Indiana American, Volume 25, Number 6, Brookville, Franklin County, 23 January 1857 — Page 1

A NEWS AND BUSINESS PAPER-DEVOTED TO FORE5GN AND DOMESTIC NEWS, MORALS, TEMPERANCE, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, AND TKB BEST INTERESTS OP SOCIETY. VOL. XXV.-NO. 6. BROOXVILLE, FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1857. WHOLE NUMBER 1254.

GOVENOR'8 MESSAGE.

of the Senate, ami Hamm of HtfyumttUivot: la the nam of the people of this State, I welcomo you, as thoir appointed servants assembled under tho constitution aud the laws to mmrd thair rirrkfca mil tj mtmnr. their welfare The cam of national poli-! , . - ... . . .r. of your immediate oversight. These grave and world-wide in terest are wisely committed to other hand, and to you are left matters of more domestic and peaceral concern the agricultural, educational, and other civil and industrial interests of your own homes and tire-tides. Let no difference of opinions, concerning national polity, however actively davolonad events, mar the fraternity and with which you address your selves to the business of promoting the infernal interests, and improving the domeitkj policy of your own 8tatc. The recent election of a chiof magistrate of this great nation, evolved, during its pendency, an unusual degree of popular excitement, attended with activity and fears. Bat the crisis came, and has passed. The silent ballots of four millions of freemen have assuaged nomilar eHt. sent, and dissipated partisan fears. The' people prosecute the'r usual avocations, and find peace and rest in their domestio interest and pursuits looking for good, where many have prophesied only evil,

and determined to sustain the right, by uthorirod t0 invest this Fund, from time j whatever band it is administered. Inj101'"1 il may accumulate in their j like manner, gentlemen mny the excited . hands, in the Bonds of tho State, nndcr discussion in which you have, elsewhere I appropriate limitations, as to principal and participated" be forgotten, in the eager-' market value; thus changing tho charac-'

and unity with which you, here, di rect your thought and efforts to tho security and advancement of our domestic prosperity. It affords me pleasure to say that, du ring the post two rears, the general coudi-

tion of the State has been that of poace ront. lh education of our youth. It is a j of the Bank of the Stato of Indiana, the and prosperity. All our various interests, ', lgb trust, and will bo most truly perform- j subject was sprung upon the Legislature, agricultural, manufacturing, aud commer- 'd, when we shall connect tho education without previous discussion, without nodal, are In a prosperous condition; our of our childrcd with tho character, integ. tice, without investigation, without any state maintains a growing and command- rity, and honor of the state. In this man-' expression of the popular will, and withing position among her sisters of the con- j ner, at least one-third of our wholo for-, out any indication of public sentiment, in Metacy; the lews, with their benign in-' sign indebtedness may be absorbed; atom favor of tho measure. If such logitlaflueuce. nra uss ml 1 mm, , .-W...L. I eisen in? the burdens of the iieoble. and He lid and constitutional, two

r j- "pi pvuiv t i and though during the past year, the agricnltnral interests of some imrtions of the State have tuffered from the drought of! the season, yel we have smpln onus to ! render thanks to a superintending Provi- j deuce for the innumeral blessings which I have been bestowed on our laud and peo-' pie. The first snbjeet that demands the consideration of the Representatives of the people, is that of the financial condition of the state. It is gartifying to know that economy has been observed in your pubHe expenditures; the interest upon your public debt, promptly discharged; and the reduction of the principal not overlooked. The amount of the ordinary expenses of the state government, for tho year ending October a I, 1855, was $147,443,61. The tame, for the year ending October 3 1 1856, was 59,633,68. The excess of expenditure, for the year 1855, over that of 1866, was canted, mainly, by the exof the Legislature, and matters rily connected therewith. Tho ex penditure of $59,533,08, 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 say of our sister states. Among the first subjects which demand yonr prompt attention, is that of provi dlaejbylaw, for the roappraisement of the landed property, for taxable purposes. The property of this is so manifest, thot, I trust your early action will enable the county officers to commence this work he fori the expiration of yonr tension. Iu accordance with the provisions of the charter of the State Bank of Indiana, iU corporato powers will cense on tho first of January, 1858 the intervening two years to be occupied in winding np and liquidating its affairs. The State, as joint owner, fs deeply interested in the safe and ucceatful closing up of thit institution, la the main, it has been managed with prudence and sagacity, and with a visw to the profits of the stockholders, and the general interests of the people of the state. Tew institutions of the kind have enjoyed, to generally, the confidence of the pubiie. In its organisation, the rights of the whole people ware secured; the provisions of the charter, and the practice under H, strictly guarding aginst every species ef favoritism. Books for the subscription of stock were faithfully kept opes for the space of thirty days. Fortunately for community, and the management of the corporate powers of the Bank, ranch of the stock wee taken, in few shares, by our own farmers, mechanics, and merchanta. It commenced Its operations, therefore, under the auspices of a favorable publio sentiment, and has experienced throughout iu career, instead of hostility, the meet decided marks of friendship and feed will, at the hands of our citizens. Like all banking corporations, however, it has had iu 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 tranemitted, that the interest of the tale, n the Beak, upon the final closing up of Us concerns, after the payment of the bonds issued od account of the capital stock, will, in his opinion, if prudently aud safely closed up, amount to a tarn of ear two millions of dollars. Efforts will he made to divert this rest fund from iu appropriate channel, and in tome manner, to. control it for tho promotion of private ifiterueta. In anticipation of inch efforts, to to earnestly recommended that no sale,

ot transfer, of the interest of the state in Bank, shall bo permitted, either to individuals or corporations. The charter confers ample power, and defines tho particular modo In which tho affairs of the Dank shall he closed. Its capital is to be converted into cash, and

