PUBLIC D1EE171470.
At a County meeting, held at Are
American Hotel in the borough of Get
tysburg, on Wednesday the 25th day
of September, 1839, JAMES MA
JORS was called to the chair, and
WILLiAm W. PAXTON appointed Sec
retary. When upon motion, Thad
deus Stevens, James Cooper, Job'
Slenti, Robert S. Paxton, Robert P.
Mceonaughy, John Tate and Samuel
Witherow, were •appointed a commit
the to report upon the conditiOn of the
State Debt and the Internal Improve
ment System.
The Committee made report as fol-
lows :
The State Debt has swollen and is swell
ing to such an enormous size, that it ought
to awaken the serious attention of the tax
paying pool° of Pennsylvania. So falla
cious have been the estimates of the Engi
neers, and consequently so deceptive the
reports of the Canal Commissioners, from
the origin of our loternal I:nprovement sys
'tern, that little reliance can be placed upon
their statements as to the amount still ne
cessary to complete our public works.—
Before the state embarked in what has prov
od a burthensoine, if - not ruinous system, the
engineers and canal commissioners estima
ted the whole expense of completing all our
canals and rail roads—the branches as well
as the main line—at not more than $5,000,-
.000. Every successive report from that time
to this, has largely increased the amount ;
until now, when the State debt is more than
six times the whole cost originally estima
ted, the works still require more than treble
the sum first calculated to finish them.—
The termination of the increase of the pub
lic debt, recedes as you approach it ; end
like the horizon, seems always equally dis
tant from you, no matter how far you have
travelled towards it.
Had the truth been originally known to
the people and their representatives, the
perilous euterprize would never have been
undertaken, to the wasteful and extravagant
extent that It was. Could the fern:meter
truth as to its final cost still be disclosed,
further expenditures would immediately be
arrested, and a vigorous effort made to re
store the credit of the state and redeem her
from debt. .
A plain statement of the present embar
rassed condition of the commonwealth, the
probable increase .of her debt, the means and
prospect of its repayment, and the only re•
rnedv left to rescue her from ruin, will be
briefly considered.'
PRESENT AMOUNT OF DEBT.
When Gov. Ritner was inaugurated, the
whole amount of money actually borrowed,
was within a fraction of $25,000,000; and
the state owed to contractors and laborers,
about $1,000,000 more. When Gov. Por
ter was elected, the permanent state debt
was $24,230,000 32, being $lOO,OOO lets
than at the commencement of Gov. Ritner's
administration.
Since Porter's election, the legislature
have authorized loans to the amount of a
bove $7,000,000. The present authorized
:lsitti debt is therefore above $32,000,000.
The new works necessary to complete the
old lines, such as avoiding the inclined
planes at Philadelphia and Columbia; re
newing the North tract at the Eastern end
of the rail road; Reservoirs 'at Hollidays
burg and Johnstown; connecting the-canal
at Pittsburg with the Beaver division, and
finishing the Wisconisco canal, cannot cost
less than $0,000,000. Although the esti
mate is but $3,000,000 each for the North
Branch and Erie canals, yet it is not doubt
ed by well informed men, who have exam
ined them, that they will cost at least 86,-
000,000 each. In this calculation nothing
Is allowed for the West Branch, Kittanning
feeder, Gettysburg rail road, or for subscrip
tions to private companies, or local appro
priations. .
If the work continues to be prosecuted,
the debt will have attained the above height
of $50,00,000 in 3 years. The annual in
terest at 5 per cent per annum, will be 82,-
500,000. - It is an interesting inquiry wheth
er the whole,or how much of that sum can be
paid from the proceeds of the public works.
If an accurate estimate be made of the
amounts heretofore expended in the repairs
and supervision of the public works, it will
be found that they have considerably ex
ceeded the toll received : and yet the time
past embraces a period when the works were
new, and have required comparatively little.
work upon the finished lines. But much of
that work has now become decayed and di
lapidated, and requires renewing, as it will,
periodically in every seven or ten years; so
that much larger sums will be required than
fur ordinary repairs.
Durino ° Gov. Ritner's administration, it
is true, that the ordinary repairs amounted
to bUt $300,000 per annum. But, every
thing then was conducted with an economy
that is not likely to be generally practised.
The present board of canal commissioners
demanded about 81,600,000, and received
About $1,200,000, for repairs, new work
upon finished lines, and damages for the
current year. We have no reason to sup ,
pose that the ordinary repairs, new work on
finished lines. and the cost of supervision,
especially since the number of agents and
their pay have been enormously increased,
will, upon an average be less than $1,000,-
000 per annum. The ordinary expenses of
government, together with the annual ap
propriation tq purposes of education, will be
about $750,000; making the whole expense
, a carrying on the government and keeping
tip the public works, 81,750,000.
The tolls on canals and rail roads, inclu
.ding toll on motive power, never yet amount
,ed to $1,000,000 per year, although they
„would probably have exceeded that sum
last year, lied it not been for the breach
above Huntingdon. The lar g est amuut
which they can ever be expected to produc ,
jiiunless a cuutinuous rail road should be co -
plated to Pittsburg, cannot reach one and
ohm. . g oiters of n milliou of dollars.—
Hence it is evident that no part of the toll paying tho interest on the state debt and
Can 'ever be applied to pay the interest or carrying on the extensions be provided in
the principal of tho state debt. some other way than by new loans or direct
Loans must, consequently be annually taxation.
made 0f82,300,000 to pay the interest alone Resolved, That if the Demo - cratic Anti
-in other words, the state must pay Com- masonic candidates of this county should
pound interest on 850,000,0(0; the inter. 'le elected to the legislature,they be reques
!st compounded not et the end of every year, ed to pursue the course above suggested.
dot at the end of every six months, ns the Roorveri, That it,
.be
,recommended to
merest on state loans is payable semi-annu .ur friends throughout the commonwealth
.11y. II it were payable anndally instead o 0 pursue a similar course . .
;elf yearly, the principal sum would b, Resolred, That the proceedings of this
doubled in a little more than eleven years; ineetino be signed by the officers and pub
is, 0
pub
so that, as things are now managed, in about
eleven years, the debt of this commonweal'
will be 810,0000,000; and in twenty•three
years, TWO HUNDRED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!
How can this enormous debt be arrested
or satisfied?
The immediate abandonment of all the
work not completed except the main line,
would prevent the expenditure of 81:2,000,•
000. This could be done without any dis
advantage to the State, although it might
produce some local inconvenience. The
North Brunch canal never will do business
enough to keep itself in repair. It has been
finished to the head of the Wyoming valley
(quite through the coal region) for seve•
ral years; and yet its tolls have been insut•
ficient to keep it in repair and pay the su•
perintendence. Nor will its completion to
the State lino, bring any more business up
on the lower diviiion. The nothern coun
ties are poor, & being mountairmusonust al
ways remain so. ['hey do not, and never
will raise any thing for exportation. Lem
ber constitutes almost their whole exports,
and that is, and will continue to be, carried
en the river and not on the canal. Nor
would there be any trade adequate to the
support of the upper division, if completed
A few thousand tons of coal would he carri
ed north into the Stine of New York, and a
little salt and gypsum brought back in re
return. But the revenue 'ln these articles
would scarcely pay the loch-keepers and
toll gatherers. The repairs of that division
must be a tax on the main line.
The Erie Canal will be nearly equally un
profitable. It can never be expected to do
any of the through business from Philadel
phia to the Lakes ; or from the Lakes to
Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania and Ohio
(Cross-cut) Canal will be finished within a
year, leading from the Penesylvama Canal
at Newcastle, in alm-ist a direct line, by a
North Westerly direction, to the head of
I Lake Erie at Cleveland. The Erie Canal
is dasigned to lead from the same point
back in a North Easterly course, towards
the foot of the lake at Erie; from which
point goods that had come along the Canal,
must be transported directly past Cleveland
in order to reach Detroit and the North
Western States, making the distance more
than 100 miles further than by the Cross
cut Canal. It is evident, therefore, that
the Erie Canal will be used only for local
trade, which will be small and not sufficient
to keep it IL repair.
