- ?- ': -v " ;. "Krrf-r-- -" , --". r n"1 7" LANCASTER DAILY INTELLIGENCER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28. IS82. I ila n raster Intelligencer. THUR5DAY EVENING, DEC. 28. 18JJV. Tlie Convention Reunion. '; he presence in our city of a number of the members of the Constitutional convention, assembled here purely for purposes of social reunion, cannot fail to r.-call the valuable labors of that distin enislied body of men. In its personnel tie convention was probably the mest eminent and weighty, for its number, that ever was gathered together in this state. There were some small men in it, to be sure, who crawled in by the da vices of the politician, but as a class the members were distinguished in their various walks of life. Many ot the most celebrated and ablest law. yers, railroad directors, financiers and publicists of tho state were on the roll of its membership and left their impress uDon its work. Ten years have elapsed since their election and less than nine siueo the adoption of their work by a popular ma jority of over one hundred thousand. The test of time has discovered that some of that work was crude and iiu p 'ifect ; some, perhaps, not well advised. Some of the beneficent and urgent reforms projected and adoplcd by tho franiers of the new fundamental law have failed to become effective by the criminal negligence or ignorance of leg islatures which were ordered to put them into effect ; but, upon the whole, the people readily accepted their constitu tion as a welcome relief from an order of things that had become intolerable, and, after the lapse of these years, :i proposition to revoke the new ami restore the old would ba voted down by a much more emphatic expies sion of popular opinion than adopt d the constitution of 1S7.5. The present reunion is the sequence of a series of similar occasions tho institu tion of which arose entirely out of the kindly personal feelings engendered by the associations of the convention. 1 ts members were, for the most part, men of culture and congenial tastes, and be ing imbued with a common high pur pose, approaching their ends by dif ferent means and in different lines, they did not Sacrifice those purposes to partisan interests nor mar their deliberations with the wrangles that too often disgrace tho history of legislation. Under such circumstances, their annual reunion, fitly fixed at about the season when their work was adopt ed, cannot fail to be an occasion of satisfaction to tho participants, and one worthv of noto bv tho people of the commonwealth. Year by year the ranks are being thinned by death, and it is with melancholy gratifi cation that at this time are recalled the private and public virtues of some of the distinguished nion, whose counsels were fell in the convention. but whose presence will bo mused from the festal board. Nor is it to be forgotten, as a matter of congratulation by the members and of pride by the people, that since the last reunion two members of the convention, nominees of the state Democracy, Messrs. Clark and Elliott, have been honored with elec tion to high place. Among the con spicuous merits which were placed to their credit in the late campaign was the fact that they had been useful members of the constitutional conven tion of 1873. A Doubtful Device. The Senate has adopted the civil ser vice scheme with but five votes recorded agaiust it to thirty-nine in its favor ; of whom fourteen were those of Demo cratic senators. Senator Brown moved to amend the title of the bill to make it read " an act to perpetuate in office the Republicans who now control the pat ronage of the government.' teen Democrats who voted The four for the bill probably did not have Senator Brown's idea of its political effect; or elsa they thought that the good it promised the country was greater than tho injury it did their party. They were quite right in considering the good of the country before that of their party, but their judgment in the matter needs to be good to save them harmless. It has before now happened to some of these senators .. . .. .... ...... that they mistakenly sacriiiceti tuesr parly to the country. Senator Bayard conspicuously failed in political sagacity when he voted for tho electoral com mission bill; which injured both his party and the couutry. The soundness of his judgment in giving to the Repub lican officeholders continued possession of their fat berths, under the incoming Democratic administration, is made questionable by its previous failure in a great question. Senator Bayard, with all his great qualifications as a represen tative of the people, lacks somewhat of the horse sense which would make him perfect. The measure to which he has given his approval and advocacy, along with Senator Pendleton and other Deni ocratic light weights iu the Senate may have merits to alone for its defects, but these are so great that it is very doubtful whether there is sufficient virtue in the bill to redeem them. We cannotseethesaexcelleucies in the ex aggeration in which they appear to the advocates of the measure ; not even after the amendment has been adopted which declares that " no person habitu ally using intoxicating beverages shall be appointed to or retained in auy office business or employment to which the provisions of this act are applicable." That provision may bear hardly or lightly upon the whisky drinkers just as the authorities are disposed to construe the term " habitual" use. It may be held to bar from office only those who are drunk all the time, in which case it would be innocent enough ; or it may rule out every man who takes a drink, in which case it would not be so inno cent. But it is a pity, when the Senate consented to put upon the examining board the responsibility of decidiug whether an assistant for office was an habitual user of intoxicating beverages, as well as whether lie habitually ussd good grammar, that it did not also see fit to authorize an examination intnall "7 the moral attributes of the would-be official. The amendment of Senator ""-""- Edmunds, that no one guilty