Crawfordsville Review, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 17 January 1857 — Page 1

VOLUME ,~vni.

if- .'

JL

OOVERI0*1 KE88A0E.

Gentlemen of the Senate and cf the House cf Representatives: In the uune of the people of this Sute, I welcoineyoc, as their appointed'servants, Hienbled under the constitotion and the )i«f to guard their rights and to promote their welfare. The eares of national polity and foreign diplomacy demand nothing of jour immediate oversight These grave and worldwide interests are wisely committed to other hands, and to yon are left matters of more domestic and peaceful concern— the urieoltanlt educational, and other civil ana industrial interests of your .own homes and firesides. Let no differ* enee of opinions, concerting national polity, however actively developed amid recent tfventf, mar the fraternity and unanimity with which you address yourselves to the business of promoting the internal interests, and improving the domestic policy of ybnr own State. 0 The recent election of a chief magistrate of this g^eat nation, evolved, during its pendency, an unusual decree of popular excitement, attended with acerbity and fears. But the crisis came, and has passed. The silent ballots* of four millions of freemen have assuaged popular excitement, iihd dissipated partisan fears.' The people -prosecute their usual avocations, and find peace arid rest in their domestic interests and pursuits—looking for good, where maAy have prophesied only evil, and determined to sustain the right, by whatever hand it is administered. In like manner, gentlemen, may the excited discussions in tarhieh you hare, elsewhere, participated, be forgotten in the eagerness and unity with which you, here, direct your thought and efforts to the security, and advancement of our domestic prosperity.

It affords me pleasure to say that, during tfee past two years, the general condition of the State has been that of peace and prosperity. All our various interests, agricultural, manufacturing and commercial, are in a prosperous condition our State maintains a growing and commanding position among her surfers of the confederacy the laws, with tfceir benign influence, are rcspcctcd among a%t people and tfcough Juring the past year, the agricultural interests of some portions of the State, ltave coffered from the drought of the season, yet we have ample cause to render thanks to a superintending Providence for the innumerable blessing# which have been bestowed on our laud and people.

The first subject that demand* the eon. federation of the Representatives of the people, is that of the financial condition of the State. It is gratifying to know that •economy has been observed in your public expenditures the interest upon your publie debt promptly discharged and the reduction of the principal not overlooked.

The amount of the ordinary expenses of the State Government, for the year ending October 81,1855, was $147,442 61. The' pame, for the year ending October 31,1856, was $59,5*22 68. The excess of expenditure for the year 1855, over that of 1850, was caused, mainly, by the expenses of the Legislature, and matters necessarily connected therewith. This expenditure of $59,522 68, for the ordinary annual expenses of a government of more than one million four hundred thousand inhabitants, is believed to be less than the ordinary annual expenditures of any of our aiater States.

Among the first subjects which demand vour prompt attention, is thaCof providing, by law, for the re-appraisement of the landed property, for taxable purposes.—* The propriety of this is so manifest, that, 1 trust your early action will enable the county officers to commcnco this work before the expiration of your session.

In accordance with the provisions of the charter of the State Bank of Indians, its corporate powers will cease on the first of January, 1859— the intervening two years be occupied in winding up and liquidating its afiairs. The State, as joint owner, is deeply interested in the safe and successful closing up of this institution. In the main, it has been managed with prudenoe and sagacity, and with a view to the profits of the stockholders and the general interests of the people of the State. Few institutions of the kind have enjoyed, so

fenerally,

70

i-ot

the confidence of the public.—

its organization, the rights of the whole people were securcd the provisions of the charter, and the practice under it, strictly guarding against every apeoies of favoritism. Boom for the subscription of stock were faithfully kept open for the space of thirty days. Fortunately for community, and the management of the corporate powers of the Bank, much of the stock was taken, in few shares, by our own farmers, me* chanics and merchants. It conumeMed its operations, therefore, under' the auspices of a favorable public sentiment,- and has experienced, throughout its career, instead ef hostility, the most decided marks of friendship and good will at the hands of our citisens. Like all banking-corpora-tions, however, it has had its favorites in many portions of the State, and has been, in many respects, a splendid monopoly.

