HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, February 14, 1867.The House met at 2 o'clock P. M.
On motion by Mr. WHITE, the reading of the journal of yesterday was dispensed with.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
Mr. DUNN, Mr. WOLFER, Mr. ROSS and Mr. SMITH of Wabash, severally presented petitions on the subject of temperance, which were referred to the Committee on Temperance.
Mr. MATTHIS presented a petition for indemnity for losses on account of the Morgan raid.
Mr. GRIGGS presented the memorial of Nathan Brown, of Sullivan county, in relation to 'milk sick." It was referred to a commitee of five, which the SPEAKER makes to consist of Messrs. Griggs, Wolfe, Schammahorn, Wilson and Hostetter.
Mr. HONNEUS presented the petition of citizens of Clarke county M. B. Cole and one hundred others asking that the Jailer may be elected as a separate officer, distinct from the Sheriff. It was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries.
Mr. Wright presented the petition of sundry citizens for raising the fees of Justices and Constable. It was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
From the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. NEWCOMB returned Mr. Fuller's bills, Nos. 277, 276, 275, recommending their passage.
Mr. HIGGINS returned the assessment bill, S. No. 58, recommending its passage.
From the Judiciary Committee, Mr. BELFORD returned Mr. Daggy's arson bill, No. 166, recommending that it be laid on the table, for the reason that the same provisions are contained in Mr. Peelle's bill, No. 130. The report was concurred in. He also returned the acknowledgement of deeds bill, S. No 25, recommending its passage. Mr. ROSS returned Mr. Morrison's justice's docket bill, No. 267, with amendments, recommending its passage. Also,Mr. Hamilton's conspiracy bill, H. R. 105, with amendments, recommending its passage.
Mr. SMITH of Lagrange, from the same Committee, returned the change of venue bill, S. No. 13, recommending its passage.
Mr DUNN, from the same committee, returned the Langdon and Applegate repeal bill [S. 63], recommending its passage. Also, the Archibald Vorhees bill [H. R. 200] recommending that it be laid on the table, for the reason that its provisions are contained in a general bill before the House. It was so ordered. He also returned Mr. Peale's "false pretenses" bill, No. 269, and the dog law amendment bill No. 140, recommending their passage. Mr. Daggy returned the bill S. No. 32, and Mr. Long of Jackson's fees and salaries repeal bill, No. 245, recommending their passage.
Mr. MILLER, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the Road bill S. 78, recommending its passage.
DESCENTS.
Mr. MILLER also returned Mr. Hartman's Descents Amendment bill, recommending its indefinite postponement.
Mr. DAGGY moved to lay the report on the table. He stated that this bill proposed to amend the 24th section of the act so that the rule of descent shall apply to the second wife-widow as to the first wife-widow - to all the property at the time of the marriage, and acquired afterwards.
Mr. CRAIN. It also operates on the property of all estates not now settled. - It would operate backwards, creating interminable law suits. Certainly that part of page: 234[View Page 234] the bill is wrong; and he thought the whole thing wrong.
Mr. MILLER. This is intended to allow the wife one-third of all the real estate that may come to him after marriage. We think the law as it now stands - one-third to the widow during her life - then go to the children - is better.
Mr. SHUEY gave an example of hardship which would occur under such a law as proposed in this bill.
Mr. DAGGY had proposed the bill to avoid, as he thought frequent hardships. He would place the second wife widow in the same position with the first wife widow as to property acquired after her marriage.
Mr. Daggy's motion was rejected.
And then the report was concurred in.
Mr. MILLER, from the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Lopp's soldiers' tax exemption bill [H. R. 215] recommending its passage.
He also returned Mr. Daggy's descents bill [H. R. 256] recommending its indefinite postponement. He said it gave inheritance to bastards, whether recognized or not. The report was concurred in.
Mr. HIGGINS, from the Committee on the State Prison North, submitted a lengthy report - favorable as to the progress of the work and the completed southern wing of the cell house. There was now 211 convicts, an increase of 100 during the last year. Prison indebtedness, $97,036 12. Amount necessary to complete the work, $54,786 07. The completed prison will confine and work 500 convicts. The report details the various items of improvement and management of the prison, and complains of petty exprnditures and money paid out without authority of law; and closes by recommending the passage of a resolution to this effect:
Resolved, (the Senate concurring,) That the Attorney General of the State be instructed to investigate the unauthorized and unlawful expenditures made by the Directors and Warden of the State Prison North, and if, in his judgement, suits can be maintained, to institute suits for such sums as have been unlawfully obtained.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. BELFORD moved that the report be laid on the table and five hundred copies thereof printed for the use of the House, and that the printing be done in five days.