of any im moral habit, should pass the muster was voted down after considerable vacilla tion. Perhaps the Senate felt diffident of the capacity of any examining board to decide as to a man's morals ; a dis trust which was well justified and might probably have been extended to the suc cessor such aboard in detecting the qtiali fications of a man to be a good officer of the United States in responsible places where moral attributes are as important as mental. Tux: attorney general subscriber him self "Brewster, attorney general," and severely rebukes a subordinate who vcu. turcs to remind him that he .sent a person al letter ia an official, franked envelope, agaiust the law. They order these things butter iu New Jersey. Tho details of a tcrriblo doublo tiagedy iu Trenton yesterday will bo found in our news columns. And yet it is related that " as it is a clear case of suicido thero will bo no inquest by tho coroner." There's a pointer for the Lan caster county coroner. Tin: tobacco tax was the bubjecL of a public meeting of local dealers in Phila delphia Wednesday evening, at which prominent tradesmen denounced tic tax and tha espionage of the rcvonuo depart ment iu no scant terms, and demanded their immediate abolition. They also recite that injustice and equity, tho inoncy advanced to tho government should bo returned by allowing a rebate on such stock of tax-paid tobacco, cigar?, snuff, etc., as may bo on hand, in unbroken packages, at the time tho repeal goes into effect. 11IK OUTGOING VCA1!. S:lcnl ami bowed mid with averted (ace. Ills sceptre broken thronoless unit lit- c: owned He waits the .severing ol the Mender cord That hinds .ilin to the living. A little while. And gathered to the agc he will sleep Among this centuries. Wh-it tliouxll l': gave To human thought and purpo-u high reward. And crowned with living Uijs tli' elect ot Fame ; What though lie wrote his name on History's page In lines ot xivld flume with pen n! (hi!, Yjt must h sink, as sinks a grain of sand In the broad current that resistless bears Its atoms to the sea. And they whose brows He crowned, whose bosoms (Hied with sheaves, Into whose cups lie poured the oil and wine, Inconstant, turn them to the young and nc . And greet the Coining Monarch Willi "AH Hail:" Elizabe'h W. (JrisivoUl in Century. Tiik phi ass, "Who struck Billy Patter son'.'" is said to have originated dining a mtlec in tho eatly days of Fraukliu county, Ga., when a wealthy merchant of Baltimore, rejoicing iu that euphonious cognomen, was struck from behind while trying to make peace anions the com batants. Mr. Patterson immediately called out iu a tone that showed him to bo fighting mad, " Who struck Billy Patter son?" and icpcatcd the demand with au offer of $100, and finally as muck as $1,000 reward for the dcsiicd information which was not, however, forthcoming, as tho angry man is repotted to have been " as strong as a brar aid as bravo as a lion," though ordinarily of a very peaceable dis position. Yeais afterward in his will, he related the abovo facts and bequeathed $1,000 to bo paid by his executor to the mau who would tell " who struck Billy Palteisou." His will is recoided in tho ordinary's office at Caruesville, Prauklin county, Ga., aud we aro told that auyouo curious about the matter cau there find it and verify tho preceding statements. Tin; Senate hasp i;;j1 tin Pcndlctou civil servico bill by a vote of 139 to 5. This looks decisive enough, to indicate its speedy adoption by tho House, where it will be called up at an eaily opportunity, but wucre report r.ays it will encounter vigorous opposition. Tho civil service bill of Mr. Kasson now pendiug before that body embraces provisions for a fixed tcnuro of office aud examinations with the view of fitness for tho particular service required. Tho clas3 favoring such provisions is largely repre sented in the House, :md it is mora than probable that the bill finally passed theie will differ radically from tho one sent over by the Senate. The questions of Congressional influence, tenure of office aud methods of making appointments will bo discussed from a somewhat different point ol view, so that when tho bill goes 4 b-ck to t,,e Senate it will, no doubt, bo so j raatt:1 "Mly altered aud ameude.l as to force i "-a "'""' l" a iuuikkucb commute, rni.. ... l.tii ,n:ii I j... i. ; j. There the bill will have to be again modi fied so as to harmonize tho two houses, or the committee may not be able at all to reach an agreement, aud thus the bill will fall, so to speak, between the two houses. Wkstekx Pennsylvania, ever noted for the pictuvesquo character of its love making and all thoso things appertaining to affairs of the heart, comes gamely to the front with a holiday sensation, wherein two residents of tho Smoky City, rival claimants for the hand of a maiden fair to see, agreed upon tho Marquis of Queens bury rules as tho most propar and cou vineing love test. So iu the presence of a large crowd of encouraging spectators, and with tho usual accompaniments of seconds and umpires, the two brawny lovers proceeded to pummel each other in tho mosc approved fashion, pecurc from the intervention of the lynx-eyed guardians of tho peace. One meeting was not enough, as neither man would concede his defeat nor that his claims to the had been vanquished young ladys baud So a second mill was arranged, aud this time the vcrac:ous Bcribo reports oighteeu of tho liveliest kind of rounds to havo been fought, tho result of which was that one of the con testants had his car knocked off aud was so completely prostrated that it is believed that ho will die, while the other is so bruised and disfigured that tho girl pro bably won't havo him now that he has won her with his knotty knuckles. Zest was given to tHa occasion by the spectators joining in at intervals and shooting into tho crowd with more or less serious effect. Altogether the affair seems to havo been a highly exciting one and a unique contri bution to the festivities of tho Christmas- tide. A Pany or Hunter Drowned. A sloop capsized in a storm near the mcuth of the Bayou Toxar and six huut- era wno were OD hoard were drowned. ineir names are Alexander Dartv Wm. Howard. Noah Sanmfo Tt s.' "Rohflrfc Tlnnnun m1 -T TAnM. 1 -- wl V t VWUWD SUICIDE OF THE TWINS. OFFJER J AKV1S ASSAILANTS DKOffH TUKM'sEl.VKS. Deliberately Meeting Death la Trc.-iton, IV J., Uecause '1 hey Feared Arrent and the liaugmau's Kc.pe, Philadelphia Record. William and Jacob Rudk, tho twin brothers of this city, who stabbed Officer Jarvis on Christmas night, committed sui cide in Trenton, N. J., yesterday, by drowniug themselves iu a stream known as the Water Power, adjacent to tho state house. They took off their coats and hats, laid them on the bank, tied their hands aud feet fust with a clothesline, then bound themselves together and jump: d from a bridge into the water. The body of William was found iu tho afternoon, at half past six o'clock, and that of Jacob at nine o'clock last night. Their brothor John was present at the finding of the bodies. When the first ono was pulled out John hauled it up to the bank, threw him self upon it iu an agontziug manner, and at the same time uttered imprecations against tho Philadelphia police who, ho said, had dogged his brothers and made them commit self destruction. The bodies were dressed in workingmon's clothes, aud looked as much like each other iu the features as if both had but one life and soul. They stabbed Police Officer Jarvis while ho aud another officer were trying to airest them for obstructing the sidewalk. After the stabbing they weio taken to Trenton by their brother John to escape arrest. They camo ou the Owl line over the Hound Brook route, arriving at 2 o'clock in tho morning. They wcie taken to tho house of James Mill?, a tobacconist, on Willow street, whoso bister is married to John Busk. Hero they wero concealed all day. They retired to bed at night aud early yesterday morning, about 2 o'clock, they aroso and dressed themselves. They told their sister in-law that they wero going to drown themrelves and that their clothes would be found on tho bank where they would jump into tho water. Thoy then went out in tho yard, cut a largo piece from tho clothes line, and hurriedly de parted. Tho faisterin law followed part of tho way, nut soon lost sight of them. In tho morning, about six o'clock, Thomas Hill, a night watchman, fouud tho clothes on tho bank, and wondered what was the matter. He took them to the police station, bnt still no light was thrown on tho mystery. In tho meanwhile Mrs. Busk telegraphed to her husband, John, who had gouo hank to Philadelphia, acquainting him of what his brothers had said and done. lie re turned to Trenton, saw the watchman who had found the clothes, and identifying the latter his worst fears were aroused, lie visited tho water power and employed Thomas a-:d Wiliiam Ford to drag "the stream. They began at four o'clock ami wero rewarded for their clforts by finding William's body at half-past C. Not more than half a dozen persons were present, and the scene iu the midst of darkness, with the dead body on the side of the bank, the brother venting his rago against those whom ho charged with havhur driven the unfortunate mau to suicide, the splashing of tho oars in the water, with the two ghost-like figures in the little boat, all left au impression on the few specta tors which will not soon bo forgotten. The coroner viewed the bodies and or dered them to bo taken to tho Morgue, where they now lie. Au inquest will by held to day. Chief of Police Giviu sent a dispatch to tho Trenton authorities on Tuesday to tho cllect that the Kasks had lieu to that city, and giving orders 'to arrest them. Tho efforts, if auy, made by tho Trenton police to capture them seems to havo been very feeble. The house where thoy stopped is near tho heart of tho city, and any one possessed of the least detective skill, if ho tried, nifcht havo arrested them. They wero 2G years of age, and tluir ap pro pcaranec whiln alivo was anything but possessing. The news created a great sensation in tho neighborhood whero the Rusk brothcis lived, and especially at the Tenth district police station, whero information of the suicido was received at an early hour iu the evening, but was at first discred ited. Lieut. Beale pooh-hooded t,ho story as "they wero not the kind of men to'kill themselves." Information has been re ceived at the station houso that tho brothers had taken a small row-boat a few hours after tho assault ou Jarvis aud gone up tho river, it. was supposed on thoir way to Trenton. Steps wero at once taken to havo that city closely watched. Last ninht the following message to the chief of police in this city was sent to f he lieutenant : " The Rusk boys have been in our city. We hunted them so closely that they drowned themselves in the canal hero. We have fouud one of tho bodies, and ex pect to recover tho other tonight. C. II. McChksnkv, " Chief of Police, Trenton." AL No. 140 North Giraul avenue, wheto the mother ot tno boys and two listers live, no news had beea received cariy in tho evening oxcopt that which came Irom talk ou the street. Mrs. Rusk aud her two daughters said that thoy could not credit tho story, and did not appear to be very much excited over tho affair. They said that they had not seen or heard frem tho boys since tho evening before tho as sault occurred. Tho record of tho two dead mau is dis creditable. They havo lived on Girard avenue ever since they were born. For years past thoy havo been members of, or iu some manner associated with, a social organization known as tho " White Fawn," which until within a year had its headquarters at Nos. 1210 and 1221 Mascher street. Eight mouths ago the club was broke Up, as the respectablo members remsed to go on with it, aud or ganized tho Howard and Girard avenue. The effects of the club wero divided, and it is said tho Rusk boys and some of their companions retaining the old name organized themselves, and had occupied rooms ou Girard avenuo, below Leopard street. These headquarters were given up, it is said, in order to get the money for tho effects to defend William Rusk, when