Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-01-17

Gentlemen Of The Senate and House Of Rspresent-
0fires, and Fclior Cif;-cas:


The People Of Indiana, IN adopting their pre-
seut Constitution, EXPRESSED their gratitude 70
Almighty Coz for the free exercise of tie right
10 choose their 0wn form Of Government, Ia order
~ establish justice. maintain pubiic order, and
Yerpctuate the principles Of civil and elisious
iiberty. For inc present enjoy vIent OF these ia
c-tmsble rights and PRIVILEGES: for the blessings
OF peace aud order within our bordnrs; FOR boun-
tlIul crops AID Tor General health and prosperity
thrcu. hOlt'the year which has ;ust closed. or
must heartfelt thanks aEa gratitude, insiiv isiuaiiv
and collectively. a. people, are due 10 the same
Almighty, Advise. and benefcent Being. / feel
the strongest degree OF confidence, Senators ami
Representatives, Ia the belief that you will, in
the exercise of those high ard important legisla-
tive powers with which you are invested by the
Constitution, be constantly governed bv strong
motives impelling You to adopt wise measures
; for the advancement and maintenance of the true
interests OF the people of the different sections
OF Indiana; and also By patriotic -esire to pre-
vent or alay al unnecessary and injurious local
political excitement and to promote and secure
as far a. possible the general prosperity, safety
and honor Of our beloved State.
The annual reports of the several State officers
for the fiscal wears ending in $50 and go, have
been laid before both branches OF the Leesla-
ture and these documents present an official ex-
position Of the business and operations of the
various DEPARTMENTS of the State government
your most careful examination and considera-
ton in order that the proper legislative rene
dies nav be applied for the removal of any de-
fects that may be found to exist, either in the
laws relating to these departments or in the adj
I miIstration OF those laws. Entertaining as | do
the strongest confidence in the honesty and ca
pacity Of the recently elected Treasurer of State
and without intending to cast any reflection upon
the official conduct OF any of his predecessors in
Office, still deem 1t proper at this tune TO re-
commend to YOU such changes IN tne law regard
ing the Treasurcrs Office as viii most elfectualy
prevent any misrepresentation of the public
funds, or their use Tor any purpose Of private
speculation or gain, and which shall insure the
availability and safety of money in the public
treasury st all times. Changes calculated to
effect these desirable and important objects will
receive my most cordial appreciation and support.
Our Common School System, from its import
ancc, demands and doubtless will receive your
careful considerations It is believed that such a
vii make the system more useful aud lees bur.
thcusome to the people. In your efforts to re-
cure these objects you may rely upon my co-ope-
ration
From the report Of the Auditor of Public Ac
counts it appears that the total receipts FROM all
sources for The fiscal year cnding the alst OF De-
tober, 1850, amounted 20 $ Dos ,2lI,es The
fetal expenditures duriug the same period we're
II Gal l0s.iS. leaving in the Treasury Mt the
close of the fiscal year m actual balance OF
lSl31, G60.ag From tho same report il appoars
that the domestic debt of the state On the 81 81
Of October amounted 20 $2,O0e, 99359, and the
foreign debt to S5,s1n.2s3.50. BY caroluhre.
vision O.. all the laws which relate 10 the mode
Of conducting the financial affairs OF the state,
and by the application OF the uost rigid economy
to all the various Department. Of the State Ad-
ministraton the present Legislature will, it is
confidently believed, he enabled TO provide ways
and means less oncrous and more ccctual than
those which haze heretofore been in operation
for the gradual reduction and final extinction of
our State debt. In the administration Of every
department OF the State Government the strict
est 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 Tor faithful and
economical administration of the State Govern
mcnt Won will have my earnest, active, and hon
, est corporation and support. And in this con-
uection permit me TO suggest the Importance OF
nstitutinr rgi, inquiry, 10y Joint committee
of the Senate and House of Representatives.. in
to the past management, and present condition
of, the various Benevolent Institutions of the
, State, and also Of our State Prisons and # ex-
travagance and mis- management are found to
exist in the administration of either or all of
those Institutions, 10 take such STEPS shall in
future prevent a recurrence of such abuses
The honor and interests of the citizens OF the
State of Indiana alike demand thorough inves-
tigation in reference 10 the manner in Which
the Swamp Lands given to the State by the
Congress OF the United States. have been dispo-
sed Of.
The Importance OF weH organized and thor
ouehly drilled Militia, in the present critical con-
dtion OF our National affairs, cannot be overes-
timated; ami | viii 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.
> possible, Il hope not probable,) contingency
NAV arise during the present session of the Lee
.-slature, which will make 1t necessary and prop
or for YOU TO appropriate sufficient 10 equip
a portion of the Indiana Militia for the purpose
OF aiding in the prompt, execution OF the laws,
and IN the maintenance of the government. Ii
this continge ncv SHALL occur during your session
/ doubt not shat ,oa will meet i. III spirit be-
o coming ireemen and'ratfiots.
/, The present laws in relation to the mode vi
conducting elections not sufficient TO protect
the purity Of the ballot-box, nor TO prevent
. frauds upon the inestimable privilege of the cleo
+ tive franchise; anu therefore recommend sucl,
= revision and change of the election laws as will
: most eiioetually accomplish these objects.
Within the last few months, gentlemen Of the
Senate and House of Representative we have
, been compelled to be unwilling witnesses of the
rapid progress of certain events which have seri-
1 oGsly threatened the integrity OF the COnStitu-
tlon and disturbed the harmony of the Union. In
a few of the Southern States a reasonable con
spir.acy, originated by pestilent demagogres, has
' been allowed 10 grow aud spread UNPUBLISHED and
even unrebuked. until, oyerrating its owl
strength and vastly undertaking the patriotism OF
II tue people, il assumed form and boldness imme-
:. diately after the late Presidential election, and
y now declares It's objects to be the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
. OF the United States and the founding of
u Southern Confederacy Of seeding States. To
+ those who have carefully observed the rise ana
progress OF this scheme OF treason, il is evident
Z that no compromises concessions, which tho
people of the United States ought 30 make, IL
Z order 10 preserve the peace Of the country
would be sufficient TO satisfy the disunionists o
: South Carolina and regret to say that il seem.
u to be almost certain that the people OF few o
the southern states arc inclined, ii not deter
q mined. to resist. by arrled force any attempt tc
= hold South Carolina, or any other seeding
State, IN the Union, by means of the military anl
. naval forces Of the United States. But, notwith
standing the extraordinary and reasonable pro
cecdmcs, and partial success of 4 large class o
/" disunionists. do not, At present believe il vii
become necessary to use any considerable part
the military power Of the national Government
IN order 20 punish overt acts OF treason in an
. part OF the Union. Every citizen OF the Unioi
Is under an obligation 20 defend the country
! and lis constitution and laws against the attack
!" OF foreign enemies aud tho assaults OF domestic
i traitors: and II ever majority of the peopie O
ID the United Stato- shall deliberately repndiat
tlEs patriotic obligation. and shall wiliullv an,
~ AID sgbmissiyely rerm.t treason to walk ahroal
-, flf 1nI flaftt 4