The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-10-04
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Henry D. Fosters Subseryienov

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An essential quality in the char so,es
of a statesman is independence. W;th-
out independence no man can wisely GOV.
ern q State. If be lacks this auajity be
is in danger of becoming the prey of de.
signing aud Interested persous-aBi Of
ten, when be should act FOR the welfare
of the people whom be may be emposer-
ed to govern, be is governed himself by
bis osn prejudicos or the passions Of those
by whom be is surrounded. 10 this par
ticular obedience to passion and prejudice
Henry d. Foster has more than once dis
played a subscrvienoJ By which lie eGs
Induced to do injury to those associated
With him, as well as impair the dignity
aud harmonious opsrs,ion of tee govern
ment in the Legislation Of which he took
prominent part. In 10 single instance
has be ever permitted political oppo.
nent to enjoy that free privilege and Jus.
tice to which be was entitled BY either
facts or figures. While be was mem
ber OF the Legislature, this disposition to
crafty bis prejudice was SO often display
ed that it attracted the attention of bon
est men of all parties, and finally elected
for Foster the scorn and contempt alike
of his friends and foes.
At the election in 1855 for members Of
the Legislature in the representative dis
tfict composed of Clinton. LycomiDg and
Potter, John G. McGbee bad received a
clear majority of the legal votes in the
aforesaid District His election was con
tested By John B. Beck. not because there
was any illegslisy 10 the reception ofyotes,
not because there wss sny fraud 10 the
computation of the number OF votes. nor
because there vas any act of violenco
committed to intimidate and prevent any
particular number. Of eitiZens froz exer-
cising the right Of franchise. Mr. Beck
based his protest on the simple fact and
ridiculous argument that in Sharon town.
ship Potter county, the election was held
about quarter Of mile from the usual
place. The old school house, where the
election vas advertised to be held. had
been destroyed, and q new one erected in
its stead within sight of the ruins of the old
building. There x4s no other school house
In that part of Sharon township, so that
there could possibly be no mistake. John
C.McG hee had carried the district by SIX
teen votes-sixteen fair majority, thus
securing his election. But John C. Me-
Ghee was political opponent Of Henry
ID. Foster, and therefore Mr.. Foster de-
creed his expulsion frou the House. He
reported, as Chairman of the Com zittee
of Elections, tha the vote of Sharon town
which stood for John q. McGhee sixty
one votes, and for Juo. B. Beck twelve
votes. should not be counted. In the en-
tire district, Mr.. Mech had only six
teen majority.
As Chairman of the Committee on E.
lectious, Henry D. Foster reported 10 ia
Vor of throwing out the vote Of Sharon
township, which gave Mr.. Beck a aajor-
ity. He had . clear % uajority Of bis own
party with bin on the committee. and
therefore carried bis report to tbe House.
where be was sustained By another Dem-
ocra.ic majority. In this transaction the
whole character Of Henry D. Foster gas
fairly and fully exhibited 1t proves how
be bends and bows to the Commands Of
bis party when iD a msjority. Notwith-
standing it was proven that this election
wss fairly held. and that the place Of hoi-
ding it was public aud folly known to ev-
cry voter in the township and tha; every
legal vote had been polled, il vss decided
illegal because it was not held on the !.
dentical spot prescribed By the lsw-snd
what was more evident. becsuso it would
secure another Democrats vote in the
House Of Representatives. Is such nan
quslified to WELD the executive powersof
q great Commonwealth Would he fair
ly and impsrtiaily sdmiuister the lass of
the State, IS they applied 10 each indi,id-
ual citiEsD' Taking this transaction ss
guide, and taking also the conduct Of
Henry D. Foster in the positions hsshas
occupied as evidence, We have every res-
son to believe that be would prostitute
the powers of the government to the fur
therancs of his personal and political pre-
judices.-Harrlsdurg 1s5egraP&