Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-23
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
Special correspondence of the Raftsman, Jour

Special correspondence of the Raftsm an IS Journal
FEBRUARY 10, 1859.
S. B. Row, Esq Dear SIR Another Dem
ocratic head has been chopped of in the
House. Mr.. McClain, of Phila., has leave to
60 into state of retiracy, and his place has
been taken by Mr.. Matthews, the contestant.
say, let there be no more contesting of seats,
or there will not be a corporal's guard left for
the Democratic party in the House.
l have been looking over the act for crea-
ting the new county of Pine. I thought of
copying the proposed boundaries, but il would
take up too much room. The project has
made no headway since my last. Yesterday
Senator Cofiey presented number of remon-
strances against it, from citizens Of Cambria
and Indiana counties.
The ..remoyal'' men have disappeared from
can or can not accomplish things, this depo-
nent is not prepared to say.
The new judicial arrangement drags too. l
suppose that those interested in 1t will push il
at an early day. At least it is so intimated.
On the file of the House, notice a bill for
incorporating the Clearfeld Gas and Water
Company. If your citizens really intend 60
ing into such improvements, which it would
seem the spirit of the age demands in every
town of any pretensions, they will have the
benefit of the experience OF neighborng towns.
The gas works of Johnstown cost $50 900,
those of Hollidaysburg the same, those of
Huntingdon S12 900, and those of Beliefonte
about SIS ,000-of Lewistown, SIS, 900. The
difference is considerable, and on the con-
structiOn of the two first named somebody
must have realized handsomely. Works cost
ing about $4,000 could be easily made to
yield six per cent. in Clearfield, or mistake
| the size OF the place, and there is no truth ia
| the reputation of its citizens for being public
spirited.
The great everlasting ''American Improve
ment and Loan Company which has kept
Gen. Duff Green here since the early part of
the session, was most sgnally slaughtered in
the Senate on Tuesday last. Still it may have
another hearing, a motion was made to-day
(but ruled out OF Order) to reconsider.
Why was you not here at the editorial Con-
vention on Wednesday There was a very
large, highly respectable, and supremeIy dig
nified crowd in attendance. Morton McMi-
chael, of the Philadelphia North American,
presided, but for while shared the honor of
| the dignified position on the Speakers stand
with Gov. Packer, who talked of the printing
office being the poor boys college, and how
| he rose from printers devil. Glad You
wasn't here after all, for you might have got
top-loftical ideas in your head-thought of
running for Governor at some future day, and
turned up your diminutive proboscis at your
uncle.
The bill for n general Banking Law, after
undergoing numerous amendments, has passed
to second reading in the Senate. It's provi-
sions are like those Of the law in force in New
York and Ohio, and could not fail to work to
the satisfaction of the people. 1t will carry
in the Senate, but l am not prepared to say
what its fate will be in the House.
A bill in relation to evidence has been be-
fore the Senate ever since the beginning OF
the session, standing No. 2 upon the file. Its
provisions are to admit parties to a suit to tes-
tify-in short, to make every person capable
of giving evidence, whether ever convicted of
crime, or whether party to the suit at is
| sue. The bill was taken up on Thursday, and
several very brilliant speeches in its favor were
made by Messrs. Cofey, Bell, Finney and Pal
mer. Mr.. Bell offered an amendment by which
parties to suit can only testify at the instance
of the other party. This is the most impor-
tant bill Of the session, and will work an en-
tire revolution in the laws of evidence. if
! passed.
Both Houses adjourned yesterday till Mon
day. Yours, SPECIAL.
AsKISG roR MoPE Tho prosida,, Of A.,