Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 16 January 1879 — Page 6

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MESSAGE.

Full Text of !the Message of Governor James D. Williams.

Delivered at 2 O'clock This Afternoun 3efore the General Assembly.

Review of the Affdirs of the btate During the Past Two Years, Present Condition, and Future

Needs

I'rom Friday's Oat y.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

GENTLEMEN OK THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY—I cordially welcome you to the capital for the discharge of the important duties entrusted to you by the people. It will be my pleasure to aid you in learning the transactions of the executive department of our State government during the past two years, and in providing for the needs of our community during the ensuing two years, for which we are together responsible.

The lafit General Assembly, having convened in special session for the completion of important matters which had been inexcusably delay until a late day of the regular session, adjourned March ib'77. The acts of the two sessions,

I5 lon

in one volume with the "accurate state ment of the receipts and expenditures of the public tnonev" required by the constitution, were so "published and circu lated in the several counties of the state by authority," that by the receipt and filing of the" same of Pike county, they took effect July

2,

1877, as evidenced by

my proclamation of July 5,1877. Joint resolutions proposing nine important amendments to the constitution were passed, and the proposed amend ments, having been agreed toby a majority of the members elected to each ot the two Houses, were entered upon their journals and referred to the bodj' now constituted of yourselves. It is de&ired that you take early action upon this pending butines, that the proposed amendments, if agreed to by a majority of all the members elccted to each House may be at once submitted to the electors of State, and, if ratified by them, be declared parts of our fundamental law upon which you may proceed to enact a series of wholesome laws now urgently demanded by the interests of our people.

I congratulate you that the instruction to our Senators and Representatives conveyed by a joint resolution, requesting them '"0 use all lawful means to procure the speedy enactment of a law of Con gresfc restoring the legal-tender quality of the silver dollar.of the coinage of 1792, and making the same a legal tender tor the payment of all debts, pub ic and private, except as otherwise pi ovided by law,' has aided in the restoration of our origi nal unit of value, by an act of Congress to \yhich they .gave thfir support. Sustained by its original double metallic standard, our financial system gives pro mise of greater stability than when de prived of its support.

The mandates of other resolutions addressed to ministerial officers have been obeyed, and you will be advised of the conclusions reached by them.

The act of March 7, 1S77, providing judges to preside at aojourned terms, and to try cases on change of venue from the judge of a circuit, has been ot advantage to litigants in securing a speedy trial, but the provision for compensation, made in section 3, hes been to annulled by the latter act, making general appropriations that county treasurers have been..embarrassed in their effort to comply with an appropriation so unusal and irregular. Gentlemen who have performed services await further* legislation providing for their compensation.

The additional couits constituted for the counties of Marion, Allen, Cass, Vanderburg, Jackson, Washington, and Wayne, have been organized by the appointment and qualification and subsequent election of judges.

The acts providing for the election of township officers were found to contain conflicting provisions, which must be harmonized by you.

The modification cf the act defining larceny, and prescribing a punishment more within the discretion ®f the court than before, ha? served a good purpose. It Way be well to revise other sections of the criminal code in the light of this experience.-

The '"act authorizing the acquision of Green River Island, or to locate the true boundary line at said island," has been so far executed, as to learn from the Governor of Kentucky that the action of the commissioner appointed by that state to make the survey had been ratified and confirmed by the legislature.

The uttempted amendment of section 22 of the act for the incorporation of towns, conferring enlarged powers upon the board of trustees, has been held to be void because violating a well settled rule for the amendment of statutes.

I appointed Messrs. Frank Emerson. John B. Hannah and Robert P. Hay net., three discreet persons, to settle and adjust the claires made against the State Prison South, payable out of the appropriation of $130,000,000 made by act of March 10,1S77. Their work was so discreetly and carefully done, as shown by their records and papers filed with the Auditor of State, that a highly satisfactory adjustment and settlement* was made of that very troublesome floating indebtedness. EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE BU-

TIES.

The'constitution, in dividing the powers of the government, has vested "the legislative anthority of the state" in yourselves, the judicial power" in the courts and residue, "the executive, including the administrative," "in a governor." The duties of the respective offices denominated "administrative" are "directed by law." The officers are the ministerial Agents of the people upon whom duties are '-enjoined by law" which must be literally and exactly performed. The gov. ernor is charged with the duty "to ex.

ecute the laws," to suppress insurrection" and "to repel invasion." and is given ample military power. It is provided "he shall from time to time give to the General Assembly information touching the condition of the State and reccomend-such measures as he shall jud^e to be expedient." To do this, it is provided further that "the Governor bhall transact all necessary business with the officers of government and may require information in writing from the officers cf the administrative department upon any subject relating to the duties of of their respective offices," and it is enjoined that

l,he

shall take care that the

laws be faithfully executed." He is given power in his discretion to control the execution of

proccfS Hpon

criminal judg­

ments and modify fines and judgments rendered upon forfeited bonds. To avoid the consequences of yacancies in certain ministerial offices and in the General Assembly itself he is authorized to appoint to the one and "issue writs of election to fill" the other. He may convene the General Assembly at a place remote from the scat of gorernment, and "may at any time by proclamation call a special session." His part in the business of legislation is such that he may return to the General Assembly for its re-consideration any bill for an act presented to him for approval and execution. It thus appears that the Governor is not a ministerial officer, but rather a supervisor of the transactions of others and possessed of discreationary powers peculiarly his own, and entitled to a respect equal to that accorded to each of tlie other departments. If so, much legislation heretofore en acted imposing laborious and responsible duties of a ministerial character upon the office ha been justifiable simply because of the acquiescence of the incumbent in the will of the lawmaking body, and is not a good precedent to be lollowed. The duties incident to the establishment and management of Purdue University, the House of Refuge, the Orphans' Home, the Female Prison, the Insane Hospital, the State House, the valuation of property for taxation and sundry other boards of an administrative character, may be mentioned as examples of that disposition. With a few exceptions, the office which I have the honor to hold has been treated with marked lespect by the administrative officers amenable to it under the constitution. The retiring State officers are entitled to ereat credit for the zeal, integrity and ability which they have displaced in the discharge of the duties oftntir several offices during their four year's occupancy theieof, and tor the reforms which they have effected therein. Each has my gratetul acknowledgments for his co-operation with me. One who will enter upon a further and unusual term of service has in his election thereto received a rare commendation from our appreciative people.

I ANNUAL REPORTS,

1S77.

An~act approved February 3, 1S53, provides for annual reports of State officers and benevolent institutions, the same to be made to .the Governor. Officers since created have bv executive requirement and implied legislative direction reported in like manner. These reports for the year ending October 31,1867, fifteen in all, have been published in a volume of convenient form, entitled "Annual Reports ot Indiana, 1877," and are laid before you for your information. The Secretary of State communicates a con densed report of the bu-iness of his office for the year including a report of the proceedings of the administrative boards ot which he is Secretary ex officio, a register of State and county officers, com missioned of deeds, notaries public and justices of the peace and others to whom commissions have issued, a list of corporations and associations organized, and other matters pertaining to the office. The reports of the Auditor a.nd Tieasurer to gether constitute a complete showing ot the transactions of the Treasury department. Upon the enactment of the ap propriation laws of March 10, 1877, the hscal business was made to conform stricly to their requirements. The general fund had ana received during the year $2,1281242,83, and disbursed $1, 859,005,36, leaving October 31, 1S77, $269,237 47. The receipts included 200,000 or the temporary loan, being the proceeds of a renewal at a less rate of interest qf the part falling due December 1, 1S76. which appears to have been paid. Each disbursement account has its authority in those acts, so much as precedes April 1, being legalized by the third section of the first act, and the others limited by the express terms of its sections one and two. As the accounts of each institution were verified by the Auditor of State, they institute exhibits in detail of the sums charged to them. They will be carefully examined by your appropriate committees.

The report from the Department of Public Instruction is brief. Its contents relate mostly to the enumeration and school attendance, and the school funds and revenues for the year, will reach you in a revised and more comprehensive form in the biennial report.

