The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-06-21
The Reform Legislature.


The Reform Legislature.
f.E -
During The election campaign last year, il
was indus!riously circulated that, as the DEM
ocratic and Wing parties had become corrupt,
it was necessary a new party should be for
med, which would not only reduce the ex-
peEses Of government, and consequently the
taxes imposed on the people, but enact whole
some and jadicious laws. The Know-Noth-
ing organization was breathed into existence,
and the people by hundreds and thousands
connected ihemselves with ii under The hope
that some reform. would be effected. The
election of Mr. Pollock 10 the gubernatorial
chair, and a large majority OF Know.N oihirg s
to the popular branch of the Legislature. Ii
is unnece ssard TO recapitulaten the acts OF The
Legislature They are not even entitled TO
the common respect Of The people, much less
their appreciation. And il is universally &C
knowledged, such a Legislature never before
congreeated in this Stale, and tie constant,
earnest prayer of all is, that ii may never
again.
But, as the people were induced 10 join
the Know-Nothing organization, and under
lis power elect men TO the Legislature, with
correct notions of reform, it is but due they
seould know how far economy characterized
the action OF their representatives, The Dem
ocratic Legislature of 1874, was made an es-
pecial target for The fire of the Know-Noth-
ing and Wing presses. II was pronounced
corrupt--its action misconstrued, and IFS eX-
penses heralded forth 10 the taxpayers of
the State, as an evidence OF The most Ieck-
less extravaganza. Because The Legislature
WAS democratic, the democracy of course
were compelled TO take the responsibility;
and as it did, SO we now deem il but fair 10
test its reckless extravaganza with the one
which old Father Time has just driven out of
existence.
The expenses oflhe Legislature
OF 1854, embracing only the
pay Of Senators, Members,
Clerks and officers was $79,Si0 90
The expenses of The last Legis-
%la,ure, embracing the same
items, are $i0l, 627 73
Difference, 500, 77s Ga
Thus will the taxpayers of The State per-
ceive that in their efforts 10 reform, by elect
ing Know-Nothings 10 The Legislature, they
have increased the expenses OF The Legisla-
ture S22, 77S 81. In this calculation we have
not included the contingent expei;ses--post-
age, printing, newspapers, &c, for the rea-
e,, H. =, H. o,aa,At. b,,ro ,a, Ill 80. l~o.
settled. When the correct account shall be
made out, II will be found 10 reach al least
thirty thousand dollars Of an increase. Ii must
also be remem bered, that the last Legislature
was in session the exact time Of the Legisla.
ture of '54, and therefore this increase of ex.
penses did not arise by length Of session.
Now, what we desire 10 ask The people is,
how much better have you made yourselves
by connecting with the Know-Nolhing or.
ganization, under the hope Of reform? You
believed that the Democratic Legislature OF
81 was a reckless, e%gtrayagant one. Y on
were told This, by those who desired 10 OBJ
tain the offices, and who used The worst
means TO induce you 10 believe them. You
reposed confidence and trust in what they
said, and went 10 the polls, giving your votes
10 men who were deceiviug you all the time.
From the above comparative statement of
the expenses ofthe Two Legislatures you can
readily see how you have been duped and
fooled. If the Legislature of 1854 was an
| ex!ravagani one-lf it was corrupt, as you
were made 10 believe il was, how much more
so has been the Legislature Of 1856, which
increases the public expenses, so far as eau
! al present be sscertalned, $22,77s Ga? Will
it be said this is an item of no account that
is too small for consideration ? Small as il is,
1t nevertheless proves that the people have
I gained nothing by the change, and that in
enclosing acknowledgement as a means of
reform, they bpt helped inca into power
whose only object seemed to be 10 teach
succeeding Legislatures what extravaganza
was.
We nigh, go on and dilaie upon this sub
lect, by referring 10 the increase OF expenses
in the Stale Department. But we are not
mean enough TO do such a thing. The poor
clerks in the various Offices are the only per-
sons who earn what they get. They are loo
poorly paid and it would be a source OF graf.
i~fcation 10 US were We able 10 record the fact
OF their compensation being increased. An
increase oil their pay shall never be mule by
US an item Of political trickery, or the means
of rendering odious an administration. But
it is the increase of The lesisletive expenses
OF the government of which we complain.
Had wholesome legislation been effected
had reform been ptacticed-had corruption
not eked oui in its action from The common.
cement 10 The end Of the session, we should
have been content. But when the reverse is
the case, when the Democratic Legislature