JEFPERSONIAN REPUBLICAN
Thursday, October 30, 1845.
Terms, 52,(10 tn advance: $2.25, half yearly: :md $2,50 if not
pam dciok; inc cnu oi tnc vear.
(LT V. B. Palmer, Esq., at his Real Estate
sind Coal Office, No. 59 Pine street, below Third,
two squares S. the Merchants' Exchange, Phila.,
and No. 1(0 Nassau street, (Tribune buildings,)
N. Y.,is authorised to receive subscriptions and
advertisements for the Jejfcrsonian Republican,
and give receipts for the same. Merchants, Me
chanics, and tradesmen "generally, may extend
Sheir business by availing themselves of the op
portunities for advertising country papers which
his agency affords.
The Issitc Contest.
There arc a few circumstances connected
with the recent election in this county, which
we had intended to pas by without notice, and
leave them to the silent, but sure, condemnation
of our citizens. But an article headed "The
Elecon,,, in the last Democrat, has induced
us to change our purpose, and to mak a few
remarks on the illiberal and mean conduct of a
set of would-be Dictators, towards our worthy
and esteemed fellow-citizen, Jams H. Stroud.
Ai the out-set of the campaign they deter
mined to defeat him, and m endeavoring to tar
ry their resolution into effect, were unsparing
of means, and regardless of decency and prin
ciple. Every thing in their power was brought
into requisition. All sorts of misrepresentation
and falsehood were circulated. They traversed
the county, from one end to the other, with the
avowed object ofpteventing his election. Even
their Press, (which is ever ready to pander to
their wishes,) was brought into requisition, and
whilst John D. Morris' advertisement received
a conspicuous insertion, in large type, at the
head of the column, Mr. Stroud's was stuck in
among the old matter, at a place where it would
be least likely to attract attenjion.
It is not our present intention to record the
particulars of their mode of electioneering.
They arc well-known, and need not be repeat
ed. That he people property appreciated them,
we cannot doubt, when we look at the result of
the election. The largo majority which Mr.
Siroud received over Mr. Morris, is in some
measure to be attributed thereto. In saying
this, we do not wish to be understood as reflect
ing upon the conduct of Mr. Morris. He is a
gentleman, and an honourable opponent; and
we believe was not privy to any of the mean
acts resorted to by some of his friends. But
like many others before him, he has suffered
by having fallen into bad company. As he is
a right-clever fellow, whom we wish well, we
hope he may profit by painful experience.
The meanest part of these would-be dictators
conduct, if one part can be meaner than ano
ther, is their sycophancy since the election.
Now that the people have spoken, and con
demned their conduct, they publish an article
in their Democrat, in which they say Mr. Stroud
" toil I make a good and efficient officer." Above
all, they place his name (which before the elec
tion we had to hunt for among stale advertise
ments) first and foremost, in the most conspicu
ous place, at the head of all the other candi
dates! Why this wonderful condescension?
Is it to make atonement for the abuse heap
ed upon, and meanness exhibited towards that
gentleman ? Or is it, because the people, by
i heir fiat through the ballot-box, have triumph
antly sustained him by an unprecedented ma
jority ? Whichever it may be, we are sure of
one thing. The people have taught an unprin
cipled set of demagogues a lesson they will not
soon forget.
The JLady's Book.
The November number of the Lady's Book,
nas maqe
appearance, and contains a richly
colored 'aiffoiq u e Fashion Plate, of eight fig
urfs, representing the different variations of the
renowned Polka Dance, which has been so
popular, for a year past, among the fashionables.
The faces of the ladies are likenesses of Phil-
adelphia beauties ; and their dresses patterns of j
what are to be worn at parlies during the win
tor. Besides this original feature, the number
contains two fine steel engravings, a plate of
cloak and winter-bonnet fashions, music, and
choice reading. The price is S3 a year, and
each subscriber is furnished with a beautiful
engraving of Sir Waller Scott, in addition to
the Book.
Tiic Columbian Magazine.
