imbecile," " nondescript," " pest,"
forger” and other characteristic epithets.
Of course, those who know Mr. Quay per
sonally as we do need not be told that
when he penned the article he was doubt
less laboring under his usual affliction—
very much alcohol on the brain—yet we
think the article very clearly reflects the
real mental and moral condition of this
unhappy, defunct and "ruined" politician,
without reference to intoxicants.
MUM
186,4'28 18
X 171,035 40
134,827 57
M 342,124 54
283,205 32
4 58,919 22
When we remember that only a few
years ago Mr. Quay was quite a respect
able and well to do gentleman, and a
journalist of fair character, we feel as if
an effort should at once he made by his
friends to reclaim and save him. It may
not be too late for him yet to turn over a
new leaf and become a decent, honorable
and truthful man. Let him at once be
urged to sign the temperance pledge, and
the strongest possible influences be brought
to bear him up and keep him out of bad
company, and away from gambling dens.
If he can be induced to sign the pledge,
and manifest an earnest desire to reform,
his wreck may yet be reconstructed on a
substantial moral basis. We are confident
that even the professional gentlemen of
South Ninth street would cheerfully and
magnanimously cancel whatever " checks
of honor" they may hold against him, and
thus encourage and help him along in the
effort to commence a new and hunortible
life.
For one, we shall not desert Mr. Quay.
We mean to do all we can to save him.
Others may hoot at him and deride him as
" ruined, 77 " defunct, 77 " played-out” and
" bursted, 7' but we say to him, take cour
age and become a man once more I As
long as FATUEU ABRAHAM enjoys life
and prosperity, so long will you have at
at least one friend to stand up for you and
defend you, even in your gloomiest days of
adversity and demoralization. Again we
say to Mr. Quay, take courage, and be a
man !
CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT.-
The following shows the number of inhabi
tants to each representative in Congress,
if the whole number is fixed at three hun
dred, with a population of thirty-seven,
thirty-eight, thirty-nine and forty mil
lions ; 37,000,000 one representative to
123,333 ; 38,000,000 one representative to
126,666; 39,000,000 one representative to
130,000, and 40,000,000 one representative
to 133 333.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
A RUINED POLITICIAN.
SAM ACCEPTS THE SITUATION.
On Friday afternoon last, our highly
esteemed old friend, Samuel Josephs, the
well known representative of the Phila
delphia Fourth Ward Democracy, accom
panied by Senator Nagle, of the same
locality and political faith, visited the
sanctum of FATHER ABRAHAM. After
the usual exchange of civilities, we learn
ed that his principal object in calling was
to obtain from us, if possible, some letters
of introduction to several leading colored
citizens of his district, in the hope that he
may secure at least a portion of the forth
coming vote under the fifteenth amend
ment. At the last election, the "dutch"
were after Sam, and reduced his majority
very considerably. A solid "wooley head"
vote, added to the fire-tried Republicans
and disaffected dutch democracy of the
district, Sam seems to think, would squelch
him entirely.
If we correctly understand Sam he nev
er entertained other than the highest re
gard for his colored fellow-citizens. Re
always looked upon them as equals—mor
ally, politically, intellectually and socially,
and lie now heartily rejoices that the day
of "J übelo'l has come, at last. Before call
ing on us, he had stopped in at the Ex
aminer office, in the hope of getting a few
letters of introduction from Jack lliest
and, but he soon found that the latter
gentleman has no standing among the
colored people, and that they have no con
fidence in him ; he then left that sanctum
in disgust, and wisely concluded to call on
FATIIEIt ABRAHAM. We are now hold
ing his case under advisement.
THE WORK OF REFORM.
Notwithstanding the enormous load of
corruption which the Republican party
has been compelled to carry along during
the last three, four or five years, and the
reckless character of the now defunct ring
of Treasury plunderers, sustained and de
fended by the Harrisburg Telegraph, the
Lancaster Inquirer, and its tender the
Lancaster Examiner, and several other
papers owned and run in the Thug and
Ring interest, the work of reform is now
going on gloriously.
One of the most important steps in the
right direction was the election of an en
tire delegation of true men as Senators and
Representatives from old Lancaster coun
ty, including that faithful and well-tried
public servant, Senator Billingfelt. The
appointment of this gentleman to the
highly important position of Chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, in place of
that bold and well known leader and setter
up of jobs and raids on the public Treasu
ry, Mr. Connell, was the next step, clear
ly indicating that the reformers were in
Aithest. Then the right kind of elements
took courage, and resolved at all hazards
to overthrow the Treasury ring, by
the election of General Irwin to the office
of State Treasurer. Diligent enquiry is
also being made in regard to the manage
ment of the sinking fund, and the finances
of the State during the last few years, and
as Senator Billingfelt heads this move
ment, the public may rest assured that
there will be no white-washing it over.
