The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-05-25

Me greatest philanthr0pists oi the age, they
could no, have been more active, unlIing.
impor,unate and persevering than they were
in their efforts TO have the bill defeated in
the Senate. Members of lha, body were
imporiuned in their seats, las well during The
session as The recess. They were visited
in IheIr chambers aud seuing rooms--argu
ments Of every description, and regret IL
say, in many instances, misrepresentation
Of the grossest character, particularly as To
the feeling aud wishes Of the people Of Co
Iumbls coonty were made use of by the
opponents Of the bill 10 effect its defeatand
in this effort ss you already know, they
were unfortunately TOO successful for on tn.
25th Of February, on the question Of the
passage of the first section ol The bill, the
vote stood Yeas S,Nays "a, 81 consequently
the bill fell By majority OF three 10 one.
! | wish, fellow ciilzens, for the credit Of
some gentlemen Of our couhiy, that no
more mischief and injustice had been al
tempted 10 be inflicted upon you at that
session Of the legislatures .ha! The enemies
of your interests had con,enled themselves
with deisaling bill, fair and reasonable ~
its provisions, and one that a large majority
Of The people had pelitIoned Tor, aud had
elected a senator and representative with
the view of having passed into law; bu'
that regret 10 say was not the case, and /
am therefore here constrained by sense oi
duty, 10 direct your attention 10 another
matter, dsiepuiable must be permitted to
say, to all concerned in IT, | allude 10 the
attempted division Of Columbia county, TO.
the purpose of forming new cOualy out oI
part OF i, aud part OF Luzerne. You all
know, fellow cltizens, that such ar attempt
as speak Of was made, but perhaps you
do not know that this iniquIlous scheme
was no, only counlenanced aud connIved al,
but absolutely urged on and elecuoneered
lior, by the whole Danvile interest.
Connected with this attempt 10 divide d
cut up our county, | could, if was dispos
ed TO introduce the acls and names OF paIlic
ular Individuals in this address, relate some
circumstances Of falsehOod; misTepresenta
lion; imposition and fraud, connected with
the progress of this bill through the Legss
lure; which could not do otherwise than
star,le and asionish you. But forbear nay
purpose is not To denounce or expose 10
your indignation any one; but 10 give you ID
Itair ard true accoant of what lransplred ~
relation to our local question during my ca
reer as your representative. Tins famous;
or rather Infamous, Madison county bill, oi
which | have spoken, was introduced into
the senate by Mr.. Hcadey, on the 9Th oil
January. On The 18th of the came NORTH,
the senate proceeded 10 The consideration oI
it, and on second reading the further con
siGeraiion 0l il was postponed until the fol
lowing Monday. Ii was then called up
again, and again postponed for the pTesenI.
Ion The 18th il was called up for the third
lume and passed second reading; by a vote
lof Yeas Is, Nays Ii. On the 18Th of Fet
Iruary following i, was ordered 10 be trans
lcribed for third reading by vote OF Yeas
Il6, Nays l2. On the 2lst of March i
Icame up on third reading. A motion wa:
Imade by Mr.. Kdder aud Mr.. Crabb, lC
lamend Ihe bill in such manner as 10 sub
init The question Of division to the peop'.
living within the bounds Of the conlempla
lied new county. On this quesilon,ihe vote
stood Yeas l2, Nays l3. The question on
,he final passage of she bill then coming ul
II was carried by vote Of Yeas 10, Nays
lll3.
You will observe fellow citizens, that or
all the votes connected with The progress
and passage of this bill. the number OF then
was small Alno time could majority o
Ia full senate be obtained TO support The bill
but by boring OF the most incessant charac
tier, The enemies of removal always succee
ded in procuring a sufficient number o
! dodgers 10 give their friends majorlly;ant
/ consequently to pass The bill. l will no
pretend, in The limited space have allotted
20 myself in this address, 10 recaprulaIe tn,
various and almost innumerable acts de vices
arguments and nicks; resorled 10 by the en-
emies Of al and friends 0l Danvlll,
!, and division, TO succeed in their lniquiou
purpose. will, however, remark that Ih'
mos, cogent and effective one was, that lh'
passage of this bill would forever put 10 res
lhe question Of removal in The. county, ant
hence save the Legislature in future mucl
? trouble and the state considerable expense
( both Of which would necessarily accompany
la further agitation of the matter. SO shat
? fellow citzens, for the purpose Of conllnu
/ ing the seat Of justice at DanVllIe, and saV
ing the gentlemen Of that place the trouble
5 and expense OF annually repairing to Harris
/ ilburg, To oppose and defeat The wishes, in
? leresls and voice Of the people, The counlie,
of LuzeTne and Columbia were Ia be dlVld
ed, and a new county formed agaIns! thI
Interests and wishes Of almost the whole o
The people OF both, and against The almos
, Unanimous voice Of those Nving wAhin ,ht
. lDrn,aoad hnnnds Hare waa uiSintprpste,