It will be seen from a communication from the President, which is herewith transmitted, that the interest of the State, in the Ba&k, upon the final closing up of its concerns, after the payment of the bonds issued on aeeount of the capital stock, will, in his opinion, if prudently and safely closed •p, amount to a sum of near two millions of dollars. Efforts will be made to divert this vast fund from its appropriate channel, mnd, in some manner, to eontrol it for the promotion of private interests. In anticipation of su4 efforts, it is esrnestly reeommended that no sale, or transfer, of the interest of the State in the Bank, shall be permit*^ either to individuals or corporations.

9'Y

The charter confers ample power, and defines the particular mode in which the affaire of the Bank shall be closed. Its capital is to he converted into cash, and the Mrt belonging to the State, paid, to. the tyinkifgFuad —nfirmra of

pnrpoeesof Conunen School Ed* ,4md jN.wni andfre pwpo-

fEfcff ltpslrld »o frayeepje etih*Sta|e,

Estimated value of Sinking Fund in State Bank, to date

vb *yrm

should be, forever, preserved inviolate.— It should not be permitted to tempt |he en pidity of individuals, or used to aagment the powers, or swell the "co&rsof any corporate monopoly.

The present mode of investment of the Sinking Fund, is, chiefly, in mortgages upon the real estate of our citizens.* The facilities thus afforded for borrowing money, create a spirit of speculation, often terminating in bankruptcy and ruin to t!ie borrower. The long lists of lands forfeited to the Fund, for the non-payment of principal and interest, admonishes us to seek for some other mode of investment, which shall be equally safe and productive. I have repeatedly suggested, and now renew the recommendation, that the Sinking Fund Commissioners should be authorized to invest this Fund, from time to time, as it mav accumulate in their hands, in the bonds of the State, under appropriate limitations, as to principal and market value thus changing the cnaracter of our obligations from a foreign to a domestic debt the interest upon which, when collected from our own people, shall be immediately re-imbursed to them, in the accomplishment of that high and most ennobling object of human government, the education of our youth. It is a high trust, and will be most truly performea, when we shall connect the education of our children with the character, integrity and honor of the State. In this manner at least one-third of our whole foreign indebtedness may be absorbed thus lessening the burdens of the people, and elevating the financial character of the State.

The entire amount of the Funded Debt of the State, outstanding, is stated by the Auditor of State, as follows: Of 5 per cent. State Stock $5,156,500 Of 24 per cent. State Stock 1,812,577

Total, $6,969,077 The market value of which, estimating the 5 per cent, at eighty-four cents, and the 2-£ per cent, at sixty cents, upon the dollar, would be the sum of $5,419,006.

To show the practicability of converting this foreign debt into a domestic one, the following table is compiled from the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and from the communication of the President of the State Bank:

EXHIBIT OF COMMON SCHOOL FUND. Amount of Spccial Fund $1,862,574 90

Amount of Common Fuud Bank Tax Fund, on loan from State Treasuiy Bank Tax Fund, on hand in

State Treasury

Saline Fund, on loan. Saline Fund, on band in State Treasury Estimated value of unsold

School Lands

894,930 15

6,626 85

10,607 83 9,689 22

10.58188

161,590 00

1,955.461 59

Total $4,912,012 42 The Sinking Fund Commissioners should be directed, by law, to invest these funds as they may accumulate in their hands, in the stocks of the State and they would, alone be auffioieut to absorb nearly our entire indebtedness. The policy, lwwover, of continuing the annual Sinking Fund Tax, for the liquidation of our debt, should not be abandoned. On the contrary, as every interest of the State is buoyant and prosperous, it should in my judgment, be increased to five seats on the hundred dollars, per annum, If practicable, the first investment, of either our Sinking Fund or School Fund, should be made in the 2\ per ccnt. stocks. With this annual diminution of our indebtedness, and the investment of the School Fund as indicated, in less th&6 eight years we shall convert our foreign debt into a home debt the interest upon which, when drawn from our tax-payers, would immediately be returned to them, in a thousand streams of intelligence, blessing, with their benign influence, parent and child, and elevating to the highest pinnacle of honor the character of our beloved State.

