Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-12-06
GOV. WRIGuT's INAUGURAL MES



Having taken the oath Of Office prescribed hy the
constitution. suffer you. and through
you 10 our fellow citizens generally my grateful
knowledgments, for the confidence they have gen.
er"usly bestowed upoa While / do this l
desire IN this public manner, to asseverate that
my time and ability shall be- employed in endeav-
oring to promote the happiness and welfare of all.
Custom sanctions aud enj 'lns, that shall briefly de-
clare 10 you the views which ENTERTAINED By
upon some ct the topics which engage the attention
OF The people at the present period.
IL As gratifying that State during the past year,
by decisive vote. has shown desire TO favor the
constitutional reforms OF the age ThirIythree years
nave passed away since fathers framed for
present excellent constitution Under this cnusiiiu-
ton we have lived in the enjoyment of civil and reli
glous liberty. Our prosperity has been great---our
growth rapd-and the march of improvement onward.
Time has not only proved the correctness of the re-
publican principles contained in the constitution but
has had tendency to show that they may be much
iurthrr extended and more generally applied. The
Elective principle was highly valued by our fathers
ana u may be justly said. they far in the adj
vance OF our sister States of that day; but still fur.
Their advance is practicable In order TO more ef.
iectualiy guard against improper appointments To Of
nee, and against such as may be made with selfish
motives. without reference the welfare of the pub
lac IN g'nera or the will of the people, the elective
power may be safely substituted foI the appointing
power. Another subject Of primary importance is
that at Common Scluos. Men of intelligence can
best and most safely exercise the sovereign preroga-
I'VE OF The elective franchises and secure general
Intclligence among men, they must begin TO learn
whiie they are children. II seems to me therefore
that we should concentrate every legitimate effort to
accomplish this end. bes-owing all the means al
comnand 10 Tie promotion of this common good IN
the most expansive fOrmthat should FIRST endeav-
or to extend common schools to every neighborhood,
so Tar as may be done without the infection Of bur
densome taxes upon the people. while we leave the
| Sor
learning TO individual associated enterprise, by
which 1t Is belived they will be best sustained 9th
er measures Will doubtless receive the consideration
Oh 'he convention, among which might be named the
necessary checks upon mprovdea legislation-suit-
aoe restraints against special and partial legslaon;
au positive requirement that the title Of all bills
shall fully describe The subject matter Of the same
biennial sessions of the egislature-the homestead
esenhPtioh-a prohibition against the borrowing of
money Tor any purpose. beyond given SUN, unless
authorized by direct vote of the people.
"eare now IN the prosecution "f a system of in
'ernai improvements much preferable Ia the past, be-
cause il is funded upon individual capital and enter
prise; and VIII consequently be conducted with econo-
my and prudence. Ii To be feared however that there
Is oo great disposition To carry works of this char
acer oy The subscriptions of cities and counties. The
appropriation OF their revenues to such purposes is for
eIgn to the primary objects for which municipal cor
poratlons are organized and for which the power of
taxation IS granted 10 them; and besides may lead
not only to individual bur cal emba IRA ssments aud
difficulties similar to those in which the State became
involved few years since.
That policy Is of doubtful expedency which de-
mands the aid OF the State Treasury or the
OF cities and counties in its prosecution. II will be
ound That by leaving the enterprise aud capital Of
Peopie iree 10 seek Investments, aided by liberal
Legislation III the grants Of charters we shall be able
10 commence aud hnish those public works that will
repay the capital invested and Will in their prosecu-
,.I m ,a
greatly increase the resources of the State.
/ lie legislature will no doubt thus aid the compa-
hes which now are or may hereafter be engaged in the
prosecution oil such works exhibiting alike the en-
'erprise and energy OF people, while it will be al
SO impose NIL needul checks and restrictions
Intimately connected with prosecution Of these works
me faithfully keeping. part iuvolat. past
acs ana engagements with creditors IL will require
the utmost eeonomy aud prudence the credit and
contracts OF the State unmpaired
rake his occasion, IN the OF my duties,
10 you this day, and through you fellow
citizens the assurance that effort Of mine habe spared
Keep iaIr the credit Of the State faithfully keep
ali our past contracts.
We should mutually ana ar,sa NTH
one as the representatives of people, that will
maintain at any and every sacrifice the credit Of Indiana
upon our past engagements and that will hereafter
pledge her faith for another dollar Of public money IL il
no. only our duty 10 take this position and keep il firmly
out 10 90 one step further Increased subject 10
taxation as well objects Of revenue 10 be reached
oy Junicious ena"tmenis, may, the small
amount OF per cent treasury notes outstanding is
whereby the exiingushmeni Of State debt may be mme-
oiney thereafter commenced And it require
ana perhaps the labor Of than
to peri CT such system might be well that its consd
eaoh De speedily entered upon With prudence
' " uI expendfu.s, and proper application Of what
haS oeen saved from the wreck Of the past
sing ooJ"cs of taxation can under such system
commence The extnguishmeni Of portion Of public
oues and thereby lessen the burihens uf taxation
Tor that object and open the Tor more enlarged
Oh Tree schools aud other worthy enterprises that will de-
mand the resources Of growing State Aud we NAV be
fafn.n nfk with
'ense anxiety to the commencement of such system as
VII ultimately eon-ummate the extinguhment Of
Within the last few years. several bills have received the
sa"eu'n OF The legislature referring claims against the
is 70 nes, or her specially constituted riou-
n' io a'Jusment or adjudication. think the policy OF
suen references very questionable especially when
paned ty preamb'es or reciistOns, assuming established
winch should be left to be proved by evidence
ioes'ang the action Of the tribunal
70 investigate The merits If the case and deplvng The State
OF her legal defence Ordinarily the Legislature with IL,
appropriate c'muee< possessing the pswer 10 send for
persons and papers, sufficiently investigate all claims
presented by citizens against the State II claims
JUST 'ney shOuh be paid and better
money directly OG the treasury for that Than n
ms indirect mode to cripple the treasury by subeciing
character.
II would be much remove at once the privilege
OF The STATE and allow all persons bring suit against her
only privileged few who may by management and nau.
enee succeed In procuring reference by this species Of
cai legislat n.
ehect OF reference OF these supposed
claims against the State, TO send them tribunal
not to ascertain the tights Of The parties in The controversy
n.usy 20 determine how much the State is able to bear
Ii would be much better for that the
uves should directly vote he money Of the treasury,
past experience indicates that the State has geaty suffered
when the Legislature has been persuaded
tribunals 20 settle rejected claim.
Inc success attending benz VIOLENT institutions sub
Jeet that We shond be proud OF and your duty
lain them by liberal appropriations No part of the burdens
upon our people are paid with cheefiness thos
ao Ior sustaining the benevolent institutions OF the State
il ndis