The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-28
For the Eransrille Journal.
Mr.. CHANDLER:


Sir:--The act passed at the last session
of the general assembly providing for taking
the sense of the qualified voters of the State
on the calling ola convention to amend our
State constitution, has already elected con-
siderable discussion, and some ofthe conduc-
tors of the public press have urged divers
objections 10 the present constitution and
from these objections nave drawn the infer
ence that the People should, by their votes,
sustain the present call for convention. II
do not in this communication propose
either TO defend or TO attack the existing con-
stitution of the state, nor will permit my
self to discuss the merits of the various
amendments which have already been sug-
gested through the public Journals of the
day. design however through your col
umns TO call the attention Of the voters of
Vanderburgh County to the question of the
constlutionahty and expediency ofcalling
convention TO amend the constitution at this
time. Before proceeding to remark on the
constitutional question, allow me to make
few preliminary observations. 1t is admit
ted on all hands that one Of the greatest
evils in the administration of cur State Gov
eminent, is over legislation. Our laws are
not sufficiently stable, but are undergoing
sucii constant change as te . pFegan: even the
best informed from understanding them
| Fluctuation is the order of the day and one
Legislature il would seem meets for the pur-
pose Of undoing what may have been done
! by its predecessor To prevent the fnnda-
r mental law of the State from being subjected
10 simelar fuctuation and uncertainty, the
trainers of our constitution have wisely inser-
ted provision Designed to prevent so grea'
o an evil. The provision to which allude,
D is contained in the FIST section of the eighth
0 article of the constitution of Indiana; it is
in these words
Is 'Every t,oeJth gear after this constitution
II shall have taken effect, at the general cleo
ton held for goUernos, there shall be pol
,e opened in which the qualified electors Oft tn,
f State shall express by vote whether they are
81 in favor OF calling a convention or moi; ant
y fthere should be majority of all the vote!
Is given at such election in favor ola conven
ton, the governor shall inform the next Gen
eral Assembly thereof whose duty it shall
be to provide by Law for the election of the
members 10 the convention, the numbe
thereof and the time and place ortheir NEE
er ting: which Law shall not be passed uules
II, agreed to by majority Of all the member
elected to both branches Of The General As
'n sembly; and which Convention when me
ii shall have it in their power 10 revise, amen
g op or change the constitution
he Can any unprejudiced and candid min
Peruse the provision above cited withou
ter Coming TO the conclusion that the Peopl
is have themselves fixed in the constitution nc
ey only ;he mode III waict il shal! be amended
ey but also the periods at which it shah be sui
%, 0' Ject TO revision. Have they not there sal
ng that once in twelve years is often enough t
u, run the risk of having the fundamental law
the land committed to the tender mercies c
, TO the politicians Of the country? II this
ig not the meaning of the provision confess III
*. inability to understand plain English. VIII
:, right had the Legislature to call upon III
er people 70 vote for or against conventio
sF- in 1916; aud ifa majority of the peopI
should at the next August election vote for
a, al convention what right would that conyenlio
nj have 10 charge the constitution. The col
rs slitnton says that erery tlOelfM year at ii
an general election held for governors Their
oo. shall be poll opened in which the onal6e
md electors of the State shall express by yo
1S' whittier they in favor OF calling CONVEX
ons lion or not; and ifihere should be maiori
,ws of all the votes given at such election IN f
ca gor of convention the governor shall inlor
my the General Assembly thereof &c. III
by phrase at such election clearly refers to II
ny; polite be opened every t,oetfth year and
h ,aJ no other.-But TO make the matter ST
eu- clearer, the provision goes on to enact th,
tta this poll shall be opened at the general elc
ton held for gossyaor. The object ofth