Pike County Democrat, Volume 25, Number 37, Petersburg, Pike County, 25 January 1895 — Page 3

i /i Message to the Legislature. A Sure and Gradual Extinction of the State Debt. Indiana’s System of Education One of the Most Perfect in the Country. The Prison North Self-Sustaining, With a Handsome Surplus. tThc Governor Rrfommendi the E*t»bllihment of Intermediate Prisons, or Industrial Schools, for Youthful Offenders—Charitable Institutions in a Healthy Condition—Wants Stringent Laws for Suppression of Prise-Fighting. Indianapolis, Ind.. Jan. 11—Following Is a aynopeis of Gov. Matthews' message sent to the legislature Friday: Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: Once again you are assembled, the chosen representatives of an Intelligent and progressive people, to oonslder measures which concern and may promote the general welfare of > the people, and enact auch laws as may advance the interests of your state. I trust you may realize to the fullest extent the grave responsibilities which rest upon you. Our legislatures have done much in recent years to place Indiana in the front rank of states in adoption of great reform measures, by keeping step w th the advancing march pf a more perfect civilization, and meeting the increasing demands of a people growing rapidly in wealth, in general prosperity and enlightenment. It Is to be hoped that the work of the Fifty-ninth general assembly may not fall short of those that have passed.

It affords me unqualified satisfaction to announce that the linances of the state are in a sound and healthy condition. Notwithstanding the fact that the last general assembly reduced the levy 214 cents, a greater revenue was derived than under the old levy. This was largely due to the assessment of property under the tax law of IS91 I ara of the opinion that a still ^further reduction can be safely made—at least of 2 cents in the school tax levy. The state institutions have been generously provided for under their judicious and economical management; thero has not been the annual Ueiicit. It has not been necessary to borrow money to meet the annual interest upon the state debt: but. on the other hand, during the past two years, demands upon the treasury have been promptly honored, interest met, and tjie sum of .910.UU0 already paid-upon the state debt, and the further sum of $400,000 called, in and will be canceled in a .few days, making a total paid on the state debtof $1,310,300. In the creation of a state debt sinking fund by a three-cent levy,'means have been provided for the sure and gradual extinction of the state debt. The sum produced by this levy of three cents, together with what may reasonably be expected to be available from the general'fund. unless there should be a heavier reduction in the reassessment of property in 1893 than is probable, will annually reduce the debt nearly If not quite one-half million dollars. As this debt was. in a great measure. Incurred for purposes from which those coming after us will/tferivean equal benefit, it is but just that they should assist in liquidating It. Therefore. 1 do not recommend an increase In the levy for the sinking fund, but it should remain at its present rate. , The present indebtedness of the state is as follows: Five per cent, state stock certificates due and interest stopped.. $4.469 99 Two and one-half per cent, state stock certificates due and interest stopped.. — Three and one-half per cent, registered funding bonds, temporary loan. 1895, due April 1, 1895.. 585,000 00 Three and one-half per cent, regis- * tered bonds, temporary loan. 1885, due March 1, 1896, (will be paid).. 400,000 00 Three and one-half per cent, new state house bonds.temporary loan, 1885, due May 1, 1895.. 500.000 00 Three per Cent, registered temporary loan bonds. 1889. payable at pleasure of state, after April!, 1894, due April 1. 1899..... 700,000 00 Three per cent, registered temporary loan bonds, 1889, payable at pleasure cf state, after September, 20. 1894, due September 20, 1899... 700,000 00 Three per cent, registered refund- • mg school bonds. 18'9, payable at pleasure of state, after June 18, 1899, due June 18.1909.. 3,905,000 00 Three and one-half per cent, registered temporary loan, interest bonds 1891. due March 2. 1896.. 300,000 00 Three and one-half per cent, registered refunding bonds, 1892, payable at the plasure of the state af- ' ter April 1,1897, and duo April 1, 1901.. 2,145 13 ... 310 000 00

Total foreign debt...$7,436,615 12 Less the amount to be paid the 14th inst..... 400,000 00 17,036,615 12 Five per cent, bonds held by Purdue University, due April £. 1901. .* 340.000 00 Five per cent permanent endowment fund. ^Indiana University bonds, held qy State University, Blooming tor. 144,000 00 Total domestic debt...t 464,000 00 Total State debt, foreign and domestic.4... 7,020,615 12 Less amount to be paid the 14th inst... 400,000 00 \7 *7.520,615 12 Foreign debt ....*233,525.00 Domestic debt. 24,200.00 Total...$257,725.00 During the j»ast two years it is a matter for congratulatiicn that the necessity has not existed for the issuance of temporary interest loan bonds, nor for the increase of the state debt. In fact, this debt has been reduced since April 1, 1893. to the extent of <1910,000. thus making a saving in the annual interest charge of *42,300, viz: Three per cent, temporary interest loan, 1888-Eue April 1.1893..* 340,00000 Three oer cent, temporary interest loan, 1889-Due April 1. 1894.. 370,00000 Three-and-one-half per cent, temporary loan bonds, 1885—Redemption November .1, 1894, under state's option. 200,00000 Total reduction state debt.* 910,000 00 To which must be added the 3>4 per cent, loan bonds of 1885, called in for cancellation and money deposited for their payment....;.. .... 400,000 00 Grand total reduction state debt in two years.,..i..$1*310,000 00 The state now has an option on the redemption of the following issues of bonds, viz: Three and one-half percent, temporary loau bonds, 4885.* 400,000 00 Three per cent temporary loan bonds, 188C....1,400,000 00 "•oral *1,800,000 00

