Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-01-02

CHRISTMAS DAY was generally observed IN this
place, and moro than the usual quiet prevailed
Everybody appeared to enjoy the day in their
own way, and although some were seen on the
streets who had imbibcd the "1uid of distrac-
ton," no broils were visible, and the police con.
sdercd It a dull day. Services were only held
In two churches--the Episcopal (St. Matthew's
Church y aud the Reformed Church, where able
discourses were delivered. The interior of the
/ st. Matthews Church, was magniilccntly trim
med with evergrecns, and appropriate notices.
The Reformed Church was also decorated.
triple gothic arch of evergrcons spanncd the pull
pit and similar ono crossed the gallery. Three
large festocns sprang from the centre of the
ceiling in different directions, and everything cv-
On to the tripling Of the sentence ''Glory to God
in the Highest pointed to the Trinity. All the
different symbols were connected, and "rrni'y
in Unity" was the all-prcviiling vet invisible
motto. The name "Emauuel'' hanging in gol-
den letters within the centre arch over the pulpit
in its Specification God be with us--threc words
in onc--symbozed the idea of Trinity in unity
to the fullest extent and the three letters I. II.
S., hanging in the left arch and the star, cross
and crown, In the right also Portrayed the same
idea.
In the afternoon the children attached to the
sunday school assembled at the Church. and
were presented with gifts.
In the Lutheran Church a large Christmas
tree, loaded with gifts, presented II fine appea- |
rance. About six hvndred scholars and teach
ers were present ON this occasion, and gifts were
largely distributed to teachers, scholars and
friends, while the exercises were of the most in
teresting character.
PHOSoGRAPHY IN CouRT PROCEEDINGS. -
Those who are acquainted with the proceedings
of our Courts, are aware of the great amount of
time consumed in taking down the testimony of .
On an average, perhaps, two thirds
of the time is lost in reducing the testimony to
writing, and then only the answers and not the
questions are recorded. Now, when we reflect
that the pay of the SO jurors, and other officials.
aud expenses connected with the court, amounts
to about one hundred dollars per day, or say,
ten dollars per hour for ten hours, which includes
a long night session, we can form some idea of
the great saving in time and money if some
means were adopted to take the testimony of
witnesses rs rapidly as delivered. This has been
done for many years past in some Of our cities,
by Photography or short hand writing, and is
now practlsed oy many OF our Courts in the IN
terror of the State. \ fair estimate we think
would show that mt least one and a,half days,
and according to others, two days per week
might be saved in the county expenses, or from
$3.50 to $500 pei week hy the employment of a
and sklful reporter, whose services,
we understand, can be secured at So per day or
$50 per week. 1t will be seen that saving Of
'nly three hours, during the week, would pSy
he salary of the reporter, and the clear gain to
county would not be less than S120 per week.
Besides, in this estimate, we have not included
he great saving to suffers and others with their
witnesses. waiting to be heard nor forgetting the
line saved to lawyers. which in all would
amount to even more than tho eAvi"S VI the
county. We haze no doubt whatever, that jus.
Ice could be dispensed more satisfactorily, be-
'ause with less delay, with an annual saving of
1t eas; $1,000 to the county. Besides the tcsti.
nony would be more correctly taken including
he questions rs well answers, and which
'Oud be referred to often with advantage to
'lucidatod disputed points.