Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-02-11
PROM THE STATE CAPITAL.
HARRIsBrRGH. Feby.

has induced me to comply with your request
of writing a letter to you during my stay 1t
may answer like the last short sentence which
printers often use to fll up the column. Thus
far legislation has drawn itself very slowly a
long. No acts Of general character have yet
passed. There are several projects of general
importance that must occupy the time during
the session, among them the aPportionment of
the State. the sale of the Main Line Of the
Public Works, general Banking Law, &c.
The application to the Legislature for so many
Bank charters in the country, has induced me
to think that the only way the object sought
for can be obtained in the country is under
general law. Make the basis Of security,
Pennsylvania or United States stock have the
deposits of stock made at the seat of govern
ment with an officer, either the Auditor Gen
eral or some one else; let all bills issued be
done under the supervision Of the officer hold
ing the stocks-then in the event Of a bank
becoming ifsolvent, as the Erie City Bank and
Lancaster Bank have lately, every bill holder
would be paid off at par, provided the stocks
deposited were worth their par value at the
time the bank become insOlvens. By allowing
every person, or set Of persons, to bank upon
plan Of this nature, as has been done in sew
eral States, you take from bank the charac-
ter Of a monopoly, secure the bill holders from
loss, and get rid of set of men who every
year infest the Legislature to use money for
the purpose af procuring bank charters for the
cities and larger places, while the country por-
tions of State. who cannot afford to pay the
price, must be deprived of bank facilities.
Committees in each House have been ap-
pointed to apportion the State, but so far as
have ascsrtained no bill has yet been prepared.
This matter, suppose, as usual. must create
a great deal of excitement and attention, and
have doubt viii tend to prolong the ses-
sion.
Mr.. Penrose has read in his place a bill for
the sale of the Main line of the Public Works
to the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., for 50, ,OOO,-
600. The bill also allows the Railroad Co. to
increase its capitol stock so as to meet this
purchase-which stock is to be transferred to
the State-and a further provision for the
State TO loan to the Sunbury & Erie Railroad
81 ,0O0, 600 Of this stock, to be used in build
ing this road. Would it not be good idea
for the Tyrone 8: Clearfeld road to come in
for a share of this also? 1 am informed that
the bill was introduced by Mr.. Penrose with
out any consultation with the Penn'a Road, or
the Sunbury & Erie interest, and that the Penn
sylyania Road would not accept the bill should
1t pass in its present shape. This is consid-
cred very important move on the part of Mr.
p. as it may defeat the whole project Of the
sale Of the Main Line.
As the smoke Of the Senatorial battle clears
away, some very curious deyelopements are
coming to light with regard to the course pur-
sued by a certain mantle late Nr. Forney-
who figured some in the contest. 1t is now
alleged that the Sage of the Wheat growing
district, had his fayOrite candidate in the per-
son of Judge Black, but assured Mr. Foruey
that if his Honor was out of the field, that he
would be in favor of Mr.. Forncy as his second
choice. In a few days Forney is said to have
appeared at WhcatIand with letter from the
Judge declining the exalted position in favor
Of Forney, which Judge Black, since the cleo
tion, asserts he never wrote. Such is the Cos
! sip of s'the hill," and goes for what it is
worth. The truth is, Forney is hard to cir
cumvent, and never found s.a fOcman worthy
Of his steel'' till he came in contact with Cam
eron. he could easily surround the President
elect, and treat with him by removing all 9th
er objects OF his heart and affections but when
he came to the last charge, Blucher was on
the ground, in the person of the three free
soil Democrats, and turned the tide of battle
| against him. Like a true soldier, he died on
that field without grumbling, and all he re-
quires now is that Buchanan shall staunch his
/ bleeding wounds, which just at this time are
more profusc with blood than even ssbleeding
| Kansas is.
The river at this point broke up this morn
ing and done considerable damage to the Rail
Road Bridge at this place. Fears were enter
| tanned that the structure would be swept off; /;
but the water soon fell as the ice, which had
gorged below, gave way, and the train from
Baltimore crossed it to-day. Ii / should be
here when the Clearfield Bank bill goes to the
Governor, will drop you line informing you
Of the fact. - understand that application
viii be made for several more of those delecta-
bic Institutions, known in these latter days as
Boom companies, upon the Susquehanna. As
these come up hope you will keep your rea-
ders informed. OLDTOWN.
| a MARRIAGE IN THE CARs.-In the cars be-
tween Bangor and Portland, an incident occur