Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-12-10

3D. ll76 pieces Of similar descriptions besides 400 hol
sters and cartridge boxes all of which have thus
been rendered mt for actual service 1t will also be
seen that BY receiving portion of our last quota of
public arms from the ordnance Office, in cavalry rifle
and infantry accoutrements to replace such as had
been lost destroyed, number Of arms, to which
they made appurtenant, have thus at COMPARE
lively small expense been rendered available for
vice. The suggestions in the report, to the
security and transportation of the public arms
respectfully urged upon your consideration. The
fidelity and energy of this officer in the discharge Of
his official duties, worthy Of commendation and
his labors much greater than formerly, it is
submitted whether he is not also entitled to increase
| of compensation.
Arms have hitherto been distributed in the order in
which they applied for by organized companies.
Ii is recommended that this rule be modified by
law, in all cases to give the preference to such
companies as may pledge themselves to stand ready
for actual service at the call of their county.
| circular from the Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States asking fer statistical information
in relation TO agriculture and manufactures has been
forwarded TO me; and is herewith communicated to
the Legislature. /,
/ As / am not in possession of the data from which
to furnish the desired information otherwise than
conecually the subject is referred your conside
ration for such action you may fit to take in
reference to the object.
/ submit herewith communication from she acting
commissioner of the General Land Office dated Sept
Is 1910 IN which IL VIII DC seen, tat the selection OF
lands for the Wabash and Erie Canal made under the
direction of my immediate predecessor, as mentioned
in his letter TO that office, dated Dec LIST, 1913, has
not been recognized and that it is the wish Of the
Office, that The 30 319 52l00 to which the State
is yet entitled be at my earliest convenience selected
from lands subject to private entry" provided by
tile I'd section Of the act of Congress of Feb 81 lS4l
The reasons why have far delayed acting in this
matter adverted 10 in my last annual message.
The direction of the Legislature is respectfully in
voked.
For reasons mentioned in nv last annual message
| again respectfully commend to your favorable con-
slderatlon the questions TO the policy of ransferr-
ing the trial of certain small offences from the Cir
cult Courts TO Justices of the Peace-as to the policy
of establishing Houses Of Refuge for the moral disci-
pline of juvenile and female Offenders instead of the
barbarous, unhealthy and expensive mode of punish
menby Imprisonment in the county ailsthe question
off thorough and searching reform in county expen-
dtures-an the policy of providing for the growing
amount of special and local legislation, by trans
ferring, by means of general laws, the necessary
powers to other and more appropriate tribunals. Ny
views in favor Of each of these proposed changes
which formerly given at some length; have been
strengthened by subsequent reflection. The large
amount of business performed at the last session
have prevented that matured consideration and action
reference to these subjects which their Importance
in my judgment, demands. That the very character
OF that business demonstrates the prOprley of the
policy last above recommended is to my mind evident
there having been passed at the last session 3SJ
local special acts, besides lbs acts and Joint reso-
lutons of general nature, making in all $50 distinct
measures, and comprising $50 octave pages Of printed
e matter.
1t is feared that in the brief space of one ses
sion, the careful attention required by the public wei
: fare could with difficulty be bestowed upon all the
various and dissimar questions embraced in so great
J, a OF legislation.
In conformity with the act providing for taking the
sense of the qualified voters to the propreiy Of
calling convention to alter, revise, or amend the
constitution of this State. approved January 49, 1916
f a poll opened at the annual election held in
August last for receiving votes upon that question
The returns far made the Secretary of State
as required by that act show that 81, 52l votes were
for, and 81, 49, votes against calling
e a convention. They also show that the aggregate
f number of votes returned having been cast upon
that question is less than one-haf of the number oil
voters who attended the polls and voted upon other
questions, and that from thirteen counties, no returns
whatever upon that question, have been received.
e cannot close this communication without sub
S hitting few remarks on the deeply important sub
i ject of education. The of our two Univer
r sites and of colleges, has been all that thei
warmest friends could desire, and is subject Of just
pride and congratulation to the State have receiv
ed from the Indiana University, the Indiana Asbury
4 University, the Wabash College, and the Franklin
College, yearly catalogues, exhibiting their actua
condition; and my information leaves no doubt upor
e my mind, that other collegiate institutions are
d now, in common with the four above named, in .
prosperous condition than they have ever before
n enjoyed. This may, doubtless, in degree, be
attributed TO the returning prosperity Of the State
large; but 1t is mostly owing to the superior induce
held out to those who DESTROYS ST acquiring
i sound education-the heathfu situations the mears
r of economical living able and accomplished Pres
d dents and Professors, and sirtuous associations.
d But under this comprehensive topic, there is ano
Their subject which challenges our attention by its ia
greater importance. alude to the condition of
n common schools. Under our simple and sublime in
stitutions, all citizens regarded politically
m equal. But enable the citizen 10 protect hmsel
!, in the enjoyment Of his full share Of political rights
Il he must be armed with at least elementary educa
! ton. He must know how to read and write his mo
S Their tongue. This is too frequently regarded merely
j. question of expediency. But it should never b
o forgotten that it is sacred debt which we owe t
" every and daughter of Indiana however poor the
IF may be- TO place them upon equality with their NOR
s favored associates, TO The means of acquiring
n common school education. Until this is done, the,
not equal as they ought to be- nor as we hav
No it in our power to make them
BY this MEANS they will be better enabled to "knov
their own rights and knowing, to maintain them
il They will be better prepared to sit and anayze pub
lie questions-to scrunze the conduct of their pub
N lie officers, and hold them to proper accountability
Very general dissatisfaction is expressed with on
present school law 1t is objected that it is ncohe
,e rent and that its provisions vague and conflicting
IN careful revision of the entire school system is
n specially recommended.
a Great advantage would arise from the adoption in
he TO our system of such provisions the experience
other States has shogn to be productive Of happ
n results.
mr. An obvious mode of accomplishing this obiet
A. would be the appointment of suitable person 10
anime into the condition of the schools of some
in the older States, by correspondence, travel and PEI
sopal Inspection and to report future Legislature