iipiiOifijapicil. J
BEDFORD, Pa.
Frirfn? Morning, April 4. 1556
"Fearless and Free."
ItVVin OVKR, EDITOR ANIt PROPRIETOR j
,
FOR PRESIDENT:
ML IIM FILLMORE,
OF NEW YORK.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT:
ANDttEW JICKSON DONELSON,
OF TENNESSEE.
■ |
NEW LIQUOR LAW.
The bill "to regulate the sale of intoxica- i
t ing liquors," agreed upon by the committee j
of conference, has passed both houses of the
legislature. It is very stringent, indeed,
to our mind as striugent as the late law.
The licenses will range from §IOOO to §25,
according to the yearly rental. Bedford
Borough will be entitled, probably to about
two taverns, each to pay a license ot §SO.
The Buckalew and Sunday law will contin
ue in force. The bill passed the bcoate by
yeas 27. nays, none; —in .the House, teas,
04; cays, 32. This bill is what Locofoco
isin gives the people instead of the Jug Law. |
We will publish the bill entire in our j
next.
QUERY: —Iu the Report of tbe Poor J
House we find an item iu the account of |
Mr. John 11. Rush, for which iie has him
self credited with §5.50 paid Mr. Frederick-
Turner for bacon. Now, we have been as
,-i;red by Frederick Turner, sr., and his son
Frederick Turner, jr., of Harrison '1 own
ship, that they never sold the Poor House
any pork at all. We know ot no other
Frederick Turner in the County. We would •
like to have a little light on the subject. j
We call attention to the report of the j
minority of the Judiciary ( omtnittee, iu j
relation to the interference of Judges in |
polities. It is front the pen of Mr. JoRitAN j
tiie Senator from this District, and is ably
written, and verv favorably spoken of. Read
it.
Mil. JOHN S GROUSE lately of Bedford,
has taken the Tavern stand in Bloody Ilun,
lately occupied by .Mr. Jacob Ebbert.
We have no doubt he will make an obligiug
ami attentive landlord.
We are under obligations to Hon. D. F.
Ttolu'son, for a copy of his speech in Con
gress, on the contested election ease from
Kansas. ff'e will publish it soon.
Our friends who have changed their I'oM.
Offices will please inform us of the fact.
RICHEST OF THE SEASON. —One of the
rarest and richest feats which the sham and
sublimated Democracy has lately tickled
the atuazed public with, is to show up Mr.
Donelson, the American candidate, as an
obscure and insignificant personage. Well
let us see. In 1829 Geo. Jackson made
him his Private Secretary—a very respon
sible and confidential positiou. In 184,
Mr. Donelson was appointed to the Repub
lic o/ Texas, and aided in its annexation to
the I'nited Stales. The same year he was
appointed by Mr. Polk, Minister to Prus
sia. In 1849 he was appointed Minister
to Germany, and held that office under
Gen. Taylor until it was abolished.
The iotic and conspicuous part he
played in the Nashville Convention, is fresh
in the memory of our readers.
When the venerable Ritchie—the Tally
rand nf the Democratic party —retired front
the Washington Union, Mr. Donelson WHS
sfelectcd as hie successor. Disgusted with
the spoils policy of Pierce nnd his Adminis
tration, he quit the dry rot concern, and
embarked in the good cau*e of political re
form—of Americanizing America.
And this is the man that tbe sham De
mocracy would stultify before the country.
W.dl, if Mr. Donelson is the obsenre and
i-ntvprthy individual they represent, old
fashioned Democracy has much to answer
for.— Daily .Veir*.
Hjtllimore Methodist Conference.
The Baltimore Annn&l Confereice has made
the following appointments for this district: —
CCMBERI.AND DTHTRIDT. —JOHN A . Otf.IXS. P.
E. Cumberland—SamaciKepler. CuiaberWttd
Mission to Colored People—William T. Wil
son. Pliisiijt Grsri.'— E. G. Jamison. Vurth
Branch and Will's Greek — Henry Wilson—
Allegheny—J. A. Coleman; one to S supplied.
Wupternport—J. LhiVJ," (J. W. Curry, Frust
hursr—S. B. Dunlep. !l. ?. Stephens. Schells
hnrg— E. Hiitjer. G. W. Dun lap. Bedford—A.
R. Gibson Bedford Gircut—G. W. Bouse. W.
Stephens. YF or.dberry—W. 1. Mennnger, K.
//inkle, Holli laysburg—G. W. Cooper. Al
toona— Wi third Downs. Briminghim—J. K.
Spangler; one to he supplied. Williamsburg—
J. W. Tonzue. C.uhnont A. K. Reilly.—
Cassville— G. Berkstfcxser. J. W. Cornelius.
Sliirleysburg—S. M. Clarke, G. T. Gray.
