Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1861-01-16
Gov. Lanes Inaugural Address,
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentafioes, and Fellop- Citizens

sentafiDes, and Fellop- Citizens
The People of Indiana, in adopting their
present Costitution. expressed their graft
tude to Almighty God for the free exercise
of the right to choose their own form OF
Government, in order to establish Justice,
maintain public order, and perpetuate the
principles of civil and religious liberty
For the present enjoyment of these inesti-
mable rights and privileges; for the bless
ings of peace and order within our borders;
for bountiful crops and for general health
and prosperity throughout the year which
has just closed, our most heartfelt thanks
and gratitude, individually. and collective
ly as q people ARE due TO the same Almighty,
Advise, and 5euefcent Being. l feel the
strongest degree of confidence. Senators
and Representatives, Ia the belief that yon
will, In the exercise of those high and i'm
portant legislative powers with which you
are invested by the Constitution, be con-
stantly governed by strong motives i'm
polling you to adopt wise measures for the
advancement and maintenance of the true
interests of the people of the different Sec
tions of Indiana; and also by a patriotic
desire to prevent or allay all unnecessary
aud injurious local political excitement,
and to promote aud secure as far as posi-
BILE the general prosperity, safety and honor
Of ous beloved State.
The annual reports of the several State
officers for the fiscal years ending in 1859
and 1860, have been laid before both
branches of the Legislature, and these doc
uments present an official exposition ofthe
business and operations OF the various de
partments of the State government. They
are worthy of, and will doubtless receive,
your most careful examination and consid
Grafton, in order that the proper legisla-
tive remedies may be applied for the re-
moval of any defects that may be found to
exist, either in laws relating to these de-
partments or in tho administration of those
laws. Entertaining, as do, the strongest
confidence In the honesty aud capacity of
the recently elected Treasurer of State;
and without intending to cast any reflec
ton upon the official conduit of any of his
predecessors in Office, still deem it prop
er at this lime to recommend to you such
changes in the law regarding the Treasur
er's Office as will most effectually prevent
any misrepresentation of the public funds,
or their use for any purpose of private
speculation or gain, and which shall in.
sure the availability aud safety of money
in the public treasury at all times.-
Changes calculated to effect those desira.
bic aud important objects will receive my
most cordial appreciation and support.
Our Common School System, from its
Importance, demands and will doubtless
receive your careful consideration. II is
believed that such a modification of the
school law can be made as will make the
system more useful aud less burdensome
to the people. In your efforts to secure
these objects you may rely upon my 90 OPP
Grafton.
From the report of the Auditor of Pub
lie Accounts it appears that he total re-
ceipts from all sources fer the fiscal wear
ending the 3lst of October 1860, amounted
to 81 ,65S. 2l7 81. The total expenditures
during the same period were 81 ,62I los, AS
leaving in the Treasury at the close of the
fiscal year an actual balance of 1884 $50,
80. From the same report it appears that
the domestic debt Of the State on the 3isi
Of October amounted to 50 Dos, 1893, SO, and
the foreign debt to S7,770. 273 SO. By
careful revision of all the laws which re-
late to the mode of conducting the finan-
cial affairs of the State, aud by the appii
Gallon of the most rigid economy to all the
various departments of the State Admins
tration, the present Legislature will, it is
confidently believed. be enable to provide
ways and means less ouerous and more
effectual than those which have heretofore
been in operation for the gradual reduction
and final extinction of our Stale debt. IL
the administration of every department of
the State Government, the st -ictest economy
that can be introduced, consistently with
steady maintenance Of the public interest,
will be in accordance with the wishes and |
Just expectations of the people Of Indiana;
and in all your efforts to make provisions |
for faithful aud economical adminis.ra.
ton of the State Government, you will have |
my earnest, active, and honest co-opera-
ton aud support And in this connection
permit me to suggest the importance of in
shutting q rigid inquiry. by joint Com
mittee Of the Senate aud House Of Repre-
into ths past management, aud
present condition of the.vsrious benevolent
| Institutions Of the State, and also OF our
State Prisons; and il extravagence and
are found to exist in the
OF either or all OF those In
to take such steps as shall in
future prevent recurrence of such abuses.
The honor and interest of the citizens of
he State of Indiana alike demand thor
,ugh investigation in reference to the man
her in which the Swamp Lands given to
he State by the Congress Of the United
States. have been disposed Of.
Tho Importance of we'll organized
md thoroughly drilled Militia, in the pres
mt critical condition of our National af-
airs, cannot be overestimated and / will
most heartily concur with you in any
measures which you may devise for the
purpose of giving greater efficiency to the
present very defective Militia laws of our
state. A possible, 1 hope not proba-
lie, contingency may arise during the
present session of tho Legislature, which
will make il necessary and proper for You
o appropriate sum sufficien to equip q
,ortiou of the Indiana Militia for the pur
'ose of aiding in the prompt execution of
he laws, and in the maintenance Of the
government Ii this contingency shall
ccur during your session dotbt not that