Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-03-10
form basis for further schemes of improve
ment' Of which the necessity will assuredly
be recognized at no distant date.
Indiana Politics.

AAOldld tOllIlcS.
FOR legislative ooups d'etat, secessions.
ana strlies We know Of no state that EQUALS
Indiana. The republicans have had small
majority in the legislature for several years,
but at the last election the democrats secur-
ed small majority of each house. The In
diana Assembly is small body, numbering
but g members, and the presence Of two
thirds Of the number appears to be necessary
IN order to do business. This quorum was
destroyed the other day by the resignation of
ihirty-iour Of the republican members. and
business being thus brought to standstill the
legislature perf0rce adjourned. The reasons
for their course are submitted by the resign
ing members in an address to the public. In
this they say that their action has been CON-
PEELED by the arbitrary 81. tyrannical. -
and - unconstitutional - course Of the dem
ocratie majority. They say
They demanded that we should scouiesce in
the will Of the majority to enact an Infamous,
Ubiquitous snc unconstitutional measure. known
as House Bill No 81, TO apportion the State
for Senatorial and Representative uurposer. de-
nying Us, by the operation Of the - previous
question the right to amend or suggest any
change in the proposed law and BY reason Of
the accidental majority Of the Democratic party
upon the floor Of the House, all debate aud all
amendments were not only cut of, but the bill
referred 10 was placed out Of its regular order,
and given precedence over all other important
legislation then pending and having been
passed TO engrossmeni under the arbitrary rul-
lngt OF the Speaker, IL direct vi&lation Of law.
70 complete the infamy the biz was, by sheer
force Of democratic power, made the speciaI
order for the next day a. 9 O'Clock a. n. there
by declaring that all legislation, Of whatsoever
character or Importance, should be postponed
until the unlawful and unconstitutional behests
Of the majority should be subservei
Inc en0rmity and Infamous character Of this
measure viii be seen when It is considered that,
should this bill become law, the Republican
party might carry the State by 900 msjority.
and yet under its provisions the Democracy
would still control both branches Of the General
Assembly, thus giving to g minority, IN express
violation Of the wishes q 5 majority Of the pee
pie, the United States Senators and all the on
Gers 70 be chosen by the General Assembly. In
deed, il was the open and showed purpose Of the
10 - It-A4hAIAGA INT CAAlt llAL Inc
pubicaus should never aga.r have a majority
in the General Assembly.
They q on TO quote from the constitution
To show that the proposed act was uncJnsti-
ua5nal sav that brute force has been
threatened from the chair to subject Us 70
the arbitrary and unconstitutional demands
of the majority and thas they consider
that their oath 10 supper, the constitution,
c1mQel- them To resign 10 order 10 prevent
the % crime Of It's violation. The case
made cut, is undoubtedly pretty hard one
3ut whether D. is strong enough {, justify 50
desperate d resort. mus, he question with .
many taar-a.flI men The republicans can .
indeed claim democratic precedent fly their
,lur-e. hlt ir we reclllect Alright II was not F.
.e-a-Iel as very elmmeud-hle proceeding
hen. lt is tie Laws o.. such irregular dew
.es that they return 70 plague their invea-
l--. and a- things g IN Indiana. B, las az
-areutlv become the case thar one party OF
he other must have clear two-thirds ma
lrity Of the legislature. 10 order 10 any GER
aiu-y that ]; viii cir and complete lie bust
less Ia an orderly and regular way.