The Pennsylvania Liquor Law.
As passed by both Houses of the. Legislature.
An Act to Restrain the Sole of Intoxicating
liquors.
§ 1. Be it enacted, k , That from and after
the first day of October next, it shall be un
lawful to keep or maintain any house, room or
place where vinous, spirituous, malt or brewed
liquors, or any admixture thereof are sold and
drank except as hereinafter provided ; and a!!
laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the pro
visions of this act, be and the same are hereby
repealed.
§ 2. That if any person or persons within
this commonwealth shall keep for sale, aud sell,
or in with any other business or pro
fitable employment give, receiving therefor any
price, profit or advantage, by anv measure what
ever, and at the same time voluntarily afford a
place, or any other convenience or inducement
by which the same may be used as a beverage,
any vinous, spiritous, uialt or brewed liquor, or
any admixture thereof, he, she or they, and any
one aiding, abctingor assisting therein, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon eon
victiou, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not
exceeding fifty dollars, and undergo an impris
onment not exceeding one month, and for a
second or any subsequent offence shall pay a
fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, and
undergo imprisonment not exceeding three
months.
§ 3. That if any two or more persons eon
spire, or act together, by which one may sell,
and the other provide a place or oilier con
venience for drinking, with intent to evade the
provisions of this act, each one so offending,
upon eouvietion, shall be punished as provided
in the second section of this act.
§ 4. That it shall be unlawful for any per
sons to sell or keep for sale any vinous, spirit
uous, malt or brewed liquors, or any admixtures
thereof, in cases not hereinbefore prohibited, in
a less quantity than one quart, nor without
license granted by the Court of Quarter
Sessions of the proper county, on petition pre
sented for that pupose, to be advertised accord
ing to the first section of the act of the twenty
ninth of March, one thousand eight hundred
and forty-one, supplementary to the various
acts relating to tavern licenses ; but no such
license shall be granted to other than citizens
of the United States, of temperate habits and
good repute for honesty : Provided, That no
certificate shall be required .or published as
mentioned in the act herein referred to : Pro
vided, That no license for the sale of liquors
as aforesaid, shall be granted to the keeper of
any hotel, inn, tavern, restaurant, eating
house, oyster-house or cellar, theatre or other
places of entertainment-, amusement or refresh
ment.
§ 5. That the said court, by their rules,
shall fix a time at which applications for said
license shall be heard, at which time all persons
making objections shall be heard.
§ fi. That it shall not be lawful for the clerk
of said court to issue any license as aforesaid,
until the applicant shall have filed the bond
hereinafter required, and the certificate of the
City Receiver, or County Treasurer, that the
license fee has been paid to him.
§ 7. That the appraisers of licenses under
this act shall be appointed as provided by exist
ing laws, except in the city of Philadelphia,
where, on the passage of this act, and there
after at the beginning of every year, three re
putable and temperate persons shall be appoint
ed by the Court of Quarter Sessions to appraise
dealers in spirituous, vinous, malt or brewed
liquors aforesaid, and of distillers aud brewers,
and to do and perform all duties now enjoined
by law not inconsistent herewith ; and said
appraisers shall be citizens of the United States,
in uo manner couneeted with, or interested in
the liquor business, and shall be compensated
as now provided by law.
§ 8. That no license shall be granted with
out the payment to the Receiver of Taxes of
the city of Philadelphia, or to the Treasurer
of the other counties of the State, for the use
of the Commonwealth, three times the amount
now fixed by law, to be paid by venders of
spirituous, vinous, or malt liquors, or brewers,
aud distillers : Provided , That no licence shall
be granted for a less sum than thirty dollars,
§ 9. That the bond required to be taken of
all persons who shall receive a license to sell
spirituous, vinous, malt or brewed liquors, or
any admixture thereof, shall be in one thousand
dollars, conditioned for the faithful observance
of all the laws of tbis Commonwealth relating
to the business of vending such liquors, with
two sufficient sureties, and warrant of attorneys
to confess judgment : which bond shall be iq>-
proved by one of the Judges of the Court of
Quarter Sessions of the peace of the proper
county, and to be filled in said court ; and
whenever a judgment for any forfeiture or tine
jhall have been recovered against the principal
therein, it shall be lawful for the district at
torney, of the proper county, to enter judgment
against the obligors in the said bond, and pro
ceed to Collect the same of the said principal
or sureties.
§ 10. That every person licensed to sell
spirituous, vinous or malt liquors as aforesaid,
shall frame his license uuder glass, and place
the same so that it may at all times be con
spicuous in his chief place of making sales ;
and no license shall authorize sales by any per
son who shall neglect this requirement, nor
shall any license authorize the sal? of any
spirituous, vinous or malt liquors on Sunday.
§ 11. That any sale made of any spirituous
vinous or malt liquor contrary to this act, shall
l>e taken to ben misdemeanor, and, upon con
viction of the offence in the Court of Quarter
Sessions of the proper county ; shall be puuish
ed in the manner prescribed in the second sec
tion of this act.
§ 12. That the provisions of this a"f, as to
appraisement and license, shall not extend to
'importers who shall vend or dispose of said
liquors in the original cases or packages as im
ported, nor to duly commissioned auctioneers
selling at public vendue or outcry, nor to brewers
or distillers selling in quantities not less than
five gallons, nor shall anything herein contain
ed, prohibit the sale by druggists of any ad
mixtures of intoxicating liquors as medicines.
§ 13. That it shall be the duty of every
constable of every town, borough, township or
ward withiu this commonwealth, at every term
of the Court of Quarter Sessions, of each re
spective county, to make return on oath or
affirmation whether, within his knowledge, there
is any place within his bail wick kept and main
tained in violation of this act, and it shall be
the especial duty of the Judges of the said
Courts to see that this return is faithfully made,
and if uuy person shall make known to such
constable the name or names of any one who
shall have violated this act, with the name of
witnesses who can prove the fact, it shall be
his duty to make return thereof, on oath or
afiirmation to the Court, and upon his wilfull
failure so to do. he shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and, upon indictment aud con
victiou, shall be sentenced to imprisonment in
the jail of the county for a period not less than
one or more than three montlis, and pay a tine
not exceeding fifty dollars.
§ 14. That this act shall not interfere with
any person holding a license heretofore grant
ed until the time for which the same was
e 1 .-hull have expired, nor .shall any license
which may be granted before the first day of
July next authorize the sale of said liquors
or admixture thereof after the first day of
October next, contrary to the provisions of
this act.
"Popular Sovereignty" in Kansas.
The following letter we copy, from the Bing
hatnptoii llepublirnn is from a respectable citizen
of Broome County, who recently emigrated to j
Kansas. It is as good an account of the
Missouri way of carrying out the principle of
•' Popular Sovereignty" as we have seen, and
coming from a reliable aud unprejudiced source,
is not exaggerated.
K AS? AS, Mo., April 2d, 1855.
FIMKXD STUART :—We have just returned
from Kansas Territory after an exploration of
two weeks. During this time, to wit, on the
30th of March there was a somewhat practical
demonstration of a Great National Principle,
" The principle of Popular Sovereignty." For
some days previous to the Election it was
evident there was to be a grand demonstration
from Missouri, and armed bands of men ou
horse back, on mule's backs and in wagons,
were seen moving in different directions for the
different voting precincts in Kansas Territory.
At the time I refer to I was in Lawrence.—
On the evening of the 28th, there was a large
encampment of some four or five hundred men
ou the " Wakarusa," eight miles from Law
rence. There was also a party of some seven
or eight wagons, (some of them seemed to be I
the "leaders" of this " army of invasion,") en- 1
camped under the bank of the Kansas river at
Lawrence. Their camp fires made quite a
brilliant appearance, aud the frequent discharge
of fire arms told us of our " certain doom"
unless they had their own way. On the morn
ing of the 29th, parties of armed horsemen
were seen reeonnoitering the place where the
" Territorial Election" was to be held, (it was
a log building on an elevated Prairie between
two ravines fringed with timber.) After some
consultation they seemed to have determined
oil their plan of operations ; and after some
time the army of the " Invaders" began to
arrive. They kept filling up until night, when
yon would have supposed " Lawrence must
give up the ship." In the evening a meeting
was called of the "patriotic" men, which was
addressed by a Mr. Bloud, of Liberty, Mo.,
addressed the " Philistines" as follows : " We
have come here (to Kansas) to establish-a
Groat National Principle—the Principle of
Popular Sovereignty ! which they intend to
maintain at the ballot-box on the morrow, (if
need be) at the point of the bayonet, the
bowie-knife, and the pistol." This sentiment
was received with cheers. lie also said there
was force enough at Lawrence to carry the
Election, and that two hundred of t heir number
| could be spared for " Tecumsch," (another
voting precinct,) aud therefore two hundred
men would take up their line of march for that
place, (twenty miles distant.) The drum was
then beat, two hundred left for Tecumsch to
i be on hand on the morrow to establish a great
" National Principle." " What has the North
to do with Slavery ?" March the 30th, " The
Ides of March has como," but not gone (for
Kansas.) The camp of the invaders is all in
motion ; a band of men armed with the most
deadly weapons are near the place of voting ;
their object is to have it all their own way, or
have a fight. The badge worn by the Missou
rians was a white ribbon tied to the button
hole of the coat on the left breast. Whether
this is the insignia of the " Order" to which
they belong, 1 do not know. One of them
said, in case tlicy came to a close fight, it was
jto know their men. These seemed to be re
strained from acts of violence hv their leaders.
