From the liar. Intelligehcer.
STATE DEBT.
DEFINITION AND AMOUNT Al I
DIFFERENT PERIODS.
W e have frequently defined State Debt
to be those loans which are denominated
.verawnent," and are made for a term of
years to induce capitalists to afford
'ties on the lowest possible terms.
In this view we have excluded .‘tempo-'
rari" loans from the definition of "State
Debt," in its strict sense, because they
are only financial operations of avowedly
a temporary nature, and the claims crea
ted by them are intended to be discharged
on the first opportunity. Thus they are
no more permanent debt on the part of
the State, than is a private loan by an in
dividual, after the close of the bank to
day in which he has his funds, procured
to enable him to conduct his business un
til he can, when the bank opens to-morrow
morning, draw upon his resources in the
institution.
But "temporary" loans may lead to a
"permanent debt," on the part of the
State, by "permanent" loans becoming
necessary to discharge them. Gov. Por
ter's administration has given us an in
stance of this kind, by contracting a
temporary loan for immediate use, until'
a permanent one can be contracted, when
it is intended to redeem the temporary
by part of a permanent loan, which is
double its amount.
These are the definitions of 'state debt'
an.l"temporary loans," recognized by the
late administration. Believing them the
only sound definitions, we shall apply
them to the debt of the State at the res
pective advents of Gov. WOLF, Gov. Rm.-
PEER, and Gov. PORTER.
The permanent debt of
the State, when Gover'r.
Wolf came into power
$17,175,661 88
When Gov. Itltner
came into power the
permanent debt of the
State, was
24,329,003 23
Showing an increase
during Gov. Wolf 's six
years of
When Guy. Porter
came into power the per.
manent State debt, was 24,2.29,003 23
96,163,341 S 3
Showing a reduction
during Gov, Ritner's
three years of 100,000 00
From this it appears that Goy. Porter
ter found the State debt to be $24,229,.
003 23, on the 15th day of January last,
This sum has since that date been in.
creased as follows:
Permanent Loan per act of
Jan. 1839,
do. Feb. do,
Making the permanent loans
of Gov. Porter already
Out of these $2,480,000,
there will be discharged
of the permanent debt,
an instalment amounting
to 220,000
Leaving a balance of POSI—
TIVE INCREASE TO
THE PERMANENT
DEBT OF THE STATE
since Gov. Porter has
been in office of 02,260,000
This statement challenges denial, and
is as favorable to Gov. Porter as can be'
consistent with the facts on record. ft
needs no further comment. The fact ,
are of such a character that none can
read and not understand them.
We mi;ht have included in the above, a
temporary loan already made under Gov.
Porter, of 8650,000, which will be added
to the permanent debt in time, as a per
manent loan will in all probability be ne
cessary to repay it.
SENTIXEINTS OF JOSEPR RITNEE ON THE
SUBJECT OF STATE DEBT.
Joseph Ritner was elected in 1835 as
the anti-debt candidate. lie was pled
ged to check the inz.rease of the State
debt, and if possible, reduce it. We
have shown above how this pledge was
redeemed, and we now subjoin a few ex
tracts from his state papers to show what
were his views in this important subject.
..With the VAST DEBT already con
tracted before us, prudence would forbid
the undertaking of any new, seperate,
and independent works, until those now
in operation and in progress, prove. by
actual experience, to be capable of sustain
tag themselves, and furnish evidence that
they will, in a reasonable time, extinguish
their original cost, without resort to taxa-
Ritner's htaug. Address. '
"Our chief object should be the appli
enti9n of all oui energies to the RE DUC- I
TION OF THE STATE DEBT,-- 1
and the expenditure of no more of the'
means in the construction of new work
than is absolutely :necessary to render
available and profitable the outlays al.
ready made and hitherto unproductive.
If we can once effect even the smallest
vartoar.sse of the debt, and reduction of
the rate of interest, we will have stein •
toed the tide. 'file TOTAL EXTINC
TION will then be the work of a very
few years."—Gov. Ritner's Annual Ales
sr_ge, 1836—'7.
