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Lancaster fntelligencer.
FETOAY EVENING. APBIL G, 1880.
The Coming Convention.
Somebody proposes a plan te harmon
ize the Democratic party in Pennsylva
nia by agreeing in advance of the meet
ing of the state convention upon certain
terms and conditions te be carried out
therein, these terms in part consisting
of an agreement by the contesting Phila
delphia delegations as te -what shall be
clone ; and the Philadelphia Times prints
the sentiments of several Pennsylvania
congressmen thereon, which show their
conviction that the state Democracy
must net be disturbed by any personal
contest between Messrs. Wallace and
Handall, or any ether claimants te lead
ership. Se far as the matter of securing
harmony is concerned, and the disposi
tion te disregard any personal interests
in obtaining it, it may be assumed that
there is no division of sentiment among
the masses of the party, and that
the delegates te the state convention
will meet with a fixed determination
that the interests of the whole party shall
net be .sacrificed at the demand of any
faction. And se far as the Philadelphia
dispute is concerned it is certain that
any preposition which will result in
sending tejthe convention one set of dele
gates will be welcomed by the party, and
any compromise proposed is very proper
matter for consideration and determina
tion prier te the meeting of the conven
tion. Se is it right that any disputing
sets of Democrats shall try te settle their
differences amicably before the conven
tion meets. IJut it is nobody's business
te determine for the convention what it
shall de in the matters which it assem
bles toletermine. 'Who shall be delegates
at large te the national convention,
and who shall be electors and candidates,
it is fjtlic convention te say, and it
will net be prejHjr te set up any slate for
its adoption before it meets. The con
vention will be quite able te discharge its
business, and in the temper in which it
will meet we de net think that it will have
much trouble in settling all matters at
variance between members of the party.
"What can properly be done te reliee il
of jangles should be done, but Jit is Jnet
necessary for this purpose that the pro pre
gramme of its nominations shall be
mapped out. Disputes in conventions
are net agreeable, but it is better te have
them than te have machine dictation.
The only great trouble the party has
ever had is with Philadelphia, and,
as we have before suggested, the
contention has a ready means of
freeing itself from that by refusing
Philadelphia representation in this
convention if it shall find the party
there se antagonistic that it cannot
agree upon its representatives and can
not consent te act together for the party
geed. There is no tense in the descrip
tion of Pcnnsylvanian Democrats gen
erally as "Wallace or Handall men. They
are net se. The most of them doubtless
have their individual preferences be
tween tliesa two men, but it is certain
that in general they cannot be clan
nishly described as the support
ers of either, as against the party.
Xer can the Democrats of the
state be classed as Tilden or anti-Tilden,
without charging them with the grossest
felly. It -vill net de te say that.Pennsyl
vania Democrats are for any man for
president who will be unsatisfactory te
any large number of their fellow Demo
crats. Pennsylvania is net such a strong
Democratic state that its Democrats can
afford te be very saucy in insisting in the
choice of their individual preference ;
nor will they.
Let Them Summon Each Other.
If lawyers are te be held in contempt
or subject te summary and severe pun
ishment for impairing public confidence
in the courts, even if they deserve te lese
it, the important question arises what te
de with courts which by their own con
duct forfeit their confidence or by their
freely expressed opinions of ether courts
and ether judges lead the public te dis"
trust their integrity or their intelligence.
Anyone who will carefully read the
opinions of the state supreme court, for
tlie last forty years especially, will find
scattered through them severe reflections
of the upper upon the lower courts, and
even of some the judges of that high
council upon some of their associates.
The familiar "Williamsport case,in which
Judge Agnew strongly intimated that the
opinion finally delivered as that of the
majority of the supreme bench was net
that originally agreed upon, fur
nishes some very severe reflec
tions en the court and its opinions ;
and his political letter published while
chief justice is equally distinguished for
its freedom of language. Every new
and then a common pleas judge gets a
buffet from the upper court which is cal
ciliated " te disturb and prejudice the
mind of the public respecting the impar
tial and just administration of distribu
tive justice " in the lower courts and te
expose the reversed judge te the con.
tempt of his bar and th suitors before
him.
Xetably here in Lancaster county lias
each of the two judges been willing if net
desirous te disturb the mind of the pub
lic respecting the willingness or the ca
pacity of the ether te impartially and
justly administer " distributive justice."
It is the common scandal of lawyers and
laymen here that instead of there being a
cordial feeling between them and an earn
est desire each te co-operate with the ether
in upholding the dignity of the bench and
promoting public confidence in the wis
dem of the court, they have allowed
their petty jealousies te se far control
them as te belittle each ether and each
ether's judgments. The lawyers have
listened witli astonishment te Judge
Livingston's arraignments of Judge Pat
terson en the bench and off the bench ;
and waited with wonderment en one oc ec oc
fer Judge Patterson te " get even with
him " when he seemed te have the
chance. In private and public they have
, manifested this disposition and neither
lias ever seemed unwilling that the ether
should get fast in the mud, provided that
none of the ether fellow's mud should
get en his garments if we except the
present heroic exhibition of Judge Pat-
. tersen in doing what he thought Judge '
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LANCABTEK
52SP5 LJSlPATTERSOffS OOIUM.I
would net because he had. a "weak
back."
"We affirm that no circumstance has
done mere than the relations of our two
judges te each ether te " injure if net de
stroy the moral influence of the court and
te impair confidence in the administra
tion of public justice, and thereby in
flict great harm en public society."
"Wherefore since they are " unanimous
for once " as te what ought te be done
with people who thus offend, we invite
Judge Livingston te summon judge Pat
terson te answer for a breach of profes
sional fidelity, and Judge Patterson te
proceed similarly against his beloved
brother.
TnE Western association of iron man
ufacturers have done a sensible thing at
last in reducing the scale rate of iron te
the actual selling rate. They have drop
ped the price from four cents te three
and two-tenths cents per pound, and the
cost of the manufacture will have te
drop correspondingly. A decrease in
wages, freight and material must come,
that will enable the manufacturers te
make iron at the reduced rate at a fair
profit. The mistake was a great one
which advanced iron se high as te let
the foreign article come into compete
tien with it, and it can only be repaired
by a reduction in price that will preserve
the market te the home manufacturer.
The "Western trade would have shown
mere sagacity by an earlier realization of
this obvious fact.
MINOR TOPICS.
Blaixe has carried one mere
Ohie. Sherman had Letter go
leek after his fences.
county hi
home and
Ok course the politicians who are rabid
en the Chinese question will net employ
Chinese lanterns during the campaign.
Tun Maryland Hejmllkan, published at
the state capitol, issues an extra printed
in geld, red and blue, with an account of
the house-warming at Magnelia hall, June
2, 1050, and biographical sketches of all of
Maryland's legislators.
Prixce Bismarck appearslikely te hare
his own way again. The letter in which
Emperor "William refuses te accept his re
bignatien and asks him te deiine the
changes he desires, virtually assures the
chancellor that the powerful influence of
Prussia will be exercised in his behalf.
The emperor evidently deems state rights
of little account compared with the con
tinuance of Trince Bismarck in office.
A compilation" of the various canvasses
of the colleges of the country en the presi
dential question has been published by the
Harvard Eche. Thirty-six colleges have
been heard from, and the totals aie :
Blaine, 2,227; Grant, 1,-10S ; Sherman,
1,01-4; Edmunds, U01 ; Bayard, 1.117;
Tilden, 105. This shuws Blaine te have
nearly twice as much t&icngth as Grant,
and Bayard te beat Tiklcn in popularity
mere than live te one.
Tan Philadelphia Ledger has figured up
the result of the election of delegates te
the national convention as thus far held, as
fellows : Fer the Chicago convention 12
states and tciriteries have chosen their
delegates, aggregating 252 delegates out
of 75G composing the convention. Se far
as can be ascertained from the instructions
given delegates and the announced indivi
dual preferences of theso uninstructcd,
thcre arc for General Grant 155, for Sena Sena
eor Blaine 52, for Senater Edmunds 14, for
Secretary Sherman 8, for Mr. "Washburne
3 and the preferences of 20 arc unknown.
Fer the Cincinnati convention three states
haTO thus far chosen their delegates,
aggregating 3C, all of them believed te be
favorable te Mr. Tilden.
PERSONAL.
Senater Buiixside furnishes champagne
te his guests, but takes none himself.
Sir. IIexdricks"s portrait hangs en the
Times's " White Heuse Gallery" te-day.
Miss MixxinllAUK, the young American
prima denna, has made a successful ap
pearance at Naples.
Mrs. Daniel S. Dickinsen, widow of
the late U. S. Senater Dickinsen, died yes
terday m .N owl erk, in the 77th year of
her age. .
Prince Leepold will proceed from Can
ada, after visiting her sister, through the
Western states, but will net go as far as
San Francisce.
Queen "Victeria and her youngest
daughter wear as their traveling names en
the continent the titles of ' Countess of
Balmoral" and " Countess Beatrice of
Balmoral."
Mr. W. C. Gould, editor of the Jack Jack
eon (O.) t Herald, formerly of Carlisle,
where he learned the printing business
under the late Geerge Sanderson, and well
known in this city, is sojourning in Lan
caster. Before starting for Zuzuland, the ex
Empress Eugenii: presented her imperial
crown te the church of Notre Dame des
Victories, Paris. It is of great value, en
account of its artistic composition and Hie
number of precious stones it contains.
General Isaac Muxree St. Jenx, who
was commissary general of the Southern
Confederacy, died suddenly at the Green
brier White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., en
Wednesday, aged 52 years. At the timoef
Ins death he was mining engineer of the
Chesapeake and Ohie railroad.
Prince Bismarck has been forced te re
solve te give up drinking his much-loved
beer. His weight has se alarmingly in
creased, that he has reluctantly,' followed
the urgent advice of his physicians, who
have long tried te dissuade him from his
excessive use of malt liquor.
