Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-04-24

Our readers are perfectly we'll aware
as TO who Is responsible for this state
of things. The responsibility lies at
the door of the Senate, which, though
having ample time to transact It's bus
mess, deliberately and wickidly re-
fused to do so-Ledger.
The first duty of the Senate, after
its organization, is to judge Of the
elections, qualifications, and returns
of its own members. This Is an i'm
perativc duty, and one that may not
be dispensed with. At the opening
of the session, Mr.. Hugh Miller, OF
Fulton, presented his credentials as q
Senator elect, and was sworn in. His
right TO n seat was contested by Mr.
Shrylock, who claimed that he, and
not Mr.. Miller, had received q plural
ity Of the legal votes cast at the late
October election for Senator. II was
the: duty Of the Senate to decide this
question Of right between the parties,
fairly, impartially, and speedily. The
matter was referred to the appropri-
ate committee, which, after thorough
examination, reported against the sit
ting member, and in favor Of Mr..
Shrylock, the contestant
Now II was just as much the duty
Of the Senate TO decide this case OF
contest, as II was TO pass q revenue
bill, or any other necessary act OF
legislation. Indeed IL was privi-
legged question and elaine precedence
over oil others. The Republican and
American Senator'S were ready and
anxious 10 dispose Of the case, and
time and again sought TO bring Il 10
vote. But the Democratic Senators
by the aid Of the Lieut. Governor,
contrived TO stave IL of. Finally II
was made the special order for two
o'clock on the last business day OF
the session. When that hour arrived,
there were several important bills
still undisposed Of. Among them, the
revenue and appropriation bills. The
contested election case, which was
then the special order, was taken up,
and might have been disposed Of In
ten minutes, but for tho obstinacy OF
Democratic Senators, who would not
let II come 10 a direct vote upon its
merits. Thus was the balance of the
day wasted by one branch Of the
Senate endeavoring 10 perform duty
imperiously enjoinod upon them by
the Constitution and their oaths while
the other segment or Democratic por.
ton Of the Senate were as strenuous.
ly resisting oil action, looking 10 n
final decision Of tho case, In total dis
regard 10 their obligations, and the
rights Of parties thus shamelessly
trifled with. II needed but the co.
operation of ono or two Of tho Dom.
ocratic Senators with tho Republican
members TO bring this contested case
TO direct vote, and thus dispose OF
II. This could have been done In q
very few minutes, and then tho other
important bills, pending upon their
third reading, would have been taken
up In their order and passed, long be-
fore the flnal-ho Of adjournment
But the whole Democratic strength
of the Senate, with their presiding
officer at their head, had banded to-
gethcr, rs one man determined 10
thwart all necessary Legislation rather
than run the hazard Of having one
Of their number ousted by q direct
vote Of the Senate. And too well did
they succeed In their revolutionary
purposes.
Yes, Mr.. Ledger, il is very easy TO
see where lies the responsibility, and
with all your sophistry, you will not
be able to divert tho eyes Of the peo-
pie from the guilty parties.--M A.
| Tribune