he was being tried for an assault upon Officer Jarvis, on June 4 last. Iu Februry, 1877, John Mc Cool was stabbed and killed at a ball fiiveu by the American Mechanics, at Fourth aud George streets. Tho stab was intended for Officer Harry Deal, who was attempting to arrest William Rusk. On his death-bed ho positively indeutified William Rusk as his murderer, but the defease exhibited the twin brother, Jacob, at tho trial, and the jury gave the prisoner the benefit of tho doubt. On tho night of June 21, 1880, tho two brothers were iu company with John Hughes when he made a deadly assault upon Officer Jarvis, and on Juno 4 Wil liam terribly beat that officer himself. He was tried, but again escaped. For a year or two the brothers followed shoemaking, at No. 124 North Girard evenuc, but havo generally refused to do auy sort of honest work. A HUSHADS MJDDKN iJS.VTH. Ills Wife Suspected of Poisoning Dim. Fishkill Landing is in a wild state of excitement over the death of a well-to-do boatman named David W. Pay, aged forty-five years, who partook of a glass of water and piece of pie on the 10th inst., and immediately afterward commenced to vomit, with a terrible burning pain in his month and throat. Dr. Tiel. his nhvsi-l cian, was in attendance, and as ho did not obtain any relief, Dr. U. C. Wilson was sailed in consultation and at midnight the patient expired in great agony. Tho suspicious circum stances of the case prompted the attend, ant physician to communicate with Dr. J . P. Schenck, the coroner, who empaueled a jury, and from statements made to them by the doctors, they ordered a post mor tem examination to take placs imme diately, when Drs. Ticl, Wilson, Moitb, Schenck and Slack took part in the pro ceedings. The coroner took the fluids from tho stomach, to be analyzed by Professor Dororaus in New York. Suspicion is di rected to the wife, who, four years since, was married to Mr. Par. when she was only sixteen years of ago. She deuies that she poisoned him. Tho deceased leaves a grown up daughter, who has resided iu Mattcwan since the second marriage. The Suicidal Jlaula. Mrs. Samuel Ilartzook, of Greene county, attempted suicido by hanging. Her youngest dauehter discovoied her as sho was about to swing off aud saved hor mother's life. Domestic unhappiness was tho cause. Sergeant Rufus Somerly, of tho Sixth cavalry,committed suicido at Fort Lowell, Arizona, by shooting himself with a car bino in the presence of his compauy. Ho was a graduate of West Point, aud for merly a lieutenant in the Sixth cavalry, but was compelled to resign ou occouut of drunkenness aud misconduct. His suicide is attributed to drink. Tho body of Chauucuy W. Huff, the missing cashier of the Union steamboat company, was fouud in tho canal at Buf falo, N. Y. Whether he committed sui cide or was murdered is not known at present. Hull' has disappeared at inter vals of six to seven years several times before, but has always returned, aud up to a week or so ago it was expected that would be tho case iu this instance, but yesterday's developments clear up tho case. Sumo Traglo Occurrences. Two brothers named Bullard wero killed yesteiday at Lobauou, Ala., by two brothers named Jacoway in a quarrel. All wero meu of prominence. During a light iu Staple's grocery store, at Owcusboro. Ivy., on Christmas night, between a man named Morris and a negro, James Montgomery, who heard the noise, stepped into the room just as JNorris urea, and received the bail iu his abdomen, which caused his death. Marcus Piko, 13 years old, residing with Aunio Mclvcou, his 20 year-old married sister, at JSo. 533 Greenwich street, New York, fouud a toy pistol, aud in a joking manner presented it at Mrs. Mclvcou when it exploded, tho ball lodging in the ioof of her mouth. The wound may prove fatal. Piko was arrested. A littie girl named Gannon, residing with her parents on rringlc Hill, ucarD.il las, Luzerue county, swallowed a piece of ..l..l ..,..-.:! ..I.....:...,...-..., o...nn...r....l ' " hi.M . ,...i6 JU t.. , ti. ohiuvli life would be to cut onon tho throat and II UU UUIU tIV UUII lll WW U1 w vuu uub-..- . extract tho pencil. Tho mother wor.Iu not consent to the operation aud the child died shortly afterward. A quarrel occurred at tho cotton store, Rock Castle county, Ky., ou Christinas day, in which John Townscitd was disput ing with Champ Mullius, when tho lat ter's son shot Townscnd iu the head and then jumped upon tho body, which was bruised terribly. Townsond is probably dead. Reports come that two other men were killed, but this lacks confirnvttiou. Tlireo Desperate Cow-lloyg Lynched. Threo men ware lynched at Piueville, Crook county, Oregon, Monday night. AH thai is known of tlrs affair is that the victims aro cow-boys, of desperate charac ter, and wero hunt: ou general principles. s PERSONAL, Mr. W. W. Corcokan, the bunker of Washington, yesterday celebrated his 81th birthday. Dn. Makox, a well-known writer ou political economy, shot his wife and him self yesterday at London. Conuad B. Day, tho now grand master of the Masonic order in this stale, has ap pointed Governor Pattisou senior grand deacon, and W. A. Mortoa, of this city, deputy grand master for Lancaster couuty. L.Y MacNagiitek, daughter of Wm. Howard (" Bull Run ") Russel L. L. D., tho well-known newspaper correspond, ent aud wife of Sir Francis Edmund Workaisn-MacNaghtcr, an Irish baronet, has oloped with a young agent, leaviu; several children behind her. Thomas Imlat and wile, of Iuilays town, who celebrated a few days ago the seventieth anniversary of their wedding, were married when he was 22 aud she IS years of ace. They have had twelve children, and ten of thorn aro now living with large families of their own, there being about 120 grandchildren. Mhs. G.vit field is entertaining a few of tho friends of tho late president at her homo iu Cleveland. Sho looks much bet ter than she did early in tho summer. There is a better color iu her face and she is more lleshy. She looks older and is moro caroworu aud numerous wrinkles have appeared iu tho face. Her dress is wonderfully plain, as