At may be therefore fairly assumed, as a
cale:lation within bounds, that the passage
of this bill will cause as addition or teen
ty-one rniilions of dollars to nor present
debt of about twenty-four, snaking a gross
lebt, at a period no more remote than
1841, of FORTY-FIVE, millions. I AM
NOT PREPARED TO SANCTION
MIS, nor to become an agent in sad
,iling such an incumbrance upon the farms,
and industry of Pennsylvania." *
• • "Two of the objects contended
. for by those who selected me to adminis
ter the Executive functions of the Gov-,
eminent were -THE DECREASE OF THE
STATE DEBT, and the vigorous prosecu
lion and early completion of the public
works of the commonwealth. Both will
either be defeated or retarded by the pres
ent bill if it become a law." *
* "If my fears are correct as to the
great increase of the State debt, of which
this bill, if passed, will be the parent, 1
should feel it to be an abandonment of du.
ty to the people, were I to omit any con
,titutional means to arrest it. Our enor
mous public debt must have a tendency to
retard the increase of our population and
productive industry, if not to diminish
them. Although such debt is not in form
a judgement upon the property of the
people, yet in effect it is an absolute lien.
The faith and property of the Common
wealth and of every citizen in it, are
pledged for its redemption. It is obvious
that the lands of a community encumbers
ed with a lien of fifty or an hundred mil
lions of dollars, are worth less than the
unincumbered property of other States.
Hence, it the amount of debt be increased
beyond the common advantages to be de
rived from the undertakings that produ
ced it, it is plain that prudent men will be
unwilling to purchase and hold property
which must remain subject to its repay
ment. Such incumbrances must finally
and unavoidably rest upon the most me
riterious class of people—the farmers and
mechanics."—Gov. Ritner's Veto of the
Mammoth Improvement Bill, 1837-'B,
"But white I avow my readiness to do
so, (co-operate with the Legislature in
making judicious appropriations,) I wrsn
IT TO HE DISTINCTLY UMDERSTOOD THAT
NO FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES WILL COM
PEL ME TO CONSENT TO A PERMANENT IN
CREASE OF THE STATE DEBT. All our
energies should now be devoted to such
measures as will ensure and hasten its
decrease."—Gov. Ritner's Annual Mes
sage, 1837-'B.
desire to be distinctly understood
as maintaining an unchanged opinion on
the subject of State debt, and of the pub
lic improvements. And I wish it to be
known that so long as I continue in my
present station, I will on all occasions
adhere to the opinions heretofore expres
sed.—. Gov. Ritner's Message approving
Appropriation Bill, 1837—'8.
We have given pretty liberal extracts
in order to refresh the memory of our r ea.
ders on this subject, and to relieve us
from full quotations hereafter, when we
refer to the sentiments of Governor nit
ner. The foregoing just principles were
the principles of the late administration.,
The record of them and of their exact
observance, may be found in the archives
of the Commonwealth. They triumph:
antly bear a contrast with the principles
and practices of the present rulers of
Pennsylvania.
2,1,200,000
1,‘,280,000
2,480,00 u
GOVERNOR PORTER'S SENTIMENTS ON TREI
SUBJECT OF STATE DEBT.
We extract the only positive official
declaration we have yet received of Gov.
Porter's sentiments on the subject of the
increase of the State debt. It was pven
to the world in the first hour of his official
existence.
"Unwilling as I am, needlessly TO
INCREASE THE STATE DEBT,
the soundest dictates of public policy re
quire THE ADOPTION OF THE,.
LA7 TEI? COURSE."—Gov. Porter's
inaugeral Address.
The above avowal has already been par•
tially carried out, and there is every prob
ability of its further observance.
When it is remembered that Governor
Porter was elected by a party who profes
sed to wish a reduction of the State debt.
the above (together with the acts of His
Excellency) will stand as indubitable ev
idence that those rpofessions were HOL
LOW AS SOUNDING BRASS.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
We learn from the Baltimore American
that a melancholy accident occurred on
Monday, on the Baltimore & Susquehan
na rail road, about twenty miles from
that city. A woman was waiting at one
of the stopping places to take her passage
for Baltimore, when the train approached'
and gave the usual signal. Finding her
self on the wrong side to get into the cars,'
the woman attempted to cross the track,
Out before she could do so, the engine
struck her on the head and she fell
tween the rails; the train passing over her
and instantly severing one of her arms.
