Jeffersonian Republican. (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, June 02, 1841, Image 2

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    JEFPERSONIAN REPUBLICAN.
the public works, and to the abuses which were
supposed to exist there. There was a preva-
lent opinion among tne people tnat tne oanai
Commissioners, dependent immediately on the
Executive, had prostituted their high functions,
and had bestowed on personal and political la
vorites a large share of the patronage which
unhappily for the people, they are authorized to
dispense. The public has been startled from
its confidence by the astonishing disclosure that
the public works during the last two years un
der the care of the present Canal Board have
cost for management and repair, the sum of two
millions one hundred and ffty-five thousand and
eighty-one dollars or an average of one million
and seventy-five thousand lorty dollars lor eacn
year of Uov. sorter's administration, wnue dur
ing the late administration, the average even at
periods of extraordinary accide.ntnever exceeded
eight hundred and six thousand six hundred and
ninety-six dolls. Unable to account for this by
an v theorv but that which is founden on a convic
:ion of the want of integrity of the public agents
and earnestly desiring to restore public confi
dence to the magnificent system of improve
ments for which so much has been expended
and in the success of which the best hopes of
the people are centered, the House of Repre
sentatives soon after its organization instituted
a thorough investigation into the conduct of the
Canal Board. Its results will soon be before
the world and to those results we direct your
early attention. They justify suspicion they
authorize and demand the strongest reprobation
they are the results of calm and deliberate
inquiry in which justice was fairly done, ample
opportunity of exculpation afforded, witnesses
were publicly examined and cross examined,
and the Canal Commissioners will stand before
the public, convicted on unquestioned evidence
of gross and palpable abuse of power. Who
can wonder at the increasing expenditure on
our public works, when they read and hear of
such instances as one or two, which taken a:
random from the report of tho Investigating
Committee, are but specimens of worse and
moro startling developements hereafter.
It became necessary to purchase ropes for
the inclined planes. 'I he best article was of
fered by manufacturers of unquestioned merit
and could have been procured for the aggregate
amount of S7,S77: a political partizan offered
i: to the disposers of the public bounty for $9,
049. The competion was no longer equal, the
partizan obiained the contract, and on this one
article the Commonwealth lost eleven hundred
and seventy-one dollars.
It became necessary to relay eleven miles of
railroad near the city of Philadelphia. It was
in unquestioned proof that this work might have
been done and well done for thirty-six thous
and dollars. It was done and cost the Com
monwealth fifty-four thousand ve hundred and
eighty-six dollars, causing a loss of more than
eighteen thousand dollars, for reasons no doubt
as patriotic as those which regulated the pur
chase of ropes.
Among the largest and most important work
on our Canal line is the construction of the
Reservoir near Hollidaysburg. For this work
three offers were made and the contract given
to a political friend at what cost to you fellow
citizens, will thus appear:
For grubbing and clearing, two contractors
offered to do it for $350; John Mitchel charged
$700, and has the contract.
For rock excavation, two contractors offered
thirty-nine cents, and Mr. Mitchell has it for
forty -eight cents.
For common excavation below water two
contractors offered one twenty and one twen
four cents, but Mr. Mitchell offered thirty-three
cents, and he has the contract too.
For good earth embankment one contractor
oifered seventeen cents and one 15 cents, but
Mr. Mitchell has done it for 25 cents.
For coarse stuff embankment one contractor
offered nineteen cents, another seventeen cents,
and Mr. Mitchell has it for thirty cents, and so
jt will appear throughout till it is demonstrable
that the loss to the Commonwealth in this work
will not be less than twenty thousand dollars.
On the western reservoir it was ascertained
that it cost the State upward of twenty thous
and dollars to clear from timber about four hun
dred acres.
Had no other inducement existed, there would
have been in these disclosures, enouch to justify
immediate action and a change in the tenure of
those Canal Commissioners. A Bill was imme
diately matured to that effect, with the design of
chancing the tenure and giving to the Legislature
and the Governor a concurrent power of appoint
ment. But the tenaciousness with which power
holds on to patronage, was not to be relaxed, and
this measure adapted to the wishes of the people
and their necessities fell before thfi veto power.
The Executive suggested a reference to a vote of
the people, to that suggestion we nave acceded,
and there is now in his hands a Bill to carry it
into effect. Its fate we do not pretend to conjec
ture. Let the people wait on the Executive de
tiKion.
