Bradford reporter. (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, January 12, 1856, Image 2

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    Should you decline to act upon this subject,
1 would then r commend that an adequate ap
propriation be made to the Western Pennsyl
vania Hospital for the purpose of extending
its accomodations for the care of the insane,
as distinct as may la* practicable from the
oilier class of patients and inmates. The
charter of this institution is liberal in its pro
visions, and comprehensive in the objects lia
ble to be brought under its care ; embracing
Jhp insaue, ua well as the sick, helpless and
infirm.
in this connection I would commend to your
"attention the Pennsylvania Training School for
Idiots and Feeble-minded children The aid
of the Commonwealth has heretofore been ex
tended to this institution. It is a noble chari
ty, and appeals to the best feelings of the
hrart. It deserves to share the bounty of the
State.
The House of Refuge in - hiladelpliin, and
the Western House of Refuge near Pittsburg,
nre institutions of groat excellence, having for
their object the reclaiming of wayward and
erring youth—tho employment of the idle—
the instruction of the ignorant—the reforma
tion of the vicious and depraved, and the re
lief of the wretched, -hey are schools, not
prisons—homes, not places of punishment ;
they nre a refuge to the neglected and out
cast children and vouth of our Commonwealth.
The success of the past is a sure guarantee of
their future usefulness. They should receive
your aid and encouragement.
The "Rlind" and the "Deaf and Dumb
Asylums," in Philadelphia, invite our sym
pathy, and ask to share the benefactions of
the Commonwealth. They should not be dis
appointed. The blind, in their darkness—the
dumb, in their silence —will cherish the gift,
and bless the generous donor.
Legislation, in relation to all questions of
moral and social reform, should be carefully
and wisely considered and matured. On no
subject within the constitutional authority of
the Legislature, are the people so sensitive ;
and no one more deeply interests every class
and condition of society. Sumptuary laws, as
a general rule, are of doubtful expediency ;
and as abridgements of the liberty and privil
eges of the citizen, can only be justified on the
ground of necessity. Whilst this is admitted,
it cannot be denied that the evils resulting
from intemperance, create a necessity for regu
lating and restraining by legislative acts, the
traffic and sale of intoxicating liquors. To
what extent this traffic should be restrained
by positive law, must depend upon the will of
the people, determined by considerations of
their own moral, physical and social welfare.
Whatever may be my own opinion, or that of
the Legislature or the people, in reference to
the law of the last session "to restrain the
sale of intoxicating liquors," it must be admit
ted that a full return to the license system, in
operation prior to the passage of the present
law, is not demanded by enlightened public
sentiment, and would not promote the good
order or happiness of the community. That
the laws then in existence were imperfect, aud
failed to check or control the evils of intem
perance, is a proposition too plain to be doubt
ed—that they need revision must also be con
ceded. In our large cities aud towns the
evils of the system were more severely felt. —
The facility and cheapness with which licenses
were obtained, operated as a premium to vice
and immorality, and multiplied tippling houses
and places where intemperance, under the
authority of the law, was not only permitted !
but encouraged. My immediate predecessor,
in his last annual message to the Legislature,
in reference to the then license laws, says :
" So far as relates to the city of Philadelphia,
they are peculiarly prejudicial to public morals,
and seems to have been constructed to promote
the convenience of drinking far more than to
restrain its evil consequences." In this opin
ion I fully concur. That a remedy was de
manded, all will coneede. Whether the law
of the last session was the proper remedy, it is
not my province now to determine. Enacted
by the representatives of the people, 1 gave
that act my official approval. Recognizing
the people as the source of all political power,
and their representatives as the immediate ex
ponents of their will, upon yon will devolve
the responsibility of further legislation, if any,
on this subject. In all its relations, economi
cal, political, social and moral, the question is
important, and its proper determination in
volves fearful responsibilities. It deserves,
and should receive your serious consideration,
if action is had, may we not hope that it will
bo such as will promote the virtue, morality,
and true interests ot our people and Coinmou
w faith.
Legislation, so far as practicable, should be
general and uniform. Local and special legis
lation should not be encouraged, when the do
mrud object can l>e obtained by general laws.
