The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-02-10
Gov Wlllards Commissions.

Gov Willards Commissions.
We mentioned few days ago the refusal oil
Gov. Willard to grant commissions 10 TWO
gentlemen as public Notaries, and the refusal r
was accompanied with declaration, and We
understand, sealed by an oath, that under no
circumstances wouldshe commission any man
but ''true blue" Democrat, for any Office in
the State. The spirit Of this reply and the
manner Of expressing it, accord with the range
of the mans views of his duty and position; it
may not be very disgraceful to him, therefore,
but such acts and declarations are burning
stigma of shame to Indiana, and of deep re-
proach to the party that elected him.
But it is fortunate perhaps for those who
applied that he refused their requests. Mr..
Willard is neither Constitutionally nor legally
Governor of this State. A commission issued
BY him cannot confer any more authority to
perform the duties of an Office, than permit
to assume it from any other person. The ac-
acknowledgement Of deed before Notary,
acting under his commission, would have no
legal validity if tested So with the acts of
all subordnates under authority pretended to,
be conferred by him. It's matter likely to
run through all our daily transactions, and at
feet all our titles and contracts. extending
their consequences as far into the future, as
the evidences of our present properly may
reach. 1t is a subject for serious considera,
ton; and one that is to affect Immediately our
commercial interests and the business of every
man relying on the law for his rights. Sup
pose note for 5000 with endorsers on It,
be sent here for collection from New York,
and it should 60 to protest and be protested
by one Of Wizards Notaries, could not the
endorsers in New York plead the want of no
tice, and claim a release from payment, under
the laws Of the State, where the endorsement
was made? The notarial act of SUCH Notary
would have no more credibility or validity
than the private act of any other person. The
law in other States would presume nothing
in his favor; his certificate that he mailed no
tees of non-payment to the endorsers would
be no evidence ofnotice. The endorsers plea
W W sht va AO-tSS+ "OuiA 70 '"iiN. ANO fA'N~Hs
man would act under such commission and
thereby render himself personally liable for
the consequences Of his acts.
No bank, careful of its own interest would
risk to employ such notarial services; anl
what is worse, no careful man would take a
note or bill ofexchange which was made pay
able in this State, if he relied upon the secu
rites at all for the payment Of it. We shall
soon have neither notaries, justices of the
peace, Sheriifs, or Judges legally commission
ed. and though they may he sustained here
the courts of other States will not recognize
their acts when contested. Will not people
everywhere abroad, hesitate TO deal with a
people whose government is so near a state o.
anarchy. These suggestions are not made to
create any unnecessary alarm or promote any
partizan views, but to awaken intelligent and
sound men of AL parties to the actual danger
Of our condition, and the alarming conse
quences entaied on us by the profgate party
leaders who have overthrown the government
Of the State to achieve astation in which Their
vanity leads them to believe they will affair
greatness. but in which their ignorance and
incapacity only reflects dishonor and shame
upon the State they shamlessly injure and de
grade.