We are now about to separate and to mingle
ajram with our constituents. We shall hnu tnera
oppressod by difficulty and embarrassment such
we have labored anxiously to alleviate and remove.
period will soon come when tho popular will
js to do Hiram expressed and the question is to be
jurun deiertninad into whose hands the .Executive
fwer of the State is to be entreated for the next
three years. What that dociKion will be we go
not doubt. The events of the winter have added
to the necessity of a change and to that change
alone must tne people iooc tor permanent ana suo
Etantial lelief.
Hugh Andrews,
James Banks,
Richard Bard,
Joseph A Bell,
Jacob Bruner,
John B. Christmah,
S. 11. Clark,
William K. Correy,
J. F. Cox,
John Cummins,
George Darsie,
William Dilworlh,
James Dunlap,
Joshua P. Eyre,
George L. Fauss,
Jacob Foreman,
John Funk,
Robert Futhey,
Jacob Gratz,
John Hanna,
Joseph Higgins,
B. M. Hinchman,
M. T. Kennedy,
Aaron Kerr,
Christian Kieffer.
Members of the
Haurisboro, May 5,
Edward E. Law,
Jonathan Letherman,
Isaac Lightner,
Samuel Livingston,
Joseph M'Clure,
Daniel M'Curdy,
Ner Middleswarth,
J. G. Miles,
James Montgomery,
Benjamin Musser,
Isaac Meyer,
J. S. Pearson,
Benjamin Pennellj
Joseph Pumroy,
John Rush,
Stephen Skinner,
G. Rush Smith,
Daniel M. Smyser,
Andrew Snively,
James Sprott,
Serah Titus,
Jacob Steele,
Philip Von Neida,
Daniel Washabaugh,
Win. A. Crabb,
House of Representatives i
1S41.
JEFFERSONIAN REPUBLICAN
StroudLsburg, Pa. Jane 2, 1841.
Terms, $2,00 in advance; f 2,25, naif yearly ; and $2,50 if not
paid beloie tne cna oi me vear:
FOR GOVERNOR.
JOHN BANKS j
OF BERKS COUNTY.
The Request and the Response
"Sir I wish you to understand the true
PRINCIPLES OF THE GOVERNMENT. I WISH
THEM CARRIED OUT. I ASK NOTHING MORE.1'
The last xcords of GEN. HARRISON.
"I AM IN, FAVOR OF TnE DISTRIBUTION OF
THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALES OF THE PUBLIC
lands among the states, and in favor of
raising the revenue by duties on imports
in opposition to a resort to a system of
direct taxation.
i shall promptly give my sanction to any
constitutional measure which, originating
in Congress, shall have for its object the
restoration of a sound circulating medi
UM, SO ESSENTIALLY" NECESSARY TO GIVE CON
FIDENCE IN ALL THE TRANSACTIONS OF LIFE,
TO SECURE TO INDUSTRY ITS JUST AND ADE
QUATE REWARDS, AND TO RE-ESTABLISH THE
PUBLIC PROSPERITY.
JOHN TYLER.
At Work Again.
The Easton WTiig states that the water has
been let into the Lehigh Canal at Workingham,
from Coleman's Dam to South Easton, and the
factories, mills, &c. there have again com
menced operations after an interruption of about
four months.
The Banks and the Relief Rill.
The Harrisburg Keystone has ascertained
from the proper department, that the following
Banks have notified the Governor of their wil
lingness to accept and comply with the provi
sions of the Revenue Bill :
Harrisburg Bank,
Exchange Bank of Pittsburgh,
Bank of Chambersburg,
Carlisle Bank,
Bank of Lewistown,
Towanda Bank,
Lancaster Bank,
Farmer's Bank of Lancaster,
Farme's and Mechanic's Bank of Phila.
The Bank of Pittsburgh declines accepting.
Samuel M. Barclay,
Nathaniel Brooke,
Abraham Brower,
Eiihu Case,
Thomas K. Cochran,
William liiester,
John T. Hudrfleson,
Robert T. Maclay,
James Mathers,
Members of the Senate.
John J. Pearson,
William B. Reed,
Henry S. Spackraan,
Joseph M. Sterrett,
John Strohm,
Charles C. Sullivan,
Thomas Wjlliams,
John H. Ewing,
The legislative Address.
