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WHITE A DEVINE, Editors and Proprietors.
EBEKSBURG.
WEDNESDAY M0RN1NG:::::::::::::::MAI1. 10.
FOR PRESIDENT,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Subject to t he Decision of the National Convention.
Canal Commissioner:
GEORGE SCOTT,
(OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.)
Auditor Ccneral:
JACOB FRY, JR.,
(OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.)
Surveyor General:
T IMOTHY IVES,
(OF POTTER COUNTY.)
To our Subscribers,
Wc wish to givo notice to our subscribers, that
payments made to any other persons than to one
of the Editors of this paper, or Wm. Murray
(Summerhill,) and the Post Mistress at the Sum
mit our agent?, will not be recognized.
Persons residing at a distance remitting us
money direct to the office, will have it duly ac
knowledged. The Jug Law.
Nearly three month of the present session of
the Legislature have passed, and as yet tlv Jug
Law is not repealed. We need not say that this
etate of things is looked upon with indignation
by nearly the entire community. That Law was
enacted in defiance of the popular will ; it was
enacted in direct opposition to the deliberate ex
pressed, notorious wish of the people of Tenn
Fylvania ; it was enacted by men who have ever
been repudiated by the people. The Law was in
6ane ia its conception, tyrannical in its provisions
and restrictions, injurious, aye, ruinous in its prac
tical workings, because in place of houses of en
tertainment, responsible to some law, and kept
up with some regard to propriety, it has generated
doggeries in every alley, and in almost every
fence corner. The principle iion which the Law
waj attempted to bo enacted, that of Proliibition,
is opposed to and rejected by tho common sense
of mankind. No man of common intelligence
could respect a law which was behind the age,
and whose friends and advocates were bigots and
fanatics, men who would take pleasure in re-enacting
the Salem witch burning, if they knew
how to get at it.
The liquor traffic bhould of course le placed
tinker wholesome regulations. We will admit
that for sanitary reasons, and for purposes of
police regulations, that traflic should be conducted
by responsible men, whose characters would be a
guarantee, that in their hands, the traffic will
not be injurious to the public peace, nor to the
health of their customers. This latter, after all,
is the great consideration ; it is the principal ob
ject for which regulation is at all necessary, and
it is precisely in this regard that the failure and
inefficiency of the present law is so deplorable.
S-iy to the American people " you shall not have
this" or "you shall not do that," and they triH
have this, and trill do that at all hazards, "at
the risk of bullets !" So in this case, the people
were determined that the use of liquor should ml
be prohibited them, and anything, in the shape
cf liquor could be sold, or deposed of. Any man
who has travelled through the State during the
last year, knows that this has been the practical
working of tho Jug Law.
It may be well to say a word in reference to
the position of the Democratic Party on this
question. 1 he Democrats, as a party, utterly ab
hor and repudiate the abominable thing. The
Democratic majority In the House, where they
voted for the unconditional repeal of the Jug
Law, unquestionably carried out the wishes of
their party and the people. In regard to the
conrse of some gentlemen in the Senate, who pro
fessing to be members of this party, have seen fit
to differ from the majority on this important ques
tion, we at this time, will only say that the Dera
ocratic Party are not responsible for their fine
sights. These gentlemen know that the Demo
cratic policy demands the repeal of the Jug Law,
and if they see fit to differ from their party they
do so at their own individual risk and responsi-
bihty.
At present, the eyes of the people are directed
to the Democrats of the Lower House. We have
no doubt of them. They will perform th ir whole
duty. We observe that many of them have de
termined not to adjourn until a reasonable license
law has been passed. Let them stick to that, and
the people will sustain them. Tho repeal of that
Jug Law, was the principal object for which the
present Legislature was elected, and we would
advise them not to come home until they have
carried out tlie wwhee of the i-eople.
Come out for Buchanan.
We observe that the IfoHidaysburg Standard
one of the most ably conducted papers iu tlie in
terior part of the State, ha thU week run up
the name of the people's candidate, James Bu
chanan. Tho " Standard '" comes out in a grace
fully written article, and states his determination
to support that gentleman.
