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Valley Spirit: September 11, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Our Public Schools
(Column 5)

Summary: Contains a copy of a report on the schools in the district, furnished by P. M. Shoemaker, Superintendent of Common Schools for Franklin county.
(Names in announcement: P. M. Shoemaker)

Full Text of Article:

P. M. Shoemaker, esq., Superintendent of Common Schools for Franklin county, has kindly furnished us with a copy of his official report, which we print below:

SCHOOL HOUSES AND GROUONDS.

There are two hundred school houses in the county that belong to the district.-There are a few others that are used as school houses, but as they do not belong to the district, I have omitted them. Seven new houses were built during the first year-two in Antrim, one in Green, one in Hamilton, two in Letterkenny and one in Montgomery. They are all brick except the one in Montgomery, which is frame. One of the houses built in Letterkenny is large, well arranged vestibule and clothes rooms; is well ventilated, well supplied with furniture, and is one of the best school houses in the county. It certainly is a credit to the directors of the district. The other new houses are all good, substantial buildings; all tolerably well arranged, and tolerably well ventilated, and all well supplied with furniture, except the one in Green. The directors of Metal commenced building a large house in the town of Fannetsburg, one year ago, but owing to a difficulty in getting a good title for the ground, it was delayed, but will be completed during this summer. One house in Metal was enlarged and remodeled; also one in Antrim. These houses are now as good as new. All of them show much improvement over those built or remodeled a few years ago. During the coming year there will be a number of good houses built in this county. Forty-four houses are classed in the statistical table as unfit for use. These are all cold, rickety old houses, and are certainly unfit for the training places of youth. I am told that in some of them, some of the children froze their feet last winter within ten feet of a stove red-hot.

In the tabular statement I have reported but few houses have sufficient play ground. There are, however, a good many that have tolerably good play ground, but in my opinion, not a sufficiency.

FURNITURE AND APPARATUS.

Of the two hundred school houses, seventy-nine are well supplied with furniture.-A majority of those in the second class could be well supplied at very little expense. Those in the third class are badly supplied with seats, desks, &c. One hundred and ninety-one schools are supplied with outline maps, and about the same number with elementary charts. A few have globes, but they are the property of the teachers, and are used by them in their schools. About fifty were supplied with astronomical charts during the past year.- SCHOOLS.

The whole number of schools is two hundred and twenty-eight. Of that number, forty-four are said to be graded, but in most of them the grading is very imperfect. The graded schools are nearly all in the largest towns and boroughs, and in some of them they cannot be graded as they should be, on account of the houses being badly arranged. The one hundred and fifty-one reported as well classified include the forty-four reported as graded; leaving seventy-seven that are not well classified. In some of these there is no uniformity of books, which makes it almost impossible to properly classify a school. The winter was unusually severe; the roads almost impassable for several months, on account of snow drifts, causing the attendance of pupils to be very irregular, and this, especially in out-of-the-way places, operated very much against classification.

EXAMINATIONS.

I hold nineteen public examinations; one in each district. At these I examined one hundred and seventy-nine applicants. I then appointed five Saturdays, for applicants to meet me in this place, and gave notice to directors and teachers that on these days I would examine all applicants for schools, and at no other time. On these five days I examined twenty-five applicants.-There was still a want of teachers, and I was compelled to examine a few privately, and to renew the certificates of a few others, in order to get the schools filled. I examined no applicants after the nineteen public examinations were over, unless they had a written request from a board of directors stating that they wished to employ them. I renewed no certifications unless at the request of directors. Seventy-three directors and over two hundred citizens attended the public examinations, and a few the special ones. I consider the examination of teachers the most delicate duty a superintendent has to perform. I generally combine the oral and written methods. I believe, in some branches, more interest can be excited and sustained, and the qualifications of applicants more definitely determined by the oral method than by the written, while in other branches I prefer the latter. A majority of our teachers are only employed in teaching during the winter, and are engaged at something else during the summer. They generally complain of being rusty, so that I find it necessary to be lenient. The salaries of teachers depend, to a great extent on the grade of certificate. Many teachers think the standard is too high, and say that it operates against them in getting better salaries. I, however, try to impress on the mind of directors and teachers, that the higher the standard the better it is for the well qualified teacher and the cause of common school education. My opinion is that the standard is too low, instead of too high, but there is a scarcity of teachers now, and should we raise the standard, we would be unable to fill near all our schools. Last session we did not get teachers for some of the schools, in several districts, until half the term was taught in other schools in the same districts. This, directors have in their power to remedy, to a considerable extent. If they would lengthen the term and raise the salaries of good teachers to what they should be, young men and women would turn their attention to teaching, and would qualify themselves for the profession. As it is, especially the male portion, teach for a year or two until they can find something more lucrative,--perhaps I should say at which they can earn a livelihood,--and then they quit teaching. I have urged directors to pay good teachers better salaries, and they nearly all agree that they are too low, but are slow in applying the remedy. The reason they assign for not doing so, is that taxpayers would complain. I think, however, if they would try it they would soon find that they would get better teachers; that these teachers would render much better satisfaction; that there would be more interest taken in the schools by parents and scholars, and in the end much less complaining done, and much more benefit derived from the schools.

TEACHERS.

Whole number of teachers employed during the last term was two hundred and twenty-eight; one hundred and sixty-one males and sixty-seven females. Forty-one hold professional certificates and one hundred and eighty-seven provisional. Thirty-six had no experience; thirty one taught less than one year; seventy between one and five years; and ninety-one over five years. Some of our teachers have attended a normal school, but I am unable to say how many. One hundred and sixty-seven have read works on the theory of teaching, and sixty-one have not. Something over one-half of our teachers are well qualified; understand the theory of teaching well; "teach children to think, not to memorize; teach them principles and not rules." About one-fourth of them are tolerably well qualified, and succeed tolerably well. About forty are poorly qualified, and were not successful; and fifteen were total failures.

VISITATIONS.

Visited all the schools except sixteen. I was at ten of these but they were not open at the time; six I failed to reach owing to bad roads and inclement weather. Visited twenty-four twice and a few three times. Made eighty visits in company with one or more directors. As I wanted to see the schools in their every-day condition, I did not let teachers and citizens know when I would visit their schools, unless I could do so when on the way to the school. Sometimes I heard a few of the classes myself, but generally the teacher proceeded in his usual way. Before leaving the school I generally made a short address to the scholars. To the teacher I speak privately, calling his attention to any errors I may have noticed in classifying, governing, or teaching, and suggesting such plans and changes as I deem necessary to the successful management of the school. The visitation of schools is sadly neglected by directors and parents. Their indifference and the want of proper supervision by some district agency, are great impediments to the advancement of our common schools.

INSTITUTES.

Regular meetings of the district institute were held in Chambersburg, Lurgan, Metal and St. Thomas, and a few meetings in Guilford. These are praiseworthy examples and should be imitated by directors and teachers in every district.

The county institute met in Greencastle, in November, and continued in session four days. The attendance of teachers was small, but the exercises lively and instructive.-Very able addresses were delivered before the Institute by Hon. J. P. Wickersham, Sates Superintendent, and D. Watson Rowe, Esq.

There are some columns in the statistical blank that I am not able to fill, having neglected to get the necessary information, on these points, when in the districts.

CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL LAW.

In my opinion the minimum school term should be increased to six months, and the state appropriation increased in proportion; directors should be allowed a reasonable compensation for their services; the Legislature should pass an act regulating the salaries of County Superintendents on some fair basis; directors should have the power to appoint one of their best teachers, or someone else, who is well qualified as district superintendent, and to pay him out of the funds of the district. Where districts are small two or more might unite.

SUMMARY.

Held one county institute; nineteen public, five special and twenty-three private examinations; granted two hundred and twenty provisional certificates; made two hundred and thirty-seven visits to the schools, average length about one and two thirds hours; wrote one hundred and forty-three letters on official business; spent two hundred and three days in the discharge of official duty; and traveled one thousand seven hundred and sixty miles.

