Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-04-22

Fron our regular Correspondent.

the vast funds accumulated In Europe
through the various large unclaimed
estates of many extinct families, is
surprising. and IL exhibits itself here in
the shape Of letters addressed 10 the
President or Secretary of State. The
impression seems TO be prevalent that
our Government Is in some manner
bound to look after the interests of
such of it's subjects as may have some
genealogical connection with these prop.
critics, hence the numerous inquiries
which reach the President or the State
Department. Recently the jocular
inquiry was made in some of the news
papers, 3" Where are the Kern family 2"
and with this the statement that the
Holland Government owed the Kern
estate for moneys loaned il by that
family over a hundred years ago, an
accumulated principal aud interest ex-
| ceeding one hundred millions OF dollars.
Certain members of this family settled
in Pennsylvania, and, judging by what
letters we have seen, we fancy that ev-
cry person in the United States named
Kern, whose ancestors can be traced
back to that State, imagines himself as
entitled TO a slice Of the Dutch millions.
And yet Col. Sellers castle in the air,
with "millions in them" have less of
the insubstantial " than this legacy
to the American Kern heirs. The
State Department, we presume, is con.
stantly issuing passports to those who
go to Europe seeking family title or
estates. Yet of the thousands who
have gone for this purpose, not one has
succeeded in securing the slightest rec
ognition. We recently met one of
these, whose claim to the English lord.
ship seems unquestionablc, but the
failure Of the younger son who came
to this country Just after the War of
1912 TO establish his right to succession,
prior to his death in 1896. now cfiectu
ally bars his lineal heir from the enjoy.
ment of a place among the peers of
that country. Still his defendants
dilate as glibly upon their blood and
rights as were their claims fully estab
lished.
The House has tackled the rider on
the deficiency appropriation bill, which
| restricts the powers of the United
States marshals at elections, and in so
doing has presented US the most singu.
lar spectacle ever seen in that or any
saw.dust arena. Ii was a debate in
which only the opposition participated.
The Democrats had agreed among
themselves that they would not debate
the question, but would permit the Re
publicAns to discuss il as fully as they
wished, reserving. however, tire right
TO close the discussion with an argu
ment, which Vas ably done by General
Ewing. The Republicans talked in the
most vigorous style-Frye. Congel, aud
all their best orators indulging in the
finest efforts OF sarcasm, tauats and
abuse, but without eliciting the usual
response from the Democrats, who
gravely sat in silence TO the end. II
must have been, indeed, n trying ordeal
one dictated alone by the absolute
necessity of party ends, or the average
| Congressman could no more have re.
sisted a retort than Xantippe the last
word in n scolding contest. Ii was an
extraordinary scene to US, and, like
Capt. Cutie, we felt bound to make 4
note ont The final vote, taken on
conclusion of General Ewing's speech,
was on q strictly party basis, and the
measure has the advantage, through
the peculiar man ner of its adoption, of
not going before the country with Ger.
tain indiscreet utterances which attend.
ell its passage in the last Congress.
The Senate has taken one good step
in appointing a commission to devise
some plan by which the immense losses
of revenue through the evasions OF
stamp act on cigars and manufactured
tobacco may be prevented. The good
to flow from the labor of this commits.
sion will, we think, not so much be in
checking evasions as in showing that
the reduction OF tobacco tax, by the
44th Congress, was grave error. TAX.
ing off this tax has not, in the slightest
degree, increased the consumption, as
was claimed would be the result; hence
the nine or more millions of loss to the
revenue which has ensued should have
the cause fully demonstrated, and the
original duty restored. The country
can we'll afforded TO tax its luxuries.
But we fear that so long as such an ar.
ticle OF prime necessity rs matches must
make up the deficit Of millions of rev.
enues which should, by right, be raised
through duties on whisky and tobacco.
that the latter articles of questionable
necessity will continue 10 bear the
lighter burden OF taxation.
1t seems that the rowing match be.
tween Hanlan and Courtney for the
worlds championship. Is TO take place
at Washington. The parties interested
agreed that all the requirements of q
great contest like this could be had
here, and they have made fortunate
selection. They will have fine course,
and can rely upon full protection from
interference OF any kind. and upon fair
and honorable treatment all round.
No boats will be cut here, and more
people will witness the race than could
have been assembled, perhaps, at any
other point. The Potomac IL admirably
suited for rowing PURPOSES. The stretch
from the bridge which spans the river