The judges are appointed by the Governor and Senate for 7 years, and the senior in commission is the Chief Judge. This court holds its sessions at Indianapolis, in May and November. It has appellate jurisdiction only, except in capital cases, and cases in chancery in which the President of the Circuit Court may be interested.

-

The President Judges and the Prosecuting Attorneys are elected by the legislature, the judges for 7 years, and the attorneys for 2 years; and the Associate Judges and Clerks of the Courts are elected by the people for 7 years. The President Judges receive each a salary of $800 and the Judge of the 5th Circuit is allowed $300 in addition, optional with the County Commissioners of his Circuit; the Attorneys have each a salary of $150 and perquisites. The Judges hold two terms in each county annually. There are two Associate Judges in each county, who receive $2 a day during the session.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Indianapolis and Madison Railroad.

The distance between Indiana

polis and Madison is about 80 miles. The railroad is nearly completed to Columbus, about 40 miles, half way between the two first-named points.

The Wabash and Erie Canal begins at the town of Toledo, on the Maumee bay, at the western extremity of lake Erie, passes up the valley of the Maumee river a distance of 75 miles in the State of Ohio, and thence through the State of Indiana, a further distance of 145 miles to Lafayette, making the whole length now opened, 220 miles. The canal is in rapid progress from Lafayette to Terre Haute, 90 miles, two thirds of the work being completed. From Terre Haute to Evansville, about 140 miles, some 45 miles are nearly finished, and $225,000 have been expended on the remainder. The whole canal will be 450 miles long. It is of large dimensions, and has been built at a great cost. The lower portion of this canal, for a distance of 60 miles, is 6 feet deep, and 60 feet wide.

FINANCES.

The revenue paid in for the year ending October 31st, 1843, was $213,716.66. The amount of the common school fund, derived from bank dividends, was $59,243.44. The number of acres of land assessed in 1843, was 14,674,599. The value of all property taxed, was $103,709,853. The number of polls taxed was 121,919. The internal improvements of the State consist of one railroad, three turnpike roads, and five canals. The amount of the State debt was $13,899,000.00; of which sum, $1,527,000.00 accrued from bank stock, and the balance for internal improvements. The expenses of government in 1843, were $90,897; for 1844, they are estimated at $100,000. The income is estimated at $240,000, mostly paid in State Treasury Notes.

XXV. ILLINOIS.

GOVERNMENT.

Salary.

THOMAS FORD, of Springfield, Governor, (term ends 1st Mon-
day in December, 1846,)
John Moore, of McLean Co., Lieutenant Governor, $6 a day
during the session, and $4 for every 20 miles of travel.
Thompson Campbell, of Galena, Secretary, (including clerk hire,)
William L. D. Ewing, of Hillsborough, Auditor,

Milton Carpenter, of Hamilton Co., Treasurer,

(do.) (do.)

Walters & Weber, Public Printers.

The Governor is, ex officio, Fund Commissioner.

Norman H. Purple, of Peoria, Bank Commissioner.

$2,000

1,500

1,850

1,000

Jacob Fry, of Lockport, Acting Commissioner on the Canal.

Joel Manning, of Lockport, Secretary of the Commissioner.

Each member of the legislature receives $4 a day during the session, and $4 for every 20 miles of travel. The Lieutenant Governor is Speaker of the Senate. Samuel Hackelton, of Fulton Co., Speaker of the House.

The judges are elected by the legislature, and hold their offices during good behavior. Five constitute a quorum. The judges all perform circuit duties, the State being divided into nine circuits, or preside in the Circuit Courts. There are nine State's attorneys, who are elected by the legislature bienially. Salary, $350 and fees.

Attorney Gen., $700 and fees.

Reporter.

Clerk,

Fees.

The only other courts now in the State are those held by probate justices and justices of the peace. The former have jurisdiction in actions of debt or assumpsit by or against administrators, &c., where the amount in controversy does not exceed $1,000, and the general powers of probate courts. The latter have jurisdiction in actions of debt or assumpsit, not exceeding in amount $100; and exclusive jurisdiction in cases of assaults and battery. In trespass to personal property and trover, where the damages claimed do not exceed $20, justices of the peace have also jurisdiction. In all suits for debts, where the damages claimed exceed $20, the. Circuit Courts have jurisdiction, and they are Superior Courts of general jurisdiction, both civil and criminal.

The Governor and Justices of the Supreme Court constitute a Council of Revision, which acts upon all laws, approving or disapproving them.

ILLINOIS CANAL. The report of Gov. Davis and Capt. Swift on the Illinois Canal, which has excited a strong interest, has been published. Some of the principal facts exhibited by the report are, 1st, The amount of liabilities of the canal is $5,239,792, and the amount of promissory notes, &c., applicable to the extinguishment of those liabilities, $393,034, leaving a balance of $4,846,756. 2. The expense of completing the canal will depend upon the arrangements made for the supply of water; viz. $1,600,000 in case one plan be pursued; $1,680,000 in another case; $1,800,000 if both the Fox and Calumet rivers are embraced, together with the sources relied upon under the first plan. 3. The property proposed to be pledged is a satisfactory security for the proposed loan of $1,600,000, and will reimburse the same with interest. 4. The works may be completed in three years. 5. A subscription of a million of stock has been make in the United States, but whether reliable or not, the commissioners are unable to state. Considerable attention is given to the question whether a preference can be given under the act of 1843, to the subscribers to the new loan of $1,600,000. Chancellor Kent has given the opinion that such a preference can be legally given.

James L. Minor, of City of Jefferson, Secretary of State,

and Superintendent of Common Schools,

Term ends. Salary.
Nov. 1848, $2,000

do. do.

Fees & 1,300

Hiram H. Baber, of City of Jefferson, Auditor Pub. Ac. Feb. 1845, $1,700

Gustavus A. Parsons, of City of Jefferson, Adjutant General,

100

The Lieutenant-Governor is, ex officio, President of the Senate, and receives $4,50 a day while presiding over the Senate; and the pay of the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the same. The Senators are chosen every fourth year, and the Representatives every second year. Their pay is $3 a day. The legislature meets at the City of Jefferson biennially, on the 4th Monday in November.

The Supreme Court is held at the City of Jefferson. This Court exercises appellate jurisdiction from the Circuit Court, and has original jurisdiction in cases of habeas corpus, mandamus, &c.