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

MeSsrs. ChGpnnGns d Spann AS you have solicit
ted communications IN reference 10 the contemplated
revision of the Constitution of Indiana it may be that
an article two from upon that subject would be
The subject might well claim the service
of able pens than mine and am happy to notice
that there those who willing to give it proper
attention. L have neither leisure or disposition to
attempt metbodical discussion of the various Ques-
tions which may be presented for consideration.
simply propose to offer few thoughts and it may be
to suggest some new 10 revise some former ideas,
which, if deserving attention, if of sterling worth,
will probably find other and ADLER advocates
Some amendments have been proposed upon which,
they yet meet with no opposition, and are likely
TO be adopted by common consent, it is unnecessary
TO bestow much attention. OF these the proposition
that all the State Officers, inducing the Executive,
the Legislative, the Judicial md the Ministerial shall
be elected by the People, Is perhaps the prom-
nent.
Other questions moofed. of so ready accep-
lance, and it may be of more practicable difficulty
But the present is age of progress. 1t is
Politics in the und sciences that 'tbe dreams
of yesterday are the realities of to-day" We may
not presume that the ultimate of political perfection
yet attained and while IT would be folly TO reject
the lessons of the past, it would be perhaps equally
absurd TO discard the hopes of the future.
question has been presented by lone of the Peo-
ple," and is now being canvassed in your paper,
which requires consideration The question has
reference to the organization Of the State Legislature
and the propriety of retaining the two distinct Leg
islative bodies Precedent, far as our own and
English history conccrned is in favor of the
bodies This form of the legislature originated in
England with the origin of the English parliament.
| 1t must, however, be admitted that il was adopted
with design TO give to any individual class of
individuals the right of double representation in
Parliament. Its single purpose to separate in
Legislative action the classes Of that portion Of
English Society which it was then deemed expedient
rirbt nf De-
similar operated in the formation of the Co.
onial Legislatures, each Of which consisted of two
bodes representing in their origin, different classes
in the community The progress of liberal prnci-
Piles has, however, effected change, not in the form
of the Legislaiure--not would have seemed m os,
natural by the abrogation of of those Legislative
bodies, but in the constituency of the Upper House
The whole people have become alike, the constituency
of each body and thus has been consummated by acc
dent, not design, system of double representation
in the Legislature. The original design is discarded
and the reason for the present organization no longer
exists. Those remarks not applicable to the Con
gress of the United States; necessity for the two
Houses of Congress exists and will continue long
as the Union lasts.
1t may be admitted that with the present constu
ton of the Legislative constituency. the fol
the double organization have lost Of their force
The Representative whether in the Senate or the
House ought 10 be- and will be imbued with ths
, spirit and feelings of his constituents While the
t constituents of both bodies are the same we know
that those bodies will be controlled by the same i'm
pulses. The earnestness and ardor Of youth in the
one, and the wisdom and maturity of age in the 9th
er-have long since ceased TO be the peculiar charac
teristics of those bodies. 1, however, doubt th,
propriety of abrogating either Of the Legislative,
bodies. Before that shall be done it might be we'll
consider whether it not better to classify tn
voters of the State to give to each of the Leg
: islative bodies separate constituency. Do not b
startled at the idea Of classification of the free
equal citizens of the State. mean not by it elias
sication in reference either to BIRTH to wealth. or
intelligence. | would neither tolerate ul
aristocracy of family, of land, of money of educa
ton. There is however an aristocracy of years
knigh,hood Of Time. nobility of age and expert
e ence, to which Democrats, true and free nre
may well render both honor and reverence. To thi
honor all may equally aspire aud all alike may hop
n to attain.
suggest that there be n classification of the voter
. into Senior aud Junior Glasses fixing the limit be
tween them at about the age of for,y-fve years, tn
Senior class TO be represented by the Senate and tb
. Junior class by the House of Representatives Thi
, organization would give to the House the quick i'm
pulses the ardent feelings and the earnest and hope
fol energy of youth, and TO the Senate the thought
= fulness, maturity and wisdom of age and experience
9 Such classification is not without precedent. Tn
Records Of earliest time, the history Of the origin o