Such legislation is not only local and special
in its character, but frequently temporary— |
the act of one session being repealed by the j
act of the next, and perhaps replaced by one !
still more objectionable, which, in turn, soon !
shares the fate of its predecessor. It crowds i
the statute book with useless and unnecessary j
laws—violates private rights—creates vonfu-1
hiou and uncertainty—destroys uniformity of i
practice and decision —prolongs the sessions of
the legislature, and increases the public expen-1
scs. Our geueral laws regulating roads, high
ways and bridges, and providing for the stqw ,
port and employment of the poor, constitute a
well digested system for the accomplishment of
those objects ; and yet, under the system of
local legislation heretofore practiced, wc fre- :
queutly find in different towuships of the same
county, local laws regulating these subjects,,
not only differing materially from the general |
law, but from ouc another. Reform in this
regard is required, and to this I respectfully
ask your attention.
" Omnibus legislation" having been condemn
ed and abandoned, should not be permitted
again to sully the records of legislative action.
It cannot receive my approval.
Numerous applications will doubtless be
made fur the incorporation of insurance, gas,
water and boom companies. To facilitate ae
tiou on these questions—economise time—re
duce the expenses of legislation—secure uni
formity and confine the companies thereafter
incor|>ornted to the legitimate purposes of their
creation, I would recommend the propriety of
enacting geueral laws regulating such eorjio
rat ions. Already laws of this kind for coal,
irou,canal, railroad, turnpike, plauk and bridge
companies have been passed, and in practice
have been found highly useful and economical.
Such laws, well regulated and carefully guard
ed, would be productive of similar results iu
their application to insurance and the other
companies named.
The propriety of limiting and restraining
corporate bodies to the objects and purjwscs
>! their creation, will not be denied orcontro
vert' d. In relation to the powers and privil
itf'tram-e companies, this plain princi-
V .
pic has been overlooked and disregarded. Ky
successive acts of legislation, many ot these
iustitutioH%havc acquired discounting privileges
and nearly ail the powers of banks without
their guards, restrictions and liabilities. This
has been effected by the magic of some general
provision in the act incorporating the company
or by reference to some forgotten supplement
concealed in the folds of an "omnibus bill,' or
lost in the mazes of the pamphlet laws, (iene
ral laws, whilst they would confer ou such
companies all the powers necessary to accom
plish the objects of their incorporation, would
at the same time prevent an extension of pri
vileges foreign to such associations. This sub
ject is commended to your consideration.
The jurisdiction of the courts in relation to
real estate, trusts, the incorporation of litera
ry, charitable and religious societies, manufac
turing and other associations, has lmeii great
ly extended bv recent legislation. This en
larged jurisdiction was conferred for the pur
pose of relieving the Legislature from the pres
sure of numerous applications for special legis
lation in the premises. The courts are, there
fore, the proper tribunals to determine such
questions ; and in all cases where the subject
matter is withiu their jurisdiction, the Legis
lature should refuse to entertain the applica
tion.
Divorces, unless in cases of extreme neces
sity and clearly beyond the jurisdiction of the
courts, should not be granted by the Legis
lature.
By the act of the 16th of April, 1845, en
titled "An Act to increase the revenues and
diminish the legislative expenses of the Com
monwealth," it was provided that thereafter
no private hill, therein described and taxed,
should be enrolled in the office of the Secre
tary of the Commonwealth, or published, or
have the force and effect of law, until the
party asking or requiriug the same should pay
into the treasury of the Commonwealth the
respective sums named in said act. A large
I number of acts passed by former Legislatures,
: and subject to this tax, remain in the office of
the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the tax
l on them not having been paid. The number
has been annually increasing, and will continue
to increase, unless a summary remedy be af
forded for the collection of the enrollment tax
or in default of its payment after a certain
jtcriod, the acts themselves be repealed. The.
amount of enrollment tax now due the Com
monwealth is large, and should have been paid
long since I would, therefore, recommend
the passage of a law repealing all acts hereto
fore passed, subject to such tax, unless the tax
be paid within one year thereafter ; and fur
ther, to provido that all such acts hereafter
passed, shall not have the force and effect of
law, unless the taxes respectively due thereou
be paid within six months after their appro
val. Such a law would secure the payment of
these taxes, Increase the revenues, and at the
same time check the demand for private acts
designed to be used or abandoned, as the cal
culation of chances, or the loss or gain of the
parties in interest might determine.
