The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-01-28

We have the figures at hand also to show
that This representation of our county
and Senatorial district has not been made up
no our section of the State---ihat is, that the
representation Of Northeastern Pennsylva-
MIA, comprising Northumberland and the
adequate during the whole time since 1896.
We omit the proof of this simply to avoid
prolixily.
In view of the facts we have shown il
would be grossly unjust 10 continue our pres
eni representative district with one member,
in the new apportionment. Columbia has
5479 taxables. being nearly enough for
Representative, and Mon,our 3l62. But as
the latter county must be attached to some
olner county or counties, we propose this ar
rangement--unite Columbia, Montour and
Sullivan as district with two members
| We suppose this wonld be satisfactory 10 all
the counties concerned, and II would be
| fair adjustment. But even If Columbia aud
Montour, without Sullivan, were made dis-
lricl with two members, il would not be un.
reasonable in view Of past unler-represenla-
| lion.
Another plan would be the following -
Colum bia one member; Mon,our, Norhum-
berland and Union two. In that case Sny-
der and Juniaia nigh tave one, Perry one,
and Mfflin one 10 which she is entitled by
the Constitution. This would carry tolsra-
ble arrangement of districts from Luzerne 10
the Juniala.
The facts we have exhibited constitute
| also powerful plea in our behalf in the for
nation OF our Senatorial district. From the
rapt growth oil Luzerne, our county can no
longer be united with her, nor can we be
joined with SchuylkilI. Our Senatorial con-
neclion must therefore be north or west, and
it should be made upon principles Of liberal
ily. We propose, Columbia, Sullivan, Mon
tour and Northumberland as the district
These counties contain 1875 taxables, not
far below the ratio, have natural connections,
have not been fully represented heretofore,
and their junction would be satisfactory 10
| the people of each.
In 1850, when The existing apporionment
was under consideration, there was eispo-
siion to compensate this county 10 some ex-
tent for previous losses and hence most of
the bills introduced iuto the Legislature pro.
posed 10 allow it (wilh Sullivan added) tivo
members. The PROJECT Of erecting Montour
from our territory was under consideration at
the same time, and II is well known exercised
a sinister influence upon the appcronment
question, which was for some time, kept
open and uncertain by II. Finally The bill
erecting Montour passed, ond subsequently
The apporlionment our district being again
vntimised os part Of the shameful proceeding.
For The House bill then pending in Tie Sem
ate, which allowed Columbia (including
Montour) and Sullivan Two members, was
changed by throwing Sullivan 10 Wyoming
and Susquehanna, and reducing Columbia
(including Montour) 10 one member. The
vote in the Senate on this amendment stood
l6 10 is aud it was carried by the malicious
vo!e of Speaker Best who then represented
the district in the Senate! Senate Journal
1850 pp. 1059-60.) This is probably the
single occasion in all the history of the Com
monwealla when member of either branch
of the Legislature las voted 10 dlsfrauchise
his own constituents.
The ratio of 1850 for Representative was
1865 taxabes. Columbia (including Mon
,our) contained 6721 and Sullivan 769. II
the district had been left as the bill passed
the House, this county would have had u
member all The time for the last seven years
and Monlour one also for four or FIVE years
o! the sans period.
Blu, we must dismiss the subject, with the
expression of our hopes that fai: appouou-
ment bill will be passed at tho present ses-
sion, and tina. 10 particular, long deferred
justice will be done TO our immediate sec
ZION OF the Commonwealth.
|