The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-01-31
HARRISBURG.
Gayety AT the State Capital; JOI4n Hich:
man ON the Rampage; The WOru w .ase
10 be stricken from the COnSthtut0ni ;
Hon j. y. Black: Shugert Contested =
lection Case: Committee on kaLirO"os
fu tho House. etc. etc.

quite gay and likewise festive, for
some days past. Good use was made
of the snow by those who love to SIT
behind a spanking team, in cosy
"cutter," with ample furs, whilst they
keep time with their thoughts to the
naturalization of the "merry, merry
bells" and the ice was made the scene
of all those varied and intricate
and interesting performances which
distinguish the skating-park of the last
half of the nineteenth century. The
State Treasurer elect, few nights
since, gave dinner to his friends in
the Legislature, which was kept up
until the "wee sma' hours ayont the
twaP "a merry making which was,
doubtless, INDUCED in by some people
in view Of the money-making which
the new official expects to begin about
May next. BY the way it is said that the
State Treasurer's office pays the in
cumbent about 100000 per annum,
though the salary is only $1,000. This
proves that ''sOme things can be done
as we'll as Others" as Sam Patch used
to say. My own notion is that some
things might be done better than others.
J. Hickman, of Chester, who has
more brains than two thirds OF the
remainder of the Radical side of the
House, introduced a joint resolution
theother day, which proposes to amend
the Constitution of the State so as to
restrict the pay of Members and Sena-
tors to 800 per year; and to exempt
them from arrest in all cases, except
treason, felony and breach of the peace
and from being questioned i'll any
other place for words spoken in speech
or debate i'll either House. This "a
mendment is coupled with another
which strikes the word White from
the Constitution, ard confers the right
of Suffrage upon all negroes able to
read that instrument. This latter a.
mendment is as follows:
Sin elections by the citizens, every
freeman Of the age Of t1Ce'at.y-One gears,
having resided in this State one year,
and in the election district where he
offers TO vote ten days Immediately
preceding such elections, having paid
State or county tax within two years,
assessed at least ten days before the
election, and able to read this COnStitat-
ton, shall enjoy the rights of an eiec-
tor; but citizen of the United States
who has previously been a qualified
voter of this State, and removed there
from and returned, and who shall have
resided in the election district and paid
taxes as aforesaid, shall be entitled to
vote after residing in the State six
mouths: Provided, that freemen,
citizens Of the United States, between
the ages of q and y years, having re-
sided i'll the State one year and in the
election district ten days as aforesaid,
shall be entitled to woe, although they
shall not have paid taxes"
l have very grave doubts whether
this amendment would receive the
endorsement of majority of the voters
of Pennsylvania. In fact, am not SO
sure that it can pass the present Legis-
lature, for, whilst the Radical Peck
shifts of that body are great on forcing
Negro Supremacy upon the Southern
States, they are too cOWardly to ask
their constituents to confer Political
Equality upon the blacks of their own
State. But, nous rerrOnS.
Among the distinguished strangers
who visited our place during the pres
ent week, was Ex-Chief Justice j. S.
Black, now conceded, on all sides, to
be the greatest lawyer on this side of
the Atlantic. No sooner was it made
known that Judge Black had arrived
in town, than he was surrounded by
friends, anxious to take by the hand
the renowned Pennsylvania and
the hOnOred defender of civil liberty.
| can tell you, if had my way about
it, Judge Black would be the next
President of the United States as sure as
he lived to see the sun go down on the
fourth of March, 1869.
The Shugert-Robison contested cleo
ton case in the Senate, drags its slow
length along. The principal witness
for the contestant, thus far, is fellow
who swears that he was bribed. Ifthe
Committee believe the testimony of
such self-convicted scamp, they must
be credulOus, indeed. There was e.
nough fraud on the part of the Radi-
Gals, if properly shown up, to insure
RObison's exclusion by a larger majOri-
ty than that certified against him by
the Return Judges. l understand that
some of the counties in the district,
have been thoroughly sifted, but that
others have been neglected. For in
stance, Blair, am told, has not been
attended to atall. The Democrats can
carry the State Senate, this year, be-
yond doubt, if Mr.. Shugert be saved.
There is yet time to work up the coun-
ties that have been neglected. Let this
be done by all means.
Your friends Scull, Roddy, Baer,
Findlay and Hay, Of Somerset, have
been here for some time, looking after
the interests of the Pittsburg and Con-
nellsville Railroad A strong pressure
is being brought to bear upon both
Houses in favor of the restoration of
the Pittsburg and COnnellsville char
ter, but ii is understood that the Penn
sylvania Railroad company will resist
the passage of any bill looking to this