Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-01-14
The Constitutions. COnven-


The Illinois State Constitutional Cor
vention convened at Springfield on list
Tuesday, and organized by the election Of
the fol- Living officers: For President. W.
A. Hacker, Of Warren county; Secretary,
William Springer, Of Logan Assistant
Secretary, j. W. Merritt, of Marion; Ser
geant at, Arms, John Schell, of Adams
Assistant Sergeant at Arms, VIM. Sands,
SAngamon Postmaster, Robert Burton, OF
Brown.
These gentlemen are alluncompromising
Democrats, and possess the requisite quail
fications for the positions assigned them.-
S1me of them have held high positions
heretofore aud have been distinguished as
champions of the peoples rights and inter-
osts. Their selection, therefore, is hailed
with satisfaction by the Democracy of the
State. Mr.. Hacker, though young man,
comparatively, will make al excellent
President. His knowledge and experience
as parliamentArian eminently fit him for
the important and responsible post to
which his colleagues have chosen him.
The Convention is largely Democratic
and its proceedings, so far, have been char
acterized by high sense Of regard for the
time hcnored usages aud glorious prnc;-
pies of that noble old party. Indeed, the
votes on the various questions which have
been presented, show conclusively, that
brighter and more glorious era is dawuing
in our political horizon. Already the sable
cloud of fanateism is beginning to recede
and our people are encouraged by the pros
pects Of a speedy return to the good old
land marks which made US a great, pros
percus aud happy people, but which have
been discarded and trampled upon by ig>
npble im?osters for the last few years.
Even John Wentworth, who has done
more than any other man in tie State to
make Illinois yield to the erroneous and
dangerous dogmas of Black Republicanism,
is showing signs Of repentance. His move
ments in the Convention give US ground
to hope that he is returning to his first
love. The resolution introduced by him on
the second day after the organization of the
body, inquiring into the affairs of our
State government and requesting the Aud
itOr to furnish information as to its assets
and liabilities, makes the corrupt cabel
about the State House shake in their boots
Howevermuch we may detest the radical
views of Wentworth on the slavery cues
ton, when it comes TO corporations, taxes.
expenditures, and the interests and rights
OF the masses, we always find him on the
RICH: side. And, We doubt not, his ores
erce in the Constitutional Convention will
have most salutary Influence.
Most Of las. Thursday was taken ~ in
discussing the subject Of printing, news
papers aud propositions relative to the
publication Of the proceedings and debates.
The controversy closed, however, BY the
election Of our old friend, Charles II. Ian
phier, printer. Mr.. Lauphier is editor q
the Illinois State Register, paper that
has never finched in its advocacy Of the
great principles which comprise The basis
of all free governments. The election of
Mr.. LaGphier was alike due to his cons
sistency as a Democrat and his location
1t is an endorsement of which he may we'll
feel proud
The resolutions declaring that the power
of the Convention was supreme in the
State, passed by vote Of IS ayes to ii
nays. During the debate On the resclu
tiOns, 1t was urged by several of the most
prominent members that the Convention
had power, if exigencies required it, to ar-
point a Governor and State officers. and
that the Constitution of the United States
was the only restraint on TIE action Of the
body. We never had any doubts on this
score but we cannot see as the interests Of
our State would suffer any great detriment
considering all the circumstances, by per-
hitting the present officers 10 complete the
terms for which they have been respective
ly elected.
On the 10Th, as will be seen by the alb
st:act of the proceedings given in another
column, resolution was submitted by the
President of the Convention, declaring
that the writ cf haGeos corpus should never
be suspended in the State The events of
the past few months convince us that such
a resolution is called for, and we earnestly
trust it may be adopted and become part
of the new constitution. The people can
not be too careful of their rights and lib
critics, and it is just that they should be
protected from usurPation and despotism
come from whatever quarter they NAV. A
resolution was passed on the same day, de-
claring that the Legislature should be pro-
hlbited by constitutional provision from re
leasing the Illinois Central Railroad frcm
the seven per cent. tax. This will meet the
appreciation of the people of the State -
The mammoth corporation should be de-
oaTeu irom Approaching our Legislature on
the subject, and the tax made perpetual, as
was at irstl tended.
The question If submitting tie new cen
stitution to the people, after it shall have
been drafted by the Convention, for their
approval or rejection, has been decided in
fevor Of submission. This is proper, tho
the Convention is under no obligations in
the matter. The majority can do as they
please about submitting the document -
There can be no question about this The
validity Of the constitution would be the
same.
We are leased TO notice that the Demo,
cratic members Of the Convention have act
ed harmohiuusly on all questions of import
- Al 4.