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9
LANCASTER DAILY INTELLIGENCER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1881.
Hancastet intelligencer.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JAN. 5, 1881.
An Honest Man.
" Thirteen swore by the book, eleven
with uplifted hand and six affirmed,"
but Eckley B. Coxe. of Luzerne, de
clined te take' the oath, because it re
quired him te swear that he had ex
pended no money for his election except
for such purposes as the law expressly
authorized it te be spent for.
The singular thing here is that Mr.
Coxe refused te take this oath. But the
singular thing ought te be that thirty
men elected te the state Senate took it
without wincing; although it is nearly
certain that each one who took it com
mitted perjury. And the hundred men
who were chosen te the Heuse took it ;
and it is very doubtful whether there
was one who did net swear falsely.
The object of the law, in requiring this
oath te be taken, was te prevent the cor
rupt use of money in elections. It was
net intended te forbid such legitimate
uses as are mentioned by Mr. Coxe as
these for which lie spent his money ; and
probably a majority of the senators and
legislators could conscientiously say that
they had used no money corruptly, as
Mr. Coxe declares he did net, and se
saying would take the oath, knowing
that the) had net violated its spirit.
But. undoubtedly, its letter was violated
by nearly every one of them, if net, in
deed, by all. Every candidate who con
tributes te a campaign fund, without
knowing hew every dollar of that fund is
exiended. and without reserving the
power te forbid its use for any purpose
net " expressly authorized by law." is
forbidden te take the oath prescribed by
the constitution. Fer it is net possible
for him te say that he has spent no money
for purposes net authorized by law when
he has given his money te ethers te ba
used in the election. If a candidate
could escape the law merely by handing
hit. money te a committee, who would
unlawfully use it, evidently the law
would be nullified. This is the way in
which candidates generally seek te escape
the statute, but it is se manifest an eva
sion that it would net save them from the
penalties of perjury, should they be called
te account for their oath in the courts.
We are very glad Mr. Coxe has brought
this matter se prominently before the
people. We are glad for his sake, that
he has had the courage te de what it
was right for an honorable and consci
entious man te de. We are glad for our
sakes, since the resultant agitation of the
question raised by him in the public
mind must be beneficial. We are sorry
only for the legislators who stolidly and
unhesitatingly took this oath after Mr.
Coxe had raised the question of their
power te de it, although all of them
knew that he was as able te take it as
any one among them, and many of them
knew that he could de it far mere eon een eon
ecietitieusly than they could, if he had
spent nothing corruptly.
Mr. Coxe's honorable conduct shows
the iH'eph: the advantage of selecting for
their representatives men who have
demonstrated their intelligence and rc-c.
titude in their business relations among
them. Mr. Coxe, who is about forty
years old. is the leading member of the
strong mining firm of Coxe Brethers .V
Ce., of Luzerne county, and is a man of
education, line business capacity, a dis
tinguished mining engineer, and his
opinion in matters relating te coal is of
as much weight as that of any man in
the region : no one would think of ques
tioning his goad sense in business mat
ters ; ana no one of geed judgment new
. will hesitate te accord him the best sense
and the highest honor in political matters.
There may be these who will incline
te sneer at him as ever punctilious :
but these will be only such as never felt
the imperative force,or even the mild in
tlueuce, of a sentiment of honor. They
will be these, tee, who have net the
geed sense te recognize the fact that a
law should be obeyed by the citizen
strictly; and if it is injudicious, that it
should be amended or repealed, net vio
lated. We de net doubt that this oath
required of the members of the Legisla
ture is wise ; for no money should be
spent for political purposes that is net
expressly autherized'by law. But the law
is in fault in net specifying all the uses
for which money may be innocently and
properly used. It sadly needs .amend
ment, certainly, when it forces such a
man as Mr. Coxe out of the stale service ;
and the attention of the Legislature
should be promptly given te its correc
tion. Vet what can we expect of" men
who can se readily reconcile themselves
te despising the oath of the constitution?
If they were disposed te make the law
what it should be, it is net impossible for
them te de it ; and one necessary safe
guard against the improper use of money
would be te prohibit its expenditure by
anyone but the candidate himself; and
another one would be te require him te
file a bill of his expenses, naming each
item, in some pubiic office, within three
daj's after the election.
When people are te be poisoned or
suffocated we de net imagine it matters
much te them whether the old or new
process of making gas is used te de it.
And when an inferior quality of non
illuminating gas is measured by the
meter and charged in the bill the impo
sition en the consumer is net assuaged by
the assurance that it comes from the
" old " works instead of the " new.' It
will net take long te determine whether
the nuisance from which se many gas
consumers have been suffering is or is
net due te temporary cause and subject
te prompt relief. It will be interesting,
however, te see whether the ' consolida
tion,"' which new has a moneinily of the
manufacture of gas. will make that
abatement for an inferior product which
it refuses te make for the prompt pay
ment of bills.
Yesterday we read that up in Car Car
eon county, moved by the example of
the Northampton people, the mob had
well-nigh hanged an alleged wife-murderer.
Te-day we read that lie was net
a wife-murderer, the killing having in
all probability been accidental ; se that
people who have been advocating mob
law and justifying lynch courts maybe'
induced te modify their judgments and
te admit that twenty-four hours' investi
gation of guilt is at least reasonable be
fore the accused is hanged.
It was a wise prevision of the new
constitution which forbids city councils
from making extraordinary increase te
municipal debts without consulting their
constituents and giving them a chance
te approve or disapprove the proposed
lean at the polls. Xe harm can be done
by giving the people the opportunity te
say whether or net they think proposed
improvements are se urgently demanded
as te warrant an increase of the city
debt and the city taxes. The water sup
ply of Lancaster city demands attention
and the expenditure of public money.