The Nor ii Branch and Erie Canals,
therefore, could well be suspended until the
times aro more propitious and the financial
affairs of the State are managed with more
skill and honesty.
The acts of the last Legislature and of
the present Executive may have rendered
it now impracticable; but a large Bonus
might and ought to have been eututned from
the Bank of the United States for the privi•
lege of issuing $5 notes, if it were deemed
advisable to give it that right, which your
Committee greatly question. It is known
that more than half a million of dollars
would have been gladly paid for it. But
that source of revenue is cut off by the gra
tuitous grant of that power by the present
Governor. Gratuitous, so far as the State
is concerned; whether paid for to any of the
officers of the commonwealth, may be here
after inquired into.
Sixty thousand dollars a year might be
saved, and applied to the payment of the in
terest. if money wore borrowed at 4 instead
of 5 per cent. per annum, as by an existing
law of this commonwealth might haVe been
done, from the Bank of the United States;
agreeably to one of the conditions upon
which it received and accepted its charter.
A large amount might be saved if the Sec
retary of the commonwealth would negoti
ate the loans, as was the case in Gov. Rit
naf's time, instead of appointing a commis
sioner of loans with large perquisites, as is
now done.
A very large revenue might be raised by
taxing the exchange operations of Banks,to
which business they have perverted nearly
all their capital, from its legitimate objects.
Thu number of officers on the public works
might be reduced to half their present num
ber, as they have been increased in that
proportion within the last nine months. The
State might clear a considerable sum by be
coming the transporter of passengers on the
Rail roads, as private companies are, ma
king enormous dividends on that business.
These are sonic of the means which the
people must enfore or direct taxation must
soon be resorted to, to a ruinous extent.—
You may easily imagine how oppressive
82,500,000 of direct tax will be, when you
remember that the State tax repealed du
ring the first year of Gov. Ritner'e adminis
tration, produced less than 8.s80,00( to the
Treasury. Much as your committee are
devoted to judicious and profitable works of
internal improvement,yot they cannot doubt
that it would promote the general welfare,
if the nation were to pause in its too profuse
expenditures for these objects, beyond its
disposable means. Several of the states of
the Union are now collectively indebted to
the' amount of nearly 8200,000,000. The
frequent scarcity of nioney, and much of
the anmercial embarrassment, is no doubt
attributable to this cause.
In view of these several considerations,
the committee recommend the following re
solutions, viz:
Resolved, As the opinion of this meeting
that it is the duty of the Legislature to re
fuse to make tiny further uppiopria , ions to
continue the work on new or unfinished lines
of our canals or rail roads, or to private
companies, except so far as may Le neces
sary to pay debts already incurred.
Resolved, That such refusal should be
persevered in until the W3% . 9 and means . f.or,
JAMES MAJORS, Ck'n.
W. %V. PAXTON, Sec'ry.
VETO OVESS.IGE.
MESSAGE OF GOV. RITNER,
On returning to the Masonic Legislature
the bill making appropriations to the lin
provement Splem, giving his reasons for
refhsing hts&ioature thereto.
To the Speaker,
and members of the house of Reps:
GENTLEMEN: I return the bill entitled
"An act further to continue and promote
the improvements of the State."
I regret to be obliged to withhold the
Fxerutivo approbation from an act which
involves no question of constitutional right.
Nothing but a firm belief that the best in
terests of the whole State demand it, could
induce me to do so. This reluctance is in
creased when duty requires the disapproval
of a bill for continuing the internal improve
ments of the State. Could I believe that
the measure was calculated to hasten the
completion and promote the usefulness of
those works, it would receive toy sanction
without reference to the amount of money
appropriated. True economy demands
that the main lines of our canals and rail
ways, now under contract or partially com•
pleted, shall be pushed on with the least
possible delay, to t he points of their origi
nal destination. But it seems to me that
this bill is calculated materially to retard
their progress, by dissipating the funds of
the conimpnwealth upon a groat variety of
objects, which, however meritorious in
themselves, and interesting as local im
provements, are not part of the main lines,
but lay the fairalation for a vast increase of
public debt. The bill contains the follow.
ing items:
1. Appropriations to State Works
Erie canal,
North Branch canal,
West Branch canal, from Tan.
gascoolack to Sinnennxlioning, 100,000
Canal from liitianning to the
mouth of the hiskuninetas,
Inclined plane at Columbia,
West Branch canal, Tangascoo-
tuck line,
Gettysburg extension of the Co
lumbia railroad,
Reservoirs at Hollidaysburg and
Johnstown,
larietta extension of the Colum
bia railroad,
Survey, to avoid the Pottage in
clined planes,
Shaver's cieek feeder,
Cutlet lock at Duncan's
Examination oltho North Branch
canal from Nanticoke to Lack
awana,
500
To commence Wisconisco feeder, 20,000
Cutbush feeder, Delaware canal, :30,000
Outlet lock at New [lope, 3,000
Bristol and Philadelphia steam
tow boat,
Survey io avoid Schuylkill inclin
ed plane,
2. Subscription of stock to corn.
pang Canals and Railroads.
Danville and Pottsville railroad, 150,000
Bald Eagle and Spring creek na-
vigatton,
Cumberland valley railroad,
Monongahela navigation,
Pittsburg and Laug.blinstown rail-
road 140,000
Beaver and Conneaut railroad 60,000
Franklin railroad, 40,000
Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and
Hollidaysburg railroad, 50,000
Chester and Delaware railroad, 20,000
Codorus navigation, 20,000
Norristown arid Valley, or West
Philadelphia railroad, it either
be adopted by the State, to
avoid the inclined plane at
Schuylkill,
Union canal company
3. Surreys for Railroads.
From Chambersburg to Pitts
burg, by Laughltnstown and
Ligonier valley; and from Har
risburg, by the valley of the
Juniata, to Pittsburg,
From the State line in Susque
hanna county, by the mouth of
Tunkhannock, to the Nanti
coke dam,
From the town of Franklin to
Erie,
From Westchester towards Port
Deposit,
4. Subscriptions to Turnpike
Companies.
Pittsburg and Butler,
Butler and Mercer,
Butler and Freeport,
Brownington,. Harrisville, and
Franklinton, (when incorp'd,)
Perkiomen and Reading,
Downingtown, Ephrata, and liar.
•
risburg, 6,000
Sugar Grovo and Union 3,00 0
Washington and Williamsport 10,000
Warren and Franklin, 5,000
Bedford and Hollidaysburg, 10,000
Su-quehanna and Waterford, 1,000
-Washington and' Pittsburg, 25,000
Washington and West Middloton, 10,000
Susquehanna and Tioga, 8,000
Mercer and Meadville, 5,000
Ebensburg and Indiana, 6,000
Birmingham and Elizabethtown, 10,000
Pittsburg Parttime and 514;chan
. •
York Haven and Harrisburg
Bridge, 6,000
Armstrong and Clearfield, - 5,000
Armagh and Johnstown, 2,000
Harrisburg, Carlisle, and Chum
homburg, 20,000
Wilh4 Grove and Doylestown, 10,000
Somerset and Johnstown, 4,000
Somerset and Cumberland road, 4,000
5. Subscriptions to Bridge Companies.
Monongahela at Williamsport, 1 0,000'
iersey shore, 5,000
Tunkhannock, 8,000
Saltsburg, 4,000
Shannon, 15,000
Elizibethiown, 10,000
6. Appropriations to State Roads.
Salisburg and Curwensville, 3,000
East and %Vest, 18,000
Franklin and Butler, 10.000
Pittsburg and Beaver, 10 000
Pittsburg and Brownington, 2,000
Butler and Newcastle, 2,000
Waynesburg and Cumberland
road, 4,000
Kiskiminetas and Virginia I;nn, 4,000
Itobbgtown,Brownsville, and Vir
ginia line, 3,000
Steen's tavern and Connellsville, 200
%Vaynesburg and Virginia line, 2,000
Monongahela bridge and Virgi.
