Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1855-01-03
hRusE OF PowxR.

Much has been said and great excite
meni has prevailed in regard 10 the affairs
OF this Territory. We would not neces-
S.rily Prolong dis excitement, yet cannOt
refrain from making a few additional re-
marks 10 those who think for themselves.
1t is well known 10 the people Of this
Territory that by the death Of the lamsn-
ted Governor Burt, the duties Of his Office
have for a time fallen upon another. How
far he has faithfully discharged those du-
ties, the people must judge and pass SEN
fence accordingly. If his actions will
bear the light, he has nothing 10 fear from
a public examination, and if they will not,
re is unworthy the place he occupies, ana
cannot expect the people to sustain him
We will not stop TO review his course Of
proceeding from the first until now. With
most of these tie public are already farnil-
lar.
We will, therefore, speak mere partic-
ularly Of his late acts.
II we understand the bill organizing
this Territory, it gives the Governor the
power 10 select the place for the first meet
ing Of the Legislature, when he las made
such selection, his rights in this respect
are at an end. Every effort made there
fore in ms public capacity (and he does
not cease 10 be a public man while holding
cfhce) TO prevent the free expression Of
the people is unwarranted, ard must be
looked upon as q usurpation of powers
thai do not belong TO him-an attempt 10
invade the rights Of free American citizens
and a betrayal Of the trust reposed in him
ty those who appointed him 10 Office
Had Congress designed the Governor 10
locate the seat Of Government, il would
have been so expressed in the bill. They
Gid not design to give such power into his
hands, but into the hands Of the Legisla-
tire, elected By, and representing the peo-
pie, and the Governor the right 10 iesig-
nate the place where the legislative as
sembly should hold its first session, and
al that session, or soon after, the repre-
sentatives Of the people, should proceed 10
locate the seat Of Government.
II then, The acting Governor had shown
a disposition 10 place the seat of Govern
fnent at a point which the people would
not select, and then by political manoeu-
veriRg keep there contrary TO the wish
IS Of the people of the Territory, one Of
two things must Influence him in such 2
course OF conduct. Either he must think
lie knows the interests Of the people much
better than they do themselves, or else he
must have some selfish motive inducing
him 50 10 act. IL the former be true, i,
certainly shows an amount of self-esiesIn
not often net with in those who have real
merit and if The latter, it shows he is
prepared 10 trample on the rights Of his
fellOw-cilizens, if by so doing he can pro-
I1nte his own selfish ends. In either
case, such a man is not qualified either
morally or mentally, for the duties Of his
o%fice, and ought not 10 be continued in 1t.
What then, are the facts IN the case !
Instead Of designating the point for the
first meeting Of The Legislature, when the
election was ordered, this matter was put
of, profsssdly that the election might be
conducted more honestly, as if rhere were
only one honest man in the Territory, but
really, doubtless, thai he might accomplish
Lis own private ends
The natural course 10 pursue woald have
been 10 designate the place of meeting OF The
Legislature when the e~lectisn was ordered
and then leave the people free 10 act &C
eording TO the light they possessed. This
was not done they were kept in igno-
rance Of the very fact they most desired
70 know, and for what purpose That
lie might examine the different points and
select FIAT most suitable. Il would seem
fluat one examination would have been suf-
6eisat, bal fFashent visits were made,
rad If he half is true d at is said sbou
lam. or that be has said himself, 1t was
,.,a % null Re sea ihe lSesfi'ns - 70 SCI