Intelligencer & loumctl.
GEO. SANDERSON, EDITOR.
Lancaster, Janaary 29,1850*
The Democrats of the City ot Lancaster
WlLL'meet on THURSDAY EVENING, January
31, at 7 o’clock in the Court House,' forthe purpose
of settling candidates for Mayor, Assessor and High
Constable, to be supported at the ensuing city elec*
tion, on Tuesday February sth.
. By Order of the Committee.
ID* Our Democratic friends of the city will bear
in mind the meeting to he held in the Court House,
on Thursday evening, for the purpose of placing in
nomination candidates for Mayor, Assessor and
High Constable. We hope there will be a gen
eral turn out of the Democracy, and that such a
ticket will be placed in the field as will triumph
over all opposition and be elected by an old-fash;
ioned majority. All our Democratic friends have
to do, is to adhere closely to the general and ward,
nominations of the party, to turn out o to the polls
in their strength, to be zealous and active, and suc
cess must crown their efforts. Any other course
is always attended with danger. The following are
the proceedings of the different ward meetings held
on Saturday evening last:
S. E. Ward Meeting.
The Democrats of the S. E. Ward.met at Henry
Nauman’s, on Saturday evening last, and placed in
nomination for Alderman, John C. Van Camp and
William White. After balloting, J. C. Van Camp,
Esq-, was duly nominated. *
The following delegates were then appointed to
represent the Ward in the City Convention, viz: —
Frederick Miller, J. M. Westheffer, John Yeagley,
Jacob Gumpf and Henry Gorrecht.
Signed JAMES SLAUGHTER, Pres’t,
Peter Rinehart, V. Pres’t,
J. M. Westheffer, ) c ,
Daniel Lagen, - \ s '
W. Ward Meeting.
At a meeting of the Democratic citizens of the
N. W. Ward, held pursuant to a call of the Com*
mittee, Dr. H. E. MUHLENBERG was called to
the Chair, and Messrs. C. Zecher and J. Reese
appointed Vice Presidents, and W. B. Wiley , Sec’y.
The object of the meeting having been stated,
Michael Carpenter and George Musser, Esqs.,
were- ncminated as candidates for Aldermen of the
ward by acclamation A
The following named gentlemen were elected to
represent the ward in the Democratic City Con
vention* to nominate officers to be supported at the
ensuing city election:—Adam Dellet, J. W. Jack
son, Frederick Sener, Jacob Reese and Sebastian
G. Musser. [Signed by the officers.]
IV. E, Ward Meeting.
At a meeting of the Democratic citizens of the
N. E. Ward, held at the.house of Owen Hopple, on
Saturday evening last, JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Esq.
was called to the Chair, and Edward M. Kline,
Esq., appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting having been stated by
the Chairman, on motion, the meeting proceeded
to the nomination of Alderman for the N. E. Ward,
when Benjamin D. Gill was unanimously nomi
nated for said office!
The meeting then proceeded to the election of
delegates to the City Convention, when John Zim
merman, James Boone, Jacob Zecher, Hiram B.
Swarr and Edward Champnfeys were duly elected
On motion, it was
Resolved , That the delegates representing the N.
E. Ward, be, and are hereby instructed, to vote for
no peison for Select or Common Council, who is
not opposed to the purchase of any property, for
the purpose of enlarging the present Market place.
JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Chn.
Ed. M. Kline, Sec y. t
S. “W. Ward Meeting.
At a very large and enthusiastic meeting of the
Democracy of the S. W. Ward of the City of Lan
caster, on Saturday evening last, at the public house
of Philip Fitzpatrick, lor the nomination of an Al
derman to be voted for by the party in the ward at
the municipal election on Tuesday, sth proximo,
and the election of five delegates to represent the
Ward in the general City Convention, for the set
tlement of members of Councils, &c., on motion,
Mr. .GEORGE A. WEAVER was called to the
Chair, Mes-rs. Jacob Winouh, John Dehuff, Is
rael Kautz and George Waltz were chosen
Vice Presidents, James C. Carpenter and Captain
George Heitzelbarger Secretaries.
Mr. Jacob F. Kautz was unanimously setttled
as the candidate for Alderman, and James C. Car
penter, Henry Shaum, Dr. George B. Kerfoot, Capt.
Heitzelbarger and Jacob Christ were chosen dele
gates, with power to fill any occurring vacancy in
their body. [Signed by the officers.]
Decision of Judge Lewis.
We copy from the York Gazette , a portion of the
very able opinion delivered by Judge Lewis, at
York, on the 14th inst., in a case involving the le
gality of a will made on the Sabbath day. We
have inserted it on our first page, and invite a care
ful perusal. It is replete with sound morality and
elaborate investigation, and does great credit to the
head and heart of our distinguished townsman.
A Message from tlie President.
On the first page we publish the Message from
General Taylor, in reply to a resolution of the
House of Representatives, asking for certain infor
mation in regard to California and New Mexico ;
and making inquiry about the mission of T. But
xer King and other whig politicians, sent out at
the public expense, during the recess of Congress,
to control affairs in California so as to make it a
Whig State. Mr. King's mission is acknowledged;
but the attempt is made to throw dust in the eyes
of the people, by saying that he and “ certain offi
cers” were sent out merely as bearers of despatches
to California and New Mexico. The intelligent
reader will know how to take this part of the
Message.
There is one thing in the Message, however,
that seems to come up to the mark—and that is
the doctrine of non-intervention in regard to the
new territories; in other words, the President bold
ly takes ground against Congressional action on the
subject of slavery—the very position taken by the
Democratic party, and so vehemently assailed by
the Whig press aud orators of the North. How
the Whigs of the non-slaveholding States c will relish
the doctrines advanced by-Gen. Taylor remains to
be seen. There will doubtless be exciting scenes
in Congress before long.
- ID* Gen. Houston, of the U. S. Senate, will ac
cept our thanks for a copy of the able and eloquent
speech of Gen. Foote, on the resolution to suspend
Diplomatic Relations with Austria. Bold, impetu
ous and uncompromising in his denunciations of
Whiggery, Gen. F. bids fair at no very distant day
to occupy a position in the front rank of republican
statesmen:
CD* Thanks to Messrs. Meek and Church of
the Houpe, for public documents.