By a resolution of the Legislature, passed
the 27th day of March, 1855, requiring the
"New York and Erie railroad company to
communicate to the Legislature of the Com
monwealth, a statement, certified under oath
by their president, setting forth what quantity
of land said company now holds in Pennsyl
vania—its location—how much they have here
tofore disposed of—its value—the value of
what they now hold, and when the titles to
said lands were acquired," it was made the
duty of the Governor to transmit a copy of
said resolution to the president of said com
pany. A copy of the resolution was transmit
ted as directed ; and the answer of the presi
dent of the company, communicating the in
formation required, is herewith submitted to
the Legislature.
By a resolution of the 26th day of April,
1855, I was requested to procure from the
Attorney General, his opinion of the right of
the State of New York to divert water from
the natural bed and channel of the Chemung
river, to the prejudice of the public improve
ments of Pennsylvania ; the said river belong
ing to both States ; and communicate the
same to the Legislature. As requested, the
opinion of the Attorney General has been ob
tained, and is herewith commuuicutcd to the
Legislature.
On the sixth day of October last, I approv
ed and signed the bill, entitled "An Act to
repeal the charter of the Erie and North
East railroad company, and to provide for the
disposal of the same." In pursuance of its
provisions, I appointed the Hon. Joseph Casey
to take possession and have the charge and
custody of the road. Before possession was
taken, application was made by the company
to one of the judges of tho Supreme Court of
this Commonwealth for an injunction to re
strain the agent of the State from taking pos
session of the road ; and subsequently a cau
tionary order was made by the Supreme Court,
in bane, to stay his proceeding under the act.
The questions involved in the application for
an injunction arc now pending before the court,
and will, it is expected, lie determined early in
the present mouth. The result will be made
the subject of a special communication to tho
Legislature.
, The recent fraudulent, if not felonious ab-
I straction of a large quautity of arms from the
( arsenal at Harrisburg, has shown the necessity
of additional legislation for the protection of
the arms and other public property of the
, Commonwealth deposited in the arsenals of the
State. The taking aud sale of the public
( arms and property, without authority of the
law, by the keepers of the arsenals, or by
I others having them in charge, should be de
, clarcd a felony, and punished with severity ;
and all persons purchasing or receiving the
I same, without proper authority, aud knowing
j them to be the property of the Commonwealth
i should be regarded as principals, aud punished
; accordingly.
The bonds now required to be giveu by the
Adjutant General and the keepers of the ar-
I senilis, for the faithful discharge of their duties
i are insufficient in amount to secure the Com
monwealth against loss from the fraudulent
sale or taking of the property committed to
their care. The sum in which these bonds are
taken should be increased to an aniouut pro
, portiouate to the value of the property which
is or may be deposited iu the arsenals.
Since the sale of the arsenal iu Piifladelphia,
the public anus have been placed in a room or
out-house procured for that purpose. As a de
pository, it i< unsafe and insecure. Better pro
vision should be ruade for their safe-keeping.
The sum of thirty thousand dollars, arising
from the sale of the Philadelphia arsenal, is
i now in the Treasury, to be expended under the
direction of the Governor, in the purchase of
a suitable lot and the erection of a new arsenal.
This sum is wholly insufficient for that pnr
j pose, and without additional appropriations,
: which are not recommended, this object cannot
be accomplished. As arms ami munitions of
war can, w hen required, be transmitted with
facility and rapidity, to distant parts of- the
State, the necessity for more than one arienal
no longer exists. If the arsenal at Meadville
can be di*pettsed with without detriment to the
public sefviee, I would suggest for your con
sideration the propriety of authorizing its sale,
and the sale of the one at Harrisbnrg, and
with the funds arising therefrom, and the money
iu the Treasury applicable to that put'}tose, the
erection of a large and commodious arsenal at
Harrisbnrg, or elsewhere, as may be deemed
most economical, safe and convenient.
The Legislature, at their last session, hav
ing failed to elect a Senator to represent this
State in the Senate of the United States, for
six years from the 4th of March last, it be
comes your duty to provide for aa election to
supply such vacancy. By reference to the ex
isting laws regulating the election of Senators
to represent this State in the Senate of the
United States, it will be perceived that tlieir
provisions do not embrace a case like the pre
sent.
Having, at the time of my induction into
office, declared to my fellow-citizens and their
representatives, my sentiments in relation to
our national politics, their reiteration now will
not be expected. To the opinions then ex
pressed, and now re-affirmed, you are respect
fully referred.