is that also of her husbaud's mother. M. De Brazza considers it possible to complete tho exploration of tha Upper Congo in two years. M. De Brazza's ob ject is to maintain the position already achieved by foundmg eight chief and twelve minor stations, forming a chain to Brazzaville from Gaboon aud from the sea. In order to mark tiio pacific charac ter of the mission, it goes under tho aus pices of tho ministries of foreign affairs and public instruction. Vice Pkesidnt A. II. Fettekolk was yesterday, after six ballots, elected to the presidency of Girard college, made vacant by tho death of William II. Allon, LL. D. The candidates for the position were : Henry D. Gregory. Geo. I. Ricbe, A. H. Fettcrolf, General Chas. F. Ruff, General Jas. A. Beaver, Henry K. Trask, General Wm. F. Reynolds, LeRoy F. Griffin, Colonel Richard H. Rush, Cyrus jNortUrop. tfco. w. .better, Lewis M. Haupt, W. II. Baker, Robert Cornelius, F. E. Rockwood. MissNutt, tho daughter of tho victim of tho Uniontown tragedy, whoso name has been dragged into tho affair, denies all the rumors associating her with tho fatal encounter, and says that the contents of the letters which passed between her father and his antagonist iu noway affect ed her personally. Miss Nutt's lady friends who have known her long and in timately just as earnestly deny the asper sions that have been cast upon her character. Tho young lady is probably twenty-three or twenty-four yoars of age. She was tho idol of her father, well edu cated, naturally bright and very protty. She is a brilliant conversationalist, an excellent musiciau, and was tho favorite not alone of her family but of all her as sociates. Hox. Samuel B. Dick, tho retiring Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of tho Masonic Order in this state, was yesterday (St. John's Day) pre sented by the lodge with a chasto and costly grand master's jewel. It consisted of a compass and square of heavy gold. A first water diamond of tho sizo of a large pea glistens on the joint of the com pass, and across tho face of the square there is a representation in gold of tho sun descending behind a cloud. Tho re. vrse is appropriately described. The officers of the lodge newly installed are R. W. Grand Master, Conrad B. Day ; It. W. Deputy Grand Master, E. Coppee Mitchell : R. W. Senior Grand Warden. Joseph Eichbaum ; R. W. Junior Grand Warden. Clifford l AlacCalla: R. W. Grand Treasurer, Thomas R. Patten ; R. I W. Grand Secretary, Michael Nesbit. IS IT EEF0KM? TUE XJSW CIVIL SERVICE BILL AVhat the Pendleton Measure Proposes to Accomplish Provision ot the New Bill. The amended Pendleton civil service bill passed tho Senato yesterday by tho following voto : Yeas Messrs. Aldrich, Allison, An thony, Bayard, Cameron of Pennsylvania, Cameron of Wisconsin, Chilcott, Cockrell, Coke, Conger, Davis of Illinois, Davis of West Virginia, Edmunds, Frye, Gar land, George, Gorman, Groom, Harrison, Hawlcy, Hill, Hoar, Jackson, Jones o Florida, Jones of Nevada, Lamar, Lap ham, Logan, Miller of California, Miller of New York, Morrill, Pendleton, Piatt, Plumb, Rollins, Sewell, Vest, Walker aud Wiudom 39. Nays Messrs. Brown, Call, Jones, Mc Phcrson aud Morgan 5. The1 following pairs wero announced : Messrs. Bean, Hale, Dawes, Saunders, Butler, Johnston, Kellogg aud Sawyer, who would havo voted aye, were paired with Barrow, Bock, Maxey, Williams, Pugb, Voorhees, Vance aud Camden, who would havo voted no. Before it passed, Mr. Brown moved to amend the title of the bill so as to make it read, " An act to perpetuate iu offico tho Republicans who now control the pa trouage of tho government.". Lost. The bill provides lor tho appointment by the president, with the consent of the Senate, of a civil service commission to consist of tin eo persons, not more than two of whom shall bo adherents of the sanio party, aud who shall hold no other olfico under the United States. Their sala ry is to be $3,500, together with necessary traveling expenses. The fitness of appli cants for appointment in tho civil service is to be be tested by open, competitive ex aminations of a practical character. Tho offices aud employments are to bo classi fied and filled, according to grade, from among those graded highest in the exami nations. Appointments in tne depart ments at Washington are to be apportioned among the states aud territories and tho District of Columb.a upon tho basis of population. There is to bo a period of probation before auy absoluto appoint ments. Promotions are to be made from lower grados to higher ones on the basis of merit and competition. No person in the public service is to be. for that reason, under any obligation to contribute to any political fund or to render any political service, aud will not bj removed, or other wise prejudiced, for refusing. No person in tho civil service is to havo any right to use his official authority or influence to coerce the political action of any person or body. There arc to be uou-compctitivo examinations iu proper eases, when competent persousdo not com- i ..." ci. : UOW ailVl LUbltU has been given or a va- caney. The commission is to makeregu . m . hit ions for and havo have control of the examinations, subject to rules that may bo niado by tho president. Tho commission is authorized to employ a chief examiner at a saiaiy of 'J,000, with necessary trav eling expenses. Ho is to act with tho ex amining boards as far as practicable, and to secure accuracy, uniformity, and justice iu their proceedings. Tho commission is to select boards of examiners in the different states aud territories, to consist of not less than three persons in the official ser vice of tho United States, and where thero aro persons to bo examined iu any state or territory, examinations aro to bo hold therein" at least twice a year. Any com missioner, examiner, copyist, messenger or other person in the public servico who wilfully or corruptly defeats, deceives, or obstructs any person in his or her right of examination, or who makes a false report upon au examination, or falsely and corruptly grades any person ex amined, or