The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-16
THE ILLINOIS FREE TRADER.

the vast amount which has been already
expended upon it. when compared WIN
the sum wanting for lis completion ioroid
the idea of It's abandonment. would
therefore, respectfully submit the proprie-
~ Of memorializng congress to grant 10
the state an additional quantity OF land
which, together with what remains OF the
former donation, will be sufficient Tor the
remaining cost of lis construction.
With view to this object, our efficient
and praiseworlhy senator K. NJ. Young
has introduced a bill into the senate oil the
U. States. approprialing 477.SlS acres OF
land for that purpose. This quantity is
necessary to raise the grants made to this
state to an equality with those already re-
ceived by the state of Ohio. The bill
was referred to the appropriate committee,
and will probably be reported and acted
upon during the present session OF con-
gress. Should it be properly urged, Its
success is confidently anticipated.
The importance of opening the commu-
nicaion not only to Illinois, but to all the
states and territories bordering upon the
lakes and the Mississippi, as well as the
facilities it would afford for the transport
alton of the mails, and, in case OF war,
the troops and munitions of war, mark 1t
as an enterprise of national character.
Under the provisions of an act OF con-
gress, entitled, IAN act for the apportlon-
ment of representatives among the several
states according to the sixth census" Hill
nois will hereafter be entitled TO seven
members. 1t therefore becomes your du-
ty to provide by law for the election OF
that number of representatives TO the 2oth
congress. 1t cannot fail to be source OF
qualification and pride to the citizens Of
| Illinois, that, while the ratio of represent
alton has been raised so high as 10 cons-
derably diminish the aggregate number Of
representatives. and, of course, to reduce
the representation of many OF the states,
such has been the unexampled increase Of
our population since the last apportlon-
menl, that our representation has been
more than doubled.
The frequent recurrence Of abuses oil
the elective franchise in this and other
states, should admonsh us of the necessi-
ly OF more carefully and more ehectually
guarding that right. With view to the
accomplishment Of that object, would re-
specially, but earnestly recommend, that
the laws regulating elections be revised
and so amended as to increase the penal
ties to be inflicted for their violation, And,
also, at all future elections in the state, to
prohibit persons from voting in any pre-
cnct except the one in which they actu-
ally reside This provision, while it
would not abridge the rights of any voter,
would protect the institution from fraud
and corruption. And, although ii might
operate inconvenienly in some instances,
yet its necessity, and the importance of
the object to be attained by it, would
abundantIy justify lis enactment. The
preservation of this right in its utmost pu-
rity is essential to the maintenance of all
our other republican institutions. Through
its exercise alone can the ma GRITTY of the
people peacebly redress their wrongs,
enact their laws, and select their rulers,
and retain the powers of government in
their own hands. While It's exercise Sc
cures US the enjoyment of all the prlvle-
ges and immuulties of freemen, its abuse
would be equally fatal to Our liberty. It's
corruption would subject the yirluous and
intelligent majority to the usurpaiion and
tyranny of u vicious and ignorant minorl-
ty. Thus, this institution, instead of pro-
tecting and supporting the government,
would become the means of its overthrow.
Ii would therefore seem that any provi-
sion which may be necessary for its pre-
servation should be promptly and unhesi-
ta,ingly adopted.
BY an act of congress entitled "an act
to distribute the proceeds Of the sales of
the public lands, and togrant pre-emption
rights" approved Sept. 18th, ls4l, the
quantity OF 2lO,l35 $1,000 acres of land
were granted to the state of Illinois. An
act was passed on the 10Th of March, 1912,
authorizing the governors of the states Of
Illinois, Arkansas, and Missouri, to select
the lands granted 10 those states respec-
lively.
In conformity with the provisions of
this act | appointed agents, and caused
the before mentioned quantity of land to
be selected and located, with the registers
of the land offices, in the different districts
I -. Il. .hc calaaiion ...ara ..a.Ia L.