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don level established by Mr. White, 344.32; and 355 to the river at that place.

ers respectfully appeal, (without prejudice to their rights) to your honourable bodies and trusts that the circumstances being made known to you, you will as an act of justice cause the said appeals to be discontinued and full payment made of the debt and cost due each case as aforesaid.

Philadelphia, March 26, 1829.

The summit would have to be tunneled if the water was taken from the river at Huntingdon, or a level would have to be continued from above Frankstown, or as there is not water on the summit it would have to be pumped from the river 367 feet high, and it would make 724 feet of additional lockage; all these plans are impracticable, as the object is not commensurate with the cost, and also the Kishacoquillis valley is composed of lime stone, and the permanency and usefulness of the canal passing through such treacherous strata would be To Jno. M. Scott, Esq. President of the Select Council greatly jeopardised.

I therefore consider any further surveys in that quarter useless. Respectfully submitted.

DE WITT CLINTON, Engineer.

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.

THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 26th.

A petition was received from sundry citizens praying for the paving of Filbert street from Thirteenth to Broad, Thirteenth street from Market to Cherry, and Juniper street from Market to Cherry. Referred to Paving Committee.

A petition was received from sundry citizens, praying that the footways in south Broad street, may be made 26 feet wide, leaving a carriage way sixty feet wide, with a single row of trees on each side of the street. Referred to Paving Committee.

The following communication was received from the Franklin Institute.

Hall of Franklin Institute,}

March 19th, 1829.

of the City of Philadelphia.

Sir: The undersigned a committee appointed by the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute, to carry into effect the subjoined resolutions, beg leave to transmit them through you to the Board over which you preside, with a request that the use of part of the building and power occupied by the city, for the supply of water, may be granted to the institute for the purpose of prosecuting experiments on the value of water as a moving power, and the effects on various kinds of wheels, as compared with each other.

In trying these experiments it is the object of the Institute to establish with accuracy, the principles on which the power of water is to be calculated, and ascer tain the mode by which it can be applied with most adVantage and economy. The subject is one of deep interest to every one connected with hydraulic operations. been prosecuted by the use of small models and the reThe experiments hitherto made with this object have

The following memorial from the Watchmen lately dismissed from employment, was referred to Messrs.sults as might be anticipated, have been by no means Reed, Toland, O'Neill, and Snyder.

To the Honourable the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, the petition of the subscribers, respectfully represents,

accurate; the repetition on a scale of some magnitude has been long called for. The undersigned look forward with a hope that their application will be granted.

The expense of prosecuting these experiments on a scale and to an extent which the importance of the object demands, will not fall short of two thousand dol lars, and the Institute must have recourse to the liberality and public spirit of those to whom the subject is most interesting, for pecuniary means. They beg leave to suggest to the Select Council whether the amount they have at stake in the work in question does not place the city of Philadelphia among that number.

The time may come when the economy in water will be of vital importance to the comforts of the city. The results of these experiments will then be of much im

The undersigned cannot close this communication without expressing a hope that the assistance of the city, towards defraying the expense of these important and interesting experiments will not be wanting.

At a stated meeting of the Board of Managers of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts, held at their Hall, March 12th, 1829, the following preamble and resolu tions were proposed and adopted, viz.