They threatened to burn Lawrence, or at all
events they would destroy the office of the
" Herald of Freedom but the day passed
! and no one was seriously injured. One man
j was shot at and narrowly escaped with his life ;
j another was rescued by the interference of one
lof their " leaders." At first the crowd around
the place of voting was so thronged, it was
well nigh impossible to vote at all. After
wards they formed in columns, and the business
went on briskly. The Invaders were in the
greatest numbers and of course took tlic lead.
Afterwards some of the inhabitants of the
Territory were permitted to vote. It was part
second of that never to lie forgotten Tragedy
—the " Passage of the Nebraska bill." The
night of March 30th was one of excitement in
Lawrence. The " enemy," although somewhat
reduced in number, still threaten to burn the
town. The morning has dawned, and the
" firing," which was almost incessant during
the night has ceased, and the invaders have
left. The number of the Missouriaus and
others from the Slave States, according to their
own statements, must have been seven or eight
thousand. The life of Gov. Rceder is threat
ened if lie refuses to give the men thus fraud
ulently elected Certificates of Election. So
you see there is an end to law and order in
Kansas ; and anarchy and violence reign for
the time being triumphant! I>ut the end is
not yet.
ltespeetfdlly yours,
JOHN BAYLESS.
HAH, STORM..—LOCKPORT, N. Y., Wednesday,
April 18, 1855.—We had a tremendous hail
storm here this morning, during which hail
stones fell weighing From two to four ounces
each, and some of them measured seven inches
in circumference. It was as dark as night
during the prevalence of the storm, which
lasted ten or fifteen minutes. Much damage
was done to windows, &e.
ROCHESTER, Wednesday, April 18, 1855.
At this point we had thunder, lightuing, and
rain only.
SYRACUSE, Wednesday, April 18, 1855.
We were visited by a very heavy thunder
storm this morning—the rain falling copiously,
accompanied with hail. Some of the hail
stoucs that fell were nearly an inch in diameter.
SKUR PAULGEDDES, of Lewisbnrg who disap
peared some 15 years ago, with $7,000 belong
ing to the bank of Northumberland, lately
turned up rich, in California, returned to N.
York, sent for Mr. Priestly, paid him about
$13,000, being the $7,000 with interest ; then
visited his wife, at Mill Hill, and has returned
to California to close up his business there and
return to this vicinity with ample wealth to
live at ease. * ' I
|irabfort importer.
E. O. GOODRICH. EDITOR.
TOW.VXDA:
SaturDan XUpruniD, SVyril, 21. J833.
DEMOCRATIC COUX
TV CONVENTION.—The
Democratic Standing Committee for Bradford County,
hereby call a Convention to lie composed of two Delegates
from each election district in said count}', to lie holdcnat
Towanda on Tuesday evening. May 8,1855, for the pur
pose of electing delegates to the Democratic State Con
vention, and have appointed the following Committees of
Vigilance for the several districts of said county :
COMMITTEES OF VIGILANCE.
Albany —Benjamin Wilcox, John Brown.
Armenia —l.vsander Shepard, Ibdiert Mason.
Asylum —Edmund Horton, Daniel Wilson.
Athens Boro' —Moses Sawyer. D. B. Cotton.
Athens lp. —David Gardner, Ralph Toner.
Burlington Bora' —Addison M'Kean. Benjamin Ross.
'• twp C. F. Nichols, Win. M'Kean.
Canton.— lrani Wilson, Samuel Owens.
Columbia —Horace Ballard. .John Morgan.
Durell —D. O. Hollon. Kdward llomet.
Franklin —Jonathan Harmon, Wm. Rlake.
Granville —l.uman Putnam, C. I). Ross.
Derrick —Goo. \\*. Kllictt. John Anderson.
I*Roy —Aaron Kuapp, Nelson Remolds.
Litchfield -T. B. Merrill, A. V. D.'Teed.
Monroe —Geo. Smith. James W. Irvine.
Orwell—-Geo. C. I'risbie, Heber Wilson.
Overton —Jacob Hottenstein. Wm. Waltman.
Pifit —S. B. Stevens, Ira 11. Smith.
Rome —Hugh Hicks, John I). C<>c.
Ridghery —Charles French, C. T. Covcll.
Sheshequin —C. W. Bnllis. Charles Chaffee.
Sylvanm Bora' —l.. F. Goetoliius, Seth Peck.
Smilhfiehi —S. R. Crane. C. 0. Huntington.
Springfield —John Barrett. 1". J. Bcntley.
South Creek —lra Crane, John Thompson.
Standing Stone — Alansim Taylor, Asa Stevens.
Tmcanda literal —Win. 11. Perkins, P. I). Morrow.
