The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-06-22
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
appointed TO inquire whether T,H.fDDE.
Us STEVENS, a member from the
county Of .4dams, has not forfeited his
right TO a seat in the house
Mr.. HEGINs, from the committee ap.
pointed by the house of representatives
"to inquire whether Thaddeus Stevens, a
member from the county of Adams, has
not forfeited ms rightto seat in the house,
submitted the following report
That Immediately after their appointment
they addressed a note, through, their
chairman, TO Mr. Stevens informing him
of the time and pace of their meeting and
that he might attend and be heard, TO
which he returned reply, declining to ap-
pear before the committee.
The committee having proceeded to
discharge the duties which were assigned
to them, and given the subject the attention
and consideration which its importance re-
quired. submit the result of their inquiry
and investigation to the house.
1t appears that Thaddeus Stevens was
duly elected and returned as one of the re-
presentatves TO the general assembly, from
the county of Adams; and on the first Of
December last the day appointed by law
for the meeting Of the legislature, Mr.. Ste
vens appeared and participated with the
members elect in the proceedings prelimi-
nary TO the organization of the house Of
representatives. He afterwards took part
in the attempt which was made by portion
OF the members to prevent the legal and
constitutional organization Of the house,
OF representatives, and continued 10 act and
associate with that body until the recogni-
ton of the house Of representatives. by the
senate, OH the 25th of December last. On
the day following, he addressed the annexed
letter OF resignation 10 his constituents, in
which he says:
" find no difficulty in choosing my
"course-in selecting between AN associa-
"tion with successful insurgents, or aVith-
"draUing from Office. PIeferring retire
ment 10 dishonor, I,oihdraW from the ie-
"giStatare to mIngle again with you, and
''awalt your decision on my conduct"
There cannot be shadow Of doubt that
this address is both IN letter and spirit a
resignation Of his office of representative
to his constituents, and was intended as
such at the time it was published, however
he may now be disposed to treat it, A Ies-
ignatlon of an office Is not required TO be in
any precise form of words or set of phrases.
Any language indicating an intention to re-
sign it, is sufficient, and such an intention
could not be expressed in clearer terms
than than those used by Mr.. Stevens. He
{ declares tffat ne nassso difficulty in choos-
ing between the Alternative presented, or
withdrawing from oFee, and that he does
u0ithdraaC from the legislature to mingie
again with his constructs. But if there
was really any doubt aput his meaning
and intention, his subsequent conduct en-
iirely dispels it. He himelf has treated it
as resignation from the tine of. jts. -,phf
cation until shortly aft, the commencement,
OF the present adjouaied session of the
house. The house ot representatives was
in session foI period of nearly three
months, performing is appropriate busines:
of legislation, and although Mr.. Stevens
was frequently in the lobbies OF the house
during It's session, he never presented him
sell to claim seat or made the least pre-
Lention to such right Il is only now
when he has discovered lha. his Withdraw
from office is likely to prove death-blov
to his political hopes and ambitious projects
and that his retirement, preferred with S,
much promptness, threatens to consign hin
10 an ignoble obscurity. that he wishes Il
assume the office of representative with
out the iormality Of an election by the peo
pie.
Mr.. Stevens having hen resigned his OF
fice into the hands of Hose who elected
him, it would be contrary to all right an,
i precedent that he should be admitted 10
seat in the house, aud 10 the exercise o
rights aud privileges which he has irreyoca
bly, surrendered to his constituents. |
would lead 10 inexlricable confusion an,
disorder if representative or any Othe