Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1889 — GOV. GRAY’S MESSAGE. [ARTICLE]

GOV. GRAY’S MESSAGE.

The two Houses, by joint resolution, by 1 the Governor’s appointment, met Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock -in the hall of ihc House of Representatives. to hear Govemol Gray’s parting message. It was a voluminous document, reviewing all of the State institution work, the finances of the State, and scores of other topics. , The message, In brief, is as follows: I The State debt, as shown by the reports made to the Governor, and by him recapitulated, Is n0w56,770,608.34, of which the; domestic debt Is $4,388,783-22, and the foreign debt $2,381,825.12. Tbe latter is divided into the $585,000 loan authorized by the legislature of 1885, the State House loan of $500,000 authorized by the same body, the $340,000 loan of 1852, due after April 1, 1892, and another $340,000 3 per cent, loan of the same year. The domestic debt is composed of i the school fund bonds now amounting to $3,904,- [ 783.22; the $310,000 bonds held by Furdue University, ahd the $144,000 bonds held by the State ' University. The total interest annually on the i foreign debt is $79,375, and on the domestic $337,861.99. On the subject of the State’s finances and the means of raising revenue, the Governor Says: This is a subject that should always receive the fullest investfgation and consideration in order that an intelligent understanding may he had of the financial condition of the State and a wise and well directed fiscal policy pursued. The present law fixing the tax levy for general purposes at twelve cents on each one hundred dollars in value of taxable property has been im force twelve years without change. At the time such levy was fixed it was only deemed sufficient to meet the usual and ordinary expenses of the State and its institutions. During that period the population of the State has greatly increased, whicli has made necessary the enlargement and improvement of the institutions existing at the time of the passage of the law, and the construction of new buildings for additional needed institutions, thereby increasing the, ordinary current expenses of the administration of the State government. Of the improvements made and the new buildings constructed, "together with the respective costs of the same, the following may be enumerated as the most important: The female department of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane at Indianapolis, $722,000. ThellosSltal for the Insane at Indianapolis, $70,500. The iree additional hospitals for the insane, respectively located near Richmond, Evansville and Logansport. $1,113,002.58. The Soldiers’and Sailors’ rphans’ Home near Knightstown, $95,796.43. On the partial construction ani furnishings of the Indiana School for Feeble-Mrnded Youth,slß,?’.'B.17. Tiie State House, in addition to the State House tax and loan, $300,000. Indiana State University at Bloomington, $43,000.. Purdue University at Lafayette, $12,500. It is suggested that the State can not establish new institutions, and construct expensive and elaborate buildiugsior the same, without increasing the tax levy or borrowing the necessary meaDs. By reference'to the statement of the public debt, it will be seen that the interest on foreign debt is only $79,375, while the interest on the domestic debt is $258,486.99, nearly the whole of which, to-wit; $234,786.99, is the interest on the 6 per cent. School Fund Bonds, issued in 1867 1868, 1871 and 1873. The annual Interest on the domestic debt equals about one-fifth of the entire revenue of the State for general purposes; while the total annual interest paid equals about one-fourth of the revenue. Of the total amount of annual interest paid by the State, less than one-fourth is on the foreign debt, on which the average rate of interest, deducting premiums received, is less than three per cent., and over three-fourths is on the domestic debt, on which the rate of interest is six per cent.

From this condition of affaiTs it will appear that upon the domestic debt, which the State, in fact, owes to herself, she is paying 6 per cent, interest per annum, while on the other hand, when the State has sought competition, she has been able to procure money at less than one-half that rate. The credit of the. State has so improved during the last few years that she has been able to negotiate loans by selling her bonds bearing R per cent, interest, at a premium that reduced the rate of interest below 3 per cent., placing the credit of the State nearly op a par with that of the Federal Government, and as high, if not higher, than that of any other State in the Union. Considering the excellent financial standing of the State, I have no hesitancy in recommending that said School Fund Bonds, Amounting in the aggregate to 18,004,788.22, be paid and discharged and the money distributed to the counties in the manner heretofore provided by law for the distribution of school funds, and that the same be loaned in the manner now provided, at the rate of six per cent, interest per annum. This would not reduce the revenues to the school fund,; and would furnish a large amount of money to be loaned to the people at a fair rate of interest. The borrower would then pay the interest on the school fund instead of the taxpayers of the State, and the State save on account of interest $117,143.50 each year, a sum greater than the entire expenses of a regular session of the General Assembly. For the purpose of making payment of said bonds, a loan should be authorized at a rate of interest not exceeding 3 per cent, per annum, which in my judgment, could be negotiated at a premium. For the final extinguishment of the State debt, a tax of two cents on each one hundred dollars should be levied and collected, which tax, when collected should constitute a public debt sinking fund, to be applied in payment of the public debt under such directions as may be prescribed by law. Said tax would only take the place of the State House tax of two cents, which has now been discontinued. THE STATE’S INSTITUTIONS. The