T7-We call attention to the remarks of
our able Senator, Mr. Jordan, or. his bill
D- provide for the pre-puytnent of interest
on the State debt, which will be found in
another column. It is a matter of notori
e'y that the surplu- fun D accumulating in
the State Treasury, during the intervals at
which interest on the Sf-iledebt 1- payable,
has for years been used by the Treasurer
tor bis individual benefit; hence the anxie
ty evinced to secure this office at its nonii-
nally small salary. If, as is stated by the
present Treasurer, ami endorsed by Mr.
Jordan, forty thousand dollars aunually oau
be saved to the State by the prepayment of
the interest, an estimate can readily be
made of the pickings afforded by this office,
independent of the salary. Mr. Jordan
deserves the thanks of the tax-payers of
the entire Commonwealth, for the introduc
tion and advocacy of this bill. Its passage
j of course depends upon tbe loeofoco major
ity of tbe Legislature. Whether they will
agree to stop this prolific leak, and thus
save forty thousand dollars a year of the
{■eople's money, remains yet to be sten.—
Sumtr.\'t Herald and Whig.
Cor. Inquirer and Chronicle.
llAßnrmißO, March 3!, 1856.
MR. EDITOR: —The Union Convention held
here on the 2t>th and 27th of this month to no
minate a State ticket passed off finely. Every
Connty in the State was represented, except
Monroe and Fikv; and there were contested
seats from no less than four districts. Good
feeling and harmony prevailed to a degre# un
expected even among its friends. After the
organization, and the adoption of a platform
the first day, it was expected quite an anima
ted contest would take place for candidates for
the several ofiices. But on the morning of the
second day the candidate for each office was
chosen on the first ballot by a more than two
th'rdsvote; and were immediately after ratified
by a unanimous rote. Th • ticket, as you are al
ready aware, ia Darwin Phelps, an eminent
lawyer of Armstrong County, for Auditor Ge
neral; Bartholomew Lapoite of Bradford Coun
ty. and last year aud this year a member of the
House, for .Surveyor General; and Thomas E.
Cochrane, Esq., from York county, and an ex-
Senator, for Canal Commissioner. Phelps is
an American, Laporte is a Kepublican. and
Cochrane is an old line Whig. A State ticket
of better character for integrity, intelligence,
and ability hag s IdoTi, if ever been presented
to the voters of Pennsylvania. It is also a
strong tieker geographically, and uniting as it
does cordially the several parties opposed to
the present national administration, there can
hardly be a reasonable doubt of its triumphant
election. Men well posted in political matters
confidently express an opinion, that whilst the
Republican part of the ticket will insure the
north, the shunt democracy will not be able to
carry a single county except Greene, iu ail
that section of the State west of the Alleghe
ny mountains The convention confined itself
stridftly to Stale matters, and in no wise agitated
the Presidential qnestion now in such an un
settled condition, hut which may yet be made
all right. The compliment to Gov. Pollock;
and thu unanimity with which it was passed, is
a most significant compliment to the present
Executive.
The Report of the Conference Committee on
the liquor law WAS adopted on Saturday last, so
we have another new liquor law. In the House
the vote was 64 to 32; and in the Seuate the
bill passed unanimously, which is considered no
small compliment to tbe Senate Committee of
Conference. You will no doubt publish the
hill: and your readers may determine its mer
its for themselves.
The Senate will have a night session this
evening for the consideration of the proposed
amendments to the Constitution. The appro
priation bill has passed the House, and is now
before tbe appropriate committee in the Senate.
No duv for final adjournment ha* yet been fixed
hut it is generally believed the Legitlature may
adjourn by the lath or 20ia of April.
Yours truly, STI.CYA'FOK ■
REPORT
Of the Minority of the Cummitle OH the
Judiciary, on bill Ao. 660, entitled '-.'in
.Id to prevent the interference of Judges
in pnrtizan politics."
The undersigned, minority of the Com
mittee on the Judiciary, to which was re
fered Senate bill No. 660, entitled "An
Act to prevent the interference of Judges
in p&rtizan politics," being unable to concur
in the report of the majority, and in view
of the important principles involved, con
sider it proper to submit souie of the rea
sons for their dissent. The first section of
the bill declares it unlawful "for any law
judge of any court of this Commonwealth
to participate as an officer, speaker, or com
mittee tnati at any political uieetiug or as
seaiblage for political purposes, under the
penalty of five hundred dollars tor the first
offence, and removal from office for the
secoud or any subsequent offence." The
second sectou merely designates the tribu
nal for the trial of all violators of the first,
arid appropriates the lines. Theso provis
ions ire highly penal, and if enacted into a
law, would, so far as we are aware, ba alto
gether without precedent iD this country.
