The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-03-16

~ NouSSo"v ~ ">~ns
our cNszcns were entertained end instruct.
I'd by addresses from Thos. II. Benton, Jr.,
the Locoloco candidate for the Office 0f 3d.
perin,endcnt q! Public Instruction, aud
Prof. James Harlan. the prcscn, faithful
occupant Of that station. The election af
Mr.. llaran--a gentleman at that time IN.
known 10 the people OF Iowa, having quiet.
" resided as private citizen in Iowa City
since becoming a resident Of the State
coming out ns no did tho nominee Of no
party, independently mud upon his own
responsibility and in opposition to ono q!
the strongest men Of the Locofoco party,
aud most prominent men Of Iowa, So com.
plately astonished tho wire workers aud
leaders Of that party, that they have used
every menns, not hcsitating to enquire
who,her sanctioned by honor, to accomplish
his removal. They a. frs, sough, to prove
his election invalid, but Mr.. Harlan imme-
dIatcly gave the required security, and en-.
tered upon his duties, which until the pres
cnt time he has discharged SO satisfactorily
Tint VIC have Yet to see, even in any ofthc
Locofoco papers Of the State, n charge ol
non-pcrf"rma aco, or iN-perlormance Of du.
~, preferred agains, him. Although these
leaders Of the Loco.oco party-we would
he loath TO accuse the party en- massc of
the commission Of acts pcrpe.rated by men
o! SO little principlc--(aled in proving the
ilogality OF the election .: Mr.. tIarlin, vet
they have succeeded for The space Of one
year in depriving tho people Of Iowa Of a
good common schoul system. Tie evil
that men do appears l.icd always TO rccol
Upon their own heads; by sanc.ioning these
nnprincipled men in their ceasolcss and
henrtless course against Mr.. Harlcn, the
Locofocos of our State, for the same space
Of time, have deprived themselves, in com
mon with Others, Of any advantages that
might have resulted from The successful op.
Grafton OF our Schoo! Laws. Filling 10
Gust Prof. Harlan irop his o.licc, a. the re-
cent extraordinary session OF the Lcgisla-
ture, they voted him the sum Of $1,000,
being the salary authorized 10 lie pnil him
by The same law, in accordance with tic
provisions OF which, he had been elected.
Thus by granting him the salary prcscsib-
cd by law Tor his G,st Years services, ,hcs
have plainly and directly sanctioned and
endorsed that law. As according to the
provisions of that enactment he is elected
tor the space Of three wears, they have vir-
tnally, by granting him salary, ieclarcs'
his election valid fur the entire time. l..
al'uling to this important fact, Mr.. Benton
with good dea! u sophis,ry cndrayors To
prove that the s.Inry thus allowed Mr.
Harlan BY the Locoiucos Of the Legislature,
wos dome in view Of the loss of time Tia, h.
had experienced and the expense tia, u.
had incurred ia consequence OF negleciing
other avocaiions! Ii was awarded Ia him
b. these, his dear friends, (anj rascalls
pcrsecnsnrs) cut Of sheer duty, rs an acl Of
JUSTICE Mr.. Harlan previously had not
received onc.haf this sum for his time and
services in other occupations; why then Do
these legislators place higher value upon
Mr. llnr'an's services than did thu, gentle
man himself? NJ, had they possessed the
power, Prot. Harlan wuald never have re-
ceived the first dime in compensation fnr
his services.
But why, some may enquire, If Prot.
Harlan bc clearly and thus acknowledged.
elected for the term Of ,srcc wears, docs he
present his name agnin To the electors ol
Iowa Mt the ensuing April election? Til
question is easily nni we trust SATISFACTORY.
~ answered. The ease has gone I'D ior
adjudication TO the Slpreme Court. That
body i composed eniifc!s OF Locococus, mcn
whp--un,li elected 10 that office, aud for
ansht we know, since the leaders q,
that party. Ii Mr.. Benton be elected in
Arri!-as undoubtedly he would be, did
Mr.. Harlan consul, simply his own mind.
and refuse 10 be The candidate for an off,
10 which he is legally entitled for two years
hence--ihere is little doubt but that the
Judges of the Supreme Corr, would decide
at once TIM, Mr.. Harlan's election was il.
legal, and thus place the nominee Of their
own party in that high and responsible u