New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-07

they took up the appropriation DllS
The military bill violated absolutely no
of the State constitution, and subverted en-
tirely the scheme of government invented
by the trainers of that instrument. Ito pass
age would have been an act of revolution, in
evitably attended by civil war and coils.
ion with the government of the United
States. It had become manifest that the
Democratic members of tie Legislature
were determined to pass the bill at all haz-
ards. which would unquestionably have re.
suited in civil war. Icould not and would
not surrender my powers as Governor un-
der the constitution. nor could the govern
ment of the United States afford to have me
do SO, for the purpose Of the proceeding was
to neu.ra,ize the position OF Indiana in the
war, and to take ner out of the line OF the
loyal States northwest of the Ohio river. The
very tendency of the bill. and this avo we'd
purpose to pass it, caused the most intense
comment, and at once threatened the peace
and safety of the State. 1 could veto the
bill, but a simple majority could. pass it
nothing. The Republicans had barely
enough members in the House OF Represen-
tatives to break q quorum and break up the
Legislature. Consultations were held with
the Republican members of the Legislature
and leading Republican citizens from diff.
ferent parts of the State, who were sum-
moned for that purpose, and it was the de-
liberate judgement Of all, in which mine
fully concurred, that the passage OF the bill
would involve the State in civil war. The
Republican memb ers OF the House. there
fore, withdrew from the body to pre-
vent the final passage of the bill. All
the appropriation bills to carry on the
State government, except one to pay the per
diem and mileage OF the members, mad been
kept behind this military bill, SO that when
the Legislature adjourned there were no
appropriations mace for any civil or mill
tary purposes. There was plenty of money
in the State treasury, but it was locked
against me. I made an appeal to the people
of the State, setting forth the situation, and
asking them to furnish me with money to
carry on the State government, to support
the militia, and to organize troops for the
United States. The county commissioners
in the county of Marion, in which the CAPT
tai ia located. came forward and advanced
me $4,000 out Of the county treasury.
This example was followed by many other
road companies, and by Individuals until
large sum of money had been raised.
Under the constitution the Legislature
met but once in two years, unless convened
in extra session By the Governor, and the
next session in course would not begin until
January. 1865. After obtaining all the
money could from the counties and other
sources, l made a calculation and found
that would lack about $4,000 to carry
me through to January, 1867 and, to make
my position secure, I came to Washington
to see if I could not obtain the amount from
the government of the United States. After
careful review OF the situation by the
the President Mr.. L:ncoln) and Secretary
of War (Mr. StantOn), the President ad-
vanced me the sum of $250000. They both
agreed that Indiana was threatened with
rebellion, and that the condition of the
State came directly within the letter and
spirit of the act of Congress. approved
July 81, 1861. Mr.. Stanton declared to
the President with great emphasis that,
If Indiana lost ner position as loyal
State, the final success of the government
in suppressiDg the rebellion would be en-
dangered, anu that the government must
be sustained at whatever cost or hazard.
The history and character of the trans
action 10 shown by the following extract
from my annual message to the Legislature
of Indiana in January, 1863: Upon the
adjournment of the Legislature found my
self unproyided, with the exception of
small balance of military contingent fund,
with money or appropriation tor military
purposes. No regiments could be raised IN
der the acquisitions of the government,
work could not be carried forward without
the use of large sums of money. The Lee
giOn (militial had received no pay for their
services from the beginning of the war, and
the organic alton could not be successfully
continued unless payment was made and
the men reimbursed for their actual ex-
penditures, for which the appropriation for
the Legion fund. made in 1861, was made
Guate. The southern border was still dis
turbed by threats and danger of invasion,
and such steps were to be taken. if possible,
as would guarantee peace and security to
our people. In this dilemma determined
to apply to the President tor an advance
under an appropriation made by Congress
on the thirty-tirst Of July, 1861, which act
is in these words:
"Be it enacted By the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
in Congress assembled, that the
sum of $4,000, 900 be and the same is hereby
to be expended under the
direction of the President OF the United
States, in supplying and defraying the ex-
pcnse of Transporting and delivering such
arms and munitions of war as in his judg-
ment may 0e eXpedient and proper to place
in the hands OF any of the loyal citizens
residing in any of the States of which the
inhabitants are in rebellion against the gov
ornment of the United States, or in which
wise for defraying such expenses as may be
incurred in organizing, and sus-
aiming while so organized. any of said
citizens in companies. batta,io1s, regiments
Or otherwise, fer their own protection
against domestic violence, invasion or re-
oelIion.''
cater full consideration of the condi-
ion of affairs in Indiana, the President ad-
7anced to me as disbursing officer. out of
laid appropriation, the sum of $,50,O00. 1t
will be perceived that this money was not |
,aid to me a. loan to the State or an ad- |
7ance to the State upon debts due her from |
he general government, and creates no |
lebt against the State whatever, but that in |
heory 1t is an expenditure made by the |
resident through me rs his disbursing |
gent 1t has, however. been disbursed ex- |
luslvely in the name OF and for the benefit |
# the State in the payment Of the necessa-
y military expenses, for which the State |
hould have made ample appropriations. l
ave advanced to the paymasteT OF the |
tate forces az different times the sum of |
7l,G6l, for which the greater portion,
Owever, has been reimbursed to me by the
eneral government upon my filing in the
roper department the receipted pay rolls
t the Indiana Legion for services rendered |
q the war.
"For detailed account of the exxpendi.
ures of the military fund Of the Legislature
, referred to the financial report of the Hon.
'. H. II. Terrell financial secretary. which
, herewith submitted, and to vouchers on
le in this department.
Gan of these expenditures we're laid be-
ore the auditing committee appointed by
he late Legislature for examination, and
eceived their approval, as will be ehown
Y the report. had on hand on the first
t May, 1865, of the military fund, the sum
$ll5, 4S7, and the question is now present
q as to the proper method of settlement
18th the government for the fund. One of
wo ways may be adopted: First, by return.