Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-01-17

mated the Progressive Age a spirit of re-
form and Improvement in civil and political af-
/ fairs has been excited and widely spread, that
the science Of government should not alone be
permitted to stand still.
/ Acting under these influences, the people
, of the State, the legitimate sources of civil
and political authority, through their repre-
sentatives, have created a new Organic Law.
1t has been adopted by large majority. II
makes many encroachments on antiquated no.
tons, Under it, useless legal forms and ab-
surdites in the proceedings of courts of JUS
tice will be abolished, and their modes of do
ing business brought home to the comprehen-
sion and understanding of all.
1t makes officers responsible 10 the people
/ by frequen: elections, by themselves, and not
by the General Assembly. Itprovides against
future corporate monopolies and improper
monied influences, and for an equal distribu-
ton of the benefits and burthens of govern
ment These are some of the distinguishing
features of the New Constitution, which is
now inforce. 1t is Radical, Progressive and
Democratic. Very many of its provisions
were called for by the spirit of the age. 1t
was brought into existence by no one party,
but By ALL 1t is for no one, but for all. All
have an equal interest in it. as the supreme
law, of our State in connection with the Con-
stitution of the Union, treaties and laws of
Congress.
Such being the case, the people have the
right to expect that this General Assembly,
which has been honored with their confidence
will feel deeply the responsibility with which
its members have been clothed, in their leg
islative capacity; that, without distinction as
to party, they will keep steadily in view the
public interest and, uniting their counsels,
that with harmony and commendable zeal the
first General Assembly under the new consti-
tuition will carefully revise the existing or
frame new statutes to meet its acquisitions,
and, with fidelity, endeavor to provide such
Legislation as in their opinion will be the most
likely to secure the benefits the people have
anticipated they are TO derive from their New
Organic Law. For myself 1 trust that every
senator and representative is fully conscious of
the Importance of his position, and feels the
necessity of making this a thorough, harmon
ious, business session of the Legislature-one
to which reference may be made hereafter
with pride and satisfaction. that each member
has honored himself and done essential service
to the commonwealth.
The Governor is required by the Constitu
ton to recommend 10 the General Assembly,
a! every session, such measures as he shall
deem expedient. Under this injunction, brew
| ity and clearness will be his object 1t is
deemed entirely unnecessary to even touch
but few of the subjects of legislation which
will demand your action at the present ses-
sion, to provide system for the new organi-
zation of the different departments of the State
government as complete as human frailty will
permit, and to secure other objects Of vital i'm
portance to the interests and welfare of the
penple of Ohio Those subjects TO which no
particular reference is made in this communi-
cation, are believed TO be sufficiently appar-
ent to commend themselves to the good sense
and better judgment of the Legislative author
ity. Should other matters hereafter occur to
me, as they doubtless will, with that frankness
and confidence which should ever exist be-
tween coordinate branches of the government
they will be made the subject Of special COM
munications.
Of all the duties which the Executive is
called upon to discharge, there is no one more
cate or better calculated to create dissatisfac-
ton, however honestly executed, than that
which arises under the Ith section of the Sd
\
or shall have power, after conviction, to grant
reprieves, combinations and pardons," &C.
There is reason to believe, that petitions for
pardon have, sometimes, been presented TO
the Governor where many of the names of
the subscribers had been obtained by false
representations, and, perhaps, by those who
had a pecuniary interest in the result of the
applications thus made, which was concealed
l. Il 4 ,;tl.
assurances favorable to the success of the ap-
plications, not always consistent with truth; u;
and, in some instances, have produced the de-
sired result Had such applications been no.
torious, it is thought, remonstrances would
have ordinarily prevented imposition, as the
Executive would have had both sides of the
question before him when he came to deter
mine whether a pardon should be granted or
not. This section contemplates legislation
1t confers this power upon the Governor, "sub
ject to such regulations as to the manner of
applying for pardons, as may be prescribed by
! law" E
1t has occurred te me, that It might be well
to provide, that no application for pardon
should hereafter be considered by the Gov
ernor, without satisfactory evidence that no.
tice had ben given to the Prosecuting Attor-
ney OF the county where the conviction took
place, of the intended application, and for a
reasonable time; or, perhaps the publication
in newspaper, or advertisement in some pub
| lie place, may be deemed more appropriate.
Gases OF extreme exigency, however, as dan
ger to life from delay in the exercise of the
pardoniug power, should be permitted to form
exceptions to the general rule.
AS the Executives who have preceded me.
with perhaps one exception, have never es-
tablished any specific regulations, 1 feel my
self unwarrentedin in doing so, without the ex-
press authority of law, although it would pre-
vent. as it is believed, much annoyance by the
less frequency of unmerited applications.
The 4th artictie of the new constitution
prescribes the great outlines for the organiza-
ton of the judicial department of the govern
ment. l approach it with diffidence. 1t is
the only sheet anchor of our hopes for safety
and irStice in times of excitement or Deril =