The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-02-08
Correspondence Of the Public Ledger.
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.

HARRISBURG, Jan. 90, 1s55.-The follow
ing supplement to the act of 1917, to define
and punish the offence of bribery, has been
pending and discussed before the Senate lol
several days, and passed this morning "Iha'
no person who shall have knowledge OF any
facts material 10 the proof OF the crime for
hidden, and punished by the act 10 which
this is a supplement, shall be excused by
any allegation OF pretenoe whatsoever from
testiiying his or her knowledge as aforesaid,
in any sui, or any cour, of justice, or in any
inquiry or investigation before any commit
zee of The Legislature of this Stale POW
ded, The testimony of such witness nor any
facts by him developed shall in no wise be
given in evidence against him in any civil
or criminal suit"
The object of this bill is 10 put a stop TO The
bribery and corruption that have disgraced
the Legislatures of Pennsylvania for a num-
Der of years, and spread their odious fame
throughout The whole country. By throwing
wide open the door to testimony, and reno.
wing all danger of persecution 10 The witness
disclosing his participation in these lrar sac
lions, it is believed that the opportunity OF
bringing these corrupt practices to light and
furnishing them, will be greatly increased.
MIR. Price in The course of his remarks, made
some disclosures startling 10 persons who
were not brought into contact with The last
Legislature. He stated that after The pas
sage OF the Consolidation Bill through the
Senate, aod while il was ct pending before
The House, he was directly approached by a
member Of the H., asking compensation for
support of the bill, & its safe conduct through
that body. MIR. Price promptly refused TO
be engaged in such a transaction, and re-
monslrated with The member upon The i'm
propriety Of bis course, representing the
justice of the Consolidation Bill, aud tho
unanimo US sentiment of The people of Phila-
dolphin in its favor. The reply was, ,hsi he
was aware Of that fact, bu, he thought here
was "~sOmehing in it," and tina; he might as
well make a LITTLE, aud that he knew fifteen
others who were ready 10 ald in It's passage
for a reasonable compensation. Thoroughly
disguised at The mans venslily, MIR. Price
rose in order tina, he night depart, when The
miserable creature turned, and as q las, ap
peal exclaimed, "Cant you gire us (irs dol
lars apiece W
A, an illustration Of The character Of The
Leg i%slaIurs abroad, MIR. Price related Ell in.
eidenkhat occurred TO him during a recent
voyage 10 Europe. He embarked in one oil
the first class steamer, on board Of which
he was introduced 10 an officer OF the army
a man Of approved valor, a thorough sentls-
man, aud one of liberal requirements. Az
ter the acquaintance had ripened into int.
macy, this officer Informed him that when
he was first introduced as a Pennsylvania
Senator, he felt great reluctance 10 take by
the hand or cultivate such an acquaintance ;
that in The West the character Of the Legis.
lature Of Pennsylvania was most odious, and
that he had often fell mortified by the Infa-
nous reputation thus attached 10 his native
State.
A very large number Of petitions were
presented from Bucks county. signed BY tax.
ables Of said county, to the number OF soma
1890, in favor of the proposed new coun,y
Of Penn, oui of Bucks and Philadelphia.