The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-04-13
RernIntinn In Indiana.

that the powers OF the Government
are divided into the Legislative, the
Executive, and the judicial. In this
division the Legislative is very proper
" placed first. It is presumed to
represent the people the most directly,
and for that reason entitled to prece-
dence. In case either of these de
partments of the government are de-
stroyed the Government itself falls to
pieces. for no two or one of the de-
partments can, 10 the slightest par
ticular, take the place Of. or discharge
the functions of, another.
Indiana has no longer State Gov
eminent. She has an Executive De-
partment to execute the law; she
has Judiciary to decide upon their
validity; but she has no Legislative
Department to enact laws and provide
means for keeping the other depart
ments In operation. Without Leg
islature, we might as well have no
Executive or Judiciary. 1t is upon
the action of the former that the lat
ter branches of the Government de-
pend, not only for their existence, but
their usefulness.
Section IL of article of the Con-
stitution provides that two-thirds of
each House shall constitute quorum
to do business; but smaller number
may adjourn from day to day, and
compel the attendance Of absent
members. It is evident that the
trainers of our State Constitution,
thought they had provided. in this
clause, against any possible destruc-
ton Of the Legislature. Although a
majority of the members of the Con-
stitutional Convention were Demo
Gratis, they little imagined the revo-
lutionary tendencies of their party.
Had such a condition of affairs as
now exist been deemed possible. the
Convention would undoubtedly have
protected the State against the evil
consequences likely to ensue, by
constitutional provision. AS it is, a
small but faetious minority of the
Legislature have broken up the State
Government and thrown its affairs
into inextricable confusion IF the
Democratic minority Of the present
Legislature persist in their policy, the
State is without Legislature for many
years to come. IF a minority of one
Legislature is justified in breaking
up that body to prevent the intro
duction and enactment of objection
able legislation, then a minority of the
next Legislature may do the same
thing. Evenly balanced as parties
are in this State, it is hardly con-
ceivable that in any well contested
election any one party will succeed in
electing two-thirds majority of both
branches of the Legislature. Hence,
if the ones third minority can dictate
the enactment of such laws as are
not Objectionable to it, and none eth
ers, the precedent established by the
present Legislature will justify it in
boiling and breaking up the Legis-
lature Of which it is a component
part.
The present action of the Demo
cratic legislators is most alarming.
1t shows an indifference to their sol
emn obligations and duties that must
excite the gravest apprehensions
in the minds of the people. The
refusal of the recently elected
members to qualify and take their
seats demonstrates the existence of &
well-organized conspiracy to break up
the State Government. 1t IS as much
a conspiracy and revolution as were
the various secession conventions
held in the Southern States in 1860
and 1861. With the law-making
power of the State throttled by the
very Constitution which brought ii
into existence, it becomes a very
serious question what step shall be
taken next to restore order out of the
confusion.
We submit this question for the
consideration oe our readers: " If a
minority of the State Legislature. dis
regarding the spirit of the State Con-
stitutiou, but acting in harmony with
the letter thereof, attempt to subvert
the State Government, may not the
majority of the same Legislature, act
ing in harmony with the spirit of the
Constitution, disregard its letter in
order to prevent that revolution and
the anarchy that would follow its sue
cess2
Our late war demonstrated that
revolution and rebellion are not put
down by squeamish adhesion to the
strict letter of the law. The Legisla-
tive, Executive, and even the Judi
: ial Departments of our National Gov
eminent were compelled, not anfre-
quently, to assume responsibilities,
perform acts, anu give decisions that,
under other circumstances, would not
have been thought of or hazarded.
We trust the majority of our present
Legislature will not hesitate to assume
any responsibility that may attach
to a firm discharge of their duty
as legislators. If the minority
will not discharge their duty, let them
settle that neglect with their imme-
date constituents. If aoe are to haze
revolution to break up the State Cor
eminent. fre mil Be M aroa.ee a a, anitb