When taken uplshe was quite dead. Every
effort was made by the engineer to stop
the engine, but the impudent movement
of the woman was se sudden that his ex
ertions were fruitless.
The passengers in the cars united in a
cei tificate cxlionorating the conductor and
rngineer from all blame whatever.--Com.
flerald.
A bill has been introduced in the Mis
ssippi Senate, and will probably pass,
authorizing:the Governor, to purchase, at
expense of 825,000, a marble statue
;it Washington, to be placed in the rotun
da of the capitol at Jackson.
From the Register.
REPRESENTATIVE. C HAM lIER,
Harrisburg, 6th Feb. 1839
Mr. J. P. Jones:
Stn—We happened, by chance, this
day to see a paper called the "Advocate
& Sentinel," in which we saw the procee
dings of a meeting said to have :been held
rn liuntingdon on the lath January last,
and among theproceedings we find a res
olution in the following words, viz
"Resolved, That Messrs. Cunningham
and Morrison, the Representatives from
this county, having lost the confidence
of the virtuous and just of all parties, be
respectfully requesteifto resign their,seats
to make room for better men."
Now we would like to see the gentle
men who appear to have figured girt this
meeting, why it is that they did not send
us a copy of this resolution, as it was im
possible for us to obey, without knowing
their wishes.
But we would just inform them we do
not feel fully at liberty to grant their re
quest, for the following reasons:
Ist. Because we consider it would be
rather too polite to resign upon the resolu
tion (Amen who found themselvesin the
minority about one thousand, when they
exerted all their influence and abilities to
oppose our election; and . _
ad. Because we do not consider Wm.
R, McCoy, A. Gwin and some of their
associates, capable of fairly representing
- "the confidence of the virtuous and just of
all parties," in Iluntin"den county.
Yours respectfully,
CTNNINGIIAM,
JOAN MORRISON.
PERILOUS ADVENTURE-DARING
INTREPIDITY; PRAISEWORTHY
BENEVOLENCE.
Information reached this city yesterday
morning, that several families who lived
in dwellings situated on the meadows a
bove the city, were prevented from reach
ing the shore in consequence of the raise
of the treshet; they were driven in the up
-Iper apartments of their houses, and the
water still rising, had reached them there;
their lives were threatened, and in their
distress they called loudly for assistance.
but with a frail prospect of obtaining any.
The river at this time was full of driving
ice, the water had raised to a fearful
height, and it seemed ' folly and rashness
Ito attempt a rescue of the suflering and
unfortunate beings. At this critical June
ture, and when their situation appeared to
all who witnessed them from the shore, 4-
heard their cries Or "help" to be almost
hopeless, nine young men of this city vol
unteered to make an effort to save them.
With this determination they furnished
themselves with some light boards and
ventured out on the floating cakes of ice,
leaping from one body to another, and fre
quently preventing themselves from sink
ing by laying their boards across the loose
pieces of ice, then laying themselves down
at full length and paddling ;,.with their
hands in the water. Thus, after a long
and tedious as well as fearful attempt,
they succeeded in reaching the dwelling,
Here they found four or five families in a
most destressing condition, some having
been driven into their garrets for safety
and expected every moment to be carried
away by the flood. They then with a de
liberate caution and prudence which is
seldome exhibited in the daring acts of
young men, carefully planned measures
which should be the safest and surest
method of their reaching the shore. And
!after a second hazardous journey on the
driving ice, they succeeded in preserving
!three fanilies from a watery grave, among
whom we saw one poor decrepit female,
upwards of eighty years of age. Such
disinterested acts of humanity call loudly
fOr the esteem and praise of the public,
and should never go unrewarded.—Hart-
Iford (Conn).Review.
From the Trenton State Gazette.
A SERIES OF DISASTERS.
A few weeks ago, a boy of Gideon Unl
it, near Allentown, fell into his father's
mill pond, while sliding on the ice. One
of his brothers was near, and went to his
assistance, but broke through the ice him.,
self. A third and fourth brother, and then'
the father, attracted by the cries of the
drowning buys, 'lran, one after another, to
save,them; but they too fell through the ice.
The father and one of the boys extrica
ted themselves; but were unable to res
cue the three others.
