Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-03-10

and conferred upon the officers thus ap-
pointed TO select numerous and expensive
staff. A '8
Fifth. It provided that the four. State
officers. upon the requisi,ion Of the Briga-
dier Generals, should issue the arms to
such persons as might be agreed upon
without requiring bonds to be given for
their preservation and return, and could
thus be placed in the hands of irresponsi-
bic parties for revolutionary and treason
able purposes.
Sixth 1t provided FOR tie repeal OF the
preseat Legion law, the dissolution Of all
brigades, regiments and companies foim-
ed under that law, the surrender OF their
arms into the hands of the agents to be
appointed by the four State. officers, and
rendered null and void all outstanding
commissions in tine State.
In short this bill transferred to the four
State officers the military power which
was vested in the Governor by the Con-
stitutiou, and gave to them new and dan
gerous powers hitherto unknown to Con-
sti,utions or laws in regularly organized
governments. Hf
They were to become four Grand Com
manders, a Military Directory. a quadru-
pie Executive.
The bill was defective in one particular,
for it failed to provide for the contingency
Of two Of these Executive Heals differing
from the other two. II should have made
provision Ia such case for referring dis
puted mater to Justics OF the Peace, or
the decision of Coroner's Jury. Laugh
ter.
The Legislative history Of this bill could
not be better given than in language en-
ploycd by the Union members Of the Leg
islature in their Address to the People Of
the State:
ACTION OF THE MINORITY.
'.Thc Military bill had come from the
midnight caucus to the House; had been
printed and forced to its engrossment with
out the change of . word or letter; all
amendments and substitutes had been vo-
ted down; all references to committees had
been refused. although every other bill OF
general character that had gone to the
second reading had been referred to some
committee; the previous question had been
sustained, the gng applied. and all debate
cut off. and the bill engrossed. Nothing
was left but for us to sit by and see this
infamous measure passed through, the rev.
olution consummated ard civil war begun,
or to quietly retire and leave the House
without a quorum; there was no other
peaceful and constitutional remedy. II it
had been left to the Courts to annul it, be-
fore the question could have been deter
mined the law would have done its work.
The military power once in the hands vi
tho conspirators, it would be matter oi
no importance what the courts might de.
eide; and IL the question took the course oi
others before the Supreme Court, it might
be months or years before the decision
was made. The path of duty was the path
of safety sand se had no doubts nor hesi-
tation as to the course we shcald pursue.
We were willing and anxious. and re-
peatedly proposed to the majority to re.
turn and pass the appropriation bills. with
all other legitimate anu lawful legislation
but they replied to Us contemptuously thai
they intended to pass every one Of their
ultra measures before they took up the ap'
preparation bilis.'" m a8s ffaEfi
The Military Bill violated absolutely
no less than seven plain and vital provis
ions Of the Constitution. and dsabverted en-
tirely the scheme OF Government invented
by the trainers OF that instrument. 1t,
passage would have been an act Of revolu
tion inevitably attended by civil war and
collision with the Government Of the Uni
ted States.
There were doubtless q number Of Dem
ocratic members in the Senate who di,
not sympathize with the conspiracy, an
who deprecated the desperate measures il
progress. But the Union members in bot
Houses believed that If it passed the Hons
it would pass the Senate. The action O
the majority was predetermined in secre
caucus from time to time, and the part
lash laid nnsparingly upon the backs 0
all who dared to talk OF doubts or hesita
ted at the fearful schemes of the reckles
leaders who were debating the action Q
the party. & ,Hf = .srsa ~
The Legislature was in scssio fifty OF
Of the fifty nine legislative days, with
quorum present in each House, durin
which time, as before stated, no nppropris
tion bills were brought forward except fo
their own per diem and mileage, am, Ii
Union members withdreS from the Hous'
only after every other means had been es
hausted to prevent the passage Of the fats
measure. -
Thus ended this Legislature, havin
made the worst record, perhaps. ever lad
by any Legislative Assembly in he Unite
; States. Loud cheers.
II u THE BESEvoLESr INSTITUTIONS 9
Immediately upon the adjournment
: the Legislature, it was announced by Il
' State officers that there were no appropr
! atoms for carrying on the benevolent inst
3 tutions aud the penitentiaries. and that n
money could be drawn from the Treasur
, for that purpose 1t was the confident G,
!, pectation that | would be compelled to ca
n back the Legislature or suspend the opcrs
v tions Of all those institutions-but d
v tefmined to do neaher.. 10 have calle
Il back the Legislature would have been a
l. act of madness for which / would hai
v been condemned BY every true man in II
IT State, To. have suspended the Benevolel
e Institutions and scattered the unfortuna