Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-02-04
Published every Thursday
The ButIer Bill.

always governed US, of giving free use of our COL
for the discussion of all matters of public inter-
est and not because agree in the views expressed
by the writer. We have no disposition, however, 10
give full expression of our own opinion as to the
new Butler bill, until have first laid it before our
readers in full which we shall do as soon as we can
obtain copy of it as it passed. But we feel
called on nevertheless as matter Of mere JUSTICE to
state few instances in which we disagree with this
writer. He censures very severely those who as he
says, regardless of their oaths ard of their consi-
tutional obligations could be capable of desgnedIy
breaking quorum," for the purpose Of defeating the
BILL In opinion there are two sides to this ques-
ton, and We should be very careful how we charge
Senators with the guilt of perjury, before hearing the
reasons which may exist in justification of their
course. The breaking of quorum, we admit TO be
extreme measure, and which should not be re-
sorted to without the most dire necessity. Such ne
cessty may occur and when Does tie resort 10 the
only remedy, far from being perjury, or any thing
akin to it, is precisely the reverse. Had we been
members of the Senate at this crisis, we think we
should not have aided in breaking a quorum; but we
can look with good deal of leniy upon the course
of those Senators who believed the interests of their
immediate constituents, well the State at large,
required them to leave their eats temporarily. What
had been the circumstances In relation to this bill
from the period of Its first introduction into the Sem
atet Upon the very first vote, on the proposed
amendment offered by Mr.. Marsh, to strike out the
new bill from the enactng clause, and to revive the
bill of last winter, il demonstrated that major
iy of Senators were opposed to the bill, and it
only saved from instant defeat In consequence of
misunderstanding of the question pending, on the
part of Senator and who therefore voted contrary
to his own intention From that moment various
means and appliances were brought TO BEAR either
bring over the recusants to them to desert
their seats and forego their opposition to the measure
Talk of violating oaths and constitutional obligations
indeed! Who began the game! Are not those
members who were prevailed upon to desert the post
of duty. that the bill might pass by minority of
the Senate, just amenable those who resored to
the only remedy left by which such nquity could be
remedied! We think so; and are ready to take issue
with any one upon the question.
With these remarks, we are willing that the expo
sition of the bill given by correspondent should
60 to the people, who when they shall have been put
in possession of the bill ITSELF (if they can analyze
it, will make up just judgment, and bestow censure
or praise upon those entitled TO either
/ Or the 9th instant the act supplementary to
the act to provide for the funded debt of Indiana
and the completion of the Wabash and Erie canal"
received the approval of the Governor and it is now
the law Of the land This BILL at every stage of its
progress through the two branches of the legislature
encountered powerful and earnest opposition, the
last step of which, was an attempt made on Tuesday
to break n quorum and the final vote showed bare
quorum voting. Whatever opinions may be enter
tanned to the merits of this measure there can be
but opinion of those who, regardless of their
Oaths and their constitutional obligations could be
pabe OF designedly breaking quorum for like
that. We are free to express it opinion, that
the present bill contains provisions which should
feel very reluctant to assent to; yet an honorable
and manly opposition is all that the people could
have asked of any man; and unless deny at once
the right OF maorlties to override mnoritieS, can
find no justification for so factious proceeding as
some Senator's know not how many, resorted to
to defeat this bill.
i But 1t has passed, and it now becomes us in
spirit of candor and fair dealing, to submit
of the acts of the legislature to the consideration of
the people.
The public debt both principal and interest. is d.
vided equally, and one half the State is to pay by
taxation the present rate the other half charg-
ed on the canal and the faith of the State is in
: wise pledged" for its payment redemption; yet
the State has the right to redeem the canal after
twenty years. by paying the principal of the canal
debt. Those who subscribe towards the completion
paid, before the non-subscrbers. This has been
represented to be necessary inducement procure
subscriptions and 1t Is understood that the subscrip-
tons heretofore made, have been on these terms
Those who do not subscribe, in, and get the
full interest one half of the of their bonds
The time for subscription is extended to the first day
OF November next but the time for non-subscribers
to in, and get the interest the State half of
their debs, is unlimited. 1t is calculated that should
the revenues Of the canal, when completed equal the
interest Of the whole canal debt and one half of it
should be preferred stock, the canal would paw off
the whole preferred stock, in little more than four
teen years. Whenever the preferred creditors are
paid off, those who deferred will come in for
their back interest and principal but they are not al
lowed interest on their deferred interest
Several amendments have been added,-one for a
strict account of all the proceedings of the trustees
to be furnished to the legislature and to the Auditor
OF State,-another fixing the minimum of the trus-
tees salaries at $1,000 and $500 year respectively
another for the re-appraisment of the lands east
> and west of Tippecanoe-and another giving to
actual settlers in the Vncennes district the right
enter their lands at 81 % per acre, by paying within
the year allowed for claiming presumption. Whenever
bonds to the amount of 81 600 900 subscribed the
subscribers are allowed to elect trustees and when
the five per centum is paid In the Governor is
authorized to give the trustees charge of the canal
subject TO the provision that he is not to deliver the
deed of the canal and lands until 900 of bonds
= are surrendered. To all OCCASION for any
. bondholders to remain out In the hope Of getting
better terms from the State the bill provides that the
State will not hereafter make any other provision fol
any Internal Improvement bonds, which shall not bt
surrendered in exchange for certificates in accordance
= with the provisions of this act The provisions
regard being quite as favorable as the bondholden
had right expect, and it will be vain for them t.
" hope for better So scrupulous the legis