What plan of remedying present difficul
ties most merits approval'neednetbe new
determined. It must first be discovered
whether the citizens are willing te make
the necessary outlay te accomplish any.
Unless councils shall determine te-night
that this be done it cannot be submitted
at the February election, and te held a
special election would be an utterly un
necessary expense.
Tiik present gas company undertook te
make a saving speculation out of the
people of Lancaster by buying out the
old gas company, which had lleeced it as
long as it had no opposition. After this
absorption the present company proceeds
te increase the price of gas ten per cent,
and te lower its quality very many
per cent. Net content with that it
gives us uas of a disgusting smell and
poisonous character; owing te its net
being purified. Excuses of divers kind
and degree are offered. They de net suf
fice. This company has undertaken te
provide us with geed gas. It does net
de se. It cheats us. It poisons us. It
is a nuisance. Let us go back te our
coal oil and candles and save our money
and our sensibilities.
The continued plethora of money in
this country receives fresh illustration
in the immediate sale of all the North
ern Pacific bends allotted te the Ameri
can market. Xer is it likely that of
these apportioned te the European cen
tres of capital any will be returned : since
Mr. Gewen telegraphs that a geed bank
in Londen has deposited two million
i dollars as a guarantee te take at full is
sue price, without commissions, all of
the deferred income bends ilbt taken by
sharehelds and bondholders of the Phila
delphia & Beading railroad company
and Mr. Gewen further telegraphs his
confidence that he can sell S20,000,000
fie per cents, at 1.10.
One of the strong points in Auditor
General Schell's highly efficient adminis
tration of his office has been his diligent
collection of back taxes from delinquent
corporations. His report tells te what
extent the state treasury has leen re
plenished from this source of receipts receipts
Seme of his predecessors were grossly, if
net criminally, negligent in this respect,
and when they did make any effort in a
proper direction were often actuated by a
desire te bag tee much of the game for
themselves.
MINOR TOPICS.
Tin: opinions of congressmen differ as
te hew the members should be apportioned
under the new census. Cox has a bill
ready placing the future membership at
S00. Springer, of Illinois, has another,
the same as the present strength of tlic
Heuse 29.1 but there is a very strong
feeling in favor of still further reducing
the size- of the Heuse te 2.10, 223 and
even as low as 200 members.
It is new taken for granted that Blake
will be secretary of state and Conkling
"consents" because he has been told
'hat. at Chicago, when Blaine's case be
came hopeless his friends made known te
the Grant managers that, while Senater
Blaine was unalterably opposed te General
Grant, he would be willing te support
Senater Conkling as a compromise candi
date. The preposition could net be en
tertained ; but it was conveyed te Senater
Conkling, and, very naturally, had a ten
dency te place the two senators in amica
ble relations politically, net personally.
A reitUENi'OXDEXT of the Philadelphia
Keening Bulletin seriously urges the fol
lowing reasons for Oliver's senatorial elec
tion : "Te carry en and complete the
great and decisive campaign in Indiana
'the sinews of war' were sorely needed,
for the ether side weie 'flush ' and confi
dent. All the weapons of civilized politi
cal warfare were furnished from Penn
sylvania, and, with the aid of the state,
local and township committees, a match
less political organization was speedily
effected in Indiana. Much of the credit
of outflanking the common enemy in the
West is due te the tireless energy of
Henry W. Oliver."
Tnr. editor of Truth in a letter te Gar
field says : "We have traced the Merey
letter te its origin, and have ascertained
that it is a forgery. This acknowledge
ment is made voluntarily, and as an act of
simple justice. Truth published the let
ter in geed faith, believing that you wcre
its author. While we se believed neither
temptation, threats nor force could in
fluence us te repudiate it. Likewise, hav
ing new satisfied ourselves of its spurious
character, no false pride nor selfish motive
of any kind can restrain us from announc
ing our conclusion, and thereby allaying
the doubt that new exists respecting its
authenticity."
The Swath or Death.
By an accident en the line of ttie Sioux
City & Omaha division of the Chicago,
St. Paul, .Minneapolis & Omaha railroad
six men were killed outright and a seventh
man lest a leg. The men wcre engaged
in a cut north of Bancroft shoveling snow.
The working train, anticipating the com
ing of the south-bound passenger, had
side tracked, and the men, eleven in all,
had slepiicd from the track te allev.' the
passenger train te pass, home trouble in
netting through had been experienced the
day before, and the cngineci, approaching
the cut, winch ih a Jeng one anil en a
curve, put en steam and rushed in. The
train consisted of a locomotive and tender,
two box cars and ene passenger car. The
train with the exception of the latter
car, passed the men in safety, but the
steps of the passenger coach caught them
and mewed them down like grass under
the wheels, only four escaping without
serious injury.
AUOITOE-GENEKAI. SCHEL1..
Tli a .Main Features of Ills Repert te the
Legislature Interesting Fact
anil Figures.
In his report te the Legislature Auditor
General Schell says that during the fiscal
year ending November 30, 1880, settle
ments have been made against delinquent
corporations for taxes overdue for many
years te the amount of 8297,237.78, of
which sum the amount of $1158,096.81 has
already been collected and paid into the
treasury.
In addition te the settlement; already
made, the department is in possession of
sufficient reports and data te cnable it te
make further settlement against delin
quent corporations te the amount of ever
one quarter of a million dollars, and te put
the same in process of collection before
Mayl, 1881.
