The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-03-05
Eram Harrisburg.

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and resignation of Mr.. Dimmick. 1t has been
the subject of talk here for days, but very
rapidly the thing has died out-in five days
after the resignation the fact is almost forgotten
fthat there is yet committee who are to lnvestl-
gate and report the truth. Will they report
the names of the banks and bankers who have
compromised themselves, by sending in corrup-
ton money in answer to the Gibbons cIrcu-
lar? We will know by and by.
The reunion of former members of the
Legislature before 1850, was well attended, and
the gathering was pleasant and interesting, some
four or five in attendance are over so years OF
age, and one over 90. Hon. Hendrick B.
Wright presided, and Gov. Hartranft who was
specially invited and introduced by COM
mittee, made an appropriate speech. In the
evening they enjoyed grand banquet at the
Kirkwood House.
The local option question is becoming decid-
edly interesting, the probabilities are that
bill of repeal will pass the House, but that in
the Senate the vote will be close, with even
chances. On Thursday evening strong dele
CATION Of the friends of local option appeared
before the committees on vice and immortality
of the two Houses, to whom the question is
referred, and several speeches were made-by
General Lewis Wagner, James Black, Rev.
Marshall and by three women-Mrs. Dietrich
of Wiliamsport, the wife ola leading lawyer,
Mrs Annie Weichmann of Philadelphia, and
Miss L. Ella Wright of Lancaster. The best
and strongest speech, and decidedly the most
impressive, and really worth all the rest COM
bined, was that of Mrs. Dietrich. And most
remarkable of all, her wonderful power on such
an occasion was first discovered on this occasion
as she never before attempted such a task as
speaking before public assembly. She was
induced to say word by the delegation of
ladies who came down from Williamsport and
it required the strongest appeals before she
would consent, and only for the purpose Of
bearing testimony before the committee as to
the operations of local option in Williamspor.
She commenced by assuring the audience
that she is not an Annie Dickinson, nor what
they call ''strong minded" woman, but only
woman-a wife and mother from Williams
port Then she event for the repealers. l
will not attempt to give an abstract, for moth
3. ing less than the speech in full would give the
faintest idea of its force. Her logic was power
full; her language clearly indicated superior
mind and education her delivery was clear,
ready, emphatic and graceful, and her appeals
to the committee were in child-like simplicity
is very fine, and her entire make up commands
the respect due to a good hearted christian
woman. On Friday morning, her speech was
the subject of remark all about the Hill, and if
local option repeal should be defeated, as it
may be- it will be more in consequence of this
speech by Mrs Dietrich than any other single
cause or agency.
In Williamsport the Womens League means
business" by the way-they are already some
four hundred strong. And here they are
agtating, and it would not be surprising if
they would capture the entire Hill-Executive
Mansion, Arsenal, Artillery and all. And if
they do, what will the members do? Try to
pass the bill whilst a whole brigade of women
are in the rotunda, on the front steps, and per-
haps in the gallaries, and on their knees pray
ing-"Do, please, gentleman, d. let US keep
''this one good act of the Pennsylvania Legisla-
''ture-whatever else you do do not take this
zone good morsal from the wives mothers and
daughters of the State" This is the way
Mrs Dietrich talked, and now they all threaten
to pray ten thousand strong in the same man
ner and spirit.
The indications are growing stronger every
day for long session-as far on in the season
as June-perhaps longer. There seems to be
no way of hurrying up-the new way needs
time After bill has been read it must lay
over at least one day, and this at least three
times over in each house.
Among the sensations created was the intro
duction of bill by DR.. Cressler of Luzerne, to
regulate the "Social Evil" and before it had
been at the Clerks desk five minutes it was in
+, the hands of some one who smuggled it away to
be copied, and reporters were unable, at the
proper time to get hold of it and ascertain the
details of its contents. 1t is presumed that the
gentleman from Luzernc who offered the bill
thoroughly understands the moral, social and
sentimental aspect of the question in all its
minute details, and if so, to him very properly
in such legislation. Everyleading legislator has
his particular hobby. l have known many
different ones and each devoted to some
: particular specially. For instance, Senator
Wallace particularly devotes himselfto general
lawson the subjects of corporations, taxation,
municipalities, and courts, because his mind
, runs in that direction. Senator Petriken for
several years made it his specially to legislate
! for the propagation and protection of FISH, and
t he succeeded in securing important acts oi
Assembly on that subject A member from
D Philadelphia, in the House, is noted if not
e distinguished for making a motion almost
every morning when the clerk reads the jour
f nal Of the preceding day, that the reading
{ be dispensed WITH" and that is the only sort
of a motion he ever does make Now the