The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-06-19

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our present law regulating the relations Of debtor
and creditor IN the disposition Of the estates vi
deceased persons could not be essentially changed
OF greatly modified, and ht the same time be
strictly JUS, to all parties The practical opera.
ton vi the law, as II now stands presents most
singular anomaly. For while the natural head
Of the family survives to provide for and protect
it, means are le!l By law for its support; but
when Providence calls him, or her away. aud its
natural protector is gone, the means Of future
support may be reduced, and this al the very
tine when there is the greatest neetlpthat they
should be incread, and the humanity Of the law
made to appear most apparent How small the
number Of ismlles which are able to keep their
members together under the the home roof, Under
the uncom promising rgor Of existing laws after
the natural head is removed. 1t is an exception
almost rarely seen. The members are soon scat.
tered to take the chances which often accompany
poverty and attend the absence Of parental re.
proof and restraint. The consequences Of this are
what might be easily foreseen. the fol history of
which in but too many instances can only be
furnished from the records Of our jais and pen
tentiaries, sfording remarkable commentary
upon the uncbaritable and unwise policy Of tho
law That law should have many strong reasons
IN its support the necessary tendency of which
is to disturb the proper and natural relations Of
parent aud child, aud il would not be difficult in
a general view to demonstrate that no injury
oould befal any class Of interest by reserving n
small spot for the use and support Of family
for certain time, spot sacred and dear to fam-
y recollecions, where the mother oi the family
could gather the little family circle together aud
by precept and example teach its membefs those
lessons which can be 50 mpressively taught no
where else, TO be true to their Slaker, to them
selves, and their country instead Of leaving II to
scattered and butfeted into the belief that they
owe their country little, because their country las
done little for them.
Permit me to invite your particular attention
TO the claim Of Messrs Thompson & Forma1 Of
London. This claim arising out of an original
contract for the railroad iron, has long been the
subject Of discussion between the state and that
hrm. The correspondence in regard to it was
laid before the legislature at the last session. but
TO action WAS taken upon it. After carefully in
vcstgating the subject Of the claim, am fully
satisfied that their last proposition is ms favorable
~ the state cab expect TO receive, and is pcIhaps
just to both parties. They offer TO surrender to
the state Sc stnte bonds, which were deposited as
collateral security with them, which with the in.
trres. due upon then amounts Is to about 500, 900
aud also renqush any lien they may have upon
nearly 81 900 5000 Of state bonds now in the
hands Of trustees under the decree Of on English
chsnccry court, for the sum Of 1896 10, with
interest from the lst Of january, 1851. TO the
present time. he correspondence proceeding
this proposition is printed in the rspo.ts t.! the
last sesslon. and being too lengthy TO more than
rcfet to heft can only invite TO their examina-
ton. The urgent necessity Of closing up all out,
standing claims against the state will excuse the
urgency with which press this matter upon your
attention.
AT regular session caused to be laid before
you proposition to receive $4,000 in State
bonds, for Ike amount u!s,ock which the State
holds in the State Bank Of Illinois. The sugges.
ton vas not acted on, uni take occasion again
to bring the matter before you. At the time Of
the transfer OF the assets Of the bank ty trustees
for the purpose Of having its affairs closed up,
this sum Of s5o,Co0 in bonds was reserved to be
paid to the State in lieu to that amount II stock
which the State owned in it, subject TO the sane.
ton Of the legislature. l cannot too strongly
urge upon the general assembly the propriety OF
giving this subject special consideration, as init.
mately connected with the interests Of the State
Sufficient has already been disclosed to render i.
highly probable that but little will be ultimately
saved to the stockholders of this institution at
the final settlement Of its affairs.
Having made brief reference to such OF the sub.
jec,s which may demand your attention as seem.
to require it, it remains for me to assure you oi
my ready cooperation in the discharge ofour re.
spec'ive duties, ,ha, they may be pleasantly and
early performed, in such manner ms shall meet
the views aud wishes Of our common constituents
AUG. c. FRENCH.
Springfield June I, 1852.