DOLLAR PER ANNUM INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
TOWANDA:
SljarsDan morning, fHat) li, 1858.
SMttftk '^oefrir.
THE WELL DIGGER j AN OVER-TRUE BALLAD.
BV JOHN U. SAXE.
C. me li-ten all while 1 relate
What recently befell
l'nti a farmer down in Maine,
While digging of a well.
Full many a yard he dug and delved,
And still he dug in vain ;
■ Alack!" quoth he, " e'en water bcem.
Prohibited in Maine S"
Vud still he dug and delved away,
\nd still the well was dry ;
The only water to be found
Was iu the farmer's eye ;
For by the breaking of the bank
That tumbled from its station.
All suddenly his hope was dashed
Of future liquidation!
\n<l r; w Lis sands were running fast.
Ami he had died, no doubt,
Cut that when the well eaved in,
He happened to be out!
. \), :i • —1 luve a lucky thought"
Exclaimed this wicked man—
■ To dig anew this wretched well
1 see a pretty plan :
I'll hide me -traight, and when my wife
Aud eke my neighbors know
What's happened to my digging here.
They'll think that I'm below!
" And to save my precious life.
They'll dig the well, no doubt,
KVn deeper than 'twas dug at first,
Before they'll find mc out!"
And so lie Hhi him in the bnra
Through all the hungry day,
To bide the digging of his well
Iu this deceitful way.
(lot li.st what grief aud shame Ijek.il
T. s false, ungrateful mas,
While he siily watched toseu
Ihe working ol his plan ;
The neighbors with one accord
Unto each other said :
- With such a weight of earth above.
The ntan is surely dead."
And then the wife, with pious care,
All needless cost to save,
Said •' Since the Lord hath willed it so,
K'en let it be his grave ?"
HI i s 1111 aitto ns.
A FASSAGE IW THE LIFE OF BOLIVAR.
When Bolivar, at the lteatl of a few patriots,
r-iscd tin- standard of independence in New
(iraiia.la, the unfortunate Spanish colonics
were already stricken to the heart by the
I numerous abuses of a deplorable government.
The arbitrary spirit of tlie kings of Spain,
their insatiable and impolitic cupidity, their
narrow minded spirit, making them seize upon
nil. united to the excessive intolerance of the
Catholics, of necessity made of one of the rich
est couutiies, from its extraordinary fertility
and mincralogical treasures, the most wretch
ed spot in the new world.
It would be difficult to conceive to what an
extent the kings of Spain who had succeeded
one another since tlie discovery of America,
labored to ruin their possesions beyond the
sa. After the peace of Badajos, Fiance was
"'•>ne permitted to liuve consuls, or agents, iu
Spanish America ; aud even then, all they
M carefully watched by the double police
' f the civil ami religious authorities. The
Inquisition often seized tijon persons who had
been acquitted by the civil tribunals ; for the
' 'iigv acted prf.jiriomoltt with perfect iudepeu
cence of nil political authority. In considera
tion of all the privileges accorded to the
churdi during the three last centuries, Bolivar
t flight that the most formidable aruiy against
t'ie independence of New Granda would be
'bat of ilic priests and monks, if it declared
itself against the insurrection. He therefore
bogged the clergy to remain iu a neutral posi
tion during the events abont to take place, and
'bey consented. The price of this neutrality
"f-S that Bolivar promised to preserve intact
tbe privileges of the Church, if he succeed
| 'd : and, in fact, the heads of the clergy took
■'fir seats iu the Congress, and were acknow
ledged as the most efficient in all civil and
"en military employments ; and they were
I 'Rid in preference to all other citizens ; the
1 atholic religion was acknowledged to the cx
* "Won 0 f every other form of faith ; the large,
; "I even increasing riches ol the Church were
• ?orons|y respected ; education was ruonopo
"dbv the clergy ; and, iu line, the Inqnisi
•ou worked as well after, as before the dcclara
-1 "ii ol independence.
Ibe circumstance we are about to relate o<*-
""red in the commencement of 1823. Boli
'ir. ut the head of au army of four or five
ou>and volunteers, marched towards Cara-
In- native town, which he was determined
1 fiver from the Spanish yoke. The minds
: 'fi were exasperated by the savage acts ot
governor Monteverdeand the commanding
•vr Suosola. The alTair of Aragua, above
"11, filled every heart with the deepest iudigua
lljri against the array of Royalists.
£usola Lad entered, as a friend, with the
" Is of the Spanish government, the little
in of Aragua, and the townsfolk wished to
Ki, e a /tie in celebration of his entrance. He
r dercd public rejoicings, aud after a religions
procession, the indispensable prelude to every
'' ln New Granada, he ordered a review of
lS Roops to take place. The inhabitants
* r med, and completely reassured by the
lf>D % deportment of the Spanish, rushed to
Ip l* Suosolii's invitation. All went off per
' w eil at first, and the people filled with
'"Dtiide because its good government was
, '■ ''"Ji any injury, cried with enthusiasm —-
'a live i'eidiuaud VII ! Long live fciuo-
THE BRADFORD REPORTER,
sola !" This latter replied by charming aud
gracious smiles, and then gave au order to his
soldiers to surround the place, aud cut off the
ears of all preseut, without distinction of sex
or age. Several large baskets were brought,
which were filled with the ears cut off, and
sent to the governor of Montevcrde. The
governor saw iu this present from his comman
der in chief, a pledge of his fidelity to the good
royalist cause. Montevcrde wrote as much to
Suosola, who, enchanted by the approbation
of his superior, cut off many more ears aud
nfade cockades of them. The example found
many imitators in the army, and the soldiers
would henceforth wear no cockades but those
made with ears. It became a fashion, aud
wherever the Spanish army passed, the inhab
itants' cars are cut off to oruauieut the soldiers'
shakos.
This monstrous act served the projects of
Bolivar by exasperating the Americans against
the Spanish government. The taking of Car
acas was the consequence. At a little distance
from the plain where the chief of the indepen
dents was encamped, some days before the
taking of Caracas, was a hillock of double
celebrity, on account of a spring of warm wa
ter, and of the miracle performed by a cele
brated virgin, whom they entitled tiio Virgin
of Hot Water. Numerous pilgrims came from
ail parts to implore her protectiou, offering
costly presents. Consequently the chapel was
full of precious objects. The reputation of
.Madouua had extended far beyond the sea.
In fact, a king of Spain being ill, came like a
poor co uuiouer to the Virgin//' Aqua Cvlicnle,
aud sent her a magnificent golden crown out of
gratitude for his restoration to health. The
gift gave occasion to a solemn ceremony, when
the crown was placed on the head of the Vir
gin of Miracles, whose renown was much aug
mented by such au event.
Nevertheless, nothing had changed in the
camp of Bolivar since the arrival of the Inde
pendents near Caracas. The liberator of Colum
bia, as was usual with him, had just settled
the pay due to his troops, (who were crying
out for food aud clothing,) by reading them a
fresh proclamation. It was thus that for a
length of time, in consequence of the difficul
ties of his ]>ositions, he acquitted his debt to
ward the bravest volunteers who composed his
army. A singular army it was. The soldiers
who |M)ssessed a uniform complete, formed a se
leet corps, and marched in the front ranks ; the
soldiers who had shoes, trousers, and hats, but
no coats, formed a very respectable body at
the first-named, aud marched iu the second
rank ; those who had shoes and trousers, but
no hats or coats, composed the the third rank ;
those with trousers, but possessing no other
article of uniform, marched in the fourth rank ;
iu short, the more unfortunate and lightly clad
still were lost sight of in the crowd of the last
ranks. Bolivar had just finished editing be
forehand a last proclamation —which was to
liquidate the pay of next month, when it should
be due —when they came and told liirn that a
stranger wished to speak to liiiu.
This stranger was .luau Rodrigues Cnballos
Jardinesd'Alfatidiga, Grand Vicar of the Arch
bishop of Caracas.
Bolivar's countenance became thoughtful, he
felt that the Archbishop of Caracas would not
derange his Grand Vicar to bring him good
tidings.
The Father Don Juan Rodigues Cabollas
Jardiucs d'Alfaudiga was a stout man of about
forty, of a uarrow mind, having received a
very incomplete education. He had risen raje
idly to the post which he occupied, thanks to
his jovial temper, and conciliating humor, and
thanks, to his rotundity of figure, which made
him very sympathizing with worldly infirmi
ties.
When Bolivar entered the tent where the
Grand Vicar awaited him, lie found him just
finishing a cigarette, smoking being a habit
with all then, even with Indies.
Don Juan Alfandiga offered his hand to Bol
ivar, according to custom, which the other re
spectfully kissed.
" I have come about a very serious affair,"
said the Grand Vicar, with a joyous counte
nance, and a tranquil tone of voice, sadly in
discord with the words ho uttered. He con
tinued :—" An odious and sacreligions theft
has been committed within the last few days
in the Chapel Ayu,n Cnliente, by oue ol your
soldiers."
" How so—is it possible, ray lord ?"
" A brigadier of your army, one of those
who had shoes and trousers, but no coats.'
"The first rank after the select corps ?" ex
claimed Bolivar.
" Yes, one of your brigadiers, iu short, of the
first rank after the select corps, entered the
chapel, and dared to carry off tho massive
golden crown from the head of the glorious
A'irgiu of Miracles."
" Assuredly 'tis a great crime," replied Bol
ivar, " but is your lordship certaiu that you
are not mistaken ?"
" 1 am never mistaken ; his name is Pedro
Francisco, he is thirty-one, aud a native of
Bogota."
" The bravest of my soldiers !" thought Boli
var frowning. " The unhappy wretch ! lie is
lost." Then quickly suppressing his voluntary
movement he added :
" And what must I do, my lord, to satisfy
your justice ?"
'• You must first," answered the Grand Vi
car, " make the criminal restore tho precious
relic, or, at all events, the pieces which lie may
still have, iu his possession ; then, when wo
have obtained that result, wc must, to make
an example, try and shoot hiio."
" What you require, my lord, is quite
right."
"In so serious an affair," continued the
Grand Vicar, " his lordship, the archbishop,
thought that to make the example more salu
tary, it would be better for hiin to come here
himself, in the midst of the camp, ami preside
over the tribunal which is to judge the criminal.
To-morrow, therefore, at 12 o clock, his lord
ship and 1 will be here, if you see nothing to
prevent it."
There was nothing for it but resignation.—
When Bolivar returned to his tent, he began
to reflect ou tLc dcploiable effect ol the con-
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, l'A., BY E. O'MEARA GOODRICH.
" RE ARULESS OF DENUNCIATION FROM ANY qtJABTER."
dcmnation and execution of one of his soldiers
on the eve of the decisive blow he was about
striking. Frauciseo was much beloved by his
comrades ; he was the most intrepid soldier in
the army, and without excusing him, Bolivar
found, in the poverty of his soldiers, who were
fed on little else but proclamations an exten
uating circumstance in favor of those who al
lowed themselves to be tempted by the sight
of gold. Bolivar would fain have saved the
brigadier, but lie durst not refuse the arch
bishop justice, still less could he declare open
war against him. In a fit of anger, which he
took no paius to disguise, the general suraraon
oned the brigadier before him.
'• So here you are !" cried Bolivar, in a
voice of thunder ; " thief, hang-dog brigand !
Sit down there ; we have something to say to
one another."
Without uttering a word the brigadier seat
ed himself on the extreme edge of a wooden
bench.
" 'Tis you wretch !" continued Bolivar, "who
have not hesitated before committing the most
shameful sacrilege, in robbing the hc.q ladon
na (V Jlijiui Cnliente. Well, then, you ..ill be
shot, bo you hoar ?"
The brigadier still kept silent.
"Double fool that you are !" burst from Bo
livar. " You tho't, doubtless, that the arch
bishop would allow himself to be thus outra
geously robbed, in the person of the Madonna
without taking the necessary steps to discover
the guilty party, and that the criminal would
escape punishment !"
" I do not deny my fault, general ; I am re
signed to ail."
" A pretty resignation, forsooth ! but a
pretty death for a soldier of the Independence
and that at a moment when yon know how
useful you could be to me iu the taking of
Caracas ! 1 thought you mv friend, Francisco,
and I think that, out of delicacy to me, you
might have waited till the assault was over,
at least."
" I'll expiate ray fault by dying like a man I"
" Gracious Heavens ! I never prevented your
dying whenever your death might have served
some purpose. Die whenever you please, but
in the good cause 1"
" By my faith ! tis high time to deal in senti
ment. I think the memory of your mother
which ought only to have inspired you with
good ideas, comes rather late."
" Alas ! 'twas for her only I committed the
crime, for her alone I shall die."
" What the devil are you talking about V }
" A simple truth, general. .My mother, since
the alTair of ihe cutting off of ears in Aragua,
has been perishing of misery and sickness, and
no one to help her—she has me alone on earth
and my general knows that for some time past
money is scarce iu the army of the Independ
ence."
" Well, well ; pass over those details."
