The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-12

cious This is especially true of the charitable
and benevolent institutions. They should at all
times be outside and above mere political con-
siderations They trusts or the most sacred
character. While, therefore, a change Of politi-
cal State control means change OF policy as to
political questions and change of officials as
terms Of Office respectively expire, yet 1T does
not necessarily mean any other kind OF change:
except for cause While therefore, ebsoute So
briefly, honesty and general good personal char
acter will be insisted upon as necessary. no other
changes than those indicated will be made or de-
sired by the incoming administration. 1t is not,
therefore. with reorganization" IN view, in the
ordinary sense that you are invited to give
special consideration to the present government
and condition of the penitentiary.
During the last administration that institution
has received much attention. The contract sys-
tenn for the utilization of convict labor has been
superseded by what is known as the piece-prlce
plan. So far this plar. has met with much OBJ
lection, and the expenditures have largely ex-
ceeded the receipts. Its friends claim however,
that 1t has not yet had fair trial; that great
OUTLAWS have been necessarily incurred to make
the change from the one system to the other,
and that in the future more satisfactory results
will be attained. In view of all OF this there
should be a full and fair investigation OF this
subject with view to ascertaining in what way
there can be achieved the best results bearing IN
mind that the institution should be made self
sustaining, if possible as it has been heretofore
and that at the same time competition should be
avoided between convict labor and free labor
This duty of avoiding this competition natur-
ally suggests the general subjects of the rights of
labor. Some wise laws have been passed provid-
ing for the greater comfort of laborers, their
surer reward, and the better protection of their
lives but legislation of this character is not yet
all it should be. 1t must be improved until as
nearly as possible all just cause is removed for
strikes and other difficulties with workers,
and it is made impossible. where the laws are OBJ
served. to have such heart-sickening calamities
as that which but few days ago overlook the
entrapped miners at Nanticoke. 1t is. however,
just cause of congratulation that the last Legls-
lature enacted a law establishing the principle
and securing the benefits in Ohio of arbitration.
This step has been tardily taken, but is In the
right direction, and no less to be appreciated on
that account Arbitration is deservedy grow
ing into favor everywhere, not simply for the
settlement of controversies between capital and
labor. but also for the adjustment of all kinds OF
differences, notably aud happily international as
well as individual disputes 1t is hoped the
principle may be continually advanced in every
legitimate way until it rules the world. Such
laws are too frequently spoken of as though they
were in the interest of labor alone. This is
mistake They are equally in the interest of
capital In England, Scotland, Germany, and
other countries where they have had large expe-
rience the very best results for both capital and
labor have been obtained not only from arbltra-
ton, but also from what but few years ago
were thought to be impossible systems of CO.
operation and proft-sharing There is no reason
why like results may not be similarly secured
here Ohio should keep abreast with the progress
that is being made in the matter of reforming
and improving In these respects the Industrial
conditions and systems of the country.
In the same line with this comes another
thought The theory of government recog-
nlzes the absolute civil and political equality OF
all our citizens, without. regard to color.
This theory has not, however, had absolute prac-
teal application. There are still a few laws on
our statute books that create unjust discrimina
tons based on color They should be swept
away, to the end that our colored fellow.ci.izens
may have the same rights and the same oppor-
tunities for education and self elevation. and the
enjoyment of the rights of citizenship, that 9th
er citizens have This is due them-they have
earned it. They are loyal people and always
have been. They have fought for the flag. and
have attested their heroism and shed their blood
on the batte-felds of the Republic. No Drawer
soldiers followed the stars and stripes than
the heroes of Fort Wagner and dozen other
trioticaly laid down their lives that this Nation
might live. We cannot afford to be less than just
to all. And not only should such rights be fully
accorded, but their enforcement should be AIDE
quatey provided for by appropriate legislation.
During the recent canvass one of the questions
that largely engaged the attention of the people
what should be done with respect to the liquor
traffic. This question is Of the greatest impor
lance. but it is 80 related to personal habits and
private morals to render it impossible to make
iG political question in the ordinary sense and
experience has taught in own State and 9th
ers that it should not be party question in any
sense. The evils of this business are of such
character that good men of all parties should
stand together for their suppression, and it is
thought the time has at last come when they
may do SO. For if anything has been accom-
plished by the discussions have had it is that
there shall no longer be free trade for this traffic
in Ohio either by the absence of all legislation
or by what is equally detrimental to the interests
of the State and the morals of the people, only
such legislation as there is no public sentiment
to support Such was the, platform
of the party that prevailed at our
last election. 1t was clearly announced and en-
phatically indorsed There should be, therefore,
an Immediate enactment of efficient measures to
prevent and suppress the evils of intemperance
including the imposition of tax upon the bust
ness wherever carried on. The so-called Scott
law was wise provision of this character. The
decision Of the Supreme Court declaring it un-
constitutional was founded on only one feature
of the statute The constitutional right to i'm
pose the tax was rot and cannot be successfully
questioned. The difficulty is removed by simply
emitting the Objectionable feature. Such a
measure has the merit of being practical; no
constitutional amendment is necessary; it is
Immediate in it's benefits; public sentiment will
uphold and enforce 1t; it will greatly diminish |
the number of places where this business is car
ried ON, and If wisely administered it will in a
large degree suppress the evils of all. and at the
same time yield much needed revenue, and
leave the people free to deal with it further as
they may ultimately see fit.
The duties of the executive Office are not
lightly assumed. On the contrary. they are taken
up with serious appreciation of their respons
bile character. and on that account as necessary
to their satisfactory discharge your support and
cooperation are earnestly invited. Governor
Hoadly, always kind and generous, was never
more so than he has been to his successor. 1t |
would be pleasure to thank him for this under
any circumstances, but it is especially SO when
il : recalla1 that Notwithstanding have
posed each other in two heated political contests
not single unkind or offensive word has yet
been uttered by either of the other The friend |
ship of years seems to have been made only the
stronger by the tests to which it has been sub
jected, and no more earnestly than | enter
tains the hope that there in store for my dis
tinguished predecessor many years of life. health
and happiness to be spent in wider fields of use