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Franklin Repository: October 06, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

To the Freeholders of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
(Column 06)

Summary: Article demonstrating that Republicans, while in power, had more success reducing the state debt than Democrats. The information should be used in choosing between gubernatorial candidates John W. Geary and Asa Packer.

Republicans, Rally!
(Column 01)

Summary: Theodore M'Gowan, county chairman, announces that the Republicans of Chambersburg will hold a mass meeting in the Court House on October 8th. Maj. A. K. Calhoun and J. M. Vanderslice will speak.
(Names in announcement: Maj. A. K. Calhoun, J. M. Vanderslice, Theodore M'Gowan)

Our County Poor House
(Column 01)

Summary: New installment in the ongoing series on the Democratic managements of the Poor House. The paper concedes to the Spirit that the institution did not always run a profit under Republican control, but charges that widespread waste and fraud began after the Democrats took over.

Full Text of Article:

In the articles recently published in this paper in relation to the Poor House, we said that "we wished to misstate nothing, and our remarks upon this subject are not intended to subserve the interests of any particular party. We are looking to the public good alone. Both political parties have had charge of the Poor House and farm, and under both we believe it (the farm) has been a failure."

We desired particularly to call the attention of our taxpayers to the fact that the expenses of the Poor House had been steadily increasing, year after year--that the farm had never paid, as a farm--and that their best interests would, in our opinion, be advanced by the sale of the greater part of the land attached to the Poor House.

We well knew, as does everybody, that during much of the greater part of the time to which we referred, our party had control of the Poor House. We knew also that during three of those years--viz: 1857-58-59, the Democratic party had the majority in the Board, and that under the management of their Steward, Mr. William Shinafield, the cost of keeping the paupers, had run up from $50.00 to $90.00 apiece, per year. But about that we said nothing, as we supposed all had been fair and right.

We knew too, as does everybody else, that during the years of the war--and particularly during the latter part of the war, and for most of the time since, the prices of all kinds of articles necessary for life, as well as the cost of labor, had advanced to nearly three times their cost when the war commenced. We therefore found no fault with the expenses of those years, large as they were. But when we found that the expenses of the institution, under the present Democratic management, when the prices of everything have been greatly reduced, and when there are no more persons supported than in former years, were destined to exceed greatly those of the war times, then we raised our voice in condemnation. We could see no reason for such an increase of expenses, and we desired that the attention of the public should be called to their Sinking Fund.

We are glad that the Spirit has come to the rescue of its party friends. We were afraid that it would not have the courage to speak out. For ourselves, we do not fear any evil that our party will suffer by what we have said. We court investigation. If our party friends have been acting the rascal, at the Poor House or elsewhere, let the people know it, and if proved upon them, let the culprits bear the consequences. So too, if it be found that the Spirit's friends have been doing that which they should not have done, let the people know it also, and let them shoulder the responsibility.

The Spirit is in error when it supposes that our articles were written at the suggestion, or for the gratification of Mr. David Piper. He knew nothing of them until he saw them in print. If he yearns after the "flesh pots" of the Poor House, we know it not. That he managed matters, whilst Steward, in an economical and creditable way, cannot be denied. He went to the Poor House on the 1st of April, 1868, and left the 1st of April, 1869. During these twelve months the Commissioners paid the Directors $12,975, up to and including April, 1869, and they received $552.84 through their Attorney, from what sources we know not. These sums made a total of $13,527.84. With this money, and the proceeds of the land, Mr. Piper carried on the institution for his year, and left no debts that were not paid out of this money.

The Spirit says that
"The house, when the present Steward, Mr. Brandt, took possession, was stripped of everything in the way of provisions and household and kitchen furniture and had to be supplied."

Are we to understand from this that the Spirit charges Mr. Piper with having carried away with him any of the "provisions, and household and kitchen furniture" belonging to the county? We can put no other construction upon the language used--unless indeed, the Spirit was speaking of a "Pickwickian sense"--or knew itself to be lying. Verily Davy Piper must be an adroit thief to "clear out" those great houses so bare--and not even the paupers know it, for they never complained of a want of any thing. But how completely the truth will put at rest this Democratic lie. All the "household furniture" that the county owned, in the Steward's part of the Poor House, was a cooking stove and apparatus, two beds, and dishes and knives and forks for sixteen persons, and they were left there by Mr. Piper, and are there yet. Each Steward furnishes, of his own, whatever other household articles he may need for his family, and takes them away when he leaves.

