Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-02-07
CONsTITUTIONAL REFORM.
The legislative Assembly.


ton Of what shall name. the Legislature Assem-
big.
The proposition for biennial Tor two-yearly) instead
of annual Cor yearly sessions of the Legislative body
is one that has been generally assened to-. But II
that this conclusion has been arrived at
only under The influence Of partial view of the SUBJ
ject The plea for biennial sessions has been, that
such system would conduce TO economy, and would
in degree prevent hasty and changeiul legsla-
ton. If these were the only points to be considered
we might with the same proprieiy, perhaps, be IN
duced admit that regular Legislative sessions once
in fire ten years would answer the purpose better
than biennial sessions. But these mol the only
points, and if they were it is by means certain
that they could be secured by the proposed change
Economy is not the only or the chief thing to be
looked after. If it were perhaPs desPotlsm WOULD
accomplish it, under the administration of prudent
despot, more certainly than under any other system
Besides, sIra sessions, which might be considered
proper and necessary, by any Governor, would fire.
quenty nullify the supposed benefit of biennial reg
uation. And hasty legislation, there are other
remedies much more certain than biennial sessions
would prove to be, a sole remedy.
But there are other points equally important as
those alluded to- and which should be taken into
sideration before determining this question. If we
make the legislative sessions biennial, the change in
wolves also the alteration of the Of the Senate
and Of all The Executive officers. Very few, we i'm
sgine, have thought Of this imporan, matter
Have the people, for instance, determined in their
own minds that they will engthen the terms of Sen
ators and of the State officers least our years
We hope not. SHORT TERMS, AND FREQUENT ACCOUNT
ABILITY, Is doctrine; doctrine which every
honest would not hesitate to agree to, if he had
occupied tho position which have been placed in
for years past, and which has afforded
sional glimpse Ugder the curtain. well out
side view of the performers upon the political stage,
IN common with our unini,iated felow-citizeEs.
Lead us not into temptation" is one of the most
important paris of the model prayer of Christians;
and il is essential TO be regarded in politics in
morals religion. The oftener We have to render
account the less likelihood will there be that we shall
err.
Yet If we adopt biennial sessions, we must either,
for the sake of conservatism, and that necessary
knowledge of public affairs proper be perpetuated
lenghsn the terms Of Senators and Executive officers
to four gears least,-or we must run the risk of
the confusion which would be likely to result if all
these officers, the Senate and the House Of Repre-
sentatives were elected anew every ttco years.
we mention these terms Of li0o and four years,
because we suppose one the other must, from the
necessity Of the case, be fixed upon. Otherwise, if
we continued the term of Governor for instance, at
three years, ss now we must give some other rbu-
nal the power TO the votes, previous to his
Inauguration, which is now conferred upon the Lee
gislature.
But it was not our purpose to discuss this question
L.. IL
duce proposition Of different character, which has
laid upon our table for weeks.
This proposition, which will be found in the CON-
munication following. is in favor of single Lgisa-
tire body. 1t will seem startling to many at first
sight,-especially because it has seemed work
well in the new government of France,-but more
particularly because it is in accordance with our
habits, and because change. of any kind is OF
less disagreeable. 1t has taken us ten gears to
to make any alterations in Constitution!
Now if economy is to be achieved, We viii venture
to say that it can be more certainly attained by the
organization here proposed, than in any other way.
And we will further venture to say. that the
same checks and guards, which absolutely neces-
sary prevent hasty dishonest Legislation, in q
body composed Of tro Houses, will be equally as ef
feciye and corrective in body constituted into one
House.
We have cOnversed with able men, occasionally
for weeks past upon this natter and not an objection
has been presented, which would not operate a.
strongly against the present, against the proposed
system.
Though we thus express general approval of the
proposition Of our correspondent, we should never
theless desire to add something it, and to amend
in some features. One thing we would propose, (ht
sessions of course being Iai is this: to make
only half of the body go out of Office each year
BY such regulation. should retain the advan
tages Of members of experience. now. in the State
Senate. But we do not know that we should be yer,
strenuous about this, because il might involve prac
teal objections.
We do not desire to tire the patience Of our read
ers, aud therefore, though We have much to say
we commit the communication to them for serious
consideration merely promising that it first appear
ed in the Lafayette Journal. corrected proof ben.
forwarded by the author who is learned in III
law. -sI-.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
Il our present legislative organization the possbl
Eor ux3 Can better be adoptedl These are question
that be solved before the meeting OF the convention
10 revise the Constitution Of State and should engsg
the thou9hts Of Individual for sEch lime, may
able him 10 determine them 10 hrs own sa'isiae0n 1hei
Importance this tine cannot well be exsggeTa'ed
As mere matter OF single representatives bod
roud doubtless be preferable, as the lime necessary 10 z
though the Of legislation would be greatly diminish
ed, the pitfu and despieaele sqsabbss between the to
bodies so often Witnessed each attempting TO ouimaneusn
the other ia bringing sfayins on an eeel0n thus con
sUmDg ge share Of time, would be forever P'eveEed
and the whole expensive machinery OF our body would
5isoensed with. large saving TO the Treasury OF III
STATE would result but saving that would desiie
fit i1Voived The loss Of any single public good