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Franklin Repository: December 15, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The President's Message
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper gives a summary of Grant's annual message to Congress. The president clarified his positions on Reconstruction, finances, foreign policy, and Native American relations.

Full Text of Article:

The first regular message of President Grant will be found in our columns this week though, as it was delivered to Congress more than a week ago, it has already been persued by many of our readers. It is a great satisfaction to know that President and Congress are once more working harmoniously together, and that when a message is sent to that body its tone and temper and suggestions do not produce the tempestuous scenes which were want to follow the reception of those of the Tennessee tailor. This message is plain, direct simple and frank, of moderate length, goes immediately to the heart of the subject and discusses it with a candor and honesty which must please even those who differ from the conclusions reached by the President. But there is more to commend than the spirit which inspires the message. Many of the suggestions contained thereon should be heeded for their intrinsic merit. There may be few members of the great Republican party who will endorse and approve the whole paper, but there can be none who will condemn it. If any were still in doubt as to where the President stands on the issues which divide the two great parties, they need be no longer. Democrats need no longer hope, nor Republicans fear that Grant may undertake to Johnsonize his party. He stands in front of his party, and that too not as a politician seeking popularity or power, but as a true exponent of its principles.

The message opens with a brief survey of the great and growing material wealth and prosperity of the Republic, from which it naturally turns to the gap left therein by the unreconstructed condition of a part of the South. He recommends that in the case of Georgia, Congress pass a law authorizing the Governor to convene the members originally elected to the Legislature, and require each one to take the oath required by the Reconstruction act, and that none be admitted who are ineligible under the third clause of the fourteenth amendment. This would restore the members who were illegally deprived of their seats in that body, would reject those who had usurped them, and would secure the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment by the State. Then follows a recommendation that the State of Virginia be fully restored to her place in the Union as having complied with all the requirements of the Reconstruction acts.

On the currency question the President does not favor an attempt at immediate resumption of specie payment, lest it might bring ruin and bankruptcy to the debtor class. He recommends such legislation as will insure a gradual return to specie payment, and if possible put a stop to the fluctuations in the value of currency. As one of the means to this end, he recommends a new loan at four and a half per cent. interest, and, with the means received from it, to take up the six per cent. bearing debt as it falls due. If this be done, a reduction in the rate of taxation for revenue is also recommended. Among the specific suggestions on this subject is the renewal of the tax on incomes, which otherwise expires by limitation in 1870, and a reduction of the rate from five per cent. to three per cent.

The President, contrary perhaps to general expectation, does not favor the recognition of Cuba. Though deeply interested in all struggles for independence and freedom, he does not think that Cuba has accomplished the conditions of which amount to a war in the sense of international law, and which would justify a recognition of belligerency on the part of the United States. In this view of the case Congress is likely to sustain the President, though feeling a strong interest in the success of the insurgents.

On the question of the Alabama claims the message takes the position held by Sumner in his great speech before the Senate on that subject, but informs us that a further attempt at settlement had been deferred because the state of feeling on both sides was not favorable to an attempt at renewed negotiation. This is now the only grave question which the United States has with any foreign nation.

The question of a reciprocity treaty between this country and the British provinces is not favorably regarded by the President, who believes that all the advantages are on the side of the provinces. The President also favors the encouragement of home manufactures and utters a caution against disturbing any of the indutrial interests of the country. This is not as direct and pointed on the subject of our industries as it should be. The new Indian policy, which is peculiarly the President's plan, is discussed at length, and regarded with much favor. He finds reason to be encouraged in what has already been done. At all events it is a merciful policy and whether experience approves or condemns it, every opportunity should be furnished to give it a fair and full trial. The President condemns the former policy of the Government and strongly hints that it was practically a system of extermination. He concludes by saying:

"A system which looks to the extermination of the race is too horrible for a nation to adopt, without entailing upon itself the wrath of all Christendom, and engendering in the citizen a disregard for human life and the rights of others, dangerous to society. I see no substitute for such a system, except in placing all the Indians on large reservations as rapidly as can be done, and giving them absolute protection there. As soon as they are fitted for it, they should be induced to take their lands and to set up territorial governments for their own protection. For full details on this subject I call special attention to the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs."

After referring Congress to the various reports of the heads of departments and bureaus, the message concludes with a recommendation to Congress to increase the salaries of the Justices of the Supreme Court, whose labors and expenses have both been largely increased, though the salaries have not. The reminder to Congress that twice it has found it necessary to increase largely the compensation of its own members, is perhaps a gentle hint that it does not forget to look out for number one, whatever it may fail to do for others.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper supports a bill introduced by Benjamin Butler that would improve the pension system for soldiers.

Full Text of Article:

GEN. BUTLER has moved in the House of Representatives to do a great good to the soldiers and sailors, and their families who are pensioners on the Government. Every one who has any experience at all, either as a pensioner or as a friend of these, knows what trouble and often expense are necessary to obtain the semi-annual pittance the government grants to her disabled defenders; trouble and expense too which they are less able to meet than any other class of citizens. Many are maimed and crippled, and must pay a per-centage out of the small sum they receive, sometimes a heavy one, in order to get it. Many others are widows of brave soldiers, who fell for their country, and have small and helpless children to care for. Gen. Butler's bill provides a simple method whereby these pensioners can be paid through the post offices, by means of the money-order system, every month or two. We hope that this beneficent measure may be accomplished. It will save time, labor, expense and trouble, and will stop the small leaks which in the hands of unscrupulous agents often waste a large part of the pension before it reaches the pensioner.

