The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-01-16
The Governors Message.

Governor Williams regular annual
message was given to the Legislature
last Friday. We have not room for
the message in full, and a synopsis
will perhaps be read by more than
would read the entire article. The
Governor starts out by welcoming
the members OF the Legislature, and
declaring his intention 10 aid them in
the discharge OF their duties so far as
it is in his power. He next refers 70
the nine amendments to the constitu-
ton Troposed at the last session, and
recommends that action be taken on
them Immediately. He then calls the
attention of the Legislature to the
criminal laws, believing that they
may be revised with advantage TO
the people, an tells the assembly
that the act providing for the cleo
ton OF wnship officers contains con-
hcting provisions which must be liar
monized by them. He then occupies
considerable space 10 talking about
his duties and the duties Of the Leg
islature, refers to the annual reports,
has great deal more to say than il
necessary in regard to the use OF the
militia, and talks about a fair appor-
lionment OF the State into Legisla-
tive and Congressional districts; also
recommends the adoption OF a sui;a
Bile rnilitia law, which the Legislature
should heed. In discussing the be-
nevolent institutions, the Governor
shows good sense, and the deaf and
dumb Institutions should, we think,
be enlarged to accommodate that un-
fortunate class in accordance with
his recommendations. He calls at
State universities. declaring that the
higher education Of the State costs
more than it ought to cost, and thinks
that. as the pupils OF the Normal
school attend il to qualify themselves
as teachers, and enable them the bet
ter to make living, there is no good
reason why they should not pay a
reasonable tuition fee. He thinks
that the same rule should apply to
the State universities, and that the
Law authorizing each county to send
two students free OF charge to each OF
the universities should be repealed.
The Legislature is next asked to give
the financial report OF the State Board
OF Agriculture their careful attention.
bat the Governor does not cay what
he thinks they ought to do in the
matter.
Governor Williams Lext gives a
kind of general history OF our State
prisons. with all the statistics 10 be
derived from the reports. and tells
the Legislature what he believes TO
be their duty in regard 10 furnishing
moro room and better accommodate
tions for the prisoners. In regard TO
the new State House, he recommends
that the means tc complete it be pro-
vided as fast as they are needed. He
recomm nds the passage OF "a law re
ducing all fees and salaries In accord
ance with the times. He thinks the
Judicial system needs careful consid-
alton; that too much Of the time of
CTrcuFt Courts 70 occupied With suits
for small sums, and recommends that
the jurisdiction OF Justices OF the
Peace be enlarged. The Governor
closes his message by urging the As
sembly to consider all these matters
at an early day, and hopes that no
important business will be left until
the last days OF the session, when the
confusion Incident to its close will
Involve errors that the members will
afterwards regret.