The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-06

mo thVi AhC nv Va 1901 HtNul7 W NAV q
intended rather 10 Set on foot an lnielll-
gent investigation into the best means Of re-
storing our mmy fishing streams and of
preventing a renewal of the reprehenstble prac-
tees by which they have been Impoverished,
than to provide an efficient plan for supplying
these streams, or to prevent a wantpn or thought
less depOpulatlOn of them. The business OF tsn-
ing, If oar fishes were undisturbed IN the spawn
Ing season, would soon become IL profitable IN
Gustry, and would give employment to many
citizens. A most wholesome and nutritious food
would soon be made abundant The temprra-
ture OF our streams and lakes, and their purity,
adapt them TO a great variety of fishes. The
black blass which multiply SO rapidly when their
pawning grounds are undi-turbed tnaU arJti-
claI propagation Is never necessary, Is native TO
our streams. The carp can he successfully aud
lnexpenslvely cultivated. 1t has been described
ny Professor Baird, the United States Fish Com
missioner, as being emphatically a farmers fish,
on account of requiring little more care than his
swine or poultry. II Indiana has Jagged some
what behind IA majority of her sister States III
providing for restocking her nearly numherless
streams and the beautiful lakes which abound
near ier northern border, Shall she not make up
Tor time neglected by a prompt adoption OF the
best methods, by the passage of wise protective
laws, and ny a resolute spirit on the part Of her
Inhabitants TO secure their enforcement
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS.
The Department OF Statistics, separated by the
last General Assembly from the Department of
Geology, has been conducted with zeal and en-
ergy, and has collected statistics on a variety of
su2jectso of general popular interest. Its monthly
crop reports have beeu received with much faVcr
by farmers and dealers in produce. 1t has, dur
ing the past year, organized IA corps of efficient
weather observers, who have reported monthly
to the head of the department their daily ohseT-
vatiOns. These reports, having been transmitted
regularly to the office of the Signal Service at
Washington, have been commended for their
fullness and accuracy. and they are contributing
10 the stock of Knowledge which Will gradually
enable sklllful observers TO make longer and more
accurate forecasts of the weather. The corps
has been equinped with a small outfit of instru-
InentS by the United STATES Signal Service. but
has served without any compensation.
The report of the Commissioners is so replete
with information of general value, that lt will,
no doubt, be examined by YOU with interest, and
aid you in some parts CT the work of legislation.
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY.
The report OF the State Geologist mas attracted
much attention among scientists on account Of
its bringing TO light new organic remains found
among the rocks of the State, and on account of
surface discoveries of a novel and important
character. His tests of Indiana building stone,
showing the superior quality thereof with re-
spect to the important features of endurance
and elasticity, have opened new markets for the
stone and much increased the sale thereof. Beds
of gravel have also been found by him, at places
where the existence OF such deposits had not he
fore been suspected, which are furnishing ma
teral Tor improved roads. me state seolo@lcaI
cabinet has been increased during the past year
ny an addition, with trtfing expense, OF more
than forty Thousand interesting aud valuable
specimens. New coal deposits nave also been
discovered and public attention directed 70 them,
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
This board was established by an act of the
last General Assembly. Twenty-six States had
previously established Ike boards. The work of
the board has been prosecuted with zeal. Its
report, and the report OF its executive officer,
give IL full statement of the work done since IL
entered upon the discharge of It's duties.
ArroRYEY-GENERAL's REPORT.
The large collections made by the Attorney
general OF moneys received by various officers,
which were payable to the State, but had been
withheld, and the result of important suits in
which the State has been Interested, as well as
the condition Of pending suits, are shown by his
I report. The litigation involving the title to the
valuable tract of land near indianapolis. pur-
chased many years since as n site for tn House
OF Refuge, but not used as Sucn, consisting Of an
hundred acres, has been decided in favor of the
State, and the state has quiet possession Of the
land.
PUBLIC PRINTING.
BY Il reference to the report of the Secretary
of State, it will be seen that a deficiency has ex-
listed for several years in the appropriations for
public printing. The work is done for "A fair
price, but the cost of what necessarily must be
done exceeds somewhat the sums appropriated.
In this connection [ beg IL call your attention
to the fact that the law should define with more
precision what printing shall be pald for out of
the general appropriation.
THE STATE MILITIA.
Attention is called with pleasure to the ener-
getic and successful efforts OF the Adiutant-
general to increase the numbers and improve
the discipline of our active militia. The en-.
campment held at indianapolis last summer, at
which some of the most prominent militia com
panies of tine country engaged i'll a competition
for prizes with our own companies, and with one
another, drew to 1t a vast number OF interested
spectators, gave a renewed impulse to the mar
tial spirit, and has been productive of excellent
results. / take This occasion TO render acknowl-
%edgments to the gentlemen composing my staff
for their arduOus and disinterested services on
that occasion, Since the encampment broke M,
many new companies have been formed, and "A
disposition to elevate the standard of attain
ment in ALI military exercises has been manifest.
The recommendations contained in the Adjutant-
generals report are commented to your careful
consideration. | particularly urge upon you the
importance Of uassing a law, in conformity
TO his recommendation to provide for copying
into record hooks, TO be procured for thai pur-
pose, the muster-ln and muster-out rolls of the
lnuldna soldiers Iuese contain an account or
the service of each soldier. When this record
snail have been made, a frequent handling OF
original papers will he unnecessary, and the
papers will thus be preserved from injury. IL
will ne a reproach TO the State if a performance
OF this duty shall be longer neglected.
There is II necessity, also, that you shall pro-
vide, without delay, IA f~re-proof vault for the
purpose or securing these papers against the
hazards OF fire. Their destruction would DO in
calculable injustice TO persons having the
strongest claims to grateful recognition by the
State.
REVISED STATUTES.
In conformity To .. requirement contained in
the act of 1881, concerning the publication OF
the new Revised Statutes, I appointed the gen.
tlemen composing the Board OF Revision COM
nIissioners to prepare these statutes for publiea-
ton, and to superintend the publication thereof.
The last delivery of the copies required by law to
be filed in the clerks offices of the several coun-
ties was made in July, 1889.
The act of 1881 provided thar the commission
ers should hold their position until the first day
of November OF that year, and that 6he commits
sinners and the Governor should, on the final
adjournment of the General Assembly, advertise
for bids for the printing ana delivery of the
statutes. A clause required the commissioner
to annOtate the contents of the volume, so as to
L aLau. liz. nnAnnr E.nana IL