The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1859-05-11
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IoH. George V. RYAN, and Others:
GENTLEMEN In responding to your in
luiries for my opinion of plan which. in
my judgment. would be best calculated to
settle to the satisfaction of all parties the
question of removal or no removal of |
the Court House from Paulding to the
geographical centre of the County. ! wish !
it distinctly understood that | speak for |
myself alone, and not for any particular |
party or section of the County: forI have !
fully with but few Of the citi- |
zens of the County upon some of the
views which are here given. and conse-
quently do not know whether they will
fully accord with the positions to be as
sumed by either Of the contending par
ties. But whether my opinions are adopt-
ed or rejected, they are such as honestly
entertain; and my confidence in the eff
cheney Of some such plan as is here sug-
gested, if adopted and faithfully carried
out, would tend to settle and quiet this
exciting question, and restore harmony
and good feeling among our people. indu-
ces this public avowal of my views.
In adopting this course, do not feel
that | am transcending the duty which
obviously devolves upon every good citi-
zen of the County to come to the rescue
and lend their aid in dcvi~ing the best
plan for a permanent and satisfactory adj
justment Of the "C5,rt House question" to
all parties. For the most superficial oh
server cannot fail to see that this question
will stand in the way of an agreement of
our people upon any other subject until it
is settled
Taking the past action of the people of
the County as guide to correct conclu-
sions upon this subject, we are not per-
mitted to doubt Hothcy haze ai,rgys i,ts7,d-
ed 70 settle this question Jy direct rotc upon he
naked question Of rsmoral This has been rem
dered obvious by the adoption of solemn
resolution in large meeting of the domi-
ncnt party of the County. expressing their
desire to have this question submitted to
a vote of the County. and the subsequent
| election of two successive representatives.
! 10y large maiorities. with reference to the
passage of law submitting this question
to a vote of the people. Indeed, this sin.
| gle proposition of the removal party, tC
90 directly before the people with this
question for their decision at the ballot
box. was presented with so much fairness
and seemed to be so Just in itself, that
! previous to the last general election, Their,
were scarcely any to be found who raised
an objection to it.
Since the result Of the test vote on tn,
question of removal or no removal" Ia,
under the act of the last Legislature. wa
made known. discoveries of some inform
atty mot fraud in conducting that cleo
ton, has caused efforts to contest that re
suit; and before a decision by the court
upon the validity or legality Of that cleo
election could be had. a new effort ha
sprung up to settle the question in diff
terent way. by running a candidate upol
the question of removal or no removal
"and that Of repeating the law enacted b,
the last Legislature, providing for the re
moyal and relocation of the County site.
To say nothing OF the violation Of tn
principles of democracy in adopting thi
plan. ! ask every citizen of the Count,
who is anxious for final adjustment 0
this question, if they believe it could b
quoted in this way? Suppose the reno
val party should determine to meet tn
anti-removal party upon the issue tender
ed, that of running candidates for tn
Legislature upon the question of 'remC
see that the defeated party would attr
butte their defeat either to the want q
equal talents and personal popularity q
their own candidate, or his want of ski
and tact in managing and conducting tn
canvass, or to the superior talents, pc
Sonal popularity. and great skill in play
ing off the little intrigues so common /
elections Of the present time of the o.
posing candidate. and not to the want
popularity in their side of the question:
For these. with many other reasons thi
might be offered, it would be impossib
to get a satisfactory development of puI
lie sentiment in such a contest; and, il
stead of settling and quoting this que
ton, the alleged uniairness would proml
the defeated party 10 renewal of Il
contest with increased energy at the ne,
succeeding election-and thus this que
ton would be kept up. as the absorbir
topic in our elections, to the great detl
ment of the quiet and prosperity of Il
County. such has evidently been Il
view taken Of this plan by the people,
either at the election of Mr. Cook, or NJ
. McLaurin
Let us now see what the practical wor
ing of this plan would be, if carried OF
! Suppose the Courts should sustain the v;
idity of the late election, removing Il
: Court House to the centre of the Count
! and suppose the party for Paulding shou
succeed in electing their candidate for t
Legislature. what would be his duty
the premises? He would evidently tai
his majority vote Notwithstanding
might be less in number than the vo
2 east in favor of removal,) as instruction
from the County to remove the Cou
House from where it is now located 10y
: vote of the people, back to Pauldng,
act of a Legislature who felt no inter,
whatever in the decision Of the questiC
=. | ask, would this proceeding he satiSf;
tory to the removal party? Again; 81
pose the Courts decide against the valid
of the late election. and the removal pan
= succeeds in electing their candidate to t
Legislature upon the plan proposed
!, What would be his duty in the premise
-, | lie would he honorably bound to take
majority vote as instructions, and reno
the Court House. by act Of the Legis
ture, from Paulding to the geographi,
- centre of the County. There would he
more chance for an appeal to the Cou
under this plan by either party. WoI
such a proceeding be satisfactory to
party in favor of Paulding? Yet, up
of this plan. such a result as have DESERT
to on either side of the question, might
t. brought about through a representa-
es elected by a smaller vote than was cast
the late election. either for or agail
C. removal" For voting is a free privile
ld and unless the people are suited in
NJ candidates, and the question upon VIII
-. they are running. they will vote Or Il
n Just as may suit them. Then it is al
all sether possible that contest upon
w plan proposed might result in SINAI
he vote. and more unsatisfactory devel
M ment of public opinion than was had
~ the late election.
'es In view of the difficulties attending
ais plans now proposed for the adjustment
s,r the "Co,gt House question: the inqu
irt comes up, what plan can be devised t
err will be Just and satisfactory to the part
tn This NAV be a difficult question to ansv
all but 81 E.sirs 10 sLo,c mine opinion whic
RS, shall do with all due Difference and
spect to the opinions of those who Il
'd' differ with me.
pm | do not believe that this question
he cva, bo ouieted and satisfactorily sett