4:
NEW BLOOMFIEID, PENN'A.
Tuesday, December 0, 1S73.
....I. '. . .
Notice to Subscribers.
Subscribers to TitB Times who wish some
other publication and chomo, can have
cither of the following at the price men
tioned :
Peterson's Magazine for 1874 and
The Times, for $2.75.
The People's Journal, with an en
graving 13 x 19 inches (see advertise
ment) and The Times, for - - $2.00.
Wood's Household Magazine and
the splendid chroino, YO SEMITE,
and Tbe Times, for $3.33.
All the above Magazines are monthly pub
ications. The Election to decide the acceptance
or rejeotion of the New Constitution will be
held on NEXT TUESDAY. This week
we give our readers tho entire document,
and and in order to do so without curtail
ing our usual variety of other reading mat
ter, leave out tbe most of our advertise
ments. In formino the Standing Committees
for the House we notice that tbe Speak er
has placed the member from this district,
Hon. John A. Magee, on two of said com
mittees, viz. Committee on Patents, and
Committee on Expenditures for the Navy.
The Democrats in the tyuse supported
Fernando Wood as their candidate for
Speaker. As Wood was one of the most
conspicious advocates for the salary grab,
it seems like a Democratic endorsement of
that "steal." To their credit however,
several members of that party refused to
support him, and we hope both Democrats
and Republicans in Congress will eventually
repudiate that bill. The people will care
fully watch the votes of members on this
subject.
The French steamer Villa du Havre,
which left New York on the 15th of No
vember, at 3 o'clock, in tho morning of No
vember 23rd, collided with the British ship
Locbearn, from London for New York,and
sunk shortly after. All but eighty-seven
of hor passengers aud crew perished. The
Villo du Havre was a fine- steamer, noted
for her rapid passages, and hor officers
were thorough seamen in all respects.
This calamity will bring mourning to scores
of 'families, and add another mark to the
record of memorable accidents which
have happened during the year.
Queer it is, but not at all uncommon,
that whenever politicians have an axa to
grind they always fall deeply in love with
the "dear people," and especially the "poor
farmers." Considering the amount of
sympathy manifested for them by political
papers and candidates about election times,
and tbe great care taken of them by pol
iticians after they are elected, all the farm
ers should have been made rich long ago.
It would be a good idea for the farmers to
do a little thinking for themselves, and not
trust much to such guides.
By looking for themselves they will see
the falsity of the charges regarding the tax
clauses in the now Constitution and see
that if the legislature Under the new Con
stitution, ever should feel disposed to lay a
tax on real estate, the farmers are the ones
to be benefited, as in that case favorites
and corporations cannot be exempted.
Under the preterit constitution, should the
legislature think best to lay a tax, the
farmers are tho ones to bear the burden
while tbe favorites are exempt. No leg
islature is bound by the acts of its pred
ecessors and so such a law can be passed
at any time should the old constitution re
main in force.
cotguess. .
Congress convened on Monday of last
week. Tbe House elected Mr. Blain of
Maine as Speaker, and Mr. McPherson of
Pennsylvania as Clerk.
The President's message was uot read
until Tuesday.
Several bills have already been reported
looking to a repeal of the act Increasing the
Salaries of members of Congress, all of
which have been refered to a select com
mittee. A notice bas been given that a
bill restoring the franking privilege and
tbe free circulation of uewspaper will be
offered as soon as it can be prepared. Oreat
but unsuccessful pressure was brought to
bear on tbe Speaker of the House to have
bim leave the members who were prom
inet in the Credit Mobiler frauds in the
back ground in forming tbe standing com
mittees. Tbe President bas nominated
Attorney Oeneral Williams of Oregon, as
Chief Justice of tbe United States. His
nomination was quite a surprise to the
country, and as yet bas not received the
confirmation of the Senate.
. mat It Will Save.
Tbe opponents of the new constitution
argue that it will greatly Increase the ex
penses of running the State Government, in
that tbe number of Legislators is doubled.
