LOUDON,) and had no reverence for his goose quill. It was a piece of hypocritical demagogism, and the people had instantly sent up men to the Assembly to repeal it. How was it possible to make any considerable reduction in the expenses of government when the total expense only amounted to about five per cent. of our total public taxation. The question being on the amendment of the gentleman from Morgan [Mr. HAWKINS] to insert the words "not to exceed," the same was put and lost. Mr. HITCHCOCK of Cuyahoga presented the following amendment: time it is made. Provided, that the Legislature may increase or diminsh such compensation at any time after the year 1860, but no such alteration shall affect the incumbent in office at the and said, he would not detain the committee but for a moment. If there was no other inquiry or question, than as to the salary of the Governor involved in this discussion it would be comparatively of little importance. But, he had supposed from the indications this morning, that the vote on this question would be regarded as a test whether any salaries at all were to be fixed by the Covention. Arguments had been offered in support of placing the Governor's salary at a minimum, and perhaps he would represent his constituents more correctly if he advocated that proposition, but that had been voted down, as well as the proposition to fix a maximum.-The only remaining question is, shall we give the Legislature, the control of it, after a series of years. There seemed to be strong arguments in favor of this proposition, and one prominent reason was, that it was entirely out of our power to determine what would be the value of money at a future period. He proposed as the remedy to fix the salary for ten years. Nor did we know what the people would require ten years hence and it was more than probable that they would find it necessary to make some changes in this respect. If this amendment were not adopted, the difficulties alluded to, could only be overcome by amendments to the constitution, and it was for the purpose of obviating any such inconvenience which might intervene, that he had offered his amendment, He looked at the whole matter of our action here in a different light from that in which it was viewed by some gentlemen. As he said on the previous day, he supposed that they were here only as a mere committee to recommend to the people what seemed best for them to adopt as their organic law. They were the representatives of the people and as such, of their sentiments, and if truly representing those sentinients they said now what the salary was to be, the constitution would go forth as the will of the people and when they had ten years experience of it, the legislature would not interfere unless the people should desire or expediency demand it. He thought, therefore, that it would be proper to fix it until the time proposed in the amendment, and then to leave it an open question. HITCHCOCK,) because he supposed it would be the best thing they could obtain. He for one was willing to trust the Legislature in this matter-much difficulty would perhaps arise if we tied up the hands of the General Assembly in the manner proposed; for, as was well remarked, money was likely to fluctuate in value and what was a competent salary now, might be insufficient, or a great deal too much some years hence. He was for leaving it to the people to say, through the General Assembly, and letting the question remain open for future adjustment. He was in favor of giving a liberal salary to the Governor, but he was opposed to fixing any amount for all time to come. He did not agree with some in regard to the amount of salary which should be paid the Governor. In his opinion we could get all the talent recessary to the proper discharge of the duties of the office, for a less sum than $2,000. The duties were but slight and he considered that any man with ordinary common sense and a good understanding could perform the duties of the office. Gentlemen had advocated the measure as giving dignity to the office, but were opposed to giving to the of fice any duties to perform, which would give it dignity, as for instance, a check on the law making power.He would be almost willing that the office should be abolished, and allow the duties to devolve on the other officers of the government, who would be abundantly capable of performing them, if the duties were to remain as at present. Did the office go a begging? By no means: there were plenty of men seeking for the nomination every time the different parties held their State Conventions. There were plenty of men willing to lay down their talents and abandon their business from the time of the nomination to the election, in canvassing the State for votes. And even frequently we had seen officers of the State-men whose duties, gentlemen say, required their presence here day and night-leave their business and the performance of their public duties and travel about the State similarly employed. He did not know how the duties of their offices were performed in the mean time-perhaps the gentleman from Franklin, who seems to know so much about their duties, can tell us-but that had nothing to do with the amount of salary public officers ought to receive. He did not at all agree with the