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Franklin Repository: March 25, 1868Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
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Border Claims Defeated
(Column 01)Summary: The paper announces the latest defeat of a border claims bill in the legislature. The editor expresses disappointment but also said the bill wouldn't work because it left open the possibility of fraud and unending payments. Still, he feels confident that at some point the State would take care of the damages suffered by border county residents.
Full Text of Article:[No Title]The bill proposed by Mr. Winger to appropriate $500,000 pro rata to the losses sustained by the people of the border counties during the war (excluding Chambersburg) was the special order in the House on Wednesday evening last. It was discussed with much earnestness, Mr. Winger speaking elaborately in support of it, and was defeated by the decisive vote of 17 to 59.
Thus ends another effort to secure a recognition of these war claims, and from the positive vote given, we fear that there is little hope that they will ever be paid. We have ever regarded all attempts to procure partial appropriations as unwise. The true policy was to present the broad issue of the responsibility of the Commonwealth to its citizens for failure to protect them, and we doubt not that in time the great State of Pennsylvania would be just. The treasury will not warrant drafts for half a million from year to year, and the public mind will grow restive under repeated and unmanly applications. The appropriation to Chambersburg was a gratuity, not a payment on a account. It was so urged and so given, because of the immense losses that fell upon a few individuals; but the proposition to pay one-fourth or one-tenth of other losses, could not but be regarded as an entering wedge for the recognition and payment of the whole sum. This apprehension of indefinite applications and for indefinite sums, with such invitation to speculation and fraud, naturally enough startles a legislature much more than would a proposition to pay the whole sum--say three millions--in such time and manner as the State could afford to pay it without oppressing the people.
We have for these reasons regarded Mr. Winger's bill as a grave mistake, and the effort to pass it certainly leaves the claimants in a much worse position than if it had not been attempted. Mr. Nicholson demonstrated beyond the possibility of dispute that the treasury could not meet the provisions of the bill. He showed that with the reduction of taxes already made, the passage of the relief bill would leave a deficit in the treasury of $384,000. It was therefore madness to insist upon the State paying the money when it has not the money to pay. Had a special tax or loan been authorized, the bill would have had the merit of consistency; but to propose such a bill asking the treasury to do impossible things, was a folly that no one should have attempted.
The people of the border who have suffered by the war, should ask the State to recognize their claims in full, in such manner as may best suit the commonwealth. We spend millions for defence, and no one complains. Some were defended by the common expenditure.--Others were despoiled while bearing arms or paying taxes to defend their fellow citizens. All, therefore, who have suffered should be paid, but it must be done, if at all, in such manner as not to impair the credit of the State or add seriously to the already heavy burdens of the people.--The State will never pay speculators, and never should; but it should, and we doubt not that it sometime will, pay the honest claims of the border citizens.
(Column 02)Summary: Col. D. Watson Rowe of Franklin has been commissioned as additional law judge for the district including Franklin County. The paper praises him as a "well read lawyer" with "a sound and discriminating mind" and "keen perception."The Precedent of Impeaching the President
(Names in announcement: Col. D. Watson Rowe)
(Column 04)Summary: "Justificus" writes the Repository with arguments for going through with the impeachment of Johnson. He Insists that Congress should not shy away from their duty for fear of setting a dangerous precedent. In fact, Congress would leave the impeachment power of the Constitution powerless if they backed out now.
Full Text of Article:To the Editors of the Franklin Repository:
When the officers of a government contemplate the inauguration of a new measure, of importance to the country, not the least vital consideration demanding their attention, is the future good or evil example set by the proposed action. To-day the first impeachment of a President of the United States of America is steadily in progress, and it behooves us to consider whether the influence of the precedent, which will undoubtedly be sensibly felt throughout all the coming years of our republic, will be beneficial or baneful.
Some of the wisest and most patriotic of our American journalists, as well as some of the worst and most traitorous editors of the land, regret the example of the present impeachment. More than one able editorial has recently appeared, in loyal newspapers of the North, urging the necessity of the impeachment, arguing that hesitancy on the part of Congress to remove from office Andrew Johnson, after his last bold and defiant usurpations, would stain our Congressmen with the guilt of our President, and yet lamenting the necessity of the example of impeaching our Chief Magistrate. Why is the example so pernicious? Why a source of regret? We are well aware of the force of precedent, and we know that the doctrine, stare decisis, has too often, in all departments of government been misused for oppression and wrong. Yet we are utterly unable to see any danger in the example set, for subsequent years, by the impeachment of Andrew Johnson.
