Valley Spirit

Permit me, through the columns of the central organ of the Democracy of Pennsylvania, to add another to the number of good names already brought forward for the nomination of Judge of the Supreme Court. The name I have to propose is that of Hon. Francis M. Kimmell, of Chambersburg.

Judge Kimmell has had the advantage of ten years experience on the Common Pleas bench, together with an active practice at the bar, both before his elevation to the bench and since his retirement from it. He ranks among the ablest lawyers in central Pennsylvania. To a very vigorous intellect he adds a fine physical constitution, and he is not yet so far advanced in years as to leave room for the least apprehension that his mental or physical powers would experience any decline during the judicial term for which it is proposed to nominate and elect him.

Judge Kimmell is a gentleman of fine personal appearance and engaging manners, and is very popular wherever he is known. His political principles are sound, and he is in all respects worthy to be selected as the standard bearer of Democracy in the approaching contest.

CENTRAL.

Scarcely a day passes but we have some fresh evidence of the predominating principle of the Radical party-what their designs are and what their continuance in power will result in. Their efforts are untiring to force their colored brethren into social equality, and a bill giving them preference in the cars is already enacted into a law until some new and equally disgusting measure is hatched out. The following bill was introduced by Mr. Mann, a member from Potter [unclear] county, and will doubtless meet with the same success that the negro car bill did. It will be decidedly refreshing, during the coming summer, to have a "sweet-scented" darkie posted up beside you in church, on a hot Sunday afternoon, or in any public assembly have them forcing their way into prominence, as they never fail to do, in assertion of their new rights. For all these blessings [unclear] we have to thank a Radical legislature. The voters of the State should not forget this. The follow is the substance of the bill:

That all churches, public assemblies, theatres, and opera houses shall be open to all classes, without distinction of color, and every officer or employee interfering with any person without distinction of color, from occupying any seat in such church, theatre or opera house, such person or persons so offending upon conviction thereof, shall undergo an imprisonment in the county prison of not less than six months, nor more than two years, and the corporation whose agent or employee hath so offended shall pay a fine of not less than five hundred dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, at the discretion of the court.

There is a class of politicians in the country whose mouth-piece is the New York Times, who profess to be opposed to the extreme measures of the Radicals, but whose prejudices will not allow them to co-operate with the Democratic party against them and in support of the wise and conciliatory measures of the President.-They affect to believe that the Democratic party became so odious during the war that it can never hope to attain success; hence they argue the necessity of abandoning the Democratic organization and forming, a conservative party under another name, whose principles and aims would be the same. Now this is all nonsense. In the first place, it is not true that the Democratic party became odious during the war.-History will vindicate the soundness of its principles and the correctness of its position during that period. And the recent Connecticut election most emphatically disproves the allegation that it cannot attain success under its present organization. In the second place, it would be very impolitic to disband an old and well-drilled organization to make room for a new party, necessarily but imperfectly organized and equipped, in order to do battle in behalf of the same cause. The proposition lacks the first principles of common sense. It has been well said that "it would be just as sensible to look for community of purpose and action on the field from the use of militia, as for successful political action to be had against a party so thoroughly drilled as the Republican party is, by a party disbanded, under a new name."

On this subject the Age reasons in the following pertinent language: "It is very evident that Radical rule can only be broken by a union of all the friends of republicanism upon a common ground and for a common purpose. That purpose must be to reinstate the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, to restore the States to their old places in the Union, to repeal the obnoxious military reconstruction bill, and to allow the people of all portions of the Union representation in the councils of the nation. This is a platform on which all true friends of the Republic can certainly unite. As to minor details, there may and will be differences of opinion. Local causes may induce the people of the East and West to desire that the tariff and revenue laws should be presented in certain aspects, but on the great fundamental question of reconstruction, they need not be separated, if they will take counsel of their patriotic impulses and not lend themselves to the arts of the demagogue, or the uncertain guides of passion and prejudice.

How can such a union of patriotic men, for such a high and holy purpose be effected, but upon the platform and through the agency of the Democratic party? What other organization can they trust? What other party can present such a record of devotion to the great fundamental principles upon which the hopes of the Republic rest? The Radical organization has thrown overboard the Constitution, and is drifting upon the tide of popular passion. They can promise nothing for the future but discord, contention, and anarchy. The Conservative masses have no efficient organization by means of which to discipline the anti-Radical forces of the nation, and make them effective at the polls. The regular army which is to confront the party in power, and contend for the union of the States, the perpetuation of civil government and the life of the Republic, is the Democratic party, and that fact is more and more indisputable and apparent as the day of battle approaches.

