Harrisburg Correspondence. . Harrisburg, April 20, 1850. Mb. Editor:—As the session of the Legislature nears its termination, the rapidity with which bus iness is despatched is vastly accelerated. Both Houses present scenes ol turmoil and confusion; as soon as unc member relinquishes the floor, at least half a dozen arc eager to get possession of it. Every one is trying to “get through” his own little pet measure which he lias* been fostering so care fully. It is now we realize the full meaning of the words <{ hasty' legislation for daily, laws are made, the purport of which .is known only to the few. Omnibus bills chase one another in quick succession, and to the tax-payers they will be as dull and as uninteresting as the threadbare stories of the button holding street talker. There is one measure, however, emanating from Mr. Haldeman, the active and talented Represen tative from York, which not only merits the warm commendation of our people, but should receive their most interested consideration. He intro duced into the House, a preamble and resolu -1 tion of instruction addressed, to the Congressmen of Pennsylvania on the subject of the establishment of a National Agricultural Department. After some pertinent and forcible remarks by Mr. H-, the House unanimously acceded to the measure. Mr. Haldeman also takes high and strong ground in favor of creating a bureau of the same kind in'our own State. The object.is manifest,, it is to promote the great farming interests of our Commonwealth. Your county of Lancaster should feel mueh con cern on this subject, for although within your bor ders you have princely larmefs, are so many recent discoveries and improvements in hus bandry with which so few are conversant, as to in dicate clearly the advantages which might ensue from the erection of a branch in the State Govern ment such as has been proposed. This wouldYon duce to the prosperity of all our agriculturalists, as it would bring within their reach a great mass of knowledge in the smallest possible compass. Mr. Haj.df.sian is a farmer, practical as well as theo retical, and liis feelings are keenly enlisted in the advancement of our great agricultural interests. The Forrest divorce case is at last shelved.— On Monday lastj after a terrific squeeze, it went through the House by a lean majority of two. On Tuesday it caine up before the Senate for its con currence, when Mr. Walker, of Erie, calmly and dispassionately -sifted the testimony and showed .pretty clearly that Mrs. Forrest was fully as much sinned against as sinning. On the vote being taken, the .Senate refused to proceed to the further con sideration of the bill. Thus has been foiled the horde of borers, who with an assiduity worthy a better cause have toadied, petted, coaxed, cham- Pfiigned and oystered our Legislature during the whole of the present session.. When the vote was announced, the momentary 6cowl which darkened the visage of Metainora evinced the crushing of hopes he thought to have The tide of public sympathy here ran strongly in favor of Mrs. Forrest. •On Wednesday afternoon pending the considera tion ol the new Apportionment Bill, occurred' the richest scene which our Halls ol Legislation have witnessed for long years. Mr. Cessna, of Bedford, in the course of some remarks seemed to cast as persions on the conduct of the Westmoreland del> egation in the House. This brought to his feet Col. Guffin, the good natured and indomitable Representative from the Star of the West, and such an onslaught as he made caused the mem ber Iroin Bedford county fairly to tlee from liis aeat. The Col/s similes were original and felici tous, and the language in which they were couched were purely happy. “This member,’* the Col. re marked, “ is all the time blowing about his Democ - racy, as if, he was the only Democrat in the world and carried us all on his shoulders. He puts me in mind of the good old saving, that the cow which bawls loudest soonest forgets her calf. Just so with him ; lor whenever I fiiul a man talking so much about his Democracy, 1 always think it won’t do him any harm to watch him. If he is such a good Democrat, I would like to know why the Demo crats of Bedford county did not give him more than fifteen of a majority.;’ I would that 1 could send you a laillil.ul, graphic report of this speech, and ol the Col.'*s inimitable use ofj the “bubble” by way of comparison, but it would be in vain for me to enter upon so-arduous an undertaking.' I might as well strive to wrest the thunder from Jove, or root oiit Vesuvius with a bodkin, as to attempt the vivid and life-like portrayal of the scene in the House commencing with the calls for “ Guffif.,” and the clapping winch followed the finale of his speech. It is said, though with what truth, or on what authority I know not, that the Apportionment Bill which passed the House on Wednesday last, is aueh a one as will receive the smile of our Anti. Veto Governor, ami will be approved by him. It is to be hoped that sucli will prove to be the case, and that VV m. J. Johnston will not persevere in the exercise of a power, from the use of which when he was a vote beggar, he solemnly promised to refrain. Mr. Laird's bank bill alter many amendments and modifications, which make it much less harsh and stringent than it was originally, has at length become a law. By it the Eastern Banks were re quired to keep their notes a-t par in Philadelphia, and the Western in Pittsburg, otherwise to pay a tax-of two mills percent. of their capita] stock. f>n Wednesday afternoon, however, the Senate at tached as a sort ot rider to another bill an amend- ment repealing the above provision ;—most proba bly it will also pass the House. That portion of the hill which prevented the issue of notes ofa less denomination than $ : 10 was stricken out before it was sent to the (iovermrr, our banks will therefore as usual be permitted to issue $5 notes. The House is now busily engaged at the Appro priation Bill item by item it is scanned—the members are determined that no more of the peo ple's money shall be wasted as it was in the days of yore. In the strong hope that the day of adjournment will soon dawn on us, I am yours as usual. t rom the M^sjer.ger. We received a private letter a short time since from the Hon. James .Buchanan, from which we have taken the liberty of making the following ex tracts which will speak for themselves : Wheatland, near Lancaster, '/ March 12, 185 U. 5 My Hear Sir; 1 have received your kind letter of the 4th inst., and can assure you that I feel a pe culiar desire to visit the ever laithful Democratic county ofGreene. When in the West last fall I had determined to pass the winter in New Orleans, and on my return home to pay you a visit. This purpose was defeated by the alarming aspect which the slavery question had assumed, and my conse quent desire to remain at home, where I might be useful. At what particular time I may be with you it is impossible for me to say at present- but you may rest assured that I shall embrace the fust on portumty of paying you a visit, which 1 anticipate With no ordinary pleasure. 