Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-18

The Journal saws that the schemes of His Ex-
ceIlency to pay the interest upon the public
debt and preserve the credit of the State. We
are happy 20 hear il. But what evidence have we
that such is his purpose? A brief review of the
question at issue will determine the integrity of
the declarations OF His Excellency.
The Governor in an article in the Journal of
Friday last. says that have made 'change
of base" in the controversy. We quote his
words:
Heretofore the Attorney General and Sentinel
have based their arguments upor the provisions of
the Constitution requiring an appropriation. and
asserted there was none. They now seem TO
have changed front, and rely upon the acts Of
1859 and 1861
There is no change Of front. even His Ex-
celency states il. or any inconsistency in the po-
sition we have taken in the matter. We have
said that according to the provisions Of the Con-
sttntion, the State officers hal no authority to
pay the interest upon the States debt unless in
pursuance OF appropriations made by law. III
there any doubts upon this matter stated
that the acts of 1883 and 1861 removed them all.
TAe of 1883 expressly prohibits the State
officers from paving the interest unless the
money first appropriated by the Legislature.
And that such was the iuteniment OF the General
Assembly. il made the appropriations necessary
to pay the interest for the years 1859 and 1860.
The act of ls6l known rs the embezzlement
law. affxes severe penalties for violation of the
law of 1889, and the Legislature of 1861 appro-
pristed the money to pay the interest upon the
public debt for the years 1851 and 1869 This
issue was fully discussed by the Legisa
lures of 1859 and 1861 aud their action
is the best evidence that they believed the State
had no authority to pay the interest upon the
public debt unless the General Assembly had first
made appropriations therefor specifically. The
object of the Legislatures OF 1859 aud 1851 in re
gard to the Treasury system of the State was to
prevent what the Legislatures of those years pro
nounced TO be "a loose. irresponsible and unsats
factory method Of dsbursiug the moneys of the
State
His Excellency saws he "has been accustomed
to regard the payment OF debts as duty" This
position il correct in principle. if the practice does
not always conform TO it. But must this senti-
ment he a rue OF action To the State officers in
the discharge of their official duty? When they
are satisfied that the State owes debt. will they
be justified l.. paying it unless the Legislature
has first nade appropriation therefor. in
suance oi lawl But the Governors theory and
reasoning are not consistent He blames the
State officers for paying. as he alleges but which
is not true, in fact debts of the State in viola
ton Of law" while he declares the payment of
the debts To be duty
The Journal and His Excellency are mistaken
in their statements. The State officers have
paid Office expenses. They have not paid the
Editor of the Sentinel about $40 900. not only in
the absence of appropriations but in violation of
law" All that we have received has been
through appropriations, and in accordance with
presidents estab isLed by Republican State Off
GERS. Ii His Exceency knows anything about
the financial affairs of the State. he cannot be ig
norant of the fact that Messrs PEELE. LANCE and
HARVEY. without any direction from either branch
Of the General Assembly. placed their own con-
ssruc;ion upon appropriations for Legislative ex-
penses. by expanding the balance not drawn by the
officers Of the General Assembly from the appro
priation for legislative expenses for 1851 several
thousand dollars. in such manner as they deemed
advisable And We, for so doing His Exceency
never uttered word Of complaint against Repub
iican State officers for using the money OF the
State. mot only in the absence Of appropriations.
bat in violation of Law" II We have received
any money from the State Treasury in violation
of law. 80 has the editor of the Journal out of
the legislative appropriation Of the las, session of
the General Assembly he drew money from the
State Treasury upon the same resolutions of the
Senate and House that We did II We have re-
ceived Any money from the Treasury in violation
OF lsw. the Journal is equally guilty with but
the Governor finds no fault with the delinquencies
OF bis organ.
IL the Governor really desires 20 preserve the
credit OF the State. he has the power to DO 80.
There j. ample time convene a extra session
OF the Legislature 70 make the necessary appro-
priations 70 pay the interest and all the other In.
debtetness and accruing obligations OF the State
That j. the safest and best way. Such
course will relieve the questions in controversy
from all embarrassment and by so doing His Ex-
cellencvwould give evidence that he regarded ouly
the public interest and not 2ar.isA personal
schemes.