Ma line, 2,000
Greensbarg and %Vest Alexan.
dria, 2,000
Monongahela bridge and Union
town, 3,000
Virginia hire and Monroe, 3,000
%Vhito horse tavern and Virginia
line, 6,000
Of which the amount of appropriations to
the State work is, 81,;399943
Subscriptions to company canals
and railroads, 1,298,000
Appropriations for surveys of
new works, 17,500
Subscriptions to turnpike com
panies, 189,000
Subscriptions L. bridge compa
nies, 42,000
Appropriations to State roads, 85,500
Total appropriations and sub
scriptions, 33031,943
I cannot sign this bill for the following
ME=
Ist. Its main feature is the distribution
of a great portion of the present resources
of the commonwealth among works not
owned by the• State, and its consequent with
drawal from the prosecution 01 the public
works, and from the present decrease of the
State debt.
$400,000
400;000
2d. It bestows on capitalists and specu
lators the money which is the property of
the whole people, thereby enriching, indi
viduals and sections, to the injury of the rest
of the community.
75,000
87,500
33,943
3d. It not only thus fritters away the
means which should now be otherwise ap
plied, but, by enabling the companies who
are the recipients of its liberality to com
mence and prosecute works which they will
nut be able to c•nnplete, it embarks the
State so far in those works that she will, at
no distant day, he compelled to increase her
present debt for the purpose of finishing
them, or lose what is now proposed to be
given.
150,000
23,000
90,000
5,0( 0
/0,000
4th. It will inevitably increase the State
debt, in four years, to $45.000,000, as will
appeal by the following short statement:
The Erie extension of the main line will
cost, $3,000,000
The North Branch extension, 3,000,000
The Geityslairg railroad, 1,300,000
Tangliscoolack and Sinnemaho-
ping canal,
Vest Branch and Allegheny ca-
nal, 4,000,000
Red bank and Franklin canal, 2,000,000
Red bank and Freeport, 1,20n,000
%Visconisco feeder, 200,000
Avoiding inclined planes on Co
lunibia railroad,
70,000
140,000
85,000
Total for State works, 16,`200,000
The company works commenced by this
hill will cost as follows:
Freeport and Newcastle railed* 81,600,000
Pittsburg* and Laughlinstown
railroad,
Chambershurg and Laughline•
town railroad, (which must he
constructed to complete the
connexion,)
Lewisburg, Penn's Valley, and
Hollidayvburg railroad, 2,500,000
Beaver and Conneaut railroad, 460,000
120,000
400,000
Total for company works 0.060 , 000
Of this last sum, before the different works
are completed, the State will, beyond a
doubt; he compelled to advance not
less than ,ono halt, or else the whole,
say, $4,590,000
To which ndd the above cost
of State works,
12,000
Malting of debt which this bill
will produce,
To which add the present State
debt,
Total debt which will
exist when the sys
tem contemplated by
this is completed, $45,120,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
It is presumed that the above estimates,
if they mhould vary from the actual cost
of the works, will be found to fall below
rather than exceed it. They are all de
rived from the reports of engineers, which
are found in most cases to be far short o
the ultimate expense, or from a compari
son with the known cost of similar works.
5,000
15,000
*Owing to the baste in which tho bill was ne
cessarily examined, this work was included in the
list of company works authorized to be commenc
ed by the bill. It was nut contained in the bill
as it praised the two houses, and the appropriation
is therefore to be deducted from the Amount of
money intended to be given to companies. This
will reduce the estimated amount of debt is 1841
to $43,520,000, '
If ►t should be objected to this calcula
tion, that part of the above cost of State
works has either been already incurred, or
is provided for in this bill, and therefore
should not be included, the reply is, that
the portion already laid out will not, in all
probability, be equal to one fourth of the
amount which their actual expense will ex
ceed their estimated cost; and that the pro
portion provided for by this bill is borrowed
money—or at least such as the State may,
before long, be called on to repay. It may
therefore be fairly assumed, as a calcula•
tine wtthin•bounds, that the passage of this
hill will cause an addition of twenty one
millions of dollars to our present debt of
about twenty-four millions—making a gross
debt, at a date no more remote than 1841,
of FORTY-Ft VE MILLIONS. lam
not propared to sanction this, nor to become
an agent in saddling such an incumbrance
upon the farms and industry of Pennsylva
nia.
sth. If this bill and the other proposed
measures of the Leg,islature become laws,
the State will be left wit.enut a single dol.
iar of unappropriated money in her 'treasu
ry, at the commencement of the next sus
sion. Though the last Legislature replen
ished the public coffers with near four
millions, and tho present has received a
like sum, your successors will nevertheless
be compelled either to abandon the prose.
cutler] of the public works, or to borrow
11110111'y to carry them on, and pay interest
on the debt. No aid is to be calculated on
from the national treasury. On the con
trary, care should be taken to keep the
State in a condition to meet any demands
Ibr repayment which may be made on her
from that quarter.
fith. It seems to be a total departure
from our true policy. That policy is to
husband our menus for the Fresent, and,
while we push on our unproductive public
works with all prudent speed, to n profita
ble completion, to apply the balance to the
reduction of the State debt. If this course
be pursued, only. fin- two years, the expend'.
turn of the commonwealth will be brought
so tar within her income, that afterwards
the mere excess of her receipts will enable
her to undertake and complete, without
embarras=ment, works of any magnitude.
But if, on the other hand, the income, how.
ever large, is constantly kept below the
amount of expenditure, her apparent riches
will only increase her real difficulties.
7th. Its passage will have a most disas•
trims effect upon our present undertakings.
In consequence of the rise in the price of
labor and provisions within the !fist two
years, and of the amount of work coin.
menced in other States, the expense of con
structing public improvements has increas
ed fully fifty per cent. If the present hilt
pass, the large amount of work authorized
by it will have an additional efliict of the
same kind, and will cause every contract
in the commonwealth to be thrown up and
re•let at an advance of not less thou fifty
per cent. over the prices of last year. This
is a grave consideration. It must be borne
in mind that while the aniciunt of—public
burthen is increased by:this kind of legisla
tion, the amount of means to sustain it re
mains the same; and that a million of debt
must be paid with, a million of dollars,
whether that debt ie due for the construe
tion of sixty miles of canal, or twenty.
Ath. Nut only will its consequences be
injurious to the finances, but to the morals
of the State. The bare probability of the
passage of the bill has already unsettled
the conduct of whole sections of the State,
and has given a new stimulus to the over
excited spirit of speculation. If this state
of things be fomented and continued, there
is no limit to the injury which may result.
While the gambling spirit of speculation is
confined to the large towns, society may
bear it without material detriment; but it it
mice infect and derange the productive in•
dustry of thecountry, the public prosperity
will be shattered in its very elements.
If the mania which now rages among those
who speculate in the surplus property. of the
country, once seize those who alone render
property valuable, there is an end to al!
hope of continued prosperity. I fear that
such will be the tendency of the legislation
proposed by the present bill. A few per
sons fortunately located or circumatanced,
will be unduly and iinnmensely• benefitted.
The mass will either become dissatisfied,
or embark in the vain attempt to achieve
like good fortune. While all are thus en
gaged murmuring or hoping at the door of
fortune, the plough of industry will stand
idle in the furrow.
],000,000
500,00,0
1,500,000
3,000,000
9th. Its signature would he a violation
of every principle and pledge connected
with the financial affairs of the common
wealth, upon the faith of which the admin•
istration was intrusted to my discretion by
the citizens of Pennsylvania. It is admit•
ted that the meusares of government should
vary with the necessities of the times,
alWays keeping the great landmarks of right
in view. But when, as in the present case,
no change of circumstances takes place
sufficient to render a change of practice
necessary, the promises and pledges, both
expressed and implied, of a public agent,
whether made by hithself or his friends,
should be kept with the same good faith as
those of a private citizen.
Two oft he objects contended for by those
who selected me to administer the execu
tive functions of the government, were,
the decrease of the State debt, and the vi
gorous prosecution and early completion of
the public works of the commonwealth.
Both will either be defeated or retarded by
the present bill if it become a law.
