The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-21


wise and impolitic. Before signing the bill
1 examined it with all the care the time al
lowed would permit. / called TO my assist
snce two of the ablest lawyers of the state.
and / came to the conclusion that its pro-
visions were not in violation of the constitu-
ton. 1t was not a case OF hasty or inconsid-
crate legislation. 1t was deliberately con-
sdered In both branches OF the legislature.
Believing the bill to be constitutional and
that il expressed the deliberate Judgment
and will of the legislature. it was my duty
TO sign it. / believe the veto power is
con erred to arrest unconstitutional and
hasty legislation and legislation in deroga
ton of fundamental aud essential rights
such as the equality of repre-
sentation, and not to enable the governor to
oppose his opinions 10 tho g of the peoples
immediate representatives upon questions of
mere policy, or police regulation. That law
has not received the popular support neces-
sary to make it efficient. lt has encountered
de- ermined hostility on the part of those en-
gagged in the liquor business; and for many
months extreme temperance people in a
very extraordinary manner have shown an
unwillingness to abide by its provisions.
Propositions will be brought before the
next legislature for the material modification,
or repeal. of the law. What legislation shall
take its place? Our Supreme Court has de-
clared absolute prohibition to be uncon-
stitutional, and experience, believe, aas
shown it to be impracf icable. 1t then only
remains to regulate the traffic.
Any useful law must rest upon the propo-
sition that there are serious evils to So
ciety and to individuals connected with the
traffic in intoxicating liquors, which it is the
province of law to restrain and prevent
Sales should not be made to boys: and, il
necessary to prevent it, the boy who mis-
represents or conceals his age to obtain
liquor. should be punished as well as the
party who knowingly sells to him. Drunk
enness should be punished as well as selling
to 'he intoxicated. All sales should be for
hidden when the public peace or safety
quires it; and, like other pursuits, it should
be suspended in the night time. Perhaps
the hour now fixed is unnecessarily and
inconveniently early, but society should be
protected from the disturbances and blood
shed incident to the traffic in the middle of
the night.
think it might properly be considered
whether difference in regulation could not
safely be made for the sale of vinOus and
malt liquors and the stronger and more
great difference in the evils that result from
their use.
THE LICENSE SYSTEM.
With these and such other provisions as
may seem reasonable and necessary, think
experience iustifies the adoption of the Ii
cense system. The amount required for the
license in each case should be greater than
heretofore. 1t should be sufficient to make
the party selling feel that his interest is
identified with that of society in preserving
order and good conduct ar his place OF busl-
ness, and avoiding all violations of law This
policy will bring large revenue into the
school fund and will prove more efficient in
suppressing the evils of intemperance than
the present system. L cannot appreciate
the objection that by receiving license fee
society uses money received from an i'm
hQ Law no
state grants the per NIT and declares the
business lawful. Under policy which we
have long maintained every violation of our
criminal law that is punished by fine adds
to the school fund. No law upon this sub
jet can be useful unless supported by pub
lie opinion in its favor The wise legislator
co Insiders the weakness as we'll as the
strength, the follies as we'll as the wisdom OF
man, and adapts the laws to his real wants
and necessities.
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The recently constructed republican state
platform appeals "with pride'' to its fidelity
to duty; to its freedom from faint or suspi
ciOn: to its reforms; to its resistance TO
wrong, and its exposure of it's faithless and
dishonest agents Was ever so bold an ap-
peal made to the credulity of mankind? Did
the authors really suppose they could i'm
pose upon anv voter by such an appeal? Is
Williams not still the Acknowledgement? Is
Moses not now the governor OF South Caro-
lima, with the indictment for penitentiary
crime upon him? Are the district judges
not still in Office, against whom proceedings
for impeachment were instituted? Does the
Louisiana crime against Republican institu-
tons not remain unrebuked? And are
the guilty parties not now in the enjoyment
of the fruits of the crime?-a crime so odious
as to make a republican senator denOunce
it a. a 'cloud upon the fair pame of our ma
ton" And when public opinion compelled
the secretary of the treasury To resign his
Office because of his connection with the
Sanborn frauds was ha not that same week
made Judge of the court OF claims for life
and confirmed by the senate?
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The platform also declares the party pride
over the investigation of the. abuses in the
District of Columbia because it shows that
they do not want the spoils of Office. When
did they decline the SIP ills of Office? Intol-
Grant and proscriptive, they allow none to
share in the honors and profits of public po-
sition unless they bend the knee in devotion
to the party. The vast expenditures must
pass into the pockets of their partisans and
no man can tell what sums thus pass wrong
fully. 1t has no precedent in our history.
In February, 1871, the District of Columbia
was placed under new form of government
The governor, board of public works and
many other officers, and one branch Of the
legislature we're appointed by the president,
and confirmed by the senate, and the more
numerous branch of the legislature was cho-
sen by the people in districts. If capable of
maintaining good government, the opportu-
nifty was most favorable. Under the eye of
the president and his cabinet, with
party in such majority as to ex-
clude all others, none could hinder;
they had their way and developed
their tendency. But partially, favoritism
and corruption soon had sway without re-
straint and i'm three years the debt of the dis
trict exceeds twenty millions of dollars.
The burthen became too great for the party.
Corruption and failure were admitted. Be-
fore the world, they conceded that in the
national capital, with officers appointed by
the president and senate or elected by their