Is it essential to the prosperity of the country, to the preservation of liberty, to the vindication of law, that the impeachment clause shall, at least, so far as the President is involved, remain a dead letter in our Constitution? The framers of that masterpiece of political wisdom were of a different opinion, or they never would have inserted those plain words in the charter. Does any man conversant with the history of the times suppose, the constitution ever would have accepted by the national convention, much less ratified by the States, if that important check on the most trusted public servant had been omitted? Is the opinion of Alexander Hamilton, as to the various parts of the Constitution worth examining to-day? We do not suppose it can receive much consideration either at the White House or among Democratic politicians generally. Still, as the Constitution was in great measure, the production of the brain of Hamilton, we may be permitted to refer to his views on the subject. In comparing the powers of the King of England with those of the president of the United States, that distinguished Statesman dwelt upon the importance and effects of the power of impeachment as follows: "The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried and upon conviction of treason, bribery or other high crimes or misdemeanors, removed from office; and would afterwards be liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.--The person of the King of Great Britain is sacred and inviolable; there is no constitutional tribunal to which he is amenable, no punishment to which he can be subjected without involving the crisis of a national revolution. In this delicate and important circumstance of personal responsibility, the President of confederated America would stand upon no better ground than a Governor of New York, and upon worse ground than the governors of Virginia and Delaware." Did the man who penned those sentences consider that the impeachment clause meant nothing, and was not intended to be a power in the government, to be used when occasion required? Did he suppose it became functus officio, as soon as it was once published throughout the land? The supposition is too absurd for argument.
But his friends tell us Andrew Johnson is being tried for political offences, and they intimate the word political conveys all the terrible danger of the precedent. We believe that Andrew Johnson is guilty of more than merely political offences--but why waste time in words upon the distinction? Has not the impeachment clause always been understood to include offences of a purely political nature? Turn only to the opinion of the distinguished lawyer, William Rawle, as printed in 1829, and we will find in a justification of "the necessity or utility of impeachments" the following pertinent sentences: "The delegation of important trusts, affecting the higher interests of society, is always from various causes liable to abuse. The fondness frequently felt for the inordinate extension of power, the influence of party and of prejudice, the seductions of foreign States or the baser appetite for illegitimate emolument, are sometimes productive of what are not unaptly termed political offences, which it would be difficult to take cognizance of in the ordinary course of judicial proceedings." Would the man who held those opinions at that day have shrunk back intimidated from the example of an impeachment, because the offence upon which it was grounded savored of a political nature? There is not one feature in the present impeachment which is not clearly marked out and provided for, in the constitution of the land, as that constitution is construed and understood by its founders, and almost without an exception by all the most distinguished loyal jurists of the country, from the time of the constitutional Convention down to the day of Andrew Johnson's offences. We have never been alarmed at the example of that clause in our American magna charta. Shall we now be fearful of the example if the execution of the law? Is our constitution so dangerous that we are afraid to see its provisions enforced?
If the impeachment clause is a source of ruin to the government, if it lies, a latent spark in our political magazine, ready when exposed to open air to tear our political fabric to atoms, and rend society with civil discord and lawless anarchy--let it be stricken by the legal mode from our Constitution. If we dare not enforce it for fear of the example, let it not remain an anomaly on the statute books of a free government, a law which we dare not execute. There is no brighter gem among all the bright jewels of liberty, gracing the matchless constitution of our young republic, than this same impeachment proviso. It proclaims in clear and certain language, that we, the people mean, no man in the United States of America however high, can rise above the law. It enunciates with no ambiguous emphasis, that we are governed by law alone. While one sentence of our Constitution girds the sword of the nation, upon the thigh of the Chief Magistrate, the impeachment salvo reminds him, that he can wield that sword only with "the strong arm of the law."
No other man in the United States is clothed with so much power as the President, and therefore from no other man, should we apprehend so great danger of usurpation and violence, and finally despotism. The vast accumulation of power in the President is certainly the weakest point we have permitted in the bulwarks we have thrown around our liberties. It is essential that we have a check to counteract that power, when it is turned against our law. Does a false ambition lure a Chief Magistrate to lawlessness and usurpation--when all ordinary tribunals are forgotten, he sees, like a death's head, in his future pictures of grandeur, the stern impeachment clause staring him in the face. What will be the result of the example of the present impeachment? Simply to set that saving check before the eyes of future Presidents, in a clearer light and a nearer position, and to convince them that it is no mere mirage. Can the result be dangerous to liberty?