J- 0"Ln to the ,taUf' to ,h' Sinking r und Commissioners ofheers of

yonr own creation, selected from the whole bubblo bursts, the worthless rags are found people, and having no connection with ih in tho hands of the poor and laboring Bank, either as stockholders or borrow- 1 classes. The result of a toleration of this era, to bo hy them invested, aa tho law may 1 policy, is, to make the rich richer and the direct, for pnrposca of Common School ior poorer. Education. A fund so sacred, and fori It is in your power to apply the remedy purposes so beneficial to the people of tho ' to protect your constituents from imposistate, should bo forever, preserved invio- i tion and loss, to prohibit the circulation of late. It ahould not be crinitted to tempt an irresponsible currency, by sovero penthe cupidity of individuals, or used to sltics, and to prevent, as soon as practicaaugment tho powers, or swell tho coffers bio, tho diffusion among our people, of

of any corporato monopoly. ! any currency but that which is constituThe present modo of investment of i tionnl, or stich as may be promptly conthe Sinking Fund is, chiefly, in mortga-1 vortiblo into coin. It will bo a most forges upon tho real estate of our citizens. tunate day, when we shall have learned The facilities thus afforded for borrowing .the simplo truth, that we can never have

money, creato a spirit of speculation, often terminating in bankruptcy and rtiin to the borrower. Tho long lists of lands forfeited to the Fund, for tho non-payraont of principal and interest, admonishes n , 10 ,ec or omo 0,'lcr nioaoof 'nvcbtmont, which ahall bo equally safe and pro- ' ductivo. I have repeatedly suggested, and ! now renew tho recommendation, that tho Sinking Fund Commissioners should bo !

ter of our obligations, from a foreign to a " te l,,nt our constitution, mat domeiticdebt; the interest upon which, thopcoplo are the sourco of all political when collectod from our own people, shall , JKiwer; and, therefore, all legislation afbe immediately reimbursed to them, in ! Vcting thoir interests, or the character of

the accomplishment of that high and mot ounobling object of human govcrum a er elevating tho financial character of the state. The entire amount of tho Funded ' Debt of the state, outstanding is stated by tho Auditor of Stato, as follows : , Of 5 per cent Statu Slock, $5,150,600 I Of 3 per cent. Stato Stock, l,8ia,67ü

Total 81,909,077 (Jonttitution, and tho practice undor it, it The merket value of which, ostima. j, löe sheerest mockery to talk of a govting the 6 per cent, at eighty-four conts, crnmoIlt 0f u,0 people. One mischiovand the 34 ir cent at tixty cents, iioii ,gf rgcklossor ignorant Legislature, in an the dollar, would bo tho sum of 90,519,- n,irfi,t thus inflict upon tho State a 0' ...! of evilt winch would require To show the prnticabil.tyof converting , the udorn of an ago for their removal; thit foreign debt into a domestic one, the i involving, among other evils, the dottruofollowiug table is complied from tho ro- j 1;,m r Oh0 0f tue mBin ,u,,porte of pubport of the Superintendent of Public In- yu v;rm0 the supremacy of the people at struction, and from tho communication of tilt. bailot-bo.;. the President iT the Stato Ban!, l h means and appliances brought to BXUiBiT or common NeW ruxn. , Unt i0 HOCuro Ul0 I)W,rtl0 üf this charter, Amount of Special Fund $1,03, 574,90 I wouM( if 0XlX)Md to tho public gase, exAmount of Common Fund 94,040,15 ' iu0 page of fraud and corruption Bank Tax Fund, on hand iu Htate Treus- ,j,ut cvcr diagracod tho Legislature of any ury, 6,080,85. Bank Tax Fund, on hand guUi while mon of purs and honoraIn Stato Treasury, 10,607,83. Saline bta sontimont were . lod iuto lit support, Fund on loan, 9,686,89, Haimo hand in hj tl0 toif t tuo Rpproaching close of Stato Treasury, 10,531,88. Estimated existing Bauk, required thorn, thus early, valued of Siuking Fund iu State Bank, to piovido a succossor; others supported to date, 1,955,401,59. Total, 04,913,013 j jt upon promise of stock, equivalents in l- money, or plodgea as to the location of Tho Sinking Fund Commissioners particular branches. To make up the should be directed, by law, to invest theso constitutional ?ote lo its favor, tho uaraet

fund' Mthy v accumulate- In desto nDU' ,n ino iM)c 01 "0; ana in - wouiu, amne, oe suuideni iu aioiu n ulyour entire indebtedness. Tho policy, j

