The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-20
THE VETO MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT., Feb. II, 1888.
Gentlemen of the Senate-I respectfully re-
turn to the Senate, with my objections, Senate
bill No l. entitled "An act providing for the bet
ter government and management of the Hospital
for the Insane, the Asylum for the Blind
and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb re-
pealing all laws parts OF laws in conflict there
with, and declaring an emergency" The power
Of the Governor to appoint trustees for the three
benevolent institutions-the Hospital for the In
sane, the Institution for the Education of the
Blind and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb
was conferred by the act of March 6, 1879, re-
organizing these institutions. But one Lssisla-
ture has interviewed since the passage eff this act
The Legislature that passed 1t deemed the neces-
SLY so strong Tor the provision transferring
from itself the executive the power of an
pointing trustees that it did not allow the presi-
dent of the board OF trustees and two
had then two years TO run, to serve
ont any part of the residus of their terms. The
reasons of the legislature for desiring TO trans
fer this power from itself to the Governor are
not difficult 10 understand. The sessions of the
Legislature are limited by the constitution TO
sixty days Except when some extraordinary
duty is devolved upon il, such as revising the
whole body of our laws, the time is sufficient
when the Legislatures IN condition. to address
itself with earnrstness to it's legitimate work
But to perform the duties intrusted to it within
the time limited and 70 frame wise laws, tGe I'M
interrupted and deliberate attention OF mem
hers OF the legislative bodies Is of
course imperatively necessary That attention
cannot be given when the Legislature con verts
Itself into a body for the distribution of offices
q n time is necessarily consumed every day in
he Hobbies of the House and elseWhe in
listening to the solicitations of candidates and
their friends The inevitable effect is distrac-
ton from duties incumbent upon themselves
and q great waste of time. II is also we'll
known that when the LEGISLATURE makes itself "a
direct agency for bestOWing office, party spirit
always runs so high that the greater portion of
It's time is spent in useless political cnntrover-
sizes, to the great detriment OF the nusiness
which its membeIs were elected TO discharge.
These may well he supposed to have been the
considerations which induced the Legislature in
1879 to change the law to what il is now The
chief complaint of the people against orr laws
Is that they are so unstable. The people DO not
zee why the laws shnuld be changed 50 often
that plain men can never be certain what the
laws are, and arc obliged to resort 10 n profess
sionai class to learn what they are on the
simplest subjects. 1t is wise rule not to change
law until evil consequences from it are sensibly
felt.
1t is claimed by the friends of the bill now re-
turned that the present law. which it ia intend
ed TO replace, has thus far worked we'll If
under it, the Governor nomlnates for trustees
persons unsatisfactory To the Senate, that body
can refuse to confirm the mountainous ana mt
upon him the responsibility OF nominating
others whom thri may ultimately approve. II
he omits to 40 50, the inenmhents will construe
TO hold their places. The people VIII therefore
perceive no satisfactory reason why, in four
years after the passage of the present law il
should be replaced by the law which the Legisla-
.ure in 1879 condemned
The power of appointing to office Is not one to
Je coveted by the executive. To a sensitive
mind the disappointment inflicted upon many
qualification of giving to successful few In
arguing in favor OF the law as 1t now is feel
that can speak therefore in AN impersOna way
Tor what is best for the public and not for what
S2uid be most agreeable to the appointing
afficer. ALBERT a PoRTrR
On motion, by Mr. Brown, the message was
made the special order for Wednesday at 10
o'clock.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONTEST.
Mr. VOyles, from the committee on elections
'opmitted another minority report, reciting that
jhe supplemental charges OF bribery are posi-
ply NOS sustsinea by sufficient facts to unseat
senator Overstreet, but that the whole proof is
sufiiclent cause for unseating him, and for seat.
ing Mr.. Johnson.
GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL
The Leutenant-gOveTnor announced the spe-
,ial order being the consideration of the general
appropriation bill.
Mr. Magee moved to make office expenses of
The CLERK of the Supreme Court $500.
IL was agreed TO.
Mr.. Bundy moved to increase the apprepria-
ten for the Fishery Commission froiu $1,000
to $1,000 lie has information that the present
s1sn commissioners spent more during the past
year Than the appropriation. N we Ia have
ILLS most benehcient institution Of the State, it