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Franklin Repository: May 12, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Registry Law
(Column 06)

Summary: The paper prints the text of the new state voter registration law that provides for more rigorous upkeep of the voter roles, including periodic assessment and removal from the roles of deceased persons.

Organization
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper urges Republican organization and energetic participation in Pennsylvania, noting that while Republicans are the majority in the state, voter apathy and a poor turnout could overcome the relatively small gap and result in a Democratic victory.

Full Text of Article:

The announcement of candidates for the various public offices, both district and county, to be filled the coming fall reminds us that there is work to be done, and an urgent necessity for an organization of the Republican forces throughout the State. The political struggle will be fought on the part of the Democracy to wrest control of the State, and to accomplish this end the party is already actively moving and organizing its forces. It is but the part of ordinary wisdom to derive practical lessons from our experience with our old foe, who is always active and on the alert, and construct our lines and marshal our forces that we may be fully prepared for the conflict when it does come.

We must not shut our eyes to the fact, that though the Democracy have been defeated in three successive Gubernatorial Elections the Republican majorities have always been small when compared with the immense number of voters in the State. It is this circumstance more than any other which has encouraged Democratic leaders to gather up their shattered forces and renew the fight after each defeat. Last fall the campaign was contested with unusual energy and vigor on both sides, resulting in the triumph of the Republicans in the State by a majority of about nine thousand. It is safe to assume that the vote was as fully brought out on this occasion as it is possible to be, and though our majority was reduced some thousands by fraudulent Democratic votes, as a legal investigation has ascertained, it would have required but a few Republican voters out of every hundred to have stayed away from the polls to give the Democracy a victory.

It is fair to claim that we have a clear Republican majority in the State, and that the Democracy can only hope to succeed by the lukewarmness and indifference of our voters. It is this, if anything, which inspires them in the approaching campaign. And it is this also, the only hope they have, which must be taken away from them. In no respect does the party begin this campaign under adverse and discouraging circumstances, as it did a year ago. Then the Democracy had carried the State by a reasonable majority, and were rendered hopeful by their success. The federal patronage, with scarcely an exception, was placed at their disposal by a false and perfidious President, and was boldly used to buy and corrupt voters. The loyal people were disheartened and disgusted by the treason of Johnson, and by the perfidy of some of their Senators.

Now all this is changed. The Democracy have no promises of patronage to make to the weak, no political favors to barter to the corrupt. The Republican ranks are unbroken and unwavering, and the country is sound to the core. The new administration has already secured the confidence of all classes of the people. The financial condition of the country is improving monthly, and the reports of the Treasury show a steady reduction of the national debt. The industrial masses are encouraged by this and by the independence, the honesty and the fearless Republicanism of the new President manifested in every official act. There is nothing - except the feeling pervading the large body of Republicans that in the election of Gen. Grant to the Presidency, the country was rescued from the grasp of its enemies, and that so long as he is at the helm of state no harm can befall the Republic, and hence they can safely rest upon their oars, - to give the Democracy hope in the approaching campaign. It is the duty of the Republican party to remove this ground also, and it can best be done by organization. The enemy can only be defeated in this contest as it has been in others, and heretofore it has demanded sleepless vigilance and unity of action. An early interest in this matter, so as to keep well constructed the nucleus of an organization, will assure us at all times against surprise and demoralization. We earnestly urge upon the active Republicans of every election district to devote some time and attention to the cause of the party, so that when our candidates are selected no time need be lost in effecting a systematic organization. If we postpone all this until the day of battle comes we will be at the mercy of our foes, who are even now working industriously. They are daily presenting false issues to the people, which must be met and refuted. The truth must be so clearly and fully disseminated that error cannot prevail against it. Let us not be idle.

Grain and Fruit Prospects in the County
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that this year's crops promise to yield an excellent harvest. Wheat, rye, fruit trees, and oats are all coming along well.

County Treasurer
(Column 03)

Summary: "Republican" writes to endorse Rueben Lewis as a candidate for county treasurer.

Treasurer of the Poor House
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper complains that the new Democratic majority on the board of directors of the poor house exceeded their authority by removing Republican Charles Gelwicks from the office of treasurer and replacing him with Alexander Martin.
(Names in announcement: Charles Gelwicks, Clayton, Smith, Alexander Martin)

Franklin County Horticultural Society
(Column 01)

Summary: The society held their usual meeting in the rooms of the Ryder Nursery Association. Minutes were read and addresses delivered on various aspect of cultivation.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports on the sale of the Chambersburg Woolen Mill. The editors are pleased that it will remain in operation, and predict it will continue to enhance the economic life of Franklin.
(Names in announcement: Maj. James C. Austin, William Wallace)

Full Text of Article:

The Chambersburg Woolen Mill, which has been lying idle, or nearly so, for several months, was sold last week to an association of individuals, and will shortly be put in active operation, with flattering prospects of success. We learn that the price paid for the entire property, embracing the grist mill, &c., was about $70,000. The purchasers intend to increase this sum to $100,000, and will thereby have a working capital, above their real estate, of $30,000. The lack of capital, and the heavy burden of borrowed money at high rates of interest, encumbered the stockholders of this property, and made futile all their efforts to succeed. In the hands of its present owners, who have purchased at a low estimate, and are unencumbered with debts, it cannot fail of success.

We are glad to announce to the community that this important industrial enterprise will not be allowed to linger and drag along without profit to itself or benefit to the town. Labor is not abundant among us, and many persons anxious for something to do, but unable to find employment, can now be supplied with steady and remunerative work. Business of every kind will be benefitted by it, and, indeed, the whole neighborhood will feel its good effects. We wish the new owners much success, and hope it may not be long before the splendid opportunities for manufacturing, for which our town offers, will be seized, and half a dozen mills ply their busy spindles where now there is but one.