Mr. NEWCOMB made a statement showing the reasons for some delay heretofore in printing documents - not chargeable to the State Printer. Hereafter orders might be expected to be filled in twenty-four hours.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. WRIGHT, from the Committee on Claims, reported for allowance of John Gilmore $342 28, and against the claim of C. C. Campbell, former Sheriff of Marion county. These were concurred in.
Mr. MARTIN, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned Mr. Wilson's divorcements bill, [H. R. 270] recommending its indefinite postponement. It was so ordered.
Mr. BELFORD, from the Committee on Railroads, returned Mr. Woods' railroad freights bill No. 19, with an amendment, recommending its passage.
Mr. CRAIN returned Mr. Litson's railroad bill, No. 184, recommending that it be indefinitely postponed.
The report was laid on the table.
Mr. SKIDMORE, from the Roads Committee, returned Mr. McFadin's road bill, recommend' its passage, with amendments.
Mr THRASHER returned Mr. Higgins' road bill, No. 48, asking to be discharged, & c. It was concurred in. He also returned the road bill, S. 43, recommending its passage.
Mr. SHOOK, from the Committee on County and Township business, returned Mr. Montgomery's commissioner's papers bill, H. R. 254, recommending its indefinite postponement.
On motion of Mr. MONTGOMERY, it was laid on the table.
Mr. MASON reported against the passage of the bill S. No 61; which was concurred.
Mr. BARRITT, from the Committee on Corporations, returned Mr. Foulke's city wards bill [H. R. 222] recommending its passage.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Mr. McMURRAY, from the Committee on Public Buildings, reported in respond to the resolution of the House, in relation to the rent of rooms for the public offices. The State pays now $3,000 per annum for the five rooms. They can be hired after the first of May for $2,500 a year.
Mr. VAWTER submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on Public Buildings be instructed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a two-story building on grounds belonging to the State on the corner of Tennessee and Washington streets, suitable for the Supreme Court and the State offices, with fire-proof vault, &c., and report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. GIESENDORF said the committe have already reported on this subject. This strife about the State offices is a triangular fight. He understood that General Laz. Noble has intimated that no doubt I have filled my pockets in connection with it. He stated in detail how he had discharged his duty as chairman of the joint Committee on Public Buildings. General Noble's charge was made in person yesterday to his face. He replied to the General that he cared not if half the people of Indianapolis charged him with bribery, he would do his duty. He then stated the proposition of the Gallups, which the committee favored. The committee had also reported in favor of building on the corner of Tennessee and Washington streets. But there was another interest - that of Mr. McOuat - for if you retain the McOuat buildings it involves the purchase of the bank building. The intimation about his being bonussed was false. He was trying to do his duty faithfully. The incumbents of the State offices stated to him yesterday that the public records were rotting there.
Mr. SHUEY said the gentleman from Noble [Mr. Geisendorf] was too well known to need to defend himself from the imputation of bribery. He was in favor of building - not renting.
Mr. Vawter's resolution was then adopted.
Mr. Crain obtained leave to introduce a bill [H. R. 286] for an act in relation to the erection of a suitable building for the Su- page: 235[View Page 235] preme Court and the State offices. [It proposes to appropriate $40,000 for a build ing on the State's grounds north of the State House, to be used under the direction of the Government and the Judges of the Supreme Court.]
Mr. C. gave estimates in connection with the proposed building, and calculations about the cost of renting - urging his bill on the score of economy.
Mr. GEISENDORF would rather be withdrawn from the Committee on Public Buildings, than become a party to such an expenditure of the public money as the gentleman's bill proposes. A building there on the public grounds which were expected to be devoted as a public park, when a new State House should be erected, would be a nuisance, and would have to be removed. He would have this building located where it could be sold when it might become desirable to do so.
The bill was passed to the second reading.
THE CALENDAR.