gentleman from Hamilton [Mr. RIDDLE] who said "that he wished to see the Governor paid a larger salary than any other officer in the State." The salary attached to an officer should be in some proportion to the amount of talent required to perform the duties of it and the time required to perform those duties. It required a person possessed of much more talent and ability to perform the duties of a Judge of the Supreme Court, than to discharge the duties of Governor. He did not know much in regard to the compensation paid to the Governor and to the Judges in other States; but in the State in which he was born the Governor received $2,500-the Chief Judge of the Supreme Court $3,500 and the Associate Judges $3,000. All those offi Mr. TAYLOR inferred frem the remarks of the last speaker, that he proposed his amendment with referfence to all the salaries to be enumerated in the Con-cers received a higher compensation than the Governstitution. That the object of the amendment was to fix the salaries until the time stated in it-with that understanding he would vote for the proposition. or: their duties were more onerous, required more time and talent and more learning to enable them to perform them as they should be performed. As he said before he would support this amendment because he believed it to be the best that they could get; but he was also in favor of leaving the matter entirely to the people. And if a motion were made to strike out the whole section he would support it, and he would furMr. LARSH moved to amend by adding the follow-ther remark that if no gentleman did make that moing-"after the year 1862; after which the General Assembly shall fix the sum which shall not be changed for 12 years. Mr. STANTON could not preceive the reason why, if it were desirable to take away the adjustment of this matter from the Legislature, in order to give stability to the salary, that that reason would not operate as well after 1860 as before it. Mr. HUMPHREVILLE was disposed to favor the amendment of the gentleman from Cuyahoga, (Mr. tion he would do so when the proper time came. Mr. LEADBETTER. I think that, if the proposed plan to cut loose the salaries after 1860, was adopted, we should likely see a considerable amount of cutting under by candidates for seats in the Legislature. Many of us may have known something about this He did not think, however, that money was not gokind of business. As preparatory thereto, a certaining to be so plenty, but what the amount would be kind of public opinion is to be manufactured-the pub-sufficient for the purpose intended; nor did he think, lic are to be made to believe that the salaries are too that the expenses of the Governor, at the seat of govhigh, and the candidate sets himself up as a reformer.ernment, would ever become less than they now are or Again, sir, if this salary is only to remain stationery for a few years, I am opposed to the proposition of the gentleman from Preble [Mr. LARSH] directing the Legislature to make it stationary for twelve years longer; for if men are to come here under a pledge to reduce salaries, I desire that the question should be left open, granting to the Legislature the privilege of having a shake of the ague, either annually or bienially, that they might shake up occasionally as well as to shake down. He stated that there were two methods of having the public business done, which he would name, so far as public economy is concerned. THREE O'CLOCK, P. M. that the duties of the Governor would ever be less onerous or burdensome. He did not care whether it was a lawyer, a doctor, a farmer or a mechanic filled the of fice. He rejoiced that this was a country in which the door to offices and to honor was open and free to all, and he hoped that the time would never arrive when it would be shut against the entrance of the most humble of our citizens. Those who favor this proposition, in the original, can have no particular individual in view, or interests to subserve. We know not, who may be a future governor-he may be a child of a farmer or mechanic, who was born in a cabin and rocked in a sugar-trough. The only object of the The first is, to have as few officers as would be committee was to determine upon something permamerely necessary to perform the duties required in car-nent in relation to the salaries of those public func rying on the government of the State; and select from tionaries, by which the time of the legislature, and the the great body of the people such officers as would be money of the people would be saved. the most efficient, and to give such salaries as would On motien, the committee rose, reported progress, command the services of men of acknowledged pro-and obtained leave to sit again. bity, talent, skill and energy. Sir, if the members of On motion, the Convention took a recess. the bar from many of our judicial circuits, would express their sentiments, they would bear me out when I state, that in many instances our courts of common pleas are but little more than a burlesque upon the administration of justice, and that much depends upon the activity or inactivity of the presiding officer. The most energetic and efficient members of the bar do not desire the office of President Judge, unless they can afford to take it; consequently it