Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-04-30

plghted faith of the State, all of which
could have been accomplished in less than
an hour.
Nor was it alone during the last days
and hours Of the session that majority
of the Senate disregarded the Constitution
you had established as the fundamental
law of the State. On the first day that the
Legislature assembled, this same alori-
ty undertook to organize the Senate against
the provisions Of the Constitution, as found
in Sec. 81 Of Art. 5, which reads as fol-
lows: THE Lieutenant Governor shall. by
virtue of his office. be President of the
Senate" by endeavoring to elect Sen
ator to act as Lieutenant Governor. So
satisfied were they of the Illegally Of this
attempt at usurpation. that they did not re-
cord it in the journals of their proceed
ings.
They refused to attend in the Hall Of
the House of Representatives in accor-
dance with the usual custom. to hear the
message of my predecessor.
Section 4 Of Article requires that the
Speaker Of thd House of Representatives
shall open and publish the returns for Gov
ernor and Lieutenant Governor, in the
presence of both Houses Of the Genera
Assembly. They refused, when duly in
vited to attend, and have said returns open
ed and published in their presence.
Afterwards. on the second day Of Feb
ruary. when the Senate had been adjourn
ed by its presiding officer, less than quo
rum Of the Senate assembled in the Senate
Chamber. and, upon motion. without ever
the form of and election, placed one o
the number in the Chair. ard proceeded
to expel the Senator fom Clark Count,
from his seat. Well knowing that thei
proceedings were in direct violation of thu
constitution. they did not even certify t.
the Executive Department that said sea
was vacant, so that an election could no
be ordered. But from said second day o
February. until the close of the session
the Secretary of the Senate. chosen BY
these men, refused 10 call the name of the
Senator. when directed by the Presiden
of the Senate.
Thus. after the Legislature had been il
session for the full consti uttonal term o
81 days. after they had expended mor'
than 100000, they adjourned. leaving In
diana without the laws essential to main
tain ner honor and credit. And from III,
day of said adjournment up to this time
! have seen nothing which inclines me I,
believe that the ~ days Of called session
would not be as fruitless of good as the 6
days Of the last. do not believe that i
is either for the welfare or hon)r Of tn,
State that special session should be called
and S6J,GO0 more ofyourm oney expended
in re acting the Scenes Of last winter l
you desire the passage of these laws. 20,
have it in your power to make your Rep
reseniatives obey your will.
The State was brought to its presnt con
dilion by no act of the Executive. Thelt
has been no int rference with the right.
and privileges Of the Legislative Depart
ment. One branch of the department il
no haste, but after calm aud mature delib
erations. has declared that they wonld no
sustain the Constitution.
1t is to be regretted by all good citizens
that Indiana, while she 10 growing il
wealth snd influence. should be str'cl
down from her proud pos Ion. without
giving to you. the people, any right t'
pass judgment upon the action Of the I:el
who gave the blow; that your Represeta
lives. without giving yoa any warning
should proceed to fasten on you all thu
odium Of repudia;ion-throw back upor
you the inmates Of your asyums. where
they were being restored to reason or Ell
ucated for usefulness.
To all men have said that as far al
the measures alluded TO are concerned
they command my approval And wher
there is substantial hope that your Repre-
sentatives will pass them. l will exercise
the over vested in me under The constilu
ton. and call special session Of the Gen
eral Assembly.
| ASHBEL =. WILLARD.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Indianapolis. Ind. April 90. 1879