Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-01-17
GOVERNORS MESSAGE

|GOvERNORlS MESSAGE.
.Senotors and Representatives.. Is
For the first time in the history OF our
State government it becomes the duty oil
the acting Executive Of the State, to an
nounce the death Of his predecessor in Of
fee. before the time for which he was
elected had expired. On tie third day OF
October, 1860. at st. Psul. Nfinncsota a.
Ashbel +. Willard departed this life. His
remains were brought back to onr State
by his widow. accompanied by the Gov
ernor Of Minnesota, Hon. Henry NJ. Rice.
one Of her Senator'S in Congress, and by
other citizens. For their kindness in thus
attending the remains of our deceased
Governor to the Capital of our State, i
desire for the people Of the State. as well
as for myself. to extend to them onr heart
felt thanks. This sad occurrence has de-
rolvcd upon me. by virtue Of the Consti-
tuition Of our State, the duties ofthc Exc
cutive office for the period for; which the
late Governor Willard was elected
During the time that have been acting
as the Executive Of the State, there has
been no question presented 10 me. save
one. that can by any possibility affect the
pecuniary interests Of Indiana. The semi
annual interest on our public debt for JAN
uary. 1861. was maturing without the
means in the State Treasury to meet it,
There was no mode of liquidating that in
terest except by borrowing money. And
believing that the citizens of Indiana de-
sired that her obligations should be kept,
the Auditor and Treasurer of State, to-
gciher with myself. taking as our author.
| ity an act of the General Assembly pre-
scribing the duties of Governor, approved
May 81. 1852. made a loan of 125. 900
from Messrs. Winslow, Lanier & Co.. of
the city OF New York, giving our obliga.
tons to pay the same in May next ont of
the revenue for the year 1860 1t is a
matter much TO be regretted that Indiana
is in such condition that she is compelled
to 20 into the market to- borrow money
for any purpose whatever But il is due
to truth to state that this necessity would
not have existed but for the failure Of the
for the years 1S5I-5S.
For the action ofthe officers Of the State
government, and for the condition of the
State Treasury since the last meeting Of
the Legislature. / respectfully refer you to
the able and full report Of the Auditor OF
State.
The management and prosperity of our
benevolent institutions for the last two
years has been most satisfactory. conduct
ell as they been by able and efficient off,
GERS. Their several reports are herewith
submitted. and l most cheerfully second
the Recommendation therein made in refer
ence to Legislative action.
The report of the Directors Of the State
Prison at Jacksonville shows that the
Prison is indebted between $4,000 and
so. 900. without present means of pay
ment. This Indebtedness was caused by
the failure Of the lessccs Of the convict la
Dor to pay the Stste the amount due for
such labor. The most of the money thus
due the Statsis believed to be amply Sc
curcd-but the time Gifts pay ment is un-
certain. This failure TO meet the Just s;e-
mands Of the State by these lessces has
been caused by the financial crisis which
has existed for the last few months. ]
therefore recommend that the Legislature
make an appropriation to meet the indebt-
einess Of the State in connection with this
institution. aii tsai
The law fixing the qualification ofvotcrs.
and for the protection Of the ballot box
against fraud is defective. Our present
law does not insure fair and honest ex-
preston of public sentiment. at our
elections. on very many occasions within
the last few years. in consequence Of this
defect in the laws, citizens of one county
have on the day previous to the election.
cmigrated to another county expressly to
control the election. 81
Our government rests upon the action
and will of the majority of her citizens, and
that being the case. il is important that by
provisions of law VIC may be assured that
public sentiment shall have fair express
sion through the ballot-box. ond. without
this is secured, we cannot reasonably hope
that minoritics will long submit. Every
citizen Of our State. therefore, without re-
gard to party. is interested in having an
efficient and effective law guarding this
mode Of expressing public sentiment. !
therefore respectfully recommend the pas
sage of law inflicting heavy penalties up
on persons voting illegally, and also upon
officers Of the election who refuse . legal
vote. or who knowingly receive an illegal
one, and fixing the residence in the county
necessary 70 entitle one 20 vote. Al period