for: March ?. 1S93. 3 i ;per cent temporary loan fcond?. 1883. payment provided.. . ...• <00.003 00 April 1.I89S. 3H per cent-’ temporary funding bonds. 1885,. 383.000 00 May 1,1S95. 34 per cent new State Hou.se bonds. 1883..,.. .. £00.000 CO Making n total falling due the present fiscal year of..... 1.483.000 00 Or less the $400;000 due March 1. which will be paid, leaving.?1.08*> 003 00 1 would recommend that you provide lor the refunding of this debt, and that it be for the extension of the option to a longer period than Is now jiermitted. believing that a lower rite I of interest may be secured. This extension ! of time can well be granted, for the amounts | upon which options are enforceable, and the I debt maturing in 188«, IW7 and 1800. will be as I much, if not more, than can be cared for .with- ; out un4ely4ccreasing the smiting fund levy for several years to come. It is with sincere regret that I have to report ' that during my two years of administration our state has not been free from domestic j troubles, through attempts by organized j bodies of men from an adjoining state to openly and defiantly violate our laws. At several times and places the public peace has been seriously threatened by bodies of mea attempting to correct real or fancied wrongs, independent of the peaceful me»M proi idesl by taw. and in defiance of constirine^authspity. This, to such an extent, that itshaealne necessary for the state to exercise ionmweg in i quelling these disturbances. V^vSince the last adjournment of the general i assembly, and claiming the right under the j act of March 3.1893. the Columbian Athletic j club was organized. A large building or am- | phitheater capable of seating several thousand spectators was erected by this club in ! Lake county, near the town of Roby, and be- ’ gan operation by advertising what, although thinly disguised, were known or currently be- [ lieved to be prize fights. Not being of the : Opinion that the act of March 3. 189 !. under which the Columbian Athletic club was incorporated, authorized that association to conduct prize-fights at Roby, or at any other ' place in the state, and that this act did not repeal the law which makes prize-fighting a criminal offense, I immediately entered into j correspondence with the authorities of Lake I county, seeking to devise some means to pre- ; vent or suppress these meetings. Several exhibitions were giten in the building of this club which clearly revealed the purpose of the association and the ch i meter of its sport.

(A Ut itwti. uv/i ti>iv9 iuanc vvuui,> otvmvu w w powerless to prevent the operations of the | club, and I therefore caused a suit to be comi tnenped in the Lake circuit court tor an Injunci tioa and for the appointment of a receiver. A I receiver was appointed, and from this order an I appeal was taken at once to the supreme court, where the case still remains undecided. Owing to the vast crowds, from five to eight i thousapd gathering on the grounds of this club, largely of a rough and desperate charac- | ter. and on account of the construction of the ] building, so arranged that it was difficult and j dangerous* to obtain access to the center or ring | for the purpose of making atrests,and the large number of employes of the association guarding the entrance, the authorities felt powerless to contend or make arrests. I. therei fore, on the 4th day of September. 1833. a con- ! test being advertised for that evening. I dispatched Adjt-Gen. Robbins with thirteen I companies from the Second, Third and Fourth \ regiments of the Indiaha legion to put the receiver in possession of the property, and I make arrests of the principals, the seconds, aiders and abetters of the prize fights, and'as many of the spectators as possible. The association. becoVning advised of the presence i of the state troops in the vicinity, declared the meeting off. and no arrests could be made, and ! the receiver was peaceably installed. * * * | I would hejre earnestly urge upon you the | importance of enacting a more stringent law i upon prize-fighting, making it a felony to i those who may participate, either .as principals or seconds. It should also be more clearly defined as what may be considered prize- ! fighting, and what exhibition contests in i places of amusement. The advertising of a I prize-fight should be made unlawful and punj ishable with,fine. ' 4 The governor then recites the mining j troubles in Daviess and Sullivan counties in ] 1894. Also the calling out of the militia in I Jffty to maintain order during the railroad riot i at jHammbnd, Lake county. I The total expense incurred was.£63.807 00 I Pay rolls (per diem) of soldiers. 41,917 49 j Railway transportation.. 5,547 68 i Subsistence, telegraph, express, camp j and minor expenses... 5.34183