This interesting document will be found upon
the first page of to-day's paper. The York
Republican notices it as follows :
" We commend the "Addres3 to tho People
of Pennsylvania" issued by the Harison Re
publican members of the Legislature, and pub
lished in another part of this paper, to the care
ful perusal of our readers. It sets forth in a
lucid style the events of the late session of the
Legislature, and portrays with perfect fidelity
the embarrassments under which the majorities
in both Houses labored in consequence of the
arbitrary conduct of the Governor who de
lighted in vetoing the bills which they passed,
and throwing every obstacle in their path. If
there be any defect in the address, it consists
in the fact that all these events and embarrass
ments are not fully referred to, the explanation
of which is that they were so numerous that it
would have required more lime than could be
devoied lo the purpose, and more bpace than
ihe newspapers could bupply. lo have dwelt on
every detail. The reader of this Address,
when he weighs the nature and extent of the
difficulties which the late Legislature was call
ed to encounter, will be surprized that so much
was done in the end, and thatny relief could
have heen furnished to the public, or any alle
viation afforded to the Commonwealth, surround
ei? as she was by embarrassments that seemed
lo btf insurmountable. This was however af
fected, with what toil and unavoidable consump
lion of time the Address well explains, and we
commend it again to our readers as worthy of
ihe most attentive perusal and candid consider
ation."
Candidates.
Our Locofoco brethren have already four
candidates for the Presidency in the field
Commodore Stewart, Mr. Van Buren, the Hon.
James Buchanan, and Chief Justice Taney.
The Legislature of New York adjourned on
Wednesday last.
An Exciting Rumor.
Rumours from Washington should always be
regarded with some suspicion, especially if un
accompanied by a responsible endorsement.
The latest is one of a highly exciting charac
ter, and if unfounded, as we trust it will prove,
should be promptly contradicted. It is said in
a letter published in the United States Gazette,
that Mr Stevenson, the American Minister in
London, was induced to recommend the reiurn
of the Mediterranean Squadron, by information
in his possession, that "the British Government
had transmitted instructions to the Admirals on
the American station, ordering them, imme
diately upon receiving authentic information
that McLeod, an officer of the British Army,
had been executed, to proceed on the coast of
the United Slates, and to set fire to, and burn
down our cities and towns along tho whole
coast."
Surely, there is some mistake in this matter.
The British Government are not in the habit
of acting so rashly. If, however, ihe rumour
should turn out true, we must naturally enough
expect a strong degree of excitement in this
country. Ifappears to us incredible, however,
that any such intention should have been en
tertained. But now that a matter so serious
has been agitated, it will of course become ne
cessary to have the statement we have copied
above, either refuted or confirmed. Tho Ga
zette, we feel convinced, would not have pub
lished such a rumor, unless on competent au
thority. It is eminently calculated to alarm
merchants who have ships upon the ocean, and
to create tho unkindest feelings between the
two countries. Pa. Inq.
Tlie Pardoning Power.
There was no one charge that tended mora to
the overthrow of George Wolf, when Governor,
than that of too freely using the pardoning pow
er. He however used it but few times, com
paratively speaking, during his administration.
To what it is got now?
Not satisfied with opening the prison doors,
and turning again upon society the pickpocket
and the DETECTED THIEF he has knock
ed all the shackles from those hands which were
dyed with human gore, and let tho reckless
slaughterer of his own kind, loose again upon
society to spill more blood.
We learn by some of our exchanges, that the
worthy friend of tho felon has pardoned
nineteen convicted Melons from the
cells of the Eastern Penitentiary. What was
the price of this insult to justice and virtue? and
whose hands have clutched tho guilty gold?
Are we mistaken? Were they turned out to
form a part of the band of bullies and blood
hounds, who are to hunt honest men from the
polls at the next election?
In the name of Justicej and in the defence of
a virtuous community, we exclaim against such
a disgraceful, aye, and criminal procedure. It
cannot be otherwise than both disgraceful and
criminal; otherwise the laws are so which es
tablishes a sentence too great for tho crime. We
ask every lover of virtue and righteous Govern
ment, if they are willing to say that a Gover
nor, and he perhaps neither too honest, nor too
virtuous, shall have the power to walk into our
prisons, and unloose the well deserved chains
of every scoundrel, knave, and felon; and bid
him take a passport to riot upon the blood or
treasure of a law loving, and law obeying peo
ple! Huntington Journal.
Foreign missions.
A Washington correspondent of the New
York Times writes:
"With regard to appointments, there is little
to say inasmuch as little is known. It is set
tled that Mr. T. R. Jackson, of Philadelphia, is
to go Charge to Copenhagen. Mr. Jackson is
a man of letters, and rendered good service in
the late political campaign. He was an inti
mate personal friend of Gen. Harrison, and
though a young man, will represent us ably in
Denmark. A better appointment could not
have been made.