When a Beer lever gees te pep the ques
tien te the girl lie loves he presents her
with a lighted wax candle. If she does net
blew it out and return it he is happy. Ilcr
mother takes the candle and sticks a pin
into it and all but the levers leave.thc room.
When the candle lias burned down te the
pin he must leave.
The Democratic state convention of Ore
gon met in Portland yesterday and nomi
nated district judges and attorneys. The
resolutions adopted favor the regulation of
railroad fares and freights; oppose military
interference in elections ; condemn the
practice of keeping alive the bitterness of
the late war ; censure Hayes's veto of the
anti-Clunesc bill anil the decision of the U.
S. supreme court in regard te the election
laws ; pledge support te all laws looking
te untrammeled suffrage ; oppose a pro
tective tariff, and denounce the third term
movement.
THE NEWSPAPERS SPEAKING OUT.
Tlia fourth Installment of Their Opinion.
Lancaster Law.
1'liUadclplila Evening BuUetln, Uep,
The disbarring et A. J. Steinman and
W. U. Hensel, members of the Lancaster
bar and editors of thcJfeie I5ra?bj Judge
Patterson has raised a question the settle
ment of which will undoubtedly disbench
Judge Patterson. There is no county in
this free state where such an arbitrary
ruling will be long tolerated by the people,
and whether the long-winded judgment of
this Lancaster Daniel stand or fall, when
it comes te the test of the supreme court,
it has already gene te that higher tribu
nal of public opinion from which there is
no appeal, and where it is found te be re
versed. The circumstances of this remarkable
case are briefly theso : One Snyder, a
ward politician in Lancaster, was arraigned
for keeping a disorderly heuse. The case
came into court and, as is alleged, the
counsel for the defendant made such rep
resentations of his political influence and
usefulness in his ward te the prosecuting
attorney that, without examining any wit
nesses, the latter officer reported that
there was no case, and a verdict of net
guilty was taken without trial. The mat
ter was freely criticized by the Lancaster
press, and the New Era was sued for libel
by the district attorney. When the suit
was tried, ovidence was produced
sustaining the fact that the origi
nal case had been disposed of by
mere political influence. A second indict
ment was found against Snyder, but upon
trial, Judge Patterson ruled that there was
no case en account of the preyieus acquit
tal. The lawyor-cditers, Messrs. Ilenscl
and Stcinman, criticised the whole pro
ceeding with becoming Heverity in their
newspaper, and Judge Patterson, in an
opinion of great length and of strength in
inverse proportion te its length, declares
that the editors are bound by the obliga
tions of the lawyers, as officers of the
court, and are guilty of misbehavior in of
fice, for which lie strikes them from the
roll of the Lancaster county bar. Judge
Patterson talks a great deal of the law, in
his voluminous opinion, but he cannot
talk away the plain meaning of the well
known act of 183G, declaring that
" Ne publication out of court, respecting
the conduct of the judges, officers of the
court, jurors, witnesses, parties or any of
them, of, in and concerning any cause de
pending in such court, shall be construed
into a contempt of the said court, se as te
render the author printer, publisher, or
cither of them, liable te attachment and
summary punishment for the same."
Ne man of ordinary common sense will
doubt rhc purpose of the law or deny that
it is in exact accord with that liberty of
public criticism that it secured by the con
stitution of the state. Even the Lancas
ter judge was forced te admit that there
had been no "contempt of court" com
mitted ; but he seem te have been unable te
see that in that admission he debarred
himself from the infliction of that "sum
mary punishment " which is only entrusted
te him in cases of such contempt.
But the legal technicalities of this high
handed procedure will all be settled by the
supreme court and need net be discussed
by the newspapers. The general principle
involved lies at the root of the freedom of
the press and the purity of the administra
tion of justice in Pennsylvania. Judge
Patterson's court lay under the gravest of
all possible imputations. A respectable
newspaper, edited by two lawyers familiar
with all the facts of the case, had distinctly
charged that an acquittal of an active pol
itician had been secured "by a pros
titution of the machinery of justice
te serve the exigencies of the lie
publican party." Judge Patterson an
swers the grave charge, net by disprov
ing it, but by summary and what must
and will be held te be vindictive punish
ment of the editors of the paper, who
happen te be lawyers. He has net vindi
cated his court from the charge by this ar
bitrary act. no has net protected it from
the criticism about which he is se sensi
tive He has net dene publie justice any
service. He has followed two of the offi
cers of his court into a sphere where he
had no right te knew thein at all in any
official relation, and he has inflicted a pun
ishment upon them that is ordinarily re
garded as infamous, but which carries no
such stigma with it in this case. Judge
Patterson has ruled, in effect, that no
lawyer in Pennsylvania shall edit a
newspaper except m the interest of
the court. He interpolates into the
act of 1830 a clause of his own
that excepts lawyers from the benefit of
that act. And in his ill-judged attempt te
crush out criticism upon his court by a
single local newspaper he has brought his
court into the exact focus of observation
and criticism of the whole state. The
judge who shrinks from criticism is always
the judge te be watched and criticized.