"Some days since I entered the Chapel of
the Virgin, to pray the Madonna to aid my
poor mother ! i prayed to her knees, bowed
down to the earth, and with ail the energy of
my soul : ' Oh ! holv Virgin,' I cried, do not
let my poor mother die for want of a little
gold !' And then, my Drain troubled, my heart
bursting, the fatal thought took possession jof
me, to sei/c the crown of the Madonna, which
I sent to my mother to relieve her distress."
Tins frank recital made a deep impression
upon Bolivar ; he wou'd have giveu much to
save the brigadier, but he knew the inflexible
severity of the archbishop. Suddenly the ex
pression of his countenance changed, nnd a
smile of malicious satisfaction curled his lips.
" What you tell me, Francisco," he said, in
a calm tone cannot justify your conduct ; if I
pity you from the bottom of my heart as a man
I cannot absolve you from your guilt as your
judge ; nil 1 can promise you is, to soften your
punishment in consideration of your good sen
timents and repentance ; you shall be shot the
moment the trial is over, that you may not have
long to languish. But I impose a condition
for my kindness. Tis this, that you reply in
the affirmative to all my questions before the
tribunal."
" Nevertheless, general—"
" I'll not be trilled with, morhlcu /you kuow
I dislike observations."
" Yes, general."
" Come, then, 'tis settled ; now go till to
morrow."
" Yes, general."
Next day Bolivar probably wrote some other
nutritive proclamation, after which he break
fasted, then dressed himself in full regimentals
ordered the construction of a stage forjudges,
bade his staff be ready bv twelve o'clock, aud
awaited with much uneasiness, the arrival of
the archbishop.
Exactly at twelve a blast of trumpets an
nounced the arrival of the camp of the Arch
bishop of Caracas, his Grand Vicar and suite,
composed of a black Capuchin, a sandalled
Carmelite, a bcnediictine and a monk of the
rich order of Begging Brothers.
Bolivar hastened to meet the pious procession
and respectfully kissed the archbishop's baud.
" All is ready, my lord, but his excellency
will excuse me, I trust, if it has been impossi
ble for me to receive him in a manner more
worthy of him."
" The tribunal of a day cannot be fitted up
like that of ihe Inquisition of Caracas ; said
the Grand Vicar, "where, Heaven be thanked!
nothing is wanting for the judges or the ac
cused
The procession having arrived in Bolivar's
tent, where the stage had been erected, the
archbishop seated himself iu the chair of honor
the grand vicar on the bishop's left hand, and
Bolivar chose a place ou the opposite side. -
The black Capuchin, the sandalled Carmelite,
the Benedictine and the begging monk, were
installed on a bench near the Grand Vicar and
the general's staff sat opposite theibrotherhood
In the middle of this hedge of spectators, was
a little bench on which sat the accused.
Bolivar opened the proceedings.
" Accused, you know the odious crime iur
paled to you
" Yes, general."
"This criQiecntailscapit.il punishment upon
you, and the tribunal, I have full confidence,
will -how itself indexible aguiust an v t which
makes every upright and honest heart heave
with indignation."
At these words, the archbishop turned tow
ards Bolivar, and gave him a nod of approba
tion.
" Do you admit,' continued Bolivar, follow
ing up the interrogatory, "having penetrated
into the Chapel d 1 A due Calient the day the
crown disappeared V
" Yes, geueral."
" Is it true, brigadier, as the witnesses affirm
that you sent the crown belonging to the
Madonna, to your mother, who is, they say,
poor and infirm 1"
" Yes, general."
"Is it true that a strange emotion seized
upon you at sight of her ?"
" Yes, general."
"Have you unbounded faith in Ihe iticxhaust
abL- goodness of the Madonna ?''
" Yes, general."
"Do yon believe that none ever solicited
her in vain ?"
" Yes, general."
" Do you believe in her power ?''
" Yes, general."
'' Is it true that after your invocation ad
dressed to her, that her face became illumina
ted as if by a ray of setting sun ?"
" Did you feel that was a sign of Divine in
tervention, aud a mysterious notice in your
favor ?"
" Yes, general "
" That's not all ; you said, so it is reported
to me, that you thought you saw the Madonna
smile upou you and, taking the crown from
her own he ld, say, holding it towards you :
'Take it ; I give it to you for your old mother!'
Dare you persist in this assertion, which would
be prodigious, but which, nevertheless, would
be nothing extraordinary nor impossible on the
part of a Madouua whose miracles are so nu
merous ? Dure you persist iu this assertion ?"
