Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-01-20

the most profitable because the most needed will be
first undertaken. When constructed by private OF
associated means, there is less extravaganza, ana less
danger of the faithlessness OF agents, than II tney are
constructed by the State.
In dismissing this topic, I beg once more to recon-
mend the most rigid economy. now rendered, II posi-
BILE. more desirable than ever. Our faith IS restored
and it mustbe preserved.
Let the resolve of every heart be that it shall be pre-
served.
upon the Executives OF other States and Territories,
for fugitives from thejustice of thisState and provision
is made by the existing law that all expenses incurred
in their -~recapture If the Governor shall allow the
same, shall be paid QUITO the moneys appropriated by
the general assembly, for such purposes"
AS no such appropriation has ever been made, the
law has remained a dead letter, and the custom has
been to make the required allowances, In the spec)nc
appropriation bills. BY this omission. not only has
there been a delay of payments for the services and
expenses of the agent, but in the absence OF correct IN
exorbiiant claims. A standing appropriation OF a
small amount would be sufficient for this pun pose, and
the adoption ola rule requiring a satisfactory verlfl-
cation OF allclaims tor such services and expenses be-
fore the same shall be allowed, will serve the cause
alike of Justice and economy.
The views and recommendations contained in
the accompanying report OF the Adlutant zen
eral. will doubtless receive at your hands, that
attention and consideration, to which they are entl-
tied. .
The commentator bestowed upon this officer in
my last annual Message, in relation to the discharge
oflis duties during that year. has been merlted by the
zeal. fidelity and promptitude, with which he has per-
formed those ofthe present year, varied and laborlous
as they have been. The nature, extent and value oil
these services, can better be ascertained from the re-
port. itselfand l suggest the justice and proplety OF
making him an additional compensation Tor the same
1t will be seen from the report OF the Quarter Master
General, also submitted, that that officer has been
engaged, since your last session with characteristic
energy and faithfulness, in the collection and repair OF
public arms, which had been lost and scattered in va
rious parts ofthe State, besides attending to. their re-
c~eption, preservation and distribution. The increase
in his correspondence, and the regular duties OF his
office, also merit, in my judgement, further compen-
sation. E7
Occasion has been repeatedly taken in my former
messages, TO allude to the great amount OF our local
or special legislation, the danger OF injustice by its
means, to individual interest, its expense TO the treas
ury, and the-large portion OF time 1t necessarily oceu-
pies, 10 the detrlment OF that mature and thorough
consideration which is due to subjects OF a general
character. m E4
1t was also recommended that the necessary pow
ers should by general laws be conferred upon other
and more appropriate tribunals, to afford the necessa-
ry reliet, sought by means of private acts.
The subject has been deemed OF so great Importance
that the constitution of New York, as lately amend
ed, has a provision against this evil engraited init
was therefore much gratitied to find the attempt
to obviate it in part, by the act, at the last session, OF
the act to authorize the formation of voluntary associa-
tons, approved, January 81, 1S47. 1t is hoped that no
bill will now be introduced in the legislature for an OBJ
iect, the accomplishment OF which can be secured I'M
der that act. 1t is not intended to say that the act Is
not susceptible of amendments; on the contrary 1t Is
believed it might be made to have a wider scope with
advantage. But that or any other detect can be cas-
lily remedied' aHl1 l i l5 gg
1t is earnestly recommended that as far as practicable,
the residue OF the broad field of private legislation be
occupied by a few general laws.
Permit me also, again to call your favorable atten-
ton to the subject OF giving justices OF the peace ex-
elusive jurisdiction OF divers trivial offences now pub
lished by Indictment in the circuit courts, at greatex-
-oz-o - - 49, md araff t.r NJ r,o N nnCt-
and loss OF time, as a disproportionate punishment to
the individual.
| also commend to your favorable regard, the pol
icy of establishing houses of Refuge, in districts en-
bracing a sufficient number ofcounties tor 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 are given to
some extentin my last two annual messages to which
you are respectfully referred. S
The steady and successful progress made on the
part -four benevolent institutions, as will m%orefully
appear from, the annual reports in relation to them Is
a subject of Just congratulation. The Asylum for
the Deaf and Dumb was commenced as a State In
stitution, as late as the LIST of October, 1874, lalthough
it had existed as a private school, with q few pupils
for about one year previously and 1t already num-
bers so 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 sew
eral of them have been established Tor more than a
Quater of a century.
The institute for the education of the Blind, COM
i menced Its operations only on tne ISL vi OcIOD6I last,
with 9 pupils, which are now increased to %. and
several others are soon expected. The creation of
suitable buildings for each of those institutions, on
the eligible sites already purchased Tor that purpose.
ismuch needed. The financial condition of the State
requires, that while they should be comfortable, COM
modious and permanent, and SO constructed as to be
susceptible ofsuch additions as may be required here
after by an increase of pupils, without marring the
general design and appearance, but they should be in
a style of simple elegance without unnecessary ex-
pense or a useless display of mere ornament;
tits gratifying to learn that the hospital for the insane
will probably be so far constructed by the LIST OF July
next, as to be ready for the reception OF a few patients
at that time, and that the work will rapidly advance
to entire completion. -
l cannot doubt that each of these Institutions will
continue to receive, at 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 thanks
of MANY OF those unfortunates, for the cheerfulness
with which the have paid aspecitlx tax. In a time OF
great adversely for the establishment &support OF these
benevolent institutions; and, 1t Is hoped, 1t viii not be
forgotten by those concerned, that the best return that
car be made in behalf of the inmates for this kindness
will be a strict enconomy and fidelity in the expenses
and management of the establishments.
The facts and suggestions contained IN the accom-
panvine report of the Visitor of the State Prison, will
4 commend themselves to your consideration. Since its
preparations, it has been gratifying to learn that the
conyicts have been removed to the New Prison, which
onerates TO the advantage of their health and comfort.
it will be seen that two OF the convicts are represent
RI ted as insane.
In this connection, and IN the view OF Inc expect
ed early completion of the Hospital, beg to call your
attention to the importance of providing by law, that
whenever a person acquitted OF crime on the ground
of insanity and he is found by the jury yet to be in
sane, or whenever a convict becomes insane while in
the State Prison, he forthwith be placed in the Hos
pitaI. The former should not be suffered to go at
large, at the peril of life and property in the eommu-
nifty, the latter is not a proper subject of punishment,
and both require that moral discipline and medical
s treatment, which would be found in the Hospital and
which recent experiments have proved so frequently
). effective for the restoration of reason.
1t is upon the intelligence and virtue ofits citizens,
: the State must chiefly depend for their social eleva-
ton and happiness,-fo their just and equal partic-
!, ipation in the advantages of an enlightened freedom,
for the perpetuity of our unrlvalled institutions in
their original purity and republican simplicity, and
for that progressive reformation OF abuse, and that
: POLITICAL ameliora:ion, which are the results of indie
: pendent thought and free enquiry. / am therefore
much gratiied to perceive the increased interest which
mas lately been manifested by the people of this State
in relation to the important subjectof education.
Our higher institutions for the instruction of youth
in literature and science, are a source OF just pride and
OF great usefulness to the State, and it is gratifying to
b; lieye that they have never been in a more flourish
ing condition than at present.
In relation to the far more important subject ofcom-
II.