Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-24
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Nh. Petit, leave offered resolution that the Pres
ident certify the mileage and per diem o. Benjamin F.
Brookbank and James Osborn up to this day, inclusive,
allowing each Of them the legal rate of member of this
Convention and that the President inform the Governor
that there is vacancy in the Convention of Represen
tative Delegate from the county of Union which was
adopted.
Agreeable to previous notice, Mr. Petit now offered
the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee the organization of
Courts Justice instructed TO report provision for
the Constitution aboishing the grand jury SYSTEM and
substituting public examinations in its place.
Messrs. Anthony and Nave supported the resolution,
and Mr.. Rariden opposed it when
Mr.. Bascom moved to amend as Il make IL q reso-
luton of inquiry when Mr.. Kelso moved to amend
the amendment, to inquire into the expedency of
changing the grand jury system which accepted by
Mr. Bascom
Mr. KeIso then opposed the resolution in its original
form and supported the amendment, contending, in a
speech of considerable length that examination be-
fore the magistrates OF the country would be attended
with greater expense than the present grand jury
tem He willing the matter should go the COM
mittee as it proposed to be amended.
Mr.. Carter opposed the abolition of grand ures; but
would be willing to see any proper and udcious amend
ments made in present SYSTEM If any could be poin
ted out and he would be willing to the present
powers exercised restricted There but two gov
that had the grand jury system, and they
the two most liberal governments in the world-En0
land and the United States He spoke at length of the
abuses Of the present system and hoped that its evils
would be remedied; but would go against the abolition
OF the system. He was favor OF taking from grand
ures an investigation Of petit misdemeanors but where
the life liberty character and property of the citizens
concerned he must still adhere to the present mode
Of inquiry.
Mr.. Holman was in favor of making the matters en-
braced in present Constitution, in relation to grand
iuries, subject to legislative enactment. The present
Constitution imperative to the subjects be
brought before the grand ures Had these been left
out many Of the evils of the present grand jury system
would have long since been remedied by legislative
actment
Mr.. Wallace supported the amendment and opposed
the resolution in its original form.
Mr.. Petit wishing to make remarks on this question,
considerable length and being late in the evening,
he moved that the Convention adjourn; which motion
prevailed Tie debates of this afternoon will be given
hereafter taken down by the stenographers
EDITOR SENTINEL-Sir In the report of proceed
ings Of the Convention of 18th nst published in your
paper am represented introducing resolution con
tang the following provision No person to hold two
offices Of honor and profit the time except clerk
and recorder" This is My proposition was
that 60 No person to hold offices OF honor and
profit at the time, is the with clerks
and recorders" Will you please make the correction!
Very Respectfully, JAMES b. FOLEY.
OCTOBER II, 1850.