The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-12

security in case Of fire, and will doubtless be
generally adopted.
LEGISLATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Extracts from communication in the Phil.
adelphia Pennsylvania.
| "ln obedience to the law, all The seventeen re.
turn judges of the county of Philadelphia me,
at the State House on the first Friday after the
general election for the purpose of performing
their duty. Having ascertaiued, according to
the Act of Assembly, that the two democratic
Senators and the eight democratic members OF
the House had been duly elected, they prepar-
ed duplicate general returns of the election
which were signed by ten of their number. One
OF these returns was deposited in the Prothono-
tary's office at Philadelphia, and the other was
transmitted to the Secretary of the Common
wealth through the Post Office A regular no.
tice was sent TO each of the successful candi-
dates for the Senate and the House, of his cleo
ton and here their duty ended. Every thing
was done which the law required to carry into
execution the will the majority of the people.
From the very nature Of the case, this return
signed by these ten judges, constituting ma
Jority of the whole number, is the only legal
and official return, and entities the Senators and
members thus proven to have been elected, TO
take their seats on the first day ofthe session.
question had been raised before all the
judges who regularly assembled, whether the
return of the votes in the Northern Liberties
should be received. After investigating the
question, it was decided by majority of ten TO
seven that this return should be rejected. But
this decision whether it be right or wrong, can
in no possible event affect the election OF the
democratic Senators and Representatives tn the
State Legislature. In either event, they have
been elected by decided majority of the peo-
pie.-Ihe only difference which a decision Ell
ther way could make would be, whether they
have been elected by majority of five or fifteen
hundred. That they have been elected. and
that the official return, so far as it regards this
fact, is in conformity with the truth of the fact,
can neither be doubted nor denied by any of
our opponents.
In the face of these undeniable facts, it is
manifest from what we every day see and hear,
that our opponents intend, if possible, to force
INTO the Legislature as sitting members the re-
Jected whig candidates, and by their votes to
pass laws to elect officers and to govern the state
IN direct violation of the legally declared will of
majority otthe people. In a word, palpasle
and daring usurpation of the most sacred rights
not only OF the electors of the county Of Phia-
delphia, but OF the Commonwealth at large is
to be attempted; and it will remain for the peo-
ple IN their sovereign capacity, to decide the
measure and the means of prevention or redi ess
IL the democratic party submit patiently TO the
rule OF the minority, instead OF the majority
they will richly deserve their fate.
After the return judges had completed their
business and adjourned, it appears that six of
them out of the whole number of seventeen, re-
treated to an upper story of the State House,
ana then aud there prepared and signed return
i'm nply nft a.
ton districts of the county of Philadelphia. No
objection whatever had been made to the valid |
ity OF the election in the the other ten disfran-
chised districts; but it was necessary TO exclude
them To enable the minority to usurp the rights
of the majority.
Although the law required these election re-
turns " to be placed in one of the nearest post
Offices" and thence transmitted by mail TO the
Secretary ofthe Commonwealth vet the legal
course was too slow for the rapid ardor of those
who were intent on defeating the will of the ma
orty. They determined to be in advance of
he mail, and with " fiery expedition" this mi
norlty return was carried by express to the Sec
'etary on steam engine. This was, doubtless.
o afford him pretext for Withholding from the
senate and the House the legal official malori-
y which came llmping after by due course of
nan, on the millers principle, ] suppose, of
lrst come first served. 1t would thus seem
hat the political rights of the majority in Penn
ylvania must hereafter depend upon the event
! a race; and II the minority can command the
eetest courser or the swiftest locomotive, their
efeated candidates will seize the seats of the ,
senator's and Representatives elected by the {
eople."
8
After reading the above plain statement of
,cts our readers will be able to understand
d.
ne causes which have produced the high ex-
itement now prevailing in Pennsylvania. The
legislature met on Tuesday week at Harris
urg, and the defeated federal members from
Philadelphia County, had the audacty to claim
neir seats, and were admitted to them by the
ther federal members.
That this usurpation would be submitted TO,
ould not be expected, and il has caused fear :,
al excitement at Harrisburg. and throughout :
ne State; and fthe rights Of the democratic :,
ounty members are not allowed. il will nm.
oubtedly end in bloodshed. :,
This is the most stupendous fraud which fed
raj whigsey has ever attempted, to retain it.
I'll M power. Men who have been elected 10
'e Legislature by an indisputable majority of :. "
undreds OF votes. arc not allowed TO take their =
'a's-and their defeated opponents arc admit . :,
q 10 them. Repeated calls have been made r,
pom the federal leaders, to state in the public 4,
Tints BY what show of right they claim the e. to
chon OF the federal members-but they hare ,c
1t done it, and cannot do it. N
Under these circumstances. is there any a.
use to wonder that the people should rise to y
-
seH their nights that the proceedings of - -
s'slature 10 irauduently organized should be :. :,
terruptsd by violence On the contrary, IL =,
e people submitted to so foul a usurpation, in in
II opinion. they would forfeit all claims to the IN
le Of frsemeR-snd debase themselves into o,
n