LEGISLATIVE.
Tho following interesting debate took
place in the noun of representatives, on
Friday, the 3 lit of March. It shows up
the board of Canal Commissioners, in not a
vesy enviible light. We hope the question
will be probed to the bottom, and if the
Csmmissioners hare been tampering with
members of the house, in order to sustain
themselves in their office, we hope they
trill receive that justice at tho hands of
the Legislature which they will so richly
deserve.
Mr. HECKMAN submitted the follow
ing: Whereas: it is alleged that certain mem
bers of the board of Canal Commissioners
flfthip Commonwealth, have held out in
ducements or bribes to the members of the
Legislature to corrupt them, and -thereby
influence their votes on certain -measures
pending before the Legislature; therefore
Resolved, That a select committee of
"three be appointed to cximinc said charges
end have authority to send -fur persons and
Tapers.
Mr. HISUK.MAJ.N said it had
been alle
ged, and he thought it could be proved, that
the Canal Commissioners had been endea
Tonng to use the influence of their oflice,by
holding out -inducements to members to
vate against the expected veto of the Canal
Commissioners' bill.
Mr. HINCHMAN. What veto T
Mr. HECKMAN. That will be in to
morrow. Mr. SHERWOOD. 1 hope there will
be no opposition to the resolution.
Mr. HECKMAN. I hope not.
Mr; SHERWOOD. Such a grave
charge ought to be inquired into.
Mr.MORRIS. But the gentleman from
Northampton, should wait until the bribe
is accepted.
Mr. HECKMAN I peTceive there are
members hero disposed to treat this matter
lightly; but there are those .present who
know the truth -of it. Now, sir, I call tip
on the member -from Armstrong, to rise
in his place, and state what he knows,
(laughter.)
Mr. HILL rising in his seat,- half in
clined to respond to the call upon him re
turned it,
Mr. IUNCIIMAN-,1 move that the
matter be referred (o the committee appoint
ed, .to examine into the alleged frauds on
the Delaware division.
Mr. IIECKMAN hoped that the amend
merit "would not prevail, and that the origi
nal motion would.
Mr. SHERWOOD expressed his hope
that no. opposition would be made to the
resolution, and that a committee would be
appointed to lay all the facts before the
Legislature.
Mr. .LO WRY I would suggest to the
gentleman from Northampton, to cover the
whole ground by making ah inquiry in
-which the charges against certain members
being bought up at $100 per head, to vote
for John H. Dimock. (Jl Laugh.)
Mr. Hg.UK. MAN said that this was a
serious matter. It was a matter which, he
thought, inflicted a wound fatal to the liber
ties of the country. If members of the
Legislature were to be tampered with by
interested officers, it was striking a blow at
the Constitution of (he land. The truth
-was, and it could not be dented that offers
of appointments had been made by th
Caual Commissioners to members of this
House, at leas to one or more, that if he
would vote in favor of the veto on the Ca
nal Commissioners bill, they would appoint
him to any office he asked. And if he
could not perform the duties himself, they
would give it to any one he named, and he
could get some one to perform the duties 1
at a -less price than he himself should re
ceive, Mid thus the profits would enure to
himself. Now if this grave chaige was true,
it showed corruption to exist which ought
to be rooted Out. He would therefore say
the matter ought to be investigated, and if
the Canal Commissioners were mnocent.lel
the fact enure to their benefit, and if guilty,
Jet the consequence fall on their heads
where it should fajl.
.Mr. HINCHMAN withdrew his mo
tion, Mr. BRAWLEY. Theie has been a
committee appointed, of which the Gentle
man is the head,and we have not yet heard
irom it.
Mr. HECKMAN. It was true there
had been a committee appointed in relation
to the Delaware division, but there had not
been one in regard to the charge of bribery
under consideration.
After come remarks of a conversational
character between Mr. Rrawley and Mr,
Jletkrnan.
Mr. JAMES observed that it was a re
nmkable coincidence to sav the least of it
that resolutions for the appointment of com
inittees of inquiry, had been again and again
introduced, just about llie tune when a ve
to was expected to come in. He did not
mean to jay thbl there was any design in
the matter, but it was luily a singular
coincidence. I he geullemnn had frequent
Jy predicted vetoes, and how he came to
know that one would be received here lo
morrow, he (Mr, JamesWas at a loss to di
vine. He had no objection lo granting the
gentleman a committee, although he must
say that the gentleman seemed lo pursue
tha Ivunal liommusionrrs witfi a spirit
bordering on perse miion. He meant no
disrespect to the gentleman, who wa
only a man, and liable to err like the rest of
us.
Messrs. BRAWLEY, JAMES end
HECKAAN having here made a few re
marks.
Mr. ELWELL said that no one had at
tempted to deny the cbaiges against the
Canal Commissioners, and he therefore
wished to know whether those charges
were more than fifteen minutes oldf
Mt. HECKAAN The gentleman from
Armstrong Mr. Hill) can give you all the
information.
Mr. ELWELL The gentlemen from
Armstrong had been nailed upon twice, and
gentlemen had gone to him and told him to
say nothing on the subject. There was
not a solitary thing to support the allega
tions. Without naming the officers, without
naming the members on the subject upon
which thechargo of bribery rested, he (Mr,
Etwell) asked if this House would, in the
dailq place upon tecord, at the instanco of
a man who had swallowed up the Canal
Commissioners he might almost go so far
as to say that Ire was thirsting fur their
blood grave charges affecting their honor
and character? It was certainly a most
beautiful indictment against the canal board!
He had not heard the charges, nor did he
hear that any had been made, and yet he
was called upon to vote in entire ignorance
of the facts in the -case. The gentleman
said to be in possession of the information
had declined to give it, and yet he, (Ar. E.
was asked to vale for the appointment of a
committee, a few hours perhaps before
action was had on the veto on the Canal
Commissioners' bill. He did not wish to
throw any embarrassment, in the way of
the resolution, but he would say that it was
wrong 1o raise a committee without first
knowing what tho charges were.
Mr. HILL then rose and made, the fol
lowing statement to the House: On day
before yesterday, General M'Culloch (a
member of tho House) while walking up to
the Capitol, told me that I could get the
situation of Collector at rreeport, il 1 wan
ted if He said he had seen Mr. Reynolds
who was then sick,and as the Commission
ers would make a change there, I could
get the office, as he has it from the best
authority. I talked about it some little and
told hiirii as I had a family and lived on a
(arm, I did not think it would suit me. He
then told me that I could get if for any friend
that I desired to have appointed. I told
him I would consider the matter. After
wards, we had a conversation on the same
Bubject.at the General's seat in this House
and I asked him what consideration it was
expected I would ,gie for this office,
He said that he did not know exactly, hut
supposed the Commissioners would ex
pect me to sustain the veto of the Caual
Commissioners bill, but that I should see
the Commissioners in regard to this matter.
Last evening, Mr. Kerr of Mercer, took
hold of, my arm as wd were going down I
uiu UHpiiui, anu iuiu mo uiaifie unuerBioou i
that I could get any friend appointed to the
Collectorship at Free port, as he thought
the present incumbent was unpopular, and
the Commissioners would make a change.
I told htm, also, that I would think about
this matter. The morning after breakfast,
I met Mr. Ovetfield, one of the Canal Com
missinners, and had some conversation
with him in regard to the existing stale of
affairs in the Legislature, and amongst other
things, tho conversation of General M'
Cullock came up. I asked him if it was
true as the General had stated, that I could
get the office of collector at Freeport fur
myself, or any friend I desired to have np
pointed. He said that they were in rather
a tight place. just now, and that if I would
help them out by sustaining the Governor's
veto of the Canal Commissioners bill, the
office should be at my disposal. He said
that all 1 had to do was to write two lines
to them, saying who I wanted appointed,
and if I sustained the veto, it should be
done. I told him I would study upon this
matter, and left him.
Mr. M'CULLOCH said that so far as
as this statement related to himself, part of
it was correct, and a part was not, and be
presumed the gentleman from Armstrong
had not recollected a part of his conversa
lion. While walking up to the Capitol the
other day from Huchlei e, I asked the gen
Heman Irom Armstrong whether lie was
not dissatisfied with the canal collector in
his section of country. He said he
was. 1 toin nun l was wen aware mat
some of the Canal Commissioners were not
pleased with that appointment when made;
and they were not yet satisfied. I then
told the gentleman that 1 thought he could
get that situation. He asked me if I had
any autiioruy tor saying so, anu mis is tne
part of the gentleman s statement which is
not correct. 1 tolu nun mat l nod r.n au
thorily fur saying so, but I was almost cer
tain such was the fact. In regard to the
condition spoken of by the gentleman, I
knew of no condition, although I said I had
no doubt I'e could get the appointment.
Mr. HILL here interrupted. I, sir,atk
ed the gentleman what was lo be the con
dilion, and he said he supposed they would
want me lo sustain the veto.
Mr. M'CULI.OCH.-No.sir.l don't recol
lect of s lying anything about I hut I did not
know of any condition: but 1 heard one of
the Canal Commissioners say that the ap
tmintment at Freeport was not satisfac
lorv.
Mr. HILL. The gentleman said so. I
assert it most positively that he did.
Ar. KEKIl of Mercer. My conversa
linn with the gentleman was this. I asked
ftim the character of a certain individual, no
said ho was unpftpuUr.and could not get 30
votes in his neighborhood. 1 told him that
I had heard sojaml that under these ciroum
stances I did believo, if ho would point out
a good man, whether a friend of his own or
not, that he could get tho appointment.
This I believed from the fact that the man
was unpopular, and not because I had any
ruthority from the Canal Commissioners to
say anything on this subject.
Mr. Lowry offered the following as ah
amendment.
Resolved, That a committee of three be
appointed with power to send fur persons
and papers to investigate charges which
have been made, that members of this Leg
islature have attempted to legislate the Canal
Commissioners out of office from motives
other than the public welfare, or to get
themselves and friends office, or con
tracts.
Mr. Lowry aid he supposed the House
would not bo willing to grant a committee of
this character. If they wished to investi
gate the truth of llie charge, then ho hoped
they would adopt his ' resolution. Were
he to be granted a committee, he could
show up poor human depravitd in regard
to this dark transaction from its origin to
the moment it was presented here. Ycb!
he would like to eco the character of the
Canal Commissioners set side by side with
certain honorable members on this floor.-
After some remarks from Messrs. Bar
rett and Shcrtwood,
Mr. Lowry withdrew his amendment.
And the .question being taken on the
adoption of Mr. Heckmaii's resolution, it
was a greed to.
And the Speaker appointed as the com
mittee,Aessrs. Ileckman, Deford and Mor
rit.
Mr Lowry then offered his amendment
as a distinct and substantial resolution, and
it was agreed to.
And Messrs. Loioty, Sherwood and
Waller were oppointed the committee.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP OREGON
Much interest is every where felt at the
present time in regaid lo Oregon Territory.
In extent it is larger than the Atlantic por
tion of the old thirteen United Stales; in
climate, softer, in fertility, greater; ir. salu
brity superior, in position, better because,
fronting Asia and washed by a tranquil sea.
In all these particular s. the western elope of
our continent is Tar more happy than '.he
eastern. In its configuration it is inexpres
sibly fine and grand a vast oblong square,
with natural boundaries, aqd a single gate
way into the sen. lhe snow capped
Kocky Mountains enclose on the east, an
iron bound coast on the west; a frozen des
ert on the north, and sandy plains on the
south. All its rivers,rising on the segment
ol a vast circumlerence,trun to meet each
other in the centre, and then together into
""s" m
mountain
where the heats of summer and the colds
of winter are never felt, and where northern
diseases are equally unknown. This is the
valley of the Columbia a country whose
everv advantage of Us configuration by the
union of all its parts, the inaccessibility of
its borders, and its single iritrogression to
the sea. Such a country is formed for un
ion, wealth and strength. It can have but
one capital, and that will be a Thebes;but
one cnramercir.1 emporium, and that will
be a Tyte, queen of cities.
77ie Late Awful Gales. The sacrifice
of life and property at sea during the late
six weeks, has been, we regret to ssy wi.th
out parallell in the history of our mercan
tile affairs. On the coast of England, 154
vessels were wrecked, and 100 lives lustson
the coast of Ireland, 5 vessels were Inst,
with 134 lives, on the coast of Scotland, 17
vessels were wrecked, and 30 lives lost;and
ot, the coast of Fiance, 4 ves3eltj and 100
lives lost. The value of the vessels and
cargoes have been roughly estimated at
585,000. On the three following davs
after the 13th Januarv, numerous other
wrecks occurred, to the extent of nearly
GO, the losses of which were upwards of
210,000. This with the others, making a
total, of 825,000. To this is to bo added
the great loss of vessels that occurred in the
course of the storm of l'riday and Malur
day last, the 4th and 2th February. Ln
gusli paper.
Jl Carrier Pigeon recently alighted on
the deck of the ship birabane, on the voy
age from (Jalculta to Urilam, Having a regi
mental button attached to his leg by a piece
of hrass wire. From a reference to the log
of the Mary Transport, on her voyage to
Bombay, it has been discovered that from
the time the biid was liberated from that ves
sel, to the time it alighted on the Strabcne,
it had flown uu less than two thousand
miles in ten days!
Jl Reverend Seducer. The Rev. Mr.
Griehelrr, a foreigner, and a pastor of a
Lutheran Church in the tipper part of
Berks county, in this stale, is charged with
having recently ieilured a young gill, em
ployed as a servant in ins lamiiy, anu, aiier
having borrowed various sums oi money
from Ins neighbors, stiLilenly lelt the nuigh
horhood. A Heading paper tavs that Par
son Griebcler, was, until the discovery of
this shameful aiTur, much esteemed in his
neighborhood, and, by his pleasing man
ners and plausible conduct, 'iriadw himself
vet where welcome.
"MOTH tiBoc tun "
SLITVItDAV, JlPHIL 8, 1848.
FOtt PRESIDENT,
JAMES BUCHANAN
(Subject to the decision of a National
Convent ion.)
THE MAILS.
Never were the mails between this and
Harrisburg in so deranged a stale as they
are at the present lime, and have been for
a week or two past. For that lime, we have
not in a single instance received tho Kar
risburg mail on the day it was due. Our
letters and papers from some causo or other
are three four arid even five days coming
from Harrisburg; and some do not come to
hand at all, when they should not be over
twenty four hours upon the road, and that
too, as wo learn, at Danvilh letters and
papers are regularly received. And what
is equally as vexing, letters sent from this
place to Harrisbutg do not arrive there, if
they do, it is after a long and protracted
journey, or an escape from some secret pri
son. How is this? Can it be possible that
the division qnestion has any thing to do
with itT We should like to knowi Will
the Postmasters at Northumberland and
Harrisburg look to il, and not suffer the
public to be any longer imposed upon in
this way.
There appears to be trouble in the Gov-
II I ... . Mt
crnors wigwarm, at narnsourg. i ne
Keyelone, which has heretofore been
considered as the organ of the governor, has
charged him with an attc.nnt to use their
columns for the advancement, of Capt&in
Tyler to the Presidency, and in consequence
of their refusal, the governor in using his
executive influence to destroy the patronage
of the paper. The governor and the Canal
Commissioners, appear determined to sell
the Democracy of the state to the Captain.
Will thev do it? That is the question.
THE LEGISLATURE.
On Saturday last tho Governor sent into
both houses his veto of the bill electing the
Canal Commissioners by the people, and
on Tuesday, the quest t.qn was taken on. the
passage of the bill, when .there were 57
yeas to 30 nays, not ..being two thirds, it
does not become a law, The committee
of conference upon the slato apportionment
having reported a bill it was adopted by
both houses, and is now in the hands of the
governor. This bill gives Columbia coun
ty one member in the hoase of representa
lives, and places us with Luzerne for sena
tor, notwithstanding' tho exertions of Mr
Headley to place us in the unnatural con
neclinn with Lycoming and Clinton:
A bill has passed both houses authorising
llie sale ot llie Delaware Division of tne
Pennsylvania canal lo a company for $1,
800,000. Another bill is before the house
authorising the sale of lhe main line from
Philadelphia to Pittsburg; which will pro
bably psss.
Mr. Ileckman, chnirnun of the commit
lee on the icsolution to enquire whether any
attempt had been made by the Canal Com
missioners to bribe members of the house
eporled on Tuesday last the testimony of
Mr. Hill, similar lo the statement which he
made to the house. A motion was made to
bring Mr Overfield, one of lhe Canal Com
missioneis lo the bar ftf the house, which
brought out a discussion that lasled until th
the hour of adjournment. As wo have not
received a single paper from HarrisburgJ
this week, we cannot give any further.
ttculars of the action of tho house. V
me new county out is out ol llie wav v
. . . .. . '
may lb aoie to get our letters and papers
from iiarriburg mors regular,
It will be recollected that the Legi
passcu an act tor election oi a slate pr
to do all the printing for the state at G
prices. On Aonday cf last week lhe L
, . ... ......... .
isiature met on joint naiiot to elect a pr
ler, in ptususnco of the Jaw. After tw
ballottinirs, without anv election the convent
tion adjourned to Friday, On Friday ihey
again met, but without coming to any belter
result, not however, until on understand
ing was had, that a supplement should be
passed, authorising the printing to be given
lo the lowest bidder.
- -saniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiW'
The Northampton Hank ftf Allontdwrl
has closed its doors, and stopped payment1
It, however, like alt other blinks; in likd
situation) makes far promises for the fd
ture.
fttia NEW COUNTY
No action had been had upon the hew'
county at tho last dates, although John"
Rhodeo, Petef Baldy, and others from
Danville, were at Harrisburg. 'Pushing If
with desperation.4
The eastern States, (rave suffered consi
derably frorrrhigh wa(er,wilhing.afew days'.-
Stoninglon and Providence Rail Road, and
Norwich and Wotcesler Iiaid Road were-
rendered impasible for several days in conto'
quenco oflhe ifijury.Jrereived from the'
freshet.
Rum errs afo all'
sorts of changes-
nu even iignv
cabinet of the Picsii-
dent, at V
n. mono oi inem,-
however, can
to any respohisbltf
source.
ttorriblc.N 'e understand' that a man
by the name'ijSJ D ick Stewart, living at
Uy press lietid, irr Arkansas, recently shot s
poor woodchopper,who came to his house lt
set bis dogs upon his carcase to devour il, His
motive for this brutal ant was revenge for
somo other woodchoppcrs Having stolen
one of his negroes; A reward of 91000
133 been o flered fur (tho apprehension of
tho mnrderer. Tho intelligence of this
horrid affair was brought t the city yester
day, by lhe sleamVioat Somertille. The
details are dreadful for rehearsal, and evince
a degree of ferocity and barbarism almost
impossible of belief. N. O. Bee.
Comfort oj the Coal Merchants. A.
man is preaching in Illinoise that this win
ter will continue a thousand years. Should'
it prove true there will not be much com
plant of overstocks in the coal market. Tho
severity of the present month has been of
much advantage to them.
Westward Hoi The New Orleans Bee
says thai about one thousand persons wilt-
rendezvous at Fort Leavenworth, on the
first of May, for the purpose of emigrating
to the OregonTerritory,
It is stated in a late Foreign paper that a
Flemish gentleman recently purchased a lot
of old books from a priest, and found
among them lhe sixth copy of the first edi
tion of the Bible ever 'pnnttd. -'In'1816. a
copy of this edition of the Scriptures was
sold to the King of France for nearly four
thousand dollars.
The editor of the Boston Post' says ho
has been eating butter all winter, strong
enough to pull over Solomon's temple so
full has the market of th&t city been with
the vile snuff.
Jl lot of Flour was olTered at a mill near
Harrisburg at 93 per barrel, cash, during
the past week. This is the lowest price
we have heard of cast of the Allegheny.
Hold Him. Gen. Micheltorena, of
the Mexican aimy, when he first heard of
the taking of Monterey by Com. Jones,
thus wrote lo tho Mexican Minister of War
'Your Excellency may immagine my
indignation. 1 wished myself a thunder
boll! to fly and annihilate the invaders I.
W-h-e-wP.
Solomon Van Rensellaer has been re
moved from the office of Postmas'.er at
Albany, and Alderman Wasson, an adhe
rent of Mr. Van Buren, appointed in his
Jplace. Also that William C. Bouck, a son-
bf the Governor, has becu appointed Post-
aster at Schenectady.
town
of.
Wakefield N. II. has
the LegjJatiire, John Burns.Esq
tiroluiionary, soldier; who fought.
Hill, and who also served duiing
r. He will be eighty-eight years
man nam
ed
; livi
ut fifteen miles from
e, ilorrfrlfjae recent severe sno
poking forThis sheep, and night
coming on, he became bewildered and re
mained all night in a snow drift. He wai
found ncSct mornlngtabout 10 o'elock, by
some PCiPns in seaich of him, dnd w
specclnejst.buecovcred soon after hswZ
taken MrEp' ' neat'y eiElkl?' y.m
S IHBBBBSV
flSBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBMEl.
iKL-Aii oh
.-visssssssssrT73 .
2pSSSSSSSSSSSSMBkr
l
7,.-