without local law, and of course, without t In
ordinary guaranties of p-ace and public or
der.
Tn other respects the Governor, instead of
exercising constant vigilance and put ting forth
a!i his energies to prevent or counteract the
tendencies to illegality which are prone to ex
ist in all imperfectly-organized and newly-asso
ciated communities, allowed his attention tola- i
diverted from official obligation by other ob- ,
jrcts, arid himself set an example of the viola- i
tiou of law in the peiformauce of aits which
rendered it my duty, in the sequel, to remove
him from the office of chief executive niagis- ;
tratc of the Territory.
Before the requisite preparation was accom
plished for election of a Territorial Legisla- |
lure an election of Delegate to Congress had !
been held in tlie Territory on the 2l)tli day of I
November, and the Delegate to >k his
seat in the House of Representatives without
challenge. If arrangements had been per
fected by the Governor so the election for
members of the Legislative Assembly might i
tie held in the several precincts at the same j
time as for Delegate to Congress, anv ques
tion appertaining to the qualification of the
jxirsons voting as people of the Territory would
have passed necessarily and at once under tilt
supervision of Congress, as the judge of the '
validity of the return of the Delegate, and
would have been determined before conflicting
passions had become inflamed by time and be
fore opportunity could liave been afforded for
systematic inbrferencc of the people of indi
vidual States.
This interference, in so far as concerns its
primary causes and its immediate commence
ment, was one of the incidents of that perni
cious agitation on the subject of the condition
of tiie colored persons held to service in some
of the States which has so long disturbed the
repose of our country, and excited individuals
otherwise patriotic and law-abiding to toil with
misdirected zeal in the attempt to propagate
their social theories by the perversion and
abuse of the powers of Congress.
The persons and parties whom the tenor of
the act to organize the Territories of Nebras
ka and Kansas thwarted in the endeavor to
impose, through the agency of Congress, their
particular views of social organization on the
people of the future new States, now perceiv
ing that the policy of leaving the inhabitants
of each State to judge for themselves in thi>
respect was ineradicable rooted in the con
victions of the people of the Cuion, then had
recourse, in the pursuit of their general object,
to the extraordinary measure of propagandist
colonization of the Territory of Kansas, to
prevent the free and natural action of its in
habitants in its internal organization, and thus
to anticipate or to fore? the determination of
that question in this inchoate State.
W itli such views associations were organiz
ed in some of the States, and their purpose
was proclaimed through the press in language
extremely irritating and offensive to those of
whom the colonists were to become the neigh
bors. Those designs and acts had the neces
sary consequence to awaken emotions of in
tense indignation in States near to the Terri
tory of Kanrsas, and especially in the adjoin
ing State of Missouri, whose domestic peace
was thus the most directly endangered ; but
they are far from justifying the illegal and rep
rehensible counter-movements which ensued.
I'nder these inauspicious circumstances the
primary elections for Members of the Legis
lative Assembly were held in most if not all
of the precincts at the time and the places
and by the persons designated and appointed
by the Governor, according to law.
Angry accusations that illegal votes had
been polled abounded on ali sides, and impu
tations were made both of fraud and violence.
But the Governor, in the exercise of the pow
er and the discharge of the duly conferred
and imposed by law on him alone, officially re
ceived and considered the returns ; declared a
large majority of the members of the Council
and the llousc Representatives " duly elected;"
withheld certificates from others because of
alleged illegality of votes ; appointed a new
election to supply the place of the persons not
certified, and thus at length, in all the forms
of statute, and with his own official authenti
cation, complete legality was given to the
first Legislative Assembly of the Territory,
Those decisions of the returning officers of
the Governor are liual, except that, by the
parliamentary usage of the country applied to
the organic law, it may be conceded that each
House of the Assembly must have been com
petent to determine, in the last resort, the
qualifications and the election of its members'
The subject was, by its nature, one appertain
ing exclusively to the jurisdiction of the local
authorities of the Territory. Whatever ir
regularities may have occurred in the elections,
it seems too late now to raise that question as
to which, neither now nor at any previous
time, has the least possible legal authority
lieen possessed by the President of the United
States. For all present purposes the Legis
lative body, thus constituted and elected, was
the legitimate assembly of the Territory.
Accordingly, the Governor, by proclama
tion, convened the Assembly thus elected to
meet at a place cal'cl Pawnee City. The
two Houses met and were duly organized in
the ordinary parliamentary form ; each sent
to and received from the Governor the official
communications usual on such occasions ; an
elaborate Message opening the session was
communicated bv the Governor : and the gene
ral business of legislation was entered upon bv
the Legislative Assembly.