was only in the fewest number of instances, where a President Judge has been found with the talent to discharge his duty in such a manner that justice was speedily administered. I have Mr. FIRESTONE was opposed to fixing the salary one now under my eye, and one who could afford to of Governor at so high a sum. For his own part he accept of the honor. Much sir, indeed, depends upon did not wish to go back to the people and be obliged to the talent and efficiency of the men whom the peo- show them, on the very first page of the new constiple may select to discharge the duties pertaining to the tution, a large increase in the annual salaries of their various offices, and to do it with honor to themselves officers. Such an instrument could not, in his humble and credit to the State. Now sir, I hold that the opinion, rally the voters of his district to its support, cheapest and most economical method for the people for they considered the salaries now allowed to the of this State to get their public business of all kinds Governor and other State officers sufficiently high.done, and well done, would be to give that kind of a The novel argument had been presented, that the State salary which would bring into their employment the will have an insuperable difficulty in obtaining the serbest talent of the State. Sir, the quicker and the bet-vices of able and talented men in the various departter the business of the people is done, will, in the end, prove the most economical. On motion of Mr. FIRESTONE, the Convention resolved itself into committee of the whole, Mr. CUTLER in the Chair, and resumed the consideration of the report brought in by Mr. LEADBETTER, from the committee on THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. The question being upon the motion to strike out the whole section relative to the compensation of Governor, ments of our State Government, unless we "put up" the salaries. He must say that he had never witnessed My other method is, Sir, that if the people require any such scenes of difficulty arising from empty official their business to be done, and the affairs of the state places as had been alluded to, and yet the salaries of administered by men who would accept of the lowest State officers had not averaged over $1,000 per annum. salaries, why not put them up to the lowest bidder, ini The present compensation had heretofore secured the the same manner in which paupers are sold? Your ablest men and the first talent in Ohio. Such would offices will be all filled, and the people saved the ex-jever be the case. Did not every one remember how penses of elections. I have no hesitation as to the course I shall pursue. I am most unequivocally in favor of a fair salary, a just and reasonable compensation, such as will command the services of a talented and efficient officer, as being the best way to secure the cheapest and most faithful administration of the government of the State. And sir, I intend these remarks to apply to all public functionaries in any department of the state, in all of its subdivisions. Perhaps I have seemingly, manifested too much interest in favor of this "bantling" of the committee: perchance, it may be but a feeling common to committees, to save their work from spoilation. The salary fixed in the report did not exactly meet with his concurrence, but as amended, he was perfectly satisfied, and if there was any alteration to be made in regard to its stability, he would prefer that it should be so made, that after the year 1860, the legislature might increase but not reduce lustily every Democratic paper in the State annually trumpeted the fame of the nominees of our Sth of January conventions? And with justice too. And the nominees of the Whig conventions, did not every Whig press in Ohio proclaim that they possessed the diguity and the ability to fill any office in the Union? He assured gentlemen that there was not the slightest difficulty in obtaining the first men in the State to fill all the offices in it at the present salaries, and he was unwilling to increase those salaries for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the tax-ridden thousands. He was in favor, first, of the amendment of Mr. HITCHCOCK's, but after the vote upon that, he should vote for striking out the entire section. If the new constitution is filled with the arrangement of official salaries, and those raised above the present standard, we should have a crushing, dead weight to carry at the election at which it is submitted to the people for their action. The people had not asked for higher salaries; until they do, let them remain as they are. The question then being upon the amendment, (Mr. HITCHCOCK's,) the same was agreed to. The question recurring on striking out the whole section relative to Governor's salary, Mr. LEADBETTER proposed to amend by striking out the words "twenty hundred," and inserting the words "two thousand;" which was agreed to. Mr QUIGLEY proposed to amend by striking out the whole section, and inserting the following: The Governor's compensation to be fixed by law, at the first meeting of the General Assembly after the adoption of this constitution, and not to be increased or diminished oftener than once in every ten years, nor during the term for which he shall have been elected. Upon a division of the question, the committee refused to strike out, The Chairman now announced the consideration of the 19th section, which was read as follows: SEC. 19. The Lieutenant Governor shall receive, while at tending upon the sittings of the Legislature, as President of the Senate, five dollars per day. Mr. EWART proposed to amend by striking out the words "five dollars per day," and inserting, "such sum per day as shall be prescribed by law." This amendment was disagreed to. Mr. LARSH proposed to amend by striking out "five dollars per day," and inserting, "double the pay of the members thereof." And a division being demanded upon this question, the committee refused to strike out, and the section was passed over. SEC. 20. The Secretary of State, the Auditor, Treasurer and Attorney General, shall be elected at the same time and places, and in the same manner as the Governor, for the term of two years, and until their successors in office shall be qualified. If the office of either of the officers in this section named, shall become vacant by impeachment, resig nation, death or removal, or become incapable of performing the duties of the office, the Governor shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term for which he was elected, on until the disability shall be removed. Their compensation to be fixed by law. Mr. LARSH proposed to amend, by inserting after the word "qualified," in the 5th line, the words "and they shall reside at the seat of government." of the committee-to place these offices, including that of the Attorney General, in such a situation that they could not be held without pecuniary sacrifice, except by citizens residing in the city of Columbus. The office of an Attorney General might always be well filled by a lawyer residing here; because there are men eminent in the profession always residing here. But it is not the desire of this body, so to make the Constitution, that the necessary effect of its operation will throw important offices into the hands of citizens and lawyers residing here. I hope, therefore, that the amendment of the gentleman will not be adopted for this reason. With reference to the Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State, I believe the term of these officers has been for three years-probably from the foundation of the government till now. And now, they are proposed to be reduced down to two years; which would be keeping the government in a perpetual and everlasting fluctuation-putting the Governor and all the execu tive officers out in one day, and not leaving a single man of them to give the slightest information to his successor-allowing them scarcely time to make a bow as their successors come in to receive their commissions. I would much rather that the terms of these offices were fixed at three years, and that the term of office of the Attorney General should be five years. Mr. LARSH. I introduced this amendment, thinking that the principle involved would commend itself to every member. I cannot see, for my part, any obection that can be urged against it, except that referred to by the gentleman from Clark--that it may possibly nvolve the necessity of selecting for these offices, men living in the city of Columbus. But I think this obection is not well founded. To be sure, the section now provides, that these officers shall be elected for two years: but it is not at all certain that the resolution may not be amended, or that it will remain as it is in regard to this matter. I would be willing to go a little farther than the gentleman from Clark, I would be willing to say, that the term of these offices be extended to four years, and then elect one at a time. It seems to me, from the experience of the past forty-eight years, that there is no probability even, that these officers will be confined to the citizens of Columbus; for they have generally been selected from other parts of the State. It seems to me also, that these important officers should reside here, and that the State ought to be willing to give the men filling these high places of trust, such salaries as would secure them against pecuniary loss. I do not believe in the economy of small salaries. is the most miserable economy that any State can adopt, in my opinion. It Mr. MASON said: I would suggest to the committee, and to the gentleman making this motion, that if the term be limited to two years for all these officers, and the amendment should prevail, whether all these very important and high State officers would not be apt to fall into the hands of the citizens of this city? It is certainly, I apprehend, impossible to suppose that these officers, being elected from among the citizens of Ohio at large, can afford to leave their residences and remove their families to this place, for the term of two Mr. ARCHBOLD. The gentleman shall have my years, for any compensation which the Legislature will ever give them. They might be filled by permanent vote for his amendment. But I would like to enquire citizens residing here, without loss; and probably they why the financial clause was left out. Here is a secmight save a reasonable sum above all expenses: be- tion making provision for the election of two or three cause, as citizens of the place, they would not have to important officers of the State, but contrary to the ordina incur the same expense of strangers who should tem-ry rule, the committee has fixed no salary. It looks to porarily take up their abode here. If these officers are to reside here, they must either disconnect themselves from their families permanently during that period, or bring their families here; but bringing families here, and establishing them here, for the term of two years, would be a very injurious proceeding on the part of persons that might be employed in the service of the State. The office of Attorney General, when it was Mr. LEADBETTER. Perhaps I can satisfy the created in 1816, (the same year I was a member of one gentleman from Monroe upon this subject. I cannot of the houses of the General Assembly,) the term was be certain, but there are demagogues in this convenfixed at five years: but I believe a law was passed sub-tion. They are apt to creep into almost all bodies polsequently by which this term was reduced." Mr. ARCHBOLD. No, it was not reduced. Mr. MASON. Then the term of office is still five I do not desire-and it can hardly be the desire years. me as tho' the subject has in it, some intrinsic difficulty, and I can hardly suppress a disposition which I feel to enquire what it is. I am curious to know whether the committee had supposed that no demagogue had found his way into this body, who would be willing to relieve them of this difficulty and propose to fix these salaries by way of amendment? itic. I cannot tell how it happened that this question was not particularly acted upon by the committee. Probably it escaped their attention, as well as the idea about filling the vacancies which may occur in these offices. The amendment was disagreed to. Mr. BROWN of Athens proposed to amend the twentieth section, by way of substitute, striking out and inserting the following: I filled the blank in the section in relation to vacancies, not knowing the sense of the committee. But not having been about the State offices as much as the member from Monroe, [Mr. ARCHBOLD.] I was incapable of determining what compensation these officers The Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State and Attorshould receive. Had I been aware of what would be ney General, shall be elected in the same manner as is proa just compensation, I should have taken the responsi-vided for the election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, bility of putting it in. This is the reason why the compensation was not fixed. I believe in some populous counties, the county Auditor receives a salary as large as the Auditor of State. I should judge so, from what this officer receives in the county of Holmes. After some further conversation between Mr. HUMPHREVILLE, Mr. LARSH, Mr. STILWELL and Mr. HawKINS, the amendment was rejected. and shall hold their offices respectively for three years, and until their successors shall be qualified; and shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as shall be provided by law; provided that the Auditor first elected under this Constitution, shall hold his office for one year, and the Treasurer first elected shall hold his office for two years; so that thereafter the Auditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State, shall be elected triennially in successive years. A division of the question was demanded. Mr. MASON. Before this question was put he deMr. STANBERY proposed to amend the phraseol- sired to propose an amendment which might be preogy of the section, by inserting the words "the incum-cluded, if the committee should refuse to strike out. bent," after the word "or," in the 5th line; which was He desired to test the sense of the committee upon the erm of these officers, and would move to amend the original section by striking out the word "two" in the third line and inserting the word "four" so that it will read "for the term of four years." concurred in. Mr. PATTERSON proposed to amend by striking out the words, "for the remainder of the term for which he was elected, or until the disability shall be removed," and inserting the words, "until the next annual election," so that it will read, "the Governor shall fill the vacancy until the next annual election." His object in proposing this amendment, was to cut down the power of the Governor. The Chairman having stated the question, Mr. MASON said: If we should adopt the principle of biennial sessions of the Legislature, I think four years would be a proper term for these officers, and if Mr. LEADBETTER. When he drew up this part would not be too long a term. we should not adopt biennial sessions still four years It would still be conof the section, he did not suppose we were going to ducive to the good order and good administration of have any such thing as annual elections, except for the affairs of government. I don't feel called upon to township and county officers. From the fact that we make any argument before the committee, but I would were only to have biennial sessions of the Legislature, rather place all these officers on the same footing-mahe supposed that our State elections would be also biking no distinction as to term: although there is anothennial; and that the very word "annual," as connected with our elections, would become