The Democratic press in the 15th District, with
but oue exception now have Mr. Buchanan's
name at their masthead; in a very short tine
there will be no exception, as we think that nom
ination is as good as made.
Ccr We would like very much to see a copy of
the " Huntingdon GLbe." We send him regu
larly a copy of our paper, and as we are in the
same district, it might be important to be in pos
scsbion of the views of our friend of the " Globe."
Fillmore at Rome.
Although our Know-Nothing frieuds are con
siderable exercised about matters Onerally per
taining to their unprecedented position before the
public, yet the most troublesome fly in their
whiskey, appears to be the fact th. while they
have selected Mr. Fillmore to be their candidate,
and le.id off in exterminating Catholics, that gen
tleman, at this present speaking, finds himself at
Rome, check by jowl not nly with his Holiness
the Pope, but, oh, Horror of Horrors! on terms
of intimate friendship with the General of the
Jesuits ! !
Now this is bml. Tlie matter may be consid
ered from two pt ints of view, from neither of
which a general Know-Nothing can derive any
consolation. We have also, looked at the thing
in both lights, and have come to the conclusion,
that those gentlemen wtuld set n have to select
another leader. The simple fact of an associa
tion with that concentration of iniquity, the Gen
eral of the Jesuits, ought of course to unfit any
man for being the candidate of a virtuous, puri
ficd parly, like the falsely called American, or
Know-Nothing Party, this we iake for granted
But Mr. Fillmore is exposed to considerable ier
sonal danger. It ia well known that the Pope
has in his Palace, constantly sharpened and ready
for use, a Talent Sausage Machine, invented, it
pains us to say, by a cute gentleman of the Yan
kee persuasion. This machine as is well known
is kept for the purpose of converting into sausage,
all those refractory heretics who presume to differ
with his Holiness. Now suppose that while Mr,
Fillmore is kissing the Pope's toe, as of course he
will have to do, somebody should whisper in the
ear of his Holiness, that the gentleman before him
was the auti-Catholic candidate for President of
the United States! Imagine the scene! The
Know-Nothing candidate would be converted into
" Bologna? t" in fifteen minutes. We say " Bo
lojna's," as it is well known that the sausages
manufactured in the Roman States, bear that
designation. Should Mr. Fillmore be among the
missing, it will be highly important for the Know
Nothing's to make a strict examination of all sau
sages imported into the United State, they may
find their candidate returned to them neatly put
up in small packages.
The Liquor Question.
The legislature have not yet settled this vexed
question. Early in the session the members of
the House fresh from the people, passed a bill in
conformity to their wishes, repealing the obnoxi
ous law of last winter which had been placed
upon the statute book by the Know -Nothings in
defiance of the popular will as previously expres
sed at the polls. The Senate substituted what
is familiarly known as Brown's bill, and sent it
back to the House, where it was amended, and re
turned to the Senate. In the amendments of the
House the Senate refused to concur, and commit
tees of conference were accordingly appointed by
both houses to settle the points of difference be
tween them. The committee on the part cf the
Senate were Messrs. Brown, Jordan and Wherry,
and on that of the House Messrs. Wright, (of
Luzerne.) Getz, and Uunsecker. Tlie committee
were unable to agree, and the bill was likely to
be lost, but a resolution has been passed author
ising tlie appointment of two additional members
to the committee from each house. The Senate
have accordingly appointed Messrs. Buckalew, and
Flenuiken, and the House Messrs. Hill, of West
moreland, and Edinger, of Monroe.
Whether this increase of the committee will
enable it to settle the difficulties between the two
branches of the legislature remains to be seen.
If not, a new bill will have to be started which
will authorise the licensing of well regulated hotels,
so as to accomodate the travelling public, and
conform to the wishes of the people.
A number of the members it is said have ex
pressed a determination not to adjourn until the
question is settled by the passage of a satisfactory
bill, and they may possibly tack it on to the
" appropriation bill" as a means of raising rev
enue. A few days more will decide the fate of
the present bill.
The "Republican" Party.
