The star of the north., January 10, 1856, Image 2

STAB Of THE NORTH.
R. \V. WEAVER, EDITOR.
Bloomsburir, Thursday, Jan. 10, 15307~
A bad spectacle.
The present House of Congress presents a
sad spectacle of' Americanism' lo the friends
of republicanism through the world Digni
fied legislators toy and squabble for weeks
over the few dollars patronage that hang up
on a Speaker's favor. At this rate it will
soon come to ba A burning shame and dis
grace for a man to be a Congressman; but
/ the great mischief is the destruction of all
public confidence in the purity of our laws,
) and in the fair administration of justice. To
be beneficial the administration of justice
must be, like Cccesar'a wife—above suspi
cion ; and when the very fountain head looks
so muddy and impure as now, there can be
none of that glowing and earnest patriotism
in the mass of the people which has given
to the Republic if. strength and. dignity.—
Both at home and abroad, the country loses
respect.
And is this Ameiicnnisml This desecration
of the highest legi.lative place in the Repub
lic? This gambling by the long month for
apoils, while the public business goes beg
ging ? This offer of bribes—first in fright
danied, and then owned to have been made
as a good jest ? This trifling play of dalliance,
threats, coquetlry and Irdachery? May Heav
en protect America from a spirit so fell and
foul I 'May the children of America never
learn that men have dared with impunity lo
do auch deeds iiwhe name of Liberty ! And
may the men of America hsed the loud
warning that comes up from the dens of dark
ness, and Irom the foul cloister ol the Amer
ican political Jesuits !
The true hearted Democrats stand firm as
a rock ; while the factious majority fall back
dismayed at every shock—as and light
as the foam which the spent wave in anger
throws on its invincible foe. The true rep
resentatives of the people's cause are in the
minority by numbers ; but
"Thrice ishe armed who hath his quarrel just,"
for might and manliness are in an honest
cause, while "the wicked flee when uo matt
pursuetb."
SuowStoim mid ( old
For two days past we were "in search ol
knowledge under difficulties," until some
limes we thought the Superintendent and all
knowledge ol him would be buried under
a snow-drift; or with horse, sleigh and buf
falo be carried off over tbe hills in the vio
lent rage of a snow-cloud. Into one school
bouse the storm seemed lo follow us, for
clouds of snow came in through the crevices
* of the floor above, and at the sides. Tbe
scholars will not suffer from breathing viti
ated air in that bouse, and we did not think
it necessary to speak of Physiology there.
On the second day, upon the homeward
route, the sport of driving five minute miles
was checked by the miniature snow-moun
tains that made us often think of Capt. Kane
and his Northern adventures. One infqrmant
, reported the thermometer at 21 degrees be-
V JQW zero, and "Ihe mercury almost froze." Ac
lo kia recUlU U itiitl 1101 lICCU BU colli
the last filteen years.
Couuty Finances.
On last Monday the County Commission
ers and Auditors met at Ihe Court-House (o
make the annual settlement. They found
every fact and figure plain and clear—in per
fect order and precision. With the help of
Messrs. Lee aud Fruit as Clerks of the two
Boards, every item was examined and the
settlement finished on Tuesday evening. In
aome counties no larger than Columbia the
-—.-work occupies from two to four weeks.
' The finances of toe county are found in a
fair condition ; for while several expeusive
bridges have lately been built, and the rate
of taxation very low, the county is ouly 8470
in debt to tbe Treasurer, and there are large
amounts of lax yel outstanding for collec
lion. , ..
Esquire Harris will now act as Treasurer.
The new Auditor* Messrs. Phillips and De
mon showed at the settlement that they un
derstood the<r business.
Ilarrlsburg "Patriot & Union-"
This Democratic journal at the seal of our
Stale Government will be issued Semi-Weekly
daring the session of the Legislature, contain-
Reports adapted to interest the people,
One copy, semi-weekly, during the
during the session and
tbe rest of the year 3 00
tbe Publishers,
HOPKINS & BROWN, Hsrrisburg.
JMr. Euller at Home.
TW Wilkesbarre Record expresses its dis
approbation of Mr. Fuller's course in Con
trail), and considers him faithless lo the Re
publicans.
The Pittston Gazette " heartily regrets" to
see him act as ha does.
Tbe Danville American is also against him,
and the Democrat seems to be the only news
paper in his District that earnestly sustains
him.
Fire at the Furnace.
Last evening (Wednesday) a fire broke
00l in tbe Casting-house of McKelvy & Co's
Furnace near ibis town, and before a suffici
ent supply of water could be procured tbe
fc - the oasting-bonae was burned and
r fell in. The other property was saved from
•ojury.
Appointments.
The Commissioners of Columbia county
have made tbe following appointments for
tbe year 1456:
C/sri—Robert C. Fruit. ,
Attorney —R. W. Weaver.
