Edwardsville Spectator

FOR THE SPECTATOR.

Mr. PRINTER,

I am sorry to learn from the Shawneetown paper that it is proposed to petition the governor to call another extra meeting of the legislature. The reasons given for that measure are the very reasons which induce me to oppose it. The unconstitutional, oppressive, anti-republican, unequal, and ridiculous laws of the last session, induce me to hope that their authors may never have an opportunity to do us any more mischief. That the people will never give them this opportunity, I am fully convinced. And it is hoped that his excellency the governor will not, without the most urgent necessity, put it in the power of the present legislature to add to the long catalogue of injuries which they have heaped upon their constituents.

If, as the Shawneetown paper says, there is not money enough in the state to pay the taxes, the consequence will be that a great deal of property will be offered by the sheriffs at public sale, for the taxes upon it. The tax law being manifestly and palpably unconstitutional, very few will probably bid for lands sold under that law; and they will, therefore, be struck off to the state. Next year the people will elect another legislature, who will be selected with the express view of rectifying the abuses committed by the present general assembly. And the lands struck off to the state, will, most probably, upon the payment of an equitable and constitutional tax, be restored to their former possessors.

Every one must, I think, be convinced that the present legislature are totally incompetent to discharge the important duties assigned to them. Still, however, they set as high a value upon their time and services, as the most accomplished legislators. Should the governor again call them together, they would probably spin out another long session without producing any benefit to the community, unless the payment of four dollars a day to each member, is considered a public benefit. Had "our sage convention" thought fit to allow us the privilege of electing our representatives annually, we might now have an opportunity to correct the errors of the present legislature; but, situated as we are, I can see no better way than to bear, with as much fortitude as we can, the evils under which we suffer, until the period arrives when our ballots at the polls can afford an effectual remedy.

Again.--The people have had no opportunity of knowing, to any considerable extent, what has been already done by the present legislature; for the laws and journals, if printed, have not yet been distributed. Should the legislature again be called together, and should they make no better provision for the publication of their acts than they did at their last session, we should remain another year in ignorance as to what are the laws of the land. But next August the people can elect a capable legislature; and the governor, if he thinks proper, can convene them immediately after their election; and they can repeal the unjust and unconstitutional laws of the present legislature, and substitute good laws in their stead, which laws can be immediately published.

But should his excellency the governor think proper to call another extra meeting of the present legislature, it is hoped that he will previously issue writs of election to fill the vacancies occasioned by the appointment of five members of the legislature to the office of commissioners for locating the seat of government. Should his excellency entertain any doubts on this subject, I beg leave to refer him to the 25th section of the 2d article of our constitution, which provides that no person holding any lucrative office under this state shall have a seat in the general assembly.

A FARMER.
Madison county, Oct. 5, 1819.

* Since the above was written, I have learned that the laws of the last session have just been received in this county. It is confidently believed that the journals will also be published before the first Monday in August next.