Hut, after a few days, the Assembly re
solved to adjourn to another place in the 'l\r
ritory. A law was accordingly passed, against
the consent of Governor, hut in due form
otherwise, to remove the seat of government
temporarily to the " Shawnee Mauual-labor
School" (or mission,) and thither the Assem
bly proceeded. After this, receiving a bill
for the establishment of a ferry at the town of
Kickapoo, the Governor refused to sigu i*,
and, by special message, assigned for reason
of refusal, not anything objectionable in the
bill itself, nor any pretense of the illegality or
iacomjKJtency of the Assembly as such, but
only the fact that the Assembly had by its
act tranferrcd the seat of government tempo
rarily from I'awuee City to Shawnee Mission.
For the same reason he continued to refuse to
sign other bills, until, in ;!i * eour c of a few
days, he, by officiul Message, communicated
to the Assembly the fact that he had received
notification of the termination of his functions
as Governor, and that the duties of the office
wore legally devolved 011 the Secretary of the
Territory ; thus to the last recognizing the
body as a duly-elected and constituted J.eis
lative Assembly.
It will be ]>erceived that if any constitu
tional detect attached to the legislative acts
o! the Assembly, it is not |vre to tided to consist
m i 'regular'.ty of election or want of (pialilica
t-oii of tht- member-, but ouiv in the change
of its place of session. However trivial tin* J
objection may seem to be, it requires to be
considered, because upon it is founded a.!! that
su|M rstTueturo of acts, plainly aguiast law,
whii h now threaten* tlie peace not only of the
Territory of Kansas but of tlie Union.
Sueli an objection to the proceedings of the
legislative Assembly was of exceptionable
origin, for the reason that, by the express
terms of the organic law, the seat of Govern
incut of the Territory was " located temporari
ly at Fort Leavenworth and yet the Gover
nor himself remained there less than two months,
ami of his own direction transferred the seat
of Government to the Shawnee Mission, where
it in faet was at the time the Assembly were
called to meet at Pawnee City. If the Gov
ernor had any such right to change temporari
ly the seat of Government, still more had the
Legislative Assembly. The objection is of
exceptional origin for the further reason that
the place indicated by the Governor, without
having an exclusive claim of preference in it
self, was a proposed town site only, which lie
and others were attempting to locate unlaw
fully upon land within a military reservation,
and for participation in which illegal act the
commandant of u post, a -uperior officer of the
Army, lias been dismissed by sentence of court
martial.
Nor is it easy to see why the Legislative
j Assembly might not with propriety pass the
i Territorial act transferring its sittings to the
j Shawnee .Mission. If it could not, that must
be on account of some prohibitory or incom
patible provision of act of Congress. 1 bit no
i such provision exists. The organic act, as al
' ready quoted, says "the sent of Government
j " is hereby located temporarily at Fort Leav-
I enworth and it then provides that certain
i of the public buildings there " may be occti
" pied and used under the direction of the
i " Governor and Legislative Assembly." These
expressions might possibly lie construed to iiu
i ply that when, in a previous section of the act,
| it was enacted that "the first Legislative As
j " semblv shall meet at such'place and on such
j " day as the Governor shall appoint," the
, word " place" means place at Fort Leaven
| worth, not place anywhere in the Territory.—
If so, the Governor would have been the first
j to err in this matter, not only in himself hav
ing removed the seat of Government to the
Shawnee Mission, but in again removing it to
l'awuee City. If there was any departure
■ from the letter of the law, it was his in both
| instances.
But. however this may be, it is most urirea
; sonuble to suppose that by the terms of the
organic act Congress intended to do impliedly
what it lias not done expressly—that is, to for
bid to the Legislative Assembly the power to
choose any place it might see tit as the tempo
rary seat of its deliberations. That is proved
by the significant language of one of the sub
sequent acts of Congress on the subject, that
of .March 3, IS.which, in making appropria
tion for public buildings of the Territory, en
j acts that the same shall not be expended, " un
| "til the Legislature of said Territory >hall have
! " fixed liv law the permanent seat of govern
" lueiit." Congress, in these expressions, docs
not profess to be granting the power to fix the
permanent seat of government but recognizes
the j tower as one already granted. But how?
Undoubtedly by the comprehensive provision
; of the organic act itself, which declares that
" the legislative power of the Territory shall
"extend to all rightful subjects of legislation
> "consistent with the Constitution of the Cni
" ted States and the provisions of this act."—
It, in view of this act, the Legislative Assem
bly had the large power to fix the permanent
seat of government at any place in its discre
tion, of course by the same enactment it had
the less and the included power to fix it tem
porarily.
Nevertheless, the allegat : on that the acts of
the Legislative Assembly were illegal by rea
son of this removal of its place of session was
| brought forward to justify the first great move
ment in disregard of law within the Territory.