The collection of delinquent taxes has
been strenuously resisted by many com
panies. Seme of these companies claimed ex
emption from taxation under special chat
ters, and they refused te pay until com
pelled by law. Other.-; had escajicd taxa
tion for se long a time that they imagined
that they enjoyed prescriptive rights of
evasion.
As the list of delinquent corporations
extends back ever a period of twenty-five
years, the department has experienced
great difficulty in obtaining the records of
the officers and the location of the offices
of many companies, and when the proper
information was obtained the department
was in many instances further delayed by
the neglect or refusal of the companies te
make their reports. A muuhr-r of settle
ments, involving considerable sums, arc
still pending in flip courts.
Asa consequence of these manifold de
lays :nd contests, many accounts remain
unsettled, and jvessibly it will require ene
or two years of patient work en the part
of the department te close up all the de
Iinqucut cases. It is firmly believed that
the total amount of these taxes which
have been and may be recovered will be
about $1,000,000.
The total amount of taxes overdue en
December 1, 1870, collected during the
fiscal year, is as fellows, te wit :
Amount et" delinquent corporation
tux collected during Ilia year, a
pert ion of which extended back for
twenty-live year.-, $I.V.n C si
Amount of tux en capital stock paid
by the Pennsylvania rail rami, in
litigation from 1S77 s;,s.: SI
Amount et licence tax collected trem
Allegheny county, which had been
In litigation ler several year- iii.T.V. .r.O
Amount et arrears of tux en leans
trem city et Philadelphia S.,lH)i 00
Total amount jjKl.CTO 12
The number of building and lean associ
ations registered in this department in the
fiscal year ending November 30, 1870, was
nine hundred anil eighty-eight (083); in
1880 the number registered was twenty
nine (29), making in all one thousand and
seventeen (1017), of which number only
one hundred and forty-four (141) have re
ported for taxation. The manifest reason
is that the revenue act of 1877, as did prier
revenue acts, contained an exception from
taxation en capital stock of " all building
associations, banks; saviug institutions,
and fereigu insurance companies,'" and for
theso years no tax upon capital stock was
imposed upon any of the excepted com
panies. The revenue act of 1879 ex
cepted from taxatieii all capital stock ex
cept that of building associations, and the
law in this mattcrgavc the auditor general
no alternative but te decide that building
and lean associations were taxable under
this act. This opinion was fully sustained
by the attorney general. Appeals have
been taken te several cases te the court of
commeik pleas of Dauphin county, and it
is expected that decisions will be made in
January next.
State Personal Tax.
In reference te state personal tax the
auditor general said : " The beard of rev
enue commissioners have certified te this
department the amount of the value of
the property of the several cities and coun
ties of the commonwealth, as adjusted and
equalized1 by them.
"It appears that the beanl declined te
increase the amounts of the valuations as
returned te them by the commissioners
of the several eeuuties en account of the
decision of the courts that they had no
authority under the law te increase the
valuation of any county unless the objects
of taxation en which such increase was
based were shown te be in existence.
This the beard were unable te de : hence
their action. '
The total valuation of personal properly
for purposes of state taxation, as fixed by
the beard, is as fellows :
Amount el" property subject ie a
tax et four mills j.ejn.siJ OJ
Ainoitntet property subject, te a
tax et three mills !,iS."i,il
Amount ei property suineet ten
tax el one percent
Amount of lux en watches
4,2i:;,i1S (M
34.812 !W
Tetultax $l'.)t:.."j7 IS
The auditor general says that if the de
cision of his department, relation and af
firmed by the attorney general's, that
there must be an appropriation for each
year, and that the mere creation of an of
fice and the designation of a salary there there
eor arc net sufficient te constitute an ap
propriation, were sanctioned by the Legis
lature there would be no friction in enfore enfere
iuir the constitutional prevision en this
subject.
The auditor general urged en the regis
ter of wills of each county te certify month
ly te the department all entries made in
his collateral inheritance tax book, thereby
furnishing the proper information te urge
the collection of these taxes.
The auditor general makes a statement
of the claims for which there arc r.e ap
propriations and for which appropriations
are necessary. The claims aggregate $11,
482.24, which sum includes $4,428 for re
pairs and improvements te public buildings
and grounds.
Under the law of 1849 the auditor gen
eral countersigns all receipts for moneys
paid into the state treasury, and is thereby
enabled te ascertain the amount of money
which has been paid in at any given time.
State Deposit,
"This department has been unable te
verify the correctness of the state treasur
er's reports el the amount et moneys in
the treasury belonging te the sinking fund
and the names of the banks, corporations,
firms or individuals with whom the mon
eys of the said fund are deposited, with
the various amounts of said deposits, itc,
under the act of 1870, by reason of the fail
ure of such depositaries te make the
monthly reports required by law. I have
before called the attention of the Legisla
ture te this matter. Unless some penalty
be imposed for such neglect, it were better
that the law should be repealed."
Registration et Corporations.
The number of corporations registered
in this department en November 30, 1879,
was 3,392. There have been registered
during the fiscal year just ended 2. To
tal number of registered corporations
3,607.
Ex-Slate Treasurer Valances.
The auditor general calls attention te
the fact that several state, treasurers have
retired from office, leaving unpaid bal
ances resulting from certain losses sus
tained in the failure of certain banks and
bankers, and he requests the attorney
general te institute suits en their bends.
