Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-05-02
Congressional convention.

wednesday TIC ~~u oi', va
John F. Wall, William Leigh, Esq,
Berkeley was called TO the Chair and VIM
b., Lynch and E. A. Gallaher were ap
pointed Secretaries.
On motion of George E. Senseny, al
gentlemen who we're present from the sew
eral Counties of this Congressional dis
,ric,. aud who desired to participate IL 1T
proceedings, were declared 10 possess tina
privilege.
On motion of ]. Tidball, the Chair wa'
EN- powered TO appoint committee oil sew
ell 10 repor, suitable resolutions Tor The &C
lion of the convention. The commltl'
appointed consisted of Messrs. Jos. lid
ball, of Frederick. ]. S. Wheat, OF Nor
ean. Noble S. Braden. of Loudoun. w
G. Rsrdesty, OF Clarke, DR.. T, W. Wall
of Hampshire, G. w. Gross, of Jefferson
and John II. Lyle, of Berkeley-and, al
ter retiring few minutes, these gentle
men returned and through their chairman
reported resolutions which were modified
and adopted TO the following effect:
/ Uhereas, the treasury of the United
States is now full to repletion, and the cur
rency of the country is still daily flowing
INTO its vaults to an extent dangerous IL
all the g,eat interests of the people by The
withdrawal Of so vast an amount OF mon
ey from circulation, and whereas, the
continuance of the control Of so mighty
an engine by the Federal Government is
fraughl with danger alike 10 the public lib
critics and the public morals this sur
plus, thus immense and thus dangerous,
having accumulated, ifnot in whole, GER
tsinly in greater part, out of the sales oil
the public lands held by the Government
under strict trust "as common fund
for the use and benefit of such of the Uni
ted American States as have become or
shall become members Of the COnfedera-
ton or Federal alliance" NOW the FEEDER
al Union) trust which has already teen
violated by repeated acts of partial legls-
lation granting TO individual States and
Territories millions Of acres of this do
main for local purposes, thereby diverllng
the fund from the common use and bene'
fit, and converting it into prolific source
of corruption the public domain having
thus been made permanent surplus in
the treasury, liable 10 all the abuses OF
such surplus, as has been sadly shewn by
the unfalhul administration of the lrus!
hitherto Therefore, be it
Resolued, as the sense of this Conven-
ton, !. That the surplus in the treasury
of the United States, above what is re-
CURED for an economical administration OF
The government. ought to be distributed a.
mong tie several states Of the Union in
the ratio of their federal representation.
2. That an overlooking treasury being
a, all times dangerous in any government,
because leading to extravaganza and cor
ruplion, we regard the public lands as a
more dangerous, because more permanent
and tangible surplus than can arise from
any other source of revenue.
3. That while this meeting deprerates
any apporuonment or division in kind OF
the public domain, as unwise, imPollic,
and liable to be perverted to corrupt Purpo-
ses, yet, if such policy be persisted in by
Congress, we maintain that such appor-
lionment should be made with due re-
gard to the just rights Of all the States.
4. That The most just and equitable
plan for disposing of the net proceeds OF
The public lands is by distributing the
same in just proportion among all the
States.
5. Resolved that if there were, as
there are not, other questions of moment
now dividing parties, these two great is
sues should be regarded as paramount by
all who feel concern for The prosperity OF
the State and The integrity of the Govern
meni.
| 6. Resolved that while we do not feel
at liberty TO suggest any name TO the vo-
tiers of this District as candidate for
Congress, we cannot entertain doubt
that The importance of the Issue we have
presented will bring 10 the rescue some
worthy advocate of these views, and we
unanimously pledge ourselves to disregard
former issues. and to give onr cordial, uni.
ted, ard hearty support 10 the candidate
who will give his support 10 the distribu-
ton of the surplus revenue and the melt
proceeds of the public lands.
The newspapers of the district favora-
| bic 10 the object Of this convention were
requested to publish these proceedings.
The thanks Of he convention were ten
deted the chairman and secretaries for the
attentive and courteous discharge of their
duties, and the convention then adjourned.
T.. WILLIAM LEIGH, Chairman.
WV, B: LYNCH, Secretaries.
E. A. GALLAHER,
Burning ola Catholic Seminary
The large four story brick building in
Henrico county, Va, aboat one mile