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Valley Spirit: March 20, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Senate and the Appointing Power
(Column 1)

Summary: Asserting the Radicals' behavior is a testament to their tyrannical rule, the article accuses the Radicals in the Senate of usurping President Johnson's authority to appoint public officials.

Full Text of Article:

If any evidence were wanting to prove the factious character of the Republican majority in Congress, it might be found in the action of the Senate respecting appointments to Federal office. Instead of exercising the appointing power concurrently with the President with single reference to the welfare of the public service, the Republican Senators are rejecting all nominations which are not made in the interest of their party rather than in the interest of the country. They are illustrating, in a most remarkable manner, their adoption of the maxim that "to the victors belong the spoils," and that they mean to make the patronage of the Government completely subservient to purely partisan ends. Although the National Constitution gives to the President exclusively the right to nominate public officers, and allows the Senate to confirm or reject a nomination with a view to prevent an abuse of the power by the Executive, the country beholds the Senate usurping, in effect, the whole function of appointment, and prostituting it to the base uses against which its advisory authority in the matter was intended, by the Constitution, to guard the high and responsible trust. They are carrying their proscription to such an extent, that the Executive right to nominate officers is made, practically and absolutely an empty privilege, unless exercised in abject obedience to the factious purposes and despotic caprice of a Senatorial cabal. No question is made as to the personal fitness of a nominee for a position. There is no inquiry whether he is honest and capable.

The sold consideration with the Senate is, whether the person named for any place by the President is a Radical Republican, favorable to the policy of that party as expressed in the action and measures of its representatives in both Houses of Congress or whether he is not. If he is, he is confirmed at once, without much, if any, regard to his qualifications otherwise; if he is not, he is rejected. And the Senate has abused its discretion in this respect in so shameless a manner, as to keep hundreds of important public offices filled with subordinate and irresponsible officials, thereby greatly impeding the public service and endangering the public interests.

The Northern Interest
(Column 3)

Summary: Argues that southern whites have been "reduced to political slavery," and surmises that the situation is a result of the northern public's "indifference" to their plight.

Origin of Article: Age

Full Text of Article:

All has been said, perhaps, that can be said of the ferocious legislation of the late Congress, as it affects the South. The newspapers of the Southern States, which are the only representatives allowed to them, express, more in sorrow than in anger, deep sense of the evils that are wantonly inflicted on that that section of our country. The President's veto of the reconstruction bill exhibits its atrocious features with a force and clearness to which nothing can be added.-But it seems almost vain to appeal in times like these, to the ancient principles of religion and justice. There is a too evident indifference to them in the public mind. It is vain to demonstrate that the course of the Radical leaders towards the South violates the dictates of Christian charity as well as of wise policy. It is vain to cite the Divine command to "forgive our enemies," when the political party dominant at the North cannot rise even to the elevation of the old Pagan morals, which enjoined the victor "to spare the vanquished"-parcere subjectis. Let us hope, however, that in the ruling party there are numbers too intelligent to sacrifice their own interests at the bidding of the Radical despots. Can any man born an American freeman, fail to see that his and his children's interests fall, when all the great barriers of law and justice, painfully reared around civil liberty, are leveled and trampled to the ground? The interests of he North are just a little more remote than the South's-that is all-in the present great struggle between free government and despotism.--It is the old story; old as history; old as recorded time. Ambitious men grasping at unlawful power are appealing to the bad passions of a part of the people to get their acquiescence in the oppression of the rest-the end is, the oppression of all. Tyranny and free government cannot sit, cheek by jowl, on the same seat. One must subvert the other. States, some free and others subjugated cannot take the place of the old Federal Union. The Abolitionists once held that it was no free country, if any Africans were kept in domestic slavery; how is it then if part of the white race be reduced to political slavery? History teaches but one lesson. With Liberty consist public virtue and prosperity and all the national greatness. The palmy days of Graeco and of Rome, of England and of our own once happy country, attest this. Tyranny brings with it cruelty, rapacity, corruption, the decay of enterprise and public spirit and to them the historian traces the swift decline and fall of empires. Shall then the great and complete structure of free constitutional government reared by Washington and Franklin and Madison and their compeers, be overthrown by Stevens and Butler and Sumner and Wade, and their co-conspirators for despotism? Shall the States be blotted out, the Supreme Court be silenced, the President be impeached, that this clique of desperate, reckless radicals may rule the American people with no restraint from laws or constitutions? Nations have surrendered their liberty to the sword of some great warrior-a Caesar or a Cromwell; but it is only in Danton and Robespierre and Marat, who ruled in the French Convention, and so ruled France with a rod of iron-it is only in them that we can find a parallel for the Congressional clique that now aspires to rule our country.