ANNUAL REPORTS,

1S7S.

I respectfully transmit a report to you of "each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon, granted and, also, the names of all persons in whose favor remissions of fines and forfeitures have been made and the several amounts remitted during the year 1877 and 187s, by my predecessor in office and myself, as required by the constitution. Accompanying it are some tables approximating accuracy, and showing the growth of crime and punishment of criminals since the reception of the first convict in the State prison Imperfect as our criminal statistics are, they may afford valuable aid in legislating upon

An

important and troublesome

matter. The constitution provides "that the General Assembly may by law constitute a council, to be compoaed of officers of State without whose advice and consent the Governor shall not have power to grant pardons in any case except such as may bv law be' left to his sole power." In order" to relieve the executive of a great responsibility, I recommend a law in accordance with this proviso.

For your information as to the transactions* of the government during the year ending October 31, 1878, I lay before vou reports made to me by officers named as follows

The Adjutant General. The Quarter Master General. The Auditor of State. The Treasurer of State.

THE xEKKE HAUTE WEEKLY GAZETTE.

The Attorney General. The Superintendent of Public Instruction. ^5

The State Librarian. Tiie Trustees of the Institute for the Education of the Blind.

The Trustees of the Institution for Educating the Deaf and Dumb. The Trustees of the Soldiers' and Seamens' Orphans' Home.

The Trustees of the State Normal School. The Trustees of Indiana University.

The Trustees of Purdue University, The Directors of the State Prison South.

The Directors of the State Prison North. The Commissioners of the House of Refuge.

The Managers of the Female Prison and Reformatory Institution. The Board of State House Commissioners.

The Provisional Board of Commissioners for the Hospital for the Insane. The State BjarJ of Agriculture.

t-

The State Horticultural Society. 'M The Commissioners of the Hospital for the Insane have preferred to follow the mandate of the act of 1852 providing for the government of the Hospital rather than the act of 1S53, providing for annual reports from the subordinate officers to the head of the executive service, and have made their report directly to you. It was received at my office December 7, and, appearing not to be made to it, was delivered to the Secretary of State, that upon his organization of the House of Representatives he might deliver it to the Speaker.

MILITIA.

The act approved May 11, 1S61, for the organization and regulation of the Indiana militia had so far become a forgotten relic of our civil war as to be omitted entirely from the last revision of the statutes. The constitution (article XII) provides who shall be subject to military service and that "the General Assembly shall determine the method of dividing the militia into divisions, brigades, regiments, battallions and companies and fix the rank of all staff officers" and divide it into classes of sedentary and active militia. These requirements are met by the atofi86i. It prescribes the manner of organizing and mustering a company in to the active militia denominated "The Indiana Legion" and for the supply of arms and equipments, a system of instruction and encampments, councils of administration and courts martial calls into active service and resignations, dismissals and discharges. Until quite recently the last named have been the most popular features of the law. Of the system a general officer, who observed its workings while protecting the southern border of the state from invasion in 1852, wrote to hissuperior in command: "Much may be done to increase the efficiency of The Legion bv proper amendments of the law. There must be some inducements to go into the companies, ei'.her by way of exemption from other burdens, or by bounty, or by both* Whatever the inducement may be, it must be a continuing one, so that it will hav® the effect not only 10 impel men to join the companies, but 'to continue in them and discharge the duties which result from membership. It can not be expected that men will long givt up their other employments and spend their money to get up and maintain military organizations without some inducement. The law should provide a short and profflcient means 01 compelling attendance of members at drill, etc. Its provisions on this subject are circuitous "and inefficient. The law provides for swearing the members of the companies after the election and it is said, in many instances, that those who have signed the articles of association, not getting an office, have refused to take the oath. It is suggested to me that the oath should be administered first and the election held afterward. Other amendments might be suggested in regard to the organization ot companies. The process ought to be greatly simplified."

