The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-12
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

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The Governors message is unusually
long, but very comprehensive. All the
topics of which it treats relate to
State affairs or State policies, and
while they are not all equally import
ant zone of them is out of place. ex-
cept the reference to the method of
electing United States Senators. The
message would have been improved
by being subjected to a condenser, but
it has the merit of making a very full
presentation of State affairs.
One of the most important topics in
the message is that relating to the
execution of the laws and the powers
and duties in connection Herewith of
the Governor and of local officers. The
troubles at Roby and the two great
strikes of last summer, requiring the
calling out of the militia. developed
some weak points in the present aw
and give weight to the recommended
tions of the Governor for it's amend
ment. 1t is true as he says that the
laws as they stand confer upon the
Governor sufficient authority for all or
binary contingencies, but experience has
shown that emergencies may arise in
which his w is not equal to his re-
sponsibility for the execution of the
laws. The trouble as developed by the
events referred to has been. first, the
lack of a sufficient contingent fund to
cover the expense of a vigorous en-
forcement of law, including a mobiliza-
ton OF the militia in time of need; sec
ond, the inefficiency of the local officers.
especially to sheriffs, or unwillingness on
their part to perform their duties; third.
the lack Of authority for the Governor
to institute n prosecute independent
measures for the execution of the law
and to suspend any local executive Of
ffcer who fails to perform his duty. To
remedy these defects the Governor rec
ommends, first, the appropriation of
$50, 1000 as a contingent fund to be used
by the Governor and drawn upon only
by his warrant for the enforcement of
law; and second, the enactment of
measures giving him new and enlarged
powers in the direction of compelling
local officers to do their duty. These
recommendations should not be con-
sidered as personal to Governor Mat
thews. but in their relation to the public
welfare. The experience of the present
executive has demonstrated the weak
ness of the law in this respect, and
his. recommendations SHOULD receive
careful and candid consideration.
There is no doubt hat the efficiency
of the public institutions has improved
since they were put under the direct
control of the COvarpor IN, roStor;po
the appointing power, but probably the
most effective agent for reform has
been the State Board of Charities. Very
naturally, Governor Matthews takes a
very rosy view of the general con-
dition of these institutions. To have
done otherwise would have reflected
upon himself and his friends. From
what he say it is fair to assume that
all these institutions are as economic
cally managed as they can be. If
however, the most of his suggestions
are adopted by the Legislature, the cost
of these institutions will be increased
about 100000 over the expenditures the
last fiscal year. Would Governor Mat
thews have urged a Democratic Legis-
lature to thus increase the burdens OF
the people? He has also recommended
a new appropriation to the Board Of
Agriculture-a close corporation over
which the Legislature seems to have nc
control. Why m a not other prac-
tically private corporations ask for aid
on the same general ground? Is it moi
more prudent to draw the line SO as
to include the charitable institutions
Il ND 1no1-oM X n kio.-
for themselves? Just now other usefu
organizations are trying to attach
themselves to the State treasury-why
not, with the present State debt ant
the extension Of reformatory ant
charitable institutions indicated by thu
Governor. shut the doors to all others
| the Governor has to say in re
gard to good roads is prudent. Presen
laws are sufficient, with a few amend
ments. Discussion is well theorie,
are often interesting, but theories which
consider nothing but good roads with
out regard to their cost and the com
munities who must pay for them shoult
remain theories. The recommendation,
of the Governor that the sinking fun,
should not be increased seems judicious
as does his silence regarding the in
crease of the organized and uniforme,
militia. What the Governor said abou
a fee n salary law is the genera
opinion, but he is strangely silen
about the raid which Attorney-Genera
Smith made upon the school tuition
fund, though it is known that he doe
not approve of it.
NfaH