The man who keeps his own ermine clean
and suffers no pollution of any corner of
the tcmple in which he ministers has
rarely any fear of public discussion of his
acts. The arbitrary behavior of Judge
Patterson throws the whele weight of
proof upon his court, and he will find
himself forced te show that there has
been no tampering with justice and no ad
mission of political favoritism within its
jurisdiction.
New that Judge Patterson has stricken
these two lawyers from his roll, and has
remanded them te the undivided function
of journalism, what will be the immediate
effect upon thorn as editors? He has
silenced thorn as lawyers ; but if he has
net silenced them as editors, what then ?
Suppese Messrs. Steinman and Hensel
should again say that the acquittal of Sny
der "was secured by a prostitution
of the machinery of justice, "
what will Judge Patttorsen de about
it? Is therc any process of law by
which he can bring thorn te account?
Undoubtedly thcre is. And if they have
falsely charged corruption upon the court
they can be punished for it. But if this is
se, the perplexing question for Judge Pat
terson will be why he did net proceed
against thorn in due course of law in the
first place. The only apparent answer is
that he could puuish them as lawyers
without law, while he cannot punish tliem
as editors until he has proved that thore
was no ground for the serious charge
which they have made. And it is a pretty
geed answer se far as it gees.
Only One Opinion.
Philadelphia Press, Kep.
Without exception the press of the state
unite in condemning the recent action of
Judge Patterson of Lancaster county in
disbarring Jiessrs. llensel and bteinman
for an offeuse which he admits was net
contempt in them as attorneys, and for
which, if it were libelous en their part as
journalists he should have sought redress
through the courts instead of reveng
ing himself as he did. The entire news
paper press of the state sustain the
plucky editors of the Ixtelligexcer, and
demand that the real question at issue,
which is the right of a public journal te
criticise a judicial proceeding, be decided
by the court of last resort. The press of
Pennsylvania had congratulated itself that
it was emancipated by the new constitu
tion, and the rulings of the courts and ver
dicts of the juries in the cases which have
arisen since the adoption of that instru
ment, but if Judge Patterson's decision is
te stand it will be bound hand and feet
tighter than it ever was before.
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DA3J.Y INTELtilGENOER
vBfZ-A
Martin Finnegan was struck by a coal
train in Scranton and killed.
Mrs. Rebecca Demmy, a young widow
of Erie county,, has received $40,000 from
the estate of an aunt in New Yerk who
took a fancy te her.
The Western iron association met in
Pittsburgh yesterday and unanimously
decided te reduce the card rate from $4 te
$3.20, the reduction te take place en Men
day next.
In Philadelphia the grand jury found a
true bill yesterday against Select Council
man Meuat, charging him with altering
the return, sheet of the 10th division Fifth
ward, en the night of the last election.
A meeting of Philadelphia peel table
keepers formed a permanent organization
yesterday, for the avowed purpose of re
sisting a tax of $30 per annum en the first
peel tabic used by them, and $10 per an
num en each additional table.
The Philadelphia county committee of
administration will be called together to
morrow night for the purpose of taking
preliminary action towards sending dele
gates te the coming Democratic state con
vention at Harrisburg.
LATEST NEWS BY MAIL.
David Barten, a colored politician of
Dallas, Texas, fatally wounded his wife
and then killed himself yesterday. Jealousy
was the cause
Jehn Petrie, a farm hand, fifty years of
age. committed suicide in Baltimore coun
ty, Md., yesterday. He was married last
Tuesday.
Edgar P. Hern shot his wife in the
breast and himself in the head, in San
Francisce yesterday. He may recover.
The couple had been separated for some
time.
Mr. Blaikie, the referee in the champion
cup contest between Hanlan, Courtney
and Riley, has decided that the race shall
be rowed at Washington en the 14th of
May.
At a meeting of the San Francisce beard
of trade yesterday, the cemmittee ap
pointed en the question of inter-oceanic
canals, reported in favor of the Nicaragua
route, surveyed by the navy department in
1873.
The net Liberal gain in the British Par
liament up te last night was cighty cighty
five seats. This increase is largely due te
the success achieved in the Scotch and
English counties. In Ireland the Heme
Rulers continue te make gains,
'jln the United States Senate yesterday,
the Heuse joint resolution authorizing the
secretary of war te lend flags and camp
equipage for use at the triennial encamp
ment of Knights Templar in Chicago this
year, was passed by a vote of 37 te 20. The
Ute agreement bill was discussed.
A fire in Dixen, III., early yesterday
morning, destroyed the mills of Thompson
& Ce., Becker & Underwood, and S. C.
Ells & Ce., with several smaller buildings,
causing a less estimated at $100,000.
Ezra Becker and Win. Schcm were killed,
and live ether men wcie badly injured dur
ing the conflagration.
