Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-02-13

no reason demanded q call for such conyen-
tony being known 10 this Senate, nor any
action TO which this Senate has ever been
a party being had for tho organization Of
such so-callcd joint convention;
Aud whereas, When tho Lieutenant
Governor with his attendant Senators had
left this Chamber. IL Is understood that ut
a meeting Of the said Lieut. Governor and
Senators with certain number Of gentlo-
men, members Of tho House Of Represen-
tatives, in tho Hall Of the House Of Rep
rcscntativos, over which so-caIled Joint
Convention. without clcctlon,appointmcnt,
or expressed desire so to do, By the mem
bcrs thereof, it is said that tho Lieut.. Gov
presided.
And Whereas, Al said meeting. It is
further reported. and by some believed to
be true, that sham, illegal, fraudulent
and disgraccful attempt at an election for
two Unitesl States Senator'S was had, which
II correctly reported, resulting, as his said
to have done, in the choice. by such assem-
bly,, OF Jesse ID. Bright aud Graham n.
Fitch, as such Senators, can only DO re-
garded rs an informal expression Of the
profound devotion Of partizan friends. for
which expressive election, so significant as
1t was OF party and personal fidelity. nci-
this General Assembly, tho laws nor Con-
stitution Of this State are in any wise ro-
sponsible, neither having boon consulted
or made parties to the transactions. In any
respect or manner whatsoever
And Whereas, in order that tho said
Lieut.. Governor might avail himself Of
tho opportunity Of assuming tho right and
power to preside over tho deliberations Of
said meeting or unauthorized joint coven-
ton, he did, without remission Of the Sem
ate, leave the chair, which II also assum-
cd by said Lieutenant Governor, is and was
an adjournment Of this body, which as
sumption ia in direct contravention OF tho
Constitution OF this State-Art. ", Sec
l0-whcrcin II IL Is declared, that teach
House, when assembled, shall determine its
own rules Of proceeding. aud sit upon It's
own adjournmcnt;''
And whereas, Any action Of the Prcsi-
dent Of this Senate, or It's members. IN any
such meeting rs aforesaid. Is and was IN di-
rect conflict with rule 81 Of tho standing
rules Of the Senate, which reads MS fol-
lows:
rule 54.-In all joint mccting- ofthc
two Houses Of tho Legislature, convened
FOR special purpose, It shall DO incompc-
tent for this body. or lis members, to en-
gage in such joint meeting the transaction
Of any business than that for which they
were so specifically assembled"
No joint meeting having been agreed
upon by or between tho two Houses Of this
General Assembly, nor any declared bus
mess or object OF such assembly;
And Whereas, During tho ,imo such
unauthorized and unlawful meeting was
engaged in such illegal clec,oa. this SON.
aio was in session, a presiding officer hav-
ing been appointed pro tom.. until the samo
was adjourned by vote Of its members,
rs will DO seen by reference to It's jour
nal.
And Whereas, Such so called JoIntGou-
vention was not callcd into existence by
action to which this Senate was a party,
nor even composed Of quorum OF either
House Of this General Assembly. but de.
irving It's powers and vitality from fraud,
violence and disorders We do therefore
most solemnly and earnestly protest against
tho action, dongs and resolves Of said so.
dcnominaicd Joint Convention; and on be-
half Of tho people aud sovereignty Of the
State would invoke tho Indignation and
Judgment OF all men, whether In authority
or as citizen subjects. upon any and all such
elections as unconstitutional, revolutionary
and void; aud would further ask this Som
ate to direct It's Secretary 10 transmit Inn
medIately two copies Of this preamble and
protest to tho U. s. Senate, ono to tho
President. Of that body, and tho other to
Judge Trumbull. Senator from tho Stats
OF Illinois.
Signed by "a Senators.
BY llargrove. that tho committee on
Banks DO requested to inquire into tho OK
pcdicncy Of enacting law making It fol-
ony for the Auditor Of State to part with
any securities he may have In his Office Cor
safe keeping.
by Kinley, that tho Committee on az
riculiurc DO instructed to inquire into the
expcdiency Of cnaciing law to prevent
tho killing Of sheep by dogs.
BY MCIeary, that our Senators in Con.
gress DO instructed and our Representatives
requested, to exert their influence in be-
half Of Lieut. Marry and Lieut. James
Noble. Of the United States Nayy,.in hav.
ing them restored to the rank in the navy
Of which they were deprived by tho action
Of the Naval Board.