Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-06
WEEKLY SENTINEL.
where the aesponsibiIiD!

where the Responsibility!
The Journal, with its usual unfairness and ur-
scr1PalOusness, publishes the letters Of WISsLow,
LANIER & Co., of New York. in reference to their
proposed advance of greenbaeks to pay the July
interest on the State debt. but fails to publish the
letter Of Col. WALKER, the State Agent. giving
his reasons for declining the proposition. IL pro-
nounces the letter of Col. WALKER "a vulgar and
malicious attack upon the Governor" If such
was the fact, why not let its readers see the nro-
ductiOn, so that they could judge of its character
themselves? This the Journal and the Governor
were afraid to do. They fully realized that the
reply OF the State Agent was a crusher.
and that it let too much day light
upon the Governors corrupt designs in usurping
and attempting to usurp powers which no good
citizan can approve. The whole argnment upon
the interest question is in a nutshell. The Gov
ernor's political friends seeded from the House
thirteen days before the expiration of the consti-
%tutional term of the Legislature. so that il had
not the quorum necessary to pass the appropria-
ton bills. The question was submitted to the
oNRANAhC OOAib NuCbhCI biC lat OllCCtS a
right to pay the interest without a legislative ap.
preparation. In an able opinion. and an un-
answerable one, too, the Court decided they had
not The duty of the Governor was then
plain. He should have promptly assem-
bled the Legislature in extra session
and placed upon that body the re-
sponsibility of passing the laws necessary to
maintain the credit and honor OF the State.
This is what a good man would have done. But
for selfish purposes and TO crafty partisan preiu
dices and promote, as he thinks, party interests,
he refuses to discharge an undoubted duty i'm
posed upon him by the Constitution. The re-
sponsibiIity for the failure to pay the interest.
and the other Indebtedness of the State to home
creditors. Is clearly upon the Governors Shout
ders.
In an article upon 1.-The powers of the Execu-
tive" which appeared in the Journal a few days
ago. it is claimed that the Governor can not trust
'.the clerks OF the Executive" meaning the
State officers, the State Agent. the Judges of
che Supreme Court and the Legislature, and
hence His Excellency claims that il is his right
full prerogative to exercise the administrative.
the judicial and the legislative powers OF the
State. Upon what meat hath this Cesar fed that
he has grown so suddenly great? Was there ever
a more Infamous and unblushing attempt to
usurp dictatorial powers? The Constitution of
Indiana most plainly sets forth the duties aud the
powers of the different officers OF the State Gov
eminent. The Governor has no right whatever
to assume any administrative duties confded to
the other State officers. and much less the judi.
cial and legislative powers. What II monstrous
stab at popular rights when the Governor states
that he cannot trust the representatives of the
people to legislate upon the public affairs of the
State. and that it his duty to disburse the funds
of the State. which come into his hands. in such
a way as he NAV deem proper, when the laws ex-
pressly declare and direct that all public moneys
received oy anv officer OF the State shall be
placed in the State Treasury. The position of
the Governor can not be defended. 1t sets an
example of disobedience TO law, especially dan
gerous at the present time. and which can have
no apology or justification whatever. The Gov
ernor owes the same obedience to law. and he
IS just as much subject to law, as the humblest
citizen. And the party which attempts to justify
these usurpatlOns of the Governor, is equally
guilty with him and such an example will 60 far
TO iDculeate a spirit of disregard for law and
Tighten those restraints which law imposes upon
the community, that may be attended with dis
astrous consequences to the welfare and peace of
the State. As a partisan we would not object to
the course of the Governor. for its effect must he
ruinous to the party that ~sustains him. But as
citizens. looking to the common good and CON-
mon welfare, We cannot but regard the position
aud action of the Governor as fraught with evil,
and the people owe it to themselves to rebLke
the unconstitutional, unlawful and dangerous ex-
ercise of power-one man poverty o. P.
MoRIoy.