The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-02-18


be divided between the Executive and the
Senate. 1t does not do well to concen-
trate too much power in the hands of one
man, even if he be prudent man; and IN
the absence of other than laudable ambl-
ton he does not want too much power.
| would not be willing to confer the pow
er that this bill does upon the best and
purest man In the State, to say moth
ing of Governor Ames. | would repeat
that there is something In this bill besides
what appears upon its face. In my
opinion it is intended TO promote ambi-
ton, crafty hate and malice. There are
wiser heads, / will not say purer, behind
the scene, and shrewder hands than those
that copied this bill and presented 1t to this
House, and deeper thought and keener
perceptions than any of the advocates Of
this bill on this floor, have shown so far.
l would again ask you to re-examine,
look at the results that will follow such a
law as this, consider the feelings
that it would arouse in your
own hearts, and then answer me, if it will
not produce similar feelings in the hearts
of others.
The appointment Of these commission
ers, having no connection with the militia
organization Of the State, cannot be made
by virtue of article 8, section4, of the Con-
stitution Then under what provisions OF
the Constitution, do you find the authority
to appoint such officers? These officers are
not Brigadier Generals, neither are they
Major Generals, consequently they cannot
be appointed under the 9th section of the
9th article of the Constitution. Then, gen
tlemen, will you tell me that the authori-
tv to create additional offices, and fill them
by appointment by the Governor, grows
out of the necessity of the case? If so, |
deny it, and call upon you to show me
the necessity or propriety of any such Of
fee or officer. | assume that all the OF
fees necessary for the government of the
people, were created, or provided for by
the Constitution, and that it was not ex
pected, or intended that the Legislature
would 90 on at will, and create offices and
affix high salaries for the benefit of the
friends OF the party in power.
The power proposed to be conferred
upon the Governor in this bill does not
spring from. nor can it be drawn from
article 5, section 8, of the Constitution,
which SAYS it shall be the duty of the
Governor to see that the laws are
faithfully executed. This clause has
reference to the enforcement Of the laws
by the means provided in the Constitu-
ton, and in the manner pointed out by the
law. These remedies are ample, if conf
ded to The hands of honest and faithful
civil officers, without the aid of this semi
military organization.
Section 10 of this bill that provides fol
the holding of office by each member of
the Metropolitan Police Force during
good BEHAVIOR is a direct violation Of
section %, of article 1, of the Constitu-
ton, which declares "that no person shall
ever be elected or appointed to any of.
flee in this State for life, or during good
behavior; but the term of all officers shall
be for some specified period. 1t cannot
be said that this is not an officer,
for the very language of the bill,
is that they "shall hold office. The
I'd section of the bill declares them
to be otficers-that is captains, sergeants
and patrolmen. The 9th section of the
bill then provides for an oath to be taken
by these officers, and speaks of it as an
''oath Of office"
This bill is grossly violative of the
constitutional another particular. That
instrument provides that a sufficient
number of constables shall be elected by
the qualified voters of each district in the
county, and the law prescribes the duties
of these officers; but this bill supercedes
the necessity of these officers by taking
from them large portion of their duties,
and comforting it upon the captains,
sergeants and patrolmen, or any num-
Der of them, such duties as making ar.
rests and searches in any part ofthe State
but still it is claimed as a measure of
peace, intended to restore good order and
quiet throughout the State.
Gentlemen misconceive the character of
the people for whom they are legislating,
if they think measure of this kind, is
one of peace. No, Mr.. Speaker, it is
not intended as a peace offering, but it is
intended for the purpose of producing
strife, contention and, in all probability,
bloodshed.
Mr. KENDRICK (col. )-WiH the
gentleman from Lee allow me to ask him
a question
Mr.. TIsoN-Yes sir; I will answer
any question with pleasure.
MIR. KENDRICK (col. do you think
this bill will cause more trouble in War
rem county than has already occurred
there.
Mr.. TIsoN-I candidly believe it will.
The bill organizes a force styled police,
but really military in its character, to be
used against large portion of the most
substantial, law-abiding, tax-paying,
christian people of Warren county. And
this too Immediately after conflict be-
tween the two parties, growing out of
the expressions in the way of taxation,
forgeries and perjuries of dis
honest ofice-holders. The people will re
gard the passage of bill of this kind
as an effort on the part of the maority
to continue the system of wrong and
outrage that has been so long practiced
towards them, and will rekindle the
flames that had happily, to great extent,
subsidized in the county of Warren. The
passage of this bill and its enforcement
against the people of that county will, in
my opinion, result in the most serious
and disastrous consequences, not only to
the people of that one county, but to the
people throughout the State. Its direct
influence will be upon the people of
Warren county, it will deprive them of,
and drive them from their homes, and
their affairs erected in which to worship
the living God, from the graves of their
fathers, mothers and children. With
these and other uncomfortable conse-
1uences staring US in the face, will you
pass this bill? Do you not know that
such result as this would arouse the
of the people all over the |
State, and of other States? Then will |
he majority of this House not stop,
.hink, reflect long, before you enact into |
aw measure full of hate, vengeance, |
md dire consequences, as there is in this