The present adjutant general has succeeded in securing the organization of twenty one companies, those forming the associations, having been led to assume the burdens imposed by the law because of a generous rivalry between the lovers of military tactics and display in our leading cities and towns. Yoti will be asked to add needed amendments to the existing statute, or to enact a new affording so much encouragement to military organizations as do the laws of other states of equal rank.

Occasion for the use by civil authority of a well drilled and well deciplined body of troops may rise at any time in our populous localities, or even in remote districts where men congregate who have litttle knowledge of our laws and no respect for the peace and dignity of our state.

On the 26th of July, 1877, I was officially informed by the sheriff of Marion county that certain railway employes, because of a disagreement with their employers, had ceased from service, and by their inactivity had occasioned an interruption and delay of transportation across his county that no breach of the peace head come under his observation, and no information of any had been received by him that, with the exception of the detention of railway trains, there had been no forcible violation 01 the peace and, that no injury to person or property had been committed. He advised the issuance by me of a proclama tion ordering all unlawful assemblages to disperse, cease their viol-, nee, and yield to the authority of law, expressing the opinion that such an order would command that respect which an offi cer occupying his position could not secure. In conclusion, he said: "Such a proclamation frorti you as I sug gest might accomplish the desired result but in my judgement persuasion will not avail anything. 1 have no organized force at my command of any description, but am utterly powerless in the event of a serious disturbance, unless you will at once furnish me an adequate force to maintain the law." I at once issued and caused to be published my proclamation of that date. The organized companies in this county were ordered into camp at the United States arsenal grounds, and the Adjutant General, assisted by promi nent citizens of Indianapolis, constituting a "committee of safety,' rapidly organized, mustered, officered and equipped other companies and caused them to encamp on the same grounds. I requested General Ben. Harrison to atsume command of the forces

organized. He replied, saving: "I am very mush obliged for this expression of your confidence, but the committee of safety had recomended General Dan Macauley for the place, and I would therefore ask you to commission him." He, however, took command of a company. General Macauley was commissioned, and immediately took command and organized a staff, 'which was also commissioned and entered upon duty with him. By advice of the committee of safety, and especially of a member thereof, who is an experienced officer, and the commandant himself, to avoide the possible danger of a delay in transmitting formal requisitions to the ordnance department for ordnance stores due the State, I telegraphed the President, saying: "In view of threatened domestic violence growing out of the railroad strike, I request that authority be at once given to the commandant of the arsenal to render all the aid possible in preserving the public peace." Receiving at the same time and complying with requisitions for troops mucri less formal from the Governors of other States, and unaware of the fact that our militia was encamped under the shadow of the arsenal buildings, and had good reasons to draw from their stores, jhe Secretarj- of War replied (July 27th, p. m..) as follows: "I am directed by the President to say that, in the absence of a call upon him under the constitution and statue, for military aid in suppressing domestic violence, the Federal troopi at Indianapolis can only be used in protecting property of the United Slates and enforcing process of federal courts." It seetns not to have occurred to the honorable secretary that the arsenal was understood to be a depot of military stores, and not a garrison of men. Late in the night of that day, a Lieutenant Colonel of the United States army called upon me, saying: "I have been ordered to this city with two hundred men to assist the civil authorities in preserving the peace and protecting property. I have the honor to report to you my arrival, and ask if you have any instructions for me." Having made no requisition for troopR, and having even been advised that my requisition for ord nance stores would not be complied with I ould then only reply to that effect. On the 28th, I was enabled to inform the sheriff of Marion 'county that an adequate force had been organized in this county, and would be placed at his disposal upon his making formal requisition to the Adjutant General. Disturbances of a similar character arose in other localities, notably in Allen county, and like preparation was made. These preparations in paid cf local authorities and the counsel of rudent citizens, made the use of the force unnecessary, and it was disbanded. The expenditures were so carefully man aged that, while the outlay of other States reached many thouands of dollars, our own were easily met by the limited appropriation for "military contingent expenses." Details will be communicated as required by law. I take occasion again to express my obligations to the citizens who promptly took up arms in support of the civil authorities and especially to those wise counselors who were able by their coolness and reasonj to dissuade an extensive, organisation of determined' men from rash purposes and overcome the clamor of passionate men for vindictive meas ures. It is a source of great satisfaction to our citizens that we passed through an ordeal involving fo other communities and threatening to us the most perilous consequences, without the loss of a life, and with a small expenditure of the public funds. I am moved to so particular a statement of these occurrences, now long past, first, because prominent gentlemen on the floor of Congress and in carefully prepared addresses to our people, have manifested a disposition to distort their simple truth and, second, in order that you may provide in advance for such a possible emergency hereafter.

