Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-12-01
wAsHINGToN TOWNSHIP ELECTION

We presume all our readers in this county are
aware, that petition was presented to an ad-
ourned Court held in this place last October, com
plaining Of an undue election having been held IN
Washington township, for County Commissioner,
at the late General Election, and praying for an
Investigation. The prayer of the petitioners was
granted and Commissioner appointed to take
tast;nony. and report on the first day Of Decem-
her Term. OF course, the presenting Cf the petit
tior, and the appointment of Commissioner to
take testimony, gave origin to an indefinite amount
CT political gossip and Cock and Bull'' stories.
This was to be expected, and did not at atl sur
priss US. But when the newspapers of the coun-
~ began to take part in the controversy and
manifest disposition to PREJUDICE matter thel
under legal investigation, and which IN few
weeks would be decided by lawful authority, we
felt not only surprised but mortified. 1t was
infinitely worse than the shoemaker going be- !
rona his last 1t was, or at least appeared to
be, bold attempt to manufacture public opinion
and get up an exciting controversy with regard
- an issue which was not submitted to the people
for their decision. but to tribunal which had
other means ot obtaining the facts than through
tie columns of partisan Newspapers. We have
DO desire to censure or quarrel with our brethren
in this county; but we claim the privilege of can
didly expressing our opinion with regard to the
controversy concerning the Washington Towp-
ship Election which has recently been carried on
through their columns.
A few days after the Commissioner had
commenced taking testimony at Jefferson, M'Pike
q the Echo, proceeded to decide the controversy
In an editorial article in his paper Mr. Lloyd
was declared duly elected, and, although the in
vsstigation had about much to do with the
cffice of Assembly with tie Man in the Moon,
yet our neigh5or very magnanimously and dem
ocraticclly read Thomas H. Porter Esq. out Of
office, and declared Mr.. Richard j. Proudtoot
duly elected. The Democracy having thus lost,
acordng to the decision of the Echo E.an,
member Of the Legislature and gained County
Commissioner, had good reason for rejoicing, and
we think our neghbor came near recommending
general jolfcation over the result. Tho Johns
town Tribune next pitched in, and reversed the
decision Of the Echo as far rs the office of County
Commissioner concerned. This excited the
wrath Of u contestant, who selected the Eoens
burg MoltntGineer the medium for conveying ths
"ponderous workings of his mighty mind" to the
world He proceeded to give full statement of
his views concerning the investigation and the
facts elected, ard wound up by affirming the
decision of the Echo. or course the spirited edi-
tors of the Tribune could not tamely submit to
al tLiI. Their paper last week contains a leader
as long as William \. Stokes Grafton on the
Horse barring the extracts from the Bible,
Button, Shakespeare and Rollin, in which the whole
santroversy is reviewed, and formidable array
Of facts presented, which neghbors appear
sure.
Now. We think this controversy from beginning
to end has been highly improper and in bad
taste. The law vests in the Judges of the Court
Of Quarter Sessions, the power of deciding wheth
er Abel Lloyd or Lewis Fisher shall fill the offic
of County Commissioner during the next thre
years, and they have taken the necessary step
to obtain all the facts by appointing Commits
sioncr to take testimony. Surely, after this
candor, prudence and justice demanded a suspen
sion of opinion on the subject by the press, uni
decision was rendered by that trihnnal @her
eauitv an: an: - --..Co are always presumed to dwell
That decision, when rendered, will doubtless b
founded on equity and justice. and be rendere
without any regard to the feelings views
the parties on one side or the other 1t will, W
arc certain, nave more influence IN COnFlnCln
.he public hich side is right and which wrong
than all the comments Of editors who have eithe
al Fan axe TO grind" or whose minds are excite
by partisan feelings, After that decision is ren
dered, the press will have the undoubted right
comment on the tcstimOny-but not until then.
At the present time a young man is incarcel
sted in our county Jail on the charge of murde
and will probably be tried next week. Woul
it be right, would it be just, would it be human,
for the editors of this county at the present tim
10 publish in their respective papers, Statement
Of the facts which they think will be prove
against him his trial. and then express Il
opinion that he s guilty Of the awful crime wit
which be stands charged. An opihisn expresst
through the same medium, that he is innocen
would be more humane, but equally mprope
Aud yet, the same reasoning that would iusti
Newspaper comments and opinions with regal
20 the Washington township contested electio
would justify Newspaper comments and opinio,
with regard to the guilt innocence of Villa
Arentrue.
OF course in government like ours where {
power is inherent in the people, il is essential
necessary that public opinion should be enligt
ened." For this reason our government protec
liz liberty OF Tie press with Jealous But
never was intended by the founders of our fir
institutions, that the press should assume t
place OF Courts and Jurea, and presume to
eide cases before trial. The custom which ,
condemn, if universally adopted would have
direct and irresistible tendency to destroy tn
freedom from bias and prejudice which shou
exist In the minds of Courts and Juries. VIII
d'soharsine the high aud solemn dutie. vi