The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-01-12
Speaker vvaIIace's Address.


Speaker WaIIace's Address.
We publish below the address of HON.
ty, delivered on the occasion Of his election
as Speaker of the State Senate. 1t is cred
liable production, full of sound and States
manlke suggestions, and greatly adds to
Mr.. WALLACE's reputation able Sene
tor and an upright and pure man. The
Democratic party in Cambria county, on
more than one occasion, have testified their
appreciation of Mr., WALLACE, and we know
that he gratefully appreciates their cordial
recognition of his honest and efficient sup
port of the principles of that party which he
and they believe will sustain and make per-
manent the honor and sure prosperity of the
State. We regard WILLIAM A. WALLACE,
taking his record as State Senator, as fit
and honorable representative of the party of
the State, and feel quite sure that in his new
AMI responsible position, as Speaker of the
Senate, he will sustain his well earned and
well deserved character for ability and in
tegrity.
SkNAToRs Accept my thanks for the honor
conferred upon me. l shall endeavor to dis
charge the duties of my post with impartiality,
and l pray your aid and support in the admin l.
istration of the rules and the preservation of
the decorum which becomes the Senate. In
assuming control of this body for the first
time III ten years, recognize our response
biity, and forgetful of the calunnes that
have been heaped upon US during all of those
years, and faithful always to the great doc
trines of free government. Long and able,
but now approaching their full tide in the
public mind, we trust their power to guide the
future. Taking no step backward, il is our
mission TO remedy the evil of present legisa-
tor. Accomplished ftcts and their logical
sequences are to be justly estimated and in
their light We must hold the policy to lead the
State and control the nation. Experimental
reforms are worse than useless, but healthy
progress under the guidance of established
truths becomes necessity and duty. To lead
III such reforms, to guide much loved
State in such q channel, to increase and dev eel
ope her resources, to cause her waste places to
reseund with the hum of busy industry, to give
equal ana honest representation to every citi-
zen, to retrcnch in her expenditure to pay her
debts, TO check the tide of special legislation
to Danish corrupting and debasing influences
from the seats of power, are objects worthy
the intellccts and energies of each of US. Tn
controlled power by one political organization
during long tenn of years Inc Fitab!y be-
get snis management and extravaganza. and
the administration of the aft airs OF this
Commonwealth has been no exception to this
rule. In the correction of these wrongs, Sen
ators, We invite your cordial co-opera tion -
The Constitution commands US this year to
apportion and distribute equally throughout
the State, Senators and Representatives This
provision is mandatory /; to perform it now is
a sw orn Obligation ; TO perform it in a spirit ol
equality, of honesty and of justice is distinctly
enjuined. To fail in either is a violation OF
/ your official oaths.
An appointment of state by which the voice
/ OF her people Is expressed the ballot box
shall be fairly and justly represented in these
i halls, Is imPcratively demanded from this leg
] islature. just representation for ali the peo
! pie, fair hearing for every shade of senti-
ment, in constitutional convention, if it shall
be your pleasure TO call one, are vital prerea III
sites to the creation of al acceptable organic
law, and their denial will ensure its defeat.
The rights of one half of the people Of your
commercial metropolis in the matter of the
election of officers have been outraged and
trampled upon by preceding legislature, and
they are denied voice in their choi CO. They
are thus DISTINGUISHED in one of the most vital
matters of loyal self gov ernment. To correct
this violation of fundamental American princi-
pie. we earnestly invoke you.
The relief of our over-worked Supreme
Court demands, and should have our earliest
attention. Special legislation has become a
vice of our system. The prevalence of a gen
ersl rule of law over our whole territory upon
subjects usually within the scope of legislative
action, is now an exception, and special enact
ments and special privileges are found upon
almost every page of our voluminous annual
statute book. To put an end TO this and to
govern The people by salutary general rules
, the pressure of which shall be tight and equal,
/ seem to be plain duties. In the correction OF
! the impertoctions of the administration !: in the
redress of the wrongs that are potent, and in
the performance of the duties poremptorily en-
Joined. Right and justice Infinitely better
guides than desire for partisan advantage or
efforts for party success. Reason, concession
and mutual Difference in the performance of
! the duties now before will ensure their ga t
/ isfactory accomplishment, and an inflexible
/ will and United purpose in the support of the
vital principles will command their success
In this split the Representatives of 80 O0O
( citizens OF this CommOnw ealth, for years mis-
/ represented and disfranchised, now assume
| control of the Senate anxious to aid in launch
/ ing the State upon career of healthful pro-
! gress and well digested reform, earnest in
their determination to shape the present as to
control the future, and ready to extend the
! fraternal grasp TO all who, forgetful of the
past can see the pathway of the State and Re.
! public only made clear by the economical ad.
ministration of good government, magnani-
nous forgiveness and genuine spirit OF worth
with charity.
Invr, ID z