Full returns of the election in Rhede
Island give Littlcfield, Republican, for
governor, 10.098 votes; Kimball, Demo
crat, 7,230 :;iIeward. Prohibitionist, 5,002.
The Scnate will stand 26 Republicans te 7
Democrats, with one vacancy in Provi
dence. The Heuse will contain 50 Repub
licans and 12 Democrats, leaving ene te
be chosen in Providence.
In the Heuse a large number of bills
wcic reported adversely by the committee
en war claims and laid upon the table.
The armyappropriatien bill was considered
in committee of the whole. The speaker
decided against the point of order raised
by Mr. Kcifcr against the amendment pro
hibiting the use of any part of the moneys
appropriated by the bill for the placing of
troops at election polls.
Theodere Themas closed his services at
the Cincinnati Collcge of Music last night
by conducting the last of the series of con
certs given by the college, The last num
ber en the pregramme was appropriately
chosen. It was Liszt's symphonic poem,
' Tasso-Lamcnte c Trioufe." Mr. Themas
gees te New Yerk te-day, where he will
gather together about 100 members of the
orchestra for the coming JMay festival, and
rchearse some of the musie for that occa
sion. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
Corener's Inquest.
Yesterday Corener Mishlcr held an in
quest en the body of an infant child named
Henry W. Gendcr, found dead in bed at
the residence of II. G. Stchman, near Pe
tersburg. Mrs. Gender, the mother of the
child, who lives in the family of Mr. Stch
man, testified that in the morning the
child appeared restless and fretful. She
nursed it and gave it a few drops of pare
goric. When it fell asleep she went down
stairs te de her work, and en her return
found the child was dead. There were no evi
dences of foul play, and the coroner's jury
rendered a verdict of death from natural
causes.
Contract Awarded.
Messrs. Riley & Keller, of Lancaster says
the West Chester Republican, have been
awarded the contract for removing the
bank of earth en the eastern side of the
track at Frazer, where the new station
house is te be erected. The larger portion
of the excavated dirt will be used in rais
ing the read bed for the straightening of
the branch track near Frazer station. The
balance of the earth will be placed en
Hibbcrd's banks. Messrs. Riley & Keller
will begin their work in a few days.
Omissions.
The name of Christopher Sheid is te be
added te the list of county cemmittcmen
in the 8th ward. The three candidates
are : Christopher Sheid, Adam - Trost
and Wm. Schultz.
In the Seventh ward the name of Fred.
Arneld was accidentally emitted yesterday
from the list of delegates.
Michael Reilly, of the same ward, de
clines being a candidate.
Tellce Case9.
Before the mayor : Lilian Censtine was
committed for 30 days for drunken and
disorderly conduct, and several tramps
were discharged.
Before Alderman McConemy : Michael
Burke and Charles Gray wcre committed
for 20 days each.
Scheel Entertainment.
On Thursday evening next, 13th iust.,
Prof. Matz's German and English school
will give a public entertainment in tlic
high school building te which members of
the school beard, and patrons of the school
arc invited.
Vacancy Filled.
President Warfel, of the school beard,
has appointed Dr. Jehn Levergood a mem
ber of the superintending committee te fill
the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Jehn W. Jacksen.
The Sprinkler.
This morning the sprinkler was put en
the street, and hereafter the streets will
be kept dampened.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1880.
' SCHXI CONVENTION I
Creation of the Office of City Superintendent. I
The beard of directors of Lancaster
school district met in convention in the
common council chamber last evening,
under a call issued by the president at re
quest of a" number of members, for the
purpose of considering the question of
creating the office of city superintendent
of public schools.
The convention was called te order by
Wm. A. Wilsen, esq., who moved that
Rebert A. Evans be called te the chair.
Mr. Evans declined the honor and nomi
nated Rev. C. Reimensnydcr, who was
unanimously chosen.
On motion C. F. Eberman was chosen
clerk.
The roll was called and the following
members of the beard answered te their
names :
Messrs. D. G. Baker, Brosius, Cochran,
Eberly, Eberman, Erisman, Evans, Harris,
D. Hartman, J. I. Hartman, Johnsten,
Levergood, Marshall, McComsey, Mc Mc Mc
Coeomy, Reimensnydcr, Richards,
Schmid, Schwebel, Samson, Smeych, Slay
maker, Snyder, Spurrier, Westhacffer,
Wilsen, Yeislcy, Christian Zechcr, Warfel,
president.
The call, in which the object of the
mcecting was stated, was read.