When such a state of things is produced,
the path of duty is plain. Although the
veto power should be cautiously used when
no constitutional scruples exist, yet cases
like the present, of mere pecuniary expedi
ency, will arise, of so deeply the
paramount, interests of the State,as impera
tively to demand its exercise. 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 duty to the people, were I
to omit any constitutional means to arrest
it. Our enorm,,us public debt must have
tendency to retard the increase of our pop-
16,200,000
20,790,000
24,330,000
ulation end productive industry, if not to
diminish them. Althcugh such debt is not
In form a judgment upon the property of the
people, yet in effect it is an absolute hen.
I'ho faith and the property of . the com
monwealth, and of every citizen in it is
pledged for its redemption. It is obvious
that the !ands of a community incuinbered
with a lien of fifty or an hundred millions
of dollars, are worth less than the unincum
bered property of other States. fleece, it
the amount of debt be increased beyond the
' common advantages to be derived from the
undertakings that produced it, it is plain
that prudent men will be unwilling to pur
chase and hold property which must remain
subject to its repayment. Such incum
brance must finally and unavoidably rest
upon the most meritorious class of people,
the farmers and mechanics. Capitalists
and traders may easily withdraw their tran
sitory means from our jurisdiction, when
the day of taxation shall arrive; but the
lands and buildings of the mechanic, menu
flicturer, and farmer admit of no removal.
They must endure the whole burthens
which hasty legislation may impose upon
the community.
If this bill is intended as a distribution of
our portion of the surplus revenue among
the people, it seems to me to be unequal
and unjust. The sums appropriated to the
different parts of the State bear no proper.
tun to their population or taxable property.
But slit should become necessary to return
this deposit to the General Government, it
must be raised by taxation upon all, without
exception. And yet an equitable applica
tion of it may bo made for the equal benefit
()revery citizen of the commonwealth, with
out an actual distribution among the taxa
ble citizens. If appropriated to those works
of internal improvement which the State
has already authorized and pledged her
faith to complete; or if applied to the reduc
tion of the State debt 'already contracted,
or set apart fur common school purposes,
every citizen would have a direct interest
and derive immediate advantage from it.
But no such equality is contemplated by
the provisions of this bill.
1 regret exceedingly that many valuable!'
provisions nro connected with the objection'. •
able portions of rho bill, in such a manlier
es to impose upon me the necessity a re- -
turning the whole. The apprriptiations to
the • commonwealth's
,catials and railroads,
and to 83M0 of the uirtipikes; d they'stoori,
alone, would be tritist willingly opproved;\,/
but
. accompanied es they are, it is impos.
Permitine once more respectfully
to remark, that this practice of combining
in the same bill subjects distinct and similar
in their nature and merits, is extremely
embarrassing to the executive and highly
injurious to Wm piiblir interests.
There is,a glutious future of prosperity
before us, if we do not prevent its arrival
by ein'larrassing the present. The times
are unpropitious for speculation, either by
individuals or states. The project under
consideration is a risk of this kind. It is
tho hazarding of money which should be
otherwise applied, on the mere cOntingen•
cy of the continuance of the present state
of trade and commerce, at a moment when
every mail brings fearful proofof the insta
bility of both. It is the adventuring of all
the means of the Commonweath on the
bare hope that the same fortunate eircum•
stances which so recently filled her treasu.
ry will again occur. It concerns us dearly
to consider all the chances of such an event,
before we place the State completely at its
mercy. To my mind they appear very
slender. But even if they were much
stronger, we should not depend on extrane
ous and occasional aid. Our resources are
at home—in our
. citizens—in our charac•
tor—in our mountains and in our valleys.
Lot us not be tempted beyond our steady
pace to:prosperity by accidental circumstan
ces, or retarded by their failure. While
the credit of the Stale is made to depend
solely on the prudent and punctual manage.
moat of her affairs, and her wealth flows
from her own inexhaustible and unborrow
ed resources, no outward changeb can ma
terially affect her.
With these objections, I hasten to return
the bill, that the Legislature may have time
to re-consider it; and, if the opinions herein
expressed should be approved, may be ena
bled immediately to provide liberally for the
prosecution of works which all agree to be
proper and necessary. In such a measure
it will afford me great pleasure to concur.
Should it, however. pass by the constitution
al majority of the Legislature alone, I most
sincerely hope that the evils that have been
predicted may not be realized. In that
event I shall participate in the common joy
at its good effects, and will be gratified that
the superior intelligence of the Legislature
foresaw certain benefit where my fears be
held only impending danger.
JOSEPH RITNER.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Il an i
isburg, April 3d, 1837.
IteN . V. 7.1 w Relley Is
CERTIFICATE.
VMS is to certify that I was severely of
flicted with the disease technically
termed Bronchitis, the Tonsils considerably
swollen and much inflamed,the uvula or pal
ate permanently elongated, the Trachea or
Windpipe exceedingly painful, my disease
waaso extensive and aggravated, as to dia•
qualify me from my protesetonal avocations,
and I was induced to make application to.
the celebrated Professor Doctor Smith 4
Baltimore, who cut off a part of the palate,
which gave some little relief, but still did
notcure the disease under which 1 was Iti•
b0ring........
' As a dernier resort I appli ed :to Dr. F. •
J. Small a Botanic Physician of Hanover,' ,
now of Gettysburg, by whose care, skill
and judicious treatmenta have been perfect
!y and, radically cured; and I thus make it,
public as an act of but common justice to
the Doctor, and from a 'full & strong senseot
gratitude to him, and at, the same time as,
au inducement to others similarly effected
to avail themselves of the like benefits, as
witness my hand this I Fib day of Septem
ber, 1H39. EZRA KELLER.
Tane g ytows.tr.
, .
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_ . ....„.„..,....,„ /..27..._..._
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AND
EMPUBLI9AN BANNER.
B. S. PAXT & G.M. PIIII,TAPSI Ed's.
GETTYBIIUItG, October 1.1839.
DEMOCRATIC ANTI-MASONIC NoMINATIoNs
FOIL PRESIDENT,
Gcn. WII2I. genry garrison.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
Daniel Websler.
Sen at aria l Eirctors.
JOHN ANDREW SIIULZE, JOSEPH RITNER
Representative Delegates :
let District: LEVIS PASSMORE,
2d do C 1.1) W A LLA DER EVANS,
do CHARLES VV ATERS,
3d do JONATHAN GILLINGHAM,
4th do Amos ELIA AKER,
do JOHN K. ZEILIN,
do DAVID POTTS,
sth du BoIIERT STINSON,
Gth do WILLIAM S. HEN DEU,
7th do J JENKINS ROSS,
Bth do PETER FILBERT,
9th do JOSEPH H SPAY!),
10th do JOAN HARPER,
111 h do WILLIAM M'ELWAINE,
12th do JOHN DICKSON,
13th do JOHN NVI( EFAIAN,
Ilth do JOHN' REED.
15th do NATti N BEACH,
16th do NKR MIDDLES W A RTH,
1711) (10 GEORGE W LICER,
18th do BERN!! AHD CONNELLY, Jr
Ipth (lo GEN. JOSEPH MARKLE,
'2oth do JUS ['ICE G. FORDYCE,
21st do JOSEPH HENDERSON,
224 do HARM AR DENNY,
23.1 do JOSEPH BUFFINGTON,
24th do JAMES MON PGOMERY,
25th do JOHN DICK.
emocratio Anti-Masonio Ticket.
N
ASSEMBLY,
snantel M. Sinyser,
William Albright.
PROTIIONoTARY,
Amoi
REGISTER & RECORDER,
William Kink: \
CLERK OF THE COURTS,
Samuel R. Russell.
COMMISSIONER,
Joseph J. Kuhn.
AUDITOR,
Samuel Durborow.
DIRECTOR OF THE POOR,
Jacob Sterner.
SHERIFF, •
George W. NCiellan.
• .
CORONER,
Anthony B Kurtz.
COZTN`I' unzisnya ,
THERE will be a county meeting. of the
friends of Union and Harmony in the
Anti• Van Buren ranks, at the American
Hotel, in Gettysburg, on Wednesday eve
ning the 2d of October, inst. at. 7 o'clock
P. M. Business of importance will ho
transacted.