Mr. Morrison s drainage bill [H. R. 23] coming up, with amendments by the Committee on Swamp Lands -
Mr. MORRISON stated that the amend merits were entirely satisfactory to him
The committee's amendments were adopted, and the bill was ordered to the engrossment.
The Governor's message transmitting the memorial of the National Lincoln Monument Association coming from the Governor of the State of Illinois - asking for an appropriation for the purpose stated - just communicated to the House, was taken up The total cost of the monument is estimated at $150,000.
On motion of Mr. STEWART, it was referred to a joint select committee of three on the part of the House, and two on the part of the Senate.
Mr. MILLER presented papers in the claim of Dr. Wright, of Tippecanoe county, which were referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. McFADIN offered a preamble and resolution for instructions to the Committee on Education and Agriculture to consider the propriety of locating the Agricultural College at Logansport.
Mr. VAWTER proposed to amend by diverting the location to Franklin, Johnson county.
Mr. STACKHOUSE made an ineffectual motion to lay the resolution and proposed amendment on the table.
The resolution and amendment were then referred to the Committees on Education and Agriculture.
MORGAN RAID INDEMNITY.
Mr. Prather's Morgan raid indemnity bill[H. R. 14] coming up with the amendment of the Committee on Claims - reporting a substitute. The substitute was concurred in.
Mr. SPENCER considered that these claims should be all referred to the General Government; and he considered that such was the sense of the House, as indicated in the vote adopting his resolution in relation to these claims.
The bill was then read - providing three Commissioners, a clerk and attorney at $6 per day, to sit in Lawrenceburg - and prescribing their duties To report the amount to be paid to the revisory board - State officers and Governor. If the total amount of claims exceed $370,000 - they are to be paid pro rata.
Mr. GRIGGS proposed to amend by in-inserting appropriately this: "compensation shall be allowed only to those who have approved themselves to be loyal men."
Mr. FOULKE proposed a motion to lay on the table and print 300 copies.
Mr. CAMPBELL. It was a lengthy bill, but its provisions would be as well understood without, printing.
Mr. PRATHER favored the printing on the ground that it was an important proposition.
Mr. SPENCER and Mr. GREER opposed the motion to print. The cost would be considerable - and at last the bill would be defeated. The General Government should pay for these Morgan raid losses.
Mr. FOULKE made the motion with the hope of defeating the bill.
Mr. CHAMBERS was opposed to the bill, but favored the printing.
Mr SCHAMMAHORN thought the desired information could be obtained without printing
Mr. GEISENDORFF would be very careful that every claimant should purge himself from disloyalty.
Mr. MATTHIS said we are one people; and if losses from this raid from the Smith were not to be paid, gentlemen might reflect bow another portion of the State might be treated in the event of a raid from Canada. He spoke of the war vigilance and services of citizens on the Southern border.
Mr. WILSON indicated his opposition to the bill.
Mr. SHUEY proposed to amend by insering in the proper place this: 'The claimant shall make oath that his claim is now owned by himself, and no interest therein las ever been transferred or assigned." He stated that he understood that many of these claims have been sold to sharpers. If any such purchases have been made, he would have the purchaser lose.
Mr. KIZER opposed with the considera- page: 236[View Page 236] tion that John Morgan would not have run such a successful course near him - and then, at last, he was only imprisoned as a horse thief. Was it want of efficiency in the Loyal Leaguers near his path? He would do justice, &c.
Mr. LOPP. These people of the counties through which Morgan passed submit their claims as a matter of justice and right - as citizens of the State they claim protection. They were in the service of the State and of the United States, when Morgan came. He imagined that if gentlemen had been in those counties at the time of this raid, these insinuations of disloyalty would not be made here.
Mr. ROSS. The simple question was as to whether we are willing to acknowledge those claims and pay them. The House need not care for details, if they are satisfactory to the friends of the bill.
Mr. RATLIFF moved to indefinitely postpone the whole subject.
Mr. NEWCOMB replied to Mr. Kizer's reference to the Sons of Liberty. They were more numerous in Allen and Wells than in any other two counties of the State. He detailed the events of the raid of Morgan, showing that his effective opposition and cheek was from Ohio, Switzerland, Ripley and Jennings counties. But the bill provides also for the property taken by the troops of the State called out to repel - to follow Morgan. These Union soldiers gave no vouchers - they took 7 horses from one man known to him in Jennings county. Now if we can get these claims ascertained and paid, it will give good occasion for the State to memorialize the General Government to indemnify the State and pay the rest. Pennsylvania and Ohio were placed in a similar situation with ourselves, and they have been paid by the General Government. He deprecated these flings at the people of the Southern counties from other sections. If we do not pass this bill in its present shape, we might at least appoint the commissioners, and have the claims ascertained and certified to the General Government.