That things were not so bad as the Spirit would have the people believe, even in the "Provision and Grocery line," is evidenced by the fact that the following articles, among others, were left at the Poor House, by Mr. Piper, when he removed, on the first of April last, as can be proven, viz: 32 hams, 46 shoulders, 43 sides, 153 pounds dried beef, 2 hogsheads of salt beef, 6 cans lard, 1 barrel tallow, 60 pounds candles, 3 barrels soft soap, 1 1/2 barrels pickels, 200 bushels potatoes, 250 bushels corn, 90 heads cabbage, 4 barrels flour, (in the mill), turnips, onions, &c.

With such a supply even Mr. Brandt might get along for a short time. But likely the "old things" were not good enough for their present "dainty" Steward, and hence new furniture and more palatable provisions had to be procured at the public cost.

But when the editor of the Spirit was pitching in for his Democratic friends at the Poor House, why did he not clear up the "hay transaction" to which he referred in our former article? Why was he totally silent on that subject? The inference is clear. He could not deny it. There had been hay removed from the Poor House, and that at night, too. Why haul it at night if it was an honest transaction?

Nor did the Spirit say any thing about those two hired men at $20.00 per month and found. That, then, is true also, and where will we find another farmer giving such wages? The Spirit says, however, that
"The farm had gone down--the fences dilapidated--the stock inefficient and worthless, and the main building and outhouses had to undergo extensive repairs. Everything about the premises had been allowed to run to destruction--it was emphatically a poor house."

If this be true, it proves the truth of what we have already said about the propriety and necessity of selling the greater part of the land. But we are assured that it is not all true. Some repairs were needed to the buildings, and fences; but the rails and posts for those fences had been bought, hauled and paid for before Mr. Brandt became Steward. The expenditures for these purposes, by the present Democratic management, the Spirit says were:

Repairs to buildings $828.09 Fencing 375.00 Horses 997.50 Cattle 282.80 Total $2,483.39

According to the last published report of the Directors, there were on hand, on the 1st of January, 1867, 7 horses, 13 cows, 8 young cattle, 25 stock hogs and 2 sows. The necessity for more cattle or hogs we cannot see, unless it might be to furnish stock with which to trade with neighbors of Democratic proclivites for pigs of an inferior quality. Nor can we see why the large sum of $997.50 should have been expended since April last for horses, considering the fact that there were seven on hand when the present Steward moved to the Poor House. It is true, one of these, a good horse, worth $200, had to be killed the day after Mr. Brandt took possession, from injuries received through mismanagement in putting him near a vicious horse, at a time when the new Steward and his friends were dancing and frolicking in celebration of his entry into his new position.

Two other horses, worth $150, were sold by one of the Directors for $117.50, and yet two others--one the best horse on the farm, and worth fully $200--was sold by Mr. Brandt, without any authority, as we are informed, for $96.50. Another worth $150 was sold in the same way, but the price obtained we have not learned.

In place of these horses sold others were bought for $997.50 the Spirit says. Why did not the worthy Steward, when he was giving the Spirit his statement of expenditures, give the whole truth? Why say that $997.50 were expended for horses, when he knew that $1,247 had been paid out for that purpose? Five new horses were bought, and one was traded for. Two of these were furnished by Mr. Gillan, one of the Directors, at $225 each. For another $250 were paid, for a fourth $225 were paid, for a fifth $222, and $100 boot money was paid on the trade for the sixth. The present Steward is a fancy man. He will have nothing but blacks in his teams. We did not know that he was so strongly attached to that color as appears to be. Now we are informed that the horses on hand when the Democracy got control of the institution were amply good for all farming purposes, and if such be the case, we think the expenditure of near $1,247 for new ones was wholly unjustifiable, and shows a case of mismanagement and waste of the public funds that the people should know of. Surely the Republican party are not to be charged with these transactions, all of which took place since they lost control of affairs at the Poor House.