Let no man nourish a blind confidence, a foolish incredulity for the future. How much have not these very men already succeeded in doing, in the teeth of public sentiment and established law? At this moment they are enforcing by the bayonet the "negro suffrage," which six months ago was repudiated by their own party at the polls. Everything is possible to them, if public sentiment be, indeed, as debased as they believe-and here, we trust, is their mistake. The old American spirit of the better days of the Republic-the love of freedom, the hatred of oppression-is not dead, but sleepeth. And why should we desert the perfect and apt frame of Federal government which carried us to the pinnacle of national prosperity and honor?-The North cherishes it; for it fought and conquered in its name. The South cherishes it-never more than now-for it opens a shelter and a haven. Under the Constituion we can again have the sole true government-a government by consent. Nor is there, as the Radicals pretend, the slightest inadequacy in that great instrument to meet the requirements of the times. Its war powers in time of invasion or insurrection; the power to enforce the abolition of slavery, [UNCLEAR] added by amendment; the ample jurisdiction of the Federal Courts, and the right of each branch of Congress to judge the qualifications of its members; supply in full measure, the lawful authority to do all that prudence or policy demands. It is false that we must seek refuge in a military despotism, with its monstrous, new fangled scheme of bureaus and brigadiers, because our form of civil government fails in its purpose. It is a slander, foul and false, upon the patriots and statesmen who framed the Constitution of the United States. They framed it for all time, and all weather; for storms as well as calms; and rebellion and civil war have only tested and proved its strength and its value. What do the Radicals give us in place of it? They give us no military despotism-sheer military despotism; with trade paralized, confidence shaken, public liberty sacrificed-and all, that clique may rule.-But, we have not yet lost our confidence in the intelligence of the American people; we believe they will yet choose wisely, if liberty of choice is left to them.--Age

Involuntary Bankruptcy
(Column 3)

Summary: The article discusses key aspects of the new bankruptcy bill and lists a number of clauses contained within the proposed measure that would grant creditors considerable power over their debtors' finances.

Origin of Article: Inquirer

Full Text of Article:

In the provisions of the new Bankrupt bill, so far as they effect voluntary applications, are now generally understood, but those which give to creditors the power of proceeding to make their debtors bankrupts are not so well known. They are much more extensive than like provisions in former acts, which have been in force in this country, and they are important to be understood. The causes which will authorize a creditor to proceed against his debtor are as follows:

First. The voluntary departure of the debtor from the State, district, or Territory of which he is an inhabitant, with intent to defraud his creditors.

Second. Concealment by a debtor, to avoid the service of a legal process, in any action of debt or upon demand.

Third. Concealment or removal of property, to prevent its being attached, taken or sequestered on legal process.

Fourth. The assignment, gift, sale, conveyance or transfer of estate property rights or credits, in this country or abroad, with intent to delay, defraud or hinder creditors.

Fifth. Being arrested and held in custody under [UNCLEAR] process of exclusion for a debt valid and provable under the Bankrupt law exceeding one hundred dollars, if such process is not discharged by payment or by law within seven days.

Sixth. Actual imprisonment by process in a civil action upon a demand exceeding in a civil action upon a demand exceeding one hundred dollars, founded on 'contract, for more than seven days.'

Seventh. The payment, gift or transfer, sale or conveyance of property or money to any person in contemplation of bankruptcy, the party being bankrupt or insolvent at the time.

Eighth. Giving a warrant to confess judgement, in contemplation of bankruptcy.

Ninth. Suffering property to be taken execution, or on legal process, with intent to give a preference to one or more creditors.

Tenth. Suffering property to be taken execution or on legal process, with intent to give a preference to indorsers, bail [UNCLEAR] sureties, with intent to delay or to defer the operations of the act.

Eleventh. The fraudulent stoppage or suspension by a banker, trader or merchant of payment of his commercial paper, [UNCLEAR] resumed within fourteen days.

Any person thus liable for the acts designated may be made a bankrupt within [UNCLEAR] months after their perpetration, on the [UNCLEAR] of one or more of his creditors, [UNCLEAR] aggregate of whose debts amount to $250 [UNCLEAR] Nor is this all. The transaction which caused the bankruptcy is void, and the [UNCLEAR] may recover back property transferred or money paid by the bankrupt; provided, that the person receiving it had reasonable cause to believe that a fraud was intended, or that the debtor was insolvent. And furthermore, such person so implicated in the fraud, if a creditor, shall not be allowed to prove his debt against the bankrupt, and must lose it altogether.