The balances arc as follews:
from EliSlifer...... $3,806 43
Frem Win. II. Kcmblc C.140 82
Frem It. W. Mickey 4,013 M
Frem A. C. Xeycs 7,900,54
Total amount due $22,537 42
During the past year a portion of these
balances has been paid, and the attorney
general assured the auditor-general that
the amounts due from the banks with
whom A. C. Neves denesitcd will be n.iul
' by these banks in a short time. The ether
ex-treasurers allege a full legal defence te
claims of the commonwealth.
Berder Claims.
The governor has appointed B. M.
Nead, T. 31. Mahen and Jeremiah Cook
commissioners, under the third section of
the act of 1871, whose duty it shall be te
prosecute the collection of border claims.
The claims retained by the quartermaster
general can be speedily recovered if Con
gress would enact a law similar te that
passed by the state of- Ohie, making the
adjudication of these claims by the state
of Pennsylvania conclusive evidence of the
amounts claimed and the identity of the
persons claiming the same.
The state hospital for the insane at Nor Ner Nor
ristewn has received from the treasury
for equipping, furnishing, insuring and
maintcuauce$48,000,fer which the vouchers
arc yet te filed.
The auditor general speke of the estab
lishing of his oflice asa matter of iuforma iuferma
t ion, gave a brief statement of the origi
nal powers of the office, and traced the
gradual encroachments en these powers
down te tlie present time.
Mil. COXK'S STATEMENT.
Why Me Declined te be Sworn In us Senater.
llAUitisnrite, Jau. 4. Te my Constitu
ent. : I deem it my duty te state te you
simply and clearly the reason which ferce
me te refuse te take the oath presurihed
by the constitution as a necessary pre-requisite
te entering upon my duties as sen
ator, knowing as 1 de that this refusal for
feits my scat. The required oath is : ' I
de solemnly swear or affirm that I will
support, obey and defend the constitution
of the United States and the constitution
of this commonwealth, and that I will dis
charge the duties of my office with fidelity;
that I have net paid, or contributed, or
premised te pay or contribute, cither di
rectly or indirectly, any money or valuable
thing te procure my nomination or elec
tion or appointment, except for necessary
and proper expenses expressly authorized
by law ; that I have net knowingly violated
any election law of this commonwealth or
procured it te he done by ethers in my be
half ; that I will net knowingly receive,
directly or indirectly, any moneys or valu
able thing for the performance or noii-pcr-fermanco
of any act or duty pertaining ie
my office, ether than the compensation al
lowed by law."
The words te which I object are ' ex
pressly authorized by law." A law en
titled "An act te define the necessary and
proper expenses incident te the nomina
tion and election of senators, representa
tives, state, judicial, municipal and county
officers, and te authorize the payment
thereof," was passed in 1874. and in the
only necessary expenses arc defined te be
first. A. Fer printing and traveling
expenses ; second. Fer dissemination of
information te the public ; third. 'Fer po
litical meetings and conventions. The fore
going expenses may be incurred either in
person or through ether individuals or
committees of organizations duly censti
tutcd for the purpose, but nothing con
taincu in the act snail uc se construed as
te authorize the payment of money or
ether valuable thing ler the vote, or influ
ence of any elector. I did net lay out one
dollar te procure my nomination. On the
contrary, I was anxious net te be nemin
ated, but after receiving the nomination I
spent money willingly and liberally, net
only for my own election, but also for that
et the whole ticket.
In fact, I felt much mere interested in
the success of the ether Democratic can
didates, than in my own. The expendi
tures may be classed under the following
heads :
A. Political assessments aud contribu
tions (this included my assessments by the
county committee of Luzerne aud Lacka
wanna, and contributions te several legis
lative district committee.;.
A large portion of this money I knew
was expended for the payment of taxes
aud clerk hire, prothenotary's fees and
ether expenses necessary te procure 'the
naturalization of a large uumbcr of per
sons as, in consequence of the existence
of the Grccnback-Labor-Referm parly, no
Democratic naturalizations had taken
place for several years. Neither of these
are expenses expressly authorized by law.
B Printing, advertising, newspaper ar
ticles, getting up and distributing the
latter, includinsr postage. C Political
meetings and demonstrations, including
the traveling expenses of a large number
of ltien and clerks who wcre carried by
railroad te meetings in all parts of Lu
zerne county. Fer B and C I spent a
very large amount of money, but as both
are expressly authorized by law, I shall
refer te them no farther.
D A large number of men, most of
whom arc empleyes of Coxe Bres. & Ce.,
wcre sent te nearly every part of my dis
triet for the purpose of presenting my
claims te the workingmen, and meeting
the objections that were made te me
that I was a coal operator, and that conse
quently no workingmen should vete for
me. These men were anxious for my elec
tion, and glad te get work. I, of course,
paid them for the time they lest at their
work, and for their expenses. This cost a
large amount pf money but is expressly
authorized bylaw under the head of dis
semination of information.
E I paid personally a small amount un
tax receipts. This is net expressly author
ized by law.
F As election day approached I became
satisfied by my own observations, and
from information received which I consid
ered reliable, that it was important that
all the polls should be carefully looked
after, both before and during the election.
There arc about 128 election districts in
my territory, some of which required very
careful watching ; and thoughtful, consid
erate men had te be employed te see after
the window books : te attend te the dis
tribution of the tickets te the voters ;
challenging ; te bring out the entire Dem
ocratic vete ; te prevent the ether side
from getting mere than theirs ; te leek
after the Greenback vete ; te see that the
tiCKcts were, straight, etc. I found also that
men who understand their business, and
would stick te it all day without giving
up, could net be depended upon te de it
out of patriotism ; that, en the contrary,
they expected te be paid for it, as they had
a right te de. Werk net paid for in peli
ces, as in uusiucss, is unreliable.
