Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

. SATURDAY, Jan. 10
The House met
Mr.. Secrest moved call of the House, which was Sc
conded after time spent therein the further call
suspended.
Mr.. Secrest from the select committee 10 which was
referred the State debt bill with Instructions reported
back the bill with the amendments required.
Mr. Powell rose and said he here with no instruc-
tons, he had been left free TO as was best deemed
would comPort with the honor of the State and in the
manner which would best promote the his con-
suIuents. In the absence Of instructions he had been
convinced his constituents favor of the bill of last
winter and he came here with determination of car
Tyng out their wishes by giving his unqualified support
Dnt ne found the Dill supplementary to the OF last
winter IN reality substitution. For the principles were
so changed and the provisions modified that il
could not be characterized otherwise than as new BILL
upon which provisions were Incorporated that he never
could endorses and which materially changed the ar
rangemen of last session. that he knew the consent
constituents could not be obtained to its going into one
ration
The feature most Objectionable, was the preference
given TO subscribing bondhoders-o those whose means
would enable them into the arrangement and is
consequently dePrivng all from its benefits
able TO avail themselves OF that priority provision Those
who could not furnish additional means 10 ao than IN
nto the arrangement the persons that should
FIRST be considered, they of which soonest
needed ad because they had been WOnged the moro nv
the Stae their all perhaps invested in Stale bonds
and their last and only dependence with them Bui
by this bill the rich only provided for care had been
taken mat those able to lose should lose nothing Had
the bill afforded equal and justice to ALL instead OF
making the rich preferred and the poor the deferred cred
lors OF the State, he would have had no hesitation in
giving his heariest support but as il was now fraugh
with Paray and injustice he would assume the resD0n.
sibiy Of voting against it, He knew that his eonstiu
ens were anxlousy looking to the present legislature e
furnish some means to adjust the debt and bring abont
final settlement but he believed they would rather remain
they now were than have the entire indebtedness re-
moved by scheme that would occasion as muc ;n;,r,
and injustice as the present. They would ever he be-
leVed prefer honest poverty dishonorabIe indepen
dence.
Mr. Neal said, he had before troubled tho H.,
with any remaGks on this bill, he considered il dntv M
his constituents now to protest against Its r.
willing to meet the responsibility of VOTING I,
he willing be held accountable to his
for bis conduct on the He would act as he no
leved was right, as his obligation his country required
and would thereby discharge his whole duty
further consequences.
He did not consider the bill equitable as the one las
WINTER he believed the arrangement would not meet I'M
expectations Of the people, receive their apnroba,or
The bill of last winter not popular in his county IN
present bill, which does possess near its mar;, c
tainiy will be received with but slight favor He cood
cred the bill unnecessarily involved and compIcatad :
much so that with j. g. Marshall he could saw tla, 4
did not understand IL, all its provisions were conDca,e
10 o0scurlty Sophisry every everywhere entwine
throughout the bill no one could dseneace s intr;ra,
provisions to be able to comprehend their legitimate Ten
dency. ~
He believed the State would be willing to transfer #,
canal with all ITS appurtenances for half OF the Stat
indebtedness but for nothing short of this
He considered that great injustice would be done IN
large class oil the bondholders Those who were not ali
to come into the contemplated arrangement should not
deffaoded from what was justly due them. Poveot
should not be imputed as crime, neither shout