Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-28
EFRoM Our OWN CORRESPONDENT.
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG
HAansBURa. Pa.. Jan. 2. Sc.

Z
ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
Quite an effort viii likely be made this
winter to pass law abolishing the death
penalty in Pennsylvania. Senator Lowry
has introduced bill to that effect, and is
preparing himself to push it with much
energy. Hon. H. NJ. Bovee, of Wiscon-
sin, was in Harrisburg this week with a
view of furthering the measure. He pro-
poses to lecture on the subject at different
points in the State, from the present time
until about the first Of March, unless the
desired legislation shall be obtained before
that date. It's expected that large num-
Der of petitions viii be presented, asking
/ for the passage of such law, and there is
likely to be more than usually earnest en-
deavor on the part Of the friends OF this
movement to make it successful.
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
The second volume of this work, pre-
pared by the State Historian. Prof. Samuel
P. Bates, has been published. 1t is royal
octave in size, contains ] .359 pages, and
embraces the records Of thirty.f four regi-
ments for three years and veteran service,
! from the 5lst to the s4th inclusive. The
history comprises an account ofthe organiza-
ton and service in the field Of each regiment,
together with roll giving the name, age
and residence Of each officer and soldier, the
date and term of enlistment, the promotions,
the discharges, the casualties, and the place
/ of burial Of those who died in the service
where the same can be ascertained. The
work is accompanied by several maps and
an Illuminated frontispiece, showing the
/ National and State eolors, seven in number.
/ About half the third volume is now printed,
and it will require fourth to complete the
history. The edition has thus far been
| limited to five Thousand copies, though the
work is stereotyped and the plates in the
possession of the State printer No plan of
distribution has yet been decided upon, and
it Is useless to make application for copies
at the present time, 1t is more than likely
the present Legislature viii take some ac-
ton as to the manner Of distributing the
work aud provide for its speedy completion.
The history has been prepared with great
degree of care and pains taking on the part
Of Prof. Bates and his assistants, and viii
constitute a lasting monument in COM
memoration Of the patriotism and heroism
Of Pennsylvania 8 sons.
/ THE sCULL-FINDLAY CASE AGAIN.
The committee 10 this case for the Seat
as Senator from the twentieth district, and
/ 10 which Scull, Republican, claims a ma
iority over Findlay, Democrat, the sitting
I Senator, has been drawn. The committee
consists Of Republicans, Senators Lowry,
Brooke, Osterhout and Allen; and Demo
era-s, Senators Randall, Lindermau and
Brown. This gives the Republicans one
majority on the committee, but as Senator
Lowry is noted for voting about as he
chooses, independent of party, the contest is
considered very close.
THE INAUGURATION
Of Governor Geary into his second term Of
Office took place on Tuesday. The day was
pleasant, and the display of military and
other organizations quite imposing. Owing
to the presence of a negro regiment of
militia from Philadelphia in the procession
the fire companies of Harrisburg, some
seven in number, left the line soon after its
formation, and marching to their several
headquarters, disbanded This action on
their part is generally condemned by the
Republicans of the city, while the Demo
Gratis are of course loud in applauding it
They allege that their course was prompted
by no discourtesy to the Governor. but by a
| sense OF injustice in being placed in the rear
of the eolored troops.
The ceremonies otherwise passed off very
satisfactorily to all
THE LEGISLATIVE RECORD
as published under the old contract having
been abolished, an effort has been made to
obtain an official publication of the proceed
ings of the Legislature in some modified
form. A special joint committee appointed
to consider the subject reported a new con-
tract on Thursday by which Records to be
published at $l4 50 per page, with abstracts
of debates, and the exclusion of reports of
Heads of Departments and much other cum
bersome and useless matter. Under the old
contract the Record was published at SIS 90
per page, but was so numbered up as to
make it emphatically a speculation JOB.
! Neither House has yet ratified the new con-
tract, and there is little possibility either
will-the Senate having referred the subject
/ back to the committee, and the House not
having taken final action in regard to it.
THE STATE TREASURY
Investigating Committees have as yet made
no special developments The House com
mittee consists of Messrs Adaire, Ames,
Hall, Burlington, McCreary, Ellis and Dill
of Union. In the Senate the subject has
been referred to the Finance Committee
with power to place the State Treasurer, or
any other State officer under oath. The in-
| Yestigations are to be into the alleged frauds
and corruption in connection with the cleo
ton of State Treasurer, and the improper
use of the public monies. IF q tenth part
Of the charges made ard reiterated on the
streets and through the press are true the
committees viii have an opportunity to
make some startling developments
STATE EDITORIAL ASSOCIATION.
This association will hold its annual
meeting for 1870 in Harrisburg, on Thurs
day Of next week The Association will be
called together at clock in the afternoon,
and the meeting will probably be held in the
Hall of the House Al Pennsylvania
editors, publishers and reporters are eligible
to membership. and are invited to attend
1t is hoped that the experience at the As
sociation last year will enable the members
TO make the present meeting of some
practical value