Oct. 1.
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
Tho Democratic Anti-Masons and 01l the oppo
nents of Martin Van Buren and friends of the
Constitution and laws, will hold meetings at the
following places, to wit:
Ono at the house of James Ileagy, on Marsh.
Creek, on . Tuesday evening the Ist October, inst.
at 7 o'clock P. M.
Ono at the house of Solomon Albert, in Hamp
ton, 00 Thyrsday 1/lc 3d .October, inst. at 2
o'clock P. M.
One at the iIOWIO of Jacob Bushey, in Berlin,
on Thursday evening the 3tl Oetuber, inst. at 7
o'clock I'. M.
Ono in Althlttstown, on Friday the 4th Octo
ber, inst. ut 2 o'clock P. M.
Ono in the house ofJohn Miley, in Oxford, on
Saturday the sth October,iost. at 2 o'clock P. M.
Ono in Arondtsown, Franklin Township, on
Saturday the fith October, mist. at 2 ocluck I'. M.
One at the house of George Snyder, Tw'o Tav
erns, Mountjoy Township, on Monday the 7th
October, inst. at 2 o'clock P. M.
The candidates for the vtirious offices, it is ex
pected will attend these meetings. It is right that
the people should see face to face, and converse
with those who ore candidates for their support.
It is the true repnblican system, and we hope be
fore long to see it universally adopted throughout
the State. It is decried and abused by those who
are afraid to discuss their principles before the
people ; but the people have a right to know the
sentiments of the candidates whom they are called
upon to vote fur ; & none but aristocnits will,dony
their right to be made acquainted with the senti
ments and principles of thoso who are candidates
for their suffrages, and who are to become the
representatives of their interests. The Loco Fo
cos of this County arc opposed to this System,
because their principles will not bear investigation.
They aro, however, invited to attend the above
meetings, where they will be respectfully beard
in defence of the doctrines of Cleir party. Every
citizen of every party, is respectfully invited to at
tend these meetings.
COUNTY COIaMITTEE,.,
• NOTICE,. -
Tho undersigned takes pleasure in announcing
to the patrons of tho ~S tar and Banner," that in
future, Mr. George M. Phillips, We Editor of the
Carlislo Herald arid Expositor, will he associated
with him in tho editorial management of this pa
per. By this errangement, wo feel certain of
Inaltin'g the "Star" more than ever worthy the
patronage and support of our friends, whilst wo
indulge the confident expectation of seeing our
hopes realized, by receiving the libern) support of
generous public. In the fallowing article Mr.
Phillip* introduces himself to our readers.
ROBERT S. PAXTON
TO TULE READERS or , Tim STAR•
Observing tho obligation imposed by custom,
the undersigned, intends, In a short address to the
patrons of ilea Star, to state tho principles which
shall govern him whilst laboring in connexion with
the present editor in the conducting of it. Believ
ing the legitimate end of government to be the pro
motion of ~t he greatest good of the greatest num
ber," we are consequently a republican, in favor
of that form of government which ensures to the
citizen, the greatest amount of liberty consistent
with the general social welfare. We would not
have it understood by this that we belong to the
"fierce democracy," which despile the salutary
restraints of law, and which claims to exercise
through "Committees of Safety" composed of
"patriots" hired by the head, a supervisory power
over the constitution itself. We are ono of the
people, and as such claim the privileges secured
by the laws; but we claim them according to
law. Wo do not believe that an individual is
competent to judge of and vindicate his own real
or fancied wrongs, though countenanced by "the
people" whom he has hired, either in the cock pit
or dog pit, to become ssitidignant" aril "to see that
ho shall have tits rights."
It will be soon dint we are in favor of the su
premacy of the laws, and of their exposition by
the constitutional tribunals, supposed to be con
versant with them, instead of having them con
strued "by a committee of Safety" and execu•
led by a mob.
These notions will perhaps be deemed to savor
of refinement, when it is recollected that the ap•
pointed. tribunals, in conformity with the great
loco foco.principla, have become the mere rellec•
tors of the will of "the powers that be—expo
nents of the sentiments of the mob, sometimes
known as the "indignant peopls."And we con
fess there is but too much ground for the opinion :
still we like the form of law, and prefer even tho
show of justice to its bold abandonment. In con.
fortuity with the sentiments we hold, it will be
our duty to admonish the people of the untold of
mischiefs which must result from the adoption of
the loco foco doctrine, namely, that every man may
redress his own wrongs, through the iistruinen
tality of an armed mob, instead of seeking legal
redress before the legal tribunals. In this country
Tur, LAWS •111: SOVIIIIEIGN, and we shall en
deavor to vindicate their majesty against all at
tacks, from secret as well as open foes ; from the
insiduous design if secret societica as well as
from the open treason of "Committees of Softly."
Some may imagine that what is predicated of
loco focuisiu in the preceding remarks, is only
applicable to it as it exists in Pennsylvania.—
That in this state it has assumed its must malig
nant and pestilential form, there is no doubt,—
But loco focuistri is a foul disease at best; and
where the greatest. care is taken, by those who
still entertain respect fur the forms of decency, to
conceal its most disgusting features, these latt..r
aro, over and anon, becoming exposed to the pub
lic, shocking it by the loathsomeness of the spec.
tacle exhibited. If it is thus foul and disgusting,
when masked by those who still entertain respect
for outward decency, what features mils( it exhibit
wheniiiiatised by such men as David R. Porter,
Who keno disgUise and strip bare its nakedness !
•• But the tendency of locofocoism is to demoral
ize and debase. This is proved by the hundred
instances, where honest men, some how or an
other, have been inveigled into the party, and be
ing so inveigled; •haVe Straightway adopted the
worst principles of a partk.more corrupt than it
has hitherto been the duty of the political.histo
rian to notice. It is time, therefore, that the prin
ciples of locofocoism should be checked. How
Is Tars TO 'as DONE? By concentrating the
force of the opposition to tho ifational adminieira
non, on a popular candidate for the Presidency.
There was a time when the whigparty of the
Union had it In its power to rescue the country
from the paralyzing and destructive grasp * of loco
fccoism. But, unwisely, it abandoned its high
and commanding attitude, and permitted the ene
my once more, to assume the vantage ground.—
In abandoning its commanding position the Whig
pony was guilty of more sins than one. In the
first place, it lost sight of its own paramount max
im, "principles not men ;" in the secund, it was
guilty of the sin of ingratitude towards Pen. Har
rison, whose name and agency had phieed victory
within Its reach; and in the last place, it sinned
against the country, wher. it fell down and wor
shipped Henry Clay, instead of rendering its de
votions to the country itself. This bin, however,
is rather to be imputed to the loaders of the whig
party, than to the purty itself. We ace no salva
tion for the party, other than to retrace its steps;
logo back to the position it occupied at the open
ing of the campaign of 1837, immediately succeed
ing the late Presidential election ; nux vs Ter.
FLAG or GEN. HARRISON ; make proclamation
in the enemies' camp that he is our leader ; put
his name as the battle cry, in the mouth of the
whig party ; shout it from hill and valley, and
while its echoes aro sounding, march boldly into
the conflict of 1840, reinforced by the thousands
that his name will rally. Thus will victory be
won and the country REDEEMED ; otherwise, the
first is lost, the latter endangered. To secure the
ono and prevent the other, we shall labor, at least,
with zeal. The reasons for our opposition to the
general policy of the administration—its sub-trea
sury and kindred schemes for power and plunder,
we will give hereafter in detail.
Especially, permit us to say that we will devote
our abilities, such as they are, to promote the in
terests and honor of Adams county, in which we
have now cast our lot. As a stranger, wo have
admired the bold, decided and manly character of
her people; and more than once when she lies
been called upon to vindicate the principles of
constitutional freedom in the face of locofocoism,
run riot in its ascendancy, or, when the minions
of power have sought to punish hor for the inde
pendence of her sons, and some have entertained
fears for her constancy, our faith in her never wa
vered and when doubts have been suggested of
her ability to stem the popular torrent, we have
exclaimed, 4 , -raver arc HER PEOPLE THEY WILL
rrsvaa.tra.r.Tan." They have ever been victori
ous—they 'deserve to be. To be one of such a
people- , -to deserve their respect and confidence
as fully as they have ours, is our most cordial
wish.
