Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-02-05
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
HAaR,sBuao, Feb. 1, 1873.

Editor SeStiRef: As your reader
know, Governor Hartranft has assumes
the duties of his Office. They do not
however, all know how be astonishet
the politicians by the appointment o
Hon. Samuel E. Dimmick, of Wayne
county. as Attorney General. it having
been believed by that potential class O.
individuals that that office would be filled
by either Hon. Wayne Mcveigh or Hon
VIM. II. Armstrong. The appointment
of Dimmick is a strong one and meet,
with general approval, satisfying alike
all shades of Republicans.
The appointment Of Col. NJ. S. Quay
of the Beaver Radical, as Secretary ol
the Commonwealth is also favorably re-
ceived, particularly by the press of the
State. it. with one or two exceptions.
having emphatically endorsed him. 1t is
high compliment to the Colonel, and
will not be lost on him There is a quiet
unassuming dignity about the man that
attracts attention and inspires respects.
His ability is abundant to fill the place,
and he has the reputation of being one OF
the most astute diplomatists within the
limits of the Commonwealth. predict
for him a successful and honorable career
in his new place, and the enco,,;ams of
the people extended voluntarily and as
loudly upon him ct the end Of his term
as they have been extended to Colonel
Francis Jordan, the courteous, able and
honest Secretary of State under ex-Gov-
ernor Geary's administration.
The appointment of Maj. A. w. Nor
ris as Private Secretary is creditable
one. The Major is deserving, having
done good service on the field Of battle,
and in the recent political campaign was
one of our most active workers.
Few changes, SO far. have been made
in the departments under the direct con.
troll of the Governor. Those yet to
make will be made slowly and with great
care. Argus stands by with her hun
dred eyes. watching every change, noting
whether it be for the better or worse
Never in the history of the country were
the acts Of public men so scrutinized.
This critical scrutiny arises from the
circumstance Of the fall aud
utter overthrow of the reputation of
scores of prominent and able public men.
who in their prosperity sought their own
at the expense Of their
people They are stranded for life, and
will die the death Of the political hulk.
{! shall give the Governor credit for every
good appointment. Being an admirer
and friend Of his. of course l shall not
play the part of Aatterer by CLOSING
over bad appointments, if he makes any.
I shall speak of them as the case merits.
This. too, is our duty in the vocation of
a correspondent We. however, appre-
bend no such unpleasant duty. for the
past six years of official life of Governor
Hartranft proves him a man of discern
mcnt. ability. firmness and unainching
We predict for him brighter
and more ably conducted administration
than ,hi. Commonwealth has bad for
years
Both Houses of the Legislature have
adjourned over until Monday evening.
of importance for the State has
yet been DONE The bill most talked of
here is the one asking for an appropria-
tion of million of dollars for the Cen
tennial exhibition at Philadelphia, on the
4th Of July. 1876. People have opposed
it because they think it is an enterprise
to the removal of the State buildings to
Philadelphia.
A food of local bills have been steadi-
y flowing in since the opening If the
Legislature, many of which have been
read in place. Your members have had
noth ing important before their respective
bouses, excepting the repeal of the Juni-
alta county printing bill. 1t passed both
houses and is in the hands of the Gov
,rnor. DR.. Crawford read a petition
praying that the eale of liquor on election
lays be prohibited for "a hours instead
If l2 hours, a. the law now requires.
He was incorrectly reported in a number
IF the daily papers as having presented
, petition for Juniata county asking for
he repeal Of the Local Option Law
The mistake was promptly corrected in
he papers that made it, but not before
number of county papers had got hold Of
he mistake. and justly opened their bat
:eries. on the mythical petitioners. If it
rad been true. Juniata would have
gained an unenviable notoriety.
A resolution was passed in both the
Senate and House prohibiting the use Of
'piritous liquors in or about the halls of
he Senate or House. 1t is an ugly crit
cism on tLe habits of the members to
,lace such a resolution among the records
If the Legislature; yet it is necessary.
or their habits are becoming Known.
they must improve them. or have their
nflu,nce as moral and decent men en-