Total.......$62.8>07 00 Of this amount 15have caused to be paid out of the regular military fund. $5,341.83. Leaving an unpaid balance of $47,465.17, to which should be added interest upon money borrowed with which to pay troops. The sum as stated paid out of the regular fund, was with the belief that as no annual camp of instruction was held, it would be proper, as the cost of subsistence of such camp would probably have amounted to this sum. Vouchers, certified bills and pay-rolls are on file in the adjutantgeneral's office, to which I invite your attention. . The governor continues: I borrowed the sum of $41,917.49 to meet this necessity. The three banks in Indianapolis to which I applletPanet me in a generous, cordial spirit, and to the Merchants’ National, the Fletcher’s anjy the Indiana National banks, I executeddry individual note in three equal sums, with 6 per cent, interest. Principal borrowed August 22.1891..'..$41.917.49 Interest 6 per cent, to January 2d, 1895 (five months)..... 1.047.92 Total...:.. .$42,965.41 Added to this the amount of expenses yet unpaid. $.547.68. making a total of $48,513.09, for which I ask you to provide. The military force of the state is cotaposed of four regiments of infantry and one of artillery. There are now mustered in Jonty companies of infantry and three of artillery, aggregating 2.581 men. and distributed through I each section of the state. Under the present * efficient management of Adjt.-Gen. Bobbins j and Quartermaster-Gen. Compton, this ! department of the state government j has been brought to a high stand- ; ard of excellence. For the first | time in this department has sthe position of brigadier-general be|p filled. To this office I appointed and commissioned Gen. 'William J. McKee, who, with his accurate knowledge of military tactics and earnest interest, has been of great value to the force. Most valuable service in the discipline and esprit de corps <*f the legion has been rendered by First Lieut Thomas M. Defrees. of the United States\ army, who, at my solicitation, was detailed by tbe general government for service in Indiana. Our citizen soldiery contains many of the best young men of the state—coming from all trades, professions and occupations. They devote much of their time to training and perfecting themselves in this school. When called upon to serve the state, they cheerfully make response. Having experienced the annoyance and distress of an inability to pay promptly for service rendered, I hope you may see your way clear to increase the governor’s military contingent fund. As now. this fund is but 12.C00 per annum. a sum that ordinarily is more than sufficient, but i n case of extraordinary emergencies is wholly inadequate The governor recommends that this fund be increased to $50,000 per annum. He also calls attention to section 46, of an act of March 8, 1889, and asks that it should be amended, so that the military officer in command would have more discretion in giving the order to fire when it becomes necessary, rather than leave him entirely subject to the discretion of the civil officer- 9 The constitution requires that the governor “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.’’^he authority under which the governor aetsVn compliance with this general prevision it to be found only in (he greet body

of laws enacted. No sj^cifle power Is eonterred by law upon the (OTenor by which be Is enabled to see to the execution of any pai- . tiiu'ar iiiw.. > The message roearucaeadfc the propriety of ] caactlr# thf follow* eg iawi: I. Authorizing the gore rnor In his own name, or in the mure of the State, on the relation of the govern ar. to institute la the covris motions to enjoin and rrevent the commission of anj i nets ag.iinst property, public peace, public | morals, public health, public policy, or in any ! violation of any of the statutes of the state. with tse authority in proper eases to appoint a * receiver for tne property in which the illegal acts are being committed. and in this connection of making the law retroactive so as to cover suits already instituted. it Authorizing the governor or other proper officer to institute and maintain actions against railroad companies, or other common curriers, to restrain them from carrying passengers for the purpose of engaging in unlawful enterprises. and making the carrying for such purposes a cause for a forfeiture of their franchiseAuthorizing -the governor to suspend any t-hcrid, or other executive officer of the counties or cltioj. who fails or refuses to perform the duties enjoined upon him by law. for a limited period, and to appoint temporarily sonic person to perform the duties of such ©fi See during such suspension. A report of such action together with the names, to be furnished to tue general assembly at its next sessioa. * < Authorizing the governor to apply to the court of the county tea the removal of anv sheriff or other executive officer who shall ' persistently fall, neglect or refuse to perform the duties required of him by law. And I recommend that you consider and determine what other or different enactments are ! necessary and proper in aider more effectually to enable the governor to “take care that the I laws are faithfully executed." The governor then calls attention to what Is j known as tie "Roby Fair association." and designates it as an “immense gamblingcon- ; cern." Its every influence is demoralizing, enj couraging vice, propagating cAme, and thus ■ brings our state into disrepute. W e have been ' earnestly seeking some means, warranted by law. by which this disgrace to our state could ! be prevented. Although having the able adI rice, earnest assistance and active co-opere- : tion of Atty.-Gen. Ketctam, I have failed to I find the way. It is now with you. gentlemen, and demands your most earnest consideration. The people of Indiana will never submit to have fastened upon them the evils and disgrace that so long | cursed some of the eastern states. It is justly a matter of pride to every citizen of Indiana, that* her system of public education is everywhere regarded as one of the mo3t perfect in the country. The laws relating to the public schools and the common school fund demand your constant vigilance, that no measure may be adopted to impair their usei lulness. nor the purposes for which created. ; Tne common school fund, of the state now amounts to $9.277.001.59. The total enrollment of scholars in 1893 was 77*1983.’ and in 1834 808.261. The total revenue from all sources for the school year 1893 was Derived from state school tax..11,983.318 34 Interest collected by counties. 4C0,3£0 38 ! Interest congressional fund.. 71.819 76 Local tuition....... 592.134 86 Liquor licenses....;. 247,891 00 I Unclaimed fees and other sources.. 898 56