One of the acts of the Legislative Assembly
provided for the election of a Delegate to the
present Congress, and a Delegate was elected
under that law. Hut, suLse piently to this, a
portion of the people of the Territory proceed
ed, without authority of law, to elect another
Delegate.
Following upon this movement was another
and more important one of the same general
character. Persons confessedly not constitu
ting the body politic, or all the inhabitants,
but merely a party of the inhabitants, and
without law, have undertaken to summon a
convention for the purpose of transforming the
territory into a State, and have framed a con
stitution, adopted it, and under it elected a
Governor and other officers and a Ilepresenta
tive to Congress.
lii extenuation of these illegal acts, it is al
leged that the States of California, Michigan,
oud others, were self-organized, and as such
were admitted into the Cnion without a j re
views enabling act of Congress. It is true that,
while in a majority of cases a previous act of
Congress has been passed to authorize the Ter
ritory to present itself as a State, and that this
is deemed the most regular course, yet such an
act has not been held to be indispensable, and
in some cases the Territory has proceeded with
out it, and has nevertheless been admitted into
the Union as a State. It lies with Congress
to authorize beforehand, or to confirm after
ward. in its discretion ; hut in no instance has
a State been admitted upon the application of
persons acting against authorities duly consti
tuted by act of Congrt \ss. In every case it is
the people of the Territory, not a party among
them, who have the power to form a constitu
tion and ask for admission as a State. No
principle of public law, no practice or prece
dent under the Constitution of the United
States, no rule of reason, right, or common
sense confers any such power as that now claim
ed by a mere party in the Territory. In fact,
what has been done is of revolutionary charac
ter. It is avowedly so in motive and in aim as
respects the local law of the Territory. It will
become treasonable insurrection if it reach the
length of organized resistance by force to the
fundamental or any other federal law and to
the authority of the General Government.
In such an event the path of duty for the
Executive is plain. The Constitution requir
ing him to take care that the laws of the Uni
ted States be faithfully executed, if they be
opposed in tl o Territory of Kansas ho tnaynnd
should place at the disposal of the marshal any
public force of the United States which hap
pens to be within the jm-isdiction, to be used
as a portion ot the pone eomitalm ; and, if that
do not suffice to maintain order, then he rnav
call forth the militia of one or more States for
that object, or employ forthe same object any
part of the land or naval force of the United
States. So also if the obstruction be to the
laws of the Territory, and it be duly presented
to him as a case of insurrection, he may em
ploy for it- -appro.—ion the militia of anv State
or the lant] or naval force of the United State-. j
And if tlie Territory he invaded by the citizens
of other States, whether for the purpose of de
ciding' elections or for any other, aud tlie local
authorities find themselves unable to repel or
withstand it, tliev will be entitled to, and upon '
the fact being fully ascertained tlioy shall most j
certainly receive the aid of the Genera! Gov- j
eminent.
Hut it is not the duty of the President of
the United States to Volunteer interposition by
force to preserve the purity of elections either .
in a state or Territory. To do so would be I
subversive of public Freedom. And whether •
a law be wise or unwise, just or unjust, is not ,
a question for him to judge. If it lie constitu- <
tional—that is, if it be the law of the land—it j
is his duty to cause it to be executed, or to
sustain the authorities of auv State or Territo-1
ry in executing it in opposition to all insurrec
tionary movements.
Our system affords no justification of revolu
tionary acts ; for the constitutional means of;
relieving the people of unjust administration
and laws, by a change of public agents and by
j repeal, are ample, and more prompt and effec
tive than illegal violence. These constitution
al means must be scrupulously guarded this
great prerogative of popular sovereignty sac
redly respected.
It is the undoubted right of the peaceable
an I orderly people of the Territory of Kansas
to elect their own Legislative Body, make their
own laws, and regulate their own social insti
tutions, without foreign or domestic molcsta
| tion. Interference, on the one hand, to pro
cure the abolition or prohibition of slave labor
in the Territory, has produced mischievous in
terference, on the other, for its maintenance or
introduction. One wrong begets another.—
| Statements entirely unfounded or grossly ex
l aggerated, concerning events within the Tcrri
! Tory, are sedulously diffused through remote
States to feed the flame of sectional auimosty
there : aud t lie agitators there exert themselves
imlefatigably in return to encourage and stimu
late strife within the Territory.
The inflammatory agitation, of which the
present is but a par*, lias for twenty years pro
! duced nothing save unmitigated evil, North
and South. But for it the character of the
domestic institutions of the future new State
would have been a matter of too little interest
to the inhabitants jof the contiguous States,
personal or collectively, to produce among them
any political emotion. Climate, soil, produc
tion, hopes of rapid advancement, and the pur
suit of happiness on the part of settlers them
selves, with good wishes but with no interfe
rence from without, would have quietly deter
mined the question which is at this time of
such disturbing character.
