The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-10


reformations that have been effected by this in
stitntion is most encouraging A just regard
Tor economy, and conscientious determination
to keep expenditures within the appropriations
made fer the Institution, is marked character
istic of the management
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
The value of the work done by the State Ge-
oiogist is recognized abroad scarcely less than
at home. His learned reports Justly engage the
attention OF scholars. There having been no
expenses of his Office, he has been obliged, in
consequence of the failure in 1888 of the appro-
priation bill, to advance the means necessary to
carry it on. He should be promptly reimbursed
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS.
The report of the Chief of the Bureau of Sta
tistics is being printed and will soon be laid be-
fore you. The Commissioner after the adjourn
ment of the last Legislature, was obliged to Dor
row money to carry on his office, in consequence
of the failure of the approximation bill This,
happily, he did with little difficulty. / recon-
mendthat an amount sufficient to discharge the
sum borrowed be repaid to him.
The difficulty, in several of the counties OF
collecting the statistics required to be furnished
by the county officers. is shown by him; the of
fcers of these counties being unwilling to col
lect and furnish statistics unless paid for their
services. His suggestion of the means of over
coming the difficulty should engage your early
consideration.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
The report of the State Board of Agriculture
will soon be laid before you. 1t will be found to
contain essays and discussions interesting to
farmers beg, however, a second time to ex-
press my very strong conviction that a change
should be made in several particulars in the
composition of the board. l urge especially
that the professors of agriculture and chemistry
in Purdue University four agriculture college
shall be made members ex ofieio of the board,
and required always to be present at its annual
January session. The freshness of their studies
of subjects relating to agriculture would enliyen
and impart additional interest to the proceedings
OF the board, and the discussions and intimate
association with their agricultural associates
would tend to give constantly practical charac
ter to their studies
AS the success of the farmer depends quite
as much upon skillful adoption. and use, and
care of the various kinds of agricultural ma
chlnery as it does upon the study of soils and
crops and as the chief interest in the fairs cen
ters IN such machinery certain proportion
OF the members should be specially
skilled in the mechanic arts, To prevent, also, a
tendency of a board which elects its own mem
bers to too great monotony of thought and
methods believe that it would be wise to pro
vide that the Governor shall appoint as many at
least as onefourth of its members. The good
which board could accomplish if composed in
such manner as to be constantly reinforced by
an accession of fresh and vigorous thought, can
scarcely be overestimated. l beg to invite to the
subject your early and anxious consideration
BOARD OF HEALTH
The services of the State Beard of Health are
believed to have been of much benefit in intro
duclng better sanitary conditions throughout
the State, in bringing to light very grave faults
In the sanitary management of our jalls and
poor houses, and in devising and causing to be
successfully executed methods for the per1na-
nent collection of vital statistics. Their report,
and the accompanying report of their able and
efficient secretary, will no doubt be read by you
with interest
MINES AND MINERS
The last Legislature adopted the several amend
ments to the mining law which had the honor
to recommend The report of the Mine Inspector
for the year 1884 has not yet been received. His
report of the year previous which will be laid
before you, contains recommendation of fur
Their am endmentS.
The Inspector finds it impracticable to give an
accurate statement of the annual coal produc-
ton of the State, on account of the unwilling
ness of asnumber of mining com panies to furnish
prompt and reliable returns of the tonnage of
their mines The law should, in his opinion,
make it compulsory on the owners Of mines,
under penalty, to furnish the Inspector the
necessary statistics.
Section 10 of the mining law enacts that no
owner of a mine shall place in charge of any en-
CINE used for conveying employees into or out of
a mine any but experienced, competent and
sober engineers. Complaints are sometimes
made by miners that their lives are jeoparded
by the employment of engineers of different
character The law does not define who shall be
judge Of the fitness of the engineer when such
objections charged to exist. 1t is evident
that the State Inspector should be made the
judge in every such instance.
A requirement that mine bosses shall visit
the miners at their several places of work at
least every two days is urged by very forcible
reasons.
Other recommendations, not less impressive,
are made, which have not time here to repeat.
commend all suggestions of the Inspector, who
is practical miner OF long experience, to your
most careful consideration.
STATE HOUSE.
The progress made in the construction of the
new Statehouse since the last meeting of the
Legislature has been most satisfactory. There
is good reason for expecting that like satisfactory
progress will be made until the structure is com
pleted. 1t is believed that the building will be
ready for use by the Legislature at its next reg
uar session. The work has so far advanced as
to render it obvious that you should at the pres
ent session make proper appropriation to ena-
BILE the Commissioners to purchase the furniture
that will be required for the building to grade
the grounds, and to construct a suitable iron
fence around them.
The report Of the Commissioners is commended
to your careful attention.
THE STATE MILITIA.
A due regard for brevty will prevent my re-
ferring, with as much particularly as | should
desire, TO the subject Of the state militia For
it's efficiency and its increase in numbers during
my administration, | am greatly indebted to
Adjutant- general Carnahan, and to the members
of my military staff refer you to the Adiu-
tant- generals report with an earnest hope that
you will give great weight to it's valuable sug-
gestious. The militia now consists of thirty-six
companies of infantry, eight companies of ar
tillery, one platoon of eating guns, and one
company of cavalry. In case Of a sudden out
break of war they would be valuable, not only
in active service, but in training raw troops for
duties in the field 1t is not creditable to the
State, and is in great contrast to the course of
States which surround us, that the State does rot
contribute properly toward the expenses of these
organizations, whose help would be so useful in
military emergencies
The Constitution of this State provides that
'@the militia shall consist of able bodied white
male persons between the ages of eighteen and
forty five years, except such as may be exempt
ed by the laws of the United States or of this
State" Section 1888 of the Revised Statutes of
1881 also provides that ''the militia shall consist
" H. L. L L.