The Indianapolis journal., 1896-02-19
our efforts will be crowned with a glorious
success. J. F. DARNAI-L-
Greencastle. Ind. Feb 1s


Special to the indianapolis Journal.
RICHMOND. Ind, Feb. Estate Senator
Charles E. Shively to-day stated definitely
that he would not sign the agreement pro-
posed by the Republican State central COM
mittee to be presented to Governor Mat
thews, and has forwarded the following
letter TO Chairman Gowdy.
MY Dear Sir-While / am in hearty ac-
cord with tnat part of the agreement pre-
pared by the Republican State central COM
which pledges the members Of the Legisla-
ture TO enact an apportlonment law in
strict accordance with the rules laid down
by the Supreme Court In the two recent de-
cis.ons, and one which will be fair and just
to all the people OF the State, and that no
other business should be transacted II a
special session of the Legislature should he
called by the Governor, yet. for plain and
what seems TO me satisfactory reasons, L
must decline to sign that agreement.
the two recent decisions of the Supreme
Court. above referred to. declaring the ap-
portionment laws of 1895 and 1898 unconsti-
tutional and invalid, the act of 1885 and all
other apportionment laws that may be upon
our statutes are clearly unconstitutional
and invalid All lawyers, irrespective OF
party. now concede this proposition TO be
true. The Governor of our State equally
knows this proposition to be true. There
fore, it is his plain and patriotic duty 10
call an extra session of the Legislature.
grounds and for the reason that he believes
his party will reap some advantage by his
act in so refusing to call the Legislature In
extra session. If il should be Said that his
refusal TO call an extra session OF the Legis-
lature is a lack of confidence in the members
of the present legislature, then IT can be
as truthfully said that the individual opin-
ions of the members of our State Legisla-
ture of the Governor are certainly as Ia
vorable to him as his opinion Is or them
If our Governor was less of a partisan and
a patriot WOULD
that ne would not call the Legislature in
an extra session on any account.
when / was inducted into office as State
Senator / took an oath TO support the Con-
stitution of the United States. the Constitu-
tion of Indiana, and to faithfully and hon
estly discharge my duties as such state
Senator. When the Governor qualified him.
self to occupy mis- high office he took SIM
liar oath. 1 feel that 1 have as conscien-
has his; and therefore. do not feel that
should be called on to renew the pledge L
gave when sworn into Office. i am a men,
her of coordinate branch of the State
independent from the other coordinate
branches thereof. No public officer should
perform his duties. With the plain duty
resting upon the Governor to call an extra
session of the Legislature that fair, just
be enacted' he and dpR his advisers must % ss
sumo the responsibility and take the full
consequences If he refuses to perform that
cuty. ANY pledges L may nave 10 make L
Will make to my constituents, and not TO
Democratic Governor. If there are any
pledges to be made, will state further, il
seems to me they should come from the
Governor to the Legislature that he will
not attempt any revolutionary methods to
thwart the will of the people as he did at
the close of the last session of the Legis-
lature. Should the Legislature be convened
in extra session / repeat L will vote and
use my influence TO enact a fair, just and
constitutional apportionment law upon the
lines laid down by the Supreme Court, and
that no further business should be attempt
ed at the special session.
CHARLES z. SHIvELY.
Richmond, Ind, Feb. 49,"