But we are constrained to turn our atten
tion to the circumstances of embarrassment as
they now exist. It is the duty of the people
of Kansas to discountenance every act or pur
pose of resistance to its laws. Above all, the
emergency appeals to the citizens of the States,
and especially of those contiguous to the Ter
ritory, neither by intervention of non-residents
in elections, nor by unauthorized military force,
to attempt to encroach upon or usurp the au
thority of the inhabitants of the Territory.
No citizen of our country should permit him
self to forget that he is a part of its govern
ment, and entitled to be heard in the determi
nation of its policy and its measures ; and that,
therefore, the highest considerations of person
al honor and patriotism require him to main
tain, by whatever of power or influence he may
possess, the integrity of the laws of the Re
public.
Entertaining these views, it will be my im
perative duty to exert the whole power of the
Federal Executive to support public order in
the Territory ; to vindicate its laws, whether
Federal or local, against all attempts of organ
ized resistance : and so to protect its people in
the establishment of their own institutions, un
disturbed by encro lehment from without, aud
in the full enjoyment of the rights of stlf-go
j vernmcnt assured to them by the Constitution
and the organic act of Congress
Although serious and threatening distur
bances in the Territory of Kansas, announced
to me by the Governor in December last, were
speedily quieted without the effusion of blood,
and in a satisfactory manner, there is, I regret
to say, reason to apprehend that disorders will
continue to occur there, with increasing ten
dency to violence, until some decisive mea
sures be taken to dispose of the question itself
which constitutes the inducement or occasion
of internal ngitatiou aud of external interfc-
This, it seems to me, can best be accomplish
ed by providing that, when the inhabitants of
Kansas may desire it, and shall be of sufficient
numbers to constitute a State, a convention of
delegates, duly elected by the qualified voters,
shall assemble to frame a Constitution, and
thus to prepare, through regular and lawful
means, for its admission into this Union as a
State.
I respectfully recommend the enactment of
a law to that effect.
I recommend, also, that a special appropria
tion be made to defray any expense which may
become requisite in in the execution of the laws
or the maintenance of public order in the Ter
ritory of Kansas.
FRANKLIN PI LUCK.
Itejr Wisconsin now rejoices in two Gover
nors—one elected by the people and another
by the State Canvassers. Roth Basliford ami
and Rarstow have taken the oath of office,
and both will probably transmit messages to
the Legislature. And the Senate being Re
publican, will doubtless receive Bash ford's and
tee Assembly Barstow's, so there will be a
pretty kettle of fish. The Supreme Court will
have to decide betweeu the contestants for
executive honors.
C.vxai. Com mi ssi ox kr.— The friends of Col.
Geo. Scott, of Columbia county, are earnestly
and actively at work to secure his nomination
to the above office. He is ably advocated by
a number of our Democratic exchanges—among
tliein are the Columbia Democrat, the Fasten
Argus and Fasten Sctninel. Col. S. is f;-
vorablv known to the Democracy of the State.
—Patriot ami Union.
fta*" The richest man in Congress is the
Hon. "Win. A'keti of South Carolina. His pro
perty is estimated at two millions of dollare,
including over one thousand negroes.
fitair The Syracuse Chronule savs two hun
dred fugitive slaves have passed through that
city the paid year, and thirteen within the last
twelve days.
The New York Central and New York
and Erie fv. It ~ have agreed U> ad van***' freight
eharges 1 tl |M r ernt.
iUabfort llfjiortfr.
-s- • —s= - = -tf- ~-• - |
F. 0. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANDA:
satnrsan fttoriuno, -fdjriwrg 2. 185Ii.
Tkkms— Oiir Dollar per annum, invariably in advance.
Four week* previous to thr expiration of a subscription,
notice will be given by a printed wrapper, and if not re
newed, thr paper trill in all cases be ttopped.
Ct.rcßlKi; —Ute Reporter trill be rent to Clubs at the fol
lowing extremely low rates :
ti copies for. s■> 00 \ L> copies for . . .(12 00
10 copies for 8 00 ! 20 copies for 15 00
A (vkkti >km knts- For a square of ten lines or less, One
Dollar for three or less insertions, and twenty-fire cents
for each subsequent insertion.
Jois-WoKK Executed with accuracy and despatch, and a
reasonable prices—teilh every facility for doing Books,
Blanks, Hand-bills, Ball tickets, 4"<"•
MoNKY may be sent by mail, at our risk—enclosed it i on
envelope. and prujterly directed, we will be responsible
for its safe delivery.
Republican Committees of Vigilance.
