Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-01-25
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
Correspondence of the craftsman s Journal
HARRISBURG. JANUARY 81 1861


HARRISBURG, JANUARY 81, 1861
DEAR Row The week has again closed
and not much of real interest to chronicle. In
the House they have had two lively afternoon
sessions, got up ostensibly to discuss the reso-
lutions relative to the organization OF Congress
and the Tariff, but in reality to enable some OF
the members an opportunity to splurge, and
not few took advantage of it. The resolu-
tions could have been passed at sight without
useless waste of time, money, and eloquence.
l believe l gave You the first adopted. The
following are the Tariff resolutions, as passed
finally. yeas 63, nays %:
Whereas, The operation of the present rev.
enue laws of the general government is rapid
ly increasing the national debt, crippling the
energies of the nation, Tetarding public i'm
proyements, destroying Industrial enterprise,
diminishing the value of property, depriving
the people OF profitable employment by en-
couraging excessive importation of foreign
goods and other products of foreign labor.
which ought to be produced by our own peo-
pie, and prolonging financial crisis caused
by an excessive foreign trade
find 1odereas, An immediate alteration of
the laws relative to the duties upon imposts is
imperatively demanded, to inspire confidence,
replenish the national treasury, restore the
public prosperity, and prevent the constant
export OF American gold, now annually a.
mounting to the enormous sum Of seventy mil
lions of dollars; therefore,
Resolved 5y the Senate and House of Rspresen-
tatires Of the Commonwealth Of PenasyIvania in
General assembly met, That our Senators in
Congress be Instructed, and our representa-
tIves requested, 10 earnestly endeavor, by their
votes and influence, to procure such a revision
OF the revenue laws as will restore the nation
al credit, prevent excessive importation of for
eign products, and secure to American labor
and enterprise an ample reward.
ResOlred That the views of the Governor of
this Commonwealth, as expressed in his late
annual message, in favor OF placing the reve-
nue. laws upon such basis as to afford TO our
great mining and manufacturing interests the
largest incidental protection, and TO substi-
tute specific for I'D rGiorem duties on articles
which from their nature are OF equal or nearly
equal value, or change the foreign to home
valuation, are eminently sound and practical,
and meet the approval of the Legislature
ResoiUed, That the Governor be requested
to forward to each of our Senators and mem
berS OF Congress copy of the foregoing res
olutions.
In the House, on Friday last, Mr. Barlow
read in place an act authorizing the laying out
OF State road. beginning at the town of Mo-
shannon, in Centre county, to KyIertown, in
Clearfield county.
On Tuesday, M Renton read bill in place
relating to licenses in CleartieId county.
This is about all the local legislation that
can discover.
To-day the Democrats in the House entered
4 protest against the Tariff resolutions-or at
least one of them subsequently attached to the
above-which they claimed to be discourteous
to the President. The House refused to print
the protest in the Record, or even enter it up
on the Journal.
A bill will soon be introduced in the Senate
having for its object the adoption of uniform
series OF School books in the Common Schools
Of the State every three years, to be selected
by a Board of Control. Such law is much
needed to protect poor men against the whims
and fancies OF School Directors and School
Teachers.
Petitions for an additional appropriation of
$4,000 to the Training School for feeble
minded children are moving in from every
section of the State.
Four applications are on hand for Bank
charters. What success they may meet with
remains to be seen.
Yours, &C., SPEcKs.
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