Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-14

be appropriated for the erection of State ar
senal thereon.
On tie 9th day of October, 1855. ap
proved and signed bill. entited &C. An Act
to repeal the character of the Erie and North
Fart Railroad Company and to provide for a
disposal of the same" In pursuance of its
provisions. Hon. Joseph Casey was appointed
to take possession and have the charge and
custody OF the road Before possession was
taken, application was made by the company,
to one of the judges of the Sup peme Court OF
Pennsylvania, for an injunction to restrain the
agent of tie State from taking possession
and subsequently, a oautionary order was
made By the Supreme Court, IL banc, to stay
proceedings under the act The questions
then pending before nat Court were deter
mined Ii favor of the Commonwoalth--th
! constitntionaiity of the Act sustained and the
! application for un Injunction refused Pos
! session of the road was then taken by the a.
| gent of the State. directed oy law.
| On the twenty second day of April 1856,
on act, entitled = An Act supplementary to
the Act Incorporating the Erie aud North
| East Railroad Company passed. BY
! this Act the Erie and North East railroad. as
originally located and constructed, was legal
! lied and confrl ed !; and certain changes III
| the road were directed to be made. and other
acts to be made by the company. 1t was al
! so provided :" that the Governor shall retain
possession of the Erie an North East rail-
| road, under the act of the sixth Of October,
| 1866. until the provisions of this act shall
have been accepted by vote of the stockhol
ders of the Erie and North East railroad COM
pany. at meeting called for that purpose !"
| On the fifth-teenth day of May 1856, at a
meeting of the stock holders called for tha..
purpose. the provisions ,f the act were accep-
ted bv their vote This acceptance, duly Ger
tilted. was received and filed in this Depart
ment on the fifteenth day of July last Pos
session Of the road has been restored, and it
is under the care and management of the
pany. A final account for money received
from the road. whist in possession of the State,
will be settled with the company at the carh-
est practicable period.
1t is but proper to state that since the ac
cep.ance of the act of the 22d of April. 1856
awrit of error, in the cases adjudcatcd by the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, has been is
sued at the suit of the company by the Su-
preme Court of the United States, aud is now
pending in that court
The commissioner first appointed having
resigned, A. X. Mcclure, Esq was appoin-
ted in his place The duties of both officers
were ably and faithfully performed. Copies
Of our correspondence aud reports. herewith
submitted to the House of Representatives for
the use of the Legislature, will furnish infor-
nation in detail on the subject now under
consideration. 1t is sincerely desired that
good faith aud honesty OF purpose may char
acterze the conduct of this company in the
discharge of the duties assumed by their ac-
ceptanee of the Act of 22d April last, and that
this much vexed question will not again dis
turb 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 as directed by that instrument
1t will be your duty 10 take such action in re-
ference TO these amendments as will, in your
Judgment, be most consistent with the wishes
of the people An appropriation will be re-
quired to pay the expenses of their publica-
;ion, and to this year earliest attention is re-
qucsted.
The important duty Of distrcting the State
for the election of Senators and Representa-
tives, will devolve upon you. This duty
should be performed faithfully, and with
strict reference to the interests and rights of
the whole people. Returns of taxables, re-
quired to be made by tho different counties.
have not all been forwarded to this Depart
ment, as by law directed. Circulars have
been issued to the officers charged with these
duties, urging their speedy performance and
the returns will, as soon as received, trans
mitted to you
The elective franchise is the highest and
most responsible privilege enjoyed b. the
American citizens. Involving ia its exercisc
the sovereignty Of the people. aud constitu-
ting IS 1t does TIE substratum of our free in
stitutions. 1t cannot be too bighly appreciated
or carefully guarded The ballot box. through
which the people speak their will should be
preserved from violations at every hazard and
sacrifice. Upon its purity and Integrity de
pend the existence of our republican govern
ment and the rights and privileges of the cit
izen. Every legal voter, whatever may be
his political afHnities or party predictions
is deeply interested in this question ANY
attempt to snly its purity, or impair its eff
cheney, whether by violence or fraud. should
be sterniy resisted and severely punishable
legal voting, whether founded on forgery or
pergury. or both; on false assessments. or
false and forged certificates of naturalization,
is evil that deserves the severest condem.
nation 1t prevents an honest expression OF
the popular will, corrupts the sources of legit-
Innate power and Influence aud strikes fatal
blow at the cherished rights of freemcn-
These evils are alleged to exist in our large
cities-the rural districts of the State are
comparatively free from such corrupting abu-
ses. "A remedy, CO extensive with the civil
should be provided. Every defence sbonld h,
thrown around the ballot box, and whilst the
rights of legal voters should be- secured and
| alrd L