Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-07-22

the great questions involving the Interest,"
of the State, engaging in the leading dc
bates with great fervency, and assisting
largely in shaping'the legislation Of the ses
sion. Among his Legislative associates were
John A. Dix, Michael Hoffman, David R
Floyd Jones, George r. Davis, Lcmue
Stetson, and Calvin 7. Hulburd. The
Democrats at that time were in the ascen
dancy in both branches Of the Legislature
and the great measure of the session was
Michael Hoffman's celebrated bill in rela
ton to finances, which was supported and
passed by the Democrats. In the success Of
this measure, which was destined to restore
the deprecated financial credit Of the State,
Mr.. Seymour took an active and sympa'
thctic interest, displaying for the first time
the forensic ability and oratorical power
that have since distinguished him.
In the spring of lS42 Mr.. Seymour was
elected Mayor of the City of Utica, despite
the continued hostility and opposition Of the
Wings In the fall of ls43 he was again
elected member Of the lower House Of the
Legislature, and was reelected to, and
served in the same position during the ses.
sions of 1874 and lS45. The session Of 1874
was an important and exciting one, the AS
scmbly being agitated with acrimonious con-
tests, chiefly springing from contemplated
opposition to the administration of Gov
ernor Bouck. The leaders in the debates
of the session were Mr.. Seymour and Mr..
Hoffman, the recognized leader Of the Leg
isature in ls42, and formidable antagonist
in debate, but Mr.. Seymour appears to have
coped with him successfully, and to have
won not only the plaudits Of his political
associates, but the praises of his constituents
likewise. The session of lS45 opened with
n changed spirit, based upon the victorious
election of Mr.. Polk to the Presidency. At
the outset of this session, Mr.. Seymour was
induced by his friends to enter the contest
for Speakcrship, to which position he was
triumphantly elected, despite violent fac
tional fight, which seriously threatened his
prospects. One of the prominent and i'm
portant events of this session was the cleo
ton of Daniel s. Dickinson TO the United
States Senate, in which Mr.. Seymour took
leading and active part. lie also engaged
with iervent spirit in the discussion relative
to the call for convention to amend the
Constitution, but voted against the bill pro-
viliug for that measure. With this session
Mr.. Seymour Legislative career was brought
to a close.
For the succeeding five years, Mr. Scy-
mour was not prominent in public life, hav-
ing resumed the practice Of law in the City
of Utica. BY the action Of the Legislature
of 1850, providing for the enlargement and
improvement of the Erie Canal, and appro-
priatiug the rcvcnuc'of the State in contra
vcntion to the provisions Of the Constitu-
ton, Mr.. Seymour again assumed leading
position in State politics, and most earnestly
resisted this effort to override the provisions
Of a constitution so recently adopted. On
account of his strenuous opposition to that
measure, he was that year (lS50) for the
first time, placed in nomination for Gov
crnor Of this State, in opposition to WASH
ington Hunt. The result of the election
was, for Seymour 2li,Sj2 votes; for Hunt,
2l4,Gl4. Mr.. Seymour having been de-
feated by 262 votes.
In 1852, Mr.. Seymour was again placed
in nomination by the Democratic party, in
opposition to Washington Hunt (Whig) and
Minthorne Tompkins Free SoiD, with the
following result:
Seymour. .....264, l2l Tompkins. ...l9, 900
Hunt. 1856
Mr.. Seymour was triumphantly elected
over two competitors as the chief executive
officer of the State. His administration of
State affairs, as generally conceded, was
rendered by ability, tact, and good judg-
ment. While occupying the gubernatorial
chair in 1852, he vetoed the notorious Maine
law, and the correctness of his views as to
the power Of the Legislature to pass sump-
tuary laws was subsequently fully established
by formal decision of the Court Of APP
pcals.
In 1854 Mr.. Seymour was nominated by
the Democracy for reelection, with Myron
H. Clark (Republican), Daniel Ullman
(American), and Greene e. Bronson lizard
Shell Democrat), as opponents. The fol.
lowing was the result of the election
Seymour ......l56, ,495 Ullman "..l22, 2S2
Clark ..........l56,S04 Bronson.....'33,sj0
Although this election resulted in Mr..
Seymour's defeat, it demonstrated very sat
his unwaning popularity with the
people, and his certainty of success with the
party united and working for the candidate
At the conclusion of this contest, Mr.. Sey-
mour agair resumed the work Of his profess
sion at Utica. In everything appertaining
to the success Of the Democracy he took an
active and sympathetic interest. He at.
tended National and State Conventions with
great regularity, and was always accorded
leading position in the councils of the same.
AT the National Democratic Convention at
Charleston, in 1850, he was proposed by the
delegates as compromise candi.