The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-31

Mr.. Jewett, from the committee on ways and
means, presented the grneral appropriation Dill
for 1888, 1884 and 1885.
The bill passed to the second reading.
The House, as in Committee, then reviewed me
condition of the amendments.
Mr.. Mellett resumed the discussion of the
question where he left off for the noon RECESS.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Mellett's remarks, Mr..
Gibson moved that the committee
that the House take n vote on the adoption Of
the reports ON next Tuesday at 10 A. NJ. The
motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Smith, of Tippecanoe, said: | have no de-
sire TO set myself right before my constituents.
] have confidence in them and | am sure that
they have confidence in me. To speak OF the
constitutioDality of the constitutional amend
ments is "A mlsnomer. Whenever the people pass
favorably upon the amendments this becomes a
part of the constitution. 1t has been decided
that the people in their sovereign power could
cure any little irregularitY that might be found
in the various stages that the amendments pass
through before their submission to the people. It
is the province of a court To speak the law, and 1t
is the province OF the Legislature TO make laws.
l stand by the rights of the people to make,
frame and amend the organic laws of the country.
Mr.. Mock discussed the question from a legal
point. For himself he would saw that no amend
ments TO the constitution are before this General
Assembly. We're we to pass them and the peo-
pie ratify them, a decision OF the Supreme Court
would ser them aside.
Mr.. Adams held legislative construction OF
such a question to be paramount to any judicial
decisions on the subject. You can tell just as
ago as you can what laws were passed then. No
clerical error ought to defeat the will of the
people.
Mr.. Wright believed the contents of the joint
resolution proposing amendments to the consti-
tuition should be considered, ana then, did it
receive the required vote in the General Assem-
bly,. The directory and mandatory questions do
not come into the discussion. To enter upon the
journal does not mean spreading at large on the
journal. II the trainers of the constitution
meant enter in full, why did they not say center
at largel' Can any one tell why the legislative
ana executive construction of this question
should be 0verthrowna Who dare say such pre-
cedents are likely TO work harm to the people OF
Indianaq If these amendments are stitled, the
people will consider 1t a shame. They are fairly
before the General Assembly, and he should so
vote.
Mr.. Shockney insisted we are here TO carry
out the will of those we represent. The people
of the State are demanding that this child shall
not be s.ifed in its infancy. Will gentlemen,
because OF "A mere technicality, say they shall
not have a voice on this question: Constitutional
and legal questions cannot be settled by a strict
party vote. The people should have the right to
say whether these proposed amendments shall
become c part OF the constitution or not. The
one question pending is, will we submit them or
nOtl
When lie had concluded, Mr.. Wilson, of Ma
rton, moved that the committee rise, report
progress, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow
morning.
And then came an adjournment till 10 O'Clock
tomorrow under the rules.