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

influence on the trade and commerce
Of our State, and on, the character of
toe citizens-it becomes the duty of
the Legislature, not only to adopt
efficient measures for the proven ton
Of unauthorized and unjust exactions
upon the travelling public, but to pro-
vide. as far as human foresight can,
and by any means within the scope
Of Legislative authority. for the pre-
vention Of those railroad accidents
which so frequently result in the de-
struction Of property and the loss Of
human life.
Many af the common railroad ac-
eidents of the day. which are caused
by unsubstantial temporary bridges,
defective locomotives, badly construct
ed railways, improper signals, and
csrelessness on the part Of employees,
might be avoided. by subjecting the
conduct OF railroad companies to the
scrutiny Of officers deriving their au-
thority from the Legislature. You are
therefore invited 10 take into conside-
ration the expediencg Of providing for
the appointment of General Railroad
Commissioners, who shall be practical
scientific men, and who shall be in
vested with power TO visit the different
roads. inquire into and report abuses,
and require compliance with the pro-
visions of law. The companies hav-
ing charge Of roads in other States
adjoining, should be required to keep,
in this State. IAN Office for the transact
ton Of business.
Its confidently hoped that the pres
ent Legislature will. without authori-
xing any unreasonable interference
with the affairs Of railway companies,
provide. by the enactment Of suitable
laws, for holding to the strictest ac-
countability all persons entrusted with
the arrangement Of these corporations.
An early consideration Of the expe-
diency Of creating the Office Of Attor-
ney General, Is pressed upon the at
tention Of the General Assembly
With respect to the subject, the just
ness Of the views contained in my an
nual 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 peri
cd, viii exceed the sum Of five thou
sand dollars. Constitutional questions
that affect the revenues of the State.
the common schools, the tenure Of Off.
ces. DC. ara continually arising in the
courts, and yet there is, for the State,
no legal adviser. Economical consid-
erations clearly indicate the necessity
Of creating the Office ofAttorney Gen.
eral.
In the application Of the principles
Of economy. in fixing the compensa-
tons Of the officers Of the State gov.
eminent, we should becareful to avoid
a parsimonious policy. The salaries
attached to our public offices should
not be prodigslly large; but they should
be sufficiently remunerative 10 COM
'mand. in the administration of the
public affairs, the services Of the most
worthy and the most competent men.
The very best and most wholesome
laws may, in consequence Of their in
correct Interpretation or improper adj
minisfration, fail to accomplish the
purposes for which they were made.
In order 10 secure strength. eficien-
cy, and success in the administration Of
the public affairs. il is the duty and the
} interest ofthe State to provide for the
payment of fair salaries TO public Off
GERS. The present salaries of our
Judges are not sufficient; and it is ab-
solutely necessary to increase the
compensation of these public servants.
II we desire and expect to have,in this
department. the services Of men quail
fled to administer justice, and to com
mand, for the Judiciary, the conf
dence and respect of the people. These
remarks are applicable to other pub
lie officers. and to the discharge of
other official duties.
During the course Of the year 1853
and 1854, the present efficient State
Treasurer has received and distributed
about T. ee-quarters of a million Of
public moneys; on account of swamp
and wet lands. For the additonalre-
sponsibilities and labors imposed on
him in the discharge Of these duties,
the Legislature should allow proper
compensation.
Before the nexi meeting OF the Leg
islature. the present lease Of the State
Prison will expire; and the duty de-
wolves on you TO decide whether the
present system Of selling out the crime
Of the State to the highest bidder,
shall be continued or abandoned. The
policy of making periodical sales OF
the management and labor OF the
criminals that the State may have in
its custody, is highly Objectionable
The Penitentiary Of Indiana is as well
kept, in conformity with the law that
governs it, as any State Prison in the
Union; but the system is essentially
wrong. and unworthy of the State.
The State should have the entire
control Of the Prison. its discipline. its
labor, and its internal regulations ;and
as far as it may be practicable and ex-
pedient. a system of rewards for good
conduct should be kept constantly be-
fore the view Of each convict. Do not
make the convict slave without hope,
If you expect to reform him; but let
him know that the State regards him,
even within the walls Of prison, as a
man, in whose reformation and resto-
ration to the rights Of citizenship. she
feels an interest.