That class of our fellow citizens at which
this blow is aimed has hitherto had and ic<er
ved the confidence of the people in au emi
nent degree; and the admitted intelligence,
character aud patriotism of those who'com
pose it have given them in regard to tbe
discharge of their public duties, an almost
entire immunity from the provisions of the
penal law. So tar a* is recoileoted,tbc only
offence for whieh a penalty is now imposed
upon a judge is that of .£3OO uuder the
sUtute of 1785, for his refusal to allow the
writ of habeas corpus to a party having a
right fo demand it. This is a strong pro
vision to protect the liberty of bis follow
citizen; but the present bill proposes to
fine him for an exercise of his owu freedom
hitherto unquestioned.
Instances have occurred in the history of
j our own country where it was not only
| proper, but highly commendable, in the
, judges to attend and participate in the
public political meetings of the Cotuiuon
wealtb ;—when our National Union, or aur
constitutional liberties were endangered,
and wheu tho masses of the people looked
aud listened with eagerness anJ confidenoo
to tho wisdom and experience of our jud
ges for light and cotiusel to guide them in
the pathway of duty. Such times may
come again; and were this only a question
of expediency, wo should hesitate long be
| tore enacting such a law as the one uow un
-1 dor consideration.
Aside froiu these considerations, however
there are others yet more important. The
principles of the hill are in direct hostility
with tbe great and fundamental piinciples
of republican liberty, in conflict with tbe na
tural and inalienable rights of man; and in
palpable violation of both the spirit aud
letter of the constitution of tho United
States aud of this Commonwealth. In tbe
first article of the amendments to the con
stitution of the United States, it is declar
ed * Congress shall make no law abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press, or
the right of the people peacably to assem
ble and to petition the government for a
redness of grievances." In the seventh
suction of the ninth article of the constitu
tion of Pennsylvania it is said "The free
communication of thought aud opinions i
one of the invaluable rights of uiau, and
retry citizen way freely speak, write, aq<J
pr'mt on any subject, being responsible for
the abuse of thai liberty."
Chancellor Kent, one of oar greatest
American writers, in his twenty-fourth lec
lecture, in commenting upon these and an
alagous subjects, says: "It has, accordingly,
become a constitutional principle in this
country, that every citizen may freely speak
write and publish his .sentiments, on all
subjects, being responsible for the abuse of
that light, and that no law can rightfully
be passed to restrain or abridge the treedom
of speech, or of the press." Justice Story,
in his commentaries, lays down the same
doctrine, and cites authorities in support
of it. Hut why multiply authorities on a
question so simple and so plaiu as this?—
Could it be said, if this bill were the law,
that any law judge might "freely speak,"
when it imposes upon liitu a peuelty of live
hundred clonllars for the first offence, and
forfeiture of office for the second or any sub
sequent one? Can it bu that this is toe glo
rious and "uuabridged" freedom of thought
and speech, guarantied to us by our con
stitution? If it be, it is an entirely differ
ent thin from what the undersigned have
hitherto supposed it.
We are uware that some profess to enter
tain the opinion that the present bill does
not conflict with the above oited provisions
of the constitution, inasmuch as it only pro
poses by its pains and penalties to abridge
the rights of the judge; not of the ' citizenJ
We hope the day may never come when our
constitutional rights shall be frittered away
by such quibbles as this. Who is aeitizon?
Is not a judge as clearly within the defini
tion as a supervisor, a school director, a
justice of the peace, or a preacher of the
gospel? "Citizen" is a generic term inclu
ding all who have right to vote, and many
others; our Constitution declares that every
free white male citizen, above thu age or
twenty-one years, shall have the right to
vote, and none but citizens have this right.
If we, as legislators, have the rig Lt
speech in a "/au> judge," we have the same
right to abridge it in an associate judge,
in a juryman, in a witness, in a lawyer, or
iu any other "citizzn" or class of citizens.
If we have the right to say to the law judge
♦ hat he shall not, without incurring fines
and penalties, speak at a political meeting,
we have the same right to declare that he
shall not, unless under like disabilities,
speak at social or religious assemblages of
his fellow citizens: aud if thus far. then may
we go further, aud prohibit him altogether
from speaking to his fellow man, either
publicly or privately, upon any subject
whatever. The principle is the same in all
these cases, and if we have the right to ap
ply it at all, it is then only a question of
discretion aud expediency as to how far we
will carry it.
Br the twentictli section of the ninth ar
ticle of our Stare Constitution it is furibor
declared: "The citizens have a right, in a
peaceable manner to assemble together for
the common good, and to apply to tiio.se
vested with power of government for re
dress of grievances, by petition, address,
or remonstrance." In priuciple this sec
tion is analogous to those already cited, and
equally forbids the legislation proposed.—
All citiieus have here the right guarenteed
to assembled together for political purposes
anu to prepare ttielr ••petition, address, or
remontrance." Would it not be a mock
ery to allow them to assemble for these
patriotic purposes, and when convened to
prohibit the one from speaking to the other
and under penalty of SSOO prohibit any one
from acting as "officer, speaker, or commit
tee mau l " The rights of freedom of speech
and of assembling together to counsel for
the genotal good, are among the analieua
ble rights of freemen, and are declared by
our Magna Charta to be a part of "the
groat and essential principles of liberty and
free government," and a* such wore there-
by "recognized and unalterably established.
