Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-02
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.


JANUARY 90, 1859.
FRIEND Row THE weeks business opened
on Monday by doing comparatively nothing,
but there was a slight Improvement on Tues
day, and a commendable 'spitch in'' manifest
ed by some of the members. In the Senate
large number of petitions and remonstrances
were presented, and quite number of bills
read in place; but as they were mostly of a
local nature, such as extending the dog law
to certain county, or repeating auction laws,
opening roads, or tacking supplements to acts
of incorporation, 1 refrain from boring your
readers with even a synopsis of them. A few
alone possess sufficient interest to mention,
viz the petition OF Joseph Brady, an old In
dian fighter, for relief. He belongs to Indiana
county, is now 75 years of age, and poor
His petition will most probably receive atten-
ton. Mr.. Francis introduced bill extend
ing tho law in relation to disturbing religious
meetings to all public meetings. Good. Mr..
Bell, presented memorial from the Progress
sive Friends of Chester county, praying for
the passage of a law against delivering up fu-
gitive slaves to their owners.
The House resolution, passed last week, re-
scinding the contract with R. J. Haldeman
was called up on Tuesday, by Mr.. Harris, of
Butler, but it fell at the first fre-ll Yeas Is
Nays.
The public printing for the next three years
was awarded to A. b. Hamilton on the same
day, in convention, at the following highly re-
munerating rates-Press work, 9 cents and
fraction per token-composition, the same
sum per 1000 ems
The Pine county petitions are still coming
in. l have not the pleasure of knowing who
is pushing the matter here, but whoever they
are, must give them the credit of the most
unwearied exertions. Up to this time have
not noticed single remonstrance from any of
the counties proposed to be dismembered, ex-
cept one from Cambria.
The bill abolishing the Canal Board was
signed by the Governor on Tuesday. "Fare-
well, long farewell to all the pride, pomp
and circumstance of glorious peculation that
made lean purses fat, and transformed beggars
into nabobs
Capt. Bell went up to Cambria last week
and brought down lot Of the distinguished
Cambrians, together with the papers to be used
in the contested election case. Some of the
witnesses have been before the Committee,
and they did then and there tale unfold
which shows what farce elections can be
turned into, when people are so disposed. 1t
is now alleged that not single illegal vote
was given on the day of the election-but the
assertion is qualified with the belief that the
boxes were pretty well stuffed on the night
previous. The case will not be decided for
some days yet.
The Canal Commissioners have laid a copy
OF their journal from the 28th of December up
to the day they were decapitated. The claim
of A. NJ. & K. White, it appears was opened
" md 1f
Strickland, and the certificate was also granted
under his protest, entering upon the journal
his belief that the claim, which was for wood
furnished the Commonwealth in 1856, had al
ready been paid.
intimated in preceding paragraph that
the Record question was settled, so far as the
Senate is concerned; but it would appear the
House is bound not to ssgub it up so, Mr..
Brown" They had another hitch at 1t yester-
day, and the same subject was continued to-
day, and we are now in q fair way of having
two Records.
Ihe bill to prevent intermarriage between
=, nhi'es and blacks has been reported in the
. iiouse as committed. What an extraordinary
piece OF legislation for black republicans. Do
thcy wish to encourage the growth of illegiti-
mate mulattos7
On to-day Mr.. Boyer read in place a bill to
exonerate James l.. Bonner from the nayment
Of certain commissions.
The supplement- to the Lock Haven Rail-
road, authorizing the company to borrow
$500, 700, has passed both Houses, and only a.
waits the signature of the Governor to become
o law.
The latest of interest here to your people is
talk Of erecting your county, Jefferson, Elk
and Forest into new judicial district. This
ought to be done, since the territory of the
s.wild cat" district is extensively laid out,
though thinly populated.
Not word this weeR in regard to the remo-
val Of the county seat, but 1 am tod by one of
the professional borers that the gentlemen in
terested in the matter are expected to be on
hand next week. We shall see. In the mean
time, remain.
Respectfully yours, SPECIAL.