Looking into the affairs of the House of
Representatives, we also find a very grati
fying change there since last year. No
extra twenty-seven pasters and folders ;
no officers other than those authorized by
law ; no more sending dirty linen franked
through the mails at the expense of the
State ; no more useless and stale publica
tion of Legislative Record at an enormous
expense, only to continue feeding and fat
tening a notorious treasury bummer at
Harrisburg as a reward for doing just
whatever task of filthy work may be set
before him by old Simon, his master and
owner.
And the noble stand taken by the Gov
ernor, on the side of honesty, decency and
reform, is also highly encouraging, and
calculated to make honest men bold and
unflinching in well doing. In a word,
every thing looks well. The reform move
ment is a reality ; earnest men are at the
front,and the session of 1870, we firmly be
lieve, will long be remembered as the re
storation of honor and good faith in our
State government. Indications are that
we shall have wise and wholesome legisla
tion for the public good ; no petty enact
ments merely to gratify partisan interests;
no selling out of principles ; no Legislative
votes disposed of at public auction ; no
fraudulent Illyus grabs in the shape of
pay for services never performed and no
other dodge or fraud or trick to rob the
public treasury.
With such a record for the Republican
party as the result of the present reform
movement, and with a total and final over
throw of the Ring of corruptionists, the
great party of the country will continue
to be sustained and supported by an over
whelming majority of the true men of the
Old Keystone State.
The assertion of the Inquirer and
Examiner, the two Thug organs of this
city, that Senators Billingfelt and Nagle,
and Messrs. Josephs, Taggart and Geist
met in conference, at the Express, or in
our office, on Friday last is simply a false
hood, and the Thug organ grinders knew
it to be false when they made it.
G r Col. J. P. Wickersham, Superinten
dent of Common School, Senator Warfel
and Representative Herr will accept
thanks for sundry documents.
TRYING TO COVER HIS TRACES.
Id another article we refer to a friendly
visit to our sanctum, on Friday last, by
Samuel Josephs Esq., the Representative
of the Fourth Ward (Philadelphia) demo
cracy. We also refer to the fact that he
had called on our former jolly, but now
chop-fallen friend, John A. Thestand, Esq.
If Mr. Josephs had any other object in
calling on us than merely a visit, as on
several former occasions during a ten
years, personal acquaintance with him,we
certainly do not know it. But, as Mr.
Jack Hiestand is trying to create the im
pression that this visit was for some ras
cally or improper purpose, and to cover
up his own interview with the democratic
representative of the 4th Ward, by assert
ing that he was with him in the Examiner
Office only a few minutes, and knowing,
too, that Jack is always ready for a sharp
dodge, we really begin to suspect that
there is something going on between these
worthies, that Mr. Josephs was sent to
our sanctum only for the purpose of throw
ing suspicion in this direction. The fact
that Mr. Josephs and Senator Nagle came
from the direction of the Examiner Office,
followed by one ofJacles runners—a young
man named Jim—who came up as far as
our office door, evidently to show them in
to the right place, we are forced to the
conclusion that Sam had some other and
more important object than looking after
the forthcoming voters under the 15th
amendment. We do certainly mean to
keep a sharp look-out for these " fellers.,,
torveopondence.
OUR HARRISBURG LETTER.
FIARRIRBURG, January 26, 1870
Dear Father Abraham: More then three
weeks have elapsed since the Legislature con
vened, but I am unable to note the passage of
a single important bill. Quite a number have
been introduced, but have been passed over
until the Record matter is disposed of. Yes
terday the Senate took up the report of the
Joint Committee submitting a contract made
with Mr. George Bergner for its publication
in a briefer form than heretofore, but after a
lengthy debate, consuming nearly the entire
session of the Senate, the resolution ratifying
the contract was indefinitely postponed—yeas
16, nays 15. This morning Senator Billing
felt called up his resolution, introduced on
Monday evening last, instructing the clerks
of both houses to have a journal of each day's
proceedings printed and placed on the desks
of the members the following day. The Con
stitution of the State provides for the publi
cation of a journal weekly, and and Mr. B.'s
proposition was merely to require it to be
printed daily instead of weekly, thereby ap
prising the members of the respective bodies
of the daily proceedings of both branches. It
was postponed for the present, and immedi
ately a motion to reconsider the action of yes
terday, postponing indefinitely the contract
for the Record prevailed, and after consider
able discussion the Senate approved of the
contract by ayes 20, naysl3, Senators Billing
felt and Warfel voting in the negative. The
concurrence of the House and the signature of
the Governor are necessary to make it effect
ive.
