Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-12

to the interesting Report Of the late
Visitor to the State Prison, to the
Reports Of the other officers. and to
th views expressed in my former
communications upon the subject Of
the management Of this institution.
Early in 1853, appointments Of
Brigadisr Generals we're made, with
the view of efiecting an organization
of the military strength Of the State;
and, at court martial which was held
in;the month OF October, 1858. rules
and regulations we're adopted, which
it was believed, were at least sufficient
to develop and secure that strength
Commissions have been issued in thou
sands letters Of instruction have
been sent to the proper officers and
every effort has been made TO carry
the law into effect, yet not one Briga-
de enumeration has been perfected;
and / hesitate not to express the opn-
ion that no organization can be etfec-
ted, unless tie General Assembly
gives to the proper authorities the
power 10 impose penalties for the non
Performance Of official and militia duty.
Although our strength has increas-
ed four-fold since 1891, we are draw
ing our quota of arms from the Gen
eral Government, upon our strength
of tina year. Many valuable sugges-
tons are contained in the reports OF
the Adjutant General, which will be
laid before you. The labor of this
officer has been greatly increased, and
he should receive additional compen-
sation.
Many questions Of vital interest to
the State. are presented. for your con-
sideration, in the report of the trus-
tees Of the Wabash and Erie Canal
The most Of these have been alluded
to in my former messages, to which
your attention is invited. Since the
last meeting Of the Legislature. the
Wabash and Erie Canal has been
completed to the city Of Evansville;
thus forming the longest line Of con-
tinuous artificial inland navigation ON
the globe. In the completion Of this
great work, we may find, taking into
consideration the many embarrassing
obstacles which have been thrown N
It's way, causes for mutual congratula-
ton. II opens, for the extensive dis
tricts Of fertile country lying upon lis
borders, n cheap means for the trans
portation Of heavy articles Of export
and import; and, by aifording the
means OF an easy passage to northern
or southern market, il promotes, ma
terially. the agricultural interests oil
the State, and imparls stimulus Il
other branches of our home industry,
It is an unpleasant duty TO call youl
attention to the fact, that, in few in.
stances. in some portions Of the State,
Indications Of the existence Of spirit
of mob law and violence have appear
ed. Secret associations. usurping the
prerogatives Of law, have, (by means
of disturbing the peace OF families.
injuring property, and inflicting cor
poral punishment on individuals. un-
dertaken TO regulate the morals OF
the communities in which such lawless
combinations are permitted TO exist.
Civil officers, and peaceful citizens.
fearful Of mourning the dangerous
hostility of members sof these secret
associations, allow their lawless acts To
pass without punishment, and almost
without public censure. The inevita-
bic tendency Of these secret associa-
tons Is TO corrupt the morals of the
community, and to divest men of their
respect for law and order.
In reference to this subject, it seems
that some additional Legislation is re-
CURED. in order TO insure prompt and
efficient action on the part of the civil
authorities. II, in cases Of unlawful
assemblages. riots, routs, ARRAYS, &C.,
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, perhaps afford to
society some additional protection
against the violence of lawless men.
No state Of facts can ever arise, in
government like ours, that should,
for moment, tolerate private citi-
Gems in the usurpation of the right
either to redress their own real or i'm
aginary wrongs, or to inflict injuries
on the property or on the persons Of
their neighbors. Wherever such usur-
pations are tolerated aud encouraged,
the people are rapidly approaching a
state of anarchy. in which laws can
afford no protection to life, liberty, OF
property. It's. therefore the solemn
duty Of every citizen of Indiana "a
aid in tho preservation of the public
! peace. and in the maintenance Of the
supremacy OF the laws. These inter
ests must be preserved, and maintain.
ed, at all hazards.
The total amount Of money arising
from the sale Of swamp-lands, paid in.
TO the treasury, and in the hands o.
the receivers, is at the present time
about 100000. OF this sum, S340,
900 has been disbursed under the Law
authorizing the ditching and draining
Of the lands. In some portions of th,
State, the expenditure OF the funds
has produced good results; in othel
parts, the money has been paid to of
ticers, and nothing beneficial to we
lands has been accomplished.
The operations Of the swamp lanC
laws have confirmed the views expires
sed in my former communications L
the Legislature. The correctness o
the construction that has been placed
by officers of State. upon these laws