The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-05-18
To othePeopic of COiumbiaCounty
FELLOW CIrIZENS.

weAlth, | return again 10 take my place
amongst you, rs one Of the private clilzens
and free people of Columbia County
without any intention of again being a
candidate for reelection.
To say that feel grateful for the honor'
and distinctions you have conferred upon
me by your free sutirsges, would be but
feeble expression Of my sense OF the obi
pa,ions that | sm under 10 YOU, Tor your
triumphant support of me on the four dI
fetent occasions have been candidate lOr
the Legislatnre--thai obligation now, and
always shalt acknowledge, but am afraid
never shall be able TO repay
cannot. my fellow citizens, take leave
Of you as your Representative, without rem
dering YOU a tue. ard somewhat deisiled,
account OF my stewardship; and l desire
that YOU should all read this my address to
YOU. and then form for yourselves, Tree
and unbiased Judgment OF my acts.
On account Of The agitation OF local, out
very importer, question in our county my
situation as a representative, has oeen al
tended with rather uncommon trials and
difficulties through which, and IN despite
of which, | have endeavored from hrs' 10
last, TO discharge my duty 10 you with hon
es,v and fidelity, and whether | have sue.
.ceeded in doing so or not, most cheeriully
and with erea\ confidence, leave for you to
determine.
was first elected by Won TO The LePlsla.
ture in 1910, and was al that time, as | al.
ways have been since became citizen oi
Columbia coun,y,a residen. OF BIoomsburg
NV opinions and feelings were known then
as well az they are now, TO be in favor oil a
removal of the Seat OF Justice Of our county
from Dagville 10 that place, yet, confess,
that a, that election, | was not supported
and voted for as aremoval man particularly,
but as the regularly nominated can
tdale Of my party; hence, did not feel 1t
incumbent on me under such circumstances
10 take part in bringing the question OF re
moval before the Legislature during mat
session, especially as petitions were not
forwarded 10 me asking me to do so, but
contenlod myself with discharglng the or
dinary duties of Representative TO the bes
of nv ability, and as thought 10 the pro
motion Of The best interest oil my consiiiu
,ents. On my return home, however, ard
before any re election, made no secre, oi
my determination that, in case should be
re elected, would at the next session, IN
troluce, advocate and support bill author
Using removal Of our seat OF justice. With
kno wledge Of this fact the people renomi
mated and elected me. accordingly intro
sdueel removal bill into the House OF Re
CITeseuIauv'sS oucuIouUU snu tuquuv
inen,s of large number of petitions, and tt
what knew 10 be the interest and wishe,
of lsrge majority of the people of ih'
county. This bill laid or, file a considera
bic lepg,h of lime; it was known 10 be there
and my intention TO call i, up in due tint
also known, and yet heard nothing from
YOU that was not calculated 10 strengthen
my conviction in doing what | hat
done. had fairly represented your wishes
Petitions in lavor of the removal, from al
most all parts OF the county. came pouring
in upon the LegislsluSedhe signers TO whlcl
amounted to 2786, whilst the signatures tc
the responsiveness against the Removal
numbered but li!Ae over 1900. Unde
these circumstances, my duty was plain
and .ay couise a clear one. ! could no
choose but urge The passage Of the bill, ever
had my feelings and disposition been averst
to it, As aademocral was bound 10 obey in
slruciiens, psriicularly such as these, com
ing as they did, directly and PROFESSIONALLY
from large majority OF my constituents -
The obedience yielded TO lhem on thi:
occasion was not reluctantly done, aesurt
you, my fellow citzens;but with that pleas
aure every honest representative should fee
in dscharging his duty with fidelity 10 !hos,
whom he represents. On the l4Ih Of Marcel
I called up nv bill, bot notwithstanding tht
,exerlon OF myself and friends its oppo
nenls proved too strong for US, aud the bill
was lost on I'd reading, by vote of Yea
80, Nays 40. The friends of removal il
the House, ,it-is true, were illle dssppoin
4ed &, this vote, Tor kho wing the soundnes
aud Justice Of oar cause, we'had right, vi
thought, 10 expect different result, bu
nothing dishearteaed, we determined t,
commence the battle anew, and to take ou
enemies on another tack and for the pur
pose 100 of tesing(if they would permitus)
abe truth or falsiiy Of the representation o
those iu the DanviIIe interest, that major
lily Of the people were not in favor Of re
~moval OF the seat of insiice, il was agreed
that another bill should be introduced simi
lar in its provisions, and details to the form
,er; except iha, the question by this bill was
required to be submiied TO the people for
taeir decision, before he law could be car
,ried nto ehecl. An exra session had by
this time been agreed upon, and il wa.
thouUht nd yisable 10 defer the inlrOdu aiion nj