At a meeting of the new Stockholders of the Chambersburg woolen mill, on the 10th inst., an organization was effected by the election of Major James C. Austin President, and Mr. Wm. Wallace Treasurer.

Personal
(Column 02)

Summary: John J. Rebman, formerly of Chambersburg, took charge of the Sunday School department of the American Lutheran Journal. "He is a zealous worker" and "eminently qualified" for the job. In other news, Gen. E. B. Tyler, former commander of the brigade to which the 126th Pa belonged, recently visited Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: John J. Rebman)

Election of County Superintendent
(Column 03)

Summary: This table includes voting results for the office of County Superintendent of Common Schools.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Henninger, Rev. A. M. Whetstone, Joseph Douglas, S. M. Shillito, Samuel Gelwicks)

Full Text of Article:

The School Directors of Franklin county met in the Court House, on the 4th inst., for the purpose of electing a County Superintendent of Common Schools. The Convention was organized by electing Jacob Henninger, of Chambersburg, President, and Rev. A. M. Whetstone, of Mercersburg, and Joseph Douglas, Esq., of Waynesboro, Secretaries.

A motion was made by S. M. Shillito, that the salary of the County Superintendent be fixed at $1,200, which was agreed to - yeas 34, nays 32.

The following nominations we were then made for County Superintendent:

William H. Hockenberry, of Chambersburg.
George E. Jones, of Metal township.
I. Y. Atherton, of Mercersburg.
Samuel Gelwicks, of Letterkenny township.
George H. Cook, of Quincy township.

The balloting resulted as follows:

1st 2d 1st 2d Hockenberry...... 15 17 Gelwicks......... 31 42 Jones............ 2* --- Cook............. 9* --- Atherton......... 16 13

*Withdrawal

On the second ballot Mr. Samuel Gelwicks having received a majority of all the votes cast, was declared elected.

Meeting of the Republican County Committee
(Column 03)

Summary: This letter includes the results of the local Republican Committee meeting to decide who would be the county's delegate in the State Convention.
(Names in announcement: A. F. Schafhirt, William Gelwicks, Maj. Gen. John W. Geary, S. F. Greenawalt, William Adams)

Full Text of Article:

The Republican County Committee met in the Court House on Tuesday, the 4th inst. There were twelve members present and ten absent.

A. F. Schafhirt, of Greencastle, and Wm. Gelwicks, of Chambersburg, were nominated as delegates to the next State Convention. The vote for delegate was as follows:

Schafhirt..........9 Gelwicks...........3

Mr. Schafhirt was declared elected.

On motion it was resolved, that the delegate from Franklin County to the Republican State Convention be instructed to support Maj. Gen. John W. Geary for Governor. On motion it was resolved that the County Nominating Convention be held on Tuesday, the 3d day of August next.

On motion committee adjourned to meet at the call of the chairman.

S. F. GREENAWALT, Chairman.

WM. ADAMS, Secretary.

I.O.G.T.
(Column 03)

Summary: Lodge Deputy W. S. Roney installed a number of officers at M'Murray Lodge, No. 119, I. O. G. T.
(Names in announcement: William S. Roney, J. Harper Black, Miss Laura Dyson, Charles S. Hull, Barton Leisher, Dr. Hamilton Forrest, Levi Sheets, John L. Eiker, Miss Mary Shuman, Miss Jennie Cook, Miss Beckie Forbes, C. B. Ludwig, George Hull, William E. Tolbert, John M. Gilmore)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper points to the case of "our much esteemed and greatly lamented friend" John Wunderlich who bought a life insurance policy from W. G. Reed as an example of the benefits of insurance. His policy was for $3000 and $390 in dividends accrued.
(Names in announcement: John Wunderlich, W. G. Reed)

Skiff and Gaylord's Minstrels
(Column 03)

Summary: Joe Mack, Jr., business agent of Skiff and Gaylord's Minstrels, secured Repository Hall for a performance on May 13th. The company is well-known throughout the US, and has a program "far superior to that of any other company." It should provide the people of Chambersburg with a "rich and rare treat of music and fun."

The Court House Cistern
(Column 03)

Summary: The County Commissioners broke ground on a new cistern located behind the Court House. It will be very helpful in protecting the town in the event of fire.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: A convention will be held on June 1st to take into consideration the Border Damages and promote resolution of claims.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Mercersburg Classes of the Reformed Church will hold its annual session in Zion's Reformed Church, Chambersburg, beginning tomorrow.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: A large crowd was drawn from the county to see a recent circus in Chambersburg.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: H. S. Gilbert and Co. have made a number of improvements to the machine shop purchased from the Chambersburg Manufacturing Association.

Mail Agents Appointed
(Column 04)

Summary: The Postmaster General has appointed Henry Wallace of Greenvillage and Lafayette Wood of Hagerstown to positions as mail agents on the Cumberland Valley Railroad.
(Names in announcement: Henry Wallace, Lafayette Wood)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Charles Gehr and Miss Amelia Jane Elder, both of Chambersburg, were married on May 6th by the Rev. J. Hassler.
(Names in announcement: Charles Gehr, Amelia Jane Elder, Rev. J. Hassler)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Lanah Miller died near Greenwood, Franklin County, on May 4th. She was 40 years old.
(Names in announcement: Lanah Miller)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Robert Alexander died near Spring Run on April 25th. He was 41 years old.
(Names in announcement: Robert Alexander)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: James Stewart died near Spring Run on April 30th. He was 67 years old.
(Names in announcement: James Stewart)