The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-08-31
CORPORATIONS.


observing the progress of interpretations in |
our beloved state, 10 the great injury of |
what have been taught to believe is de- !
mocracy. From the present aspect Of the |
public journals, there is probability that
The next session Of our legislature, applca-
ZION will be made from different parts of
this commonwealth, for at least twenty or
thirty new corporations with banking priv-
liges; togeiherwith applications for extern
sions Of charters, rail road aud coal compa-
panies, &c. &c. Where this state of thirgs
is likely to terminate, requires not prophet
ic spirit TO tell. The dearly bought expert
ence of the past, should teach us lessons of
caution for the future. At all events, the
Democatic Press should increasingly warn,
OIL speak forth in language that cannot be
misunderstood, and arrest this growing evil
before it entails upon us all its conComitant
curses. The community has already suffer
ed by this licensed swinGllng system to an
alarming extent in many places, and if not
arrested in its rapid career, and consequent
ces will undOubdly prove deplorabe when
too late TO be remedied. | presume il is
scarcely necessary 10 advert to one single
argument to prove that interpretations are
inconsistent with the principles of plain de-
mocracy. The simple fac. that they DO
sess rig hts, powers and privileges, they
are denied the honest yecmanry of our coun-
try, who are equally merilorious, suili-
! cienily demo nstrates my assumed position.
Akin 10 this, is the famous or i'll famed
doctrine, none but wealthy freeholders shall
have vote az the polls: while the sturdy
sons of toll must stand in the river, and let
the landed lords curb and relax at pleasure.
Why 1t is that men protesting the most
ardent attachmentto our creed, and have
heretofore and valently defended our prin-
clples against an open and avowed enemy,
should lend their influence to multiply these
monuments of aristocracy among US, is,
what all cannot answer
In land SO Aourshng and happy as ours
In order TO preserve ourselves from the con
tamlnalons OF so many men, who would
sacrifice all principle at the alter of self in
teresl, 1t becomes us 10 aIouse from our in
excusable lethargy, and guard our posts in
vlnclble sentneis. Perhaps it may be conce-
ded that i'll some instances they ought 10
exist but even then they only exist as ne
cessary evils, and such as are deemed in
dspenslble should certainly be watched
with great vlgiience of care. From the
omens thai daily present themselves. might
be allowed TO conclude that ere MANY wears
shall have rolled between, three fourtbs Of
our IaXables will either directly or indirectly
be connected with these institutions. Fhc
consequences rf such state of things need
not beporrayed by me. But some NAV be
ready TO say that our fears are needless and
groundless--that we where alarmed at =
mere spectre-hat our imaginations have
become rather vivid through the heat ol
zeal; But let the past aud present speak
Where are the banks, safety funds, &c. tha
nave shut up shop, with Golfers filed, anC
ofef 70, 80, 90 per cent. for there OWL
abomnible trash 4! Let experience speak.
, But now the question arises, what shal
, be done TO prevent theire increase in lessen
their present number! This is an iynpor
tant question, and requires more trIepi and
T wisdom than possess, to answer properly
But as hint frequently opens the way t.
great achievements, offer as follows.
: fir&t Let il bscOMe settled principl
: in our Legislative bodies, that in ali charter
2 hereafter renewed extended or created III
. pirate property Of all officers and stoc
0 hofderS Of Interpretations, 10 all intents an
d purposes, shat be RGSPONSIBLI
r FOR THE DEBTS Of lie corporation
Il Secondly Le' he public press, the orga
a of power, sound the alarm, and bring III
subject before an intelligent, thinking publ
n lei us columns be open to warn and adyls,
i Lastly Let our representatives. be 5,
lec!ed with great discretion, and let the,
| be men, that without fear or favor will ST
d their faces against them; such men as cal
l. not be brlOed or bought with the clinck
le the mammon's box"
N Let such a system Of legislation as III
le take place, and the number will de at one
e. considerably curlaled-lhe inducements {,
ie speculation will not DO quite so Aauefing-
N the benefits of insolvency will no long
a. consist in the hard earnings of the ioiil
"a suffering poog-and that couIse which h
IL heretofore legaiized a chartered band
v persist ia refusing 10 pay its honest debt
70 while the trembling son Of want is dragg,
o from his social hut to the gloomy cells OF
~ prison for the very bread he eats, will
~ cast TO the 'owia' May the wheels
~ lime roll on and speedily bring the perio
't0 | when democracy shall he Derohed unon 4