1 I have passed a month in Washington this win ter, and there witnessed a state of feeling on the sub ject of slavery and the Union, which no man at a distance could justly appreciate. Had the Wilrnot Proviso become a law, or had slavery been ahol ifihed ire the District of Columbia, nothiug short of a special interposition uf Divine Providence could have prevented the secession of most, if not all. of the Slaveholding States of the Union. lam far from saying that either or both of -these causes would have justified so dreadful a result; but the South have been goaded into madness by the long contin ue 1 assaults ol Northern fanatics arid abolitionists. Jhey now feel that, their personal security is in danger, and m portion, of the South many a poor woman retires 1.0 rest at night under dreadful ap prehension ol What may befal herself and family before morning. Should ,bi« stale of things con inue, e --out tern jieople will soon begin seriously o cakulate the value of the Up,on- The danger IS yet far from haying altogether passed away hut has been most happily averted Vse„t by the vote in our house of Kepresi-niai, ing to consider the Wilmot Proviso re w ,j„iio,n r'f instruction, followed, as it was, by the von- nL House of Representatives at Washington la vu„. 0,. subject on the table. From present appearai,,,.. i entertain good hopes that all the distracting ,n,i dangerous questions arising out of slavery, wbnb now agitate the country, may be settled before De termination of the present session of Congress. Very respectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN. "W* T. H. Pauley. Intelligencer & Journal; GEO. SANDERSON, EDITOR. Lancaster, AprU 23,1850. State Central Committee.— A meet ing of the Democratic State Central Committee is requested by the Chairman, J. Glanct Jones, Esq., at M Kibben’s Merchants’ Hotel, in Philadelphia, on Wednesday the Ist day of May, at 3 o'clock, P. M. The object of the meeting is to take such action as may be necessary to secure the nomina tion of candidates for Auditor General and Survey or General. iHTIn the proceedings of the County Conven tion, published last week, the name of Dr. Levi Hole was accidently omitted from the list of nom inations proposed before that body for Canal Com missioner. His name, however, occurred in the balloting?, along with the names of the other gen. tlemen who were candidates. -We regret the omis sion, purely* accidental as it was, and hasten to correct it. !D~Gen. Shields, ,of ihe Senate, and Messrs. Ross and Strong, of the House of Representatives, have our thanks for public documents. [L/“Call at P. Deichler's Boot and Shoe Estab lishment, Kramph s Building, in N. Queen Street, if you want something in his line that is cheap, fashionable, neat and comfortable; LTT’The Farmer and Literary Gazette, of this city* j has again changed hands. It is now owned by I Messrs. W. H. Si-angler & Co., and edited by Mr. jA. M. Spanglkii. The last number contains the ■, valedictory of the retiring editors, and the salutato iry ol the new one. The paper, although changed , somewhat from a purely literary sheet, is stilf to j be conducted on neutral or independent principles, t so as politics are concerned. The articles in j the first number are written with spirit and ability. ; We extend a cordiaf welcome to the new editor, : and wish him much success in his undertaking. Election of Clerk.- -Mr. Young, of j Illinois, late Commissioner of the General Land | Office, was elected Clerk of the. House ot Repre •• sentati-'es, at Washington, on Wednesday last, by ■ a vote ot 90 to 92. Mr. Young is a thorough : going and radical Democrat, and will be an excel lent officer. Mr. Wilmot and two other Free j Soilers voted with the Democrats—the balance of i the Free Soilers with the Whigs. Col. Forney was not a candidate for the station. ■ hi* own request, his name was withdrawn from : the list, before any ol the ballotings commenced— : he having been named by many of his friends without his consent. Another Veto! —William F. Johnston the anti-veto Governor, is going it with a perfect rush! Not- satisfied with vetoing the Apportion* : ment Bill, because the Whigs did not get quite as j much as they asked for—he has followed it up with i a veto upon the bill restoring the Licensing Power ! to the Courts of Philadelphia, and he argues it partly on Tempera* e principles! Uh, Moses! I W .M. I*. Johnston to talk about Temperance. l / and then to use that power, without stint, which he so violently denounced when a candidate before the people, \erily, this Whig Governor is only coir sistent in his inconsistencies ! \tr A writer in the Democratic Union strongly recommends Col. James 11.I 1 . Brawlky. of Crawford county, at present a member of the State Senate, for the nomination of Auditor General by the Wil liamsport Convention. Col. B. would make a com- petent officer Rj* A correspondent of the ‘ Star ol the North, - ■ Columbia Co., recommends our townsman, Col. Rkah Frazer, for the next Governor. 10*011 Thursday one of the late Clerks in ihe Post Office at Philadelphia, named Thus.. l. Huluh, was arrested on a charge of purloining letters, con. turning money irom the mail. He stands charged with a. series of peculations from the mails amoun ting to several thousand dollars, and extending over a period oi three years, during which lime he was employed in the Post Office. ' Auditor General.— The Butler Herald has raised the name of Gen. Jon.v A. Puhvia.\tk the present incumbent, as its choice for a nomina tion for the important office of Auditor General, by the Williamsport Convention. Speaking of this excellent officer, that paper has the following truth ful remarks: For Auditor General, we takd the liberty of rais ing the name of Gen. John N. Purviance.' ..We do this with a full consciousness that xye are raisin'' the name of one every way worthy, and with a firm belie! that it will meet the approbation and the hearty response' of the Democracy of the entire State. The office is one of great anil growin*' importance to the people of the State. 'l ? heir in terests, to the extent of millions of dollars annually, are committed to his care and supervision. Snell an officer requires capacity, industry, and stern in tegrity ; and these qualifications Gen. Purviance is admitted to possess in an eminent degree. He has discharged the duties of this office for the last live years with undoubted capacity, untiring industry, and unsullied honesty; while at the same time, his official and personal bearing and intercourse,’has been so kind, courteous, and gentlemanly, as to ‘ win golden opinions from all sorts of people. The services of such an officer cannot well be dis pensed with, and ought not to be dispensed with. The public interests require the services ot an ex perienced, diligent and faithful man to till this office and as long as these great interests are consulted the services ol tried and faithlul officers ought to be continued. the above was in type,-we observe a letrer in the Democratic Union from Gen. Pun viance, in which he says he “will not be a candi date for said office." New Banking Bill.