There are other things which we might animadvert upon--such as the "Parties, Suppers and Dancing" held at the Poor House, under the present management, the sale of potatoes, &c.--but we think a mere mention of them will perhaps be sufficient to secure their abolition in the future.

Should the Republican Party be Continued in Power?
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper argues that the Republican Party should be retained in power. The editors celebrate the party's success at restoring the Union, destroying slavery, pacifying the South, and reducing the national debt.

Full Text of Article:

We think it should, and for two good reasons, if not more. It has fulfilled all of its promises, and has ever striven for, as it has largely advanced, the best interests of the people.

It assumed power in March, 1861, amidst the flames and turmoil of a great Democratic civil war. it resolved to save the land from anarchy and division and ultimate ruin. It waged a Titanic contest of four years duration by sea and land, and came out the victor with not only a saved, but a redeemed and disenthralled land. Wiping out for ever the blistering stain and reproach of human slavery, it freed four millions of bondsmen, and emancipated ten millions more of poor white men from the rule of the same masters. It would, in 1865, have continued its beneficent course and conferred upon the country the still greater blessings of peaceful restoration to law and order, it would at once have started the nation in an upward and onward line of material progress which would, before to-day, have obliterated nearly every evidence of the terrible war and its desolations, and given earnest of our speedy attaining the leadership of nations. That it did not fully compass this end, is fairly to be ascribed to but a single fact--the substitution of Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln, and the shameful conduct of Johnson. How this wretched man perverted his power to evil, deeming the interests of a disloyal party of greater moment than those of a suffering country, putting Democracy before the nation--we need not recount. He was able to impede, despite the best efforts of the people, though he failed to wholly turn. In 1869 we got rid of him, and the Republican party for the first time in its history obtained an opportunity to enforce its policy, unengrossed by a war or obstructed by a President.

Since March last, under the leadership of Grant, and following the line marked out by a loyal Congress, the Republican party has enforced its will. What has it done? It has filled full to the brim the measure of its promises. It has rapidly and effectively pacified the greater portion of the South, and is about to bring the remainder into harmonious accord with the Government and the Union. Murder no longer is rife in the land; persecution for opinion's sake, keener than any that ever disgraced religious annals, no longer renders immigration impossible; distrust between employer and employed, between labor and capital no longer exists; the laboring thousands no longer despair of bread and a home; the land owner no longer surveys his desolate acres with a heavy eye; but activity, peace, industry, progress, thrift and comfort have come to the land, making it to bloom and to whiten with the richest and most valuable of crops, and to resound with the hum and the din of busy, satisfied, labor, and to become thronged with the inrush of an eager and diligent population. All this has been done for the South in six short months of unchecked Republican rule. Let every grumbler be pointed to the peaceful, settled South of the day, let him be asked to contrast it with the murderous section he knows it was last year; rent with strife, drenched with blood, repellant of immigration, of capital, poverty-stricken and bordering on famine, and let him be asked if the marvellous change thus wrought, in a single summer, is not crown enough to adorn the party which has made it, and praise-worthy enough to entitle the party to the lasting confidence of the American people? If there was nothing else we would be content to abide the people's verdict on this showing. But, as it promised to pacify the South, so also, the Republican party promised, last year, to pay the debt if continued in power. What has it done? With the rarest of financial prudence, it has carried on this work also. Discarding fine-spun theories, impracticable because unfounded on aught save fancies, the Republicans have sought to collect the revenues and to pay them out again in discharge of the debt. That is all there is in the matter it is true--all that there is to do. But Andrew Johnson and his ministers did neither. They did not collect the revenues nor attempt it. They wasted a part on their favorites, permitting them to batten, like kites, on the spoil; they let part go uncollected that want and need and distress might go from the government to the people, and that discontent might be bred, and the Republicans be overthrown at the ballot-box; they wilfully refused to obey the laws and set apart any sum for the payment of the debt for the same and like reasons.

That the Republicans have sought to faithfully collect the revenues is simply the discharge of their duty it may be said: true, but they have done it and a Democratic President and his corrupt Cabinet did not! Relatively, there is no room for praise. They have done more, they have paid the debt. In five months forty-nine millions of debt have been cancelled. September will sponge out ten millions more, and New Year will see the last of one hundred millions dissolving to ashes in Secretary Boutwell's furnace fires.

