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Franklin Repository: November 24, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Legislature and the Press
(Column 01)

Summary: The editors blast the Republican legislature for not heeding the warnings of the press to reign in corruption and waste. The paper believes that the party only escaped electoral disaster because the Democrats were too weak to take advantage of the recent poor performance of the Republican legislature.

Full Text of Article:

It was once a fact that Legislative bodies sought to learn the wishes of their constituents, and to act in accordance with them. Such a theory exists yet, but practically it is only a pleasing fiction. Legislatures have long since both abolished and demolished the old-time notion that their members assemble to consult and act for the public good. In fact, nearly every thing legitimately pertaining to these bodies have been abolished, except the Legislatures themselves; and they stick with a pertinacity which affords little warrant to believe that, though well nigh every thing which called them into existence has sloughed off in the forgotten past, their days of dissipation and dishonesty are numbered.

The sentiment of the people upon any question of public interest is best ascertained from the expression it finds through the public press. Indeed it is the only way, except in the choice of public servants at the ballot-box. Last year the Republican press of the State demanded, almost with unanimity, that the profligate legislation and extravagant expenditures which disgraced the few preceding years, should then cease. The odium brought upon the party, the arms put into the hands of the Democracy, the disgust aroused among honest Republicans, the utter impossibility of retaining the supremacy of the party in the State, were all urged as reasons for this demand, if the common honesty of the Legislature itself was not sufficient to warrant it. Regarded merely as a question of policy, as a necessary precaution, if there were no higher motive, the experience of the last political campaign proved that their timely admonitions should have been heeded. If there was not more iniquitous legislation than the year before, there was as much. If there were not more supernumeraries sucking the blood of the people than before, there were as many. If there were no new fat jobs created to conciliate Bergner and rob the people, the old ones were reduced neither in number nor in size. Hence, when the campaign began, the great and only danger which imperilled the success of the party was the indefensible record of the Republican Legislature. Many Republican voters were indifferent or positively opposed to the re-election of representatives of their own party, and in some instances, where old members had secured their own renomination, they actually compelled their withdrawal from the ticket. They should be universally commended for it. The Democratic journals were not slow to take advantage of the wrongs done by the Legislature and press them upon the attention of the voters of the State. Though their own members had been conspicuously active in many of them, they were in the minority in both branches, and the people did not hold them responsible. It was no defence of Republican members that they, too, had been guilty. They alone were powerless to do either good or harm, however willing they may have been.

Though the Republican party was again successful an examination of the vote throughout the State clearly shows that its success was due to the positive weakness of the Democratic State ticket, and the unwillingness of the loyal masses to put the power of the State in the hands of a party which had proved itself disloyal during the late war. These things saved us the State, and only saved it, in spite of the damage done by the last Legislature. It would not be safe to try again.

Again the Republican press demands that the Legislature shall start right: first, in its organization, by turning adrift the corrupt men who have made it a reproach, and by selecting a speaker, and clerks, and heads of committees who will not need the doubtful commendation of journals which are forever tongue-tied when a voice of warning or of condemnation is needed, and always blatant to qualify and smooth over when an outrage is done: second, by lopping off all the running sores and excrescences which drained the Treasury of so many thousands last winter. The subject was pretty well ventilated before, and the people are not ignorant as to what expenses are necessary and what superfluous, and diverted from their proper channels, to feed an army of retainers, whose use the members best know. Let it be understood that there shall be nothing concealed or withheld, and that the responsibility for every wrong act shall be saddled on the proper party. Let those who stand up in their places and denounce journals which they cannot muzzle, but whose influence they are always ready to seek when candidates for re-election, know that their evil deeds shall be heralded from one end of the State to the other; then, if they make the Legislature a burden too heavy for the party to bear, let the party repudiate them, as some of them were repudiated at the last election.