That they have been in the employ of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizens of Philadelphia as City Watchmen, for several years at monthly wages, payable on the first day of each month; that on the first day of January last, they were paid by the City authorities their respective wages for the month of December preceding; that they continued in the employ as aforesaid until about the middle of January last, when they were discharged and excluded from the performance of their duties as watchmen as aforesaid by the City Commissioners, without previous notice, without proof or allegation of misconduct, and in direct violation as your petitioners respect-portance. fully conceive, of the contract between the City and them. That your petitioners had faithfully performed their several duties, and were willing and ready to perform the same, and expressed to the said Commissioners their willingness and readiness to perform their said duties during the said month of January agreeably to their contract. Your petitioners after the expiration of the month of January applied to the City Commissioners for the payment of the month's wages due them respectively, but in vain. That they were then obliged indivi dually to institute suits against the city for the recovery of their wages before an Alderman of the City. That many days were occupied in the investigation (each case being considered by itself, and the city represented by her counsel,) when finally judgment was given for the amount due in each case. That appeals from the judgment of the Alderman have been entered on behalf of the City to the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Philadelphia. Your honourable bodies are aware that many months if not years may elapse before your petitioners may obtain final judgment and payment by the ordinary proceedings of a court of law; and that in the mean time, your petitioners in addition to the distress which they and their families have already experienced by being so unexpectedly deprived of their means of support, will be subjected to great inconvenience and loss, by the necessary prosecution of their just rights. Under these circumstances, your petition-ments.

Whereas, the value of water as a moving power and the relative effect produced by it upon wheels of differ ent constructions has never been fixed by actual expe riment on a scale of sufficient magnitude to settle the principles upon which it is to be calculated, and

Whereas, a course of experiments of sufficient mag nitude to fix the data from which such calculations may be made with accuracy, would be of great value to every one interested in mill works. Therefore

Resolved, That it is expedient for the Franklin Insti tute to undertake a series of experiments for the purposes set forth in the above preamble, provided suffi cient funds can be obtained for that purpose.

Resolved, that a committee of inquiry be appointed with instructions to apply to the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, for the use of part of the city water works, and water at the dam at Fair Mount, for the purpose of prosecuting such experi

1829.]

PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS ·

Resolved, That the said committee be anthorized to solicit funds from such as may be interested in these experiments to aid in carrying them into effect.

221

An ordinance was passed to raise the sum of fifty-five thousand dollars for the use of the Watering Committee. The Select Council adopted the following on motion of Mr. Toland. The Common Council postponed it on

Messrs. Samuel V. Merrick, Benj. Reeves, Isaiah Lukens, Rufus Tyler, and Andrew Young, were ap-motion of Mr. O'Neill. pointed said committee.

WM. HAMILTON, Actuary.

On motion of Mr. Page, the following was adopted. Resolved, That in the opinion of these Councils, the experiments proposed in the communication received from the Franklin Institute are of such importance in a practical point of view as to justify on the part of the city, deeply interested therein, such assistance as can be safely afforded to the applicants.

And be it further Resolved, That the Watering Committee be, and they are hereby authorized to grant the use of one room in the Fair Mount Buildings, and the necessary water, (if upon inquiry they shall deem it proper) to such persons as may be engaged in the said experiments, provided the same can be done without injury to any part of the said public works.

Mr. Bladen, presented the following report on the part of the Market Committee.

To the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philaphia,

The Committee on Markets, report-That they have had under consideration the several matters at various times referred to them, and now respectfully submit the result of their deliberations.

The item of unfinished business No. 2, relative to the removal of the market in Broad street, and the memorials upon the same subject, in the opinion of the committee, deserve immediate attention. Experience has shown that the erection of that market has in no respect answered the expectations of those with whom the project originated. It produces no convenience to the citizens residing in its vicinity, or revenue to the city, and is a blot upon one of its noblest streets. They therefore, recommend the passage of an ordinance, that the same may be taken down.

The item of unfinished business No. 3, relative to the assize and weight of Bread, also, in the opinion of the committee, is one which should be acted upon. It is, however, doubtful, whether the evils complained of can be remedied by the Councils under the acts of Assembly as they now stand. An application to the Legislature would be the proper course, and the committee recommend that such a law should be asked for as would require all bread offered for sale, to be made as follows: an half pound, pound and an half, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten pounds avoirdupoise weight and upwards.

The erection of a market house in High street, west of Broad street, is by the committee deemed inexpedient at this time.

The memorial from the victuallers they have had under consideration. As part of the inconvenience of which they complain is about to become a subject matter of legislation at the seat of the state government, the committee consider it unnecessary to take further notice of it.

