98. Official Notice of Election (June 22, 1846). The following official election notice, given in conformity with the provisions of the act providing for the submission of the question of calling a constitutional convention, was promulgated by the sheriff of Cass county on June 22, 1846. [Logansport Telegraph, June 27, 1846.] CONVENTION NOTICE The qualified voters of Cass County, Indiana, are notified that at "the annual election in August next" (1846), a poll will be opened in the several townships in said county, to receive votes for or against a convention to alter, revise, or amend the Constitution of this State, at which every voter, if he choose, may vote for or against the calling of a convention, and if such voter shall be in favor of a convention, he shall write or print on the same ballot with which he votes for State or county officers, the words, "For a Convention;" but if against a convention, he shall in the same manner have the words "Against a Convention," on his ballot as aforesaid. It is made the duty of the inspectors and judges of elections to certify the votes given for and against a convention to the clerk of the circuit court in the same way and manner, and under the same restrictions and penalties that votes for State and county officers are certified. June 22, 1846. A. Vanness, Sh'ff. C. C. 99. Marr's Schoolhouse Resolutions (March 14, 1846). During the campaign of 1846 very few resolutions were adopted either approving or condemning the proposal to call a constitutional convention. In fact the political literature of the period yields only two. The first of these was adopted by the voters of Perry township, Marion county, at a meeting held at Marr's Schoolhouse on March 14, 1846. These resolutions were in the nature of an address to the voters of the State, and set forth the changes which it was thought wise to make in the constitution. In addition to the address certain resolutions were adopted condemning electioneering, and requesting the General Assembly to regulate the compensation of attorneys and physicians, to increase the jurisdiction of justices of the peace to embrace the sum of $200 and to reduce the fees of recorders and clerks. [Indiana State Sentinel, March 19, 1846.] FELLOW CITIZENS-The only proper object of government being the greatest good of the people, whenever it fails of the attainment of that end, there is a right in people, and it is weeks, and that the compensation to a legislator shall be fixed by the constitution at two dollars per day. Eighth. That the Governor's term of service be changed from three years to four years, and to be ineligible until after the intervention of the succeeding term; also, that the senatorial term be ur years; which will, unless there should be a called session, rere them to serve two sessions, and that the representatives be ed for two years; which, unless there should be a called seswould require them to serve one session only. inth. That all fines which by our present constitution go to ve named particulars, after much reflection, we are hat the several counties of this State are hereby uested to call public meetings; that this address tions may be taken under their consideration, and these, or similar resolutions. at the Editors of all the newspapers printed at Inthroughout the State, are hereby respectfully reh the foregoing address and resolutions-that all State may be informed thereof, that there may be ounty Resolution (May, 1846). popular resolutions was adopted by the people of me during the month of May, 1846. te Sentinel, May 28, 1846.] pprove of the act of the last General their duty to reform the same by rectifying the errors or omissions of their old forms. In view of this truth, and in view of the fact that the people of this State will have to decide at the ensuing election in August, whether our Constitution needs any amendment, we have thought fit to bring before the minds of our fellow citizens for their contemplation, some of the points which we deem worthy of consideration, and which we request may be duly weighed by the voters of this State before they shall have to decide upon the question of "Convention," or "No Convention." First. Would it not be a profitable change in our Constitution to require the legislature to sit once in two years, instead of once in each year? We think it would. Second. In order to lessen our county expenses throughout the State, would it not be well to dispense with the associate judge system? We are of opinion that such a change is desirable. Third. In order to shorten the time of legislative sessions, ought not the constitution to be so amended as to vest many subjects of local legislation in the county authorities; and to prohibit the General Assembly from passing upon them? We think such amendment is necessary. Fourth. Inasmuch as a great deal of time is consumed and consequent expense incurred, by the General Assembly's constructively usurping judicial power on the subject of divorces, in defiance of the proper division of the powers of sovereignty between the three great departments of government: Is it not necessary that the General Assembly should be expressly prohibited by the constitution from granting divorces? We think there should be such prohibition. Fifth. Would the interest of the people be as well served, and their rights as well secured, by a less numerous legislative body than by the present number? and if so, might not the number of senators be reduced to twenty-five, and the number of representatives to fifty? withholding from the General Assembly the power of increasing the number. We think such a change is desirable. Sixth. We respectfully suggest another change as respects the qualifications of senators and representatives, to wit: That a representative shall be at least twenty-five years old, and a senator at least thirty years old. Seventh. It is our opinion that the constitution should be so amended as to restrict the term of the legislative session to six weeks, and that the compensation to a legislator shall be fixed by the constitution at two dollars per day. Eighth. That the Governor's term of service be changed from three years to four years, and to be ineligible until after the intervention of the succeeding term; also, that the senatorial term be four years; which will, unless there should be a called session, require them to serve two sessions, and that the representatives be elected for two years; which, unless there should be a called session, would require them to serve one session only. Ninth. That all fines which by our present constitution go to county seminaries, shall go to common schools, and in such way that each township shall have the benefit of its own fines. If the happiness of man requires him to form societies and nations, to such associations all men agree that government is necessary; it is indispensible in order to guard against numberless evils proceeding from a wrong will or a misguided judgment; like all the other productions of imperfect beings, government itself is imperfect and can only be amended as experience and observation shall be enabled from time to time to point out its imperfections, and the deliberate judgment of the people shall apply itself to rectify them. In the above named particulars, after much reflection, we are of opinion that the interest of the people requires a change in our constitution; and we make this address to our fellow citizens throughout the State, that their attention may be called to this subject before the time for decision shall arrive. Resolved, That the several counties of this State are hereby respectfully requested to call public meetings; that this address and these resolutions may be taken under their consideration, and that they adopt these, or similar resolutions. Resolved, That the Editors of all the newspapers printed at Indianapolis, and throughout the State, are hereby respectfully requested to publish the foregoing address and resolutions-that all the people of the State may be informed thereof, that there may be concert of action. 100. Washington County Resolution (May, 1846). The second of these popular resolutions was adopted by the people of Washington county sometime during the month of May, 1846. [Indiana State Sentinel, May 28, 1846.] Resolved, That we approve of the act of the last General |