The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-26
money-loving or power.ssekng Apirants are accus-
toned 70 reach heir goal!

4 TONED 70 reach their goal!
| But the argument must reccil urQn themselves.
| How much Of sincere and deliber0 opposition
/ would there be 70 this great movement towards
reform and retrenchmcn but for the ncessant efforts
of the ofice-hoders and their dcpendants' Indeed,
the only discordant sounds which break upon the
general public voice Of appreciation, come from Off
cial incumbents, and those who, in the joyful hope
of their succession, find comfort in things as they
| are, and bide their time.
| Fellow-citizens: We have deemed the foregoing
observations appropriate TO the advisory character
Of this address, in order that might fully disclose
to your view the feelings, motives, and opinions of
the convention which We have the honor to repre-
sent But the important portion Of our duty has yet
to be discharged II IL not enough to know the ma
turc and extent of the disease: we must advance
further, and point you to the remedy. There is no
occasion for reserve; our interests and our sympa-
thies are 30 blended together, that we speak with
| confidence, what we know you will receive with
kindness, if not approval
! In the temper, them of sincere respect, and with
this claim upon your thoughtful examination of the
topic we present, we advise that, in your corr
siitution your first thought should be to guard
we do from sad experience, the theory which an
nounces that "a public debt is a public blessing, {"
we would desire that the organic law should so
curb the wild and reckless power Of legislation, that
no public debt should be created, except notice
of the objects to which lis to be appropriated and
upon pledge espeefc revenues for its punctua pay
ment. This 10 not policy, merely, 1t Ia HONESTY.
Without such prohibition, the property of every
individual is uncertain in value and enjoyment and
the darkest clouds of distrust cast upon it constant
shadow. Let US wisely employ the future in en-
forcing the salutary lessons Of the past and nvigo-
rate public faith, by looping off these excrescences
ofpower -
imposed upon ALL Retrospective legislation. The
principle of special legislation is unsound; its re-
onlfs h. - Ill
consist in their certainty and it is by the standard
of the general law that this should be measured.
| In many instances, change of the remedy is as
material as change of the right and it should not
be permitted to the Legislature, except upon terms
which would make their interposition fair and Just
to unsettle by hasty laws vested rights; or TO af.
ford remedy which would prevent their full enjoy
ment.
| We propose ONE GREAT MEASURE OF RELIEF in
biennial sessions Of the legislature and anticipate
your cordial concurrence in its adoption The pub
lie good does not require annual sessions Of the
legislature. The argument ofexpense in our present
depressed condition. is conclusive; but in any state
Of the treasury we believe that the business Of law
making, like many other kinds Of business, may be
overdone. It cannot be, that the people, liv-
ing within the same territory, and surrounded by
the same social institutions can need annually either
new laws, or changes in old ones
We hold that the landmarks which define the
rights of person and of properly, ought not far
to decay to require annual repair renewal and
we would urgently impress upon you the import
ance of considering, in all your primary meetings.
the expediency Of providing that there should be
biennial sessions Of the legislature.
4 Remember that, by 80 doing, you will, in every
alternate year. be released from the burden of inter
est on 81 100000 Of your public debt!
In this connection, we recommend to you reduc-
ton of the number of the members Of the Iegisla-
ture and change of the term of senatorial service
The period Of four years is quite long enough for
the Senate to be removed from the appointing pow
err The pressure of the public tie which binds the
delegate to The constituent is apt to lose its force by
time and familiarity; and should therefore In repub-
hcan governments, be renewed Ak no very distant
stages. Upon what scale the reduction should take
place, it will be for tho wisdom of the convention
to decide. This committee will only venture the
suggestion, that no arbitrary rule Of representation
should, in their judgment, be applied.
The claims of the smaller counties should be
Judged with all the sacred feelings of fellowship
which come full and gushing from the memories Of
our common struggle and our common glory.
There should be accorded to them fal~-ay, gener-
GUS measure. IL from any cause, the relative posi-
ton and strength of counties have changed, their
past relations mist not be forgotten. We are d
\ one family, and our discussions must an te In the
! spirit Of such communion.
/ We recommend to you she propriety Of reducing
the pny of the merbers Of the legislature No sor-
did motivs can be gratifed by the pay as it stands
It is not enough to invite cupidity; and as its design
to indemnify merely against expenses incurred in
the public service, it should be brought down thai
appropriate limit
We think that the salary Of the governor is too
high for our means, and that II should be re-
duced 70 sum ptupof,onste TO the duties Of that
office, and the extent Of our territory. He has no
part IN the legislation Of the Etate and in other
States Of much larger territory, and where his
field of duty ana anxiety is much more extended
where shc mind Of the governor is employed with
he al.
and where the public revenue is rich and unincun-
bered the salary is much less
The public experience for few years has induced
the universal conviction that the Office Of Secfe-
ary Of State 10 unnecessary and that as substitute,
.lse 70 we, y. . pod. By nw M the salary
change; and were Il not that statement ofmany
details might scein to transcend the proper chaiac.
ter OF this address, we might point out other SUBJ
Jects of proper reform, by the abolition Of useless
Offices Of hover grade,
Our desire, however, is to call your attention to
the more prominent objects for your action. And
we believe it, therefore, to be our duty To aa-
wise that the chanccry jurisdiction Of this State
should be distributed differently from the present
arrangement The large salary of the Chancellor
would thus be saved to the State and the powers Of
nas cosr be exercised with less expense and greater
convenience to the citizen. The committee and con-
venton were charged with the duty Of recommend
ing to you measures Of retrenchment, and, although
as individuals they mey regret that any worthy n
cumbents Of public offices should suiier nom the
contemplated changes yet their interests, compared
with those of the 6tisens OF the State. are too sma
to impede the great and beneficial changes BRO.
posed
In many portions OF the State an entire change Of
the Judiciary system 10 loudly called for; and we do
not doubt that thisparticular subject Of reform should
receive your special consideration, as we'll from it's
intrinsic claims to your notice. as from, lib close as.
ISOLATION with retrenchrhent In reference to the Ia
bors Of the Judges in what may be called the scoun-
aisricts Dur citizens are prone to compare them
WIN the abors Of other judges in other States; and
they have become satisfied that in other districts re-
,e.rea TO- one Judge would be perfectly competent to
60 by the public experience, and to be decided upon
10 accordance with It. The public have too much
interest in an efficient administration of the laws, to
adopt an unwisc or imperfect system, and their
Q, cnoice seems az appropriate In regard to the
In ant 9TH.