" tp. —ll. L. Scott, Dennis Magill.
Towanda Worth —S. B. Foster, W. W. Easterbrooks.
Troy tioro' —Asa Landon, Delos C. Herrick.
" tp. —Funnati Porter, Alonzo Clifton.
Tuscarora —Hiram Shumwav, E. C. Wells.
Ulster —M. S. Warner. D. O. Chublinek.
We//*—.John Brownoll, John Itowlee.
Windham -Wm. Sibley W. B. Dunham.
Warren —Lyman Arnold. R. C. Buflington.
Wit mot —diaries White, George Eberly, Jr.
Wyalusing —-S. W. Biles, Justus Aekley.
J Vysox —S. Strickland, J. Myer Reed.
The committees will call meetings on Saturday, May sth,
between the hours of 3 and G, I'. M.
By order of Standing Committee.
E. O. GOODRICH, Chairman.
PROPOSITION lIJ REGARD TO THE N. B. CANAL.
Mr. BUCKALF.W has introduced into the Sen- j
ate, a bill providing for the appointment for ten !
years of a Superintendent of the North Branch
extension of the Pennsylvania canal, with a
salary of ten per cent, of the nett receipts of ;
the work, and has named WM. 11. MAFFET, J
Esq., the present Superintendent and Engineer,
for the appointment.
We publish this hill in full below, that our
readers may judge for themselves of the pro
position. Wc have no doubt that any mea
sure will be received with favor by the people
of the North, which will ensure the immediate
and thorough completion of the Canal, and its
proper management after it is in use, and which
at the same time shall conduce to the interests
of the Commonwealth.
There is no question but that the radical de
fects in the management of the public works of
this Commonwealth, arise from the want of
individual responsibility in those to whom their
care is intrusted. This proposition of Mr.
BUCKALEW'.S will obviate, so fur as the North
Branch \a concerned, that great evil. We
have every confidence in the capacity, experi
ence and energy of Mr. MAFFET, and feel a cer
tainty that if confided to his care, all that hu
man exertion or skill can accomplish will be
done to place the North Branch in good repair
aud keep it so. At the same time, we would
have the interests of the State carefully guard
ed, and no advantage given, except what can
be secured by the Superintendent, from his
energy and economy in managing the work.
The Potlsrille Register comments upon the
bill of Mr. BUCKALEW as follows :—"The idea
of Mr. Buckalew appears to be, to place the
Superintendence of the North Branch exten
sion iu the hands of an individual, with such
an interest in the clear profits as will make it
an object to the Superintendent to make the
work profitable to the State as well as to him
self. That individuals can manage such busi
ness better than than the salaried officers of
Corporations, is a principle well ascertained iu
Schuylkill county, and we rejoice at this recog
nition of the truth in the bill under considera
tion.
" For the first ten years, the expenditures of
the Canals of the State, exceeded the revenue
by about one million of dollars, as shown by
the statement of the Auditor General and State
Treasurer to the Legislature last year, and it
appears to us that the experience shows it ad
visable to test the principle of individual man
agement, responsibility and participations in
the profits, in the management of those canals,
in contrast with the old mode.
" This Mr. Buckalew projwses to do, and holds
out to the Superintendent to be appointed
under his proposed law, the prospect that, by
making the North Branch Canal pay a clear
profit of nine dollars to the State he shall earn
one dollar for himself. In the pit-sent condition
of that Canal, such a task does not present a
very flattering prospect. Owing to the material
through which the Canal passes, the attempt
to fill it with water has hitherto been unsuc
cessful, and for that reason and also by reason
of its defective construction, it is exposed to
frequent breaches and land slides, difficulties
which will doubtless require the utmost skill
and energy of the Superintendent to surmount.
But against these obstacles we would opjiose
the Schuylkill county idea of individual enter
prise, which has been here fully tested and
found amply sufficient for similar emergencies.
" We are acquainted with the geutlemau nam
ed by Mr. Buckalew for Superintendent. lie
is the present Superintendent, has the necessary
experience, soundness of judguieut, skill aud
energy, to accomplish whatever the exigency
of the case may require, short of actual im
possibility. A Pennsylvanian by birth and
residence, he has the confidence of the whole
people of the District through which the Canal
passes, and the respect of all who are acquaint
ed with him iu the State
"We congratulate the people of Northern
I'entisvlvauia and of the Commonwealth gen
erally upon the favorable prospect which Mr.
Buckalew's Bill, if passed into a law, will open
to the important branch of the State Improve
ments a fleeted by it."
A W ACT loprovide for the repairs ami completion of
the Worth branch Caual. from Pitt stmt Northward.