Mr. Slaymaker said he held in his hand
a preamble and resolution which he would
offer for adoption. When the matter of
establishing the office of city superintend
ent was breached a few years age, he had
opposed it ; but he had since then seen the
working of the system in Reading and
ether cities, and is convinced of its advan
tages. He believed that the present time
was favorable for its adoption in Lancas
ter. It can be tested for a single year, and
if found unprofitable can then be discen
tinued. As the state will pay the princi
pal part of the salary the cost te the district
will be light. The labors of the superin
tending cemmittee et the beard have in
creased te such an extent and become se
onerous, that few members of the beard
can spare the time necessary te devote
te them. The erection of new schools and
the incrcase in the number of pupils will
increase these duties. The election of a
city superintendent will net only relieve
the committee but will add largely, he be
lieved, te the discipline and efficiency of the
schools. He offered the following :
Whereas, the greatly increased num
ber of pupils, schools, and teachers new
undsr control of the beard has greatly in
creased the labor te be performed, and,
Whereas, te secure the best results from
the operations of our schools requires pro
per organization of the schools, careful
classification and grading of the pupils, a
suitable course of study, the best methods
of instruction and discipline, as well as
close and experienced supervision there
fore. Iieselccd, That the effice of superinten
dent of public schools of Lancaster city
school district be and is hereby estab
lished. Mr. Warfel moved the adoption of the
preamble and resolution.
Mr. D. G. Baker asked for information,
whether the beard would elect a superin
tendent for less than three years.
Mr. MoCemscy replied that he had au
thority for saying that the beard could
elect for the unexpired term which will ter
minate in May, 1881.
Mr. Warfel also said that if the office is
established and the beard elects a city
superintendent, his term will expire in
May, 1881.
Mr. Slaymaker said he would be un
willing te elect a city superintendent for
three years, but the beard had new an
opportunity of electing ene for ene year ;
if the experiment proved unsatisfactory it
could be discontinued at small expense
Mr. Eberly would like te knew what
was the present necessity for a city super
intendent.
Mr. Slaymaker replied that the
laoers or tue superintending com
mittee of the beard were num
erous and onerous, and constantly increas
ing, requiring mere time for their faithful
fulfilment than members could afford te
give for thorn. If the gentlemen were a
member of the committee he would see the
necessity at once.
Mr. D. G. Baker said that when the
question of a city superintendent was be
fore the beard some time age it was argued
by these opposed te the system that we
had such an excellent beard of directors
and corps of teachers that a superintend
ent was net necessary. It seems new that
the committees of the beard arc getting
tired of their increasing labors and want a
city superintendent. If the right kind of a
man could be secured for the position he
thought it would be well te give the sys
tem a trial at least for a year.
Mr. Eberly asked if they created the effice
and did net like it whether it would be
possible te abolish it.
Mr. Erisman rejdicd that he could net
point te the law in the case, but he knew
that Allcntewn had had a city superintend
ent, and owing te a heavy school debt had
abolished the office.
Mr. Wilsen called attention te the act of
1SG7, which makes it optional with school
beards te elect city superintendents for an
unexpired term by means of a convention
or for a full term, at the time appointed,
at a stated meetiug of the beard.
Mr. Eberly was net yet satisfied. He
feared if the effice was ence created it
would be a permanent institution and the
beard could net abolish it. The act of As
sembly which says the beard may elect
may be construed te mean that it shall
elect. Besides if a superintendent is once
elected the beard will have en its hands
an officer, who if net absolutely bad and
inefficient will be hard te get rid of, but
who will be re-elected, as many inefficient
teachers are new re-elected. He thought
no sufficient reason for the election of a
city superintendent had been advanced
and that the beard would net be justified
in eleecting a salaried officer te perform
the onerous duties new devolving en a
cemmittee. If the committee is unwilling
or unable te perform their duties let them
resign, incy nau no right te tue honors
of the station unless they peferm the du
ties. If they were unwilling te act ethers
might be willing who would net consider
the duties onerous.
Mr. Baker was surprised te hear Mr.
Eberly say that the duties of the superin
tending committee were net onerous. He
remembered that Mr. Eberly served en
that committee one year and refused te
serve longer because he could net spare the
time necessary. Every ether member of
the beard had as geed a right te decline,
-
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' ' " - - . J- ' . -.
"
erhere weu,d no ---- I
committee.
Mr. Harris could see no reason for this
sadden necessity for a city superintendent.
He had been for twelve years a member
of the beard and had never before heard
complaints of the onerous -duties of the
superintending committee. If these gen
tlemen think themselves overtaxed it
might be well te put in their places some
of us little fellows who are new kept in
the background. If these gentlemen are
unwilling te perform the duties of their
office they should net have the honors, nor
should they vote te take money out of the
people's pockets te Day $1,500 a vear te a
city superintendent te de the work they
were elected te de ; nor should they filch
from taxpayers thousands of dollars mere
for building fine school houses that arc
net needed. Mr. Harris did net believe
that the office of city superintendent
would be worth two cents te the schools
of Lancaster or ever was worth two cents
elsewhere. If adopted the system
will prove barren of geed te
the masses who de net stand in need of
high education te fit them for their walk
in life and who should net be taxed for the
purpose of giving a great education te
ethers. If thers want a great education
let them pay for it. Mr. Harris expressed
himself as net only opposed te the city
superintendency but also te the county
superintendency, as they are both worth
less appendages te the common school
system ; but since the county superintend
ency has been thrust upon the people by
state law let him attend te the duties
which it is new proposed te devolve en a
city superintendent. Notwithstanding
what had been said about the inferiority of
our schools lie believed them te be as geed
as any ethers ; and he hoped that as we
had already plunged our hands into the
people's pockets for $20,000 with which te
build new school-houses, we would new
step.