"Y Till: REPUBLICAN* COUNTY
COMMITTEE of Bradford, have ap
pointed the following person* as
(.'oiimiittue* of Vigilance for their respective districts, for
the pit—cut vear :
Albany—Wells Wilcox, M. 11. Codding, John Sterigere,
Daniel Kellogg ;
Armenia Alfredllipley, David K. Becker, Alba Burnham, I
W. Fierce:
Asylum—G. F. Hortou. J. 11. Morrow, CSeo. W. Ingham, 1
Uriah Terry : 1
j Athens t<nvu-liip S. W. Dark, John Griffin, Das,id Gard-
I tier. Krastu-i Woleott;
; Athens borough—X. C. Harris, C. Huusiker, L. S. Keclcr,
!>. It Cotton ;
Burlington- Koswell I.nther, J. W. Spencer, P. M. Alex
under, James Nichols ;
Burlington Woi- Plvnn Phelps jr., Perry 8.-Pratt,S. 11.
Stiles, J. B. MeKea'n ;
Burlington b>r >ugh Philander I.ong, Chester Kirg ley,
Charles Lewis, X. T. Pickerson ;
Columbia- James Bullock, Puinnier I.illey, Andrew Ger
net. Uaac Strait ;
Cant >n—S. Newuian, M. H.Case, S. Owens, W.tawrencc;
D uel It. Bull, P- L. Staates, I'. M-snir. Edw'd lioinct ;
Franklin -Nelson Gilbert, Thomas Smiley, J. M. Martin,
j Festus F. Fairehild ;
Granville- Luniaii I'utiiain, William Bunron, Benjamin
Saxton, Harrison Boss;
derrick—l. A. Park, K. Carr. A. H. Brown. Abel Bolles ;
Litehtieid— Milo Merrill, • 'yrus Blood;,'ood, Stephen Evans,
Heinan Moore;
Leltov A. P. Koss. S. Bailey, Charles Lamb, John Cole ;
Monroe totvnship -Freeman Sweet, Daniel Decker, Cha*.
G. Ilollon, Itowland Bockwtll ;
Monroe borough E. B. Coolbaugli, S. S. lliuman, Antho
ny Mullan. J. L. Koekwell ;
Orwell—S. X Bronvju, John W. I'jyson, Henry Gibbs,
A. G. Mathews ;
Overton—Jame- M. llaverlev. William Waltinan, Orange
Chase, George Hotteiistiue ;
I'ike—K. C'ratulal, It. B. Bailey, K. S. fjkecl. ti. W. Brink ;
B one—P. Forties, O. Young, J. G. 'Din ner,F.W.Mayuard;
Bidglatry— ti.ttoper, 11. Owen, W.Steven .LP. Hammond
i ShesUetpiin— O. 11. I*. Kinney, Charles Chaffee, C. W.
Btlli-, A. J. 6de ;
Springtield—(*. 11. Campbell, Ambrose G. Brown, Amos
Knupp. Isaac F. Bullock ;
i Smithiield -G. K. MeVannon, Orpheus K. Bird, Clinton
E. Wood, E. ti. Hurley :
South Creek—W. Y. G lines, Ira Crane, J. F. Gillet, Linus
i Williams ;
Standing Sonne William tlriffis, Henry Noble, William
Kingsley, tieorgc A. Stephens ;
Sylv.inia B rough Peter Monro*, X. H. McCullom, I- X.
Tinkhani. Jame- 11. Nash ;
Ttisrori.ru Kdw'd C. Wells, A. J. Cogswell, Henry Mont
gomery, Pa vis Grav ;
I'nvunda lior >ugl> —Jere Culp, Frank Overton, Wallis
Bull. l'< r. ival Powell ;
Towanda -Hiram Fox, Samuel ('.Means. J. !L Decker,
L. P. B >w man ;
North Towanda George Mills, A. 11. Kingsbcry, Ezra
Butty, Samuel Stmt ton ;
Troy Is .rough—E. U. Parsons, George I'. Newlierry. Paul
Dobbins, B. S. Part;
Troy township- Alonzo Thomas, Ezra Looitiis, ,lma<a
Greeno. J. M. Smith ;
I'lster- S. C. Ilovey, P. J. Chubhttck, J. 1.. Gor-eiine,
S. X. Havens ;
Wvsox Mo-es Canfield—M. J.Coolbaugh, I. P. Spalding,
George Stiopc ;
Wy.ilu-ing- t . K. Ingham, Francis Hornet, Eli.-ha Lewis,
Harry Clark ;
Warren-Miles Prince, Jacob Bogers, J nines Cooper, Mi
randa Chaffee ;
Wells- Lo:cnz j Grinned, John Browne!!, Newell I.eo: •
ard. John Bnisted ;
Windham- Piatt Vandyke, James M. Peck, James Olm
sted. William S. Babcock;
Wilmot- Jonathan Buttles, J. 11. Tttrrell, J. L. Jones.