Andrew Johnson was bound by a law of the land--passed before he was ever unhappily dreamed of for a President, and which he swore to see executed when he became Executive--to devote, yearly, a large sum to the discharge of this debt: he was allowed no discretion by the termination of the law. For three years he wilfully violated as well the law of his coronation oath. His example here was a beacon, as it is everywhere, to avoid the dangers and shame which lie hidden beneath. A Republican Secretary, with the sanction and advice of a Republican President, has obeyed the law and has sacredly devoted the means which he has laboriously collected to carrying out its purposes. The result is that the debt is diminishing and the promise of the party, in this regard, is redeemed.

Now these two were the chief of the promises made in the last campaign, when the voters of the North were urged to cling to the standard of the party which had led them to a victory on the field. Their redemption, bright, full, complete, wonderful if the brief period of uncontrolled sway may be remembered, entitles the party who made and have kept them to the heartiest thanks of the people they have served so well. Let every man who is glad to see a pacified and united South, and who rejoices to see our debt in process of speedy and sure extinguishment, and who believes that the faithful servant is entitled to his reward, render the only reward he can give the servant by voting for the party whose conduct he applauds. He will thus best benefit himself.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper urges a vote for Lewis W. Detrich, "the one-armed soldier," for Clerk of the Courts. "He is an inflexible Republican, labored with the party to put down the slaveholders rebellion and lost an arm, and since then has worked in and out of season for its success."
(Names in announcement: Lewis W. Detrich)

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper refutes a rumor that B. A. Cormany, the Democratic candidate for Clerk of the Courts in Rocky Spring and Orrstown, is a member of the United Brethren Church. Democrats had been using that in support of his election. The editors assert that he once refused to serve on a building committee for the church. "He is not connected with the church here. He knows no creed, no doctrine nor faith, except that of the Democratic party."
(Names in announcement: B. A. Cormany)

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: Harry C. Greenawalt is the Republican candidate for Register and Recorder. The paper asserts that he would handle his office with dedication and care. "Mr. Greenawalt is a fine scholar, an excellent business man, and a perfect gentleman. Elect him and you elect an honest man and true Republican."
(Names in announcement: Harry C. Greenawalt)

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: The paper endorses Capt. James C. Patton for the office of County Treasurer, calling him "a gallant soldier and an active, energetic man, of splendid business qualifications." "He appeals to you in the strong terms of patriotism, and your sense of justice cannot fail to urge you to reward him by electing him to his position. Let every Republican show by his vote that the boast of the party that it rewards Union Soldiers is more than an idle promise."
(Names in announcement: Capt. James C. Patton)

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: The paper refutes charges that Republican William M'Knight would vote to repeal the 15th Amendment if elected to the legislature. The editors assert that he favors the amendment.
(Names in announcement: William M'Knight)

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: The paper endorses John Frey of Guilford for Director of the Poor. Retention of the current Democratic officials would submerge the county "in an ocean of debt and taxes."
(Names in announcement: John Frey)

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: The paper endorses John A. Hyssong for office of prothonotary. He is familiar with the posts duties, studied law, and served the party faithfully.
(Names in announcement: John A. Hyssong)

Tribute of Respect
(Column 01)

