davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
Codifying the Law Of Comnetencv

The law of Pennsylvania regulating the
competency of witnesses is involved in
some obscurity and some contradictions
as it stands at present, so made by the
statutes and decisions. While man or a
woman indicted for crime can testify in
his or her own behalf, the wife or husband
OF defendant cannot testify for the de-
fense. When the bars were thrown down
for all defendants to testify, every reason
for the invalidity of a wife's or husbands
testimony failed but because the statute
did not expressly remove the disability the
courts have continued it involving the law
In an absurd contradiction. 1t is still
doubtful whether one jointly indicted with
another can testify in the latter's favor if
the trials are separate and how far An ac-
cessory, indicted separately from, or
jointly with, his principal is affected by
the recent statutes regulating the compe-
tency of witnesses.
Judge Mcpherson, of Lebanon, who is a
close student and industrious jurist, alive
TO the present Inconsistencies and obscuri-
ties OF the law, appeals TO the profession in
the state 70 cooperate in securing the
drafting and passage of comprehensive
act, applying to the competency of wit
nesses in pending and undertermined civil
and criminal proceedings and those here.
after instituted, and the repeal of all other
and inconsistent statutes. He publisbas
his own idea Of such an act in the Cont,
Reports, and invites criticism, discussion
and suggestions of amendment of it. The
subject Is one that should engage the
earnest attention of jurists and which con-
Germs the whole body of citizens of the com.
monwealth. Judge Green has said from
the supreme bench that "a new, a more
comprehensive, and more careful and
accurate expression Of legislative intent
upon the whole subject Of the competency
of witnesses than we yet have is much to
be desired" IL it is left 10 the legislature
to make it without deliberate and we'll
digested direction it will either be badly
done or not done at all.
Besides other features OF his proposed
Hkange and codi1cation Of the law, Judge
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
4 METHODTST CONFERENCE,
Meeting IN Harrisburg of the Central Penn
sylvania Officisls of that Church

Meeting IN Harrisburg of the Central Penn
syivania Onicisls of that Church
The second days session of the Central
Pennsylyania conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal church i'll Harrisburg opened Fri
day morning with a sermon by Rev. James
II. McCord, of Hanover.
Presiding Elder Smyser, OF the Danyille
district, presented his report, showing a
Methodist constituency of g 200 in a popula-
ton 10000. The missionary collection was
$4,000, al increase OF $1,000. Special gifts by
L. H. Noodin, Mrs. {. g. Jack son and Mrs.
Beaver TO benevolent objects were noted.
Two new churches have been built, many re-
pairs made and great deal of church debt
paid l,33O conversions have occurred In
the four years of Elder Smyser's administra-
ton eleven churches and seven parsOnages
have been erected, costing SlO7, 200
The record of su pernumerary preachers
was revised an d, after each mans name
had been called and his character had been
approved, the following list was entered .
Revs William Henry Stephens Hugh Linn,
W. o. Hoeh, J. IL. $. Clarke, Franklin Gear
hard, {. w. Marshall, j. w. Leckie, John
Moorehead, c. w. Burley, J. f. Craig,.J. W.
Olewine, J. r. Akers, J. 4. Ross, l.. A.
Rudislll, 81. A. Thompson Mitchell, ID. D.,
John Slime, l.. q. Heck, w. NJ. Memminger
Daniel Hartman, W. A. Mckee, J. W. Ely,
i. o. Clees, William g. Wynn, J. L. PEN
ningtOn, l.. 5. Crone, John l.. LLOYD
The following who had been on the super-
numerary list for some time were entered as
effective preachers ready for the pastorate
again Revs. J. w. Feight d. ID. McCloskev
AID. McCloskey. The superannuated preach-
ers as follows were registered as such Reys.
Thomas Tanyhill, George Berkstresser, Ii.
u. Dlll, Oliver Eye, j. 4. Mellick, A. NJ. Kes-
ter William Schriber, +. +. Creyer, J. L.
B0Ob, Thomas Greenly w. l.. Spottswood,
Alem Beittain, r. +. Kelly, b. IL. Crever, d.
ID.
Blshop bowman was present during the
session, aud was warmly greeted 10y his many
friends. Presiding Elder stephens, of the
Wllliamsport district reported 1000 conver-
sions and missionary collections amounting
10 s675O, an increase of $500. Seven new
churches have been dedicated during the
year.
The anniversary of the Church Extension
society was held at Grace and Ridge Avenue
churches. Addresses were made by Rev. R.
Hinkle, Rev. A. J. Kynett and Dr. James
Morrow.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

