Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-03-30
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG

MARCH 26, 1859.
S. B. Row, Eso.-Deqr Sir Although it
may not be strictly legislative news, it is ney-
ertheless welcome news to your readers when
assure you that the river is still up, and SO
is the price of lumber. Every third man you
meet about the Railroad station has a bundle
under his arm. and is sure to be a lumberman
-ssYanks'' they call them here. The river
is likely to continue high for week or two
longer.
The House having fixed the 5th Of April as
the day for final adjournment, 1 had an idea
that We would shut up shop about that time,
but the Senate has concluded that we cannot
get through before the 18th, which will not
onlv fill ND the one hundred days, but enable
the members TO witness the deliberations of
the Democratic Convention which meets on
the 18th of April to do what the Lecompton
office-holders left undone on the 10Th inst.
We are soon to have an additional dose Of
Fry divorce case. The newspapers have been
keeping the interest in it alive by writing fe-
rocious leaders, and on Wednesday the long
looked for bill was reported. Mr.. Hammers
ly, the Chairman of the committee made an
affirmative report. aud Immediately followed
it up by offering a resolution fixing special
session on Thursday and Friday evenings to
act upon the bill. The resolution was voted
down, and the bill is therefore likely to come
| up in regular order on the private calender.
What the result will be l cannot conjecture,
but that something will be done in the premi-
ses is conceded by all hands and the cook.
| The supplement to the exemption law has
passed the Senate, and do not see any bar
rier to it becoming law. It was amended,
however, materially before it passed, SO that 4
waiver only holds against note or obligation
given for house rent, or necessaries absolutely
used in a family, and when the exemption is
claimed in real estate, the amount shall be
$500. 1 consider this wholesome amend
ment-it is bar to imprudent men squander
ing their money uselessly, and at the same
time the dishonest man can take no more adj
vantage of it than he could of the law as it
stood heretofore.
We'll, the Governor gave official notice to-
day that he has signed the bill incorporating
the CIearfeld Gas Company. l presume the
corporators will now go to work, get the stock
subscribed, build the works, and light up-at
least they ought to, whether they do or not.
The bill authorizing the people of Clearfeld
county to vote on the question of removing
the county seat to Curwensvile has been re-
ported as committed by the House committee,
on whose file it now is. Yesterday, however,
motion was made to re- commit it to the CON-
mittee, which carried, and they had a meeting
last evening at which II. B. Swoope, Esq, was
to have a hearing. Whether it will be report
ed negatively or not, 1 hold to my original o.
pinon that the bill will not pass. OF course it
is not pleasant to me to throw cold water upon
the shoulders of those who spending-their
time and money in the cause, but you will
perceive that l am candid.
4 bill has been on the Senate file for long
time having for its object an alteration in the
districts OF the Supreme Court. Yesterday
it came up, and an amendment was offered by
Mr.. Brewer making Harrisburg the permanent
place for the Court to meet. This amendment
was lost. The original bill contemplated two
districts, Eastern and Western, and the sit
tings to be at Philadelphia and Pittsburg. 1t
was lost, by tie vote, so that the districts re-
main they we're except that the Northern
| District (Sunbury)was subsequently abolished.
| 4 bill for the better securing of wages to
laborers in several counties was passed in the
| House to-day. Clearfeld is included. For
working mines, land, &C., the laborer has
lein upon eihter, to certain extent, if l am
rightly informed of its provisions.
Yesterday q bill was passed in the Senate
for the appointment in each county of a board
of visitors who shall visit and examine the
Poor House, and make report of the sanatory
condition of the same.
The House has passed several stringent joint
resolutions in relation to the refusal of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company to s'ante' up
a small balance of S97 600 due for tonnage
tax. The first authorizes proceedings for
forfeiture of charter in the Supreme Court,
and the second authorizes the Auditor Gener-
al to charge interest at the rate of FIVE per
cent. per month on the amount which remains
unpaid. From the manner in which these res
olutions went through, 1 don't think the Com
pany will make any further effort for repeal
of the tonnage tax this session
Several of the Passenger Railway bills have
gone through, and there has been unusual ex-
citement. Let them fight it out. If there
has been any bribery, your uncle hasn't seen
the color of any of the funds, and he there
fore don't care damaged potato who wins.
Yours, SPECIAL.
ATLANTIC MoSTHLY.-We have received the
April number of this periodical, which has
| been daily growing in popularity, until it has
attained n circuIafi0n of Al OOn This II has