True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-23

49, f@N~-r~ r-@--~
chant. Therefore respectfully sugges. a
material reduction Of the maximum rate
allowed.
] need noticommend TO your jud!eIops
consideration the Educational and Rshev-
olenL institutions of the State. Universal
Education is our cheapest defence, and
surest safeguard, and most Enduring
wealth. Our Common Schools, which
secure to the people this great benefit,
are firmly establishedam lheir affections,
and will justly claim the fostering care Of
their representatives. Our Benevolent
Institutions are a noble compliment to
our educational system. Their existence
honors the State, and every patriotic citi-
zen must feel deep interest in their inn
provemeni and prosperity. The duty of
the State will not be fully performed until
the benefits Of these institutions shall be
extended to all. without distinction, who
need their care.
The organization and discipline of the
Militia will require your early considera-
lion. The laws on this subject need thor
ough revisioikto them to the re-
quirements Il tSs Consultation. Ade-
quate provision should be made for the
enrolment Of all citizens liable 10 military
duty, in order 10 secure 10 the State her
due proportion Of the public arms. No
necessity, however. seems to demand ac-
tual service from any who do not feel dis
posed to perform it. Efficiency and en-.
ergy will probably be better secured by
the judcious encouragement Of voluntary
organization. The patriotism of individ-
ual citizens, properly sanctioned and sup
ported by Legislation. will doubtless sup.
ply a military force fully competent to
all the exigencies of police, and 10 what
ever more serious contingencies may
posSiblySarise. ~
The Constitution of the'Stale provides
for its amendment, and assigns 10 the
Legislature the duty OF PROPOSING such
modfc alions as experience suggests
Changes in the fundamental law should
ever be made with caution; but amend
ments which commend themselves by
their intrinsic merits to the Judgment Of
the Legislature, and seem to be demand.
ed also by general opinion among ths
people, have a just claim to be submitted
to the final test of popular decision at the
polls.
That the people are the source of all
political power is the fundamental princi.
pie of democratic institutions. TO secure
true and complete expression of the
popular will must therefore be leading
object in every system of representative
government. And this object cannot be
attained unless representation 10 he so ap'
porloned among the different parts Of the
State as 10 give 10 each its just weight ii
legislation and administration. 1t is OBJ
vious that there can be no complete ex
preston of the popular will unless the
representative be brought into the closes
possible relations of sympathy and re-
sPonsibility with his constituents; and
that there can be no just aPporlionmen
where the representation of one part of a
State is SO arranged as to give to its dele
CATION in the Legislature greater share
of political power than is given to llie del
cations of other parts of equal popula
ton. s... .....
Ii cannot well be denied thai uni.
form system of single districts will bes
secure proper choice of representatives
and their due responsiblisyoto the people
and fair distribution of political power
Where,one representative is chosen to
represent one district, there will necessa
rily be the most careful scrutiny of quail
fcation; the least liability to misinlorma
ton and mistake; the closest sympathy
in opinion and purpose; the most yigilan
observation of representative action; ant
the liveliest sense of representative re
sponsibili,y. Where more representa-
tives than one are chosen from the SAINT
district, all the securities are sensibly i'm
paired. Opportunity is offered for un
warrantable combination among aspirant
and their partizans; the people are dis
abled from informing themselves thor
oughly as to the character and qualifica
lions of anlidates; and the decision Q
the majority Of "a delegation, CONFIRMED
the interests Of party, are apt to be sui
stituted, as guides of representative az
lion, for the will of the constituency, de
termined by true regard for the interes
of the people.
In the Convention which framed ou
present State Constitution, the subject {
representation was much discussed. B
many Of the most enlightened and mo-
. i .I..k LII, r. i.