So have the people, in their sovereign 'ca
pacity, spoken, svben they framed their con
stitution to limit and restrain the power
of the Legislature. These "inherent and
indefeasible rights" having thus reserved
by the people to themselves, aad guarantied
to all, we are not permitted to take them
from either the high or the lowly. To at
tempt it is sacrilege to the sacred rights of
freedom, and treason to the holy oauae of
liberty.
But whilst we thus reprobate any invas
ion of those rights of the citizen, we are
tar from intending to give any coimteuancc
to tbepiopriety of any judge interfering in
any manner with partizaii politics. At the
same tuue that we would secure the high
funotionarries of that responsible depart
in :nt of the government all the rights secur
ed to other eitizsus we would have them
preserve the dignity and honor of the ju
diciary uutotiehcd by aoy participation in
party excitements and strife, whioh must
inevitably bring in question the impartiality
of their judgments in the estimation of the
people, and thus impair official usefulness.
Upon the judiciary mast at last depend our
security fur all we hold most dear as citi
zens, property, reputation, liberty, life, and
the honor of time we bold dearer thau life
When that department of our government
shall be lost ro a proper sense of justice,
propriety and honor, and shall lose the
respect and confidence ot the people, frail
indeed will bo all dependance upon law for
protection or seeuriety. It is tbe rightful
expectation of the people theiefore, and the
duty of all judges who would be faithful to
tbe high duties of their station arid who
would preserve their office uoiuipured in dig
uity and usefulness, that they should ab
stain froiu all practices that may derogate
from the respect and coufideucc in which
they should ever be held by the community,
jr impair the authority of the laws commit
ted to their administration. But it is not
by aendiug judges into tho dock of a citni
nal court or by the trial of them for fines
aud penalties, that the judiciary ts to be
thus preserved. Tbe proposition is i/aelf
derogatory to the bench., and the enactment
of such u bill into a law would imply an
occasion tor it so painful to honorablo minds
that it is difficult to conceive how tnen wor
thy of the high and responsible station
could accept or retain it, under a sense that
they were to he held up to the line of duty
by penal exactions. If impeachment and
dissiuissal from office, for which the painful
and sufficient penalty is dishonor, and res
traint cf an intelligent and sound public
! opinion, cannot preserve our judiciary witti
in the boundaries of piopri-ty, rectitude
; and duty, theu will all security by force of
j law have couie to an cud, ami our system
of government have proved a failure. —
BEDFORD INQUIRER AND CHRONICLE.
Should circumstances requires the ob
ligations imposed by enlightened public sen
timent to be enforced upon the judiciary by
unconstitutional penal enactments, then in
deed will contusion be confounded, chaos
will have come again, and the time will have
arrived for the construction of some other
fonu of government, created upou different
foundations, and embracing different prin
ciples from any known or banded dowu to
us by our ancestors.
Happily no such necessity yet exists; nor
have the undersigned auy apprehension* for
the future. No corruption, bribery, or
other crime, has ever sullied the fair farue of
the Pennsylvania Judiciary; nor lias any
thing occurred iu our history which should
bring upon it the reproach or degradation
proposed by the bill which has occasioned
these reflections.
FR. JORDAN,
March 24, I SSG. KLI K. PRICE.
THE UNION CONVENTION.
HARnisBtRQ, March 2G.—The Union
Convention assembled in the llall of the
Ilmise of Representatives at noon, when
the Hon. John Covode, of Westmoreland
was called to the chair.
Tie following Secretaries were appoint
ed—E. Beatty, of Cumberland, Josiah
Funk, of Lebauon, and J. Ingham, of Sul
livan.
A committee to report officers for th
permanent organization of the Convention
was appointed, and also one to examine
and report upon the credentials of mem
bers, and a recess was then taken until 3 o'-
clock.
The convention is large, nearly all the
counties being fully represented, and the
utmost harmony prevails.
Afternoon Session. —The convention re
assembled at 3 o'clock, when the committee
t o select officers for a permanent organiza
tion, utadi a report as follows:
President—Gideon J. Ball, of Erie.
Vice Presidents—ll. Jones Brooke, of
Delaware: Thos. E. Franklin,of Lancaster
Win. Stewart, of Mercer; John A. Wright
of Dauphin: Josiah Capley of Armstrong;
E. Beatty of Cumberland; C. Thompson
Jones of Philadelphia; Andrew Caws of
Butler; J. F. Lbideraan of Berks: Jona
than Knight of Bucks; Henry Johnston of
Lycoming; Samuel Roger of Blair; L. L.
