Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-01-15

and control over all companies alioWeu "
transact business within this State Such
enactment is required for the security OF our
citizens. Millions of dollars are paio OUT
by them Annually for insuranee-much OF IL
under such circumstances as to render IL I'M
possible for private Individual to KNOW
whether the company to which ne pays IS
or Is not reliable Careful supervision, by a
Superintendent appointed by law, and pno-
i. lished reports of the same. under oath,
would prevent much loss and fraud
The security of the companies themselves
REQUIRE an Insurance Department. The
people demand protection from ignorance,
fraud and insolvency Consulting the IN,
surance Journals, We find that as general
thing, Pennsylvania insurance companies
are acquiring an unenvlabie reputation
abroad, affecting the honor and good name
of the State. The great purpose OF the
proposed department, should be protection.
But in connection with it there must be fees
sufficient to cover all its legitimate expenses
and prevent its becoming burthen to the
Commonwealth.
Complaints have been laid before me by
the consumers of gas in our large cities, and
from sense of duty and respect to them /
Law the matter before you. 1t Is stated that
they have no appeal or satisfactory mode OF
redress for alleged impositions OF the gas
companies To what extent these com
plants are just it would be difficult to ascer-
tain, but that there is cause for some OF
them may properly be inferred from the
number, Intelligence and responsibility of
the parties by whom they are made. There
is no reason why such state OF things
should continue to exist, whilst the people,
through their representatives, have an easy
and etfectual remedy.
The Legislature OF q neighborlng State
has created the Office Of Inspectors OF gas
and gas metres. A bill might be enacted
creating similar position IN any city IN
which it may be required in this State, and
such arrangements made as would ensure
Justice to consumers and producers without
being an expense to the State.
STATUES FOR THE LAPIroL AT WASHINGTON
Accompanying this will be found a circu-
lar, from numerous members OF the Senate
and House of Representatives of the United
States relative to an act of Congress, passed
July 2, 1864, inviting leach and all of the
States to provide and furnish statues, IN
marble or bronze not exceeding two IN num-
her for each State of deceased persons who
have been citizens thereof, and Illustrlous tor
their historic renown, or from distinguished
civil or military services, ,such as each State
shall determine to be worthy of this nation
al commemoration" The intention is to
place the statues, when furnished, in the old
hall of the House of Representatives in the
Capitol or the Z. States, which is set apart as
a hall of national statuary, for that purpose.
Other States will doubtless avail themselves
of this privilege, and Pennsylvania should
not be behind them in thus commemorating
the memory of her distinguished dead.
PARIS EXHIBITION.
Doun,,,l,-o,,a ,,iobt ba aff,cially ron
resented in the Model American School
House. at the Universal Exposition of ali
Nations, | caused to be forwarded to the
American Commissioner at Paris, IN July
last. a box containing a large number OF
books and documents relative TO the various
departments of the Commonwealth with a
request that they be placed in prominent
position, that visitors from distant lands
might have opportunity to obtain from their
pages correct idea of the progress and lm'
portance of the State. In acknowledging
the receipt of this package The Commission.
er states that its contents were disposed OF
as requested. And we are assured that the
representation of the extent, characteristics,
resources, progress and privileges OF our
country. as made in the Former Home,
and Free Common School House, attract
ed crowds of curious and interested visitors
and would scatter wide and permanently. In
distinct form. the doctrines OF our Republic.
and result In q rich return to the United
States tor the outlay, and a higher appreci-
alton, among the people OF Europe, OF the
statutes and institutions of this land OF free
dom and equality.
POLICE FOR THE MINING DISTRICTS.
In conformity to an act Of Assembly for
the better protection of person, property
and life in the mining regions OF this Com
monwaalth, approved April II. 1867, and
on the earnest appeal OF many citizens, |
appointed, Immediately after that date, a
marshal of police and a number OF subordi-
mates. to give protection to the inhabitants
of Schuylkll and Northumberland counties.
In these counties, for long time previous,
crimes OF heinOus character were OF frequent
occurrence Combinations of desperate men
were formed to overawe the pr0prietors and
superintendents of the mines, and to control
their management Citizens were murder
ed in their dwellings and on the reads; 9th
ers iutimidated by threats, were driven from
the counties; and feeling OF oflnsecurlty and
terror very generally prevailed. The admin
istrators of the law seemed powerless to
suppress these outrages, or bring the guilty
TO punishment Since the appointment of
the new police force remarkable change has
taken place All lawless combinations have
been dispersed, the persons composing them
having chiefly fled not single murder on
atrocious crime is known to have been com
mitted, an immense amount of capital
that had been withdrawn has returned, and
the people enjoy the assurance of safety and
protection. A similar state of affairs to that
which existed in the counties named is said
to prevail in some parts of the oil regions,
and applications have been made for the
benefit of the above named act 1t is, there
fore, recommended that its provisions be
extended to those, or to any other counties