The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-10-26
Governors Message.
Fe.lo,c C,H:sns If The SENATE and
House of RrDre,fn,0Etes.

Various causes have united TO sa-
tisfy me that an occasion is present.
ed, when just regard for the pub
lie interests demand a called session
ofthe general assembly fer the trans
action of legislative business. By
the adoption of the new constitution,
great and radical changes were in
troduced into the organic law of the
state and to secure harmony and
efficiency consistent with the new
condition of things, required impor-
tant alterations in existing statutes,
as well as many and various new
enactments. The consi leration of
matters of so much importance, in
addition to the ordinary amount of
Legislative business, required the
most deliberate and judici'ns action;
far more than could be easonably
expected during the brief sitting of
the general assembly, at its first srs-
sion after the adoption Of the cons,i-
tuition. In the face of concurring
circumstances so unfavorable to
calm investigation, and rend' ring the
completion OF much important public
business almost impossible, it is a
sourse of no surprise that many i'm
portant subjects should have renal
ned undisposed of, while others, e.
qually important, should have entire
ly escaped attention. In addition
to these considerations, an extraor-
binary contingency, unforeseen alike
by the legislature and myself, has a.
rison since your adjournment. In
order that the interests and rights of
the state shall be fully preserved,
and her proper influence in the ma
tional councils maintained, it is ne
, cessary' that this contingency be
met. | am fully convinced that the
power in this instance rests alone
with the legislature, not with the cx-
ecntive departments; and in all ca
Ses admitting of doubt, deem it
more respectful to the people, to re-
fer TO their immediate representa-
tives, the exercise of functions de-
signed by the constitution to be
lodg ed with EN-, rather than retain
them in my own hands. Accord
ingly, and by virtue of the authority
vested in me By the constitution, |
issued my proclamation, converting
the legislature for the transaction of
business, copy OF which proclama-
tion is herewith communicated, con-
tanning the various subject matter
proposed as the basis of your delib
eratiOns.
In converting your body at this
time, 1t has been my purpose to in
wife legislative action upon such
subjects only as seem to be OF pres
sing importance, or have so intimate
relation to the present condition of
state aff'irs, as to require DISPOSE
ton and settlement of them at an
early day. Finding abundant cause
i'll several of the subjects referred to
in my proclamation, for converting
the general assembly at this time, |
have added Others Of less importance
for the reason that the public well
fare will be promoted by early ac-
ton upon them, while delay nigh,
lead TO embarrassment and injury
and for the further reason, that
while disposing of mSe important
demands upon your attention, these
also can be passed upon without ma
terial addition to the duration or
cost Of the session. The executive
feels, that to have failed of inviting
legislative intrrposition to this class
Of subjects at the earliest moment.
would have indicated a too scr,pu-
lons and contracted Interpretation
Of his constitutional duties, or an in
excusable Indifference to the public
welfare.
! Asyour action will be confined ex-
clusivcly to the matter set forth in
the proc amation, brief reference
TO the several causes which have
influenced my determination in call.
ing yon together at this time, is no,
only due from the to your body, but
may facilitate the labors among
which you are invited 10 enter
Among the first and most important
duties to be discharged, is the cleo
ton Of senator in the congress OF
the United States, to succeed TO the
expired term of the Hon. Sidney
Breese. Upon the presentation and
and examination Of the credentials
ur tl,e Hon. James Jiilrld, "a, s,md-
tor elect for the term, hc was de.
clared by the senate ineligible to a
seat in that body; aud upon grounds
which, in the judgment of the senate,
rendered the act Of the legislature
of illinois, in rlecting him, wholly
void thus leaving the state entirely
unrepresented by an incumbant OF