So far as regards the application for and against the removal of the market carts from Chesnut street, the committee report that the same may be done without injury to the interests of the city or inconvenience to persons attending the markets, provided the stand selected be not too distant from the market. They, therefore, recommend the passage of an ordinance to that effect, and suggest one or both sides of Dock street for that

purpose.

The bill which accompanied the report, providing for the demolition of the market house in Broad street, was passed by the Common Council. The other bill, providing for the removal of the market carts from Chesnnt street to Dock street, was postponed for want of time.

Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, that the Joint Committees, appointed on Independence, Washington, Franklin, Penn, and Rittenhouse Squares, be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered, to employ such person or persons as they may think proper, to improve and take care of the same, and that the City Commissioners be, and they are hereby authorized and required, to pay all bills which may be presen ted to them, for labour, &c. &c. done therein, or for wages of persons so employed, provided said bills be approved and certified by the Chairman of the Committee of the Square.

On motion of Mr. Richards, the following was adop ted.

Whereas, The Poor Laws for the city and districts, passed at the last session of our Legislature, were maturely considered in their principles and provisions by a committee of highly respectable and experienced citizens, appointed by a public town-meeting, and whereas the above laws have met with the approbation of the Corporations of the city and districts, and are acceptable to the citizens, having originated in views of sound economy, and being directed by a strict regard to the welfare and interests of the poor, as well as the general interest. Therefore,

Resolved, That the Presidents of Councils be requested to prepare a memorial to be addressed to the speaker of the House of Representatives, to be signed by the President of each council, to be laid before the house, Praying that no alteration may be made in the above laws, by the Legislature, until the provision of said laws have been fairly tested.

The following resolution was adopted by the Common Council, on motion of Mr. Page.

Whereas, it is of essential importance that the views of the Citizens of Philadelphia in relation to the confirmation by the Legislature of the route for the Rail Road as originally reported by the Engineers on the part of the commonwealth and subsequently altered and improved, should be made known to their repesentatives in that body. Therefore, be it resolved, by the Select and Common Councils, that the members from the city in either house be requested to use their exertions to procure at the hand of the Legislature, such confirmation; as it is believed that the route proposed meets with the approbation of nine tenths of their constituents, is calculated more than any other that could be selected to save expense to the commonwealth, and add to the advantages of the city and districts, and will give to each a fair proportion of the immense trade of which it is to be the outlet.

And be it further resolved, that any change or alteration in the route laid down by careful, diligent and skilful men, selected on the part of the state for that purpose, and whose report in relation thereto, is entitled to the fullest confidence being the result of public duty and not of individual procurement would in the opinion of Councils be of serious detriment to the interests of the city and surrounding districts and greatly interfese were the noble object which the commonwealth has in view that of a just distribution, (whenever it can be effected) of the advantages likely to arise from the great scheme of Internal Improvement so happily concieved and so ably executed.

And it is further resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to each of the City members signed by the Presidents of Councils.

The Select Council had adjourned sometime before there was an opportunity of presenting this resolution to them for concurrence.

To the honourable Senate and House of Representatives It is notorious also, that robberies are constantly comof the State of Pennsylvania: mitted under the gallows.

The memorial of the Select and Common Councils of
Philadelphia,

Respectfully Sheweth:

We view public executions as the remnant of the ferocious policy, and barbarous ideas which prevailed in the benighted age of the world, and consider them a disgrace to the present enlightened state of society; opposed to the principle of the mild system, which to U. States, into her reformed penal code, and as tending the honor of Pennsylvania, was first introduced in the with scenes of death. to harden the heart, by rendering mankind familiar

That your memorialists in common with the citizens of Philadelphia whom they represent, take a deep interest in the prosecution of that system for the administration of the poor laws in this district, which was adopted at the last session of your honourable bodies. They believe the system to have been well considered, carefully prepared and that its results, if it be unimpeded in its operations, will be happy. They know that the bill then passed was but the reflected voice of this whole community, speaking loudly and unanimously upon the momentous subject. They believe that the public opinion remains unaltered. They see and know that the administration of that system has been committed to upright, faithful and intelligent men. They believe that it has produced, and is daily producing most salutary consequences, and they did hope, and their constituents did hope that the experiment under progress would have been permitted to proceed to consummation. But your memorialists have learned with deep regret that a bill has been laid upon your tables (No. 64 of Senate files) which in its principles subverts some of the most important features of that system and imposes by some of its provisions, duties utterly inca-ons, in the presence of a multitude. pable of being performed. Your memorialists will not trouble your honourable bodies with an argument, they leave the duty of exhibiting the subject in all its details, to the representatives of this city in your house.Your memorialists content themselves by praying on behalf of the city of Philadelphia, that you would be pleased to leave your own work untouched, by declaring to you solemnly that the people of this city desire no alteration; by reiterating the sentiments proclaimed in the memorials addressed to you last year and adopted by these Councils, and by earnestly entreating that you will not impede the march of that plan so ardently solicited from you, so cheerfully acceded, and now so rapidly arriving at maturity. Relying upon the liberality with which your honourable bodies have always bestowed on applications from the extensive community whom your memorialists represent, the leave the subject with perfect confidence to your wisdom.

Without expressing our opinion as to the expedienency of continuing the punishment of hanging in our long as it is permitted to remain, the infliction of it may penal code, your memorialists earnestly pray, that so take place in the prison yard; and that no person be allowed to witness it, except the sheriff, the magistrates and the constables of the city or county, and such others as the sheriff may deem absolutely necessary on the occasion. We beg leave respectfully to suggest further, the propriety of making provision for the presence of

a certain number of witnesses to every execution.

In reference to the supposed influence of example, your memorialists are satisfied, that the general knowl. edge of the fact that an execution was about to take place in the prison yard, would have a much greater effect, than the pompous parade usual on such occasi

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The memorial of the subscribers, respectfully showeth,

That they regard the practice of executing criminals publicly, in open fields, or by the road side, as productive of very serious evils, and pray that a stop may be speedily put to it. The evils to which they particularly allude, are the collection of the idle, the dissolute and wicked classes of society, who invariably assemble in thousands, upon such occasions, not only from our own state, but even from remote parts; the scenes of gambling, low debaucheries, quarrels, the temptations to vice, and the commission of the first crimes to which they give rise, loss of one or more day's work, and the waste of money by those who cannot without injury of their families, neglect the one, or dissipate the other. The experience of ages has moreover proved that publicity in executions never serves to give force to example to prevent the commission of crimes: on the contrary, it has happened even in our own state, that a man murdered a fellow creature, the evening of the same day on which he himself had witnessed the execution of a criminal, for the same offence. We allude to the case of Burns, who was stabbed by Wilson in the year 1822, the day on which Lechler was hung at Lancaster.

criminals may be adopted, viz. dropping them through
They lastly pray, that the British mode of executing
an enclosed platform, as in this way, the least possible
violence will be done to the feelings of the spectators.
Philadelphia, October 16, 1828.
James Mease, M. D.
Robert Ralston
Alexander Henry
Horace Binney
James M. Broom
Robert Wharton
John Bacon

John Sergeant
Jos. R. Ingersoll

Thos. Cadwalader

Reuben Haines

P. S. Du Ponceau
Roberts Vaux
John Vaughan
George Emlen
Henry J. Williams
Wm. M. Walmsley
W. S. Warder
Mathew Carey
Wm. White, D.D.
Nicholas Biddle
Joseph R. Chandler.

REMARKS.