At the funeral of these boys, the car
riage of their uncle was dashed to pieces,
the horses becoming restive, and the un—
cle's collar bone broken, or dislocated.
Those who had been in this carriage, got
into another, which was also overturned
and broken; and the horse ran against the
vehicle of another uncle, upset it, and
threw out those who were inside, without
however, injuri lg them seriously. It was
reported, also, says our informer, that the
:father of the boys, on returning from the
funeral, found his house on fire.
GOOD NEWS.
We find the following in the National,
Intelligencer of Saturday the 9th. inst.
"We are happy to learn from a gentle
man who accompanied the French officers'
from Baltimore, that hostilities have been
terminated between France and Mexico.,
Through the intervention and mediatioa,
of Admiral Douglas, commanding the
British nee'. on the Mexican coast, terms
of accommodation have been mutually
agreed on by the belligerents, and hostili
ties had ceased. The particulars will
doubtless reach us before long."
r
THE JOURN AL.
'One country, •ne constitution, one destiny
Huntingdon, Feb. 20, 1839.
Democratic dliatimasonic
CANDIDATES.
FOR PRESIDENT,
GEN, WM. H. HARRISON
1 , 011 VICE PRESIDENT'
DANIEL WEBSTER.
FLAG OF THE PEOPLE!
C*- A single term for the Presidenev, and
the office administered for the whole PEO
PLE,. and not for a PARTY.
re A sound, uniform and convenient Na
tional CURRENCY, adapted to the wants of
the whole COUNTRY, instead of the SHIN
PLAS'I ERS brought about by our present
RULERS.
O:7ECONOMY, RETRENCHMENT, and RE
FORM in the administration of public affairs,
Tired of Experiments and Experi
menters, Republican gratitude will reward
unobstrusive merit, by elevating the sub—
altern of WASHINGTON and the dosciple of
JEFFERSON. and thus resuming the safe and
beaten track of our Fathers,—L. Gazette.
IMore about the dlppointments
Never in the annals of political, or
party warfare, have we seen more honest
indignation evinced, than that shown by
most of the honest supporters of David
R. Porter, at the appointments which have
been made under his administration,
During a campaign of three years, the
whole energies of that party were direc
ted to convincing the people, that ltitner' s
administration had insulted the peoples'
rights, first, by increasing supervisors—
next, by appointing men to fill offices in
one county who had lately removed into
it, or who were brought from another
county —and last, though not least, by
appointing men who had not any petitions,
over those who had large and respectable
ones.
Every honest supporter of Mr. Porter
knows that those three charges were in
dustriously inculcated, and honestly be
lieved by themselves to be cause of com
plaint. In what situation are they now
placed. Every objection made against
Ritner's administration holds doubly good
against the present, and to their honor be
it spoken, they honestly admit that they
have been decieved.
They spent their breath in saying that
six supervisors were appointed to perform
what three had formerly done, and conse
quently the administration of Railer was
corrupt; for fear some have forgotton it,
we will just take an extract from McCay's
paper.
"Moses J. Clark, Wm. Reed, J. Whar
ton and George W Patton have been appoin
ted supervisors on that part of the canal for
merly attended to by TWO SUPERVI
-1 SO RS—from Hollidaysburg to Millerstown.',
By a reference to our last weeks paper,
it will he seen that there are four appoin
ted between Hollidaysburg and the dam,
at the Long Narrows. What consistency.
We do not wonder that the honest por
tion of the party are ashamed to support
it.
Then again, the wicked conduct of Rit
ner's administratioa iu taking men to fill
offices who did not reside in the county.
Let us hear what some of them said on
that subject.
"Some of our oldest and best citizens
whose capacity and integrity were undispu
ted and indisputable, applied for offices on ,
the canal; they had the best possible recom
mendation. But, no, the decree had gone
forth—men having no claims—no petitions
from the citizens, are prefered."—Huntinc
. don Gazette, April 3, 1836.
"The appointments in every county have
justly disgusted the thinking people. The
best office in this county was bartered to a
man who lived in another county—We are
well provided for in comparison to Hunting
don county—A number of counties have been
treated far worse.--Lewistown Republican,
.lay, 24, 1836.
