Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-01-15
THURSDAY, JANUARY Is, 1857.

III file urdln ince and that the suin of so :
OOO 00 be appropriated for the erection Of
q State arsenal thereon.
On the 9th day of October, 1855, apprav-
ed AMI signed bill entitled An Il t t, re-
peal ths charter Of the Erie and North East
railroad company, and to provide for the
disposal of the same" I'm pursuance of its
provisions, Hon. Joseph Casey was appointed
to take possession and have thc charge and
custody of the road. Before possession was
taken, application was made by the cumpl-
ny, to one Of the judges Of the Supreme
Court of Pa, for an injunction to restrain
the agent OF tie State from taking possession:
and subsequently, a cautionary order was
made by the Supreme Court, in banc, to stay
proceedings under the act. The questions
then pending before that court were deter
mined in favor Of the Commonwealth
constltutionaiity Of the act sustained and the
application for an injunction refused Pos
session of the road was then taken by the
agent Of the State, as directed by law.
On the 22d day of April, 1856, an act,
entitled " An Act supplementary to the act
Incorporating the Erie and North East rail
road, company" was passed By this act
the Erie and North East railroad, AS origin
ally located and constructed, was legalizel
and confirmed and certain changes in the
road were directed to be made, and Utner
acts 10 be done by the company. II was also
provided " that the Governor shall retain
possession Of the Erie and North East rail
road, und9r the act of the sixth Of October,
800, until the provisions of tins act shall
have been accepted by vote of the stock
holders of the Erie and North East railroad
company, at meeting called for that pur-
pose" On the 18th day of May, 1856, at IL
meeting Of the stockholders, called for that
purpose, the provisions of the act were ac-
cepted by their vote. This acceptance, duly
certified, was received and filed in this De-
partment on the 18Th day cf July last. Pos
session Of the road has been restored, and it
is now under the care and management of
the company. \ final account for money
rece we'd from the road, whilst in possession
of the Safe. will be settled with the company
at the earliest practicable period
1t is but proper to state that since the ac-
cePtance of the act Of the 22i of April, 1856
writ Of error. in the cases adiudicated by
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, has
been issued at the suit If the company hy
the Supreme Court Of the Uulted States, and
Is now pending in that court.
The commissioner first appointed having
resigned, \. X. Mcclure esq, was appointed
in his place. The duties Of both officers
were ably and faithfully performed. Copies
Of their correspondence and reports, herewith
submitted t. the House Of Representatives.
for the use Of the Legislature, will furnish
information in detail on the subject now un-
der consideration. 1t is sincerely desired
that good faith and honesty Of purpose may
characterize the conduct Of this company in
the discharge Of the duties assumed by their
acceptance Of the act Of 22l of April last,
and that this much yexed question will not
again disturb the harmony or retard
the prosperity Of the city Of Erie, or any
other portion Of this Commonwealth.
The resolution proposing amendments to
the Constitution of the Commonwealth, have
been published rs directed by that inStru-
ment. Ii will be your duty to take such ac-
ton in reference to these amendments a
will, in your judgement, lie most consistent
with the wishes cf the people. An ap
preparation will be required to paw the ex-
penses Of their publication, and to this your
earliest attention ls requested.
The important duty Of districting the
State for the election Of Senators and Rep
rcsentatives. will dcvOiye upon you. This
duty should be performed faithfully, and
with strict reference 10 the interests and
rights Of the whole people. Returns of tax
aDleS. TeQulFcu 10 DC uitIt bA INC IIheIei'l
counties, have not all been forwarded to this
Department, as by law directed. Circulars
have been issued to the officers charged with
these duties, urging their speedy performance,
and the returns will, rs soon as received, be
transmitted to you.
The elective franchise is the highest and
most responsible privilege enjoyed Y the
American citizen. Involving iG its exercise
the sovereignty of the people, and constitut-
ing as it does the substratum Of our free
institution, it cannot he too highly appreci-
ated or carefully guarded. The ballOt-box,
through Which the people speak their will,
should be preserved from violation 4t every
hazard and sacrifice. Upon its purity and
integrity depend the existence Of our Repub-
lican government, and the rights and priyi-
leges of the citizen. Every legal voter,
whatever may be his political afinities or
party predictions, is deeply interested in
this question. Any attempt to sully its pur-
ity, or impair It's efficiency, whether by yio-
lence or fraud, should be sternly resisted and
severely punished. Illegal voting, whether
founded on forgery or perjury, or both; on
false statements. or false and forged certi6
Gates of naturalization, is an evil that de-
serves the severest condemnation. 1t pre-
vents an honest expression Of the popular
will. cotrupts the sources of legitimate pow
er and influence and strikes a fatal blow at
the cherished rights Of ireemen. These evils
are alleged to exist in our large cities-the
rural districts Of the State are comparative
ly from such corrupting abuses. A remedy,
co-extensive with the evil, should be pruvid-
ed Every defence shonld be thrown around
the ballot-box, and whilst the rights of legal
voters should DC secured and protected, fraud
in every form should be prevented and pun
ished Whether 4 iudicious registry law,
Or some other measure Of reform, adequate
to the necessities of the case, shonld be
adopted, is referred to the wisdom of fhe
Leg islature.
As appropriate to this subject, the reform