If Andrew Johnson's last bad acts had never been perpetrated--if he had stopped short of appointing Thomas to the war office, and the terrors of impeachment had never been visited upon his deserving head, we might well have quaked because of the precedent. If he had been permitted to crawl through the remaining months of his term, a tenant by sufferance through the mistaken leniency of Congress--then no future President no matter how black his crimes, could ever have been impeached in our republic. The precedent of Andrew Johnson with all his offences defying and escaping impeachment, would have practically erased the clause from our constitution as effectually as an amendment could have done. Danger from the example would have lain in not impeaching Andrew Johnson. JUSTIFICUS.
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The Spring Elections
(Column 02)Summary: The paper prints the results of the county elections and the names of people elected to various offices in each township.
Full Text of Article:Mr. McClure's LectureBelow we give the names of the officers elected in the various townships at the election on Friday last, as far as they have been received at the Clerk's up to the time of going to press. The Legislature having, on Thursday last, repealed the act of March, 1866, the election of borough officers in Chambersburg is rendered null and void, and we go back to the law in force previous to that time, requiring our municipal elections to be held in May, and reducing the number of Councilmen to five and their term of service to one year--all to be elected annually.
CHAMBERSBURG
Burges N.W. S.W. Total Lyman S Clarke, R. 238 189 427 Dr. A H Senseny, D. 186 221 407 Town Council Samuel F Greenawalt, R. 252 178 430 Peter Kreichbaum, R. 248 183 481 James Logan, D. 169 223 392 Jacob Smith, Sr. D. 167 234 401 School Directors James Hamilton, R. 261 194 455 Jacob S Nixon, R. 258 193 451 B S Schneck, D. 173 230 393 William Heyser, D. 170 219 389 Assessor George J Balsley, R. 235 188 423 Charles H Smith, D. 192 224 416 Auditor Emanuel Kuhn, R. 255 193 448 Charles Evans, D. 172 216 388 High Constable Michael W Houser, R. 278 210 488 John Strealy, D. 146 194 340 New Market House For 232 107 339 Against 194 248 442 Steam Engine For 134 89 243 Against 285 266 551NORTH WARD
Judge A D Caufman, R. 257 John D Spear, D. 170 Inspector Jacob S Eby, R. 250 Jacob Sellers, D. 172 Constable Philip Hamman, R. 199 Hugh Auld, D. 206SOUTH WARD
Judge John Forbes, R. 186 Wm D Guthrie, D 217 Inspector Joseph Frey, R. 194 James V Reilly, D. 210 Constable R K M'Clellan, R. 186 Geo M'Geehen, D. 217Antrim.--Judge, Jacob S Fleming, R., 11 maj; Inspectors, Emanuel Knode, George H Davidson; School Directors, Christian Whitmore, Isaac Henneberger, Daniel S Barnhart; Supervisors, Samuel Gearhart, Samuel Bemisderfer, Joseph Hade; Assessor, Jacob Conrad; Auditor, S Phillipy; Treasurer, H R Brendle; Constable, Henry Baltzley; Township Clerk, Emanuel Detrich.
Greencastle.--Constable, Daniel Hawbecker; Assessor, James C Morehead.
Fannett township--School Directors, Randall Alexander, William Piles; Auditor, Isaac Clugston; Supervisor, James McEnespy; Assessor, Thomas Fegan; Constable, Harris Finley; Township Clerk, James M. Rankin. Dry Run--Judge, James Steward, D, 9 maj; Inspectors, William Flickinger, George Wolf. Sulphur Spring--Judge, John Stake, of Peter, D, 9 maj; Inspectors, Peter Piper, Mathew W Fegan. Concord--Judge, James McDonnelly, D, 64 maj; Inspectors, Peter R Shields, John Harris.
Guilford township--Judge, Pharez McFerrin, D, 4 majority; Inspectors, William Ferguson, Daniel Palmer; School Directors, Thomas Bovey, Finley Peters, Fred'k Byers, (1 year); Constable, John Snyder; Assessor, George S. Coover; Supervisor, Samuel Grossman; Treasurer, Jacob Snyder, of J; Township Clerk, Henry Disert; Auditor, Jeremiah Miller; Justices of the Peace, Thomas Maxwell, Jeremiah M Diehl.