=1
Immediately after postponing indefinitely
the Record contract yesterdey, Senator Beck
offered IL resolution dispensing with the ser
vices of all officers except the clerks, sergeant
at-arms, doorkeeper and assistant, postmaster
and assistant, and doorkeeper and assistant,
which caused a considerable flutter among
them, and a general stampede to the Treasu
rer's office ensued. A number drew their pay
up to date, while the remainder concluded to
await the Senate's action on the proposition.
Pending its consideration, the Senate adjourn
ed, and nothing further will likely be heard
of it.
POSTAGE AND DOCUMENTS
No proviison has yet been made for post
age, and as a consequence all motions to print
documents hav3 been defeated.
GOVERNOR'S SALARY.
The bill which passed the Senate some days
ago, increasing the Governor's salary from
$5,000 to $7,000 was attempted to be called
up in the House on Tuesday of last week,
(the last day) but failed by a vote of 44 to 47.
I notice the Examiner charges Representa
tives Reincehl and Herr with voting for the
bil:, while the fact is it was never before the
House. As the Constitution prohibits raising
the salary of the Governor while in office,
John W. will have to run the machine at the
old figure-0,000.
GEARY'S CABINET
Governor Geary has re-appointed all his old
Cabinet, which seems to have given pretty
general satisfaction.
TSB SINKING FUND
The preamble and resolution ofSenator Billing
felt, introduced laat Friday, appeared at length
in the Philadelphia papers of the day follow
ing. It cites the law regulating the Sinking
Fund and the revenues belonging thereto, as
well as the uses to which they are to be ap
plied, gthows by the report of the State Trea
surer that over $900,000 were last year ap
propriated to the current expenses of the
Government in violation of law, and mills on
that officer for a statement of the present con
dition of the Sinking Fund.
IfIURANO* BURBAII
Senator Warfel, has presented two very im
portant bills—one estal,lishing an Insurance
Department in connection with the State Gov
ernment, to be "charged with the execution
of the laws heretofore passed or that may
hereafter be passed in relation to every species
of insurance," and the other " providing for
the Incorporation of Life and Health Insur
ance Companies," and in relation to agencies
of such Companies. Extra copies were order
ed to be published which will be ready for die,
tribution in a few days, when the public will
be informed of their character and provisions.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT
A resolution Sting on Thursday, the 17th of
March, as the day of final adjournment, lute
passed the Senate and reported affirmatively
by the House Committee.
DIAMOND VB. WATT
A motion to "quash" the petition of con
testant in the case of Diamond against Watt,
in *mount of alleged informality, was heard
by the Committee in open Senate on Tuesday
evening. Messrs. A. 3. Simpson and L. \V.
Hall, Esqs., appeared for Watt, and Lewis C.
Cassidy, Esq., for Diamond. The motion
failed, but a number of specifications in the
petition were stricken out, which will mater
ially simplify and shorten the trial.
LOCAL LIWISLATION.
In the Senate—Mr. Billingfelt has tigroduc
ed an Act to authorize the School DlMtors of
Manheim borough, to sell certain real estate;
also, an Act requiring the Commissioners of
Lancaster county, to give bonds with approv
ed securities for the faithful performance of
their duties. In Committee. Also, an Act
extending the time for commencing the Dela
ware River and Lancaster Railroad. Passed
the Senate. .Oso, an Act extending tha Corn
wall and Phrunix ville Railroad. lu Commit
tee. Also, a Petition from Upper Leacock,
praying that the question of License or no
License be submitted to a vote of the people.
Mr. Warfel, has introduced an Act repealing
the Act appointing an Inspector of Coal Oil
for Lancaster county. In Committee.
In tne House—Mr. Reinuchl has introduced
an Act exempting certain property in Mari
etta, from borough taxation. In Committee:
Messrs. Godshalk, Herr and Wiley, have pre
sented petitions from Upper Leacock township,
Lancaster county, praying that the question
of License or no License may be submitted to
a vote of the people. Z.
OUR PHILADELPHIA. LETTER.
PuitAnt:Lrum, January 27, 1870
DEAR Aui: The cause of "Warwick's" long
silence is easil explained, A provoking
accident which temporarily lost him the use
of his quill, and subjected him to innumerable
little difficulties, caused his long silence, but
with your permission he will again make his
bow to the readers of Father Abe, and pro
ceed to give them his usual weekly budget of
news from the City of Brotherly Love.
'The latest sensation in regard to the noto
rious "Rev." or "Dr." Landis, just convicted
and sent to the Penitentiary for publishing
obscene books, &c., is his cueing George W.
Childs, Esq., proprietor of the Public Ledger,
for libel, estimating his damages at the signii
cant sum of $25,000. It is more than probable
that the suit is brought against Mr. Childs
for refusing to publish the "Doctor's'' adver
tisements in his paper, which, whilst it some
what diminished the receipts of the "lie,.