Tlie way In which the Know-Nothings just now
are pitching into the Republicans is quite amu
sing. "This is especially the caso in New Yoik,
where the figbt between tho friends of Fillmore
and Seward waxes warm. A Ratification meet
ing was recently held at Rochester by the disci
ples of "Sam," which was addressed by the
Hon. James D. Putnam. He thus most truth'
fully describes the Republican's :
" Its organization is as curious and antagonis
tic as the cabinet of Lord Chatham, so truthfully
described by Burke of which he says: "He
made an administration so checkered and speckl
ed, he put together such a piece of diversified
Mosaic, such a tcsselated pavement without ce
ment, here a bit of black stone, and there a bit
of white, patriots and courtiers, King's friends
and republicans, whigs and tories, treacherous
friends and open enemies, that it was indeed a
curious show, but rtterly unsafe to touch and un
sure to stand on."
The Jug Law.
The Jug Law passed by the Know-Nothing
Legislature went into full force in this place on
Monday Morning last we are unable to say
what effect it will have, whether for better or
worse, we will wait the result and speak here
after. Cambria county now presents the singular
spectacle of not having a single licensed tavern
within its limits.
The Result is New Hampshire. The result
in New Hampshire clearly demonstrates that that
State is sure for the Democratic nominee for the
Presidency. Where, last year, there was fO.OOO
majority against the Democracy, Wells, the De
mocratic candidate for Governor, now leads the
coalition candidate five h und re d and fourteen totes,
with ten towns to be heard from, which mav
swell tnis vote to a thousand, but is not likely to
reduce. A few such triumphs of Black Renubli-
eanUm would bury it in the deepest oblivion.
Aew Hampshire Las done gloriously.
The License Bill It is stated that the rea
son why the Committee of Conference first ap
pointed could not agree upon the license bill, was
that the throe members of the House refused to
make the ratio of taxables in tho country more
than 125, and also refused to raise the minimum
of country licenses above $25.
Our Hotels.
In no town of the State can better hotels be
found to accommodate the people, or that have
always been well conducted than we have in this
place. This is notorious, but their enterprising
proprietors have tacitly submitted to the majesty
of the " Jug law," and closed their " bars."
This has been the case since Monday last, and
although they are deprived cf the satisfaction of
handing "a drop of comfort" to their old custom
ers, or the weary and storm staid traveller m this
cold region, they still endeavor to accommodate
the public. People will be independent, and if
not permitted to visit hotels, will supply them
selves by the quantity which we suppose was the
design of the " Jug law." " Pocket pistols,"
and " canteens" appear very suddenly to have
become very fashionable, and the way in which
they are flourished is a sin to Davy Crockett."
We understand that a Convention of all the
Hotel-keepers of the county is to beheld on Tues
day next, at Jefferson, to deliberate on matters
connected with their interests.
Mb. Buchanan's Retukn. The . Pittsburg
Union says a gentleman of that city has a letter
from Mr. Buchanan, dated tho 15th of February,
in which he says that he had not decided whether
he would return home immediately after the arri
val of Mr. Dallas, or pass the month of March on
the Continent. He felt indisposed for a trip on
tho ocean during the month ctiMavrch, it -usually
being the roughest time in the year for crossing
the Atlantic.
CC- There is so much old fashioned common
sense in an article of Gen. Bowman's, in the last
Bedford Gazette, that we cannot forbear laying
it before our readers.
The Ladies and the Jug: Law !
&3? It has become fa&hisunalle of late for
Ladies to petition the Legislature, and espe
cially against the repeal of the Jug-Law.
Now, did any lady ever read that snakish epis
tle ? If so, did she understand it ? If she
did, she is entitled to credit as possessing a
more acute legal mind than the Judiciary of
this Commonwealth, no two of whom have
been able to agree in construing its curiously
formed prov'slons. But what object can these
female petitioners have in advocating the J ng
Law ? Is it because it compels a man who
drinks to take a quart instead of a giUI If
this be so, it would indicate thai the Ladies
are quite anxious to get rid of their diunken
male companions by the shortest road possible
Whilst the gill " has slayed its thousands,
the Jug has slayed its tens of thousands !"
We are told that it has been quite fashion
able, in Pennsylvania, this winter, for ladies
to make Egg-nog partier, inviting both male
and female to participate in taking the poison
thus elegantly disguised by fair" hands, and
we learn also that many young gentlemen
have felt as happy as June Bugs undej its in
fluence, to the great amusement of the Ladies.