Summary: At a meeting of the Directors of the First National Bank of Greencastle, J. C. McLanahan, president, and L. H. Fletcher, cashier, issues resolutions of sympathy and respect upon the death of Jessie Craig.
(Names in announcement: Jesse Craig, J. C. McLanahan, L. H. Fletcher)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that many of Chambersburg's churches are making improvements and repairs. The new Central Presbyterian Church will soon be completed, the Falling Spring Church has been renovated, the ladies of the Lutheran Church are planning on purchasing new carpeting, the Methodist Church is having its basement repaired, and a second Methodist Church will soon be built.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Franklin County Fair has begun in Chambersburg. Visitors will find exhibitions of all manner of fruits, vegetables, and livestock, as well as the "lame Doctor's" stereoscope, a trained mice company, and a two-legged calf.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The citizens of Waynesboro were shocked at the sudden death of Abrm Barr. "Mr. Barr was an extensive farmer, and well known in the county. He was a kind neighbor and one of the most enterprising citizens. His death is supposed to have been caused by apoplexy."
(Names in announcement: Abrm Barr)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Republicans of Washington township nominated the following ticket: Isaac Shockey for judge; George Summers for inspector; David M. Stoner and Christian Lesher for school directors; George V. Mong, Abrm Deardorff, Daniel Potter, and John Rodgers for supervisors; Henry Gilbert for auditor; H. A. Fisher for constable. Waynesboro nominated the following: George Stover for chirf burgess; E. Elden, Frank Lidy, Daniel Hoover, John Walter, and G. W. McGinley for town council; W. A. Reid and Thomas Cunningham for school directors; John H. Herr for borough constable; and Napoleon Beard for high constable.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Shockey, George Summers, David M. Stoner, Christian Lesher, George V. Mong, Abrm Deardorff, Daniel Potter, John Rodgers, Henry Gilbert, H. A. Fisher, George Stover, E. Elden, Frank Lidy, Daniel Hoover, John Walter, G. W. McGinley, W. A. Reid, Thomas Cunningham, John H. Herr, Napoleon Beard)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Engineers are surveying a railroad route from Mercersburg to Marion via Bridgeport. The paper hopes a line will also be run from Chambersburg to Bridgeport. "Franklin County only needs a road of this kind to develop richer and finer minerals than any ever found in the Valley of the Lehigh."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper urges a full turnout of Republicans for the meeting at the Court House on Friday. "Maj. Calhoun, who is to address the meeting, was a gallant officer in the Union Army during the war, and lost a limb while fighting for his country. He also endured the horrid treatment received by union soldiers in rebel prisons, and knows from experience what it cost to save this union." Mr. Vanderslice is also highly recommended.
(Names in announcement: Maj. Calhoun, Vanderslice)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Charles H. Taylor left Franklin for his new home in Columbia, S.C.
(Names in announcement: Charles H. Taylor)

Religious
(Column 03)

Summary: The third quarterly meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Chambersburg will be held on Saturday and Sunday and will be continued for one week. Rev. J. Curns, presiding elder, will officiate on the weekend, and assistant will join him during the week.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Curns)

Church of God Bethel
(Column 03)

Summary: A discourse on the life, labors, and death of Rev. E. H. Thomas, late editor of the Church advocate will be delivered on Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. H. Thomas)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Abraham S. Mills and Miss Jennie Miller, both of Chambersburg, were married by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: Abraham S. Mills, Jennie Miller, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: George W. Howard and Miss Mary M. Heikes, both of Shippensburg, were married at the U.B. Parsonage on September 12th by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: George W. Howard, Mary M. Heikes, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Frank Zarman, Jr., and Miss Annie M. Meesey, both of Chambersburg, were married on September 28th at the U. B. Parsonage by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: Frank ZarmanJr., Annie M. Meesey, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John Rosenberry of Adams County and Miss Sarah E. Mackey of Horse Valley were married on September 30th at the U. B. Parsonage by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: John Rosenberry, Sarah E. Mackey, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Jeremiah Vallis of Guilford and Miss Margaret E. Mellinger of Chambersburg were married on September 30th by the Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: Jeremiah Vallis, Margaret E. Mellinger, Rev. G. Roth)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Annie Jones, wife of B. M. Jones, daughter of Thomas Lindsay, and formerly of Chambersburg, died in Philadelphia on September 18th.
(Names in announcement: Annie Jones, B. M. Jones, Thomas Lindsay)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth Langston, daughter of Thomas Lindsay and formerly of Chambersburg, died in Philadelphia on September 20th.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Langston, Thomas Lindsay)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Mary Taylor died in Chambersburg on October 1st. She was 35 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Taylor)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Keziah Heidler, wife of David Heidler, died in Chambersburg on September 22nd. She was 33 years old.
(Names in announcement: Keziah Heidler, David Heidler)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Archibald Fleming died near Greencastle on September 29th. He was 87 years old. He was long prominent in county affairs and served for a time as county surveyor and county sheriff. "A man of strong convictions and unbending rectitude, he was at the same time a christian of high attainments. He filled for many years the office of ruling elder of his church.
(Names in announcement: Archibald Fleming)