makes a false rep resentation concerning sucu person, or gives special or secret information for tho purpose of improving or hijuiing tho pros pects or chances of a candidate, is to ue punishablo by a fine of not les3 than $100 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment not less than 10 days nor more than one year, or by lino and imprisonment. Within tiO days alter the passage of tho act in be comes tho duty of tho secretary of the treasury to classify, under tne lbdd sec tion. Revised statutes, the clerks and employees of tho collectors, naval officers, surveyors aud appraisers in every cus toms district, whero the whole number of . such persons is not less than lilty,and thero alter, Irom time to time, on direction ot tho president to similarly classify tho cm ployees iu any other customs district. The postmaster general is to arrange for simi lar classifications in his department, and provision is made for classifications in all tho departments aud cilices mentioned in tho 158th section of the revised statutes. After six mouths from the passago of tho act no officer or clerk is to bo appointed, aud no person to bo employed or promo ted in any of tho classes until ho has passed an examination, or is shown to b.j especially exempted Irom such au exami nation. Nothing therein however is to bo construed to taito from those honorably discharged fiom tho army or navy any preference conferred by 1,743 Revised statutes, or to take Imiiu the president auy authority not iucoi.i-i tent with this act conferred by tho 2.7o'Jd section of the Re vised statutes. No officer not in the ex ecutive branch of the government, aud no person employed merely as a laborer or workman, is to be required to bo classified and, unless by direction of the Senato, no person nominated for confirmation by tho feenato is to be classuicd or re quired to pass an examination. When ever there are two or more members of a family in tho public sorvico in the grades covered by tho act, no other members of such family aro to be eligible to appoint ment in them. No recommendation of any applicant given by a senator or member of the house, except as to tno cnaracter or residence of tho applicant, is to be received or considered by any person concerned in making any examination or appointment. No person habitually using intoxicating beverages in excess is to be appointed or retained in any office, business of employe ment to which tho provisions of the aotaio applicable. It is further provided that no senator or representative or territorial representative in Congress, or delegate elect, or any officer or employee of either House, and no executive, judicial, military, or naval officer of the United States, and no clerk or employeo of any department, branch, or bureau of tho cxecutivo, judicial, or military or naval service of tho United States shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or receive, or be in any manner con cerned in soliciting or receiving, any as sessment, subscription, or contribution for any political purpose whatever, from any officer clerk or employee of the United States, or any department, branch or bureau thereof, or from any person re ceiving any salary or compensation from moneys derived from the treasury of the United States. No person in any room or building occupied in the discharge of offi cial duties by any employee of the United States mentioned in this act, shall solicit in any manner whatovcr,or receive any contri bution of money or any other thing of valuo for any political purpose whatever. No officer or employee of the United States mentioned in tho act shall discharge or promote or degrade or in any manner change the official rank or compensation of any other officer or employee, or prom ise or threaten so to do, for giving or withholding or neglecting to make any contribution of money or other valuable thing for any political purpose. No offi cer, clerk, or other person in the service of the United States shall, directly or in direct! v. criva or hand over to an v other officer of the United States, or to any sen- ator or member of the House, or territo rial delegate, or other person acting for such 'senator, member or delegate, any money or other valuable thing on account of, or to be applied to the promotion of any political object whatever. Any per son who violates any of theso provisions is to be deemed guilty of misdemeauor. and punished by a fiue not exceeding $3,000, or by imprisonment for a term not exceed ing three years, or by both fiue and im prisonment, in the discretion of tho court. COAL DEVELOPMENT The Clearfield ltltuuilnou Coal Cuunuuy. A charter was granted yesterday after noon at the state department to the Clear field Bitumiuous coal company. The capital stock is placed at $5,000,000. Among tho incorporators are V llhatu II. Vandorbilt, Cornelius Yauderbilt, William A. Wallaco, S. R Pealc, James Tilling hast, George F. Magee, C. J. Langdon, John Lang, J. D. F. See, William D. Kelly (Elmira), John G. Reading, Joseph M. Gazzam and Bishop L. Wallace. The object of tho new corporation is to mine aud sell coal, iron uro, fire clay and other minerals and to manufacture and sell coke made from bituminous coal. Tho principal office will bo at Clearfield, and the business will bo transacted in Clear field and Ceutro counties. Tho outlet north and east for tho business of tho new corporation, it is stated, will be through tho Susquehanna & Southwestern railroad, a charter for which was granted last August, and of which William A. Wallaco is president. The railroad corporation has a capital of $4,000,000, and its lines will pass through Lycoming, Cliutou, Centra and Clearfield counties, nortious of tho state that havo nevor been practically 1 developed. The Reading system from I itr -v i .1 tli.M.l.i. i.:. :. :.. ..11 1 I muw luis. iiuu x uuuuuipuia, io is iiiiuvu, will givo a ready andchoap transportation to the east, while the Pine Creek & Buffalo road will supply au outlet to Buffalo and the great lakes. The Pennsylvania Kallromt Secures :i i;lg coal Tonnage. The Pennsylvania railroad company has ordered $1,000,000 to be expended iu tho grades of tho West Pcnn railroad from Blairsville, Indiana comity, to Butler, in order that it may bo mado a low grade road. At Butler a liuk of twenty two miles has been built to bo called the West Penn and Shenango connecting railroad compauy, and which unites tno I'ennsyl- vauia system with the bhouaugo and Alio gheny system, tho latter system uniting with the Erie aud Pittsburgh system. Theso combined systems give a direct outlet to tho lakes and touch at Cleveland, Erie and Ashtabula. The new line is in tended principally for the transportation of coal, aud its inception is said to belong to Mr.Georgo B. Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania railroad company. Tho base of coal supplies, until other lauds havo been developed, will be coal territory ex tending for a distance of twolvo miles ou both sides of tho West Philadelphia aud tho Shenango aud Allegheny railroads. In these lands a syndicate has invested large amounts and formed a company, called the West Pcnn and Shenango coal com pauy, with a capital of . $1,000,000. In the syndicate aro represented Cleveland capitalists, the Mcllcnry's of London, and prominent gentle men of Philadelphia, among whom is Mr. B. K. Jamison. These lands virtually control tho Butler county coal fields for the lakes. A portion of the lauds will be developed by January 13. It is probablo that when tho combined systems of rail roads aro iu operation, about Juno 1, that tho cutiro touuago of iron ores that is brought from tho lakes ami worked into metal at Johnstown will be brought over theso systems, tho g-ados bciu;: moro fa vorable and tho distance .shorter than by the routes now followed. Another Disappointing UU Well. The attention of the oil trade has lately beea directed to Forest county as the coming oil field which was to counteract tho dcclino taking place in the production of all tho old fields. Tha new wells in Forest couuty, namoly, Anchor, tho Reno and tho Grandiu, caused the late great and unexpected deciiuo in the oil markci. Tho supposition was that theso wells opened up an oil field of great magnitude. This theory received tho first blow by tho stuking of tho Murphy well, which was equivalent to a diy hole in thiu field. There still remained a very probable out let or cxtcusiou by the drilling of tho Ferdig and Ueuue well, south of the Cooper tract stnd east of tho Murphy well, on a 45 degree line with tho Anchor Oil Company's well. This well was completed yesterday, aud was a great disappointment to its owners and a great fsurpriso to tho trado by its coming in practically dry. This well, when taken iu connection with the numerous other stnail wells aud dry holes, forms a cordon two-thirds around tho supposed field, and entiioly negatives tho "bolt" theory, and reduces tho now territory to a comparatively small pool. An Obvious Duty. Ledger, As scon as tho Democratic majority in tho Uarrisburgh house of Representatives gets its reform working jacket on, next Tuesday, it should call tho roll of officor?, employees, folders, pastors, bottle holders, &c, .who havo no function to perform ex cept to draw pay, and then give them leave of absence till 1883. Such functionaries cau do better work and earn moro honest pay at homo. More than half the places tho state is mado to pay for on theso rolls aro sine cures, which is bad enough but that's not tho worst of it, lor they open the way for corrupt practicos iu various lamilica tions. Doubtless thero will be statesmen iu the House who will regard tuch an in vasion of the time-honored right of tho victors to the spoils as au infraction of the constitution, or a dreadful violation of law or " custom ;" but we do not believe the House is likely to bo cited befora tho supreme court to show cause why the corrupt sinecures should not be abolished. Do not forget that reform opened tho way for tlie Democratic majority. s A Dinner to Mr. Uelmont. N. Y. World. Mr. Perry Belmont, member for tho First district of New York, has accepted an invitation from a number of Democratic gentlemen iu this city to mcot them at dinner at Dolmonico's on Saturday eveu ing, December 30, tho object being to emphasize the share taken by the young men of the country in the recent revolt against " abuses and corruption" in tho public service. The dinner has been or ganized by a committee consisting of Mr. Nelson J. Waterbury, jr., Mr. Herman Oelrichs, Mr. Grcnvillo Kauo, Mr. Robert Townsend and Lewis II. Sayre, M. D. Among the few invited guests represent ing the young element of the Democratic party aro Lieutenat Governor Hill, of New York ; Lieutcnaut Governor Black, of Pennsylvania ; Mr. W. U. Heus6l, chair man of the state committee of Pennsyl vania, and Mr. Bayard Stockton, of Now Jersey. A mountain Battle. In the mountainous part of Hawkins county, Tenn., about GO miles northeast of Knoxvillc, last Saturday night, somo white men went to the house of a colored man named Gray for the purpose of whip ping him, charging that ho had stolen hogs. Admittance was denied, where upon they fired into Gray's cabin. Tho firo was roturncd. In the battle Gray was mort'illy wounded and has since died, and his stepson had his thigh broken by a ball. .Jim Williams, a white man, was shot in the head, and is raid to be mortal ly wonnded. Another white man named Arrick was also wounded. BEUNION. TUU CONSTITUTIONAL i CONVENTION. Meeting of tho Survivors' Association utthe Stevens House Distinguished Lawyers and Jurist Present. As ha3 beeu previously noticed, tho au uual meeting of the Constitutional associa tion will bo held at tho Stevens house, this, city, at 5 p. m., to-day and tho annual dinner will bo served promptly at six o'clock. This association is composed ex clusively of the surviving members of tho convention of 1873, which framed tho now constitution for tho state of Pencsylvania, concluding its Ubors Nov. 3, 1873, and whose work was approved by a popular majority of over 143,000, at a special elec tion held Dec. 10, 187o. Tho present organization was formed solely for the purpose of keeping aliva tho pleasant associations formed during the sessions of the convention, aud it ha3 held annual meetings at this season. Last year's meetiug was held in Pittsburgh, aud upon invitation of Mr. Reynolds this year's reuntou was fixed for Lancaster. Hon. A. G. Curtin is president of tho as sociation ; Hon. Geo. N. Corson, secre tary, and Hon. L. C. Casskly, treasurer. Of tho committee of arrangements fur tho present meeting Mr. Reynolds is chair man. Tho business mooting of tho association, which will bo held at 5 p. in., is devoted mainly to the election of officers and rou tine business. At G o'clock tho dinner and social festivities, eutiroly of a private character, take piace, aud with theso tho reunion will bo concluded. Tho following is tho menu for tho din ner ; OYSTERS. lime Points. SOUP. Mock Turtle. Puree ol Celery. FISH. W:Uilion. Trout Hrollcd- Duclie-ts.' Potatoes. Cuciinibvrd. .Fillet ot Hoot. Mushroom Sauce. Potatoes. Peus. TouuvIihm. ltoust Turkey (Lancaster Co.). Plain unit with Trullles. Potatoes. Cranberries. Celery. SweotbreacU and Peas. GAME. Terrapin. Potato Chips. I'ueitMinnt. Uuinta Fowl (Lancaster Co.) Jlroileil Oysters and Chicken Suliul. Crackers arid Cheese. DESSERTS. Ices, C roii limit a and Wafers. Frutt and Cotleu. Liquors. Of tho Lancaster county members of tho convention, James L. Reynolds and II. O. Smith aro dead ; of the survivors, Hons. D. W. Patterson and S. II. Reynolds, will be present this evening. From a distance J. W. F. White, W- H. Smith ami Malcolm Hay, of Pitts burgh ; Charles )Broadhead, of Bethle hem, and T. Struthers, of Warren, ar rived iu this city List evening oroarly this morning and aro registered at tho Stevens house. Tho afternoon trains brought J. G. Frieze and wife, of Blooms burg ; Josiah Funck, of Lebanon ; Jas. Ellis, of Pottsville ; Col. James Boyd, of Norristown ; W. E. Littleton and George M. Dallas, of Philadelphia ; Chas. Hun sccker, of Norristown ; Johu Price Weth- erill, of Philadelphia ; James 11. Hevoriu, of Philadelphia ; J. W- Curry, of Altoona; Tho;. Ewitnr, of Pittsburgh; John Gibson, of York ; Joel B. McCamaut, Pottsvillo Z. H. Long, Lchighton; Joseph Baily, Perry county ; Hamilton Alrickn, Harris burg ; Andrew Reed, Lewistown ; R. A. Lambcrton, Bethlehem ; Lucius Rogers, Harrisbtirg. C. Heydriek, of Venango couuty, not a member of tho convention, but a leading member of tho bar of Northwestern Penn sylvania is also at the Stevens House. Ho visits Lancaster ou private business. Judgo W. M. Buun, of tho Philadelphia Sunday Trawtcripi, is also in the city. Ho was not a member of tho last constitutional convention, but will bo next time. A Vencraule Clergy mmi'u Deal it. Philadelphia Kecord. Dr. William R. Work, tho vcucrablo Piesbyteriau clergyman of this city, died yesterday morning after several weeks ill i'.cps, aged 72 years, lie was a native of Lancaster couuty. His first chargo was in Newa-k, Dt-l, a church organized by him self. Later on ho founded tho Young Ladich' seminary of Pottstown and be came its principal. After tho school was thoroughly established Dr. Work removed to Philadelphia and lounded tho Trinity Presbytoriau church on Frankford road. Subsequently he devoted himself to litor aiy work, one of his best efforts being the revision of " Wheeler's Analysis of tho 15ible." The funeral of Dr. Work will take place to-morrow from tho Princeton Presbyterian church, Saunders aud Powel ton avenue. Too Much Curlntuias. One of our prominent merchants of East King street, ecrtaiuly must have been in very lively company on Christmas night, as he camo home 'at a very early hour the next morning ; and, that some thing w.is not right, was manifested by tho condition ho left his door, as it was found wido open. The watchman noticing the fact, rang tho ball and woko some of tho inmates of the house up and ex plained matters, and whilo doing so tho gentleman referred to appeared at tho head of the stairs, and iu a stentorian voice uaid, " See if my now forty-five dollar overcoat is still on the rack." Ho evidently had too much Christmas. The Theatre. Agues Ilerndon's "Farraei's Daughter" combination paesod through this after noon on their way to York, whero thoy play to night. llurtuiyer & Daily played Charlotte Thompson in tho "New Jane Eyro" in York last evening to a large house. Tho agent of John A. Stevens' " Uu known" company is in town. The editor of the Opera, a paper used iu tho York opera house, for a house bill, says in his " Footlight Gossip," Adams' Pan tomime company will sing iu Atlanta, 'Ga., on Tuuiday." The clown will bo sur prised to know he has an opera company. Improvements at the drape. Extensive improvements are being mado at the Grape hotel, North Queen street, which recently changed hands. An entire new front is being put in, which will stand in from tho street ; a balcony will also be placed on the front at tho parlor. In the rear of the house several partitions havo been torn oat, making a large -room, which contains several pool and billiard tables and the bar. The entire house will be rep.tinted, papered and furnished. The 5"rtli Ouren street Kow. Last evening the young men who were iu the row at J.J. Doesh's saloon on North Queen street on Saturday night, had a hearing befo e Aldormau McCouomy. As a number of tho party bad thoir faces blacked ou this night it was difficult to idcutify them. There was tuflicont evi dence agaiust Joseph McEvoy and Walter Myers to hold them and thoy were com mitted in default of bail to answer charges of assault and battery. Two Ken Misaing. The police of this city havo received photographs and descrptions of two men, who aro missing. They are Chauncey W. Huff, of Buffalo. New York, and Henry Rich, of New York city. There in a re ward of $1,000 for tho last named. Our Caterer Abroad. Last evening Pulaski lodge of Masons of Pottstown gave a supper in Union hall, that city. It was gotten up by Messrs. Herr & Reisr, proprietors of the Mer chant's hotel, and Joo Lobar of this city was caterer. I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers