Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-09-16
Down to Newport Democratic
Congressional Conference there
The Candidates and Others.

Catching few hours of leisure, las,
Thursday, we left for Newport on the
noon mail train, and almost before We
realized it had traversed the twenty
two intervening miles, and reached the
chief town of Perry county. By loca.
ton it should be the first town-as it is
in the county, for it is the shipping
point for the produce and merchandise
of fertile valley of about forty miles
In length westward. Considerable Of
the profit of middle men is left here.
and Of course leaves its impress on
the town In one way or another; and
then, too, there are industrial es,ab.
llshments of different kinds about the
place, that add to its population, and
every month put certain amount Of
money into circulation.
The town has lost the an:iquated ap-
pearauce i; had dozen years ago, when
we last passed through It's streets. The
past six years have been years of Wig
orous growth and Improvement. L,
looks like new town. Its population
rises to nearly 1900.
Ga our arrival there we had but
fairly left the depot when we met,
ON the side walk, Ii. b. Zimmerman,
editor of the Newport .Necs. Times
unavoidable embrace has somewhat
marked him, but the same individuality
of mien and pccuiiarity of face that
characterized him when he carried the
banner Of the Superintendent of Com
mon Schools in this county, marks his
every appearance yet.
Passing the Branch of the Juniata
Valley Bank of this place, We stepped
in and found a Juniata county man
duly, regularly, installed as cashier,
and at work there. Barring the money
in such institutions, it was one of the
most exquisitely arranged places of the
kind imaginable. Holmes Irwin, who
presides here, was in bis place, as
smooth IN speech and as placid in coun-
tenance as mountain lakelet. He is
gliding down toward the Dorder-laud of
the kingdom of young bachelordom,
and if he miss that dIsconsolate place
by step into marriage kingdom, his
better-half had better be an exquisite
in the artistic keeping, arrangement,
and management of a house, for the
order of the effects of the Bank, furni-
ture, everything, indicate practical Or
der and arrangement fully developed
The Bank has solid foundation, and is
in fourishing condition.
Up town further the salutation .'Good
day, sir" came at US out of N open
window. OF course we looked in, and
there, among plies of money of the
Branch of the Millerstown Bank, sat
William Rickenbaugh, cashier, also a
Juniata county man, young and cheer
full. He pronounced the institution in
wholesome condition, and believes
Newport to be a No. town.
By and by we reached the Miller
House, just then the political focus of
contest fer Congressional nomination.
Groups of men were standing and sit
ting about it, and one skilled at read
ing ct glance the character of a crowd,
would have pronounced it gathering
of politicians. Such 1t was. 1t was
made up of conferees and outside sup
porters of the Democratic candidates
for Congressional nomination for the
district composed of the counties of
Huntingdon, Fulton, Franklin, Perry,
Snyder and Juniata. There were only
three of the candidates there Fisher
of Juniata, Mckee Of Perry, Spear
of Huntingdon, who also had the con-
ferees from Snyder county. The can
didates from Fulton and franklin coun-
ties were not there.
Mr.. Spear had six couferees, and, as
far as appearances went, had the inside
track. He was as genial as ever, his
face all the while beaming with iutellI-
gerce. What a handsome aud easy
courtier he would make how royalty
and 10y ally he could bend the knee to
Sovereign, King or Queen how gal
laEtIy be could kiss lady's hand, with
no more thrill than the act Of courtesy
and politeness itself would impart.
With an open face and good hear, be
is collected, and understands the wl!es
and. guiles of men quite well well
enough to not sorrow over disappoirt-
ment.
Mr. Mckee, to the "manor born, y
was there. He, too, like Spear, has
served term in Congress, and the fact
Of his presence at the conference as a
candidate bore evidence that he liked
the life, and if the securement of a
second term was to be had he was
ready to receive it. He is about as
"tau'' as Bob Parker, but not quite as
corpulent, with a swarthy complexion,
full-bearded and moustached, and 1t is
u LII ,has ha