" Yes, geueral."
At this unexpected affirmation, there was
moment of hesitation in the audience; Boli
var's officers whispered among themselves ; and
the brotherhood, moved by the same thought,
attentively observed the archbishop.
" By my faith," cried Bolivar, to put an end
to all uncertainty," 'tis one miracle, t hat's all!"
" In truth," said the Gruud \ icar, siuipiy,
" it is very like one."
" It is one !" exclaimed all the officers, ou a
sign from the general.
During this time, the archbishop kept sil
ence ; he frowned and glanced around the audi
tory, seemingly a prey to some iuteruul combat.
At last lie spoke :
" So be it !" said he, with, 'tis a miracle ?"
"Tis a miracle !" repeated all the brother
hood, clasping their hands aud looking up to
lleaveu.
" Yes," said the archbishop, slowly, r.s the
same time gentiy chin, liko a man
seeking an issue out of a difficult position, "yes,
'tis, a miracle. We will found a ceremony in
commemoration, aud the produce of the coilec
tiou shall bo employed to the purchase of an
other crown for the Madonna !"
" You have heard, I'edro Francisco," said
Bolivar, whose countenance, though serious,
betrayed a secret joy, "the tribunal to a man
acknowledges your innocence. Human justice
must bow before the will of Heaven. Go in
peace, and continue to merit the esteem of your
companions and the favor of Heaven, by prov
ing as you have hitherto done, a good soldier,
a good Catholic, and a good son !"
The accused rose, and bowing to his judges
wns about to depart. As he was passing the
threshold, the archbishop, who had never
ceased caressing his chiu mechanically, called
hiui back.
"An instant, brigadier ! Come back here,
1 have something more to say to you !''
" I am at your service, my lord," answered
Francisco, returning.
" Listen well to what T am about to say,
and don't forget it. Iu your interests, believe
mc, if ever a saint no matter which, offers you
anything, refuse it 1 Saints don't like always
to be taken at their word, aud it is a proof
of good taste to refuse them in such cases.—
You must uot impose on their generosity; it
will get you into trouble another time."
Small School Districts.
Another reason why in some of the towns
of the county, the schools are uot more pros
perous, and the school law is looked upou by
manyof the citizens,at least,with distrust ,is,that
the inhabitants or directors, or perhaps both,
allowed the towns to be divided into so small
districts or sub-districts, as they were former
ly termed. All now agree that the schools,
or many of them, are too small, that the num
ber of school houses is too great ; but now
the division has been made, the houses have
been built, the people have become accustom
ed to send to schools in a certain place, it is
difficult to break up these divisions, and direc
tors are unwilling to act iu the matter. By
making less schools and changing the location
of some, at least, of the houses, a portion of
the citizens may, and most likely will be, some
what incommoded. Houses will be erected
too near to some and too far from others
some will be necessarily associated in school
matters with those with whom they prefer to
have no business transactions whatever, and
occasionally extra expense will be incurred in
building a new house but a short distance from
one that would answer several years if no
change had been made. All these objections,
and scores of others render directors averse to
making changes.
This last objection is of but little force, for
iu the towns where a new arrangement of the
schools, together with a change of the loea
tiou ot some ol the houses is most needed, the
buildings used for school purposes, arc must
of them • pool that new ones ire imperative
Iy demanded, and where this is the case, it
seems to be a peculiarly favorable time for re
districting the towns aad constructing suitable
school houses.
The difficulties and iuconvcncncies that would
grow out of a change, would, in most cases,
be but temporary, while the beuefits would be
permanent. Some children would be under
the necessity of traveling a greater distance
to school it is true, but they would find a bet
ter school. Some new houses would be re
quired, but arc they not in very many cases
required now, even if they are to be placed
on the sites of the old ones ?
Let us examine the question a little more
closely, and see how the matter operates. —
Every man who has a family of children to
educate would, of course, like to have a school
house so near to him that his children can at
tend school conveniently when they arc small;
this is in itself commendable and his wishes
should be complied with, when it can be done
without prejudice to the rights of others or in
jury to the general cause of education, bnt as
our schoo's are to be .supported by the taxa
ble property of the whole town, no uiau lias a
right to claim that his interests must be look
ed after, and the education of his children at
tended to, to the neglect or injury of others.
All cannot be as well accommodated with
schools as they might desire ; especially is this
the case where the country is just filling up
with inhabitants. Some must of absolute ne
cessity be too near to the school house, and
others too remote from it.
This is a state of things that always exists
to a greater or less exteut in a comparatively
new country, and it cannot be obviated whol
ly by establishing new schools in every sepa
rate neighborhood. Schools when thus es
tablished must be supported and kept open
four months, or the State appropriation can
not be drawn. The schools being small, and
there being so many iu the town to be kept
open, the directors are obliged under the pres
sure of the circumstances to employ cheap
teachers, for, although the number of the
schools is increased the taxes must not be rais
ed. More (not better) houses must bo erect
ed, but the taxes must be kept down. Direc
tors liud themselves thus placed between two
fires, as it were. The necessity of supporting
all the schools, notwithstanding they may feel
assured that fewer schools would accomplish
the object of educating the whole children of
the town far lietter, and with less expense ;
this stands upon the one hand, and the disap
probation of some portion of tho citizens of
the town, if they attempt to interfere with
schools as they nre established, upon the oilier.
They dare not increase the taxes, and con
sequently, inexperienced and sometimes illy
qualified teachers are employed, because they
will work for less wages than will those who
are competent and experienced. Children at
tend school term after term and parents see
no improvement ; the school Ims been kept,
but the scholars have uot been taught, and
as soon as the individual employed has by ex
perience aeqtiWed sufficient skill aud tact to
begin to impart knowledge successfully, he or
she must be transferred to a larger school, be
cause the former one is too small to pay for
experience. Thus small schools are always
taught by inexperienced teachers.
Less schools would be less expensive to the
whole town, both for houses or teachers. —
Every one knows that it costs but a trilie
more to build a house forty by thirty or twen
ty-five, than it does to build one twenty-live
by fifteen. The additional expense is a mere
trille, compared with the cost of erecting two
even small houses.
If too, one good competent teacher costs
less, so far as dollars arc concerned, than two
incompetent ones, so far as the real value of
the labor performed by competent or incompe
tent teachers is concerned, there is no compari
son to be made between them. Now if schools
were fewer in number, and more pupils attend
ed, better instructors could be employed anil
better Louses built, or those already erected
could be kept in better repair, not only with
out an increase of taxation, but \\ itli less tax.
Several schools in the county averaged during
the past winter but sixteen pupils ; in such
schools ot course a first rate teacher could not
be sustained. It is not pretended that those
individuals who have taught the longest, and
who demand the highest wages are therefore,
aud as a matter the best teachers,
but the principle that low priced articles arc
in the cud (lie most expensive, holds true in
the case ol touchers as frequently as in any
other caso. Neither is it asserted that an in
experienced person cannot be a good teacher,
or ought not to be employed, but tho genera!
and acknowledged fact, that our schools are
100 small, and in consequence ol this, cheap
teachers aio employed because they are cheap,
is asserted, and directors and all the friends
of common schools are earnestly requested to
Im k ill this matter in its true light, and take
such action as shall result iu the advancement
of the cause ot univei al education
C R C.
I'T.tnl' A jail l vV -
VOL. XVIII. !NO. 4S.
• Correspondence ol t!ic North American & U. S. Oa/.ctt
April 22.
The session has finally closed—both houses
having adjourned sine die, at a litt-lo before 1
o'clock. There was ranch merriment in the
House during the morning, whilst that body
was waiting upon the Senate and the Gover
nor. Many resolutions, which would appear
rather funny in print, and 1 thiak, have a de
cided tendency to bring the House into public
disregard, were offered. They arose, however
from the feeling of rejoicing and exultation
which the members experienced at the idea of
getting away from here, and reaching home
Whenever any member offered a resolution
which contained a telling hit at some occur
rencc of the session, or in relation to sonic
course of procedure upon the part of a particu
lar member the House grew uproarious with
mirth. Some of the speeches made upon Litem
were exceedingly rich, und a series of attacks
and retorts, of mental thrusting and parrying
was kept iipin a spirit of excellent good limner
and nothing occurred to mar the harmony of
the session.
Rut the most exciting and interesting affair
which lias occurred during the session, was the
debate, and the scenes v\ liich followed it during
the session of the House yesterday afternoon.
The bill creating the Twenty-seventh Judcial
District, which had passed the House, and been
amended in the Senate, so as to destroy Wil
luot's Judicial district, came back to the fornu r
body. It bad been known some time ago that
a majority of the House had been opposed to
any such project. Hut it 1 a 1 bu-n known also
that a decided majority of tlie Senate, inclu
ding Uuckalcw himself, had been opposed to
it. Yet that majority had yielded, and forced
j the bill, with the obnoxious amendments,
through the Senate. iNot content with tin t
the out-side levers from the Judge's district,
headed by Victor l'iolctt, mid a number of the
Senators, led by Uuckalcw, made a moat de
termined onslaught upon the democratic mem
hers of the House, iu order to get them to
concur in the ameudmeut.
In the morning after the bill passed the
Senate, the friends of Mr. Wilmot were anx
ious to have it brought over aud tested at once.
They were afraid that delay might weaken
their cause. Tliey knew Ruckulew's great
weight with the members of his owu party,
and they justly dreaded the effect it might
have if left to work for a length of time. The
bill did not come over until the afternoon.
When it did come, the friends of tho amend
ment were afraid to call the previous question.
Mr. Calhoun made the motion to concur. Mr.
Chase, of Susquehanna, one of the scholarly
and finished gentlemen in the House, opened
the debateou the motion to concur, aud spoke
ai length against it. He was followed by .Mr.
Armstrong, of Philadelphia, who lmd the mag
nanimity to rise above party, and vote accord
ing to his sense of right.
Mr. Goepp, of Northampton, the most
learned lawyer and the most lucid reasoner iu
the House (a Democrat,) opposed the amend
ment upon the ground that it was unconstitu
tional to deprive the people of a district of
their right to elect a Judge ; for if this hill
passed instead of having a right to elect a
Judge, as they have under existing laws, tho
people of Bradford wou'd be deprived of that
privilege for two years and those of Susque
hanna for eight years. Besides, he did not
wish to place the,crown of political martyrdom
upon the head of David Wilmot.
Messrs. Calhoun and Oweu favored tho
motion to concur.
Judge Nill, of Franklin, a leading Demo
crat iu the House, also spoke freely and effec
tively against it.
Mr. M'Clure, of Franklin, one of the most
accomplished leaders of the Republicans clos
ed the debate. Whilst he was speaking it was
evident that he was dealing most powerful and
telling blows ; some of his sentences were very
strong. He declared " that if Mr. Calhoun
returned to the courts of Armstrong County,
having accomplished the overthrow and sever
ance of that district, he would enter thosu
courts with his hands stained with judicial
homicide."
Mr. Calhoun fairly writhed under this and
a half a dozen other such sentences. He rose
twice to explain, but only became the more em
barrassed. At last, as the hour of five aproach
ed, and as Mr. Clure secmcl to be growing
the fiercer in his attack, as it was evident that,
if a vote was not had ere that time, the bill
would fall any how. Mr. Calhoun sprang to
his feet, and amid much excitement called tho
previous question.
Mr. M'Clure still continued to spent. Half
a dozen other members called out for the or
der of the day, which was an adjournment at
five, then only five minutes off. Others moved
to adjourn. Twenty men were struggling to
j get on the floor. ()no with a deep basso-toned
voice would call out Mr Speaker—another in
j a shrill tenor would halloo the same thing.
I Mr. lmhrie, of Re iver, in particularly per
! sistout in his calls, lie has a point of order
to raise. He catches the eye of the Speaker
lie makes his point and the Speaker rules
it against liiin. Mr Calhoun is still upon Ins
feet demanding the previous question Mr.
M'Clure is sti'.l upon his feet, lie has not
i yielded ihe fio >r. He announces that he docs
1 not intend to fillishustcr ngaii.st the bill.
The Speaker grants the previous question
Twelve gentlemen stand up to sustain it. Mr
Calhoun announces 'hat this is a test vote.
Mr. M'Clure receives it as such, and uiiuounc
>s that he is ready. The clerk begins to calf
The hall is crowded almost to suffocation
one-lial! the Somite is - in the lions l . Everyman
who has a pencil and piece of paper is tallying
the \ote for aud against the call, as the clerk
announces the names of members Whilst the
first forty or fifty are answered to, the interest
is breathless. By the time the sixtieth is rent h
cd, so many Democrats have voted no, that it
is evident to all the motion to sustain the pre
viou.s question is lost. Then the noise and Ims
lie ot congratulation among the opponents ot
the bill begin They gather iu groups, and
I congratulate each other upon the re nit
I The vote is announced f'i'2 to 3d Hut fhe
j light is nut yet over The question upon