Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-11-28
Con.tl,utionnI Convention.


This being resolution day the resolution offered by Mr.
TAeuE providing for abolishing the common law Of Eng
land, was now taken up.
Mr. TAoUE said this question had been agitatcd his
county. II had been commended that the common law
nothing more less than common sense but he thought
that there common sense enough in Indiana make
laws for ourselves. lie then noticed at length the de-
lays OF Justice caused by the ntrcacies and sucties of
the common law and the absolute cmbarras snent 10
witnesses, by the arbitrary rules Of common law pro-
cecding He thought we had men in Indiana capable Of
making laws for government, without looking TO
England any other country They better understood
true interests and character. The laws should be
placed within the reach Of the people.
Mr. GInsoN moved to amend; when
Mr. NAVE moved that the resolution be laid upon the
table, which motion did not prevail
On motion Of Mr.. MILLER Of Fulton, the resolution
was then committed % committee Of the whole ;
where several amendments adopted alter which the
resolution, as amended, was laid on the table,
Mr.. Dick offered resolution, 70 the expedency Of
sold for sses and sxepdnup the c OF Of
which was adopted.
BY Mr.. BoRDrS, as to the cxpcdiency Of inserting
provision, providing for board Of one from each town
ship 10 transact county business; adopted
BY Mr.. PEPrxR of Crawford, 10 the expedency of
inserting provision, that distinction shall be made
between citizens and aliens In holding property adopted
BY Mr.. MrLRoy, 20 the expcdieney Of Inserting
article in the amended Constitutions requiring the Lcgs
laiure 10 pass laws excluding from the right Of suffrage
all persons who have been may be convicted of brbe
ry OF larceny or any Infamous crme and for dcprving
every person who shall make, become directly or in
directly interested in any bet wager depending upon
the result Of any election, from the right such
election; which was adopted.
BY MIR. MCLELLAND, TO the expcdency Of a geo.
illogical survey of the State; adopted.
Mr. BORDEN moved 10 reconsider the vote, on the en-
grossment Of the section prohibiting public debt ex
cent for deficit in interest account
Mr.. BORDEN said, that the section, in his opinion,
needed amendment. Afer public debt spaid off
under this section the State would be unable to borrow
a dollar. This binding might burn down, and other
sary. He in favor Of strong restrictions bat he
thought would be best permit loan of not exceed
ing million Of dollars in the whole and he would limit
any particular loan 20 work of internal Improvement
after full discussion and investigation and the law
thorzng preference the people for the loan being pub
ished in every county in the State, with not less than
three months notice
Mr. Dunn Of Jefferson hored that the vote would
be reconsidcred
Mr. KILGoRE was IN favor Of reconsdering the vote
and, IL reconsidered, he would amendment
that loan should be contracted for internal improve
ment purposes Being asked add that there should be
no loan for Bank he remarked that he wished to leave
this question open There three parties in the
Convention, the subject of Banking. Those in favor
Of the State Bank, of Free Banks, and No Banks and
should State Bank be athorzed he wished the power
left open establish it.
Mr. SsnTHof Ripley thought the general powers in
this section would not preclude section authorizing
State Bank and with the TO establish IL.
Mr. HovEy hoped the section would be laid on the
table until the Bank question was decided
The discussion was continued by Messrs Morrison, of
Marion, Nave Robinson, Sherrod, Lockhart, Owen,
Chapman, Borden, and Bascom; when
On motion the Convention adjourned.
In the afternoon, the discussion the State Debt ques
ton resumed.
Mr. BRAcREN said the Issue in his county was debt or
debt He took the ground before his constituents de-
cidedly against debt lie could give evidence of
the mpolcy Of contracting debt for internal improve
ment purposes, when submitted vote of the
people. Suppose this State to have hundred and five
thousand voters One hundred and five thousand would
possess the power debt of million of dol
lars, in which the hundred Thousand would have no
interest although they might possess two-thrds of the
taxable property Of the State. He for locking the
door against public debt, and would throw away the
KEY.
The question was then taken, on Mr.. BoRpENs mo-
ton TO reconsider the the engrossment Of the
section prohibiting debt and decided in the negative
ayes 40, noes 40.
Mr. BORDEN then moved to commit to the committee
Public Works, with instructions to amend, that
loan for the prosecution of work a time may be
submitted the people, and providing that the aggre-
gate loans shall exceed one million Of dollars
the debt be paid eighteen years and the interest TO
he provided for in the law that authorizes the loan
Mr. HAWKINS said, he had voted for reconsidera-
ton, because he believed the section, IL stood
closed the door against a State Bank He was a State
Bank man. and should he be in the view he had
taken, when the proposition for State Bank came up
indeed the doors closed against that institution
he for no Banks, rather than have Free Banks
tabished State. He opposed to catering for
the Bears and Bulls of Wall street. New York. unless
they were here in their proper persons.
The question then taken on Mr. BoRDEN's amend
ment and decided in the negative-ayes 80, Sc.
The question then taken on the passage of the
section prohibiting public debt, and decided in the af
fmative-ayes 81, noes 30.
On motion, the Convention adjourned
MONDAY, November 25, 1s50-The Convention was
opened by prayer, by the Rev. Mr.. BABE.
Mr. ToRNT ON now rose and said that the resolutions
hastily drawn up, and offered few days since, in
reie renee to the death OF Col JOHNSON, having been
submitted him, he would submit them in amend
ded form. Mr.. Thornton appointed by Col. john
son to raise company in his celebrated mounted reg-
ment and with him at the celebrated battle of the
Thames and saw him few minutes after he received
his wounds For several years past he had differed with
Col. Johnson in politics; bst re ever regarded min
one of the best men that ever lived.
Mr.. THoRToN then offered a series OF resolutions
paying proper tribute to the memory Of Col Johnson
which were seconded by
Mr. SMITH of Ripley, in feeling and eloquent speech
in which he brought forward the benevolent traits in COL
Johnson's character in most striking point of view
The resolutions unanimously adoPted, request
made that they be published in the different newspapers Of
the State and that copies be transmitted to the relatives
OF the deceased and the Governor of Kentucky The
speeches length and the resolutions will hereafter be
published.
Mr. RARIDEN then moved to suspend the order oil bus
ness order that the might offer resolutions sustaining
the compromise measures of the last session of Con-
gress which motion did not prevail-ayes co. noes AZ
It requiring two-thirds to suspend the rules.
A motion was made to amend the rules, to ex-
tend the length of time for speeches. hour instead
of thirty minutes; which did not prevail.
The Convention then resumed the consideration of the
section exempting reasonable of property from
forced sales execuon--the pending amendment be-
ing the section heretofore reported from the select
mttce Of one from each Congressional District prov
ding for homestead exemption OF not less than 5000 in
value.
Mr. CoIFAx having the floor, proceed to advocate the
II a.sra otol