Sunbury American. (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, March 26, 1853, Image 2

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    SUNBURY AMERICAN AND SHAM0K1.W JOURNAL
From the Evening Bulletin.
THE PKNNsrLVANIA RAIL ROAD STATE
TAX AND TONNAGE-NO. 1.
The disastrous effect which result from
the imposition of restrictions upon the busi
ness of the State, is beginning to be proper-
j Tprecmted by our citizens. Pcliloiu,
numerously jgned by gentlemen of the
highest intelligence and respectability, have
been presented lo tho Legitime of 1'enn.
ylvania, praying fr the abatement of the
lax on the tonnage which passe through the
State. It js hoped that a lib.Mal mid enlight
ened spirit will characterise tha action of
this body, and that, profiting by the exam
ple of other Slates, all itijminus restrictions
upon trade will be removed, a id encourage
ment given to the earliest pn..illo develop
ment of the greut resouices of our highly
favored territory.
The tax on the tonnage of tha Pennsylva
nia Railroad was the ofl'sprina of n short
lighted and erroneous policy, which looked
upon the Pennsylvania Railroad as a com
petitor, and rival or the Pennsylvania Canal,
nu wnicti songht to siisiain I'm la'ter
byparalyzing the elTo :ts of tho fninipr.
Strange that intelligent legislators could not
norceive that the effect of prohibiting the
Pennsylvania Railroad from en"aincr ex-
tensively in transportation would "be, not to
inrow an increased business upon the cnnal,
but to oppose an effectual barrier lo its tran
sit through the Slate, refusing the rich fnn
offered lo us in the trade of the West, and
forcing it to pass over rival improvements lo
a seuboard market in rival cities.
If rival improvements transport at a
cheaper rate than the Pennsylvania railroaJ,
can any fact bo more clear than lhat the
trade will go lo the other cities, unless the
difference in the maikets in favor of Phila
delphia shall compensate for tho difference
on freight 1 This difference in favor of
Philadelphia does not exist ; for many arti
cles New York and Boston will pay better
prices, and for others Baltimore is prefera
ble lo either. How is it possible, then, lhat
i nuaueiphia can secure this trade, util
ene can offer ft8
ess
chean transportation n
other cities? And ho .v can this cheap
transportation be furnished when subjected
to enormous taxes, from which rival im
provements aro exempt ?
The fact is that the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company must transport through freights as
cheaply as nny oiher improvement ; and
though the present excessive tax should bo
doubted, it could make no diflerence in tho
late of charge. This rate is, and must ne
cessary be, governed solely by competition ;
it is simply a question whether the Irade
shall be secured or lost. To secure it, or at
least a fair proportion, the rales must be
equal to, or less, effectually lo and certainly,
it is only necessary that this tale should be
higher.
Hut if the charges for transportation on
the Pennsylvania Railroad areas low as on
other roads, w hile the Company is burdened
with a las from which its rival are ex
empt, is it not evident that there must be a
compensation somew here, and that the loss
sustained by the payment of a tax on the
through business must be niado up from
eomo other source 1 Is it not clear as bghl,
that without some such compensatory reve
nue ; a company would become bankrupt 1
And is it not equally clear lhat the local bu
siness of the road furnishes Iho only com
pensation that can bo made available w hen
rival lines carry thiough freight, as they
certainly will, at the average cost of trans
portation 1
It follows, therefore, that the tax on ton
rage, whatever it. may be, cannot be nl-
I
and the citizens of the State who use the
Pennsylvania Railroad, must, in facl, pay the
whole of the tax, not only upon their local
business, but upon the through business, also.
The injustice of this imposition is apparent ;
but the oppression cannot be charged against
I he mamigeisof the Pennsylvania Railroad,
inasmurh ns they are bound, by duty to the
storkholdeis, to fix the rates sufficiently high
tojiel.la remunerative average, and if one
p:irl nf the business must be transacted be
low cn', another portion must necessarily
b charged above cost, or the improvement
cannot be sustained.
Had the lax been entilled nn act lo pre
vent the development of the resources of the
Slate to prohibit mining and manufacturing
opeiations, and prevent the increase of pop
ulniion ii 1 1 . 1 of taxable properly its title
would then have expressed some of the effects
which necessarily result from its operation
Along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad
are inexhaustible mines of coal, but not one
ton can be mined or sent lo market while the
lax continues; and hence a business which
might afford employment to thousands of
our industrial yeomanry, which might be the
means of increasing the taxable property of
the Stale to the extent ol millions, which
might offer inducements for emigration and
settlement, lo a great extent is nipped in the
bud, and that, loo, when, from the remote
ness of the Pennsylvania Canal, it cannot be
pretended thai its interests could be affected
in any w ay b)fihe encouragement of this bu
siness. A writer, over the signature of Juniata,
complains of the high charges for locul
freights on the Pennsylvania Railroad, and
contiasls them with the charges on the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad, upon which he
says coal is carried at St per ton for 178
miles. If this be true, how illiberal and un
just must be a policy which, on the Pennsyl
vania Railroad, laxes a ton of 2240 lbs. with
60 cents for an equal distance, and on the
Lancaster and Ilarrisburg Railroad with $1
for the same distance. Could any argument
more conclusively prove that, during the con
tinuance of this imposition on the part of the
Stale, no hopes can be entertained lhat capi
talists will venture a dollar in such a business 1
How could the Lancaster and Ilarrisburg
Railroad Company transport al the rate of $1
for 178 miles, wl en, for nine months in ihe
year, the whole receipts would be absorbed
by the State in the shape of taxes Let the
taxes be removed from through and local
freights, and the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company could well afford lo reduce the lo
cal charges to an extent considerably greater
than double the amount of tax.