The elections in all parts of the Union testify to the life and vitality of the Democratic party, and also prove that the masses are looking to that organization as the only hope for the future. There are no signs of decay in the old constitutional party of the country. Its principles are those which, if carried into practice, will re-united the States and make the nation a unit from Maine to Texas, and the utility of its organization "one of the chief elements of success in the canvass which is now opening, to close only with the next Presidential election." The future of the nation is inddissolubly wedded with that of the Democratic party, and if we are true to principles, the people will into suffer them to be divorced.

The Legislature of Pennsylvania has adjourned sina die. For that, God be praised! High noon of Thursday, the 11th day of April, found that miserably corrupt and venal body in articulo mortis. By set limitation it then expired, and a majority of the members returned to their homes to render up an account to constituencies which the had outraged and betrayed. Many left the State Capitol with pockets well lined with "greenbacks," the bribery and fruit of their shame. An honest few went forth un-enriched by any bas barter of their integrity, and with their honor as men and their fair fame as representatives untarnished.-We have neither time nor inclination to revert in detail to the many dark transactions of this deceased Legislature. We Tried, from time to time, to lay bare the corrputions of the living body; but to dissect the dead and putrid carcass would be more than our nerves and the olfactories of our readers could stand.

Corruption and bribery in the Legislature of Pennsylvania has come to be the rule since the triumph of the Radical party-honesty and integrity the exception. For a number of years past the matter has been growing constantly worse. "The ring" has become a recognized institution, and the question with the majority of the members has not been, not is proposed measure right, but "will it pay." Venal fanatics and mousing politicians have crept into the seats once occupied by honorable men, and the halls of the Senate and the House has each come to be regarded as a kind of political shamble, in which professed law-makers are openly bought and sold by any man, clique or corporation that can afford to offer bribes. Almost every bill brought forward in the Legislature which has just adjourned was made to pay toll, and when ill-gotten gains grew scarce, some member of the ring would introduce an act framed for the very purpose of extorting money from a wealthy corporation or institution which had been created by former Legislatures. Thus did a majority of the men who composed the recent Legislature of Pennsylvania sit from day to day, devising schemes for filling their pockets, and utterly disregarding the interests of the public.

How shall we rank them upon honor's leaves?

Fanatics fierce and blind, a pack of greedy thieves,

All they stole in service of the commonweal

Is naught to what they were disposed to steal.

The Democrats were largely in the minority in both branches of the recent Legislature, and to their honor be it said, the "rings" were made up without them. The Democratic leaders in both Houses constantly opposed the corrupt and pernicious acts of the majority, and did the Senate good domestic service by acting as a check upon the dominant faction. The public morality of the Democratic party has always been of a more elevated standard than that of the party now in power. With the advent of Know Nothingism, the fearful corruption in the ranks of the party which stood opposed to the Democracy began, and it has continually increased from year to year. If there has been a lowering of the high tone of the Democratic party of Pennsylvania we have not seen it, and we believe it is as ready now as ever to repudiate with scorn and loathing any public man who dares to contaminate his fingers with a base bribe. We hope and believe it will never lose the high sense of honor which has always characterized it in the past.

The people of all parties are alike interested in seeing to it that there is a speedy end put to the disgraceful scenes which marked the career of the Legislature which is now happily defunct. Let them resolve, sternly to effect a complete and permanent reform. As for the venal wretches who so disgrace the State, if their constituents are not utterly lacking in public virtue, they

"Will bring them to account.

And crush the vipers yet,

Who singled out by a community,

To guard their rights, did still, for ends corrupt,

And "greenbacked paper," sell and betray them.

An act was passed at the late session of the Legislature, incorporating a company under the above name and style and title, for the purpose of erecting a Market House and Public Hall in this place. The capital stock is not to exceed $40,000-divided into shares of twenty-five dollars each. After five hundred shares shall have been subscribed for, by not less than ten persons, and ten per centium paid on said subscriptions, the stockholders are authorized to elect six Directors, and organize the company. The act authorizes the company to borrow money to the extent of twenty thousand dollars, at such rate of interest as they shall deem expedient, and issue bonds therefor. It also authorizes and empowers the Burgess and Council to sell at public or private sale, the lot and building on the corner of Queen and Second streets, and invest the proceeds in the bonds or stock of the company. T. B. Kennedy, Jacob Zuck, D. O. Gehr, Jacob Stoffer, J. M. Sharpe, Peter Kreighbaum, F. S. Stumabugh, Augustus Duncan, George Flack, Charles M. Burnett, J. A. Reside, W. D. Guthrie, G. R. Messers Smith, A. H. McCulloh, and Calvin Gilbert are named in the act as corporators. We hope these gentlemen will push the matter with vigor and give us a new Market House this summer.