Other disturbances growing out of our unsettled labor question occurred in the mining district of Fountain county, with deplorable results. A want of due carefulness in the local authorities resulted in the issuance and charge to that county of arms which were received from it upon approved bond by persons unworthy of membership in a company of the militia. It became the duty of the state authorities to review these proceedings and secure a return of the arms to the state and a disbandment of the company. This delicate duty was satisfactorily discharged by the Adjutant General, w'hose report will more fully disclose its nature. At the request of the Judge of the Fountain Circuit Court troops were sent to and muintained in the county for some weeks to protect the lives and property of citizens, insure peace, and secure a prompt administration of jnstice to the offenders. The expenses of this call were met as before.

The Quartermaster General accounts for the millitary stores received, issued, and now held by him. The state yet has a credit of $7,295.08 upon her account with the General Government under the act for the distribution of arms to the states.

By my order, an experienced officer was detailed by the Adjutant General to inspect the arms belonging to the state. As this duty had not been performed for manv years, it will interest you to learn the exact quantity and condition of our munitions of war as disclosed by his report.

It is proper that I should say to you that companies have been called out and kept in camp several days, and mahy of the members who were laboring men thereby lost their situations. Under section 33 of the law, they could receive only the small pay allowed to soldiers of the United States army, and the fund at my disposal would not admit of an additional allowance as bounty. I recommend an appropriation to pay them a reasonable' compensation for their services.

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. "1 The Constitution makes it the duty of the General Assembly to provide by law for the support of institutions for the education ot" the deaf and dumb and of the blind and also for the treatment cf the insane. At the date of its adoption, an, institution had been provided for each of these classes, all having been founded about thirty years ago.

From an attendance in 184S of 9* and an annual expenditure of $11,765.83, the attendance of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb has increased to 32Slferr«*ito

and the expenditure to $62,994,99. Twelve hundred and seven pupils have received instruction. The course of study has been enlarged and improved to correspsnd to the progress in the common school education guaranteed to our children who have the use of their faculties. A table showing the comparative attendance and and expenses of the institution since 1S53 is given by the trustees in their report. More than one hundred children having claim to-an education can not be received because of a lapk of accommodatious for them. You will be asked to provide for the construction of an' addition to the present building.

The average atten dance of pupils in the Institute for the Education of the Blind during the year was 108. Five hundred and ninety-eight pupils have received instruction since the opening of the institute in 1847. The expenditures for the fiscal year were in the sum of $31, 404,96, being $259.20 per annum for each pupil. The estitnate for the ensuing two years is made upon an anticipated attendance of 120 pupils at $250,000 each per annum. Additional accommodations are asked.

Since November 1, 184S, the Hospital for the Insane has received and treated 7,648 patients. During the past year 470 were admitted, and the same number discharged, leaving 614 remaining at the close of the year as at the beginning. The expenditure was in the sum of $132,129.67. To provide for the large number of insane who need treatment, and several hundred who have been pronounced incurable, and in need of the care and protection afforded by a slate institution planned and constructed for the purpose, a new building, to be called tne Department for Women, was authorized by an act approved March 11, 1875. Six hundred thousand dollars has been appropriated and nearly a^l of that amount expended. You will be asked to inspect the work done, and provide means for completing and furnishing the building for immediate use.