— The Bank Bill, as leported by the Committee of Conference, has passed both branches of the Legislature and been signed by the Governor. As it stands now, notes less than $5 are prohibited from being issued or circulated, under severe penalties—the individual liability principle is restricted to the circulation alone—Banks are to be chartered for fifteen years, and the Banks east of the mountains are required to keep their notes at par in Philadelphia, and those west at Pittsburg. The Riot Case at Pittsburg.— The Jury, at Pittsburg, in the Puddler and Boiler case, found Patrick McDermott, James Bratt, Arm Mc- Dermott, Eliza Morgan, Margaret Graham and Catharine Reeves, guilty of a riot. Each of the men were sentenced to eighteen months' imprison ment and costs of prosecution. Each of the women to pay a fine of §5O, and undergo thirty days im prisonment in the common jail of Allegheny county I he sentence is considered by many of the Pitts burghers as unnecessarily severe, and much cenEure is l ast upon Judge McClure, the President of the Court A I own Meeting has been held to give ex. pression to public opinion, and petitions are nu merously signed for their pardon. Cuba.— There seem* to be little doubt, says the Philadelphia News, that an expedition destined for Cuba is in progress of organization—but the details, place of rendezvous, &c., are yet a mystery The papers of the West contain frequent mention of the movements of fragments of the force to ward New Orleans, and the Louisville papers say, tfiat a( least four hundred men have left Kentucky join the expedition. The names of Gen. Lopez <.p n. Shields are mixed up in the affair, and b"r* »nd there an intimationis thrown out that ChagMi* is the point ol concentration. Meantime the Inland of Cuba is in a perfect ferment, dreading the invasion, and the strictest watch is kept over all touien an<J gown. Gen. Taylor’s Cabinet. As the political almanac has it—says the New Y °rk Herald—“about this time expect resignations in the Cabinet.” It may be good prophecy, but we doubt if it will prove true, even though it issaid that Mr. CrawfonHnsiste upon retiring as soon as all the old claims upon the treasuiy are paid. The people cannot afford to lose him, or any other mem* ber just yet. To take one piece out at this time, might start the glue that holds the other pieces to gether. They are nicely dove-tailed now, and, taken as a whole, form a very remarkable cabinet, pol ished, convenient, capacious, and suited to put things away in a hurry. There are a great many secret drawers to this cabinet—curious drawers for money and other valuables. Perhaps no cabinet in the world ever exhibited more of such wonders. Then there are slides without number, and pigeon-holes for the wetl plucked and well-feathered, all admir ably arranged for the utmost convenience. The locks, too, are remarkable, and the keys truly won derful. These last are not exposed to every body. We hope to get an impression of them, however, sooner or later. Some persons entertain fears for this cabinet— It is so heavily laden, and so many documents have been jammed and crammed into it, that the adhe siveness of the glue is seriously doubted. Some think lhat the‘glue is strong enough—stronger than the stuff of which it is composed, and that it must split, particularly as there is much frost prevailing in Washington. There may be reasons for these ap prehensions, but it would be a matter seriously to be deplored if such a rare combination of skill, in genuity and curious workmanship should not hold together; and though we are not satisfied as to the result of Ji-ost upon it, we have come to a conclusion on another point. It has been in hot water again and again, and that does not hurt it. On the con trary, much to our gratification, it sticks together all the closer for it; and we should deeply mourn, were we to be deprived, through its destruction, of the pleasure we have had ol waiting upon ft day alter day for months past. Convenient old cabinet! How we honor thee! It may be a delusion to think so much of so curious a thing—but what of it ! Have not similar delusions affected the world from time immemorial? Mankind may have had the Mississippi bubble, the Crusades, the Philosopher s stone, the Cocklane Ghost, Mathias ism, the Rochester knockings, and-other mysterious and interesting delusions; and why not continue an excitement upon a curiosity that neither resembles, or can be compared, to any of the other delusions which have astonished mankind. The world does not obtain such treats every day. It is only once in a century, that we have such wonderful comic performers as Liston and Mathews, or Burton, Bass or Collins; and why not make the most of the cabi net of curiosities at Washington, and its enjoyment, while it is at command 1 Thinking thus, having a deep love for the pecul iarities ol this old cabinet in the curiosity shop of the nation, we do hope that it will continue to stick together. May its glue become stronger, like old Roman cement, by age and the ordeal of time, and no part of it be split off. When it .fades from the sight, let it go, “like the baseless fabric of a vision,” and not leave any wreck behind. It has been a unique afidir—let it have a unique departure—each part sticking to the other, even in its dissolution.— Mankind will then remember the virtues of the glue, however divided they may be in opinion upon the motley stuff that composed it. Stick together, we cannot spare them. Bringing* C'oal from Newcastle. “We were informed a day or two ago, that the Reading Railroad Company are actually supplying their workshops in this city with Newcastle or Bri tish Coal, for the very good reason that they can purchase it, delivered , _from four to five cents cheaper per bushel than the Jhneriedn article. Here is a new demonstration of the beauties of the Loco British Tariff of 1 S-lfi.*’ I’he above paragraph appeared in the Berks if Shuylkill Journal, ol March 23, ISSO, together with sundry comments, in the most approved Federal style, denouncing Loroforoism in general, and Loco foro free traders in particular. It escaped our notice at the time; and it was not until we saw it quoted by the Miners' Journal, with evident gratification, and copied into several papers abroad—the Phila delphia Ledger among the number, whose editor calls it “a strange fact'—that our attention was attracted to it. The 11 (ad''would indeed be “strange,” it hue: but unfortunately for our Federal tariff neighbor, we are tinder the necessity of spoiling the beauty of his story by pronouncing it entirely un founded. We have taken the pains to make inquiry lrom the proper source, and are informed that the enormous quantity ol one ton of Newcastle coal Was purchased from the Reading Gas Company a short time ago, and used in a blacksmith shop of the Rail road C ompany, for a sperial purpose , requiring, as blacksmiths term it, a i \ootl heat, in a shorter time than can be produced by the ordinary bituminous coal. This special purpose was the manufacture ol Jjjannolivcframes —a