"Many of the agents have been taken from
counties remote from the canal. The con
sequences are such as might have been fore
seen. There is no order, system, or skill in
the management."—Extract from Harris
burg Reporter in Huntingdon Gazette May
4, 1136.
"It is a little singular, that in Huntingdon,
county as well as Northampton, the col
lector was taken from a distance while nu
merous respectable applicants at home were
unheeded. If Mr. Ritner has so many hun
gry cormorants all over the State, who have
had a previous promise, why it will play
the Very devil with himself —that's all.—
Extract from Easton Argus, in Huntingdon
Gaulle, *HI 6, 1836.
Here then we think we have given,
word. of their own. "Out of their own
mouths have:we condemned them." Could
not the worthy writer of the first extract,
find under this pure administration, that
"some of the oldest and best citizens—.
with the best possible recommendations,"
—were supplanted by men having "no
claims—no petitions," and yet we doubt
not he would talk of consistency. We
rejoice that the people are too honest to be
duped. They thought such things, wrong,
and they opposed Ritner; and they think,
it entirely out of place, for a man, who
talked so much against it, as Mr. Porter
did, to be guilty of the same thing--they
think him wrong, and will say of him as
they can of most politicians. It he was
honest before the election, he is dishonest
after. But let us look over some of these
appointments, and see how they tally with
their professions.
David Rightmyer, of Berks Co, Col
lector at New Port, Perry County.
John Heiner of Berks co. Collector at
Middletown, Dauphin co.
Joseph Snyder, of Bells co. Collector
at Downington, Chester co.
James Patton of Franklin co. Collecto r
at Columbia Lancaster co.
Joseph B. Sugert of Centre co. Collec
tor at Lewistown, Mifflin co.
Wm. Ingram, of Green co. Co!lector
at Pittsburg,Allegheny co.
eo_
R. F. Grigg of Washington co. Weigh.
master at the same place.
John Potts, of Butler co. Collector a t
Johnstown, Cambria co.
Win. C. Morehead of Baltimore, State
of Maryland, Supervisor on the Portage
Rail Road.
Wm. G. Thbbs of Bucks co. Collector
at Easton Northampton co.
Here are examples enough, we presume
to satisfy our remises.
What do you suppose the Harrisburg
Reporter will say now? Three years ago
it said, that to ..take agents from th e
counties remote from the canal would de
stroy all skill order, and system, that any
one with half an eye might have foresen
it."
The Lewistown Republican was uncom,
ly rabid because Hamilton Semple was
appointed collector. Now whit does it
think of having a man appointed from
Centre county. The Northampton Eas
ton Argus, now must submit patiently to
have a collector brought from Bucks co.
to take toll at their place, although he
seemed to think that because Ritner ap
po;nted a collector at that port from anoth
er county, that it would “play the d
witk himself." Has that paper now inde_
pendence enough to say Porter will play
the devil with himself, or will he patient
ly say anything is right that is done now.
Out upon such cringing time serving con•
I sciences!
But we have not done with the subject.
Where was the right of petition; Ritner
received their anathemas, morning, noon,
and night, wherever he appointed a man,
whose petition was said to be an inch shor
ter than the other. Let us look at the ap
pointments—ls any man fool enough to
suppose, that David Rightmyer, ever had
one name to a petition to appoint him col
lector at New Port, Perry Co. Would
not his fellow citizens of Berks, laugh at
him, if he had even asked them to sign
such a petition? would not the "indig.
nant Freemen" of old Perry have chased
him cut of the county, it they had caught'
him there picking up signatures to his pe
titian? and so with all the rest of them.
What would the people of Mifflin thought,
had Mr. Shugert appeared in their town,
and tried to get petitioners? The truth
is, they had no petitions—Mr. Hemphill,
and Steel, of Mifflin, both had petitions,
their prayers were passed as unheeded as
the idle wind—a stranger stepped in.
Where was the right of petition in the
case of Irvin Horrell, who was recommen
ded by many of their leading men, from
Erie, to Philadelphia; was his petition ev
er read, no! we do not think it was even'
opened, and lie must quietly give place to
those who never had a single name, nor
even made a request. —Thus is the right
of petition treated, by those people loving
Loco Focus.