however, of continuing tho annual Sink-1 MUago of tho bill, tho enormitiet jiractiing Kuml Tax, for the liquidation of our rt m tlll. Clai.n of tho branches, and dobt, should not be abandoned. Ou the! tha dietribution of the ttock, whore still I contrary, as every interest of the Stato is moro glaring, and, If possible, more do- j buoyant and prosperous, it should in my j Mrving of public condemnation. Tho judgment, bo increased to live cents on tho location of tho branches, the pritilegea of; hundred dollars, ir annum. If praeti-1 Scribing to its' stock, iu short, the fran- i cable, tho first investmont, of either our ' rhi,0 f tho Bank, wore bought and sold Sinking Fund or School Fand, should be olhor marketable commodities. In j madoin tho 3 1 per cent Stocks. With .,, Df the branches; the books for the thit annual diminution of our Indebted. SuUcription of stock were kept open but a1 ness, and the investment of the School ; fow minutes, and wore then only accossiFund at indiente!, iu less than eight 0a to partioa lo tho fraud; in othor instau-! years we shall convert our foreign debt j esjg, they were opened iu out-of-the way into a home debt; the Interest npon which, piUCCs, known only to a few; and, Inj when drawn from our taxpayers, would fcrarCcly any instance, was full and free immedistely be returned to them, in a j opportunity givon, for citizens, generally, I thousand streams of intelligence, bleesii.r, subscribe. In two or three cases, suits j with their benign influence, parent and i wcre brought by those who felt aggriovod; child, and elsvating to tho highest pinna- but thslr com plaints wore stifflcd by the ! cle of honor the character of our beloved ' potent agency of money. In thit manstate. , a majority of the stock, In tho sevenOn reference to the report of the Audi- teen branchet first organized, was sub- j tor of State, It will bo seen that, under cribed by twonty-oight individuals, the tho restrictions of the amendod Statute, largest portion of whom have never been j

the enrreney of the Frco Banks is amply engaged in tho business of banking, and secured, and fnlly entitlod to public con- , 1Vl. already, disused of thoir stock, to fldence. If Banks of issun be necessary others, at enormous promiumt. at all, they should be a m s as potaiblo : It would bo interesting and instructive, from the feature of monop. ' r and, in this to have, for comparison, tho names of the respect, therefore, the s:em of Free or-iual, nnd tho present, stockholders. Banking is entitled to our approbation. Thenuddon transfer of stock, would conTo perfect the syttem, however, a Bank- vinco tho most Incredulous, that the charing Department ahould be creaU l, sepa- ter was procured, not for purposes of bankrate and distinct from all others, but sub-, ing, but for speculations; for the benefit

ject to the inspection and supervision of, the Executive Officers and tho Legisla-

ture. The concise and the able report of nal stockholders, are believed to be not the Auditor of State, aud his valuable lees than one quarter of a million of dolsuggestions, in this department, are com- lata; all of which must be re-imbursed by mended to your consideration. the laboring and producing classes. Had While to other subjects wo apply the tho State exacted such a bonus from the rigid teat of sound, practical, common corporators, to be paid into her treasury, it sense, upon tho subject of currency, we might, at least, have been said that, in cherish tbe shadow and reject the tub- this respect, the whole people were benestance. Not content with such issues as fited. are tolerated by law, the solvency of Having a knowledge of these facU, and which has been guarantied by legal en- regarding the character aa a direct violaactment, we have encouraged and fostered tion of the Constitution, I caused two the spurious and fraudulent emissions of suits to be brought one in my own name

individuals, Plank R roads, and Insurance

, Companies; nil having an origin in our I own Htate, and existing in defiance of law, ' and sound public sentiment. In addition to thlt, Indiana, has beeu the great field ' for tho circulation of the worthless and ; fraudlent Imucs of other states, sent hero hy unprincipled speculators, who amass

j ? ! 5 credulous. In nil expense of tho unwary and these cases, when the steadiness, and permanent prosperity, in tho business of tho country, so long as we shall continue to encourage any system that converts promises to pay, into money. It was the intention of the frsmers of ,n0 Constitution, and they expressed it in languago too plain to be misunderstood, that thoro should be but oneState Bank of Indiana, at the same time; and yet, in the face of this provision, four years before tho expiration of the legal cxistonce of the State Bank of Indiana, the Legislature of 1865, chartered n new Stato Bank, under the name and style of the Bank of the State of Iudiana. the State, should emanate directly from them. But, in tho case of tho character MM before tho expiration of the character of the State Bank, what is thore to prevent the present or any succeeding legislature, from extending the monopoly of tho businosa of bauking for another wrid of twonty yoars, to tho same, or other more importunate corporators ? If Mtch is to be tho interpretation of our ,.f llClnijre were recorded in it passage, , , v ,Vi at thllt moment aUent and , , my ,niti uiUnt from the Capitol. uul jf fraud, and corruption marked tho of tho few to the exclusion of the many. Tho premiums thus realised by the origi and one in the name of the State for the

pourpose of testing its validity. The first has been docided, without touching

any of the great points involved in the issus. The second is still, ponding, and will, In its progress, fully test the rights of the corporators. The Supreme Court havo already intimated such nn opinion, in regard to the adoption of amendments to bills upon their passage, 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 givon to an institution of this character. I recommend, thorofore, that tho charter be expunged from thestatute books; or, fading in this effort, that all connection between tho Bank and the State, cither by deposit of fundi or otherwise, be prohibited, and that it be prevented from re-issuing the notes of tho present State Bank, by tho penality of a forfeiture of tho securities received therefor. Tho charter should be promptly and absolutely repealed, so that no sanction, whatever, to its logal existence shall appear upon your statute books. The safety of tho public funds should also admonish you to prohibit the reception of its issues for public duos. The Legislature owe it to themselves, to the causoof honesty and justice, to tho credit of the State, and to tho constituents they represent, to take prompt and decisive action in the premises. When the present Stato Bank shall have been entirely wound up, and all its affairs liquidated should the people then desire another institution to succeed it, thoir representatives will come instructed to that end, and can frame a charter which, guarding tho rights of all, shall not be subscrvicnt to tho purposes of private : speculation. If it be good, the whole people should be permitted to participate ' in iu benefits; if it bo otherwise, it should

