New-York tribune., 1871-01-18
POLITICAL.
TESTIMONY OF THE RULERS.

advanced political intelligence, while abundanty
attcsiing the vigorous prosperity of the great Com
mOnwealhs. The subsidiary questions of education
and political reform, which perhaps best indicate
the moral advance Of a people, engage largely
the attention of the several Governors, and are
treated with marked intelligence and discretion.
Measures for the protection of the blind deaf, and
dumb. and all the rest of humanitys stricken ones,
with civil service REFORM prison reform are themes
prominently discussed in nearly all the addresses.
Regarding educational measures Arkansas, Missouri,
Iowa. Nebraska, Michigan. Illinois, and Indiana
record an extensive work achieved in the past. and
give promise, by abundant appropriations, of gen.
erous work in the future.
The turbulence and anarchy succeeding the
have pretty well died out, and the Messages deal
less with political than economical questions, Gov.
McClurg accepts the late political revolution in Mis-
souri, and Iigdy eschewing all partisan expression,
counscs careful discrimination in the important am
nosty measures about to be enacted. The railroad
policy which has benefited the State, he advises con-
tinued aud shows over of road in operation
LISP in progress, and i1i miles constructed within
the ycar-certainly an imposing exhibit. Protection
which the Governor aptly terms the first law
OF nature'-has brought the State into the first rank
of industrial communities and wise adherence to
that policy, is strongly urged At the recent election
amendment TO the Constitution was voted for and
carried making the term of State officials four years
The Governor on economical grounds recommends
that the term of the Legislature be made to
pond and that the Executive be ineligible to reUlec
tion.
The fatal facility for divorce moves Gov
Baker to protest vehemently against the legal
laxiGes which disgrace the code of Indiana
laws which he cOgently pronounces "a disgrace
20 civilization and in violation of the comfy
of sister States To undo the mischief he urges
that the law in force authorizing divorces
for any cause deemed good in the discretion Of the
court be repealed; and that the clause making |
cruel treatment good cause for divorce be amend
ed to require the treatment to be cruel and inhu
man, cruel and barbarous'-a distinction not very
obvious. The ingenious divorce practice which |
makes the whole law farce is pointed out for |
amendment. and other measures suggested which |
shall make cOllusiOn and fraud impossible and pre-
vent residents of other States from making Indiana
Mecca of infdelity.
Minority representation, with kindred civil and
legislative reforms, dwelt by Gov. Palmer of
Illinois, while the principal measure discussed in
the Minnesota Message by Gov. Austin concerns
railroads, TO which subject he devOtes more than
half Of an unusually voluminous document, and
cites cOpOusly from every accessible railroad au-
thOrity in the world. The prosperity of that State
perhaps beyond any other commonwealth, depends
on liberal railroad system, and the recon-
mendatiOns of the Governor may wisely
as "rec of the Middle Ages and protests ear
nestIy against its continuance in the State. Like
Gov. McClurg he recommends four years term |
for State officers and Legislature and urges rs does
also Gov. PeIham of Maine that election shall |
serve for State and United States officers, in order
that one expense may suffice for all.-Kentucky, |
Gov. stevenson refreshinely confesses is not that
heaven Of the abiding, which disngenuOus Demo
cratic papers would have believe In fact the
Governor laments that during his term the EXccu-
tive power was inadequate to Tepress IaWlessucsS
and punish murder. Under thoughtful Democratic
Iaw-making the Executive is not authorized to call
ont the local militia, save under certain contln-
geucies into which Ku-KluX and murder do moi seem
to enter. The Fifteenth Amendment and Civil
Rights bill his Exccllency regards as still under the
ban Of unconstitutonahty but rejoices that both
of thcse denominations ere straightway to come be-
fore the state tribunals Ohio Is largely in debt and
a discussion Of the proper way TO pay il forms the
burden Of Gov. H9yes's MeSsage.-Redeemcd from
the anarchy following the Rebellion, and honest III
her recognition Of reconstruction, Arkansas
presents through Gov Clayton, hopeful
front Of prosperity and political stability. Indi1cret
financial management has burdeaed the State with
q heavy debt-mOre than Si,0oo,OoO-and the heavy
drain, on the Treasury leave this year deficit of
s2msshiag over 100000. Happily, the industrial
interests IF the State are not suffered to languish,
vhil. advances and reforms Of every character are
rapidly elevating the State into peaceful and law
abiding commonwealth
Milne. faithful to her earliest instinct, still
agitates the Temperance idea, and the Governor
urges outright restriction on every species Of ntou-
eating lionor arguing that the State has the right
toI.Ei.. on the subject. as we'll rs upon poisonous
rnrI+s i-,uure books or bTohels whose effects are
no more tal than liquor. The fisheries question,
which q. of more direct importance to Maine than to
the iu-oor States j. dealt with vigorously and the
Gs-..-;l Government is urged to protect the rights
OF T. . p.1ple-Goy. Randolph presents to the New
.Jere,. I.o,i,lltnre number of ideas well worthy
con-.l. ..iion. He thinks it incumbent upon him
eyiI l.lr drawing on his experience with Demo
cr,fi. ..,i,laturcs-to warn the Republican
body against railway bribery, special legislation,
and divers other methods OF corruption known to
thsla.r LEGISLATORS in that State. To put stop 10
Dcl o fra.cs on travellers as recently happened at
Bergen Tunnel the Governor uTges that tne EXecu-
five he empowered to seize the railroads and
hold them until Court shall have satls-
faotorijy adjusted the difficulties Furthermore, he
suggest5 that any Company Offering DrlDe OF pay
n rn,ev for the election of any State officer, shall
forfeit it, charteI-t0O wholesome law I" ma FAVOR
wifi, flu. weak stuff that legislators are made OF.
The suggestion that any one bnbing OF receiving d
bribe b. iflancbsed, is Of doubtful wsdom' Inert
are methods Of punishment more agreeaplo 10 re-
public,n form Of government Furthermore, Such
Law, carried ont would leave Gov Randolphs party
WI m very meager following. The negr" Is sun an
evesor. 10 his Excelency; and he ayows II as MS De
lief fhqt the race has simply passed from ,no
,Vron of Slavery to the serfdOm OF Party ana tal
t,e ,pfac,nism of races has in degree diminished
ID. - l. .,.A fla