! Total revenue...53.356,582 90 I As previously referred to the revenue even : after the reduction in the levy two years ago ; of 2i* cents, under present assessment is so much greater than that prior to 1892. that I think this levy could be still further reduced 2 cents without injury to the public schools. | Our school system has now so extended its , scope of teaching? that among its best friends, ; it occasions no little concern as to its popularj ity with the people. Under the present able and efficient management the State Normal school is enjoying a prosperity never before attained. It is faithfully fulfilling its mission “to prepare teachers for teaching in the common schools of Indiana.” The attendance of this school has grown from less than one hundred in 1870 to over fourteen hundred in 1894, with students from all but two counties of the st ate. ! It is gratifying to note the continued advancement of Purdue University, in the enrollment of students, in its wider field of labor, and in popular favor. It is a great school and 1 accomplishing a great work; In 1875 begin- ; ning with an enrollment of six ty-four students, it has in 1894. €82. A new building complete ! in its equipments for this purpose was erected and dedicated January 19. 1894. Four days later this magnificent structure was a mass of , ruins, having been destroyed by fire. ? j The State university started in the present 1 school year with on enrol lment of 633 students. | The advance in.this university has been gratifying. both in regard to the number of the . youth availing themselves of its teachings. and the steady extension of its work. ltTha^ been a great institution for the state, has done a great educational work, and among its graduates are found many dist inguished in the various walks of life. There is much to be commended in the fractions} mill tax for its support. as asked for by its president and the board of trustees, be the university located i where it may.

! The field which the Indiana Academy or Science covers is so wide that there could not be i the same objection that might hold against so- ; cieties organized for thu protection of any ; special department of science So broad is its \ scope that it includes all science, and much of ! its work thus far has been in the direction of | the fauna and flora, the mineral resources, toj pography. geography and meteorology of the state, while questions relating to hygiener and sanitation have received much attention. If ! properly fostered there in reason to believe it : would become a strong ed ncational force of the state, and certain to contribute much to the material prosperity of the people. The administration of t he affairs of the several public institutions for the past two years ! has been, oh the whole, satisfactory and comj mendable. They have been managed with cleanness, ability and economy. The boards 1 of trustees have been, as a rule, composed of ! men of good business qua lifications, judgment and integrity. Nearly all are men of affairs. I either conducting successfully extensive per- | sonal business, or intrusted by others with the management and direction of positions of responsibility and large business interests. ! There were 841 prisoners in the prison north October 31. 1893. and 903. same date. 1894. an in-° crease of sixty-seven. Never before was there so large a number in this prison. They are crowded into 760 cells. Each cell will only comfortably accomodate one.' With two inmates. the effect is bad,, resulting in injury to health, and it is. besides, tearfully destructive of discipline. This should! be remedied. During the past two years the prison has been selfsustaining, and shows a net surplus of earnings of over 121,000cove red into the state treasury. The net earnings tor 1894 were much less than for the preceding year, owing to inability to renew expiring contracts, and a consequent greater number of idle men. This great number of idle prisoners Br). presented a jqiient increasof maintaining cutty could be answer to the employment, I j (v building for j tta the auditor rities. without • enabling of the j he idle prison- | r the cost. | t substantial of j id well adapted j ed at a cost of i lit of the earn- ' I ask. yon to on of the state tter than at the begun severi.il : t is believed-to ; its kind in the j by eonvict laWI. In March, 1893, this prison was visited by a j disastrous fire, wholly destroying two of the : large buildings, and seriously damaging two . others. In addition to the distressing ineon • {

