Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-11-23
THE REPUBLICAN,.
PLYMOUTH, IND,
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1866.
Governors Message.

Governors m6SSd66.
The Governors Message to the Legislature.
convened in extra session al Indianapolis on the
9th inst, which We publish to-day, cannot fail to
arrest the attention OF every reader who takes any
interest in State affairs, which every voter cspeci
ally should to enable him to exercise the duties of
free citizen in an intelligent manner for the best
interests of the country, and to avoid being made
the tool of demagogues merely for their own ag-
grandizement and selfish purposes. This is the
great danger of Republic, and the only safeguard
is in the intelligence and virtue of the people.
Then. how necessary it is that every voter should
be familiar with the political history of the times
and the questions of the day. The great length
of the Message should not deter any one from Civ
ing it careful perusal. 1t will be fonnd an able
and interesting State paper and contains informa.
ton important for every one to know who desires
to discharge his duties to the country understand
ingly, unbiased by party trammels and dishonest
political trcksters.
We shall not attempt to review the Message or
give q synopsis of it for the benefit Of those who
have no taste for official documents, and, to such.
what is termed dry details, but which are essential
ly necessary in order to comprehend every import
ant subject. as review synopsis we could
make room for in this issue could do it JUSTICE but
will briefly refor to a few Of the questions pre-
scented in the document, more for the purpose Of
directing especial attention to them than with the
expectation or hope of elucidation.
Over third of the message is devoted to the
subject of the public debt, for the consideration of
which the Legislature was mainly called together
at this time. He takes the ground, 1t will be seen,
that although the State is not bound by the terms
Of the contract made with its creditors in 1876 to
pay the principal of the debt in twenty years. which
expires the 18th day of January next, yet we are
bound in good faith to make provision for its spec
dy extinguishment. The history the Governor
gives of the debt, its management, and his recon-
mcnda,ions in regard to it will be found highly in
terestng to tax payers especially.
He next calls the attention of the Legislature to
the necessity of provising for an enumeration Of
the white male citizens of the State over 81 years
Of age and an apportionment OF Senators and Rep
resentatives among the several counties upon the
basis Of such enumeration as the Constitution re.
qures, but which has been disrcgarded in this par
ticular for ii years. Herecommends temporary
appo tionment during the present session upon the
basis cf the votes cast Mt the Presidential election
in 1864. AS the vote for Governor the same year
larger and as some Of the counties at the Pres.
idenia election did not poll their full strength we
should think the Cubern atorial election would af-
ford the most equal basis upon which to make the
apportonment. Indeed, did the Const tuition au.
thorize it. we cannot see why an apportionment
every eighth year upon the basis of the vote cast
for Governor or President would not answer equal
y rs sell and thus avoid the expense and trouble
of an enumeration.
The importance Of establishing Houses Of Cor
rection for juvenile offenders. is next urged upon
the attention of the Legislature according to a
mandatory provision ofthe Constitution. 1t is a
matter of regret that this wise requirement of the
Constitution has been so long neglected by the
Legislature.
A revision Of the soldiers relief law passed at
the last session Of the Legislature Is recommended
VIVA: the Governor has to say upon this topic will
arrest the attention all. especially the recipients
Of the wise and timely bounty. The law has avert
ed much suffering and brought joy and gladness to
many desolate and Responding hearts.
The Governor advocates an amendment Of the
school law so as to give the colorcd population Of
the State their due proportion Of the fund. and
subectins them to like taxation with white per
sens for educational purposes.
He again calls attention to the statute excluding
oC
which white persons are parties, and says Il is a
stigma upon the humanity and intelligence OF the
State. All good men will feel gratifed at least
that Indiana has Governor that can utter such
noble language and one able to soar above the big
otry of past age and the low prejudces Of the ig
norant and vulgar OF the present period.
1t is to be regretted that the Governor made no
reference or recommendation concerning the bar
barous provision in cur Constitution excluding
colored citizens of other States from settling in In
diana, and the still more barbarous statute impo-
sing heavy penalties upon those who employ or
trade with such persons. Both the Constitutional
provision and thestatutc made inconformity there
to are clearly in conflict with the Constitution of
the United States. and will be SO declared by the
US. Supreme Court whenever in point is
brought before it, and perhaps this will be the
siest and specdiest way of disposng ofths relic of
barbarism and dirt eating. ....
Although we believe that the colored men who
have periled their lives to save the Union, with
those who possess the requisite intellectual quail
fcations, should be entitled to the elective fran
chise, Jet we substantially agree with Govern
or Morton in tho views no enunciates in his mes
cage. He is opposed to making the reconstruction
Of the late rebcllious States depcnd upon the ex-
tension of negro suffrage, but favors an amend
ment of the Federal Constitution % as to appor-
ton the representation in Congress among the
several States according to the actual number Of
male voters over the age of twenty one years. II
this done there is little doubt that the negro
would in short time be allowed the right of the
ballot in all the Southern States, if not in the 9th
ers- This is perhaps the easiest and quickest way
to settle the question. At any rate the present in
equality in representation would no longer exist.
and another apple OF discord removed.
The Governors views upon the SUBJECT OF recon-
struction win be heartily endorsed BY nine tenths
Of the loyal men ofthe State, as well as what he
Jays shout the unity and indivisibty OF, the ma
ton, and none but Copperhcads will dissent to
the glowing ealogium he pays the American SOL
der. ...s rr. 5-f ,ga a..., 80, Il. s,-,..