Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-27
1@a RAB1GGaAE AEleg DODR[lARs


as administered under democratic auspices,
not only refuses to clear the -SIlags out of the
Western rivers, but wantonly throws away the
costly 1nstrumentalitieS prepared for their
moval under other administrations. The fol-
lowing from the 81. Loafs Republican affords
considerable food for thought in this connec
ton.
On Monday, as we said would be the case,
the sacrifice of the United States Snag Boats
took place, and great sacrifice it was. Two
of them were sold, with all their tackle, ap-
parel and furniture, and one of them brought
5000 and the other 81, loo. AS we under
stand it, this included everything attached to
the boats, and in this manner they were trans
ferred to Messrs. Feds & Nelson, who are very
honorable and worthy gentlemen. They get
the boats for about SS 900 cash. or S4 900 each.
We have not time to go through the doc u
mentS to what has been lost by the gov
ernment, but hasty- examination of the ac-
counts shows US that, for four snag boats, the
United States paid last year S144,12I 25.-
! These boats were built under the superinten-
dence ofCapt. Russell, and two of them have
now been sold. The original cost of the two
was about So, 600, and now, thanks to Pres
| ident Pierce and few old flunkies about
Washington, this property has been sacrificed,
/ and only some eight thousand dollars Will be
paid into the Treasury under this proceeding.
What has been going onl Can any one tell!-
4 Where was the necessity for this sale, when
the boats were wanted, when Congress had
passed 4 bill authorizing the operation for the
fiscal year, and nothing was interposed but
the Executive veto2 Was there ever such
squandering of property as the giving away OF
S72, 900 for the paltry sum of $4,000.
JUDGE WoRDING ON PRESIDENT PIERo E's
VIOLATED PLEDGE.-Judge Wording. of Ra-
cine, makes the following statement over his
own signature, in the Racine .4drocGte of the
18th inst:
In the month of October, 1852, l was in the
Office of General Pierce, in concord N. H.,
and had at that time conversation with him
in relation to appropriations by the General
Government for the Improvement of Western
rivers and harbors. Taking bound volume
of printed speeches and letters in his hand, he
turned to the letter of Silas Wright to the
Chicago Convention, and observed that the
sentiments of that letter were his own; that he
was not in favor of appropriations by the Gen
eral Government for the purpose of creating
commerce in places where it did not exist, it
ought to be protected and encouraged, and that
he had no more doubt of the constitutionality
and expediency of appropriations by the Gen
eral Government for the Improvement of WeS-
tern rivers and harbors, than he had of the
constitutionality and eXpediency of appropTi-
ations by the General Government for the
construction oflight-hOuses and other similar
objects on the Atlantic coast; and he added,
81 understand the letter of Silas Wright to
the Chicago Convention to be satisfactory to
all Western men, These are his statements
as then made, and to show that am not mis-
taken, | copy this statement of his from a
memorandum then made at General Pierce's
own suggestion.
MORE FREE DEMoCR ATTIC MovEMENrs.-Meet-
ngS were held recently at Dimock Corner
and MontrOse in Susquehanna county. They
were stronger in numbrrs and enthusiasm
than the meetings addressed by the Governor.
Speeches condemnatory of the Nebraska in
iquity and its supporters were made by Hon.
G. A. GroW the .sfuSIon" candidate for Con-
gress, and Hon. David Wilmot. At the Mon
trose meeting the Register says the last named
gentleman spoke for two hours and q half and
that his address was the most able and eloquent
ever delivered by him at that place. 1t was a
mastery effort in behalf of Freedom, and
knocked the Sophstry and noncommittalism
of Bigler sEsl<y-high.'' Mr.. Grow also made a
powerful speech. lie took and triumphantly
maintained his position with Mr.. Wilmot and
the great body of the people of the North
The enthusiasm with which the speeches of
these distinguished gentlemen We're received
shows that the people are sound to the core on
the great question Of Freedom, and that Gov
enor Bigler having allied himself with the orr
ginators and supporters Of the Nebraska swim
die will in the language of Mr.. Chase, the
Democratic ex-Speaker, and editor of the
MontroSe Democrat, s.receive the earnest and
scathing rebuke of the people, at the October
election. ........ ~.