Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-02-28
Letter from Harrisburg.


HARRISBURG, Pa, Feb. 26, 1872.
THE M'CLURE-GRAY CONTEST.
The excitement over this case is set
tied at last by the drawing of a commit
tee, OH which there are four Democrats
and three Republicans. Unfortunately
for Mr.. Gray. two Of these Democrats
are under peculiar obligations to Mr..
Mcclure. Last winter, when the Demo-
Gratis prepared to elect speaker pro tem
pore, believing that they would have the
ascendency in the Senate in this session,
they agreed upon Mr.. Purman as their
candidate, up until noon of the day on
which they held then caucus. No one
supposed any one else had any chance,
or was even thought of in connection
with the position But Mr.. Purman had
rendered himself obnoxious to Mr.. Nc
Clure in his opposition to the Border
Raid Bill, and between the hour of noon
and the time the Democratic caucus met,
Mr.. Mcclure had influence enough in the
Democratic party to defeat Mr. Purman
and elect Mr.. Brodhead speaker-who is
now one of the members of the commit
tee to try his case In the case of Sen
ator Dill, of Union county, who is also
on the committee, it is well known that
Mr.. Mcclure was his particular friend,
and helped to debauch the counties of
Union and Snyder, thereby returning to
the Senate Democrat from what should
be Republican district. You can see
by this what chance Mr.. Gray will have
if by any means they can oust him.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
The appropriation bill passed the
House last Wednesday, and will now be
sent to the Senate. In the aggregate it
is near half million less than last years
bill.
NEW WAY OF PASSING BILLS.
Sometimes bills have been passed that
were never introduced others have been
changed materially after they have passed
and before they went to the Governor
and others again have been defeated in
the Legislature. aud yet have been sent
to the Governor as if they had passed,
and have been signed. Senator Petriken
recently stated in the Senate that bill
that was found in the Pamphlet Laws of
1871, called the Low Grade Railroad
BILL had never passed either branch of
he Legislature. Due investigation proved
hat the bill was signed by speakers Wal
lace and Webb, chief clerk Zeigler, and
Mr.. Petriken himself, as he was on the
committee Of " compare bills" 1t is
clear that much fraud is perpetrated on
the community by such acts as these
Some action should be taken to put a
stop to it, as, from Mr. Petriken's own
showing, the committee on compare
bills" seem to be strangely direlict of
their duty.
THE GUBERNAT0RTAL CONTEST.
The near approach of the State Con
vention is creating some excitement among
the various candidates for Governor and
their friends. There seems, however, no
1oubt but what General John Il. Hart
ranft, the present efficient Auditor Gen.
5ral, will be the successful candidate be
ore the Convention. Out of about sixty
delegates now elected forty are for Hart
,anft and the balance scattered on differ
ent other candidates while Chester, Del.
aware, Northampton, Philadelphia, and
yet to elect. will most GER
ainly senc delegations in his favor. The
Hon. John B. Packer is not candidate
VI ooNciHoi, DuJ is d "dllH IItcuu VI
General Hartranft.
The apportionment committee are con-
'idering the matter of Congressional dis
riots just now, and it is altogether likely
hat your county will be taken from her
present position and placed in Demo
;ralic district
ABAD YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.
From the way the spring elections are
going it looks like as if this would be a
very bad year for Democrats. Our Re-
publican friends in Reading, Bellefonte,
md Bedford county have done nobly. -
The news from all parts Of the State is
very encouraging.
The Legislature adjourned last We'd
nesday until Wednesday of this week.
they have fixed upon the 2Sth of March
or final adjournment.
JUNIATA.
''OLD FORT DUQUESNE," 1866.