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Franklin Repository: February 06, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
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Summary: Tension continues to mount in Maryland where the legislature's actions have provoked considerable outrage among the state's residents. Their chief concern is that the body will call for a new convention to repeal all the constraints and suffrage restrictions placed upon the men "who aided the rebel cause either in Lee's army or at home."

[No Title]
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Summary: Rumors are swirling in Washington that the Republicans and the President have reached an accord on a new Reconstruction policy. The editors contend that these efforts are "futile," however, since the "unrepentant rebels of the South" seem disinclined to accept any legitimate offers, as judged by their rejection of the constitutional amendments.

Constitutional Reform
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Summary: Although they differ on the exact measures necessary to achieve the goal, Republican journals throughout the state have voiced their unanimous support behind the proposal advanced by the Repository to revamp the legislative system. "The question of impartial suffrage is manifestly coming upon us," say the editors, and it "cannot be postponed indefinitely."

Full Text of Article:

The response of the leading journals of the State, of both political parties, and of all shades of affinity in the Republican organization, to the proposition of this journal for a fundamental reform in our system of legislation, presents a degree of earnest unanimity never before manifested on any question of State policy. While a few journals have made valuable suggestions as to details, with a single exception, (the York Republican) as far as we have noticed the expressions of the press, all favor the general principles proposed and ask of the legislature that the issue of a convention be submitted to the people for their decision. The York Republican, unquestionably a sincere advocate of reform, still lingers around the hope that the remedy is in more careful legislative nominations, but it is forgetful of the fact that its remedy has been tried time and again and signally failed. In times past the people have revolted at the acts of their servants, and elected reform candidates only to find them more venal, if possible, than their discarded predecessors.

However leading journals differ in the details of the necessary reform measures, all assent to the proposition that increase of numbers must elevate the integrity of our legislators. This policy is not new or untried. Maine with hardly one-fifth of our population, has 141 members in the popular branch of the legislature; Connecticut with but one-sixth of our population, has 236 members; New Hampshire with scarcely one-eighth our population has 326 members; Rhode Island with less than one-twelfth our population has 72 members; Massachusetts with less than one-half our population has 240 members, and Vermont, with about one-eighth our population has 237 members. If our House of Representatives was based on the ratio of Connecticut, we would have 1500 members; if based on the ratio of New Hampshire, our House would contain over 2500 members, or if based on the ratio of Massachusetts, we would have over 600 members. In all these States, where the popular branches contain large numbers, we have no record of venality in their history, while in the list of smaller bodies there is scarcely an exception. Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Nevada now have legislative committees of investigation inquiring into their own corruptions; New Jersey has just transferred one of her legislators from the House to the penitentiary, and New York has become as notorious as Pennsylvania as being the victim of the lobby.

We are prepared for every possible sort of unfair and unmanly resistance to this proposed reform. The devotees of the lobby will invent all manner of perplexing questions to intimidate sincere men from demanding a convention; but all such suggestions should be accepted as coming from those who would perpetuate the sway of corruption in the enactment of our laws. Already we have seen it intimated that a convention would at once bring up the issue of manhood suffrage. Perhaps it would--indeed, we think it certainly would; but let it come. It will come, and we shall [illeg] and on the order of its coming. If it will not present itself to strike terror in the ranks of the Democracy, and startle to confusion the sickly conservatives, in one way, it will in another way, and they who would dodge it are more cowardly than wise. The true way is to meet that issue, as well as all other issues the people may be likely to agitate in amending their constitution, boldly and manfully, and let them be decided. The question of impartial suffrage is manifestly coming upon us. It cannot be postponed indefinitely. It may or may not be adopted; but it cannot be denied the trial, and the sooner political managers of all parties appreciate the fact the better. If proposed by the tedious process of the legislature, it may fall or succeed as some other overshadowing question sweeps the political field; but if presented by a convention, as a distinct and separate proposition, so that no vital question of reform would be endangered by the suffrage amendment, the issue would be definitely determined in our State. We are not clear that a majority of the people of Pennsylvania wish impartial suffrage, but certainly enough believe it to be right to warrant the submission of the proposition fairly to the vote of the State for decision. Let the drivelers and the corruptionists understand that the chief danger to the Republican party now is an unmanly evasion of the question of impartial suffrage, for such is the truth. It can be met by a convention without peril--it cannot be smothered and dodged without disaster.