We have already received the Columbian
.Magazine for Noyc.mber; It is a capital num
her. WpOrjwante-d at this office, on account.
Pennsylvania Election.
The official vote for Canal Commissioner lias
noi been announced, but the majority for Bums
over Ivarns will not vary much from 30,000.
If Kama had been nominated a month earlier,
he might have succeeded. The next Legisla
ture will be politically divided as follows :
Locos.
18
67
85 "
vvuigs.
14
33
47
Native.
Senate,
House,
1
0
1
Loco majority on joint-ballot, thirty-seven.
Next week we will publish a list of the mem
bers elected.
Ohio, . li.
The Buckeye Slate" remains true to her
principles. The election this fall was only for
Members of the Legislature and county officers,
and the Whigs have done better than last year.
Our majority in the Senate is 6, and in the
House 16. Well done, Ohio !
Tariff Convention.
The citizens of Pittsburg, without distinction
of party, held a meeting on Thursday last, on
the subject of the Tariff, at which a Resolution
was passed, recommending'a Mass Convention
of he citizens of Pennsylvania, to be held at
Holidaysburg on the 14th of November, to pro
test against all interference with the Protective
System, at the approaching session of Congress.
Wc regard this as a judicious movement, and
trust this County will be represented in the
Convention.
Thanksgiving Day.
We are glad to perceive that Gov. Shunk
has complied with the wishes of a large portion
of our citizens, and appointed Thursday the
27th of November, as a day of thanksgiving,
prayer and praise. His Proclamation is given
in another column.
Wo have heard, says the Mauch Chunk Ga
zette, of great exploits in eating eggs; but the
following is decidedly the greatest performance
ever enacted in this county perhaps in tho
State. Thomas Farren, of Summit Hill, agreed j
to pay ten cents for all the eggs he could eat, '
uncooked, at one lime. He ate 41, and would
have eaten more but for the interference of
those present.
Florida.
The returns of the recent election in this
State for member or Congress show a large
Whig gain, and indicate the success of Cabell,
our candidate, by a small majority. Cabell's
majority as far as heard from is 305. The re
maining counties gave a loco majority of but
260 in ihe spring. Then the locos carried the
State by more than one thousand.
Thirty-six horses raised on Mr. Clay's farm
in Kentucky, were in New Haven, the other
day, ready to be transported to the West Indies.
The number of letters which passed through
the Post Office in the City of New York, in
one month, was 64S725, independent of 'drop'
or city letters !
It is said the Society of Odd Fellows are
aboul lo make a change in the rules of the In
stitution, and admit Ladies to a full participa
tion in the benevolent purposes of the Order
As it is said " a woman cannot keep a secret,"
we suppose it will no longer be a "secret so
ciety." A New Feature in Cattle Shows. At
the recent Agricultural Fair in Burlington, Vt,
Mr L. Chase presented for premium three pret
ty female children, two and a half years old,
born at a birth ! The Committee on Household
Manufactures awarded htm $14, which was
voluntarily contributed by the old bachelors
present, who said they considered him a legiti
mate object of charity.
Militia Dutv A Point of Law Decided.
The Auditor General and the Adjutant Gen
eral concur in the opinion that the law exempt
ing from militia duty persons who have been
uniarmed and equipped, and have served as
members of some organized volunteer corps for
seven successive years, requires that they must
have done 8ervice al 1asI' h"e-foanlw of the
days of parade.
More than 9U00 bushels of potatoes, of this
fall's gathering, have been carried over the
Worcester Railroad to Boston, says the Spring
field Republican.
Forty-six men were recently drowned at
Brest, by a sudden .squall which overtook the
war steamer Doris, by which she filled and
sunk.
To manufacture a jingle yard of broadcloth
by hand, and without the. .use of machinery of
any kind, wouldrquire the labor1 of. two men
for. more. than. ay ear:
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Important Circular.