Other Ladies, it is asserted, hand round wine
at their evening parties, thus re-enacting the
scenes which occurred in the early history of
our government, when a man was considered
much below the standard of a gentleman if
he did not put out his bottle on . the call of a
male visitor ; and a lady as not understanding
the true dignity of her sex if she did not in
vite a female friend to take eakc and wine !
What we would like to know is, how many la
dies' names are attached to these Jng Law
petitions who have been thus inducing young
men and young ladies, too, to take Parker
under the delusive title of Egg-nog?
Women never looks so im-lovely as when
tempting men to drink and never more out
of place than when praying the Legislature
to compel them to take a quart or none. The
ladies have been unthinkingly led into this
matter by wiley temperance politicians, who
have induced them to believe that the Jug
Law is a Temperauce measure. Hence they
are excusable for this seeming desire to have
Liquor forced upon the people by wholesale.
One kind word, or gentle look,.from woman,
such as she only is capable of bestowing,
would do more to reform an intemperate man
than a J ug-law petition twenty thousand miles
long. Bedford Gazette.,
The State Ticket.
The Democratic State ticket, nominated by the
late convention, is one in every respect worthy of
the support of the party indeed of the people.
irrespective of party considerations.
Geobge Scott, candidate for Canal Commis
sioner, was a Democratic representative in the
Assembly in 1853 4, from the counties ef Co
lumbia and Moutour, and was one of the most
popular and intelligent members of that body,
enlightened in his views, and firm in the perfor
mance of his public duties. He has had large
experience in every thing connected with the pub
lic improvements has been a railroad and canal
contractor, and conducted himself in all the pub
lic relations of life with ability and spotless integ
rity. He is a native of Bradford county, but has
been for many years a citizen of Columbia "the
Star of the North." He is favorably known
throughout the North-eastern counties, and his
vote in that quarter will demonstrate. the confi
de-ncc with which he is regarded. We think the
Convention acted wisely and well in placing him
in nomination as the candidate of the party.
Jacob Fby, Jr., tho nominee for Auditor Gen
eral, is too well and favorably known to require
any special notice from us. He is a citizen of
Montgomery county served two terms in Con
gress from that district with credit to himself and
entire satisfaction to his constituency, and last
winter as a leading member of the Assembly. He
is a gentleman of more than ordinary ability and
of the most unquestioned integrity. His popu
larity at home, and his good name throughout the
State, make him a formidable candidate.
Timothy Ives, Sr., the nominee for Surveyor
General, hails from Potter county, ne has serv
ed with credit in the State Senate, has held many
positions under the Government, and has. had
much experience in public affairs. We believe
him to be a sound Democrat, and have no doubt
that he will fill the office fur which he has been
selected with ability and usefulness to the StateJ
With such a ticket, and the prestige of success
which we derive from the numbers, character,
intelligence and unanimity of the Convention,
we enter upon the contest of 1856 with a moral
certainty of success. Ilarrisburg Patriot.
S3T A bill has been passed by the Senate
of Virginia appropriating 1 000 a year, for
five years, to enable the State Historical Soci
ety to procure from England manuscript copies
ot documents and letters relating to the early
l j .1 nil
nisiory oi tne uia uommion.
Hon. James Buchanan.
Glenson's Pictorial, published at Boston,
Mass.,- in presenting its readers with a like
npsa of the nresent distinzuished Minister to
X w
the Couit of St. James, together with a view
of his residence "Wheatland," Lancaster
county, Pa., gives the following brief synopsis
of his services to the country since the com
mencement of his political career in 1814 :
As a statesman, he has long been promi
nently before the country, which he has
served in various important capacities. He
was born in Franklin county, Pa , April 12,
1793, and is therefore in his sixty-third year
He early studied for the law, and at the out
set of life evinced a desire for a public career,
and was actively engaged while quite young
in politics. In 1815, he was nominated for
membership in the House of Representatives
of the State Legislature, and was duly elected.