Governor in reviewing the various State institutions and establishments says: The Governor calls attention to the fact that the State, House is now completed within the original *■ appropriation of $2,000,000. The new insane hospitals nave been delayed by the lack of necessary appropriations. The total amount appropriated in 1883 was $600,000, and in 1885 $563,800—in all, sl,66B,Boo—which appropriations have been practically exhausted for some time. The sum remaining available on the 31st day of December, 1888, was $5,000, and nothing further can be done until additional«ppropriations arepuade for the progress of the work. The, Commissioners, in the construction of the hospitals, have kept in view the needs of -the -future, -and have constructed each institution fn such a mannertthat increased capacity can be obtained at a very low cost per capita. The Board estimates that the following sums will be required for the full completion, and equipement, of the several hospitals: The Northern Hospital, $15,000; the Southern Hospital, $80,000; the Eastern Hospital, $70,000. Only the Northern Hospital has been equipped and is now in operation. The new Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home, which was burned down July 21,1886, has now been rebuilt and enlarged by the aid of the appropriation of $122,000 made by the, last Legislature. The Trustees ask additional appropriations of $37,000. The work of the Soldiers’ Monument Commission thus far is reviewed, showing an expenditure of $31,685.11 up to- date. The'Home for Feeble-Minded Youth, which Is being constructed at Fort Wayne, asks for an appropriation of $1,993,000, necessary for the completion of the building according to the plans. The expenditures thus far are less tha% $20,000. Regarding the other Benevolent Institutions the message says the Insane Hospital has had an average of 1,526 inmates during the past year at a per capita expense of $l7O, and wants an appropriation for the construction of a laundry,. Bboufce and electric light plant. The ution for the Blind has 144 pupils and wants appropriations for additions to the present buildings. The Reform School has 4t>2 inmates and wants appropriations for needed imgrovemeuts, as does also the Woman’s Reforma>ry. The prisons are both represented to be in excellent condition and the Governor recommends an increase in the salaries of Wardens. On the subject of prison reform, he reiterates his recommendations of two years ago. The educational interests of the State, the message says, are prosperous. In four years the attendance at the state University has doubled and it has outgrown its present quarters. The State Normal School needs a large appropriation to complete its buildings, which were destroved by fire. Purdue University, the Executive thinks, is deserving of special and permanent support. The message reviews other departments of the State’s operations, the State Library, the Printing Bureau, the Bureau of Statistic*, the State Board of Health, the inspection of mines, boilers .atrtf oils,' • , THE WHITE CAPS. The Governor says, regarding certain acts of lawlessness: 18%ing the past year a number Of outrages upon the personal rights of eftizens were committed in one or twd, counties of the State, by persons banded together under the name of "White Caps.” They excited such terror by their unlawful practices that for a time no evidence could be procured implicating any person engaged in such outrages.' Evidence was, however, finally procured •“ against the principal participants, who were indicted and their trial set for December 24, 1888. The defendants 1 - have taken a change of venue and the time of trial is now fixed for March 26. Additional evidence has been obtained which will lead to the indictment', of several others, and some who would have been arrested have fled from the State. The lawleaenesss has been completely suppressed. Intimations have been given by persons implicated that they desire to arrange with the State; agreeing that no further outrages would be Committed if prosecutions on the part of the State would cease. I felt that the State could not afford to' compromise ,with persons guilty of such pffenses, and have instructed the authorities and the counsel employed by the State to prosecute all against whom evidence can be obtained to the full extent of the law. ELECTION REFORM. I earnestly invite your attention to the imperative necessity for a revision of the election laws, so as to guard more effectually the exercise

of the election franchise and secure to the peo81e (air and honest elections. It is manifest (hat re public'faith in the purity of our eleetfon/s ho* become shaken, and? the feeling is widespread that the decision a( the ballot box no longer reflects the honest judgment of a# majority of the voters. It hi needless to say tha the ballot box is the superstructure upon whiqfiv is built our representative form of government, ami in our ability to maintain its purity lies the only hope of the peipetnity of our free institutions. You can-render the State pomore exalted servlceHhan to frame and enact such laws that will, so farlut legislation can accomplish, prevent the corrupt use of money, preserve the secrecy of the ballot, secure pure elections, and punish by the severest penalties all who maybe guilty of committing fraud upon the ballot box, of bribing or attempting to bribe any elector, or of corrupting in any manner the suffrages of the people. The ballot should he printed by the State and procured by tbe voterpnly at the polling places under Such restrictions as will give every voter the opportunity to select and vote the ticket of his choice without interference by others, and congregating and election.ecring about the polling place should he strictly prohibited. The law should be so framed as to exclude aH surveillance over the voter while casting his ballot. Any voter who actually moves out of hi* precinct and desires to continue his residence and right to vote therein should be required at the time of moving to file with some ofltcer designated by law his sworn'statement that