Since the transfer of the soldiers from the Soldiers' Home at Knightstown' to the National Home at Dayton, the institution has been devoted to the orphans of deceased soldiers and seamen. The building was destroyed by fire on the night of September 9, 1877. The trustees used the money received upon policies of insurance for the construction of a buildiag much more suitable for the purpose than was the former, and applied an unexpended balance of the year's appropriation towards the payment of the additional expense, making $41,238.32 in all. Yo'i will be asked te reimburse the officers and teachers and other inmates for their losses ot clothing apd other effects by fire.

All superintendents, officers and employes, engaged in any of the benevolent institutions of the 6tate, who a're boarding or lodging in the institutions, should receive much less salaries than those who board and lodge themselves^ and the superintendent or officer ho ha&a family boarding in the institution should be required to pay board tor any and all

cept

as assistants.

1

ex­

himself and wife, unless

emplosed

EDUCATION.

Our educational interests* nave been under the careful supervision of an officer possessing the confidence of the people. His biennial leport will give you in a comprehensive form a history of the recent progress and present condition of our common school system and also of :he institutions of a higher grade which have been the outgrowths of it. The reports of the Trustees of Indiana University, Purdue University and the State Normal School will disclose the fact that the higher education afforded hy the State, is given at an expense far beyond that of other institutions sustained by private contributions, and in excess of a just economy. The pupils who attend the Normal School do so to qualify themselves as teachers, the better to make a living thereafter. I am unable to tee any good reason why thev should not pay a reasonable tuition fee," thereby making the support of the school much less burdensome to the tax payers, many of whom receive no direct benefit lronri it. The same rule could properly be applied to the two universities.

The law authorizing each county to send two students tree of charge to each of the universities should be repealed, and all students should be required alike to pav a reasonable tuition fee.

Our school funl is now imported in the

sum

of nine million dollars, which perhaps equals that of any other state in the Union. It is constituted for the state's inedbtedness (nearly four millions), the fu common school fund held by the counties (about two and one half millions), each part requiring peculiar care in its management. I trust that it will te your pleasure to so administer this magnificent endowment as to produce the largest results in the interest to the rising generation. THR STATE BOARD OK AGRICULTURE.

Your attention is c&lled to the financial report of the officers of the State Board of Agriculture. The Board own thirtysix acres of land upon which their improvement* are sitnated, and two acres east of grounds, in all thirty-eight acres, upon which there is a mortgage of sixty thousand dollars drawing eight per cent, interest. Fifteen thousand three hundred dollars is due the guarantors of the exposition fund. The State advanced twentv-five thousand dollars two years ago. It is for you to consider whether the state should pay seventy-five thousand dollars more and take the property or lose the amount so advanced. Although the last was a very successful fair, the net earnings would not pay the interest on the indebtedness. I trust you will give this subject a careful consideration. tHORTICULTURE.

The Horticultural Society has account ed for the small annual bounty of five hundred dollars appropriated for the encouragement of its work. You will be interested in the proceedings of its annual meetings as reported by the secretary and published by the State.

CRIME AND ITS PUNISHMENT. JCrime has steadily and rapidly increased. Our old prison for male convicts is greatly overcrowded and the new has had use for the additional accommodations provided by the last Legislature.

The Female Prison has held more than three times the number (17) transit, when it was opened in 1873.

As required by the act of March 3, 1S77, the board of managers was reorganized as thereby constituted. Mr. Coffin and Mrs. Eliza C. Hendricks receiving commissions for their respective terms and assuming the duties imposed upon them by law. Assisted by Mrs. Smith, the superintendent, and others, they have, as shown by their two reports, trained the inmates of the institution to habits of industry, practiced a rigid economy in every department, and kept their expenditures within the appropriations. Some indebtedness for the enclosure of the grounds should be provided for. The managers have had much trouble and annoyance because of baJ sewerage. I recommend an appropriation of four thousand dollars to secure a permanent and reliable system in its stead, that being the amount cf the estimate prepared.

