The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-01-22
From our own Correspondent
Letter from Harrisburg.
HARRISBURG, PA, Jan. Is. 1869.


afternoon for the week. AS yet there has
been but little legislation done. The cleo
tion of State Treasurer, and the drawing of
committees in contested election cuses, have
consumed the most of the time that the Leg
islature has been in session. Quite a number
Of private bills have been introduced; very
few, however, of public nature have been
presented The standing committees in both
Houses have been announced, and as soon as
the election of United States Senator is over,
legislation may be expected to commence
more in earnest.
THE REGISTRY BILL.
One of the prominent features of the pre-
sent session will be the passage of law for
the registration of voters. The law of last
year having been decided by the Supreme
Court to be unconstitutional, new bill was
prepared with such notifications as, it is
thought will remedy the defects of the for
mer one. 1t was introduced in the Senate,
on Wednesday, by Mr.. Taylor of Beaver
For the consideration of this bill, and all
kindred ones, joint committee of the two
Houses has been appointed, consisting of
Messrs. Errett, Stinson, Olmstead, Davis and
Connell, on the part of the Senate, aud
Mcssrs. Strang, Nicholson, Brown Of Hun
tingdon, M'Collough and Rogers, on the
part of the House of Representatives.
| ELECTION OF STATE TREASURER.
The nominations for State Treasurer took
place in the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives on Tuesday. In accordance with
the decision Of the caucus held last week,
the Republicans presented the name of Rob-
ert w. Mackey Of Allegheny. AS the DEM
ocrats had fixed the time for holding their
caucus at 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning.
they had decided upon no particular candi-
date and therefore several persons were NOM
mated. Among the number was w. w,
Irwin, of Beaver, whose name was presented
by Senator Beck of Lycoming. This nom-
nation had the effect of orignatig a nreport
that the Democrats were forming a coalition
with a sufficient number of Republican "bol-
ters" to re-elect Mr.. Irwin. This rumor had
gained considerable credence just previous
to the meeting Of the Democratic caucus,
and for time occasioned quite a flutter of
excitement. If, however, snch combination
was seriously contemplated it was not effect
ed, and the Democrats nominated Charles
W, Cooper of Lehigh. The two Houses
met in joint convention on Wednesday at IL
o'clock, and on the first ballot for State
Treasurer, Robert w. Mackey received IS
votes; Charles w. Cooper, 5l and Morrow
3. Lowry of Erie, that of Senator Fish
er of Lancaster. Mr., Mackey was therefore
declared duly elected State Treasurer for one
year. Senator Lowry of Erie. and Billing
felt of Lancaster, Republicans, did not vote
and Senators Linderman of Berks, and Wal
lace of Clearfeld, and Representative NJ 'Cul-
Tough of Clear6eld, Democrats, were absent.
CONTESTED ELECTIONS.
There are now before the Legislature three
contested election cases. The first is that OF
VIM. M. Bum, Republican, contestant OF
the scat of Daniel Witbam, Democrat, sit
ting member, returned from the XIth District
of Philadelphia as elected to the House Of
Representatives, by majority of 35 votes.
Mr.. Bum claims that if the illegal votes
were thrown out he would have Republican
majority of seventy-three. The committee
drawn in the case are Messrs. Strang, Clark,
of Warren, Westlake, Wilson, Dill Herr,
Leslie, Phillips and Mller-all Republicans
except Dill. The probability is that the
contestant, Mr.. Bum, will get the seat.
The second is that of Mr.. Russell Thayer,
Republican, who contests the election of
Thomas Greenbank, Democrat, returned as
elected by majority of l25 to the Office OF
Associate Judge of the District Court OF
Philadelphia. Mr.. Thayer claims that if the
fraudulent votes were cast thrown out he would
have Republican majority of l,097. There
were over 12l 900 votes polled for the candi-
dates. The committee drawn in the casc is
joint one from the two Houses, and con-
sists of Messrs, Miller, Brown of Northamp-
ton, Stinson and Lowrey, on the part of the
Senate, and Messrs. Nelson, Ames, Beatty,
Hunter, Robson, of Mercer, Goundie, Mar
shall, Josephs and Webb, on the part of the
House Republicans and Democrats.
The other case is in reference to the Office
of President Judge of the District Court
for Philadelphia The contestant, VIM. L.
Hirst, is a Democrat, and the petition sets
forth that he received 200 more votes, OF
qualified electors, than the Republican can
ddate, j. l. Clark Hare, who is returned as
being elected by majority of twenty-five
Mr.. Hirst also claims that over 500 legal
voters that presented their ballots for him,
had their votes rejected illegally. The COM
mttee in this case is also joint one, and
consists of Senators Stinson, Taylor, McIn-
tire, and Brown. of Northampton, and Rep
resentatives Ames, Clerk, of Warren, Steph-
ems Miller Merpdith Nicholson Petera