It is true the Legislature will have nearly
twlco as many members under tho new as
under tho old constitution, but it meets
only half as often. So far, than, as salar
ies are concerned, there should be no differ
ence. Of course no argument can be based
on a presumption of rascality ; but as
suming that body to be honest, there will
be a great tavxng. 1. In that extra com
pensation for services on committees of in
vestigation, election, and tbe like, is not
allowed under the new constitution. Also
the incidental cost of the Legislature for
stationery, printing, pasters folders, will be
diminished almost entirely. These items
represent a large amount of saving. For
example the Legislature for 1873, stands
charged with tbe following extra items :
Clerks, assistant and transcribing, pastors,
folders, very fow of which will be needed
under the new constitution. cost, Senate,
$33,678. 75 : House, $28,875. 55. During
the same session, there were paid members
of the Legislature for serving on commit
tees, all of which is stopped by the new
Constitution $17,700. Tbe contingent ex
penses of the Clerks of two Houses, which
will be greatly reduced, $10,300. The
State printing proper, which will be great
ly reduced, $50,528. George Bergner's ao
count, and all of which can be dispensed
with, was, $30,314. Thus the Legislature
cost in what are chiefly exlrai, $157,401.80.
At least $100,000 of this amount will bo
saved undor the operation of the new Con
stitution, and as the Legislature now
meets, yearly, it may bo fairly put as fol
lows : Savings each alternate year, when
the Legislature is not in session, $157,491.
80; saving each alternate year, when in
session, $100,000 ; total saved every two
years, $257,491.30. No man who knows,
can honestly say that this not a fair show
ing. peospects"of waeT
The prospect of preserving peace between
this country and Spain, is not as good as
it was a week since. The Captain Oeneral
of Cuba, instead of trying to carry out the
agreemeut President Castolar bas made,
sends in bis resignation, and says popular
feoling will prevent any such agreement.
And now the querry comes: "Suppose
Castclar, acting in good faith in the Wash
ington protocol, cannot carry out the
Spanish agreement with the United
States?" What next? Spain has cov
enanted to deliver up the Virgiuius, and
punish those who may be proved to have
been guilty of illegal acts of violence to
wards citizens of the United States. Tho
national faith is pledged to this courso of
action. Castclar bos commanded the chief
officer of Cuba to carry out the first item
of the protocol. He resigns on account of
inability to do so, and the people declare
the ship shall not be given up to the United
States. In other words, they repudiate
the treaty and defy the home government.
In this aspect of affairs the United States
will look to Spain for an enforcement of so
much authority as will make her promises
good in point of fact. If Castelar cannot
carry out the items of the treaty, then
what course will the government of the
Uuited States pursue ? Will they allow a
fpw men in Cuba, who recognize no per
manent government, no legal responsibility,
to nullify a solomn international compact,
and defy all laws both human and divine?
That is tho point to be considered, and
there is no doubt but what the situation is
more alarming than it has been, at any
previous time.
The Treasury Report.
Secretary Richardson's annual report is
replete with interesting information, and is
in many respects an admirable State paper.
The net revenue for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1873 amounted to $333,738,304.07.
The ordinary expenses for the same year
were $200,845,245.33. Tho surplusrevenue
for the year was, therefore, 43,803,050.84,
which has been applied to the payment of
the debt.
Tbe receipts for the first quarter of the
present fiscal year were $90,704,810,58, in
clusive of $15,000,000 receiving from Great
Britain as a result of the Geneva arbitra
tion, aud the total expenditures during the
same period, exclusive of debt payments,
were $88,718,578.21.
The estimated receipts for the remain
der of the current fiscal year are $187,100,
000, which would leave a deficiency of $200
030,000. The estimated receipts and ex
penditures of the year ending Juue 30,1873,
also show a small deficit.
The Secretary, therefore, recommends
that provision be made for increasing the
revenue if business should not speedily
improve. Ha notes, . however, the very
gratifying fact that, notwithstanding tbe
monetary troubles, the credit of the United
States bas not stood higher since the close
of tbe rebellion tbsn at present, and ex
presses confidence that the funding of the
six per eent. debt at a lower rate of interest
can be still further oontinued.
Sixtt millions of dollars worth of prop
erty iu 'the city of , Philadelphia, is exempt
from taxation by special legislation, Tbs
new Constitution wipes out all the special
laws and makes those favored properties
liable to pay tax for school aud other pur
poses, the same as other property.
