Nebraska advertiser., 1862-09-13
IpOr the Advertiser. ]

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Having recently heard hat the citizens
of Richardson county were about to nom
mate, for election on the 18th of October,
a full Legislative ticket, l have thought
proper TO make a few suggestions to the
people of this county and the Territory
at large.
There are several reasons urged for
elecung a Legislature this fall, in def
ance of the fact that the money with
which to pay the expenses has been di-
verted to pay our direct tax.
First, it is urged, that the Legislature
will have to be elected for the sole Pur-
pose of going to Omaha and passing an
act authorizing the payment of Terrific
rial Officers; as, it is urged, their is no au-
thority to do so without.
Second, it is urged that if we do not
elect a Councilman this year We cannot
have that part of our representation in
the next Legislature, as the law provides
for the election of the Council every WI
years.
Third, that it has been decided by the
Attorney General of the United States
that Territories are not subject to taxa
ton; and that, of course, we will get the
amount diverted back again. Those ur-
ging these reasons generally add, as a
clincher, some flaw in the law that must
be corrected for the benefit of the "dear
people,"
As regards the apparent necessity for
converting the Legislature to authorize
the payment of Territorial Officers; this
is the best argument used for an election.
Yet, l think, even this might be avoided.
Let petitions be circulated, requesting the
proper d~isbursing officer to take the re-
sponsibility to do so without authority /;
there is no dnnbt. inamy mind, but that if
such petitions, signed by a majority of
the citizens of the Territory, were sent
to him, he would do so, and the next Leg
~islature would undoubtedly legalize the
act. But, if this is not done, and the Leg
~islature convened, even for this sole pur-
pose, a full session will be the inevitable
result, to be paid for in Territorial War
rants. The Legislature having the right
TO altere their milage and PER diem-for
which they have precedent in Kansas
would undoubtedly vote themselves enough
warrants to cash them So a day, other
expenses would have to be met by the
same sacrifice, which, at the present cash
price of warrants-45 cents on the dollar
would make our Legislative expenses
about $4,000; on which sum we would
have to pay a heavy interest for years to
come, at the present rate of paying up
our Indebtedness; for all of which-should
the Legislature be convened--w would re-
ceive the glorious privilege of having our
laws over-hauled, remodeled ard mystl-
fed worse than at present, and one years
exemption from direct taxation.
As to the second reason urged: vacan-
eies occurring in the Council can be filled by
the election Of some one to fill an unex-
PRED term, and / cannot see why this
could not be done-in case no Councilmen
were elected in the Territory--by elect
ing them next year to serve one year, as
well as to elect them this year to serve
next. My reasons for cbjecting TO the
election of the Council is, that there is as
much reason for electing the House as
there is for eleeting the Council and, /
fear, that if both are elected the Cover
nor would rather convene the Legislature
than to assume any responsibility. Should
the Legislature be convened-taking las:
year as a criterion-the result can easily
be guessed at.
As to the Attorney Generals decision,
/ have never seen it, nor any one who
has, nor do I believe such a decision was
ever made.
Now, the reasons for apprehension if
a Legislature be elected, are plain; last
year a majority of the members were
elected, and incidentally if not positive
ly pledged. TO go up, memorable Con-
gress to divert The expenses for that year
to pay our direct tax, and adjourn. Ii is
well known how faithfully they performed
this trust and as it is human nature to
desire to make. So a day and perquisites,
nay apprehension is that it will be "conf-
dence misplaced" to trust it too MUCH
As there is no law passed to prevent the
Legislature elected-frOm holding its
session; and as all know that, under ex-
listing circumstances, the Territory must
foot the bill | think the best and only
wayttO accomplish any good is for the
people-the source of Power-to discoun-
any and every attempt to elect or