Mr. Slaymaker suggested that Mr. Uar
ris underrated the duties of the school
committees because he had neglected te
perform theso which had been imposed
upon him.
Mr. Brosius said the importance of the
matter new under consideration could net
be ever-estimated and that it is right and
proper that there should be full and intelli
gent discussion of it. That a correct con
clusion might be reached te discuss it intel
ligently it was necessary that there should
be premises, a common ground, upon
which all could stand. He thought that a
fundamental principle te which all would
agree was that we should aim te secure
the highest attainable proficiency in our
schools. If the adoption of the resolution
before the convention will produce that re
sult, it should adopted. It the election of
a city superintendent will increase the
efficiency of our schools, let us elect him.
That this will be the result, Mr. Brosius
had no doubt. A close supervision ever the
schools is as necessary as it is in any ether
organized work. This preposition admits
of no contradiction. It is necessary in
every department of labor. Organization
alone produces the highest attainable suc
cess in every profession, in every trade, in
every enterprise. Te illustrate, leek at
our watch factory, our cotton facteriesand
ether enterprises. They all have efficient
superintendents te oversee and leek after
all the details of the business, te correct
mistakes, te prevent neglect, te suppress
abuses. Se with our schoeis. If there
arc defects in them, as we knew there are,
shall net they be corrected? Indifferent
schools thcre are different modes of teach
ing pursued, different rules of discipline
and ether irregularities, showing the want
of a directing mind. While the superin
tending committees and ether committees
of the beard have dene much for the
schools, it requires a single head a super super
intendenteo take charge of all the schools
and establish a uniform plan. Mr. Bro
sius, at considerable length, answered Mr.
Ebcrly's objection, that if once the city
superintending be adopted it could net
be abolished, saying that the highest
school authority in the state had pro
nounced it te be optional with the beards
of directors te elect or net at their option.
Mr. Brosius concluded his remarks by
reading a list of the cities and boroughs
in the state some twenty-five in number
that had adopted the system of the city
superintendency.
Mr.McCemsey thought that what had been
said already was sufficient and he would net
discuss the matter at any length. When
the question of electing a city superintend
ent was before the beard some two years
age, he had opposed it, and was
slew in changing his opinion. He
wished new te say a word in
behalf of the superintending committee.
It had been charged that thev were un
willing longer te perform the onerous duties
devolving upon them and wanted some
one else te de their work. This is net the
case ; the truth is that after they have
given their efforts te the school they are
convinced that they have failed te secure
the best attainable results, and there
fore believe it te be the duty of
the beard te adept any measure that
premises te increase their efficiency. We
have 3,000 children te educate and we
spend S-in.OOO of the people's money te de
it. Shall we net therefore de all that can be
done te secure the best possible results?
Having visited schools in ether cities
where they have the city superintendency
he is convinced that they are in bet
ter condition than our own. In
the borough of Columbia, with 1,300
children in the schools, 700 of them, or
mere than one-half arc in grade above the
primaries. In Lancaster with 3,000 pupils,
ever 2,000 arc in the primaries. In Read
ing almost one-half of the pupils arc in the
primaries. Why are our schools se far
behind them ? It is net because our teach
ers are less efficient, for as a body thev are
equal te any teaching elsewhere ; but it is
because they lack a responsible and direct
ing head, te properly classify the studies,
te organize a uniformity of instruction
and discipline. In Reading there is almost
as much accomplished in a three years'
course as there is with us in a four years'
course. There is some reason for this less
of time and money, and it is our duty te
seek and adept a remedy.
Mr. Eberly replied, declaring that he de
lie ved our schools te be equal te theso of
ether cities, and if they were net the elec
tion of a city superintendent would net
better them. He thought it would be
disgraceful te place a superintendent ever
- ' .-?-.
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2 ! - Mr-
jiciasKey ana .miss iiundell. At our
annual commencements we beast of our
schools, and here we declare them te l
failures.
Mr. Wilsen thought Mr. Eberly treated
members of the beard unfairly when he
stated that they regarded the schools as
failures. Nobody thinks se ; they are as
geed ascan be expected under the present
system of management, but they be made
better by having a directing miud at their
head ; ene who will visit and compare, and
criticize and report upon the work dene by
the several teachers, and create amen-r
them a spirit of emulation ; te point out
te them where improvements may be made
iu their practice of teaching, and te brinsr
te the attention of the beard the names of
these who arc inefficient that their places,
may be supplied by ether and better
teachers.