obsolete. Mr. PATTERSON contended that annual elections were perfectly consistent with biennial sessions of the Legislature. This amendment was agreed to, and then the section was passed over. Sg. 21. When an officer, the right of whose appointment is, by this Constitution vested in the Legislature, shall, during the recess, die, or his office by any means become vacant, the Governor shall have power to fill such vacancy, by granting a commission, which shall expire at the end of the next session of the Legislature. Mr. ARCHBOLD. What office is going to be filled by the Legislature, according to our plan? er proposition making the term five years for one and three for another. They are all important executive offices and I would rather the committee would adopt the four years for all; and I would rather have the period of three years than two. Mr. MAÑON. I apprehend that there is a disposition in some quarters to pursue the biennial men so strong that they will be turned over the other way. I am in favor of annual elections and electing these officers one at a time. Mr. STILWELL suggested a difficulty arising out of the adoption of the amendment of the gentleman from Highland [MR. PATTERSON] to the twentieth secMr. BROWN of Carroll. From the first to the last tion. If the Governor fill these vacancies "till the of the report, the committee will observe, that no pro- next annual election"-the term of these officers bevision is made for filling any vacancy which may oc-ing for two years-it might be that for the second year cur on account of the death, resignation or disability of any of the judges of the courts. The committee on the Executive department, supposed that to be provided for by the committee on the Judiciary department. One of the members of that committee nods his head, and I presume it will be so. these offices would be left without their incumbents. And hereupon followed some irregular conversation in which Mr. STILWELL, Mr. PATTERSON, Mr. LARSH, and Mr. MASON took part. Mr. BROWN, of Athens, said: he had proposed to fix the term for three years, because these officers had Mr OTIS suggested that the rule in relation to a always been elected for that term. If his amendment contested election for Governor, proposed by the gen- should not prevail, however, he would be in favor of tlemen from Cuyahoga, and adopted into the 5th sec-electing these officers at alternate periods. tion should be made to apply to these officers: and for this purpose he would move that the provision be sticken out of the 5th section, and that it be adopted as a separate article. Mr. HITCHCOCK of Geauga. The gentleman would find all this provided for in the report of the committee on the Legislative department. Mr. OTIS withdrew the motion. Mr. HITCHCOCK, of Geauga, proposed further to amend the whole report, by striking out the word "Legislature" wherever it occurs, and inserting the word, General Assembly." This was agreed to. Mr. STICKNEY proposed to amend the twelfth Section of the report by inserting the word "absent" in the first line, Mr. HITCHCOCK, of Geauga, called for a division of the question upon Mr. Masox's amendment; and the committee refused to strike out; So the amendment was lost. Mr. PATTERSON proposed further to amend the twentieth section by adding to his amendment which had been already adopted the words "when such vacancy shall be filled by an election: provided the death, resignation, or disability shall have occurred thirty days previously." This was agreed to. The question now recurred upon the amendment proposed by Mr. BROWN of Athens, which was now again read through together with the twentieth section proposed to be stricken out. A division of the question having been demanded and ordered, the first question was taken upon striking out, and it was agreed to-affirmative 42, negative 35. The question now recurred upon inserting Mr. BROWN's proposition. Mr. NASH desired to have the substitute amended, by adding the proviso about filling vacancies which had been applied to another section of the report. Mr. BROWN, of Athens, supposed that might be provided for by statute. Mr. CURRY proposed to amend the substitute by adding the following: And provided further, That all vacancies in either of the aforesaid offices, shall be filled in such manner as may be provided by law. Mr. C. said he understood that the gentleman from Athens was willing to accept this proposition to amend. Mr. NASH said he could not vote for the propo sition, because it gave to the Legislature the power to elect these officers. tions. Mr. EWART called for a division of the proposiMr. HITCHCOCK of Geauga said, if the gentleman from Gallia, and the gentleman from Union, would look into the article reported by the committee on the Legislative Department, they would find there a provision to the effect that no appointments to office shall be made by the Legislature. They could not even appoint the officers of any of the State Institutions in the neighborhood. The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Athens accept the proposition of the gentleman from Union? Mr. BROWN. If it is objected to, I do not. But I have written out a provision which I think will meet the views of the gentleman. I will send it up. The provision was read and is as follows. Provided further, That any vacancies which may occur in either of said offices, shall be filled by the Governor, until the next annual election of said officers, to be prescribed by law. The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman from Union accept the modification? Mr. CURRY. I think the language of my proposi tion is best. The question was then taken upon Mr. CURRY'S amendment to the substitute and it was lost. The question recurring upon the adoption of the substitute Mr. HOLMES said: I am opposed to the amend ment, because it will create a necessity for annual elections. Those who are in favor of biennial sessions of the Legislature will see that it was got up, in part, for the purpose of defeating that object. Mr. BROWN. I have no such object. Mr. HOLMES. That will induce me to vote against itat all events. I am opposed to putting the people of Ohio to the unnecessary expense of electing their officers every year. The same expense would be required for the election of one or two officers as would elect the whole of our State officers. If gentlemen desire to extend the term of their offices to four years, and will make the elections come "ship shape," I shall be disposed to support it. Mr. GREGG. I cannot see the reason why we should make this change in the section from one to two years. If it be true, as gentleman on the other side complain, that these offices are a burden to their incumbents, it were certainly better to diminish the evil by fixing the term at two years. If we fix the term of the Governor and Lieut. Governor at two years, I cannot see any reason why we should extend the terms of the Auditor, Secretary of State and Treasurer, beyond that length of time. Mr. HITCHCOCK, of Geauga. I suppose it is unnecessary to say anything now about the question as between the two years' term and the three years' term: for the committee have determined they will not elect oftener than once in two years. But what is the reason offered by the gentleman from Hamilton, [Mr. HOLMES.] why these officers should not be elected tri ennially? Why, it is because it is a hardship to the electors of the State to attend at the elections. I don't know but it may be so. I don't know but the people have become tired--fatigued and worn out with the exercise of the elective franchise. If they have, all I can say is, that I regret it very much. But I would be willing to go so far as to make it the duty of every elector to attend to the elections. I don't believe it is so great a burden for a man to attend upon the elections-to be on the ground and cast his vote for all the officers of the State. And whenever the electors become tired and unwilling to take this duty upon themselves, I think we may very well tremble somewhat for the fate of our republican institutions. By the terms of the provision sought to be inserted, it will be required to hold an election every year for State officers; and the votes are to be canvassed by the two houses of the General Assembly, which, I suppose, it will be agreed upon, shall meet only once in two years. Mr. RANNEY. I think there is a difficulty here. Mr. STILWELL. Is that in the amendment? Mr. RANNEY. The amendment says, "the Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, shall be elected in the same manner as is proyided for the election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor." Then, I understand that the votes for these State officers, who are to be elected every year--one or another of them-that these votes are to be ascertained and the elections determined upon at the biennial sessions of the Legislature. What the reasons are for extending these terms, I have not yet heard. And as to dividing and distributing the time for making these elections every year-instead of this being calculated to bring out the voters, I cannot but think the effect would all be on the other side. I am opposed to the propesition, because I think it involves a total surrender of principle of biennial sessions, and also, because it extends the term of these offices beyond what I conceive to be necessary and proper. Mr. STANTON. I don't intend to be cheated out of "biennial sessions" by any sort of "hocus pocus" that can be devised; and if I could believe there was any inconsistency between this proposition, and the principle of biennial sessions, I should certainly go against the proposition. But I don't comprehend a necessity for the Legislature to meet and canvass the votes for these officers. If I thought there was any danger of this, I would move to strike out "three years," and insert "four years." There are good reasons, as I apprehend, why these officers should hold over for a longer term than two years: for in so short a term they would hardly get "the hang of the barn," as the Irishman says. And then by alternating these elections the incomers would be able to obtain a great deal of necessary information from those who would be holding over. Mr. GREGG, reiterating his preference for the two years term, said: I believe it would be no harder for a man to become familiar with the duties of Auditor of State, than it is to become familiar with the duties of a County Auditor. Mr. HITCHCOCK of Cuyahoga. What is the term of the office of County Auditor? Mr. GREGG. Two years. |