Hiram Stone.
no■ The (' nnmittees of Vigilance will call primary
m. etings at such times as the C unity Committee may
hereafter designate. ALLEN McKEAN,
January 22. ls.',c,. Chairman.
THE PRESIDENT ON KANSAS.
We make room, to the exclusion of other
matters, f> >r the President's defence of the " bor
der niflians." After his annual message, per
haps we should not be surprised at anything
that might emanate from hint ; but this un
justifiable and unexpected support of the inva
ders of Kansas lias created a universal feeling
of astonishment and indignation in the N'orth.
Gov. UtCKiiKR has published a letter in answer
to it, which is at once dignified and severe—
. which wc will given ou* readers uext week.
AGRICULTURAL NOTICE.
Wc nrc requested by the Secretary, Wji. C
800 art, to state that the regular meeting of
the Bradford County Agricultural Society will
be held at the Court House, in the Boro' of
Towanda, 0:1 Monday evening, February t,
1850.
Dr. K vxk's forthcoming work, giving
a full account of his last voyage to the Arctic
regions, is now in the hands of Messrs. Childs
& Peterson, of Philadelphia, and promises to
be one of the most magnificent and elaborate
works ever issued from the Press in this coun
try. There arc to be 110 less than three hun
dred illustrations, among them tweuty four
steel engravings, including portraits of Dr.
Kane and Mr. Grinncll. The work will be
issued in two handsome octaTo volumes, as
early as possible, at the low price of $5 for
the set.
On our first page will be found an interest
ing sketch of I)r. Kane by Dr. Kldcr of Phil
adelphia, to which we refer to our readers.
KKKF.CT OK NON-ORGANIZATION'. —It is stated
that the Secretary of the Treasury has decided
that Mr. Forney is Clerk only for limited pur
poses. lie has, therefore, refused to recognize
his requisition for funds to pay the officers of
the House, other than the clerks employed im
mediately under himself. The Sergeant-at-
Arms, Door-Keeper and Postmaster,employing
in their various offices nearly 150 persons, have
received no pay since the beginning of the ses
sion, and will receive uoue uulil the House
shall organize.
M IXISTKR TO ENGLAND. —By a telegraphic
dispatch to the Tribune, it is stated that the
English mission has been tendered to ex-Vice
President DAI.I.AS, and will doubtless be ac
cepted. Dispatches will be sent from Boston
by the next steamer to Europe requesting Mr.
Brt'HANAv to remain in England until his sne
or arrhes.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
The SPEAKER of the Senate presented a
petition from citizens of Bradford county, for
a repeal of that part of the School law us pro
vides for the electiou of County Suj>criiiten
dents ; and for redaction of the number and
pay of the School Directors.
The SPEAKER of the Senate also presen
ted two jK'titions from citizens of Bradford
couuty, for the repeal of the restraining liquor
law.
Mr. LA PORTE of tin House, for the re
peal of the law creating Couuty Superinten
dent ; for the reduction of the number of
school directors ami the appointment of town
superintendents.
Mr. HOLCOMB, one of similar import.
Mr. LAPORTE, one for the separation of
the School from the State Department, and
other modifications of the School law.
Mr. I.NCIIAM moved that the House pro
ceed to consider the resolution instructing our
U. S. Senators to vote for the re|>eal of the
Kansas-Nebruska Act ; which, after some re
marks from Messrs. Ingham and M'Carthy,
I was not agreed to—yeas 30, nays 65.
Mr. INGHAM, also, on leave given, offer
!ed a resolution that a select committe be up
-1 pointed to prepare a joint resolution of the
i substance of the resolutions offered by him a
; few days ago. The House refused to proceed
to the second reading of the resolution.
On Thursday the House repealed the Liqnor
| Law by a vote of 69 yeas to 25 nays, and the
j bill was sent to the Senate. In that body Mr.
j BUCK A LEW moved its reference to a select
j Committee, on which motion there was con
siderable debate, but an adjournment took
place before a vote was taken.