The Democratic Ticket
(Column 1)

Summary: In the article, the editors introduce the Democratic candidates for office in the county elections -- Col. B. F. Winger, John Armstrong, George W. Skinner, and William Shenafield -- and provide brief biographical sketches of each.
(Names in announcement: Col. B. F. Winger, John Armstrong, George W. Skinner, William Shenafield)

Full Text of Article:

It must, we think, be conceded by every candid Republican in Franklin County, that the ticket put in nomination by the Democratic Convention is a good one. The standing, character and qualifications of our candidates will bear the closest scrutiny.

Co. B. F. WINGER, who was nominated for the Legislature by a very flattering vote-receiving 68 out of 78 votes on first ballot-is one of our most intelligent, active and enterprising citizens. Entering a country store fresh from the farm at the early age of fourteen, he successfully pursued the mercantile business up to the breaking out of the rebellion. In August, 1862, he entered the military service as First Lieutenant in the second Regiment of Pennsylvania Artillery. For his intelligence, courage and enterprise in the performance of his duties, he was rewarded with a Major's commission at the close of the campaign of 1864, and in the spring of 1865 he was promoted to the office of Lieutenant Colonel. His regiment was on duty in the defences of Washington till the opening of Grant's campaign against Richmond in the spring of 1864, when it was ordered to the front. It participated in nearly all the battles and established a reputation for bravery second to that of no other body of men in the whole army. Its gallant officers frequently led it into the very forefront of the battle, and neither they nor their heroic followers ever flinched before the hottest fire. After Lee's surrender, Col. Winger was commandant of the city of Petersburg and of several military sub-districts, an evidence of the consideration in which he was held by his superiors. He remained with his regiment until it was mustered out of service in February, 1866, when he returned to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Col. Winger has, until a recent period, been in opposition to the Democratic party; but finding the Radicals bent upon subverting the Constitution and destroying the Union which he had periled his life to preserve, he came out manfully against them a year or more ago. The time when and the circumstances under which he made the change in his political connections, leave no room for doubt about the purity or patriotism of his motives. There are no assailable points either in his private character or his military career. He is an excellent candidate and will make an excellent representative.

JOHN ARMSTRONG, Esq., who received the high compliment of a nomination by acclamation for associate Judge, is known personally to almost every voter in the county. We can tell the public nothing of him that they do not know already. His extensive knowledge, his unbending integrity and his firmness of purpose, are known to all, and it must be universally conceded that if he should be elected he will be "the right man in the right place." No man could be chosen who would bring the discharge of his duties a more conscientious desire to do right or a stronger will to carry it out.

CAPT. GEORGE W. SKINNER, who was first nominated for County Treasurer after a spirited contest-which, however, was conducted in the most honorable manner by all the parties to it-is a member of the well known and highly respectable family of his name residing in Path Valley. We have heard but one single objection to him by his opponents and that is his youth.-We admit that he is young, but we believe Wm. Pitt was Prime Minister of England at an earlier age. Nor would it be extravagant to claim for Capt. Skinner a shade of the spirit and energy that made Pitt famous in his early manhood. A youth of eighteen when the war broke out, he left College and entered the army as a private in 1862, in Company A, of the Seventy-seventh Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. He passed successively through the grades of Sergeant and First Lieutenant up to Captain, and remained in service till the command was mustered out in January, 1866. The reputation of the gallant "Seventy-seventh" is too well known to require any eulogium upon it or its officers. The man who was worthy to command a company in it is worthy to be County Treasurer.

WILLIAM SHENAFIELD, nominated for County Commissioner; JOHN GILLIAN Jr., nominated for Director of the Poor; WILLIAM BOYD, nominated for Jury Commissioner; and JOSEPH MOWER, nominated for Auditor-all are well qualified for the official positions to which it is proposed to elect them respectively. They rank among the most intelligent, most substantial and most steady going citizens of Franklin county, and are, like the rest of our candidates, eminently worthy of a warm support.

Reaction
(Column 2)

Summary: When the South left the Union, say the new editors of the Valley Spirit, the "influence of seccession extended beyond the limits of the seceding States." Indeed, that decision "hung mill-stones around the necks" of northern Democrats, who were implicated and persecuted as a consequence of their association with southern wing of the party. But now, after seven years of defeat and marginalization, the Democrats have been resurrected.

Full Text of Article:

During the last seven years the Republican party has carried almost every important election in every Northern State. Since the election of Mr. Lincoln in 1860, its power has steadily increased. Wielding the immense patronage of the Federal Government, together with that of the respective State Governments of the North, it won triumph after triumph, so that, of late, it fondly dreamed that it tenure of office was to be perpetual. Its leaders thought that nothing could impede its onward march.

The war naturally gave strength to the Republican organization. The Southern States had acted almost as a unit with the Democratic party of the North. When they attempted to break the tie which bound them to the Union and ran madly into secession, the power of our party was broken. The effect of this step was not simply to take from our organization the strength which lay strictly in the South. It was weakened alone by the loss of the Democratic electors who resided there. No! The influence of secession extended beyond the limits of the seceding States. Its criminality hung mill-stones around the necks of Democrats North. The Republican party made hot haste to appreciate and make itself master of the situation. It charged us with sympathy with secession. It denounced us as aiders and abettors of treason. It made use of all the opprobrious epithets which our language could furnish. It appealed to the basest passions of the human heart. By the meanest misrepresentations and foulest calumnies, it sought to cast upon us the odium of an alliance with those who were seeking to break up the government. To a great extent, it succeeded. It drew away thousands he support of the flag. More than a million of men sprang to arms. Then-when the Federal Government was in almost death-throes-the Republican party addressed its specious partisan appeals to their patriotism. It sought to make them believe that the salvation of the country lay in voting with that organization-that if Democrats would get into power, they would turn the whole government over to the rebels. With extraordinary skill, it manipulated the soldier vote. With unequaled adroitness it persuaded the people that the administration was the government, and the only way to support the government was to support the administration. The strong arm of military power was used to stifle inquiry and to suppress opposition. The mouths of Democratic speakers were gagged. The Democratic press was muzzled. Democratic orators and editors were immured in forts, or driven into exile. The little bell tinkled, and the Democratic citizen was robbed of his liberty. We were derided as Constitution savers and Union shriekers. The populace applauded. The mob, frenzied and thirsting for blood, committed innumerable outrages. The Republican party was everywhere triumphant. Such was it in the hey-day of its power.

The war closed. Rebellion was suppressed. The South was vanquished. The Federal Government was victorious. "The Union is saved," thought the honest masses. "The negro is emancipated. The Republican party will certainly be satisfied." But not so. The seceding States are States no longer. They must be held and treated as conquered territory. Representation must be denied them. A standing army must be maintained. Military power must hold them in subjection. They always voted the Democratic ticket. they must not be allowed to come into the union until they vote the Republican ticket. The white population will vote with the Democrats. They must be disfranchised. The negro is "loyal." He must be enfranchised. Freedmen's Bureau must be established. The negro must be fed and clothed at the expense of the white man. There must be no distinction as to political rights on account of color-if any, the discrimination must be made in favor of the black man. The lands of the rebels must be confiscated. They must be parceled out among the freedmen. More-the negro must vote in the District of Columbia. The war has wiped out State rights. The word white must be stricken out of every State Constitution. The negro must vote everywhere in the Union. Congress is now the government. All power belongs to it. It may exclude representatives from any State for the reason that they vote the Democratic ticket.

These are the principles which made the Republican party the Radical party.

Meanwhile the Democratic party maintained its organization. Its ranks were thinned. Its numbers were reduced. Silently and without ostentation it sent its members to the field. On every battle-ground they lie. Their bones lie bleaching side by side with those of their political opponents. Southern soil has drunk up the commingled blood of the Democrats and Republicans.

At home, the party struggled earnestly for the ascendancy of its ancient political faith. Patiently it bore slander and contumely unprecedented in our history. Time and again it was defeated, but calmly it gathered up its strength for each succeeding conflict. It kept its eye on the Constitution. It felt that "Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again."

It had faith in its destiny-faith in the ultimate success of its principles. Through sore trials and bitter reverses, it kept straight on its way, earnestly looking forward to, and longing for, the day when the mists of passion should be dissipated; when the terrible political delusions, which have hung like a nightmare upon the people should be dispelled, and the bright day of harmony and good-will among the people of the North and the South, and of prosperity to the nation, should be ushered in.

At last, the reaction has come. The "sober, second thought" has been awakened. The night of our political darkness is over. The tide of Radicalism has been stemmed. From the Pacific shores, California sends her greeting to the conservative men of the country. She has hurled back the current of fanaticism. The Democratic party is triumphant. There is hope for the Republic.

Democrats , Prepare For Action
(Column 3)

Summary: With the election only weeks away, Republicans are moving feverishly ahead to rally the party's rank-and-file members. Their diligence is required, the editors avow, because they know that "honest, straightfoward white laborers are not in sympathy with their project to enfranchise the negro in Pennsylvania." By contrast, the Democrats "have never been in higher spirits."

Full Text of Article:

The action of the Democratic County Convention last week was all that was wanting to make up the issue for the approaching election. Both parties have nominated their tickets, and the preliminary arrangements are being made for a campaign which is to be short, sharp and decisive. Already the Radicals are moving. Their County Committee has been devising ways and means-their Grand Army of the Republic has been holding its secret conclaves-their runners are out trying to stir up the sluggish-their organ is hurling its stereotyped epithets. All the "surface indications" disclose an intention on the part of the leaders to exert themselves with unusual activity. Their candidates are fired with rather unwonted energy. There seems to be an apprehension in their minds that to achieve a victory at the coming election, will require all their best efforts. They evidently see that the masses of their party are sluggish. They know that our honest, straightforward white laborers are not in sympathy with their project to enfranchise the negro in Pennsylvania.

They know that our plain, upright farmers are not overjoyed at the unparalleled extravagance which meets them everywhere. They know that the taxpayers do not exult over the large amounts scored opposite their names in the shape of grievous taxation. They know that the query is beginning to run from mouth to mouth, what is all this for? How long must we appropriate our hard earnings to feed the negro in the South and to support swarms of useless officers of the Freedman's Bureau? And they know that the answer to those questions is not calculated to increase their chances of success.

On the other hand, never were the Democrats in higher spirits, and never did they have better reason to be so. There is not a fundamental principle put forth by the party, with which they have not always been in sympathy. Every plank in its platform is hewn from the Constitution of the United States. To a Democrat love for the Constitution is natural. He takes it into his system with the first breath of life that is breathed into him, and he never needs any other stimulant to political action. He always judges of every political principle by its provisions, and refuses his support to it, unless convinced that it is in accordance with them. His highest political aim is to maintain that system of government which guarantees to the citizen "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' That system he finds embodied in the Constitution of the United States. To it, therefore, he gives his unchanging fealty.

Up Democrats, then, and arm yourselves for the contest. The Radicals have "repudiated" your Constitution. They have been "acting outside of it"-they are acting outside of it now-they intend to act outside of it hereafter. They ignore it altogether. They seek to substitute the might of the conqueror for the written law. Gird up your loins for the fight. Determine to win. Fire the heart of your neighbor with enthusiasm. Induce him to read. Read to him yourself. Shew him the hypocrisy of Radical professions heretofore, warn him of the imminent danger to free government.

Your candidates are worthy-they are honest and capable. Discuss their qualifications as contrasted with their opponents. Try the sincerity of Radical boasts of love for the men who have hazarded their lives for the Union. Be active, vigilant persevering. "Quit yourselves like men," and victory will be ours

The Pacific Railway
(Column 3)

Summary: A group of congressmen recently completed a survey of the work thus far completed on the Union Pacific Railway and have offered a laudatory report that highlights the railroad's importance to the nation's future economic development.

Proclamations By The President
(Column 7)

Summary: Provides a copy of President Johnson's Proclamation of Amnesty, issued Sept. 9th.

Origin of Article: Washington

Full Text of Article:

Proclamation of Amnesty.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8-The following pardon proclamation, although prepared yesterday, was not issued until this afternoon:

By the President of the united States:

A Proclamation.

Whereas , in the month of July, Anno Domini 1861, the two houses of Congress with extraordinary unanimity, solemnity declared "that the war then existing was not waged on the part of the government in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of the States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the several States unimpaired, and that as soon as these objects should be accomplished the war ought to cease; and,

Whereas , The President of the United States, on the 8th day of December, Anno Domini 1863, and on the 26th day of March, Anno Domini 1864, did with the objects of suppressing the then existing rebellion, of inducing all persons to return to their loyalty, and of restoring the authority of the United States, issue proclamations, offering amnesty and pardon to all persons who had directly or indirectly participated in the then existing rebellion, except as in those proclamations was specified and reserved; and

Whereas , The President of the United States did, on the twenty-ninth day of May, Anno Domini, 1865, issue a further proclamation with the same objects before mentioned, and with the same objects before mentioned, and to the end that the authority of the government of the United States might be restored, and that peace, order, and freedom might be established; and the President did by the said last mentioned proclamation proclaim and declare that he thereby granted to all persons who had directly or indirectly participated in the then existing rebellion, except as therein excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restoration of all rights of property, except as ofo slaves, and except in certain cases where legal proceedings had been instituted, but upon condition that such persons should take and subscribe an oath therein prescribed, which oath should be registered for permanent preservation; and,

Whereas , In and by the said last mentioned proclamation of the twenty-ninth day of May, Anno Domini 1865, fourteen extensive classes of persons therein specially described were altogether excepted and excluded from the benefits thereof; and

Whereas , The President of the United Sates did, on the second day of April, Anno Domini 1866, issue a proclamation declaring that the insurrection was at an end, and was thenceforth to be so regarded; and

Whereas , There now exists no organized armed resistance of misguided citizens or others, to the authority of the United States, in the States of Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida and Texas, and the laws can be sustained and enforced therein, by the proper civil authority, State or Federal, and the people of said States, are well and loyally disposed, and have confirmed, or if permitted to do so, will conform in their legislation to the condition of affairs growing out of the amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting slavery within the limits and jurisdiction for the United States; and,

Whereas , There no longer exists any reasonable ground to apprehend within the States, which were involved in the late rebellion, any renewal thereof, or any unlawful resistance by the people of said States, to the Constitution and laws of the United States; and

Whereas , Large-standing armies, military occupation, martial law, military tribunals, and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus and the right of trial by jury, are in time of peace dangerous to the public liberty, incompatible with the individual rights of the citizens, contrary to the genius and spirit of our free institutions, and exhaustive of the national resources, and ought not therefore to be sanctioned or allowed except in cases of actual necessity for repelling invasion or suppressing insurrection or rebellion; and,

Whereas , A retaliatory or vindictive policy, attended by unnecessary disqualifications, pains, penalties, confiscations and disfranchisements now, as always, could onlp tend to hinder reconciliation among the people and national restoration among the people and national restoration, while it must seriously embarrass, obstruct and repress popular energies, and national industry and enterprise; and

Whereas , For these reasons it is now deemed essential to the public welfare, and to the more perfect restoration of constitutional law and order, that the said last mentioned proclamation so aforesaid, issued on the twenty-ninth day of May, Anno Domini 1865, should be modified, and that the full and beneficient pardon conceded thereby should be opened and further extended to a large number of the persons who by its aforesaid exceptions have been hitherto excluded from Executive clemency.

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim and declare that the full pardon described in the said proclamation of the 20th of May, Anno Domini 1865, shall henceforth be opened and extended to all persons who directly or indirectly participated in the late rebellion with the restoration of all privileges, immunities, and rights of property, except as in cases of legal proceedings under the laws of the United States, but upon this condition, nevertheless, that every such person who shall seek to avail himself of this proclamation, shall take and subscribe the following oath, and shall cause the same to be registered for permanent preservation, ion the same manner and with the same effect as with the oath prescribed in the said proclamation of the 29th day of May, 1865, namely:

"I,-------, do solemnly swear (or affirm), in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Union of the States thereunder, and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made, during the late rebellion, with reference to the emancipation of slaves. So help me God,"

The following persons, and no others, are excluded from the benefits of this proclamation, and of the said proclamation of the 20th day of May, 1865, namely:

First-The chief or pretended chief executive officers including the President, the Vice-President, and all heads of departments of the pretended Confederate or rebel government, and all who were agents thereof in foreign States and countries; and all who held or pretended to hold, in the service of the said pretended Confederate government, a military rank or title above the grade of brigadier general, or naval rank or title above that of captain; and all who were or pretended to be "Governors of States" while maintaining, abetting, or submitting to, and acquiescing the rebellion.

Second-All persons who in any way treated otherwise than as lawful prisoners of war persons who in any capacity were employed or engaged in the military or naval service of the United States.

Third-All persons who at the time they may seek to obtain the benefits of this proclamation, are actually in civil, military, or naval confinement or custody, or legally held to bail either before or after conviction, and all persons who were engaged directly or indirectly in the assassination of the late President of the United States, or in any plot or conspiracy in any manner therewith connected.

In testimony whereof, I have signed these presents with my hand, and have caused the seal of the United States to be thereunto affixed.

[L. S.] Done at the City of Washington, the 7th day of September, 1867,

By the president ANDREW JOHNSON

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Local and Personal--The County Committee
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists the men selected to serve on the Democratic County Committee for the ensuing year. The men are requested to meet at C. M. Duncan's office on Sept. 14th to organize the upcoming campaign.
(Names in announcement: B. Y. Hamsher, George W. Brewer, C. M. Duncan, D. K. Wunderlich, J. Newton Shillito, Samuel Breckenridge, Pharez Duffield, Abraham Hafer, Dr. W. A. Hunter, William D. McKinistry, John Goetz, William Johnston, E. J. Small, Simon Bitner, John Keyser, William Stitzel, Martin Hammond, J. J. Miller, Jacob Bear, William H. Blair, J. S. Nimmon, John Lindsay, Daniel Stake, John H. Jarrett, John A. Sellers, John Gilbert)

Local and Personal--Farm Sold
(Column 1)

Summary: On August 30th, Daniel Tritle sold his 105 acres farm near Mt. Hope to David Singer for $120 per acre.
(Names in announcement: Daniel Tritle, David Singer)

Local and Personal--Property Sold
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that H. H. Hutz sold his house and lot on Main St. to John Huber, of Letterkenny township, for $7,000.
(Names in announcement: H. H. Hutz, John Huber)

Local and Personal--Balloon Ascension
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that John A. Light made his sixth ascent in a hot-air balloon on Sept. 19th.
(Names in announcement: John A. Light)

Local and Personal--Base Ball
(Column 1)

Summary: On Sept. 7th, the "Printers," of Chambersburg, defeated the "Snowballs," of Shippensburg, in a game of baseball. The Printers won by a score of 21 to 16.

Local and Personal--Narrow Escape
(Column 1)

Summary: Samson Dick almost suffered a fatal accident on Sept. 7th when his pants got caught in the tumbling shaft of the threshing machine at Lawrence Berger's farm, in Hamilton. Luckily, Dick managed to avoid injury when his pants tore "competely off, and wound around the shaft, leaving him standing in a state of nudity."
(Names in announcement: Samson Dick, Lawrence Berger)

Local and Personal--Sudden Death
(Column 1)

Summary: John Rhodes, "a well-known and respected resident," died suddenly on Sept. 9th. The night before his death, Rhodes attended church where he lapsed into a coughing fit "which brought on hemmorhage of the lungs and terminated his life in a few minutes."
(Names in announcement: John Rhodes)

Local and Personal--Great Flood
(Column 1)

Summary: The heaviest rain in recent memory caused considerable damage in town on Sept. 6th. The storm pushed the Conococheague to an unprecedented height, flooding low grounds along the creek bed. The editors praise William Wanamaker, S. F. Greenawalt, and Wilson Forbes for their "benevolent enterprise," evacuating residents from the hardest hit areas, particularly the black enclave of Wolffstown.
(Names in announcement: S. F. Greenawalt, William Wanamaker, Wilson Forbes)

Letter of Declination
(Column 2)

Summary: Contains a letter from Samuel Fisher requesting that, due to prior business engagements, his name be withdrawn from consideration as a possible candidate for Treasurer.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Fisher)

Trailer: Samuel Fisher

Local and Personal--New Enterprise
(Column 2)

Summary: Informs readers that Messrs. Geiser, Price, & Co. have purchased George Frick's machine shop in Waynesboro where they will begin construction on a foundry and additional iron, wood, and paint shops. The men paid $11,500. It is expected that the new enterprise will employ between two and three hundred workers.
(Names in announcement: George Frick)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Local and Personal--Passed Through
(Column 2)

Summary: The Chambersburg Silver Cornet Band passed through Fulton on its way to Antietam where it will participate in dedicatory ceremonies on Sept. 17th.

Origin of Article: Fulton Democrat

Local and Personal--Arrest Of Escaped Prisoners
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 21st, several prisoners escaped from a prison in Moundville, W. Va., near Wheeling, including John Williams, formerly of Chambersburg. Williams, who was convicted of murder, was re-captured several days later at Samuel Dickey's residence in Middlecreek township. Dickey is awaiting the arrival of the prison authorities to take him back to Moundville.
(Names in announcement: John Williams)

Origin of Article: Somerset Democrat

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 3rd, D. B. Oaks and S. A. Carlile were married at the house of Thomas Carlile by Rev. William Carlile.
(Names in announcement: D. B. Oaks, S. A. Carlile, Thomas Carlile, Rev. William Carlile)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On August 22nd, Lewis Miller, of Washington county, Maryland, and Sarah Remley were married by Rev. J. Dickson.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Miller, Sarah Remley, Rev. J. Dickson)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 3rd, John A. Noll and Maggie Honoble were married by Rev. J. Dickson at the residence of William McCleery.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 5th, Henry B. Snyder, of Lancaster county, and Charlotte A., daughter of Samuel Walk, were married by Rev. J. Dickson.
(Names in announcement: Henry B. Snyder, Samuel Walk, Charlotte A. Walk, Rev. J. Dickson)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On August 27th, John Saum and Anna George were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: John Saum, Anna George, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept.7th, William Stumbaugh and Mary E. Stair were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: William Stumbaugh, Mary E. Stair, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 5th, Samuel Little and Hannah M. Keefer were married by Rev. James F. Kennedy.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Little, Hannah Keefer, Rev. James F. Kennedy)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 5th, Enos P. Reifsneider and Rebecca J. Elm were married by Rev. S. H. C. Smith.
(Names in announcement: Enos P. Reifsneider, Rebecca J. Elm, Rev. S. H. C. Smith)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 8th, Thaddeus M. Mahon and Mattie M. Robinson were married by Rev. S. H. C. Smith.
(Names in announcement: Thaddeus M. Mahon, Mattie M. Robinson, Rev. S. H. C. Smith)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 6th, Bessie C., child of William S. and Helen M. Stenger, died of "Cholera Infantum." Bessie was 6 months old.
(Names in announcement: Bessie C. Stenger, William S. Stenger, Helen M. Stenger)