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


the contest, the end OF which canno
be foreseen, but which will, while
lasts, continue to disturb the commero Ia
, and manufacturing interests Of the world
While we cannot be Indifferent specta
tors Of this terrible conflict among tn
nations of Europe. we should be admon
ished of the necessity of cultivating tn
arts of peace, and Of developing thos
boundless resources Of wealth that
bountiful Providence has scattered broad
cast over our land. Without depending
upon the fuctuating and uncertain in
fuences of national legislation, it is GU
duty TO strengthen and encourage the arm
Of enterprise and industry. by the slronl
force Of a wise and steady State policy
With a coal field of seven thousand
square miles in extent-with n soil o.
unfailing frrtility-wiIh a central posi-
ton between the east and the wes;-and
with railroads traversing the STATE in
all Observation-Disclosures. if true 10 heI
| own interests, may, within the course OF
the next ten years, double the present
amount Of her wealth and population.
five desire to bring into our State a
portion of the now boarded capital of Eu-
rope and the east. we must be able to
point with certainty to the places where
1t can be profitably invested. To enable
us to do this, we want reliable facts, such
as the actual Investigations of scientific
men only can furnish. The expenditure
of a few thousand dollars, if authorized
by the Legislature, will secure 10 us the
advantages of a thorough geological and
Typographical survey OF the Stale. While
our sister States. by the id OF science,
are unfolding their agricultural and min
eral wealth, we are trusting these great
interests to chance, and TO individual
enterprise.
In view of the facts. that there are in
Indiana twenty five hundred miles Of
railroads, either now In running order, or
approaching completion-thatt the affairs
OF some OF these roads are controlled by
the interests OF citizens of other States
that our railroads furnish employment TO
thousands of hands-anl that the policy
OF these cOr poraiiOns exercise an impor-
tant Influence on the trade and commerce
of our State. and on the chdracter of the
eitizens-it becomes The duty OF the Leg
lslature. not only 10 adopt efficient meas.
ures for the prevention of Unauthorized
and uEjus; exacilons upon the travelling
public. but to provide. as far as human
foresight can provide and by any means
within the scope Of legislative authority.
Tor the prevention of those railroad acct
dents which so frequently rssnIf - -
obstruction oil property aud the loss Of
human life.
Many OF the common railroad accidents
of the day. which are caused by unsub-
stantial temporary bridges. defective To-
como;ives. badly constructed railways.
improper signals. and csrelessness on The
part vi employees, might be avoided. BY
subjecting the conduct of the railroad
companies TO the scrutiny OF officers de-
irving their authority from the Legisa-
ture. You are therefore invited to take
into consideration the expediency of pro-
viding for the appointment of General
Railroad c. mmissioners, who shall be
practical aud scientific men. and who
shall be invested with the power to Wis
it the different roads. enquire into and
report abuses, and require compliance
with the provisions of law. The com
panies having charge of roads that con
meet with roads in othe. States adjoining.
should be required TO keep. in this State,
an Office for the transaction Of business
Ii is confidently hoped that the present
Legislature will, without authorizing any
unreasonable Interference with the affairs
of railroad companies, provide. by the
TO the strictesl accountability all persons
entrusted with The management of these
corporations.
An early consideration Of the expe-
dicncy Of creating the office OF Attorney
General, is pressed upon the General As
sembly. With respect to this subject.
the business Of the Vows contained III
my annual communication of 1851. has
been confirmed by the experience Of the
two past years. The amounts paid and
the Liabilities incurred by the State. for
professional services, during that period
will exceed the sum of FIVE thousand
dollars. Constitutional questions that
affect the revenue Of the State. the com.
mon schools, the tenure Of Offices, &c.,
are continually arising in the courts and
yet there is. for the State no legal advis
err. Economical conside IA ,ions clearly
indicate the necessity of creating the Of
fee of Attorney General.
Ia the application of principles of O.
economy lin fixing the compensation Of the
officers Of the State government. we should
be careful TO avoid parsimonious poll
cy. The salaries attached to our public
Offices should not be prodigally large: but
they should be sufficiently remunerativc
to command in the administration Of the
public affairs. the services of the most
eminent and most worthy and the most
competent men. The very BE- st and mos,
wholesome laws may, in consequence o.
their incorrect Interpretation or improper
administration, fail to accomplish the
purposes for which they were made.
In order to secure strength. efficiency
and success in the administration Of pub.
lie affairs. it is the duty and the interest
of the State to provide for the payment
Of fair salaries to public officers. The
present salaries Of our Judges are not
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