The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-03
JOSEPH E. MCDONALD.
Views of the Indiana Statesman on Varfoud
Questions OF Interest to the Public.

Views of the Indiana Statesman on Varioua
Questions of Interest to the Public.
Chicago Inter Ocean.
At the Palmer House last evening, in his cosy
room. sat the Hon. Joseph e. Mcdonald, of In.
diana and his uniform courtesy was not want
ing when a reporter for the Inter Ocean entered
his room and engaged In conversation with this
strong old man.
What do you think of Governor Hills propo-
sition to curtail the confirming power OF the
United States Senator
II see no special reason for change have
not, however. given the matter special consider
alton l do not consider it should be party
question. The Senate serves a check on the
Chief Executive What do think of the manv
vetoes OF Cleveland? Well, do not wish TO
criticise. There is no question but what there is
very much of what might be termed hasty legis-
lation in the passage of pension bills and placing
persons on the pension rolls. In the exercise OF
the veto power the President ought to be gov
erned as in the exercise of his other executive
functions-by his own best judgment There is
more danger of too much legislation than too lit
tle."
What of Dakota3"
IL Fave no hesitation in saying that every Ter
ritory ought to be advanced to a State as soon as
it has population. and improvements. and wealth
enough. This territorial system of government
is entirely outside of our system. The United
States consists Of a federal government and
State governments. and the probation of a terri
torial government is simply to enable the inhab-
itants to acquire sufficient strength and numbers
to maintain a State government Naturally, the
sooner the abnormal condition Of territorial gov
eminent is changed to legitimate State govern
ment, becoming component part of the federal.
the better. The general tendency to form State
governments in advance of the population and
development of Territory has been quite ap-
parent in our history"
What is new in Indiana politicsp
"There is not much political change. In the
last general spring elections considerable apathy
was manifest in both parties-more, perhaps, in
the Democratic than in the Republican. don't
apprehend the election of this fall will differ
much from the past elections; both parties VIII
cling to their past. Prohibition Yes; we have
now a very well organized prohibition party In
the State, embracing a good many men OF en-
ergy and ability and they undoubtedly intend To
maintain their organization separate and distinct
from the other two parties. Will they hold the
balance of power2 Well, it's difficult thinsg 10
tell what the number of votes really is, but it. f.
perhaps, enough to quite seriously affect tho
election results in some sections of the State.
and perhaps in the State at large"
Speaking upon the Mormon question, Senator
Mcdonald said:
IL see the judiciary committee has reported q
constitutional amendment against the institu-
tion-if it can be called an nstitution-of poyg-
amy. don't know but what the question will
have to be considered constitutionaly and ma
tionaly Heroic measures? Well, believe in
recognizing the fact that, as a people. ara
opposed to polygamy in all its forms, and that no
State should be permitted to establish or recOg-
nize poygafny, acting upon the presumption OF
the reserved powers of the States to regulate tho
domestic relations of its own citizens. do moe
apprehend that much blood will be shed over the
Mormon question: