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Valley Spirit: July 6, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Income Tax
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports with indignation the Senate's recent action to extend the life of the Income Tax against the will of the people. Quotes from both Democratic and Republican newspapers denouncing the move. Says the only way to reverse this state of affairs is to elect Democrats who will follow the voters' wishes.

Full Text of Article:

Taking advantage of a slim attendance in the Senate, on Friday night last Senator Wilson procured a reconsideration of the vote by which the sections of the tax-tariff bill relating to the Income Tax were stricken out. The Senate then by a vote of 27 to 21 agreed to continue this tax, against which the whole country has loudly protested, until 1872. This action has excited a storm of indignation. The press of the country had just congratulated the people on the abolition of this tax by the action of the Senate of the 24th ult. Radicals and Democrats alike shouted their approvals. It is difficult to understand how, at the moment when the people were saying "well done," grave Senators should deliberately resolve to run counter to the people's wishes and thus draw down their denunciations. Mr. Conkling, a most determined opponent of this tax, was absent, confined to his room by sickness. Telegraphic dispatches state that he intended to bring the matter up in the Senate on Monday again with the confident expectation that the Senate, when full, will again wipe out this unpopular tax. Senator Cameron seems to have been absent also.

The tax is revived at the rate of 2 1/2 per cent on all incomes exceeding two thousand dollars. The Philadelphia Morning Post (Radical) says of this fraud:--"This is one of the most deliberate acts of injustice ever practiced by a legislative body, and those Senators who were instrumental in thus outraging a unanimous public sentiment must prepare themselves for the responsibility imposed by their action. The people will receive this action of the Senate with surprise and indignation, the more profound, because they had scarcely ceased rejoicing at the prospect of the discontinuance of this oppressive system. Had all the Senators who voted to strike it out been in their seats last night, it could not have been again inserted. If the House agrees with the Senate the country will look with hope to the President."

But there is no hope to be entertained in that quarter; the President has put himself on the record in favor of this measure. In his annual message of December last, he said:--"I also suggest the renewal of the tax on incomes but at a reduced rate--say of three per cent and this tax to expire in three years."

He suggests it, and of course when Congress imposes the tax, he will approve it.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Radical), which has dealt some very damaging blows at this tax, thus gives vent to its views in its issue of Monday:--"The revival of the Income Tax in the Senate on Friday was in admirable keeping with the discreditable jugglery which has been part and parcel of this unpopular levy ever since Messrs. Boutwell and Delano have had it in charge. Its history is that of a bad law, passed under the protest of its authors, but which they were obliged to pass owing to the extreme exigencies of one of the costliest wars which a country ever bore. In that view it was allowable; but when the war was over, and the expenses of the Government were no longer a million a day, the tax was no longer allowable and Congress so considering, on the second of June, 1867, solemnly decreed that it should last until the year 1870, "and now longer."

That compact has now been broken, and Congress stands toward the Nation as a violator of the pledged faith. Unpopular and odious as it was in itself, the unjust, absurd and arbitrary decisions of Commissioner Delano, from which there was no appeal permissible, made the law taxing incomes unendurable, and consequently from one end of the country to the other Congress has been petitioned and solicited to keep its faith with the people, and let the law expire under the limitation placed upon it."

The Age (Democratic) says:--"The infamous Income Tax has been endorsed by the Senate with a change from five to two and a half per cent. This is the manner in which the Radicals respond to the petition of the people for redress. The masses ask for a fish, the Radicals give them a stone."

We might quote from other leading papers of both parties to the same effect. And yet, in spite of almost universal opposition to the continuance of this tax on the part of the people, the Senate persists in forcing it upon the Country. When will Senators learn wisdom? The remedy for all this defiance of the will of the people is to defeat the Radicals at the polls. Let men be elected to Congress who will regard the wishes of those who sent them there. Let us teach our representatives that they must obey--that they were not elected to rule the country with a rod of iron.

Chinese Labor
(Column 01)

Summary: Denounces the importation of Chinese labor to the Eastern States. Claims Republicans are in favor of it and urges all white workingmen to support the Democrats in order to avoid unemployment and starvation.

Full Text of Article:

The Chinese question has opened upon us suddenly, and loomed up with tremendous front in the Eastern States. Hitherto its discussion has been confined to the Pacific coast, but a shoemaker in North Adams, Massachusetts, has recently imported a lot of these coolie laborers and thus thrown them into competition with the white working-men of that town. The intelligence has spread like wildfire and the working-men are moving everywhere. Monster mass meetings have been held to protest against any further importation and to join hands against this scheme to reduce the wages of labor to a mere nominal figure.

The Chinese, who feed on rats, mice, dogs, cats and other equally cheap, as well as luxurious articles of diet, can easily afford to work for less money than white men whose stomachs revolt at such food, and who require more expensive provisions.--Hence the danger that the Radical capitalists of New England, who care nothing for anybody but themselves, and who will engage the laborer who will work for the least amount of money, may import these Chinese in large numbers, thus throwing white men out of employment and reducing many of them to want and, perhaps, starvation.

It was the Radical newspapers that first advocated the importation of these laborers in order to make labor cheap. The Press and the Inquirer both endorsed the plan months ago, and the Democracy of California and Oregon were denounced without stint, on account of their opposition to it.--But now, the workingmen of the North are adopting the platform of the Democracy, and are expressing their dissatisfaction in no feeble terms. They have seen with perfect disgust the negro elevated to political and social equality with them, and have balked at this effort to degrade white labor. But they recognize in this new movement, a still stronger invasion of their rights, and they are moving solidly now to brand it with the condemnation that it deserves. The only hope of the workingmen is in the success of the Democratic party. Let him learn this at once and act upon it.

The Fourth of July
(Column 04)

Summary: "Katrina Fielding Riddles Jasper" writes the paper to complain about the midnight revelry on the Fourth of July. A man drove a wagon through town while ringing a cow-bell to announce the arrival of the 4th. Many "urchins" of the town then awoke and began celebrating and ringing more bells, making it impossible for upstanding citizens to sleep.

Cleanliness Next to Godliness
(Column 04)

Summary: "W." writes to complain about the foul odors stemming from the town's dirty gutters and hog pens. These conditions, the writer asserts, adversely affect the health of the town. If water-works cannot be built, the town should at least supply enough water to clean offensive areas daily.

Democratic County Committee Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: The Democratic County Committee will meet on July 16th in the office of John R. Orr. A full attendance is requested as they will discuss reapportioning districts. The article includes a list of the committee members.
(Names in announcement: John R. Orr, Daniel S. Barnhart, John Armstrong, J. Newton Shillito, Samuel M. Worley, William Johnson, Samuel Holliday, Alonso Holland, Joseph C. Clugston, Jeremiah Diehl, B. H. Reisher, Joseph Gilmore, Robert I. McCurdy, J. W. DeHaven, William Boyd, William S. McAllen, William H. Blair, Jacob Hanck, William Logue, Jacob W. Hamsher, John Gillan, Daniel Stake, Joseph Phenicle, Hugh Sibbett, John M. Laughlin, H. M. White)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Greencastle Band played in Chambersburg on the Fourth of July to rave reviews.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Major Frank W. Hess, an "old friend of before the war," visited Chambersburg. He is enjoying his position in the regular army and expects duty in Texas.
(Names in announcement: Maj. Frank W. Hess)

Calls Extended
(Column 01)

Summary: The congregations of the Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg, issued a call to serve as pastor to Rev. John Edgar of Philadelphia. The vote was 74 in favor, 34 against.

Sale of Bank Stock
(Column 02)

Summary: John A. Robinson will sell 150 shares of capital stock in the National Bank of Chambersburg. He is acting on behalf of the estate of the late Mrs. E. M. Pym of McConnellsburg.
(Names in announcement: John A. Robinson, E. M. Pym)

Begun Work
(Column 02)

Summary: Laborers have broken ground on a new building at the Wilson Female College. It should be completed so the school can open in the fall.

Death of a Well-Known Citizen
(Column 02)

Summary: Dr. John Hunter, a "well-known resident" of Franklin County and resident of Upper Strasburg, died at the home of his son at Burnt Cabins after suffering a "lingering and painful illness." Dr. Hunter, a native of Ireland, lived in Strasburg for more than forty years. He passed away at age 84. "He was a man of exemplary character and respected by all who knew him."
(Names in announcement: Dr. John Hunter)

The Fourth in Town
(Column 02)

Summary: Notes the lack of enthusiastic fervor and amusement in Chambersburg during the 4th of July. Says church groups went to various other places and had a lot more fun.

Full Text of Article:

Our National holiday was excessively dull in town. There was no public meeting, no Fourth of July oration, no reading of the Declaration of Independence. The boys indulged in fire crackers, torpedoes and sky rockets to their hearts' content, but the men and women seemed to be oppressed with a horrible dullness.

