The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-07-16
REMARKS OF Mr. SNYDER.
OF COLUMBIA,

I'LL hAhS VI M ~ OlN DIsNs
OF COLUMBIA.
One the final passage Of the bill to authorize
the people OF Columbia county TO vote on
the question Of the removal of the seat
OF Justice from DanviIle TO Bloomsbury,
made in the House Of Representatives
June 23d ls42.
Mr.. SPEAKER, The bill which is now
under consideration is one in which my
constituents feel the greatest interest and it
contains proposition SO just and reasona-
BILE that csnnot believe the House will
refuse to pass ii; the question is one ,ha,
has agitated the minds Of the people of
Columbia county for years, viz The removal
OF Sea, Of Justice from Danville TO Blooms
burg we do not propo,e to decide now by the
passage of this bill that the town Of Danville
shall no longer remain the Seat Of Justice
of Columbia county, and that hereafter il
shalt be located at Bloomsburg, no sir, the
bill simply provides that the qualified
voters Of Columbia county shall say at the
next election which of the two places they
2erfer, which of the two towns would be
most convenient 10 lhem. The county Of
Columbia was formed out of part of North
cumberland county. in 1913; the bill for the
erection of the county, provided that The
Governor should appoint three Commis.
slorers to fix upon the best and most con.
venient site for the county town, two Of
these Commissioners only entered upon the
discharge Of their duties, SO convinced was
the third one that the question had been
already settled by his two colleagues in
favour of Danvile that he refused TO attend
their meetings or have any thing 10 do with
the matter, accordingly against the wishes
and interests of two thirds of the people of
Columbia county the Seat Of Justice was
fixed at D,nvIlle town in the south west
extremity Of the county. being on the south
ern, and within two miles Of western boun-
lazy line and within but eleven miles of
Sunbury the old county town. The
people of what was then Northumberland
county never would have pe,ilioned the
Legislature for a new county had they
known Mr.. Speaker that their Seat Of JUS
lice would have been removed only eleven
miles therefrom; to keep the county town
where it is would in my opinion be oppres-
sion TO the people; to pass this bill and give
them the power 10 vote on the question Of
removal would be doing them no more
than justice; it has been said by those who
have opposed the passage Of this bill that a
majority of the people are not in favor of
removal and returns of election have been
brought forwards to prove TO the satisfac.
ton of the House all that has been said on
this point Of the subject but this discussion
has already been so long that do moi want
TO say more than is reany necessary besides
this argumen, has been fully answered by
my friends who have already spoken on
The question. / will however sir just refer
the House TO the petitions end remons.
frances which have been presented a. the
present session. 27S6 taxable citizens have
petitioned for the removal whilst with all
the exertion made use Of by those friendly
to Danville to obtain signatures to remous-
frances but about 1000 could be procur-
ed. Now Mr.. Speaker this does not, apyasssaes
70 aremoval,b but If il be true that majori,v
really are in favour Of the Seat of Justice
continuing at Danvile then why not let the
bill pass and permit the question to be
submitted TO them-if the people should
determine that DanvilIe is their choice,
there will be an end to the matter; the
Legislature will not hereafter be asked TO
take any further action on the subject, bu,
this question which as l before said has
aagltaled the people Of Columbia county
ior nearly thirty years will forever be put
to rest. The citizens of Bloomsbury in the
event Of a removal are perfectly willing and
ready TO pay the cost of erecting public
buildings as good as those in DanviIie, so
That the county at large will suffer no ad.
dltional expense on account ofthe removal;
Mr.. Speaker l will not trouble the House
with any more remarks but will take my
seat alter expressing wish that the bill