46 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
not in operation. I enquired how many half dollars they struck off in a minute, and they said 43. The pieces of silver were plated out and cut to the right size previously, so that they were only given the impression. It took three men to do this ; all of them had hold of the machine at a time, and it appeared to be pretty hard labour. From this we went about two miles up to the School- kill Falls to see the water works, &c. ; here we found a great work and a great curiosity. The water is thrown up a precipice 90 feet into a reservoir orbasiij, in quantity sufficient to supply the whole city, and is carried from thence in cast iron pipes into all the streets. The forcing engines are carried by large water wheels, smiilar in construction to the breast wheel of a factory. There are four of these wheels in the buildings, but only two of them are in use at present, these being sufficient for the present supply of water. There is a large hotel connected with the building in which these wheels are, both made of hewn stone with brick walls around ; the canal passes on the opposite side of the river against the water works. I shall not undertake to give an adequate idea of this place, for if I should attempt it I should fail to do it justice, there- fore if you want to know how it looks you must go and see it. I and my friend Fisk returned to the city, and as we passed through the streets the boys were bawling Hurraw for Jackson/ and now and then one said hiirraivfor Adams! It was election day for members of Congress and city officers. We passed down by the State House where they were voting ; there was a great crowd of people, and a great many flags displayed from the neighboring windows. The bell rang from 6 o'clock in the morning till 9 at night. There were two buildings burnt during the day, which added to the bustle and confusion. In] the evening, after the state of the votes for members of Congress were ascertamed, the populace assembled before the house of the successful candidate in the city, and gave him about 30 cheers; they then proceeded to the house of the opposite and unsuccessful candidate and saluted him with nine groans; they then proceeded to opposite Binn's printing office and held a coun- cil and discussed the question, whether to tear it doivn or not. Many were for tearing it down over his head immediately, but after much clamour and noise they went off hurrawing for Jackson.
Wednesday, October 15, 1828. The administration party acknowledge a complete defeat. Some of the Jackson candidates were elected by above a thousand majority, and the Jackson candidate for congress (Judge Hemphill), opposed to the Adams candidate (John Sargent), had 557 majority. This was the unkindest cut of all, as the Adams' party were confident of reelecting Sar- gent. I believe that every possible exertion was made by both parties, and the elections were certainly in direct reference to the presidential question. I heard one Adams man say, " Well, we have got beat, but I worked hard and I have been mad enough all the morning to knock down every Jacksonite I met. 1 believe however that he did not knock anybody down. I have spent the day some how or other. Read five or six newspapers. Traveled the streets. Bought me a surtout, and a pair of scissors for Juliet.
�� �
