Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-17
AFTERNOON SESSION.

The President submitted the order of business be
IN iorce until changed by the pleasure of the Conven-
ton, follows, to-wit:
Reports from committees, in the order in which they
have been heretofore placed next resolutions and next
orders of the dav.
The Convention resumed the consideration of the re-
port OF the committee Printing, adverse the right
OF the Public Printer to the printing for this
Convention.
Mr.. Nave submitted few remarks in relation to the
legal right oil the Printer TO execute the printing He
read the law under which Jacob p. Chapman was elect
ed, providing that he should give bond, &c He took
the position that Jacob p Chapman contractor and
not an officer, and consequently beyond the control Of
the Convention. He read the section providing for
the prices OF printing, and the provision of the law
which says that all printing for the State shall be
cuted by the Public Printer. He then quoted the de-
cslon OF the Supreme Court of the United States the
Dorr case, where 1t IS laid down that Convention shall
be Called except under law authorized by vote Of
the people. In relation the clause the law author
lzng the Convention to elect all necessary officers, he
commended that Printer necessary the organ
lzatIon OF the Convention. The Printer
or. The debates of the Convention were be taken
down by an officer created by the Legislature and ap-
pointed by the Governor and could be published by
this Convention. They were to be deposited in the of
fee Of the Secretary Of State Thus il will appear said
he that the Legislature have reserved the right pub
lsh these proceedings and that they be printed
by other person than the State Printer He referred
to the case OF Osborn and Chamberlain decided in
the Supreme Court of the State parallel case, and
he admonished gentlemen that should an election take
place OF Public Printer other than the State Printer
Chapman would Immediately the State and would
recover damages, that the State would have pay
double More than this, greater proportion OF the
printing would have to be executed after the adjourn
ment OF the Convention, that the President would
not be here the work and certify to the &C.
count He had preference in favor of any one who
might wish to be elected but he did ish his constit
uents to pay double for the printing He asked how
the Printer to receive his pay should one be elected the
Legislature having reserved the right have the print
ing executed as it might designate.
Mr. Biddle being a member of the committee, was
unwilling to have a vote taken without some remarks
The eenteman's remarks and authorities he conceived
not to be applicable to the present Between
Legislature and another his remarks might be applicable
but In the present instance The gentleman had asked
Tor authorities Now, Constitutions not made every
day and of course there few precedents Mr. Chap
the Printer under the political authority of the
State but this Convention rises above all the forms Of
human compacts. 1t is said that there only
tract between Mr.. Chapman and the State. This he
might deny but it not necessary, for admitting this
to be fact would pretend that there
a contract between this Convention and Mr.. Chapman.
He elected under law enacted seven years since,
before this Convention was perhaps, thought Of The
Legislature had no power to control this Convention.
To admit this, would be admitting that the Legislature
had the to elect the Secretaries Dookeepers and
other officers. The of the stenographer was
brought forward He not opposed TO that officer
He thought that the Governor had acted wisely in APP
pointing him; but this Convention bound to
cept his services Indeed the first thing that had been
done in reference that officer question: whether
his services should be accepted. The Convention
TO in this Hail. according the law, but among the
first proceedings to provide for another place
OF meeting With regard to the bond, it was between
the State and Mr.. Chapman, made in State capacity
but this body was above the power Of the State With
gard contract, he thought the remarks Of the gen.
tleman to prove it might be easily upset. There
officers whose duties in the nature Of contract
bat no less an Office. The argument well made in
reference proceedings by the State but certainly had
reference to this Conventions He referred to the pro-
ceedngs of last winters where the resolution appointing
Mr.. Chapman the Printer was laid upon the table He
conceived that fasten officer upon this Convention
by the Legislature, taking away from the people
1.-THE right, in their primary meetings, TO confer power
this body. He acknowledged no power to govern his
actions but the power Of the people and the Constitution
Of the United States.
Dir. Howe favored the right Of the Public Printer to