be promptly suppressed. I property and polls, for that purpose. BoIt may be said that tho new institution deprived of tho statuary authority to is now in tho hands of safe and respousi-! tax for tuition, they looked to the ble men, and that their rights of proper-1 Legislature, and demand a redemption or ty should not be disturbed. In answer, the Constitutional plcdgo to furnish the it may bo stated that they purchased tho requisite amount of funds for this purstock, with full knowlodge of the frauds; ' P0- I ,1()t tlli clim reasonable ? Is that tho stock, instead of pacing into the ' i not unquestionable ? It it not just ?

hands of our citizens, our farmors, mcr-; chants.and mechanics, as iu the former Bank, is being transferred to mon beyond our limits, who have no other interest in ' the prosperity of our state, than to( mako

it the thoatru of thoir speculations. Xor ' mount to all others, and should bo so rohavo wo any guaranty, or assurance, that, yarded. Of equal urgency and necessity, however,' solvent " the present ttock- i tho want of competent instructor. holders, tho stock may not, iu tho first Teachers' Institutes, or Normal Schools, momontof disaster, bo transferred to oth- aro tho appropriate remedies for this evil, ort, without character, or responsibility. As tho State has not appropriated a dolWith tho extended powers and privi- lar to this purpose, heretofore, the quetleges conferred on this institution its tions naturally occur What does OConorights to itsuo pott notes, to ditcottnt up- my demand ? What docs justice claim? on deposits, and to defy the scrutiny, or When the township oroct school houses, Control of tho Legislative it is believed tho State cannot honorobly evade, postthat no prudent capitalist would over in- pone, or repudiate the obligation to provest his monoy mit. vide tho appropriate meant for a six On the 3d of July last a proclamation monthi tuition annually for her fivo hunwas issuod by tho Executive, upon tho dred thousand children, tubjoctof tho apportionment of Senators The establishment and successful opeaud Representatives, and their election. ration of a State Teachors' Association, The Constitution, which Is the paramount for tho lost two yoars, is an encouraging law of land, provides for, and establishes tigu of progrott; and tho publication of a a Oonoral Assombly, to bo composed of monthly Educational Journal, by tho the member of a Senate and I louse of same Association, it, alto, a significant Representatives, who are required to hold sign, of tho same gonoral character, biennial sessions, at the capital of the Tho important sorvice that this perlState, on tho Thursduy uext after tho odical might render tho State, suggests first Monday of January, 1853, and on tho propriety of enlisting it, aa an auxilitho same day of every second year thoro- ary to tho department of Public Instruc'ter. Undor this Constitution, a logisla- tion, in communicating with tho township turo acted and established an apportion- boards, and county Auditors.

mont law, dividing tho Stato into sonatorial and representative districts. In accordanco with that law, tho General Atsembly of 1854 was eloctod. The Legislature, thus elocted, failed to comply with the requirements of tho Constitution, iu regard to tho making of propor laws to provide for the organization of a future Legislature. This neglect of the Ocnoral Assombly does not, in any mannor, impair, or lesson, tho powor of the Constitution, as to tho necessity of having and sustaining a Stato Legislature.

Surely, the neglect of ono brauch of the theso lands I recommend that the proccedt government to perform its duty, will not, bo sot apart for tho endowment of an Agof itself, work a revolution, or destroy ricultural Professorship, iu connection with tho functions of government. It is, in tho purchase of a farm, for practical test forming) Constitutions, an essential prin- of labor, and agricultural improvement, ciple that tho government should contain Tho question of providing, by tho opewithin iUelf, tho powor of self-presorvn- ration of judicious and effective laws, for tion. tho prevention or mitigation of thoto viTho Executive Department is invested cos and evils, public and domestic, which with no authority to exercise the legisla- have their origin in tho intemiwrato use of tive powers of govcrnmont; aud, in this intoxicating liquors, requires, from you, instance, no legislative power was exorei- the most profound and serious considerasod. Tho Proclamation, from the necee- tion. Tho judiciout logitlator will look tity of tho cato, took tho existing appor- Ml more caro to the prevention of crimo tionment, at it stood at the last cloction than t j tho punishment of itt retultt. under tho law, and rocommouded tho In former communications, addressed lection of memben to fill the number to tho General Assombly, ou tho subject necessary lo mako a constitutional Senate of making laws to regulate tho traffic in and House of Ropresetitativos, upon pro- intoxicating drinks, and to check and rc-

cisely the same ratio and apportionment which exitited when the Qonorol Asternblv adjourned. In tho samo number, representing tho samo territory and population aa whon you adjourned, you have assembled at tho pretent time. Convened under tho Constitution, clothed, by the people, with the tovoreign

power that belongs to a General Assembly 1 ho conttltuttontl ngnt Of the Legisit it your duty to fix, by law, tbe number lture to make lawt for regulating the of Senatort and Repretentativet that , traffic in intoxicating drinks, aud punieh-

sbsll compose the future Legislatures, and

to apportionment Senators and Represen- sanctioned by judicial authority, from tbe peaceful community. In the exercise of Utives among the several counties, accor- organization of tho government to the i the power given by the Constitution, a ding to the number of white male inhabi-1 present time. The making of auch lawt, j proclamation was issued; and other outratants, above twenty-one years of age, in howover, requires the exercise of a great! ges being committed, and threatened, not each. degree of prudence. If the laws be too! only upon tho canal, but on private propThe cause or Education it tecond to no weak, they will become worthless, and j erty, au adequate force was immediately other claiming legitlative attention and fell into contempt, before the luccestful j despatched to the sceno of lawlessness. action. Mental development invariable : resistance of those who may undertake to j Determined to austaiu the law, restore or-

precedes physical improvement Enlightened mind is the real source of all edTaQOtmtnt in Igrjouitural teitnoe, me -