Mr. PRICE has introduced into the Senate
J a bill for the security of railroad traveling,
; which defines duties, fixes liabilities, and rcn
: ders that in certain statute law which now de
pends upon legal construction and decisions.—
The bill requires that the baggage and freight
I cars shall invariably be placed in front of the
passenger cars ; steam whistles to sound an
j alarm at eighty rods from any crossing of the
j highway at the same level ; sjK-ed to be re
duced on approaching a draw ; the running to
be so regulated that no two trains moving in
| opposite directions shall be on the same track
at the same time, without a switch and siding
between_them, unless the train that is out of
time is preceded by an agent ou foot, eighty
rods in advance, with a signal ; when any train
is stopped when another is expected, a signal
is to be seut eighty rods in the proper direc
tion. In enclosed or fenced parts of the coun
try, cattle guards to he constructed at every
commencement and termination of such enclos
ure. When a rail is taken up for repairs, a
signal is to be placed at eighty rods distant
each way. It is made a misdemeanor for any
crossing a railroad with a horse or vehicle, or
driving any animal on it when a locomotive is
approaching w itl i.i forty rods of sach intersec
tion. It is also made a misdemeanor, with
ninety days' imprisonnit lit, for a railroad con
ductor to get intoxicated. $5,000 is the great
est amount which may be recovered of a rail
road for any person's death through its negli
gence. No recovery of damages when the per
son is injured acting contrary to the printed
regulations of the company. The punishment
for injury through the negligence of any em
ployee of the road is twelve month's imprison
ment. If death ensue, the punishment is the
same as manslaughter. Persons who put ol>-
structions, whereby death ensues, shall be tried
for murder. If injury is caused, the punish
ment is ten year's imprisonment.
Imt-ortaxt to Postmaster ■*. —The Washing
ton I'nirn says :—Onr attention has been call
ed to the fact that some postmasters are in the
habit of sending back to the mailing office let
ters reaching them for delivery, because tliev
were not pre-paid by stamps, but bv money.—
This is wrong, and arises from a misapprehen
sion of the law. In no case, indeed, should a
letter, after it has reached the office of delivery,
be returned for postage, much less should it be
returned because the postage was not paid by
stamps. It is the general duty of postmasters
to see that letters are pre-paid by stamps, but
when (having been pre-paid in cash, either
through ignorance of the law, or inadvertence,
or want of stamps on the part of the mailing
postmaster,) they reach their destination, it is
the duty of the postmaster to deliver them the
same as though pre paid by stamps.
It will necessarily happen, in the introduc
tion of the stamp-prc-payinent system, that sup
plies of stamps will fail to reach some of the
small and remote offices at the proper time,
and it would be doing violence to the citizens
of those localities to return, and thus delay
their correspondence, because of a circum
stance so unavoidable. Entertaining this view
of the subject, the department lias instructed
l>ostmasters, not having stamps, to forward
letters as heretofore when pre-paid by money.
If an unpaid letter, from any cause, gets into
the mail and reaches its destination, it should
be delivered on payment of postage at prepaid
rates.
Gov. POIXOCK lias appointed RORRRT 11 AW-
I.EY Prothonotnry and Clerk of the Courts of
Quarter Sessions and Oyer and Terminer for
Lycoming county, to fill the vacancy occasion
ed by the death of GEO. F. BOAL.
t&~ Gov. Btm.KR has authorized the Prnn
■tylranian to state he is a fast friend of Mr.
BICHAXAN for the Presidency.
•fit" The proceedings of the Republican
meeting held iu Pike tow nship, will he publish
ed next week
Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Philauki.l'HlA, Monday Jan 2h
In Supremo Court, to-dav. Judge lb Kr . ">
lixered the unanimous opinion of tin. c .'
11.. matter of the tWind, I'ai,,,!!,
Ashtabula Railroad, against the C'itv of
to the effect that the Railroad Compi„, v b"'
the right to extend their road throu-h Fr'
the eastern boundary to connect \-;m ' C , tO
Xortli-Eat Roa.l, Jitlmt „" J.
struct ion of property by the Mayor and ■
en., of En., n
The injunction sought for was granted
lit the case of the Erie and North-K<. n ,
against 1,,,.,,!, C,.,,, the four,
Judges Black, Lowkik and Kxox held .1
repeal of the charter of the Road was,,, ■
tntional and valid, while Chief Justice I
and Judge Woonw.m. held it to be unconoi
tutional and vo.e. The ease is to be taken "
to the Imted States Supreme Court. 1
Doings in Congress.
House, Jan. 2d.—After an incffeetual #t
teiupt o repeal the resolution cutting off de
bate, the ous, balloted three times for SpeT
ti n 111 r n -° Mh e 127 t h. had
J4, Orr 64, l uller 2d. scattering 12- i IWs
sary to a clioiee 1)8. Adjourned. '
llofsE, Jan. 26. — Tlie Session was passed
in the disposal, without discussion, of r-sol
tions to the following purport • U
, -}'r" S| kl ., rt,
does not fully and heartily sympathize with
large majority of the country for the rcstora
tion of the Missouri Compromise, or who shall
hesitate to exert himself for the restore
of that restriction."
This was rejected. Yeas, 102 ■ \. lV< ](| o
" 2 The restriction ought to be restored a,
a proper indication of the wisdom, patriotism
and plighted honor of the great statesmen who
imposed it, and as the necessary and certain
means of reviving harmony and concord among
the States of the I'nioii, essential to our wj.
fare and the perpetuity of our institutions"
This was adopted by one majority.
