The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-01-24
GOV. PARSONS LETTER DECLINING TO CALL
AN EXTRA SESSION.
TO he Editor of The Free Press:

communications from many OF my lrioW citl
zens, from committees appointed by seyera
public meetings. and resolutions of scvera
4 .. Saslr. ta ge.a,,Sn ts
calling n special session OF the leglslatnre.
have not heretofore been fully prepared tC
give definite answer to these communica
tons. and have not replied to them. The
highly respectable source of many Of these
communications, a strong public continent
and the deep feeling on tho part OF many a.
mong our most worthy citizens, exhibited in
some portions Of the State in favor of such a
measure, have led me to ask you to publish
through the columns Of your paper, definite
answer, with some Of tho reasons which have
induced it.
Tho people the State, from the necessity
of placing the power somewhere to convene
special ses ions of the legislature, have vested
it in tho Governor. This power IS given by a
constitutional provision, in tho following Ian
guage:
"fo may convene tho legislature on extra
ordinary occasions" This power is, in one
sense, unlimited and arbitrary. Ii is, then, =
great, an "cxtraordinary" power, in rcpubli-
can government. TO place in the hands of one
man. To all who understand tho principles
of our government, it is plain that tue people
had placed this arbitrary power ia the hands
of one man because of the absolute necessity of
providing for contingency which, without
immediate legislation, would place the great
interests of the State in "extraordinary" dan
GER. 1t is placed in the hands yof the Cover
nor alone, not only that il may be exercised
quickly, in case of necessity, but that tho re-
sponsbility of its exercise may DO undivided,
and, for safety, its weight fully folt.
But while this power is in ono sense un'imi-
ted and arbitrary, and therefore from its dan
gerous nature should be used with great cau-
ton, il is nevertheless an extraordinary hmi-
ted power. Ii is power to convene the legis-
lator only on extraordinary occasions" 1t is
true that the Governor is the sole judge Of what
is an extraordinary occasion, and tlfs is strong
reason why the power was thus limited and
ono of the strongest reasons why he should, in
judging, confine himself to the strict limit OF
his power 1t is because the people had con-
fdence that he would thus confine himself,
that they dared to entrust him with il.
Many of the high powers vested in tho Ex-
ecu,ive, both of our General and State gov
ernments. are as arbitrary; that is, depending
upon their discretion, as those vested in the
head OF an aristocrsey. But one OF the great
features which distinguishes our government
from an arstocracy is the fact, that, as tho of
fcers of our government derive their powers
from the people, they are bound by every OBJ
ect of cosideration of obligation and duty to
exercise those only ichen and in The manner
strictly contemplated
1t is clear that the Governor has no power
TO convene tho legislature, except on ''exlruor-
dinnry occasions
1t is equally clear, also, that If tho Governor
woud duly regard the distinguishing feature
Il our government, referred to, as OF impor-
tnnce to the porpetuity of our institutions,
L a., ~
Z he pc ,plo. he is bound scrupulously to exercise
those powers only as strictly intended To do
otherwise would show contcmpt for the poo
Pile, or afford them a reason to show contempt
for him.
have boon led to mako these remarks, of
my understanding of the Governors duty on
this question. because it hae SO freely intima-
ted that q failure 10 exercise this power, at
this time, would, for want of good reasons, DO
proof of a disgraceful influence to prevent it,
and because, by the tenor of some of the COM
addressed To me OH this subject,
it would appear to be though, that because tho
Executive possessed the power he ought TO
exercise it, if it was probable that some good
might grow out of it, without seeming 10 dis
tinguish between moral or legal power, and
absolute power. By way of illustrating tho
effect of such position, it is frequently claim
ad by some kind hearted wife, who has a hus
band in state prison-and sometimes by an
afTectionate aud intelligent father who has
son there-tha, ] have the powerto grant their
application for pardon. and unite and make
happy a now desolatc family; and it it is tho't
tyrany TO withhold power to do so much
good.
The principal objects urged upon mo for
special session are--the passage of General
Railroad Law; General Banking Law: a
of the Port Huron and Lake Mich
igan Railroad charter. the law in relation 10
swamp lands, the tax law, and tho law in re-
lation to prohibiting the traffic in intoxicating
beverages. hn
The question, then simply is, do these sub
ects, separately, or nnitedly, so much require
immediate legislation as TO create the "extra-
ordinary occasion" contemplated in the consti-
tuition.
cannot see that any contingency has hap
pened, since the close of the last session, to
require il. In regard to a General Railroad
Law, and Banking Law, two regular sessions,
and one special session. have convened and
adjourned, since the adoption of tho new con-
siitution, and they have failed to pass them
Under our constitution, these laws would un-
questionably be right, and the former is inn
portant; and tho people desire to have it,
doubt not thoy Will elect representatives at
the next election to carry out their desires in
this respect. But at this time, firmly be-
lieve that a General Railroad Law would not
meet tho high anticipatons of many of It's
friends, for the reason that under the present
depressed state of the money market, money
cannot bo obtained to carry on, or commence,
anything like the system Of railroads they
seem to contemplate; and it is a question of
serious doubt with mo, whether even one of
he contemplated roads would be materially
forwarded, if q General Law was passed be-
'ore the regular session. Ii would bo well
hat oil should have the privilege Of building
alroads whenever and wherever they can,
Ind for that purpose it would be desirable to
nave General Law Immediately; but it re-
Iuires no great power of discrimination TO So
hat what would be WELL or very desirable one
v, might not be absolutely necessary, or cro-
tic the extraordinary occasion intended by |
he constitution.
The project of constructing tho Port Huron |
md Lake Michigan Railroad, or such portions
IS may bo necessary to effect tho samo object
" connection with tho Oakland and Ottawa