Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-07
fron1 6arrisburs.
Special Correspondence of The BRADFORD
REPORTER.
HIDprcp1rpr Do Eab 1897

Special Correspondence of The BRADFORD
REPORTER
HARRISBURG Pa, Feb. 4, 1867.
1t seems as though there is to be perpet-
ual strife in our political ranks for Senatori-
al honors. We have scarcely come out OF
one contest Of prodigious proportions, until
another is to be thrust upon us. Already do
we hear of prominent politicians pressing
their claims for the seat now occupied-and
which will continue to be occupied for two
years to come-by BUCKALEw. A number
dates. They are mostly from Central, North
ern and Western Pennsylvania. The East
ern frontier of the State has no claim to urge
in this connection, as it now has the Cover
nor, Attorney General, U. S. Senator elect,
besides other officers, and the Chairmen of
nearly all the prominent committees of both
branches of the Legislature. 1t seems rath-
er early to be agitating this question, as it
will mix into the State and County elections
of 1867 and 1868, and cannot but be product
i've of evil. Would it not be better to let the
matter rest for year at least? A twelve
month hence will be early enough to begin
the contest, and there will then be ample
time for the various aspirants to 60 to work
and urge their claims upon their friends and
the public.
There is a probability that the present
Legislature will pass bill calculated to eff
feet in great degree the present rules in
force in our State relative to the reception of
testimony. The proposed measure is in
tended to give persons the right to appear
in Court and give evidence in suits in which
they are interested. This is privilege grant
ed in nearly every State but Penn'a, and its
adoption here would doubtless work the
most important reforms. The subject is
worthy the attention of our Lawmakers.
One of the most important measures in
troduced in the Legislature this winter has
been passed by the Senate. 1t is an act to
create loan for the resumption of the over
due loans of the Commonwealth, and pro-
vides that inasmuch as bonds of the State,
and certificates of Indebtedness, amounting
to twenty-three millions of dollars have been
| overdue and unpaid for some time past, and
| it is desirable that the same should be paid
| and withdrawn from the market the Cover
nor, State Treasurer and Auditor General
shall be authorized to borrow, on the faith
of the Commonwealth, in such amounts as
! they may deem eypedient for the interests of
| the State, S23, 900, 000 and issue certificates
OF loan, or bonds for the same, bearing in
terest not exceeding six per cent the prin-
cipal of said bonds to be payable as follows
S5,O000 600 after five and within ten years 4;
$4,000 900 after ten and with fifteen years I;
$40, 900, 600 after fifteen and within twenty
five years. No certificate authorized to be
issued shall be negotiated for less than its
par value. The bonds and certificates now
over due shall be receivable in payment of
the new loan. All loans of the State not vet
due shall hereafter be exempt from State,
municipal or local taxation after the pay
ment Of the interest due Feb /, 1867. The
bill was introduced in the Senate by Mr..
CoNNELL, of Philadelphia, and is said to
have been approved by the State Treasurer
previous to being presented by the Senator
A joint resolution has passed both Houses,
instructing the Military Committee, in con-
nection with the Governor and Adiutant
General, to frame militia law for the Com
monwealth.
A resolution has been adopted in the SEN
ate instructing the General Judiciary Com
mittee to inquire into the power of the State
to control and direct legislation, SO as to reg
ulate the charges of railroad corporations
for passengers and freight, to prevent extor-
ton, to assert the power of the State govern
ment to secure the rights of citizens, etc.,
and report by bill or otherwise, at an early
day.
Mr.. Shoemaker has introduced in the Sen
ate "an act for the better and more impair
tlal selection of persons to serve as Jurors in
the several Courts of the Commonwealth. -
1t provides that at the general election in
October, 1867, and tri-ennially thereafter, the
qualified electors of the several counties
shall elect (as other county officers are elect
ed two sober, intelligent and judicious per-
sons to serve as Jury Commissioners in each
of said counties, for period of three years
ensuing their election, but the same persons
shall not be eligible for reelection more
than once in any period of six years-pro-
Uided, that each of said qualified electors
shall vote far one person only as Jury Com
missioner, and the two persons having the
greatest number of votes shall be duly elect
ed Jury Commissioners for such county.
The Commissioners shall meet at the seat