The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1873-01-24


irom.a select committee, reported bill
providing for its adoption in the elec-
ton of Members OF Congress. / will
not undertake an examinations of the
different propositions whereby represent
iatiye reform may be attained that..wili
be carefully considered by the Legisla-
furc, should constitutional amendment
on the subject be submitted.to the pee
pie; but as a practical illustration Of
one Of the modes, quote the bill as re-
ported 10 the Senate by Mr.. Senator
Wade, "a bill 10 amend the rcprcsen-
tation of the people in Congress. Be
il enacted, etc. That in elections for the
choice of Representatives to the Con-
gress of the United States, whenever
more than one Representative is to DO
chosen from State, each electOr Of such
State. sduly qualified shall be entitled 10
a number OF votes equal to the number
OF representatives to bc chosen from the
State, and may give all. l.such votes to
one candidate, or may distribute them,
equally or une4ually, among greater
number Of candidates, aud the candi-
dates highest in vote. upon the return
shall be declared elected"
The people expect at your hands sub
stantial reform in the civil service Of the
State. The L,gisai ure of 1871 attemp-
!. ted the correction of many abuses. by
the act of the 2lst of February Of that
year, but that. legislation has failed to
accomplish most Of the purposes Of it's
,enactinent- Many of the courts :havo
{ held important provisions invalid. for
/. want Of constitutional sanction. Extor-
Zion and fees and charges
2 should be prohibited and prevented.
: Complete reform will requiresthe aban-
I ldonment, in large degree, of the sys-
/ TEN of fees and perquisites as,a.mode OF
icompcnsating public officers. AS far 80
, may he practicable. and fixed salaries
should be established, and all other COM
: ipensation prohibited. Thereby. the
+ temptation to make questionable and
4 unla rul charges viii be removed. Tho
: compensation which you smay allow
: should be sufficient to secure tho best
c ability and tho highest qualifications,
g but not large enough to promote COR
y rupiion in the contests for the offices.s
cordially concur in the recommen-
J. ,1ation OF my predecessor Of q liberal in
crease of the salaries Of the.Judgcs OF
. the Supreme Court; and also recon-
/ mend IN increase in the compensation
Il ofthe otl.er judges ofthe State The well
/. rsrc of society is involved in the char
,acicr of the judiciary. The people 90
: mot desire, nor can they well afford, the
= economy Of cheap judges. Causes de-
:, llayej, with accommodating costs: the time
1 .of jurors, parties and witnesses wasted;
J. Increased appeals to tic Supreme Court;
Jfland the wrong done to private rights,
!clsll forbid it. The judicial districts and
il circuits have, in many instances, been
4 Increased beyond the demands Of the
e public interest. Ii is becoming an en-
L,sMras;ment in the way OF providing
: proper compensation for an adequate
i number Of Judges.
N Personal and local Importantly ought
a. not to prevail over the public good. =
m Thisrcvil should be corrected. Unneces-
as sary circuits and districts should be
~ stricken out, and those that remain 80
A. Iad;usted as to give fall enjoyment to
le competent judges, and to apportion the
Illilalor equally among them. Ii this bo
st thoroughly and intelligently done, upon
in a basis OF population, cr business, the
Ill Judiciary may be strengthened and ele-
a ,iyated. the necessary number Of judges
III nav be well paid, and. at small, If any,
re,incrcase Of cost to the people.
u am not prepared to say that our pres
ct cpt judicial, system is Inherently defec-
tx tive. MANY Of the evils complained OF
re result from the Legislation cularging the
ertiurisdiction of the Court of Common
u-lrleas. and thereby confusing the juris-
ell ldiciions of that court and the Circuit
n Court; and perhaps the evils may be re-
'b- moved by your investigation and ac-
'se ton. But il il be your Judgment that q
n general revision and modification of the
&C. system is necessary. then recommend
IN that commission OF men eminent IN
rlyithc law be provided, who shall report
. plan of reform at the next session O
,b- The Legislature.
be recommend that provision he made
he for the more secure keeping OF puoii'
ion moneys. 1t is not just to require pubic
at officers to retain a personal custod!
aa-i,her,ot. and TO denouncc degrading pen
nee is.ties against them ii they fail therein
ur- and at the same time to leave them Win
d tout a,.quate protection. But IN no hn
soancial policy whatever, should the OF
for ticers be allo wed TO make again to them
selves out OF the use OF public money
in That tends 10 corruption, aud he insc
in .curity OF the treasury.
in 1 need not urge you to extcna pro
the 'tectiug and fostering hShd oyer our ire
hat schools. and 10 guard with anxious car
the the funds that support them. Ccm1hi
itu-ss YOU do. among the people, you -
'ew not be Indifferent 10 an influence so I'M
ton portant TO their welfare. and the tr''
OF dignity nnd strenth II the state :,
,or- I trnst the laws yap may enact WI
Iion.nroro,c the moral, and intellectual an