The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-06-14
THE AMENDMENTS AGAIN.
A sound and Logical Argument by Hon. W.
ID. Bynum.

A Sound and Logical Argument by Hon. w.
ID. Bynum.
The following we find in the Vincennes
News, written from this city by Hon. w. d.
Bynum:
Iobserve that you advocate the submission Of
the proposed prOh.bitOry amendment TO direct
vote of the people. and take the position that IL is
proposition correctly and fully, your posisioD
would be untenable and the absurdity OF your
any democrat has or viii oppose the submiss io
of this amendment 70 q direct vote, II II should
progress sufficiently for that question 10 arise.
be convinced that you are in error in advocating
the submission Of the amendment now; and in ar
rsigning those who oppose the amendment as De
sirOus Of preventing the people from passing upon
II. That person who IS opposed 10 The amend
ment and declares his opposition now is opposed
to submitting the question 70 the people Is false
in logic and false IN TACT. The question Tor the
next Legislature 70 determine is not ''5hall the
amendment be submitted 10 the people?" the
same as any other lew that may be enacted. The
question OF submission does not ald can not
arse until the amendment IS approved BY the
next legislature; and should such a thing take
place venture the assertion, without any fear Of
Contradiction by the facts. that not single
Democrat viii be found opposing the submissi IN
The trainers OF the Constitution certainly never
contemplated that The question OF submitting
proposed amendment a direct vote of the peO
pie should be subject OF controversy. II the
amendment is approved by the next Legislature
the Constitution says 1t shall be submitted If
IL il approved IL not be SuDIQltteu nOWeN-
er deslrOus the Legislature might be OF doing SO.
An amendment 70 become part of the COnsIitU-
ton must stand the test Of three separate ap
prevails. IL must De approved by one, or Inst
Legislatures il must stand the scrutiny of two
years examinations and at the end Of that time
be approved by the next, or second Legisstu re
itmusI then be submitted TO direct vote OF the
people. and. II approved by them at the polls, il
becomes part OF the organic law. These distinct
examinations and approva!s II was and is intend
ed should be separate and independent of each |
other. in order tnat 10 mistake could possibly be
made. kacn step In the adoption OF an amend
ment is intended a time for the es- !
pecial examination or re-examinatiOn Of tbs mer
its and dement's OF the proposition In the discus
sion Of the present provision for amending the |
Constitution, Robert Dale Owen SAID: Now l |
think IL 10 be made imperative that an amend |
ment proposed 10 he made in the Constitution |
shall be voted for by two successive Legislatures
to be elected with reference to that particular
ject the question viii be debated before the peO
pie and they will send Senators and Representa- |
ton" Mr.. ReardoJ said: ''If changes De required
let the repre- entstveS OF the people suggest them
point them out, and let the pubic voice De heard
on the subject; thus you will have great Sc /
curly as is necessary against ineonsiGerate aud /
nasty changes Men VIII De electel IN the differ
ent Counties Of the state with view expressly 10
such questions OF change and amendment" 1
After an examination of the provide
ton OF amendments snd the decl IA
ton made at the time OF is origin, by some of It's
authors IL is certainly apparent that the cry for
submission" is prematurely raised Suppose
the next Legislature. when 1t Assem- bes should
vote OF the people, would this satisfy those who
are clsInOring for submission? If ii will, l ven
ture. ii viii be satisfactory TO the opponents of
the measure. But something more is required, |
and those clamOnug for submission want ap-
prOval By the next Legislature rs well as subnis-
sion Now l desire 10 be liberal in This rnsttar
ard discuss il fairly. Ii is claimed that the next
Leg stature should approve this amendment sim
ply that the people may have vote on IL direct
tpol our legislative bodies? Are the members 10
close their eyes 10 the provisions of a proposed
amendment 70 the Constitution an blindly an-
prove IL, simply because there is chance to cor
rect their blunder; Are they, after having taken
solemn oath 10 support the Constitution,
To- be required to do violence 10 its spirit III not
its word and letter IL the very Eext breath? Is
this the in which the safeguards thrown
around our COnstitutOD.for Its protection and the
protection of the rights of the people are 70 be
pIeserved2 Is there no responsibility resting
with the Legislature in this matter, simply be-
cause there is another step be taken before the
amendment can be finally adopted? Why re
quire the second Legislature 10 pass upon the
question IL IL is mere machine? Such posi- ,
ton Is certainly too fallaclOus T. admit of argu
ment. But let us see tho in reality is opposed to
the peODie being hesrd on the question Who is
to decide the question whether the amendment
shall be approved by the next LEGISLATURE and
submitted TO a vote of the people. but The people
themselves? Is II not the representatives to be
ton? is il not their wish that the next Legisla-
ture should voice? and why attempt 10 seal
t . lips at the hrst opportunity given
so directly affecting their nights and liberties?
fairer expression of the will Of the people can be
had now Than at any other time. The records OF
direct votes upon amendments show that scarcely
third Of the total vote is cast. The approval
by the Legislature twice being taken as almost
conclusive evidence of the propT1ety of the meas
ure- The total vote cast for and against the last
Constitutional amendments was a little less than
1900 while at The preceding election for Mem.
bers OF the Legislature, over 40 600 votes were
cast; falling off of near $4,000 votes nearly
three times the vote in favor of the adoption
OF tbe Amendments. II is well known fact that
the freods of measure will turn out and give it
their support while its opponents remain indif
fereut aud inactive and in this fact lies the secret
of the cry of submission" II is feared that
full expression viii be against the an ndneDt,
and the friends Of the measure wish 10 avoid the
issue now In the hopes that a minority may have
Al opp lrtunity 10 succeed On final vote. What J
Is the result OF such action? Three hundred !
submission, are to be deprived OF the
right Of expressing their sentiments upon the
question al proper time and in one OF the ways !
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the entire vote OF the State
az the next election and, practically, three fOurths
o. II entirely upon this question Is sought under
the pretext OF guarding the sacred rights and
privileges of the voters.
Are the friends OF this s'afraid 10 break
lance OF Shiver spear in the fair lists upon c
the open plain, that thus silent aud sulleD they
retire behind the wall and hide in en- entrench- |
ment constructed for the very purpose of protect
ing themselves against the will of the people for
which they profess such graat respect and veneer [
atom
If this amendment is to be submitted to the
people 10 a constitutional way, - must be sub
mitted to them now; and, If they sanction it by I
electiGg 10 the Legislature who favor its ap-
prOsal let il then be Submitted to direct vote
for adoption, but let not sssst those who from
eOwardiee, by deception, are attempting to rob Z
the people of one Of their votes upon this amend
Dents Ell the coming elaction.
WILLIAM D. BYSUM.