Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-03-04
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT /
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
HARRISBURG, Pa. Feb, %. 1870.

HARRISBURG, Pa. Feb, %. 1870.
THE COUNTY OF PETRoLIA
has at length received what is generally con
ceded to be its death blow in the House, its
further consideration having been indef
uitely postponed by a vote of 90 to 25.
This is ore of the measures expected to ap-
pear regularly each session in the Lagisla-
ture, and has been used for some years as
an electioneering matter 10 the Crawford
district. It is asserted by many, supposed
to be well posted, that its passage through
both branches of the Legislature has not
been desired by certain aspiring politicians,
as a favorable disposition of the question
would dispose Of au important local political
element. The vote on the bill in the Senate
and In the House presents a singular con
trast. In the Senate the Democrats voted
solid for it, and the Republicans against it
with two or three exceptions. In the House
the Democrats were almost unanimous in
their opposition to the measure This
position Of affairs is attempted to be ex-
planned as a Democratic dodge by which
they hope to secure subs antial advantages
in the Senate. The statement is made that
Senator Lowry, who represents the Crawford
and Erie district, made bargain with the
Democracy Of the Senate By which their aid
was secured in passing the new county bill
through the Senate and in electing General
Irwin State Treasurer, while on his part he
was pledged to use his influence in giving
the two contested seats in the Senate to the
Democratic candidates BY defeating The
new county bill in the House the Democ-
racy hope that Lowry will be candidate
for reelection on an independent ticket, a,
his nomination on the Republican one Is
generally conceded to be out of the question.
By having three candidates in the field the
possibility Of eiecting Democratic Senator
from that district is presented, and if ac-
complished, it would probably give the
Democrats majority in the Senate next
year. The condition of affairs in the Craw
ford and Erie Senatorial district is exciting
considerable interest, and it is not likely
that this Democratic scheme will be sue
cessful.
THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
has been under discussion in the House a
great portion Of the week 1t has passed
committee of the whole and is now on sec
ond reading There is a tendency on the
part of the House to pass the bill pretty
much as reported, and the amendments
thus far made are com mparativey unimpor-
tant. The threat to cut off the appropriation
to the Harrisburg fire companies on ac-
counts of their withdrawal from the nro-
cession at the Inauguration of Governor
Geary has not been carried into execution.
and the usual seven hundred dollars allow
ance is made. The salaries OF all the officers
of the Legislature have been increased by
two hundred dollars each, although the
fual passage Of the section in that shape is
doubtful. The most important items of
the bill win be given after they have been
finally acted upon by the Legislature.
THE DIAMOND WATT CASE,
in which Alexander J Diamond, Democrat,
contests the seat of VIM. w. Watt, Repub-
licsn, returned as Senator from the First
District Of Philadelphia, exhibits some
queer condition of affairs in the manner Of
conducting elections in that city under the
Registry law. The fact that party of
about dozen rougbs from Baltimore voted
early and often in various precincts in
that District by perSonating others on the
Registry list has been very clearly proven.
In several cases where the persons actually
registered afterwards presented their votes
they were allowed 70 deposit their ballots.
The action Of the election officers in such
cases seemed to hinge upon the fact of