Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-07
STATE ITEMS.


disease The recent sickness in this institution
and the low rate, forty cents a day, at which the
contracts were let for the labor Of the prisoners,
in 1861 and 1862, running from two 20 five years,
discontinued, will bring the prison considerably in
debt We understand that the Attorney Gener-
al has given an opinion that these contracts.
on account Of there having been no publication
inviting bids, void. AT meeting OF
the Directors of the Prison on Thursday last it
proposed to declare these old contracts void
and relet the labor. inviting competition therefor
as the law directs. The policy of hiring the Ia
Dor of the prisoners for a long term OF years is
of doubtful utility, and should be avoided in the
future. We notice that the Directors OF the
Northern Prison advertise TO contract for the la
Dor of portion of the prisoners in that institu
ton, but state that no bids will be received for
less than seventy cents a day. AT that price the
labor OF the inmates will make the prisons self
sustaining institutions and the prospective search
ty of labor for some time to come makes il
probable that that compensation can be obtained.
Ii is the duty of the Directors to relieve the State
from any burdens for these institutions, il posi-
BILE, and il the contracts for the labor of the
convcts in the Southern Prison are void from
any failure to comply with the laws in reference
thereto, they should be re let. IL is the duty Of
the Directors at all events to make a thorough
legal investigation of the matter There are
now 2l9 convicts in this prison.
The Republican war in the Fifth District is
progressing as virulentlv and intensely as ever.
The Delaware County Free Press pours the fol-
lowing hot shot into Gen. MEREDITH:
To Gen. Meredith we think there is little due
from the people of this District We know of
plenty of men fully as well qualified for the po-
sition he has occupied he has shown himself.
if not far better, who have remained at home,
who would have willingly exchanged places with
him. He got the position Of Colnnel, as well as
his Brigadiership. by system of f. curing, which.
to say the least of it, displayed more of the spirit
of the place hunter than the patriot.
If military man must be sent to Congress,
why overlook the gallant Colonies. Colgrove aud
position than Gen. Meredith Why are they not
recOuntiug their wounds and privatons before
the people, and presenting their claims to a seat
in COngressG Simply because they went into the
army from patriotic motives. and not for the
purpose of making capital out of which 20 foist
themselves into political positions
The same paper, rabidly Republican, gives the
following account of the proceedings of the
Wayne County Republican Convention held on
the 18th of February:
A motion was made by Meredith man that a
central committee be appointed by the chair. A
Julian man moved that the members IRON each
man, which was carried. to the utter confusion oil
the Meredith party. The Julian men evidently
had the strength in the Convention. and every
trick of the Meredith men promptly de-
feated After adjournment for dinner the SOL
ders were marched outside of the town, and
drilled how and when to vote. The afternoon
session proved TO be no better for the schemes OF
the Meredith party than the forenoon, and they
were badly discounted. After the adoption OF
the resolutions, one gentleman offered A resolu-
ton endorsing the course of Mr. Julian in Con-
gress, and explained that he did not desire it TO
be understood as operating against Gen Meredith
or in favor of Mr.. Julian. The resolution would
evidently be carried and something had to be
done Gen Meredith at once sprang to his feet
and declared that il should not pass-Ihat the
Convention for him and he knew it, The
Julian men pressed vote, when the Meredith
men kicked np a row-yelled and raSed like
madcaps. A scene of utter confusion ensued
during which the Convention broke up.
ILLEGAL ARRESTS few days since, our
county was disgraced by one of the most wanton
violations OF law, most wicked aud dastardy
outrage upon personal rights, that has befallen
any people claiming civilization and the Observ-
ance Of law.
An officer deputed by proper authority to ar
rest deserters, with a number of Others visited a
and succeeded. as we learn, in arresting two rer-
sons charged with desertion: not satisfied will
their success, hoIses of citizen Democrats were
entered by this lawiess mob and robbed Of arms
and ammunition. Two citizens, both farmers
Jacob Teegarden who is an elderly man Of gu OF
65 years. and David Teegarden his son, were AR
rested, tied together wi ropes and, like felons
dragged from their families. driven TO Lafayette
and taken before Provost Marshal Park. Park
- "A
them both; he found nothing with which eithe
was chargeable under any law. At LAFAYETTE
both were l0osed from their bonds without a cen
in their pockets (havng been allowedto make n,
provisions for their expenses before being tori
from their homes) to trudge their way 80 mile
home. as best they could.
1t is a burning shame to have such outrage
committed in our midst, who boast Of th
highest intelligence and che best government
the shone upon. to allow such things q
90 UNPUBLISHED; and the wrongs thus committed
although upon the humbest individuals. Is
lasting disgrace and marks US depraved AM
demoralized people.
Macaulay, the EDgissh historian, says Of th
English people:
1--WE live in highly civilized society, in whicl
intelligence Is 50 rapidly diffused by means OF th
press aud OF the post Office. that any gross o
oppression, committed in any part of our island
Is 10 a few hours discussed BY millions III nj
English sovereign were now To immune = subjec
10 defiance OF the writ of habeas corpus. or L
put conspirator TO the torture. the whole natio
would be electrified by the news"
MacauIay in the foregoing but reiterates Oh
truth Of history--a truth that ought TO max
scarlet with shame the face Of every America
citizen who claims the rights OF a freeman, VIII
has not the courage 70 resist with force. ope
and wanton aggression. In the case we refer &c
no authorized monarch. no despot clothed wit
imperial power. comes TO chain together lathe
and son. TO be carried at his bidding 10 a bastil
or guilotine, but an armed. lawless mob. withou
any authority save tho power Of brute force an
the supposed sanction 81 Abraham Lincoln. VII
imagines, as does the King Of Dthomey. that n
one has a right TO speak or eat until his oficis
sanction is bad. hHe esft4 fhfi7'itf
II is IamentabIy true. that there thousand
Of our people. who regard themselves as a.
mere serfs of Mr., Liucoln. little satellites r.
volving around the his majesty TO do his vii
who are 100 ignorant and too lily trained TO kno
that viii. Their mad passions are their onl
guide. by these such are governed. 70 wreck the
personal vengezncs upon what they regard the
Offending ne'gnoor, whose only offence is oDpos
ton 70 fne'r political views
We are glad TO see Provost Marshal's occa
lonally 10 .ne'r au,y We are glad also TO see th
eoarts, once 10 whiis. Arising from thesubjug'