It will thus be seen that this act not only gives to the debtor who has been honest but unfortunate the means of relieving himself from his burden, but it guarantees to the creditor a remedy against fraudulent practices; renders dispositions of property in favoritism and preference void, and punishes not only the party making such preference, but him who is to receive the benefit. Against involuntary bankrupts, [UNCLEAR] of arrest and imprisonment may be issued and they may be either confined or made to give bail for their appearance. The regulations may affect business very [UNCLEAR] and it is the duty of every one having transactions with others to make himself master of the directions of the law, so that he shall not render himself innocently liable to punishment.-Inquirer.

Local and Personal--Pardoned
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that Gov. Geary pardoned Mrs. Bernthisel, of Greencastle, who was convicted of adultery last October.
(Names in announcement: Bernthisel)

Local and Personal--Post Office Change
(Column 1)

Summary: Elizabeth F. Rice, widow of the late P. A. Rice, has been appointed Post Mistress of Mercersburg. Rice will replace John Hoch, Esq.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Rice, P. A. Rice, John HochEsq.)

Local and Personal--New Trial
(Column 1)

Summary: Judge King has granted a new trial in the case of Spielman vs. Royer, which was tried during the January term.
(Names in announcement: Spielman, Royer, Judge King)

Local and Personal--Deadly Affray
(Column 1)

Summary: Offers a brief account of a brawl that occurred in H. M. Jones's house in Quincy, during which a man named Fisher was stabbed. He is not expected to recover from his wounds.
(Names in announcement: H. M. Jones, Fisher)

Local and Personal--For Montana
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that Col. McClure and his family will depart for Montana on April 1st to inspect a gold and silver mine that he holds a stake in.
(Names in announcement: Col. McClure)

Local and Personal--Fire
(Column 1)

Summary: Relates that a fire destroyed a steam saw mill belonging to the Doubling Gap Lumber and Mining Company on March 13th.

Origin of Article: Newville Star

Local and Personal--In Trouble
(Column 1)

Summary: W. R. Kreps, a former resident of Franklin county, was arrested in New York City by Officer Campbell in connection with the death of an infant.
(Names in announcement: W. R. Kreps, Officer Campbell)

Local and Personal--Storming A Castle
(Column 1)

Summary: The article reports on the arrest of a heavily armed insane man in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Hettrick)

The Elections
(Column 2)

Summary: Lists those individuals who won an office in the last election.
(Names in announcement: Abram Hafer, John Cobel, Jacob Oyer, Samuel Kiefer, Frederick Mish, Andrew Beard, John Weaver, Samuel West, Daniel Homman, William Bossert, John C. Tritle, Daniel Welker, John V. Reily, Andrew Beard, George Flack, Andrew Detrich, George Finefrock, L. W. Detrich, John Bryan, Albertus Hicks, George Coble, Thomas Gilian, John A. Sellers, Andrew Lohr, Adam Strock, Adam Hyssong, Samuel Coble, Jacob Sackman, Lewis Diehl, James H. Montgomery, I. H. McCauley, D. M. Lesher, A. McElwain, William N. Pearse, John W. Reges, J. Frank Snyder, George W. Colliflower, Rufus K. McClellan, W. S. Everett, N. P. Pearse, George Flack, J. Boyd Wright, Jacob Henninger, Calvin Gilbert, A. C. McGrath, B. L. Maurer, M. W. Houser, H. B. Davison, Daniel Cover, John R. Hamilton, Henry Bross, Samuel B. Flickinger, Joseph Mowers, D. S. Burkholder, John Kuhn, John Sanders, John Powell, Samuel Mowery, H. G. Miller, H. C. Keefer, J. Bechtel, E. D. Weaver, D. D. Swanger, John Devabaugh, Frederick Rife, John Newton, Peter Besore, John Rife, Solomon Brake, Adam Franklin, John Sleichter, Thomas J. McNeal, John A. Dice, George Heller, K. P. Rosenberry, Solomon Cramer, Isaac Rife, Samuel Stake, Fred Zullinger, H. W. Small, John Thompson, Abraham Spidie, William Logue, Jacob Monn, R. A. McCleary, Jacob Middour, A. S. Monn, George L. Knepper, John Decker, Samuel Stoops, Charles Smith, John Small, Samuel Essick, John Duey, Franklin Kurtz, Philip Fishburn, William Ott, Henry Reber, D. M. Long, John Lindsay, Jacob Caufman, William Bittinger, Andrew McNair, Robert Kirkpatrick, Peter Sollenberger, Charles Clarke, Christian Landis, Daniel Lesher, John H. Criswell, Christian Cashman, Israel Mohler, John Stumbaugh, John S. Beatty, Josiah Etter, C. Landis, William Reber, Simon Bitner, H. G. Skyles, S. G. Brackenridge, A. J. Stumbaugh, Jason Hamilton, George W. Kahle, Jacob Hefflefinger, John Powders, Henry Wise, Henry J. Stewart, Hugh Smith, David Hoefleigh, Jacob Potter, Henry Walter, George Summers, Nicholas Bonebreak, John Funk, Val. Kriner, John Kugler, Henry Honicle, Jacob G. Sommers, H. X. Stoner, D. B. Resh, H. A. Fisher, William Pope, H. M. Sibbett, John W. Coon, John Bell, William F. Horner, Jacob Adams, Joseph W. Miller, Michael Fallon, Thomas McAfee, J. N. Brewer, Frederick Waldlich, John W. Haulman, Jason A. McCune, George Wolfe, G. G. Rupley, D. M. B. Shannon, A. M. M. Whetstone, John L. Ritchey, Daniel Tolhelm, J. A. Hyssong, Jacob Rummell, John Wolff, George W. Miller, R. S. Brownson, Christian Walt, F. C. Waldlich, John K. Keyser, Jesse Craig, Joseph Bosserman, Robert Boyd, William Angle, Jacob Reed, John Garlinger, Simon Zimmerman, Jacob Bohrer, William Geeseman, John McLaughlin, William Wilson, J. W. Wilhelm, Adam Miller, William R. Noble, James W. Park, O. S. Brown, George W. Shearer, J.J. Hill, James Witherow, William S. Harris, David Flickinger, Charles Campbell, S. O. McCurdy, J. J. Basore, A. A. Skinner, Adam Flengle)

Full Text of Article:

The following named gentlemen were elected to the respective offices for which they were candidates in the different boroughs and townships, at the election, on Friday the 15th inst. We give the majorities for the Judges as indicating the strength of parties:

Hamilton Township.-Judge, Abraham Hafer, Dem., 70 maj.; Inspector, John Cobel, Dem,; Supervisors, Jacob Oyer, 3 years, Samuel Kiefer, 2 years; Frederick Mish, 1 year; School Directors, Andre Beard, Johan Weaver; Assessor, Samuel West; Assistant Assessors, Daniel Homman, Wm. Bossert; Auditors, John C. Tritle, Daniel Welker; Clerk, John V. Reily; Constable, Andrew Beard; Justice of the Peace, Geo. Flack.

St. Thomas.-Judge, Andrew Detrich, Dem., 50 maj.; Inspectors, Geo. Finfrock, L. W. Detirch; Assessor, John Bryan; Assistant Assessors, Albertus Hicks, George Coble (of Daniel); School Directors, Thomas Gillan, John A. Sellers; Supervisors, Andrew Lohr, 3 years, Adam Strock, 2 years, Adam Hyssong, 1 year; Auditor, Samuel Coble; Clerk, Jacob Sackman; Constable, Lewis Diehl; Justice of the Peace, James H. Montgomery.

North Ward.-Judge, I.H. McCauley, Rad., 140 maj. ; Inspector, D. M. Lesher; Justice of the Peace, A. McElwain; Constable, Wm. N. Pearse.

South Ward.-Judge John W. Reges, Rad., 52 maj.; Inspectors, J. Frank Snyder, Geo. R. Colliflower; Constable, Rufus K. McClellan.

Borough of Chambersburg.-Burgess, W. S. Everett; Assessor, N. P. Pearse; Assistant Assessors, George Flack, J. Boyd Wright; School Directors, Jacob Henninger, Calvin Gilbert; Town Council A. C. McGrath, B. L. Maurer; High Constable, M. W. Houser, Auditor, H. B. Davison.

Lurgan.-Daniel Cover, Dem., 44 maj.; Inspectors, John R. Hamilton, Henry Bross; Assessor, Samuel B. Flickinger; Assistant Assessors, Joseph Mowers, D. S. Burkholder; Supervisors, John Kuhn, 3 years, John Sanders, 2 years, John Powell, 1 year; School Directors, Samuel Mowery, 2 years, H. G. Miller; Clerk, H. C. Keefer, Treasurer J. Bechtel; Justice, E. D. Wenver; Constable, D. D. Swanger.

Letterkenny.-Judge, John Devabaugh, Dem, 77 maj.; Inspectors, Frederick Rife, John Newton; Assessor, Peter Besore; Assistant Assessors, John Rife, Solomon Brake; School Directors, Adam Franklin, John Sleichter, Thomas J. McNeal, John A. Dice; Auditor, George Heller; Clerk, K. P. Rosenberry; Constable, Solomon Cramer; Supervisors, Isaac Rife, Samuel Stake, Fred Zullinger.