McGuffiu of Lawrence, D. 0. Boal of Cen
tre, R. P. McDowell of Allegheny; Wro.
Jessup, of Susquehanna; J. M. Oliphaat,
of Fayette; Thos. J. Power of Beaver; J.
McAnallv of Clearfield.
Secretaries—Edward McPherson of Ad
ams, John M. Rheinhart of Schuylkill, J.
T. W. McAllister of Philadelphia, John N.
McDonald of Washington, M. D. Mercer.of
BradrMrd, and Thos. 0. Steele, of Phila
delphia.
The report was unanimously adopted, and
Mr. Bill on taking the chair, delivered a
neat speech, intended to harmonize the va
rious elements of which the body is cora
; posed.
The committee °n credentials made re
port, which was adopted.
On motion, a committee of 33 was deci
ded to be appointed to draft resolutions;
the member of the committee from each Sen
atorial district, to ho selected by the dele
gates from the district. The following is
the committee:
Ist district. It. Flanigen and Henry K.
Strong- 2. W F Small, James Cooper, O
P. Cormnan; 3, Andrew Shreinlin; 4, W
R Downing; 5, J C Meyers; 15, J V Co
well- 7, T K Franklin, J W Killinger, 8,
J A Fisher ; 9, Joseph Weaver, 10, 1' W
Wheeler; 11, W McSellar: 12, David K
Small; 13, James D Smith; 14, Thomas I
Ingham; 15, Geo S King; 10, DII B
Hrower 17. M D Mercer; 18, A G Oltti
stead; 19, S P McCalmoct; 20, David
Derrickson; 21, B B Chamber lin: 22, T
Howard, K D Hazzam; 23, Ceo V Law
rence; 24, Edward Scull; 25, II B Moore
head; 16, J R Morrison, 27, liichard
Coulter; 28, Robert M Palmer.
On motion, the convention proceeded to
nominate candidates for Canal Commission
er, AuditoT General and Surveyor General.
Messrs. E D Gazzam, Robert Still, Peter
Martin, Win. Williamson, Win. P Small,
Ner Middleswarth, Henry W Snyder, Beoj
Hartshorn, A W Benedict, () H IVheoler,
W M Lioyd, \V D Anderson, J A Fisher,
Henry S Rupp, J E Cochran and S J Ni
chols were named for Canal Commissioner;
Peter Martin, David Sankey, C C Walborn,
Darwin Phelps, Jared B Evans, Robt. M
Foust, Nathaniel B Hobaret, Wm. McCon
key, Benjamin Rush Bradford, W S Fra
zer and K G Waterhousc, were named for
Auditor General; and B La'porte, D Hud
son Shedaker, Richard Irwin, Sobiester
Ross, Wilson King, Christian Meyer*, Wm
Evans, W S Bobean,Samuel B Pago, J B
Brown, Henry Antes, Joseph Henderson
and Joseph Snivcley were named for Sur
veyor General.
The convention theu adjourned t li 7 o'-
clock, P. >l.
Bvming Stsxion.—The convention reas
sembled at 7 o'clock, when Mr. Joes up of
Susquehanna, and ./okn Williamson of Hun
tingdon, delivered addresses, urging union
and b irtuony.
The names of Messrs. GuzzaiD, Fisher,
Small, Wheeler and Benedict, Dominated
for Canal Couimissionerf were withdrawn.
Messrs. liotarct and Evans, nominated
for Auditor General, were withdrawn.
The committee on resolutions made re
port, and the resolutions were adopted* sep
arately and unauimousl v.
The question being on the preamble, an
amendment was offered condemning the ap
poiutmeut of foreigners to office, which was
discussed by Messrs. MeCalmont, Ingham,
Small, Cooper, Fisher, Gazzam, Morris and
others.
The previous question was then called
and sustained—yeas 82, nays 33—the
ROiendment agreed to, and the preamble
then adopted.
RESOLUTIONS.
|
Mr. McCalotunt from the committee on
1 resolutions reported the action of the com
; mittee. The report was read, and each
' resolution acted upon separately.
; Aa fiually adopted, they are as follows
i WHEREAS, Tho freemen of Penusylva
! nia, opposed to the national administration,
t are divided into pclitical orgnnizations,hold
| ing on some questions of governmental pol-
I icy divers opinions; yet it is believed that
; a large majority of the freemen of this State
I are agreed upon the momentous issues for
| eod upon the country by the repeal of the
i .Missouri Compromise; by tlie undisguised
i policy of the National .7diuiuisiratiou to
impose by violence and fiand Slavery upou
Kansas, contrary to the wishes of a large
majority of the inhabitants; aud by its un
just, illiberal aud .7nti-7uierican preference
in the appontiuent of men of foreign birth
over those born upon the soil, to offices of
trust and honor, as well as in the distribu
tion of its patronage:
And Whereas, Agreement in principle is
the only bond that can uuite effectively
honest men iu political action. There
fore.