On reference to the report of the Auditor of State, it will be seen that, under the restrictions of the amended statute, the currency of the free Banks is amply secured, and fully entitled to public confidence. If banks of issue be necessary at all, they should be as free as possible from the feature of monopoly and, in this respect, therefore, the system of Free Banking is entitled to our approbation. To perfect the system, however, a Banking Department should be orcatod, separate and distinct from all others, but subject to the inspection and supervision of the Executive officers and the Legislature. The concise and the able report of the Auditor of State, and his valuable suggestions, in this department, are commended to your consideration^

While to other subjects we apply the rigid test of souud* practical common sense, upon the subject ef currency, we cherish the shadow and reject the substance. Not content with such issues as are tolerated by law, the solvency of which has been guarantied by legal enactment, we have encouraged and fostered the spurious and fraudulent emissions of individuals, Plank Roads and Insurance Companies all having an origin in our own State, and existing in defiance of law, and sound public sentiment. In addition to this, Indiana has been the great field for the circulation of the worthless and fraudulent issues of other States, sent here by unprincipled speculators, who amass fortunes at the expense of the unwary ari^ esednlous.. In all these cases, when the but)Die bursts, the worthless rags arc found in the hands of the poor and laboring classes. The result of a toleration of this policy, is* to make the rich richer and tie poor potfr&r?

It is in your power to apply the remedy, to protect your constituents from imposition and loss, to prohibit the circulation of an irresponsible currency, by severe penalties, and to prevent, as soon practicable, the diffusion aifieng ourp'eople ef any currency'but that which is. constitutional, oasuohas naif be 'convertible into coin.— It will beamost fortunate day, when we shall have leanM. the simple truth, that we can never haxe steaffi»esa, aad permanent pfeeperitf, in the bnaiaeee ef the country, so long as w* ahaHoontme to en­

courage any system that converts promises to pay, into money. It was the intention of the framers of the-Constitution, and they expressed it in language too. plain to be misunderstood, that there shonld be but one State Bank in Indiana, at the same time and yet, in the face of this provision, four years before, the expiration of the legal existence of the State Bank of Indiana, die Legislature .of 1855, chartered a new State Bank, under the name and style of the Bank of the State of Indiana.

It is the spirit of our Constitution, that the people are the source of all political power and, therefore, all legislation, affecting their interests, or the character of the State, shonld emanate directly from them. But in the case of the charter of the Bank of the State of Indiana, the subject was sprung upon the Legislature, without previous discussion, without notice, without investigation, without any expression of-the popular will, and without any indication of public sentiment, in favor of the measure. If such legislation were valid and constitutional, two years before the expiration of the charter of the State Bank, what is there to prevent the present or any succecding Legislature, from extending the monopoly of the business of banking for another period of twenty years, to the same, or other more importunate corporators? If such is to be the interpretation of our Constitution, and the practice under it, it is the sheerest mockery to talk of a government of the people. One mischievous, reckless, or ignorant Legislature, in an age, might thus inflict upon the State a catalogue of evils which would require the wisdom of an age for their removal involving, among other evils, the destruction of one of the main supports of public virtue, the supremacy of the voice of the people at the ballot-box.

The means and appliances brought to bear to secure the passage of this charter, would, if exposed to the public gaze, exhibit the darkest page of fraud and corruption that ever disgraced the Legislature of any State. While men of pure and honorable sentiment were led into its support, in the belief that the approaching close of the existing Bank, required them, thus early, to provide a successor others supported it upon promise of stock, equivalents in money, or pledges as to the location of particular branches. To make up the constitutional vote in its favor, the names of members were recorded in its passage, who were, at that moment, absent, and many miles distant from the Capital. But, in fraud and corruption marked the passage of the bill, the enormities practiced in the location of the branches, and the distribution of the stock, were still more glaring, and, if possible, wore deserving of public condemnation. The location of the branches, the privileges of subscribing to its stock, in short, the franchises of the Bank, were bought and sold, like other marketable commodities. In some of the branches, the books for the subscription of stock were kept open but a few minutes, and were then only aceesaibie to parties to the fraud in other instances, they were opened in out-of-the-way places, known only to a few aud, in scarcely any instance, was full and free opportunity given, for citizens generally, to subscribe. Iu two or three cases, suits were bro-ight by those who felt aggrieved but their complaints were stifled by the potent agency of money. In this manner, a majority of the stock, in the seventeen first branches organized, was subscribed by twenty-eight individuals, the: largest portion of whom have never bfeen engaged in the business of banking, and have, already, disposed of their stock to others, at enormous premiums.