MANY.
Wo shall endeavor, on our part, to make the
"Star." a useful ailitinstructive journal, and we
shall rely wllll confidence upon the hearty support
of all who feel an interest in making it such.
Cana friend of Ida Country support a main.
Surely every decent man will answer xo ! J
B. Danner was a member of the December mob,
that drove the legislature from AM Capital, and
the executive and the Secretary of the Com-..m.:
wealth from their chambers. Let those who vote
fur him remember that the "receiver is as g ad es
the thief."
GEORGE M. PHILLIPS
bur of the mob I
The Election•
We fear thero is too much apathy on the part
of our friends; it is time that they should shake
it off and prepare for the contest. The election
which is approaching is of immense impoitance.
On its result, hero and elsewhere, depends, in a
great measure, whether we are, hereafter, to have
a re-enactment of those scenes of violence and
outrage, which so deeply injured the cause of law
and good order, at the assembling of the legisla.
turn in December last If the same party should
succeed .at the approaching election, which tri
umphed over the constitution and laws, last win
ter at Harrisburg, there is an end to security ;
hereafter our liberty and property will be at the
disposal of the mob- For what will the mob not
have power to accomplish I If it could compel
the Legislature to adopt its resolutions in one in
stance, why can it not do it in another I When
it had power to force upon the people, in violation]
of law, eight membera of the Legislature, fromthe l
county of Philadelphia, in Decenatnr 18:19, why
can it not compel it to receive two members froM
Adams, or any miler county, in Januar, next
If it had power to compel the last legislature to
admit men as members, contrary to law, what is
it to present it from compelling the next, or some
subsequent Legislature, to enact n law for the dis
tribution of your property airmeg , t bad and idle
men, id.rt‘h as composed thub mob? There is no
thing to prevent a mob from exercising such pow
er, but the determination of the people, expressed
at the ballot box, that they will not tolerate such
a violation of their rights—such a desecration of
the principles, which arc the foundations of civil
and religious liberty.
We say to the people, therefore, awake, shake
offyour torpor; du your duty as becomes own and
freemen; declare at the ballot box your determina
tion ti support the cause of law and g-ud ord r
impress upon your neighbors the impute:or w
the coming election, and the necessity lii CY.,I
- ,Fail not to do this. Fold not your arms
and look idly on %%lion there is AO much at stake
—When the issue is b 5 tween anarchy Mid order,
it is no time for the patriot to be lul.ewarin and
careless—he cannot be so and guiltless. The can
didates of the Ann-masonic party are in favor of
law, opposed to mobs ; the loco foco candolate,
are the advocates of the Harrisburg mob and the
apologists of the wicked and 'corrupt judge who
prostituted his authority to tocquit men win) had
bean guilty of ticason against the government.
The "Compiler" of last week, contains another
reflecting on tiro conduct of the commis.
sioners in selecting juries. In the last number of
the Star but one, we uu•lertook to show the false
hood of the charge, by referring to the list of ju
ries drown for too last four or five years. By
such reference, it will be seen that the loco locos
have had a much greater proportion,' than could
have fallen to their share bad the act of Assembly
been strictly observed, and only such of that party
selected hS are "sober, intelligent and judicious
persons;" and this is in effect admitted by the
"Compiler," when it says that "when jurors were
brought from a democratic township they were
those if the least inteltgence." Very compli
mentary this to those democratic jurors!
But this attempt, of the poor shortsighted crea
ture who conducts the "Compiler,'• to introduce
politics Into the jury box, if it has any influence
at all, must operate against his own party. It will
servo to rouse the friends of the supremacy of the
laws, in order, that a commissioner may not be
selected, who would be governed by the pricci
plea of a man who would poison the fountains of
justice, by introducing the same party bigotry in
to the jury box, that infects Its own narrow and
illiberal heart. Wu presume that this man's
hostility to the juries, has arisen from the fact
that he has rarely received a verdict at their hands.
But let him enquire, and it way be, some honest
friend will tell him, that the Llama lies nearer
home.
His eulogy on Henry Witmer (if he is the man
for we had not named him) will not pass muster.
It was not conscience that caused the j;,ror
hold out ; far we have been informed that this
same juror. of to agree to a verdict tor the
plaintiff for the full amount of the debt. pr ov id e d
each party would pay his awn Cost. 'Mc juror
swore to try the cause “according lo the law and
the evidence," and the law is, that if the plaintiff
was entitled to a verdict for the debt, he was also
ontitled to a verdict for fall costs. Where then
was conscience 1 Where was the regard for his
oath? We hope to be enlightened !
DEMOCRATS OF ADAMS COUNTY!
aro you in favor of boxing the Canul Commis
sioners elected by the people, instead of being ap
pointed, as they now arc, by the Governor? If
you are, turn out to tho election on Tuesday next,
and vote for Messrs. Smysor and Albright, who
aro pledged to go for this measure. I.letur*i
and Picking, being old federalists, are opposed t
it, and, if elected will exert their Highly power,
against any alteration in the mode of selecting
these officers. Come to the election, then, on
Tuesday next, and vote for S'myser and Albright,
nu: MURDEROUS PLOT JUSTIFIED 111 THE GEN
Kit AL UOT ERNME:NT.
The national organ of the Van Buren party,
the Globe, in a labored article intended as the
creed of the party, avows and justifies the plot of
the infamous McElwee, and his cut throats, •o
destroy the rail road and molder all the tro.p,,
amounting to upwards of one thousand. NV he,.
will the people of this republic see to what s,
awful doctrines tend] When will they disco‘c,
that they are governed by a tyrant mob beaded
the most abandoned and worthless beings in hu
man shape, the McEtwees and Porters and Say.
ages 1 . 1 When will they vindicate their legal in
stitutions and again be free 1 It is the thity of
the patriotic to struggle to the last, but God only
knows how soon a despot will sit upon the throne
of Pennsylvania.
FreCMCII of %Mums County;
Friends of the supremacy of the laws ! let no
consideration detain any ono of you from the
polls, who is able to reach them. Let no listless
apathy lull you to sleep. The destroyers are up
and doing, and hope to catch the people napping
as they did three years ago. This election is more
impui tant than any preceding one. All the
county officers and the , sheriff are to ho elected
for three years. What a disgrace would it be to
honest and intelligent ADAMS, if any of the
Masonic agrarians were electe,i 1 We have been
sorely cursed for the last three years by a mob
sheriff, who has not been slow in abusing his
power of selecting jurors in the most shameful de
gree. The Prothonotary and Register will have
similar opportunities of mischief. Let no patriot
therefore, vote for an agrarian from personal mo
tives. No matter how fair they are before an
election; when in office, they are all alike— THE
I.l.tblE TOOLS OF A CORRUPT PARTY.
ccrThe next number of tho Star will bojasuctl
on Saturday morning.
FREEMEN OF ADAMS COUNTY! Do
you wish to:ppport the December mob? Vote
then, itifrasonie ticket. Joel B. Danner and
S aw two two of the candidates were in the
mob, ACTSVI•S maninEns; and the other candidate;
approve of the mob.
_ _ _
ANTI MAtiONS OF ADAMS COUNTY!
DJ you wish to ho consistent, and opposed to the
oath-soutid, blood-stained, in.titution of Mason
ry? Then vote against the Loco Fact) Masonic
ticket, which has a Royal Arch adhering Mason
Joel 13. Danner on it, and all the others Jack Ma-
HONEST MEN OF ADAMS COUNTY!
Do you wish to hive the laws faithfully admin
istered? Then vote for an A. , ti-masonic Sheriff,
that the Jury box and the administration of Jus
tice flay not be co - rupted for three years wore, as
they have for the !list three years. Let no perso
nal feelings influence you. •
TAX PA YEUS OF ADAMS COUNTY!