Too Low
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper asserts that teacher's salaries are too low. An article in a Philadelphia paper gave a rundown on the folowing professions: cook, receives $3 to $4 per week, and is found equal to $6 to $7; coachman, receives $5 to $6 per week, and is found equal to $10 to $11; laborer, receives $10 to $12 per week; policeman receives $17.50 per week; school teacher of the lowest grade receives $6.92 per week. The paper asserts that the situation is similar in Franklin, and that there is no hope of raising the quality of education in the area until teacher salaries are raised higher.

The Fifteenth Amendment
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that Tennessee rejected the 15th Amendment while Alabama ratified it. The editors believe that, paradoxically, strong Union rule in Tennessee during the war made post-war resistance of the government more likely. Alabama, they claim, felt the effects of war and the errors of her ways while Tennessee did not.

Full Text of Article:

The House of Representatives of Tennessee, on the 16th inst., rejected the Fifteenth amendment, as it was expected that it would do. Indeed there has been no doubt in the minds of the friends of the Amendment that Tennessee would go against it since the election of Governor Senter. About the same time intelligence comes from Alabama that her Legislature has ratified it by a very decisive majority. The Amendment, therefore, is no worse off than before, but if any thing better. Tennessee was sure to reject it, and Alabama was not so sure to adopt it. The result is favorable. Now let the remaining Republican States ratify it without delay, and finish the work. There is no longer any human probability that it will fail to become part of the supreme law of the United States, and the sooner this result is reached the better.

The action of Tennessee in this matter, as well as her election, is another proof how unfortunate for the Border States it was that they were not allowed to carry out their disloyal inclinations and go off into the Confederacy. The rebels in these States were restrained in nothing during the war, unless, perhaps, in the wagging of their treasonable tongues; they were not punished, nor was their property sacrificed, like that of the States which seceded. They have not suffered. Hence they are as arrogant and as disloyal to the Government which saved them from perdition as ever they were. Tennessee, Kentucky and Maryland have no love for the Union, while Alabama, on the other hand, cordially adopts the Fifteenth Amendment.

New Roads
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports on appointments of road viewers in Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Gehr, John S. Brewer, J. Wolfe, James Rankin, Peter Keller, Lawson Keller, Samuel M. Armstrong, William Boyd, John K. Keyser, Samuel Leedy, A. D. Cauffman, B. F. Nead, Samuel Fisher, Samuel B. Snively, James Brown, Abraham Hassler, Samuel Parell, A. H. M. Dehaven, George W. Zeigler, Addison Imbrie, Thomas Pauling, Lazarus Wingert, Annie B. Wilson, John Rowe, B. F. Winger, J. B. Burk, Joseph Foltz, John Cauffman, John Kyner, David Spencer, David Ocker, David Spencer)

Full Text of Article:

The following petitions for road views were made at the last term of Court:

Montgomery Township.--A road from Mercersburg and Clearspring road, near Camp Hill, to the Williamsport road near Locust Level School House, was confirmed nisi, and ordered to be opened 24 feet wide. $150 damages were awarded to Isaac Gehr; $150 to John S. Brewer; $20 to J. Wolfe.

A road beginning at a public road leading through said township, known as the Davis Gap road, at or near the line between the farms of Glee and James Rankin, thence by the nearest and best route until it intersects a public road leading from Mercersburg to Clear Spring, Md., known as Blair's Valley road, on lands of Peter & Lawson Keller in said township. Court appointed S. M. Armstrong, William Boyd, and John K. Keyser, viewers.

Guilford Township.--View. A road to lead from a point at or near where the Upton road intersects the road leading from the Greencastle road, opposite Samuel Leedy's house, to Cashtown, to the first hollow east of Whitmyer's corner, on the public road leading from Frederick's Mill to Marion. Court appointed Samuel M. Armstrong, A. D. Cauffman and B. F. Nead, viewers.

Antrim Township--A road to lead from a point on a public road known as the long lane, intersecting the Greencastle & Waynesboro turnpike, to the public road leading from Shady Grove to Fayetteville, at or near the land of Samuel Fisher. Court appointed Saml. B. Snively, James Brown and Abraham Hassler, viewers.