Proceedings of Teachers' Institute
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper prints an account of a recent meeting of the Franklin County Teacher's Institute. The conference consisted of addresses on various aspects of education. A resolution was passed denouncing attempts to have the Bible removed from public school education. The conferees regard "sound moral and religious instruction as an essential element of education," and the Bible as "the only basis of that instruction."
(Names in announcement: Richards, Prof. Bailey, A. H. Ward, Heiges, Clyde, Rev. D. Townsend, Rev. T. Enterline, E. Burke, W. C. McLellan, A. M'Elwain, J. H. Mullen, Rev. Shirts, Joseph Eckhart, Crider, A. B. Shively, J. R. Gaff, W. H. Hockenberry, G. H. Cook, J. R. Gaff, Miss S. A. Reynolds, S. H. Eby)

Our Poor House Treasurer
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports on the results of a case tried between Charles Gelwicks and Alexander Martin to determine who had the right to sit as Treasurer of the Poor House. A jury decided in favor of Martin, who now holds the office. Judge King, however, determined that Gelwicks had been removed illegally by the board. With his name cleared, Gelwicks agreed to allow Martin to continue in office.
(Names in announcement: Charles Gelwicks, Alexander Martin, Judge King)

Orrstown Items
(Column 03)

Summary: Burglars stole a large lot of fine clothes and fabrics from the tailor shop of Jacob R. Zearfass. The thieves also entered the coach shop of S. B. Wise. The town was also disturbed by the news of the sudden death of Rev. Wesley Howe of Greenvillage. He was in Orrstown to attend a meeting at the Masonic Lodge and had been staying with Rev. John Lloyd. Howe was found dead after complaining of chest pains following the meeting. An inquest held by W. H. Blair could not determine a cause of death.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Wesley Howe, Rev. John Lloyd, W. H. Blair)

Death Caused by Intemperance
(Column 03)

Summary: William Hamilton was found dead at the mouth of a limekiln north of Chambersburg. The deceased had been intoxicated and fell accross the mouth of the kiln resulting in suffocation and burning. Hamilton was employed at the kiln, and had returned there after a night of drinking in Chambersburg. He was 23 years old.
(Names in announcement: William Hamilton)

Fatal Accident
(Column 03)

Summary: George Summers died after being thrown from his horse in the vicinity of Waynesboro. He was found unconcious and brought to the home of Dr. I. N. Snively, but could not be revived. "Mr. Summers was a useful citizen and among our most highly esteemed farmers. He was in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and a most exemplary member of the Lutheran Church."
(Names in announcement: George Summers, Dr. I. N. Snively)

Court Proceedings
(Column 04)

Summary: Proceedings of the Additional Term of Court for Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Judge Rowe, Samuel M. Seyler, George W. Smith, James O. Carson, F. W. McNaughton, John Dunsberger, Philip Florick, Isaac Gsell, Catharine Ann Gsell, Levi Hurst, Carbaugh)

Full Text of Article:

The Additional Term of Court ordered by his honor, Judge Rowe, was opened on Monday last, at 11 o'clock, A. M. The hour before noon was spent in the hearing of motions and in the calling of a jury. The following cases were disposed of:

Sam'l M. Seyler, Geo. W. Smith, James O. Carson and F. W. McNaughton. Summons in ejectment. Continued.

John Dunsberger vs. Philip Florick. Settled by the parties.

Isaac Gsell vs. Catharine Ann Gsell, with notice to Levi Hurst, Committee of said Catharine Ann Gsell. Scire Facias Sur Mortgage A man by the name of Carbaugh, was drafted in 1864, and the above mortgage was given as security for $200 borrowed of the plaintiff with which to pay his commutation. The defendent alleges that his wife was a lunatic at the time of signing said mortgage, and held in duress, and therefore incapable of executing it. Verdict for plff. $266.20

Railroad Matters
(Column 04)

Summary: The Cumberland Valley Railroad Company are working on a new passenger engine called the "Antelope" in their shops in Chambersburg. The entire engine with the exception of the boiler was built in Chambersburg. In other news, 40 hands employed by the road for ballasting work have been released due to snow and cold weather.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Dr. Dashiell will deliver a lecture in Repository Hall entitled "Wanted--A Situation for a Gentleman's Son." Tickets are 25 cents.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Dashiell)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Franklin County Horticultural Society met on Tuesday in Mr. Reed's building. The committees were instructed to prepare their annual reports for the next meeting.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, Financial Agent of Wilson Female College, will lecture in Repository Hall on Thursday for the benefit of the Ladies' Mite Society of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church. His subject will be the popular "Humors of the Pulpit and the Pew."
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger)

"Distinguished Arrival"
(Column 04)

Summary: The silver medal awarded to the Franklin County Horticultural Society at the Pomological meeting in Philadelphia will be officially presented on December 21st.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Sunday School of the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church will hold a concert in Repository Hall the night before Christmas. Fifty young scholars will perform.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Rev. Z. A. Colestock will attend the fourth quarterly meeting of the Chambersburg Station of the United Brethren in Christ.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Z. A. Colestock)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Franklin County Monumental Association will meet in the office of Judge Rowe on Friday.
(Names in announcement: Judge Rowe)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mrs. Sarah Ann Walker, wife of John Walker, died near St. Thomas. She was 44 years old. "Mrs. Walker was a devoted and Christian wife, one of the kindest and best of mothers, and her loss will be greatly felt not only by her family but by all who knew her."
(Names in announcement: Sarah Ann Walker, John Walker)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mary E. Housum, daughter of the late Col. Peter Housum, died on December 5th at the residence of her mother in Chambersburg. She was 22 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary E. Housum, Col. Peter Housum)