The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-03-15

pose everything OF the other par
y. There has been no general
soncnrrence OF scensure or criti-
sism, and consequently Nc uniform
lty Of general opinion. Tits time
here has been ) great deal Of both
md it has dliven every failure Of
measures, or adol tion Of ;,
rQuiyocal measures, deep into the
public feeling, when, II defended
Or assailed with the customary
party unanimi'y Of the past, 4
could have got no deeper than par
y sentiment.
The regular session has given us
} good deal Of good work, after
Ill; more thsn We have had ct any
time since the war, and more than
most sessions that We have had in
twenty years. The temperance Law
Will be held good or bad, according
to individual opinions Of the evils
Of intsmperapce, or the evils Of
repression Of individual liberty, &C
to individual inciinations
or habits, or national tas.s and
customs. But this may be said
for Il. in any case, that It Is an ex-
pertinent which may do much to
reduce the abomination of drunk
and, 1t It be found iniuri-
Gus may easily be amended. 1t is
unquestionably very severe, and
will work hardships, and serious
evils to many sober and respecta-
bic citizens who have thlir
capital invested in the nanufac-
ture or sale Of the inhibited liquors.
But it il equsiiy unquestionable
that it aims straight Ut ilightful
evil, and may cut OF the sources
Of many Of the worst crimes and
the cruelests suGerinxs Of society.
II it fails, it will be speedily repeal
ed. II il does not, It ought net to
be repealed. Time slone can de-
termine its value. But not 80 with
the amendment Of the divorce
Law. There . work of clean-cut,
unqualified good has been done,
not only for the morals of the State
but for its good name. After ten
years Of effort the blacklist blot on
our credit has been wiped ou'. If
n. thing 81 . had been done, thi.
would cntitle the regular session to
at least q lenient Judgement Of its
short comings The provision for
local taxation for the msintenancc
of longer school terms ~ smother
wise and timely act, as is the refus
al to increase the State levy, which
oppressee . few counties for the
bene6tof others whose indifference
to their educational interests enti,le
them TO no such consideration.
The increase Of salaries Of public
officers. especially OF judges, is .
good thing, though the addition
may not be distributed % fairly in
all cases 20 it might have been.
The reform of our criminal law, in
returning to the State the right to
close the argument before the jury,
and in gising the accused the priv
l1eRe Of testifying il he desires to,
is another wholesome act. In moth
ing does community need legis.a-
tive protection 90 much as in the
presecstioa Of crime. Morbid feel
ing and professional folly have
made trials too often little better
than farces, and the uncer tainty
OF punishment, especially OF muir
der, has multiplied offences fearful
IL. This reform is q long step
towards safe ground. Tho aboli :
ton Of the Office OF State Printer,
and the provision for the perfor-
nance Of tie work by contract,
though it.comes through an incl
dental act, will be very sure to cut
of the abuses which made the old
system 90 odioas. The change in
the system Of appraisements for
taxation is wholly good; SO is the
tax on foreign insurance comps
MES; and the provision in regard to
taxes in aid Of railroads.
Against these measures Of posi.
tive good mus: be set some failures
that We cannot but regard as seri-
oue; and acts worse than failures.
The additional asylum for the in
sanewas needed badly, and the
l.neglect to press tM the end of the
session WAS . blunder. The reduc-
ton Of the State tar was mistake,
| and We shall feed It before the next
Legislature meets. The provision
fora new State House 10 inadequate
though better thaa pothing. The
abolition Of the Common Pleas
| Courts We think will prove . great
/ error. We need more Courts in
stead OF fewer, and che need must
grow continually. The probate
i business Of the abelished Courts
/ ought to DO kept apart from tht
criminal aad ordinary civil bust
ness. Neglect Of It will be thu
almost inevitable eject Of anncxins
it with others. The increase o.
pay Of members Wa . sad blunder
No matter what caa be said OF th,
inadequacy Of the former compen
sation to men away from home
neglecting their private business
tue people will look at the fact tina
during the war aaA the hard timei
following it, whea every thing VA
dearer than now; and gold far high
or, The 0enbers we're content wit.
Eve, instead 0f eight, dollars . day
The addition has Q look Of the CARL
about it that 10 not pleasant. Takin,
the good with the bad, however
1 the session has aot been . useles
one. More might have been done
something wis .ly lett undone, bn
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