The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-10

because unseen and stealthy in their opera
ton, is beyond the reach OF state legislation
1t Is to be regretted that growing distaste ex-
lists In TOO many quarters against this nursery
OF virtue, this surest GUARANTY of comfort and
Independence, this sheet anchor of our COM
mon prosperity, as exhibited in The increas-
Ing nu nbers OF our youth who are crowding
the other professions TO seek a livelihood on
the accidents of human life
Inc true principles OF economy In the ad-
ministratiOn Of public affairs are essentially
the same as THOSE which obtain in individual
transactions. No expenditures should be in
necessary or useful, and then at the lowest
amount compatible with full and intrinsic
va ne and ample ability OF performance
Tested by this rule all unnecessary Offices il
any are found TO exist, should be abolished.
Public officers should be held 10 the stricteSt
accOun aOilIsy. Excessive legislation Is an evil
The increased burden thereby imposed upon
the treasury is but one of the evils growing
out OF it. The laws by frequent changes be-
come complex, vague and uncertain. This
units them in a great measure for being
known and safe rule of action in commune
". IL Is OF the greatest importance u the
welfare of the people that the laws should be
this purpose they should be natureiy consid-
cred in their inception and be. fully tested by
time and experience. This would tend great
ly 10 insure harmony and certainty in their
execution and check a fruitful source OF iiti-
CATION, which tends TO foment evil passions
10 excite social discord, and operates as a
heavy tax on the community.
Cheap transportation is a subject of great
importance TO the producing classes. Espe-
cially the local rates charged on railroads are
oppressive at all points except where there is
competition. 1t would be well 10 give il your
earnest consideration.
can n IT, on this occasion, suffer the subject
of our com mon school system TO pass without
superior, TO that of any other state in the
Union. See that ~ is managed in the interest
OF the rising generation.
You should guard the right Of suffrage and
shield this inestimable privilege against all
encroachments, whether exhibited in the
shape of fraud, illegal voting or lawless VIC
lence. Vain indeed is the establishment of
our free government. If such abuses are suf-
fered 10 exist. The ballot-box would, in that
which il the essential privilege of a republican
government. Illegal voting and frauds In
elections should be severely punished.
Article four, section five, of the constitution
of the state, reads as follows: "The number
of senators and representatives shall, at the
session next following each period of making
such enumeration, be fixed by law and-appor-
toned among the several counties according
TO the number OF white male inhabitants
ABOVE tWentN-0n years oil age IN each On the
18th day OF December, 1872, a bill passed by n
strict party vote, fixing the number of sena-
bly for six wears. The same be-
came law by the lapse of time,
December p, lS2. 1t failed TO receive
though he was member OF the dominant
party. / would not recommend the passage
| of an entirely new law. but would recommend
some amendments so as to do equal Justice to
all sections and injustice TO none.
We have just passed through one of the
most exciting and bitter.campaigns | have
| ever witnessed. None have had more bitter
ness and vi justifiable scandal heaped upon
their heads than myself. Notwithstanding all
this, / shall be pleased to co operate with you
| in any measure calculated TO make usa united,
JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
The governor was frequently interrupted
! by applause and remarks of approval, which
were especially demonstrative when he re-
ferred to illegal voting and the frauds of bal
steady voice with his head slightly
inclined, as Is habitual with him, and was APP
parently unmOved by silence or cheers. When
| iignant ISLANDERS that have been heaped upon
him. he raised his honest eyes from the man
| uscript and glanced over that vast audience,
and every one of them cheered. After Mr..
| Williams had taken his seat, amid prolonged
cheers, Mr.. Sexton stepped forward
Of office would be administered TO Mr.. Gray
| by Judge NiblacK, which was done. Mr.. Gray
| then delivered the following inaugural adj
| dress, glancing at his notes only occasionally
Lieutenant Governor Gray's Speech.
| SENAToRs-By virtue of the Office which the
people of Indiana have so generously con-
ferred upon me, il becomes my duty 10 pre-
| side over your deliberations. While shall
| approach the discharge of the duties with
| diffidence and concern, yet IL shall be my con-
| slant effort 10 so act in the discharge of the
various du. les of the office, that none viii be
| able TO charge me with partiality or prejudice.
1 Having had some experience as a presiding
| officer am not unaware of the difficulties
| surrounding my position, and therefore can
| not promise will commit no errors; that my
| rulings will always be In strict harmony
with parliamentary law, but do promise
attributable to myself shall spring from ignor-
| ance or misguided judgment and not from i'm
| proper motives. And / can not hope to sue
| cessfuly discharge the duties of the position
| without your kind cooperation, which most
earnestly request.
1t is not one OF the functions of my Office Ia
ndx~fCn At -. ~, - uNnNn rrfz-r
| recommendations In regard thereto. But
| presume ii will not be out of place for me tC
congratulate you upon the prosperous condi-
tion of the state and its institutions, and to
| say that Indiana to-day in all
things which constitute an American
state, educational or otherwise, stands
| as one among the brightest stars In the grand
| national galaxy Of the United States. The ad
| ministTation of state affairs for the past foul
| years has been marked by such prudence
| economy and intelligence that it has met with
| the approval ofthe people of the state and has
left its affairs in srch excellent condition thai
the duties of the legislator of the present ses
sion, aided by the advice and recommends
tons ofthe governor and state officers, WILL In
my Judgment, be easily performed.
Ii has been well said that there is not much
danger of erring on the side of too little law
the world Is governed too much; the danger
rather lies in too much law making; in the
passage of lily digeSted and unnecessary law
not demanded by the wants of the people, anC
therefore neither enforced nor observed.
The ability and intelligence of Legislative
body Is not measured By the number of its en-
actments but by the wisdom of them
In looking forward to the wori
before us IL will be well to remem
Der that we are but the servants o
the people, and therefore our duty
| is to serve them honestly and faithfully; TO
! give them wholesome, just and equal laws
and our undivided attention 10 the require
ments of our positions. Every day senator
is absent from his seat his constituents arr
without voice or vote on the floor OF the
senate. The places conferred upon us are no
only positions of honor and distinction, but o
responsibility and trust.
You are not only makers and repealers OF thu
7 | law, but guardians of the welfare of the PEG
pie, the constitution and state. And If we de
sire those who are soon to succeed us on life
stage of action TO be lovers of law and order
civil and religious liberty, defenders of the in