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

could be reduced without injury to that great
and needed work. 1t would be gratifying to
the people If a reductioa could be made ia the
aggregate Of cents in the school and general
leyies, and believe this eau be done without
injury to public service.
We May Feel Proud.
We may indeed feel Justly proud of our
state. for il possesses in an eminent degree all
the elements necessary to the greatest prosper
ity and the highest civilization. With the
great lakes on the north and the Ohio river on
the south. it has Tor commercial purposes the
benetit OF both. and geographical position
which makes il necessary that nearly ali the
leading trunk lines of railways should pass
over its surface.
II has a soi of unsurpassed fertility, an
equHbie climate. remarkably free from cyclones
ami storms; ram in w-ll-tneasured proportions.
hardwood OF the highest qualify, unlimited
quarres Of the choices building stone, vas.
mines Of coal, kaoiiB ard FIRE clay. wonder
ful field OF natural gas and oil. which is flowing
from hundreds of wells sad adding to the CON-
fort, the wealth and the prosperity of our peo-
pie.
Nor are we less blessed in. our benefcent
government, whoa not only fnraishes one of
the best y ystems of schools in the world but
gives protection TO the persons and property of
every one of her citizens, 10 matter how humble
their condition. so far as the same can be
secured under law.
these blessings OF good government flow
largely from our ednarable state constitution
and wise system OF laws made in conformity
herewith. This constitution-and no sta has
a letter one-was framed by-a body ol eminent
statesmen and was approved by the almost
unanimous vote OF the people. The experience
ot over forty years has proven ite benefcent
character and wisdom. and IL " sely provides a
plain and inte eilRent wsy OF amending IL. when
amendments are necessary, and thus avoiding
the great expense OF a convention the con-
fusion and long litigation which always follow
the adjustment OF the laws OF a state u new
o ,usti ution.
Our courts have from time 10 time passed
upon such points as needed constituting, aud
We now have grner code OF laws. conceded
IN the main to be in harmony with Il Q conStIu-
ton, and at ieast equal to.the system OF gov.
eminent and laws OF any other state.
How to Mako Changes.
In my judgment If any changes ars desIra-
bic in the constitution il would be best to
make them in the manner the people have
tn 70 elves provided in that instrument which
have all sworn to support. But radical
CHANCES in either the constitution or laws o
the state should not be made without the
inaturest De liberation and the Vrsvest cnnsid-
Grafton. Bad legislation is worEe than no ieRs-
laiton. There is often 4 feeling with legislators
that they must do somtlhing, and in the
multipl city OF bills introduced there il always
danger that some NAV contain provisions that,
II passed, wou tr ng injury alike 10 the cOun-
try, and ultimately TO their authors and sup
porters. IL behooves Us al 20 closely and care
fully scrutinzs every provision OF every meas
ure. enact such ore clearly OF o iblic benelt
and defeat those that are OF douhtiul propriety.
Our present election laws seem to be work
ing we'll snd changed at all Il should be
done with the greatest caution. Indeed, | am
fully persuaded that N would best servs the
public interest 10 allow the people to become
fully acquainted with and accustomed 10 their
provisions and the system TO become thor
ouRhly established before changes are made,
new provisions adopted, or otd ones changed,
IN however slight degree, which have n tend
encv to cause confusion and doubt in the mind
of he voter that eJHba rass him in the free ex-
erclse OF this right snd duty.
Under the Or, sent fsT Indiana is entirely
competent to condret lir eieotions Within her
borders. and che has >, asked, aud she does
not need any assistancs or interference by toe
United States. India'.s ; a state. and lbs states
are important f- ~ our republic. The
rights Fcsersets ta3eTy.tes Snd ouE c-ustita-
,lon should not be destroyed nor impaired By
force bills" or other kindred legislation by
the general government
Election o. Sc ators.
The election of U. S. senators by the people
is a measure now very widely and favorabIy
considered not only by the people OF Indiana
but oil many other states in the union. The
time mas come in our history when the imfiu.
enee and action of the masses of our fellow
citizens ought 10 be more directly and dis
idctly impressed upon the members OF the ma
tional legislature. Nothing would promote
this more than the choice By direct vote OF the
people of the slate of the members of tile
u. ;. senate. The proposed constitu-
tionAl anne iment having this for its object is
worthy OF careful. earnest and timely consider
alton.
The improvement OF our common road sys-
tenn is important matter that is recev-
ing mUsh attention from the people. and
commend this subject to your serious consider
ntion.
The foundation of all true prosperity and
wealth rests more largely upon agriculture than
any other interest that engages the attention of
our citizens. Ii should be the duty TO encour-
age and foster this and hold 10 q careful avoid
sncs OF placing any additional burdens upon
this interest. For IN its prosperity rests the
common prosperity of all. No class of our
citizens more irecty interested and bene-
hted IN the improvement OF our highways
than are the farmers and upon none will fall
so heavily the costs OF construction. Alter
careful investigation | am convinced that it is
not the desire of those most sffecie ia this
work thatthere shall be radical changes. bu.
wise aud conservative legislation upon this
question. The old law has many valuable
features that commend themselves 10 the peo-
pie, and il not bad law il properly enforced.
The people themselves are responsible LARGELY
for Its deficiencies, owing to the laXity OF its
enforcement
The supervisors, under the old law, come
directly from the people, aud are what the peo-
Ils-their neghbors-make them. 4 healthy
putlio sentiment. to encourage officials 10
faithfully carry out the provisions OF the pres
ent law, would overcome many OF its supposed
defects. The amount OF monev raised, under
the present tax collected is sufficient If wisely
exDended and properly applied, 10 place Indi-
sna, in few years. in enviable position
To her highways.
Encouragement to apply improvements in a
continuous way on the more important roads
rather man wasting eGo rte aud means over great
territory and in spots, aided by the generous
assistance IN dOnat'o ons and in work from farm
ers, would accomplish great results.
There should be enacted no law that will add
to the burdens OF this tax nor the management
them OF the right TO work out" as il ia termed,
the tax 30 collected, il this is desired.
Apportioning Legislators.
The duty and power of sppor,ioning SEN
atOrs and representatives among the several
counties of the state is conferred by our consti-
luton upon the general assembly. No other
department OF the state government is given
any part share in this function.
The Legislature, ave-Sixths OF which il chosen
every two years, directly by popular vote, Is
nearer the people than any other department..
aud is there ore properly charged with the per-
formanca of this Ity.
The people view with great jealousy any at
tempt made By the courts 10 encroach upon a
province so peculiarly within the scope OF leg
isiati1e soiion. The manner or mode Of appor-
tionnient in Indiana is not new, as IL has been