The Prison North had at the beginning of the last year 646 and at its close 605 convicts, 295 having been received, 340 released, and the a\erage being 619. The disbursements were $75,295-73 being $S6S.o6 in excess of the earnings. This excess is explained bv the additional accommodations provided for an ex pected increase in the number committed to prison. The new cell house and workshop authorized by the last Legislature were completed and a main sewer also built, leaving a balance of $19,666.03 of the $So,ooo appropriated. This amount the director* think could well be devoted to the construction of a new dwelling house for the warden, some cells for the insane convicts and a solitary cell for disciplinary purposes. Additional shop room is asked. It is urged that the district of the prison be enlarged by the addition of one tier of counties next south of the Une of demarcation and that the good time of convicts be increased to twice that now allowed. In the education ot the convicts required by law the moral instructor finds great necessity for proper text books and asks that they and books for general reading that will inculcate correct sentiments be provided. The salary of the physician is regarded by the officers as quite too small for the services expected, and they ask that it be in&reased to the proper amount.

The Prison South had at the beginning of the last year 590 convicts, receiyed 335, making 925 in all, and released 299, leaving 626 remaining at the close. The daily average was 626. Since it establishment in 1822 it has received 6,526 convicts and released 5,900. More than two-thirds of those remaining are unmarried men. Less than one-third are over thirty years of age. Forty-four are sentenced for life. The expense of maintenance per man wa? $29.03, which was the lowest in ten years, being less than one* half of the expenditure five years before. The total cost for the year was $72,733.19, being $28,539.53 in excess of the earnings. The report of the directors is a careful review of the condition of the prison and the present needs of the inmate*. But a little over one-half of the convicts have been leased. The state receives forty-five cents per man. It is supposed that the employment of four-fift..s of the convicts would make the institution self-sustaining. The diverse but well expressed views of the directors and warden as to the best means of discipline will demand your careful stqdy. A- better "good time" law is recommended by the directors. Because of the great increase in his labors, they are of the opinion that the physician should receive a salary sufficient to justify him in giving his whole attention to the prison sick. Better provisions '.'or the mental and moral instruction of the prisoners is asked. It is especially urged, that opporfunity be given for evening reading and study by the supply of light in each cell. 7 he directors think that deprivation of light is an inhuman hardship which the General Assembly can not afford to longer disregard. Provision is asked for the insane numberit.gj^about fourteen. The prison has but one-half enough cells. More than three hundred have had to be kept in the chapel and other rooms, at greatly increased expense. A new cell house must be provided, or the surplus convicts transfered to the Prison North. It will be for you to determine what course will best provide for this great increase. of convicts, and impose the least burden on good citizens who mudt meet the expense of their safe-keeping within prison walls.

It is enjoined in the constitution ''that the General Assembly shall provide houses of refuge for the Correction and reformation of juvenile offenders." An institution for boys was established at Plainfield in 1867, and has been in opera tion eleven years. One thousand one hundred and twenty-eight boys have been admitted during that time. 'All can not be classed as offenders. Many have been committed for a reformation of their character that they may be prevented from violating the laws. At the close of the last year 145 had been admitted and 383 remained, that being the* greatest number in the institution at any one time. The Board of Commissioners have reduced the expenditures greatly below the amount appropriated, leaving the surplus in the treasury. Their estimates for subsequent years appear in a reduced form. They have added to the accommodations and reformatory influences of the institution and report it in good condition.

Like provision for controlling the criminal inclinations of girls has been made in the reformatory department connected with the Female Prison. Two hundred and ninety-six have been received since 1873.

THE STATE LIBRARY

was removed to the building rented for its accommodation, and has, by exchanges and purchases, received the usual additions to its shelves. The librarian and his lady assistant have filled with credit their respective positions, as their careful preparations for your meeting will convince you. Hon. Horace P. Biddle, of our Supreme Court, who has devoted his life to general literature, as well as to that of his profession, has expressed to me the "desire to dispose, of' his "library to the State of Indiana, to be kept as apart of the State Library. It contains about six thousand volumes, collected at a cost of over $10,000, and is the gradual accumulation of fifty years." He proposes "to sell the entire library to the state for a nominal sum," retaining its possession aftd use during his life and providing for its delivery *4by contract

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