To maintain in their integrity the Constitu
tion of our Republic, and the Uuiou of the
States—protect the civil and religious privil
eges of the people—guard with jealous care
the general, great and essential principles of
liberty and free government—of freedom and
human rights—and vindicate by u true and
single devotion to home and country, the great
doctrine of American Nationality, arc objects
that awaken the patriotism and claim the ener
gies aud the heart of every American citizen.
In obedience to the retpiirements of the Con
stitution and laws of the State, as the repre
sentatives of the people, you have assembled
to perform that devolve upon you. As a co
ordinate branch of the government, it will be
alike my duty and pleasure, to unite with you
iu the enactment of all such laws as will pro
tect the rights of the people, and advance the
honor and prosperity of the Common wealth.
With a sole desire for the public good—ac
tuated by a spirit of enlarged and enlighten
ed patriotism, and guided by that wisdom
which lwtth its beginning in the fear of (Jod,
may our efforts, in harmonious action, be di
rected to the accomplishment of these objects,
and to the promotion of that righteousness
which cxaltcth a nation, and constitutes the
true glory of a free and independent people.
JAMES POLLOCK.
EXECITIVK CHAMBER, )
Harrisbnrg, fan wiry 1, 185 G. j
Two Horrible Murders in Connecticut.
The most horrible murder that ever took
place in the State of Connecticut, or perhaps
in the civilized world, was perpetrated on Mon
day, in the town of Woodbridgc, in that State,
about eight miles from the city of New llavcn.
It was a far more atrocious runder than the
one so recently committed by Samuel Sly and
the gang of Wakemauites. It is to be sincere
ly hoped that the citizens of that State have
now witnessed the last scene in the Wakeiuan
tragedy.
About half past 10 o'clock on Monday, Mr
Enoch Spcrry, of Woodbridgc, left his home,
and was proceeding through a piece of woods
near his house, with his horse and sleigh, and
when near a little brook, in a solitary part of
the woods, was attacked by a man named Chas.
Sauford, and knocked down and most brutally
murdered.
Sanford lmd an axe in his hand, with which
he struck Mr. Spcrry over the right eye, in
flicting a fearful gash, and prostrating him be
side the road. He then struck him again with
the head of the axe upon the back of his head,
and thou deliberately attempted to chop off his
head, nearly severing it from his body. It was
connected with his body only by a little skin at
the back of the neck.
I'hc horse of Mr. Spcrry was allowed to pass
on the road, and after proceeding by the house
of Mr. Sainncl F. Pcrkius, halted at a shed
near by. Mr. Perkins, thinking all was nut
right, went in search of Mr. Sperry, and found
his body lying beside the road, with every in
dication that he had bceu waylaid aud mur
dered.
Mr. Perkins alarmed the neighborhood, and
having procured assistance, took the body of
Mr. Sperry to his family, who live only about
a hundred rods from the place where the mur
der was committed.
A jury of inquest was assembled in the even
ing, and after due deliberation, rendered a ver
dict that the deceased came to his death at the
hands of some person or persons unknown.
In the evening the murderer was arrested
and taken to jail, and confessed that lie had
not only murdered Mr. Spcrry, but that he
had also murdered Mr. Ichabod Uniberfield,
who lived about a mile east of Mr. Spcrry's
house.
It seems that after murdering Mr. Sperrv,
he went to the house of Mr. ITiiberficld and
entered it, and while he (Mr. Umberfield) was
sitting by the stove in the kitchen, he struck
him with the same axe with which lie murder
ed Mr. Sperry, and after breaking his skull,
nearly severed his head from his body.
The family set up the crv of " Murder !" but
he told them to stop their noise or he would
chop their heads ofT also.
He went out of the house to wipe the blood
otf his axe upon the snow, and while he was
out the family fastened the door and prevented
his getting in again. He then went into the
woods, but was soon pursued by several neigh
bors, who succeeded in arresting him after a
bloody fight, in whicn Mr. Doolittlc came near
getting killed.
A jury of inquest was impannelled and re
turned a verdict that Mr. Umberfield came to
his death by wounds inflicted in the head and
neck by Charles Sanford, of Uethanv.
