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 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 /