That the unbiased sentiment of the People is overwhelmingly in favor of a radical reform, will not be doubted by any rational and honest observer; and it is merely a question whether this legislature will grant it or whether others will be chosen to the next legislature to propose a convention. That it will be distasteful to a majority of the present legislature to propose to the people a remedy for their own infidelity, seems natural enough, and it can be had this session only by the earnest, imperative demand of a faithful press and an outraged people. It may thus be secured, and the culmination of evil made to bear the fruits of integrity; but we warn the people and the press that it will require ceaseless vigilance and tireless effort to accomplish it. If done at all now, it should be done speedily. The people should vote on the question of a convention in June next, so that, if called, delegates would be elected next October, and the year 1868 would be thenceforth memorable in our history as ending the supremacy of corruption in the channels of political power in Pennsylvania.

Protection
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Summary: The editors cast their unyielding support behind the move to enact import restrictions, which they deem absolutely necessary to advance the state of American industry and guarantee the nation's independence.

Burning of Chambersburg
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Summary: In spite of Gen. Early's assertion in his account of the burning of Chambersburg that he is to blame for what transpired there because he issued the initial attack order, the editors maintain that Gen. McCausland "is alone responsible" for the "barbarous, brutal wholesale manner in which the order was executed."

Full Text of Article:

The rebel Gen. Jubal A. Early has published a small work purporting to give an account of his Valley campaigns, and in it he gives his explanation of the burning of Chambersburg. When it is considered that Gen. Early has preferred perpetual exile to submission to the government, and that Gen. McCausland has filed an application for a pardon to enable him to return, the statement of Early that he alone is responsible for the burning of Chambersburg may be properly appreciated. The order of Early directed the burning of a portion of Chambersburg to retaliate for some six houses specified as having been burnt by Hunter, and it did not direct the indiscriminate burning and plundering of the town. For the barbarous, brutal wholesale manner in which the order was executed, Gen. McCausland is alone responsible. With this explanation we give Gen. Early's statement relative to the affair. He says:

While at Martinsburg it was ascertained beyond all doubt that Hunter had been again indulging in his favorite mode of warfare, and after his return to the Valley, while we were near Washington, among other outrages, the private residences of Mr. Hunter, a member of the Virginia Senate, Mr. Alexander R. Boteler, an ex-member of the Confederate as well as of the United States Congress, and Edmund L. Lee, a distant relative of Gen. Lee, all in Jefferson county, with their contents, had been burned by his orders, only time enough being given for the ladies to get out of the houses.

A number of towns in the South, as well as private country houses, had been burned by the Federal troops, and the accounts had been heralded forth in some of the Northern papers in terms of exultation, and gloated over by their readers, while they were received by others with apathy. I now came to the conclusion that we had stood this mode of warfare long enough, and that it was time to open the eyes of the people of the North to its enormity by an example in the way of retaliation.

I did not select the cases mentioned as having more merit or greater claims for retaliation than others, but because they had occurred within the limits of the country covered by my command, and were brought more immediately to my attention. I had often seen delicate ladies, who had been plundered, insulted, and rendered desolate by the acts of our most atrocious enemies, and while they did not call for it, yet in the anguished expression of their features while narrating their misfortunes, there was a mute appeal to every manly sentiment of my bosom for retribution, which I could no longer withstand.

The town of Chambersburg, in Pennsylvania, was selected as the one on which retaliation should be made, and M'Causland was ordered to proceed with his brigade, and that of Johnson and a battery of artillery, to that place, and demand of the municipal authorities the sum of $100,000 in gold, or $500,000 in United States currency, as a compensation for the destruction of the houses named and their contents; and, in default of payment, to lay the town in ashes, in retaliation for the burning of those houses and others in Virginia, as well as for the towns which had been burned in the other Southern States. A written demand to that effect was sent to the municipal authorities, and they were informed what would be the result of a failure or refusal to comply with it.

I desired to give the people of Chambersburg an opportunity of saving their town by making compensation for part of the injury done, and hoped that the payment of such a sum would have the desired effect, and open the eyes of the people of other towns at the North to the necessity of urging upon their Government the adoption of a different policy. M'Causland was also directed to proceed from Chambersburg toward Cumberland in Maryland, and levy contributions in money upon that and other towns able to bear them, and if possible to destroy the machinery at the coal pits near Cumberland, and machine-shops, depots and bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far as practicable.

On the 20th of July, M'Causland crossed the Potomac near Clear Spring, above Williamsport, and I moved with Rhode's and Ramsear's divisions and Vaughn's cavalry to the latter place, while Imboden demonstrated with his and Jackson's cavalry toward Harper's Ferry, in order to withdraw attention from M'Causland. Breckinridge remained at Martinsburg and continued the destruction of the railroad. Vaughn drove a force of cavalry from Williamsport, and went into Hagerstown, where he captured and destroyed a train of cars loaded with supplies. One of Rodes' brigades was crossed over at Williamsport, and subsequently withdrawn. On the 30th, M'Causland being well under way, moved back to Martinsburg, and on the 31st the whole infantry force was moved to Bunker Hill, where we remained on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of August.

