Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-09-03
THE APPoRTlONMENT.


next session, will be the new aPPoruonment oil
the State into Legislative Districts This is a
measure that Immediately interests every voter,
be he Whig or Locofoco. If this measure is fra.
med with view 10 exacl justice, the people will
be fairly represented; but if it should be framed,
as frequently has been the case, with view to
prolong the ascendency of the party having an
accidental majority in the Legislature at the time
of its passage; il at once thwans and stiles the
voice Of the people, as expressed at the ballot
box, and strikes at the foundation of free govern
ment. The people may express their aPProba-
ZION or disapprobation Of measures, in the most
decided and emphatic manner, and yet the State
be apportoned in such a way as to more than
neulraze their decision. Instances Of this kind,
Il is by such means that the Locoloco party have
so long controlled the Legislation of the STATE.
In the year 1885 the Locoloco party in Ohio, as
sisted by accidental and temporary causes, gam
ed the ascendency in our Legislature, and in the
winter of 1856 the first step in this system Of
defrauding the peopIe,-enabling the minority TO
dictate terms TO The maory,-was taken. The
Apportionment Act Of that session was one of the
most corrupt, infamous, and arbitrary acts that
ever found place of the statutes Of any free
government. 1t was framed for the express pur-
pose, if not with avowed design, of Ihwarting the
we'll known, and repeatedly expressed, wishes of
the people, and has been the fore-runner of all
the evils we have suffered, as State, since that
time. Olher measures have destroyed the cur
rency of the State, increased its public burthens,
crippled its resources, destroyed its credit, and
encouraged peculation upon its public works, but
those measures were the legitimate ofSping Of the
Apportionment Act of 1885, without the pas
sage of that act, the party that has entailed those
measures, with their dire(ul consequences, upon
the people, would have been berell of the power,
would have been as powerless, for good or for
evil, as a stubborn babe. This one measure has
been the great source from which all the evils
that have afflicted US, as a State, origlnated.-
Other measures have but added force TO lis cur.
rent, and power to its overwhelming train.
The first grand object to be accomplished by
the nquitous Apporlionment Act of 1856, was
to defeat the reelection Of the Hon. Thomas
Ewing, then distinguished member of the Uni
ted States Senate. At the annual State election,
on the Cd Tuesday Of October, 1886, the Hon.
Joseph Vance, the Whig candidate for Governor,
IL ii h,,o Of rds OE
votes; and at the Presidential election, few
weeks later, Gen. Harrison received the vote Of
the Slate by over 5000; Observation-Disclosures
decided and emphatic expressions Of the people
of Ohio, in favor of Wing men and measures,
the Locofocos were enabled, by the fraudulent
act referred TO, to control both branches of the
Legislature! Yes; that party claiming 10 be
MISUNDERSTANDING 10 hold the will OF the peo-
pie in absolute everence--claiming TO frame
their acts so as 10 the greatest good TO the
greatest number-that party that is ever found
with an expression of love for the "dear people"
upon its lips, was the first, and has been the
only party that ever framed an Apportionment
Act in Ohio, so as TO secure themselves major
ity in the Legislature against the decided express
sion Of the people, as expressed at the same eIec-
lion. Yet all this was accomplished by the act
of 1856. The Hon. Thomas Ewing was de-.
feated and William Allen,-that prince Of dem
agogues,-that pink of democracy,-that strick-
Ter for equal rights,-that deSpiser of the minor
ity attempting TO rule the majority,-that hater
of every thing designed to thwart the known
wishes of the people, took seat in the Senate Of
the United States at time when it he well knew
that majority of nearly 10000 of his constu-
ents were politically opposed to him!
This is but a single instance of the disregard
for the rights of the people that has characterized
of acts of the LocOfoco party. Encouraged by
the success that followed their first stride from
the path of Justice, they have been improving up
on that stride ever since. The Apportionment
Act of 1839-4O was an improved edition of the
same work. So unjust was that act that 1t was
impossible for the Wings to secure majority in
both branches of the Legislature under it! Even
in the ever memorable campaign Of 1910, when
The Wing majority in Ohio reached $4,000, and
more than two-thrds of the counties in the State
gave Wing majorities, the Senate of Ohio was
decidedly Locofoco, and that party continued to
control its action during the existence of the APP
poronment Act Of l839-40. During the first
and last session of its existence. the Wings suc-
ceeded in obtaining a majority in the House Of
Representatives; but Senate was always against
them, The reelection o. Mr. Allen TO the
Senate,-the infamous Congressional APpor-
tionment of 1S42-3,-h screening of the plum