Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-11
Governor Morton on the Payment OF
the Interest ON the states Debt.

the Int rest ou TN states Debt.
We published on Saturday. Attorney General
HoRDs reply to the pretentious letter OF Cover
nor MORON. addressed to JAMS WISsLow, Esq.
banker OF New York city. upon the payment of
the interest on the State debs. for which the Leg
stature on account Of the secession of the Repub
lican members. failed to provide or direct. The
question at issue IL. whether the State officers
under the acts Of 1889 and 1861. establishing
treasury system. and providing penalties for the
violation thereof. have the right to withdraw
moneys from the public treasury, without Legis
lative direction or appropriation. The Governor
argues they have. and seeks to establish his view
OF the question bv = spe:ious appeal 10 the
public The journal, In alluding to the Gov.
efnors points. says that sis connecting rea.
soning builds them massive and enduring as
granite" The Court organ seems to be deeply
impressed with the massive proportions Of His
Exceiiency II Is stated upon excellent authori-
~ that THE race IL not always to the swift nor
the battle to the strong" We have read OF one
COLLAR who. by his single proves. threatened
10 demolIsh the whole tribe Of Israel Encased
IN his armor he thought himself impenetrable.
but one DAVID. a slight and Youthful STRIPPING.
met the presumptuous giant, and with only n
sling and smooth stone feled him to the earth
We think the A,,orney General. whom the Jour
nal and His Excellency regard as a "weak man
in high Office BY using only the smallest
pistol bullet" has completely disabled the "enor.
nous battery which the Court organ says His
EIcelIency planted and discharged" AZ him.
very slight punc,ure has taken all
the wind out Of the Governors labored
argument. and leaves I, as shapeess and
empty shirt upon bean pole. His Excel
lency starts ont with the imposition that. "If il
ia the intention that money should be taken from
the Treasury for . particular purpose. then such
intention Is the Law. snd is an appropriation. !"
Upon this basis. and by n misrepresentation Of
facts. he sndeavors Ia show that the State off
GERS have right TO withdraw money from the
treasur- in direct violation of law His premises
being wrong. his conclusions are equally invalid.
The Governor. in hts communication. avoids
all slasion 10 his own responsibility in the mat
ter. An eminent hnancier in New York. who
partially represents the financial interests Of the
Federal Government in that CITY, stated lately
that. In his opinion, the State officers should
not take the responsibility OF paying the
interest, il they had any reasonable doubt rs 10
their authority to do so. On being informed
that the Governor was empowered by the Consti
tuition to convene the Legislature in special ses
sion whenever he thought the public interests de-
handed it. he expressed the opinion that the
Governor should not hesitate 10 resort to this
constitutional remedy rather than have the State
dshonored by failing to fulfil is plighted faith
When told that the Governor declined TO call the
Legislature together on account OF political or
psrty considerations. he said that such reasons
should no, weigh feather in the present condi-
Gon of the country and to prevent the evils that
failure on the part Of Indiana to fulfill her oblica.
tons would cause Nothing could be more IN
fortunate tor the Governors future prospects
than u lose the confidence OF the financial inter
est OF the country; and nothing will he clearer
to them aud the people generally. il the interest
Is no, paid that the responsibility will rest with
the officer who having the power to cause the
necessary legislative appropriation TO be nads
for that purpose. faile.l t. do 40