On the 3d of August M'Causland reached Chambersburg, and made the demand as directed, reading to such authorities as presented themselves, the paper sent by me. The demand was not complied with, the people stating that they were not afraid of having their town burned, and that a Federal force was approaching. The policy pursued by our army on former occasions had been so lenient that they did not suppose the threat was in earnest this time, and they hoped for speedy relief.

M'Causland, however, proceeded to carry out his orders, and the greater part of the town was laid in ashes. For this act I alone am responsible, as the officers engaged in it were simply executing my orders, and had no discretion left them. Notwithstanding the lapse of time which has occurred, and the result of the war, I am perfectly satisfied with my conduct on the occasion and see no reason to regret it.

[No Title]
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Summary: It is reported that Gen. Thomas has articulated his belief that "there is need of more military force in the Southern States," an opinion allegedly shared by Gen. Grant.

Pardons
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Summary: The article announces that Gen. Geary has adopted a set of seven "judicious rules" to govern the process of issuing pardons.

Local Items--Our Lost Records
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Summary: The article relates that the committee charged with investigating the condition of Franklin's public and county records has issued its report. Among the findings, it was determined that the magnitude of loss occasioned by the July 1864 rebel invasion is considerably higher than was earlier believed.
(Names in announcement: McCauley, Kimmel, Keyser)

Local Items--Court Proceedings
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Summary: A summary of the Court's proceedings from its session during the past week.

Local Items--Vocal Concert by the Musical Union
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Summary: Announces that the Musical Union will give a performance at Repository Hall on February 12th.

Local Items--Bounty Accouts
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Summary: The piece informs readers that a special law was recently passed, "restoring the old law authorizing the court to appoint special Auditors to settle" bounty accounts. The new law replaces the general law requiring the Township Auditors to handle such accounts."

Local Items--Fire
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Summary: Fire damaged John A. Grove's steam marble works last Tuesday night. It is believed that Grove's loss was covered by insurance.
(Names in announcement: John A. Grove)

Local Items--Dead
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Summary: Charles Rapp died last Wednesday from the injuries he suffered in the late accident on the Cumberland Railroad. Rapp's leg was crushed in the accident, which resulted in its amputation.
(Names in announcement: Charles Rapp)

Local Items--Accident
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Summary: Anthony Burke, fireman on the third freight at the Cumberland Railroad, had his arms crushed last Monday while coupling cars.
(Names in announcement: Anthony Burke)

Married
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Summary: On Jan. 23rd, Marrriot Hays and Lizzie Funk, of Hagerstown, Md., were married by Rev. L. C. Shelp.
(Names in announcement: Marriot Hays, Lizzie Funk, Rev. L. C. Shelp)

Married
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Summary: On Jan. 31st, John Waggenseller, of Guthrieville, Chester Co., and Elizabeth V. Surlee were married by Rev. S. H. C. Smith.
(Names in announcement: John Waggenseller, Elizabeth V. Surlee, Rev. S. H. C. Smith)

Married
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Summary: On Jan. 27th, John H. Levenight and Mary Raifsnider were married by Rev. G. W. Albaugh.
(Names in announcement: John H. Levenight, Mary Raifsnider, Rev. G. W. Albaugh)

Married
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Summary: On Dec. 16th, Frederick Hoffman and Mary Dine were married by Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: Frederick Hoffman, Mary Dine, Rev. G. Roth)

Married
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Summary: On Jan. 24th, William Hyssong and Ann Mary C. Leidig were married by Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: William Hyssong, Ann Mary C. Leidig, Rev. G. Roth)

Married
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Summary: On Feb. 5th, Samuel W. Shoemaker and Mary Spitzer, of Huntington county, were married by Rev. J. F. Kennedy.
(Names in announcement: Samuel W. Shoemaker, Mary Spitzer, Rev. J. F. Kennedy)

Died
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Summary: On Jan. 26th, J. Baker McClelland, 37, died near Mercersburg.
(Names in announcement: J. Baker McClelland)

Died
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Summary: On Jan. 27th, Henry C., son of George Crouse, died at his father's residence near Spring Run. He was 24 years old.
(Names in announcement: Henry C. Crouse, George Crouse)

Died
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Summary: On Jan. 19th, Susan Emma, infant daughter of Eli and Mary Mickley, died in Quincy township. She was 10 months old.
(Names in announcement: Susan Emma Mickley, Eli Mickley, Mary Mickley)

Died
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Summary: On Jan. 31st, Sarah H., wife of Isaac Hockensmith, died in Guilford township. She was 48 years old.
(Names in announcement: Susan Hockensmith, Isaac Hockensmith)