Do you wish to ltns•s the State redeemed from
debt without' raron? Then vote against Me
thra DY and P K I NG. who rota fur the FOUIZ
MILLION MAMMOTH BILL, which our noble
farmer Governor vetoed.
VOTERS OF ADAMS! Go to the polls and
do runt:lves cod
,your emtntry piglet., by oppo
sing the WHOLE Ai 013 TICK EF.
The Loco roc° Caudidates.
What have the loco loco candidates fur Assem
bly to recommend them to the people of Adams
county? As citizens, it is not our intention to
say. A ught amM,st them, but We ask the people to
ciluirt , into their pnlmeal prinoi les and see if
oc be ' , nen ‘‘,;l leeonunctul them to imelli-
111.'11. TP•i,, 6iltff,:ide Nr f Mr Ilarri , -
",..,„; :due; h.tt, 1, , ,t11 bee. , M to C).lJrus ,
tr pn , thc lit
!hut in. b, Leg-,,Ltare from the
Capital—hate expressed then satistacti•oi at all
(lie ruffian acts of (lie Ui, CIIIATeII3 I
TEMS, and of course including the design of Mc-
Elwee, to commit wholesale murder, by Wowing
tip with gunpowder, the cars transporting the
troops. Are men who will justify such things in
politics;proper person's to represent an ortlcr
community - in the legisloture We n.lt the
pcophi—the pevle if all pcblie.l, to reflect seri
ously, before sating for men, justifying such acts
of violence.
It is important al.m, just as important, that the
County offices,'llie uilicos of Prothonotary, Re
gister, Clerk, Sheriff, Commissiner, &c. should
bo filled by men ciitentailling a proper respect fur
the laws, and who will nut prostitute them ut the
dictation of party feelings.
We therefore cull upon the people, to awake to
the importance of the election to he held on Tues
day next, the WA instant. Voting on that day
is not merely a right ; it is also a duty, and the
good citizen mid patriot will nut be performing
his duty, if ho absents himself from the election.
But the people of Atkins county, we feel assured,
will do their duty to themselves, their children,
and their couniry, by recording at the ballot box
THEIR DISAPPROVAL OF OUTRAUE AND
VIOLENCE.
Om* Opponents.
Our Oppone;,,a are active ; he so too. Permit
not yolltselves t? he eurprised by your vigilant
adversaries. Emulate their vigilance; fur that at
least they are to be commended.
To the Polls.
Tuesday the Bth inst. is the day of the election.
The pa.pla h rv., a great and importuat dot, to
perform—the duly of expressing the most tine
ituvocal condonunition of the H rr i f;b T. mob,
and the corruption of Ow fountains of justice by
unjust judges, who use their power to prevent
criminals from being brought to justice.
Go Tat. s TO TO E PO LI.K AI.L, and re
mrd your hostility . to misrule and violonoe. You
cannot perform your duly and stay at home.
In another column we have puhli4ed the
Mammoth Bill vetoed by Gov. 'littler. Among
IL.ese who voted for It, we find the nu In CS of
WM. McC1:IlllY, and
ell IIIsTIAN PICKING.
Citizens of Adams ! can you vote for these
nun. If you tvish to pay a heavy tilde tax, from
your hard earnings, vote for them, nod you shall
b, satisfied tvith taxation to your hearts' content.
If yal In not wish to he taxed, vote for the
o: Economy ami Taxation, Messrs.Ssll'SE U
ad A LL3IUGHT.
Can an honest Anti-mason 'rote for an ad.
ring Mason 1
fhev certainly cannot. If their own profes
-ions heretofore have not been dishonest and by p
acritical, they are compelled by their principles
to vote against adhering members of the lodge.
If they do not now wish to proclaim themselves
aishonest Isnd hypocritical men and
t:iey will be anxious to preserve their consistency
!)y voting against ouch-bound, cable-towed, !oda ,
defending masons. We have been led to these
remarks, because the enemy have attempted to
east suspicion upon the honesty of a few anti
masons, by asserting that they intend to support
Ito) al Arch Mason for Prothonotary, in prefer.
oxe ti It steady opponent of the lodge. These
birders ought to be down at once, as cer
-I,anly• ttie:..; can be no truth in them.
I'URN OUT! TURN OUT!! TURNOUT!!!
For the lust time, freemen of Adams county,
ic e call upon you to prepare for the conflict. De
early at the polls on Tuesday morning next—be
active and vigilant in getting your friends and
neighbors roused up to the importance of the part
they aro called upon to act in this contest for
their rights and liberties; for such a contest it
most undoubtedly is; lend but your aid in placing
the loco fuco, mob-adhering partizans of David R.
Porter in the best offices - in the gift of your coun
try, and you do an act unworthy the name of free
men—you strike a blow at tho very root of your
liberties.
FORWARD! FORWARD!! FORIXTAIID !!!
We cull upon every opponent of the present
ruinous administration to WAKE UP from th,
liehargy which they have to all appearances fall
en into. Is there a man within the limits of tho
community, who, at such a time as this, will be
found deserting his post I ! who, when the crisis
is at hand, and the enemy in his power. refuses
to do battle in defence of the hest interests of his
country. and thus through inactivity, aid a total
want of energy, suffzr defeat and disgrace with all
its ruinous consequences. We think not—we trust
not—then we say spin, FORWARD! FOR
WARD ! ! FOR WARD !1!
To the roters"of . 1 1 ns ,Co.
FELLOW CITIZENS.—
There aro most importan considerations
calling us to an active and vigilant performance
of our duty at the election on Tuesday next. La
the first place, we owe it to the cause of law and
good order, to express our disapprobation of tho
violence and treasonable outrages committed. by
the Van Buren party at the assembling of the Le
gislature, in December 1838. The candidates of
that party, in this county, justifies the mcb in all
its acts of outrage and crime. The friends of con
stitutional liberty cannot, therefore, vote for them,
but it is duo to themselves and their fellow citi
zens, that they should express, as explicitly as
may be, their hostility to men, who are the advo
cates of acts which threaten the subversion of na
tional freedom, by erecting in Cie room of the
law ful tribunals, a bloody minded mch, to judge
between the conflicting claims of their fellow-citi
zens, as was the case at Harrisburg lust Decem
ber.
In the second place, the Van Buren candidates
are the advocates of the system of oppression, pur•
surd by the present administration, towards those
who opposed its accexsion to power. They justify
the violation of the faith of the state, solemnly
pledged lo inilit.iduals and apologise fur the wrung
which has been done to them by the administra
tion, which refit-es to pay them for their hard and
honest labor. It will be understood that we rider
to those who have been ungaged in the employ
ment of the state and who have expended their
money and labor in its service, and which .Gov.
Porter and/)is cabinet refuse to pay mail they
have been “lodger punished" for opposing him.
In the third place the Van Buren candidates
aro the supporters of the prodigal extravagance.
which lees thus far characterized the present ad
ministration, and have always been so, fur it will
be recollected. that at the session 01 the legisla
ture for 1636-7, that the same men, who are now
candidates for the legislature. voted for an appro.
oriation,fin. asingle year, of about 0 !iot•'
000 „! Such men are not fit to represent a
state in the Legislature which is already over
whelmed in debt. These and other considera
tions m list prevent the people from voting fur
McCurdy and Picking—must induce them to be
active in behalf of their opponents, Sing. , ;:r unll
Albright, who are the friends of or.ler, law, econ
omy. Go then to the election—let none stay at
home. Vote for Smyser and Albright, and the
rest of the ticket—aye, camtr MAN.
Fate the 115 hole Ticket.
We would consider it an insult to the intelli
gence of the citizens of Adams county to suppose
.for ono moment that they have net seen AT
()NC E the propriety, the policy, and indeed the
necessity of voting the whole ticket. Let our en;
ofnies have no cause whatever to triumph lot it
not he spread upon the wings of the wind through.
out the breadth of the land, that old Adams coun
ty proved recreant to her duty, even in the small
est parucller.,. The individuals composing our
ticket %ere nomite.ted by a convention of our
own fellow citizens, who on behalf of the diarent.
townsizips which they represented PLEDGED
themselvesto support the WHOLE ticket thus
110111illacd; then laying individual preferences
aside, where is the man that will not come out
boldly, fearlessly, and with the good of his •coun
try predominating over every thing like prejudice
or personal preferences, vote Inc ticket TH1..1
NOMINATED, and the NVHOLE TICKET.