The Superintendent of Common Schools has
addressed the following excellent circular to
the directors of the different School districts
throughout the Commonwealth. The sugges
tions made by the Superintendent, if attended
to, cannot fail to have a most beneficial influ
ence in promoting the selection of competent
persons as teachers. One of tho great draw
backs upon the advancement of the system, has
been the evil complained-of by the Superinten
dent. If it were removed, our Public Schools
would not only increase in public favor, but
would be what they are intended to be, the
"bulwark of our liberties." Dem. Union.
Secy's Office, (School Department,)
Harcisburg, Oct. 1, 1845,
Gentlemen : Being entrusted with the re
sponsible duties of Superintendent of Public
Schools, and feeling a deep solicitude for their
advancement in usefulness, I deem it my duty
to make a few suggestions for your c'oiisidera
tion. I have long entertained the opinion, that the
greatest practical defect in the operation of ihe
system, is in the employment of incompetent
teachers, in many instances merely on account
of their services being obtained at a nominally
low rate of compensation. Might not this, in
some degree, be remedied by a more rigid ex
amination of those who apply for certificates of
their competency to teach'? This examination
belongs to the Board of Directors, and is one
of the most important duties they have to per
form. The selection of tho teachers belongs
to the committees of the sub-districts, where
such districts have been established, and com
mittees regularly chosen. Bui the examination
of the teachers, and the regulation of their
compensation, belong to the Board of Directors,
and no person can be legally employed as a
teacher without having first been examined by
the Board of Directors, and having received a
certificate of his or her qualifications and fitness
to teach, signed by at least four members of the
Board. These examinations, there is reason
to believe, are conducted too carelessly, and
are in many instances more a matter of form,
than of reality. This ought not be so. Would
it not be well for the Board to meet at stated
periods fur the purpose of examining teachers,
and give all who may take an interest therein,
an opportunity of being present! The practice
of persons making application to individuals of
iho Board, for certificates, and going from one
member to another to procure their signatures,
is liable to great abuse, and its legality, to say
the least of it, may well be doubted. If the
examinations were made in public, and the Di
rectors were to adopt ihe practice, generally,
of associating with them some of the most com
petent persons of the neighborhood, to take
part in the performance of this duty, it would
add interest and solemnity to the occasion, and
would often prevent persons from making ap
plication, without having previously qualified
themselves as teachers.
One great evil resulting from incompetent
persons obtaining certificates is, that they un
derbid those who are competent, and compel
them to retire from teaching, lo seek other em
ployment. It may "be said that competent
teachers cannot be had, and that we must take
such as we can get. This may be true in some
places, and to some extent; but if so, is it not
the result, in too many instances, of the want
of encouragement to good teachers? The prin
cipal which governs supply and demand, will
hold good in this, as well as in other things.
Only create a demand for good teachers, at a
fair ratio of compensation, and you will soon
find enough of them. The difference in value
between a well educated and competent teach
er, and one who is not so, will not admit of any
estimate or comparison. It would be better to
pay the one liberally for his services, than to
have those of the other Gratuitously. In my
opinion it would be much belter to keep the
schools open for four months under good in
structors, than for six months under those of an
inferior grade; and so of other portions of time.
The greatest possible efforts ought to be
made to elevate the character, and enlarge the
requirements of the teachers of our public
schools. The business of leaching ought lo be
esteemed what it really is, not only a useful,
but a highly honorable profession. This ele
vation can only be attained, by the just appre
ciation of talent and worth by (hose intrusted
with the examination and selection of leachors.
If you refuse to employ a teacher, who is ad
milted to be qualified for the task, merely be
cause he demands a few dollars per month more
for his services than some other one less qual
ified, or perhaps not qualified at all, we can
never hope for tjte services of competent teach
ers, nor expect to see our schools improve in
uscfnlnnss, and grow it. favor with the people.
On, the4,contra(r.y, if a proper discrimination is
made in the employment of teachers, between
those who are known to be fit to perform their
duties, and those who are inadequate, we may
hope for a gradual and constant improvement in
their acquirements, and their worth and servi
ces will increase in public estimation, in the
ratio of their own advancement in learning and
usefulness.