It would be interesting and instructive, to have, for comparison, the names of the original,- and the present, stockholders.— The sudden transfer of stock would convince the most incredulous, that the charter was procured, not for the purpose of banking, but for speculations for the benefit of the few to the exclusion of the many. The premiums thus realized by the original stockholders, are believed to be not less than one-quarter of a million of dollars all of which must be reimbursed by the laboring and producing classes. Had the State, exacted such a bonus from the corporators, to be paid into her treasury, it might, at least, have been said, that, in this respect, the whole people were benefited*

Having a knowledge of these facts, and regarding the charter as a direct violation of the Constitution, I caused two suits to be brought—one in my own name, and one in the name of the State—for the purpose of testing its validity. The first has been decided, without touching any of the great points involved in the issue. The second is still pending, and will, in its progress, fully test the rights of the corporators.— The Supreme Court have already intimated such an opinion, in regard to the adoption of amendments to bills upon the passage, as must, inevitably, render the charter a nullity.

In view of all these facts, it is my solemn conviction, that public credit and confidence can never be given to an institution of this character. I recommend, therefore, that the charter be expunged from the statute books or, failing in this effort, that all connection between the Bask and theState, either by deposit of funds or otherwise, be prohibited, and that it be prevented from re-issuing the notes of the present State Bank, by the penalty of a forfeiture of the securities received therefor.

The charter should be promptly and absolutely repealed, so that no sanction, whatever, to its legal existence shall appear upon your statute books. The safety of the public funds should also admonish you to prohibit the reception of its issues for public dues.

TftA" Legislature owe it to themselves, to the pause honesty and justice, to the credit of the-State, and to the constituents they represent, to take prompt and decisive actio* is the premises. When the present State Bank shall have been entirely wound up, and all its affairs liquidated, should the people then desire another institution to succeed it, their representatives will oome instructed to that end, and can frame a charter which, guarding the rights of all shall not be subservient to the purposes ef private speculation. Ifitbegood, the wfcpk nboole dK^ be^permitted to {participate in ita. be&sitaf if it be etherwise, it shonld be praaptfj suppressed

said that the new institution 1 hands of safe and responsible their rights of property should irbed. In answer, it may be key purchased the stock, with Jp of the frauds that the stock,

instead of nlssing into the hands of our citizens, our Homers, merchants, and mechanics, as in (S former Bank, is being transferred to Jam beyond our limits., who have no other imprest in the prosperity of our State, thanflp make it the theatre of their speculations Nor have we any guaranty, or assnranci, that, however solvent .the present stMpholders, the stock may not, in the first moment of disaster, be transferred too Airs, without character, or res-

^°With the extended powers and privileges conferred on this institution—its right to issue posj notes, to discount upon deposits. and Ufdefy the scrutiny, or control of the Legislature—it is believed that no prudent capitalist would ever invest his money in it. -J"

On the 3d of July last a proclamation was issued by^the Executive, upon the subject of the apportionment of Senators and Representatives, and their election. The Constitution, which is the paramount law of the land, provides for, and establishes, a General Assembly, to be composed of the members of a Senate and House of Representatives, who are required to hold biennial sessions', at the capital of the State, on the Thursday next after the first Monday of January, 1853, and on the same day of every second year thereafter. Under this Constitution, a legislature enacted and established an apportionment law, dividing the State into, senatorial and representative districts. .In accordance with that law, the Generic Assembly of 1854 was elected.

The Legislature, thus elected, failed to comply with the requirements of the Constitution, in regard to the making of proper laws to provide for the organization of a future Legislature. This neglect of the General Assembly does not, in any manner, impair, or lessen, the power of the Constitution, as to the necessity of having and sustaining a State Legislature. Surely, the neglect of one branch of the government to perform its duty, will not, of itself, work a revolution, or destroy the functions of government. It is, in forming Constitutions, an essential principle that the government should contain, within itself, the power of self-preservation.

The Executive Department is invested with no authority to exercise the legislative powers of government and, in this instance, no legislative power was exercised. The Proclamation, from the necessity of the case, took the existing apportionment, as it stood at the last election of members to fill the number necessary to make a constitutional Senate and House of Representatives, upon precisely the same ratio and apportionment which existed when the General Assembly adjourned. In the same number, representing the same territory and population as when you adjourned, you have assembled at the present time.

Convened under the Constitution, clothed, by the people, with the sovereign power that belongs to a General Assembly, it is your duty to fix, by law, the number of Senators and Representatives that shall compose the future Legislatures, and to apportion such Senators and Representatives among the several counties, according to the number of white male inhabitants, above twenty-one years of age, in each.

The cause of Education is second to no other claiming legislative attention and action. Mental development invariably preceds physical improvement. Enlightened mind is the real source of all advancement in agricultural science, mechanical invention, and political progress and, therefore, the educational interest of the State will merit and receive a share of your attention.

The report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, for the last year, which has been laid on your table, will present the results of the operation of the school system, during the first year after its latest revision. The wisdom of many of the changes, introduced by your predecessors into our Educational Code, developed itself more and more, during the two years which have transpired since the revision. Tlio' not perfect, it has fully justified all reasonable expectations, and confirms the belief that it rests on a basis of sound principles, and reliable experience. Suggestions contained in the aforesaid document and the forthcoming report, will, doubtless, receive due consideration. The Library ^prtem has more than realized the expectation of its friends, and fully redeemed the pledges of its most earnest advocates. The extent to which it has been used in many townships in various parts of the State, seems almost without parallel, demonstrating its power and usefulness as an educational instrumentality. I would, most earnestly, recommend that it be made a permanent feature of the system, A reduction of the present tax for its support, of three-fifths, would be no detriment at least to its healthy progress.

The peculiar requisitions of the Constitution, as defined by the Supreme Judiciary of the Stvte, compel the Legislature to consider the claims of our youth to a period of tuition adequate to their wants, and equal to their necessities. The townships have, to a great extent, nobly entered on the disoharge of their duty, by the erection of school houses having levied, within two years, more than three quarters of a million of dollars on the property and polls, for that purpose. Being deprivedi ef the statutory authority to assess a tax for tuition, they look to the Legislature, and demand a redemption of the Constitutional pledge to furnish the requisite amount of funds for this purpose. Is not this claim reasonable? Is it not unquestionable? Is it not just? Then, it should be promptly, and fully met. No consideration of economy should induce the Legislature to postpone the redemption of the educational pledge of the Constitution. Such claims are paramount to all others, and should be so regarded. Of equal urgency and necessity, is the want of competent instructors. Teachers' .Institutes, or Nonnal Schools, are the appropriate remedies for this evil. As the State nas not appropriated a dollar to'thin* purpose,rberetuoi the questions aatarallj eecnr—What does economy death*? Wbdt itfifte justice elaun

CEAWF0BD8YILLJ1, MONTGOMERY 1COUNTY, INDIANA,t JANUARY 17, 1857.wNUMBER "26.

the townships erect school-houses, the State cannot honorably evade, postpone, or repudiate, the obligation to provide the appropriate.means for a six months tuition annually for her five hundred thousand children.

The establishment and successful operation of a State Teachers' Association, for the last two years, is sn encouraging sign of progress and the publication of a monthly Educational Journal, by the same Association, is, also, a significant sign, of the ssme general character.

The important service that this educational periodical might render to the State suggests the propriety of enlisting it, as an auxiliary to the department of Public Instruction, in communicating with the township boards and county Auditors. 4*^

You will perceive, from the report of the Superintendent, that our colleges are in a flourishing condition nobly competing with each other in the race of usefulness in the higher departments of education. A condensed report of their history and progress, will be found in the report for this yearshowing what our citizens have done in their associate capacity, for collegiate education.

Patents have been received for the additional grants of lands to the State University at Bloomington. In disposing of these lands I recommend that the proceeds be set apart for the endowment of an Agricul tural Professorship, in connection with the

{abor,

mrchase of a farm, for practical test of and agricultural improvement. The question of providing, by the operation of judicious and effective laws, for the prevention or mitigation of those vices and evils, public and domestic, which have their origin in the intemperate use of intoxicating liquors, requires, from you, the most profound and serious consideration. The judicious legislator will look with more care to the prevention of crime, than to the punishment of its results.

In former communications addressed to the General Assembly, on the subject of making laws to regulate the traffic in intoxicating drinks, and to check and restrain the vice of drunkness, I referred to the danger of arousing a re-action in popular sentiment, by the enactment of laws so stringent that they could not be carried into effect. Subsequent events have developed nothing to induce me to change the views which were then expressed.

The constitutional right of the Legislature to make laws for regulating the traffic in intoxicating drinks, and for restraining and punishing the vice of drunkenness, has existed, sanctioned by judicial authority, from the organization of the government to the present time. The making of such laws, however, requires the exercise of a great degree of prudence. If the laws be too weak, they will become worthless, and fall into contempt before the successful resistance of those who may undertake to violate them with a strong arm. On the other hand, if they are too severe, they cannot be enforced in communities where they may be regarded, by the prevailing popular sentiment, as oppressive interferences with personal rights and domestic privileges. The unwise policy of mating laws which, owing to the state of public opinion, cannot be carried into effect, will always afford grounds of justification, or excusc, for an inefficient or weak administration of the best laws. There should be no dead letter laws among our statutes.

A great increase of the number of places at which intoxicating liquors arc sola, and a lamentable increase of drunkeness, are matters which you who are charged with the duty of guarding the interests and promoting the welfare of the State, cannot overlook or neglect. Although we may, in many places, see the evidences of re-ac-tion in public sentiment, apparently unfavorable to the cause of temperance, yet we will fall into a most injurious error, with respect to public opinion in Indiana, if we conclude, from these evidences, that the people of the State do not require some sound and effectual regulation to check and restrain the growth of those numerous and destructive evils, vices, and crimes, which afflict every community where the laws impose neither punishments nor restraints upon drunkards, nor upon those who constantly hold out inducements which tempt their fellow men to become drunkards.— The agitation and discussion of this subject, by the people of the several counties, if necessarily connected with the selection of county commissioners clothed with ample power to restrain and regulate the traffic in intoxicating liquors, is worthy of your special consideration. Whatevc difference of opinion may have been, heretofore, entertained on this subject, no man can shut his eyes to the fact, that, throughout our State, numerous places have been opened, or established for the unrestrained sale of spiritudua liquors, in which the young and unwary have' tjeen decoyed to contract tastes and habits wKch the resolves of a subsequent life cannot control, if they have not already,' entered upon the courses 6f dissipation and vice*.

It is, imperatively, the duty of the Legislature, in the exercise of »iys discretion, to enact some constitutional law, in jidcor-' dance with public sentiment, of sufficient stringency to restrain and suppress jthis growing evil and I doubt not this subject will receive, at your hands, such consideration as its importance requires-

On a review of the late elections, it is apparent to all, that our laws have failed to preserve the purity of the ballot-box.— While there is a difference, in regard to the proper remedy, an effort ra made to direct public sentiment in favor of registration of voters. But the practical workings of registry laws, in other States, have failed to convince me of the adaptation »f such laws to our community. Tnfe" officer making the registry is as liable to be^imjjoscd upon as the judges of our elections and as wide afield for fraud and corruption would be opened '4s exists under the present' system.

A remedy f&e illegal voting may be found, by requiring an actual residence in the township, or election precinct, of not less than sixty days"prior to the time ofyo^g, and by the multiplying of election districts thereby avoiding the collecting of large bodies of voters at qn? place, and lessening t!&Yaeilitislf ffo'iiwudulent voting. When few voters are congregated at a single prednet, there will be little danger of eieited

ja«Uft

and angry feeling the right of suffrage will be exercised with more fre reedom and deliberation and the voters will be more generally known to each other and to the officers of the election. The penalties for illegal voting and for aiding and abetting thereto, cither by solicitation, intimidation, or transportation, should be largely increased.'

The practice of betting,upon elections is a great and growing evil, tending, more than any other cause, to destroy the purity of the ballot-box, and the practice should be visited with the severest penalties.—The history of the past year has satisfied me that, unless some effectual means can be adopted to protect the elective franchise from corruption, and desecration, our institutions will soon be at the mercy of an unlicensed mob.

The Report of the Trustees of the Wabash and Eric Canal will be laid before you It will be seen that the Trustees have caused the standing timber on the Birch Creek Reservoir, in Clay county, to be removed, at a very heavy expense thus allaying all cause of complaint on the part of the inhabitants residing in the vicinity of that work Though the best medical authorities reported, under a law of the Legislature, that this standing timber would not prove injurious to the health of the surrounding country, yet so completely did a contrary opinion take possession of the public mind in that vicinity, that on two several occasions, since the last meeting of the General Assembly, that necessary feeder to the canal was destroyed by an armed assemblage of a portion of the inhabitants of the country.

