The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-31
A Wrong Made Right.

We are not, nor is il necessary on any ac-
count that we should be, the personal champion,
eulogist or apologist OF Hon. JOHN CESSNA, but
we fee! il to be our duty to applaud the con-
duct Of that gentleman in the good fight he has
fought for the rights Of the people OF Bedford
county. A great wrong, an outrageous fraud
had been committed upon our people, BY poill-
cal tricksters, in connecting Bedford with Som
erset in the apportIonment of 1857, for mem
bers of the House OF Representatives.. There
was but very slight difference in the number
Of taxa5les of the two counties, and the legis-
lature, by giving two members 10 Abe district,
conceded that each county was entitled to a
member. But in order to make good use OF the
large Republican majority in Somerset county,
IN other words, TO put it within the power of
that majority 10 elect tro members instead OF
one as it had formerly done, the Two counties
were htched together to elect their representa-
tives in common. This was intended not only
TO elect two Republican members, but also to
defeat The choice of the people Of Bedford coun-
ty Our people were to be rendered PRACTICAL.
ly voictess in the popular branch of The Gere-
raj Assembly. Under this apporIionment It
was certain and fixed impossibily 10 have
any other representation Of cur county al iIar-
,isburg, except such as the people of Somerset
county in their superior knowledge of our To-
cal Interests and their undoubted generosity in
political matters, should see fiji TO grant US. In
fact, old Bedford--the mother of counties
disfranchised and made mere dependency, or
appendage Of her daughter Somerset. Thus
the voters Of Bedford county, though they went
TO the polls from time to time and indicated
their choice for representatives BY decided ma
joriies, were always overruled IN their prefer
encss BY the voters Of Somerset. In 1857,
1858, 1859, and 1860, Bedford county cast
majority of her votes for candidates whose cleo
ton was defeated only by the people Of somer-
set. Not once, until now, did the candidate
who was the choice OF the majority in This coun-
", obtain seat in the House. Not once since
the passage of The apporionment bill of 1857,
were the people of Bedford county represented
10 The legislature, by the man chosen by their
votes. Was not this monstrous? Was il not
really the most a5ject political slavery to which
one people can bind another. Yet there are
those TO be found who condemn and reviie Mr.
Cessna for his manly effort TO lift this incubus
from The people Of Bedford county. There are
those who, to their shame be II said, because
MIR. Cessna's success in ousting Mr. Household
,er may prove injurious TO their political plans
or aspirations, denounce the ac. that restores to
Bedford county the rights flched from her by
the s'gerrymander" of 1897 Such men can
have none bot venal motives. The standard OF
right by which they measure the conduct Of
others, rs poised invariably by throwing their
own interests in the balance. But ;heir num-
Der is few. Disappointed ofics-seskers may
enarl and growlsmall-bee "Rrpublican" poll
i.icians may fret and fumsr but their lll-humor
cannot affect the sober senses OF thinking,
free and independent people. The great popu-
lar heart beats in enthusiastic appreciation OF
the policy Of Mr.. Cessna, mo, because il was
hlsPclicy mot because Of the personalities con-
nee,ed with it--bpt because thereby a great
wrong has been righted, because il has restored
10 the people Of Bedford county, the political
rights guaranteed thsn 10 the fundamental law
~ the State. ,ai1a2