mere experiment, as these articles were never before made in this country. Save and except that single lon—t or which Seven Dollars were paid— not a bushel of British coal has been, or is now used in the workshops of the Read ing Railroad Company. The American coal is good enough and cheap enough for all their ordinary purposes, and generally preferable to the foreign article—particularly when the latter costs $1 per ton, even under the “British tariff of 1846”! So much lor the latest Whig humbug of the season! j —Reading Gazette. . Counterfeit Gold Coin. —As the amount of gold coin in circulation increases the' liability ol all to take base coin, we give the an nexed information on the subject of counterfeits, furnished to the Ledger by an officer of the Mint at Philadelphia The most important class of counterfeits are the imitations of our own coin, and some have been brought to light worthy of especial notice. The varieties include the eagle, half-eagle and quarter eagle. The die is very perfect, for although a coiner might discover that the impression is not quite so sharp and decided as the genuine coin, yet none but a practical eye can detect the difference. Even when examined under a microscope, they are found to correspond in the most minute particular to the genuine coin. This shows that the dies must have been transferred from our own coin by some mechanical process not yet known to honest work men, and the most accomplished artist in the world could not take up the graver and make such a fac simile. The coins have rather a dull sound in ring ing, but not as if flawed, although they are actually composed of three distinct pieces of metal. Where they—re full weight, they are necessarily thicker than the genuine, but generally the half-eagle rim as in the good piece, from 55 to <5O thousands of an inch within the raised rim. They appear to be made as follows: A thin planchet of silver, of Spanish standard, is prepared so nearly of the right diameter, that: Ihe subsequent overlaying of the gold plate at the edge will make it exact. Two planchets ol gold are then prepared—one of them to correspond with the true diameter of the coin ' the other about one-quarter of an inch larger.— These two plates are soldered upon the silver the projecting rim of the larger is bent up to meet the smaller, so as to cover the edge of the coin, and the piece is finished by a blow in the coiner press. The halt-eagles, which are, perhaps, the most numerous bear various dates, such as 18-44, ’45 and ’47. Of the quarter eagle only one date,, 1843, and bearing the O for the New Orleans Mint mark, has as yet been detected, but doubtless there are others in cir culation. The value of the half-eagles assayed was from $3 to $3,40, and the quarter do. $1,25. They are so well calculated to deceive that they have passed undetected through the hands of good judges into the Mint. The only reliable method of detec tion is by their weight. If they come up to the true standard, their increased thickness will be at once apparent to a careful examiner.” IfT-The new Apportionment Bill which passed the House, fell i n the. Senate—the Speaker decli ning to vote. So every thing is at sea again. New Potatoes— The editor of the Ballimore •Sim has seen a basket of new potatoes, many of them four inches in circumference, raised on a farm near that city. They grew in an open field. - Hr. Clay vs. tbe Abolitionists. There was an animated discussion in the United States Senate on Wednesday week, springing up on the presentation by Mr. Hiu, of New Hampshire, of a series of petitions, some thirty-five in number, on the refreshing subject of Slavery, and the partic ular topics connected therewith. There was noth ing remarkable in the debate, if we except Mr. Clay's denunciation of northern abolition agitation and agitators. We, copy from the reported debate, a part of Mr. Clay's language on the occasion, and recommend it to the special attention of our neigh bors of the Examiner, and Union ij Tribune , who so fully endorsed the Abolition slang of Mr. Stevens and the more recent incendiary message of Gov. Johhstox. He is reported to have said: “The moment a prospect opens upon this unhap py country of settling our differences, these distur bers of the peace, these ultra Abolitionists, put themselves in motion—these Garrisons and Jays, and Phillipses, and others, put themselves in mo tion, in every quarter, to defeat amicable adjust ment, and to continue and inflame agitation ; and they establish and concert a ramified plan of opera tion, which I wish to expose to the Senate. Here is, sir, a little bit of printed paper, scattered through out the whole country. Some of them found their way intfi my own State, and some of them I pre sented to the Senate the other day. These are all concocted and printed at a common centre, and dispersed throughout the-country, in order to pro duce a common effect, create a belief, and make an impression upon this body, as if they were speaking the public sentiment of the people of this country.” And further on:— c “ I trust no impatience will be Mt by the honor able Senator, or by his friends in the House, or out of the House, when I call the attention of the Sen ate to this fact, to show that the object is to manu facture a sort of. public opinion, in order to make an impression upon us at the time when we are endeavoring to heal the wounds of the country, and reconcile its dist/acted and unhappy parts. Of all the bitterest enemies toward the unfortunate negro race, there are none to compare with those ultra abolitionists, those professing and pretending friends of that race, to whom, or some individual negro, the abolitionist fastens himself, like the Siamese twins ; or, like the fabled Centaur of old, the abo litionist mounts upon the back, not of a horse, but of a negro, and rides his hobby into power, by as suming a friendship for. the poor negro which was never felt, but really seeking his own selfish and ambitious aims. Now, sir,- there are no worse en emies to the negro race in the world than these ultra abolitionists. To what extremity have they not driven the slaveholding States in defence of their own rights, guarding against the excesses to which they have a constant tendency in all their movements r ’ Whig Pledges. —lt is amusing, says the Steubenville Union , to see tKe efforts Whig .letter writers and Whig papers are making to divert public attention from the broken pledges of Gen. Tatloh. With an air of affected innocence, they point to the removals made by former Presidents, and insist that Gen. Tailor has done nothing more than was done by all his Democratic predecessors. Softly, gentlemen, you cannot get out ot the scrape in that way. You told us, and so did the General himself, that he would proscribe no man tor opinion's sake. The very (act that he is doing as other j Presidents have done, is a shameless avowal that j he has broken his pledges made to the people which secured his election. Whig newspapers and pen sioned letter writers may iiarp tilt doomsday, but the attention oi the American people cannot