Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1897 — WAR AGAINST TRUSTS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR AGAINST TRUSTS

GOV. MATTHEWS SPEAKS EARNESTLY TO LEGISLATORS. He Sharply Arraigns Evil Combine* t on* of Capital—The Centennial Plaa Opposed—Appeala lor Aid and Sympathy for the Struggling Cubans. Features cf the Message. Got. Matthews' arraignment of trust* was loudly applauded in the ioint session of the legislature Friday. It took the Governor an hour and fifteen minute* to read his message, but the Senators and Representatives listened to it attentively. Gov. Matthews called attention to the wide-spread business depression throughout the country, and urged economy in the conduct of public affairs. On the subject of Slate finances he announced that the State debt had been reduced during his administration ?2,110,000, and that there had been effected a saving in the annual interest charges of SBI,BOO. The present assessed valuation of property in the State for taxable purposes is $1,286,050,531. The total Stste debt is $6,720,615.12. He congratulated the State on having got rid of “the evil of winter and continuous horse racing,” and he said: “We can most sincerely tender our sympathies to the States afflicted with the demoralizing and disreputable influences which surround these so-called racing associations.” On the subject of the State institutions he called atteution to the fact that, though he appointed for the prisons a non-partisan board of directors, these were removed and a strictly partisan board created. He showed that during his administration he had pardoned or paroled 115 prisoners, and granted thir-ty-two remissions of fine. On the subject of public schools he urged the guarding of the common school fund; mentioned that the total enumeration of school children in 1896 was 734,640, and that the total revenue from all sources for the school year was $4,301,413.01. On the question of compulsory education he said; “I am convinced that a moderate and judicious law, compelling the attendance of children, say between the ages of 7 and 12, in the public, private or parochial schools for a certain number of months, say for four each year, could be enforced, and would be of great good to the State and nation.” He recommended that the State sanitary commission be discontinued, and the work it now does be taken up by a vet-

erinary surgeon to be appointed by the* Governor. Opposes the Centennia' Schema, He does not indorse the scheme to hold a great State centennial celebration in 1900, and asked the members of the Legislature to consider seriously whether they would be justified in undertaking such an expensive enterprise. He spoke vigorously to the question of an anti-trust law, citing the utterance of President Cleveland on the same subject. He said: "To every intelligent and unbiased citizen the fearfully dangeroua power of combined wealth, for trust purposes, must be apparent, in that it is subversive of the principles upon which popular government is founded. The power of trusts is already alarming and enormous. If State laws can effectively deal with the subject, you cannot too speedily take such action as will limit, restrict or prohibit these powers.” » He urged upon the legislators that some action be taken looking to an accounting with the Vandalin Railroad Company. He suggests that if it be found that there is money owing the State by the railroad company, as alleged, the attorney general be directed to collect it at once. He devoted some time to a discussion of the contention as to the boundary line between the States of Indiana and Kentucky and disputed claims to a tract of land, known as Green River Islands, situated in the Ohio River. He reported that the matter had been placed in the hands of a commission, which had made a report, which was confirmed and approved last May. The cost to Indiana of the commission, he showed, was $1,418, which he urged the Legislature to pay. He said he believed Green River Island, separated from Kentucky as it is by the Ohio River, should belong to Indiana, ! and he announced that he had requested the Governor of Kentucky to submit a proposition for its cession to Indiana, but he declined to entertain the suggestion. He says he is persuaded that it will in the near future be found wise that the transfer be made. Appeals for the Cnbane. He concluded his message with an appeal in behalf of the struggling Cubans. He said in part: “Whjle you are peacefully assembled here under the benign influence of free government, and in full enjoyment of ail that human liberty can bestow, there is a people, our closest neighbors, at this time engaged in a desperate and bjoody struggle for freedom from a brutal and degrading despotism. These struggling, patriots are animated with the same ambitions and aspirations that burned within the breasts of our fathers over 100 years ago. The patriots of Cuba arp making a brave and earnest fight for freedonjj and appeal to, nay, have the right to nope for, and receive, our wannest sympathy. Sympathy—even substantial aid —is more due from the American people than from any other on the face of the globe. Almost within the sound of the bell that rang out liberty throughout the land to the inhabitants thereof, almost within the shadow of the stars and stripes, the proud emblem of a nation's freedom, almost breathing the libertyloving air wafted from our shores, we havq aroused in their souls a longing for - the blessings which we as a people exult in. “Can we turn a deaf ear to their pleading? Should we not at least comfort and encourage them with words of sympathy? Do we not owe it in justice to ourselves to bid them God speed in their sacred, cause, and to express the hope that soouW the last vestige of a miserable and effete!? despotism shall be swept from the western hemisphere? The people of Indiana are brave and generous, and but one generation ago her sons sealed with their blood their sublime faith in free "government and human liberty.” ■ ■ •• • 1 y

COV. MATTHEWS.