The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-01-22
LAST MESSAGE
Of Gov. Matthews TO the indiana Gen.
eral Assembly.
The schools Are In Good Condittou-fhe
State Debt Reduced Two MILLION Oos-
lsrs-Intermediate Prison and some
Reforms suggested A Pea for
the Cuban Patriots.


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind Jan e-Gov Matthews
Friday delivered his last message TO the sen
Etors and Representatives. m joint session. lie
was received with applause. aal in the hour
ami a half reading 81 the message many points
were approved vita clapuing OF hands This
evidence of appreciation was especially en-
thusiastic Of his reference 10 the cuban
war
Gov Matthews, in the beginning Of his mes
sage. called attention to the gratifying condi-
tlcn OF The public debt which. during his all
mlnistration has been reduced s@iiO.OVo OF
this sum 1910 600 was raie the first TWO vel rs
ami 81. 200 600 The last TWO In addition there
has been q say lng 81 1871. 600 In the annual IN
tercst charged with this reduction q
the principal OF the debt theirs has
been q reduction o. the tax levy OF
2is nd q stiu further net reduction
o. cents. The governor thought further
moderate increase in the levy could be maze
lie nd, iSrd sae maintenance o. the state DEBT
slnkns fnnd at the present levy OF three
cents The present asscssel valuation OF
property In the state Is : ss6 $50 35i and there
Is not much Teasoa 20 believe that II VIII ma
terribly vars from tails sun ia the lrture. Inc
total domestic debit * 5000, anN iorelsn
debt so 665i2 making the total state debt
s6.T0cis b The governor attributed much Of
THIS food condition 70 the tax Jaw pissed by
the lem0c ratic legislature OF is9i
TIE RACINE WAR
Referring to his war with peculiar racing
I associations he congratul ated the state upon
tts now b.ias ria ~ the demorazing infr-
ences @. such institutions lie coImendeu
q the management OF he state Institutions ana
J recommended the estabi ishmt nj 81 an inter-
mediate prison. rs the two prisons no~ con-
ia 400 more convicis than can be conVen-
!cntly OF comfortably accommodated In
them The third institution he com
mended as for the reformation OF
young criminals He said its operation
should be supplemented by laws which would
permit the conditional release OF the inmates
Tor a practical test OF the genuineness OF their
I reformation when considered wise by the au-
thorities OF the reformatory
The governor advised the repeal of the law
passed two years ago providing for the re-
lease OF convicts In the counties from which
they were sent to prison lie approved the
bin when II Vas presented TO him, with over
I one hundred others Just three days before
the adjournment OF tho general assembly. lie
did not appreciate then As he does now It's IN
humanity.
This law is wrong and should be repealed ="
ne said. 1T often occurs that the prisoners
90 not desire TO return TO the county fro m
whtch convicted. either through shame or
that il D. not tatir nome In the latter case
10 retura a prisoner and send MIN from the
jail door homeless. pcanless and friendlcss,
forces the prisoner into the
REcoMMlssIoS OF CRIME
He advised That the discharged prisoner be
provided with n comfortable suit 81 clothes.
Paid q small sum in cash. with railroad
ticket procured by the warden OF the prison.
10 any point within the limits OF the stale
During ths last two years. the message
continued have nariousi or ptroled ~,
prisoners and granted 3. rcinissious Of dnes
nsd forfeitures. ghs d.strcssing depression
ia business anlirs lack OF employment ny
PIE number ~ our citizels. has rendered
tAs applications for rc-niss on o. fines most
hurdensome have released a number Of
Young convlcts. serving f0r first cfense. oy
taking OF from one 70 three months before
the ,.piration OF their sento- see IL the ma
icritv ~ cases D W exercised the ri-At TO
i -ole or conditional pardon
After giving much space 10 detailed mention
OF The reports from the many state institu-
tions the governor called attention 70 tie ex-
collent public school system Of Indiana. lie
showed that the
COMMON SCHOOL FUND
or tho state now amounts to sio,ei 49, 70,
ara that the school levy is II cents on the
500 valuation. The total enumeration OF
school children in 1895 WAS 73lei) ana the
total revenue from all sources for the school
year in 1895 was si20ll3Oi There are
lp0O75 children not enrolled in puOlc
private and parochial schools leaving 10000
children not in schools OF any kind The gov
cornor then gave q long and exhaustive pre-
sentat.on OF mpu'sosy education, which he
favored On this point he said In conclusion
Il am convinced that moderate and judi
cious law. compelling the Attendance Of chill
dren. say between the ages OF and IL In th'
public private or parochial schools for GER
tain number Of months say. four, each year
could be enforced and would be productive o.
great good to the state and nation
lie did not commend the complex AND ex
pensiye system of health regulations pro-
posed by the board OF health He though
the board. as now constituted. could accom-
plish great good IL the power at It's command
be wisely used. AS rule the simpler I'M
methods adopted the more effective ana vaiu
ab,e 1t is easy TO T. stem upon the state ex
pensive methods. requiring large numbers o
officers. but difficult to get rid OF them.
The governor praised highly the nations
: | guard. and gave at length the work OF IN
Chicknmsuga commission he Suggested III
diana's cooperation in The tennessee center
NAL. but did not altogether commend the pia
reported for celebrating InGtanas centennia
On this point his views were;
The plan proposed by the commission
which. offered in the proper patriotic splri
ana commensurate with the occasion won
entail no light expense upon the citizens
! the state. and should cause you TO serious
= consider whether YOU would be justified
= Kidding to their burdens.
;. The condition OF people can be such
y times that the slightest additional burd'
, could Nc oppressive and unjust doubt TN
~ n better plan could be presented than this
the commission, and should you after carei
deliberations. conclude to adopt II. | desire
4, direct your attention 70 one Of its recon
mendations. ard that is the appropriation I
/, the site Of
THE cENTFNNfAL BUILDING
or the two squares OF ground In the city
D Indiana polls belonging TO the state. and ne
10 occupied by the Indiana l-stitute for the ed
10 cation OF tho blind
- The message covered building association
's improvements OF the rivers 81 this state. a
gave in detail the proceedings relating
st Green river island. long in dispute octwc
,u Kentucky and Indiana
The governor next referred 10 the Cub
~ war on which he said:
e. while It Is true that domestic matte
n promoting the welfare 81 tbs people OF I
In state Should seriously engage your attenti'
"a and that questions OF national policy OF 4
:" elen or international relations may I
"a. rrorcrlY come within your province,
az thcre In one subject wholly without
m state but eaHayinr the earnest at.cnt
- ~ our people. 20 which believe you co