Quincy.-Judge, H. W. Small, Dem., 41 maj.; Inspectors, John Thompson, Abraham Spidle; Assessor, Wm. Logue; Constable, Jacob Monn; Assistant Assessors, R. A. McCleary, Jacob Middour, A. S. Monn; Auditors, George L. Knepper; Supervisors, John Decker, Samuel Stoops, Charles Smith; School Directors, John Small, Samuel Essick, John Duey; Clerk, Franklin Kurtz.

Green.-Judge, Greenvillage, Philip Fishburn, Rad., 38 maj,; Inspectors, William Ott, Henry Reber; School Directors, D. M. Long, John Lindsay; Assessor, Jacob Caufman; Constable, William H. Bittinger; Supervisors, Andrew McNair, Robert Kirkpatrick, Peter Sollenberger; Assistant Assessors, Charles Clarke, Christian Landis; Auditor, Daniel Lesher; Clerk, John H; Criswell.

Orrstown.-Judge, Christian Cashman, Dem., 71 maj.; Inspectors, Israel Mohler, John Stumbaugh.

Mt. Rock.-Judge, John S. Beatty, 1 maj. Inspectors, Josiah Etter, C. Landis.

Southampton.-Assessor, William Reber, Assistant Assessors, Simon Bitner, H. G. Skyles; School Directors, S. G. Brackenridge, A. J. Stumbaugh; Supervisors, Jas. Hamilton, 3 yrs. Henry Wise, 2 yrs., Clerk , George W. Kahle, 2 yrs., Jacob Heffleginger, 1 yr; Auditors, John Powders, 3 yrs., Henry J. Stewart; Constable, Hugh Smith.

Washington.-Judge, David Hoefleigh, Dem., 14 maj.; Inspectors, Jacob Potter. Henry Walter; Assessor, George Summers; Assistant Assessors, Nicholas Bonebreak, John Funk, of H.; School Directors, Val. Kriner, John Kugier; Supervisors, Henry Honicle, 1 year, Jacob G. Sommers, H. X. Stoner; Auditor, D. B. Resh, Constable, H. A. Fisher; Clerk Wm. Pope.

Waynesboro.-Assessor, H. M. Sibbett; Assistant Assessors, John W. Coon, John Bell; Constable, Wm. F. Horner; School Directors, Jacob Adams, Joseph W. Miller.

Mercersburg.-Burgess, Michael Fallon, Council, Thomas McAfee, J. N. Brewer, Fred'k Waidlich, John W. Haulman, Jas. A. McCune; Assessor, George W. Wolfe, Constable, George W. Wolfe; Assistant Assessors, G. G. Rupley, D. M. B. Shannon; School Directors, A. M. M. Whetsone, John L. Ritchey; Auditor, Daniel Tolhelm; Justice, J. A. Hyssong.

Welsh Run.-Judge, Jacob Rummell, Dem., 38 maj.; Inspectors, John Wolff, George W. Miller.

Montgomery.-Judge, R. S. Borwnson, Rad. 30 maj.; Inspectors, Christian Walt, F. C. Waldich; Assessor, John K. Keyser; Assistant Assessors, Jesse Craig, Joseph Bosserman; School Directors, Robert Boyd, William Angle; Auditor, Jacob Reed; Supervisors, John Garlinger, Simon Zimmerman, Jacob Bohrer; Clerk, William Geeseman; Constable, John McLaughlin.

Metal.-Judge, William Wilson, Rad., 56 maj.; Inspectors, J. W. Wilhelm, Adam Miller; Assessor, Wm. R. Noble; Assistant Assessors, James W. Park, O. S. Brown; School Directors, George W. Shearer, J. J. Hill, James Witherow; Supervisers, Wm. S. Harris, David Flickinger, Charles Campbell; Auditor, S. O. McCurdy; J. J. Basore; Clerk, A. A. Skinner; Constable, Adam Flengie.

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On March 7th, Francis M. Garlinger and Margaret Ann Miller were married by Rev. L. S. Crone.
(Names in announcement: Francis M. Garlinger, Margaret Ann Miller, Rev. L. S. Crone)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On March 14th, Levi Steppler and Elizabeth Seidery were married by Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: Levi Steppler, Elizabeth Seidery, Rev. G. Roth)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On March 10th, Charlotte McKinstry, 62, died.
(Names in announcement: Charlotte McKinstry)