Lumber furnishes another illustration.
The dense forests of the interior of Pennsyl
vania ate still almost uninhabited. Popula
tion is sparse. Lumber cannot be manufaC'
lured, hauled lo Ihe railroad, and then trans
ported, without the encouragement of very
low rates of freight. The tax upon this arti
cle also is a prohibition. So long as it con
liuues, tho silence of the forest will be tin
distuibed, save by Ihe howl of beasts of prey;
but remove this restriction, and the wood
man's axo w ill at once awaken the echoes of
the mountain towns, villages, mills, facto
ries, farms and settlements, teeming with a
busy, healihy population, will almost magi
cally spring into existence, and, by tho in
creased value of taxable properly, more than
yield a tenfold compensation for the abate1
ment of the tax.
The farmer i likewise seriously affected
fiom tho same cause. The value of land
depends not only upon its fertility, but also
upon its distance from market, or Ihe cost of
transportation of his produce lo the place of
sale. If, by the imposition of a tax which
requires high charges, the produce from the
owed lo affeel the prices for throu'-h freight
but miifit liu niM ... i.. r
,,n , . T ' receipi. ;,ltelior of Pennsylvania pay, as much as
linn II tho Inn-j Hn. A - i, J. . J 1 '
,n ,,! , T "'""'" ver- ,hut which is sent from the Western States,
i.iiihi, - urn greater tne amount
ol through freight, the creater iho burden
upon the interior." However ''ungenerous"
this course may be in the estimation of ' Ju
niata," we cannot perceive why it m not
entirely correct. If competition shall com
pel the Pennsylvania Railroad Company lo
carry below the cost of transportation, inclu
ding taxes, will "Juniata" point out any
other way of compensation for thin In.
other than by Increased charges upon that
business which is beyond the reach of com
petition the local businesss of the line.
Upon what principle can Ihe Company be
charged with injustice or want of liberality
in the imposition of increased charges w hich
this course has rendered necessary ? If cir,
cumslances beyond the control of the Com
pany limit the rates on through freights, is
this a reason why the local business should
not be charged at remunerative rates !
Will it be said lhat, because a merchant is
compelled to sell an article below cost, thai
he is under any obligations to lo.se on every
other article which he may be disposed to
sell 1 The absurdity of the position is too
obvious to require comment.
We are free to admit that, whatever tax
may be imposed upon Ihe business of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, the whole burdea of
it must be borne by those who use the road
for local business ; and if this affects, as it
most assuredly does, the interests of the
State, the remedy must be sought in the re
moval of the cause not in complaint against
the Peunsyvauia Railroad Company for the
establishment of rates of charge which the
unwise and oppressive policy of the State
has rendered necessary.
Pennsylvania
From Die N. American mid V. P. (iazettf.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RAIMIOAD-STATK
TAX AND TONNAGE NO. II.
We have endeavored to show that what
evei tax may be imposed by the legislature
of the Slate upon the tonnage of Ihe Penn
sylvania Railroad, the rates charged upon
through fieighls cannot be thereby affected,
but these rates must be fixed and determined
solely by ihe competiiion of rival improve
ments. The great object for which ihe
Pennsvania Railroad was constructed the
trade of tha West must not be lost because
legislation has imposed restrictions which
render ii necesnary ,0 t.commodale the bu
mess at le than cost; but as no necessity
or obliga-ion exi.i, fof irausporting local
freights at Ihe same rales, it follows that the
local busmcs. must b,ar ihe whole burden,
of what advantage lo the Pennsylvania far
mers is his geographical position 1 He is
taxed with lands at a high valuation, the
produce of w hich cannot compete on equal
terms wiih lhat which is brought many hun
dreda of miles farther. The tendency ol
such a system is clearly to depress the value
of property in Pennsylvania, discourage im
provements and production, elevate relatively
the value of land in other Slates, and give lo
them a population which it is vitally import
ant to our interests to serine.
