Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16
From The DeIDh, Oroeie. Rf,ye6 81.

The following letter, written by a distinguished
citizen of this State, has been placed in our hands for
publication, believing it to contain the true view Of
the "Butler Bill" so called. The gentleman tt
whom the letter is addressed, Mr.. Seawright, was The
representative from Clinton county, in the last Legis
lature. We ask our readers to give it a carefal pc
rusal
INDIANAPOLIS, FEB. IA, 1916.
Hon. WILSON SEAwRIGHT:
Dear Sir-Your welcome letter of the 18th inst. il
Just received. 1 am much g~ratified to learn that tn,
great mass of the people, so far as they have had al
opportunity Of understanding the general features o
the State debt bill, are well pleased. From every
other quarter in the State, the bill is regarded witt
more and more favor, and you may rest assured tina
sooner or later, and | think quite soon, it is destined
to become quite popular. 1t cannot be otherwise
while honor and patriotism hold a seat in the bosom
of Indianians. But yesterday we were under a darl
cloud of despair. Our farmers were talking of sac
rifcing their property and removing west, now we SEE
day-light-we see our way clear. Our Indebtedness
is removed entirely from our shoulders, with scarce
an increase of our taxes. You recollcct that th
wings when in power a few years ago, q forget tn,
precise year, levied a tax of 40 cents on the 100 dol
lars and a poll tax Of one dollar, and that too withou
meeting the debt, or enabling US to see the end of it
Now we impose only % cents on the 100 dollars ant
a poll tax of but 10 cents, and what is best of all
we not only pay all the interest that is demandable o
US, but we actually provide a surplus to extinguisl
ultimately the whole of the principal. And how have
we done it Why, by making the canal pay one hal
of the entire debt, bodily canal that in our owl
hands has never yet paid the expenses and perhap,
never would. And all this we have done, not by selling
the canal to the bOndholders -no-but by putting il
in the hands of three American citizens as trustees
whose business it is. to keep a correct account be
tween the parties. Two of these three trustees ar,
to be Indianians, and one is to be appointed by the
State authorities, and they are after all TO be subject
to the control and jurisdiction OF our own courts, SHOULD
any complaint exist against them. And not only so
but the State has the right to regulate the amount o
tolls on the canal, not however to be lower of course
than on similar works elsewhere. Over and above
all, the State has the right of redeeming the canal al
am time, out of the hands of the trustees. And theI
Just reflect, the bondholderS run the risk of the profit
of the canal being sufficient to pay the one half o.
the interest due remand if the profits amount to
more, it belongs to the State. Is not this a good bar.
gain! Az the chance Of loss IS theirs and all til,
chance of gain as ours. Then again, our canal is to
be finished in four years, without the expense of one
additional cent to the State !! Really my friend
those who do not like the State debt bill, must have
not only been born crying, but they can't have got
their faces straight yet. They must be confirmed
croakers and grumblers. They would quarrel no
only with their wives and children, but even with
their bread and butter. | tell you the bill will be
of some of the strongest opponents to the measures
having already wheeled into its support since the ad-
lournment.
You say that one or two have ventured to hint thai
the bill was passed by bribery. 1t is a base falsehooC
and no man but one willing to be bribed, or c%onsciou:
of innate corruption, would thus Judge of others by
himself. He must have a bad opinion of himself anC
Of mankind. 1t would be a more likely superstition thai
the bondholders, or their agent were bribed to offer u:
such favorable terms. But the bare insinuation is ma.
lignantly false, as applied to any of the parties. The
carping slanderer ought to be ashamed to show his
face, in respectable company.
Confidently believing that you will look back to the
able and disinterested support which you gave the
measure with pride and qualification, and wishing you
health, prosperity and happiness, | am, dear sir,
Very truly your friend.