Having frequently witnessed private executions, (as far as was practicable,) as well as public ones, and the Editor is decidedly in favour of the suggestions of judging from the effects of both upon his own feelings, the above Memorial-at the same time, however, he is of the opinion, that while the operation is not seen by the public, there should be some public annunciation of the fact, at the moment, calculated solemnly to impress the mind, that crime has met with its merited reward.He therefore deems it not unsuitable to the occasion, to introduce the following narrative of the manner of conducting such executions, in the place where his own observations were made. As he has never seen any of these facts before noticed, he presumes they may be new to many of his readers, and perhaps not prove altogether uninteresting.—

During a residence at Canea, in the island of Candia, (the ancient Crete) for a considerable portion of the time from 1812 to the close of the war in 1815-he had very frequent opportunities of witnessing executions of Turks as well as of Greeks-the mode in the case of each being different-the former are strangled or "bow strung," the latter suspended from a gallows-that punishment being considered most disgraceful of the two, and more correspondent with the ideas entertained by the Turks of that oppressed people. The castle in which

1829.]

EXECUTION OF CRIMINALS-TURKISH MANNER.

223

We have said that the gallows is employed in the case of the Greeks. This is situated without, though not very distant from the gates of the city, having on the one hand a baker's shop, and on the other a dwelling. The gallows itself, and the whole operation, is very simple; it consists of the usual upright and transverse pieces; but the cart or drop is dispensed with, for instead of the criminal being let fall, he is raised from the ground-the executioner who attends him, having hold of one end of a rope attached by the other to the neckthrows it over the top of the gallows-receives it at the other side, and having raised the poor convict from the ground, attaches the rope to the side post, and very unconcernedly leaves him hanging for three days, when he is taken down and buried. The gallows is always standing. In all the cases we have witnessed, according to this mode, the bodies appeared to be less convulsed, and the persons to suffer less than by the mode of dropping adopted in this country.

Turkish justice is very summary--one instance we witnessed, of a Turk, returning at noon from a neighbouring island to which he had fled for a crime committed in Candia, so many years previously, as to induce him to believe it was forgotten or forgiven; the vessel in which he arrived was anchored but a short time when he was arrested, taken before the Pacha, and executed the same night.

the Turkish prisoners are confined and executed, is situated upon a wall, erected for the purpose of excluding the sea, and thereby forming the port: This part of the harbour is somewhat in the form of a horse shoe,there being a pathway, or road, from the Castle, around the head of the bay, communicating with the rest of the town. The Pacha's palace, where criminals have their trial, is at the water's edge, on the side of the port opposite to the castle: the vessel to which the Editor was attached was moored nearly in a line from the palace to the Castle, so that the best opportunity was afforded of witnessing whatever was to be seen of this melancholy spectacle. The prisoners, after undergoing their examination before the Pacha, were transported to the castle opposite, in the harbour-master's boat when it was convenient, and when otherwise, our own boat was frequently pressed into the service--one or more JanisOn one occasion, saries accompanying the prisoner. we witnessed an attempt to escape-by the prisoner leaping out of the boat; the Janissary immediately drew a pistol from his belt, fired, and wounded the man so severely, that his execution, which would not have taken place till the evening, was accomplished in a short time after reaching the Castle. It was generally known, when an execution was to take place in the evening, by a general commotion during some part of the day among the Greek sailors, in their attempts to We have likewise seen a Greek brought into the city elude the observation of the Harbour Master, whose duty it was to summon them to be the executioners, and from the country, (having passed the gallows) conveyed to the Pacha's palace, and in the course of an hour, hav, who dare not disobey the summons when received. A little after dark, a body of Janissaries is seen issuing received his sentence, re-conducted by the same ing from the gate of the Pacha's palace, each having his lighted lantern, and marching in procession along the pathway around the bay until they arrive at the castle in which the unfortunate victims are confined--there they are met by the Harbour Master, having in his boat the Greek sailors, six in number, whom he has collected for executioners from the different vessels in the harbour. The door of the Castle is opened-the Janissaries enter the lighted lanterns disappear one after another-the door is closed-darkness prevails without and a solemn silence reigns for about fifteen or twenty minutes-when the discharge of a cannon from the top of the Castle announces that the unhappy victim has suffered. When more than one execution takes place, another interval of silence prevails-a second gun is discharged--and in like manner one gun at each person's ex