▼entente caused. a large wuaber of prisoners were thrown out of employment, to join the many that were previously idle. With comnendable activity the warden and official* repaired tho-less. and erected two new building's of brick and stone But for this lire, it is probable this prison would also have been seif-sc%-tcinirg. The governor say* the necessity of enlarging the present state prison Bight be avoided j by establishing intermediate prisons, or in- , dost rial schools for youthful offenders In such prisons or schools a large Bomber could be sent to learn useful trades, relieving the two prisons we now have, and giving greater hope of reformation to the youthful criminal. There Were at the end of the fiscal year. Oe- j tober 31. i?®4. in the Indiana Reform School for Boys ol3. receiving an education and being instructed in som^ useful trade, with ti e hope that when dismissed they may become good and valued eitireas. There were loi girls In the reformatory department of the woman's prison November 1, ; 13M. and 46 in the woman’s prisoa The improvements made have been necessary and beneficial During the two years of my administration, ending January 1. 1893.1 have granted 63 pardons. 44 paroles and 68 remissions of fines and forfeitures. I have also commuted the sentences of twenty-one prisoners, nearly all of which were in the cases of youthful prisoners, sending them to the reform school for bays. Of these- no less thnn twenty-four of the pardons were to prisoners in the last stages of disease. Many of the other pardons were to young convicts, from two to four months before the expiration of their term of sentence, punished for the first offense, hoping it might , have a good effect upon their future life. The report of the Institute for the Deaf and j Dumb, shows that there was an actual attend- ! ance of 286 pupils November 1. 1884. The j health of the pupils bad been good until the past few weeks, measles appearing in epidemic form. Fortunately it has not been of a violent j type, and there have been no fatal results. In : April. 189i. this institution sustained a serious j damage by fire, and which it was unable to remedy out of its maintenance or repair fund. An appropriation of 84.396 is asked. ; There is nothing beyond the ordinary to re- j port of the Institute for the Blind. The gen- I ernl health of the pupils has been normal. The Soldiers’ and Sailors' Orphans' Home, one of the most interesting of the charitable institutions of the state, has had a prosperous, j quiet, uneventful year—closing with 644 chil- , dren in its care. Last year diphtheria prevailed at the Home, and out of forty-two cases, three proved fatal, a surprisingly small per cent. : The officers of the ihstitutlon believe the annual maintenance fund should be increased to $10,000 per annum. The report of the Indiana school for feebleminded youth, to which I inviteyouf attention, shows this school to be in a satisfactory condition' There was an increase in the number of pupils during the p ist year of thirty-three. The total number cared for at this time is 483. The experiment in dairy farming during the past year has proved satisfactory. Thu »nnA»t rvf tVo KaumI nf ten.tnou mn?.

ical superintendent for the Central hospital for the insane demands your especial car? and thought. It is by far the largest public institution in the state. More than one-half the insane patients receiving the care of the state are gathered in this hospital. The number of patients at the close of last year was 1.498. In June. 1194. the laundry was struck by lightning, and the building, a wooden structure, was consumed by fire. The machinery and a large lynount of clothing of the inmates were lost Upon the building the trustees had provident'y carried #6.<X» insurance. A substantial brick laundry, fire proof, is now nearly completed and ready for occupancy. There have been much needed improvements made on buildings and grounds. An appropriation is asked for. The report of the Eastern Hospital for the Insane shows that its capacity,to receive patients had been reached. The number of patients during lf-93 was 422. and for 1894. 431. The district tributary to this hospital embraces sixteen counties, and it is estimated that there are now 160 insane people needing treatment in this district, an average of ten to the county. who can not be received. The Northern Hospital for the Insane has been increased in capacity to care for 506 patients, instead of £93 as heretofore The number of inmates October 31. 1894. was 507. There were 424 patients in the Southern Hospital for the Insane at the close of the last fiscal year. o The general assembly enacted a law for the purpose of preventing the introduction and spread of cholera and other contagious and infectious diseases within the state, and placing at my disposal a fund—commonly known as the “epidemic fund”—not exceeding 150.000 in any one year. This was prompted by the dread of a possible invasion of cholera. Fortunately. we were spared this evil. During the years 1893-4. there were a number of localities in thefstate where smallpox oc- ■ curred. requiring frfequent visits of the officers of the state board of health, and the enforcement of rigid rules to prevent the further spread of this disease. It had also assumed an alarming condition in the city of Chicago, and it became a question as to whether this state should not establish quarantine regulations as j to that city. With my advice, tfce officers of j the board of health made a thorough investi- j gation of the situation at Chicago, and set on I foot precautionary measures in the northwest- j ern section of the state.

