The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-19

POAAOAiAA
roborating previous surveys, and in demon
strating the practieability of draining that
vast region and thus retaining to the State
400, 900 acres of its most fertile land and
adding to the tax duplicate at least SIS, 900, 900
of real property. Not only were his sug
gestions generally adopted by the Legislature,
sons, were measures passed over his veto, so
cogent and forcible seemed the reasons which
prompted their rejection.
In the exercise of the pardoning power,
Governor Porter has been discriminating and
Just, and has made his decisions as far as
possible, with reference to the possibilities of
the reformation of the convict. In the use
of the appointing power he has been guided
in his choice of men by desire to promote
service, and his selections have been uni
fornly such as to reflect credit upon the
State.
But he has shown himself fitted, not only
for the prescribed duties of his Office but also
for its emergencies, and in this regard have
his efforts and influence been most efficient
for good. The food of 1883 came in the heat
Of the legislative session, which placed upon
him added duties in connection with the dis
bursement of a relief fund. He was not pre-
vented, however, by the multiplicity of his
duties from personally visiting the devastated
regions, examining the extent and degree of
suffering, and discriminating between the
worthy and unworthy, in order that relief af
forded by the State might not be abused.
In the way of emergencies may also be noted
the dignifed resistance made to the revolu-
sionary action of the Democratic Legislature,
whereby an attempt was made to coerce the
holding the regular appropriations. This de-
faint insolence was treated with the contempt
it deserved, the dignity of the executive
Office was maintained, its constitutional
prerogative preserved, and, despite
the action of conspirators and revolutionists,
the State government, in all its departments,
has been conducted without a jar. A prece-
dent has been set that will teach future Legis-
latures that such threats as were made and
executed by the last one, of infamous memory,
are impotent to tie the hands of an honest and
capable executive, or to compel him to call an
extra session against his own Judgment and
the desires of the people.
The remarkable development of the militia
of the State under Governor Porters admins
tration is one of its chiefest excellences. By
wise choice of an Acknowledgment and by
personal sympathy and active aid, the Indiana
militia organization is now one in which every
citizen can take pride, and which in it's future
extension and development worthily demands
the liberal and enlightened attention of the
General Assembly. The scrupulous economy
of Governor Porter as an officer is worth at
tention. No cent of charge appears on his
behalf for any personal service or travelling
expense, and a rigid scrutiny has been
hOP1 VI oA PApllO dOOOu1lVo Giieto
have come under his notice. 1t
may not have been so noted at the time,
but the fact remains that in no other way
has the Governor exerted more helpful and
beneficial influence than in the prompUness
and aptness with which he has responded to
the requests of various organizations and So
cieties for public addresses. Almost legion
in name, and as diverse in character, he has al
ways had something to say that has indicated
practical sympathy, and shown that the Gov
ernor has not forgotten that, while the ex-
ecutive of the State, he was the friend and
servant of the people and of all the people.
When the convention meets to-day to name
Governor Porter's successor, they can felicitate
the party and the State upon the satisfactory
outcome of the work done four years ago, and
give as pledge of future good and honest
administration, the record that is now enter
ing its closing months.