The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-24
For the Gazette.
a r D
To Che People Of Bedford County.

The proceedings of the Pennsylvania Legis-
lature have, no doubt, informed you that your
constitutional rights, as freemen, have been re-
spected. You are not, for the present session,
al least, mere servants OF the citizens Of Somer-
set county, and bound to comply with their de-
mands.
A full examination of the question, has made
the case SO plain that none, or, at least, very
few, can be found to Justify the unioa of the
two counties for The choice of Represe natives
under the Apporionmrnt law of 1857. AL
though the whole committee chosen to try the
case, did not sign the report, yet not one of
their number has yet been willing To deny your
right 10 choose your own Representative.
shall use my BEST efforts to prove to ,he pub.
lie, that the confidence you reposed in me ou
the second Tuesday of October last, was not
misplaced. While l have no objection TO
difference OF opinion on the part OF any of my
fellow citizens, can not see how the fact tha.
l owe my election 10 the people Of Bedford
county, and no; to those of Somerset, can, in
any way, render me less able to represent you.
or change my sentiments as sound Union man.
TO those who see fit 10 charge upon me desire
TO enter The Legislature for ulterior purposes, /
have only TO say that offered to the friends Of
the late sitting member. and to himself, that 1t
he would aid in the passage of law to separate
the two counties in the future, l would with
draw from the contest aud permit him to occu-
py the place during the presen. session. This
proposition was refused, partly upon the ground
that II would be granting too much, and partly
because II would probably make a "yearling"
of the gentleman chosen by the people OF Som
erset TO represent the county OF Bedford. l
then determined that the rights of the people of
Bedford county should De vIndicated, or, at least,
that it should not be my fault ii they were a.
gain outraged.
1t has been charged upon me that The Appor-
tIonment Bill OF 1880, in attaching CAMBRIA
and Fulton to Bedford, was alike unconstitution-
al. and that served the people in that District.
A.mere reading of the argumen! submitted 10
the committee, will show that the District Of
1850 was based upon different principle, and
was not liable to the constitutional objection.
A reference to the Journal of 1850, will show
that voted against the final passage of that
bill, and an examination OF The returns of the
election of 1880, will show that | received a
majority of the votes cast in Bedford county.
This charge is, therefore, only made by those
who will not make an examination, or who can
| not understand the question after they have ey-
amIned it.
There will probably be some expenses attend
ing this contest. The State is first required to
pay it. Then the State is authorized to draw
upon the county for the amount. Having be-
come enlisted in this controversy, intend TO
TO see it out, and whatever bill may be present.
ed against the county, intend 10 furnish the
money 10 pay.
In conclusion, will add that my course here
during the winter, shall he in strict accordance
with the views and sentiments which always
entertained and expressed among my fellow
citizens. had no sentiments TO conceal from
you, either on political or national questions,
and no condr TOR actions Of any person or per-
sons shall cf .se me to depart from the advoca-
cy OF those principles publicly expressed, either
upon The one question or the other; and the
doctrines which proclaimed when received
your suffrages, shall be advocated here to the
best of my ability.
JOHN CESSNA.
| HARRISBURG lam 1S 1850