THE PEESIBENTS UES3A3E. '
The crowded state of Our columns, for
bids ou( giving the massage entire, but we
give the most important parts :
Washington, December 3, 1873. To the
Btnatt and Houtu of Representative! ; The
year that bas passed since the submission
of my last message to congress has, es
pecially during tha latter part of it, been
an eventful one to the country. In the
midst of great national prosperity a finan
cial crisis has occurred that has brought
low, fortunes of gigautio proportions. ' Po
litical partisanship has almost ceased to
exist, especially in the agricultural re
gions, and finally the capture upon the
high seas of a vessol bearing our flag has
for a time threatened the most serious con
sequences and has agitated the publie
mind from one end of the country to the
other. But this happily now is in the
course of satisfactory adjustment, prefera
ble to both nations concerned. The rela
tions of the United States, bowover, with
most of the other powers continue to bo
friendly and cordial. With Franco, Ger
many, Russia, Italy and the minor Euro
pean powers, with Brazil and most of the
South American republics, and with Japan
nothing has occurred during the year to
demand special notice. The mon
ey awarded to the United States by the
tribunal of arbitration at Geneva, was paid
by Her Majesty's government a few days
in advance of the time when it would have
become payable according to the terms of
the treaty. In compliance with the pro
visions of the act of March 8, 1873, it was
at once paid into the treasury and used to
redeem, so far as it might, the publio debt
of tbe United States, aud the amount so re
deemed was invested in a five per cent,
registered bond of tbe United States for
fifteon millions five hundred thousand dol
lars, which is now held by the secretary of
state, Bubjcct to the future disposition of
congress.
In refcring to the trouble with Spain the
President says : " The steamor Virginius
was, on the 20th dayvof Septomber, 1878,
duly registered at the port of New York
as a part of the commercial marine of the
United States on the 4th of October, 1873.
Having received the certificate of her reg
ister in the usual legal form, she sailed
from tha port of New York and has not
since been seen withiu the territorial juris
diction of the United States. On the 81st
day of October last, while sailing under tha
flag of the United States on the high seas,
she was forcibly seized by the Spanish gun
boat Tornado and carried into the port of
Santiago de Cuba, where many of her pas
sengers and crew were inhumanly treated,
and so far at least as relates to those who
were citizens of the United States, were
without due process of law put to death.
It is a well established principle, asserted
by the Uuited States front the beginning of
their national independence, recognized by
Great Britain and other maritime powers,
and stated by the senate in a resolution
passed on the 10th of Juue, 1858, that
American vessels on the high seas in time
of peace bearing the American flag remain
under the jurisdiction of the country to
which they belong, aud therefore any visi
tation, molestations or detention of such
vessels by force or by the exhibition of
force on the part of a foreign power, is in
derogation of tho sovereignty of tho United
States. In atcordauco with this principle
the restoration of tha Virginius und tha
surrender of tho survivors of her passengers
and crew, and a duo reparation to the flag
and the punishment of the authorities who
had been guilty of tbe illegal acta or vio
lence were demanded. The Spanish gov
ernment has recognized the justice of the
demand and bas arranged for the imme
diate delivery of the vessel and of the sur
render of the survivors of the passengers
and orew and for a salute to the flag and
for proceedings looking to the punishment
of those who may be proud to bavo been
guilty of illegal acts of violence towards
citizens of the United States and also to
towards indemnifying those who may have
been shown to be entitled to indemnity."
" In taking leave of this subject for the
present I wish to renew the expression of
my conviction that the existence of African
slavery in Cuba is a principal cause of the
lamentable condition of the island. I do
not doubt that congress shares with me
the hope that it will soon bo made to dis
appear, and that peace aud prosperity may
follow Its abolitiou." ;
" Tbe embargoing of American estates in
Cuba, cruelty to American citizens detected
in no act of hostility to the Spanish gov
ernment, the muidering of prisoners taken
with arms In their hands, and finally tha
capture, upon tha high seas, of a vessel
sailing under the United States flag and
bearing a United States registry, has cul
minated in an outburst of Indignation that
bas seemed for a time to threaten war.
Pending negotiatolns between the United
States and the government of Spain on the
subject of this capture, I have authorized
the secretary of the navy to put our navy
on a war footing to the extent at least of
the entire annual appropriation for that
branch of the service, trusting to congress
and the publio opinion of tha American
people to justify my action."', i . :'
t " Assuming from tbe action of the last
congress in directing tha committee on
privileges and elections to prepare and re
port to this congress a constitutional
amendment to provide a bettor method of
electing1 the President and Vice President
of the Uuited States, and also from tha ne
cessity of such an amendment -that there
will be submitted to the state legislatures
for ratification such an Improvement in our
constitution,' I suggest two others for your
consideration : First, to, authorize the ex
ecutive to approve of sq much or any meas
ure passing tha two houses of congress as
his judgment may dictate without approv
ing the whole, the disapproved portion or
portions to be subjected to tbe same tules
as now, to wit : be referred back to tbe
house in which the measure or measures
originated, and if passed by a two-thirds
vote of tha two bouses then to become a
law without the approval of the President.
