The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-09-04
The Next Legi.l,ture.

for reforming the shameful abuses that are
rapidly creeping into the management OF
public affairs is the sleepy apathy OF the
public TO its own vital interests. The habits
of listless selfshness have become so fixed
upon the individuals of the body polltic,
that the Government is in danger of run
ming into corrupt despotisnn Of few, be-
fore the people can be aroused from their
disgraceful lethargy The increase Of abuses
in public affairs, instead Of stimulating
those in whose hands all power is placed, TO
an effort to arrest and eradicate the evil at
once, they give up all to the tide Of corrup-
ton as if it were an Irresistible flood.
There is lively sentiment of patriotism
aflsat upon the surface upon the public
mind but it has not the strength Of prin-
eiple to induce il to make any personal
sacrifices.
The only appeal to popular attention now
regarded, is to what invokes direct personal
interests. Laying aside then all consider
ations of moral and social well being, the
people of this State, have in the proceedings
of their State Government in the next year,
an immediate pecuniary interest that ought
to excite them to an earnest attention to
their public affairs. There is nothing in
the national Legislature that can half 50
deeply affect them. Never since the organi-
zation of the State, have such deep, pc
cuniary and fiscal interests to the citizens
and the State, been under discussion. The
whole financial system Of the State is dis
organized and dissolved; it is to be re-mod-
eled and reconstructed. a. "a
The changes in the policy of neighboring
States, will render modification of our
laws of interest inevitable, which is meas
ure likely to affect the currents of capital, to
reform the State, and have an important in
fuence on her growth and prosperity. 1t
is a measure that requires-to frame it and
comprehend it-a comprehensive knowledge
of currency and finance, and also of ex-
change; for any law to regulate interest
to be effectual-must embrace exchange.
The bountiful fund-accumulated by the
wise Legislation of twenty years, and
nursed by the faithful care of the old State
Bank and fund commissioners rich legacy
from those who have passed from the active
duties of public life, for the education OF
coming generations, is to be removed from
the management of its present faithful ad-
ministrators to new guardians. 1t is q trust
of millions, and is surrounded by strong
temptations and thousand casualties. The
question uPpermosurH v--.-.-A-l---~. -
sidering it is, can there be found any where
integrity and patriotism To which il can be
safely entrusted? Selfish schemers have al
ready their avaricious eyes upon the pile
and are plotting for chance to grasp it OIL
use it for their own interests. it will re
quire calm sugacity, profound knowledge o
men, and moral integrity and courage t.
thwart the schemes of these plotters; ant
eminent financial ability 70 devise trus
for the fund where it will be safe and pro
ductive.
Another measure, paramounteven to this
is to be matured, requiring an intimate knowi
edge of statistics and great financial skill
A new system of assessment and revenue
TO be framed-a matter which, in every gov
eminent, demands the highest capacities o
a statesman, and involves the most delicat
and difficult problems of government. /
requires nice adjustment of the relativ
values of property between various section
of the State, and in the different countie
and towns to determine the Just proportion
which classes and individuals in all parts @
the State shall contribute to the publ
burthens. To make the operations of tn
system equal and just to all, to draw tn
revenue from the substance and not the fc
tons of property, to tax real values-no
prospective, imaginary wealth-to levy
on property and not credit, requires sagac
ity and mature Judgment, and an intimat
acquaintance with the condition, trade ant
industry of the people, as well as an insigh
into the philosophy Of property.
Beside these vital measures, the questio
of the canal is involved in movements th,
admonish US that none but men of til
6rmest integrity and spotless honor shoul
be entrusted with votes in the Legislator
for the next two years. Intrigue and bril-
cry may entail upon the property of II
citizens of the State a mortgage for FIVE {
ten millions which would rest like an inc,
bus upon their energies and progress 10
generations.
And beside the direct operations of Law
upon the property and business of citizens
State the folly or wisdom Of its gener;
Legislation fixes its reputation abroad
inspires confidence or creates distrust, a
cording to its character it invites capt.
and population, or repels them it helps Il
credit of its citizens or impairs it. In q
these ways, are mems business interests in
piicated with the slow, degrading politics
the day as the phrase is, with the vel
conservative and respectable citizens WI
are permitting the affairs of the poyernme
to go to the old Harry by ultra neglect
them.
l. q H.