Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-02-19
FROM JEFFERSON.
JEFFERSON Cry, Feb. 8


tutional amendment relative to the limita-
ton of the Stale debt 10 thirty millions Of
dollars.
A message was received from the Senate
announcing the progress of business in that
House.
Mr.. REID of Jackson was led TO introduce
this resolution fer the purpose of limiting
tho State debt, and thus by inspiring con-
lidence among bond buyers and holders that
the same will not run into needless or reck
less expenditure of Slate credit, to elevate
and maintain the value Of the bonds.
He thought this the most favorable time
for such an amendment, as many of the bonds
still remain subject 10 the control Of the par
ties to whom they have been awarded. I'm
less some such amendment prevailed 1t
would be useless 10 grant State aid, as the
interest and discount of the bonds issued
would eat up the main part of the sums
which should accrue for the prosecution OF
our great works.
Mr.. GRAVES stated that although he had
called up the resolutions, he did it only that
Il fair opportunity might be given TO hear
both sides, and to take the sense of the
House its propriety For himself, he OBJ
iectcd TO it, as rejecting upon the discretion
Of Legislatures hereafter to convene. He
could not conceive that any future General
Assembly would come here less careful
than this, and was unwilling TO cast slur
upon them.
Mr.. Sw1TzLER Of Boone, moved to amend
by inserting clause to the effect that the
limitation should be effectual unless other
wise determined by the people at the polls.
Mr.. Wilson Of Platte spoke in opposition
TO both resolution and amendment. He was
opposed to a limitation which he considered
would eiTectually stop the progress of inter-
nal improvements in the State. He thought
it wrong TO give State aid to certain roads
and forbid it by constitutional provision &c
+ any other. He looked upon it as methodi'
cal method Of saying that the people are I'M
able to govern themselves in the choice Of
! Of wise and discreet representatives. II
his opinion the best means to raise the cred
I it OF the State TO the standard OF par wOult
be to create an adequate fund for tn: pay
mont of interest as it falls due and the bond:
as they become payable. The security re
CURED by the State is ample TO afford secu
rity for the loan. II a judicious course o
internal Improvement was carried on with
0 out respect to a limitation to be now estab
lished, that would of itself inspire conf
. dence, and ten years hence the country vii
be as able to pay off debt Of one hundred
millions as she can now liquida,e thirt,
c millions.
Mr.. JONES of Galloway would like Stat,
aid to certain projects, but saw the necessi
ty Of some such provisions as this and wouI'
yield hi, private liking to what he conceived
r TO be beneficial act for the welfare Of tn
= State. He should vote against the amend
= ment offered as upturning the entire svsten
: of constitutional legislation, so far as regard
= this one thing. He thought Limitation ne
: cessury also, as preventing reckless expend
y iure, and as establishing a safeguard for tn
protection Of the tax payers as well as 70
the bond holders. He moved to reject tn
amendment OF Mr.. Switzler.
Mr.. DARNEs of Scott would go in stron
for the constitutional amendment as original
~ proposed, and should hardly feel incline
. to vote further appropriations of State al
un'ess some restriction was placed upon it.
Mr.. Dick OF st. Louis would vote again,
the amendment of Mr. Swilzer as upturr
ing the method of the constitution, and eay
ing to hasty vote Of the people the decis
d ion OF question which by the constitution
= has to pass through certain forms after
d consideration ample to secure advised actor
The proposed amendment makes no proyi,
ion for the way Of taking OF the vote.
=, Mr.. JONES of Franklin supposed the mai
4 thing was 10 exact some certainty. I'll
=, amendment is liable TO the objection that
# does not provide means OF obtaining I'll
sense OF the people, and all know it is
very uncertain mode Of Legislation 10 subm
l. 1t 10 the people. If the object is TO be
" sustain the credit OF the State, the amenl
Il. ment must be positive in its terms and Ii
subject to a contingency, as to be altered
'r a simple vote of the people.
D. A message was here received from Il
III Senate asking for the return Of act fxir
IS time of holding Circuit Court in llth jud
! cial Circuit as soon as possible. Returne
Mr.. SwIrzLER criticised the remarks
in gentlemen, especially the last, in assumir
io the position that legislation by the people
s. the ballot box, as he proposed, was DANCE
l. Gus. He did not believe it so, and was qui