The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-01-14

cruited to the maximum number If requi-
red for active service. The State that
always maintains the highest degree of
preparation, accomplishes most and suffers
least in the conflict of arms and by being
in readiness, it often prevents improper
encroachments upon her rights
The existence Of the Military State
Agency at Washington terminated ON tho
3lst day OF July last, at which time the
appropriation for the payment of its ex-
penses was exhausted. Much benefit re-
suited to many soldiers of our State and
their representatives from this Office. in
which their just dues from the United
States Governments were collected and
transmitted % estlfea1 free of charge. In
August, after the agency ceased to exist.
there still remained considerable number
of unsettled claims, and as no one knew
more about their condi ton, or could pos
slbly obtain an earlier settlement of thocss
than the late agent, Col Cook, I permit
ted him, upon his own offer, to close up
the business of the office, and to transact
any other business for the soldiers Of
Pennsylvania, at one-hdkf tie fees that are
charged by any private agency in Wash
lngton city. This arrangement has thus
far been carried out, and L am pleased to
add, with very general satisfaction. All
the books and papers of the agency will be
transferred to the Office of the Adiutant
General.
At The last session of the Legislature.
an act was passed known as the 'ERegistry
Law" the intention of which was to pro-
tect the ballot-box against corruption and
fraudulent voting, to which it has for
many years been disgracefully exposed
This law seems to have been so defectiye
in some of its provisions as to have re-
ceived the condemnation of majority of
the Supreme Court, by which it was pro
nounced ''incongruous and unconstituticp-
al" At the election immediately affer
this decision, it is alleged that frauds weto
perpetrated, SURPRISING In magnitude,
perhaps, any that have been consumnlated
heretofore in the history of the Common
wealth. These frauds have demonstrated
the necessity of the passage Of some law
or laws, that will accomplish the desired
object, without being subject to the cbjec-
tionable features pointed out by the learn
ed gentlemen who pronounced the opinion
Of the Supreme Bench.
There is no subject of such vital impor-
q
| the hallet-box, and the protection of all
| cItlzens III Uireir ri5l-c IL -1--s:--- fra-.
chise. This right is our proudest boast.
| 1t endows the American citizen with a
| freedom aud power not possessed by any
other government. It makes him the peer
of his fellow man, whatever may be his
rank, station, or position in life. To be
deprived of it by any means whatever, his
boasted freedom becomes a shani-his es-
pecial and exalted Prerogative a mockery
and farce. What avails it to the citizen
that he is entitled to vote, if that vote
is to be nullifed by fraud? Such guards,
then, should be thrown around the polls
as will effectually, if possible, preserve
them from the taint of single illegal vote.
Not only should false voting be severely
punished, but false swearing to obtain
vote, be visited with the pains and penal
ties of perjury and with perpetual disfran
chisement:
The people must be perfectly free to
regulate their public business in their own
way, and when the voice of the majority
is fairly and clearly expressed all should
bow to it as to the voice of God They
are the sovereign rulers, and their will
must be the law of the land. Corruption
of suffrage In republican government is
the deadliest crime that can be perpetra,.
| ted it is assassination of the sovereignty
of the people, and will be followed by a
despotism, the motive power of which will
be money and perjury. And if this priv
ilege be tampered with, sooner or later the
sure and indignant popular condemnation
will be rendered and condign punishment
administered All good citizens, of what
ever political opinion, should lend their
aid for the accomplishment of any and
every measure that may tend to secure t.
each voter, not only his right to the cleo
tive franchise, but the assurance that his
vote will not be rendered valueless by IL
legality, corruption, or fraud.
Every proper facility for the natural IL
ton of citizens of foreign birth should b.
afforded but the Legislature, in its cor
bined wisdom, can surely enact some moo
to prevent the possibility of single toto
being cast upon spurious naturalizatio
papers, and thus fully secure the purity or
the elective franchise.
Tie commissioners appointed to codity
the statute laws of the State have dill
gently prosecuted the work assigned them
and with every prospect that it viii be
fully completed within the time prescribe,.
By the Legislative resolutions of april 3,
1868; and in further compliance with
them, they will cause to be laid before
each branch of the General Assembl,, a
its present session, various titles Of bills
with brief abstracts cf the several sections
of each, which have been matured
Among the subjects of importance "a
the citizens of Pennsylvania is the sslal
lishment of an insurance Department---
Such departments are in successful opera
/ ton in several neighboring State, ty
r,onnS Of which the interests Of Iusn..--