Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-02-06
Notes from Harrisburg

Senator Bigham, OF Allegheny county
will shortly introduce bill providing for
what has been styled General Railroad
Law When the subject comes up before
the Legislatures Il desperate struggle is antic-
ipated between the people and the powerful
railway m0nopolies that are overshaiowing
everything in the State. 1t is predicted
however, that, unless their representatives
display quite different disposition and act
in manner wholly at variance with the
course pursued by members of the Legisla-
ture during the last half dozen or ten years,
the people will find that the Railroad
Companies will have the Bill so distorted,
before it passes, that it will look more like
their bantling than the offspring of corpo-
ration ridden public.
Persons in the interest of the Connelsville
Railroad are now here applying to the Leg
islature for repeal of the law repeating
their charter, passed two years ago. Mem
bers fromthe West are actively working for
| its passage, and, as matter of course, the
| friends of the Pennsylvania Railroad are us
ing their influence to prevent it. 1t is con-
tended by the supporters OF the ConneisVllle
project that there is nc propriety IN gigan-
tic corporation like the Central Road OBJ
| jecting to the development of portion Of
| the State which has thus far suffered from
| that if she has any money to spare, she
should assist the Connelsville company, in
stead of throwing obstacles in the latters way.
| A bill has been introduced into the State
| Senate, at the instance of Treasurer kem-
bic, authorizing a loan Of twenty three mil
! lions of dollars to redeem the overdue
| bonds OF the State amounting to that sum.
| The bill provides that the loan be divided
| mt oia ~ fIVn mill nt
| the new bonds to be payable after five and
within ten years; eight millions after ten
and within fifteen years; and ten. millions
at any time after fifteen years. The bonds
are to be sold to the highest bidder, but not
! below their par value, and the overdue Sc
curities may be received III payment. The
| old bonds are mostly five per cents, the IN
terest on which was payable in gold land was
so paid until the premium on coin was run
up to a fearful point, since when it has been
paid in greenbacks. The new honds are to
| bear SIX per cent interest, and will likely be
made payable in currency. The measure
meets with much favor from the fnanciers
of the State and the people who hold the
old bonds.
At the January Court of Quarter Ses-
sion in Berks county, Mr. jonathan Bieber,
u Judge OF election, was convicted for mis-
demeanor in rejecting, at the October cleo
tion, the vote OF one Samuel Reimert on the
ground that he was a deserter. 1t was evi-
dent. from the muster roll, that Reimert had
deserted from Company G, 74th Penn a reg
iment, and hence Bieber rejected Relmert' S
vote in compliance with the provisions of
the act of Assembly of last session-which
law, as well as all others relating to the hold
ing of elections, he had sworn faithfully to
administer. When the facts in the case
were laid before Gov Geary, he pardoned
Mr.. Bieber-being unwilling to see good
citizen punished for a mere discharge of his
duty under the State law, and especially as
the suit brought against Mr.. Bieber was at
the instieation of one who had deserted the
flag of his country in the hour of peril.