Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1848-01-19


office, also merit, in my judgement, further compen
satlon.
Occasion has been repeatedly taken in my former
messages, TO aiiude TO the great amount OF our local
Or special legislation, the danger OF injustice by its
means, individual interest its expense TO the treas
ury, and the large portion Of time it necessarily
pies, TO the deriment of that mature and thorough
consideration which is due TO subjects of general
character
1t was also recommended that the necessary pow
ers should by general laws be conferred upon other
and more appropriate tribunals, TO afford the
ny relief, sought by means of private acts.
The subject has been deemed of great importance
that the constitution of New York. as lately amend
ed has provision against this evil engrafted init.
was therefore much gratiied to find the attempt
TO obvae IL in part by the act the last session, of
the act to authorize the formation OF voluntary assoca
tions approved, January 81, lS47 Ii hoped that no
bill will now be introduced IN the legislature for OBJ
ject, the accomplishment OF which can be secured
der that act Ii Is not intended to say that the act
not susceptible of amendment; the contrary it is
believed ii might be made to have wider scope with
advantage. But that any other defect can be cas-
lily remeded
II earnestly recommended that as far as practicable
the residue OF the broad field of private legislation be
occupied by few general laws
Permit me also again to call your favorable atten-
ton to the subject OF giving justices Of the peace
elusive jurisdiction of divers trivial oenC pub
ished by indictment in the circuit courts, at great
pense to the country and operating by of COSTS
and loss OF time, as disproportionae punishment to
the individual
4 also commend TO your favorable regard, the pol
icy OF establishing houses of Refuge in districts
bracng a sufficient number ofcounties for the moral
discipline OF female and juvenile delinquents; where
they will be beyond the contagion of confirmed vice
and hoary crime.
My reasons in favor of these measures given to
some extent in my last two annual messages to which
you are respectfully referred.
] The steady and successful progress made on the
part OF our benevolent institutions, as will more fully
appear from the annual reports in relation them is
subject of just congratulation. The Asylum for
/ the Deaf and Dumb was commenced as a State In
stitution, late the LIST of October, 1874 alhough
it had existed as private school, with few pupils
for about year previously and il already num-
bers 80 pupils This is understood to be a much lar
ger number than is found in the institution of any
other State, in proportion to population, although
eral of them have been established for more than
quater OF a century.
The institute for the education of the Blind, CON-
menced its operations only the LIST OF October last
with pupils, which are now increased to 25. and
several others expected. The creation of
suitable buildings for each of those institutions, on
the eligible sites already purchased for that purpose
is much needed The financial condition of the State
requires, that while they should be comfortable,
modious and permanent, and so constructed to be
susceptible ofsuch additions may be required here
alter by an increase OF pupils without marring the
general design and appearance but they should be In
a style OF simple elegance without unnecessary
pense or useless display of mere ornament.
gratifying to learn that the hospital for the insane
will probably be so far constructed by the LIST of July
next, to be ready for the reception of few patients
at that time, and that the work will rapidly advance
4 to entire completion.
cannot doubt that each of these institutions will
continue to receive, your hands, that aid and pat
ronage TO which they are so well entitled
The people OF Indiana deserve great credit, and they
will doubtless receive the prayers and fearful thank
OF many OF those unorunates, for the cheerfulness
with which the yhave paid specifix tax in a time OF
great adversely for the support OF these
benevolent institutions and, it is hoped, it will not be
forgotten by those concerned that the best return that
car be made in behalf OF the inmates for this kindness
will be strict enconomy and fidelity in the expenses
and management OF the establishments.
The facts and suggestions contained in the accom-
panyng report of the Visitor OF the State Prison. will
commend themselves to your consideration. Since its
preparation, IT has been gratifying to learn that the
convcts have been removed to the New Prison. which
operates to the advantage OF their health and comfort
II will be that two OF the convics represent
| ted as insane.
In this connection and in the view of the expect
ed early completion of the Hospital, beg to call your
attention to the importance ofprovding by law, that
Il whenever person acquitted OF crime the ground
of insanity and he is found by thejury yet be in
sane, whenever convict becomes insane while in
the State Prison, he forthwith be placed in the Hos
pial. The former should not be suffered to 90 ai
large, at the peril of life and property in the commu
nifty, the latter not proper subject of punishment
and both require that moral discipline and medical
treatment, which would be found in the Hospital and
which recent experiments have proved so frequently
effective for the restoration of reason.
It's upon the intelligence and virtue oits citizens
the State must chiefly depend for their social eeva
ton and happinessfor their just and equal partic-
ipaton in the advantages of enlightened freedom,
for the perpetuity of unrvalled institutions in
their original purity and republican simplicity, and
for that progressive reformation OF abuse, and that
POLITICAL ameliora:ion which the results of indie
pendent thought and free enquiry l am therefore
much gratihed perceive the increased interest which
mas lately been manifested by the people of this State
in relation to the important subject of education.
Our higher Institutions for the instruction of youth
in literature and science are source oiust pride and
OF great usefulness the State and ii is gratifying
believe that they have never been in flourish
ing condition than at present.
In relation TO the far more important subject ofcom
mon school education II is much be regretted that
present. when tine faith and credit Of the State are
in process OF resusctatiOn and its available means
urgently required to meet the engagement entered
into with its creditors, well those occasioned by
our benevolent institutions, unable by egisla
ton to afford such immediate and substantial aid
in ourishing condition ofthe finances of State
would be in accordance with desires, and with
a sound and enlightened policy Much however may
be done, it hoped towards the adoption OF system
to be fully matured in future which will increas,
the usefulness the efficiency, and the amount of the
present school funds-secure their faithful applica-
ton extend the benefits to be derived from them equal
greater degree of uniformity and prompttude il
the collection OF school returns and other statistic
bearing upon the question;-whi,h is almost pre-
requisite OF any prudent and useful legislation upoI
subject which has caused so great diversity o
judgement
Pursuant to resolutions passed by both branches o
the General Assembly at its last session, recommen
ding the friends of common school education to NEE
II in convention Indianapolis the 25th May last