Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-12-04

the appointment oil these commissioners at early
day you Will have their aid far you progress this
session. IN changing present system of local legsla
tion.
1t is of the Importance however that the per-
sons to be charged with these duties should be carefully
selected Tor the benefits ANTICIPATED from the great
forms herein provided the trainers the Constitution
will depend greatly the in which the duties OF
the commission executed. They should be prac-
ticaly and thoroughly acquainted with the workings OF
our present system of practice and laws, that knowing
Its defects they know where and how to apply the
proper remedies They should be working men, for the
task before them will be one of common magnitude,
aud 1t cannot be successfully accomplished without great
and persevering labor. They should also be skul
and prudent for while the proposed reforms greatly
needed and many great and important changes may be
advanfageonsy made, great should be taken lest
in sweeping away existing system of legislation,
some OF the rights and privileges o. citizens be
injured or left unprotected
/ would also suggest that while care is taken in the
selection of who will ~ssariy protract their
employment il should not be expected Of them to
plee their labors in imperfect hasy 1t is
much important that their work should be sasac-
tory when done, than that 1t should be finished few
months sooner later.
II should also he borne in mind that the great bulk Of
our existing laws have been passed from time to time,
have been adopted from the law to suit the
real imaginary wants and necessities Of citizens,
and that radical changes when calculated to be
ultimately beneficial should be suddenly and vio-
enty made. All laws TO be electua must be sustained
10y public opinion. which is the growth of time especially
IN community like made up from the people Of
the various States of the Union and from various
tries who have brought with them views and partates
in relation to the municipal laws formed from the var
Gus peculiar systems under which they have heen raised
wonld. therefore, suggest, that in adopting new sys
tenn Of laws for their ntnre government sufficient time
should be given before the taking effect of snch laws
enable the people to understand them, and adapt their
conduct and business them. that they may be pre-
pared to support and sustain them when put into opera
tion.
That por ton Of the duties of the commission which is
ne
revision Of the practice Of the courts, will necessarily
occupy their time for considerable period, and it may
be worthy or consideration whether the revision of
the statute laws may not he advantageousy expedited
by authorizing th 10 receive voluntary contributions
towards the revision Of particular branches chap
ters oi these laws BY this the hest legal attain
ments Of the State, and perhaps out Of it, might be en-
listed in the work of makag good code, especially if
it understood that credit would be given the
thors OF such contributions should be thought worthy
of adoption, together with such compensation the
Legislature adopting them shoud think proper to bestow
The contributions thus offered might be laid before the
Legislature, which would he enabled to compare the
works OF variety of different persons, and would not
he under the necessity of depending wholly on those
commi ssioners.
In pursuance Of law attended the commencement ex-
erciseS OF the State University at Bloomington, in Au
gust last. This institution, then under the immediate
control of the late distinguished President, Rev. An
drew Wylie and able corps of Professors, found
admirably conducted, and in hourishing condition.
The wholesome rules strictly enforced the system
character. 1t is understood that application will be
made to the Legislature, by the Board of Trustees for
powers, in order to enlarge its capacity for future
usefulness. The high character Of the gentlemen
sTg that Board and others interested in its manage
ut, IS sure guaranty that you will give them IA
vorable hearing.
Little did then think, it would be my melancholy
duty record the death Of the late President Wyle
This event, which has suddenly deprived family of
its honored and beloved head church, Of of her
most talented ministers State of one of the bright
nj fna
dent took place the llrh day of November lS5l at
his late residence Truly, great and good man has
fallen. The question forces itself unbidden upon us,
which way shall we turn, to whom shall we look to
pair the loss the University has lltey sustained
As Educator in the opinion Of those who know him
BEST the late President stood unrvalled. residence
among Of more than twenty years, most laboriousy
spent the OF education, has secured Tor him
reputation to attain which, might be well considered
enough to satisfy the aspirations of the ambitious
of men. May his mantle descend upon some one wor
thy to bear it
The other institutions of the State under the charge
Of different denomnations are alike prosperous. No
State in the Union, OF our population and age, has
MANY hourishing male and female Colleges, Medical
aud Law Schools and other Seninaries of Learning
According to the Census of $780, have eighty three
in number and in attendance five thousand two hundred
and ninety pupils.
This is the most favorable view of the question The
same shows. that we have seventyfve thousand
and seventeen, the age OF twenty years that
read and write. This number, believed by many to
at a distance, in the public Journals.
In zeal to advance the OF sound learning,
have neglected TO throw energies and means in
the right direction. Whilst we have been building up
colleges and academies, have forgotten and neg
lected the great schools Of learning, Common District
and Union schools
There is diversity OF sentiment this sublect-yet,
it seems that your duty is plain 1t is made
your solemn duty ,y the Constitution adopted with such
unanimty and which you have soemnly sworn TO sup
port, To encourage, by all suitable means, moral IN
tellectual, scientific, and agricultural Improvement
and to provide by law, A GENERAL SYSTEM OF COM
MON SCHOOLS wherein tuition shall be without charge,
and equally free to all"
Your officers OF State have taken great pains to
certain the condition Of the School Fund of the State,
which can be properly devoted tke support of
mon schools Circulars have been issued the county
auditors who have generously furnished the required
information From these returns, and other nlorma-
ton received the School Fund is believed be fol-
lows, to-wt
Estimated value Of County seminaries and Sem.
ported and estimated. I514s5a
Surplus Revenue Fund $50 529 a5
Bank Tax Fund on loan om Treasury. g.
Bank Fund hand in State Treasury.... 4274 81
Bank Fund distributed Counties. 42634 55
Sal ne Fund On hand I744 81
Saline Fund distributed Counties. 370j6 o.
Bank Profits. exclusive q .oss4 g:
Sinking Fund Mortgage TO Nov. 4. 1851. 1882 p
Estimated Of School Lands unsold 25OOc0 q
Lands 100000 o.
Total sl oo427o q
This estimate shows a productive Common Schoo
Fund Of four and half millions Of dollars-a lunt
larger it is believed, in proportion TO population
than that Of any other State the Union with single
cepon In addition this the fund will be
" augmented by the receipt Of fines and forfeures
the profits of the Sinking Fund
II becomes yonr duty 10 husband this fund in such