Year: 1863

through the Military Bill. establishing
Provisional Government anil deposing the
Governor OF the State. Every material
measure demanded by the interests OF the
State or the claims of humanity was put
ed on the 25th of February il was taken
up out Of its order and made IN override
all business before it. Tho Governor in
his Message had urged an immediate ap-
preparation for the relief OF soldiers fami-
lies. The winter was the great season
of suffering. and what was done was re-
quired to be done quickly. Yet tho whole
session was consumed by the introduction
and discussion Of reasonable and bun
combe resolutions and the passage of a few
unimportant bills. and not step was ts-
ken towards the appropriation ofa dollar
for the relief of tho families Of soldiers S.
There were military claims to the amount
of $3.50. 90 duo from tho State, all of
which had. rsceiv ,d. the approval Of tho
Auditing Committee, and which should
have been paid by an immediate appro-
priation at the very beginning of the ses-
sion; but they were put behind the Milito
Olii 800 uO PEOfiStOu hSu6 iOA tnCtt
payment. A large amount was due to
Assistant Surgeons who had been sent to
the field by the Governor at various times.
and who had rendered invaluable services
to Indiana troops. Many of these claims
had been due for more than twelve months.
and should have been provided for by an
immediate appropriation. but they too
were janmed behind the Military Dill.
On the second day Of the session bill
was passed. through both branches appro-
pristing S75. 900 for Legislative expenses.
On this matter there was no delay or hes
itation. and the appropriation was made
with dispatch which. if it had been ap-
piled in other cases. would have rendered
the session honorable and useful to the
State. True. this appropriation was more
than double tho amount Of any former one
for the same purpose. that for the regular
session of 1861 being $50. 900. and for the
extra session Of the same year Sl5. 5.000.-
The extravsgant aum appropriated. and the
precipitation with which it was done, led
many to believe at the time that it was
part of the scheme by which all subsequent
appropriations were to depend upon the
success of n revolutionary policy which
had been indicated and threatene months
before.


A bill has been passed by e ongress do
mating large quantities of lands to the diff
fcrent States with which to establish Ag-
ricultural Colleges and requiring the State
to accept the grant within two years oi
the date of the act by legislative enact
mcnt. The acceptance should have been
promptly made BY the Legislature. but it
was not done, and the measure was put be-
hind the Military Bill snd made depend
ent upon that for its success. Between
the acceptance Of the donation Of this
land for eiuctional purposes and the Mil
itary Bill there is no natural connection,
but it was made ia share the fat, of every
material measure demanding legislation.


The subject Of the State Arsenal had
been prominently brought before the Leg
| islaturc in the Governors Message, and
imperatively demanded Legislative action.
After more than half the session had .expi-
red, finding that nothing had been or was
likely to be done. the Governor sent in q
special message on the snbjcct. urging
that immediate action be taken. A COM
mittee was appointed to consider the mat
! ter, who on the last day of the session.
made areport highly complimentary to
the condition and management of the AR.
senal; but no appropriation was made.
and nothing was done for he continuance
of the institution. sleieen


About the middle of tho session. the
Governor in special message had urged
the Legislature to make provision to ad.
vance the back pay of the Indiana troops.
and suggested plan by which it could
be done with scarcely any loss to the State
Mr.. March. the Senator from Delaware,
introduced bill into the Senate appropri.
ating two millions of dollars for that pur.
Iposc. which finally passed that body. but
it was manifest could not pass the House
tn the House. the only action taken on
the subject was to appoint committee to
lconfer with the Secretary of the Treasury
This was . kill-time kind of operation,
and resulted just - it was intended i,
should-in nothing. .4oi'fa ~ 81
| The late Board of control OF the Nor.
thern Penitentiary had made Q contract
with Mr. Silvers for the construction oil
the shops. the work had been well and
Icheaply done. and with great advantage TO
the State. and without the advance of any
portion Of the contract price BY the State.
The work and the accounts were examined
by committee and found to be correct,
and justice to the contractor required tha,
/ payne should be Immediately made: "a
delay the payment of it day. was . grea.
Hardship. for il had been shown that the
work had been dons at very low figures,
and that the profits Of the contractor were
small; and the prospect is that an honest
contractor. who reposed faith in the honor
and justice Of the State. will be who'll y
rained. But this too. like everything else,
VAS put behind the Military Bill


| Week after week was consumed in vio-
lent and reasonable discussions; and abun.
dance Of time was found to denounce the
tGovernment. and to get up resolutions
eensuring the Governor and calling upon
him to stste whether he approved certain
resolutisns adopted BY tho urmy; 10 fish
ont invitstions from the Legislature Of
Kentucky; to create partisan committees
to leave their seats and run over the State
! hunting up evidence on the subject Of ar
i-bitrssy arrests ont Of which to manufac-