Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-01-29
MASS MEETING
OF the Citizens Of OtOe County.

Of the Citizens of OtOe County,
A meeting Of the citizens Of Otoe county
was convened at Excelsior Block, Oh the
evening Of the Odd, to take into considera-
ton the late action Of the Executive Of the
Territory, and other matters important to
the interest of the people.
On motion of Mr.. Pardee, j j., Arm
strong, Esq, was called to the chair, and
Mr.. A. i. Harvey, requested to act as
Secretary.
The Chairman called upon Mr.. Gibbs
10 state the object Of the meeting.
Mr.. Gibbs complied, giving a rapid
and concise history of the operations of
the Government of the Territory, showing
how the location Of the Capital had been
made, against the desire of the people, at
a place untitled, by location and interest,
for the seat Of Government; how it had
been retained at Omaha; contrary TO the
repeated and urgent demands of the peo-
pie for its removal how upon a recent
request of a large majority of the peoples
representatives; the Governor not only
disregarded the request, but assumed an
unwarrantable authority in denying, virtu-
ally, the right of the people to remove the
capital how the friends of the measure
had been unexpectedly disappointed in the
position of certain members of the Legis-
lature whom they thought free from and
above suspicion of susceptibility to impro-
per influences and concluded by suggest
ing the appointment of a commission to
confer with these defduHing members and
ask their cooperation upon a question OF
the highest importance, not only to their
own constituents, but the whole people Of
the Territory.
Judge Bradford %concurred in the sug
gestion, and approved of the adoption OF
some measures by which the Governor
could be made to understand that he is no
the only poocer under which the people
are willing to enjoy the privileges of free
government.
Judge Holly felt that the veto message
with its illogical arguments, was not only
a burlesque upon sound doctrine, but al
outrageous insult 10 the people whom Mari
w. lizard is unfit TO govern.
Gen. Downs presented a picture of the
condition of the affairs at Omaha how
overtures of bribery had been made, ant
that some of these overtures had been &C
cepted. He felt that the interest of thu
i Territory not only demanded the remova
: of the Capital, but also the removal of tn,
|, Governor from his Office the people hav
f ing no longer any respect for him, eithe
as a ruler, or as a man.
Mr.. Decker thought, from what he ha'
a Witnessed at Omaha, that a crisis hat
e come when our Representatives could no
f act without the personal protection of thei
: constituents, and suggested the appoint
: ment of a delegation TO Omaha, to guar
: against any unlawful outbreak again;
Legislative propriety and decorum.
h Judge Bennett addressed the meeting
e exhibiting the miserable deprayi,y un,
is which, under the influence of city lots
and the almighty dollar the Executiv
of the Territory had fallen. He seconde
l. the proposal of sending a delegation
d argue the question with the refractor
members, and advocated the proposal
request the removal of the Governor.
l. Mr.. Gibbs moved the appointment of
Is committee Of nine to visit the people
Nemaha county, to discuss with them Ii
Of propriety of instructing their Represent,
tives to cooperate with the majority of Ii
he Legislature in insisting upon the removj
it of the Seat of Government.
he The meeting appointed Messrs. A. J
If Bradford, II. p. Bennett, Jacob Saffort
a ]. II. Decker, |. l.. Gibbs, II. II, Hardin.
a S. +. Nuckolls, Henry Bradford and v
ps f. Pardee, as that committee.
is On motion of Mr.. Decker, Messer
at Harvey, Holly and Garside, were a
r pointed a committee to draft resolution
a. expressive of the sense of the people
st Otoo county upon the matters under col
al sideration.
DIR. Bradford moved, the committee al
nd prepare a petition, to be signed by Il
Sc people of the Territory, to the Presider
praying for the removal from office Of OF
ne present Executive.
E. The meeting then adjourned, until Il
e compittee on resolutions had prepared
&c report.