Indiana Authors Books

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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1897, by
ELDREDGE & BROTHER,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

WESTCOTT & THOMSON,
ELECTROTYPERS, PHILADA.

DORNAN, PRINTER,
PHILADELPHIA.

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PREFACE

"KNOWLEDGE and learning generally diffused throughout a community being essential to the preservation of a free government, it shall be the duty of the General Assembly .... to provide .... a general and uniform system of common schools." This quotation is introduced here to show that the makers of the Constitution of the State appreciated the truth that the first purpose of public education is the preparation of the youth for the duties and responsibilities of intelligent citizenship. They offered no other reason for the provision for schools. Is it not reasonable to suppose that a very important part of this "knowledge and learning" is a thorough understanding of the governments—both National and local—under which we live? It has seemed to the author that in the study of this subject the emphasis has been put too constantly upon the National Government and too little attention has been given to the institutions of the State and to local administration. The well-being, security and comfort of the citizen depend more intimately upon the management of local and State affairs than upon the administration of the General Government. It is in the hope that it may be helpful to a realization of the importance of the State and local governments and to a clearer conception of the obligations which grow out of the civic relation, that this book has been prepared.

It makes no pretension to be an abridgment of the statutes of Indiana nor a text-book on the history of the State. It is an attempt to give a concise outline of the governmental machinery and the forces by which it is operated. To convey a better idea of the origin and page: iv[View Page iv]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page iv growth of our institutions, an historical sketch of Indiana precedes the discussion proper. It has not been possible within the scope of the book to include all the details and variations of local government. Peculiarities in the government of township, town or city should be noted and the attention of pupils called to them. Concrete illustrations serve to simplify the complexities of government. The Constitution is appended in the hope that it will be the object of careful study: with this idea in mind many of its provisions have not been incorporated into the text. A copy of some of the recent editions of the Revised Statutes should be in the possession of each school. When reference has been made to the Revised Statutes it is to Horner's Revision of 1896. A scrap-book in which may be preserved clippings giving the proceedings of primaries and conventions, sample ballots, official blanks, and accounts of historical events will be helpful in arousing the interest of pupils.

It is desired to acknowledge the obligations due to many friends for favors, and especially to Mr. John W. Cravens, editor of the Bloomington World, for criticising the manuscript and offering timely suggestions as to the management of local affairs.

Criticisms and suggestions that will help to make the book more serviceable will be heartily welcomed.

W. A. RAWLES.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY,
Bloomington, September, 1897.

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CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION 7
• I. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF INDIANA 12
• II. THE STATE GOVERNMENT 38
• III. COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT 71
• IV. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 95
• V. PARTY ORGANIZATION AND ELECTIONS 107
• VI. PUBLIC EDUCATION 117
• CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE 129
• APPENDIX 161
• INDEX 166

ILLUSTRATIONS.

• WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 7
• GEORGE ROGERS CLARK 12
• OLIVER PERRY MORTON 33
• SCHUYLER COLFAX 34
• THOMAS A. HENDRICKS 34
• BENJAMIN HARRISON 38
• CAPITOL BUILDING AT INDIANAPOLIS 42
• GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF INDIANA 54
• MAXWELL HALL, INDIANA UNIVERSITY 127

MAPS.

• INDIANA TERRITORY, 1800 AND 1802 24
• INDIANA TERRITORY, 1805, 1807, AND 1816 26

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"It will not be denied that the State government touches the citizen and his interests twenty times, where the National government touches him once."

—JAMES A. GARFIELD.

"An American may, through a long life, never be reminded of the Federal government, except when he votes at presidential or congressional elections, lodges a complaint against the post-office, and opens his trunk for a custom-house officer on the pier at New York when he returns from a tour in Europe. His direct taxes are paid to officials acting under State laws. The State, or a local authority constituted by the State statutes, registers his birth, appoints his guardian, pays for his schooling, gives him a share in the estate of his father deceased, marries him, divorces him, entertains civil action against him, declares him a bankrupt, hangs him for murder. The police that guard his house, the local boards which look after the poor, control highways, impose water rates, manage schools—all these derive their legal powers from the State alone."

—BRYCE'S American Commonwealth.