(chanieal invontion, and political progress; I and, therefore, the educational interests 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 boon laid on your table, will present the reiulu of the operation of the school system, during tho first year after is la - test revision. The wisdom of many of the changes, introduced by your predecessors into our Educational Code, hasdoveloped itself more and more, during the two years which have transpired since the revision. Though not perfect, it hat , fully justified all reasonable expectation, 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 system has more than realized the expectations of its friends, and fully rodeemod the plodges of

iu most earnest advocates. The extent J doncos, that tho people of tho State do not to which it has been usod in many town- require some sound and effectual lcgislahips in various parts of tho Stato seems ' tion to check and restrain tho growth of almost without a parallel, demonstrating 1 thoso numerous and destructive evils, viits power and usefulness as an education- ces, and crimes, which afflict every comal instrumentality. I would, most earn- munity where the laws impose neither estly, recommend that it bo made a per- punishments nor restraints upon drunk-

manont feature of tho system. A reduction of the present tax for its support, of i

at least three-fifths, would bo no detriment 1 men to become drunkards. Tho agitation to its healthy progress. ' and discussion of this subject, by the pcoTho peculiar requisitions of the Con- pie of the several counties, if necossuristitution, as defined by the Supreme Ju- j ly connected with the selection of county diciary of tho State, compel the Legisla-! commissioner! clothed with ample power ture to consider tho claims of our youth to I to restrain and regulate tho traffic in intoxa period of tuition, adequate to their j Seating liquors, is worthy of your social wants, and equal to their nccessitiot. Tho ' consideration. Whatever differences of

townships have, to a great extent, nobody entered on the discharge of their duty, by tho erection of school houses; having i levied, withiu two years, more than three quarters of a million of dollars on the Thon, it should bo promptly and fully met. No consideration of economy should ! induce tho Legislature to postpone tho redemption of the educational plodgo of 1 tho Constitution. Such claims are para-1 You will perceive, from the report of tho Superintendent, that our Colleges aro in a (lourisuing condition; nobly compo- ( ting with each other, iu the race of use-, fulness in the higher departments of education. A condensed report of their hittoryand progress, will be found in tho report for this yonr showing what our citisent have dono in their associate capacity for collcgiato education, PatcuU have boon received for tho add itionnl grants of lands to tho Stato Uni-. vorsity, at Bloomington. In disposing of strain tho vice of drunkenness, I referred to the danger of arousing a re-action in popular sontimont, by tho enactment of laws so stringent that they could not bo carriod into effect. Subsequent events nave doveloped nothing to induce mo to change the views which were then exprossed. ing the vice of drunkenness, has existed, J violate them with a strong srm. On the i other hand if they are too severe, they , cannot be enforced in communities where

they may be regarded, by the prevailing popular sontimont, as oppressive interferences with personal rights and domestic privileges. The unwise policy of making laws which, owing to tho stato of public opinion, cannot bo carried into effoct, will always afford grounds of justification, or