There is no wonder, that the honest in
dignation of the people, burst out in un
controllable murmurs; the very things
which they complained of, are practised by
the man of their choice. lie who was
loudest in his professions of love for the
people. lie insults their petitions, and
makes them hear the taunts of the very
men they used to laugh at, and what is
worst they return their own words.
Only remember what bitter denuncia
tions you have 2n the Coort House, about
the right of petition and then ask yourfielf
whether these men, had any petitions,
Even Maryland, and Ohio, had been cal•
led upon to furnish officers on our canal.
Mr. Mooreheadlof Baltimore, takes an im
portant situation; and how long a petition
had he. Why •ve think we can solve that,
it must have been about so long—".r. K.
Moorehead." This is the magic petition
that brought him from out et our borders.
We have written enough at present on
this'suhject; we will let it rest for another
week, and :then '4Oll gie a hearty dose
oat," as will keep their spirits up.
One more appointment.
John Piper of Bedford county, to be
collector at this port.
This is the cap-sheaf of all the appoint
ments—it is the Key-stone. At this place
where a continued scene of abuse was
kept up against us, because we had not
seen "two crops grow in this county."—
Here, where column upon column
was written, to show the corruption used
to get a certain yankee made collector—
Here, where their moans were heard, lout]
and long, over the worthy, old, and capa
ble citizens, who they said were disaps.
pointed; they have the same bitter cup•
held to their lips, and they must drink it
to the dregs.
It was an outrage to appoint A.. W.
Benedict collector, he had not been het a
short time in this county; was it?' Well:
how do you likeit, you "old, worthy and'
capable citizens?" We see among rou t . ,
list some who were loudest among the lend'
against the wicked outrage, and who daily,.
and almost hourly poured clisaffectiou into.
some farmers ears, against the adruinistra,
tion, that would he guilty of it.
But by whom are they overeached?'By.
a man from another county, whose only
reccomendation, or petition, was founded:
in certain equal' fications which are shown •
at the best advantage on th,. truf, where
scrub races are run. "Birds of a feather' , •
is an old, and truly saying. Had he any
petition? did any citizens of this count y
see a petition for John Piper to be collet . -
tor at this port. We guess not. But we
presume you saw those of others,--Daniel
Africa, Andrew Hirst, William Hilde
brand and some others; was the right of
petition respected, when their petitions
were laid under the table, and their places
filled by the verbal demand of that eon
suinate bully and blackguard, McElwee?
—Do not some of you, honest Porter men
remember with what solemnity you have
passed resolves in your meetings, against
men who have not seen two crops grow its
your county?—what do you think of those
who have not seen any.
'We understand to, that our eetempo-
rary of the Advocate was an applicant al
so. We wonder not a little at that, A.
careful examivation of his paper; three
years ago, would convince! any one, that
lie was so strongly opposed to having prim
ters appointed, that if the Canal Commis._
sioners, recollected it, they would no t
have appointed him, fearing that it might
be an infringement upon his rights of Coo
science. And in pure respect for' his
tender feelings on that subject, would
take the but then oft his shoulders. We.
trust however he will bear it patiently.
ew 4lrrangentents.
Since writing the above, the interestin g
information has come to town, that Piper
was not willing to be a piper for the party,
at the paltry salary of 480 dollars per an
num. He first applied for collector at
gollidaysburg, hut was disappointed,
when his friends said he must have some
thing, that something was presented its
the shape of the Collector's office, here.
Whatever was the Price of some men.
Piper would not stand it, and his bully
friend, flared up we suppose, and Lo! the
sporting gentleman, is allowed, by some
writ of "tantrabogus" to obtain "judgment
of ouster" against Jas Ford, appointed at
the weigh.scales at Hollidaysburg, and
Mr. Piper takes his place, while Mr. Ford
is forded over the mountain, to Johnstown.
to be weighmaster there—and the man
who should have, and would have been sp
pointed at first, had he not been out-Gen
eraled. Andrew Hirst is appointed col
lector here.
Is not this enough to make every hon
est man in the party blush for the corrup
tion and abuse of power. A man, who
by their own doctrines, "living remota
from the canal," has no claims on the pub
lic works, is master of ceremonies, and
the Commissioners must dance as he plea
ses to Pipe. Every objection made
against Ritner is doubled against Porter.
His own partisans see it, and honestly
express their censure.