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


having candidates 10 be voted for.
- Voting places 30 numerous, and the pre-
clncts 80 small In respect 10 the voting pOpu-
lntion, that al who offer 10 vote mas be
known by the people OF the neighborhoOd as
az. A reasonable period OF residence in the
election precinct as n qualification TO vote, 50
that persons may not pretend residence not
real, In fraud of the law.
You will find an amendment OF the second
article Of the constitution necessary TO enable
the legislature 10 prescribe such period Of
residence. The constitution wisely provides
for Its own amendment, by convenient and
economical proceeding, which renders II I'M
necessary TO throw upon the people the ex-
pense of n convention, and avoids the pos
sibility OF changes not desired by them.
80. The exclusion OF money, as an influence
and power from the elections. III i'm the con-
tests for power money shall become stronger
than the people, we viii have the worst gov
eminent possible. IL will be a reproach 10 us
all, when wealth can buy what the Hottest
lstalent ana the purest virtue can not attain
Most OF the states have now adopted the
Tuesday next after the first Monday in No
ysmber as the time for their general election.
Our general elections should take place at the
same time need not give the reasons. They
are obvious. recommend that, without any
delay, you take steps for the amendment OF
the constitution 50 that our elections shah
occur NJ the same time as In the other states,
and so MS 10 require a residence OF at least
sixty days in the election precinct as a quail
hcation TO vote.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
have been asked by a large number OF the
most eminent men or the medical profession
OF this state 10 call your attention TO the i'm
portance ofproviding by law for the establish
nent of a state board OF health. For the pres
ent the cost need not be considerable, perhaps
not exceeding $1,000 per annum, whilst the
benefits may be made very great. The object
of such a board would be TO make intelligent
inquiry into the causes affecting the health OF
the people in the different localities OF the
state, and 10 collect and utilize information
on that subject. and to collect, arrange and
preserve statistical information in relation TO
the effects OF particular employments, condi-
tions, habits, circumstances and local in
huences upon the general health. Many OF
the states have established such boards. and
with good results. The legislation in the state
of Michigan and the reports made by the
board of that state give satisfactory infOrna-
ton i'm relation both 10 the plan and the adj
vantages OF the organization. 1 ask your at
tention TO this subject.
INSURANCE.
In September, 1870, and again IN September
1876, appointed John A. Finch, ESQ., as Spe-
cial commissioner TO represent this state i'm the
National Convention of Insurance Commits
sloners. lie accepted the appointment with
am gratified 10 be able TO say that he occupied
nc, eonspic,uous position in both conventions.
jim such legislative measures as viii make them
more secure under their policies. The extent
of their interest is shown In the fact that dur
Ing the two years from July 4, 1874, to July l.
1876, the premiums paid TO companies outside
this state amounted 10 S30l0,956.S9, a sum ex-
ceeding three dollars for every person i'm the
state and that the sums received from the same
companies during that period upon their poll
cies amounted 10 S3,07g,9l7.6S. In the conven-
lions Mr.. Finch gave special attention 10 the
proposition that Insurance policies should be
made more reliable and valuable TO the in
sured; and ask your attention to his report
and your consideration of the iegisIafive nes.-
sures which he recommends.
The business In the supreme court has so in
creased that IL is impossible for the judges TO
tice shall be administered aspeedilv and Urifh
FnOrmOna u1f.il NV
the judges is shown In the fact that the deci-
sions made during the past six years MI
twenty volumes of reports cover period of
forty-three years. If a remedy can be pro
vided it should be done. The long delay ofjus-
court might provide a remedy in part by a
modification of its rules so as 10 strip the legal
questions of the voluminous records of facts
In many cases, perhaps in most cases, IL would
be quite sufficient If the record presented the
questions of law that arose on the trials and
the ruling of the court thereon, with a state
ment that the evidence made the same mate
rial. Such a provision by law, by rule of
court, would greatly relieve the court. / ask
your attention TO this subject.
herewith report all cases of reprieve, COM
mutation and pardon which have granted
during the past two yeaTsand all cases OF fines
and forfeitures which have RENTED, with a
statement of the facts and considerations
which have governed me in each case. The
increase in the number OF prisoners has in
creased the number TO whom IL was nv duty
to extend executive clemency.
In my message two years ago il was nv
duty to refer 10 the invasion by military force
of free representative government In the state
OF Louisiana asked your predecessors. 'to pro-
crime to be detested and not precedent to be
respected" An outraged public opinion COM
PEELED partial correction of that wrong. Ii is
my duty now TO refer to a similar outrage in
the state of South Carolina. Although il was
the constitutional right of each branch Of the
Legislature of that state, without hindrance,
to meet and to judge of the qualifications and
election of its own members, yet, in the recent
Of 81.
members were required TO enter the state
house between armed men, and were admit
ted or refused at the pleasure of those who had
no legal right or authority to interfere, but
who were supported by the troops of the
United states Members duly chosen We're re-
were admitted. Not even the preteXt of do
nestle violence can be urged as IN apology for
of civil authority by military power and an
unmitigated wrong against the people of that
state and ofthe whole country. Accompany
was the interposition by a federal judge, sup
ported by the military, to overawe the state
judiciary and defeat its Judgment upon ques-
tions resting wholly upon local and state law.
The constitutional and independent author
ity of state courts and legislatures is en-
dangered, IL not now supported by patriotic
and liberty loving sentiment so strong among
the people that party and partisans dare not
defy II.
During the four years of my administration
our state has not been VIII ny free fpom domes-
tic troubles. The public peace on more than
one occasion has been threatened. Strong
bodies of men, moved by some real or sup
poseo wrongs, have Threatened to assert and
vindicate their rights, wholly independent of
the remedies and proceedings provided by law.
In no instance has the authority and power Of
the United States been invoked against them.
But in every instance have the people pre-
served the public peace and maintained the
authority OF the state and the supremacy Of
her laws. A people so careful of their own in
situations, and so capable Of preserving them
and of maintaining the constitutional rights
and prerogatives of their own state govern
ment can not be indifferent W hen other states
threatened with overthrow, the de-
struction of rights and privileges, without
which no free state can exist.
In the summer of 1875 disastrous and
precedented floods destroyed property in our
state of immense value. and left behind them