X aio vuvviiiv/u uu ,v.\|n,uov u|n/u vuv wvutu «uu« , it was unable to m#et out of its ordinary ap~ ' propriaticm of $5,0Cb per year. Consequently j the extra expense incurred in making these in- , vestigations. by and with my consent, and as I | believed necessary. I paid by warrant on the i epidemic fund for 5917.21. In the two years this j fund has existed I hare thus drawn upon it in ' sum of 54 317.21. The governor recommends an ; increased appropriation. The closer my acquaintance with and means J of observation of the work of the state board of charities, the more I am convinced of its value to the public, to the public institutions and to the executive of the state. Its labors ! have been performed with a conscientious and j painstaking care that is in the highest oem- | mendable. As its importance becomes better understood, so increase its duties and its la- j bors. This board should have an additional j allotment of 31,000 for its use. because of ! the j increased work it is called upon to perform. Unquestioningly in the past few years the j state board of agriculture has made great im- | provement in the general principles governing ; it in the conduct of its affairs. Especially has thi3 been noticeable in the recent expositions held. There seems to be a livelier disposition to keep abreast with the times and more in perfect harmony with the advancing thought of the farmers of the state. It should be the duty of the state, as well as its pleasure, to encourage this department. In a quiet unassuming way the Indiana state ! horticultural society, is accomplishing good j results- It is composed of some of the most intelligent citizens of the state, and is doing a i good work. Its reports are made up of intelli- J gent and interesting papers. As our state grows in population, the usefulness of this society will be more appreciated. The annual appropriation to this society should be continued. , • Indiana is fast leaving behind the age when her magnificent trees and forests are considered simply encubrances of her soil. The necessity that was with our fathers to cut down j and destroy the forests to open a farm and : build a home, no longer exists with us. On the other hand, intelligent thought is ; turning to the problem as to how best to secure { a partial restoration of former timber growth, j While fifty years ago it was probably true—no exact and accurate statistics at hand—that nearly seventy per cent, of the surface of Indiana was covered by a splendid and unequaled forest growth, it is also equally true that now !• less than twenty per cent is so covered. More wealth has gone out of the forests of Indiana than from her coal mines and quarries j of stone. When the latter have been ex- j hausted, they can not be replaced, but the ' former, with prudent care and intelligent j foresight, could be restored to a great de- j gree. * What the effefcts of forest destruction may be in producing extreme drought. ' sudden and destructive floods and loss of fertility of soil—though I believe they will be most serious—is a scientific question which I do not propose to discuss in this j paper. I merely mention it by way of augges- .

tion,. should yon think it worthy further consideration. What may be done to preserve the fort sts. we have, to prevent Sts reckless destruction. to repair the waste of' the past and to provide for the future, is the question. On a large number of farms in the state there are more or less acres not susceptible of cultivation. that could again become pro3ta!;ie in the growing of valuable timber. Would it not be wise to encourage the planting of trees on such lands. ;or utility and commercial value—not for ornament—and to encourage the preservation of a large part of what is left, by a system of reward or bounty, la. lor instance, a fall or partial exemption from tax? A large number of the intelligent citizen.; of the state have considered this a mutter of importance. Recently an intelligent discussion of this subject was had in the jx>ard of trade, of Indianapolis, resulting in the adoption of a resolution direct mg public attention to its importance, and I commend it to you. • »,j»4 j There will probably come before you nunererous measures coaceerning the iingrovemeet of roads. i here are few questions of great;- . importance that will engage your attention It is being widely - discussed by , the people of the entire country. | National and state road congresses are being held. the discussions taking a wide rtfnge. Many of the remedies proposed'would doubtless? accomplish the result. I fear n too many of the propositions that in the desire to secure improved roads. , due consideration may not be given to the cost, nor to that class of our citizens—the farmers— upon whom will necessarily fall the heavier burden in the expense of construction. I do not underestimate the value of a system of good roads to the public, and believe there 1 is great need for such improvement, butinthe framing of laws to this end. the interests and desires of those who will at least have the cost to bear, should be chiefly considered, especial- ; ly at a time when the profits from farming are j not so large as they should be. Plans devised by associations of civil engineers. cyclist clubs and road congresses may be good—in theory the best—but these are not always based upon the ability of the tax-payer to pay. fin my inaugural address two years ago, referring to this same subject. 1 said. "The foundation of all true prosperity and wealth rests more largely upon agriculture than any other interest that engages the attention of our citizens. It should be our duty to encourage and roster this, and hold to a careful avoidance of placing any additional burdens upon this interest. Fbr in its prosperity rests the common prosperity of all. "The old law has many valuable features that commend themselves to the people, and it is not a bad law if properly enforced. The people themselves are responsible largely for its deficiencies, owing to the laxity in its enforcement. A healthy pub ic sentiment to encourage officials faithfully to carry out the provisions of the present law would overcome many of its supposed defects There should be enacted no law that will add to the burdens of this tax. nor the management so far removed frosii the people as to deprive them of the right to ‘work out.’ as it is termed, the tax so col- ' lected. if this is desired,” ,

