Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-05-02
Pennsylvanla Legislature.


In the Senate Mr.. Cresswell called up House
/ bill, No. 11s, to erect arts of Cambria, Indiana
Westmoreland and Somerset counties into 9
sepera te county, to be called g Conemaugh."
MIR. TIA ggart moved to submit the question of the
new county to.a vote of the whole people of the
counties, out OF which the new county is proposed
to be erected which was disagreed to-
The bill being on second reading,
Mr.. Jamison submitted an amendment chang
ing the line of the proposed new county, so as te
take less of the territory of Indiana county which
he advocated in few remarks. The amendme ut
was adopted, as follow Yeas Is, nays 13.
Mr. Jamison then offered an amendment, re-
tanning the borough of Armaughin the old county
of Indiana; which was adopted
Mr. Frazer offered an amendment. to except the
township of Fairfield, in Westmoreland county,
from the bounds of the county.
Mr.. Jordan opposed the motion; and pending
the amendment, the further consideration of the
bill was postponed for the present.
FRIDAY, April 20, 1855.
In the Senate Mr.. Cresswell called up House
bill No. 11s, to erect the county of Conemrugh
out of parts of Cambria, Somerset, Westmoreland
and Indiana, pending the amendment of Mr..
Frazer, to strike out Fairfield township, West
moreland county.
Mr. Frazer addressed the Senate at some length
in support of the amendment, and in opposition
to the bill generally. He urged in support of the
amendment, that the citizens generally Of Fairfield
township, were opposed to being incorporated in
the proposed new county, and referred to yemon-
STRANGE which he held in his hand, signed by 253
citizens of said township evidence Of this fact
They had also held large meeting and passed
resolutions against it. He opposed the bill gene
rally, on the ground that the people of Cambria
county, out of the territory proposed to be en-
braced in the county, were greatly opposed
to it, and that it would be doing them gross injus
tice. The people in nearly every township had
held meetings to express their disapprobatlon OF
the project. Cambria, he said, is of the
smallest counties in the State. Her population in
1850 was but II ,772, and she not even separate
rate representation the House of Representatives
being connected with Bedford aud Fulton, the
three counties being entitled to but taco members.
Yet this bill proposes to take from her one-fourth
of her territory, about third OF her population.
There was no necessity or justice in the PROPOSE
ton. If divided, the county never could be enti-
tied to member of the House of Representatives.
The new county line would run within eight
miles of Ebensburg, the county seat, and more
territory is taken from this little county of Cam
bria, than from either Westmoreland, Somerset OF
| Indiana.
The distance from Johnstown to Ebensburg is
| only about tacelce miles in direct line, but the
citizens travel from one point to the other by the
Pennsylvania railroad and good plank road Ia
| three hours. Citizens of Johnstown leave
home, transact business in Ebensburg, and return
the same day-the expense of travel being only
ninety cents-forty cents by the cars, and hfty by
plank road. They can also reach the county seat
by good county road and turnpike.
The bill, as it passed the House, was opposed
! by the three members from Westmoreland, the
members from Somerset and Indiana. receiving
| the support from the member from Johnstown
alone, whose object is to make Johnstown the
county seat of the new county. Thus ffce mem
bers of the House directly interested, opposed the
bill, whist but one supported it.
The argument that new county is desirable on
account of the pressure of law suits in the courts
would be good argument in favor of a new ju-
dicial district, but not for new county
/ | have said thus much IN justice to my constit
uents, and hope l have acted in good faith to
wards them, whose servant am, to serve then
according to the best Of my humble abilities
trust the bill will not pass.
Mr. Taggart also supported the amendment, ans
opposed the bill generally, designating it as one Q
the worst and most Objectionable bills OF the kint
brought forward during the present session.
Messrs. Jordan and Jalnison opposed the amend
ment when it was lost, as follows Yeas 10
| nays IS.
/ Yeas-Messrs. Buckalew, Darsie. Flenniken
Frazer, Hendricks, Pratt, Skinner, Iaggart, Wal
ton and Wherry-l0.
Yeas-MessTs. Browne, Cfabb, Cresswell, Fer
guson, Frick, Fry, Goodwin, Haldeman, Hoge
Janson, Jordan, iilIinger Lewis. Mellinger, Piatt
Price, Sager, Shuman and Hester, Speaher-~ls
The first section of the bill being then befor
the Senate
Mr.. Jordan spoke in favor Of it, and Mr.. Tag
81 CART, in opposition; when it was defeated by tn
following vote Yeas lS, nays Is.
leas--Messrs. Crabb, Cresswell, Ferguson, Fry
Haldeman, Hoge, Jordan, kiliinger, Mellinger
Pratt. Price Sager and Shuman-l3.
Nays-Messrs. Browne, Buckalew, Darsie
Flenniken, Frazer, Frick, Goodwin, Hamlin, Hen
drlcks. JaInison, Lewis, III M'Ciintock, Piatt, Skin
ner, Taggart, Walton, Wberry and Hlester
Speaker-15.