These illustrations could be greatly extend
ed, but enough have nlreudy been given lo
show Ihe effects of a disciiminating tax
ngainst Ihe business of the Pennsylvania
Railroad. Such laxes were once levied by
the legislatures of other States; but the error
was discovered and principally corrected
It is to be hoped that Ihe age of darkness in
Pennsylvania will not long be suffered to
continue. Could the lennsylvania Canal
maintain a successful competition with the
first class improvements of other States, the
policy pursued might not bo so absurd ; but
when such competition is hopelessly impos
sible, and must so appear, after any intelli
gent examination of Ihe facts, Ihe improprie
ty of obstructing the business of Ihe Penn.
sj I vania Railroad and ihe trade of the Slate
by prohibitory taxation, is so obvious as lo
excite surpiise thai such means of protection
have been resorted to.
Pennsylvania.
From llie North American and U. 8. Gazette.
PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATE TAX
ON TONNAit. NO. 3.
Will the State lose by the abatement of
the tax on the tonnage of the Pennsylvania
Railroad ? Before answering Ihis question, it
is necessary to inquire what is meant by
sustaining a loss. Individuals who have cal
culated upon realizing a large amount from
some profitable speculation, will estimate as
a loss anything below Ihe realization of their
most sanguine anticipations. And if the
State expects to compel Ihe Pennsylvania
Railroad Company to bear ihe weight of her
public debt, and lo extort from the company,
in the shape of taxes, sufficient to pay the
annual interest on ihe forty millions of lia
bilities which have been contracted, we are
free to admit that ibis expectation may not
be realized. But with what shadow of jus
tice could an individual be made chargeable
with Ihe debts of a whole community 1 What
propriety would there be in singling out one
corporation and subjecting it lo burdens from
which others of the same class are exempt 1
Why lax the Pennsylvania Railroad, and al
low every other road in Ihe State to go freel
Why impose oppressive restrictions upon
that road which, from its importance to our
citizens and the active competition of rivals
more powerful and wealthy lhan itself, is, of
all others, most worthy of sympathy and
assistance 1 It has been answered, because
Ihe Slate owns a canal, and ihe construction
of the Pennsylvania Railroad will lake away
its business. The Stnte must protect its im
provement by the imposition of a lax. The
position is untenable no argument founded
on I r n ill can be brought forward to sustain it.
Look at ihe facts : coal is carried upon rail
roads profitably at one cent per ton per mile ;
and wilh loads in one direction only other
heavy articles can, of course, be carried at
nearly the same rnles.
The value of a boat on the Pennsylvania
Canal wilh ciew and horses, is not less than
five dollars per day; the usual load about
60,000 lbs; the maximum load 60 tons.
The cost of the boat and stock alone, exclu
sive of toil, will Iherelore be five-sixths' of a
cent per Ion per mile. It may be double
Ihis amount if the boat returns empty.-
These are Ihe expenses on the canal alone.
Freight between Philadelphia and Pittsburg
is subject to three expensive transhipments ;
it must be carried in cars on the Columbia
and Portage railroads. Those who are en
gaged in Iransportation over the Pennsylva
nia improvements know lhat Ihe expenses of
transpoitation, exclusive of toil, have never
been as low as one cent per ton per mile.
How, then, can such an improvement, a
canal of Ihe smallest dimensions and most
limited capacity, broken by transhipments
at three points, compete wiih the best im
provements of the age? How can it retain
the trade of the Stale and protect the interests
of Philadelphia, when New York, Boston and
Baltimore have entered I tie lists fully equip
ped for contest, and each prepared, at any
sacrifice, lo secure I he largest possible por
tion of the Western Irnde? Before the com
pletion of the Eiie Canal, Philadelphia was
without an equal on this continent. Afler
its completion, it was forced into the second
rank and, wiih no better weapon to defend
itself than the Pennsylvania Canal, Bilti.
more, Boston, Charleston, Savannah, ami
semes of inland cities would soon go beyond
it in wealth, population, anil improvement.
Our beautiful meliopolis, deprived of its
trade, would retrograde rapidly; properly
would depreciate; our most entei prising
citizens would be constrained lo remove;
only (hose who had already accumulated
wealth could .afford lo remain; and when,
at last, the discovery was made lhat Iho
Pennsylvania Canal could not protect the in
terests of the Slate, the remedy would be
applied loo late. After vitality had become
extinct, the resuscitation of business would
be impossible.
It is not true thai the Pennsylvania Rail
road will take from the main line, as it is
called, any business that Ihis line could have
retained, had not the Railroad been con
structed, unless the Company should reduce
the charges on local freights to so low a fig
ure as to give tho Railroad a preference at
those points where (he two improvements
are in close pioxi.nity; but the charge
against the Company is thai these local rates
are exorbitantly high; and il is certain that
they must continue sufficiently high lo com
pensate far the low r.ates which the through
freights must be carried. A very limited
study of railway latist;cs at the present day
will be sufficient to satify the most skeptical
that, unles there shall be a general combina
tion amongst ihe Companies owning tho
great through lines, that Ihe rates on through
fie'ght will inevitably be reduced beyond
all precedent. Railroads having a large lora)
business carry through freight below the
average cost of transportation, and still pay
dividends.
