Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16
From fe Democratic RsVier for April.
TIE Progress CT Constitutional Reform
tn the United Suites.

fn the United States.
It is now some three years since we were led by
the interest which was then menifesting itself in the
S.sts Of New York, upon the subject Of Constitutional
Reform, to attempt a definition of the true end and
purpose Of Constitutional guarantees. and the Princi-
pies by which their alteration or amendment should
be cond,icted.* We then maintained, among other
things, that IN governments where all classes are so
fully represented as in the United States OF America,
where public opinion IS so rapid In its formation and
circulation, and so controlling in its authority, the
Constitution should lie subjected 10 a thorough revision,
once at least in the Lifetime of every generation, and
such repairs be nude as are clearly and steadfastly
demanded By a manifest majority OF the voting popu-
Ltion, for whom it is designed. Since we then
invited the attention Of our readers to this subject,
new Constitutions have been adopted by the States oil
New Jersey, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri a
Convention has been called for the purpose of revising
TIE Constitution of New York, and a similar call
VIII probably he made before another year shall have
rolled away, by the people of Maryland and Virginia
Ii Is safe TO say, that within the space OF seven years,
tho Constitutions of one third at least of all the States
Of the Union will have undergone a thorough revision.
These facts prove two things-~irst, that our view
Of the constant imprUvabIlity Of all political Consti-.
t~utions, and their liability to the iEfrmitIes of age,
Is probably shared by a controlling proportion OF lie
American people; and secondly, that the national
mind Is ripe for extraordinary changes and improve
ments in Constitutional science. The growth OF our
people In this species of wisdom has not been duly
appreciated for obvious reasons. 4 nation is a long
time settling a principle of policy. While that prln-
ciple IS the occasion of political differences and hostile
party organizations. it neither receives nor deserves
any more permanent expression than IT can find III
the laws and in the discordant opinions Of men.
When, however, 1t has been thus applied experiment
ally. and has entitled itself to popular favor and
confidence, all hostility to II of course ceases, and
from that time the sooner it is incorporated into the
fundamental law, the less chance will there be for Its
force 10 be wasted or its teachings to be dIsregarded.
But TO Try and to PrOUe a principle of government In
this wise, is necessarily a slow process aud but a
few, even in this country Of ready political intercourse
and communion, are the offspring of any single gene
ration. For the past half century the national mind
OF this country has been storing up a vast amount of
political wisdom. which is sure to make itself heard
and felt in our legislation and IN the administration
OF our public affairs, but which has never been form
ally Incorporated into the body of our political science.
Indeed, il Is not too much to say, that the people of
every State in the Union are far In advance of their
written Constitution, IN political slgacity-but owing
20 their veneration for that instrument, they ever
hesitate about and postpone the solemn work of
" posting up their political experience. That work,
however, now we believe has seriously commenced.
a public sentiment, sustained firmly by the integrity
and prudence which always characterize enlightened
r~ei0Fmers, has made Its appearance, and calls for more
adequate Constitutional guarantees, with such earn
estnsss. and III 40 many quarters, that we are encour-
aged to believe II viii become universal, and that all
the political experience elaborated during the first half
century Of our great g experiment" Is finally to be
reduced to scientific principles, and placed in a con-
dition TO defy the accidents Of time and the caprice
of men.
That tie sources from whence we derive this en-
enlargement may be understood, we propose to sketch
the history of Constitutional Reform in the various
States where it has been agitated since the occasion
of our former article upon the subject, and to state
the results. if any, which this agitation has achieved.
The State which was earliest among these TO become
interested in providing herself with an improved
Constitutional Code, and which IS therefore first enti-
tied to our notice, was,
Eeo Jrsey-The Constitution under which the
people Of this State existed until about two years
since, was adopted on the I'd day of July. l776. II
had never been amended or changed. 1t was super
seeded by the new Constitution, on the Goth day of
June, 1874.
This instrument Is, of course, a very great improve
ment upon its venerable predecessor, but II Is far from
being complete or sufficient to satisfy the expectations
Of modern Democrats. It contains few pecularIties
with which the Constitutions of many of the other
States are not familiar. The following are its most
note worthy features
1t frees the right of suffrage from all property q%ualiica-
tons. but denies tho privilege to women and negroes, who
enjoyed that privilege uadsr the old Constitution.
The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and General
Assembly. Each county sends one Senator for three
years. The General Assembly can never consist OF over
sixty.
Members of the Senate and Assembly shall not receive,
as compensation more than three dollars per day, for the
first f5rty days Of their session, and not over one dollar
and ffy GEMS per day for The remainder.
1Hs credit Of The SLATE cannot be loaned, directly or
indirectly. an any case.
The Legislature shall not. in any manner, create any
deb; or debas, liability or liabilities of the State, which
shall sIngiy. or in the aggregate, with any previous debt or
labiiitirs. exceed 100000 except for purposes OF war.
or to repel invasion. or to suppress lnsureciion, unless the
sans shall be authorized by a law, for some single obJact
sr work TO be distinctly specified therein which law shall
provide the ways AID means, exclusive OF loans, 10 pay
the interest If such debt or liability as II falls due; and
also to pay and discharge the principal of such debt or
liability within I~hIriy-fve years from the time of contract
Ing hereof. and shall be inepeaiable until such debt or
liability. and the interest thereon, are fully paid and dis
charged: swd no such law shall take effect until it shall,
at g general election, have been submitted to the people.
and have received the sanction Of a majority of oil the
votes cast fer and sgainst it at such election and all mo-
ney to be raised. by the authority of such law, shall be
applied only TO the specific object stated therein, and to the
payment Of the debt thereby created.
This section shalt not be construed to refe to any
money that hss been or msy be deposited with this State,
by the government Of the United States"
We fear the above viii be found a very imperfect
restriction upon the debt creating propensities of
jo55iDg Legislatures, even If no difficulty should be
encountered n giving ii construction. Weimagine,
however, that both judges aud politicians are destined
to differ seriously about lis meaning, before this Con-
stitution VIII be as old as IFS predecessor.
No person can be imprisoned for debt, except for fraud
No bsrsOn can be Imprisoned for a militia fine IA nine
geeGes.
Tie Legislature can neither impair contracts, or tier
remedies.
Tue assent of three hths Of the members elected to each
house, is required, for granting. sitering. continuing, and
rsns1ing any bank charter or money corpOrssiOn, and all
such charters are limited to a term not exceeding twenty
one gears.
Privae property may not be taken for public use, with
out just compensation first made to the owner.