The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1852-01-15

ng what labor may be necessary in the |
way of legislation for the State or Nation
Il strikes US that this was the main nb
ect in establishing National Congress
and State Legislature. And it is equal
Iy clear to US that The People do not 9
!ect their representatives for the purpose
of having new platforms established III
money aud time wasted in passing reso.
lutions outside IF ordinary legislation.
OI late years, the evil has been increas.
ing. Take fer illustration few recent
examples
Senator Foote was elected by the peo
pie Of Mississippi as Governor Of that
State. He ought To have resigned his
office as United States Senator, But in
stead of this, he comes on to Washing
ton. remains a few days and pockets his
per diem and mileage. However. he
remains long enough to Introduce a reso-
luton intended to stop the mouths Of the
people from discussing a certain series
of measures passed at the last session by
declaring those measures final settle
ment Of a vexed question-as if the
minds and tongues Of free people could
be fettered or certain act Of legislatio"
declared forerer fixed.
Now TO what goodl This resolution
may pass; and yet it will have no more
binding force than the measures them
selves. 1t cannot possibly have any good
influence. But il has served 10 re- open
the slavery discussion; it has consumed
already several days Of tho session. and
the only effect it can have will be to ren.
der its author somewhat conspicuous.
Take another example
Scarcely had the Ohio Legislature been
nganzed when a member from the
North introduced series of resolutions
a portion of which was intended to com
nit the people Of Ohio to new course
Of foreign policy. 1t was question
which had not been agitated in tho cleo
tion of this or any other member; it is I
question which concerns not the Stale
but the National Legislature; and is oul,
an attempt upon the part of those advo
eating il. who were sent to the Capiio
for an entirely different purpose. to forc'
upon the people Of Ohio new principle
without consultation with them. 1t il
merely an attempt. upon the part of tn,
leaders, to take the power of thinking
away from the people. Is this in sccor
dance with the genius Of our instilulionsj
Aud yet smother
Scarcely had the Senate Of Ohio dis
posed of the above resolutions. when q
new series Of a similar nature. taken iron
the Locofoco platform adopted at theil
late Convention, is introduced into the
House.
Now il this foreign platform, the oh
ject Of which is political capital, the re
suit Of which may be a foreign war. 70
these members in the centre of Ohio an,
: away from any danger are very coura
genus. can be adopted and the people O
Ohio are willing blindly to accede to th
behests of these members Of the Obi
Legislature. they suppose their speeche
aud votes will make them popular--a an
this is what they will call Operative sym
p a,hy" with the oppressed uf Europe
But it is not tho nature of the resolu
tions to which we desire at this time I
direct the attention Of the people. 1t
this practice Of Legislative-res0lul
n making. This waste Of time aud money
. This going beyond the province Of Lel
!, islators. This attempting To make pla
g forms for the people. This usurputio
. Of the powers Oft peoples convention.
Two weeks have already been cou
, sumed by the Senate oflhe United Stale
IN discussing Foote'S resolution. Severa
speeckas were made upon Giller's reso
luli0ns-and these in the House and tn
new series there will consume enough n
lime to pOss dozen bills which are de
manded Of the presen. Legislature ant
which il is their duty TO consider aud a
dopt.
Aud what is the consequence Month
are spen, in legislation, where week
should have sufficed. The members &c
their pay. but tho people foot the bills
They spend half the time Of The seuSiol
in turning the two Houses into count
meetings and discussing a lot of resolu
tons which are intended to erpresS III
sentiments Of the people Of Ohio, abou
which, in nine cases out Of ten, as in th'
present instance, they have had no oPpor
, tuni,y Of knowing anything. and then g.
, home and tell their constituents that the
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