Wiiekkas, The large appropriations heretofore applied
to the aliening of this valuable avenue, to the markets
northward ami westward, have to this time failed in achiev
ing the objects so desirable, and such of the citizens of
this Commonwealth as had made large investments in ex
pectation of the opening of this improvement, no revenue
has teen received by the Commonwealth and yearly ap
propriations are called for repairs :
Asi Wukkkas, lfy reason of tlie material and formation
through which said canal has been constructed, and defec
tive construction in parts thereof—great skill and vigi
lance in its supervision for years to come, will be required
to enable it successfully to compete with rival works
yield a revenue to the public treasury, and afford certain
and favorable facilities to transporters, who have prepared
to do business on this canal :
Ano Whekkas, It is desirable at an early day to place
this canal in good navigable order, and so to maintain it
without other appropriations than those hereby made :
§l. Therefore, Be it enacted, fyc.. That William R. 31af
lit. the present Superintendent and Engineer, of the North
Branch extension, of the I'ennsylvania Canal, may, with
in thirty days after the passage of this net, tile, in the of
fice of tlie Secretary ot this Commonwealth, his bond, in
the penal sum of one hundred thousand dollars, with two
or more sureties, to be approved by the Governor—with
condition that the said William 11. Mat Jit shall, and will,
after tlie expenditure of the appropriations made by this
act. advance all such sum and suras of money, lieyoiid the
tolls and receipts on the said canal, as may be necessary
from time to time, to keep the said canal in good repair
any such sum or sums as may be advanced by said Wil
liam U. Maftit. and for which vouchers may be produced
by hiin. shall lie refunded him from receipts of said canal
with interest. whenever the receipts exceed the expendi
tures : I'roruled, That until there shall lie a surplus rev
enue from said canal sufficient for that purpose —the tost
and ex|M'iisc: of breaches and laud slides, shall lie paid
from the general fund yearly appropriated for such pur
poses.
§2. That the said Superintendent, shall, on the first day
of December, in eaeh and every year, or as soon as the
same may lie practicable thereafter-—make an estimate in
detail, of the amount required for the expenditures of the
ensuing year, and so much of estimate as may be approv
■ ed hv the Canal Commissioners and Governor, is hereby
j appropriated to that purpose, together with such sums as
| may tic required to repair breaches, which sums shall he
! paid out of the revenue received from said canal, and
j which are hereby specially set apart for said purposes in
! the first instance.
1 §:{. Tliiit the said superintendent shall settle his accounts
! from time to time, and make his reports as other canal of
' ticers are now, or hereafter may he required by law to do,
I.lie shall hold his office for ten years from the tirst of l)e
-i eemlier. in the year one thousand eijrht hundred and tifty
i four, he may he" removed for causes bv the Governor, by
! and witii the advice and consent of the Senate—he shall
! receive after the expenditure of the thirty thousand dol
i lars hereby appropriated, for his services ten per ceut. of
! the receipts of said canal, after deducting ail expenses for
i repairs, breaches, collectors, weigh-masters, lock-tenders,
I and all other agents and employees upon said canal.
! §4. That the said superintendent shall cause such rc
-1 pairs and alterations of said < aaal and its appurtenances,
! as may be necessary in his opinion, to give full efficiency
; to the*same, and to avoid detentions of boats, and hiiuler
' ances to operators thereon.
| §3. Tliat the said superintendent shall fix the compen
' nation, and havestlie appointment, control and removal, of
| all agents and employees on said canal, except collectors :
: Provided, That woigh-mastcrs and cargo inspectors shall
' I e appointed by. and with the approval and consent of the
j Canal Commissioners.
I §(>. That the said superintendent shall, without delay,
j with the approbation of the Canal Commissioners, cause
the erection of reservoirs, and prepare feeders to supply
i the southern part of said canal with water, and to facili
, tate the pas-age ot laden lioats northward, by diminishing
the current: Provided, That the cost of such reservoirs
, and feeders shall not exceed ten thousand dollars, togeth
-1 er with land damages, and which sum is hereby appropri
j ated for said purposes.
§7. That for the payments of debts due on said North
Branch extension, and for repairs and maintenance ot said
canal during the year one thousand eight hundred and
; fifty-five, the sum of sixty-three thousand dollars be, and
I the same is hereby appropriated and for repairs after the
I tirst day of December, one thousand eight hundred and
1 fifty-five, preparatory to the opening of navigation in the
1 en-niiig Spring, the sum of thirty thousand dollars lie, and
the same is hereby appropriated, payable on and after the
1 said first day of Decemlier.
I §s. That the moneys appropriated by this act shall he
, 1 paid to the said superintendent, and moneys for repairs
1 out of receipts for disbursement in the manner now prac
• ticed, and under like bonds and surety as as now given by
j hitn.
i §:>. That in ca-e of a sale of the canal, the appointment
i of said superintendent shall cease, and the moneys advanc
i ed by him shall lie refunded to liini with interest, and he
shall he equally compensated for his services by the Com
monwealth.