a VERY large portion of the supplement
tary leaf OF to-day's extra edition of the IN-
TELLIGENCER is taken up by the advertise
ment of one of our most enterprising and
wide awake buiness and manufacturing
hrms but the literary, historical and news
departments OF this issue lose no interest or
flavor because they are crow ded by that
other feature of live modern NEWSPAPER.
the advertising page. The history and
Illustrations OF our various county court
houses and the sketch of one of the leaders
OF the present bar, with a review of the legal
profession in Lancaster county; the yerv
comprehensive literary sketch of the notable
work OF the New Youth in American litera-
ture an account Of the handsome improve
ments making in st. Mary's Catholic church
and another contribution to the historical
series OF capital crimes and executions in
Lancaster county, are features OF this mum.
Der, supplemented by the usual variety of
current news and comment, of wit and
humor, poetry and bollesletters and ALI the
characterlsucs OF tirst-Class paper, The
several notable aItiCles-oue a graphic tale
in verse-crowded over until next week,
will enrich the supplement of March 20,
Make note of it
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
PERSONALS

ARCHBISHOP GIBBONS was a grocer 5
clerk in New Orleans thirty years ago.
THE Mrs, HANCOCK fund in New York
yesterday received $500 making the total
S4O,G}6.
JEFFERSON DAVIS has accepted an invita-
ton to lecture in Montgomery, Alabama, in
behalf OF the monument Tor the Confederate
dead.
EX-SHERIFF DAVIDSON, the fugitive from
New York, has turned up in Havana, which
place is fairly rivaling Montreal as the home
OF the American who deems it necessary TO
flee from his old haunts.
FIRE CHIEF MAHEDY was killed IN New
ork on Friday afternoon while returning
from a fire. An engine ran into his buggy,
throwing him under the wheels of the engine
and crushing his shoulder 50 that he died in
a short time.
Hon. IL. Il. BEARDSLEE, a well-knOwn
lawyer and journalist, died Thursday night
at his old home in Indian Orchard, Wayne
county. He was state senator in 1861, and
afterwards became a well-known newspaper
man in Wilk esbarre.
ROBERT MORRIS, a Georgia murderer has
been sentenced To be hanged on April Is,
When the Judge sentenced him he laughed
and to the sheriff he said " Send me plenty
10 eat So tha; l Will be heavy enough TO
break my neck when | fall"
HENRY WARD BEECHER SAYS of Cloy-
land g have not altered my opinion of Mr.
Cleveland, and his policy still has as many
attractions Tor me in lts actual working out
as II did when it ioresbadowed 1t in letters
and other communications before his inagur-
alton. He is right in the stand he has taken
against the Senate. The result OF the present
discussion Will be to settle satisfactorily and
definitely the question IA TO the disposition of
papers received by the executive touching
the removal OF otfice-hOlders."
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
sample Nunknm sreeche..

Washington Corr. of n. \. Herald.
Having spent nearly all of Saturday in the
congressional gallery was surprised to read
in the Record on Sunday that member
from Maryland addressed the House, and
his remarks were reserved for revision" In
tO-day's issue of the same VeraCiOus and SEN
sational publication | ind nearly two pages
OF this speech that never was delivered cit
the official records and memories of many
members are credlble), interspersed liber-
ally with the word "Applause." II is
an excellent address and has many real
merits that are completely eclipsed by the
fact that it is a bunkum speech of the most
Objectionable character. delivered 10y mail
instead of by word of mouth. 1t IL time TO
put on the brakes and CteCk this unpleasant
business. This Is not all ] know ON this
subject Only a few days ago | was in one OF
the committee rooms aud saw the manuscript
OF speech about to Oe delivered, all in the
congressman's handwriting, through which
the brscketed word applause" was literally
sprlnkled. Since then the life of a compost
tor i'll the government printing office has
seemed one of the most humorous imaginable.
The loss of selt-respect is the bunkum
congressman :, not the printers.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
Coukiing on cleveland.