he diverted from the glaring lact, that Gen. Tavi.oii, whom they have exalted to tire high dignity of President of the Republic, gained their votes by making pledges he never intended to redeem, and which he has since shamefully violated. But, it must be gratifying to the friends of our free institutions, as well as to the lovers of fair dealing in high places, that the treachery of the President is receiving its merited reward. Through out the country his administration is looked upon with contempt not unmixed ; witli disgust, and the people every where are arranging themselves in the opposition, while in Congress it can hardly muster a corporal's guard to do it reverence—and even those members who still do adhere to it are mostly governed by the “five loaves and two fishes'’ which are held out as a bait to secure their support. His recommendations are scarcely ever alluded to in that body, while his messages and communica tions frequently liq for days unopened and unreierred. Never was popular condemnation more marked, and never before was an administration more com pletely broken down in the first year of its exis fence. It is completely dead, so far as influence is concerned, and has not the ability to galvanize itself into a fitful existence. H7“The Examiner “can see nothing objectionable - ’ in the passage of the act chartering the Harrisburg and Reading Railroad. This is passing strange, in deed, and proves one of two things—either that the editor is regardless of the interests of Lancaster co. and of the whole State, or else he is deficient in mental capacity which renders him unable to com prehend it. That the latter is the case, no one will for a single moment suppose, on the contrary, the very reverse is the fact—we, therefore, set it down as a fair inference that the former is his true posi tion on the question. ; That the proposed rail-road will, when construct '•ed. seriously affect the business ami profits of the Columbia and Philadelphia road, and inflict a cor responding injury on Lancaster county, can scarce ly admit of a doubt. Even the Kzaminer itself vir tually admits as much, when saying that “the In telligencer would restrict all the advantages of rail roads and other beneficial improvements to the in habitants of a few favored localities.” We can tell our neighhor, if that will afford him any gratification, that we are partial to the people amongst whom we have cast our lot, and that we go for their interests first, on the principle that charity should always begin at home. And in the second place, we,are utterly and unconditionally opposed to this suicidal system of tapping the prof, itable portion of the public works, (so long, at all events, as the debt of the Commonwealth remains a burthen upon the tax payers,) for the purpose of gratifying the wishes of a company or corporation who care nothing about the interests o! the whole people. This is our “democracy,” and if it causes the Examiner to "marvel” we cannot help it. If the course of that paper, on this question, is the whiggery of Lancaster county, then, all we have to say is, the Whigs of the “Old Guard” are strange ly blind to their own interests. ClT'lhe last Union If Tribune gives a very amus ing description of the proceedings of the Democratic County Convention. This would all be well enough in its place, if the account did not lack in a very essential particular— truth! -We have no objection, whatever, to our Whig friends being facetious and enjoying a hearty laugh at our expense—but their high-wrought descriptions ought to have some sem blance, at least, to verity. When that ingredient is wanting, the scene is divested of much of its interest, and falls still-born from the press. Supreme Court Decision. The Montgomery Ledger says : The Supreme Court has decided in a case-—“ The Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Allentown vs. Samuel A. Bridges'’—that money at interest, stocks, &c., could not be taxed for borough purposes. The following is an extract from the decision: “ We are not bound to carry taxation further than the Legislature has carried it, and it has done no more than make the basis of it for county and township purposes: the first by the 32d section of the act of 1841, and the second as a consequence of it, by the act of 1843, which had made the county basis serve, as the basis of taxation by the townships. If the intent had been to include cities, boroughs, and other municipal corporations, why was it not expressed? The charters of these usually contain a special provision for the subject; and when it has been overlooked, the county basis which ex isted, at the time of its organization, has been taken. There is no provision in the charter of this bor ough; and the tax, of course, illegal. Judgment reversed.” fETThe Virginia election takes place next week. Amendment to the Constitution. The following is a copy of the bill providing for submitting the amendment of the Constitution, relative to the election of Judges, to the people: Set). 1. Be it enacted, &c. That for the purpose ol ascertaining the sense of the citizens of this Commonwealth, in regard to the adoption or re jection of said; amendment, the Governor of this Commonwealth shall issue a writ of election di recteti to (he Sheriff of each and every bounty of this Commonwealth, commanding them to give noticg in the usual manner, that an election will be held in each of the Townships, Wards! and Dis tricts | therein, on the second Tuesday of October, in ihej year pi our Lord one thousand eight hun dred pod fifty, for the purpose of deciding; upon the adoption or rejection of the said amendment, which said election shall be held at the places and be opened and closed at the time, at and within which the genera! elections of this Commonwealth!are held openeji and closed, and it shall be the duty of the judges, inspectors and clerks of each of said town ships,! wards districts, to receive at jthe said election tickets, either written or printed, or partly wnttefn and partly printed, from citizens duly qual ified to vote for members of the General Assembly, and td deposit them in a box or boxes, to be for that purpose provided by the proper officers, which ticket:! shall be labelled on the outside ‘‘amendment,” and those who are favorable to the amendment may express their desire by voting each a written or printed, or partly written and partly printed, bailor containing on the insides thereof the words for the amendment, and those who are opposed to sue i amendment, may express their opposition by voting each a similar ballot, containing on the inside thereof the words “against the amepdment.” Sec 2. That the election on the said proposed amendment shall, in all respects, be conducted as the general elections ot this Commonwealth are now conducted, and it shall be the duty of the return.judges of the respective counties and districts thereof first having ascertained the number of votes given for or against the said amendment, in the manner aforesaid, to make out duplicate returns thereo; expressed in words at length and not in figured, only