Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-07-11
The Reform Legislature.

Il
During the election campaign last year, it
was industriously circulated that, as the DEM
ocratic and Whig parties had become corrupt,
1t was necessary new party should be formed i.
which would not only reduce the expenses of
government, and consequently the taxes i'm
posed on the people, but enact wholesome and
judicious laws. The Know-No Nothing organi-
zation was breathed into existence, and the
people by hundreds and thousands connected
themselves with it under the hope that some
reform would be effected The election result
ed in the elevation of Mr.. Pollock to the GU
bernatorial chair and large majority Of
Know-Nothings to the popular branch of the
Legislature. 1t is unnecessary to recapitulate
the acts Of the Legislature. They are not
even entitled to the common respect of the
people: much less appreciation. And it is
universally acknowledged, such Legislature
never before congregated in this State, and
the constant, earnest prayer of all is, that it
may never again.
But as the people were induced to join the
Know-Nothing organization, and under Its
power elect men to the Legislature, with cor
rect notions of reform, it is but due they should
know how far economy characterized the ac-
ton of their representatives. The Democratic
Legislature of 1854; was made an especial
target for the fire of the Know-Nothing and
Whig presses. 1t was pronounced corrupt
its action misconstrued, and its expenses her.
aided forth to the taxpayers of the State, as
an evidence of the most reckless extravaganza.
Because that Legislature was democratic, the
democracy of course were compelled to take
the responsibility and as it did, so We now
deem il but fair TO test its reckless extrava-
gance with the one which old Father Time has
| Just driven out of existence
The expenses of the Legislature of
1854, embracing only the pay
of Senator's, Members, Clerks
and officers, was. S79, Sag O9
The expense of the last Legisla-
ture. embracing the same items,
a,s.: .......-.. $1O1 ,627 73
Difference, e,...-....,-........-.S2 81, 77o 64
Thus viii the taxpayers o. the State per-
ceive that in their effort to reform, by elect
ing Know-Nothings to the Legislature, they
have increased the expenses of the Legislature,
S22, ,77S "a. In this calculation We have not
included the contingent xpenses-postage,
printing. newspapers, &C.. for the reason
that the accounts have not all yet been settled.
When the correct account shall be made out,
which viii not be long, it viii be found at least
thirty thousand dollars of an increase. 1t
must also be remembered, that the last legis-
lature was in session the exact time of the
Legislature of 1854, and therefore this in
crease of expenses did not arise by length of
session.
Now, what we desire to ask the people, is
how much better have you made yourselves
by connection with the Know Nothing organ
ization, under the hope of reform? You be-
lieved that the Democratic Legislature of
1854 was reckless, extravagant one. You
were told this, by those who desired to obtain
the Offices, and who used the worst means to
induce you to believe them. You reposed
confidence and trust in what they said, and
went to the polls, giving your votes to men
who were deceiving you all the time From
the above comparative statement of the expen-
ses of the two Legislatures you can readily
see how you have been duped and fooled. If
the Legislature of 1854 was an extrayagant
one-if it was corrupt, as you were made be-
ieve it was, how much more so has been the
Legislature of 1855, which increases the pub
lie expenses, so far as can at present be ascer-
tanned, $22,778 "a? VIII it be said this is
an item of no account-that it is too small for
consideration? Small as it is, it nevertheless
proves that the people have gained nothing by
the change, and that in endorsing Know
Nothingism as means of reform, they but
helpedmen into power whose only object seem
ed to be to teach succeeding Legislatures what
extravaganza was.-Harrisb,uy Union.
Coffee Curious History of its Use.