The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-10-26


ty and the consequences to rest
where they would properly belong;
but entertaining the strongest doubts
OF my power to appoint, | have re-
framed from so doing, prefrrring
what | conceive to be the most prn.
dent and safe course-a reference of
tins responsible duty to the reo-
pies representatives, 10 whom j, is
most appropriately confded.
To the legislatures of the several
states the constitution has most
wisely entrusted the election of their
senators in congress. The limited
power of appointment of the execu-
tive of u state, is conferred with cau-
ton and reluctance, TO BE- exercised
in certain enumerated cases of en-
Urgency, and then only to avoid a
greater evil incident to the failure
of a proper and full representation
Of a sovereign state in the senate Of
the United States. In the present
case, tlen, il full weight be given 10
the decision of the senate, the gene
raj assembly of the state of Illinois
failed in its attempt TO elect at the
proper time, and the question stands
in the precise attitude it would have
occupied had the last session been
permitted to elapse without a vote
being taken or an effort made to e.
lcct a senator. Being thoroughly
impressed, therefore, with the opin-
ION, thai no one ofthe contingencies
which make a case for executive ac-
ton has occurred, and approaching
the Importance in view of the mary
questions of deep interest to our
state which are constantly arising
in our national councils, of keeping
our congressional delegation at all
times full, | have felt it my duty to
refer tbs subject to the general as
sembly.
have also thought proper to in.
wife your attention to the provisions
Of section six of the tenth article of
the constitution of this state, which
provides that the general assembly
shall encourage internal improve
ments, by passing liberal general
laws for that purpose" 1t is nnne-
cesSary here, to rccur to the past
legislation of the state on the subject
of internal improvements, or topoint
to It's d Sastrous consequences, to
be- found in our state debt and the
ruins of our public works, Which ev-
erywhere disclose the exhausted en-
ergies and disappointed hopes OF our
people. But | hazard nothing in
saying, that the trainers Of the con-
stitution looked well and wisely to
the past, and were impressed with
the importance of inierposing addi-
,ional and surer safeguards b. tween
the excuses Of i,nprovidrnt lrgisla.
ton and the rights Of the p, ople
and that they ms er,ed tits s. elton
expressly for the purpose OF harmon
izing all the varied interests of our
people, and for providing agai, st
partial laws, which, by fa,oring par.
ucular localities, lead to sectional
Ijealosies; and which have so un.
fortunately prevailed in nrction
with tie sub jet Of internal improve
ments. The langusg" of this rovi-
sion is Imperative, and its binding
force undoubted and the on'y ques-
'ion which can arise as to the pro-
priety Of compl, ing with il, is one
"f'imc only. And, as special char
tiers of Incorporation cannot be gran
ted for purposes of internal improve
ment under the constitution, if tie
objects to be gained can be secured
under a general law, which it seems
to be admitted they can be, nothing
can be gained by any party having
IN interest in such works. by delay.
As nothing can be done until
legislative action is had upon this
provision, delay is only calculated
70 increas" agitation and excitement.
The sooner, then, that this matter is
disposed of, the better that the
people may know with certainty,
what is to be the future policy oftie
state under wise and fixed inter
probation of this section of tie con-
S,itution.-While this question re.
mains unsettled, the subject of in
+ creasing agitation, the present and
; future policy Of the state is involved
in doubt AMI apprehension; and al
though our condition may require,
and would justify it, capitalists cam
uul crApr' t. Il ~ maxi ;n,,sl".' nts
in our public works No such works
will be undertaken for each con.
templated Improvement, however
meritorious in itself, will be opposed
by insurmountable obstaclrs,and be-
come the prey Of rival interests.
Besides, as a question Of immtn,e
Importance, upon whicI, ma. depend