These outrages were promptly reported to this department, and I lost no time in adopting such measures as were, in my opinion, best calculated to re-establish the supremacy of the laws in that hitherto peaceful community. In the exercise of the power given by the Constitution, a proclamation was immediately issued and other outrages being ccmmitted, and threatened, not only upon the Canal, but on private property, an adequate force was immediately despatched to the scone of lawlessness. Determined to sustain the law, restore order, and, if possible, punish the aggressors, my duty was plain. Some arrests were made, and trials had, which resulted in the discharge of all the persons implicated.— Peace and order, however, were restored and maintained.

As the only cause of coiqplatnt is now removed, may we not hope that the people in the neighborhood of this Reservoir, as well as all other citizens, will refrain from further hostility and violence to the works and structures of the Canal? That the trustees had a perfect right to construct, the Reservoir, and that they adopted the mode of its construction frcrfn the original plans and surveys of the State authorities, and by the examples of other States, are matters which admit, of no doubt. That the persons engaged ih the destruction of the ResefvoilVwcre misled by the belief that the health of the county was endangered by the timber remaining on the submerged land, is equally clear and undoubted and if anything could justify their conduct,.this mistaken conviction would be a palliation of it.

It will be seen by reference to tnc report of the Trustees, that there is a serious diminution of the receipts of toll on the Canal, as compared with the income of 1854, and Ac prqecding year.— By the report of 1855, made to this department, it will be observed that the tolls for that year fall »h«rt, more than forty thousand dollars, of the income of the previous year and that tbe receipts for the year just closed, show a still further decrease of twenty-six thousand dollars below tiie revenue of 1855—making, in two years, an aggregate decrease of sixty-six thousand dollars.

This decline in the re?entre3pf the Canal, seems quite extraordinary and especially as it is believed that the naviga-

As a check on high and cxhorbitant charges, by other and competing modes of transportation the people of Indiana have a direct interest in the maintenance of the Wabash and Erie Canal, and in its successful result? as a measure of revenue to those for whom it is'hfeld in trust. The contract

Agricultural improvements is visible in every portion pf our Statje. The action ol the General Assembly, in making a small appropriation to aid this cause, is exerting a most beneficial influence. A large majority of the counties have well organized agricultural societies, whose delegates are now in session with the State Board ot Agriculture and, -throughout our State, the increasing interest tEat is manifested in advancing the cause of agriculture, and other branches of home industa^ aad* .fkill, is rapidly angm'fftting t$e amount and value of our domestic products-.- It is suggested, that'if would be productive of good rasulto, to amend the present law, sp as to make the Presidents of county societies, or other delegates appointed by them, constitute the State Board.

Having,( on several former occasions

the proper authority of the propriety pf for such'a making the neceesary provisions survey. While the resources of our sister States have thus been developed, and immigration and wealth thereby attracted to them,, we have neglected to lay bare the hidden treasures which Nature has .garnered up and, but for accident or individual enterprise, we should havo remained in the most profound ignorance of the mineral resources of our State. Enough has .been ascertained to convince us of their existence and extent but the hand of scionce is needed to show^us their value, and their localities.

Within the last-year/ discoveries li'arp been made of extensive beds' of iron^ore( in Perry county, in the immediate vicinity of formations of coalmand limestone and individual explorations, in other

tportions

of

the State, have been equally productive.— I, therefore, earnestly renew the recommendation for an appropriation for a thorough geological and typographical survey of the ..State.

In consequence of the excessive drouth of the past season, extending nearly throughout the entire year, our citizcns, in common with' those of other States bordering upon the Ohio River, have suffered greatly from the obstruction to navigation on thattgreat national "thoroughfare, fn our river .towns, business has been paralyzed, manufacturing has been suspended, commerce baa drooped, and thousands have suffered from the limited supply, and exhorbitant prices of fuel. The frequent occurrcnce of this state of things, has caused public attention to be directed to the necessity and practicability of improving the river, either by dams and slack water navigation, or by providing vast reservoirs of water iu the gorges of the Alleghenies.

However numerous our lines of Railway, even were they to penetrate every county in our State, we could never dispense with this great artery of commerce. It washes the borders of six sovereign States, with a population of near ten millions and bears upon its bosom the fruits of their soil, the products of their manufactories, and the coal and minerals produced froiflf their mountains. From reliable sources, it is estimated that the value of products annually transported updh this great highway of commerce, is not less than one hundred millions of dollars. The most strict constructionist could scarcely raise a doubt of the constitutionality of appropriations by the General Government for the improvement of the navigation of the Ohio river and I earnestly recommend you to call the attention cf Congress, through your representatives, to the pressing necessity of this important work.

Nothing,'during my connection with ths government of the State, has occasioned so much' embarrassment in the discharge of my official duties, as the neglect of the last Legislature to make the necessary appropriation for" thi support of the State Prison, 1 and to appoint the directors for its management, aS required'by law. This neglect imposed on me the alternative, either toappoint the directors myself, or to convene the Legislature for that purpose, at great expense to the State, and under circumstances in which I could see n® gronnds of assurance tliat the members could agree upon a selection In this emergency, I assumed th6 responsibility of making the necessary appointments, and selected as such director's,'Messrs. Grafton,F. Cookerly, of Vigo, George F. Savitz, of Clark, and Samuel F. Owen, of Floyd.

The contract with the lessee ef the prison, expired on tlie 15th of June, 1856.— On the next day,'apportion of the prisoners, having become excited under the inflammatol7 appeals of a newspaper circulated among them, rose in resistance against the authorities and fired the hospital. Through the promptness and efficiency of the fire compdnics of Jeffcrsonvillc, and those of our sister city, Louisville, the fire was extinguished before it had occasiored much

tion was maintained with fewer intcrrup- loss, and the mutinous conduct of the pristions than occurred in the year when the revenue yielded the highest income. The report of the Trustees will explain this ex-, traordinary decrease and to that report your attention is respectfully directed.

It is gratifying to have the assurance, contained in the report of the Trustees, that the completion of the Reservoir at Birch Creek, and other precautions to secure a good supply of water, will ensure, for the commerce of the next season, a more reliable navigation than that of any previous period. The Canal is now considered in good repair and such arrangements are being perfected as will give certainty and promptitude to the transmission of the productions of the soil, to northern or southern markets.

This Canal is the longest artificial water communication in the United States, and has always been a cherished work of Indi-

mors was promptly chcclred. The propriety of tendering to the fire companies some suitable testimonial of their effective and disinterested services, is respectfully suggested. .The report of the directors amd officer.* of the

j^risori,'exhibits

the workings of the

system, under the control of the State, for the first six nionThs. During this period, it has more than realized our expectations in economy of management, in the deportment of the prisoners, and in order and_ cleanliness in all of which (here is a roani-' fest improvement. It is proper to say,' that whatever defccts, heretofore, existed in these respects, were the faults of the law, and not of the contractor..'

Although it is not anticipated that tfie' Prison can be made to any considerable extent a souripe of revenue, is already apparent that even in this respect, wiirr proper management, its net income will be larger than any amount which the State could possibly realize under the contract system.

The object of all prison discipline should be, not merely to punish the offender for his misdemeanor, and restrain him from

between the State and her creditors, was the further sornnTission of crime, but, by fairly and deliberately made 'and it, is the highest duty of the State to keep, and perform, 'faithfully, all of ob.liga'tions, and to require tfie same on the part of'othcrs.

suitable reformatory means, by virtuous example and Christian counsel, to prejar,e him

for

11 recntrance into the pociety of his

fellows. Should the labor of the prisoners be productive of an income beyond the expense of their imprisonment, a portion otsuch net proceeds migKfc with propriety, be dcvotecfto" the support of their families or distributed among those who, on leaving, the walls of tfie prison, had by their good conduct rendered themselves worthy of such favor.

Under no circumstances should the State again surrender her control of this institw tion nor revive a policy which meets the condemnation-Of tKfe. (inH*cd world. As far as possible, the couvicts should be kept within the walls of the prison, and debarred- from intercourse with others. The efrcot pf the, intermingling of hardened* Criminals with those not yet inducted into crfffie, is highly pernicious, "and-the p»c~ ticc should be rigidly discountenanced.

The report of the directors and officersiV 1 a Mm MM A 4 A sn jl

urged upon the E6gtsX&Ir<?- tho duty of dW^d'se^ the fact that more tha» onc-thii^i providing for a thorough scientific

survey

01 the present inmates of the Prison would

of the geological character of the State, *1 'be proper subjects for the discipline of the regret that my recommendations upon a contemplated Eouse of Refuge. I conssubject of such vital importance to the pros- mend to your special consideration this valperity of the people, hsvc failed to convince! uable report, which exhibit?, fully the fr-