Mr. BELFORD was in favor of printing and of the object of the bill, without pledging to vote for it in its present shape. He gave full credit to the southern counties for their valor in the war. He would compensate the loyal men for the spoliations by our own troops.
Mr. McFADIN would have the bill printed. These losses should be paid. The considerations about loyalty amount to nothing. They turned out for the country and against the invader as one man. And as to the sale of claims to sharpers -
Mr. PRATHER affirmed that no claims have been sold.
Mr. BRANHAM (Mr. Higgins in the Chair) said he did not care about detaining the House unless the motion was pressed to postpone. The people of the southern part of the State came not here for favors - but simple justice. They were asking but for losses occasioned by our own troops. So far as readiness to repel invasion was concerned, both sections were alike ready, with this difference: that the southern of counties were between two fires, maintaining resistance against a vigilant and wily foe. When Morgan came, most of them they were at the front - the remainder left their homes with alacrity to repel the invader. If the commandants of the southern posts had been as vigilant as the people, there would have been no John Morgan raid. He placed nine engines and men, along the line of his road, to prepare to receive Morgan at Vernon. Pay was not asked for this and much other such individual service. He rehearsed how, at that time, he suggested the propriety of blowing up a certain bridge, and the commandant wanted to call the County Commissioners together on the subject! He gave instances of commandants stupefied with liquor, the men under them idle for days together in consequence. He rehearsed how Uncle Sam sold the horses that Morgan stole. He would fix this matter just as Ohio had done. Ohio had paid the losses, and the General Government had indemnified Ohio. The equivocal position of Kentucky cost us more than all the rebellious States besides. All he asked was for the State to ascertain the amount of these claims, and report what portions the State and General Government shall pay. He moved that the bill be recommitted, with instructions to report another bill to the next General Assembly.
Mr. Carter, Mr. Williams, Mr. Skid more, Mr. Bird and Mr. Fnnk, obtained leave of absence till Wednesday.
Mr. PRATHER was sorry to see a disposition to slight this bill. The gentleman from Jefferson had submitted a faithful relation of the services and sacrifices of the people of the southern counties. It was the duty of the State to protect its citizens in their property. The present shape of the bill suited the majority of its friends. Six years have passed since the raid, and he thought this Legislature should make the settlement. Suppose there were disloyal men in Southern Indiana, it was no reason that loyal men should not be indemnified for their losses. He referred to incidents of rare devotion to the States' protection exhibited by some of these claimants.
Mr. BRANHAM interposed to read his page: 237[View Page 237] amendment: "I move to recommit the bill to the Committee with instructions to take testimony and ascertain all the facts in relation to the Morgan and other rebel raids and report to the next General Assembly."
Mr. PRATHER. If that were the best we can get, he would accept it. He repeated that so far as he knew there was not one dollar of those claims in the hands of speculators.
Mr. GEISENDORF was willing to vote a just reimbursement for the losses of loyal men.
Mr. PRATHER proposed to amend the instructions submitted by Mr. Speaker Branham, by adding a clause to this effect: "To provide and for the property taken and destroyed by Union forces, and report the property and its value taken and destroyed by the rebel forces."
Mr CRAIN was opposed to the appropriation of money now to pay any of these losses. He was in favor of ascertaining the amount first.
The House then adjourned till to-morrow morning at nine o'clock.
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Minority Report from the Committee on Education on the Subject of the Agricultural College, submitted to the Senate of Indiana February 13, 1867, by Senator Niles-See page 219 of these Reports.
MR. PRESIDENT: The undersigned, a member of the Committee on Education, to which, together with the Committee on Agriculture, was referred Senate Bill No. 139, in relation to the Agricultural College, begs leave to submit the following minority report:
The Committee had two meetings on the subject, at neither of which were all the members present. The undersigned was present at the first, but was prevented by other engagements from attending the final meeting at which the members then present determined to report in favor of the bill.