Resolved , That, animated by the spirit of
concession, we will cordially nuite in the
support of the candidates to be nominated
by this Convention. npon the basis of those
principles upon which we are mutually
agreed.
Resolved, That the preseut National Ad
ministration, by the exercise of an unwar
rantable influence in tbe repeal of the Mis
souri Compromise, at tlio instance of sel
fish and sectional politicians: by the remov
al of honest and competent men from offi
ces of honor and trust, in order that their
places might be filled by inefficient and cor
rupt partizans, by refusing to protect the
freedom of Kansas in the enjoyment of the
rights designed to be secured to them by
the Constitution and laws of the United
States—thereby showing itself powerful fr
mischief, but fecb|e m the maintainanee of
laws for the protefcfion of the people and the
honor of the couutry—has justly forfeited
all claim to the confidence and respect of
the pdbple of this Commonwealth.
Resolved , That we will use all honorable
means to check the crib inflicted upon the
country by the unjust and sectional meas
ure* adopted by tbtf present National Ad
ministration, brought about by the exercise
of its patronage; that we are utterly oppos
ed to admission ioto the Confederacy of
Slave States farmed ut of territory once
consecrated to Freedom; and also to the
extension of Slavery Into any territories of
the United States now Free.
Resolved , That we cordially disapprove of
the interference of f'lreigD influence of eve
ry kind in our civil and political affaire;
and are equally hostile to the interference
of the government or people of thoJUnited
States in the affairs of other flattens, regar
ding any such interference as unwise and
in conflict with the recommendation of
Washington's Farewell Addrets, which in
culcates with emphatic earnestness, the
propriety of avoiding the adoption of any,
policy which might involve us in unprofita
ble and dangerous controvcrsi es with toreigu
nations.
Resolved, That we regard the pandering
of any party to foreign influence as fraught
with manifold evils to the country, threat
ening the stability of our institutions and
endangering the morals of the people by a
contract with the paupers and felons cast
upon our shores frotu the hospitals a:id
prisons of Europe.
Rtsolvt ', That as American liberty de
pends for its preservation ou the intelligence
of the people, universal education is the
first duty of the State, and that all attempts
by whomsoever made or from whatever
quarter instigated, to destroy saeh a bene
ficient system by perverting it to
purposes, or opposing its progress or ex
tension, because it is uot the instrument
of inculcating any particular religious creed
ought to be resisted a? fraught witli incal
culable mischief and evil.
Resolved, That the respect and confidence
of this Convention and the people of this
Commonwealth are due to the present Chief
Magistrate of the State qd to the mem
bers of his Administration, for the integrity
purity of purpose and sterling patriotism
manifested in their official conduct, and we
heartily eouiiuend them to the support oi'
every citizen who values the honor and
interest of the State, and can appreciate
the virtues of devoted and faithful public
servants.
[The changes made by the Convention
were the substitution of the present resolu
tion on Common Schools, on motion of Mr.
Cormuan, in place of another of similar
teuor reported by ahe Committee, and the
addition to the lirst paragraph of the pre.
amble is all which follows the word "inhab
itants," as fyllows:
"And by its unjust, illiberal and Anti-
Aoieriean preference to tbe appointment of
men of foreign birth over those born upon
the soil, to offices of trust and honor, as
well us in tha distribution of its patron*
age."
On adopting this amendment, which was
offered by Mr. Palmer, of Sohuilklll, after
some discussion among the members, the
previous question was called, and the main
question was ordered to be put, yeas B*2 to
S3. Ihe amendment was then agreed to,
and the preamble as amended was also
agreedr to.
Mr. Ingham offered additional resolu
tions: *
"Reso/w/, That in the Slave powor of
I this Union, we recognise a great and grow
' ing aristocracy, wbish now oontnds the
j General (Government, and shajies its entire
policy with the design tp make ".Slayery
I national and Freedom sectional," and while
we are not disposed to interfere with Sla
j very iu the States, we are determined to
repeal its aggressions, and to claim for the
North its proportionate influence in nation
al affairs.
Resolved, That we regard the recent de
cision of Judge Kane, iu the case of Pass
more Williamson, as an abandonment of the
doctrine of State rights, and dangerous to
the personal liberty of the citizens of this
State.
Resolved, That we regard the Fugitive
Slave Law as wholly*uncalled for by the
Constitution and au infringement of the
rights of citizens of tho free States, and
ought to be modified.
Mr. Hamersly moved the indefinite post
ponement of the resolutions. The previous
question was called, and the main question
was orJered to he put.
The motion to postpone indefinitely
then agreed to —yeas 90, uays I*.
Tho Convention then adjourned till 9 o'-
clock to-morrow.
SECOND DAY.
THURSDAY, March 27.—The Convention
met at 9 o'clock aud proceeded at once to
noiniuate a candidate for
AUDITOR GENERAL.
Sankey, 7 , Walborn, 3
Phelps, 91 J Evans, 7
Foust, 3 j M'Oonkey, 3
Bradford, 2 (• Waterbouse, 1
DARWIN PHELPS, of Armstrong
conuty, having received a majority of all the
votes, was unanimously declared the nomi
nee for Auditor General.
The Convention then proceeded te nomi
nate a candidate for
SURVEYOR GENERAL.
La porte, 88 Oobesn, 4
Sheduker, 0 Brown, 7
King, 3 Snivtdy, 9
Myrs, 7
BARTHOLOMEW LAPORTE, of
Bradford county having received a majority
of all the votes, was unanimously declared
the nominee for Surveyor General.
The Conveniion then proceeded to nomi
nate a candidate for
CANAI. COMMISSIONER.
j Cochran, 78 j Williamson, 12
j Sfitt, 5 1 Power. 1
Martin, 20 [ Lloyd, 4
THOMAS E. COCHRAN, of York
county, having a majority of all the votes
l cast, was unanimously declared tho nominee
I for (anal Commissioner.
All the gentlemen whose names appear in
the list of general nominations, but where
not voted for, were withdrawn before the
balloting eommenoed.
On (notion of Mr. FTowanl a State Cen
tral Committee,consisting of one from each
Senatorial district, was selected by the
delegates from the several dastriots—as
follows
lW.x. it. Flauigun, Jacob Dock Phila
delphia.
2. Henry L. Bronner, Oliver P. Corn
amu, Charles Thompson Jones, Philadel
phia.
8. Win 11. Slinglfff, Mougomery.
4. II Jones Brcuks, Delaware.
5. Daniel H. Olynier, Berks.
ti. Henry T. Darlington, Bucks.
7. Peter Martin, Lancaster, George Iliff
ninn, Lebanon.
8. 0. F. Mueneb, Dauphin.
9. B. J Ilagenbuch, Lehigh.
11. David Wills, Adams.
12. Abraham Forry, York.
13. K. Bcatty, Cumberland.
14. David C. Boal, Centre.
15. John Penn Jones, lllair.
lti. Philip T. Maus, Montonr.
17. Wm. Jessup, Susquehanna.
18. Gen . Ashley H Mills, Clearfield.
19. Wm. Stewart,Mercer
2U. John W. Horne, Crawford.
21. Michael Weyand,Baever.
22. A 11. Miller, Thomas L. Shields,
.Allegheny.
23. Thomas J. Miller, Washington.
24. Gen. Wm. 11. Koontz, Somerset.
25. Philip Clover, Claron.
20. Israel Gutelins. S.iydnr.
27. Hobcrt Stitt, Westmorland.
28. Robert M. Palmer, Schuylkill.
The Committee met after adjournment,and
elected 11. Jones Brooke of Delaware coun
ty, Chairman.
•Vr. Willis, of Adams, offered the fol
lowing resolution.
Resolved, That the ticket just nominated
be unanimously declared the ticket of this
Union Convention, and is offered for the
support of all parties opposed to the pre
sent Natiojial Adiuiaisttation, at the elec
tion on the 2ud Tuesday of October next.
After so me remarks by Gen. Small, Hon.
Jno. Covode, Mr. Howard and Dr. G.izzaut
the resolution was unanimously adopted.
The thanks of the Convention were then
tendered to the officers and members of the
Legislature for their kindness in granting
the use of the Hall; when the Convention
adjourned with three hearty cheers for '.he
ticket.
.Mr. Filfmorr. — A Washington letter to
the New York Courier snys that the latest
advices received from Mr. Fillmore in this
country, were dated at Rome, in tho month
of February, lie was then about to de
part for Naples, and from that port would
depart for Alexandria, in Egypt Tho Kx-
Proaideut would probably proceed from
that place to Cairo and the Pyramids, and j
might theuec continue his excursion to Je
rusalcm. If he sat fut uu his tour by tho
middle of February, it is expected that Ue
would teach Trieste, upon UU return, from j
the Uiiddlo of April to tho first ot
lt is nol unlikely* therefore, that, fUa first
information of UU nomination \fill reach
Mr. Filltuoro on his return to Europe, and I
of that ho wiU bring UU r- j
spouse to it ititiorsorf,
Auditor Genera! and ihe Banks.