This Charles Sanford is a fanatic who has
formerly attended the meetings of the Wake
manitcs in Hampton. He is subject to fits of
insanity, and was probably insane when he
committed these dreadful murders. He con
fessed having murdered both Mr. Sperrv and
Mr. Uiuberfield while on the way to jail". He
said lie had a cramp, and if lie had not mur
dered Mr. Sperry and Mr. Umberfield, the
cramp would have killed him.
Mr. I. niberfield was a man seventy-one vcars
of ago, and Mr. Siierrv was sixty-nine vears
old.
fcr The powder in the rolling-mil! at the
works of Messrs. Bupont exploded on Wednes
day evening last, about 7 o'clock. The con
cussion was very sensibly felt in Wilmington,
although there was but about mtv pounds of
powder in the mill at the time.
Irabto lieporkr.
O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOW A"NT>A. :
Satnrimn fUcmiiun, Jauuarn 12, 1831).
TERMS —One Dollar per annum, invariably in atlcunce.—
Finer week* previous to the expiration of a subscription,
notice will lee given by a printed wrajsper, mid if not re
newed, the paper wall in all cases be stopjied.
Cn'BniSU— The Reporter trull be sent to Chibs at the fot
lotoing extremely low rates :
6 copies for $5 0(1 |ls copies for. .. .sl2 00
10 copies for S 00 | 20 copies for 16 00
XiivtKTisKMKNT."— For a square of ten lines or less, One
Dollar for three or less insertions, and twenty five cents
for each subsequent insertion.
JOB-WORK— Executed with accuracy and despatch, and at
reasonable prices-—toilh every facility for doing Rooks,
Flanks, Hand-bills, Ball tickets , 4*r.
MONKY may be sent by mail, at oar risk—enclosed in an
envelope, anel properly directed, ice will be responsible
for its safe delivery.
Republican Standing Committee.
Tin- Republican Standing Coinmit
tec for Bradford County, will meet at
'I" S C'ourt House, in Towanda, <>n
Tl'IiSP.Vi. the 15th of January inst.,at one o'clock, I'.
M„ for the transaction of such business a* dial! be legiti
mately brought before them. A tiier*l attendance of the
Committee is requested. AI.I.KX M'KKAX,
January H, ISSU. Chairman.
arj-Tlu- followinc named gentlemen compose said com
mittee :—Allen M'Kean. B. O. (roodrich, Win. 0. Uncart,
<i. P. Mason. J. It. (i. Babeuck, Eugene Keelcr, John A.
Codding. Win, 11. Vandyke, V. S. Vincent, Samuel David
son, I*l. C. Kellojf;r, C*. P. We hols, Ira C. Bullock.
CONGRESS.
We arc obliged to defer any extended re
port of the proceedings of Congress nud our
readers are not tlie losers thereby. Since our
last publication, the time has been taken up
with personal explanations and debates, tie
void of public interest, desultory motions, and
unsuccessful ballotings, without material change,
the latest of which, being the ninety-eighth,
we append :
Batik-* !>0 Richardson,.... 72
Fuller .10 Pennington...- h
Scattering, -. 6 Necessary for a choice, 100.
The falling off in the vote of Mr. Hanks is
owing to the absence of several of his friends,
aud the defection of Mr. BRKNTON, of Indiana.
On Monday the House adjourned until
Wednesday, and the Democrats held a caucus
Monday night and resloved to stick to their
candidates, platform and course. They also
resolved not to adjourn on Wednesday, until a
Speaker is chosen, unless it should be over the
Sabbath. Several Members gave notice that
they would vote for the plurality rule if the
measure should be proposed. The general im
pression is that we shall have a Speaker this
week.
FOREIGN NEWS. —The steamer Cauada ar
rived at Halifax, on Tuesday last, bringing
one week later intelligence. Rumors of peace
arc abundant. Count Valentine Esztorhazy
has gone from Vienna to St. Petersburg, as
the bearer of new propositions of peace, invent
ed by Austria and assented to by both France
and England. The terms thus submitted to
the Czar are : 1. The Black Sea to be clos
ed against war vessels of all nations, Russian.
Turkish and other. 2. A general protection
of the great powers over the Christians of
Turkey. 3. The free navigation of the Dan
ube to be secured. 4. The fortress of Bomnr
sunt and Sevastopol not to be rebuilt. The
Czar is to have a fortnight to consider these
proposals ; if lie rejects them there will be an
end of negotiations till afti* the next cam- ■
paign, in which there is a vague, but we dare !
say most fallacious, notion that Austria will
take some part. If he accepts, a new Con
ference will take place at Dresden or Munich.