At the first meeting, which was of short duration, the undersigned had an opportunity only to allude to his grounds of objection to the plan finally adopted by the majority of the committee; and on account of the importance of the subject he desires briefly to explain his views in this report.
The act of Congress making the donation of land to the State for the endowment of an Agricultural College was passed on the 5th day of July, A. D. 1862, and required that the College should be located, and, to some extent, put in operation within five years from the 23d day of July,A. D. 1866, a supplemental act was passed extending the time for the acceptance of the grant tor three years from that date, which time will not expire till the 23d day of July, 1869, and extending the time for providing the College to five years thereafter; so that the limitation as to time does not necessarily expire until July, 1874.
It thus appears that no immediate action on the subject is required to prevent a lapse of the grant, and there is ample time for deliberation and the calm discussion of this important question.
The undersigned can not see the necessity or propriety, under the circumstances, of this bill being hurried through the Senate out of its order. On the contrary much may be gained by delay, by a free interchange of opinions and by calm reflection.
The bill under consideration locates the College on the Tippecanoe Battle Ground, a point six miles north of Lafayette, and about eighty miles north-west from Indianapolis, approachable only by a single line of railroad, and where the prospect of its intersection by others is very remote.
The bill also proposes to found a college almost exclusively designed for the education of youths, not essentially different from our other colleges, though it is proposed to make the science of agriculture and mechanics a prominent branch of instruction.
No important donation to the funds of the institution is required by the bill, and all competition on that subject is excluded; while it is, to say the least, a grave question whether the battle ground itself c n be appropriated to such an object without forfeiting the title to the heirs of General Tipton, who conveyed it to the State in trust for a particular purpose.
Our neighboring State of Illinois has issued proposals making the location of their Agricultural College to some extent dependent on the endowment of the institution by private liberality, and offers of several hundred thousand dollars each from various parts of the State are freely made as an inducement to its location in their neighborhoods. The undersigned has reason to believe that, by a similar course, we could secure for our college a private endowment of more than one hundred thousand dollars; and he is of opinion that most liberal contributions would be made by Marion county, and the city of Indianapolis, if reasonable opportunity were given them for the purpose. By the hasty passage of his bill we waive all prospects for such endowments.
There are two questions to be determined: one as to the kind of institution to be established, and the other as to its location.
Two radically different plans are proposed. One, as we have seen, contemplates an ordinary College with instruction in agriculture, military tactics and mechanics engrafted on it. Such instruction is now given in many of our older Colleges and Universities, including military drills, and some of them have departments and professorships for that purpose. This institution would differ from the others only in name. They are all alike designed for the education of youths.
The other plan, which the undersigned is constrained to favor, contemplates, as of prime importance, the education of the farmers and mechanics of the State in real, practical knowledge, such as is especially adapted to their wants; while it does not preclude the idea of a college for the education of the young. For this purpose a considerable tract of land would be desirable. Such a tract, centrally located near the capital, could now readily be procured. This could, by slow degrees, be made into a model farm, illustrative of all the improved methods of agriculture, horticulture and the kindred arts, including the keeping and the best varieties and improvement of the breeds of stock; the value and use of manures; the improvement and propagation of seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables and grains. There all the valuable suggestions on the vast variety of subjects peculiarly important to farmers and mechanics could be tested and shown to the public. There all new and improved agricultural and mechanical implements could be exhibited and tried. It would be a kind of common farm for all the people of the State. The State Fairs could be there held. The State Board of Agriculture, also, could meet at the farm, and permanent buildings for the use of both could be provided. At the times of such meetings, and other suitable occasions, instruc- page: 238[View Page 238] tions could be given in the form of lectures on agriculture, mechanics and the kindred arts and sciences, to which any of the farmers and mechanics of the State could be admitted free of expense.
In this respect, the institution might be like a branch or department of a great European University, designed for the instruction of men, and not merely for boys.
With this view, its location at a distant point would be as if the polytechnic institution of France had been located elsewhere than at Paris, or, as if the present world's fair were established it a provincial city. All this would not be inconsistent with another department like an ordinary college for the education of youths, though that would be its least important and essential feature, as the State will abound with such colleges, while we can hope to have but one institution of the character above indicated. It could become a great central mart for the exchange of the experience and matured thoughts of grown up men. True, it would require time, perhaps many years to fully realize this idea, but a right beginning would insure the final result. And the institution might ultimately become the nucleus of a real university.