officer to the gallows, and executed-and although he passed through a principal street, there was no crowd or bustle-a few boys only perhaps following at a distance. Whether this indifference arose from the circumstance of the gallows being constantly in view, and the criminal remaining so long a time suspended, or from a It must be condeficiency of curiosity, we know not. fessed that during the latter part of our residence there, from being in the daily habit of passing the gallows, it ceased to inspire the feelings it did at first, and even the sight of a human being suspended, did not affect us as we were affected, when we first witnessed such a scene. Indeed upon one occasion, there was such an odd association of objects upon the gallows, that the previous suffering of the poor wretches scarcely created a thought. On the evening of one of the Greek festivals, as is usual, there was a ball or dance, at which some of the party indulged too freely. A law existed at this time that no person should fire a pistol within the city. Unfortunately a poor fellow, in merriment, was induced to violate this regulation--it soon became known--he and the fiddler were arrested, and others of the party Next morning by breakfast time, both sought for. were suspended,—the former with his pistol, and the The only latter with his violin attached to his neck. Across this crime of the fiddler was, having been present. They remained suspended, bearing their different insignia, for three days.

it: these have sometimes amounted to three or four in one

evening, and executions have occurred several nights in
succession. As to the mode of execution, the Editor
can say nothing from personal observation--it has
frequently been described to him as follows:-The pri-
soner is confined in an apartment from which he issues
at the order of the Janissaries, through an aperture so
low as to oblige him to stoop, or in a position bending
forwards, thus presenting his head first.
opening, a rope (or ropes) is fixed, with a noose, so ar-
ranged that three of the sailors are stationed on one
side of the aperture, and three on the other, who at the
command of the Janissaries, as soon as the head of the
person is sufficiently advanced, draw in contrary direc-
tions; and thus hold the victim until he has expired.
The execution being completed, the body is left in the
castle during the night- the Janissaries come forth with
their lanterns, and return in procession to the Pacha's
palace, by the same route by which they went. Next
morning, the Harbour Master carries the dead body or
bodies, in his boat exposed to view (the rope remain-
ing around the neck, and the face exhibiting the
effects of strangulation) to the shore opposite the Cas-
tle, where persons are in attendance with a coffin ready
to convey it to the grave-yard.

The silence and darkness of night-the solemn procession of the Janissaries-the discharge of the gunsall have a most powerful influence to impress the mind with a solemnity and awe, which notwithstanding the frequent repetition of executions, were never removed.

Notwithstanding the executions of Greeks, were less frequent than those of the Turks, yet the impressions made upon us were decidedly in favour of the privacy with which the latter were conducted, which the time of night chosen for the purpose, and the annunciation by the gun, had no doubt a powerful influence in producing. And yet there was sufficient publicity to produce all the effect expected from such occasions by way of example, without the usual concomitants of the mode adopted in this country.

LEGISLATIVE QUESTION. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.-On Monday. 23d ultimo, Mr. Livingston of Lehigh, submitted the following preamble and resolution

Whereas, by the 11th section of the 1st article of the

constitution of this Commonwealth, it is provided, that | each House of the Legislature shall choose its Speaker and other officers: And whereas, it is no where provided, that the Speaker of the House may appoint a deputy. Therefore

Resolved, That we proceed to-morrow at 12 o'clock to elect a Speaker.

On Tuesday, this motion came up for consideration, and a rather desultory conversation took place. The hour of 11, however, arrested the discussion, as at that hour the House proceeds to the consideration of Bills.

On Wednesday the resolution again came up, and a discussion more irregular than that of Tuesday ensued. The resolution was postponed for the present. A motion made by Mr. Cunningham at 11 o'clock that when the House adjourns, it will adjourn to meet again to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, was agreed to, and thereupon the House adjourned.

1 Ministers of the Gospel.

2 The body of the deceased, with six pall bearers. 3 The members from the city of Philadelphia. 4 The members who boarded with the deceased. 5 The officers, speaker and members of the house of representatives,

6 The officers, speaker and members of the Senate.
7 The Governor and secretary of the commonwealth.
8 Heads of Departments.