Dr.," done a vast amount of good to the
publie.
Tile annual meeting and election of officers
of the Commercial Exchange took place yes
terday, and the contest was quite spirited,
resulting in the following choice: President—
Nathan Brooke; Vice President—Wm. Brice;
Secretary—W. J. Jackson; Treasurer--Theo.
Wilson. From the annual report, "in a
commercial point of view the year 1869 has
been one of great depression, not confined to
isolated localities, but felt with more or lees
severity from Maine to Texas and from the
Pacific to the Atlantic," which is caused by
the fluctuations of gold, and general shrink
age in value. The receipts for the year have
been $37,849.78, and the expenditures $37,-
155.42, in adaition to which there was $2,000
contributed to the Avondale sufferers.
Yesterday the will of the late Bernard Ma
guire, of the 15th ward, was admitted to pro
bate. Among the bequests is over $40,000 to
the various charitable institutions of our city,
The descendants of the Stewarts, the Mac
gregors Mid the Scots, celebrated the 111th
anniversary of Robert Burns yesterday, about
one handfed and fifty persons participating,
winding up with a very handsome banquet in
the evening.
Business is remarkably dull, many of our
largest houses being perfectly well satisfied to
keep there heads above water. Almost daily
we hear of the suspension of firms who have
been considered the most solid, but sinu the
mysterious disappearance of J. IV. Proctor,
the Chestnut street retailer, nothing appears
to astonish our community in the Eliape of a
thilure. More anon
lours,
A souTuEux paper unwittingly pays
the late Edwin M. Stanton the highest
tribute possible when it says : "Ile was
the life and - knit of the Federal armies
during the late War, and but for his abili
ties and uneoUtinerable sternness of pur
pose, it would have closed years before it
did, with the South independent."
IT has been discovered that persons who
work in copper are never attacked by
cholera, and it is suggested that physici
ans shpuld experiment with preparations
of the metal for the purpose of deciding
whether it could not be employed as a
preventive during future visits of the
epidemic.
goad feta.
ITEMS: The house of John Walter in
Springville, was completely destroyed by fire
on Wednesday afternoon of last week. Noth
ing was saved excepting the furniture on the
first floor. The fire originated through smok
ing sausages in one of the rooms.
' Chicken thieves infest Columbia.
-
On Wednesday of last week, Henry Lutz
fell from the roof of a barn on the Malone farm
situated on the New Holland turnpike. severe
ly h urting his head and injuring himself in
ternally.
We neglected to mention that D. P. Rosen
miller, Esq., has taken new quarters. Me is
now located at No. 5 Court Avenue, where all
in need of any kind of legal business would
do well to give him a call.
A young man named John Treichier, of
Falmouth, Conoy township, had his foot badly
mashed week before last.
A little son of Henry Christ of Warwick,
was playing ball and while in the act of get
ting over the fence after the ball fell and broke
one of his arms, week before last.
The " Fruit Growers' Society" of Pennsyl
vania, held their annual session in this city
BLit week. The display of fruits was very
Sue ' and the proceedings of a very interest
ing ammeter.
isehnel D. Weidman, made a sausage last
week, which measured 71 feet long and
we i g hed 5034 pounds.
The Moravian Congregation Council of this
city, have increased the salary of the pastor
(Bisho f p Sigler,) from $BOO to $lOOO, exclu
sive o the parsonage, which building is own
ed by the church.
Dr: J. Z. Gerhard of as city, has been
chosen a physician to the State Lunatic
Asylum.
George Miller, residing in But Lampeter
township, recently butchered a hog 10 months
old; which weighed when dressed 470 pounds.
Eight shares of Lancaster County Bank
Stock were sold on Monday afternoon, at
$81.20 per share.
A. 11. Kauffman and brother, have since
the season commenced killed thirteen foxes in
the neighborhood of Ifighville.
Samuel Slokom has sold the Nobleville
Mill and Strut of 80 acres, to Ellwood Tyson
and William Hannum, of Chester county, for
SII,MO.
On Sunday morning next, the new Pastor
of the St. John's Lutheran Church, Rev. B.
C. Suesserott will be installed into his office.
Rev. A. C. 'ledeken, of New York, former
pastor of St. John's,and Rev. Luther A. Got
wald, of Chambersbnrg, will be present and
take part in the exercises. In the afternoon,
the new Chapel, recently erected on James
street, and known as the " Gotwald Memor
ial Chapel," will be dedicated with appropri
ate services.
William Echternach, has recently sold his
tavern property in Strasburg, to E. M. Eber
man, for $4,800.
Samuel Slokom has sold a three-story brick
house and lot in the village of Christianna, to.
Mrs. Valentine, of Chester county, for $3,000..
WA It W I (.'