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

satisfaction of the public, is fact that goes
far 10 justify the honor we are here this day
to do to his memory And let it be consid-
erel that those duties were comparatively
humble. How little is there in the incessant
toll Of a Clerk to reward ambition His du-
ties, like those of the housewife, are ever
recurring and never finished. Complaints
and reproaches are ready for him if his work
be not well done and in good time but if it
be, il is considered matter of course that
his work should be well done, and the world
continues to gaze at more conspicuous OBJ.
jects,
In the winter of 1889, whilst Skunk
still held the Clerkship, that niemotable
epoch in our political annals known as the
"buckshot war;" occurred. During those
stormy days of terror and threatened vio-
lence, Skunk stood firm and uumoved in de-
fence of the Constitution and the usages Of
the House. His counsels were continually
sought and highly esteemed for they were
the counsels of wisdom, and prudence, and
patriotism, and firmness. The incipieat
steps 10 an organization Of the House were
taken under his direction, as Clerk of the
last House and TO his unflinching courage
and fidelity were due, in great measure,
the final and constitutional organization Of
the Legislature of 1899: and the preservation
of the State from frisLtful scenes of blood
shed and civil war.
- Directly on the accession of Gov. Porter,
in 1899, he appointed Mr.. Skunk Secretary
of State, and he became in virtue of his Of
fee, Superintendent of the Common Schools
OF Pennsylvania. AS Secretary oil State, he
maintained the reputation he had gained in
inferior stations, whilst he bent all the ener-
gies Of his position to the accomplishment
of the benignant purposes of the Common
School Law. Having himself been schooled
in poverty-knowing with all the fulness and
z|xactness Of personal experience, the deplo-
rable deslitution of poor children in respect
10 education, and holding, as an elementary
truth of his political creed, that ii was the
duty Of paternal Commonwealth 10 relieve
their unblest condition, he entered upon the
duties OF Superintendent OF the Common
Schools of Pennsylvania with zeal and en-
ergy that showed his heat was in his work,
and which, if he had continued in office,
could not have failed to produce the most
beneficial results for the poor.
Retiring from tho Cabinet of Governor
Porter, Mr.. Skunk removed his family to
Pttsburg, and there established himself in
the practice OF his profession. He had mar
ried, many years before, daughter OF the
late Governor Findlay, and they had reared
an interesting family at Harrisburg The
many friends whom he had made in every
part Of the State, by his obligihg nahners in
the various positions which he had held,
found always hearty welcome 10 his hos
pitable mansion, and were entertained with
unaffected civiliy. Agreeable, however, as
we're the civities and hospitalilies OF this
excellent man, and his amlable family, they
were less honorable TO him than were the
shelter and support which he afforded TO his
aged father, whose last days-he soothed with
tbs most affectionate care. He. extended
protection and assistance, also, to his father
in-law, the late Gov. Findlay, in the days o f
that excellent mans adversely.
Nor were his charities confined to his own
kinsfolk. With big, warm heart in his bo-
som. that could feel for his fellow man, his
hand was ever open to relieve the dessitu-
ton and distress that came under his eye.
have said that he removed 10 Pittsbnrg,
10 practice his profession and lhaVe reason
10 believe that he looked forward to Tong
years of happy retirement, III that city from
The turmoils of public life. There, in the
bosom Of his family-whose idol'he was
in the midst of large and wealthy popula-
uon. whose confidence as man and law
yer he enjoyed, he had'a right to anticipate
exemption from the harrassins cares oil Oh
flee, and lucrative practice of his honora-
BILE profession.
But his dreams of domestic retirement
and of his professional prosperity, were as
unsubs,antiaras the dreams of public men
generally afe There were highly respecta-
BILE citizens who had long looked 10 him as
The Governor OF the Commonwealth. VEN
erable man on the Juniata told me, that he
had yosed'for Francis RI Skunk for twenty
five years before he was nominated. There
were many others whose thoughts had long
turned 10 him in connection with that high
Office, though they had not manifested their
wishes by SO direct an expression. In 1874
the canvass became active between the
friends of the Honorable Henry A. Mullen
berg, OF Berks county, and those of Francis
R. Skunk. The nomination was 10 be made
on the approaching fourth of March; both
candidates were native Pennsylvanians, and
both were Germans both had served faith
fully and acceptably in variods public trusts,
ard both were eminently qualified in all
respects, for the Chief Magistracy Of this
great State. The contest was animated, but
honorable. Before the Convention met, pub
lie opinion seemed to be in equipoise be-
tween these two favorte sons but on the
assemblage Of that body at Harrisburg, on
the 4,h of March, 1914, the friends of Mr.
Muhlenberg were found to be in majority,
and he accordingly received the nomination
of the Democratic party for the Office oil