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Franklin Repository: March 16, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Inquirer and the Border Damage Bill
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper defends the border war-damage claimants against charges from Philadelphia papers that they are nothing but a special-interest lobby. The editors assert that the broder counties suffered during the war and deserve compensation.

Too Frequent Changes
(Column 02)

Summary: Republicans in the legislature helped pass a law banning spring elections, and providing for election of all local posts in the fall. Democrats resisted the measure because, according to the editors, the spring elections often favored Democrats. The Democratic machine brings voters out at all electtion, while Republicans are traditionally more difficult to entice to the polls at odd times of year when large issues are not at stake. The paper believes the change in the election schedule, however, is fair and will not harm either party.

More Taxes
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper criticizes a measure before the legislature that calls for a $150 increase in the salary of Franklin County's associate judges. The editors hold that only a few interested persons pushed the measure on the legislature.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper criticizes the Philadelphia Press for failing to print the letters of "gentlemen in the border counties" refuting charges that war damage claimants are "thieves," "plunderers," and "corruptionists."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: This short article announces that General Butler has appointed a black man to West Point and encourages the institution to treat him fairly.

Full Text of Article:

Gen. Butler has appointed a colored boy to West Point. He is said to be well qualified, and his father was killed fighting in the Union army against the rebellion. These are good reasons for the appointment, and if suitable in other respects the fact of race should not be against him. There are strong prejudices to fight at West Point, but we hope these will not be allowed to come between the boy and his merits. If he is able to take a creditable place in his class his race should not bar him from it, and if he is a dunce he should stand in the dunce's place where many white boys have stood before him. We hope the Democratic journals which felt the injustice of keeping the negro out of West Point so keenly and talked about it so feelingly will express themselves delighted over this just act of Gen. Butler.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Repository reports on a recent meeting of black men in the Bethel church to celebrate the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. It mentions that white citizens, both friendly and antagonistic to the cause, were also in attendance.

Full Text of Article:

On last Thursday evening the colored men of this place held a meeting at the Bethel church, for the purpose of making arrangements to celebrate the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment soon after the President shall issue his proclamation in relation to the same. At an early hour the sable sons of Africa began to gather, and in a short time the church was crowded to excess. Here and there in the audience was to be seen a pale face, looking on with deep interest. Many of them were there as friends of the colored people, and were present to encourage them in the good cause, whilst a few were their old enemies, and were there from sinister motives. Among the latter was a prominent Democratic politician, who occupied a seat in the "amen corner," and looked as innocent as a lamb, his eyes plainly speaking the following words: "All men are born free and equal: peace, good will to all, men," etc. Near him sat a half dozen of his faithful mourners. The disgusting smell which used to offend their delicate nostrils now seemed, as if by magic, to be converted into a sweet odor, that made everything about them agreeable. They smiled and felt that it was good to enjoy sweet fellowship with the darkies around them, and would be delightful to receive their hearty support next October. No doubt they thought that their presence and smiles would have a salutary effect upon the colored voters. If so, they were badly disappointed, because several of the colored men addressed their brethren, and in their remarks denounced the course the Democratic party has pursued towards their race in bitter terms. They pronounced the treatment they had received at their hands cruel and unjust, so much so that they never could forget or forgive them, or vote with them. This was enough for the Democratic wolves in sheeps' clothing. The old smell was apparent at once, they struck their tents, bade farewell to the old South Ward, once the joy of the Democracy, and left with the assurance that the men whom they had honored with their presence intended, one and all, to vote the Radical ticket. The meeting was a success, all the speeches had the true ring, and from their actions the colored men seem determined to stand by the party that has stood by and rescued them from the hands of their oppressors. The beat of order prevailed, and the meeting was harmonious in all its proceedings.

Meeting of Border Claimants
(Column 01)

Summary: This article reprints the proclamation adopted by a mass meeting of the Border Claimants of Franklin County. The participants refuted claims made by newspapers that oppose reparations for border communities.
(Names in announcement: Maj. J. C. Austin, Jacob Hoke, John Huber, John Cree, J. L. Black, J. W. Fletcher, Dr. E. Culbertson, Dr. William H. Boyle, J. S. Brand, J. N. Flinder, A. H. M'Culloh)

Full Text of Article:

In accordance with previous notice, a mass meeting of the Border Claimants of Franklin County was held in the Court House, in the Borough of Chambersburg, on Wednesday, the 9th inst. Maj. J. C. Austin was called to the Chair; Jacob Hoke, Hon. John Huber, John Cree, Hon. J. L. Black. J. W. Fletcher and Dr. E. Culbertson appointed Vice Presidents; Dr. Wm. H. Boyle, J. S. Brand and J. N. Flinder, chosen as Secretaries.

The object of the meeting being stated, A. H. M'Culloh, Esq., offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, It has been frequently asserted in certain newspapers of this State, that the claims of the citizens have been assigned by them to third parties for a small consideration, and that such parties, for the purpose of speculation, are endeavoring to procure the passage of an Act of Assembly for the payment of said claims. And Whereas, such assertions, published in respectable newspapers, are well calculated to excite undue prejudice and prevent a far and candid consideration of the bill now before the Legislature for the relief of the citizens of the Border Counties; therefore be it

Resolved, By the claimants of Franklin county, in mass meeting assembled, That such allegations are entirely without foundation, and utterly devoid of truth; and so far as this county is concerned, that not a single claim has been assigned, nor has there been at any time any effort made to assign such claims.

2d. That the citizens of the Border Counties having born the usual calamities of war in common with all the other counties of the Commonwealth, deem it but an act of simple justice and right, that having been a break water for the hosts of the rebellion, they should be compensated for their losses to which their exposed situation subjected them.

3d. That in order that the bill now before the Legislature may be considered in a spirit of candor and justice, and be disposed of upon its merits, we respectfully request the newspapers that have published these injurious and incorrect statements to recall the same.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

Lyceum
(Column 02)

Summary: The Fannettsburg Lyceum met on Monday and discussed the question, "Is Love a Stronger Passion than Anger."
(Names in announcement: Capt. J. H. Walker, Dr. J. W. Campbell, J. P. Keger, J. A. Foust, M. G. Kegerreis, A. A. Skinner, J. H. McAllen)

Graduates
(Column 02)

Summary: Edgar N. Senseny, son of Dr. A. H. Senseny, graduated from Jefferson Medical College with a degree as Doctor of Medicine. Charles H. Merklein and George H. Merklein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.
(Names in announcement: Edgar N. Senseny, Dr. A. H. Senseny, Charles H. Merklein, George H. Merklein)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Tickets for Mr. Gough's lecture in Chambersburg are selling rapidly.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Mlle. Zoe and a company of artists will perform in Repository Hall this week.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John Everett and Miss Cynthia Ann Reeder, both of Metal, were married on February 17th by the Rev. J. Smith Gordon.
(Names in announcement: John Everett, Cynthia Ann Reeder, Rev. J. Smith Gordon)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Julia C. Grove died in Chambersburg on February 22nd. She was 79 years old.
(Names in announcement: Julia C. Grove)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Fanny Witherow, wife of James Witherow, died near Carrick on March 7th. She was 49 years old.
(Names in announcement: Fanny Witherow, James Witherow)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Catharine Thomas died on March 2nd at the residence of her son-in-law, Rev. James M. Bishop. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Catharine Thomas, Rev. James M. Bishop)