He was re-elected tha ensuing year. As the
position was one which was not highly promo
tive of financial and professional interests, he
declined another re-election, He was chosen
to represent this in Congress in 1820, and
took his seat in that body in tho following
year. He continued a member of the House
of Representatives until the 4th of March,
1824. Soon after his fifth election, he de
clined rendering further services, and with
drew to private life. In 1831, Gen. Jackson
proffered him the mission to Russia ; which
he was induced to accept. Immediately up
on his return in 1834, he was chosen to fill
an unexpired term in the Senate of the Uni
ted States In 1836, he was elected for a full
term, and in 1843, he was re-elected to the
same post. He was selected by President
Polk, in 1845 to fill the office of Secretary of
State, the duties of which ho discharged till
the close of Mr. Polk's administration. On
Mr. Lawrence's return from England Mr.
Buchanan became his successor. The sketch
below, of the home residence of Mr. Buchan
an, is situated in the "Eden of Pennsylva
nia," as Lancaster county is called. It is
within twenty minute's walk of Lancaster,
and about two and a half hour's ride of Phil
adelphia. The grounds though small in ex
tent about thirty acres are beautifully laid
out in groves and lawns, and are hung with
the most luxuriant vines and shrubbery of
every description. At the foot of the lawn is
a very large spring of cool, refreshing water,
which, singular to say, contains in- solution
little or no carbonate of lime ; while all the
springs for miles around aie more or less im
pregnated with it. It is rendered a lovely little
spot for meditation or revery, by its drapery
of graceful weeping willows. Back of the
buildings is a pretty piece of woodland, under
whose ample shade we could take a delightful
afternoon snooze, or in whose walks a moon
light stroll would be charming. To the left
is an extensive garden, laid out in parterres.
A former resident of Wheatland, in speaking
of the salubrity of tho air, remarked, " For
twelve years we never once required the ser
vices of a physician, except,' continued he,
' on certain occasions." The house itself is
over a huudred feet in length, and, though
large and substantial, is in perfect accordance
with the strictest republican simplicity. In
conformity to the tastes and character of its
eminent proprietor, the interioi in all its de
tails, though comfortable and neat, is thor
oughly Democratic. "Wheatland formerly be
longed to Mr. Thomas Potter cf Princetown,
and subsequently to Ex-Secretary Meredith,
of Philadelphia. After the dissolution of
President Polk's administration in 1848, Mr.
Buchanan, then Secretary of State, desiring
to abandon the turmoil and fatigue of public
life for the quiet and genial repose of private
citizenship, purchased Wheatland, and in
company with his family, consisting of his
niece, nephew, a lady acting as house-keeper,
and domestics, he has made it his home ever
since. Here then, in his native State, and on
the field of his former triumphs, he has led a
life of tranquility, occupied, when not engaged
in study, either in the exercise of a generous
hospitality towards his friends, or in social in
tercourse with his family. Here he remained
till called upon by the President to the re
sponsible station of envoy to Great Britain.
The peaceful look that " Wheatland" bears
about it is most inviting to our eye and wc
should think that its illustrious owner would
6igh for p time when he may sit down beneath
his own vine and fig tree."
Keystone Back-Bone.
The following complimentary allusion to
the Democracy of Pennsylvania, we copy from
the Cincinnati Enquirer :
Sentiments of the Pennsylvania Demo
cracy. Wc like the bold and staunch man
ner in which the Pennsylvania Democracy
meet the political issues of the day. They
march up to them without reservation or nes
itation. Gloriously they emblazon their prin
ciples upon their standard in letters of light.
which can be read and understood by all
men. The Democracy of no State have pla
ced themselves more unequivocally upon the
record than those of Pennsylvania. No State
has more unequivocally indorsed the Nebras
ka-Kansas bill than have our Pennsylvania
friends. This, however, was not unexpected.
for she has always been pre-eminently a na
tionai Commonwealth, having little or no
sympathy with the Abolition fanatics of the
.North in their warfare upon the .federal Con
stitution.
