The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-05-23

the bill at all hazards, which would un
questionably have resulted in civil wal
could not, and would not surrende
my powers as Governor, under th
Constitution; nor could the Govern
ment OF the United States afford b
have me do 80, for tho purpose OF tn
proceeding was to nsutralizs the posi-
tion OF Indiana in the war, and to TAX
her out OF the line OF loyal States north
west OF the Ohio River. The very ten
dency Of the bill, and the avowed pur
pose TO pass il, caused most intens,
ferment, and all ut once threatened th,
peace and safety of the State. / coult
veto the bill, but q simple majority
could pass it over the vote, 30 tha
would amount 10 nothing. The Re
publicans had barely enough member,
in the House of Representatives q
break quorum and to break up the
Legislature. Consultations were held
with the Republican members OF the
Legislature and the leading Republican
citizens from different parts Of the
State, who were summoned for that
purpose. and 1t VAS the deliberate judg
ment OF all, in which mine fully con.
CURED, that the passage Of the bill
would involve the State in civil war.
The Republican members Of the House
therefore Withdrew from the body TO
prevent the final passage of the bills to
carry on the State government, except
one to pay the per diem and mileage ol
members, had been kept behind this
military bill, so that when the Legisla
ture adjourned there were no appropri.
tions made for any civil or military
purposes. There was plenty OF money
in the State treasury, bat il was locked
against me. 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 organize troops for the United
States. The County Commissioners in
the county Of Marion in which the cap.
ital is located. came forward and sd-
yanced me $500. 900 out OF the county
treasury. This example was followed
by many other counties in the State
and by several banks, railroad com.
panys and by individuals, until q 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 the course would
not Legin till January, 1866. After OBJ
tanning all the money could from the
counties, and other sources, / made q
calculation and found that would lack
about $3.50, 900 to carry me through to
January, 1865, and TO make my posi-.
tion secure, came to Washington TO soc
il could not obtain that amount from
the Government Of the United States.
After a careful review Of the situation
by the President (Mr. Lincoln) and the
Secretary OF War (Mr Stanton) the
President advanced me the sum of $3.50,
900. They both agreed that Indiana
was threatened with n rebellion, and
that the condition Of the State came
directly within the letter aud spirit OF
the act Of Congress, approved July 81 st
1861. Mr.. Stanton declared to the
President with great emphasis that il
Indiana lost her position as a loyal
State, the final success of the Govern
ment in suppressing the rebellion would
be endangered, and that the Govern.
meut must be sustained at whatever
cost or hazard. The history and char
acter OF the transactions are shown by
the following extract from my ANIMAL
message to the Legislature OF Indiana
"In January, 1868, upon the adjourn.
ment OF the Legislature found myself
unprovided, with the exception OF O
small balance Of tho Military Contin.
gent Fund. With no money or appro'
priation for military purposes, no regi'
ments could be raised under the requi.
sition OF the Government; work could
not be carried forward without the use
OF large sums OF moneys; the Legion
(militia) had received no pay for thsil
services from the beginning OF the war
and the organization could not be sue
csssfully continued unless payment
was made and the men reimbursed FOL
their actual expenditures, for which the
appropriation for the Legion Fund
made in 1861 was inadequate. TIL,
Southern border was still disturbed by
threats and the danger OF invasion, and
such steps were be taken, il possible
as to guarantee peace and security Il
onr people. In this dilemma, / deter
mined to apply 10 the President for ar
advance, under an appropriation mad,
! w SOukItrT Oil TIC Olbt VI SuiNs iNN u
which act is in these words:
Be- IL enacted by the Senate and House q
| Representatives OF The United States OF Amer
lea, In Congress assembled, That the ,um O
~ .0oo, 600 be and the same ls hereby aPprO
priatcd 10 be expended under the dlreci lon o
the President Of the United States. In ,Hpply
Ing aud defraying the expenses Of Transport
Ing and delivering such arms and inunItion
OF war as In his judgment may b, rxpedieu
and proper 10 place In a.. hands of any Of th
loyal citizens residing IN .asy Of Ihr states O
which the Inhabitants are rebel i1n agaips
the Government OF the ni cd States, or i
which the rebellion Is, or may be threatened
and likewise for the defraylHg OF such expeu
es as may be properly incurred In organlzin
aud sustaining. while 80 organized, any @
the said citizens In companies, battalion,
regiments or otherwise, for their own proteC
ton against domestic violence, Invasion, q
! rebellion.
"After a full consideration Of Tia
condition Of affairs in Indiana, th
President advanced to me, rs a dis
bursing officer, out OF the said apprc
priation the sum Of $3.50, 900. II vii
be perceived that this money was nc
paid TO me rs loan to the State CT al
advance TO the State upon debts du
her from the General Government, an,
creates no debt against the State wha,
ever. but that in theory 1t is an exper
diture made by the President. throug
me as his disbursing agent II Ia,
however, been disbursed exclusively
the name OF and for the benefit OF th
State in the payment of necessary mil
tary expenses, for which tue Stat
, should have made ample appropris
tions. have advanced 10 the payma,
, ter OF the State forces at different time
the sum OF sl7l,6Gl, for which th
: greater portion, however. has been n
! imbursed 10 me 10y the General Go,
ernment upon my fling in the props
department the receiptel pay rolls &
the Indiana Legion, for services rel
dered in the war. For n detailed q,
count OF the expenditures OF the fun
: the Legislature is referred 10 the fnaI
cisl report Of Hon. w. II. III. Terril
I financial secretary, which is herewii
submitted, and 10 the vouchers on ii
I in this department All OF these e
; Ipenditures were laid before the Audi
> ing Committee, appointed by the la
y Legislature, for examination aud r
. ceived their approval. as will be show
/ by the report. had IN hand on II
4 lst OF May, 1865, Of the military fun
: thesum Of sil5, 49,. the question is no
: presented as TO the proper method
9 settlement with the Government 4
e the fluid. One Of two may be adopte
a First, 10y returning TO the Governme
e the balance VI the fund unexpende
y aud by settling With it for the amou
q expended M on the vouchers Of expe
e litures after the same shall have be,