The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-27
Afternoon Session.

The Senate Immediately ed itself into
committee of the whole Mr.. Henry in the chair
MI Sayre believed this TO be the first time in
the history Of the Democracy of Indiana when
they have been driven to Republican Iowa
for succor, and the only time when Repub-
lioans are compelled 10 cite almost entirely
Democratic authority and Democratic prece-
dents in favor of the adoption of the minority
report He was understood to say that in con-
struing the constitution 1t ia not always to be
done according to the letter. Every lawyer who
reads the constitution for himself does so by the
aid of certain rules OF construction, because of
the infirmity OF human nature and language,
which become to him part and parcel of the CON
stitution itself The spirit of the instrument
itself is to be determined by many circum-
stances. In this case, if the word entered
does not mean to spread at length upon the jour
nails, then IL is the duty Of every senator, II he
can flnd in the dictionary or in the common ac-
ceptatiOn of the meaning of the word any mean
ing that will permit further action for the pur-
pose OF accomplishing this result, it is his sworn
duty to give 1t that meaning aud let the progress
OF these amendments go on Another rule
questions of this character Is to look at pFeee-
dents. The Wabash and Erie canal precedent Is
one that ought TO be binding upon the con-
sciences ana Oaths of members of thls General
Assembly. Referring to tho plea of strict con-
strucIionists, he declared that no journals of any
General Assembly have ever yet been published
according to tho strict construction of the con-
stitutional provision, that "each House shall
keep journal of its proceedings and publish
the same" as neither House has ever published
its journal They have been published under an
act passed by both.
Mr.. Van Vorhis had not intended to address
the Senate again upon this subject. but under
the circumstances it seems proper. The i'm
pOrtancs of the subject is a sufficient excuse. No
more sacred trust has been committed to men
than is by article 16 OF the constitution. A
proposition TO amend the organic law would ap-
pear to be a matter of the highest Importance,
requiring the most careful and conscientious
consideration. 1t has been denied that this body
has any right to deliberate upon this question,
or for any member to express any opinion, ex-
cePt to say AYE" when the members name is
called. This Is calculated to excite surprise. 1t
has also been said we have no right to refuse to
agree to these amendments proposed to the con-
sttution He believed the doctrine of subms-
sion as advocated in the last campaign to be a
monstrons absurdity. He spoke at great length.
When he had concluded, on motion of Mr.. Ora
ham, the committee arose, reported progress,
and asked leave to sit again Monday at o'clock
NJ. The report was cOncurred in by the Senate.
On motion, it was ordered that when the SEN
ate adiourns it he till Monday at 1890 O'clock
Mr.. Benz offered resolution, which
adopted, allowing the assistant d0orkeepers So
. day, Mr.: Duncan objecting to the twelve door
Keepers Of the Senate being allowed more than
the seven doorkeepers OF the House, inasmucn
as the latter do as much work as the former
The Senate adjourned, und-r the order adopted
this afternoon, till Monday at o'clock ?. M