The Funny Candidate. The declaration
of ANDREW JACKSON donelson, that he
did not leave the ranks of the Democratie
arty, hut that the Democratic party left him.
rVhile General Jackson lived, he controlled
Donelson, and kept him in the path of duty,
just as he controlled Benton, Houston, and
Blair President Polk, mainly out of respect
to " Old Hickory," bestowed office on donel
son : and the latter expected, as a matter of
course, to quarter himself and his family on
President Pierce, as he had done on Polk and
Jackson. But President Pierce thought he
had enough ; whereupon donelson became
disgruntled and turned Know-Nothing. Such
are some of the antecedents of Gen. Jackson's
shadow.
Turn Mississippi. While the river remain
ed closed by ice at St. Louis, the authorities
of that place took advantage of the opportuni
ty to ascertain the practicability of a bridge
across the Mississippi at that point, by measu
ring the width of the stream, and sounding
its depth through holes cut in the ice. As
the result of their investigations, it appears
that a bridge can be constructed at a cost of
about one million of dollars.
From it PhilaJclpJtia Inquirer.
Dreadful Disaster cn the Delaware.
TnE STEAMER NEW JERSEY DES
TROYED BY FIRE.
FEAUFIL LOSS OF II UMAX LIFE.
We this morning are called upon to record
one of the most awful disasters that ever took
place upon the river Delaware. On Saturday
night, at about half past eight o'clock, the
steam ferryboat " New Jersey " started from
the wharf at the foot of Walnut street and
proceeded towards the canal that passes
through the island. There were about one
hundred passengers on board at the time.
The boat entered the canal, but it was soon
ascertained that she could not force her way
through in consequence of the ice. An effort
was made for the space of ten minutes, when
the captain, William S. Corson, gave orders
to retire from the canal and cross the river
above. Soon after, and before the boat had
reached to a line with Arch street wharf, an
alarm of fire was raised, and immediately a
frightful scene of apprehension, anxiety and
panic took place. The boat was then headed
for Arch street, and made her way with con
siderable rapidity. Meanwhile the flames
spread and the panic deepened, and not a few
of the passengers jumped overboard, in the
hope of thus saving their lives. The clothes
of several took fire, and many sprung into
the water or on the ice in this condition. The
aspect of affairs now became awful, yet a be
lief was still indulged that a wharf would be
reached. But " when she was within a few
rods of shore, the pilot was compelled by the
flames to abandon his position, and thus the
steamer turning drifted out again towards the
middle of the river. All idea of safety, ex
cept by swimming, or clinging to a piece of
ice, thus disappeared. The frantic passengers
who still remained, now either gave them
selves up to despair, or sprang recklessly into
the river The result was a loss of between
fifty and sixty lives men, women, and
children ! The scene was one of terror and
of horror, and it was witnessed by hundreds
from the city, who were unable to afford all
the relief that they desired. Boats were put
off, and every effort was made, and thus a
number were saved. Captain Corson, in his
testimony before the Coroner, made this state
ment :
I have not counted tho money, and suppose
I must have lost part of it, so th?t the money
would be but little guide in judging of the
number on board ; the hands on the shipping
generally aided us in every way, but a small
tug passed when the boat was in a light blaze,
without stopping ; one of the passengers was
the first to dbcovcr the fire ; I have no idea
how the fire caught, the space around the
smoke stack where it eommenced, was pro
tected by sheet iron, which I consider suffi
cient, as the only heat there would be from
the steam ; ccal was burned in her furnaces;
the boat was provided with water buckets ;
there were no boats on board ; the boat was
owned by the Philadelphia and Camden Ferry
Company ; it is separate from the Camden
and Amboy Railroad Company, with different
directions ; the boiler wa examined by the
Inspector of boilers about three months siace ;
the boat was only used at night, exc pt on
emergencies ; we carried the same amount of
steam last night as usual ; there was no extra
firing ; there was no cotton waste on board ;
the cloths used in wiping the machinery were
kept in the forward part of the boat ; a num
ber of passengers leaped overboard at the
first alarm of fire ; when I leaped off I saw no
one on board, the flame and smoke had driven
them all off, though I suppose there were sev
eral burned in her ; there were a few loose
benches on the dck, which were made use of
by the passengers in saving themselves ; the
seats iu the cabins were permanent ; I shoull
judge there were from 5 to 20 females on
board ; I saw a number of ladies leap over
board, and some got upon a bench that was
thrown over by a gentleman ; the boat went
through the canal in coming to the city, but
it being flood tide, a large cake of ice had
drifted in ; we tried ten minutes before giving
up the attempt ; the firemen spends part of
the time on deck ; thcro was a fireman named
Ferguson in the fire room at the time ; he was
not the regular fireman employed was not
there at the time ; the engineer was at his
post until driven away by the fire ; I do not
consider it the duty of the fireman to be al
ways in the fire room ; used oil lamps on board
and the wood work above is protected, so that
thcro was no danger from them ; before the
boat was backed out of the canal, I went down
on deck to change the pins of the rudder ;
necessarily in returning to the upper deck, I
passed the spot where the fire subsequently
broke out : I saw no fire nor did I smell any
smoke ; there was a sheet iron case six or
eight inches from the smoke stack, fastened to
the wood work ; I have been attached to the
boat about five years, and never had any idea
of danger from the boat taking fire ; there
was a horse and wagon on board ; I suppose
the horse perished in the flames ; the owner
of the wagon, a Mr. Shade, was saved ; his
wife and ohild were lost ; the fireman was
named Jester ; he was injured, and is now
over at Camden.