I would add to the law a provision that
there should be no legislation by congress
duriag tbe last twenty-four hours of its
Bitting, except upon vetoes or in order to
give the executive an opportunity to exam
ine and approve or disapprove bills undor
standingly. Second, to provide by amend
ment that when au extra session of con
gress if convened by executive proclama
tion, legislation, during the coutinuauce of
such extra sessions, shall be confined to
such subjects as the executive may bring
before it from time to time hi writing." '
The President also suggests that greater
economy be used in the appropriations for
publio service and the publio buildings.
He also acknowledges the neoessity of some
improvement in our currency, and suggests
that national banks be forbid to pay inter
est on doposits and required to hold a
large reserve in their vaults. He also sug
gests other steps looking towards resump
tion, but says he has not reflected enough
on the subject to make any positive recom
mendation. In referring to claims against
the government the Presidont says :
" Your careful attention is invited to the
subject of claims against the government
and the facilities afforded by existing laws
for their prosecution. Each of the depart
ments of state, treasury and war have de
mands, for many millions of dollars upon
their files, and they are rapidly accumulat
ing. To these may be added those which
were pending before congress, the court of
claims and the southern claims commission
making in the aggregate an immense sum.
Most of these grew out of the rebellion,
and are intended to indemnify persons on
both sides for their losses during the war,
and not a few of them are fabricated and
supported by false testimony.
Projects are on foot, it is believed, to in
duce congress to provide for new classes of
claims and to revive old ones through the
repeal or modification of the statute of
limitations by which they are now barred.
I presdmo these schemes, if proposed, will
be received with little favor by Congress,
and I recommend that persons having
claims against tbe United States, cogniza
ble by any tribunal or department thereof,
be required to present them at an early
day, and that legislation be directed, as far
practicable, to the dofeat of unfounded
and unjust demands upon tho treasury."
Referring to the report of the Post Mas
ter General the President says :
"I invite favorable consideration )of con
gress to the suggestions aud recommenda
tions of the postmastor-general for an ex
tension of the free delivery systom in all
cities having a population of , not less than
10,000, for the pre-payment of postage on
newspapers and other printed matter of
the second class, for a uniform postage and
limit of weight on miscellaneous matter,
for adjusting tbe compensation of all post
masters not appointed by tbe President, by
the method of commissions on aotual re
ceipts of the office, instead of tho present
mode of paying by salary in advance upou
special returns, and especially do I urge
favorable action by congress, on the im
portant recommendations of tha postmaster
general for the establishment of the United
States postal savings depositories.
Your attention is also again called to a
consideration of the question of postal tel
egraph and the arguments in support there
of in the hope that you may take such ac
tion in connection therewith as in your
judgment will most contribute to the best
interests of tbe country."
Tbe President recommends tha repeal of
so much of the bankrupt act as provides
for involuntary bankruptcy, He also sug
gests tha taking of the census every five
years ; tbe passing of an act for the ad
mittance of Colorado as a state iu tha
union, and the building of a canal from tbe
eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain to
the Missouri river. He concludes bis mes
sage with the following ; .
"I renew my' previous recommendation
to congress for general amnesty. Tbe num
ber engaged in the lute rebellion, yet labor
ing under disabilities, is very small, but
enough to keep up a constant irritation.
No possible danger can accrue to tbe gov
ernment by restoring tbem to eligibility to
hold oflice,
I suggest for your oonsideratiou the en
actment of a law to better secure the civil
rights which freedom should secure, but
bas not effectually secured to those enfran
chised. (Signed)
.1 : - Vi S. GHAUT, '
tW While standing on a board reaching
for a chicken in a coop Miss Nancy Carney,
an aged , woman of. Cambria county, felt
headforemost to the ground and was killed.
Miscellaneous News Items, ,
1ST An Iron kettle containing the ekele-
ton of. a ohild was exhumed recently' la '.
