Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-02-21
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
"Wayne County Whig.v


hesitatngly admit, important subject should be
viewed and canvasSed and it is one which we be-
lieve will actunte the Democratic party, and we hope
aso the honorable and liberal portion of the wings
We can expect nothing of The kind, we suppose
from that part of the wings, whose notions of policy
are conceived only in chcanery, and whose practices
are based solely in fraud 1t would be just
sonable to expect to find wool a hogs back, to
find one Of this latter class of wings willing dis
cuss any question with candor, if, by msconstruc-
tion, or false imputation, he had any prospect Of
gaining point in vile partizsnship.
These remarks are elected by article which np-
pears in the Cenreville Wing, of Feb. 18th, paper
whose reckessness only exceeded by its roenness.
1t commences thus:
ga late Indiana State Sentinel contains communication
endorsed by the Editors recommending under the Con-
sIiiuOn, single House of Representatives This a
feature ~ This country but has been suggested by
distinguished member Of party that claims all the progress
siOa, it may in time becose incorporated the demo-
cratic eTeed.''
1t is falsehood to say that endorsed the commu-
nication in question. We spoke literally in regard
to il, because were willing to give the author
fair hearing but distinctly stated that before we
could agree to his proposition, should require it
to be amended in essential particulars.
1t is constructive (alSehood also, insnuate that
the author of the communication is a democrat How
could the "Centreville Whig" know any thing about
such matter The truth is, the author Of that CON-
municaton. is a Uhig, any thing but
lchig,--is better whig than the "Centreville Whg
ever was. and hundred times more of gentleman.
But whether wLig or democut-what has that to DO
with the merits of the question he discusses Moth
ing except with such scuruy politicians the editor
of the ''Centreville Nhig."
The fellow continues
"The Sentinel editorial article in opposition
TO biennial meetings Of the Legislature. The principal
lection is that the terms Of Office Of State officers would
have 20 be either increased four, reduced years
as under cur present laws, there would be body in
son authorized 10 count the votes and announce the persons
elected.'
Here is third fasehOod, in fact. We distinctly
stated that 1t not purpose discuss the ques
ton at that time, but simply to bring to the public
mind, certain important collateral considerat atoms
which we, for the first time mentioned, in connexion
with the matter. And this done in the hope of
aiding the people to act understandingy.
He goes on, thus
"rhis objection may be readily removed by making
tems Of all State officers four yeas The Secretary
State holds bis office for this term and all the Others
for three years We would decidedly pefer rather than
have annual sessions of the Legislature extend
Of all State officers four years, judicial
GERS 10 six or eight years"
be sure! The only drawback about it, is, that poss-
bly, some of the people may differ from this smart
sPrg of whiggery We suppose he could just as
easily settle the terms of Senator's Executive and
Judicial Officers, at ten years or for ie,-accordinp
to the original federal notion, provided they were
likely to be wings. We have only 10 say now,-as
the people may order it. let be. But we do not
believe they will assent to the dogmatism of this
whg puppy, without some delberatIon.
This very able article Of the Wing concludes thus
"By these changes Office all the objections
Of the Sentinel woad, think be met II is tue bien-
NAL Legislatures would greatly diminish the amount Of the
State Pnting-and this may probably be one Of The un-
written objections of the Sentinel"
When made the suggestions to which this
writer ulludcs, anticipated that some brainess
blackguard might make di>lonorable mputatlon
against US. like the abnve. Such is the refuge fire.
quently sought by blockheads who have neither the
capacity the honesty argue any question upon
its merits. But told the people in our prospectus
that intended to discuss every reormatory const-
tutiona proposition which presented itself US, ''in
honesty of intention, and without the least DISPOSE
ton accomplish any sinister design whatever,
whether Of partizan personal character )" and
intend to fulfil this promise, no matter how much
our motives may be impcached by whig backgua rds
and whig rascals.
But this fellow is as big fool as k,ave and like
all of the kidney, exposes himself by bis ncon-
sisiency. He that 60 for a single House.
If that true, would it be the print
ing Every fool even ought 10 know that it would
diminish it one half If the fellow therefore believed
that we had declared for one House, be certainly
kneo that we could not be BIASED by the matter Of
printng,-according to has view of the subject, which
we admit is a very shallow one.
Again how does he know the printing would be
less under biennial than under annual sessions
This would depend upon the length of the sessions,
comparatively and the length of sessions under
either system will depend very much indeed upon
other, and much more important reforms, which will
be proposed We can propose amendments which
If adopted, will be eectire, not only shorten the
sessions to ximum of four weeks under annual
sessions and thus not only reduce one-half, thai
eye-sore TO envious contemporaries and demagogue
partizan<, the public printing; but what is of q
thousand times Importance will avoid the terri
bic evil of much local and special Legislation, BY
which four-ffhs Of every session is consumed We
shall do this on favorable occasion We are now
sknning skunk, and the occasion Of course is no
favorable for any better employment.
We have said this much, with view of de6nine
position this subject generally, rather than Il
dignity the Wayne Co. Whig by extended notice
And we now only will add in conclusion. that w,
shall not feel bound to pay much attention to an,
similar attack hereafter. We shall not suffer our at
teniion be thus distracted from weghiier matters
We shall from time to time submit propositions o
our own relative to the new Constitution and all WI
ask of the people is. that they will treatthem accord