There is another important duty belonging
to school directors, which it is apprehended is
too much neglected. It is that of visiting the
schools. This duty ought to bo regularly at
tended to. It serves to stimulate teachers and
pupils, and if properly performed, will do more i
to advance ihe character of our schools, and- the
progress of learning, than we can well imagine.
It will show to the teacher that the eye of the
community is upon him that the business in
which he is engaged is properly appreciaied
and if he is a man of right feeling, one who
wishes to deserve and enjoy public approbation,
will incite him to nut forth his best exertions to
secure it. The same effect will also be pro-1
duced on the pupils. But if these visitations r
are neglected, ihe teacher and pupils will all J
come to the conclusion, that no interest is felt
in their progress, and will become indifferent
and careless. They ought to be frequent; and
I would recommend the visiting committees al-j
ways to take with them a few friends, who feel
an interest in the cause of education, and allow
them to take part in the examinations. This
course of proceeding would have a tendency to
spread among ihe jpeople a knowledge of the
manner in which the schools are conducted,
and produce a popular feeling in their favor.
There is perhaps nothing that would stimulate
the teachers so much in the performance of
their duties, and excite the emulation of the pu
pils so well, as these visitations. 1 therefore
feel that I cannot urge the performance of this
duty too sirongly upon the Directors, and the
public generally.
The proper management of our public schools
is a subject in which every citizen ought to feel
a deep interest, and take an active part in ele
vating their character and promoting their use
fulness. Our system of public instruction,
which affords to every child in the common
wealth, without regard to condition, the oppor
tunity of acquiring the rudiments of a good ed
ucation, is too highly prized by the great mass
of our citizens, and too deeply seated in the
affections of the patriot and philanthropist, to
be abandoned under any circumstances.
Nothing, therefore, remains but to improve and
advance it in usefulness and public favor, until
it shall secure tho approbation of the entire
community. It is, under the guidance of Di
vine Providence, the best means of preserving
our free institutions. It tends to promote vir
tue, morality and religion, without which wc
have no reason to hope for individual or na
tional prosperity.
I am gentlemen, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. MILLER, Superintendent.
To the President and Board of Directors of
Stroud School District.
Tlic Alpaca---Its introduction into
this Country.
An intelligent agriculturist of Alabama, wri
ting in the Mobile Register, urges the introduc
tion of the Alpaca into the United States with
much show of reason. The wool of this ani
mal, especially the finer qualities, is becoming
an important article in the manufactures. It is
wrought into beautiful fabrics, and must, doubt
less, continue to grow more and more into de
mand. The importations into Liverpool of Pe
ruvian wool, mostly Alpaca, have steadily in
creased Bince the article became known. In
1835, according to the statistics of the Mobile
Register, the amount imported as above was
8000 bales; in 1836, 12,000; in 1837 it reached
17,500; in 1838 it was 25,765; in 1839 it a
moimted to 34,563 bales a quantity which
was not exceeded in the following year. Va
rious attempts have been made to domesticate
the animal in England and with tolerable suc
cess. But the humid climate and rich pasture
of England do not appear to suit the Alpaca.
It is a hardy animal, and loves to browse on
the coarse grass of mountain tops.
Oil Spring.
This is a spring in the Cherokee country, sit
uated in a rocky .opot, tho water-of which forms
an oil on the surface similar to the British
Oil," and is esteemed to possess valuable me
dicinal qualities. It is visited by a considera
ble number of invalids and others.
In Mexico, it is said, there are 3,500 secular
clergy, 1,700 monks, and 2,000 nuns, owniVig
a properly valued at $100,000,000.'" '
Rail-road iron we fhali not have tolgo lo" Eu
rope for soon. The Montour Iron 'Company's
Mills ai Danville will alonoiurri-ouM0;000
tons annuallv. ' , . .
PENNSYLVANIA, ss.
In the name and by the authority of (he Common
wealth oj Pennsylvania.
By Francis It. Shunk,
governor of the commonwealth.
