The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-18
THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
The Transactions of the ONCE for the Year
Various Facts and Suggestions.

The annual report of the Hon. John Z. Nen
secretary of state, was submitted 10 his excel
lency, Governor Williams, yesterday. II
shows that during the year there have been
issued and attested proclamations, IS war.
rants, ~ acquisitions, l03 pardons, 80 remis
sions, 9 communications, 2 respites, 5SS commits.
sons to state, Judicial and county officers, ,So1
commissions to justices of peace and SlI COM
mis- ions TO notaries public.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
The statistics furnished by Chas. p. Hutch
inson, clerk of the bureau, show the total
cost of printing, binding and stationery tor
the state for the two years ending June 80,
1871, was s4i,O9l.S. This makes the total
amount for three years and four months since
the present system was adopted. s5S,567.5i.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS.
The report also contains a statement in
reference TO the payment of internal improve
ment bonds, and the action OF the board
created by the act of December, 1872,
for the redemption of internal improvement
bonds in relation to the payment OF bono No.
representing the parties owning the same.
The question of the payment OF interest oc-
curing, the board refused TO allow certain
rate OF interest claimed by the holders of the
bond, and rendered another rate, WHICH was
refused. Upon this action OF the board suit
was instituted and is still pending in the SUI:
this suit viii govern the rate of interest On "a
other bonds held by the same parties.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report contains a full and complete re-
port of the sale OF public lands IN accordance
with an act approved March IL, 1875, which
authorizes the governor. secretary and treas
urer of state to sell and convey certain lands
belonging to the state of Indiana.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE LAWS.
The secretary recommends some change in
the distribution of laws, and also a system for
the more thorough distribution OF the acts of
the legislature.
AN INTERESTING CASE.
An account of the action of the governor,
secretary and treasurer, VINO were appointed
by joint resolution 10 examine the claim of
BENTON county for reimbursement for the ex-
IN sae
the murder of VIM. e. Morgan is given, reports
OF which case have appeared from
asout June %e lss5 'P Mocu nIe%sRapers
former resident OF Henry county, Indiana,
while travelling through Benton county with
body in a pond. On December 70, 1867, the
skeleton OF Morgan was found, and upon the
suggestion of Governor Baker the sum of
s22y.l5 was expended In procuring an indict-
ment upon which Mccullough was arrested
and confined In the Jail OF Benton county,
wherce he escaped February Is, 1873. Neither
the murderer nor his victim had any relatives
residing i'm Benton county, and the commits
sioners, believing that the state would reim-
burSe the county, offered a reward for for
was effected, and he was tried
and sentenced to the state prison for life, fur
ther extraordinary expenses being incurred
in the trial. The board recommend that the
legislature allow certain of tn. Sc expenses
amounting in the aggregate to ss73.70.
ANOTHER ARBITRATION.
The action of the same arbitrator in over
ruling the claim of j. III. Vrydaugh, architect
OF the state normal school at Terre Haute, is
also recounted.
RECOMMENDATIONS RENEWED.
The secretary repeats the recommendations
heretofore made by him.
1. That the indexing and proof reading
Of the house and senate journals be done un-
der the supervision of this ofi1ce. 1t would
prevent much unnecessary delay and largely
reduce the expense.
2. That some provision be made for the
records of all articles of associations filed In
this Office. 1t is impossible TO prevent instru-
ments of this kind from being abstracted from
the files, and the only remedy for their pres
ervation is TO have them recorded.
8. The establishments of q bureau OF statistics
In this Office, and ask acareful consideration
Of the bill presented In my report OF lS6.