Tncrc is not much reason to believe that Count
Eszterhazy will have to wait for his answer,
or that it will be other than a fiat negative.
Russia is not yet sufficiently humiliated to ac
cept such terms.
From Kars, we have at last positive intel
ligence of the capitulation of the garrison to
the Russians—all their heroism being unable
to contend against starvation. The Mnehir,
commanding the Turkish army of Anatolia,
together with some ten other general officers,
including the British gen. Williams,were taken,
but the Hungarians, Kmetty, Koilman aud
Tashler, succeeded in making their escape
from Erzeroum, rather than run the risk of be
ing surrendered to the Austrians, which the
Russians would possibly have done. Of Omer
Pasha we hear nothing ; it is said, however,
that Rebutolf is about to march from Kntais
to attack him, and the British journals are
clamorous for seudiug re-enforcements to him
from Sevastopol.
It is reported that a treaty has been con
cluded between Sweden and the Western Pow
ers, which is, however, from an entry into the
league agaiust Russia. The stipulations seem
to be on the one hand that Sweden shall not
alienate any part of her territory to Russia,
while on the other hand the Western Powers
guaratee her integrity. Moreover the parties
agree to communicate to each other any pro
positions of i>cace that may be nmde.
JBtas~ Oil Monday night the house of Nicho
las Beaker, ncur Ebensbnrg, Pa., was burned
down, and Mr. Beaker, his wife and two daugh
ters perished in the flames. Two of the sons,
and some of the smaller children, made their
escape.
l'Vr.t.F.R EvnunKED.—The editor of the T*ou
isrit/e Journal endorses his brother Know
Nothing In the following style :
'' Mr. Fuller, of Pennsylvania, is as sound
ii)>on the slartrtf question as Mr. Richardson,
of Illinois, besides being a better man."
After this Fuller may well claim rank as
the Prince of Dough-Faces.
JbgY- Snow fell at the depth of two feet in
PluWcNdphin, hi-t week.
LOCA
LOCAL PAH-IS. —The following remarks from
the W Vr/Vy JinJlrlin , contain some sensible ad-1
vice. The necessity of supporting local papers
must |>e at once apparent to every one who
will take the trouble of giving the matter a
moment's thought. For instance, how would
the people of Bradford like to have all the pa
pers published in the County, discontinued, and
lieeome as favored as WI.SK once boasted his
Congressional district was. We do not be
lieve there is a single intelligent citizeu who
would rejoice at such a result—and yet we
know there are many who utterly neglect to
do anything towards supporting their County
papers. Not that they do not feel an interest
in them, but they are content to read their
neighbor's pajier, or for some other reason, ne
ver think of subscribing for it themselves.
The small sum of one Hollar per year, is all
the outlay now required, an amount within the
reacli of every one. We consider the Reporter
worth more than that, to every citizen and tax
payer of the County for its legal advertisements
alone. We know of men, who are abundant
ly able to take a dozen papers, that arc so
stingy, or mean, that they are constantly troub
ling their neighbors for the loan of the
Reporter to see who are drawn on the jury, or
they want to see the Trial List, or Sheriff's
sales, Ac.
The remarks which we append point out
some other reasons why local papers should he
supported :—" At present, however, the man
who takes but a single paper, is almost in the
relative condition of one w ho, fifty yeore
took no paper at all. It is impossible to point
out any one journal which supplies the variety
requisite, or which contains all that one requires
who does not happen to reside in a city. To
all thus situated we would say, " Do uot ue
glect your local pajwr. That which is taking
place immediately around you, is, or should be,
ot the greatest importance to you. If one num
ber does not ooutaiu something which an in
telligent scheming mind may tarn to advan
tage, the next may, and even if the paper do
not display that ability which you require, it
is all the more your duty to encourage it, for
gonitis, like everything else, requires sulwtan
tial food The country editor lias much to
contend against; he represents you and your
interests, and if you withhold your patronage
from him you may rest assured that you dis
grace yourself by losing your share in that dis
tinctive trait-of the American, which is, that
go where he may he must have a newspaper of
his own. And if you are a creditable member
of a respectable neighborhood the excellence
aud influence of your local paper soon will—or
ought to be—a matter of personal pride with
you. Many a place which would otherwise be
nothing—without business aud without name
has become known, has attracted, first atten
tion and then business, merely because a few
inhabitants bad the spirit to patronize a good
paper and keep it going. There are tow ns
and even cities in the West which have been
literally newspapered into prosperity, and that
not by empty humbug, hut by attracting at
tention through a talented press.''
