Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1855-01-18


ulate the morals of the communities i
which such lawless combinations are pei
mitted to exist. Civil officers. and peace
full citizens, fearful Of mourning the dan
gerous hostility Of members Of these So
cret associations, allow their lawless act
10 pass without punishment; and almos
without public censure. The inevitable
tendency Of these secret sssocis tons is L
corrupt the morals of the community
and to dlvest men Of their respect for Law
and order.
In reference to this subject, it seem
that some additional legislation is requi
red, in order to insure prompt and effici
ent action on the part Of the civil author
tiles. If. in cases Of unlawful assem- bla
ges. riots. routs. ARRAYS, ETC., the circuit
! courts were invested with concurrent
jurisdiction with the courts of common
pleas. and informants were thus shielded
by Grand Juries, the change would per
haps. afford to society some additional
protection against the violence Of law
less men.
No state of facts can ever arise, in q
government like ours, that should, for a
moment, tolerate private citizens in the
usurpation Of the right either to redress
their own real or imaginary wrongs. or
to infict injuries on the property or on
the persons of their neighbors. Wherever
such usurpations are tolerated and en-
coursged, the people are rapidly approach
ing state of anarchy. in which laws ca n
afford no protection to life. liberty. or
property. 1t is. therefore, the solemn
duty of every citizen of Indiana TO aid
in the preservation Of the public peace,
and in the maintenance of the supremacy
Of the laws. These Interests must be
preserved, and maintained. a: all haz.
ards.
The total amount of money arising
from the sale of swamp lands. paid into
the treasury, and in the hands of The re-
ceivers. is at the present time. about
$500, 900. Of this sum. $40. 600 has
been disbursed under the laN authorizing
the ditching and draining of the lands.
In some portions OF the State. the expen-
diture of the funds has produced good re
suits; In other parts, the money has been
paid TO officers. and nothing beneficial to
wet lands has been accomplished.
The operations Of the swamp land laws
have confirmed the views expressed in
my former communicate TO the legis-
lature. The correctness of the construc-
ton that has been placed. BY officers of
State. on these laws. as they relate 20 the
mode OF issuing patents. is in my opin-
ion. very doubtful. The subject demands
by prudent legislation. to secure, for the
common school fund, considerable a
mount of the proceeds Of the swamp
lands. The very valuable report of the
Auditor OF State will place before you
The details of the management Of this
trust.
1t is the duty of the present General
Assembly. to fix by law, the number Of
Senators and representatives. that shall!
compose the legislature, and 10 apportion
such Senators and Represents tives among
the several counties, according TO the
mum Der Of white male inha bilsnts above
twrnty.on years Of age, in each. la
connection with this subject, your atten-
ton is invited to the suggestions that
were contained in q previous message.
in reference 10 a reduction Of the present
number Of Senators. In the discharge OF
the duty first named, and in any action
which, in your discretion you may deem
proper in respect to the suggestion con-
corning reduction of the number of Sen
ators. you will. no doubt. he controlled
by an equitable regard for the interests OF
the citizens Of all portions Of the State.
1t is your duty to establish all the
guards and restrictions that may be ne
cessary for the protection Of the purity
of the ballot box, aud the security of the
elective franchise. | suggest that you
prohibit. under severe penalties, against
the separation OF all the officers of an cleo
ton, until the ballots are counted, and
the result of the poll is known and de-
clared. .
The attention Of the Legislature is a
gain called TO the consideration of the
subject Of providing suitable buildings
for the State officers at the seat Of gov
eminent. The proceeds Of the property
owned by the State. and the additional
aid that the General Government will.
doubtless, furnish. will be sufficient 10
erect substantial building on the Gov
ernor's Circle" for the accommodation OF
the National and State Officers. without
imposing any tax on the State Treasury.
The Capitol building should be appropri.
ated only to the uses Of the General As
sembly. The Representatives, of the peo-
pie. and the State Library.
An appropriation should be made for
tie inclosing of the Capitolgrounds with
an iron fence. This is rendered sbsolule-
ly necessary. in order to preserve the
building and the grounds.
The loss of some Of our State Bonds
by late disaster at sea. suggests the pro-
priety of providing by Law. for the relief
of the holders Of bonds in similar cases
The law should be we'll guarded-requir.
ing proof OF loss, Identification of mum
bers, dates, asd smounts-and made ap.
plica bic to all cases Of loss or destruction
Of State bonds.
The Secretary Of State Of the United
States has transmitted to the Executive
de pal tment Of this State. a copy Of the
details Of a 'ConsulsS Convention between
an. Iru;t.d Ctstse and his majesty thu