The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-08-07

velope, not only the physical proportions OF
the man, but the judgment, and all the ster-
ner qualities Of the intellect. And such la
Dor affords intervals, when books, il well
chosen and rightly used, may be no; only a
refreshing recreation, but the means of quail
flying for other spheres of duty and useful
ress. Study the example of Skunk catch
its full meaning, ye sons OF toll, condemned
10 indigence; ard as ye pause in labor, and
wipe the sweat from your eyes, look here
See this Monument. Be sill. Listen to its
eloquent teachings. 1t is voiceless TO the
ear of flesh, and yet it speaks language
your inner man can hear. 1t tells you to
love the political institutions of your coun.
try, which recognize no distinctions Of birth
OF wealth "to shield them, to save them,
or perish there too !" it bids you TO cultivate
"uniirirg industry" and ga desire for self
Improvement to fulfil duties 10 which you
may be called with fidelity; to live the life
and die the death of christian man, and
as ye return 10 your labor, and pursue it till
the evening, bear these lessons on your
heart of hearts.
In 1919, whilst the Government was still
at Lancaster, Mr.. Skunk was appointed by
General Andrew Porter. then Surveyor Gen.
eral under Gov. Snyder, to fill clerkship in
his department, and here he won the conf
dence and friendship of both of these distin-
guished men. When the Government was
removed from Lancaster TO Harrisburg, he
had charge, in connection with Captain
McC CaflIster, of the removal of the Records
of the Surveyor Generals Office, which they
carried in team wagon. A great part of
the way Skunk walked, but occasionally
rode the of-horse of the team, by the side
of Captain McC Callister. Such was the en-
try of the future Governor of the Common
wealth into the Capital of the State.
While employ ed in the Surveyor Generals $
Office, he commenced and prosecuted the
study of the law with Thomas Elder, Esq,
of Harrisburg.
In 1914, he marched as a private TO the
defence of Baltimore against an invading
enemy.
Soon after, he was chosen, first, an assis-
tant, and then the principal Clerk of The
House of Representatives, 10 which office he
was annually elecled-whenever the Demo.
Gratis were in majority-for sixteen years.
speak without fear Of contradiction, when |
ave. that the various, complicated, and res
ponsibfe duties of that office were never
more faithfully or skilfully performed, than
by Francis r. Skunk. Indeed, my impress
sion is, that his administration of that Clerk
ship has become an acknowledged model.
The Journal of the House, kept BY the Clerk,
must exhibit from day TO day, an exact
transcript OF the proceedings OF the body.
No matter what confusion prevails-no mat
ter what blunders the Speaker or the men,
bers on the floor may make, the Clerk must
fall into neither confusion nor bIunders He
must understand parliamentary law perfectly
and be familiar with the duties Of the Chair
and the course Of legislation. His eye must
be ever ready to see who rises 10 motion,
and his ear open to hear what is moved };
though his hand may be engaged in enter
ing motion made the moment before. A
resolution, or motion, or amendment is
sometimes sent TO the Clerks desk in a
chirography that wouid'defy an unpractised
eye, perhaps that Of the writer himself; and
sometimes a member, in the haste of the
moment, or from want of practice in COM
position, repeats or omits words, or parts Of
a sentence, until he makes "confusion
worse confounded." On such occasions, the
tall form of Skunk would rise on the instant,
and in clear and distinct voice, would he
read off the resolution, the motion OF amend
ment, as readily as if it were IN print, and
in the perfectness of language in which 1t
ought to have been expressed. Often have
heard members of the House express their
grateful feelings 10 him for the assistance
rendered them'o on occasions Of doubt and
difficulty, and for the grace and good nature
with which he rendered it, causing. them no
embarrassment and modification; but help
ing them 10 results which they were too ig-
norant or too awkward to attain of them
selves. He was wont to direct inexperience
and to encourage modest taleb: on the floor
while, all the time, his own appropriate du-
ties were performed with exac,ness and
promptness. In the tsanscribing roomi his
systematic habits and his ever-vIgilant eye
preserved, through all the chargeful stages
of Legislation, the laws that were passed, in
the accuracy Of the letter. AS Clerk OF the
House of Representatives, he had, more
over the disbursement of large sums oi
public money, for the expenses OF the House;
and while the history of that office shows
that the most scandalous 2eculation is possi-
BILE, the fair fame of Francis R. Shank is un-
tarnisLed by the breath of suspicion. ''It is
required of Steward that he be found faith
full" and faithful was this man ever found,
but never more scrupulously faithful than
where it is most easy and common to err. in
the keeping, disbursement and accounting
for of public money.-His reputation was so
high as Clerk Of The House Of Representa-
tives, that on the organization of the Board
Of Canal Commissioners, he became Secre
tary of the Board, and addressed himself
with his customary assiduity, to arranging
and systematizing the details Of business in