Year: 1866

Mr.. SPEAKER: In considering these
resolutions the first question that presents
itself is whether there exists necessity
for legislation. Are the evils which ex'
ist of such magnitude as to amount to
public grievance which this Legislature
is bound to take notice of and apply
remedy. IF this necessity does not ex-
7st. if an that we have heard and read on
this subject amounts to nothing more
than clamor, having no foundation in
the condition of, thiags, then it is our
duty to dismiss the matter as not a fit
subject Of legislation, ii, on the con-
traTy, the necessity IF remedial legisla-
ton, growing out Of the abnormal con-
dition of things resulting from the war,
can be shown, then oar &0ty is plain.
We should adopt practical measures of
relief without violating the fundamental
Mlaw Of the land. But if no such meas
ASes can be adopted witb;R the scope of


sslative power then we will have to
we the subject where we find it, remit


to the people and let them work out.
heir deliver8nce by their own individual
xefforts and resources as best they can.


How then are we to determine this
first question? What kind of proof is
REQUIRED to establish the existence of this
necessity? If q case Of private grievance
were presented to as, individual interest
would be q sufficient incentive to the
party complaining to put US in posses"
sion of the facts in the shape of evidence,
and we would be aided in the investiga-
ton of the matter by established rules
and forms of procedure. Bat here the
case is different; it is a public grievance
which we are invited to consider, not q
question of private interests, nor of the
interests of class, but Of the community,
afahe,Statc. It is not question be-
tween .oreditors and debtors 1t has
arisen from the relation existing between
these two classes Of persons, but out OF
that relation has sprung a question OF
State policy what shall be done to re"
ilieve she distressed and to avert the ruin
which iinpends over the State, if the pee
fple are left to discharge their legal obi
cations according to the usual forms of
procedure? This is the true question.


The evil complained of being one that
has grown out of the condition Of things
in which the people have found them
selves placed by the results of the. war,
and affecting them most directly and in
ftimately it would seem that they are the
most competent judges of its character
and extent. The immediate cause of this
evil, alleged, is an amount of indebt-
.ednesS which cannot be discharged at
once and at the will of the creditor.
Who so capable Of judging of this fact as
Athe people themselves? They under
and their real condition, and they have


N expression TO their opinions in Ian


that cannot be misunderstood. In


sarts of the State they have held


7eetings and adopted resolutions


2on his Exeellency the Governor


the Legislature in extraordi-


session, to take the subject into


sideration and adopt measures of re.


f. How many OF these primary meet
ngs have been held | am not prepared to
y, but in the section of the State which


part represent they have been sufi-


fly numerous and we'll attended to


te what is the public sentiment.


baraeter Of these popular assem-


nd their action show that the peo-


eve there is just cause for the ap-


on, that unless something be