one of which returns so made shall be lodged in the Prothonotary s office of the proper count}, and the other sealed and directed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth—and by one of the said judges forthwith deposited in the most conve menr Post-office. Sec. X I hat it shall further be the duty of the Secretary ot the Commonwealth, on receiving the for the election for and against the said amendment, to deliver the same to the Speaker of the Sepate, on or before the first Monday after the oigamiation ol the next Session ol the Legislatuie after said returns shall so be received, who shall open apd publish the same in the presence of the Senate] and House ol Representatives, on the next i uesday therealter ; and when the number of votes given against the said amendment, shall have been summed up and ascertained* duplicate certificates thereof shall be signed by the Speaker of tile Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives one of which shall be filed in the office of the Secretary ol the Commonwealth, and the other delivered to the Governor, whose duty it shall be to declare by proclamation, whether the said amendments have been, or have not been approved and ratified by the citizens ol this Commonwealth. Sec. -1. The Sheriffs and Commissioners of the several! counties ol this Commonwealth, shall, do and perform all the duties and acts necessary by them to be done, to give effect to, and carry out the provisions of this act. “Winter Still Lingers in tlie lap of Spring.” S.vow:—There was a severe snow-storm at St. f.ouis, on -Sunday week, the 14th inst. It lasted from s; in the morning until f» o'clock in tlie after uoon. The sueny was from seven to eight inches deep on a level. On the same day, and the previous evening, the good folks “away down Hast” had winter! with a vengeance. We clip the following accounts from jthe North American: We hear of the wintry weather of April in all quarters. A friend at East Urookfield, (Mass.) writes— We are now enjoying good winter weather. We had quite a tall of snmv on Saturday evening. esteiday it was very cold, and water troz£ in my -snug house, where it seldom freezes. The feather looks with us like February. f Another correspondent writer from Saco, jMe.,on Monday-- f | Snow fell on Saturday night to the depth ol a loot and a half. Yesterday it blew fiercely, and it was more ol a winter's day than has been felt here for the past year. Ihe sleighing this . morning is very good, and the weather still continues cold and blustery. The Newburypdrt Herald of Tuesday says lhe trains from the Fast were late yesterday, on account of heavy snow drifts on the track. At Portland, a foot of snow on a level fell on Sunday, and the sleighing was good yesterday, as far up as Greenland. There was a little snow as far up as Seabrook. Here we had none.'* The Portland Advertiser says that “on Sunday morning, when the snow had ceased falling, there were, on a level, from 12 to 15 inches.” -The Lowell Courier of Monday says, 15 Quite a severe snow storm commenced on Saturday even ing, and continued until yesterday morning, covering the ground and houses with snow. The wind blew very high during the night, as well as a greater part of Sunday.*’ In this region we had m snow—but, as our read ers will recollect, Sunday week was a cold and blustery day. School Law.— Ihe bill regulating Common Schools, as it passed the House of Rep last week, repeals the 25th, Gfith, 27th, 28th and 20th sections of the act of 1849 relative to Public Schools, and re-enacts the Gth.and 7th sections of , the act o| iStUi relative to Common Schools, and the (ith, 7th, Blh and oth sections of the act of 1838 relative to the same subject. The Board of Direc tors ol any School District have power, if they see lit, to allot the collection of school taxes to the lowest and best bidder, under such terms as they may by their regulations prescribe: Provided , that security shall in no case be taken in a sum less than double the amount of tax assessed in said dis trict. The compensation to a collector is not to exceed five per cent, on the amount of money col lected anil paid over by such collector on his dupli cate. Ihe School Directors of every district in the State shall annually, on or before the first Monday of May, and by the votes of not less than four members ol the Board, levy such an amount of tax on their district as shall, together with such addi tional sums as the districts may receive out of the State Treasury, and horn other sources, be sufficient to keep the schools open according to the terms of this act, and shall establish a sufficient number of schools to educate every individual of the age of five years and upwards, residing in the district. The School Directors are to determine the length of time during which the schools shall be kept in operation Provided, that in no district shall they be kept open less than three months, and that the amount ol tax levied shall not exceed five mills on each dollar of valuation lor any one year. This law shall continue in force during the next current school year, ending on the first Monday of June, ISM; after which no change shall be made, unless nWested by a majurity of the taxable inhabitants ofiany school district voting on the question. Novel Idea— The New York Herald of a recent date, thus notices the contemplated establish ment of an over land line to the Golden State: We learn from a reliable source, that Messrs Sands & Howpj’the well known enterprising cir-’ cus proprietors, are about to establish an over-land line to California with them, which is to leave In dependence, Missouri, direct for San Francisco, in the month ol June. These gentlemen have already thirty one camels in this country, and the brig Catharine, now on her passage horn Algiers to N. Orleans, has on board twenty-two more, making in all fifty three, most of which have been selected with care as brood stock. We are told that a car avan ot twenty-live or more, will leave each point once a mouth, and continue through the year. .Success to this new’ enterprise, say we. Death of Major 0 Briex. —We regret to learn of the death by cholera, at Indianola, Texas, on the 2d inst., of the gallant Maj. J. P. J. O'Brien. Maj., then we believe Lieutenant O'Brien, was the officer who distinguished himself so highly at Buena Vis. ta, in command of the artillery. Those who go to Boston for pleasure and profit should call at Simmon'!