it is his intention to continue his residence in such precinct. And the Voter now residing out of tbe precinct in which he claims the right to vote should be required, within a given time, to file a similar statement. The sworn statement should be annually renewed, and every renewal should be filed at least six months prior to the occurrence of any general . election, and contain the statement that fie ha* not, since moving out of the precinct, exercised tho right of suffrage elsewhere. I would recommend that the election precincts contain not over two hundred voters, and when after any election it shall appear that more than that number of votes have been polled In any precinct, it be made the duty of tne County Commissionera, at their next regular session, W reorganize the precincts, so as to reduce the number of vat- , era within the limit prescribed by law. I feel that I can not too strongly.urge upon you the importance of giving the matter earnest and early consideration, in oTdcr that the legislation upon the subject may not be defeated by the constitutional expiration of the session.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. I would recommend that the Constitution be so amended that all State and county officers shall hold their offices for a te'rm’ of four years, tocommence on a fixed day, and with, perhaps a few exceptions, be ineligible to hold tne sume more than four years in any period of eight years. No good reason seems to exist why the term of certain officers should be limited to two .years,while others, whose duties and responsibilities are no greater, should have a term of four yeara. It is. my opinion that two yeara is too short a period for apy officer to acquire that knowledge of the duties of his office necessary to enable him to discharge the same with the degree of efficiency expected by the public. There has always been manifested a willingness to continue a faithful official four years in office; but at the same time a strong public sentiment seems to prevail against electing an administrative officer for a longer period. All temptation should be, ns far as possible, removed from every officer to use his office or neglect his duties to secure a re-election, and thereby allow such officer to devote strictly his time to the duties thereof and render the most efficient public service. The designation of a fixed day on which terms should begin woUld secure uniformity. In the case of State officers it has frequently occurred, and may occur again, that new State officers have come into possession of their respective offices during the first days of the Legislative session, and having had no opportunity to become acquainted with their duties,areno< competent and qualified by experience to speak in relation to matters which .concern their offices and the public welfare. The source* 1 of public information should be the very best. If the terms of State officers commenced on the first, day of April succeeding their election, the General Assembly would have the advantage of the counsel and assistance of the officials, who could give intelligent and valnable information in relation to the business of their respective departments of the Government. The terms of county officials should commence on the first day of January succeeding their election. Our State elections should be determined upon State issues, and he as far removed as possible from National questions, and I would recommend that all State and county elective officers be chosen at the’general election occurring between Presidential elections, in order that amendments to the Constitution may be properly framed, receive the consideration they deserve, and have their passage facilitated, I w#uld suggest that you appoint a joint committee on constitutional amendments.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATION ® The Governor recommends the payment of a commission of ten per cent, to William A. Meloy, of Washington City, of all amounts collected by him for the State on account of her swamp land claims. He algo reviews the litigation over Green River Island, near Evansville, and recommends an appropriation to carry on the suits. Regarding the State militia he says: The military force of the State consists of three regiments of infantry and one regiment of artillery. The first regiment of Infantry is composed of twelve companies, commanded by Colonel W. D. Ewing; the second regiment of eleven companies, commanded by Colonel N. R. Ruckle,and the third regiment of twelve companies, commanded by Colonel I. E. Kirk. The first regiment of artillery is composed of seven companies, commanded by Colonel C. G. Conn. The entire force is well armed and in effective condition, and for the first time in the history of the State uniformed in the undress United States regulation. Adjutant General George W. Koontz has been very faUhful in tne discharge of the duties of his position. Since the removal of the Adjutant General’s office Into the State House he has classified the muster-in and musterout rolls, company histories, and other miscellaneous matter, which made necessary the employment of some additional clerical help. The numerous applications by the War Department and pension claimant* for certified copies of the records has greatly Increased the work of tbe office. The message concludes: My„term as Chief Executive of the State will soon expire. In surrendering the important trust confided to my care by a generous people, I can say that It has been my constant endeavor to administer it with strict impartiality toward all, ‘and in such manner as I believed would subserve the interest of the State and promote tbe welfare of the people. Trusting that your relations may be agreeable and pleasant, I invoke tbe assistance and direction of the Divine Ruler in yonr delib- ' eratlons, and ask His blessings upon us as a people and a State. A Good Reason. His Choice—Proud father (showing off his boy before company)—My son, which wonid you rather be, Shakespeare ’or Edison? Little son (after meditation)—l’d rather be Edison. “Yes, why?” “ ’Cause he ain’t dead!”