Gibson county, Ind. 1 '
1ST William Toole,' 1 of Montoursville,' a
few days ago fed his horse an apple. . The
horse seized tbe apple and bit off the
thumb of Mr. Tools at tha same time. .
tW On the 8rd a hurricane swept over
Malvern, Tennessee, razing to the ground
six business bouses, and tearing 'away "tho
roofs of several others, wounding two men
badly and six slightly.
tW Spur's four-story frame building in
Passaio City, fell on the 4tb, burying a
number of workmen and passers under the
ruins. City councilman, George McLean
and Mr. Barklay wore killed.'
3?" While a party of hunters were sleep-,.
ing in a cabin in Centre county recently,
the building took fire near the door. In
I passing through the flames Samuel Adams
was fatally burned. - All were slightly in
jured. (3T Joseph Kerr, of Westmoreland Co.,
was found in bed the other morning with
his skull fractured and his throat cut. Sam
uel Boighley, who had been working for
Mr. Kerr, has been arrested as the proba
ble murderer.
EST" Mr. Joseph Miller, residing about
one mile east of Laurelton, in Union Co.,
died very suddenly on last Monday aftor
noon, Dec 1st. He appeared as well as
usual, ate a hearty dinnor, and shortly af
terwards be was found dead in bis chair.
tW At a Laporte funeral the father of
the child lay in the house beastly drunk
during the services. He bought his liquor
with the money contributed by the neigh
bors for the funeral expenses.
tSf At tho trial of a breach of promise
suit in Indianapolis, on Monday last, the
fair plaintiff fainted away during the read
ing of the declaration. It was so neatly
done that it is estimated it will add $1,000
to the verdict.
EST" An Irish nobleman, attended by
twenty-six dogs, passed through Indianap
olis on Tuesday last, on his way to Florida,
on a hunting expedition. He had a car
attached to a freight train devotod to him
self and attendants.
tW The suffering at Patersou, New
Jersey, consequent upon the suspension of
many manufactories is more severe than
at any other point in the country. Over 6,
800 mechanics aro out of employment, ,
many of whom are in an actually starving ,
condition.
t3f A dispatch from Waynesboro', Pa.,
states that tbe dead body of Israel Wil
lard, of Sabillisvillo, Frederick county,
Md., was found yesterday about one o'clock
hanging to the bod post in his room. He
attempted to commit suicide last summer,
by cutting his throat.
t3F"One hundred men lately discharg
ed by a contractor on a railroad between '
Tenco and Tocoma, Washington Territory,
without being paid, have armed themselves
and notified the workmen that no more
work can be done until their claims are set
tled. They are damaging the road by fill
ing in cuts.
XST A woman named Mary Wall, a res
ident of Bloomsburg, was found, on Mon
day morning of last week, on the track of
the New Jersey, Central Railroad, dead,
and much mutilated, by being run over.
She was known to have from $60 to $100
about hor person, and wheu the body was
fouud the money was missing. This cir
cumstance gives rise to suspicious of foul
play.
ESTOu Thursday, about 2 P. M., a little
daughter of A. J. Saunders, of Munoy,
aged about seven years, was so badly
burned, by her clothes taking fire from the
stove, that death ensued after seven hours
of intense suffering. Her parents were
both away from the bouse at the time, and
on tbe return of the mother, tbe child ap
peared all in flames. The fire was instant
ly put out, but too late her fate was seal
ed. '
fgTMechella who was to have been
banged in Jersey city manifests no peni
tence and expresses no desire for spiritual
consolati on. ' The Rev. Mr. Verrinden
called on him on Sunday afternoon, and as
he announced the errand of salvation the
prisoner indignantly said : " You want to
convert me ; you a dam fool j you get your
self drunk I no want to see you here ; I
got no soul ; you go leave me lone or you
get murdered." The messenger of peace
departed. '
, A reprieve has been granted by the
Governor until January 0, in order that his
mental condition may be considered by the
Court of Pardons. This is at the request
of citizens and the Russian Minister.
ty Sharkey, the escaped New York
murderer, is believed to have gone to New
ark on the day of his escape, A figure in
female apparel attracted the ' attention of
some ladies on tbe train, and when getting
out of the car they noticed as the dress
was elevated, grey pantaloons underneath.
On learning of the escape they gave the
information to the New York authorities.
It is believed the fugitive .'went to Eliza-'
betbport, and thence to Am toy, aud took
passage on an outward bound vessel.