" 3. Useless and factious agitation of the
! Slavery question, in or out of Congress, is m,.
i wise and unjust in every section of the Union
i but until the restriction is restored it U *
\ lemn duty we owe to the past, present and fn
| lure to steadily and firmly persist in the efforts
i to that end."
This was rejected by a majority of three
1 " 4. The agitation of the Slavery ipiestioa is
i unwise and unjust to a portion of the ]>eop!e
! injurious to every section, and ought not to be
| countenanced."
This was adopted by one majority.
" 5. The repeiU of the Missouri Restriction
was an example for useless and factious agita
tion of the Slavery question."
This was adopted by a vote of los to 95,
and then the House adjourned.
Senate, Jan. 2*.—(Jen. Ca made aUg
speech on Central American affairs. He
thought all things were going simxitlilv. and
the President was doing his duty. Mr Col
lamer gave his views o:i the Clayton and Hoi
wer Treaty. Mr. Seward obtained the floor
and the Senate adjourned to Tiiursday.
H OCSK. — Mi* Inciter moved the Plurality
rule, which motion was tabled, 10G to 101.—
Some personal discussion ensued upon a let
ter published in a Cleveland paper, reflecting
severely on the course of Mr. CampMl and
others. The Iloise then vot u the 12fftli tme
for Speaker : Banks had 07, Orr G7, Puller
3d, Pennington 3. Edie, 2, Harris and Wil
liams 1 each. Necessary to a choice ltd.—
Adjourned.
Two Cun.MIEN Bl KNK.n TO HkaTlT.—Abwt
3 o'clock yesterday morning a fire broke out
in a block of wooden buildings on the rior
side of Water street, which construct] ws:?
three or four dwellings, and resulted in tL>
death of two children brother and >i<ter' ffko
i perished in the flames. The name of the chil
dren was Burgess—the boy being about si
years of age and the girl four. They wre
literally burnt t® a crisp, and ] res ntcil one
of the most horrible and heart-rending sights
j which we have ever been called o:i to witne ; >
Tlieir parents, it scorns, were out to a dancr
i on the preceding evening (having first looked
j the little creatures in their bedroom, from
which they returned in the morning to fc-d
themselves childless, liew-ai! their her-.-iven>":i',
i and confront an indignant eoimmm ty The
j children could easily have been saved flhws
. minutes after the fire was discovered had : ' )f
fact that they were in the building been know.
! —Klmira Adc., 26'^.
A Close Shave.—A while ago, one hot day.
a very wealthy miser of this city died oi chotf
ra, and it was found necessary to place i
body in the coffin without removing bis usw
apparel. One of his heirs, who was standing
by, suggested, just as the lid was bein?
Ed, searching the deceased's pockets, which*®
done, and the searcher also found an ordiii?
money-belt around the corpse, containing >> I ''
$•">,000 worth of notes, bills. ve. —
Tribune.
Itaj" Tim freezing of the Ohio Kivcr. hjti*
facilities thus furnished for crossing from
tuekv to Ohio, seems to have stimulated ra®!
of the bondsmen of the latter State to attcaf"
their escape. We learn from Cincinnati f' l -*
recapture ou Monday of several of these ■a?"
tives, not without tragical circumstance
most affecting character. A mother
escape hopeless from the hands of the
catchers, to save her three children fro"' 1 *' 11 '
dragged back to Slavery, cut their threap
stantly killing one and severely wound;' l
other two. Six of the fugitives were car 1 "
but eight, l>elonging to another party, arc
to have effected their escape.
Towanda Female Seminary- ,
TMIE NK XT gU A RTK K of the^
JL f 'rmti'r Seminary UHtlt-r the charge >'t
,NO\S will commence on Monday, February
Tow.mda, January lift, ls.'it;.
J. D. HUMPHREY
IS NOW KKTKIVIXG an excellent
hoy's, ladies', children's and mwww ll'' jiois'
KS. Also, Shoe l'ejrs. Thread. I.iuhUf* a,k
whicli he invites public attention.
*ar-.\l| persons having unsettled accounts or
tiie subscriber, are invited to tuake
venient may call on C. Frisbic, E-ap <" ' .fler*® 1 ?
Orwell, previous to the 15th of February ■ ■ t ,i o
time dehnuneuts may expect special V ~r\ii'Hßf®'
Towanda. * J. I>. m '
Towanda, Jnntuiry 9. I#S5. -
> TONS SUGARS Brow it. b
* > dered. Crushed and Granulated.: x, "
and Java VrfTce, Rice, < ileratu*. r - • '
I.'ice, Tobuc-o in tact a general >are ty >•> f o\-
-ale cheap at j'""