Mercantile Appraiser—- Richard Stiles.
- New Cans.—The Catiawitia & Williams
fprt Railroad Company bare recently placed
8 set of rtow nod elegant Passenger* cars on
their Road. Tbey e*pleasant and comfort
gble to ride in, end tend to ,puke tbe long
yide from Port Clinton to Willitmapqrt, easy
toad agreeable.
A Fine Slelghing-Song.
For such sleighing parties as that which
paid Danville a visit on last Friday night,
and those of a more juvenile character, we
suggest that the following sleighing-song
will make excellent music. Let about seven
"couple" get packed into a large aled box,
tbe interstices well filled up with buffalo
robes, and, without much regard to Mr.
Hradbury'a rules of music, you can sing to
chime with the bells, or to the good old air of
"SOME LOVE TO ROAM."—
How swift we go
Thro' the Sparkling snow.
In the moonbeam's silver glance,
AP.'U out glad song swells,
I NVhile the jingling bells
Kectp time with our proud steeds' pranoe !
.And the hollow glen,
Sends back again,
Our laugh and glad halloo:
While the diamond spray
Flies every way,
Aud the moonlight flashes thro'.
'Tie cold to-night,
But these eyes so bright,
A glow on the young heart shed.
And these lips that move
To ihe tones of love,
With the smile of pleasure spread ;
Then onward speed,
While the snorting steed
Shakes the spangets Irom his mane,
We'll join in the flight
Of the elves of night,
Aud love and delight shall reign.
Couuty Revenue.
Several of our friends at Harrisburg have
sent us the annual report of the Auditor Gen
eral, from which wo learn that the following
sums have been paid into the State Treasury
during the past year by Columbia county :
viz—
Tax on real and personal estate, 87 155 04
Tavern Licences, 347 00
Retailers' Licences, 843 60
Militia Tax, 35 60
Tax on Writs, Wills, &c.,
By Jacob Eyerley, Proth'y, 105 49
" Jesse G. Clark, Reg., 212 92
Collateral Inheritance Tax, D. Lee, 112 76
$8 812 21
Deduct am'l received by Colum
bia county for Public Schools,
viz : 1 080 45
Leaving net revenue received by
the Stale from Columbia co. 87 731 76
Montour Items.
There are twelve churches in Danville.
A course of popular lectures is published
in the upper room of the Danville Academy.
The Welsh choir is acquiring a considera
ble popularity for its practice of vocal mu
sic.
Wild tuikeys and deer were observed oil
Montours Ridge.
He having no children, the large estate of
the late John F. Derr, of Derry, goes lo the
heirs at law ; twenty-four tracts of his land
are now in partition.
Four persons were convicted, at last Court,
of violations of license laws.
The late Martin Billimer, of Liberty twp.,
left 12 children, and (says the Intelligencer)
furnished more hickory poles for the Democ
racy to raise than any other man in the re
gion.
LIOUOR LAW IS CARBOSDAI.E.—Last week
court was held at Carbondale, and among
ether business, eight indictments under the
new liquor law were presented to the Grand
Jury who returned two of them not a true
bill, and the others were withdrawn. The
Transcript says :
"There are about one hundred groggeriea
in this place—every 'shanty' in. fact being a
rum hole,—all selling intoxicating liquors in
defiance of law, but the great difficulty seems
lo be in obtaining undoubted evidence of the
fact. You cannot get the frequenters of these
'dens' lo be proper witnesses —they won't
swear to the truth."
ANOTHER TRACEDT Two Men Murdered by
a hlamac. —A double murder was committed
on Tuesday near Woodbridge, Conn., by
Charles Sanford, an insane man, whose neph
ew is 0.-.e of the Wakemaniles who was ar
rested 11. suspicion of ihe recent murder of
Matthews. Sanford's first victim was Enoch
Sperry, brother of N. D. Sporry, Secretary ol
State. The maniac chopped off bis head
with an axe, while he was ti 'sng home in a
sleigh. The second victim was kltnbod
Umbetfield, a farmer, whoS ttiford killed with
an axe in his own house. The murderer is
now in prison, Where he is constantly rnut
teting senseless jargon of prayers.
A Woman Swimming Ihe Mississippi.—Uoyd's
forthcoming Steamboat Directory gives a
thrilling instance of the necessity of women
knowing how to swim. When the ill fated
Ben Sharrord was in flames oo the Missis
sippi river, and the lady passengers who had
thrown themselves into tbe water were drown
ing around the boat, the wife of Captain Cas
tleman jumped into the river with her infant
in her arms, and swam ashore, a distance of
half a mile, being the only woman saved out
ol sixten.
