The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1849-12-11

Within the last few years, several bills
have received the sanction of the Legislature,
referring claims against the State to commits
sioners, or other specially constituted tribu-
mails. for adjustment for adjudication. | think
the policy of such references very question
liable, especially when accompanied by pream-
bes or recitanOns, assuming as established,
matters which should be left to be proved by
evidence, thus forestalling the action of the
tribunal proposedly established to investigate
he merits of the case, and deprving the State
of her legal defence. Ordinarily, the Legis-
lature with its appropriate committees, posses
sing the power to send for persons and papers,
can sufficiently investigate all claims present
ed by citizens against the State. If such
claims are just they should be paid, and it is
much better to appropriate money directly
from the treasury for that purpose, than in
this Indirect mode, to cripple the treasury by
lsubjecting it to demands uncertain in amount
and frequently unjust in their character.
1t would be much better to remove at once
the privilege of the State, and allow all per-
sons to bring suit against her in the courts
as in other cases, than thus to open the door
TO only privileged few, who may by man
Iagemcnt and influence succeed in procuring a
reference by this species of special Iegisla-
ton.
The practical effect Of the reference of
these supposed claims against the State. is to
send them to some tribunal. not to ascertain
the rights of the parties in the controversy,
but usually to determine how much the State
| is able to bear. 1t would be much better for
the State that the representatives should di-
rectly vote the money out Of the treasury. as
when the Legislature has been persuaded TO
create special tribunals to settle rejected
claims.
The success attending cur benevolent in.
Istitutons is subject that we should be proud
Of and it is your duty to sustain them by
liberal appropriations No part of the bur
dens upon our people are paid with more
lcheerfulness than those laid for sustaining the
benevolent institutions of the State. While
this is your duty it is alike indispensable that
suitable checks should be provided for all ex-
pendtures of money for this or any other pur-
pose authorized by law.
While principles of economy in all public
expenditures should never be lost sight of. it
is equally important that we should be care
ful to guard ourselves against extremes 1t
is Just and right that all the officers in the
employ of the people should receive an ade-
Iquate compensation for their services-such
Icompensations as will enlist the capable and
trustworthy. The most wholesome laws
way fail to meet the object for which they
mere passed. in consequence of their improper
administration or incorrect Interpretation. 1t
is the part of sound policy in the administra-
ton Of our laws to employ integrity and tai
ent We should not have in our midst Offices
the compensations ofwhich are such, that none
but men of wealth and fortune can hold them;
thereby depriving those equally as well quail
flied or perhaps better, on account Of their
poverty from filling the same situations. We
should make the compensation of those who
administer Justice and execute trustssufficient
at least for their support Entertaining these
views, it would meet my hearty approval to
see the salaries of our public officers so regu-
lated as not to confer wealth on the one hand
or poverty on the other.
thorough geological examination of our
State is alike demanded by the interest of Ag-
riculture, Manufactures and Commerce. We
learn from the hurried and incomplete recon-
noissance made by Dr. David Dale Owen,
many years since, that we are rich in mineral
as well as agricultural resources; that about
seven thousand square miles of the great Hi >.
nois coal field are embraced within the limits
of Indiana. 1t is to be regretted that he was
not permitted TO complete his survey, which
promised such rich results. That we have
coal, iron and other minerals in abundance is
already known for we have enterprises in
different quarters of the State laying hold of
these elements of power and wealth. A full !
and practical report from an able and sCien-
tifc source would disclose, fully our vast ag-
ricultural and manufacturing resources; and
would doubtless facilitate the companies of
Stats, in procuring aid to carry on the works
they are so energetically pressing forward. |
cannot forbear TO say that it would crafty me
to see this subject attracting your early and ia
vorable attention.
There is no subject of more general COM
plant than the delay attending the settle
ments of estates IN our Probate Courts and
the expense connected herewith. It is most
respectfully suggested that no change which,
can be adopted will bring about the reform
so much required. so well as one which would
make the pay Of the officer administering the
law, dependent somewhat on the settlement
of estates. and which should operate as a mu-
tual check upon the representative of the de-
cedent and the court.
1t is a source of complaint on the part of
our fellow citizens, that too frequently time
is spent in our State Legislature in the dis
cussion of questions of a national character,
that more appropriately belong to another
tribunal That these questions bring with /
them into your discussions angry and violent
denunciations, harsh and bitter epithetS. and |
are calculated to create party spirit and feuds. |
will not be denied. While the right to ex-
press the sentiments of the people of the |
State through their representatives on cues
tions of national character, will not be con-
troverted yet as citizens and representatives.
81, - G,-I Il