I was informed before election that
tickets with my name misspelt or emitted
altogether, or with another name substitu
ted, would be in circulation in some places;
that the regular Democratic tickets were
or would be in the hands of the opposi
tion in ether places ; that, in political
parlance, "jobs ' were being set up en me
as certain points, etc
Believing that where there was se much
smoke, there was probably seme fire, I
provided, as well as I could, that every one
who wished te vote the straight Demo
cratic ticket, or for me, would have a
chance te de se without difficulty. This
involved heavy outlays, many of which
would come under the head of dissemina
tion of information, hut some of which are
net expenses "expressly authorized by
law,'
G. I spent a certain amount in travel
ing about myself (authorized as traveling
expenses). I purchased a number of
tickets of raffles for cows, guns, etc., for
the benefit of widows and ether unfortu
nates, and expended a small amount for
balls and fairs ; but as they neither helped
me nor hurt mc-I think I may neglect
them.
II. I spent a large amount in printing
and distributing my own tickets, se that
every one who wished te vete it could get
it before November 2. This was entirely
independent of the election day distribu
tion, and of the distribution bytheceuntv
committees. This is authorized as dissemi
nation ei uiiormatien.
New,
although
I used money for ex-
penses net expressly authorized by law,
yet net one cent was spent with my knowl
edge or consent for any improper or
fraudulent purpose. On the contrary,
every dollar confided te any one for elec
tion expenses was given uuder a solemn
engagement that nothing net consistent
with strict honesty should be done with it.
It may be asked, Why did I send this
money, knowing the consequences? The
answer is, I did net understand until I
was well into the campaign what I weul I
be called up te pay for, and when I did I
felt that if I should retire I would, as
there was a third ticket in the field, en
danger net only the success of the county 1
ticket, which I was very anxious te have
elected, but also, perhaps, of the national
ticket ; and although in the heat and con
fusion of the campaign I was always very
particular net te contribute a cent for any
improper purpose. I was net able in the
few weeks it lasted te consider the whole
question as I have since.
Of course I de net pretend te say that,
when money passed through net a dozen
but hundreds of hands, some small part of
it may net have been diverted te improper
uses, but if it was I have never heard of it.
I have done nothing in this campaign that
I am ashamed of, or that was inconsistent
with strict honesty. Although I would
have no hesitation in taking the
oath, were the words "expressly au au
terized" by law emitted (and also the
words " I have net knowingly violated
any election law," se far as they apply te
the act defining necessary exnenscs), yet I
cannot, after reading the act of 1874, de
lining necessary expenses, swear "that I
have net paid or contributed, or premised
te pay or contribute, cither or indirectly
any money or ether valuable thing te pro
cure my nomination or election (or ap
pointment), except for necessary and
proper expenses expressly authorized by
law. "
I did, however, determine twice te retire
from the field, but upon reflection I re
solved te fight it out en the line of spend
ing what I could honestly for the success
of the whole ticket, as net te endanger its
defeat by my withdrawal, and te decline
te take my scat if. upon careful considera
tion of the subject in the niue weeks that
would elapse between election day and
the meeting of the Senate, I should decide
that any part of the money was used for
expenses net expressly authorized by law.
Having made this full and frank state
ment of the facts. I wish te say that if I
had done anything that I considered
wrong, or anything which I would wish te
hide, I could have resigned before the
meeting 'of the Senate, giving as a reason
my business engagements, or something of
that kind ; but such is net the case. I
have nothing te conceal, nothing te be
ashamed of, aud am ready, as every hon
est man should be, te suffer the conse
quences of my actions. I make no claim
te having been deceived and kept in ignor igner
encc. What T did I did with my eyes
open.
Regretting that I cannot, as I had origi
nally hoped, be of some service, however,
slight, te Luzerne and Lackawanna
counties in the Senate.
I am yours, very respectfully.
Eckley B. Cexk.
Late Senater-elect for the Twenty-sixth
District.
Eckley B.Cexe, is a member of the firm
of Coxe Bres. A; Ce., which owns large
tracts of valuable coal lairds and is heavily
engaged in mining, and is and has been
for two or three years a director of the
Reading railroad company. His name
was brought forward recently when the
McCalmont ticket in opposition te Gewen
was first talked of. llehasbeen a resident in
Philadelphia as well as at Jedde. Luzerne
county, from which county he was elected
te the Legislature. He is about thirty
eight years of age, is related te the Coxes
who descended of Tench Coxe, and is a
seu of the late Judge Coxe. During the
Centennial he was president of the Associa
tion of Mining Enginccis, being a very
talented engineer himself.
STATE ITEMS.
Heward F. Beyer has been re-elected
chief and Gee. W. Miller and Jeseph D.
Fex have been elected assistant engineers
of the Readiugfi re department.
The brewery of Lebcr & Bres., in Alie,
gheny City,haviug a capacity of 12, 000 bar
rels of beer annually, was destroyed by fire
yesterday. Less, $45,000 ; no insurance.
In the organization of the Heuse yester
day Mr. Wolfe, did net vote for Harry
Iluhu for chief clerk. His ballet was cast
for Kirk, the Democratic candidate, but a
Philadelphia Democrat voted for Ihihn te
even it up.
The Heuse stite committee had a pre
tracted session last evening te apportion
the miner offices of the Heuse. Charles
H. White, of Chester, was stated for ser-
geant-at-arms, Raymond, of Venango for
postmaster, and Baul, of Allegheny, for
transcribing clerk. White's selection ever
Petter is another black eye for grew.