New York Letter to Philadelphia Times.
Myron Bangs is man of character and posi-
ton up in the interior of New York. lie has
banks and is generally man of affairs. lie
is u Stalwart and also warm friend of MIR.
Conkling. lie has been down here visiting
the lawyer aud statesman he admres and
talks unreservedly OF his interview with the
eN senator. "Mr. Conklng," SAYS Nit
Bangs, takes the ground that, in the
present differences between the president
and the Senate, the legislative body will
get defeated. Mr. Conkliug declares that
MIR. Cleveland is man OF iron will and
great eatdeternination- in fact, a second Andrew
jackson i'll courage. lie thinks" SO MIR,
Bangs says "that not only the Senate, but
the country has underrated MIR. Cloveland's
strength uf character and intellect" Mr.,
bangs reports MIR, Conkling as saying that in
his Judgment the Senate cannot maintain its
position and must eventually yield or be
involved in a constant controversy with the
executive during the balance of .hIs admins
tration. Considering the relations of the two
men, this is regarded rs authentic testimony
as to MIR. Conkling's position upon the in ter
esting question now pending between the
legislative and executive branches of til,
government
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
Gbe Ca,uaster 1ntelliacufer.
LANCASTER. MARCH 10, 1885.
Not So HAppy.

Messrs. Kemble, Elkins and Widener,
the Philadelphia gentlemen who were am
bilious to run all the street railways in
New York as well as Philadelphia, are not
so happy now as they were few weeks ago
when they bought the franchise from Mr..
Sharp, which had been bought by him
from the New York aldermen. Mr.
Sharp's corrupt performances did not
trouble them at all. In fact they thought
Mr.. Sharp very bad man, and they de-
clared their purpose to recover from him
all the moneys Of which he robbed the
company, Of whose stock they bought
controlling interest. AS they presented
the matter, they innocently bought rail
road from Mr.. Sharp which they then
found had been fraudulently burthened
with the heavy debt it carried. Conse-
quently it was their duty to recover back
this sum from Mr.. Sharp and make him
pay the debt that they assumed when
they made the purchase. 1t was
very pleasant prospect that these gen.
tlemen pictured to themselves. They
would obtain franchise got by fraud, of
WhlSh thSy NtiC IIllttCllb; anu dS tit odliit
time pay a great deal less for it than they
agreed to pay.
But fly has dropped in. The New York
legislature proposes to revoke the fraudu-
lently obtained charter. This will cruelty
the innocents abroad from Philadel-
phia, when, as they look at it, only the
evil Sharp and the bad alderman should
suffer. Mr.. Widener declares that it is a
very serious thing in state TO repudiate
its promises even when they are fraudu-
lently obtained. He thinks it would be
great political mistake to cancel the Broad
way charter even If the corporators did not
do what the law required of them and did
do what its statutes condemn as criminal.
Mr.. Widener is an expert in politics, of
the Philadelphia kind. So is Mr.. Kemble
they have both latterly retired to the
richer pastures of commercial speculation.
But their views as to the honor of state
and the degree to which it may
be imposed upon by the citizen are
such now as they have been wont
always to maintain and practice on.
Mr.. kemble is the person known as ''Addi-
ton, Division and Silence Kemble. He
seems to be still the same Kemble. Mr..
Widener does the talking for the firm, and
has managed to let us all know just what
its thoughts and aims have been. The pro-
ject has been to buy the Broadway charter
from any one who got it by hook or by crook
and to hold on TO it through any
amount of legal proceedings brought for
their custer knowing that in the years
through which the litigation would be pro-
longed they could have then recovered all
the concern would cost:and, that being in
possession, they would always have the
best chance to stay in if they wanted
to. But the summary process of kick
ing them out by reyoking their charter
did not seem to them as among the posi-
bilities, and it is very natural that in their
disgust they should think it great politi-
cal mistake upon the part of the New York
legislature and high crime against the
sanctity of public faith.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

Mcpherson thinks that il persons under
sentence for felonies are TO be disqualified
to testify, those sentenced for the misde-
meanors of forgery, bribery and embezzle-
ment should likewise be incompetent, as
their moral guilt is as great as felony like
larceny. At the same time he recognizes
1t as more in the line of modern tendency
to take away entirely this incompetency,
except in the conspicuous misdemeanors of
perjury and subornation, and only leave
the fact of present conviction to affect the
credibiity of the witness. This is now
the sole effect of past conviction, except
in the case of perjury, and there does not
seem to be, in theory or practice. any
real difference in quality between the testi-
mony of felon still in Jail and the testi-
mony of felon just out of Jail.
In civil cases there has been an increas-
ing tendency to permit interest to affect
only the credibility and not the competency
of witness; and yet the law rs it now
stands requires the old disqualification to
be enforced whenever suit is brought OF
defended by persons acting in certain rep
resentative capacities, or whenever the
assignor of the thing or contract in action
is dead or lunatic.
These and other apparent deficiencies of
the present law pointed out by Judge Me
Pherson, with the remedies suggested or
better ones invited, entitle the whole sub
ject TO careful study and prompt legisla-
tive attention, and his own efforts to make
clear and simple the law now ohscured
and contradictory merit praise and CO.
operation.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