Our County.
Adams county has arrived at a most onviabk
distinction amongst her sister counties of the
state, many of whom are looking forward with
grout unzktv to dm result of the coming election;
then ill her citizens with these diets before their
eyes, and certain victory their sure reward, nut
rouse up to the mighty importance of the work
before them, that they may be ready for the con
flict Come fellow citizens you KNOW your
duty, we ask you TO DO IT. On the one
hand if you contribute in the smallest degree to
wards the election of your opponents to the offices
within your gift, 3op are to a certain degree en•
couragir,g. and-aiding in the advancement of the
notorious principles which characterize the publi
csl creill'of the self-styled democratic party, the
party who BOAST of having set all law ut
deft
auce, and vi,hu by their reckless extrsvagance,and
unprincipled administration of the affairs of state,
have well nigh brougut ruin and bankruptcy up.
un the Keystone state.
siTTo rias
Some or the fivest trees we have seen this sea
son, have been raised by the Rev. J. H. Marsden,
of this place, many of which measure over eight
Met in height,and one and a half inches in diame
ter at the thickest part of the body of the tree.—
Those wishing to purchase would do well to call
upon the above named gentleman as they would
be certain of getting the genuine tree,fully grown.
For Ike "Star and Banner."
Mn. EDITOR - 4 hove Seen several anti
ales in the "Conyiler,"signed 'A Farmer,"
speaking of the merits of the respective
candidates on the two tickets. lie mould
make us believe that we in the country have
Lwen greatly aggrieved and injured because
there are so many of the candidates in
town.
As I was one of the delegates that set
tled the ticket, I will undertake to tell the
Lawyer, who signs himself "A Farmer,"
that we of the country, had the settling of
the ticket and that we put on who we
pleased, and that we are not to be so gulled
by soft soap, about town dictation, when we
know it is false.
This "farmer," who we are informed is a
sort of a lawyer, does not stick very close
to the truth, in what he says. Ho tells us
that the democratic (!) party (which oppos
es the election of Canal Commissioners by
(lie people) has but one candidate in town,
and that for an office of "but little honor
and no profit." Does he forget or lie wil
fully '1 Where does Joel ECDanner live?
Where does Jacob Lefever live? Both in
tuwn; and are they not candidates for the
most ofitahle offices in the county? Yes
they are. The one is ell:n(l64w , for 1 3, .0•
thonotary, and the other for Register and,
Recorder. But we do not think any thing
the worse of these men from being from
town, we only wish to show the:locu face
falsehood.
In relation to our ticket, we will tell how
it came, that the town candidates were put
on. For the offices of Register and Re
corder and Clerk of the Courts, there had
nobody (doled kora the country. This is
the reason why they happen to be in town.
and because they are good men. Att for
She'rifF, it was the country pressed Geerlie
W. M cClellan and not the town. !rho had
depended on the town he would have been
lilt ofT, not because .the town delegates did
t int think him n gnnd man, but because they
knew that the loco locos would make a
noise if t here were many candidates in town.
But we told them we could put on who we
pleased, and elect %%ho we pleased in spite
of loco (ben lies; and we told them, in ad
dition, that we had come there to please
oursaves, md the loco . !liens, Mr. Smyser
and Kurtz were • put on the ticket for the.
same reason. because they pleased us.—
You see we know you gentlemen.
A COUNTRY DELEGATE.
lIIrMENIAL RnGISTEP..'
31AR ItIED.
On Wedneralny morning last, by the Rev. S.
Goblins, the Rev. Emanuel Hrffhein, Pastor of
the German Reformed Church, in Beaver town
ship. I nion county, Ps., to Mias Julia Ann,
daughter of Mr. Adam Swope, of this borough.
On fuestlav last, by the same, Mr. Geo. Way
bright, to Miss Catharine Hackensmith, all of
Cumberland township
On the 22d ult. by the Rev. D. Keller, Mr. Geo.
Stevens. of CumberlanJ county, to Miss Margaret
Lippert of Franklin townshi ), Adams county.
RELIGIOUS NOTICES•
( LT The Rcv. Mr. HOVVITEIN, will preach in
the German Lutheran ChUrch, on Sunday mor
ning next, in the German language,
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Franklin Independent Guards.
YOU will parade at the house of Thomas
Blocher's in Menallen township; on
Saturday the 12tb o/ October, snst. at 16
.'ekek A. M. precisely, in winter uniform,
prepiired with ten rapids tit blank cartridge
.•0.
•By order of the Captain;
ADAM J. WALTER, 0. S.
Ocl. 1.
rzivr croons.
JUST received and for sale at his old
stand, a large stock of
.7VEW° GOODS,
e►mnng which is a great variety of cheap
Cloth, Coatings, Cassinetts,
Itlerinta.s, Calicoes, Si:ks,
Dotnestie Goods—and a very great vari•
ety of Fancy Goods— also, •
Ha rdware, - Stoves, iSte:
Call arid see, the above pods will be sold
at prices to suit the times; for Cash or pro.
duce.
GEO. ARNOLD.
P. S. Old Metal, Copper end Brass, ta
ken in exchange for new Stoves or Goods.
G. A.
tf.
Sept. 24.
FALL & 13 7 1ATER GOODS.
DH. SWOPE bating just returned
0 froni the cities of Philadelphia and
B iltimoro with a large and general assort
ment of
Cloths Cassimerca and Cassinetts,
81 , 1 r mid Mprisio Vetaisigq,
Mick Mattioni Lur,tring,
Bloc and 131,“ It do.
Figured and Plain colored Gro de Nap,
111(m-while de Lames,
6 4 Engkali and French Merino,
3 4 Do. do.
6.4 French Bombazines, ••
Merino and Thibet Wool Shawls,
Highland do. .
White, Scarlet, Green and Yellow Flan
nets,
White Gaose Flannol,
Oz. Unbleached Canton Flannel,
Colo' ed
8.4 and 4-4 Phid Linseys,
81,-ached and Unbleached
Corded Shirts,
Cluernsey Frocks,
Net Lambs' Wool Shirts,
Ladies Black and White Silk Hose,
Do. Wostard , do.
Do. CaShinier do.
Black Wosturd Hose,
Ladies Kid Gjoves,
Do. Lined do.
Bodin and Wool do.
Prints, Checks, Ticking, dec.
1V inch betakes peculiar pleasure in in
vitwg thetie who are fond at Bargains, to
call and examine, as they were bought upon .
Such terms as will enable him to sell therm
LOTT ER Tll AN THE YHA VI: EVER'
YET' BEEA) OFFERED 1N I . WS
MARKET. Now is the time, call and
examine fur yourselves. Country product
take in exchange fur Goods.
Gettysburg, Sept. 24. 1839. tf.
VALUABLE
PIL,OIPERTIt FOR SALE /
SITUATE in Cumberland township, Ad
ams county, Pa., on the road leading
from Gettysburg to Emmittsburg, 4 miles
south of the latter place, adjoining lands of
Capt. M'Curdy and others containing 45Ct
ACItES, about
2b ACRES,
of the atove tam is covered with first rata
Timber. This property will answer to be
divided into TWO FARMS, about 200 t
Acres lies West of the road leading from
Gettysburg to Emmittsburg, the improve.
merits are part LOG and part
STONE HOUSE,' •
Log I3arti & Blacksmith shop, % ; I ;
about 250 Acres East of said
road with a LOG HOUSE, Lu g . bulb, and
Tenant House thereon. The above terra
will be sold together or seperate, or the
West part will be sold in lots -to suit pm'.
chasers. If the above property is WA sold
before Friday the Ist day of November
next, it will, on that day be sold at fublie
Sale.
KrSale to commence nt 1 o'clock P. 411
and terns mode known by.
ROBEPT M. y AIcSHERRT.