Green township--School Directors, Philip Fishburn, Jacob B. Cook; Assessor, John S. Myers; Supervisor, Peter Sollenberger; Auditor, H. Sleichter; Township Clerk, Wm. Wallace, Jr. Greenvillage--Judge, Wm. Thompson, R, 57 maj; Inspectors, Joseph Wallace, William Etter. Fayetteville--Judge, John Downey, R., 11 maj; Inspectors, Henry Sheaffer, John Shatzer.
Hamilton township--Judge, Samuel West, D, 38 maj; Inspectors, Henry Reilly, David Heckman; Assessor, R A Moore; Justices of the Peace, William Bossert, Benj Johnston; Supervisor, John Row; Auditor, Fred'k Mish; School Directors, Benjamin Johnston, Samuel S Reisher; Township Clerk, John Reilly; Constable, Andrew Baird.
Letterkenny township--Judge, , D, 31 maj; Inspectors, David Zullinger, David E Stevick; Assessor, Fred'k K Rife; Supervisor, John Stewart; School Directors, Jacob Long, Michael D Miller, James M Gelwix; Auditor, Peter Besore; Township Clerk, Jacob V B Leedy; Constable, William Forbes.
Lurgan township--John Dehaven, Sr. D, 56 maj; Inspectors, Jacob H Snoke, George A Gamber; Assessor, John G Gilbert; Supervisor, John W Powell; School Directors, Josiah Fiches, Emanuel Bashore; Auditor, J S Rebuck; Township Clerk, H Thomas; Treasurer, Henry Shearer; Justice of the Peace, David R Long; Constable, D D Swanger.
Montgomery township--School Directors, John Miller, David Smith of A; Supervisor, Jacob Brewer; Assessor, Jacob Young; Auditor, James W Duffield; Constable John M'Laughlin; Township Clerk, John C Robison, Sr. Mercersburg--Judge, A R Rhea, D, 3 maj; Inspectors, Jacob S M'Cune, E Louderbaugh; School Directors, David Weller, John Waidlich. Welsh Run--Judge, G W Elliott, D, 1 maj; Inspectors, J D Elliott, Wm Lackens.
Peters township--School Directors, Eli M'Cullough, Cyrus Gingerich; Supervisor, Joan Mortar; Auditor, John Hawk; Township Clerk, Peter Kunkleman; Constable, Jacob Haulman. Mercersburg.--Judge, R P McFarland, R, 48 maj; Inspectors, Milton J F Benedict, Robert Little. Loudon.--Judge, Ferdinand Senseney, D, 11 maj; Inspectors, Samuel Stinger, Robert Gold.
Quincy.--Judge, John C Martin, R, 8 maj; Inpectors, John Heller, Henry Good; Justice of the Peace, E J Small; Constable, Jacob Monn; Assessor, William Logue; Auditor, Jacob Ditch; Supervisor, William Rock; School Directors, William Hayman, John Henninger, John Funk; Township Clerk, David D Mann.
St Thomas township--Joseph Reed, D, 41 maj; Inspectors, John W Byers, John Cell; School Directors, Samu-Diffenderfer, David Keller, Daniel Finifrock (2 years), George Cable of D (1 year); Supervisor, John C Brake; Auditors, Samuel Coble, George Sellers; Township Clerk, Jacob Sackman; Constable, Lewis Diehl; Justice of the Peace, William F Graham; Assessor, David Croft.
Southampton township.--Justice of the Peace, William H Blair; Assessor, John W Parker; Supervisor, Emanuel Staver; Auditor, Wm A P Linn; Township Clerk, H J Stewart; School Directors, William H Blair, Josiah Etter; Constable, Hugh Smith. Mount Rock--Judge, Peter Bowers, D, 67 maj; Inspector, Levi Porter, David Spencer. Orrstown--Judge, Reuben Bomberger, D, 27 maj; Inspectors, John Shoafe, Sr, Jacob Roser.
Warren township.--Judge, Charles West, R, 1 maj; Inspectors, John H Johnston, E W Washabaugh; Assassor, Henry Baer; School Directors, Matthew Gordon, John Good, William Potter; Supervisors, Simon Lechrone, David Potter; Auditor, Jacob Carbaugh; Justice of the Peace, Thomas Clingan; Constable W A Fisher.
Waynesboro.--Assessor, H M Sibbett; School Directors, Joseph H Crebs, George Morganthall; Constable, W F Horner; Auditor, George W Welsh.