CD* The Democratic Statd Central Committee
will meet >j Harrisburg today, for the purpose of
fixing a time v.A p!ace for the assembling of the
next fcf&se Co*7*-rrV/n > t/£ nominate a candidate for
Canal
Philadelphia 44^«rtMements.
We direct public altwjw; V, ih*. « Wholesale Tin
Ware Manufactory ,” of Mtiu/tr h. ¥ont), No. 291,
Market Street—also, to the “ Philadelphia and Liv
erpool Line of Packets,” which sail regularly onco a
month throughout the year from one city to the
other. See advertisements.;
ID* Hon. James Buchanan is now on a visit to
Washington City.
The Past and the Present.
With this number commences the fifty-first vol
ume of the “Intelligencer;” and now that it has
weathered out the storms of half a century, and,
through sunshine and clouds, has ever been the ad
vocate of democratic men and democratic measures,
it may be profitable to take a retrospective glance
at the past, and note some of the important events
that have.taken place since the fearless Dickson
first launched his bark upon the political tide.
Fifty years! What changes have taken place
since the advent of the century? The
“Intelligencer.” started into existence during the
memorable “Reign of Terror” under the elder Ad
ams, and lent its assistance in hurling that admin
istration from power and placing Thomas Jeffer
son, the great father of Democracy, in the chair of
State. It supported the. administration of Mr.
Midtson and the second war of Independence with
Great Britain—and has stood by the successive
democratic administrations of Monroe, Jackson,
Van Buren and Polk— a period of forty years in
the history of the government
In the fifty years that have passed away, what
rapid strides have been made by our country in its
onward march to greatness and to glory 1 A half
a century ago, and we were comparatively a feeble
nation, just emerged from the colonial state, and
had but commenced the experiment of governing
ourselves. Since then we have maintained our
national prowess in two bloody wars, in which the
superiority of our arms were abundantly manifested
—have quadrupled our population—have bound the
different States together by thousands of miles of
railroads and canals, by telegraphic and other
methods of international communication—and now
stand prominently forward as one of the greatest
nations of ancient or modem times. Fifty years
ago, and the great valley of the Mississippi which
now numbers its millions'of energetic and industri
ous citizens, and has its broa'd surface dotted over
with thriving towns and splendid cities, was a dark,
interminable wilderness, the death-like silence only
broken by the occasional howl of the wild beast or
the war whoop of the savage. Fifty years ago,
and that vast chain or belt, called the Rocky Moun
tains, was scarcely known to have an existence—
or if known at all to any, was looked upon as very
far beyond the verge of civilization, and as being
for ages out of the reach of the descendants of the
pilgrim fathers. Now, caravans and companies
of hardy emigrants are almost daily traversing its
gorges and scaling its summits on their way to the
regions beyond, and the time is near at hand, when
Senators and Representatives from States bordering
on the great Pacific ocean will make their voices
be heard in the-halls’of Congress, at Washington.
From a confederacy of fifteen States we have now
thirty sovereignties sheltered and protected by the
broad ®gis of the Constitution, and twenty-four
millions ol freemen look upon the star-spangled
banner as the proud emblem of their country's
glory and triumph on the sea and on the land.
Such is the proud position our country occupies,
now that fifty years have elapsed in the career of
the “Intelligencer.” What this nation will be
fifty years hence, should, it continue united and
prosperous, no human mind can conceive. We
leave our readers to carry out the chain of reflec
tion which this thought gives rise to—and drop the
subject by assuring them that we shall spare no
pains to make the old “Intelligencer” a welcome
visitor to every Democratic fireside in Lancaster
county, and a faithful exponent of Democratic prin
ciples. To make the paper still more interesting,
and extend its influence, we solicit the aid of our
friends in increasing its circulation. If each sub
scriber will take the trouble, we have no doubt he
can obtain an additional name, and thus double our
list ih a short time. Will our Democratic friends
try what they can do in this way ? We shall be
under lasting obligations to them if they will make
the effort.
Common School Convention.
The proceedings of the State Educational Con
vention which met at Harrisburg week before last,
are too lengthy to publish in full. We make the
following synopsis, which embraces the principal
changes in the Common School System recom
mended by the Convention:
Ist. That a department of education be estab
lished, the head of which shall devote himself ex
clusively to this important" subject, visiting the
various School Districts occasionally, by way of
stimulating those in charge of them to greater ex
ertions in the cause of education.
2d. That a State Common School Journal be
established, as a means of communication between
the department and the schools, school directors
and teachers.
3d. That two Normal Schools be established
for the preparation of teachers to impart knowledge
to the youth of the Commonwealth, in the most
improved manner.
4th. That it be recommended to the various
school districts to form associations of directors
and teachers, for the purpose of meeting and con
sulting in regard to the best means of imparting
instruction and advancing the cause of education.
sth. That it be recommended to the different
districts to appoint county superintendents.
6th. That a uniformity of school books be rec
ommended in the different counties.
The Harrisburg Union, in recommending these
amendments to the favorable consideration of the
Legislature, says: “It was acknowledged by every
one in the Convention, that our School System was
not inferior to that of any other State in the Union,
and all that was wanting was to give it efficiency,
and carry it out according to the design of its foun
ders, with such improvements as were suggested
by the experience of the age. The addresses de
livered by Hon. Joel B. Sutherland, Wm. D. Kelly,
Hon. James M. Porter, President of the Convention,
Edward A. Penniman, Esq. of Philadelphia, Mr.
McCartney, of Easton, Prof. Hamilton, of Carlisle,
and other gentlemen, were calculated to awaken a
spirit of inquiry on this vital question, which must
lead to the most beneficial results.”
The Balance of Trade.