Mr. and Mrs. Jehn Babe, a yeuug couple
of Eric count), have get into financial dif
ficulties. Their little house has been seized
and sold. The prospects of the county
home for themselves and children se work
ed upon the minds of the parents that they
were discovered te be violently insane.
They will he taken te the iusane asylum.
A committee of the law association in
Philadelphia has been appointed te take
such action as may be necessary te pre
vent the passage of hasty and injurious
measures by the state Legislature. The
com p.: it tec consists of Richard Vanx,
chairman, P. Pemberton Merris, Richard
McMurtrie, Pierce Archer, "Wayne Mac-
veagh, Geerge M. Dallas, Lewis Wain
Smith, and Francis Rawlc, secretary.
In the appointment of Albert A. Outer
bridge, esq., as state reporter, Goverrner
neyt has recognized his duty as a lawyer
te his profession by the selection of one
who has shown himself thoroughly capa
ble. In the position of editor of the
Weekly Notes, Mr. Outerbridgc has done
most excellent work, and his appoint
ment was asked for with great unanimity
by judges and lawyers from all parts of
the state.
LATEST NEWS BY MAIL.
The Turcemans have whipped the Bus.
sians who lest 300 men and many arms.
AH the Northern Pacific railroad bends
allotted te the American market have
been taken.
Arthur II. Dada, of Palmyra, N. Y, a
college student, attempted suicide at the
Grand hotel, New Yerk, Last night.
Ben Harrison will get the Indiana scna scna
tership and Gen. Jehn F. Miller has been
nominated by the California Republicans.
Seven hundred and fifty thousand peas
ants arc starving in Sarateff, a Russian
province. Upwards of a million peasants
arc in absolute want in Samara.
The stcamphip Brazilian from Bosten.
bound for Liverpool, with a cargo of 82,
000 bushels of grain and TOG cattle and 208
pigs, is wrecked en Burbe bank, in the
Mersey. The was no less of human life.
The Dixen crucible company, of Jersey
City, suspended yesterday. The assets
and liabilities, which are nearly even, are
saiu te ee in the neighborhood of $1,000,
000. Fowler. Cranston & Ce. also failed
in New Yerk.
Mrs. Harriet N. Cooper, a colored
woman, died in Cheltenham, one of the
suburbs of St. Leuis, en New Year's day,
aged 115 years. She weighed 400 pounds.
3Irs. Cooper was the mother of twenty
five children, the youngest of whom is 02
years old. Her husband is 101 years old,
and is still living.
The thief who robbed the daughter of
Win. H. Shelden, in Brooklyn, of iewclrv.
silverware, etc. flier weudiinr iTiftsl. was
found unconscious and dying next morn-
ing in an unfinished building adjoining the
premises he had plundered. While escap
ing he had fallen through the skylight
and thence through the stairway te the
parlor fleer, crushing his skull and break
ing both his arras and three of his ribs.
When discovered his booty was scattered
all around. The name of "T. Gnrvcv" is
imprinted en his aim.
The Kleefel Wire-Murder.
It is new believed by a large number of
people in the community that Anten
Kleefel killed his wife, Maria, near Weiss
pert, Carben county, accidentally, or at
least unintentionally. Kleefel did net
knew the gun with which he killed his
wife was leaded, He cleaned the gun and
set it away, intending te return it te a
person in Mauch Chunk of whom he had
borrowed it. During his absence from
the room a younger brother of Mrs.
Kleefel leaded the gun. Kloefol is still in
jail at Mauch Chunk, and is said te be al
most crazy with grief.
The "UappyBemfe " Wrecked.
The bark Happy Heme, of HantsDert.
N. S., struck Trinity Ledge, twelve miles
from Yarmouth and capsized. The cap
tain's wife, daughter aud one man perished.
Beats went off and rescued the remainder
of the crew, all of whom were frozen, the
captain and mate seriously. The wreck is
less than two miles from the shore. The
carpenter's wife was lashed te the quarter
and heavily covered with cloaks and ether
clothing. She had sccminslv latelv died.
as her body was warm. A girl about
seven years old was embraced in l:er
mother's arms.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
MICr.OSCOl-IUAI. SOCIETY.
The Microscope in the Study or Itecks.
At the regular monthly meeting of the
Lancaster microscepical society, last even
ing, a paper was read en the use of the
compound microscope in the study of
rocks, by Dr. Crumbaugh, the president of
the society, et winch we present a brief
abstract. Petrology is the name given te
this branch of science.
The application of microscope in this
special department has of late years afford
ed mere precise information concerning
the mineral constitution and minute struc
ture of rocks than it was possible te ac
quire by the elder method of research.
The means at the disposal of the elder
petrolegists for identifying the mineral
components of fine-grained or minutely
crystalline rocks were se prim
itive that we wonder net se much
at the little that was known about them,
as at the amount of information amassed
by such simple methods, and at the truth
or comparative accuracy of many of their
statements. The pocket lens was their
most important instrument in their work,
aud was indeed the only means they pos
sessed for distinguishing minute structure.
Fer though the compound microscope was
known and used in physical work, still the
idea of slicing and grinding rock sections
was net thought of. The great advantage
derived from the examination of these sec
tions lies in the circumstance that in many
cases a mineral which, in ordinary hand
specimens, would leek te be epaque is
rendered mere or less translucent, se that
many structures that would be totally un
distinguishablc by rcllected light aud
rendered apparent when the section is
thin enough te be seen by transmitted
light, while in conjunction with the micro
scope! the polariscepe, the spectroscope
and goniemeter may be used, aud addi
tional facilities are thus given for examin
ing the optical properties of the mineral.
Although hi tue present state el our
knowledge but little practical use has yet
been made of the recorded observations
which new constitute merely a small nu
cleus of what will, no deubr,cvcntually be
come a vast fund of information, still we
may leek forward te the time when a
knowledge of the minute structure of rocks
will be recognized as indispensable te the
right understanding of the changes which
building stones undergo, and when net
merely the few, but the many, will be
benefited by this branch of scientific
inquiry. A general knowledge of
Petrology will always be found usefnl
by these who may have te deal with ar
chitecture or with mining enterprises.
Then followed a description .somewhat at
length of the preparation of rock sections,
one of the most difficult operations in mi mi mi
croseopical work.
Oratle or 1'uplls.
The following is the relative grade of
pupils, in attendance at the boys' high
school during the month of December.
Twe hours' home study is'expected from
each pupil :
mar clah.
A. I.. Witwer....
U. I.. Frantz
C. II. Clark
W. s. Adlcr
tJ. F. Erismau...
Win. G. Lmnles.
Jehn A. Hoever.
1.. W. Herting...
Gee. Hetrick....
Wm. M.IIerr
B. A. Spiniller.....
Walter E.Kellv...
. 81
81
83
83
81
81
78
112
in
Clias. A. Miller....
'.11 Win. A. liuckius..
8 Heward T. Hays..
87 W. II. J.iml.'miltli
SIlFnuik Mct'latn...
S'l
SECOND CLASS.
Chas. Carpenter. . . . .
Clias. II. Obreitcr....
Gee. M. Derwurt....
Harry A. Slicnk
Dan'l II. SensenlK..
K. O. Eicholtz
W. B. Hellinjier.....
S. It. Slaymakcr
Grant Strinc
Jehn II. Hartuiaii...
Chas. WInewer
Harry K. Smith
97 It. D. McCuskey ...
!: Wilsen W. Fowler.
02 CarllCEby
89 W. L. Gable
SS Beut. M. Adam-....
Si Jehn It. Duncun...
St! M. B. Dissingcr....
Si Win. I). Beck
S3 Henry Gcrhnrt
HI Wm. C. l'vfer.
SI IKS. Smith
S3 J. A. II. llnrtuian...
82
81
Sit
SO
11
77
7U
7S
THIRD CLAM".
Wm. It. l'ctera 91
Gee. W. Cooper J1
Walter G. Peters...
Fred. S. Tyler
F.dw. C. Btirsk
Chas. I. Myer.-
Gee. F. Klllian
Abram I.. Mile-)
Edwin It. Garvin ... S3
11. B. Shearer M
S. C. Wiant 81
Cha. J. Zecher SI
Menree B. Hlrnh 82
Gee. II. Ackerniau.
Gee. K. .ellcrs...t,-. 82
Win. G. Baker 7S
Jehn (,'. .Sample ...
Feuirru class.
C. S. Stennleltz ....
Win. II. Auxer
Chas. B.Brady
Isaac II. Stirk
Leicester Leng
C. M. McLaughlin..
Ja. Prangley
C. G. Krisman
A. A. Mliright
Kdw. 31. Hart man..
E. M. Stone
J. II. Welchaim
Jehn A. Charlet
Sidney Evans
Bichard McGovern .
T. W. Sucsserett
Chas. C. Ilerr.
80,Cha). G: IMller s
linage Inspection.
Yesterday the county commissioners
visited Mercer's Ferd, te meet the com
missioners of Chester county and the in
spectors appointed te inspect the new inter-
county bridge at that place. Commission
ers Ceble and Husheng went te Christiana
in the cars, and Commissioner Montgomery
took a slcfgh ride from his own home te
the same point, and thence the party drove
te the bridge some two miles distant.
Only two of the Chester county commis
sioners were present Messrs. Elliet and
Otley. The inspectors, AV. M. Cooper, D.
B. Quigley, Patrick Swisher, W. W. "With
ers, F. N. Scott and A. IJ. Werth, of Lan
caster cennty.and Messrs. Gee. Richmond,
Peter Shoemaker and Themas Hepe, of
Chester county, after inspecting the bridge
made report that it was a substantial struc
ture, built in a workman-like manner,
substantially in accordance with the speci
fications furnished the builder, and recom
mended that the bridge be accepted from
the contractor. The report will be pre
sented for confirmation te the courts of
Lancaster and Chester counties.
Kevlval Meeting.
Interesting revival services are in pre.
gross in the St. Paul's M. E. church
Several penitents came forward te the
altar lastr evening. Rev. S. O. Garu'sen
will preach this evening.
Correction.
Iu our report yesterday of the installa
tion of officers of Lancaster ledge, Ne. 68.
K. of P., the words "nominated" and
"nomination" should have read "initi
ated" and "initiation."
DEADLY GAS.
PAYING FOR POISONING.
WHEXCK IS THIS NOXIOUS ODUK?
Complaint Abent the Gas Feal Oders and
l'olsen in the Bed Chamber Uas that
Mstks Ne Light, bat Bcgtsters
in the Mater and en
the Gas BUI.
In many parts of the city List evening
there was loud complaint about the in
sufficiency of the light furnished by the
gas, the foul odors arising from its con
sumption, and the suffocating and pain
ful sensations occasioned by its inhalation.
At first many persons thought it was the
sulphureus fumes from" coal, until it was
discovered te be such a general source of
wiuiuaiui anit trem quarters where it
could net have been occasioned by stoves
or furnaces. ' Seme or the stores in Centre
Square were obliged te open their doers
te the beating snow storm, and in some
rooms in the Stevens house, Intelmokn Intelmekn
cek office, and ether large buildings, the
stench and pervading gases were tee in.
telerable te be borne with safety. In
quiries set en feet te discover the cause
of this state of aftlairs develop various
theories :
Dr. Greene' Opinion.
