The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-22
Adjourned Session


The Columbus correspondent of the Cincin.
natl Commercial writes:
The Republicans failed to stick to their
eancus action bat it is understood that the
Senate resolution was amended in the House
80 as TO give further time for confederation
An adjourned session will be held, but the
Legislature cannot adjourn on March l2th.-
All the important measures of the session re,
main to be disposed of.
g Worthy of all honor are such Republicans
as burat away from. and defy caucns dictation
in this matter-for in SO doing they do best
observe the clearly aseertained will of the
people on the subject, for it. is but fair to
assume that the people. in twice defeating a
proposed constitutional amendment providing
for annual sessions, prefer TO thoroughly test
at least, the operation Of biennial sessions
The FIRST Republican Legislature under the
new Constitution, proposed an amendment to
provide for annual sessions and annual elec-
tions. 1t failed to receive the sanction of the
people.
The second Democratic Legislature, under
the new Constitution. proposed an amendment
providing for annual sessions without annual
elections. The people defeated it.
And in regard to adjourHed sessions, the peo-
pie have always clamored against them. They
prefer to give the Constitution, as it is, in this
respect. fair trial, which they have not yet
been able to do, owing TO the dodge of adj
journed sessions and then, il upon actual
experiment. it should become apparent that
the public interests and welfare require annual
sessions. the people will doubtless sustain an
amendment of the Constitution to that eff
feet.
It is said that the Republicans in the cen
trail and Southern portions of the Stae are
generally in favor of an adjourned session
while the Republicans from the Reserve, and
all Northern Ohio.a are quite unanimous against
it.
The Democratic members are, almost to a
man, it is said, against an adjourned session.
We rejoice to see them thus boWing to the
will Of the people, though shrevd discern
ment of their true, mere policy, may largely
influence them in that direction.
Our immediate Senator and Representatives
are opposed to the measure, and are doing all
they honorably can to defeat it !; and in so
doing meet the cordial appreciation Of their
constituents, who, we may say, without the
fear of mistake, with entire unanimity wish
them success in their efforts to prevent the
holding of an adjourned session..
The friends of an adjourned session, claim
that 1t is needful, because it is impossible to
make appropriations for two years, with due
regard TO economy, and the interests of tax
payers. This is mere assumption. An ap-
preparation for two years has never yet been
tried. Try ii-and if it is found to be i'm
practicable, convince the people of the fact
and they will amend the Constitution. But
is it to be seriously supposed that due eeoao
my can be promoted by incurring the expense
of an extra or adjourned session. rather thar
By an honest. earnest and intelligent effort te
make the proper appropriations for two years.
This pretence or alleged reasoa for an ad-
journed session, is. TO our minds, very shall
low and weak one.
Again, it is alleged, that an adjourned ses-
session is necessary in order to redistrict ths
State, under the census of lS60-the feal
being. that if the present Republican majority
in the Legislature do not use their advantage
at this time, and redistrict the State, that the
Democrats, in 1861, may succeed to power
and have in their hands, this very important
matter.
In the FIRST place. it is very doubtful whether
the census returns of 1860. will be completed
SO that redistricting Of the State can b
made before midsummer in 1861 il even al
early as that-and ia the second place, anG