Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-02-28
For the State Sentinel.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
The Legislative Assembly.

In the Sentinel of February 7ih, is an article from
The pen Of one a. learned in the law proposing
change of our Constitution in the organization of the
Legislative Assembly, to have ouly single
Representative body This article comes TO us with
the endorsement, in part, of the Sentinel. The
learned paternity Of the article, with The endorsement
entities the proposition to serious and consd
Grafton. The frat assigned for the change is
economy, "os the time necessary to 90 through the
forms of legislation would be greatly diminished and
the piful aud despicnble sqaabbles between the two
bodies, often witnessed, each attempting TO out
manBuvre the other, IN bringing stuvIng off
election, thus consuming large snre of time, would
be forever prevented, and the whole expensive
cbnery of our body would be dispensed with
Economy in the formation of government is only
secondary consdcrati tion. The first aud great qucs-
ton is, what machinery is necessary the
people the best government; and until that question
is settled, economy must not be taken into the
count.
The squabbles referred to, consequent upon bring
ing OH ELECTIONS are of very rare occurrence, and
will doubtless be obviated in The Constitution, by
restoring to the people The right elect all their OIL
There Will then only 10 the legislature
the right elect the officers necessary 10 their
ganizatIon, and United States Senators. And The
present indications frequent to justify in
the conclusion, that the Constitution of the United
States must undergo similar change al no di,tau,
day.
..That is capable of self government" and
" that the will of the people is, and of right ought
be, the supreme aud uncontrolled power in the State"
are truths automatic to be most cordially
ceded But in what respect the division of the legis-
ature into two coordinate branches reflects mans
capacity for self-government, how the will of the
people has been frustrated thereby, does not appear
from the arguments of this gentleman " learned in
the law BY the aid Of checks and guards which
modern nations instructed by ages Of experience,
have thrown around the departments of their govern
| fi,llv strnf ed the
great problem Of past ages as TO mans capacity for
! ef-government-whout these very checks and
| guards, the hopes of the phianthroplst would, per-
| haps, have never been realized.
Nor is the argument in favor of the division Of the
legislative department into two coordinate and sepa
rate bodies weakened by the origin of that division
If Great Britain found it necessary for local
to that kingdom. to divide her Parliament into two
| parts has not the division been found emnently
ful and necessary in this country for other reasons
| The division is admitted es necessary in Great Br-
tan but it is said that there rival interests in
| this country to be represented. "There is only
class-the whole people; but single interest to be
consulied-the interest Of the whole people, one aud
indivisible. IL The interest represented unit,
why should The representation be dcublei If the will
of the people is reflected by their delegates, for what
/ purpose do you wish a check!''
/ No rival nterestsI This learned gentleman must
certainly belong to "the rest Uf mankind lately
I brought to our notice by President Taylor. he
would not exclaim rival interests in this
try" True there is not in this country as 10 Great
/ Britain aris,ocraey of birth and wealth es,s bls
ed by law; but there is in hese United States as
j pacious IN arisocracy Of wealth can be found In
| Europe. And although in ihis new state great
equaiiy exists in the wealth and circumstances of
the people, yet the day feet approaching when war
ring interests will be here. requiring all the
guards and checks which The wisdom Of man can IN
vent, to protect the interests aud great natural rights
Of the people, aud the unit Of interest will then be
| made up of infntessimal fractions.
Having thus briefly noticed some of the arguments
in favor Of single legislative assembly. the object
in the next place will be to exhibit some of The rcs-
| SONS for the double organization.
The separation Of the legislative department into
two coordinate bodies, GUARANTEES more sAisnsiss