excuse, for an inefficient or weak adminia1 tration of the best laws. Thoro should bo no dead-letter laws among our statutes. A great increase of the number of pla ces which intoxicating liquors sro sold, land lamentable increase of the evils which grow out of the vice of drunkenness, are matters which you who are charged with the duty of guarding the interests and promoting tho welfare of tho State; cannot overlook or neglect. Although we may, in many placoseo the ovidonces of a re-action in public sentiment, apparently unfavorably to tho cause of temperance, yet wo will fall into a most injurious error, with respect to public opinion iu Indiana, if wo concluded, from theso oviards, nor upon those who constantly hold out inducements which tempt their fellow opinion may hove been, heretofore, cntertainod ou this subject, no man can shut his eyes to the fact, that, throughout our State, numerous places have been openod, or established for the unrestrained sale of spiritous liquors, in which tho young and unwary havo been decoyod to contract tastes and habits which the resolves of a subsequent life cannot control, if thoy havo not already, entered upon the courses of dissipation and vice. It is, imperatively, the duty of the Legislature, in tho exercise of a wise discrotion, to enact some constitutional law, inj accordance with public sontimont, of sutBc- j ient stringency to restrain and suppress this growing evil ; and I doubt not this subject will recoivo at your hands, such consideration as its groat importance requires. On a review of tho late elections, it is apparent to all, that our laws havo failed to preserve tho purity of tho ballot-box. While there is a difference, in recjard to tho proper remedy, an effort is made to direct public sentiment in favor of a registration of voters. But tho practical workings of rogittry laws, in othor,States. havo failod to convince mo of tho adaption of such laws to our community. Tho officer making tho registry is liable to bo imposed upon as the judges of our elections; and us wido a field for fraud and corruption would bo opened, as exists under the present. A remedy for', illegal voting may be found, by requiring an actual residence in the township, or election precinct, of not loss than sixty days prior to the time t of voting, and by tho multiplying of olec tion districts; thereby avoiding the colleo- j tion of large bodies of voters at ono place; and lemming the facilities for fraudulent voting. Where few votort are congregated at a ainglo precinct, thore will bo little danger of excited and angry foaling ; the (right of suffrage will bo exorcised with more freedom and deliberation; and tho voters will be mora generally known tooach other, and to tho officers of the election. The penalties for illegal voting, and for aiding and abetting thereto, either by solicitation, intimidation, or transportation, should bo largely increased. Tho practice of betting upon cloctions is a great and growing evil, tending, more than any othor cause, to destroy tho pari ty of tho ballot box, and the practice should be visited with tho sovcrcst penalties. Tho history of the past year hits satisfied mo that, unless some effectual meant can bo adopted to protect Jtho oloctivo franchiso from corruption and desecration, our institutions will soon be at tho morclesof an unlicensed mob. The Report of tho Trustees of the Wabash and Erie Canal will bo laid before you. It will bo seen that tho Trustees have aus--. i tho standing timber on tho Birch Crock Reservoir, in Clay cotiuly, to bo removed, at a very heavy expense; thus allaying all cause of complaint on tho partof tho inhabitants residing in tho vicinity of that work. Though tho bost medical authorities reported, undor a law of tho Legislature, that this stauding timber would not provo injurious to the health of the surrounding country, yet so ; completely, did a contrary, opinion take ! possession of tho mind in that vicinity, i that, on two several occasions, since the last meeting of tho Genoral Assembly, that nocesaary feeder to tho canal waa destroyed by an armed assemblage of a portionf the inhabitants of tho country. Theso outragos were promptly reported to thit department, and I lost no time in adopting suob measures at were, iu my opinion, best calculated to re-establish tho , supremacy of the laws in that hitherto der, at d, if possible, punish the aggressors, my duty was plain. Some arrests were made, and trials had, which result

ed in tho dischargo of all persona implicated. Peace and order, however, were restored and maintained. As tho only cause of complaint is now removed, may wo not hope that tho people in the neighborhood of this Reservoir, as well aa all other citixena, will refrain from further hostility and violonce to tho works and structures of the canal? That the Trustees had a perfect right to construct tho Reservoir, and that they adopted the mode of its construction from the original plaus and surveys of the State authorities', and by tho examples of other States, are matters which admit of no doubt. That the personi engaged in the destruction of the Reservoir, were misled by the belief that the health of tho county was endangered by the timber remaining on the submorged land, is also clear and undoubted: and if anything coulq, justify their conduct, this mistaken conviction would bo a palliation of it. It will bo seen by roforence to the report of tho Trustcos, that there is a serious diminution of tho receipts of tollt on the Canal, as compared with 1854, and tho prccoding year. By the Report of 1855, made to this department, it will bo observed that the tolls for that year fall short,

more than forty thousand dollars, of the incomo of tho previous year; and that the receipts for the last year just ended, show a still further decrease of twonty -six thousand dollani before the revonuo of 1855 making, in two yoars, an aggregate decrease of sixty -six thousand dollars. This decline in the revenues of the Canal, seems quite extraordinary: and esnecially, as it is believed that tho navigation was maintained with fewer interruptions , than occurred in the year when tho revenues yielded the highest income. Tho report of tho Tiustees will explain this j extraordinary decrease, aud to that report your attention is respectfully directed. It it gratifying to havo the assurance, ' contained in the report of the Trustees, that tho completion of the Rcsorvoir at Birch.Creok, and other precautions to secure a good supply of water, will onsurc, tot tho commerce of of the next season, a more reliable navigation than that of auy i previous period. The Canat is now considercd in good repair; und such arrange- j menu aro being perfected as will give cer- j tainty and promptitude to tho transmisson of the productions of tho soil, to northSRI or southern markets. This Canal is tho largest artificial water communication iu tho United States, and bos always' been a cherished work of Indiana. As a check on high and exorbitant charges, by other competing modes of transportation, tho people of Indiana have a direct interest in tho maintuinaiico pl tho Wabash and Eria Canal, and in its successful results as a measure of revonuo ( to thoso for whom it is bold in trust. Tho contract between tho Statu and her credit-1 ors, was fairly and deliberately made ; and it is tho highest duly of the State to j keep and perform faithfully all of bor obligations, and to require tho tamo (on tbo part of others. Agricultural improvement is visible. in ovory portion of our State. Tho action of tho General Assombly iu making a small appropriation to aid thit cauio, is exortlug n most beneficial influence. A large majority of tho counties have well organised ogaicultural societies, whoso dologates aro now iu session with tho Stato Board of agriculture; and, throughout our State, tho j increasing interest that is manifested in ad-1 vancing tho cause of agriculture, aud other branchet of homo industry and skill, is rapidly augmenting the amount and valuo of our domestic products. It is suggested that it would bo produotivo of good results, to amend the present law, to ut to make tho PrcsidonU of oounty tocletios, or othor delegates appointed by them,'constuto tho Stato Board. Having, on several former occasions, org od upon tho Legislature tho duty of providing for a thorough scientific survey of tho geological character of tho State, I regret that my recommendations on a subject of such vital importance to tho people havo failod (o conviuce the proper authority of the propriety of making tbo necessary provisions for such a survey. While tho resources of our sister States havo been thus doveloped, and immigration and wealth thoroby attractod to them, we havo neglected to lay bare the hiddeu , troasurea which Nature hat garnered up ; ' and, but for accident of individual enterprise, wo should have remained in pro- , found ignorance of tho mineral resources : of our State. Kuough has been ascertain-1 od to couviuco us of their existcuce and : oxtent; but tho hand of sciouce is needed to show us their value, and their localities. Wiihin tho last yoar, discoveries of extensive bods or iron ore have boen made, in Perry county, in tho immediate vicini ty of formation! of coal and limo stone ; ; and individual explorations, in other por-1 tions of the State, have been equally produet i ve. I, therefore, earnestly renow the recommendation fur an appropriation for n thorough geological and topographical survey of the Stato. In consequonce of the excessive drouth of tho past season, extending nearly tbro'out the entire yoar, our citizont, in common with tho citizens of other States bordering upon tho Ohio river, have suffered groutly from obstruction to navigation upon that great national thoroughfare. In our own river towns, business has been paralysed, manufacturing has been suspended, commerce has drooped, and thousands have suffered from the limited supply, aud exorbitant prices of fuel. The frequout occurrence of thit ttato of thingt 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 vatt reservoirs of water in the gorget of tbo Alleghenict. Howevor numerous our lines of Railway, oven were they to penetrate every county in our State, we could never dispense with this great artery of commerce. It washes tho borders of six sovereign Stotel, with a population of near ten millions; and boars upon its bosom the fruits of their soil, the productions of thoir manufactories, and tho coal aud minerals produced from their mountains. From reliablo sources, it it estimated that tlio producta annually transported upon this great highway of commerce, is not less than a hundred milions of dollars. The most