The Commissioners of Bradford Co.,
have made the followiug appointments for the
ensuing year :
Clerk —E. M. FARRAR.
Conns*/ —UI.YSSKS MERCER.
Mi •ramiHe Appraiser—A.. D. MONTANYE.
The appointment of Mr. FAKKAR is evidence
of his fidelity and usefulness in the office, and
to the manner in which he has discharged the
duties of Clerk. The preseut year being the
tri-annual assessment, rendered the labors of
an experienced Clerk, a matter of necessity,
and Mr. F. is admirably qualified to meet all
the exigencies of the occasion.
Sixc.ri.AFT AND FATAL ACCIDENT. —An extra
ordinary accident occurred at, the Steam Mill
of Col. John F. Means, in Monroe Twp., on
the 31st lilt., resulting in the death of Jos rn
SEEJUSCH. The deceased, with two others,
was engaged in chopping down a large tree,
when the axe of one of the others slipped from
the helve, the bitt striking him on the thigh,
severing the main arteries, and causing his
deatli in less than five minutes. The deceased
was a German, about 31 years of age, had
been in this country about three years, and was
a temperate and industrious man. The afflic
tion of so sudden a death is, in this instance,
greatly aggravated by the circumstance that
he was to have beeu married the following
day.
MUSICAL CONVENTION. —It is announced
that a Musical Convention will commence at
this place, on Tuesday the 29th day of Jan.,
instant, to continue four days and conclude
with a concert. The convention is to be under
the direction of Prof. W. It. BRADBURY, of
New York city, whose reputation is well known
as an able and popular lender of such Musical
assemblages. The holding of a musical con
vention is no longer a matter of question or
of doubt since the experience of last winter.
'I he one already holden here has demonstrated
to our musical population, and to all others, in
fact, their immense utility as a means of dis
seminating a correct musical taste, and impart
ing information in this highly pleasing and
very necessary art. We shall expect to see iu
attendance on this occasion, all the musical ce
lebrities of the County, as well as all those
who wish to correct their singing or
learn what may be new iu the art. The neces
sary arrangements will lie made, both for the
meetings of the Convention, and for the com
fort of those who mnv attend.
The river, opposite this place, is now
firmly frozen over, making a capita! bridge
aver which to pass. We can lmrdly expect ■
be as greatly favored as last winter, hut J,
trust it will remain some time undisturbed
: 4 '
hi.Eiomxc,, The sleighing fur some ,] aVi
past has been capital, aud it seems to I*
improved. Tftesday night was the coldest 0 f
the season, the thermometer going down to 2lt
degrees below zero.
Grand Secretary of the S ons of
Temperance of this State gives notice that
meeting of the Grand Division will he hold/
at Leßaysvillc, commencing on the 23d in>t
The Grand Officers, also expect to speak
various points in the County as advertised
The Grand Master of Masons for the
State of Pennsylvania has appointed (W e
H. Dull Ins deputy for the District eompoi
of tho Counties of Bradford, Wtoiain, WiJ
Tioga, for the ensuing year.
Poiins} 1\ auia Legislature.
IIARRUHK'HO, JANCARY 2, 185(1
S A SATE The Senate proceeded to ek-t in
officers, when Ihonms A. .Magnire ofCimi,
was elected Clerk ; Ilenrv Petll*>ne o f , '
zerue, |Assistant ; Wui. Corev, Screen, ft J"
Anns ; Wm. P. Brady, Assistant.
Nelson Weiser, James M. Bredin and VW
plius Yerkes, were npjwinted Transcribe
Clerks. ' a
Doorkeeper—Win, Ralston • Geo. Bolto*
aud Samuel Carson Assistants.
Henry Menald was appointed Messenger
and C. P. Hazel ton assistant. '
After some other unimportant business the
Secretary of the Commonwealth presented the
annual message of the Governor, which w a j
read.
Hoist.—The House also proceeded to the
election of Clerk ami other officers, when Wm
Jack, of Blair, was elected Clerk ; Jacob Zcir
ler, appoiiitod Assistant Clerk ; Wm. P. frvfc.
ing, of York, Isaac W. Moore, of Philadelphia
Wm. B. Gillis, of Elk, and G. W K Minor
of Fayette, Transcribing Clerks ; Jas. H. San
som, of Fulton, Bergeant-;it-Arms; (borer A
Kurtz, of Allcghedy, and Jnr-ub Glaisinver, of
Pbilndelphia, Assistants ; and Jacob Coleman
of Berks, Door-keeper.
l'errine J. Coek. of I*ljila*iclj>hia, Geo. Free
man, of Westmoreland, and Win. .M'Cabf of
York, were appointed Assistant Door-kfrren
John lieisenrine, of Northumberland,'
elected Messenger, and appointed John M'Chr
aud I). A. Yarrington, his Assistants
Mr ( 1 eta proposed the appointment of four
additional Door-keepers, hut after debate, it
was ruled out of order.
A bill fixing the election of I*. S. Senator
on the 14th instant, was passed. Adjonrnri
J A START 3.
SENATE. —The Secretary of the Common
wealth was introduced and presented a
from the Governor, transmitting the resolutions
of the Legislature of Maine, on the Slavery
question, and also his* objections tu the roni
pcusation bill passed at the last *sswn, w,!
the provisions of which were embraced iu th
general appropriation bill. He says he would
not have signed it standing alone.
On motion, Edward C. Swartz was appela
ted a page in the Senate.
Mr. Evans, read in place a hill to incorpo
rate the Reading and Lehigh Railroad Com
pany.
Mr. Buckalew read in place, a supplement
to the act incorporating the Ihtzelton CM!
Company, which was taken up and passed (.'oin
mittce of the Whole.
Mr. 1' rice, a bill relative to the property of
husbands and wives.
Mr. El y, on leave given, presented a petition
from citizens of Bucks county, for the repeal
of the restraining license law.
The joint resolution from the House, prodd
ing for the election of a United States Sens
tor on Monday, January 14, was taktuupand
passed.
The supplement to the act incorporating the
Lebanon Valley Railroad Company, passed
finally.
The resolution for the appointmentofaeoa
mittee to contact for the publication of aiky
: record of the proceedings of the House Mil
ken up and adopted.
The Senate then adjourned.
llol'rfE.—Mr. Mangle, of Bucks, npjiesrM,
and after being qualified, took his seat.
Messrs. Johnson, of Bucks, and llaneker.of
! Philadelphia, presented petitions for therepai
. of the restraining liquor law.
The otliecrs of the last Ilonse. were, on mo
j tiou, retained until Wednesday next.
On motion, 15,000 copies of the (Jovernor'
Message were ordered to le printed in tM
' English language, and 5000 copies in (irnuw
A long contest then ensued with nfrW*
to the appointment of additional
Door-keepers, which resulted in the whole
jeet being referred to a select committer d
i five.
The following, among a number of other buf.
were read in place :
A bill for the better protection of lalw'er*
i A bill to incorporate the Vuiontowu K* l "
road Company.
A bill to require the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company to fenec their road in H*
ver and Lawrence counties. . ■
The Governor returned to the House. ' ll
i his objections, the lill passed at the ' a ' :
■ sion, relative to military companies: #
j question recurring upon the passage of the 1
. it was negatived—yeas 5, nays 89.
The Governor also transmitted to then
the resolutions of the Legislature of
I the subject of slavery, and the annual 10 '
of the Surveyor General.
The House then adjourned.
JANI AKV, K
SENATE. —A message was received
Governor, nominating K. llentv, of
laud couuty, as the Superintendent
Printing ; a message
val of the joint resolution relative to 1
tion of U. S. Senator, and announcing t
bill passed last sessiou relative to the . f
son of Philadelphia, had become a •
lapse, of time. .
The Sjwaker announced the standing .
mittces, with the following as chairman
committees named :
4*hkinet —Mr. BUCKAI.F.W.
./udiciarq —Mr. W II.KINS.
('orjtoratioiu —Mr. HKOWNK.
Honks— Mr. CRESSWKI.L.
IZtlttcacinu Mr. M'CITMAWK
h ir> ft mi Immi'fohJ M ' '