9 The Board of Canal Commissioners.
10 Citizens and Strangers.

The members of both houses to proceed from their respective chambers in the above order, to the funeral, and return in the same order.

Resolved, That as a testimony of respect to the memory of Wm. Lehman, Esq. of the city of Philadelphia, late member of the house of representatives, the the members will wear crape on their arm for thirty days. Messrs. Livingston, Lombaert, Denison, Petrikin, A committee of five was appointed to superintend the Mallery, McReynolds; Simpson, Krepps, Roberts.funeral ceremonies, and the house then adjourned until Banks, Blair, Kerr, Horn, Waugh, Champneys, and three o'clock to-morrow afternoon. some others took part in the debate, in the course of the various shapes it assumed. The supporters of Mr Livingston's resolution did not generally contend that the appointment of a member, daily, to discharge the duties of Speaker, vitiated their proceedings, or would render the laws they might pass positively unconstitutional; but there was enough to raise a doubt upon the subject, and no doubt ought to be allowed to exist. The Constitution, Art. I. sect. XI. says "each house shall choose its Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall also choose a Speaker PRO TEMPORE, when the Speaker shall exercise the office of Governor." And section XIII. says, "Each House may determine the rule of its proceedings." Rule 7 of the House declares that the Speaker "may name a member to discharge the duties of the chair, but such substitution shall not exist beyond an adjournment." The Speaker had been going on from day to day for two weeks to name members to perform the duties of the chair, when it was at least doubtful whether he had authority under the constitution, or by the Rule of the House to repeat the substitution from day to day.

Those who opposed the resolution relied upon the 7th Rule of the House, adopted in conformity with Art. I. sect. 13 of the Constitution, to sustain the regularity of their proceedings.

The inexpediency of proceeding without the attendance of Mr. Middleswarth, the Speaker elected by the House, was strongly pressed on the one hand, and not controverted on the other; and from the disposition indicated by the votes of Wednesday (yesterday) we judge that if the actual Speaker is not in the chair this morning at 9 o'clock, another person will be then elected Speaker of the House.-Har. Chron.

The Speaker being enabled to resume his seat on the 26th, any further discussion on the above question was rendered unnecessary for the present.

WILLIAM LEHMAN, ESQ.

HARRISBURG, March 30.

The house being called to order, and the minutes of Saturday read,

Mr. Duncan, in a very feeling manner announced the death of his colleague, Mr. Lehman, of the city of Philadelphia.

Mr. Cunningham then offered the following resolutions: Resolved, That the members of the house of representatives, deeply and sincerely regretting the death of Wm. Lehman, Esq. long a useful and industrious member of their body, desirous of paying a tribute of respect so justly due to his memory, will attend his funeral at 10 o'cleck to-morrow morning, from his late residence in this borough.

Resolved, That the following order of procession shall be observed at the funeral.

"As a merchant, Mr. Lehman held a high character for integrity and liberality; as a citizen, he enjoyed a large degree of respect, due to his general worth and amiable conciliating manners. As a public officer, a representative of this city in the state legislature, the labours of Mr. Lehman have drawn to him the commendation of every friend of the great works of internal improvements that now occupy the attention of our state. From the year 1817 to the last moment that he could give his name to a public document, he laboured with an unceasing and, perhaps we may add, an exclusive ardour in the cause of rail roads and canals; and earned a name and reputation by his distinguished exertions, that will be remembered and respected by those who trace public benefits to their source."

INSOLVENTS.

U.S. Gaz.

From the list of 131 applicants for the benefit of the Insolvent Law at the Court this week, the following statement of their trades and professions has been made

out.

Cordwainers...
Labourers.
Carpenters
Cabinet makers..
Victuallers...
Tailors......
Innkeepers..
Mariners..
Waiters..

Grocers.
Blacksmiths..

.1

.17 | Comb maker............1
.11 Coach lace maker..
7 Teacher.. . . .. . .

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Stone masons...
Merchants....

3

Paint manufacturer......1

3

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