strict constructionist could scarcely raise a doubt of the constitutionality of appropriations by tho General Government for tho improvement of the navigation of the Ohio river; and I earnestly rocomui' nd you to call tho attention of Congress, thro' your representative", to the pressing necessity of this important work. Nothing, during my connection with tha government of tho State, has occasiu B 1 to much embarrassment in tho discharge 1 of my official duties, as tho neglect of tbo last Legislature to make tho necessary ap- j propriation for the support of tho State Prison, and to appoint tho directors for I management, as required by law. This' neglect imposed on me tho altemai ther to appoin the directors rayaetf, or to convene the Legislature for that purpose, ! at great expense to the Slate, ai I under! circumstances in which I could sco no grounds of assuranro that tho members I would agreo upon a selection. In this emergoncy I assumed the rcsponsibHHy of making tho necessary appointments, and selected as such directors, Messrs. Grafton F. Cookcrly, of Vigo, lOeergc F. Saviir.. of Clarke, and Samuel F. Owen of Floyd county. The contract with the lessee of tho prison, expired on the 15th of .hu e, 1858. On the next day, a portion of tho prisoners, having become ecitod under tho ir.fiaiiimatory appeals of n newspaper circulat-1 among them roso In rtJatotSJioa against the authorities and fired the Hospital. Thro' the promptness and efficiency of tho fire companies of Jcffcrsonville, and those of our sister city, Louisville, the firo was extinguished before it caused much lo, and tho mutinous conduct of the prisoners area promptly chocked. The propriety r tendering the fire companies some suitable testimonial of their effective and di. ntcrostod services, is respectfully suggested. Tho Report of the directors and officers of the Prison exhibits the workings of the systom undor the control of the State, for the first six months. During this period it has more than realized our expectations in economy of management, and iu tho deportment of tho prisoners, In order and cloanlincts; in all of which there it man! fest improvement. It It proper to say, that wbatover defect heretofore existed in these respects, were tho faults of tho law, and not of the contractor. Although it it not expected that tho Prison can be mado, to any considerable extent a to u reo of revonuo, it U already tpptmai that, even in this respect, with proper management, iUnet income will bo larger than any amount which the State could rcallao undor tho contract sy. toni. Tho objoct of all prison discipline shoM bo, not moroly to punish the offender for his mlsdcraoauor, and restrain him from tho further commission of crimo, but, by suitable reformatory moans, by vinuout example and Cristian counsel, to prepare him for are-entrance into tho to hit fellows. 8boul.l tho labors of the prisoners bo productive of an income boyond the expense of their imprisouraont, a portioiof such net proceeds might with proprio ty bo devoted to iho support of their families ; or distributed nmoug those who, on leaving tha walls of tho prison, hail, by their good conduct, rendered thotnselves worthy of such favor. Under .no elrcurast'. aces should the State again turrender her control of this institution ; J nor revive a policy wh meots tho condemnation of tho civilized world. At far at possible, tho convicU should be kopt within the' walls of tho prison, and debarred from inlcrcourso with others. Tho effect of the intermiu, . of hardened criminals with thoso not yet inducted into crime, Is highly icrnicioua, and tho practicoashould bo rigidly discouutcnancod. Tbe report of the directors and officers discloses the fact, that more thau ono-lhird of tho present inmates of the Prison wo'd bo proper subjects for tho discipline of Ibt contemplated Houto of Refuge. I commend to your apecial consideration thit valuable document, which exhibits, fully, the details of our system of j rieon discipline. No appointment of Moi.il Instructor lint been made. This service haj boon jcrformod by tho Rev. Leroy Wood, tho former chaplain. The list ofpardi -, and remissions of fines and forfoi'.uret, is herewith coramunicated. Our Benovolcnt Institutions most deservedly command the respect and confidence of tho people. Their several reports will present you with information, in detail at to their expenditures, progress and management. Thoy aro oniitlod to pooh of your considerations. While our pcopie look with prido to these monuments of their liberalities, thoy cxpoct from yon, their servants, tho utmost economy as to thoir management. Negotiation! have not been concluded with the President of Liberia, for tho purchase of land for our .colored population emigrating to that Republic. A communication, from President Benson, herewith submitted, shows hit entire concurrence in tho views taken by your State Board, and, doubtless, the necessary legislation, on the