A road to lead from Middleburg & Greencastle road at Samuel Parell's House, to the Shady Grove road at A. H. M. Dehaven's Court appointed S. M. Armstrong, Geo. W. Zeigler, Addison Imbrie, viewers.

A road to lead from a point, corner of the land of Thomas Pauling, Lazarus Wingert, and Annie B. Wilson, on the south side of the lands of said parties, through the California School House lot, to the public road running by said lot. Court appointed Samuel B. Snively, John Rowe and B. F. Winger, viewers.

View, supply and vacate. To vacate that part of the road commencing at the Turnpike leading from Waynesboro, Greencastle and Mercersburg, on the lands of John Rowe, and ending at the western end of the barn of the said John Rowe, the same being 100 yds. in length, and to supply as follows: commencing at the western end of the barn of the said John Rowe, and running thence in a direct course to the said turnpike, at a point about one hundred and twenty feet west of the northern end of the present road. Court appointed Samuel B. Snively, B. F. Winger and J. B. Burk, viewers.

Lurgan Township.--A road beginning at a point on the Roxbury and McClay mill road near the farm of Joseph Foltz, thence by the nearest and best route until it intersects the road leading from Roxbury to Newburg (known as the State road) at a point near the brick church in said township. Court appointed John Cauffman, John Kyner and David Spencer, viewers.

To vacate and supply. To vacate as follows: beginning at the foot of a steep hill near the house of David Ocker, and ending on the McClay mill road, one mile in length, and supplied as follows between foot of said hill near Ocker's and some convenient and suitable point on the McClay mill and Roxbury road. Court appointed John B. Cauffman, David Spencer and John Kyner, viewers.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the people of Chambersburg celebrated Thanksgiving with many good chicken and turkey dinners. The ministers of the town held joint religious services in the German Reformed Church. The Mechanicsburg Band and Chambersburg's Silver Cornet Band both performed in town.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper calls on the Franklin County Institute to take a stand on the question of Bibles in the public schools, and save them from the efforts of "Catholics and Infidels" to ban them.

Full Text of Article:

We hope that at the Annual Meeting of the Franklin County Institute, next month, its members will show where they stand on the Bible question. Roman Catholics and Infidels are working earnestly to expel the Bible and its influences from our Common Schools. All the various Protestant sects of this country are in favor of its retention and use. The one party is aiming a deadly blow at our Common School System and flourished best where ignorance prevails; the other believes in the education of the masses, owes its existence to intelligence, and has faith in the great good accomplished by our Common Schools. Gentlemen and Ladies of the Institute, there is but one course for you to pursue, and that is to stand by the Bible and its truths. See that you do it.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: William Chambers, "one of the oldest and best citizens of Franklin county," died on Friday at the age of 87. He was a veteran of the war of 1812 and fought under Jackson at New Orleans.
(Names in announcement: William Chambers)

Concert
(Column 02)

Summary: The pupils of Mr. Mason Kendall will give a concert in Greenvillage. The Rev. L. W. Williams will speak on the "Science of Music."
(Names in announcement: Mason Kendall, Rev. L. W. Williams)

Debating Society
(Column 02)

Summary: The Fayetteville Debating Society was recently reorganized. J. R. White was elected president and A. B. Shively, secretary. The society has been in existence for awhile, and many of the town's young men participate in it.
(Names in announcement: J. R. White, A. B. Shively)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reminds readers that Charles Sumner will lecture in Repository Hall on Thursday on "The Question of Caste."

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Franklin County Teachers' Institute will meet in the Court House on December 6th. Prominent teachers from around the country will be present. There will be discussion subjects that should interest both teachers and directors. Hotels in town are offering special rates for attendence.