Tho pilot Mr. John Springer, corroborated
the above in all its main particulars, and said
that when within twenty rods of the wharf,
the steering apparatus became useless, and
hence the course of the boat was checked.
This was the great misfortune after the fire.
We need scarcely state that the awful calam
ity created the deepest sensation throughout
the communities of Philadelphia and Cam
den. Most of the victims were residents of
the latter city. The steamer had no life or
safety boats on board, and no means, indeed,
suited to such an emergency. The culpabil
ity of so fearful a neglect, cannot be alluded
to in language too strong. It is terrible to
think that so many human beings were swept
into eternity within a few feet of the shore,
on a clear, calm night, and at an early hour
in the evening, whose lives might, and no
doubt would have been saved, had tho boat
been adequately provided with the means of
rescue. The calamity has carried sorrow and
anguish into many a household, aid it was
yesterday the painful theme of all circles.
We deeply coudole with the bereaved and
afflicted families.
Amono the bills presented to the Finance Com
mittee of the New York Councils is the following :
New Yoax, February, 1856
The Citt of New York,
To THE New York riin.v Tivim TV
For advertising the funeral of Councilman Dixen.
two times soocial A2
Editorial report of funeral 26
Total. $28
rial report of the funeral."
TJso of Torture in British India.
Tha mis-government of tho BrilL-h in In'i
has long been proverbial. But even thv.
persons in Europe or America who have en
tertained tbe worst opinions of English mis
rule iu Hinder tan have had no idea of the
lengths to wbkh this oppression has been car
ried. It seems, for example, thit the use of tor
ture in the collection of the revenue has louf
been common. Men and even women have
been whipped ; have been hung up by tbe
arms to a tree ; have had their hands, their
ears, their thighs, and other still more sensi
tive parts of the body squeezed between
boards, till blood camo or the sufferer fainted.
Some have been tied in the most painful pos
tures, and compelled to remain thus for hours,
in a broiling sun, tormented by thirst and
venomous insects. Others have been sub"
jected to modes of torture which decency
forbids us to name. Not a few have besi
maimed for life Death has even sometimes
been the result. Nor have these things been
done in a corner, or visited only on defaulters
of the deepest dye. They have taken place
with tho knowledge, if not connivance of
English officials, and the victims have often
been miserable, half-starved peasants, whc
were but a few shillings in arrears.
We say that these tortures have been in
flicted with tho knowledge, if not the conni
vance of the British officials. The Presi
dency of Madras, in which this system of
torture is carried on most extensively, has a
land system to itself. The whole soil is own
ed by the government, that is, by tho Ease
India Company, and the holdings are parcel
led out to the peasants as mere tenants at will.