oi the Thirty Five Lancaster County COnviCts at
the Eastern Penitentiary

Ot the Thirty Five Lancaster County COnytCts at
the Eastern Penitentiary.
The county commissioners to-day received
from the inspectors of the Eastern peniten-
tiary bill for the maintenance OF the con-
victs sent to that institution from this county,
together with the amounts earned by the
convicts. From the statement 1t appears that
there are thirty-tive prisoners confined there
from this county, OF which twenty did not
earn anything In the list OF twenty are
franktOrd, Buzzard and the gang who we're
sent tO that institution in December and who
did not have an opportunity to earn any
thing The cost to the county for the main
tenance OF prisoners for year is S61.53. The
following statement shows the amount
earned by the remaining fifteen convcts
Lewis Sewers, SIS 50; NJ. +. Hildebrand,
sN4. l6 Jere DUNCAN, Sl67.34; Charles Gun,
S66 oil ; George FOkel, Sl6 Il Henry Young,
SD. 10 Charles T. Taylor, S742j Charles
Wise, S26 10 ; Herman Bollinger, Sl36 :
John Welsh, S2L90 George Miller, SO. Is
Lewis Parker, S;i&52 George Smith, 81
Henry Fisher, SiU2S William Lansdale,
Slls&
The total amount charged to the county Tor
the maintenance of our prisoners is 81, iS3 -
and the credits for work done by the con-
Nicts is s6i9o6, making the total cost to the
county for the msntainence of the thirty.
five convicts during lSo5, S7si69 To this
must be added $50 given TO two of the con-
Victs, whose term expired, for clothes.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
Tho New Snuih.

y special contribution to the INrELLI-
GENCER of to-day, reviewing the field of
American literature, marShals the post
JcllUu, productions of the South in a spirit
of generous but comprehensive criticism.
1t will readily be seen that within a space
of time briefer than one generation of men,
the renaissance of literature in the states
of late COnfederaCy has been more re-
markable than the material development
of its worn and wasted fields or the new
music of loom and spindle, trip hammer
and steam whistle.
The galaxy of Southern writers of to-day
is indeed very brilliant one: and while
Longfellow's Tyre is tuneleSS and Bryant 5
harp is shattered, Holmes and Whittier are
in the late autumn of life, the coming men
and women in the realm of imaginative lit
erature seem to be in unusual number from
the South. Though they are pervaded by
no provincial spirit, the peculiarly Southern
spirit of their prose and verse is unmistak-
able, and in a score of years the literary de-
velopment of the South has been more dis
tinct than that of half a century in the
great and growing West.
The removal of the incubus of slavery
undoubtedly is to be credited in some
measure with this new literary life it may
be that the wreck and ruin of war itself
have largely inspired it, for Father Ryan
says land without ruins is a land without
memories certain it is that the South has
done more for American literature since
the war than in hundred years before.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

REV. JoHN MILLER, who, we believe vos
little too mellow in his Calyinism fnr tha
Presby yterian assemblies, writes 70 the y,Jc.
Pc"ueht ABOUT visit he once paid to Cardi-
nal McCloskey, ofsome interesting relations
WIN 'athollc prelates that followed it and of
MS changed views as to what Catholics think
OF Prolestants. Heaven wide" as Mr..
Miller ayows himself TO be from Rome, he
saw In the Catholic cardinal the same 4" light
ana sweetness !" that shOne out from the old
presbyterian saint, Rev. DIR. Alexander. and
he thus records his personal observations of
the head OF the Roman church in Americo
never knew a man so insensible to all
that was grand about him, so content i'm his
IDEAS oil work, so gracious in all his speeches
OF other workers, whether Catholic or not
and so borne down with regret that tho fail
ing condition of his health kent him from
pushing on and carrying higher the great
accomplishments OF his Office. IL is "A lesson
70 man bred in Professionalism to come sud
uoenly upon the very flower of Roman Catho
, ,nishi, and mud II SO gentle in its tints, and
~ osMeet In Its fragrance in the very spIen-
uors oi pontliical state"
no niaae, upon the same visit, acauain-
,inoo WIN Archbishop Corrigan, which be
mas SINCE continued and deyeloped and
III the course OF which he admits TO receiving
entreIy new light upon the mooted nues
toh Oh whether, from a Catholic yisU pro
testants lose eternal life. Fe franLIy 49,,
the archbishop his own status. viii -,
OF getting an opinion from him. Tho p.o'
byterian divine said
am Infinitely removed from tho ,,,,.,
lstic emphasis OF Rome. l ain not eysn =
sserainentarlan 10 the extent OF Calvin. be.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