"I have little doubt that Col. Todd will re
ceive the mission to Austria. His claims are
undeniably great, and were they not, the fact
that the office was notoriously designed for him
by the late President, should plead strongly in
his behalf. Col. Todd has already filled seve
ral diplomatic situations with credit. He has
sacrificed much in the cause which has tri
umphed, and is a man of unsullied integrity and
extraordinary worth. A number of foreign ap
pointments may be expected next week."
The Meeting of Congress. In taking an ac
count the other day of the members elect to
Congress, we overlooked the fact that there are
two vacancies in the Pennsylvania delegation
one by the resignation of Mr, Hook (L. F.)
in the 20th district, and one in the 18th dis
trict, by the death of Mr. Ogle. The former
vacancy will probably be filled in time for the
meeting of Congress the latter will not. Such
being the case, the vote between the parties, all
the members elect being present except those
from Alabama, will be Whig 140 Loco Focos
90, and Mr. Hunter, (of Va.) neutral. In the
Senate, should every member eject be present
at the opening of the session, there will be 29
Whigs, 22 Loco Focos, and ono vacancy from
Tennessee. The last Senate stood, Whig 24;
Loco Foco 28. The tables are now turned.
Bait. Pat.
Cost of tlae Pnblic Improvements.
The Stale on the Highway to Ruin !
If any of our readers should yet entertai n a
doubt that our State is fast going to destruction
under the present extravagant and corrupt admin
istration, we submit the following facts to their
consideration. They wero compiled by Doct.
Hammond from official documents in the Auditor
General's office, and have not been, and cannot
be denied. The reports of the Canal Commis
sioners and several Heads of Departments, prove
them to be strictly true :
Total cost of the public works, $20,653,791
tk Expenditures on " 6,694,206
" Receipts on " 0,181,684
Excess of Expenditure over in
come $512,562
Thus, it will be seen, that our public works
have run the State in debt in eleven vears more
than HALF A MILLION DOLLARS simply
for keeping them in repair! We will now contrast
the expense oi them during Kitner s aaministra
tion, with that under Porter.
RITNER'S THREE YEARS.
The revenue in 1835-6 $837,805
1836- 7
1837- 8
975.350
959,336
Total revenue during his adminis
tration, $2,772,491
Expenditures in 1835-6 $713,454
1836- 7 969,880
1837- 8 736,743
Total expenditures during
his administration,
$2,420,078
Excess of income over expenses dur
ing his three years, $352,413
Now let us take the two years that Porter has
been in power.
PORTER'S TWO YEARS.
The Expenditures dur
ing 1838-39 $721,865
1839 40 1,433,216
Total Expenditures for his
two years,
$2,155,081
The revenue
for
1P38-39
1839-40
$1,076,045
1,072,620
$2,148,665
Excess of income over expenditure
during his administration,
$6,436
In three years under Ritner, the public worlts
yielded a nett revenue of over THREE HUN
DRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS,
and in Porter's two years a little over SIX
THOUSAND DOLLARS! The present year
they will undoubtedly be a loss of from two to
three hundred thousand dollars, and probably half
a million. Ihis is rorter economy! Har. Chron
Drcadf ul Siiipwreclt--148 liives ILost
It again becomes our duty to record a calam
ity involving destruction of human life to an
awful extent. Four of the crew and four of
the passengers of the- brig Minstrel, Captain
Outerbridge, arrived here yesterday, bringing
the disastrous intelligence of which the follow
ing is an accurate summary:
The Minstrel left Limerick, Ireland, on the
21st April last for Quebec, with one hundred
and forty-one passengers, emigrants intending
to settle in Canada. The vessel had a tolera
ble passage up to Tuesday last, at four o'clock
in the morning, when she struck on Red Island
Reef. There was a heavy sea running at the
time, but the boats were launched and made fast
to the fore chains. Upwards of one hundred
passengers embarked in the boats, but their
doom was quickly sealed; the vessel " heeled
off" into deep water and went down stern fore
most, so suddenly that the "painters" of the
boats could not be cast off, and the people who
had embarked in tho boats perished, with their
equally unfortunate companions on board the
ship, except four of the crew and four passen
gers, who alone of upwards of 150 souls, re
mained to tell the sad tale. These eight per
sons had embarked in the gig, which was tow
ing astern, and fortunately for them, the rope
which attached it to the vessel broke when she
went down. They succeeded in pulling to
White Island, where they remained until tho
following day, when they were taken off by
ship Wellington, Mclntyre, and brought to
Grose Isle.
