Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-03-14

mad nominated VIM. B. Foster, Jr. for the Office |
OF Canal Commissioner. We understand there !
was good deal o:feeling exhibited at tho Con.
vention, and that Notwithstanding large msjori.
ty Of the delegates in attendance were in favor
OF VIM B Foster, q large majority of the people
were in favor of one term and a new man. II |
vas contended that the law for the election of
Canal Commissioners was enacted for the pur.
pose Of preventing a perpetuity of power a.
mong those holding Office. The Board was also
censured for holding back their appointments
until after the Convention. as appears by the fol.
lowing resolutions in the Convention which were
debated with considerable warmth
"Mr Gillis submitted the following pream.
BILE and resolution
WnxRsAs, The perpetuity of republican GO
vernment essentially depends upon the purity Of
the elective franchise, and the freedom Of the
people from the influence Of the patronage of any
Of the departments of government. AND WHKRK.
AS. the people Of Pennsylvania, in the adoption
Of the new constitution, as well as the passage
Of law for the election Of Board of Canal
Commissioners, were actuated by desire to di.
minsh Executive patronage. in order that every
voter might be left free to exercise his own in.
estimable privilege, unawed by the fear of off.
cial resentment, or Influenced by the hopes of
official reward---ANp WHEREAS, the present
Board Of Canal Commissioners, contrary TO the
custom and usage of former years have not, as
yet, made any Of their appointments, thus giving
rise TO report that such delay was designed to
control the election and action of delegates TO
this Convention by stimulating the exertions OF
those in office, in order TO secure the re.nomns
ton Of one of the present Board. AND WHEREAS
it is due to them that this report should be
promptly met and refuted therefore,
Resolved, That committee Of - be appoin.
ted to wait upon the Board of Canal Commission.
ers, and ascertain and repor, to this Convention
the causes which have induced this departure
! from the long established usage of making theil
appointments at an early day after the organiza
them until after the assembly of this Convention
| On proceeding to the second reading and con
sideration, the yeas and nays were called, ant
were--yeas 81, nays 90.
| Mr. Rcha -dson moved, that inasmuch as tn,
appointments have been delayed as aforesaid
therefore this Conv en,ion will adjourn to the -
day Of June. Lost.
Mr.. Wadsworth moved a resolution declaring
in favor ofthe one term principle. Lost.
Mr.. Brown moved to proceed to the nomina
ton of a candidate for Canal Commissioner.
| Mr.. Hickok moved an amendment declarin
in favor of the one term principle
This was discussed by Messrs. II. c. Hickoi
Of Perry, Chas. Brown, OF Phla., DR.. Reynolds
Of Mifan, S. w. Black, of Allegheny, Joshua
Cox, of Somerset. T. C. M'Dowell, Of CamSri,
Jacob Zeigler, Of Butler, Gen. A. P. Wilson,
Huntingdon, and others.
Mr.. Reynolds Of Miffln, moved further
mendment that lin effecD the people contempt;
ted the one term principle in providing for tt
election OF Canal Commissioners. Mr.. Hicko
accepted this as modification of his motion.
Mr.. S. w. Black, moved still further to amer
by substituting a resolution incorporating Il
principle of the previous resolution.
T'he discussion was continued by several gel
temen, and vote was taken on Mr.. Blacks
mendment. and it was lost-Yeas IL, Nays So,
, Mr.. Reynold then withdrew his motion and Il
Convention proceeded to nominate candidates 4
, Canal Commissioner"
, The Convention then proceeded 10 ballo
, which resulted in the nomination Of VIM. B. Fo
, ter as follows.