THE BUBUHOTOV ACCIDENT. —IsraeI Adams
an engineer on the Camden and Amboy rail
food, who was on trial at Mount Holly, for
manslaughter, baa been honorably acquitted-
Mr. Adams was engineer on the train whieh
ran off the track in August last, causing a
deplorable loss of life. It appeared from the
evidence that no blame could be attached to
him.
The Potisviils Gazette urges a stricter atten
tion to agriculture and a more general prose
cution of husbandry in the coal region* of
Schuylkill county. It says that 8200,000 are
sent to Philadelphia yearly for vegetables,
which oould be raised in the oounty, and
that thousands of acre* that could be convert
ed lo agricultural purposes are left in a state
of nature.
MARRIED AGAIN.— Mr*. Payson Eldredge,
belter known as "Fanny Fern," was married
on last Saturday to Mr. James Parton, a liter
ary gentleman. He ia tbe author of tbe
Life ol Horaoe Creelj, and Ihe working edi
tor of the Home Journal. The lady was mar
ried twice before. One husband is dead and
the other divorced.
Correspondence of the Star.
FROM HARRISBUHG
HARRISBUHO, Jan. sth, 1856.
Both Houses have been very harmonious
in the choice of a Speaker. In the Senate
the two rival candidates voted for each oth
er. Mr. Piatt's Cameron deflection of last
winter does not seem to have hurt him much.
Mr. Wright, the young Quaker Speaker of
the House, is a good and true inuu, and has
the requisite energy and firmness for his
post. In his neat speech of thanks he re
marked that not one of the members of the
present House were here when lie first be
came a member, which, I believe, was three
years ago. The present House is a great im
provement upon that of last sessioo in the
character of its members.
In Ihe Senate the Standing commilte are
announced with the following gentlemen re
spectively Chairmen of the most important
ones:
Finance, Mr. Buckalew.
Judiciary, Mr. Willkins.
Corporations, Mr. Browne.
Ranks, Mr. Creswell.
Education, Mr. M'Ciititock.
Vice and Immorality, Mr. Price.
A bill has been passed fixing the 14th mail,
for the election of a United Slates Sdnalor.—
David R. Porter has undergone a political
resurrection, and is now quite a formidable
candidate. He is perhaps the very shrewd
est politician in the Stale—quite as cunning
as Cameron, and superior in effect, because
he never makes a blunder.
Ex-Governor Bigler'e prospects sre not as
good as two weeks ago. Tbe imprudence
of some ot his friends has injured bis chan
ces. Buckalew and Foster stock is improv
ing. A bill to repeal the Liquor Law of last
year will be among the first ones passed.
It will be remembered that some Know-
Nothings attempted to explain away the in
iquity of the bill passed last winter which
raised the pay of the members by saying
tbe cost of the session would actually be less
than before. The report of the Auditor Gen
etal gives these wise men some light upon
this subject. From it we learn (bat the ex
penses of y the government under the Kuow-
Nolhings in 1855 was 8330,081 22. In 1854,
under a Democratic ad mini -(ration, it was
8299,605 54, making about $40,000 differ
ence.
The Governor has appointed Joseph Casey,
HOW ol the Dauphin Bar, as Reporter of Su
preme Court decisions, in Ihe place of James
Hepburn deceased. He has also appointed
E. Beatly of the Carlisle Herald as Superin
tendent of Public Printing, in tbe place of
A. K. McClure resigned.
VINDEX.
Nhakspcnic's Heroines.
It is remarkable that ihedaughlersofShaks
peare with whom we are most acquainted,
Desdemona, Juliet, Jessica, Hero, Miranda,
Rosalind, Celia, and Portia, have neither
brother nor sister. Each of them is the only
child of her parents. Ophelia has no sister.
With Ihe exception of Juliet, they are all
motherless. Although Lady Capulet talks of
her old age, being warned to a sepulchre,
Bho was but twenty-eight when she proposed
to her daughter the acceptance of Peris'
hand. There is no confiding love, nor affec
tionate intercourse between Juliet and her
mother. On the contrary, she is reserved
and secret, keeping her a stranger to her
thoughts. Lady Macbeth stands distinctive
ly apart from Ihe other females of Shaks
peare, knowing no kin, as if authoress of
herself; yet she is restrained by reverential
awe, when, intent on evil, she cans her eyes
upon'the image of her sleeping father. Jes
sica is insensible lo any snob touch of natu
ral tenderness. The daughters of Lear, with
all their deformity, scarcely surpass her in
cruelty and impiety. She betrays her father,
plunders his house, bears off his family re
membrances, elopes with his enemies and
the enemies of her race. Even the ring of
Leah, on which she knew his old age doted,
she profanely exchanges for a monkey, and,
in the end, consorts and feasts amidst exul
tations over his overthrow and ruin. Desde
mona is an unkind daughter. She deceives,
and clandestinely, in the night, deserts her
father's house for the "sooty bosom of a
Moor." The match was mortal to him,
grief of it broke his heart. In all her subse
quent career, in sunshine and ill storm, and
even in the last memorable evening in her
bed-chamber, alone with Emelia, when her
thoughts recur to her childhood and the
memories ot her mother and her mother's
maid Barbara rise up before ber, she has not
a tear, nor word of pity or tenderness, or
even a thought for her neglected and lan
guishing father.
DISAPPOINTED—Moat of the young men
and their families, says the Village Record,
who left West Chester last spring lo settle at
Battle Creek, in Michigan, have returned or
are about to return, egregiously disappoint
ed. Two mechanic*, each with families,
have returned; both of wbom lost their time,
spent their money, and had to borrow funds
to get back again. They lost from 8500 to a
SIOOO a piece by the experiment.
JOI.LT TIME FOR THE PAUEONE. —Have you
read the famous book by Professor Rondout,
of New York, advertised in our paper to day?
No I Then read it at one. It will astonish
you. It will make weddings as plentiful as
blackberries in summer. No keeping out of
love now. He lets out the subtle mystery.
You can marry whom you please, now.—
Huzza for Cupid I Matrimony for ever?
W During the struggle in tbe Houie the
past week, Mr. Banks, on one or two occa
sions, obtained precisely votes enough to
elect him Speaker; but before the vote oou I d
be announced, several gentlemen, who had
been hurriedly sent for, entered, and casting
their votes for other candidates, turned (he
scale.
THE COAL TRADE.— It ia estimated that Ihe
amount of the anthracite coal shipped from
the Penneylvenia mines, for the year ending
December Ist, ia 4,662,000 tons, 700,000
ton* more than last y ear. It is a wonder that
our dear old Commonwealth is besoming tbe
Empire as well** the Keystone Slate. |
T = ofvEnNOK^OLLOM^MMSAOE HH
Tfce Philadelphia Ledger gives the follow
ing abstract of the message. We ibiok it
does the document foil justice:
A Urge portion of it is devoted to the sub
ject of the State finances, and it pppears by
the exhibit that the State Treasury is in good
conditaDr-juowing a balance of about a
million and a quarter of dollars, without any
loans laving been required during the year.
The actual receipts into the Treasury were
35 390^74, and the expenditures, including
extraordinary disbursements, 85,385,705; a
balance ol nearly a million and a quarter
was left over from the year previous. The
exlraordjaary expenditures were for comple
ting public improvements, nnd amounted to
81,246,113. The balance in the Treasury
will be required to pay the February inter
est ThSsura of 8395,011 due the sinking
fund has applied to the paying off of
tho temporary loans which bear six percent,
interest, the State debt on the Ist of De
cember last amounted to 811,067,994, being
a decrease.of 8639 601 in the last year. It
is estimated that the receipts for the current
year will exceed the ordinary expenditures
by one million and a half of dollars. The
Governor calls attention to the fact that the
minimum pqtiod has expired fiixed by law
for the redemption of the certificates of State
slocks issuedjor the payment ol interest on
the funded debt of the State, and that no
provision has been made for their renewal or
redemption. He thinks, as there would be
t-ouble to negotiato a loan at this time, that
the bonds of the Commonwealth, bearing
five per cent, interest, with coupons, might
be issued in renewal of said certificates.
The public works yielded 1,945,376, or
8103 585 over all the expenditures, ordinary
and jjxtraordinaty, or £794,013 over the ordi
nary expenses. A large increase m the bu
siness ol the current year is expected. The
sum paid by the Pennsylvania railroad lor
lax on tonnage has been very large, amount
ing to 161,125, which shows the extent of
business over that road. The Delaware Di
vision and the Columbia railroad exhibit!
satisfactory results. The western end of the
Main Lino has not paid its expenses. The
Inclined Planes over (he Alleghanies are not
completed, and the cost exceeds the esti
mates. 8177,572 would yet be required be
fore the work is done. The North Branch
Canat is not.completed ; it has likewise cost
more than the original estimates by $751,-
340- The Governor renews the fecommen
dation that the Main Line be sold ; but sug
gests an amendment of the law giving such
authority, and he thinks it a wise economy
to sell the whole of the publie works.
In regard to the currency, the Governor is
not clear that all the applications for banking
powers should be granted. As all tbe ap
plications would embrace a capital of about
thirty millions, we think the Governor could
come at once to some satisfactory conclu
sion upon this important point. But, evident
ly, thr Governor ia out of his element when
discoursing upon banking, and men of busi
ness need not have the weakness of this por
tion of the message pointed out. On the
subject of agriculture, he talks more ration
ally and and makes au ex
cellent suggestion when he proposes the es
tablishment of an agricultural bureau, in
connection with one of the Departments of
S'ate, and the appropriation of a sum of
money towards the Farmer's High School.—
When it is considered what importaut inter
ests are involved in the success of agricul
ture, any suggestion which tends to enlarge
the knowledge or promote the practical labor
of farmers is eminently deserving of atten
tion. The general manufacturing law, the
Governor thinks, is too restrictive.
Tho common school system is commend
ed, and suggestions made for the increase of
its usefulness. The State Lunatio Asylum
engages his sympathies, and he thinks it
should be aided ; also the school for Idiotic
children, the House of Befoge, and the
Blind and Dumb asylums.
The subject of intemperance is approach
ed with caution. The Governor is inclined
to let the Legislature lake oharge of Ibis sub
ject, in accordance with the people's wishes.
He recommends general in preference to
special legislation, giving good reasons lor
the preference, and what he says about re
stricting insurance companies, so that they
shall not be banks in disguise, is well limed
and judicious. Divorces should be granted
by the courts of law. Toe acta of the leg
islature upon vAicb the enrollment tax ia not
paid, should be repealed, and future acta
should not be vnlid uuless the tax is paid
within six months. Tbis is likewise a good
suggestion. He next touohes npon the Erie
railroad question, the abstraction of the pub
lic arms from the State Arsenal, the election
of a Stale Senator, and closes with express
ing his desire to co-operate with the Legis.
lature in protecting the rights of the people
and the prosperity of tbe Commonwealth.
The message is very well written, its sug
gestions generally are of a practioal and use
ful character, showing a generous heart as
well as ■ patriotic spirit.
Tire EASTON AROOl.— Samuel P. Higgins,
Esq., hes become associated with Col. Hat
ter in conducting this well known Democrat
io Journal. Mr. H. is a practical printer of
experience and capadity, and judging by bis
salutatory in a recent number of that paper,
he wields tbe "grey goose quill," with equal
facility.
A CHANCE FOR SPECULATION The Govern
ment of Peru has got a project up for selling
all the guano on the Chinca Island—nearly
twelve millions of tons—the price of whiob
is S3O a ton. Any company having tbe
small snm of 8360,000,000 will probably
have a chance to purchase tbe whole lot at
Ibis price.
W The School Directors of Northumber
land county met at tbe Court House, in Sun
bury, on last Saturday, and increased tbe sal
ary of the Cour.ty Superintendent, Mr. Reim
ensnyder, from 8350 to 8600.
THE STATE IMPBOVEMEMTS.— The amount
of tolla on all tbe linea of tbe public improre
menu amount to 837,000 mors this year then
last. The expenses were 870,000 leas. /■
SCHOOLS OP COLUMBIA COUNT*.
From the advance sheets of the annual re
port of the State Superintendent of Common
Schools, we copy the report Which relates to
the schools of Columbia county for tbe year
ending June lst 4 1855:
"Immediately after (he receipt of my ap
pointment, on the Bth of January last, I com
menced visiting the schools of the county,
and continued steadily at that engagement on
til the Ist of March, when the schools in this
county generally oloeed their terms. From
the number I had designed to visit in that
time, I was unable to spend as much time in
each school as I wished, but I noted the ex
ercises of the several classes, suggested im
provements to the teachers, and, where I
thought it proper, addressed the scholars. lu
some cases I examined classes, but generally
wished to witness how tbe teacher taught, as
well as bow the scholars studied and recited,
lu less than those two months I visited three
lourths of the sebools in the county. In ev
ery instance I endeavored to have one or mora
of the directors visit the school with me, and
in more than one-half tbe cases I was so ac
companied.
Condition of the Schools. —Most of the schools
are in a primitive condition, and nearly one
fourth of the teachers have received certifi
cates from necessity, rather than by merit.—
A number are unable to teach grammar or
geography. In but few schools is arithmetic
taught by classes, and a number of school
houses are destitute of a blackboard. Men
tal arithmetic is unknown to many ol our
teachers, at least so far as their practice show
ed ; and the higher mathematics are taught
only in a few schools. The manner of teach
ing has generally been more stiff and me
chanical than is desirable; and more from
the dull dead letter of the task, than Irom tbe
living inspiration of the spirit and soul of the
subject. I find those teachers most success
ful who interest their pupils by familiar oral
explanations of the lesson, and use the book
only for a text.
In some schools I did not find a book with
any instructions for reading,with reference to
inflection, cadenoe or modulation; but each
scholar seemed to have brought such stray
history or book °f adventures, as accident
threw in his way. I explained to a number
of directors and citizens the evils of tbis course,
and am pleased to find that, in many instan
ces, directors, teachers and parents are now
co-operating to introduce a uniformity of
books.
I have introduced into tbe schools, gener
ally, the plan of reviewing studies. Some
teachers hud already adopted it befoie my
visit. I have urged the introduction of rhe
torical reading, grammar and geography into
schools where these studies were not taught,
and found 6on.e cases where they had been
thought only proper for high schools and sem
inaries In a number cf schools I formed
classes in orthography, where only mechani
cal and arbitrary spelling had been known.
Writing from dictation I found to be a "new
thing" in most schools; and in my visits late
ly, I generally organized a class, and illus
trated a lesson before leaving tht> school.—
Reading in concert 1 scarcely found in any
school, and suggested it to be used only for
obtaining proper command over, and modu
lation of the voioe, and as a preparation for
learning music. Musio I found only in one
district, (Bloom,) but hope that next winter I
shall find it in others.
Grades —There were some good schools
in this county within the past year. For the
first time in the history of the common school
system we have had graded free schools, and
they have answered an excellent purpose. It
is only to be regretted that the plan cannot
be introduced into sparsely populated dis
iriets. The directors of Bioomtownship, and
my predecessor in office, are entitled to the
credit ot their successful introduction thns
far.
Teichets' Association —Soon after I com
menced vjsiting the schools, I saw that more
good could be done if an association of teach- j
era could be formed ; so that proper interest
and ambition oould be inspired, and ail or
many of the leaders reached at once with j
suggestions and improvements. To that end I
I called together the teaohers of the county,
and in conjunction with the most intelligent
of tbem, organized a "TXACHCRS' ASSOCIA
TION," which has since held two meetings,
and is engaging tbe attention of all good teach
ers ir. (he county. I can see that it hes al
ready done some good.
Teachers' 1 Examinations.— Most of the teach
ers bad been examined by my predecessor.
I have given twenty-eight temporary and fonr
permanent certificates, and rejected but few
applicants. I will make my appointments to
meet and examine teachera in their districts
during the month before tbe opening of the
schools in the fell.
Short Terms. —lt is a mailer of great regret
that the terms of our schools are so short
Young men of good education seek for more
permanent employment; and while some re
gard teaching as a transition stale to some
other pursuis of life, they do not feel as much
interest in the suocess and prosperity of their
sohools as tbey would under other eiicam
stances.
Female Teachers.—ln summer our schools
are generally taught by females, for tbe rea
■ sons that it ia more economical, the scholars
are all quite young, and tbe schools small.—
The moral influence of a female teacher on
suoh minds, is perhaps better thsui that of
males, and bas more ol nature's proper sym
pathy to develop and lead on '.be tender in
tellect. Tbe scholarship of these females is
also, in general, equal if not superior to the
teachers of tbe otber sex.
Teachers' Wages. —Tbe want of properly
qualified leacber* bas been the greatest dif
ficulty in my way to do the work I design
ed. This want, in my judgment, can only
be filled when there shall be more induce
ments to urge young persons to prepare
themselves fot teaching; and when directors
sod people can and will discriminate more
deoisively between good and incompetent
teachers. Ido not mean by advanced wages,
'but by a more extended grade of wages. All
teachers who have certificates, claim the
same wages— equal to what the beet teachera
receive; and so it happens that good teaob
em reoeive too little pay, aad poot ones too
much. This discourages persons of good ed-
ucation from entering the profession of teach
ing, and sometimes drives them oat; while
it creates an unjust and unfortunate prejudice
against the common school system among
those persons where incompetent teachers
have, during the past year, been engaged at
advanced wages, because they now bad cer
tificates. But such accidental cases are inci
dent to every system, and to remedy this, I
1 have lately endorsed upon the back of my
temporary certificates the grade of the teach
er's proficiency in each branch of study in a
tabular form with figures. In every case
where, to keep a school open, I was com
pelled to give a certificate to a teacher, much (
deficient, because r.o better one could be
had, I explained to some one or more of the
directors, where the person was to be enga
ged, the extent of his or her qualifications, so
that no prejudice might subsequently result
against the school system, nor against the ef
ficacy and value of certificates.
Teachers' Certificates. —Unfortunately the
old form of our certificates divided all teach
ers only into two classes, and of these a very
small one ; so that it was difficult for even
intelligent directors to discriminate. The new
blanks which I have received will remedy
this difficulty, at least to some extent; and
they are one of the improvements by which
time and experience can perfect the common
school system. But, in my judgment, there
might bo still another form of certificates
used with good efTect. I mean one like the
new provisional certificates, except that it
should not be limited to one year, so as im
peratively to demand a new examination each
year, but leaving it at the option of the teach
er to apply for an improved certificate, if he
had studied diligently, or to content himself
with the old one, if he hud made no improve
ment. The backwatd teachers would still
receive the certificate limited to one year,so
that there might be room for a belter class at
the end of each year; and the re-examination
would not lake place in those cases where !
no eood result can be seen likely to follow.
School Law. —The new school law of 1854 ;
is understood, in this connly, as an improve
ment, by all who are favorable to the com
mon school system and who have given at
tention to its operations. The old sub-dis-
Iricts divided responsibility, until the direct
ors often refused to act in a manner, and the
committees too often chosen by the passion
or private prejudice of (he spot and occasion,
■ rather than with reference to the interest of
public education.
County Superintendent. —The County Su
perintendency has by many been appreciated
as a desirable and necessary part of the school
system, and has met with tin objection in this
county, except from those who have always
opposed the system of common sohoo's. It
has been treated With uniform kindness and
respect, and 1 have only heard of objections
against its necessity from two townships,
where it is very evident that its operations
are highly necessary. In one of these I vis
ited all the schools without finding a black- '
board, or one scholar to recite in g-ammar or j
geography; and three schools of 'he other
district were in the same condition, with the I
addition that there was not in uny one of thess
latter a book with instructions for reading -
One of the teachers was even ignorant of the
use or purpose of the different pauses in read
ing, and unable to define a period or note of
exclamation. He had been employed with
out a certificate, because he taught cheap.
{ The present board of directors in thst district
will hire only such teachers as hre certifi
cates.
Services Rendered —Not a week has elapsed
. and iii some weeks not a day without bring
| ing calls trpou me from directors, teachers or
citizens, for information and counsel as to
the operations and requiremeutr of the school
{ law and school system. In every instance 1
, responded promptly, and in every instance
the difficulties compltined of explained
or adjusted, to the satisfaction of all parties.
The counsel and labor I havo given in this
way, alone, would, in a professional capaci
ty, have been charged more than the amount
of my salary as County Superintendent.
R. W. WEAVER,
County Superintendent.
BLOOM.-BURU. July 14, 1855.
tCT The world renowned John Smith sends
the Boston (Mass.) Post the following pithy
toast for the next celebration of the Fourth
of Jdly, but it is too good to lay over :—"The
Two declarations—the Declaration of Inde
pendence, whereby we gained our liberty,
and the Declaration of Love, whereby we lost
h."
LoseES BV FIBS —Losses sustained by the
Lycoming County Mutual Insurance Compa
ny from September 10th 1855, to December
lOtb 1855, being the 2d quarter of the pres
ent fiscal year, as given in the Munoy Lumi
nary, amount to #71,029 81.
A GOOD BUSINESS. —A professional beggar
woman, who has lived in Pittsburg, Pa., for
ten years past, has accumulated property for
which she has refused 810,000.
OT The Montour American gives the pres
ent population of Danville as 5423. In 1850
it was 3333.
OS" The ladies of Reading found out that
this is lesp year, and so gave a Ball to the
gents on last Tuesday.
B. P. FORTNER, Auctioneer,
WILL SELL
la Franklin township, Columbia oounty,
on January the 18th, a house and lot; the
property of John Tesple.
On the 19th, in Franklin township, Colum
bia county, the real estate ofO. P.Teetsworlh,
being nine acres of land with good improve
ments on the seme.
OJ the 25th and 26th, in Ataine township,
Columbia county, the entire furnace stock,
horses, and merchandise of G.it R. Shuman.
ty Persons who desire the services of D.
P. FOBTNER as Auctioneer will do well
to engage him before advertising the date of
their sale.
TST S. M. PETTINOILL & Co., Advertising
Agents, No. 119 Nassau Street, New York,
and 10 State Street, Boston, are authorized to
receive and receipt for advertisements and
subscription to thia paper. j
FOUR DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE.
ARRIVAJTOF THETARAQO.
NEW YORK, Jan. 6.—The steamship Arago
i lias arrived, with London dates to December
19th. She sailed from Havre on the same
day, with 240 passengers, and a cargo valued
at over two millions.
The London Daily News affirms that Swe
den has ratified a treaty with England and
France. The allied powers guarantee the
territorial integrity of Sweden, and the latter
engages not to alienate any nart of her terri
tory to Russia. The contraciing parties also
engage to commnnicate reciprocally,nil prop
ositions coming from Russia.
Rumors of peace are etil abundant both in
France and England.
Count Esterhazv left Vienna for St. Peters
burg on the 16th nil. with important de
spatches containing propositions for a pacifi
cation. It ia stated, that if the Czsr refnsee
their acceptance, Austria will withdraw her
Ambassador from St. Petersburg. Both the
London News snd Times express strong
doubts of t he acceptance of these ptopositlone
by the Czar.
The instructions given to Prince E-derhszy,
are to return immediately, in the event of
the Czars refusal to negotiate.
The difficulty which existed between the
English and French government, relative to
the conditions on which peace should be
made, have been arranged, throngh the ef
forts of the King of Sardinia.
The surrender of Kors to the Russians, it
confirmed. Nine Pashas, together with Gen.
Williams and sixteen thousand troops, have
been taken prisoners. Among the ammuni
tions of war captured, are 120 field pieces,
some of which are very heavy guns
The Russian General Bebutnff has estab
lished his head-quarters at Kulars, and in
tends shortly to resume his offensive opera
tions against An akin and Redoubt Kale
! His army is abundantly supplied with provi
j sions by the Armenians. ■*
The defiles between Kara and Erzeroum
are held by the Russians.
Aflsirs in the Crimea are quiet.
Great preparations continue to be made for
augmenting the ffrilish fleet, in anticipation
of operations iu the spring.
Contracts have been made iu Sweden for
the French fleets and the aft om parrying ar
my.
The Persian Ambassador arrived at St. Pe
tersburg on the 9th of December.
Hollowny's Ointment and Pith, the best
Remedies for rite cure ol Female Complaints.
The extraordinary effect these Pills hßve up
on all complaints peculiarly incidental to fe
males, would appear incredible to lha citi
zens of the Union, if it were not confirmed
daily by the wonderful cures they effect in
various Slates It is.an unquestionable fact,
that there is not any remedy in equal them,
for exterminating suffering" from Ihe softer
sex, pariicularly for young girls entering into
womanhood, therefore all are requested to
. give tlicm a trial, which will insure their
recommendation.
I ' '
! On the Ist of January, <856, by Rev. E. A.
Sltarrelts, Mr. DAVID BROWN, of Main twp ,
and Miss DOROTHEA BROWN, of Mifflin town- ,
ship, Columbia counly.
On the 27th of December, by the Rev. W.
Goodrich. Mr. JOHN F. HUTCHISON of Blooms
burg, and Miss REBECCA BSIOIIT, of Fishing
creek township, Columbia counly.
In Huntington, by Rev. E. Wadsworih, on
the Ist inst., Mr. J. ALBERT BEERS, of Rock
port, Carbon county, to Miss REBECCA TRES
COTT, of the former place.
By the same at Huntington, on the 3d inst.,
MR. WM. ASH, and Miss MARY A. SMITH,
both of Benton, Colombia comity.
On the 3d inst., in Beaver Valley, Colombia
Counly, by the Rev. I. BA hi, Mr. JOSEPH
SHUMAN, and Miss ELIZABETH BREDBENDEII,
both of that place.
In Bloomsbure, on New Year's everting,
by the Rev. E. A. Sharretls. Mr. WILLIAM T.
ERASMUS, and Miss MARTHA JANE TERWILLI
GER, all of ibis place.
~~
In Rorwick on Monday last, Dr. A. B. WIL
SON, aged about 60 years.
Dr. WILSON was not only the principal
physician of the community in which ho
lived, but bis charncter and counsel as a
man and a neighbor had a commanding
moral influence and weight. His intelli
gence and kindness filled every duty of a
citizen, and gained him a hold upon the re
spect and confidence of those who knew
him best, so that many will now feel tbejr
have lost a true ft i end.
In Centre twp., Columbia counly, on the
27th of December, 1855, in the 18th year of
his age, Mr. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, jr., son of
William Hoffman, senior, ot that place.
MUSICALTCONVENTION.
Prof. W. B. Bradbury,
Of New York City will bold a MUSICAL
CONVENTION, in Bloomsburg, commen
cing on Saturday evening, Feb'y 2nd, and
continuing with Three Sessions for Instructions,
each day ; (except Sabbath) until Wednes
day evening following, when Ihe whole mat
ter will conclude with
A PUBLIC CONCERT.
All persons who desire instruction in sa
cred and secular music, bv one of the most
celebrated teaobersin the land, are invited to
attend.
TICKETS, for ike convention and conoert,
can be obtained at the book store, next door
above the Exchange bote). Boarding will
be provided at reasonable rates, for those who
shall attend from neighboring places.
JESSE G. CLARK,
s. P. COOK,
THOMAS J. MORRIS.
Bloomsburg, Jan. 9, 1866.
Lilt of Letters
T> EMAINING in the Post-office at Catta
-*■*' wissa, for the fourth quarter ending Dae.
31st, 1855.
Ahlun Milton Bieber M.
Barr Christian Bennett E. B
Clay water A S Mrs. 2 Deal R C
Folk Benj. G Gornerd John
M'Gowan Terence,ship Hennessy John 3
Hartenstine Jacob Gordan Janes
Lalts Alexandra Meiz Richard
Smith Josisb Tingly Urban
Tingly Joseph Tobias Jackson A
Walter Abner.
Persons applying for the above letters will
please say tbey are advertised.
C. RAHN, P. M.
Catlawissa, Jan. 3, 1856.
TRON STEEL, and every kind of Hard
waief or sale by
McKELVY, NEAL&Co /