Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-02-23
FROM HA RRISB Z r G.

HARRIsBuRG, Feb. Is, S65
Mr. EDITOR The ratification of the Constltu-
tional Amendments have taken up considerable
time in the House, notwithstanding there was
clear majority in favor of the Amendments. First
each body that is Senate and House, passed res
olution of its own This gave the members an OPP
portunity to make speeches pro and con, but the
law requires that the ratification should be by
Joint resolution that all that had been done ex-
cept the speaking, was of consequence, the
thing must be done over again, and on the evening
of the 7th there was an extra session of the House
to have another debate upon the identical resolu-
tions that were discussed and adoptedabout week
before but these were joint resolutions, the others
were individual
Well no matter, there is plenty OF time, and there
were several more speeches that were spelling to
be delivered and sent through the state. The
speakers on the Republican side or in favor of the
resolutions were KELLEY, of Washington NEGLEY,
of Beaver, STURDEvANT, of Crawford, BUDDIMAN, OF
Philadelphia, DENENs, of Lancaster and MARSH, of
Bradford those on the Democratic side or in op-
position to them, were HAKEs, of LuZene, Mes
LINER of Berks, BOYER, of Clearfeld and WEAD-
MAN, of Bucks. The speeches not lengthy,
but were much to the point. The whole ground
having been gone in the first debate but little
new could be said. The resolutions passed finally
by vote of sixty, to thirty-three. On the first
vote eight Republicans and four Democrats did not
VOTE on the last, three Republican and four Dem
ocratic votes were wanting. Were Imember of the
Legislature would rather have lost any other
vote of the session than the that helped to rat
ify the Amendment to the Constitution which for
ever aboishes slavery. The Republicans not vot-
ing at the last vote, BURGYIN of Venango, who
was at home on account of affection in his family,
KOoNcE, of Mercer, and STACK, of Allegheny; of
the Democrats, NELSON, of Wayne, SINNER of
Northumberland, and BARR, of Clarion. 1t is pre-
sumed that these members were all absent Their
children, or at any rate their grandchildren, will
rejoice, some day that their ancestors did not vote
No on these resolutions.
The remarks of Mr.. MARSH, of our county, were
among the best made upon the occasion. They
were not intended for oratorical flourish but
vanished statement of facts, made in plain com
mon sense way that will commend them to the
good sense of all who read them. l herewith send
a revised copy Of the speech, which 1 hope you
will publish.
The quota for this State, as made by General
ton, that and the bounty law is attracting a great
deal of attention in the Legislature and consum-
ing most of the time. The United States Land
grant is again before the Senate and House. The
Agricultural College folks and the Presidents of
several of the other colleges of the State STIR
ing, each to advance its interests, by this
grant.
On the evening of the 18th there was an exhibi
ton of the pupils from the institution for the edu
cation of the blind. The affair was highly credi-
table to both pupils and teachers. This, and kim
dred institutions, are receiving large sums from
the State each year. and it is usual for several of
them to present their inmates before the LegiSla-
ture each year. Surely no reasonable or human
man can object to the amounts given to these in
stitutons which have for their object the alleva-
ton of those who God has deprived of their
ses, however large these amounts may be.
ARTENIUs WARD jr., gave the citizens of Harris
burg his experience among the Mormons, in lee
lures on Monday and Tuesday evenings. l did not
attend but told that he witty and some
what instructive. Such lectures will do to listen
to once but they soon become stale. The wit will
be laughed at when first heard, but heard the
second time becomes silly 1t is studied wit, which
is in reality not wit but burlesque. The former,
to be genuine, must burst forth from the mind
if by explosion, it must leap ont of the mouth be-
fore the person speaking aware of it, but if it is
studied, it betrays its origin and want of true
"nlOther 1vt and generally carries with it sting
ing under current of i'll concealed malice. y.