The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-08-15
GEN. ALVIN p. HovEY.

of Indiana, followed by conspiracy and forgery
upon the election returns OF 1856, in Marion
county, for which q number OF prominent
democratic leaders were indicted and tried,
two of whom are now suffering the deserved
penalty of their acts, demand the rebuke of
every patriotic citizen. The gerrymander, by
which more than half OF the people OF the
state are shorn of their just rights, must be re-
pealed and constitutional appointments
made whereby the votes of members of all
political parties shall be given equal force and
effect, equal political rights to be the only basis
of a truly democratic and republican form Of
government.
The action of the democrats in the last gen.
eral assembly was revolutionary and criminal.
The will of the people expressed in peaceable
and lawful election, advised and participated
in by the democratic party, was set at defiance,
and the constitution and laws as expounded by
the supreme court OF the United States dis
regarded and nullifed. Public and private
rights were subverted and destroyed, and the
captol of the state disgraced by violence and
brutality. The alleged election of U. :. sena-
tor was accomplished by fraud and forced by
high-handed usurpatiOn OF power the over
throw of constitutional and legal forms, the
setting aside of the results of popular cleo
ton and the theft OF the prerogatives of duly
elected and and qualified members of the legis-
lature. That stolen senatorship is part of the
democratic administration at Washington, now
in power by virtue OF public crimes and the
notification of constitution and laws.
The serious revelations of corruptions, scOun-
drelism and outrage in the conduct OF the penal
and benevolent institutions of the state, made
before investigating committees of the last leg
isature and confessed by the action OF demo-
cratic governor and democratic legislators, en-
force the demand of an enlightened public Senti-
ment that these great and sacred trusts be for
ever removed from partisan control. We favor
placing all public institutions under wisely
conceived and honestly administered civil SER
vice law.
Labor is the foundation of the state. II must
be free well paid and intelligent 70 remain
honorable, prosperous and dignihed. In the
interests OF labor we favor the establishment
and permanent maintenance OF bureau OF
labor statistics. We favor the passage
and strict enforcement OF laws VIII h
will absolutely prevent the compct-
contract labor of all kinds with
free labor; prohibit the employment of young
children in factories and mines; guarantee 10
workingmen the most favorable conditions for
their service, especially proper safeguards Tor
life and comfort in mines and factories on rail-
ways and in all hazardous occupations; 70 Sc
cure which the duties and powers OF the state
mine inspector should be enlarged and pro-
vision made whereby only skilled and COM
petent men can be placed in positions where
they may be in control OF the lives and safety
others; enforce the certain and frequent pay
ment Of wages; abridge the hours OF labor
wherever practicable, and provide for the sub
mission to just and impartial arbitration, IN
der regulations that will make the arbitration
effective, all controversies between working
men and their employers. The right OF wage
workers to organize for the legitimate pro-
motion of their mutual good cannot be ques-
toned.
A Just and equal enforcement OF the law is
the only sure defense for the rights of the peo-
pie. 1t is the highest duty OF the State aud
home governments 10 administer all laws for
the protection of life and property. and the abb
dication of this function to private and per-
sonal agencies is dangerous to the public
peace, and subversive OF proper respect for
legal authority.
We favor such legislation as viii secure to
every head Of family in Indiana cOmforta.
BILE homestead, in addition 70 the personal
property now exempted from execution by the
law.
Fees and salaries should be equalized under
the constitutional amendment adopted by so
large a majority for that purpose, and a law
for the equitable compensation Of public OH
Gals should be promptly enacted. The meth
DDS of county and township business should be
economical and simplifed.
The amendments 10 the state constitution
making the terms Of county officers four years,
and striking out the word white" from section
/, article XII, 50 that eolored men may become