Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-14
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
reported for the STATE Sentinel.
SENATE

Mr. Coffin, BY leave made report of the bill amendns
an act Incorporating the trustees Of the Asbuy University
with an amendment.
Mr. Goodenow moved that Hanover COLLEGE na.ts If The
Mr. Coffin remarked, if the gentleman would make Dro-
position placing al the colleges on the footing he
would support it. But he this bill 10 stand mon ire
merits and not to be trammeled. Let gentlemen show
their hands There several colleges which shonId
have the favor shown to them and be was readv -
vote 'e1NJ "
Mr. Robinson moved to lay the bin and uruposed amend
ment on the table not carried
were being for, - '
Mr. Davis proposed that the matter h. ;,eo.,, -,
over until report could be made from the minority Of The
committee on the Mexican war; not carried
Mr. Berry OF NJ then moved that bill Of Mr. Coffin and
M carried
Leave granted to MI Davis make report from the mi
no OF the committee federal relations the subject
of the Mexican war -
minority. W
Mr. Berry of Dr. then moved that 900 copies of the ma
jonty report be printed
Mr. Osborn moved to amend by adding the report of the
minority; accepted by Mr. Berry of NJ.
Mr. Hamrlek moved lay the table the motion to
print; not carried.
Mr. Howell then moved a division of the question
Nj Holloway opposed to printing. The ought
not to manufacture public opinion Gentlemen were not
sent hee to instruct either those above below the Legs
latue an great questions he hoped Legislature
not disposed the earnings people for the
purpose Of spreading the private opinions Of members.
Nj Ortiz would inquire if the printing could be completed
prior 10 the adjournment day. thought could not be
uOhe AGAIN; ne was opposed TO spending the of
money required He willing the reports should be
spread the journals.
Mr. Davis had personal choice the matters but if one
was printed be wis ed both to be printed LET 20 with
the other that both sides Of the question MAY be
de should go for the printing, for there strong feeling
on the subject
The division of the question was then called and the e
ports were not ordered TO be printed.
THE DAY.
bill providing for holding convention to revise the
constitution of the State being special the day.
Mr. Beard moved to recommt the bill to select commit
tee, with certain instructions.
Mr. Read was glad Mr. Beard had made that notion for
the question then direct before the Senate whether any
should De called or not majority Of the votes,
oy vote oil 0OUO or 6OOO favor Of
There could be doubt the constituonay Of the
question.
He cOnended that the majority of all the votes upon the
subject Of accOvention convention favor of
convention and that il then the duty of
to call the TIE people had an right
to revise the constitution at all times True was that il
was the duty of the Legislature lay subject every
twelve eaf before the people; but they could recommend
call oil convention at any time They had made that
call at the last election. Aside om party questions
eved the call was made for it made party ques-
lion at the election last
His opinion the expediency Of the matter was this:
He believed that every community had right TO upon
ats own form Of government Constitutional reform the
order of the day. Look at Mississippi Louisiana, Texas
New Jersey, &c Ask the abOIer mechanic the pe0-
Ple-aIl but TIE politician in favor of
Ask every man, aud they will tell the evil is, there
too much gOveTnment-there too much Neutrality-suspicious.
NAL legislation sufficient.
Another point, relative to impeachment: He spoke from
knowledge-by experience. How many officers there
The State Was there ever heard Of impeachment Of
justice of the peace He had There many
guards around officers TO bring them justice for deTelcton
OF duty Owing TO the difficulty Of impeachment time and
expense required by impeachment gross derecon by
those officers committed suffered. The change
THIS matter should be- that they be tried the several
as other wrongs.
Again: The Legislature should not be suffered 10 effect
loans The constitutions of the States referred by
him in the beginning had prohibited this evil The
oil this provision in constitution the of the
present deot IN our state.
Another objection the subject of divorces This was
now BY some considered unconstitutional This merely
opinion it should be settled.
Another objection the matter Of fines and forfeituTes
Now BY cur constitution the fines dragged from the
seat to benefit the children Of the rich He was favor Of
erecting schools in the separate townships.
There were some parts in the present constitution liable
to be bIoken-fo instance the law Of execution. This
hinged upon the provision that contract should be
impaired.
Then there provision that new county should be
formed out II an old county reducing less than four hun
ded square miles. This had broken by the formation
OF new counties-for instance in the formation of Ohio
county Then there was provision in the present const
tuition prescribing certain periods for the formation of
counties. This provision frequently
formation Of new counties in the NORTH
Agaa The constitution prohibits the emission OF bills OF
credit and yet we find our streets filled with notes by our
State.
merely referred TO this matter a revision
was needed That the majority of the people thought
that the voice might be obeyed-that it might be
ferred to the people.
Mr. Osborn moved amendment instructions
Of Mr. Read.
Mr. Beard accepted the proposition of Mr. Osborn.
Mr. Stewart said, his views the subject of
ton would probably be different from the views of the Sen
with whom he usually acted he felt it due TO himself
and whom he had the honor part represent
this Oor explain the position which he occupied this
question Personally he favor of convention to
wise the constitutions but the only question: he conceived
before the Senate was, Whether there had been call for
convention The Legislature had passed law last winter
requiring the people to vote for against convention. He
said that the law binding the people, because the
Legislature bad right pass a law. To contend
that they had the right would be to assume the strange and
novel doctrine that the Legislature could change the c0nt
tuition under which il held its existence. But
that the constitution law to the Legislature the
is rule Of decision to the judge Beyond the law the Judge
go beyond the constitution the Legislature cannot
60, bind the people. The by
the people for the people, and responsible people
They alone have the power 10 change it, they have the
right TO change their constitution at time and is
material whether be expressed not
IS an inallenable right But had the Legislature last
winter the right to order call for a convention If So was
IL binding the people Were people compelled
acts oil the Legislature binding upon the people only
far as they within the conferred by the constu
ton The constitution superior the Legislature, and
the people superior 10 the constitution lie said the
supreme sovereign power Of society resides in
large; and that therefore dCayS right
OF aOOlShng altering, amending their constitution
whatever manner majority Of the whole people shall
deem expedieEt The question for call OF
question. To support his position Legislature
night beyond the constitution and that The people
superior to the constitution, the sovereign power all
remaining il the people, he read from Wilson's works
He thought, them that the position which he assumed
correct the people alone had the right change the
fundamental law whereby they governed. Then the
question resolved itself into hi Did the people, in the
OF the which always resides Them
by the vote given at the last August election call
ton II had been said by the from Clark the
people OF Clark county were BY large majority in favor Of