Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-12-29

i
| the 18th inst: MT. VIM. Patterson, from the
committee to whom was referred that portion
of the Governors Message relative to the for
| nation Of State Government, reported u bill
providing for obtaining an expression of the
will of the people at the time Of holding the
township elections in April next. It provides
that if majority shall be found in favor Of q
convention, delegates shall be chosen at the
next general election. The number Of dele
gates, and the time CT holding the convention,
are left blank in the bill. When formed, the
Constitution is TO be published in all the pa.
pers in the Territory, and submitted to the
people at the next general election thereafter,
for their adoption or rejection. All persons
qualified to vote for members Of the Legisla-
ture, to be allowed vote.
We think the time prescribed in the bill for
preparing for admission into the Union. lnuch
longer than necessary, and il passed in It's
present shape, liable to injure the interests Of
the Territory. Our population in June, 1910,
was upwards of $4,000. Since that time, it
has increased at ratio unparalleled in the his
tory of the new states. Some, whose means
of information would enable them to Judge
pretty accurately, estimate our present popn-
lation at 10000, or upwards. IL their csti-
laiion much larger than IS requisite for admis-
sion, and should it continue to increase al the
same ratio, which we have every reason to be-
lieve it will, we shall be entitled to two Rep
resenta.iyes in Congress before we can gain
admission under the provisions Of MIR. Patier-
sons bill. II is estimated that Wisconsin
has increased upwards Of 10000 the last year,
by emigration, by way Of the lake alone, and
when we take into consideration her probable
increase from other channels, we must con-
clude that she too has population more than
Union. Should she, as has been recommended
by the Governor, take early steps for obtaining
admission, and Florida do likewise, they may
become free and independent States before we
are ready 10 knock at the door. And when
We shall finally get our "house in order," and
ask for admission, we may be met with the
Ole question O. north and south, and told to
wait until a southern guest can come in with
u.s. In the mean time, the vast district OF
county embraced in the new purchase on the
west, and the now unsettled country Of the
north, may become the property Of the settlers.
and Iowa be thereby deprived of the five per
cent upon the amount received for The sale Of
her public lands, to which, under State Gov
eminent, she would he entitled.
Aside from our ability TO sustain State
Government. with but light tax upon the
people, we think more hasiy preparation for
admission than is proposed 10 the bill, to be
to our interest. 4
The greatest objection we have yet heard
urged against applying for admission, is the
fear Of burdensome taxation. This should
not keep Us back an hour. The benefits We
would receive from representation in both
branches Of G ongress, would fully repay those
who first look 10 dollars and cents, and the glo-
rious privilege of choosing our Lawmakers,
and those by whom they shall be executed,
wi,hou, the restraint Of an Independent pow
er, would more than doubly repay the patriot
ic citizen for his part Of the expense Of State
Government.
There is no necessity for the establishment !
of an expensive State Government. Expert
ence in the States has shown that the love Of
office, where large salaries are attached, has,
in too many cases, made demagogues and syc-
ophants of The incumbents. that they may the
more easily obtain them again. Nor would
the people accept constitution for an extrav-
a giant form Of government. TIE honors of an
Office. we know, are measured by its salary,
but as in this country, all aspirants to Office,
before the election, are actua,ed only by de-
sire to serve their country, there will be no
scarcity of men who are willing to act as a.
gents, for what their services are worth, rely
ing upon an upright discharge Of duty, and
not upon the amount Of the salary, for the hon
ors Of the Office.
u The Davenport Gazette, in an editorial
notice Of the proceedings Of the Legislature,
says:
''Mr. Rogers informed the House that aJ. |
sence bad not decreased his veneration for the
Hero Of New Orleans, that he again threw
down the gauntlet to any one who dared TO
take il up in defence Of the old gentleman's
/" fine" This is the most prominent of those
questions which are annually eked out for the
purpose Of prolongng the session to its great.
es. length. May all such be qnashed ia the