Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-12-02
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Senators and Representatives.
Previous to the year 1912. provision
was made in this Safe for annual session Of
the Legislature. but the members of the
Convention who framed our existing Con-
stltution believed that biennial sessions, af
ter that period. would in ord lary times, be
sufficient. They provided, however, that
wheni in the opinion of lhe Governor, the
public welfare should demand it, he might
call special session of the general AS
sembly
The thirty ninth session of the General
Assembly which adjourned the 9th day of
March. 1855 did not pass any law tor the
purpose of raising Il revenue for years 1857
and 1853. Until that time it was confident
!y hoped by the people of the State that
their Representatives would at all times be
willing to provide for the necessary means
to sustain every department OF the govern
ment, established by their Constitution
They also expected that provision would
be made to support evely Benevolent In
stitution they had approved. They felt
that although improvident Legislation had
in former days impaired the credit of the
State, as similar legislation had injured
the reputation Of others, yet, that for many
years, the credit Of Indiana, maintained
in every particular. was to them matter OF
Just pride and congratulation. They felt
that although Indiana. in the days of her
improvidence, had been unable to main-
tain the high character of a sovereign Stale
in responding to all her pecuniary obliga
tions, yet, she had now attained to that po-
silon of wealth and influence among her
sister states, that any failure to redeem ev-
er undertaking would be injurious tC
her credit and her honor.
Notwithstanding these and other con-
siderations, the members of the last lesis-
lature, for reasons into which it is not my
duty to inquire, failed to enact the law
necessary To sustain the various interests
to which | have alluded. Shortly after
such adjournment. | informed the people
of the State that there was necessity Tor
I legislation, and expressed readiness,
whenever the laws could be passed, 10 call
the members together Believing that
there was such want of harmony among
them, that necessary legislation could not
be secured, declined to exercise the pow
er entrusted to the Governor, to call a
special session Of the General Assembly.
/ But new Legislature having been elected,
have at the earliest practicable da. ex
ercised the power to which | have before
alluded.
Although that Legislature failed to ap-
propriale the means which were then III
the treasury to sustain the interest for which
they had been raised, the Administration
and Executive officers Oft the Srate believed
that such was the regard that the people
Of Indiana had for the government they es-
tablished--such their anxiety for maintain
ance of their constitution and laws, that
it was the imperative duty to apply the
money in t..cir possession To the purpose
for which it wa collected. From that ad
iournment of the Legislature. those officers
have endeavored TO sustain every interest
of Indiana, as provided by her constitution
and her laws. They found that the laws oi
the State provided that the Auditor. Treas
urer. and Governor, were authorised tc
procure money to pay the interest upon the
public debt Believing that the welfare
Of the State would be promoted by paying
such interests, loan WAS negotiated on
the god of June. 1853, with the Board o.
Of Commissioners of the Sinking Fund fo'
one hundred and siItyfve thousand dol
lars. which was applied to the payment o
such interests. After the State has nnder
taken to pay all the interest and Prlnclpsa
OF her debt. her sovereign Integrity demands
that her obligations should be redeemed
Sec. | Of arr: of the constitution declares
that III shall be the du,y of the genera
Assembly to provide by law forthe supper
of institutions for the education of tn