Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-11


1t is said that straws show which way the wind
blows and, in politics, very small matters are
sometimes very significant. When, on the last
day, a committee waited on the Governor and
inquired whether he had any further communi-
cation to make, he answered that he had none.
He would have in the resolution
nted page I.9 OF these reports but for days
there had been quorum he had for that reason
not done it, Br. Rep. p. 236.
This resolution referred to was the one adopted
on the oath. There would be nothing extra
this committee if he had promptly answered
various other resolutions of inquiry, adopted
during the session; but he had not done so, es-
pecially in reference TO the details Of the expen-
ditures of certain moneys and as 10 whether he
procured the arrest and imprisonment of about
fifty citizens, for opinions sake in the Govern
ment Bastile? THIS resolution appeared to have
awakened memories that, ike Banquo's ghost,
would not down at the bidding of His Excel
lency. From his anxiety on the subject il is but
reasonable to infer that he had, in some way, di-
rectly or indirectly, procured the adoption, BY
the officers of the 27th Regiment, of the resolu-
tions. But why should he be anxious7 First,
because the resolutions had wrought in q con-
trary direction from that expected. The Legis-
lature did not scare worth cent but were about
to push him TO the wall on the subject An at
tempt, by military power, 10 intimidate the law
making department of a great and free State, is
no small matter. 1t strikes at the very founda-
ton Of free institutions. II the Governor should
thus act, it would be very grave ofiense-in-
deed, positive crime against republican institu-
tious. Ii would be a broad stride towards assu-
ming absolute power. II was therefore, met
by an inquiry which startled this timid Gov
enor out of his proprieties. 1t would not do to
send in an answer, for hc was not aware how far
the members were already informed; nor would it
be polite to refuse, for refusal in the minds OF
many, would be cquivalent TO confession of guilt.
BY his course he had stirred up bad blood be-
tween the executive and legislative Departments.
An attempt by an Executive to brow-beat leg
islative BODY and failure, is very apt to produce
retaliation, if the way is presented. Here the
way might open. There was no telling where
the thing would stop. The Constitution gives
the General Assembly the porer Of impeachment
Of " all State officers" Art. 6, sec. Z.
Second. In the appropriation bill for the ben
eft of soldiers, the Secretary of State was named
Us the officer 10 disburse IT, This Morton could
not, for a moment, endure. He would rather see
them suffer than that any other person should
have any credit arising out OF providing for
them. Nor dare his friends vote against the APP
preparation solely ON that account. Therefore they
break up. In this, and in various other instances
hereafter referred to- of interference by military
officers with the Legislature, the danger so forci-
chilly spoken of BY tine present Attorney General
of tine United States, in a letter of September
Is, 1868, to Judge Knapp is fully illustrated.
BE says:
There seems to be general and growing disposition OF
the military. wherever stationed. engr0ss all power
and the civil government with contumacy, esf
the object was 70 bring it into contempt.
But enough as to this branch of the contro-
versy between the Governor and the Legislature.
We pass TO the question of
APPROPRIATIONS.
The State Constitution contains this provision:
"Src. 3 ARr. 10. No money shah be drawn from the
public treasury but in pursuance Of appropriations made
Uy law
The appropriation bills, among others, having
been defeated by the secession of the Republican
members of the House, the question arose, how
are we to get money from the treasury; for with
out money, the lamp of loyalty does not burn
quite so bright with many men-the Governor
among others. Then commenced most dis
graceful scene of grabbing for the peoples
money in the public treasury. These grabbers
were headed by the Governor himself. He first
wanted them to join him in borrowing money
$40, 900 per month--to carry on the Arsenal.
This they could not do, for two reasons, because
there plenty of money in the treasury unap-
propriated; and, second, the Constitution forbid
the act by said officer, unless some laU should au
thorize il (sec. 5, Art. 10, Const. of Indiana,
and there was no law. Then the effort was made
to get money out of the treasury. They would
coax and wbeedle, and then brow-beat and
threaten Mr.. Brett, whom the people had placed
as the guardian, the treasurer, to take care of
their money He would call their attention TO
tie fact thar by the act of 1852 p. 230 II Gavin
& Hord, 647,) he was expressly prohibited
from paying any money out of, or transferring
any money from the Treasury of State, except
upon the warrant of the Auditor OF State; and
that by the act of 1861, Sec 3, it Is made GRIM
inal offense for him TO pay cut money in any
other manner than as prescribed by law II G. &
H., p. 1867 Leaving the Treasurer, the Grab
bers would then charge upon the Auditor of
State. About once satisfied them with Mr.. Ris
tine, for "Uncle Joe" presented face as hard
as a sheli-bark to them, aud pointed TO the said
Act of 1859, in which il is provided that " lie
shall at time, draw warrant upon the Trea-
surcr Of State, unless there be money in the
treasury belonging TO the fund upon which The
same is drawn to pay the same, and in conform
ity 10 appropriations made by Idtc;" and that, by
the act of 1861, it was made a crime for him TO
draw warrant upon tho treasury. unless there
was an appropriation. They then did. as Gov
emor Morton again does in his speech, pointed
to the fact that, upon the breaking up of the
Legislature in 1857 without making appropria-
tions, Governor Willard had drawn money, aud
money had been paid ou; of the treasury. That
was true. But the fact that public officers thus
loosely handled the peoples money, and let il
pass out of their hands, without the previous
sanction of their representatives caused the pas
sage of the laws of 1859 and 1861, forbidding
such acts in the future Not satisfied with the
action of the Auditor and Treasurer, the Courts
were resorted to, and the opinion of the Supreme
Court taken in two cases, in an attempt to CON-
pei the Auditor to draw warrants for the interest
on the funded debt of the State for the half year,
viz, about Sl60,00O. In each the decision was,
that the State officers had decided right 1t is in
reference TO these decisions that the Governor
has much to say in his address: He does not
directly attack the Supreme Court, for If he did,
the people would see at once that he was making
as great an Ass of himself as his Donkey at the
Journal Office. He therefore, does the thing in
directly by attempting to show, by the card OF
Young deputy clerk, that the Circuit Judge suf-
fered himself to be made tool of, and then did
not know what he was about; for he decided one
way one day, and another on the next, and III
neither instance, the insinuaiion is, knew what
he was doing. As that Judge is Republican,
it is not a part of our business to defend him at
this time But the attack shows the animus of
the Governor, his desire to strike down every
thing that stands in his way of having absolute
control But the truth is, the Governor knows
the Court decided right aad, in effect, admits il
in this same speech in which he rails at the deci-
sion. BE says:
Whether these constitutional and legal provisions and
the COLLECTION Of the money constitute an authority Tor
Whfesef might De he true aspect ~ He teg1E Q1ses
fi0a determined procure, If possible, sufficient money
carry all The institutions Of the State, aud keep the
machinery Of the governments in motion.
Money prcclrco from various 'ces-from the pro-
ceeds of the Arsenal from counties private
sons from bank and railroad company, until,
believe sufficient funds have been securcd TO carry for
ward the State Government until February ], 1865
Money has been secured; that is, it has been