First-class spring OverCuats made from the
ends of goods from our Merchant Tailoring De
partment one or two OF size at about Halls
PRICE.
A. low down a -.
\ line at sl2 cut down from $3.50, sls and i1n
a full line OF regular sizes, all WOOL for 81 30
No stock in the city for quality. price and
magnitude like ours. (ocC our latest S5D Spring <
OyprsaCk.l
The Custom Made suits at Half are going very
rapidly. Some left.
And OF the Dress, Business and Every Day
Goats some still remain.
The Hutrrice Children's Clothing is much
reduced. Wen let you know when it, gone
lrIeuty at this writingJ
The Big Boys Suits at g.. in tull sizes
The Knee Pants at - cents.
And the Shirt Waists At ) cents full sizes
The Scarlet UnderweAr-the 81 cent ones-are
gone.
We have another lot Of i finer quality at Is
cents.
The Wam-utta Shirts at 80 Cents-the small
sizes gone the large sizes are at same price.
We take another and higher grade and make
the price 70 cents every size.
Linen Collars-the half dozen for - cent,
ones I'VE can give all sizes.
Cheviot and PerCale Shirts at Half Price.
At these sorts of prices, whether a man has
much or little, whether he works eight or Cigh.
teen hours day, he gets the purchasing power
OF his dollar doubled or almost so, il ne comes
to Oak Hall now.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

A lion couchdht on the field of gray,
White, restless clouds which the bold wind
fray.
Dark western skies engulfed with gold
Pale snowdrop buds in the warm brown mold
A hint Of green In the hazel copse,
A robins song from the linden drops,
The windnower learning its dainty blush,
The brook released from its icy hush,
A warmer tone In the sea and bay,
And Mistress April on her way.
Overland MonIhIy.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

TEACHER CLEVELAND smiles rs he con.
templates the stubborn school-boy attitude of
the Senate tor he knows that he is master
of the situation.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

Something new l. DR.. HANDS Teething Lotion
10 battle babies gums. II relieves all pain and is
harmless. Price, 25 cents
Parents remember DR. HANDS Cough and
Group Medicine relieves inflammation of the
throat and tubes of the lungs and cures cough
and Group. Or. Hands medicines for sale at
Cocnran's drug store, l5i and lj1 n. Queen
street. Price, 25 cents ml-ImdSw
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
BEHIND the labor clouds the sun of regard
for the law is still shining.

{. +. SoNTAG moralizes in the Reformed
Church Messenger over President Cleve-
lands attendance at and behavior in the
sanctuary OF religious worship. From Rev.
DR.. Sunderland, who is pastor of the con-
gregation of which the president is a MEM
ber,-though not communing Presbyterian
he learns that Cleveland attends worship
pretty regularly, is punctual, sits reverently,
attentiyely and is altogether the kind of
man a preacher likes to see in his audience.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13
Enjoy the present smiling hour,
And put 1t out OF Fortune 5 power


DR. Bull Baby Syrup ConquCrs collie at once
II Is safe and sure. Try II. Price only Sj cents
DR. HuiI's Baltimore PILLS always relieve and
cure headache, whether 1t comes from indiges-
uOn or nervousness. Buy them. Price - cents
Days Horse Powder is without peer for dis
temper, loss OF appetite and general debility.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-13

The exports of cotton and breadstufIs for
February show some odd results as com.
pared with the same month of Iss5. The
total cotton expectation Of February lssj
amounted to Sli,S9i,35l; for February Iss6 it
reached SE,20i06S. This was very neat
increase. But a different state of things Is
noticeable in bseadstutls expectation. For
February lSSj it amounted to sI27I7.2I2
while for the same period of this year it fell
back to $40, O,lOi,93L Here is guitea decrease,
which may be attributed to lesser home
production, larger home consumption, or
both, as the readers fancy directs