The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-04-02
Remarks Of Col. !. /. Fats, ofGolumbia,

I3lh Of March. 1852 on he repeat ofai bill,
entitled = An Act for the commutatton of Ton
mage Dnties"
:. Mr.. TATE rose and said:
MIR. SPEAKER, when llooK my seat upon
this floor, in the halls of legislation, over
two months since, it was not for the pur.
pose OF consuming precious time in the
discussion OF every subject that might come
before the House, bnt with the deermina-
lon OF attending to the wants of my con
stituenis, and carefully guarding the inter
ests OF The Com mmonwealih Gentlemen
here will bear me honorable testimony,
that in the discharge of my official duties
as member OF this House, have at least
endeavored 10 attend closely 10 the public
business, and have avoided all encroach
ment upon their patience in speech ma
king Looking TO the paramount obligation
of treating my fellow members with cour-
tesy and respects consideration which has,
and hope ever will, largely influence my
actions, have been content 10 leave the
public discussion mainly for abler. hands
and more. experienced legislators.
Fhe subject-maiier now under discussion
Is one which deeply interests every cIlizen
of this great Commonwealth II is the
question of The rights of the people against
the wrongs OF Legislation. refer TO the en-
ormity OF The act of the last Legislature in
the passage of the bill entitled Gan Act for
the commutation OF tonnage duties"
Sir, by the passage ofihat acl il appears
that, in financial view of .he subject, at
one Tell swoop the sum of eight hundred
and fifty thousand dollars was extracted
from the Golfers of the Commonwealth and
legislated into the pockets OF the grea. cor.
poration known as the Pennsylvania rail-
road company And that was only the ini-
tiaiive in the gigantic swindle upon The tax
payers of Penrsy lvania, over eighi ihous-
and dollars of which sum is paid annually
by Columbia county Millions upon mill
ions more of the peoples money now aud
hereafter viii be diverted from its legiti-
maze channel, and, as sequence, be ap
piled in aid OF his soulless corpofaiios for
The oppression OF our suffering fellow CHI
zens
Nj Speaker, I am here 10 defend to the
best OF my poor ability, The interests Of ih e
honest people OF The country. Amongst
those, am happy TO class my immediate
constituents, the people of Columbia and
Montour. And my colleague (Mr Tuuon)
has the ability and doubt not will prompt
ly vindicate the honor OF the people OF wv
oming and Sullivan
Sir, shall not stop here TO argue the con-
siitutiouaIily of The repeal Of an admittedly
unjust and injurious acl Of legislation. View.
ing il from the stand poin, of common sense
and acting 10 accordance with the unmis-
iaksable tone OF public orinion-ai home
aud abroad-l am a: loss to cnncewe
hsw any gentleman here can for a moment
hesitate giving this act which is intended
10 repeal the act OF last session his uncon
dtiona support. Legal gentlemen here
who have lahored so assiduonsy 10 clog
its passage, by constitutional lechnicalilies
with ingenuity deserving better cause,
had bettsr.n the judgment OF charity, divesi
it Of its verbiage, and cease the attempt iC
further lhwar public sentiment and Gefea
commoa Justice Early in the session, my
Dehnis) inquired who demanded the re-
1 peal OF this bill Where was The expires
/ sion ofthe people on the subject and whs
1 was the evidence OF their desires for the re
/ peal! He added; have the people petition
ed for i'll answer yes They have peti
! toned in thunder tones through The bailo
box and we are here TO honor their pe.i
iiops And in the language of Gen. Nc.
I CleIlan, when The day of relrihuiiou arrived
which was on the eighth of October last
thunder was heard all around the sky -
This fact is known and wilt he long remem
bered by many unfai,htul representative
of confidtng and generous people. Ter
rible and emphatic was the We rdict of cor
demnalion given by many an injured com
muniiy. May ! rot admonish gentlemen
on the other side, TO stand from under III
crushing wheels OF this modern Juggernau
il they would avoid the moral burial ;ha
knows no political resurrection. The peo
pie are ever jsalons OF their rights; let the
their servants practice honesty and fidell
that they may avoid the usual impula,io
OF the maxim, witch says:
} ''He who dishonest is in little things,
Would be villain in the court OF kings
Mr. Speaker, am here for the first, an
| expect FOR The last time in the capacity
legislator. Elected by my loyal fello
citizens, Tor the purpose Of representa-
their wishes and interests, among whc
are the agreeable dnties OF maintaining tt
Government, upholding the Constitution
and suppressing rebellion. That duty one
performed, and it shall not fail Tor want
my humble influence, will in the goC
: providence OF God, retire to my home ar
resign The delegated trust with which
have been honored, into the hands of N
constituents And, in after days, ! trust,
shall be able TO refer with pride to The re
/ a