Among the arguments, or rather the assertions,
of those who endorse the theory of the Secretary of
the Treasury, in favor of a high restrictive tariff,
on imports, is that which constantly proclaims that
we import enormously more than we export; that
the balance of trade is against us to an alarming
extent; and that there is, therefore, a constant drain
upon us, carrying the precious metals out of the
country. Our general readers will be surprised to
learn, that this theory is disproved by the figures of
the Treasury Department itself. From the Official
Report of the Register of the Treasury, recently laid
before the Senate, it appears that during the year,
ending. June 30, 1849, the value of imports was
.$147,000,000, (omitting fractions,) and the value
of exports was $145,000,000, making but the slight
difference of two millions between the exports and
imports. When it is considered that these values
are, to a certain extent, approximate and arbitary,
and are not based on the actual selling price at home
or abroad, it may be fairly assumed that our ex
ports and imports are about equal. So much for
theory aginst facts and figures'? There is anothet
feature in the Official Report, jvhich deserves notice.
Of the 145,000,000 of our exports, no less than
111,000,000 consisted of our agricultural produc
iions! Thig exemplifies the preponderance of the
industrial interest of the farmer and planter, unas
sisted by the adventitious aid of a tariff in their fa
vor, Then, why is this overwhelmingly great in
terest to be taxed , not to compensate, but to enrich
a minor one, by aid of a tariff! This is a general
view, from the truth of which it is impossible to
escape.— Pennsylvanian.
State Treasurer.
At the election on the 21st inst, the vote stood]
for Bickel, (Dem.) 74— 8a11, (Whig) 50. Gen.
Bickel, we understand, has tendered the post oi
Chief Clerk to Col. Asa Dittoes, of Susquehanna,
who held the appointment under Snowden and
?lumsr. He is a very worthy and competent man 1
Report of the Superintendent of 1
Common Schools.
The 16th Annual Report of the Snperintendent
of the Common Schools of Pennsylvania, ha* been
made to the Legislature. It discusses at length
the.imperfections, of the present system, and rag-;
gests various important modifications and amend
ments, with a view of remedying the defects and
imparting to the system greater usefulness. The
evils complained of are— N *
Ist. The imperfect state of the Reports to the
School Deparment, which prevents a fair statement
being made to the Legislature.
2d. Frauds on the Department, by which the
State ; appropriation is .drawn without the neces
sary tax being collected.
3d. Incapacity of teachers.
4th. An improper selection of.books.
sth. The want of a direct and intelligible com
munication between the Directors and Superin
tendent.
6th. Want of funds.
To remedy these defects, which have led to in
terminable complaints, the power of the Legislature
is invoked,* and among other things recommended
is the vesting in some person or body the power ol
appointing county superintendents, who should be
active and zealous friends of liberal'education, hav
ing a knowledge of. the qualifications proper for a
teacher, the best mode of instruction, and of the
books suitable for schools. It is proposed that
these should exercise a general supervision over
the schools of their respective counties, with power
to examine teachers, select books best suited for
the schools, &c., and also to make out clear and
explicit statements of the number of schools, schol
ars, teachers, and the amount of moneys expended
for the use of the department. These reports are
now so imperfect as to be almost useless, and it is
alleged furnish no true view of the operations of
the system; while in many districts the grossest
frauds are practised on the treasury by the direc
tors levying a tax sufficient to entitle them to their
share of the State appropriation, after receiving
which they recall their warrants from the collec
tors and support, for a short period, the schools of
the district on the bounty of the State. The re
tufhs of the time during which the schools are open,
and the expenditures, are equally fraudulent; for
the money of the State having been pocketed, the
fraud is continued for its own concealment. But
aside from this, many of the reports are made in
such a manner as to be utterly unintelligible, and
the fact of the incompetency of directors is strik
ingly apparent. 1
The subject of establishing Normal Schools is
the next ,in importance, and it is proposed to estab
lish with and emanatiug from them a Central High
School, receiving its pupils entirely from Normal
Schools, who should be selected for their talents,
learning and virtues. The only objection to this is
deemed a want of funds, but even this, in the opin
ion of the superintendent, should not be suffered to
outweigh it. The school taxes collected the last
year amounted to $436,135 81, and the State appro
priation to $182,883 55, making the total amount
expended for school purposes $619,019 36, with
which amount the schools were, kept open an aver
age period of four months. With the auxiliaries of
county superintendents, Normal Schools, and a
Central High School, the expenditures would be
increased at least two fold, which added to the cost
of maintaining the schools for the entire year, the
disbursements would reach $1,250,000, which it is
proposed to raise by a tax on lineal inheritances,
instead of the present mode, and for these reasons :
Ist. It would not be oppressive on the citizens.
2d. The per centage imposed on collateral inher
itances is partial, and hence unjust.
3d. The present school tax is at variance with
the system, is partial in its operations, and^oppres
sive on large portions of tne community.
These positions are argued at considerable length,
in contrast with the present operation of the school
law. The report proposes, in fact a radical change
in the system, which will more evenly distribute
the burdens of the support of the schools, and adapt
them to the requirements of the people. In many
counties, it is suggested, the schools might be kept
open throughout the entire year, but as such could
not be the case in others, the ratio for each taxable
inhabitant, while it should be equal in every part
ol the State, should be graduated according to the
time the schools are kept-open.
The appropriation now' made by the State is re
garded by the superintendent as literally squandered,
and in his view, should the foregoing recommenda
tions be approved by the Legislature, might be
transferred to the sinking fund, to aid in the extin
guishment ol the public debt. —Daily News.
Messrs. Editors: —A few of the most vulgar of
the Locofoco scribblers have seized upon a typo
graphical error that appeared in the printing of the
President’s message, and although they know that
the sentence was not written by him, they still
choose to call it his. If any of these men can bor
row a Bible, as we hardly suppose they own one,
and refer to the fifth chapter and 12th'verse of the
Acts of the Apostles, they will find the following
words, being very like what they attribute to Gen.
Taylor:
“ And by the hands of the Apostles were many
signs and wonders wrought among the people, and
they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch;
and of the rest durst no man join himself to them.”
The doctrines of the Bible are perhaps quite as
unpalatable to them as those of General Taylor.