in auy o; ciWiJKiijr y*v uia> rcuwuau^ expoet, in the near future, electric lines to brant h out through the country. A law should be enacted restricting county commissioners in their right to grant rights-of-way along our public thoroughfares, to their injury and ruin, for the travel of those compelled to use them, and who have borne the cost of their construction Time and experience have approved the wisdom of the tax law of 1881. It met with active opposition from a large and influential class of our citizens and taxpayers, and caused expensive litigation to the state. But in all the courts its validity has been sustained from the lower courts to the supreme court of the United States. The application of this law was the means of adding considerably and justly to the taxa'oles of the state Froperty not heretofore properly assessed, or not assessed at all. was placed upon the tax duplicates, adding millions in value to assist in bearing the burden of tax. and relieving the taxpayer who had been more fully assessed upon his prunerty. By means of this law annual deficits in the state treasury have ceased, the state debt is being extinguished and a lower levy for state purposes is made possible. Indeed, there is reason to believe that a reduction in the levy could be m ide in all the counties, unless for the most extraordinary local necessities. While the law has been sustained by the courts and indorsed, by the people, yet there are a few points wherein it could be strengthened, or" a; least its provisions more clearly defined. , The Fifty-third national congress enacted a law giving to the states the right to assess, for taxable pu -poses, the national currency commonly styl id greenbacks. Through opportunities afforded heretofore by law, exempting this money from taxation, millions of dollars annually h ive both honestly and. dishonestly evaded tht ir just share of the burdens of tax. It is your duty to avail yourself of the right thus grant ;d to enact a law for the assessment and taxati« in of this class of property. 1 believe it w ill add to the tax duplicates of the state not 1 jss than fifteen millions of dollars that has h< iretofore honestly avoided taxation, but as ma ly more that has heretofore been evaded urn,er false claims. 1 In respc nse to a needed and demanded reform, the general assembly of 1891 enacted a law reguk ting the fees and salaries of state and county officers. Through a clerical blunder. whether intentional or otherwise, the purposes ofth s lay are liable to be defeated. The recent decision of the supreme court of i the state relati ve to this law places it in the Condition whit h calls for your earnest consideration. Thr t the public demand this law to be perfected s > that it may stand the test of the courts. th« re can be no doubt. It therefore becomes ycur duty to remedy the weaknesses or inequaii ;ies of this law at the earliest moment.

inuic auu uiviv c«vu v iuv pvvj/ivi turning their attention to fish culture, and the preservation of fish in our streams and lakes. Our fish laws are confessedly defective, and the means of enforcing, such as we have, utterly inadequate. Our farmers are taking a livelier interest in this industry—for such it is and has become—resulting in a profit to them financially, and furnishihg a healthful and economic food. An appropriation of $3,000 per annum is asked for. of which $1,500 will be the salary of the commissioner, that he may devote his entire time to the work. To continue as. now. is a mockery, and if not properly recognized, this department might as well be abolished. ' Under the requirement of the act of March 3.1803. providing for the appointment of a board of metropolitan police in cities of ten thousand inhabitants, according to the United States census of 1890,. the governor appointed commissioners for the cities of Anderson. Elkhart. Jeffersonville. Lafayette. Logansport, Michigan City, Muncie, New Albany, Richmond and South Bend. By an act of the ge neral assembly of March 3.1893, there was appropriated the sum of $300. for the erection of a monument over the grave of Jonathun Jennings, first governor of Indiana. To carry out the instructions of the act. I appointed as commissioners to direct this work, George H. Ii Gibson, H. F. Work, and M. B. Cole, of Clarke county. The commissioners found that the ground where Gov. Jennings was buried was neglected, uncared for and out of the way. and, besides that, the title was in dispute.. With commendable Judgment the commissioners removed the remains of Gov. Jennings to the beautiful burial ground at Charlestown.where in a prominent place now rest the remains of Indiana’s first governor. Over the grave there is now erected a simple yet handsome monument of granite. It is well understood that a measure will be ‘ presented to you for the establishment of a I soldiers' home near the city of Lafayette, the f public-spirited citizens of that enterprising i city having secured and donated a tract of j land for that purpose. I have not been fully | informed as to tho provisions contained in ; the bill to be presented you—and it may not as yet have been perfected. The motive inspiring it is most laudable, if it is to provide homes in their old age. for the wives of old soldiers, as well as the veterans. They are deserving of a kindlier consideration than has usually been allotted to them by the j general public. The United States government, some time ago, determined to convert the battlefields