* Oak Hall, and view the splen did clothing establishment, and then add to their pleasure by purchasing an, efegant outfit at the low prices at which it is offered. Congressional Synopsis--A Fracas! The proceedings in the Senate on Wednesday last were of a deeply exciting character. Mr. Foote’s proposition for the appointment of a Select Committee coming up in order—the pending ques tion being upon Mr. Benton s instructions to the Committee declaring that Congress has no power over slavery in the States or the internal slave trade, and that Congress ought not to abolish sla very in the District of Columbia, or in the Forts, Arsenals, or Dock-Yards of the United States. Mr. Clay moved to amend this proposition so as to read—Provided, That the Senate does not deem it necessary, and therefore declines, to express, in advance, any opinion, or to give any instructions, either general or specific, for the guidance of the Committee. An excited discussion took place between Mr. Benton and Mr. Clay. Messrs. Douglass, Webster and Hale also participated in the debate—when the vote was taken, and Mr. Clay’s proposition carried by a vote of 29 to 22. Mr. Benton then moved another amendment, which was objected to by Messrs. Clay and Butler, and also by Mr. Foote. The latter gentleman, in rising, said that he felt the time had come when patriots should act for the purpose of saving the Republic from the dangers which threatened it. It was well known that he would not, after circum stances which had occurred, condescend to notice any thing coming from a certain quarter, (meaning Benton) if it were not that an unjustifiable attack had been made upon the Southern address of last session. Who was its author? The late Senator from South-Carolina, over whose death the Nation now mourns. And who was it that attempted to impugn that address, and to designate those who signed it as agitators? It was an individual known as the oldest member of the Senate. Mr. Foote was proceeding with some pungent remarks, evi dently in allusion to Mr. Benton's course, but had said nothing sufficient to justify the Chair in calling him to order, when Mr. Benton rose, much agita ted, and throwing his chair from him, proceeded by the narrow passage outside ol tlie bar, towards Mr. Foote's seat. Several members apprehending a collision, en deavored to prevent Mr. Benton from proceeding farther. Overcoming all resistance, he continued towards Mr. Foote, who, leaving his place, stepped dowffithe main aisle, and took a position in front of the Sergeant at-Arms’ seat—at the same time drawing a pistol from his bosom and cocking it. Several Senators surrounded Mr. Foote, among whom was Mr. Dickinson, who, securing the pistol, locked it up in his desk. In the mean time Benton was struggling to get at Foote—denouncing him as an assassin, who had thus dared to bring a pis tol into the Senate to murder him. After much difficulty the Vice President succee ded in restoring order. The Senators having re sumed their seats, Mr. Foote rose and inquired if lie could proceed in order with his remarks. Mr. Benton (in a very loud tone and much excited) demanded that the Senate should take cognizance of the fact that a pistol had been brought there to assassinate him. Mr. Foote explained. He had no intention to attack any body. He had been informed that an attack upon him was contemplated. Supposing, when the Senator from Missouri advanced towards him, that he was armed, and designed to attack him, he had himself advanced to the centre of the chamber, in order to be in a position where he could meet Mr. Benton, in the main aisle, upon equal terms. Mr. Benton protested that he never carried arms, and unbuttoned his vest to show that he had none —and, in reply to a remark of Mr. Clay, said: I carry no arms, sir, and it’s lying and cowardly to insinuate any thing of the kind against me. After some further remarks from' different mem bers, a committee of seven was appointed to inves- tigate the matter. In the House no business was done for the want of a Clerk, until Wednesday, when Mr. Young was elected. The Compromise Committee.— The resolution of Gen. Foote, for the appointment of a Commit tee, to whom the settlement of the Slavery ques tion shall be assigned, so far as their recommenda tion can do it, passed the Senate on Thursday, by a vote of 30 to 22. There were eight Senators ah sent. Had they been present, it is conjectured the vote would have stood 3G to 24. The Senators composing the Committee are Messrf. Clay, Cass, Dickinson, Webster, Phelps, Cooper, King,'Mason, Downs, Mangum, Bell, Berrien and Bright. Dreadful Casualty.— We learn from the Baltimore rfrgw of Wednesday, that on the previous day, the boiler of the locqmotive “ Chief tan," a large class engine, exploded on the Susque hanna Railroad, a lew miles south of Cockeysville, instantly killing Mr. Millhaw, the fireman, and bad ly injuring the engineer, Mr. Davis. The boiler burst into the fire, causing the locomotive to turn a complete summerset, and scattering it into an hundred pieces. The body of Mr. Millhaw was thrown almost perpendicularly into the air to the height of about sixty feet, passing through the top of a large oak tree, the limbs of which stripped nearly every thread of clothing from his body. He was a young man of excellent character, and had only been mairied a few months. The cause of the explosion is a mystery, as the boiler was in good order, and the engineer one of the best and most careful on the road. Good.— The citizens of Albermarle county, \a., met on the fst inst., to consider whether they would appoint Delegates to the Nashville Conven tion. A discussion was had between Hon. An- DnEw Steve. '.sox, for the Convention—and Col. T. J. RiXDoi.ru, against it. The meeting decided against the appointment of Delegates, by a vote ol 282 to 180! We rather suppose, from present indications, that the contemplated Nashville Convention, if held at all, will be a slim affair. The Fire Annlhllator. Mr. Philips, the inventor of this new apparatus recently gave an eihibition of its powers to a large company assembled at the London Gas Works The Philadelphia American says : After some preliminary remarks on the vast osses trom fire, amounting, annually, in the three kingdoms to i.2,U00.UU0, and the inefficacy of wa ter ill quenching a furious conflagration, he set fire to a compartment ol a large open building, filled with partitions and tempoiary joisting of light wood, daubed with pitch and turpentine, and hung with rags soaked with the same combustibles. The flames ascended, roaring with such vehemence as to repel the spectators to a distance of forty feet reaching, apparently, beyond all remedy by water • when Mr. P. with one of his hand machines, some’ what larger than a good sized coffee pot, from which a volume of gas and vapor was discharged extinguished the flames "in half a minute:" and then, to prove that there was no noxious quality in the resulting air, immediately walked through the building with a lighted candle in his hand A company has been formed to manufacture these new styled fire engines; which if they answer as well in practice as they seem to do in experiment, will soon make their way to this country, and find their held of operation, in subduing flames and perhaps, lire riots. Wheat Crop nr Westers New York.