The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-20

HARRlsBURG. March 10, 1851.
The Free Banking Bal-hs Probable Fats-7He
Canal Boayd-Mr. Buchanan, &c.
Very little of interest to New York readers has
occupied the attention Of the Pennsy vania Legisa-
ture, during its present session Special legislation
appears to be the slabsorbing subject, until neces
sity alone drives our Representatives to the import
ant public bills. This evil has become SO glazing,
as seriously TO arouse the people, and the effect
will be observed IN the annual election of ndep en-
dent candidates over the shackles OF party. The
political construction Of the Senate is sixteen wings
to sixteen democrats, with one independent. In
,hs House of Representatives, the democrats have
fiftynine wings, thirty. eight; and independents,
,hree merely introduce this feature in illustra-
ton Of what shall say in regard to the Free Bank
ing law, and index of the probable fate Of this
very important measure, after it shall have been
presented to the House of Representatives.
1t very generally conceded by the knowing
ones, thai the bill authorizing free banking based
State stocks, will pass the Senate by one majo-
rity The friends of the measure have counted
noses and they rely sixteen votes for the bill on
its final passage, to the same number OF opponents
with H. Jones Brooke, whig Senator from Chester
and Delaware, as non- cOmmitta, up to the present
atty, If Mr. Cooper should not take it on his mead
TO defend the bill, owing to its recommendation ny
Gov. Johnston, between whom, as ] have often
aveIred, there exists deadly political hostility
The presumption is, however, Notwithstanding
| the influence being exerted by the old banks
against the bill, that it will pass the Senate, the
bill has progressed, section by section, unto third
reading.
| On Friday, test vote, artful dodgers excluded,
| was taken in the House, which may indicate the
| strength of the banking influence. The bill fol
chartering the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, a
new institution, to be located at Easton, came
up in regular order on final passage, when, such
| scrambling for hats and lodging into the smoking
and transcribing clerks rooms, has not been seen
in many day. The vote stood, yeas, 40; to nays,
40. An analysis of this vote, presents Ii demo.
Gratis, q wings, and independents voting for the
| charter and 80 democrats, and wing, as opposed;
with fifteen artful dodgers aforesaid, who dared
not face the music, divided into seven democrats
and eight wings. You will now perceive the Goa
clusion was DESTROYS of arriving at, in regard to
the fate OF the free banking question in the House,
where the subject will be debated At length, and
where, from the singular compile ZION Of the vote on
the new bank at Easton, as well as on other inn
portant subjects, it is very probable the anti bank
| feeling will have to give way before the outside
| pressure, and the new system become law, with
fations and contractons, ending, perhaps, in a
| grand bursting up after the old fashioned plan.
This appears to be the fate of this important
bill; but there may be elements introduced which
may UIIuk hUOut ulilcICHt AZ pICscHt,
| the bill looks ss il it would certainly pass
Considerable feeling has been manifested re.
! gardng the management of the public works OF
the canal commissioner, and with the view to re-
| form the whole system. Mr.. Penniman, demo-
| cratic member from the county Of PHILADELPHIA,
| introduced bill for aboshing the Canal Board.
Mr.. Penniman supported his bill, which creates
a general superintendent, to be elected for three
years, with the subordnates to be appointed for a
like period, with his ordinary ability. Mr. Scoield,
OF Warren, took up the gauntlet in a strain OF
biting sarcasm against the member from Phila-
delphia, and defended the old regime in style
worthy of better cause. The bill was finally in
definitely postponed by avote of 81 yeas to AZ nays
1t was observed that Mr.. Buch lnan was in the
House, and his presence, in Harrisburg, was very
generally attributed to his desire to save the
board, which, and it's appointments, he is said
to exercise controlling influence Ii is rumored,
however, that the bill will be revived again by
motion to reconsider where il will be held in
transilor for the purpo of accomplishing some
other legislative object.
The new militia bill, inuod iced by General
Brindle, which covers sixty four pages, occupied
the attention OF the House on Saturday, and re-
ceived its quietus by an indefinite posponement.
SUsoUEHASSA.