The cultivator is at the mercy of the govern
ment for the amount of his rent and the per
manency of his tenure. The collector, whom
the government employs, virtually holds the
peasant at bis mercy. He is generally a na
tive, and left to manage affairs as he chooses;
and it is this indifference, on the part of tho
government, which has led to the uso of tor
ture. Nobody has cared .to interfere, both
because it is nobody's .especial business, and
because a residence in India soon renders
Englishmen callous to the treatment of the
Hindoos. Thus, year after year, this nefa
rious system of torture has been carried on,
with the geueral knowledgo of tho British
residents in Madras, and under the direct
responsibility of the government ; yet no one
has cared to interfere. At last ,. to its honor,
the British Parliament has interfered. The
knowledge of the mode aud extent of tho
torture employed, we owe in fact, to a com
mission which took testimony under a reso
lution of that body.
Breaking Eveey Bone in tvk Sk -'
There was a mammoth sleigh-ride projected,
and the sister was invited. But her skirts
had not the amplitude she desired, to enable
her to shine ; so, the afternoon before the
ride was to occur, she went to the shops and
purchased the material for a new whalebone:
skirt. Sitting down to her task immediately,
she worked until midnight to ficish the article.
The lady was exuliant, tried it on before she
went to bed, and finally, committed herself to
her dreams with tired hands aud aching eyes
The next day as the sit igh male its appear
ance at the door, she came out radiant and
expansive as a full-blown peony. While tho
party were away, they got high no", intoxi
cated or anything of that kind, but hilariwus
and happy. On the return of the party, the
brother, instead of helping his sister out of
the sleigh iu the usual manner, grasped her
in his arms, in the exuberance of his strength
and animal spirits, and carried her into tho
house, iu spite of all her entreaties aud re
monstrances: "Oh, John! Oh, John, don't!
you ought to be ashamed ! Now I do think
there ! now don't" she exclaimed as she strug
gled in the rapid passage to the house. As
John rushed iuto the hall the mother, who.
was a trifle deaf, made her appearance, and
holding up both hands exclaimed, ' What i
the matter with Emily ?" John brushed past
the old lady, and deposited the girl in a chair,
where she sat perfectly stupified with vexation.
'Are j'ou hurt, Emily?" said the old lady
anxiously. " Speak, dear ? what is the mat
ter?" Yes," replied the girl ."bursting in
to hysterical tears, " I'm crushed I'm
killed. He's b-b-roken every bone in my
sk-sk-skirt boo ! boo I Core. tfpring
field Republican.
Central Railroad.
We have heard many reports in regard to.
this company, but have, generally, passed,
them by unnoticed. But there is a report in
circulation now, which if true, shows that that
Company is conspiring, in a most outrageous
manner, against the interests of Pennsylvania,
and should incur the censure of the legisla
ture and the people. It is said that an Agent,
of the road has called upon the different iron
masters of Lancaster county and forced them'
into contracts to send all their iron to Pitts
burg over the railroad, in preference to the
State works, by flatly refusing to carry a ton
for them when the canal is not in running
order, if they refused. We give the report
as it is current. If not true the Company
can deny it; but if true it is a high-handed
measure on their part which deserves the ex
ecrations of the community. Ilarrisburg
Patriot. A New Maine Law. A bill has been re
ported in the Maine Legislature. in relation to
the sale of intoxicating liquors. It comprise
thirty-three sections. The Bath Tribune
states that it embraces the features of tho
seizure and destructive clauses of the exist
ing statute, and provisions for licensing par
ties to sell, but under Buch restrictions as to
prevent the keeping of drinking houses and
tippling shops. Parties are also made lialW
for damages committed by persons while in
toxicated, and there is a heavy penalty for
the selling of impure or fabricated liquor
License also is to be given for the manufacture
of liquors under prescribed regulations.
There are also provisions against the sale of
liquors to intoxicated individuals, and to men
of whom notice has been given that they are.
habitually intemperate.
Important! The Secretary of the
K N Council of Bedford Borough, by order
of the President, calls upon the K N A3IER
ICANS to meet at the Son of Temperance
Hall I (to make arrangements for tie spring
election) on the 3d, 10th, and 17th inst. and .
to attend to business of great importance
to each member ! ! ! perhaps to cn-swxar
them now that the State Council have resol
ved to dispense with the OATHS which here
tofore bound them. The "Sons of Temper
ance Hall" and the J ug Law, would now seem
to be the comer stones of Know-Nothingism.