The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-01-12

with respect TO the cheapest ana most appro-
pirate site should be accepted. The Sentinel
is hardly of opinion that the comfort !
and happiness of this class of patients would
be best subserved by large institution
of character sirlilar to the present hospital
for the insane situated in such narrow
quarters and in such close proximity to a
great city. The question is an intricate one,
however, ap1 the present Is no time for its
discussion.
The penSl and reformatory institutions of
The state ere described as prosperous, and
the only criticism made is that ex-
pressing disapprovsl OF the contract
system of the state prison south, which
as nov in operation, brings convict
labor, hired out to contractors at cheap
rate, into ruinous competition with the me-
chanics of Jacksonville.
During the year the governor has had to
make use of the militia of the state in sup
pressing disorder, and has consequently been
made painfully aware ofthe fact that it needs
a thorough reorganization,
No subject has occupied more of the atten-
ton of the state press for some time past
than the proposed erection of a new state
house. The governor expresses himself
strongly in favor of building a capitol
which shall in some degree represent the
wealth and greatness of the state as we'll as
afford suiiable accommodations for the state
officers and the legislature. On such
theme no great argument is needed. It is
about time to cease carrying on the business
of the commonwealth of Indiana in
| Il. -
house and Is destitute of accommodations
for a meeting of village trustees. On two
other matters connected with state politics
the governor is equally outspoken. The first
Is the infamous apportionment of the state
made by the last legislature, for partisan
purposes and without regard to Justice or
the rights of the people of the various dis
tricts. " The inequality among many
counties" says the governor, ais obvious and
gross The nature of the fraud he de-
tailed fully in one of his speeches during he
last campaign, and DO honest man can hest
tate TO adopt his recommendation TO repeal
the law if its repeal be possible under the
constitution. The second important sub
ject of state politics on which a reform is
suggested is the temperance legislation Of
two years ago. The system then inaugu-
rated the governor pronOunces inefficient on
account of its want of harmony with public
sentiment, and he therefore urges the revis-
ion and reformation of the legislation then
adopted. His sentiments are in accord with
those of Gov. Dix of New York, Gov. Bsgley
OF Michigan and all leading statesmen who
have considered the subject. He says:
In the discharge Of that duty, you Will assume
that there are evils TO society and to individuals
connected with the traffic in intoxicating liquors
which IL is the province of law 10 restrain and
drunkenness should be punished as well as sell
ing to the intoxicated and the minor who mis-
sb,itId be nunisbed as we'll a. The person Who
knowingly sci y to him. Sales should be
forbidden when the public peace or safety re-
quireS IL. Like other pursuits, il should be
pended after a reasonable hour IN the night, 30
as to avoid the disturbances incident 10 the
to buy whenever IL is made unlawful to sell, and
the punishment should be iehicted upon the
purchaser as well as the seller. l recOmRle nd
THAT a II asonabe TAX or license fee be imposed.
II should be higher than heretofore aud subject
to forfeiture OF the license for disregard of the
law. That policy will bring large revenue into
the school fund, Il so directed and at the same
time Identify the interests of the party selling
with that OF society in preserving order and
good conduct 81 his place of business suggest,
for your consideration, whether it is not prac
tleaele 10 make difference OF regulation in re-
spect to the sale of vinous and malt liquors end
the stronger and more Intoxicating drinks.
There IL great difference In the evils thGt re-
suit from their
In the opening of this article ii was said
that the message Of the governor was, except
in a single instance, e business-like docu-
ment, dealing only with the affairs of the
state. The fact that the general character of
the message is thus plain and home-like,
makes the single deviation from its general
| tenor all the more remarkable. Mr.. Ken-
bricks was startled out of his quiet con-
sideration of facts and figures in regard
! to thestate expenditures, schools, asylu ms
and prisons, by the announcement that
united States soldiers had,entered the legis-
lativehalls of the commonwealth of Louisi--
ana and, at the beck OF a usurper, had cast
out the duly elected representatives of the
people. In a flush of honest indignation at
| the thought of such en- outrage ne added to
bis peaceful message, frsught with details
Of home concerns, ringing protest
against the villainy that has been
committed under the auspices of the
administration. No better or more manly 1
conclusion could be conceived of. The chief
executive OF great state could conclude his
address to it's legislature in no nobler strain.
There was ONCE a day, perhaps, when such
utterances were mere useless display, but
the pressure Of the present times, sad to say,
demand them, and the Sentinel is glad TO re-
peat to its readers the governors warning
words:
had in tended to restrict thts,eommunication |
to subjects that are of special interest the !
state of Indi ma, and had written all intended
to say when it became known to the country |
that free representative government he'd been |
hrnlxar a InElfgiQnQ m
tary violence. It Is fundamental light and /
essential TO free Institutions that a legislative /
body shall be the Judge OF the qualifications,
elections and returns OF It's ewn membsr It is |
declared in our constsI uIion of the United States
and in the constitution of Louisiana. It's exelu-
sive and no power, not even the judiciary, can |
Interfere with or question It, 1t is a prero sattve