(Column 02)Summary: Mr. McClure delivered a lecture in Repository Hall on "Life in the Rocky Mountains." The choir of the Presbyterian Church also performed. Since the speech was probably McClure's last public appearance in Chambersburg, he bid the audience a fond farewell.Golden Wedding
(Column 02)Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hammond of Spring Run celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. A large number of friends, children, and grandchildren attended, including Mr. and Mrs. John Alexander, who have been married only four years less.Young Men's Christian Association
(Names in announcement: Lawrence Hammond, John Alexander)
(Column 03)Summary: The paper praises the recent efforts to organize a YMCA in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Irving Magee, Benjamin A. Fahnestock, Dr. G. F. Platt, J. R. Gaff, J. Harper Black)Full Text of Article:Odd Fellows' AnniversaryThe Young Men's Christian Association of this place has been fully organized, we understand, with encouraging hopes of success. At the adjourned meeting held on Friday evening last, the following officers were elected for one year:
President.--Rev. Irving Magee
Vice Presidents.--Benj. A. Fahnestock, Dr. G.F. Platt.
Recording Secretary.--J.R. Gaff.
Treasurer.--J. Harper Black.
We are glad to see this movement entered into so readily by the ministers and members of our different churches. There is room for a good work to be accomplished in our town, which the peculiar nature of a Young Men's Christian Association fits it well to do, and from the earnestness with which those who have organized the movement enter into the work, we believe it will be done. The Association does not aim to do the work of the church, for that is a work the church alone can do, but is an organized Union of Christian philanthropists aiming at the religious, intellectual, and social amelioration of young men particularly. Though a Young Men's Association, old and young alike are invited into its cooperation and may enjoy its advantages.
To live for God and humanity should be the highest ambition of human effort. To better the condition of our race, to lift fallen humanity from their sins and their woes, and point them to Christ and to Heaven, is superlatively the grandest and most glorious work that can engage the talents of men. To wear the star of one rescued soul in the crown of the righteous, will be infinitely of more value in the Great Day than to have conquered a world.
Let all who feel an interest in the welfare of the young men of our town come forward in this work. The next meeting will be held in the Presbyterian Lecture Room, on Friday evening, March 27th, at 7 1/2 o'clock.
(Column 03)Summary: The members of Columbus Lodge No. 75, I. O. O. F., celebrated their 26th anniversary on March 31st. The celebrations will consist in a reception for members and their families and guests. A choir and orchestra will perform.Public Schools
(Column 03)Summary: The examination of the public schools began last evening. The purpose is to "give the citizens some idea of the manner in which the public schools are conducted, and of the progress making by the scholars."Fun and Music
(Column 04)Summary: The members of the Chambersburg Cornet Band are rehearsing for a concert to be given on April 3rd. The performance will include "a laughable farce" entitled "The Persecuted Dutchman."[No Title]
(Column 04)Summary: The paper reports that emigration from the Cumberland Valley to the West has been unprecedented this year. Citizens are selling their expensive Pennsylvania farms and buying cheap land in the West.Married
(Column 04)Summary: Lieut. S. A. Weldy, formerly of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Miss Mattie M. Brown of Fayetteville, were married on March 23rd at the residence of Rev. J. Keller Miller who conducted the service.Died
(Names in announcement: Lt. S. A. Weldy, Mattie M. Brown, Rev. J. Keller Miller)
(Column 04)Summary: Mrs. Mary Bird Culbertson, wife of John P. Culbertson, died in Chambersburg on March 14th. She was 22 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Mary Bird Culbertson, John P. Culbertson)
(Column 04)Summary: Franklin Clippinger McVitty, infant son of Samuel and Mary Ann McVity, died on March 13th. He was 9 months old.Died
(Names in announcement: Franklin Clippinger McVitty)
(Column 04)Summary: M. M. Stoner died in Waynesboro on March 17th. He was 55 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: M. M. Stoner)
(Column 04)Summary: Daniel Myers died near Upton on March 11th. He was 69 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Daniel Myers)
(Column 04)Summary: John M. Lowry died in Quincy on March 16th. He was 37 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: John M. Lowry)
(Column 04)Summary: Mrs. Barbara Young, wife of John Young, died at Camp Hill on March 2nd. She was 53 years old. A poem of mourning accompanies the notice.
(Names in announcement: Barbara Young, John Young)
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