Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-01-30
OUR SEN TOR S.

TEST, of State Senators, and attempted ridcue
opinions of other Senator Mr. WILLIAMS In the
absence of denial renuncaton of the remarks imputed
Judge Test take liberty Of saying, that
acquainted him, either personally the cha
racer, political opponents compelled award him
intelligence and good Judgment, would for moment,
report of his Speech published in the Journal
correct and, fear the structures dictated by
feelings far those of political personal
friendshp-that they the ehuons of a mind, anxious
for distinc ton, envious of place.
20 the vote given by Senator's which a
one; bill confirming each elecor his
Ship vote, conceive be one, least such
a Representatives in the absence of all instructions
justified in giving II the judges and inspectors Of cleo
perform their Duty and require of every unknown
son, offers such evidence the la points
of his being emitted tovoe, there would be frauds of
his kind practsed And, if person, though ne legal
voter should offer of the township in which
lives being legally
vote, has acquaintance prove his eligibility it
his fault, and the officers sustained by the law
The passage of a law restricting their
townships, would have created
a corresponding bene6 business, either
ted otherwise, frequently would prevent
citizens voting 1t would enable dishono able
get promugate false reports against candidates., in
and the friends of such sandeed cand
dates being from The different townships,
reports would uncontradiced The SANDER and
would thus against the
advantage of the designing. Upon the whole,
think given by our Senators just and right
Since the above i'll type, have noticed in the
Wayne County Record, reply from Mr.. Williams, from
which make
81 was not, however, looking for the rote itself,
TO be either praised or censured, considering the
circumstances under Inch IT was gwen. During
the debate ii argued that large elections we're
productive Of riots, fighting, &c, and that tor
this reason, we ought to keep the people al home
-kne, then,i In smuW 20 or q this effect
l made few words of reply. near as can rec
oilect follows, to-wit: "Ihat 1t appeared TO
me the Bill contemplated an important change, |
which supposed would SUIT tho views OF con
siderable number of my constituents, yet thought
MOI of the ma iority. That at the place where
liv ed there the largest election IN the Coun-
~. and believed in the State--'hat we had two
polls opened there, and got along very wel-had
not experienced the difficulties pointed ont b.
Senators That opposed to the Bill"
had no expectation that the few words had spo-
ken were taken down by the Reporter, Tor at
tempted TO be taken) until | saw them IN the
Journal. ] told the Editor at once that | was
made to sag and to conrey ideas that had not
.hought of; and | told the Reporter the same,
who readily admitted that he had misunderstood
me-said il was impossible for him TO report cor
rcctly, where there were so many SAYING little
in quick succession TO this effect"
Also, letter from Mr.. Test, the subject;
which sutJon
INDIANAPOLIS, January 2lst, ISL
DEAR SIR:--I perceive in looking over the last
No. of your paper that you announce the passage,
by both Houses Of the General Assembly, Of the
bill restricting voters to their several townships
an elections. In this you are IN an error. The
bill was rejected III the Senate by very consld-
cradle majority on the ground that the measure Is
uncalled for by the people. For a quarter OF a
century have our elections III this particular been
conducted as required by law, and believe that
I her % mako radical chances
in important laws, when there is evidence
that such changes arc desired by tho peope--or
demanded by the public interest. IL IS time that
this spirit of GisorganIzatcn, so long the bane OF
the best interests of the country, should cease.
This experimenting upon long established Gus
toms is and ought to be repudlated BIZ the com
munity. As your Representatives, we have suit
ficient TO do, and more am afraid than we shall
be able effect at the present session. IN attemp
ting to sustain the tottering credit and character .
Of our State in regard to her immense debt, and
derauged financial concerns. without overturnIng /
old land marks II State affairs approved by our
fathers and sanctioned by the experience OF TWEEN
ty FIVE wears 1t is an old adage 'That bad
law well understood bv the people is better than
n good one not understood" though am far from
believing that the proposed change would be for
the better The people alrendv have the prWi-
iege of voting in their own Townships IT they
choose, but this proposition restricts them TO It,
II TO them YOU are not 10 be trusted out OF
your township III giving your Note. III i'S'' OHS
of the principal arguments used in favor OF the
change is, that the people cannot be trusted TO
vote where they please IN the County Tor lear
that they will meet in large collections. and get
into fights and riots. A bad argument IN favor
Of the morals of the people. and contrary TO what
we know to be true. have no knowledge of a
riot. having occurred at any election in the State
ard although IN the course OF the last year have
seen the people assembled in thousands of all par
ties and during time of unusual political ex- |
element, still they have separated without so
much as angry word having disturbed the u
UNIVERSAL harmony prevailing. Blu, II has been
said that such restriction IS necessary TO prevent
fraud in voting. | would like to know if frauds |
may not exist to the same extent uuder the pro-
posed change, DOW, if the officers OF the cleo
tons shall be corrupt, or negligent IN the dis
charge OF their duty, for the purity Of elections