The above, which we clip from the North Amer
ican of Tuesday last, is one of the most ridiculous
attempts to bolster up the literary character of the
President that we have ever read. A typographical
error, forsooth! Well, in all our experience with
typos, we never yet knew one of them to perpetrate
such a blunder, or m*re properly, bull, as is con*
tained in that part of the Message, which says—
“we are at peace with all the world, and seek to
maintain our cherished relations of amity with THE
REST OF MANKIND.” No, no—it wont do to
attempt to evade the well merited ridicule of the
Democratic press, by laying the blame on the Com
positor. Even, suppose the blunder had been made
by him, we would ask who read the proof? The
Message was doubtless seen and scanned by the
Cabinet, and during the three weeks that intervened
between the meeting of Congress and its delivery,
ample time was afforded to read it over and over
again, and correct any errors that might have crept
into the document Of course we do not throw any
blame upon Gen. TAxlor; for it is admited in the
above extract that the message “was not written by
himf and we doubt very much whether he even
read it until after it was printed.
But, the most amusing- thing of all, is the quota
tion from the Scriptures, to justify the blunder made
by the writer of the message. The term ‘'rest” in
the text, we should hardly think means “ the rest
of mankind,” and if the biblical critic of the North
American will take the trouble to consult some of
the most eminent commentators and writers, such
for instance as Scott, Clarke, Lightfoot and Calmet,
he will find that not only does the word not bear
t he application he gives it, but that the phrase “of
the rest,” by supplying the ellipsis, make good sense,
which is far from being the case with the blunder
in the President’s Message.
It would be much more to the credit of the North
American, and vastly better for the Whig party, to
at once acknowledge that the writer of the Message
perpetrated the blunder—rather than rendering it
self ridiculous in a vain attempt to make intelligent
people believe it was a typographical error. The
fling at the Democrats about not owning a Bible,
is in as bad taste, and couched in as ungentlemanly
language, as it is false and unfounded in point of
fact. We marvel that a paper professing any regard
whatever to decency and truth, would give place
to such a vile attack upon a party numbering in
its ranks a majority of the people and some' of the
best and most distinguished men in this or any
other country.
ID* The bill for the better regulation of the Com
mon Schools in this City, has passed both branches
of the Legislature and bepn signed by the Governor.
We shall publish it as soon as we can obtain, a copy*
The Territorial 810.
The Washington Union of the 13th inst, pub
lishes Senator Foote’s Bill to provide for cthe or
ganization of the territorial government of Califor
nia, Deseret and New Mexico; aid to enable the
people of Jacinto, with the consent of: the State of
Texas, to form a Constitution and State government
and for the admission of such State into the-Union
upon an equal footing with the original States in
all respects whatsoever. The bill contains fifty
eight sections, eighteen of which 'are devoted to
California, and the rest to New Mexico, Deseret,
and Jacinto. The territory proposed for Jacinto:
includes the disputed territory between the State of
Texas and the Kepublic of Mexico, or that barren
country lying west of the Nueces and east of the
Rio del Norte. This disputed country contains
100,000 square miles, or about one-fourth of die
whole territory proposed for the State. * The entire
region lies south of the points 36 deg. 30 min-, and
connects the territory of New Mexico with that of
Texas, as Deseret connects New Mexico with Cal
ifornia. The geographical position of each division
may be described as follows:
North ol South of Total.
S6d. 30min. 36d. 30m.
California) 125,000 sq. m. 50,000 Bq. m. 175,000
Deseret, 175,000 do. 50,000 do. 225,000
New Mexico, 30,000 do. 40,000 do. 70,000
Jacinto, 100,000 do. 100,000
Total, 330,000 2*0,000 570,000
From the above table it will be perceived, that
considerably more than one-half of the territory
acquired from Mexico is north of 36 deg. 30 min.,
the far-famed Missouri Compromise line, which, if
it were adopted as the basis of a settlement of the
present exciting question of the day, would in the
end give a preponderance to the Free States of the
Union, even leaving out of questionable fact that
the people of California have already, by their soi
emn act in Convention, excluded slavery from the
entire territory.—By that decision the relative pro
portion of free to slave territory is leit as 2 to 1, separa
tingitbytheMissouri Compromiseliue. According
to which enactment, all north ot the line would be
forever free territory, whilst all south of it would
be slave or free territory, as the people might de
cide. But, even this view of the case gives the
slave-holding interest more than it can receive; for,
in no event, is it all probable that any portion of
Deseret will ever become slave territory. Take,
then, that portion of it lying south of the Missouri
Compromise line and add it to the northern portion,
and we have a territory (out of which a number of
free States will hereafter be formed,) of 400,000 sq.
miles; whilst, on the other hand, giving them the
whole of New Mexico, (which is doubtful,) and
Jacinto to boot, the slave territory will only num
ber 170,000 sq. miles. We present this view of
the subject, so that our readers can perceive at a
glance the true state of the question which is now
agitating the country and producing ill feeling and
discord in the halls of Congress. Were this line
adopted, we should have to a certainty at least four
free States whilst, on the other hand, not more than
two slave States could be formed, and they only with
the approbation and consent ol the citizens of the
territory.
Gen. Cass 9 Great Speech.
The speech of Gen Cass in the Senate upon the
power of Congress to legislate for the Territories,
and against the Wilmot Proviso, is one of the most
clear and statesman-like arguments that has ever
been delivered in that body, and our only regret is
that its almost interminable length precludes its in
sertion in our columns. He argued against the
right of Congress to legislate on the subject—and
intimated his intention to resign his seat in that
body sooner than vote for the Proviso under the in
structions of the Michigan Legislature. The speech
occupied the greater part of two days in the deliv
ery, and was listened to with the most profound
attention.
i Legislative News.
The bill amending the Constitution, so as to
make the Judges elective by the people, passed the
Senate on Wednesday last, by a vote of 28 to 3-
The Governor has nominated W. B. McClure,
Esq, of Pittsburg, to be President Judge of the Al
legheny District, in place of Judge Patton whose,
commission - has expired.
A bill has been read in the Senate, by Mr. Frai.
ley, erecting parts of Lancaster, Lebanon and .Dau
phin counties into a new county, to be called Con
ewaga.
The following resolutions have bassed the Senate •
Resolved , That the Committee on Finance be in
structed to inquire into the expediency of repealing
the law authorizing a tax on the funded debt of the
Commonwealth.
Resolved, That the same committee to which hajj
been referred so much of the Governor’s message
as relates to the loans of the Commonwealth now
over due, be instructed to inquire into the expedi-;
ency of authorizing the issue of a new five per cent:
loan, to the present holders, exempt from taxation,
redeemable in twenty years, with coupons attach
ed, which shall be receivable by the government in
payment of taxes.
A General Appropriation Bill has been reported
in the House, by Mr. Conyngham.
A great many bills of a local character have
passed both branches, and the members seem dis
posed to make the present a working session.—
Wheneyer any thing of general interest is transac
ted, we shall give it to our readers.
Appointments by the Canal Com
missioners.
COLLECTORS.
J. J. Kellar, Lancaster.
Stewart Pearce, Columbia.
S. S. Bigler, Harrisburg.
George Smith, Beach Haven.
Stephen Wilson, Northumberland. ,
Allison White, Dunnsburg.
C. D. Eldred, Williamsport.
. C. Thomas, Liverpool.
Stewart Law, Newport.
D. W. McCormick, Lewistown.
A. S. Harrison, Huntingdon.
A. A. Douglass, Hollidaysburg.
E. Zeigler, Duncan’s Island.
J. Shoemaker, Juniata Acqueduct.
A. Stewart, Swatara Bridge.
J. K. Heckman, Easton.'
H. Scarborough, New Hope
J. Hibhs, Bristol.
J. Stallman, Philadelphia.
T. Biting, Paoli.
SUPERVISORS.
J. M. Solliday, Delaware Division.
Benjamin Saylor, North Branch.
Thomas Bennett, West Branch.
H. D. Rodearmel, Susquehanna.
John M’Glaughlin, Easton.
J. S. Miller, Lower Juniata.
J. P. Anderson, Upper do.
John Peters, Western Division.
SUPERINTENDENT.
W. S. Campbell, Portage. ;
CARGO INSPECTOR.
G. N. Smith, Johnstown.
WEIGH MASTERS.
M. H. Horn, Easton. i
Robert Williams, Hollidaysburg. )
J. G. Chesney, Northumberland. ;
ID* Allen A. Hall, Esq., late Register of the
Treasury, has been appointed Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury, in place of C. B. Penrose, Esq. re
signed,*—and Michael Noubse, Esq., Chief Clerk;
takes his place as Register, for the time being; butj
it is understood, that Townsend Haines, Esq.,!
the late Secretary of the Commonwealth, under
Johnston, has received the appointment permanently!
The States that Are to Be. ,•
Some curious person at the North, says the 1
Washington Union, has been calculating the area
of the territory of the United States not yet organ-'
izedjnto States, and finds .that we have domain
enough for forty-six States as large as Pennsylva-;
nia. Of these thirty-five will lie north' of 36 deg.
30 min., and would be free States, if that line of
compromise were adopted.
ID* Theophilub Fbnn, Esq., of the Harrisburg!
Telegraph , has received the English State Printing!
for the next three yean,
FINANCES OF '.THE STATES.
Pennsylvania, Slew York, and
Maryland.
' We have before ns the-Annual Manager oif the
Governors of Pennsylvania, New Tort, and Mary v
land. They are all-interesting documents, as fur
nishing an exposition of the financial affiiirs of the
respective States turned. ' All are indebted, but all
have made or are making preparations to liquidate
their indebtedness as rapidly as possible.
The gross indebtedness of Pennsylvania amounts
to $40,511,173. But the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund hold the sum of $113,500, which, if
deducted from the aggregate, would leavethe am’t
of public debt at $40,397,673 92-190, and subject
to a further deduction so soon as the sum of $127,
637 89-100, now in the fund, shall have been ap
propriated to additional purchases of State loans.
The operation of the Sinking Fund for the last
year, will be seen from the following statement:
Collateral inheritance tar, $180,212 41
Premiums on charters, 35,969 40
Eating house, beer house, and restau
rant licenses, 5,876 70
Billiard room, bowling saloon, and
ten pin alley licenses, 2,985 50
Theatre, circus, and menagerie licen-
ses,
Distillery and brewery licenses,
Total receipts to Ist Dec. 1849, $226,639 01
From which deduct amount disbursed.
by the Commissioners, in the purch
ase of State stocks, 100,001 12
Balance unexpended, Dec. Ist, 1849, $127,637 89
The amount of interest paid on account of our
State Loans lor the last fiscal year, was $2,007,616.
This is an enormous sum to raise, in' addition to
extraordinary expenses of Government; but it
should he remembered that the greater portion of
the debt was incurred in the construction of our
Canals and Railroads, and the tolls on these received
last year, amounted to $1,628,800. The prospect
therefore is favorable for the gradual but ultimate
liquidation of our immense indebtedness—a con
summation to be devoutly wished.
With regard to New York, we. learn from the
Message of Gov. Fish, that the tot'al direct Debt of
the State amounts to $22,895,058. The amount
in the sinking fund for the payment of this debt is
$214,392 17. The aggregate receipts during the
fiscal year were $4,235,358, of which $3,442,960
•were derived from the State works. After paying
the ordinary expenses of the government and the
payments out of the Canal fund, there is left a sum
of $909,102 71, applicable to the completion of the
Erie enlargement, &c., besides a balance on hand
of $113,279 22. The increase during the past
year, on canals amounted to $225,000 over the re
ceipts of the preceding year. The expenses of col
lection, superintendence, and ordinary repairs of
the canals, are nearly $70,000 less than during the
preceding year. The annual interest on the gen
eral fund debt amounts to $354,829 89.
Of the Canal Debt, $3,140,819 34 will become
due prior to January, 1856. The .avails of the
Canal Debt Sinking Fund will be sufficient to meet
this amount, as the surplus for the years 1851—52
can be arranged to meet the loans falling due in
1851, and no further loan on the credit of the fund
will be required to meet the stock now outstanding
until the Ist of January, 1856, when $4,000,000
will become due.
Concerning Maryland, we learn from the Mes
sage of Gov. Thomas, that on the 30th of Septem
ber, ’49, the public debt amounted to $16,164,813.
But from thi«, deductions are made of certain prop
erty, which reduce it to $10,650,173. On the Ist
of December last, there was a balance in the treas
ury of $184,892 96, leaving $551,833 69 still due
from tax collectors. The revenue of ’49 exceeded
that of ’4O, by $314,867 51. The sinking fund, on
the Ist of December, amounted to $1,892,537 61,
being an increase during the year of $106,025 47.
The Governor estimates that on the Ist December
1852, there will be a balance of $872.830 53, and
that the receipts after Ist Dec. 1851, will not fall
short of $1,250,000 annually. The Governor rec
ommends a rigid adherence to the present revenue
laws, and predicts that under their operations,
every dollar of the public debt will be paid in
thirteen years from the present time.
We repeat that on the whole, these statements
are highly favorable. They indicate not only a
disposition, but a determination and an ability on
the part of three States, to reduce their indebted
ness as rapidly as possible.— Bicknell:
07“ We learn from the Carlisle Herald that the
Hon. John Reed, one of the oldest and most emi
nent members of the Bar in that place, died on
Saturday the 19th inst., eged 64 years. At the
opeuing of the Court on Monday morning he was
at his place among his legal brethren, but soon
afterwards comblained of being unwell and returned
to his dwelling. He was a native of Adams county.
In 1816 he represented the Westmoreland district
in the State Senate, and at the expiration of his Sen
atorial term was appointed by Governor Findley
to the President Judgeship of the 24th Judicial Di
strict, which was at thatJime composed of the coun
ties of Cumberland, Franklin and Perry. He filled
the bench during the long period of twenty years,
with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public’
At the time of his death he had charge of the Law
Department of Dickinson College.
A Sew River.
A letter from Maj. Earoax to Col. J. J. Abebt,
Chief of the Topographical Bureau, is going the
rounds of the papers, stating that a River forty feet
wide and more than waist deep made its appearance
about the last of June in the heart of the great Desert
lying between the mouth of the Gjla and the moun
tains, in Cal forma. No stream existed there pre
vious to that time. The water is said to be deli
cious, and the river affords an oasis at the most con
venient spot for the traveller. Maj. E. says the
river‘ ! cannotbesuppliedfrom the mountains, which*
in that parallel and to the south, do not reach the
regions of snow. Whence it comes and where it
goes, is a matter yet to be determined,”
Sad Ca§ualty at Wllksbarre.
We are pained to learn that a most melancholy
accident occurred in the neighborhood of Wilkes
barre on Saturday last, resulting in the death of
three young ladies in the family of Judge Wood
ward—one of them being his eldest danghter, aged
about 13 years, another, an adopted daughter, aged
19, and the third a niece, of about the same age,
who was visiting his family. It appears they were
enjoying themselves sliding on the ice over the river*
when the ice gave way*. precipitating the forward
one into the water beneath; the second, hastening
to her rescue, also fell in, and the third following
the example of the second, met with a similar fate.
Their bodies were soon recovered, but not until the
vital spark had fled. ' The adopted daughter, it is
said, was to have been married this week.— Bern.
U7“A correspondent earnestly and indignantly
protests against the removal of Jobs Babb, Esq.,
from the place of Collector of Tolls at Columbia,
in this State, after having been abont one year in
office, and when his collections for that period were
$40,000 more than those of any previous year.—
Our correspondent does not complain of the very
capable gentleman appointed in his place; but re
gards his summary removal, when others appointed
when he was, are retained, as a reflection upon a
good citizen and an honest Democrat—Penn’n.
07“ Alexander L. Bussell, Esq., of Bedford
County, has been appointed Secretary of the Com
monwealth, in the room of Townsend Haines, Esq.,
appointed Register of the Treasury. Mr. R. at the
time of his appointment was Deputy Secretary.
07“ Johbt S. Sellxam, (Dem.) has been elected,
at a special election, to the State Senate of Mary
land, from the Anne Arundel District, by a major
ity of 161 Votes.
Washington Correspondence.
■>,, WfsaraoTOßr, Jan. 25, 1850.
Since my few changes have occurred
at the capital oF; the nation—l mean of almost ev
ery political nature.. The exciting
gressional elections* (in the House) has Seen dis
posed of in a most summary and anomalous man
ner—positions of parties upon important subjects
seem' to have Bomewhat better defined—
and the knowing spirits of bgth the North and the
Sooth are very fast assuming an attitude before the
country, which, until now, to say the least, has been
very equivocal.
The great contest of the present session was
opened in the Senate on Wednesday last by General
Cass, upon the resolution offered by Mr; Foote, of
Mississippi, to provide territorial governments for
all the country ceded us by Mexico; notwithstand
ing, as all know, California and Deseret have formed
State Constitutions, and desire to be admitted into
'the Union at once. The object of this resolution
being to cut off those sections from State govern
ments, by placing them, as territories, under the
restraints of territorial laws. This is now true
Southern policy, inasmuch as by both the constitu
tions of the two States of California and Deseret,
slavery and involuntary servitude are forever pro
hibited. By creating them territories, a hope (to
those who hope it) might remain, that slavery
could some day be introduced into them; which is
not only very improbable, impracti
cable.
This great question Genera] Cass met in his
characteristic, firm, and logical manner, and de
clared it to be the right ol the people in the distant
regions of the west not only to form constitutions
for their government, but also to say therrnelves
what institutions shall exist among them. He
scouted the Wilmot Proviso, and like the true
democrat he is, declared his preference to' resign
his Senatorial seat, rather than sacrifice his opin
ions to fanaticism and disunion. And this he will
undoubtedly do, unless the Legislature of Michigan
modify the resolutions of instructions passed by
that body last year; and I very much fear they
will not incline to do it.
The fight has begun with equal force and vio
lence in the House of Representatives. It com
menced upon the reception of the Message of the
President, accompanying the correspondence and
other documents relating to California. Mr. Cling
man, of North Carolina, the acknowledged leader
of the Southern whigs in the House, made a long
and exciting speech on Tuesday, which, in its dis
unioniary tendency, can not be outdone by the most
flagitious efforts of free soilers and abolitionists.—
This speech proves clearly what I said in my last,
that men can be found at the South as fanatical
upon the subject of slavery, as can be produced in
the North on the subject of Anti slavery. • And as
a body, the Whigs of the South are as much op
posed to anti-slavery, as Northern Whigs are to
slavery—and in Congress the two extremes of that
party have met upon the question, and the effect
has been seen, to some extent, ..at least, in the
recent elections in the House.
I believe it will be seen, in the end, that the
democratic party, by the moderate and conciliatory
course which it will pursue upon this all absorbing
question of slavery in the territories, will have saved
the Union, against the combined elements of faction
from both South and North; and although the pres
ent appearance of things might indicate to the cas
ual observer the hopelessness of such a result, yet,
I see no other end of it all, than that California, at
least, will be admitted as a State , and the internal
enemies of the Union defeated iri their suicidal de
signs upon the Republic.
What a comment upon the State of our country
must it be in the old world, when they look over
here, and see in one year an empire added to our
country,—when they see neighboring nations agi
tating the subject of Union with us, yet, when they
read the emanations from our legislative halls, dis
union among our own States seems to be the all
pervading burden of song! May the shadows ol
departed patriots who bled and died for our coun
try, hover over the land; and the spirits ol those
who gave us our Constitution in its present glori
ous form be ever near the patriot’s side to prompt
him to ward ofT every stab dealt at it by those who
have as little patriotism and love of country, as'
they have reverence for the history and names of
the past.
The message alluded to, from the President, has
given decided disapprobation to the South, because
it advocates States instead of territories in our new
ly commercial and rich possessions in the west—
But for once, a correct proposition has emanated
from the White House; though, being hostile to
Southern instincts, it may very safely be surmised
that possibly Mr. Senator Seward may have had a
hand in getting it up.
The “ Stampede ” enacted in the custom-houses
throughout the country- by the issue of the recent
circular by the Head of tjie Treasury Department,
is operating, it would seem very detrimentally, if
we may judge from the flock of envoys here from
the different large revenue depots in the country.
Think of so many hundred men discharged from
those places—the revenue cutters dismantled ol
crews and officers, and laid up, because the appro
priation—a munificent appropriation!—for the col
lection of revenue is found insufficient for the pres
ent governing powers! It is to be presumed that
after four years’ management of the country by
those now administering it, the people will desire
a return to the prosperous and stable operations of
a democratic government, —an incident they will be j
strangers to while Whigs sit in the high places of
the capital. Yours, &c., ARAM.
P. S.—There is no local news worth naming.
“ Whbatlaitd.”— We return thanks to our friend
J. Fbarklih Reigart, Esq., for a finely colored
lithographic drawing of the beautiful residence of
the Hon. James Buchamait, near this City. It is
executed by Duval, from a sketch by Mr. Reigart
and is, in all respects, a correct representation of
that lovely spot, reflecting much credit on the gen
tlemen who executed it.
We have also seen a splendid engraving of the
City of Lancaster, by Mr. Reigart. This is a cor
rect chart ofthe City, showing all the public buil
dings, improvements, streets, lanes and alleys, and
the number of each lot. Every citizen ought to
have a copy of it.
“Straws Show,” &c. —Pictures of Hehbt Clat
are to be seen in the windows of the different print
shops in the city of New York, with these words
underneath:—“Henry Clay and No Convention in
1852.” This is no doubt a plan of his friends in
“Gotham,” to have him made the choice of his par
ty, by acclamation, in 1852. We suppose, howev
er, that if the wire pullers among the Federalists
can select a more available candidate,, as was the
case in 1840 and 1848, they will sing, “get out of
the way old Kentucky.”
07“ We are indebted to J. Gish for an excellent
volume of over 400 pages, entitled “ Dark Scenes of
History „ The author is G. P. R. James, Esq., one
of the best writers of the day,* and the book is'made
up of French, English and. Oriental history, exceed
ingly interesting and instructive. The ten chapters
on the history of Herod the Great are worth the
price of the whole book, which is only seveaty live
cents. Call at Gish’s and see it, where are always
to be had all the Periodicals and new Novels as soon
as published. .
|D“ Geu. Joseph Labs, of Indiana, is nominated
by the members of the Legislature of that State as
the Democratic candidate . for the Presidency in
1852. This is “taking time by the forelock.”
OHIQ.—The Senate of Ohio was at last organi
zed for dzi, the 18th. Inst This was bro t
about by the lesignation of. Mr. Blake, who had
been elected Speaker about three weeks previously.
Mr. C. Converse is his successor. On the same
day—the 18th—Gov. Ford sent in hit mtttage.
court op Quarter sessions.
JANUARY TERM.
Comm.vs. Martha .Minster— Surety of the
Peace. : Ordered Id 1 find security in the sum
of $5O, fori 2 months. County for costs.
iComm. tis. Henry Ryder —Bigamy. Plea
not guilty. “It appeared in evidence that the
deft, had been married to Susanna Fetter on
the 23d of February, 1843. Afterwards, on
the 18th of Deo., 1849, he was again married
to Sarah Lutz, his former wife being still alive.
It appeared that Susuanna Fetter made com
plaint against Ryder tor fornication and bas
tardy on the 18th of February, 1843—he
married her on the 23d following, hut never
lived with her. She afterwards married in
J 44 or ’45. Sarah Lutz complained against
Ryder for fornication and bastardy on the 12th,
and on the 18th he was married by Squire
Snader. The Jury after hearing the evidence
returned a verdict of guilty—whereupon the
Court ordered the deft, to pay a fine of 6 ots.
and costs of prosecution, and undergo an
imprisonment at labor in the Eastern Peniten
tiary for the period.of thirteen months.
Comm. vs. John Thompson —Assault and
Battery on. John Conner. Plea not guilty
verdict guilty. Court order Jhe deft, to pay a
fine of 6 cents, costs of prosecution, and
undergo an imprisonment in the county jail for
one month.
Comm. vs. Joseph Hughes —Larceny; steal
ing a silver watch, the property of John Stauff
er, of Columbia. Plea not guilty; verdict
guilty. Court order the deft, to pay a fine of
6 cents and costs of prosecution, and undergo
an imprisonment in the Eastern Penitentiary
for the period of one year and two months.
Comm. ns. John Nagle— Surety of the Peace
on complaint of Balster Peifer. Ordered to
find security in the sum ol $lOO for 3 months,
and pay costs of prosecution.
Comm. vs. Albert Seidel —Larceny, Stealing
two shirts and pocket handkerchief, the prop
erty of John B. Muller. Plea not guilty—
verdict guilty. Sentenced to pay a fine of 6
cents, costa-of prosecution,'and undergo an
imprisonment in the county jail of 1 week.
Comm.vs. Same —Larceny, Stealing a sack
coat of the value of $lO, the property of B. H.
Van Seiver. Plea not guilty—verdict guilty.
Court sentenced the deft, to pay a fine 6 cents,
and costß of prosecution and undergo an im
prisonment in the Eastern Penitentiary for the
period of 18 months. •>
Comm. vs. Same —Larceny, Stealing a vest
of the-value of $2, property of J. Ballinger.
Plea not guilt}' l —verdict guilty. Court order
the deft, to pay a fine of 6 cents, cost of pros
ecution, and undergo an imprisonment in the
County Jail for one week.
Comm. vs. John Clark— Surety ol the Peace
on complaint of John E„ Smith. Court order
the deft, to find security in the sum of $l6O,
to be of good behavior, and keep the peace for
one year, and pay the costs of prosecution.
Comm. vs. David Johnson —Larceny, Steal
ing 10 chickens of the value of $1,50, the
property of B. Weaver. Plea not guilty—
verdict guilty. Court sentence the deft, to
4 months imprisonment in the county jail.
Comm. vs. George W.shington —Charged
'with receiving the chickens stolen by David
Johnston, knowing them to have been stolen.
Plea not guilty—verdict guilty. Sentenced to
pay 6 cents fine, costs of prosecution, and im
prisonment in the county jail 2 months.
Comm. vs. Issacher Reese Charged with
committing an assault and battery upon the
body of Jacob Hall. Plea not gnilty—verdict
guilty. Court sentenced the deft, to pay a
fine of $25 and costs of prosecution.
Comm. vs. Levi Taylor and Nathaniel Brady
—Larceny, Stealing a Buffalo Robe, valued at
$5. Levi pleads guilty—verdict guilty. Na
thaniel pleads not guilty—verdict not guilty.
The Court sentenced Levi Taylor to pay costs
of prosecution, and undergo an imprisonment
in county jail for three months.
Comm. vs. John Beauman —Assault and Bat
tery, with intent to kill. Plea not guilty—
verdict not guilty, and prosecutor (Emanuel
Groff) pay the costs.
Comm. vs. John Kitch— Larceny, Stealing 6
turkeys. Plea not guilty—verdict not guil
ty-
Comm. vs. Jacob Flickinger —Fornication and
Bastardy. Plea not guilty, and that the of
fence was not committed within two years
before the commencement of the prosecution
—verdict not guilty, and county for the costs,
(barred by the statute.)
Comm. vs. William Chambers'- —Larceny,
Stealing a gold watch. Plea guilty—verdict
guilty. Sentenced to pay a tine of 5 cents*
costs of prosecution, and undergo an imprison
ment in the Eastern Penitentiary for the pe
riod of three years and two months.
Com. vs. John M. &ulp Fornication and
Bastardy. Plea not guilty, and give the stat
ute of limitation in evidence—verdict not.
guilty, and county for. costs, (barred by the
statute.)
Comm. vs. Jacob Flickinger —Fornication
and Bastardy. Plea not guilty—verdict guilty.
.Court direct the deft, to pay a tine of 6 cents
and costs—give security in the sum of $3OO,
pay the sum of $2O, lying in expenses—and
75 cents a week until the child is seven years
years.
The Grand Jury had not been discharged
when our paper went to press.
Com. t*s. James Clark and Ruth Ann Waring. —
Conspiracy,; to saddle the paternity .of a bastard
child upon George Sampson. Verdict not guilty,
and county to pay the costs.
07* We have received from the Publisher Geo.
S. Appletojt, 164 Chesnut st. Philadelphia, a copy
of “ Every Body's Almanac and Diary , for 185®.”
It is a useful little pocket-book; containing a List
of Government Officers, Accounts of the Banks of
the Country, Manufactures, Products, and General
Information for the Merchant, Tradesman, and Me
chanic, together with A Complete Memoranda for
every day in the Year.
LOCAL ITEMS.
OT“The following Independent, or New Market
Council Ticket has been formed, by a meeting of
the citizens without distinction of party:
Select Council—~D r. Samuel Humes, Dr. J. H.
Kurtz, Andrew Bear. >
Common Council. . N. E. Ward—John Carr, T.
Jeffries, John Wise, John Fondersmith.
S. E. Ward Henry Nauman, William Leonard,
David Cockley, Patrick Donnelly. •
S. W. Ward—Ephraim Zellers, Henry Gast,
Martin Haroish.
N. W. Ward—David Wiley, Maj. Ezrom Spera,
Capt. Jacob Snyder, Jacob Myers.
The Lancaster City and County Medical Society
held their Annual Meeting on last Wednesday, in
Dr. Kehfoot’s Anatomical Hall, when the follow
ing officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President —F. S. BURROWES.
Vice Presidents —Dr. G. B. Kebpoot, Dr. Samuel
Duffibld.
Treasurer and Librarian— E. Parry.
* Recording Secretary —C. O. Richards.
Corresponding Secretary—Charles L. Baker.
Also the following gentlemen as delegates to the
meeting of the State Medical Society, which is to
assemble in Philadelphia,'on the third Wednesday
in April next: -
Thomas EUmaker, Joseph Gibbons, H. A. Smith,
Jacob L. Zeigler, Joseph S. Clarkson, C. O. Rich
ards.