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

woflld record or the expenditures
money paid for distribution or application Bat
it was provided that this last requirement might be
dsregarded ii found in any degree to embarrass tho
prompt and immediate application of the fund to the
relief of the persons to be benefited.
OF the sum appropriated $50, 269.20 was dis
bursed for relief, and $685. 73480 was covered back
into the treasury,
The limitation in the manner of relief in the last
act was SO specific that the needs specified in it
regarded having been fully provided for, very
soon after the act passed, by expenditures
under the first appropriation and by private relief
small part therefore only, of the appropriation
expended The first appropriation being broader in the
relief allowed considerable part of it was applied
toward the repair of houses of sufferers whose
means were extremely limited and to the supply in
some extreme instances of farming implements.
Great taken by the board in selecting per-
sons to whom means were sent to be disbursed TO
sufferers or to provide supplies for them persons
OF sound reputation for integrity were selected But
Notwithstanding diligent eerts to secure receipts
through these persons from the parties to whom re-
net was directly furnished, it was found practicable
IN only a lew instances TO obtain them. The haste
confusion and difficulties under which the annlication
OF reet was made, rendered it mpracticable in many
instances to take receipts. 1 cannot, without too
much extending this message, give more particular
account of the disbursement of the sums expended
and shall therefore, furnish detailed account
of it in separate communication. In behalf of the
board ask now while the transaction is recent that
some committee in both of the Houses shall
be directed to examine into the manner in
watch the duties of the board were discharged.
SILVER FOR THE STATES EXPLORATORY INsTITU-
TIoN FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
When the last Legislature assembled, a suit was
pending instituted by the United States to enjon the
passing of sewage from the Reformatory Institution
stream which flowed from the grounds of the Re-
formatory along the southern border of the grounds
of the United States arsenal As nc other ex.
listed for dsposng of the sewage and the granting Of
an injunction known to be imminent unless
prompt and efficient measures adopted for put
ng an END act to Inc asge t the
$50 900, and directing him to to be
structed, with the least possible delay, good, sub
stantial underground brick sewer from point at
the Reformatory to, and to connect with the
sewer belonging to the city of indianapolis, WASH
ington street. at New Jersey street; and it
was provided that if the city should extend
its Washington street Noble Pine street,
the sewer for the Reformatory should terminate at the
eastern end of such extension and should then be
nected herewith and that the Governor should pay
the city, to aid in the extension of its said sewer
amount equal to the cost of the construction of the
Reformatory sewer had the latter been constructed
for equal distance Washington street. Pur-
suant to the provisions of the act appointed
petent civil engineer to supernend the work and adj
versed for bids for its construction. An award
made to the lowest bidders, who proceeded with dill
to construct the from tho point of begin
mug, at the Reformatory along the route prescribed
by law, to Noble street. to which street during the
progress of the work, the ctys Washington
street has been extended. Had the season been
ordinary one the sum appropriated would have been
more than sufficient to pay for the work; but the
cessve rains which had prevailed before the work
begun, and which prevailed during its progress,
caused the water to filter through the sandy
bottom of the ditch that pumps had to be used
from the beginning to the end of the work TO enable
the sewer to be made at ALL and the lower surface OF
tie had to be laid oak planks nearly its whole
length The consequence is that the expense of con-
sructng the has exceeded the appropriation in
the sum of So, 1880. The contractors have been
paid in full but there is due to the city of 1ndianapo
lis the sum last mentioned
So as discovered that the appropriation was
likely to be exceeded should have stopped the work
promptly until the Legislature could be consulted bat
for the extreme exgency OF the case the fast that the
Legislature had directed that should the sewer
to be constructed with the least possible delay and the
likelihood that il the work stepped the State
would be involved in loss much above the excess OF
the cost of, the work the appropriation. The
Legislature of 1881 had indeed appropriated $40.
done.
l recommend that an appropriation be made liz
favor of the city of Indianapolis for the amount Of
this deficiency
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
The exemption of homestead, of reasonable value
from the demands of creditors has not been found in
practice in the States where such exemptions exist
to interfere njurousy with trade. The maintenance
OF the home, with its endearing associations and ITS
promotion of private virtue favors the habits which
promote honor and thrift in commercial transactions
The family established in its homestead is of
the bestsupports of the State In large majority of
the States homesteads of reasonable value
empted from execution. 1 believe they should be-
exempted in Indiana, and recommend the passage Of
SAVINGS BANKS
invite your attention most earnestly to the i'm
portance of legislation for the establishment q
sound foundation, of savings banks. The laws of
some OF the older States in which such institutions
have long existed and in which few instances of losses
to depositors have occurred might be con-
suited by you 9!l. with great advantage and
tons i'll conducted win doubt furnish to
you instructive lessons to enable you correct evils
against which the best laws have failed heretofore to
provide sufficient safeguards. These banks where
confidence exists in the wisdom and integrity of their
management, cultivate in the communities in which
they are established habit of udcious saving which
is the best foundation for business prosperity,
straint against immortality, and firm support Of
public order.
FEES AND SALARIES.
On the important subject of fees and salaries beg
to repeat to you the words contained in my last ben
NAL message.
For many years complaints have been made in the
more populous counties thai the fees and salaries of
officers too large for the services performed It
has also been asserted that the means to which there
are often strong temptations to resort for obtaining
nominations for offices lucrative and for securing
success at the polls have corrupting effect upon
amendments of 1881 the Legislature was deprived of
the power of curing this supposed evil In that year
an amendment was passed which has removed the diff
Guilty This amendmentwas submitted to the electors
OF the State and prevailed by majority of more than
10000 votes session of the Legislature has inter-
vened 1.-TWO have ihtervenedl since this amend
ment was adopted but act has been passed regu-
lating the compensation of officers in the
contemplated Every officer should be adequately
paid for his services but is due to the people that
no greater shall be taken from them in the way
of fees and salaries than is pay the officer
,ar compensation. Otleers frequently, however,
relinqush regular occupations to obtain these places
under an expectation that the rate of fees prevailing
when they were elected will be substantially main
tanned 1t might be just therefore to postpone the
operation of the regulating act for reasonable time
after its passage. bill properly regulating fees and
salaries will require much thoughtful consideration,
and should engage your attention at very early
period of the session."
KANKAKEE MARSH.
The last General Assembly failed to enact any law
to facilitate and hasten the reclamation of the ex
fancf Nka Zoxl
survey made under the direction of the State by Pro-
fessor John l.. Campbell and able corps of assist
ants, completed so recently before that Legis-
lature convened that no blame attach to it for
omitting to enact proper legislation: The large area
of fertile lands now practically valueless by being
covered or saturated with water; its convenience by
proximity and by extraordinary railroad facilities to
the best markets. and the sanitary benefits which
would ensue from its drainage, should be considera