part of Liberia, was consummated in December last. I rejoice with you, at the weU-suarieai rebuks which the proposition to renew tho . African Slaro Trade hat motived at Lome and abroad. God forbid that we should so far forget what it due to our own reputation, to aay nothing of justice and toa manlty, at to renew and endorse a crime, that oar fathers, in the purity yf our government, called by the proper name. Piracy. The subject of African r"Vriritten. is one of deep interest to our people; and I earnestly recommend tbe usual appro pris, to aid this great cause of humanity, which promises so much good to tie ed man, as well as permanent peace and harmony in our own commonwealth. Tho frequent communication, and the amount of business transactions which exists between tbo citixens of the Uatofd States aud the subjects of foreign governments, have induced several of the States to provi.le, by law, for the appointment of Commissioners of Deeds, authorised to take acknowledgments of Deeds, Depositions Mortgages, Ac The propriety of making provisions to authorise similar ap. pointmtAtt on the part of this Staat, is submitted to your oousidsratioo. The statute on tho subject of granting divorces requires revision which will re-

licvo our Courts from the pressure of applications for divorce, for all imaginable causes, on the part of citixens of other States. You will, doubtless, promptly apply a remedy for this stato of things, by requiring of the parties, in such cases, an tctual residence of two or more years. Tho public records of the State, including those of the Supreme Court, and of the lepartmonts cf the Secretary, the Auditor, and the Treasurer of Slats, are insecure, and liable to be injured or destroyed by fire. In order to place these records iu a condition of greater security, and te re lit vethe State from the payment ot heavy rents, sound policy requires the ini mediate commencement, on the ground ocou- ! 1 by the State Treasurer, of an edifice sufficiently commodious for the offioes ei; r S .i.e, Supreme Court, d;c.; leaving the Stale House exclusively for the use of the legislature, aud tho State Library. Tho Governor's Circle, in the tbe very hoartof the Capital of the State, should bo improved, by taking dowu the old, died buildiug which stands upon it; and, for the hctlth and beauty of yout Capital, tb grounds should be kset apart for a public park. In preparing tbo plan of the proposed building, care should be taken to adapt it to tho present and future wants of tbe State, not overlooking rooms for the eellection and preservation of feeiof ioal spoo ' aral p .i valuabls oeds, and models of useful farming implements, and other useful m .chanical in vent. on. A Bureau of Statistics to required for the purjKiio of ascertainlng,and making known from year to year, the progress of improvements in Indiana, and the condition of the various brooches ef productive industry .in tho Slate. 1 1 it a matter of astonish neat that we havo sollong neglected the duty of providing menns for tho accomplishment of this important work. By a Bo 1 "f wbloh neaj Lo manag ed At an expenditure which would be Inconsiderable whoa compared with the vuL uo of iu operations our citixens, and tha I pplt of other State, might receive annually, authentic information of the progress f improvement in the severs! counties of Indians. Among other details this information might etnbraou facts barreference to the following subjects: The quantity of Und under cultivaiioe; the kinds, amounts and values of the annual field crops; the various annual productions of orchards, gardens, and dairies; the various articles of domestic mariufaetura, produced annually'; the annual pan-, d notions of mochauical skill end industry; antes of the amount and val no of exports and imports; the names, locations, and population of towns and villages; the tbo number and value of seheol-honaaa and churches; the names, number, capital an 1 purposes, of incorporated companies, V, A.c. An annual statistical report, presenting, in detail, authentic informei lespoct to those subjects, should bo mads a permanent part of our dornende policy. 1 ' assB In connection with (the proposed improvement at the Capital, your attention is invited to a consideration of the expediency of providing for an enlargement jf .to )lot:io Sauare. By vacating, for tho distauce of one square, the street North of the Capitol, by (he purchase of two small lots, and by effecting, with the city authorities, nnarrangemootmpeottosf i n western Market House, tin urea of the lot for the use of the Staat Ilotuo, may be enlarged, so as to form appropriate grounds around the Capitol of tha Stato. 33 Having repeatedly called the attention of tho Legislature to the necessity of placing addition, restrictions and eafjts9s) around the office of Agent of State, and fooling it incumbent on me to exaaatot a careful supervision over it, I appointed - Klijah Now land, of this State, and Ji 1. I). Lanier, ok N. w York, toexamiae, and report upon, iu condition, and proponed various questions la reference te tha subject. Ov. .ng to a pressure of business, Mt. Lanier declined the trust; end I there Upon appointed Washington De Pauw, who was iu that city, in his stead. The report of the examiners to herewith eoav nasj banted, in which, aatcetj other things, the pn i riciy ol appointing a Register at Stock, as a check upon tbe Agent, to suggested. As, however, there might he eat lusiou between the Agent and Bsgitata, to.