The Pennsylvania Canal, if thrown open
to liansporters free of charge, would still
have a minimum limit of reduction that
would exceed Ihe lowest charges upon the
railroads leading lo Baltimore and New
Yo.k.
The new road across the mountain will
improve this condition of thing, but cannot
correct the evil. Without the Pennsylvania
Railroad as an auxiliary, it cannot prevent
Ihe loss of Irade. The construction of the
Pennsylvania Railroad was therefore essen
tial lo the interesls of Pennsylvania. That
il was also essential, and in no way detri
ment! to the general interests of the Slate,
we will endeavor to prove.
Pennsylvania.
TEE AXOBICA1T.
SUNBtfRY.
ATI RDAY , MARCH OH, ISSJ.
II. B. MAUSER, Editor nd Proprietor.
To AnvrnTirtM. The circulation of Iho Sunbury
Amariran among tha different towna nn the Susquehanna
i not exceeded ifeqnulled hjr any paper published in North
era Pennsylvania.
Democratic State Nominations.
FOR CANAL COMMISSION KR :
THOMAS FORSYTH,
Of Philadelphia County.
FOR AUDITOR GENERAL:
EPHRAIM BANKS,
Of Mifflin County.
FOR SURVEYOR GENERAL :
J. PORTER BRAWLEY.
Of Crawford County.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
ICIn another column our readers will
find several articles from the City papers,
in relation to the tax imposed upon the ton-
nage passing over the Pennsylvania rail
road. This same kind ol tax had. been im
posed on the tonnage of our Susquehanna
rail road, but the present legislature very
properly repealed it. It is wrong in prin
ciple, and in the end will prove a bad po
licy. These improvements are not like
Banking, and some other Corporations, but
are intended for the benefit of all, and
should be encouraged. These articles tend
to show that it is not only unjust but will
in the end prove disastrous to the interests
of the State. We always thought it wrong
to build Ihe Pennsylvania rail road first in
place of the Sunbury & Erie, but if it was
necessary, it is wrong to cripple its useful
ness.
Rustneaa Notices.
Ciuiiet's Laiit's BmiK for April is nn our ta
hie. As usual it is rich in embellishments and
literature. The engraving "A Little Higher," is
decidedly emblematic of Ihe Book. Excelsior is
his motto, anil the Book is a little higher than
any of its cotcmpornric.
Godey offers to forfeit $250 to be distributed
among the poor, on proof that any publishers poy
more money to American Authors and Artists
than he does.
We invite Iho attention to the new advertise
ments in to-davs paper. Wundcrlich cfc All
niond offers a second clnss hotel for sale in Phil
adelphia. M. B. Priestley, mercantile card,
Northumberland. II. W. A (well, school notice,
iiC. &C.
EPISCOPAL SERVICE
Service will be held, by Divine Permission
lo morrow (Easter Sunday) afternoon, in St.
Matthew's Chinch, at 3i o'clock.
(U" Land War rants. Persons having
Land Warrants for sale, can dispose ot
them lor cash, by applying at this office.
(KT The Address delivered by Dr. D. W.
Shindel before the Sunbury Lyceum, will
be published next week.
K7" Those of our subscribers who intend
changing their places of residence, will
please notily us of the (act, in order that
we may give the proper direction to their
papers.
IC7 Col. John J. M'Cahen died at Phil
adelphia in the early part of this week.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR, DATED
Columbia House, Phila., t
March 22, 1853. J
The trial of Arthur Spring, for ihe murder
of Ellen Lynch and llonora Shaw, is now
the most exciting topic in the city. The
Court room is crowded lo excess, every day,
in order to get a sight of the Prisoner. This
is probably one of the most cold blooded
tragedies thai ever occurred in Iho annals of
crime. Tho tale of the dreadful butchery
of I wo innocent females one of them w ith
twin children but a few weeks old, is, of
itself, suflicenlly horribly. The fact of-lhe
son branding the fulhor as Ihe murderer is
familiar to all, but that the father should at
tempt lo fasten it upon Ihe sou involves this
terrible drama with a still more intense in
terest. There is but one opinion here, and
that is thai the father alone is guilty.
The Su.ibury and Erio Railroad question
11 remains unsettled, but I have reason to
believe that measures are in pingress, that
will, before long, bring matters to a crisis,
and if I am not mistaken, secure a subscrip
tion from both the city and county or dis
tricts, to the amount of Four millions. I was
informed by two gentlemen who take a deep
interest in Ihe matter thai they knew n
number of individuals who were ready to
subscribe a million of dollars as soon as the
cily subscription was made.
Philadelphia has done a very heavy busi
ness ihis season and every ihing seems pros
perous. The New Workers, however, have
had some pressing limes within the past two
weeks. . Speculators there have become
perfectly wild, ami the result has been a
revulsion in the money market and consider"
able smashing among the capitalists. This
city has had nn such difficulties, nnd things
here, have, thus far, moved on quietly ami
prosperously.
Many articles have risen considerably in
price, especially the metals, such as iron, tin,
copper, zino and lead. Block tin is one
hundred per cent higher than it was a year
ago, ami lead has advanced fiom 50 to 75
per cent. Much of this advance is no doubt,
to bo attribuled to Iho enormous influx of
gold into this Country and England, from iho
mines ol Calilornia and Austra'ia.
Correapondenca of tha Public, Ledger.
LETTER FROM WASHlilGTOS.
Washington, March 18.
1 doubt much whether there will be a
quorum of the Senate present next week.
No interest is felt in the proceedings of lhat
body, though considerable talent has been
exhibited in debate. The publio mind here
in Washinglon is too much absorbed by of
fice and emolument to allow our foreign re
lations sufficient scope at this period. Eng
land will back out of Central America, and
the other questions lo which il is likely the
present administration will direct its atten
tion, will require a year or more to come lo
maturity. There is not much hope of the
acquisition of Cuba without a general dis
turbance in Europe, and Louis Napoleon
cannot attend to his young Spanish biide
and the conquest of England at Ihe same
lime. It may even happen lhat Cuba may
not be acquired during the first term of Gen.
Pierce's administration.
It is generally supposed that Mr. Buchan
an will be offered the mission to England 5
but it is doubted whether his friends, who
expect lo run him for Iho Presidency in
1856, will allow him to aeci pi nf il. On
ihe other hand, there aie thrxe ho remem
ber the old English adage, "biid in the
hand, &o "
The Collectorship of Philadelphia, il is
here contended by the friends of (Jen. Cas,
ought to be given to a centlenian fiom the
interior of the Stale, ihe Cabinet Minister
from Pennsylvania, having been taken from
Ihe cily. Mr. Jnhn A. Gamble has evinced
his administrative talents as Canal Corn in is
sinner, and the Cass men from all parts ol
Ihe country, as well as from Pennsylvania
have united on him. Old Democratic Berks
through her new representative, ihe Hon
Henry A. Muhlenberg, is also strongly sup
porting his claims. I have no doubt in my
mind that a decided Cass man will be made
Collector of the port of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Post-office is in nbey
mice. There was some talk aboul its being
filled by a very worthy gentleman ; but 1
"rather think" ihe announcement was pre
mature. The appointments in Ihe city will
not be made before the adjiinrum'.Mit of Ihe
Senate, and not very soon thereafter.
The army of olliee seekers is gradually
disbanding, leaving but a few recruits be.
hind them. Many hopes have already been
Tiie Missouri Legislature adjourned on
the night of the 26th ult. Between six and
seven hundred laws were passed at the ex
tra and late session. A law authorizing a
geological survey of Ihe State, appropriates
nine thousand dollars per annum for this
purpose. The general law in regard to rail
roads in lhat Slate was passed. The St.
Louis Republican says : It provides, among
many other things, we are told, for Ihe sub
scription of stock in rail roads by counties,
and the levying of a lax lo meet it refund
ing this tax lo those who pay it in Ihe
shape of stock in the company.
War Between Honduiias and Gavtema
i.a. We learn from the Gaceta de Costa
Rica that war is actually going on between
iho States of Honduras and Gaulemala.
The origin ol the difficulty is alleged lo be
that the troops of Ihe latter had invaded ihe
territory of the former government, and
committed various outrages, last November,
and there being no probability of a peace
ful setltement, Ihe Gaulemalan army, undef
Gen. Carrara, had marched to Ihe frontier
wilh four cannons, and that of Honduras,
3000 strong, under Gen. Cabanas, was ready
upon tho frontier.
dARRisnt'Rn, March 22. The Governor
has appointed Ephraim Cornman, editor of
the Carlisle Democrat, Superintendent of the
Public Printing, under iho act recently passed
by the Legislature.
0"The mail between this place and
Millersburg, w ill be carried on and after
the 1st of April lliree times a week in two
horse coaches. The increase of intercourse
between these two and the intermediate
places has rendered such an arrangement
necessary. Judge Welker has succeeded
in obtaining the consent ol the Post Master
General to a tri-weekly mail, and will
place coaches upon the route to accommo
date the public. The coaches will leave
this place in the morning and connect wilh
the stages at Millersburg,ro that passengers
can arrive in Ilarrisburg early in the even-
in?;.
Consulships of United States. Ii is sta
ted thai (he mnsl lucrative of our Consulships
is that at Panama, which is rated at between
thirty five and one hundred thousand dollars
per annum. Havana is nexl, then Liverpool,
and afterwards in order come Buenos Ayres,
Manlanzas, Havre, Alexandria and Hong
Kong, or Canton. The commercial ogency
at Si. Thomas, Danish West India Islands, is
said lo be worth from six lo ten thousand
dollars a year.
The Australian Emigration at New
t' T.L . .
in tin. mere are now twelve vessels in
New Yoik up for passengers and cargoes
bound to Melbourne and Port Philip. United
States B.ig Bainbridge, Captain Manning,
was at at. Helena Jan Z9tn, bounJ to Aloa
rovia.
Texas Central Railroad. The subscrip.
tions to Ihe capital stock of (bis road already
amount to neaily 8600,000. The favorable
terms of subsciipiion are sufficient lo induce
every one interested in property which the
road will benefit, lo subscribe lo ihe extent
of their means.
Fatal Adcidint at the Washington
Monument A young man, apparently a
stranger, about thirty yeaia of age, I e II on
last Friday morning from Iho lop of the
Washington National Monument, and was
instantly killed. The man was dressed in a
black coat and pantaloons and check shirt ;
had light complexion and sandy whiskers
Emigration. Emigrants for California are
already on the move, and it is probable that
they will be more numerous than those who
grossed Ihe plains last year.
crushed, and many n pretension lowered
while not a few have left with feelinys of
bitter disappointment. The distribution
Ditrotinixo neither ml Is to the ptrei)"th nor
to the popularity of any administration.
Odserver.
ill A It It 1 E I).
In this place, on Tuesday evening Inst, by
the Rev. James G. Ciaighrad, Mr. Albert G.
Bradford lo Miss Ann C. Morris)
On the 22d iust.. by Ihe Rev. Andrew
Bair. Gr.o D Havchawoi't E-o., of Potts-
ville, lo Miss Kate I.eisenriso, daii2hter of
Jacob Leisenrine, Esq , of Bear Gap, Nor
thumberland county.
In Upper Ancusia tp., on the 15:h inst ,
by Fredeiiek Haas, Eq., Mi. Daniel Bos
tian, of Union co., to Miss Mart Zimmer
man, ol Lower Angusiu.
On Ihe 20:h iust., by Rev J. P. Harris,
Mr. John B. Price, lo Miss Catharine
Martin, (formerly ol Northumberland co.)
all of Minersville.
I I K l.
At NnithmnbeiLmd, on the 1 Si h instant,
CATHARINE, wife ol Cupt. James Lee, aged
atioul 65 yt ar.
In Millershnr?. nn llie 7ili inst. nf ennunip--ion,
Mrs. MARTHA A DELI A JURY, .laugh
ter of Wm. ami Catharine Giaharn, dee'd,
foimerly ol Sunbury, aged 34 J ears, 11
mouths ami 2 1 days.
New Advertisements.
C3rSrrtiNG Election. At the election
on the 18th inst., in this borough, the fol
lowing persons were elected to the various
offices :
Justice of the Peace. Gideon M. Yorks.
Constable. Martin E. Ducher.
School Directors. N. S. Thompson, Se
bastian Haupt, R. A. Fisher.
Judge of Election. Jt-sse Rastian.
Inspectors. C. O. Cachman, J. Colsher.
Overseer of the Poor.H. V. Simpson,
Edward G. Markley.
Assessor. John G. Fry.
Auditor, Edward Gas.
township elections.
The following persons were elected Con
stables and Justices of the Peace on Friday
last;
Justices of the Peace.
Sunbury. G. M. Vorkp.
Chilisquaque. Sam. McNincb.
Northumberland.-J oha Cake.
Point. Wm. Hammer.
Coal. David N. Lake.
Lower Mahanoy Tsaac II. Ressler.
Little Muhanoy. Jacob Raker.
Jordan. Peter Swarlz, Benj. Markle.
Zerby. Daniel Beckly, John Metz.
Constables.
Lewis. Thomas Barr.
Delaware. Daniel Cares.
Turbut. Abraham Kissinger.
Milton. Wm. C. Wilson.
Chilisquaque. Peter Walborn.
Northumberland. C. B. Smith.
Point. Horatio Newberry.
Sunbury. Martin E. Bucher.
Upper Augusta. Michael KeiiTer.
Lower Augusta. Jacob R. Clark.
Rush. Andrew Runyon.
Shamokin. Samuel Hales.
Coal. Eliai Eisenhart.
Cameron. John Hine.
Upper Mahanoy. Moses L. Beisel.
Jackson.' Soloman Billman.
Lower Mahanoy Israel P, Witmer.
Little Mahanoy.-A moi Reed.
Jordan. Daniel Bohner.
Zerby. Joseph E. Vanhorn.
State Capitols. A comparison of 14
different Stalo Capitols is given, showing
lhat the Ohio Statu House will far surpass
any other in the country In round numbers
the ground covered by the Capitol at Wash
ington is sixtv-one thousand square feet; of
Ohio, fifty-six thousand ; ofTennessee, thirty
two thousand; of North Carolina, Pennsylva
nia, and Indiana, each fourteen thousand; of
Massachusetts and New York, ten thousand
of Michigan, five thousand, etc. The Ohio
legislative halls and library will be larger
than ill Washington, No estimate is oiven of
the probablo cost of Ihe stiucture, but it will
approach a million, and be finished in three
or four years.
California Gold. Piivate letters from
California, Iho New York Tiibiuiu says, speak
of Ihe yield of gold as very large, ami predict
lhat the shipment in Match w ill bo six and a
half lo seven million of dollars. One very re
maikable and important feature we hear of
from several soorces by this arrival. The
beds of streams which were worked out and
entirely abandoned during the firit year or
two after Ihe discovery of gold in thai coun
try, are now being worked over again with
equal, ami in many cases, gi eater success
than originally.
Java. A Botavin paper says: We rcrei
lo learn lhat Mr. Gibson, an American gen-
llemau, whose unfoi 'Instate escapade in the
schooner Flirt was noticed nearly twelve
months ago, still remains incarcerated in jail
and untried. The Conn of Justice has thiice
declared Mr. Gibson innocent of the charge
of treason preferred against him, and ordered
his release, bul llie Procuteur General mana
ges to keep him prisoner. On the 3d of Jan
uary Mr. Gibson's case was once more argu
ed, and we shall see whether the High
Court of Justice will again consent to allow
a further detention after being thrice acquit-
leii.
Governor Foote, of Mississippi, has issu
ed a proclamation for Ihe election of five
members of Congress in November next,
from Ihe Slate at large. This is in conse
quence of Ihe Legislature having neglected
to district the Stale.
Daniel R. Clatmer (Dera.) has been elec
ted Mayor of Reading, by 52 majuriiy. The
Democrats have also carried the two mem
bers of Select, and nine of (he twelve Com
mon Council.
COMPENSATION OF ro.ST.M AS T i:B .
One of the acts passed on ihe nishl of the
3J of March, lo establish certain Post routs.
&c. contains a section fixing Hie filliwing
as the coinmiss'ous of po?ma-ters on the Is'
of April next :
Oil a Slim not execedins $100 50 per c!
" between SI00 &: 5 10(1 40 per ct.
' " $400 &. ?2,400 35 per el.
" " exceeding S2,400 -15 per cl.
Where ihe mail arrives regularly between
9 at night and 5 in Ihe moiniitg, 60 per cent
i allowed on the first S100.
Those officers whose compilation shall
not exceed $300 a quarter, aie allowed one
cent for every "tree" letter delivered out of
their office, and each postmaster is allowed
two mills for delivery from his office to a
subscriber, each newspaper not chargeable
with postage.
EDUCATION.
R. 1IOSEA V. ATWEI.L tenders his
nt'knowle.leemrnts to Parents, for tha
Ihittcrinir encouragement liestowcd on him, and
would herewith announce that he will commence
another term ol his school, iiliout the middle of
pri!, next. He resprctfully solicits a continu
ance of Ihcir patronage.
Sunburn, March .16, ISSt! 3t.
Ii
A CARD.
AVt.NG tnilmrked in the Mercantile busi
ness on my own aoot.nt, I lake thin op-
poitunity lo thank Ihe friends ol ttie laic firm, and
the public in Ronornl for the literal patronage
extended to me heretofore, and would he most
hnpny to see them at my new Imainrss stand, in
the house formerly occupied by John Leisrnring,
opposite the Bank.
MARKS R. rRIESTLEY.
Northumberland, March 26, 1S53. 3m.
The Editor of Ihe Bos on Post, Charles
Gordon Greene, Esq , a woithy aul witty
gentleman, pockets S20,000 by the election
of General Pierce. Hd fulls heir to the post
of Naval Officer at Ihe Port of Boston. The
office is worth $5,000 per annum, and noth
ing much to do.
Suicide in Prison. A convict, named
John Geiger, committed suicide in the
Montgomery County Prison, on Monday
night, the 21st ult., by tying a cord around
his throat and thereby 'producing strangula
tion. Li tha morning he was found lying
on his bed, with his aims on his breast and
his feet crossed, and had died without an ap
parent struggle. He was convicted some
three years ago, for Bnrglaiy and intent to
commit Murder, in Upper Hanover tp., and
was sentenced to eight year solilaiy con
finement, lie was removed from iho Las
tern Penitentiary lo ihe Monlgomery Coun
ty Prison, in February, 1852, and since his
confinement here has occasioned considera
ble trouble by his discontented and morose
disposition, lie continually dwell upon the
long term of his confinement, and often de.
elated that he would lather die than serve
out his lime. A short lime aso, in one of
his discontented moods, he attempted to kill
himself by starvation, and actually refused
to take food of nny kind for seven days. At
the request of ihe Inspector", Coroner Hoff.
man held an inquest upon his body, who re
turned a verdict of death from the cause
stated above. Sorristoicn Herald.
Discovert of Valuable Silver Mines.
It is stated that great excitement has
been created in the towns on the Rio
Grande, opposite El Paso, by the discovery
of some very valuable silver mines on the
eastern slope of ihe mountains, about sixty
miles northeast of Donna Ana. The ore is
found in immense quantities directly on Ihe
surface of Ihe ground, and several Ions of il
have already been gathered. The Houston
Telegraph says :
"One mine is so rich thatjthe silver is ex
tracted readily by melting it with a common
log fire of pine. Lead ore is also found in
extensive veins, traversing the rocka in ev
ery direction We are informed lhat thou
sands of tons of lead ore, similar lo that ob
tained at the lead mines near Galena, can
be gathered on the surface of ihe ground, on
the mountains east of El Paso. There is a
large hill near Ihe silver mines, that might
with propriety be styled the lead mountain,
as il seems lo be an immense mast of gale
na or lead ore. If we may believe the ao
counts of persons who bave visited these
mines, they must te far more extensive and
valuable than any of the mines in Illinois or
Wisconsin."
Heavt Blasting. On Saturday, the 7lh
inst., at Kitianing Point, on the Pennsylva
nia Railroad, there were eight hundred cubio
yaids of solid rock thrown out by one blast.
The holes were very deep, and contained
twenty-four kegs of powder.
Chahiti covereth a multitude of sins.
Estate of JOHN KRAMER, dee'd-
jV'O'nCE is hercliy given that letters of Ad-
ministration have hern erauted to the under
igncd upon the estate of John Kramer, late of
Lower Augusta township, Northumberland
county, dec'J. All persons having claims or de
mand against the estate of the said deceased, are
requrxteu to make the same known lo the under-
signed without delay, and all persons indebted
will make immediate payment.
WILLIAM KRAMER. Adm'tor.
L'ppcr Augusta twsp., March 56, 18.13. 6U
Shocino Depravity. Al a recent trial
in Alleghany county, N. r, of iwo men
charged with placing obstruclions on the
track of ibe Erie Railroad, il was proved tha,
Ihe diabolical design of Ihe miscreants was
to throw tha express train from the track, for
the purpose of robbing the passengers in the
melee.
Estate of DAVID THOMPSON, dee'd,
TfcJOTICE is hereby given that letters of Ad
1 ministration have hceti grar t-d to the un
dersigned upon the ei a e of David Thomson, Isle
of Coal township, Northumberland county dee'd.
All persons having claims or demands ngainst
the estate of said deceased, are requested to make
the same known to the undersigned without de
lay, and all persons indebted will make immediate
payment.
WILLIAM FAGELV, ) . , ,,
KIMI3ER CLEAVER, ( Adln t0,
Shamokintuwn, .March S6, 1S53. 6t.
Hotel For Sale.
are authorized to offer for sale a superior
' T second clasa Hotel, centemlly located in a
Business fart of the city of Philadelphia, com
manding, ut this time, a large Irade from Penn
sylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.
The House contains Olio Hundred and ten
Rooms, and is capable of accommodating One
Hundred and Fifty persona.
The Gentlemen's Parlor, Reading rooms,
Bar rooms and Office, are on the first
floor.
Tha House has been recently thoroughly reno
vated, and in part newly furnished, and is fitted
up in Ihe most genteel manner. The furniture
will be sold wilh the Leash, which has ovr Iwo
years to run, at a vtiir low best with the
privilege of renewing for five years longer at the
same rent The central location of this Hotel
being in the immediate vicinity of Business and
places of amusement, make it an opportunity
aeldom to be met with. It will be sold cheap,
and on accomodating Terms. For further particu
lars apply personally or by Litter Post Pais
at the Hi al Estate and General agency office, No.
89 south fif.h street, Philadelphia.
W UNDERLICH 6c ALLMOND.
Phila., March 96, 1853. if.
Notice.
THE annual meeting of Ihe Stockholders of
the Green liidfie Improvement Company
will be held at tba Liirard House, Philadelphia,
on Tuesday, the 18th of Mav next, when an
Election for Two Directors will be held.
WILLIAM WISTER,
Secretary.
Phila., March 86, 1853 Im.
To the Honorahle the Jutlges of th Court of
Quarter teutons for the county of A'orAum-
beAand ;
Tha undersigned petitioner respectfully solicits tha Hoa.
Court to K'al bim a license to keep au Inn or tavern I
P. mil towiiaiup, lu the bouse formerly kept aa audi by O.
W. Kriexe.
JOHN PEARSON.
We tha undersigned eitizana of Pout lowuskip, la
NorthuinlierlaiMt county, being acquainted wilk Um Feu
Uicr,.ffc oaiufy that he is m oud repute fur aoaeaty and
teruperauca, and that he la welTprovufed with B"U ronai
and other eouveniencee for tba acronumodatkia nf auaager
and travellers, and thai aa liui or tavern there ia uisnsarv
I of the aceomiuudatioa of strung era and travellers.
Jacob Rodenbaurh, George Lcaaher, genteel I. Joknsn
Won o. Kobhina. Joseph Vankirk, Franca Oiheon, Ed
ward Buoy, riiiUert Vamlling, Cauiel Muier, O. P. Wefts
Che i lee Beunelt, J C. Ilorton.
t'oinl twsp., Match , 14J