Mr. Erisman called attentieu te the fact
that in many of our schools it requires a
four years' course te advance pupils as far
as long division. He belived if a proper
system were adopted as much could be
done in two and a half years as is new done
in four years. Anether error of our pres-.
ent system is that the principal of pri
maries, te secure a geed percentage for
their transfer classes reduce the number of
pupils ittheclass te 12 or 15,thus throwing
back into the lower classes many pupils
that should be further advanced, and
giving the assistant teacher se many pupils,
in some cases 80 or 90, that it is impossible
te de justice te them. Anether fault in
our system is that with our large beard
of thirty-six directors, all or
whom give permits te pupils te any ami
all the schools, it often happens that per
mits are given te a school alieady over
crowded, and when the pupil applies and
can get no seat, he is again turned upon
the street. By bavins a competent super-,
intendent all these faults might be reme
died. The yeas and nays were called en the
adoption of Mr. Slaymaker's preamble, and
resolution creating the effice of city sup
erintendent, and resulted as fellows :
Yeas Messrs. D. G. Baker, Brosius,
Cochran, Eberman, Erisman, D. Hait
man, J. I. Hartman, Johnsten, Marshall,
McCenisey, McConemy, Reimensnydcr,
Schmid, Samson, Smeych, Slaymakerj
Snyder, Spurrier, Westhacffer, Wilsen,
Yeislcy and Warfel 22.
Nays Messrs, Eberly, Evans, Hani--,
Levergood, Richards, Schwebel uml V.
Zechcr 7.
Se the resolution was adopted, and Presi
dent Reimensnydcr deelared the office ei'
city superintendent of Lancaster school
district created.
On motion the convention adjourned te
meet en Thursday, evening, April 22, ti
elect a city superintendent and fix his
salary, and the secretary was directed te
announce the meeting by advertisement,
and advertise for applicants for the posi
tion. Adjourned.
lien. Kej nelds's Will.
The will of Gen. James L. Reynolds has
been offered for probate in the office ol'the
county registei. It bears date Febiuary
14, 1880. The will directs that all the tes
tator's real and personal property be sold
by the executer (Ames Slaymaker, emj.),
the law and miscellaneous libraries te be
sold separately as a whele in the city of
Philadelphia at public or private sale. The
following bequests are made :
The Lancaster tcmctcry association $200,
upon condition that the Reynolds let 1 by
them kept in proper order, and he din-cftr
dis executers te have placed around the
let a substantial stone curb.
Te his nephew, Jehn Reynolds. Evans,,
he bequeaths the deuble-barreled jjnii,
formerly owned by General Jehn F. Rey
nolds. Te his nephew, Harry Evans, he be
queaths another double-ban clcd gun.
Te his nephew, Lieut. J. Reynolds Lan
dis, he bequeaths the cap and scarf for
merly belonging te General Jehn F. Rey
nolds. Te his sister, Lydia M. Evans, the por
trait of General Jehn F. Reynolds, painted
by Lambdin.
Te. A. Wilhelm, of Cornwall, a paper
weight formerly presented te J. L. Rey
nolds by Rebert W. Celeman.
Te Cap. Jeseph Resengartcn i statu
ette of General Jehn F. Reynolds, iu
plaster.
Te the city of Lancaster $1,000 in trust,
te purchase fuel for the needy inhabitants
of said city.
Te his sisters Lydia 31. Evan and
Catherine Land is. he bemicaths S.l.OCO
absolutely.
Te his executer he bequeaths in tiust a
sum sufficient te yield an annual income of
$900, te be paid annually in equal propor
tion te his sisters, Jane Gildcrsleevc.Harriet
Reynolds, and Eleaner Reynolds, during
their natural lives.
A sum sufficient te yield $900 per an
num is also bequeathed in trust te the
execter for the benefit of his hi ether,
Samuel 31. Reynolds. Then fellow minute
directions te the executer for the disposal
of these trusts iu case of the death of his
sisters and brothers.
The residue of his estate, if any, he be
queaths in equal shares te his sisters.
Damages Awarded.
Yesterday Samuel Evans, A. N. Cassel.
31. S. 3Ietzgar, William Ellmaker and
Henry Eckcrt, viewers appointed, by the
court, met te assess the damages sustained
by property owners by the opening of
West 3rarien street. The jurors awarded
$320 te A. J. Dunlap and found that none
of the ether property-holders were en
titled te anything.
That rueful Street Car Track.
This morning Dr. II. E. 3Iuhlenbcrg
was driving along West King street, and
when near Prince street the wheel of his
phaeton struck the street car track and the
axle was broken off in the wheal.
Farm Sold.
Yesterday B. J. 3IcGrann bought at pri
vate sale the farm of R. A. 3Ialenc, en the
New Helland turnpike, nearly opposite
3Ir. 3IcGrann's present residence. Th-i
farm contains about G7 acres of land.
Surety of the Peace.
Jehn Sharp, residing near Brunerville,
get drunk and threatened te sheet his
father and his horse. Jehn was arrested
and, in default of bail was committed for a
hearing.
Emma Abbett Coming.
3Iiss Emma Abbett and her opera com
pany were booked te-day te appear at the
opera house en, April 24th,
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