The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-11

for which the purchases we're made. These
three trustees. as might have been expected,
either resigned or we're removed from once by
the comfy Commissioners. Costly legislation
follows these dishonest manipu ations OF the
public fluids. The honest and faithful publo
servant OF the people will not complain OF any
reasonable safeguard you may throw around
this officer. The people are asking for protec-
ton, and they have q right TO be heard
state Board of Charities.
This board has been quick TO respond to
every pressing call made upon it. and faithful
in the discharge of every duty.
Mr. Alexander Johnson, the efficient aecte-
tsry, has been one of the most attentive. pains
taking and industrious officers ] have ever
known.
regard the report of the board. the work of
Mr.. Johnson. the most valuable OF Its KIND
ever given to the public
The board has need OF more money, and l
recommend that the appropriation OF 5000
be granted.
The state Militia.
The progress made in the organization and
equipment OF the state militia has been most
satisfactory. There are now four infantry regi-
ments, besides an artillery corps, all under the
proper officers. who have been selected for their
special merit or have earned their positions by
regular promotion. Each year camp OF in
struetion is held. aud the results OF the drill
and camp life generally have made our state
troops equal to those OF any other state.
Gen. y. L. Ruokle, my adlutsnt general, is
thorough soldier. He served his country with
distinction during the rebellion, and since the
war has been almost continuously Identified
with military affairs. Under his administration
OF four years our militia has advanced more
than during all the time Of its previous ex-
isteuce. The time has come when il is wise for
the state 10 be ready for an emergency of pub
lie disorder, and this branch OF our government
should be upheld without hesitation. The
quartermsster general has great responsible
ties IN the care and preservation OF ordnance
and military supplies generally. His pay is
not commensurate with the labor he performs
and should be increased. / can not forego
bearing testimony Of my high appreciation OF
my quartermastsr general Joseph p. Pope, who
has a most honorable record as a soldier. and
who has performed his duty on any staff with
great satisfaction.
The Road Problem.
II is gratifying to notice the interest now be.
ing taken in the discussion as to whether In
diana shall become leading state in the bet
terment OF public roads. The press almost
unanimously 10 advocating q better law. The
late convention held in this city for the pur-
pose of making recommendations to the legis-
leture was one of the most intelligent ever
convened here. No law coniemp plated by this
honorable body can compare with one that
shall give the farmer an open market all the
year round so far as material prosperity Is con-
oerned.
Let there be no mistake as TO the makeup
OF the committee who shall have much re-
spOnsibility placed upon it as this one. he
who supports legislation with this object in
view can subserve the best interests of his
constituents in no other way so thoroughly,
! doubt if further taxation is necessary for
Al L
nue. now used is enormous when we consider
the results obtained. The trouble is our
system Is wrong. We need more brains
and less muscle in the cause, and until
this is brought about we shall remain In
the slough Of dependency. There is no COM
parisOn between our roads and those of foreign
countries nor of those in our many sister
states. We are wofully behind them in all this
matter. The railroads that cross our own state
like network have greatly enhanced the
value of property, but with frStclass public
highways the increase in our material wealth
will be difficult 30 estimate. The farmer will
be the greatest beneficiary in the matter. and
yet good roads concern directly every citizen.
For several months in each year the farmer is
unable to do anything because of impossible
roads. HIS teams are idle, and the profits of
the months he has ioiled are used up in doing
nothing. This condition OF business economy
must be changed, aud no matter will require
your thoughtful attention more than legisla-
lion for the improvement Of our highways
The KankAkee River.
A law was approved March 7, 1889. "authoriz-
ing the auditor of state to accept for the use OF
the state of Indiana trust deeds to lands in.
Guiding the bed OF the Ksnkakee river, from
the west line of the state 10 and including the
limestone ledge at Momer oe IN the state OF Hi
nois, TO provide for the removal of so much oil
such rock ledge rs obs;ructs the channel OF
said river. and for matters pr p ,rly connected
Herewith, including the appointment of g
board Of commissioners and a civil engineer to
supervise the work, sppropriating $4,000 foI
the expense OF said work, aud dec airing an
emergency" The members OF the first com.
mission appointed by Governor Hovey re
signed, except the Hon. Franklin LAnders. In
| 1891 Governor HOvey appointed John Brown
| ESQ. of Crown Point; the Hon. Franklin Ian
| ders of Indianapolis and ]. Is. kimball ESQ.,
! kendallviile This board of commissioner
have not been Idle. They have removed diff
| Gu ties that hedVed their progress almost a:
| difficult the limestone ledge OF the Kanka
| kee. The president OF the board, the Hon,
Franklin Landers, informs me that the honor
| of having reached point where success is at.
! tainsbe, is largely due to the indefatigabls en-
erRy OF Mr.. Brown.
On Oct. 20, 1892 the commission let the con
tract to Mr.. David Sisk for the removal OF CO..
| 600 cubic yards of stone at IS cents per yard.
| The contractor has filed bond with the board
/ of commissioners worth more than S1-000O00
/ The board has revised their first proposition,
/ which was to take out one hundred feet wide
ana seven feet deep, to one of three hundred
| feet wide aud four feet deep. The length oil
this channel will be one and one. quarter miles.
! The commission has, after many and weari
some parleys with the railroad company, set
| tied the question OF the dam satisfactorily to
| all concerned. AS more than million acres
! of valuable land will be redeemed by the re
moval of this obstruction, IL is plain to be seer
| that the state will be the gamer by this expend
| iture of money in the near future. IL is urged
| by some that the land-hOlders should be as
sessed to meet the expenses of this enterprise.
| Not so. When the necessary 70 shall have
| been secured by the removal Of the rock in Hi
nOis, the lAnd-holders will come under the
| laws of the state of Illinois relating e
drainage, aud must bear the expense Of
Strengthening seventy-fve miles of the Ksnks
kee river, and running scores oil side ditohei
! on either side OF the river back into the cOun
try, when At asst they will have secured &c
/ them that for which they have waited so Ions
and patiently. The commissioners affirm tina
il il not likely that circumstances could eVel
] be more favorable for the prosecution of thii
| work than now. OF the amount appropriated
there has already been expended $574577
leaving a balance TO the credit of the commits
sion OF $50, 4.03. The commission ask for ar
additional appropriation OF $3.50 to complete
/ the work begun. I recommend the legislator,
10 grant their prayer.
Drainage.
! During the last four years the legislator,
has given much time and especial attention q
the subject Of drainage. i have been careful t,
inquire of competent judges regarding the re
| suit of this LEGISLATION, and am informed that
1t is proceeding smoothly under act OF March
| z 1901 Some of the actions ghould Ia