A ease occurred in our Court at this
place: on Monday last, which shows in a
! very strong light the advantage and Dec
ity of having intelligent and faithful men
i ill the accounting depart incuts of our State-
Government. The generality of people are
perhaps not aware of the immense power
| and responsibility confided to the Auditor
• General and State Treasurer, in the settle
ment of accounts, and in collecting and dis
bursing the revenue# of the Commm wealth,
i One of the large items of revenue is that
derived from the tax on the dividends of
Banks. The Legislature, ou the 9th of
March, 1849, passed a bi'l to extend the
charter and increase the capital of the Far
mers' and Maobauies' Bank ofPhiladel
i phia, and which on the same day was sent
I to the Executive for his signature, the 13th.
; section of . which rogui tted the tax on ail
! Batik dividends. On the 14ib of the same
, mouth, the two bou*ts passed another bill
which largely increased the rite of taxation
jon these dividends, and ou that day this
| latter bill was sent to the Governor, and
received his signature on the 15. That
bill repealed -md and annulled the section
in the other bill by uame and title relative
|to taxes, aud went into operation on the
i 15th March, 1849. On the following day
(IGth March, 1849} the Governor signed
the bill which contained the repealed sec
tion. The Banks of the State proceeded in
making their annual ratnrns aed charging
themselves with the tax under the Act of
l.*ith March, 1849, until some time last
fall, when a new light appeared to dawn on
thetn from some quarter or other, when they
refuse! to pay under the act of the 15th,
alleging that the taxes ought to La\e been
assessed under the repealed Act of IGth of
March, 1849, And that the difference
which they had paid under the Act of 1 Oth,
amounting to between §150,000 and §IBU,-
000, should bo refunded to theui. Their
pretentions and claims were warmly backed
: up by certain leading democrats, who
doubtless were actuated only by a desire
for the public good, aud without any ex
pectation of getting any part of this large
j sum which was to be wiested front the Pub-
lie Treasury.
That these banks should have made this
absurd claim, or I bat they should have been
i able to engage the services of men to urge
it, is not very surprising Hut the stran
gest part of all this matter remain* to be
told. That Mr. Auditor (reneral KPHKAIM
BANKS who has had tho advantage of near
; ivfive years' experience in tlie office, and
himself a lawyer of some pretentions, with
:ho construction put upon the law not only
• by his predecessor hut by the Bonks theui
! selves, and the amounts voluntarily paid
without one word of protest fr 5 year-,
should have yielded a point so absurd and
ridiculous. Vet strange as it may seem*
Mr BANKS, when this claim was made, not
vrihstanding the large amount it wonlJ have
taken from the Treasury, settled the ac
count*, and allowed these corporations
everything they claimed.
It was only through the vigilance and
efficiency of the lion. Ki.J Sl-IFRR, our ex
cellent State Treasurer, that this great
wrong was prevented. When the accounts
were sent ti his Department, making this
great charge in the assessment 10 the in
jury of the Slate, he set himself to work
with an honest purpose diligently to inves
tigate the ease, and his clear, sound sense
soon discovered that it was a mere scheme
to nfle the Treasury. Like a faithful, hon
est officer, he withheld his approval, and
sent the statements back to the Auditor
General, with a clear and unanswerable ur
gtynent against the pretensions set up.—
And oow perhaps the strangest of all things
connected with the ulattcr is, that at this
juncture Mr. BASKS changes his tactics,
and settles sevcrul of the accounts accor
ding to Mr. SI.IFKR'S view of the ENS",
protesting however, still, that his first posi
j tion was right, and obstinately refuses t 0
; proceed with the settlement of any more
of the accounts. Those settled were such
as owed but sumll amounts, while iuny of
| the others that are withheld owe many
i thousands of dollars which should have
! been paid into the Treasury yeaYs ago. On
j the trial of these cases, after hearing tho
' ablest counsel at the bar on behalf of the
Auditor General's view of the case, Judge
PKUISO.V was so well satisfied of the ab
surdity of the claim that he directed judge-,
i ment for the Uoutttsirtrealth without liear
j ing counsel in reply.
We liavo given the facts in the case, not
• for the purpose of impeaching the honesty
; of Mr. Banks in the matter, tut to call at
-1 tcntiou to the fact which is admitted by
i ali parties, that Mr. BANKS,occupying the
most important office in the Common wealth
! so far as the public fihanocs are concerned,
1 is perhaps tho public finances arc concern
ed. is perhaps the mostineffieie.it and itr
eompotont officer of the government. His
office, and himself to©, are managed and
controlled by his subordinates. To its du
ties he pays but little attention an I appa
rently feel? littlq iutcrcst in them,or.in tbp
wanuvr of their performance: If evidence
wore wasting of tho minftor in which thi* 1
office has. been m'ui i<red. it ifcFound in the•
fact elicited otVtho trial of these o?u<es tint
,rio settlement ol the accounts of the Bunk
of the Coumwnwuultb h u been made in that
offioe since 1835, whereas the lit? require*
thorn to be made annually. Is it thitvf'<sr ,i
a matter of wader that taxes are 'ouorou*