Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-01-09

adjourn it till the 18th; Mr.. Magnin Of
Delaware seconded the motion and spoke
for the best interests of the party, but the
motion was lost by big majority.
Senator Thompson nominated J. Donald
Cameron; General Goblin seconded the
nomination and assured the caucus that he
would vote for the Election Bill; Dick
Quay said that be heard Cameron say he
would vote for the bill; Mr.. Coray said
that Cameron had been ''smokej out" and
that he would consult with his eonstitu-
ents before being bound by this caucus,
and he, Mr.. Tsggert and Mr.. Magnin
walked out. The roll was called and
Cameron received 134 votes, which of
course nominated him, and is more than
enough to electhim if they all stick to
him. The Legislature adjopr4e1 till
Thursday next.
THE GovERyoR's MESSAGE.
Gov. Beavers parting message to the
| Legislature and people of the state is an
unusually elaborate one, and embodies
review of the events in the state during the
part two years and also many weighty
recommendations.
| He begins by referring to the late
financial failures, and the stringency of
money market, but thinks the material
affairs of the Commonwealth are in good
condition.
He asks for an appropriation of $400, 900
| to reimburse the bank from which he
borrowed that amount to aid the Johns
| town sufferers, and recommends an enlarg.
ment of the powers of the Board of Health
SO as to enable it to supervise the streams
| Ct the State and thus prevent any such
calamities in the future, and keep the
| water supply of towns and cities as pure as
possible.
The State finances, as reported by the
Governor, present the gratifying aspect of
being so large, and the prospect of exceed
ing the necessities of the state SO direct
that reduction is recommended in them
by giving part of the revenue back to the
local governments.
The manner of raising revenues, as en-
bodied in the bill agreed upon by the ma
jority of the Revenue Commission, is COM
mended to the careful consideration of the
Legislature, and regret is expressed that
the commission fell short in determining
the nature and extent of the inequality
which exists in the burden of taxation
borne by real and personal property re-
spectively. Until this difference is definite
ly ascertained, it is impossible to apply
remedy, if it be conceded that remedy is
needed. The Governor recommends that
of the State tax upon personal property
imposed under the act of 1889, one-half
thereof be returned to the county treasures, |
instead of the one-third. as now provided. |
He also recommends that all liquor licenses |
be paid into the treasury of the mu-.
nicipality in which they are collected. Still |
another recommendation is that an increase |
of half million dollars be made in the |
annual school appropriation.
With the more rapid purchase Of the |
bonds of the loan of 1877, out of total of |
s. OOO, 600, there are now outstanding only \
about 50, 000, 900, and the operations of the
sinking fund, especially during the past
year, have been very satisfactory. The
net amount of the debt unprovided for is
s., ,06S ,610, 90, the reduction during 1890
having aggregated 81 ,507, ,051.
With reference to ballot reform, the Gov.
ernor's tone is not enthusiastic, evidently
because he is of opinion that the need Of
change is much exaggerated, and that is
fact. The charges made against the char
acter of our elections to justify the demand
for reform have not been established.
In the course of reviewing a large
number of other subjects of State admins
tration, the message brings out the i'm
portance and progress of the Lake Erie
ship-canall work. The feasibility of the
project at a comparatively moderate cost
is stated to be shown by the surveys, the
ample supply of water for the canal is
referred to, and the Importance Of the
work, not only for commerce but as a
means of transferring naval vessels to the
lakes in case of war, is made clear The
Governor suggests that the United States
Government should be interested in the
work
Not the least important of the recon-
mendations is the organization of COM
mission to supervise the part which Penn
sylvania shall take in the Columbian Ex-
position and liberal appropriations for the
erection of suitable building and for
stimulating in every way complete and
satisfactory exhibit of our industries. A
reproduction of Independence Hall' has
been suggested as suitable model.
The attention given in the message TO
the subjects Of, education and the manage
ment of soldiers orphans schools and
capitol improvement is conservative and in
the line of ordinary expectations. The
Governor apparently has no desire to
signalize the close of his term by any
sensational recommendations. 4,
Recollections of Butler; or Fifty Years
Ago.
(C0ntinued) +.
ED. CITIzEN:-We closed last week with
what was known as '"rhe Commons in
the south end of town, and propose in this
to continue on along Main Street, from the
south to the north end with our recollec-
tions of the older families and principal
citizens of fifty years ago, where they lived
and what became of some OF them, and in .
this way stating the squares or lots they ,
then owned or lived upon, and who are
the present owners, with the changes in :
buildings on the same, etc.
OLD cITIzENs-AYREs' SQUARE. {
We begin with the square, lots, owned &
and resided upon by General William Ayres,
one of the earliest settlers in Butler. This q
square is now owned in equal parts by Ex.-
Judge K. McJunkin and Mr.. William
Campbell Sr. General Ayres lived in a t
part of the house Mr.. McJunkin is now liv-
ing in-the brick part. The other part {
log framed-was used by him for his law I
office, and was torn down by Mr.. McJunkin I
when he purchased same, some 35 years {
ago, and who built the brick instead, now I
occupied as his law Office. Mr.. William
John Ayres, son of the General, occupied {
this frame part for some years as jewelry |
and watch repairing shop. He was the
father Of Capt II. A. Ayres, yet among us.
Mr.. Campbell built his brick dwelling, on {
his part of the square, where he now