It is objected by some that the morals of pupils would be corrupted by contact with a city. That idea is, in a great degree, erroneous. We do not learn that the moral conduct of pupils at the University of Berlin, or at Harvard is worse than at Dartmouth or Heidelberg.
Young men are to be saved from vice not by shutting them up in cloisters, but by wholesome discipline, and by instilling into their minds true principles of morality and religion.
The second inquiry is, where should such an institution be located? Is there but one suitable oint, and is not that one our State Capital ? We hear c arges about what is called the grasping spirit of Indianapolis But what is that to us? Even if there be ground for the charges we may well reflect that the present population will soon pass away, and others, not alone their descendents, but coming from all parts of the State and of the Union, and from Europe, will take their places.
Already eight lines of railroad converge at this point,and others are being built. It is as if eight Ohio rivers were pouring their tides of trade and commerce into and through the city. In the old world the meeting of caravan routes built up cities in the interior. When commerce took to the ocean, great cities were built upon the coast. Now the railroad has restored to us the caravan increased in importance a thousand fold ; and it requires no spirit of prophecy to predict that Indianapolis must, in time, become a large inland city. It is, and will remain, not only the capital and the central point of communication, but probably the chief city of the State. To be jealous of its prosperity is as unwise as to complain that the center of a circle is not its circumference, or for the hand to be jealous of the head and try to injure it merely because it is the head.
Let us rather look to the condition of things in the future, when every person now living in the State will be forgotten, when our population shall have increased five fold and Indianapolis will contain a quarter of a million or more of inhabitants. Then, as now, the material greatness of the State and the security of political and personal rights will rest on our agricultural and mechanical population, like a pyramid on its base. Among them will con1inue o be found many of our purest patriots and most enlightened statesmen. Then, as now, only a small proportion of the laboring classes will pass through a seven or a four years' course of scientific and classical training at a College or University, and happily such a training is not necessary to that development of mind and cultivation of the noblest faculties which are essential to a true civilization.
The question is now presented how and where can we best found an institution designed to interest, instruct and elevate this largest and most important class of our future population?
Anything essentially akin to our present colleges can not meet their wants. It can give something of instruction and mental discipline to the young, but much of what the youth destined for the farm and workshop will acquire at such an institution, being to him unpractical, will soon be forgotten; while the grown up man, blessed with sturdy sense and strong hands, and the rudiments of an English education, can, by means of books, bv social intercourse and active employments, acquire a self culture and practical wisdom worth more than all the learning of the schools. It is for the benefit of such grown up men that the institution should be primarily adapted.
Our industrial community are waking up to the idea of mutual instruction and improvement. It is for that purpose that the State Agricultural Society meets periodically at the Capital. The Governor is by law required to provide suitable rooms for their use. It is safe to predict that these meetings will never be abandoned, but will increase in numbers and interest. Their records, collections and archives will become more valuable every year, and must be preserved. The State Fairs have also become a permanent institution, and both will continue to be held at Indianapolis, for the obvious reason that it is not only our chief city, but is also by far the most central and accessible point in the State. An Agricultural College located elsewhere would add little or nothing to the value of these meetings.
It is also safe to estimate that twenty farmers and mechanic would visit the institution and receive its benefits, if located here, to every one who would visit it if located at such a point as indicated in the bill.
In the judgment of the undersigned, there is little ground for choice between dividing the fund between several colleges of the State, as is proposed by some, or applying it to build up another substantially similar institution. It is even doubtful whether it would not be better to strengthen our existing colleges, by dividing the fund among them, than to weaken them all by an effort to build up a rival institution, offering no greater advantages, and having no stronger claims on the public sympathy.
Similar ideas to the above have been orally expressed by the undersigned at two preceding sessions of the Senate, and while it is unpleasant to come in conflict with personal feelings strongly enlisted in favor of local interests, the undersigned is so fully impressed with the truth and practicability of these views that he does not feel justified in withholding this report.
Surely there can be no injury from some further delay in order that the opinion of our constituents may be fully matured and find definite expression.
In this act we are legislating far more for coming and distant generations than for the present, and in such an act all local interests, petty jealousies and personal aspirations should find no place. JNO. B. NILES.