Capt. Outerbridge, of the unfortunate Min
strel, behaved most gallantry during the awful
scene, until he perished with tho rest. He de
clared that he would not leave the vessel until
his passengers were saved, and he was the last
person seen by those who were in the gig.
Following aro the names of the survivors
Crew Patrick O'Loghlin, steward ; James
Grady and Thomas Ennght, seamen; and John
Donoghue, apprentice. Passengers Flaherty,
shoemaker, and wife, Honoria Ringrosej and
Collins.
Following is a statement of the number of
the crew and passengers who perished: Crew
Capj Outerbridge, mate and 9 others Pas
sengers Male adults, 47; female do. 41$ males
under 14, 10; females do, 8; males under 7, 9;
females do, 12; infants, 10. Total perished,
148.
The passengors nbovo mentinnnd as being
saved, left ihe Wellington at Grose Lsle, and
came to Quebec in the Thelis, from Limerick.
Quebec Mercury, May 22.
We learn, says the Fredericksburg
Arena, that the expected duel between
C. C. Clay and R. Wiokliff, jr. of Ken
tucky, has taken place, The former
was shot in the body and the latter
lost two or three fingers. Mr. Clay
is not the son of Henry Clay, but of
General Green Clay.
The Philadelphia Gazette besiov,
this praise upon Mr. Greig recently
elected to Congress in place of Ml.
Granger, of New York:
Those of the innumerable visitors
at thfi capitol of the nation who love
novelty, will find in seeing Mr. Greig,
one great and lionizing feature a
minute and almost perfect resem
blance to Sir Waiter Scott, whose
good qualities and observant knowl-
t -1 T "I -
edge he possesses m a most liberal
measure.
In fine, we xdo not know a gentle
man in the Union whose Consrrussion
ai career will be hailed with more de
light by a wider circle of friends and
acquainces throughout the republic,
than that of Mr. Greig; for in all his
wide circle of acquaintances and
friends,
None knew him, but to love him,
Or . name him but to praise.
FOREIGN.
Arrival of the Caledonia at Boston.
Cunard's line steamer Caledonia,
arrived in Boston at half past 5 o'clock
on Wednesday morning, bringing
London and Liverpool papers to the
4th of May. We are indebted to the
Harnden's Express for slips and Eng
lish Gazettes.
The news of President Harrison's
death excited much feeling in Lon
don.
The most important measure that
is likely to occupy the attention of the
Parliament, is one from the Cabinet,
to reduce the duties on foreign corn
to a small regular sum, by which tho
revenue would be increased. An al
teration also, on the duties upon for
eign and colonial timber, and on co
lonial sugar, will be proposed.
Nothing had been heard of the
President Steamer in London, and all
hopes had been abandoned.
The Queen of England is in good
health, but Prince Albert is so unwell
that his physicians advised a visit to
Germany.
It is very generally reported and
believed that Lord Palmerston is
wholly dissatisfied with the prelimi
nary articles signed by Captain El
liot, for the settlement of the quarreL
with China; and it is even added that
the Government is likely to increase
the strength of the Chinese expedi
tion. The cession of Hong Kong had at
fiist the appearance of being a great
point gamed; but further considera
tion has brought the well informed
very generally to the opinion that the
advantages likely to be derived from
the possession of that island have
been over estimated. Canton it is
said, will still remain the seat of the
tea trade; and yet by Captain Elliot's
preliminary articles, the British mer
chant will be debarred from commer
cial intercourse with that city. Not so
however, the Americans the French,
the Dutch, and the Danes; so that, on
this point, all nations trading with
China will have a superiority in the
principal tea market over the English.
Besidesj the driving the English trade
to Hong Kong will give the celestial
authorities the means of making us
pay, by export duties, or river dues,
the very contemplated amount of in
demnity which has satisfied Captain
Elliot's moderation. London Jour, of
Com.
Important ! Very ! The New
Orleans papers announce that Fanny,
the divine, had gone on an excursion
over the lake. On her passage down,
the Pontchartrain Railroad she was
provided with two cushions made of
eider down. The Crescent City is cf
opinion that had they been stufii'd
with the heads of some of her pan:
sites, she would havo found them
softer!
More Lawyers. Eighty one. At
torneys have been licensed at th;
present term of the Supreme Court,
now in session in the city of N. York,
and 44 were admitted Counsellors,
The number of Students in. the. Cincum:
College is 191,