Church Dedication
(Column 03)

Summary: F. Dyson, pastor, announces that the Second M. E. Church of Chambersburg will be dedicated on December 5th. Dr. John Dashiell of Dickinson College and Rev. J. Curns of the Carlisle district will preside.
(Names in announcement: F. Dyson)

Promotion
(Column 03)

Summary: Capt. George Eyster, Assistant U.S. Treasurer at Philadelphia, announces that Barnet Earley has been appointed Chief Clerk and Cashier in the U.S. Treasurer's office at $2,700 per year. "Mr. Earley's friends in Chambersburg will be glad to hear of his promotion. He is a thorough Republican and will fill the position with acceptance to the Department."
(Names in announcement: Barnet Earley, Capt. George Eyster)

Central Presbyterian Church
(Column 03)

Summary: The outside work on the Central Presbyterian Church will soon be completed. The paper believes it will be a welcome addition to the Diamond.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The town council is grading North Front street beyond the point. This should boost property values.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Continentals sang in Repository Hall on Saturday. The attendance was not very good, but the audience was appreciative.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Rev. James F. Kennedy will preach in the Stone Church in Scotland on Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James F. Kennedy)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: D. B. Kirby and Miss Cordie Forbes, both of Chambersburg, were married in the M. E. Church on November 18th by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: D. B. Kirby, Cordie Forbes, Rev. S. Barnes)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: H. S. Gilbert and Miss Kate M. Kirby, both of Chambersburg, were married in the M. E. Church on November 18th by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: H. S. Gilbert, Kate M. Kirby, Rev. S. Barnes)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: J. W. Heysinger of Philadelphia and Miss Laura A. Downey, daughter of John Downey of Fayetteville, were married on October 28th by the Rev. J. L. Heysinger of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
(Names in announcement: J. W. Heysinger, Laura A. Downey, John Downey, Rev. J. L. Heysinger)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Rev. S. R. Swinney of Alfred, NY, and Miss Susan M. Black, daughter of Robert Black of Black's Gap, Franklin County, were married on November 17th by the Rev. J. F. Kennedy.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. R. Swinney, Susan M. Black, Robert Black, Rev. J. F. Kennedy)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: David L. Starlaper and Miss Mary A. Vance, both of Maryland, were married in Mercersburg on November 6th by the Rev. Thomas Creigh.
(Names in announcement: David L. Starlaper, Mary A. Vance, Rev. Thomas Creigh)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Capt. Joseph W. Winger and Miss Maggie Irwin, daughter of Matthew Irwin, both of Montgomery township, were married on November 16th by the Rev. Thomas Creigh.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Joseph W. Winger, Maggie Irwin, Matthew Irwin, Rev. Thomas Creigh)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Jacob L. Neff and Miss Sallie M. Bechtol, both from near Hagerstown, were married in the Washington House on November 18th by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: Jacob L. Neff, Sallie M. Bechtol, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: William M'Kane and Miss Anna Carper, both of Chambersburg, were married on November 14th by the Rev. David Townsend of the Church of God.
(Names in announcement: William M'Kane, Anna Carper, Rev. David Townsend)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John R. Pilgrim and Miss Kate E. Witmer, both of Cumberland County, were married at Keefer's Hotel on November 18th by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: John R. Pilgrim, Kate E. Witmer, Rev. S. Barnes)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: W. D. Bard of Augusta, Georgia, and Miss Ellie C. Lambert, daughter of Dr. John Lambert of Chambersburg, were married on November 23rd by the Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: W. D. Bard, Ellie C. Lambert, Dr. John Lambert, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Percy M. Orr, son of the Rev. Thomas Orr, died in Philadelphia on November 15th of croup. He was 6 years old.
(Names in announcement: Percy M. Orr, Rev. Thomas Orr)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: John Grove died in Guilford on November 10th after a long illness. He was 57 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Grove)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Elmira Foltz, wife of C. C. Foltz, died in Chambersburg on November 16th of consumption. She was 28 years old.
(Names in announcement: Elmira Foltz, C. C. Foltz)