The Sunday Schools wisely got out of town, and, we are informed, enjoyed themselves hugely. The United Brethren School went to Oyler's woods on the Waynesboro road, the Lutheran to Messersmith's (formerly Shetter's) woods on the Gettysburg turnpike, the First Methodist to a grove not far distant form the last mentioned place, the Second Methodist to Grossman's School House on the Greencastle road, and the German Lutheran to Hege's woods near Marion.

All places of business were closed, and the town wore a Sunday aspect.

Appointments Revised
(Column 02)

Summary: Prints the revisions made to census appointments.
(Names in announcement: Marshal Gregory, Jacob Kendig, W. K. Widener, E. D. Reid, W. T. Graham, William Lackens, D. F. Leisher, J. P. Study, H. P. Prather, J. F. Kurtz)

Full Text of Article:

Just before going to press, we received the sub-divisions of this county made by Marshal Gregory with the names of the persons appointed in each as they stand since correction. As we intimated last week, the appointments have been changed to suit the places of residence of the appointees. The first and second subdivisions have also been changed, Southampton being thrown into the First, and Metal into the Second District. The list now stands as given below, the Borough of Mercersburg not being included in any of the subdivisions. It will be given either to Mr. Lackens or Mr. Graham.

1st. Southampton, Lurgan and Fannet, Jacob Kendig.

2nd. Letterkenny, Metal and Greene, W. K. Widener.

3d. Northward and Hamilton, E. D. Reid.

4th. St. Thomas and Peters, W. T. Graham.

5th. Montgomery and Warren, Wm. Lackens.

6th. Southward, D.F. Leisher.

7th. Guilford and Quincy, J.P. Study.

8th. Greencastle and Antrim, H. P. Prather.

9th. Waynesboro and Washington, J. F. Kurtz.

Sudden Death
(Column 02)

Summary: The Mercersburg Journal reports the sudden death of Mr. Cornelius Louderbaugh. Louderbaugh appeared to be in good health, but was found dead after he took a short break from cutting wheat. The doctors suspect apoplexy due to extreme heat. "Mr. L. was a worthy and estimable citizen, and his long business connections at this place, (that of Coach Manufacturer), has made him many acquaintances not only in this, but adjoining counties, who will deplore his sudden demise."
(Names in announcement: Cornelius Louderbaugh)

A Long Time Blind
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Susana Fyock died at Snow Hill on June 29th. She was 84 years old and had lost her sight after suffering smallpox at age 7. She lived most of her life at the nunnery.
(Names in announcement: Susana Fyock)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Agents are canvassing Franklin County selling a work entitled "A Sketch of the 126 Pennsylvania Volunteers." The proceeds will go to erect a monument to the memory of the dead soldiers of Franklin County.

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Col. B. Frank Winger and Miss Maggie K. Beyer, both of Greencastle, were married at the residence of Mrs. Heck on June 9th by the Rev. S. N. Callender.
(Names in announcement: Col. B. Frank Winger, Maggie K. Beyer, Rev. S. N. Callender, Mrs. Heck)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Henry C. Snider of St. Thomas and Miss Emma J. Hafer of Orrstown were married on June 25th by the Rev. J. P. Anthony at his residence in Orrstown.
(Names in announcement: Henry C. Snider, Emma J. Hafer, Rev. J. P. Anthony)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Dr. J. Snyder Trout and Miss Lizzie Forn, both of McConnellsburg, were married on June 29th at the residence of the bride's parents by the Rev. H. Linn.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. Snyder Trout, Lizzie Forn, Rev. H. Linn)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: James Williams died in Warren on June 19th. He was 58 years old.
(Names in announcement: James Williams)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mrs. Nancy Reed died in Orrstown on June 25th. She was 66 years old. Funeral services will be held at Pleasant Hall.
(Names in announcement: Nancy Reed)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Samuel Breckenridge died near Fayetteville, Franklin County, on June 17th. He was 60 years old. "The deceased had many warm friends who knew his worth. Naturally kind and amiable in disposition, he was always ready to assist the needy and support the weak. The community in which he lived has lost by his death a most important member, for he was ever ready with a helping hand where he could render assistance. In his family he was the kindest of parents, holding the reins of parental government in the most generous and loving manner. Deeply will they feel their loss, and great is the void left by his departure."
(Names in announcement: Samuel Breckenridge)