Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-16
OLD SERIES VOL. n. NO. ~


candidate. The result was his election By
large majority
Dur'''9 'he memorable session Of '42 the
STATE was unable 10 pay the interest on the
state debt. The commercial world was
convuised- followed crash and h,nt-
ing institutions were prostra,cd-,he conf.
dence repoSed in them had been forfeited
personal honesty and individual integrity
were objects of suspicion. Domestic credi-
tors, tevered by hopes or chilled with fears,
throHged the halls Of legislation, rctioning
for rights, ciamoring for redress to crown
all, the mammoth creation of previous ad-
mnisraton utterly failed. Ways and
means were TO be provided the emergency
was instant and pressing the cry of repu-
diation sounded across the walers-Siaie
pride was invoked--evcry consideration
called for action. Mr.. Eigler entered ener-
9etically upon his duties defamation ceas-
ed to be Of avail or Needed the Committee
room became the proper sphere Of useful
ness correct information and sound princi-
pies OF action the only means Of retrieving
the past. To the varions points connected
with the finances and resources of the
State, Mr.. Biger devoted his attention.
Being young member both in years and
experience, he seldom obtrudcd his senti-
mens in debate when he did, it was in
the strong yet simple language of common
sense, unadorned with those flowers of
rhetoric which, while they beautiry, seldom
add to the force of reasoning. His opinions
OH all questions Of finauce were listened to
with attention, and regarded as valuable
As the Banks had suspended specie pay
ments, the effort Of the session was to adopt
some means 10 compel them to perform
their duty by resumption. In the accom-.
plishment of this object. MIR. Bieer labored
assiduousIy, and sustained the bill which
finally passed.
The Statue Book of the State was at this
time disgraced 10y the law authorizing The
imprisonment Of The poor debtor, howsoever
hone5t-in erasing this relic Of barbarism
from our code the subject of this sketch was
conspicuously active.
AT the close Of The session Of 1913, he
was elected Speaker Of the Senate, and was
unanimously reelected at the opening of the
session OF 1871. As tie presiding officer,
he was courteous, concIialng, and fun--he
discharged his duties with digui,y-and
won the esteem and respect of all, as eviu-
ced in the resolutions passed al the close Of
the scssion.
At the SUBSEQUENT election he was return
ed to the Senate by an increased ma joriiy.
During his last term in the Senate, he devo-
ted much OF his time to the subject of Inter-
nal Improvements, especially 10 opening the
great thoroughlarcs through our State.
lie retired from the Senate at :he close OF
the term, and devoted himself exclusively
to the pursuits ol Jusiucss-with the usual
results of industry aud in'clligence-an in
dependent competency. His abilities, eXpe
ricnce and sound information on all subjects
connected with the resources and interests
Of The State, together with his purely demo
cratic riuciples-poinled hlm ont as stu
able candidate for Governor. In 1913 he
was brought forward by his iriends-Judge
I1ngstrelh was, however, the choice of the
Conycnlon--an as if every circumstance
tended 10 ald greater lusIre 10 the character
of the ma", Mr., Bigler, though his strongest
opponent IN he convention, was his most
strenuous and ardent supporter in the cam
paign that followed. His time, abilities and
means were devoted 10 the snCccss Of the