aroqad Chiekamanga usdChattanoosrt, ;ato» N»».onal Military pari:. Tb*.* different stitea r»vresented by troops were railed upon to aplotnt commissioners to aid la the work and accurately locate the position* held br tha trOOTK. : „ ' ■ ’ ' I- ■ .,i Recognizing the importance Of such a eommission iti preserving the history of our troops, I appointed commissioners to represent Indiana. The commission organized by electing Gan Morton C. Hunter chairman sad Gem James R. Carnahan secretary erf the coamais- . alon. In October, 1888, the commissioners met the national commission at Chickamauga and devoted more than a week to this worthy and patriotic duty. The following May they arera again compelled to visit the Held. So far as It has been possible they have done their work well, but it is not compete, andean not. oaring to the nature of the work, be completed wi thout another inspection of the country. With them it has been a labor of tore and patriotism. The constitution of Ket York has been amended recently so as to permit the legislation necessary for the enlargement of the Erf* canal, and other states have secured survey# to be made by the general government It la important that similar steps be taken by Indiana. and I recommend that you by joint resolution request our senators snd representatives in congress to secure from the general government.# survey fur a ship canal connecting Lake Michigan with the (Hilo river. The belief is becoming general amongst the people that tv would be wisest and best to * bring our senators in the national congress in closer touch with the people. This can not be better accomplished than that United States senators should be elected by direct vote of the people of their states. , - The frequent and lamentable accidents of almost daily occurrence through the explosion of steam boilers, demands mere than a passing thought The investigation of these accidents, resulting general!? in great loss of life and destruction of property, lead to the belief that they are too often occasioned by inexperienced and Incompetent engineers. A bill was before the legislature two yearn ago. passing one house and failing the other on account of lack of time, providing for the examination and licensing of engineers in charge of stationary steam boilers and steam generating apparatus, in cities having a population of five thousand or more. It is believed that such a law would tend to lessen these accidents, thereby saving much loss of life and property. I understand a bill to the same effect will be presented this session and I commend it to your consideration. The limited time allowed you by the constition in which to transact the responsible and important labor intrusted to you will require the faithful utilization of every moment. There is more to fear from too much legislation. rather than too little. It is hazardous and perplexing to change laws with which the people bare become familiar through usage. Such laws as oilr tax law. or election law. or school book law. with .which the people have become fully accustomed and have expressed their approval, could through having new provisions added, or old ones changed., easily lead to confusion and doiibt that would be unfortunate „

i irusi. Kriuieir.cn isat your meeuag mis winter may be agreeable', and characterised with that dignity, Earnestness and harmony that should prevail among representatives of a great state.* brought tbttether with bat one object—the common good —and bringing to you personally only pleasing memories for after years. V" _ ANTIQUARIAN TREASURES. Original Treaties With Indians Preserved in the Massachusetts Statehouse. One of the most curious collections in the archives of the stateliouse is that . of original treaties made with the Indians. signed by the commissioners on the part of the colonists and Indian chiefs. The signatures of the latter are often interesting and grotesque, resembling nothing im. the heavens above or the earth beneath or the waters under the earth. It might naturally be supposed that in the majority of instances these old manuscripts would be illegible, but the reverse is true. Some of the documents are faint and indistinct, but most of them are as clear as if written yesterday. This collection is particularly rich in manuscript papers pertaining to the revolutionary war that sepae-^to furnish much concerning the history of that eventful period that is not found in the text-books. One hears much in these days about the degeneracy into which we have fallen; how vastly inferior morally we are -compared with the stern and virtuous men who fell at Acton and Lexington, or who figured in the events of those days, from the Boston ma sacre to the inauguration of Washington. But these papers, written in the hands of these immortal figures, dispel the illusion and reveal* the fact that those men were made of much the same clay as that of which the fin de siecle man is molded. There is nothing that detracts from the glory of any of these figures; the documents only prove that they possessed the same weaknesses that have ever been inseparable from human kind.

mere are; several leisers signeu uy the father of his country bearing- his signature as he always wrote it. “G. Washington.” One of these letters was written shortly after Washing-ton assumed command of the troops at Cambridge and is replete with interest.. ; One of the most interesting letters inf the collection is that bearing the bold, handsome signature of Benedict Arnold. It was when Arnold was in command of the Crown Point expedition and at a time when he- was deemed one of the most patriotic, as he certainly was one of the bravest, officers in the service. , Alluding to Ethan Allan, the hero of Foft Ticonderoga, Arnold says that he has too long endured Allen’s insolence ‘and prays the time may soon :ome when he will be relieved of his command. Other letters tell of the suffering the soldiers of the revolution bore, of all their troubles and privations, some pathetically describing the absolute nakedness of the troops. One letter may be cited in which are reported the proceedings of ft court f martial against a colonel who was charged with having his five children, the eldest of whom was ten years of age, on the regia^ntai pay roll.—Boston Transcript. A remarkable freak in moon phases was noted in the month of February, lt866, a month which has gone into astronomical annals as “the month without m full moon.” A writer in a leading astronomical journal, says: “Do yon realize what a rare thing ia nature it was?- ft has not happened before since the beginning of the Christian era or probably since the creation of the world. It will not occur again, according to the computae - tions of the astronomer royal of England for—how long do yon think? Not until after 2,500,000 years from 1866.” Parxell Fisher, of Bridgeport, DeL, ie 6 feet 7X inches, and can carry two barrels of flour at once, and trot along easily with 400 pounds on hi* > - shoulder.