01"it Cm AX TROUBLES. — The Washington
correspondent of the New York Courier, who
is generally reliable, says that there " is 110 long
er any reasonable doubt that serious discus
| sious are in progressin the Cabinet, relative to
: the courses to be pursued towards Cuba, and
that Colonel Davis, Secretary of War, and Mr.
Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, are represent
ed to be in favor of immediate and decisive
measures. Also, that President Pierce inclines
towards their policy." It is farther stated that
the Southern advocates of immediate annexa
tion declare that now is the most favorable
moment for striking a blow that has occurred
for many years, or that can be hoped for dur
ing many more, inasmuch as the Naval Allies
1 of Spain are fully engaged in the war at the
j East. The Xational Intelligencer, which is not
! apt to take the alarm without sufficient cause,
speaks of " a desperate game now on foot for
party or mercenary objects, or both combined,
in co-operation with foreign malcontents, which
unless promptly frowned down by sound Amer
■ ican sentiment, will be pushed even to the
plunging the country into war."
NEW YORK MARKETS.— The Evening Post
speaking of the scarcity of wheat says, that
the city millers are sending agents south and
west to secure supplies. The arrivals during
the week have been mainly to the millers di
rect, who have bought up all the desirable lots
at the southern markets, yet their supplies will
not last a month. Wheat appears to be re
latively higher than flour. The absence of a
supply of wheat with all the southern millers
is a very unusual state of things. Many
millers in the interior of Maryland have their
mills idle.
We learn from the west that much of the
wheat there has been pre-engaged for the St.
Louis and southern markets which will injure
our supplies on the opening of navigation.—
Much speculation has taken place in the market
for pork, in consequence of the falling off in
the receipts iu fine Ohio, Indiana and Ken
tucky. The supplies of produce until after
new harvest, will be, it appears seriously short.
THE NEW POSTAGE LAW.— Some papers have
given currency to the idea that, under the new
postage law, it is necessary to prepay letters
addressed to heads of Departments, other offi
cials at Washington, and to members of Con
gress. This is not the fact, for the new law
makes no change as to the franking privilege,
and letters can therefore still be forwarded free
of postage, as heretofore.
PREPAY YOUR LETTERS.—A list of nearly
two hundred letters was yesterday posted up
at the postoffice in Philadelphia, says the
Ledger, as having been dropped in without the
prepayment of postage.
REMARKS OF MR. LAPORTE,
On the Biff to Charier the lyjck Haven Bank.
In the House, April 5,1855.
Mr. SPEAKER — Before a vote is taken upon
this bill, I desire to muke some general remarks
upon the question before us. I have viewed
with serious alarm and apprehension the facili
ty with which bank charters have passed this
House. IK ear three and a half millions of dol
lars of banking capital has already been au
thorized, so far as the action of this House can
go, and a great number of Bank bills are on
our tiles—enough if passed, to double the bank
ing capital of this State. Nothing like success
ful opposition to this wholesale increase of
banking has been manifested here. Individu
ally, members profess to be opposed to this in
crease ; but unfortunately, so many are in fa
vor of some necessary bank, somewhere, thift
they withhold opposition to others, out of fear
for the success of their favorite project.
A question of great public interest, the cur
rency question, is involved in these projects of
new banks. Our currency at the present time
is in a healthful and sound condition, because
of the restrictive policy in regard to banking
that has lcen pursued in the main for the last
ten veal's. Other states where this policy has
not been pursued, have not met the commer
cial revulsion of the last year as it has been
met in this Commonwealth. We have no bro
ken or suspended oanks, while for a time every
mail brought us intelligence of bank failures in
other states where banking has been excessive.
Gentlemen talk about the wants of trade, as
though in enacting banks they create capital!
They only create paper money based to a great
extent upon credit, swelling and vitiating the
volume of our currency, enhancing nominal
values, encouraging excessive importations of
goods, and stimulating all kinds of speculation
upon credit. We cry out to the general gov
ernment for protective duties, and then calmly
legislate here, in a manner to give foreign pro
ducts a better chance in our own markets than
can be found any where else. A great increase
of banking capital must be followed by an in
creased circulation ; this increase of circulation
must lead to inflation of prices, and under this
inflation foreign goods will come in, in spite of
duties and find sale in our markets, carrying
away in payment our specie ; because, under
inflation the prices of our own products are too
high for foreign markets, and they cannot be
taken in exchange ; hence specie, mainly, must
betaken away in payment —undermining gradu
ally the inflated paper currency, which enables |
the goods to find a market here. Like all un
natural forced action, it carries its own pun
ishment ; and the commercial interests of the
country soon becomes prostrated by overtrading,
induced by our banking. Men become excited,
they can buy everything cheaper than they can
produce it, and we become a buying people in
stead of producers. The export of specie pro
duces alarm—confidence is lost, and where then
are your banks ? 1 n the market as borrowers,col
lecting their debts, refusing to discount, tight
ening up the screws in every direction, and in
stead of relieving distress, they aggravate it.