-A PR O GfrA MA TKJN.
WHEREAS, The inestimable blessinu,
which the abundant goodness of the Supreme
Ruler of the Universe, has bestowed upon
beloved Commonwealth, demand our sincerest
gratitude and most devout thanks.
1 do, therefore, in accordance with my own
feelings, and in compliance with the wishes of
many of my fellow-citizens, appoint
Thursday, tlie 27th Day of November next
as a day of Thanksgiving, Praise and Prayer i
Almighty God. Our dependence on him as in
dividuals and as a community, is so entire, that
gratitude, thanksgiving and praise are duties aj
delightful as they are obligatory. To unite at
one people on a given day, for the performance
of these duties, and, while our own affections
are purified and our hearts expanded wiih pie.
ty, to know that at the same instant our breth
ren throughout the whole Commonxveahh, with
like feelings, and with like affections, are pour
ing forth their devout aspirations, will give so
lemnity and beauty to the exercises, which wH
may humbly hope will be acceptable to Heaven
while peace and good will on Earth will be
promoted.
Hence, I invite all the people of this Com
monwealth to appropriate the day designated,
as a day of thanksgiving and recommend to
all pastors and religious teachers, with their
people, lo assemble at their usual places of wor
ship, and unite in expressions of gratitude to
the Great Giver of all Good for the numerous
blessings and favors we have received at His
hands in preserving to. us our great civil and
religious rights in granting to us a season of
health and plenty in prospering our State ami
Nation in crowning with success the institu
tions of our beloved country in preserving n
us ihe blessings of His revealed will and m
continuing to us the offers of mercy through tho
Redeemer: and as our dependence on Gud u
so entire that we have all to ask, and our inno
cence so lost that we have much to fear, to sup
plicate Him for the continuance of these rich,
blessing to ourselves and posterity, and for thai
meekness, humility and gratitude which becomes
ihe recipients of His bountiful Goodness.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of
ihe State at Harrisburg, this twenty-first day
of October, in ihe year of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and forty-five, and of ihe;
Commonwealth the seventieth.
By the Governor. J. MILLER,
Sec of the Commonwealth.
Banks.
In Massachusetts, which has about eight
hundred thousand inhabitants, there are one
hundred and ten Banks, twenty-three of which
are in Boston. In Rhode Island, with a popu
lation of about one hundred thousand, there are
sixty-one Banks. Pennsylvania with rather
less than two 'millions, has sixty Banks. New
York, with nearly three millions of inhabitants,
has one hundred and fifty-two Banks. Ohio,
counting its decaying Banks, and ten branches
ofits State Bank, has thirty-five banking insti
tutions, for a million and a half of people.
BicknelPs Reporter.
Itlorc Humbug.
The editor of the Cleveland (O.) Herald his
just received a private letter from Burlington,
Wisconsin, containing the information that
certain well known individual, who had, accord
ing to his own account, been visited by several
dreams, wherein a wonderful secret had been
revealed, proceeded, in company with some
friends, to dig a hole beneath a tree which he
had designated, ihe result of their labors be
ing the discovery of a vessel containing plates
of brass inscribed with divers mystic charac
ters, " of the meaning of which they were en
tirely ignorant, but winch ihe prophet has sine
translated." We wonder what this new seel
will call themselves.
That's a Fact. A woman's smilo is ih
best charity lecture a man can receive. It openJ
his nurse, makes him null out the rhma,
bless the receiver in the bargain. Women f"f'
ever, God bless them for begging ifihey wa
you to go to a ball or party, gel up a fair,
would laugh you out of a dollar, they are sure
to gel il. Is a missionary scheme on fool J
church. io decorate, a ball room tu fit llP '
ware of a woman's smile ; if you don't 1116311'''
give any thing, you had better run, or you re
gone goose.
A lawyerSown easP advertises for a W
who can write a legible hand and read ilh'gib'a
writings ! H,e wants to use him in his office-
There was a severe fall of snow at CojictM
N.!. a few days singe,
1 -
. c