Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1858-03-06

conducting of the election, was 81 imper-
fectly executed that its objects were Who'll
ly or IN July frustrated, and that without
fault or neglect of the SO disfranchised--
then indeed, would it appear hard and un-
reasonable to hold those opposed to the
constitution to be bound by it, and to fas-
ten it upon them BY congressional accop-
tance. This objection involves disputed
matters Of fact, and the committee, having
carefully examined it, are prepared to sub
stantially deny its force. The cts upon
which it rests have been most disingeGu-
ously and unfairly stated, while Others which
qualify it have been suppressed or with
held.
The Territorial Legislature passed Il
Law for taking the sense Of the people upon
the question OF convent N to form con
sitution, and sub oquentlJ, on the 10Th of
February, 1857, passed law for the cleo
ton of delegates to the convention. Both
these acts obviously contemplated The pos
session of general powers by the conven-
tion. In neither was there any limitation
or restriction whatsoever. And the dele
gates having been elected in view of these
laws, possessed the power Of fo?mirg and
enaoling a constitution, subject only to the
ratification of Congress, as heretofore
shown. The act of February, S57, upon
examination, appears to be entirely fair
and just 1t extends the ri ght Of suffrage
to every bona file inhabitant of the terri
tory on the third Monday Of June, 1851,
who, being a citizen of the United States
and over twenty-one years of age, shall
have resided three months in the county
where he offers to vote; and provides ade-
quate penalties against illegal voting, frau.
dulenlly hindering fair expression Of TIE
popular vote, and unlawful attempts to
influence the electors. And as a further
guard against fraud, and to secure the cleo
tive franchise from prostitution, regis
tration Of the voters is required to be COM
piled from census previously taken BY
tie sherifs and their deputies, The ceu-
sus returns are to be filed in tile Office Of
the probate judge, showing the number OF
qualified voters resident ii the county or
district, on the first Of April, and to BE-
posted in public places. And tho probate
Judge from the time of receiving them, is
to hold his court open until the first q
May, for the purpose of correcting them
by adding names or striking out those i'm
properly inserted. Provision is also made
for vacancies in the Office of Sheriff, By
authorizing the probate Judge to act in hi
place; aud in case Of vacancy, in boti
Offices, the Governor is to appoint SOM
competent resident citizen to per form thci
duties. The other details of the act are
equally uncxceptionAble, and tend to til,
production of fair and honest election.
1t is to be further observed upon th
act, that voters omitted from the censu
would have full notice of the omission
and ample opportunity to have their names
added, by the probate judge, to the regis
ter Of names Full time is also afforded
l for the proceeding. But it is notorious
S and undenied that the great body of thos
| who did note vote at the subsequent elec
p. tier IN June, withheld themselves frol
5 enumeration and registry, and instead {
/, assisting the officers, as good citizens shoul
. have done, interposcd all possible obstacle
n in their way, extending in some cases t
i actual intimidation and force bccaus
. they denied the authority Of the Territor
l al Government and laws, and intended b
c their conduct to refuse . recognition {
$ them. Yet over nine thousand name
s we're registered, although many who wer
e registered, and in favor of convention
S did hot vote Tor delegates, as in many,
s not most of the districts there was no ser
; Gus opposition to the candidates named-
- But the case is even yet stronger than thcs
r facts make it. A part of the ninetee
y counties, so often spoken Of, were who'll
. without inhabitants they Ne.e counte
t upon paper established in expectation c
y future settlement Beside these, most c
e the counties composing the nineteen ha
t on inconsiderablo population; settle
e ments in them having Just begur. 1t
: said that four cn.y Of the whole numbe
:, had any considerable population, an
C that these were the very ones where til
2 Topeka party were strong, in'crposed re
/. sistancc TO the law and neither desired no
4 attempted TO qualify themselves for votin
S at the el, ction. 1t is not ueccssary to g
c int minute details, nor to explore the cause
} remote or immediate, which induced oppc
. sitinn to that as well as other terrtoric
i laws, although such inquiry would strength
= en- tie general conclusions already stated
c As far as the objection to the powers an
/ proceedings of the convention, on th
. S.rss,suul Z. af silHraao in tb