Fer the Ixtelliukxckk.
Since the consolidation of the two gas
companies of our city, the people who
have taken any observation have noticed
that at times the gas is very feeble, a large
portion of the flame bluish, in ether words
the gas is much poorer made than before
this unfortunate event occurred. It "is far
better for all communities te have oppos
ing factions or companies in all lines of
manufacture or for ether purposes. Oppo
sition keeps down the price of the com
modity or thing, and keeps up the quality.
Monopolies make a poorer article and
charge exorbitant prices. Se it ha? been
since the creation "of men. The gis of
Lancaster has become at times exceedingly
peer, and the price has already made an
advance of 10 per cent. The reduction
that prompt payers heretofore received is
a thinjr of the past.
MEPIIITIC OIMHtS.
AVith the attempt of the present organi
zation te make as much gas as pessible at
the least expense (net te the consumer but
te the manufacturer), two decided evils
have become apparent. First, the enfee
bled flickering injurious te the eye ; and,,
second, the passage through the burner et"
of mephitic poisonous, iien-inflammabla
gases that arc exceedingly dangerous te the
consumer as well as expensive. The chem
istry of the formation of illuminating
gases, hew they should he made and hew
dispensed te the public, is a study duly
known te the thorough student of chemis
try, and te give anything Hke a fair ex
planation of these processes will occupy
mere space than I propose te occupy at
present ; hut, sir, if yen desire, I will in a
future communication present some of the
most important portions of a preperly
prepared disquisition en these subjects.
Within the last week it has bec.i observed
by scores of perseus in our city that at
night their premises have been full of a
singularly unpleasant tasting and smell
ing gas, leaving in the mouth a metallic,
coppery taste, and producing various un
pleasant symptoms ou various individuals.
On one a severe headache, en ethers diffi
culty in respiration, en ethers sero eyes.
se exceedingly unpleasant lias it been
that the gas lias been extinguished anil
caudles substituted in portions of the
Stevens house and in ether places where it
was found te have proceeded from the
gas pipes. At first many were led
te leek for the gases as coming
from unconsumed, half-burning coals in
stoves or furnaces, hut closer inspection
seen found the author of all these annoy anney
accs coming out of the burner. Oue thing
is most certain": badly constructed gases
have been generated and allowed te pass
into the-main gasemeters and dispensed te
the consumers. It maybe caused in many
ways, a portion of which I'll briefly speci
fy : If the purifiers containing lime are net
in order the above results will take place.
If the retorts are out of order, or the
materials te gasify are peer, it will occur ;
or, if there- is a large amount of iron py
rites, known as sulphurct of iron in the
coal, the sulphur will pass into the atmos
phere in some form. My present belief,
without any critical examination, is, that
the gas which is above referred te, contains
lermic acid ; it net, most assuredly car
bonic acid, or carbonic exyde gas, all of
which are exceedingly dangerous compan
ions in a sleeping apartment.
Yours respectfully,
C. A. GitEKXK, M. D.
Ahdf.xiu:m, January 5, )
Stevens Heuse. )
I find the air this morning overcharged
with the mephitic vapors ; same metallic
taste in the month. A number have sere
threats. Have made a few scientific
tests :
1. I find that one, at least, of the escap
ing non-inflammable gases is very light,
very subtle, and escape even in the day
time from the gas pipes.
2. I have made several tests for sulphur sulphur
ous fumes and find them very perceptible.
I saturated a paper in a solution of acetate
of lead, called by seme sugar of lead, made
up by the union of acetic acid and lead.
Helding it above the gas jet it quickly be
came brown, showing that a large quanti
ty of suiphur was suspended in the gas ;
the lead having a greater affinity for the
sulphur than the acetic acid immediately
formed sulphate of lead.
The Gas Company's Explanation!
A representative of the Intelt.ieencek
called at the oflice of the gas company
this morning and stated te Mr. Jehn II.
Baumgarducr the fact that there have
been many complaints for some days past
as te the quality of the gas. Mr. Baum
gardncrrcplicd that he knew a portion of
the gas furnished for a few days past was
inferior quality and explained that the
cause of it was au accident that
happened at the old icerls en Monday.
The cover of one of the purifiers was ac
cidently broken while workmen were en
gaged in removing the ice from it, and it
was impossible for some time te repair it ;
and until it was repaired pure gas could
net be manufactured. The repairs have
been completed and pure gas is new be
ing manufactured. It is probable, how
ever, that the impurified gas new in
the mains of the old works may caufe
the light te-night te be of
au inferior quality, but by to
morrow night the light will te all
right. Mr. Baumgardner says all the
complaints of peer gas come from these
who are supplied from the old work; and
that the gas manufactured there is coal
gas made by the same process used by the
old company. There have no complaints
he says, from consumers who use gas
made at the new works. It is the inteu inteu
tien of the new company as seen as prae
ticable, te connect the pipes of the old and
new companies and te manufacture all the
ras by the petroleum water process new
and hereafter in use at the new works.
Iu reply te the assertion made by some
persons that gas made by this process is
mere poisonous than that made by the old
process, Mr. Baumgardner says the gas
made by both processes are deadly poisons
and repeated experiments prove
that they arc equally poisonous.
Live pigeons placed simultaneously
in an atmosphere charged equally with
the two gases die simultaneously. Gas is
net intended te be taken into the lungs