Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-27

nation of many hopelesSy depressed. At such
time, It appears to that too much caution cannot
be observed in the adoption of any having
tendency to divert tie resources Uf the State and thus
prevent the accomplishment of this most desirable
object.
The citizens of the State at large have cheerfully
submitted to a State tax, rated high they could
well bear, for the avowed purpose of paying the IN
erest upon the public debt and thus relieving them
selves and the commonwealth from the stigma of in
sovency or reputation If the loan now asked from
the State should be greater 1t necessarily follows that
the tax payers of the State at large, including those
of the Whitewater Valley, must be assessed much
more will make up the deficiency. Are we sure
that we have their consent to this But IL is not
probable that this would long be the only deficiency of
tn kind be thus supplied. If have derived any
truth from the lessons of experience, of the last
thirteen years in this State 1t is that the grant of the
favor sought, would stimulate and encourage ST.
mar applications from other quarters. 1t would be
pausbly urged that each part of the State is much
entitled to be favored the others, and it is quite
doubtful if the precedent would not lead to a vicious
and dangerous system of legislative expenditures, by
exciting combinations of sectional interests for the
purpose of aiding each other in procuring contrbu
tions from the treasury. Similar influences and ST.
mar policy brought young State to the brink
of ruin, from which we are just extrcated, and it is
hoped we may avoid the seductive whirlpool of debt
and insolvency hereafter.
1t is true it may be said that this is only oan but
experience has proven that public money, invested in
whatever manner in private enterprise, is but too
frequently surrendered, otherwise ultimately lost.
| But there is another view of thus question, which,
in my judgement, is equally conclusive against it.
There is this time, beyond doubt, larger smount
of capital in the hands of enterprizing individuals,
in The United States than at any former period OF our
history. The security intended to be given by the
fur ne n DlPdpo
of the profits of the canal or otherwise either good
or it is bad. If it be bad security, the money OF
the people ought not to be lent upon it and if it be
good, there will be no difficulty in procuring the loan
from capitalists. And it is gratifying to reflect that
the failure of the bill under consideration to be-
come a law at the last session. did not prevent the
completion of the repairs on the canal for which the
loan was sought The same considerations, it is
hoped will enable the company TO effect the repairs
required by more recent injury.
The remaining sections of the bill are mainly occu
pied in relation that part of the northern division
Of the Central Canal, and which is indicated by 1t:
title.
| The Sth section appropriates all money due from
lessees of water power thereon, and the further
Of fifteen thousand dollars from the treasury for re-
pairs. As expenditure equal to making these re-
pairs was already authorized by the act of the Gene
raj Assembly, approved January l3, 1916, if In tn,
opinion of the Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor i
was deemed indispensable to repair any unusua
breach therein, 1t did not become necessary for me Il
decide 10 the appropriation by the present bill The
expenditure would have been made, it is presumed
whether the present bill had been approved not.
will merely remark, however, that the statement
the Auditor in his annual report Of this session, tba
the State officers, after deliberation. and Dit
the sanction of the Governor, determined that they
could not discharge their duties without authorizing
the Agent to proceed to lei out the work for repairs
have been intended to mean more than my legal opin
ion an individual to the meaning of the act o
\ January Is, 1916 for it is clear | had Ofica
sanction to give, by the terms of the law, to make
operative, and still less could my sanction be elaine,
for the mode that adopted for making the repairs
as gave my oOinion in favor of dividing the worl
into smaller jobs, being calculated to finish the
pairs and cheaper than by the system of arg
contracts. | also advised somewhat longer notic
so as to invite a larger competition. My advice
was adopted. | believe, only so far as to extend tn
time three days longer, for commencing operations
Having legal control in the matter, my opinion
was only advisory, and had practical skill il
the subject, it given with Difference The matte
is referred (after what has been sad) only 70
the purpose of placing myself right in the premises
not for the purpose of censuring others.
Before dismssing this subject would respectful.
recommend that in appointing commissioners TO hea
! and settle all matters in controversy between tn
State and the lessees of water power the Contra
Canal, provided in the first part of the bill, provi
sion be also made that the of the lessees 10 tn
arrangement be- severally ascerained- that the com
mssoners, others authorized to make new con
tracts with the lessees, by which the latter shall b
empowered and required to take charge of and kee
the canal in repair at their own expense, until neede
by the State for purposes of navigation, in consldera
ton that the present amount of their rent shall
dergo reasonable and corresponding reduction | be
lieve such change might be made would be ia
more advantageous to all parties concerned, than tn
present plan. 1t is respectfully suggested too tina
provision be mode that settlement reported by tn
commissioners, nor any new or modified contrac
made by them, be regarded as valid until con6rme
by the legislature, other tribunal. Thi
seems to be required no less by the interest of tn
parties, than act of justice to the feelings an
motives of the commissioners themselves.
In conclusion, the regret have felt in differing il
opinion on the important questions involved in thl
BILL has been greatly lessened by the reflection, tina
the canal repairs therein contemplated have been Ell
fected and it is trusted as well and as early as thong
the bill had been approved and in the further rehec
ton, that it is yet competent for bare majority
the members elected in each House to pass it, not
: outstanding my dissent.
JAMES WHITCOMB.
; December 7th, 1S47.
DINNER To GEMS. QUlTMAN AND SHlELDs.-The din