Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-22


duced by the operations of our railroads.
connecting. by rapid transit, our business
with the commercial cities Of the Atlantic
States, stimulating and rewarding the in
dustry OF our people, raising the value of
real estate. improving our country, build
ing our cities and towns, giving to the pro-
ducts of our agricultural labor a speedy
and fair market, and increasing the sourc-
es of our revenues, by increasing. annual
ly, the aggregate value Of the taxable prop
erty Of the State. In view OF this subject
it is manifest that our statutes should make
10 unjust determinations in providing for
the security of the rights of railroad COM
panies. The question Of the expediency
Of revising our railroad laws. in oider to
establish them upon a more just and liber-
al basis, with respect to certain rights and
remedies. is worthy of your consideration.
1t would be well to require all foreign COM
panies. running any parts Of their roads
through Indiana, to keep offices in this
State, SO that process may be served upon
them, as it is served upon our own corpo
rations. In the assessment Of damages
for the rights of way, it seems that justice
requires that the whole question, including
the benefits as we'll as the injuries resulting
to the owners of the land, should be lett
to the decision of the courts and jurics,
under the evidence. Much complaint is
made in regard to the principle upon which
taxes are assessed upon our roads. The
subject is worthy of your consideration.
The Secretary of the Treasury has loca-
ted. in this city, site for Post Office and
Court Room for the United States 1t is
necessary that the State should cede to the
General Government the land in quslion,
making provision, at the same time. 10 ex-
empt tie lot, and improvements thereon,
ject should be prompt, in order that steps
may be taken, at the opening of the sea-
s"n, for the commencement Of the propos-
cd public building
In pursuance OF a joint resolution of the
General Assembly. | visited Washington
City, and endeavored to adjust the out
standing controversy upon the subject o!
the 8 per cent. fnnd due the State from the
General Governments. The decision of the
Secretary. with the full report of my pro-
ccedings in relation to the matters embrac-
ed in the Joint Resoieiion, will be laid be-
fore you. The question of the validity Of
the claim of the State, cannot be settled
without the action of Congress.
The salaries paid to the Judges are not
sufficient to answer the demands Of justice
and sound policy. If we desire to have
! the full services of our Judges, and expect
them TO secure the confidence of the peo-
| pie, by laborious and fai .hful discharge Of
their duties, it Is absolutely necessary TO
+ increase their com pensaion. This is en-
/ phaticaly true in relation to the Judges OF
our Supreme and Circuit Courts. The
compensation for the services of the Judi
ciary, above all other departments. should
be such tha; the State could command at
all times, the services Of our mos. worthy
and competent men.
The Increase of business in our Supreme
Court, and the frequent equal division of
the Judges upon important questions pre-
sen,s 10 YOU the propric.y of provijing,
by law, for az additional Judge.
The salary of your Governor is wholly
inadequate. Approaching Tie close OF my
official services, after more than seven
years experience, l feel no dclicacy in
speaking plainly on the subject. have
ndulged in no unnecessary expenses; |
have attempted to dispense lha! hospitality
necessarily expected of the chief officer Of
the State, III his intercourse with his fellow
citizens from abroad, as well as those at
home; and yet, | have no hesitation in say
ing that this cannot be done wilhou. draw
ing largely upcn the private income Of the
citizen who may be called upon 10 discharge
the duties Of Governor Of your State The
highest and first office within the gift of
our people should not be one which the
wealthy, only. can afford to accept. | urge
You to increase the salary of this officer
ana TO make the increased compensation
apply to my immediate successor, by the
enac;ing Of a law to take effect before the
commencement of his official term.
A communication from the Supcrintend-
ent eff Weights and Measures. at Wasl ing
ton. is herewith submitted You will.
doubtless, provide the necessary esisla;ion
In order that the State may be placed in
possession of a set of balances. intended
for the adjustment of standard weights
| herewith communicate the report of
the commissioners appointed TO inves isate
the affairs Of The Madison and mdi,nap-
oils Railroad, with reference 10 the inler-
esis Of the State of Indiana. I
The views suggested by me. for years
since. IN special message To the Lesisla-
tuIe, 20 'he effect lhat the system adopJed
for the sale and drainage Of the Swamp
Lands. would result in the fitting away
and waste of the fund, have been fully con
iirmed. In some portions Of the State,
much good has been accomplished, by re-
large bodies of lands. making
hem source of revenue to the State, and
promoting the general health of the coun-
ry.
Two years since, the Auditor of State,
who has nearly the entire management of
his trust, reported To me. that the Treas