A sound, stable currency is the best protection
to our industry, and the great safe-guard of the
prosperity of business. Without such a cur
rency labor cannot be protected, nor can any
business be regularly remunerative. Califor
nia gold is steadily pouring iu upon us, and do
not let us drive it out by extending a baser
circulation. The increase of gold keeps pace
with the increase of business—and this great
paper supply is not wanted.
The people of Pennsylvania decided last fall
that a corrupt national administration must be
rebuked by a defeat of their party in this State.
But what malf in this commonwealth dared to
avow that in case of the success of Gov. POL-
I.OCK and his friends, this wholesale increase of
banks would take place ? 1 have good .authori
ty for saving, that Gov. POLLOCK himself, while
on the stump last fall, expressed his approval
of the policy of Gov. BIGLER iu regard to banks.
Great as was the provocation from Washing
ton, I do not believe that Gov. BIGLEP. could
have been defeated if the people had supposed
that his policy in regard to banks would be
abandoned by his successor. I believe these
thiugs are properly understood by the present
executive, and that but few more banks, if any,
will receive the executive sanction.
1 am ready to sustain the veto message al
ready received, in regard to the Pottstown
Bank, notwithstanding it has been denounced
as old fogyism and exploded doctrine. Old
fogyisui is on the other side of this question,
and the doctrine truly exploded by dear-bought
experience is the doctrine of the Hon. speaker,
who has so earnestly advocated this high-pres
sure system, and denouueed the veto message.
The doctrines of this message are the doctrines
of the people, and are only opposed by those
who arc grasping for exclusive privileges to
make paper money, and play fast and loose up
on the currency of the country.
The great mass of all parties have settled
down iu favor of the restrictive policy in regard
to banking, which was commenced under Gov.
SIU-.YK, and they little expected that the revo
lution of last fail would be signal for overtnYn
ing that policy. It. seems that every knot of
speculators iu the commonwealth eager for ex
clusive privileges, are down upon us as though
they never expected to get another chance.—
They have been restrained for some years, and
they come on now more eager than ever. I
verily believe, if they succeed generally, as it
seems they will, unless defeated elsewhere than
in this House, it will be their last ehancc for
many years. The people will not tolerate such
profligate legislation. I call upon " the old
iine democracy" of this House to stand up to
the principles of the party ou this question ;
for if they abandon them, I cannot see anvthing
left worth contending for. They will then be
obliged to stand upon the rotten planks of
" popular sovereignty," as illustrated in the re
peal of the Missouri Compromise, and carry ou
their backs the fugitive slave law. Their par
ty will be distinguished only as the pro-slavery
party of the country, and the people will see
nothing to induce them to sustain the Demo
cratic party when it becomes the mere instru
ment of the slave power. A few of the old
liners have manfully sustained their old princi
ples ; but many of thein have gone to swell the
majority in favor of banks, while quite a num
ber of members who have formerly belonged to
the Whig party, have uniformly voted against
these projects during this session.
The gentleman from Schuylkill, [Mr. FKAI
LEY,] remarked that " the northern members
held wild and impracticable ideas, old notions,"
&e. Wc do hold that it is wise to preserve a
sound currency; wc prize highly these old no
tions, and we are willing that ours should be
the star district of the Stnte upon the currency
question, as upon other great questions.
Mr. Speaker—lt has already been mention
ed on this floor, that during the former period
of commercial revulsion, the city of Philadel
phia had some $00,000,000 of banking capital,
while at the present time she has only $lO,OOO -
000. Still the distress among her business
men was far greater at the former period than
during the hist years. Her immense banking
capital could not save her business men at that
time from distress and ruin. I recollect well
the severity of those times, when nearly all the
banks in the State had suspended specie pay.
ments, and when our lumbermen sold their
lumber low, and in the neighboring markets at
ruinous prices, and were then obliged in mak
ing city payments to suffer a shave of from 3 to
10 per cent, on their funds to make them par
The presence of an immense banking capitai
only aggravated the distress of the business
community.
The gentleman from the county, [Mr. CrM
MIN'GS] contends that this banking capital at
that time, was used to a great extent out of
the State ; but the fact remains that the citv
actually had lietweeu fifty and sixty millions of
banking capital authorized by law, within her
borders ; and the assertion that it was used in
other states to a great extent, if admitted, on
ly proves the grasping, selfish ambition of those
who wielded it, and the joor dependence that
a business community can have on banks in the
day of trouble and reaction.
He says further, that he is astonished that
1, living as I do, near the borders of the State
of New York, with her flourishing villages, and
her bauks in almost every village, should be so
much opposed to the increase of bauks in our
own State. I know there are prosperous vil
lages along the line of the N. Y. & Erie Rail
Road, some with and some without banks—
but their prosperity is not owing to the cxi.s
isteucc of those banks. It is owing to the en
ergy and industry of her people, who earn
wealth by their labor, and not by creating pa
per money. We have had banks* in our
own villages—the Towauda Rank and the Sus
quehanna Rank, but they are now things of the
past. Our experience has been bitter and ex
pensive, and " burnt children dread the lire.''
Abstract of N. Y. Prohibitory Liquor Law,
The New York Legislature has adopted a
Liquor Law, the leading features of which are
as follows :
Intoxicating liquor, in any shape, must not
be sold, or kept for sale, except by regular au
thorized persons, for manufacturing, medical,
chemical, and sacramental purposes.
It must not be given away, nor kept at all,
except iu dwelling houses not connected with
any shop or place of amusement, in churches,
iu manufactories, and in actual transportation.
Any person may be authorized to sell for the
above purposes, provided he does not use liquor
as a beverage, is an elector, is not interested in
any shop, boat, or place of entertainment, can
prove good moral character, and give $l,OOO
security not to sell for any other purpose. He
must sell only to persons over *2l years old,
whom he has reason to believe will use it for
one of the above purposes. He must keep a
list of his sales, which he must file, and swear
to, iu the county clerk's office, every month
This list is to be open for public, examination.
If he violates any of these regulations he for
feits all his stock of liquor, is fined from $5O to
$250, and may be imprisoned for thirty day;.
On complaint and on a warrant, suspected
' places may be searched, but no private dwell
ings can be, unless the owner lias been convict
ed of selling liquor in it, within the previous
year.
When liquor is seized, notice must be given
the owner. If not adjudged forfeited, it will
be returned to liira. If adjudged forfeited, i:
will be destroved, and the vessels containing it
1 sold.
Persons summoned as witnesses, who refuse
to testify, will be sent to jail. Persons be
coming intoxicated in taverns, groceries, or in
the street, will be fined $lO, besides being mad?
to testify where they got their liquor. All
tiucs go to tlie support of tire poor.
Upon the trial, proof of any sale will be
deemed proof of unlawful sale unless the seller (•
can prove the contrary.
Persons suspected of having violated the ad
are disqualified from acting as jurors in cases
under it.
Liquor transported anywhere in the Stat'*
iu quantities over five gallons, must be marked
'• Intoxicating Liquor," and with the name o;
the person to whom it is going.
Cider may be sold in quantities over ten
lons, but none must be drank on the premise?
Manufacturers of alehohol and wine frot
grapes grown by themselves, may keep and ?e
-them. Burning fluids, varnishes, perfumer
essences and drugs, may likewise be frceh
made and sold. Imported liquors may lie sold
in the original packages by the importer, ba;
only to persons as above to sell at retail
All liquor kept in violation of the act vi
be deemed a nuisance. No more license? dn
be granted. This provision shall take effd
immediately.
The section in respect to authorizing aged'
to sell for manufacturing and medicinal, chem
ical and sacramental purposes, takes effect 01
the the Ist of May. All the other proviso ;
of this act take effect on the 4th of July.
The New York and Erie Depot
Jersey City was entirely destroyed on FridJ -
night last, together with eleven valuable car
belonging to the company. A large quant"
of goods, consisting of wearing apparel, cott.-,
and paper, which was stored in the depot."!
also consumed. The fire burn for nearly tlr [
hours. The loss is estimated at $-">0,000, I
the Jersey City Insurance Company.
was no insurance uponifhe cars. The >' ff [ |
Jersey Railroad Company's loss will not ex*" : j
over $2OO, which is also covered by insuring'
CAMELS FOR THE U. S.—The utility of
els in the western prairies has been a j
of discussion for a number of years. It !> ; *, J
about to be tested, for Major Wave intends j 1
go out iu storeship Supply, destined for • :
Mediterranean, to purchase some of these , j
iraals, Congress having authorized them l "' I
purchased for military purposes. Thce iib ' ;:
may answer till supersctled by the o"- 1 '
the most certain and most efficient mo u '
conveyance known.
ABOLITION OF THE Sr.VMR DUTY IN F' NL ' ( V,
—The llousc of Commons of the l-.ngli> !l |
liument has abolished the stamp duty on |U , ||
papers. This act affects the social and(*
cal interests of the British Empire m° re L|
the war with Russia. It is a eonecssjo ll ; '
people, which will be attended with the [|
est results. It is another evidence ot l yj
eralizing tendency of the British f*° Tcr " I n >- |
seeking the greatest good of the •rreat'"
ber.