—The Rochester American of the 12th inst. says: The growing Wheat in this vicinity presents an uncommonly fine appearance. It is thicker on the ground, of good color, and has suffered far less than usual trom the winter. The cool weather which has continued since the first of March, has had a favorable effect, as well as the absence of severe frosts. It iaTiot often that the crop looks so prom ising at this season ot the year. editor 0/ the Mobile Herald returns thanks for a gift of a box ol strawberries, the ear liest ol the season. If the weather we have had for a couple of weeks past should continue, it will be some time belore any one in this region will be gratified with the sight or taste of such a luxury. Tlie Public Schools. —The following exhibits the arrangements for visiting the public schools during the present month: „ Y l ™? KEMSERS - SCHOOLS. <5. A. Miller, High School, Rev. Mr. McCarter, Mr. Gilbert, H. Rotharmcl, Mr. Nourse, J- Weaver, Miss Thompson, Dr. H. Carpenter, Miss Diller, H. B. Swarr, Esq., Miss Miller. Repomng Member, G. A. Mate Department, c 71 ? r ’ AW. ' G. Zahm, Miss S. Smith, ' J. Zimmerman, Esq., Mrs. Magee, Rcv Miss Hoffmeicr, Mr .T J \v ? a - k t er ’ Miss C ’ German, . Tho J H W n J!ICkBOn ’ Mrs. C. Reinstine, = s“’' B “7°wes, Esq., Lewis Hood. Z^hm" 8 F,ma!e Department, Dr. P. Cassidy, j. p rice East ' Geo P p G :, Eberraan > Miss Mayer, Geo. Ford, Esq., Miss White, Mr* r r r n Gerber > Miss Samson, Mr* M n w P ,‘, e ’ , Mrs. Sullivan, ,- D ’ Holbrook, Miss O’Donnell I>. Ca"fid y Member ’ Dr ’ MaU department, Rev! ” o o’* g M c * K^ ffer E M;::i*^if h ermin > J. C. Van Camp, Esq., Miss Russell, wj C £r° n ?- my V Mrs. Moore, Wni. Mathiot, Esq., Mrs. Gotta &on. ember ’ GC °- “ XT”"’ THE MONTHLIES. ET— Graham's Magazine’’ for May, is on our table, equalling, if not surpassing, the preceding numbers. It is embellished with handsome engrav mgs, viz—“ Gay and Serious,” “The Mountain Spring, ’ and “The Game of Draughts;” after which come, a very pretty soug-“Blanche and Lisette ” then, some beautiful tales by the following Auth-' ors:—Charles J. Peterson, S.Southerland,C. F. Ash mead, Enna Duval & others.. The Poetry is pecu liuriy line. The June number is to be embellished with a portrait of the celebrated Jenny Lind. ?■ Godey’s Lady’s Book” continues to maintain ■ts high reputation, and the May number cannot be 1 surpassed by any other .periodical of the kind in the Union. In addition to the excellent reading ar ticles, it has an array of embellishments that is not often found in a single number. They are as fol- T-n G ‘ ft fr ° m i!cave ””-“P]aying Mother” The Train is Coming”-” Equestrianism for Young Ladies”—“ Jesus Preaching by the Sea m! 6 p~‘; T , he . T "'° Preparing for the May Party,” &c., & c . Pztebson’s Magazine” is still going ahead, Improving with every number. The one belore us for May, is decidedly fine indeed, “Children Bathing”—“ Fashions lor May”—“A May Morn ing” and the “ Blind Piper and his Daughter,” are hard to excel in point of artislical merit. “ SißTai N’ a Magazine,” for May, is alsn on our table, and a beautiful number it is. Amongst other interesting articles, is one Irom the pen of Dr. Durbin, entitled the “Passage of the Red Sea,” with an Engraving. The other engravings are “The Return” “ The Dancing Letson”—“ The Wash ington Monument” “ The Dead Adonis”-” Fash ion Plate,” &c., &c. All ol these books for sale at Gish’s. - B - S. Humes Pouter, Esq., of Ibis city, is con ducting the case of Capt. Hunter before the Naval Court ol Inquiry, now silling at Annapolis, Md, . ID* Col. Benton has requested the District At torney, at Washington, to institute criminal pro ceedmgs against Gen. Foote, lor having drawn a pistol at him. ID" The bill to divorce Edwin Forrest from his wife, which passed the House on Tues Jay last, by a vote of 42 to 40—was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 15 to 18. Steamboat Disasteiis.— The St. Louis Intelli gencer furnishes a list of twenty-eight steamboat fhfr‘ er , S °r n r the WCStern and s °uthern rivers, since the first of January last, resulting in a loss of prop erty to the amount of over $500,000, and sixty seven lives, besides many persons injured. CJ-The body of an unknown man was found in the Conestoga south of this City, on Thursday last where it had probably lain for several months. ID-Several families in this City were made dangerously ill last week, from the use of bitter almonds as a flavor for pastry. It is supposed the almonds contained prussic acid. ID-Mr. Thomas Joiinstox, of Martic township, w-hose mysterious disappearance has been the sub ject of wonder for the last two weeks, has been in Baltimore during that time, alive and well. So say* report. ErThe Governor ol South Carolina haj appoint ed Hon. Fiukkuk H. Elmore, the President of the Bank of South Carolina, to succeed Mr. Cal houn in the U. S. Senate. He has accepted the appointment. Cheat Decline in Coffee.—lt w ill be seen by our Commercial article, says the N. Y. Crescent, of the 9th instant, that over 8000 bags ol Rio cof fee have been sold within a day or two, at eight tents per pound. Early in February the current rate was Mi cents, so that the fall in prices since that Ome is about six and a hplf cents per pound, or more than *lO per bag. MARRIAGES. Hoi.' Liri"'?’ °" Su .'“ i: ‘y evening the 14th inst., .» i member of Congress from Ken- Cky, to Mrs. Ann L. Dickson, of Ebensburg, Pa. At Carlisle, Pa., on the 9th inst., bytheßev Mr r leut ' rr °" Tevis > u - s - Mounted Rifles' erick Watts' 3 ’ da “« hter of lhe Hon. Fred- Al Philadelphia, on the 11th inst., by Rev Dr Kennedy Mr. Watson H. Miller, Grocer of this' City, to Miss Emily H. Hunter, of the former place- deaths. At the residence of her brother-in-law, Dr. Isaac Winters, on the llthror April, Margaret Nagle of Pulmonary Consumption, aged 42 yfars 3 ninths. ni#.ri o . j . Communicated. Lvd i he 13th inat '> of Scarlatina , M ’J* Bed 3 years 4 months and 10 dayi Apri ' 15th . o| ' ‘he same disease, davs chuu r n nt v r “’ a « ed 21 mont hs and 16 Win ' C ' 3 ’ - , In n ° tlcl "l? .the death of these beloved and trulv c,llldren > "'e should not Torget, thatnoG md h ald”ao ng We deeply 8 - vm P«liwe Wid, theirafllic !he„ h d 7 OW '" g in their irreparable loss, they have departed hence to enjoy themesence-of unto me' s W nd° rTV' little children to come Kingdom If H^a'ven,‘ hem n< ”’ for ° f s “' h «*• no ‘ r ° r tl>osc whom the veil of the tomb, . 8 a PPy morning, hath hid from our eyes; re s m threw a blight o’er the spirits young bloom, r earth had profaned what was born for the skies. Death dulled the fair fountain ere sorrow had stained it, ’Twas frozen in aJ! the pure light of its course And but sleeps till the sunshine of Heaven* has unchained it, To water that £den where first was its source. On the 7lh inst., at New Oxlord, Adams coulty Col. George Himes, in the 75th year of his age. On the 15th inst., in this City, Dr. Julius A. Kef fer, in the 38th year of his age. I.OOR HERE! M1 S '- P: - KERFOOT will .open, on ■SATLRDA V next, the largest and 111081 splendid assortment of STRAW AND FANCY BONNETsf* 1 ” ever before offered in Lancaster city. Store in S. ** -ru U r* r< . a *’ two doors below the Lancaster Bank. ■I he Ladies will please call and examine, april 23 , 3 . 3 t JACOB L. GROSS, Attorney at Law, Office, Centre Square, EPHRATA—opposite Gross’ Hotel, wssffiaa * »• trators and Executors’ Accolnm g Admints racy and despatch.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers