PEKHSTLVABIA LEGISLATURE, CfeOSK 07 PROCEEDINGS. SENATE. Joint resolutions, proposing certain amendments to the Constitution (allowing soldiers to vote) were . "• WLt. Terrell, who had offered the original bill in 1663) traced Re course and theeffortßhe had need since that time to secure its passage. The Joint Committees appointed to fix a time for the Legislature to visit the Agricultural College, in Centre county,reported that all necessary arrange ments had been made to leave Harrisburg on Thursday, March 17ih. On the final passage of the bill allowing soldiers to vote, the yeas and nays were required by the Constitution, and were, yeas 18,-nays 7 The Democrats, en the ground that the b'enate was not legally organized, either did not vote-or voted hdo.” The only Democrat that voted “yea** was Senator Kinsey, of Bucks Speaker Denney asked leave to make a personal explanation, and spoke in substance as follows: At the last session of the Senate, I was elected, by your partiality, to AM the chair of Speaker. Since then* I have endeavored to .discharge the du ties of ; he position with a conscientious regard formy oath. Ifl have failed, it has not beenfrom any disposition or desire to wrest the rights from any Sena'or. It is proper to state that I have listened to many thihgSi&pparently harsh,but have received no dis courtesy to myself of which I can complain. I will endeavor to defiae my position. At the beginning of the session I came here as Speaker, duly qualified and elected. According to custom I called, the senate to order, believing that it was my duty to act until organized. I believed, also, thatit was my duty when the body was organized to continue to act until my suc cessor was elected. This view I adopted, with a due regard to my oath,' and too i the po-ition with out consultation, but not from any impuUe. I have always believed that the Jsenate was a con tinual body, and thatit had necessarily been made so by the Constitution. When I took the oath of office 1 took all the contingencies and responsi bilities, among which was that of filling the Executive chair. When I came, chosen by you, to discharge the duties, I came with the clearest conviction that it was my duty to preside until a successor was elected. I believe tnat undep-any other construction the Constitution would be defi cient and a complete farce, and that the State might be left without a Governor, a Senate or any official to preside at th« head of affairs. Permit me to rehearse the state of affairs. We found the country in a condition leading every patriotic man to look wltt anxiety upon.the work ing of its machinery, and requiring every citizen loob;erve all the principles ot fundamental law. I assumed the responsibility o£retniningthe chair. While doing so I have always yielded the right of the Senate to choose another presiding officer if it thought proper. I found the Senate evenly bal anced and the country in a state of war. It was necessary that the Government should be main tained in its perpetuity, and I took the responsi bility. lam willing to admit that I coose to vio* late what had been the precedent for years, that is for the Speaker to step out of the chair. My view of the practice was that this action on the part of the incumbent had been from motives of delicacy, and that he did not resign his position. I chose, under the circumstances, to disregard this cour. tesy, and deemed it my duty under my oath to do so, believing it to be the proper course Others think that the leaving of the chtir is a virtual resignation of the office. If they are right I have only to repeat that, under the peculiar circum stances,! was convinced that my proper coarse was to retain the chair until the Senate required me to vacate it. I have endeavored to confine myself to parlia mentary law until the rules of the Senate were adopted. I have been charged with being a usur per (although always with courtesy to myself.) Such charges have not affected me in any way. The only credit I claim is that of having acted con scientiously. It has been said in argument that practice and precept are in favor of the vacationof the chair. On this I have stated iry views. It has also been said that when one-third new mem bers take their seats' the office of Speaker is va cated until they have voted for anew incumbent. I have searched the law in vain for any such de cision, The rule, if carried out, would prove too much, for if every new member is entitled to vote lor speaker, a new speaker would have to be elected when every new member takes his seat. I believe that there are three methods by . which the functions ol a Speaker cease, viz : By the resignation of the incumbent. By the limitation of his time by law. By the expiration of his term as Senator. - In the present case there was no resignation. There is no law on record fixing the timefor which, he shall hold his office, and there is no present il lustration of the last proposition. The Senate has determined not to proceed to the election of a Speaker. Ido not pretend to say further than that, a a far as my own experience goes, I have had the opin ions of men of both parties, both Republicans and Democrats, up to the time of thei-meeting of the Legislature, that the. Speaker elected at a pre vious session held his office until a successor was elected. Senators seem to think that my occupation of the chair obliges them to vole against proposi tions to which they would otherwise lend their sanction. It thus places me under peculiar per sonal circumstances, for legislation is retarded. It seems to me that if lam the impediment to the legislation of the State, it duiy to resign. My own condition and desires must always be subservient to the public interest. I have, how ever,. no desire personally to be the presiding offi cer, aitnough flattered by yonr partiality, if I tan, then, by resigning my position, facilitatethe public interest, I do so cheerfully, with many thanks to my associate Senators, and imputing no motives of disrespect to any one. Speaker Penney then resigned his position, and on motion, the Senate proceeded to elect a new Speaker. The vote was, Mr- Penney 17, Mr. Clymer 16, so Mr. Pfnnev was declared duly elected, and was escorted to his seat and sworn in by Mr. Clymer. Adjourned. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. ETcMurtrie offered the following rule for the government of the House: That hereafter no petitions, letters, remon strances or memorials shall be read in public, but that the name shall be banded by the members to the Clerk on Mondays and Thursdays of each week, having the name of the member presenting the same, together with the date, subject matter, and committee to whiph said petition shall be re ferred indorsed on the same. Indefinitely post poned. s, Mr. Hakes offered the following: Resolved, That the Governor be requested to tender the thanks of this House, in filename of the people of this State, to the Governor and citizen soldiers of the States of New York and New Jer sey, lor their prompt and patriotic aid in driving the repels from the tree soiL of Pennsylvania, and thereby saying the Capital from devastation aud ruin, at a time when the people of Pennsylvania notaßingle regiment of armed and drilled militia at its disposal. Smuh (Chester) moved to amend by striking cut all alter the word thereby, and inserting the following: Defeating the efforts of traitors at home, and driving the slaveholding traitors from the free soil of Pennsylvania. The amendment was agreed to—yeas, 40: nays, 3*l* And the resolutions as amended was adopted. Mr. Nelson offered the following resolutions: Whereat, Many thousands of the true sons of Pennsylvania are in the armies of the United States, imperiling their lives and all that is dear for the preservation oi the Union made by our fathers, and • Whereas , At the time the majority ofi them en listed they received litile or no bounty, and have seen very long and hard service: and IV/iereaf, The high prices of living has rendered the present wages too small io meet the wants of fheiT 'amilies at borne, «fcc. : Revolted, By the Senate and Bouse of Represen tatives, that the difference between the pr smt c?*«» es soldiers of Pennsylvania in United c J irrenc y .and gold he paid to all such ' J lereafler shall be drafted, or who volunteered lor two or three vearß nrAvinna November last;-that such difference bl mdd to them or their order he f oon as possible outof any aßnry of thR state of PeansyiU -Tania not otherwise appropriated and that sru-.b payment commence from the first day of Januarv ae&t, and continue until they are discharged trlk ench service. 6 Irjm - The resolution was debated by Messrs Earner B'gham, Sharpe and Smith, oi Chester, nntil the hour of adjournment, without coming to final an tion. Adjourned. Oub Pbisonebs at Richmond. —The Utica .Herald says : “We learn from Lient. Estes ■that the rebel authorities have recently imposed seme unnecessary and very aggravating restric tions npon our prisoners confined in Richmond. They are allowed to write only six lines at sk '-time to their friends at the North, and that but ence each week. The lieutenant has received .•from.-,an imprisoned friend one of the six-line_ Jetters, which is not exactly in keeping with the intention of the regulation, as the writer Insed the widest paper he could obtain, wrote in diminutive style, and abbreviated as much as possible. The restriction is despicable, and mustbave been inspired by pure malevolence, tftabel prisoners should be similarly dealt with CO long as it remains in force. Mdbdeb in Ambuheny City On Monday night a youngman, named Howard Hamilton, was killed by stabbing, in Allegheny city, Pa. An individual named Sims, has been arrested jor the murder, and three rowdy companions of his are also into custody. The Coroner’s jury point out Sims as the murderer. MR. CHARLES RAGE; Favorably known for the last twenty years as Principal Des.gner of ■ • FOR •' MESSRS CORNELIUS & BAKER, is this day admitted a partner in our firm. We will continue the sale and manufacture of GAS FIXTURES, Underthe firm name of . VAN KIRK & CO. MANUFACTORY AT FRANKFOKD. SALESROOMS, - 912 ARCH STREET. Fbb. 1, 1864. tel!) th sa tu-*2mj W. G. MUVTZER, mporter, Manufacture, ands Dealer in MILITARY, SOCIETY, . AHD . THEATRICAL GOODS. EPAULETTES, SWORDS, SASHES, BELTS, LACES, BINDINGS, HATS, CAPS, KNAPSACKS, GOLD AND SILVER EMBROIDERIES, BULLIONS, PLUMES, BUTTONS, GLOVES DRUMS, FIFES, Ac., *o. Also—Regalia, Banners and Flags of every de scription. \ Army and Navy Officers, Regiments, Companies, and Dealers supplied at short notice. feU-lm§ No. 131 Nor* THIRD St., Phllt BLINDS AND SHADES B. J. WILLIAMS, No. 16 NORTH SIXTH STREET, MANUFACTURER OF VENETIAN BLINDS AND WINDOW SHADES. t7"Fhe Largest and Finest assortment in the City at the Lowest Prices. . Repairing promptly attended to. Shades Lettered. me GREEN CORN AND TOMATOES Hermetically Sealed by FITHIAN A POGUE, ol New Jersey, are superior to all others. Their large and varied stock of Eresh Fruit*, Vegetable*, Jellies. Sauces, Heats, Soups, etc., In cans, Is offered ta the trade at the Lowest Mar ket Prices, by their Sole Agents, ARCHER & REEVES, WHOLESALE GROCERS, No. 45 North Water St-, and No. 48 NorthJDel aware avenue, fafi-tfj FURNITURE. These about to purchase Furniture would do well to call at the NEW STORE of ULRICA & WARD, 915 Arch Street, And examine their styles. fel6-lmj The Sunbeam Stories, Containing the charming, bright Stories of TRAP TO OATOH A SUNBEAM, CLOUD WITH SILVER LINING, HOUSE ON THE ROOK, ONLY, OLD JOLLIFFE, MERRY Ohbibtuas, DREAM CHINTZ, STAR IN THE DESERT, *c. Six beautiful volumes, Illustrated, S 2 50. .. , W. P. HAZARD. JsSl-tiyl 31 South SIXTH Street. Extra Cnrrant and Strawberry WINE, OUR USUAL SUPPLY JUST RECEIVED ALBERT C. ROBERTS, DEALER IN FINE GROCERIES, Corner Eleventh and Vine Streets, SMITH & JACOBS. 1226 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia Honey Refunded if not Satisfactory 1 FINE SHIRTS Mad* of New York Mill. Mnmtn. Very Fin. Irish Lmen Bosoms, only 03 —usual price 03 75. WUllamsTille Mnslln S 3 75, usual price 03 50. Very reasonable deduction to wholesale tnm*. THEODORE Iff. APPLE, GAUGER AND COOPER, Nos. I(i2 and 104 GATZMER STREET, (Between Front aud Second and Walnut Chestnut Streets,) PHILADELPHIA. Imitation Brandy Casks always on band. Casks, Barrels and Regs, always on hand 01 made to order. fel2-ly Ice Pitchers, Castors and Plated Ware, OX every description REPAIRED and RS. PLATED, AT JARDEN’S, S- W. corner Tenth and Baoe Stß* Ta2o-3m* FURLOUGHS. Officers &nd Soldiers, visiting the City on Fw* lough, needing swords, AND OTHER MIJuITABY EUCIPMENTS are invited to the very extensive Manufacturing Es tablishment of GEO. W. SIMONS ft BRO., SANSCIM STREET HALL, Saiisoxq. Street, above Sixth. PRESENTATION SWORDS Maae to order at the shortest notice, which for richness and magnificence challenge competition, no.other house In the country combining the MA NUFACTURING JEWELER WITH THE PRACTICAL SWORD MAKEB. mhB-lm} GLOVES. D TO THE LADIES. We beg to inform the ladies we have 311 st received a large assortment of Oourvoieier’s, Alexandre's, and Jou vin’s French Kid Cloves; also, ladies’ Freach Beaver with single and double button. Anassortrrentof ladies’ Bush skin Gauntlets and Traveling Gloves on hand, of our own ma Co. 5 Are prepared to execute all orders for thnir cele. sXfacS^n^ 0 * of FIT on the BBFAST, comfort in the NECK and ease on the SEOUUJSS. OFFER FOB, SALE, ON FAVORABLE TERMS, $350,000 FIRST MORTGAGE 6 PER i CENT. BONDS : OF THE Western Pennsylvania Railroad Com’y. Parties desiring:a perfectly* safe investment, will please call ar.a examine the Bonds and the evi dence as to their security. if, CLARK&CO., mhS-lmJ 3f5 SOUTH THIRD ST EXCHANGE ON LONDON, FOBSALE . In Sums to Suit, by MATTHEW T. MILLER & 00., So, 45 South Third stmt. STOCKS Bonght and Sold on Commission BY Matthew T. Miller A Co. d3-tf*. No- 45 South Third ei STOCKS AND SECURITIES BOTJCrHT AND SOLD ON COMMISSION. DE HAVEN & BRO„ 20 SOUTH THIRD STREET. feB gTOCKS BOUGHT AND SOLD ON COMMISSION, BY GEOi HENDERSON, JR., alB-3m* No. 823 HOOK STREET. GOLD, ■II.VKR, IKB BANK NOTES WANTED. DE HAVEN & BRO SO SOUTH THIRD ST, MICHAEL J ACOBS, BANKER, No. 40 South Third Street, Phila. OowmmiM SscnfltiM, Spsols nndUnc*n*t money Bought and Said. Stoc*s Bought and Sold on Oommlstfon. Particular attention paid to th. nsgouauoa e time papers, taty Warrants Bought. ocJ-ffa) SAMUEL W. LAPSLEY, STOCK BROKER, No. 40 South. Third. Street. l»"Stoclrs bought on Commission in Philadel phia, New York, Boston and Baltimore. ie26-2ms JOHN C. CAPP & SON, STOCK AND NOTE BROKERS, No. 23 South Third Street, Directly opposite the Meehanlcs* Ban*, Government Loans, Stocks and Bonds Bought and Sold on Commission at the Board of Brokers. MONEY INVESTED AND NOTES AND LOANS NEGOTIATED ON THE BEST TERMS. fell-3m JOHN HORN, JR., Stock Commission Broker 140 SOUTH THIRD ST. UP STAIRS, Philadelphia. REFERENCES—Messrs This. A. Biddle j Co., E. S. Whelen &00.% Bnzby&Co., Alexan der Biddle, Esq., G.. M. Troutman, Esq., Messrs Gaw, Ma. alester & Co , Henry J. Williams,Esq. 1. P. Hutchinson, Esq., D. H. Cummins, Esq., Drexel & Co., Jas, G. King & Sons,N, Y. fe2s.2ms P. F. KELLY, B. K. JAMISON P. F. KELLY & CO., Bankers and Exchange Brokers, NORTHWEST CORNER OP THIRD AND CHESTNUT STS.. JaI9.3m S PHILADELP HIA. Immense Assortment of looking glasskb, Oil Paintings, First Class Engravings PORTRAIT ANR PICTURE FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH FRAMES, PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS, . WINDOW CORNICES, PIER TABLES, *O., as James 8. Earle A Son, 816 CHESTNUT--ST.'- SHEATHING FELT LOWELL PATENT Elastic Sheathing Felt for ships: also, John ton's Patent Wooldlng Felt for Steam Pipes and Boilers, In store and for sale by WILLIAM S. GRANT. No, 180 South Dolatrart Arts** THE GREAT CENTRAL FAIR, FOR THE Sanitary Commission. Philadelphia, 1307 Chestnut Street February 20,1864. The undersigned, members of the Execo’ive Committee of the GREAT CENTRAL FAIR for the Sanitary Commission, beg to invite the co-ope ration of all their fellow-citizens, especially of those resident in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, in this important enterprise. It Is proposed to hold the Fair in Philadelphia, In the FIRST WEEK IN JUNE-NEXT, and it is con fidently expected that-the contributions, coming from a popula ion so benevolent and patriotic as that which inhabits the Central States, and repre senting the most important and varied branches of industry and art, will secure a result in aid oi the funds of the Commission, for the benefit of the Soldier, at least equal to that which has at tended similar undertakings in other cities. It is not necessary to say a word to stimulate sym pathy for the soldier. We feel for them all as brethren, and the popular heart seeks only the best mode of manifesting that sympathy in the most efficient and practical way. These fairs in other places have been productive of great results. By this means Chicago has recently raised for this object SCO,OOO, Boston 8150,000, and Cincinnati more than 8200,000. We appeal, then, with the greatest confidence to the inhabitants of the Cen tral States, especially to thoEe who constitute the great industrial classes, to send as contributions the productions of their skill and workmanship. We appeal to them in the interest of no p.rty, radical or conservative, Republican or Democratic, Administration or anti-Administration. We know only this, that to send our national soldiers in the field supplies to supplement those Goverment un dertakes to give them, but which they sometimes fail to receive, and thus to relieve them when sick and in misery, is a work of Christian charity, and that it is a work of intelligent patriotism also, as economizing their life, health and efficiency, on which, under God, the nation depends in this its time ol trouble. We therefore ask every clergyman to announce this humane undertaking to his people, and to ad vise them to do what they can to further it. We ask the press to give it the widest publicity and the most earnest encouragement. We call on every workshop, factory and mill for a specimen of the best thing it can_turn out; on every artist, great and small, for one of his creations; on all loyal women, for the exercise of their taste and indus try ; on fanners, for the products of their fields and dairies. The miner, the naturalist, the man of science, the traveler! can each send something that can at the very least be converted into a blanket that will warm, and may save from death, some one soldier whom government supplies have failed to reach. Every one who can produce any. thing that has money value is''invited to give a sample of his best work as an offering to the cause of national unity. Every workingman, mechanic or farmer, who can make a pair of shoes or raise a barrel of apples. Is called on to contribute some thing that can be turned into money, and again from money into the means of economizing the health and the life of our national soldiers. Committees have been appointed In each depart ment of industry ard art, whose business it will be to solicit contributions for the Fair, each in its own special branch. 1 hese Committees will place themselves in communiaation with those persons who may wish to aid us. In the meantime it is recommended that local committees or associations should be formed in-every portion of Pennsylva nia, Delaware and New Jersey, with a view ol organizing the industry of their respective neigh borhoods, so as to secure contributions for the Fair. Committees of Ladies have also been organized to co operate with those of the gentlemen in soli citing contributions. A list of all. these Committees will be shortly published and distributed. In the meantime those who are disposed to aid ns, or who may desire any farther information on the subject, are requested to address CHARLES J. STILLE, Corresponding Secretary < f the Executive Committee of the Great Central Fair, 1307 CHESTNUT Street. JOHN "WELSH, Chairman. CALEB COPE, Treasurer. S' i C° r - Secretary. w FURNESS, Rec. Secretary. Ashhnrst, ■ S. V Metric*, Horace Binney, Jr., B. H. Moore, A. E. Bone, j. H . orEe , T„'h?r. ,l Wn ’ John Robbins, John C. Cresson, Wm. Strothers, ?;“• Cummins, Wm. M. TUghman, * he °- Cnyler, Geo. Trott, Thomas Webster, J. C. GiTibh, Geo. Whitney, Joseph Harrison, Jr., Geo. A. Wood. R. M. Lewis, jGeo. W. Childs. . r - 1 _ rn _ J _ i fe2s thsa w EDWARD P. KELLY JOHN KELLY. TAILORS, 612 CHESTNUT ST. LATE THIRD STREET AB. WALNUT, Keeps constantly on hand a large assortment oi NEW and STAPLE GOODS, PATTERN OVERCOATS AND Warm Sack and Bnsiness Coats, FOR SALE AT Reduced Prices. tomerTaUors ASH ~ l>rioeß lowertlail other One- TO LET—Up Stairs of 612 and 614 Chestnut at. H FOR SALE. £ The Three-Story Brick Dwelling, No. 510 SOUTH !ENTH STREET, Has THREE-STORY BACK BUILDINGS. MODERN IMPROVEMENTS. Lot 18 by 87 Feet. ' NSP'Only a Email part of Cash required. ’ INQUIRE ON THE PREMISES. fels-tfr PATENT HINGE-BACK PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS. The most indestructible Album made, ltliesopen perfectly flat without injury or strain to the Boo*. For sale by Photographers and Booksellers. ALTEMTS ld,, pun. Aa* now on hand and constantly recetTinr an ele. .ant assortment of * Gentle Lien’s Famishing Goods. Shirts on nand and made to order in the men mtisfacwr manner. A full lined Merino Sb >rts, Drawers, Ac. Also—Ladles’ M*4 rlno Vests. Drawers, Hosiery, Ac. oc-U-ero 147 NORTH EIGHTHST- Patent Shoulder Seam Shirt Manufactory. Orders forthese celebrated Shirts supplied prompt* , ly at brief notice. Gentlemen’s Furnishing Goods* . Of late Styles in Tall-variety, WINCHESTER & 706 CHESTNUT aTttBCT Fine Shirt Manufactory. The subscribers would in-rite attention to thely IMPROVED CUT OF SHIRTS, Which they make a specialty in their business. Also, constantly receiving, NOVELTIES FOR GENT’S WEAR! J. W. SCOTT &> CO., Gentlemen’s Furnishing Store, 814 OHKBTNUT BTREET; u< Four doors below the Continents! Hotel,