The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-06-19

energies to those elments which go to advance the
wealth of the state, and promote more general
prosperity, it ought however to be forgotten, that
there ~e other considerations than wealth, OF the
means to procure it. required to btihs nlegrity,
honor and happiness to state.
The subject Of education. the universal educa.
tion Of all children and youths Of the state, should
he kept constantly in the foreground Of any pic.
ture we may form Of our future prosperity, MS
among the important Of all great p0hlic mea
cures. When our efforts in this behalf shall equal
our duty, with competent teachers, we may hope
ultimately realize our wishes, by placing within
the reach Of all the chance Of good practical
education, and cannot forgo this opportunity OF
expressing the hope that whenever this fund shall
be ultimately disposed Of, tho education Of com.
mon school teachers may enter in fot a share Of
it, or at least not not bc entirely overlooked
With the experience We have already had Of
the practical operation Of the various provisions
Of our new constitution, the influence and control
1t has exerted over the legislative business Of the
state. feel imperatively called upon to suggest
the necessity Of changing that provision Of it
which prescribes the length Of the term Of the
regular session Of the general assembly. The con.
sttution limits to period Of forty two days or If
it exceed this term, penalty of one dollar is TO
be deducted from the per diem allowance Of the
members This penalty has never been incurred
in single instance, and most likely never will
be. That thirty ak working days is to short a
time in which to perform the necessary legisla
tive business which may accumulate in two years,
has been shown in the most clear and incontest
bic manner. and by this time it must have become
apparent to all who have had the opportunity Of
knowing, that it 10 question forced upon US,
whether the present constitutional term shall be
extended or we shall resort to annual sessions. 1t
is utterly impossible that the business Of such a
state as ours hew and growing with new interests
constantly sprngng into existence and appealing
10 the legislature for their share Of attention and
encouragement, can be properl y attended to, with
the fare and dellberaton requisite in making laws,
in ,hirty-sx days, and the more especially as this
occurs but once in two years
No degree Of industry on the part Of members
can supply such an obvious want OF time. Twenty
days at least ought to be added 10 the present
time am not the advocate Of frequent changes
IN the organic law Of state except IN those clear
cases which admit of little doubt or dispute, but
when such cases arise it would be urwise to al
low the apprehension or fear OF change to deter
from what is obviously required. Time must he
Allowed legislature to deliberate upon public
measures, such as is called upon to consider and
it might be easy to show that haste and want of
|
time for due dellberaton is a fruitful cause from
which very many of the evils under which our
state is laboring derived their origin.
| address these remarks to you with the grcster
confidence, because individually you have seen
and felt, in the discharge Of your duties, the in.
conveniences OF the constitutional restrictions Of
the session to so short time, and are therefore
the better enabled to judge Of the alteration ne.
cessary to meet the evil
For satisfactory reasons l have thought
proper TO bring before you at this time for
re examination the homestead exemption law,
enacted at your last session. IL - part oil
the history OF tins law, that owing to the press
OF important matters upon the attention o' the
Legislature ut The time OF us passage 1t d'c
net receive mat examination OF its merits anu de
iects to which Its Importance entitled 1t. II need
excite no surprise, Therefore, that law partial,
~ new TO US IN the extent OF lis principles, and
Under the influence Of such circumstances, should
number among Its provisions some which arc Oh
Jec'onatIe and others alike defective wh'ch re-
CURED material alteration Subject as The law
Is to repeal at any time II practice II IS unsui'ed
to the condition OF our people, or IN any respect
proves detective, II can be judged ol upon lis
merits ana disposed OF accordingly lhat IN It's
present shape II requires amendment Is probably
undispu'ed' am nc' aware o' any reason which
ough' 10 lead 10 condemn tue general pfincipse oil
lead me to condemn the general principle OF the
Jaw Tor l consider u IN accordance WIN lhe oest
spirit oi the age and cons's'entent win 'he most
enlightened humanity. II is not always me most
favorable time to advocate measures tending 10
alleviate The inconVeniences and suffering incident
TO poverty and misfortune when plenty and com,
lot generally abonnd, and every 'hIns around
promises abundance and prosperity; when IN
truth no time "a more appropriate IL IS The par
OF wisdom 10 maze suitable provision 10 seasons
OF prosperity against the caiam!tes which sd'
yerstI may bring upon as part OF the Inc v'taole
lot oi all ! am aware 'hai the exemption OF real
property iron, execution may be regarded oy
some rs . reckless INVASION OF the proper limits
OF legitimate credit system, and view It with
jealousy on inns account nave with much care
axamlnrd the views J. nave h'ihe'to presented
TO the Legislature upon 'h's SUBJECT, and considered
the ihnuence sueh law may e1ert upon 'he nc,
grega'e industry o' ,he sta'e' ana upon SOUND
eredit system Us wen rs Ns genera erect III Tue
many states where II mas oeen Hied ana ap
proved ana nud no caase TO lead me 10 d'strus'
Tue Opinions have upon d'iierent occasions ex
pressed viewed as question oi paone poney
u Is nc mnch 10 me general interest OF ,he statt
'hat all rs INDUSTRIAL energies oe eheetiuiy anc
prohtao'y employed as that ereut oe e1'ehaeo
-'nate every man shai DC iei' W the Possess'or
OF the means 70 Keep nm cheerful active ana IN
ausrious' ihis can never oe ,he case u the only
instrument oy which they can oe secured Is strip
PED from As the prlncipe VI 'he law IN no way
auec's contracts entered INTO peiofe i's passage