The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-15

1 during the past Few WeeRS ana L am cOnis-
dent / profited thereby in the way Of Sc
curing information of a practical nature
that could not have been so easily obtained
otherwise. The consisted OF
Senator Goodwine and Represe ntatiyes
Artman and James. 1 observed that they
were SO thoroughly in earnest in their
work, so conscientious in the discharge or
the responsible duties imposed upon them
that / feel L would be remiss If / failed
to accord to them the full need or praise.
No man can invent an excuse for challeng-
ing the sound business Judgment. the IN
tegrity or fairness of this committee, col
l~ectively or individually. That being n
self-evident truth, the recommendations
they may make should have precedence
over all other solicitations. and ought no.
TO be set aside by persistent appeals Of in
stitutional officers whose constant presence
in the lobby should not be looked upon with
favor.
The General Assembly has very properly
! provided a nonpartisan committee to in
vestigate and report upon the needs OF the
several State institutions, and il naturally
follows that they have a moro compre-
hensive understanding of conditions than
genial gentlemen whose observations ana
operations are for the most part limited 10
the third house." L nave the greatest re-
spect for the members of this Legislature.
L am sincere in saying that its personnel
ranks higher than any other OF recent
years, but l am convinced that the time
has arrived to utter an emphatic protest
against outsiders who have the effrontery
to attempt TO usurp the functions which
rightfuly belong to the properly consti-
tuted law-making bodies.
For Institutional Investigations
The committee appointed tc investigate
and report on the needs OF the State penal
and benevolent institutions has accom-
plished a great service in behalf of the
State. but IL has had neither the authority
MOI opportunity to become thoroughly in
formed of physical conditions. / therefore
respectfully recommend the appointment
by the Governor or otherwise of three disin-
terested and competent citizens to make
a thorough investigation of the several es-
Establishments In order that they may report
to the next General Assembly how condi-
tons may be bettered and what steps
should be taken for the safety OF inmates
and the protection of the property of the
State. The time such commission would be
empowered to serve should be United to a
reasonable period.
In the event of the erection of new build
iEgs, Ii would be wise policy to make them
as permanent and substantial as possible.
The selection of a site for now institutions
should be first approved by Il special COM
mission before the location IL definitely de-
cided upon. Unfortunately. several -institu-
tons now in existence are so badly situated
as to drainage, water supply, etc., that the
wonder is that such palpably poor judg-
ment should ever have been permitted to
prevail. The institutions of the State should
be located with the view single &C properly
providing for the health, comfort and con-
4 NtIltllCc Oh inmates, ana no. IOT the SDecldi
gratihcatfon of real-estate SPECTATORS.
-Nonpartisan Management
The more / have learned of The results Of
the nonpartisan management of our insti-
tutions the more / nave become convinced
of the practical utility of TIE methods now
employed. While / am myself a partisan of
somewhat inf1eXible temperament in that
particular, 1 cannot but realize that my
first duty is TO the State. W hatever / may
think personally will not be permitted to
serve as a rule and guide ID my actions Of
fcially. / believe in the wisdom and justice
or the merit system. / favor rewarding
friends who have been my good friends,
but L cannot do so by going contrary to
the promptings of my conscience. In ac-
cepting this office l become in large meas
urc responsible for the care and comfort of
hundreds of wards of the commonwealth
whose conditions call for rity and for tears.
Knowing full well these conditions, / can
never consent to the Endorsement of any
proposition purposing a backward step. In
deed, L am frank to say further that poll
tics should be eliminated from the public
schools and that the merit system should
be made legally applicable there, also. 1
realize that this suggestion will be met with
objections, but Ii is only a question of time
when that result will be forced to consum-
nation by intelligent public opinion and the
progressive spirit of twentieth century civ
ilization. Ones worth and usefulness should
count for more than reward for party serv-
ice. even In the management of our schools.
- nap lIoCll ilto tDC u IL vi
the httest, which is, after all, the universal
law of nature.
II States Finances.- r
Governor Mounts message, which has
heretofore been read to your honorable
bodies, contains a comprehensive resume of
the states finances, and as l cannot add
anything new or of special Importance at
this time, 1 will conffne hoy self to con-
graduating the people of Indiana on the
splendid record that is being made i'm, the
| xyaV of 1inuidatinU tho nuh1io dohf Tba
sinking fund provided for this purpose has
proved to be a wise and economic measure,
and before the close of my administration
/ expect the State debt to be a thing of
the past. This can be accomplished without
imposing any additional burcens on tax
payers and will stop interest charges which
have so long been a heavy and constant
drain on the treasury.
Public Office a Public Trust
Lam thoroughly in accord with the i'm
pressive maxim first uttered by the late
distinguished jurist, Judge Cooley, that
"a public office is a public trust / desire
tc avoid saying anything especially per-
sonal to myself, but L nevertheless feel
there is no violation of propriety In assert
Ing that at no time have / thought of pecu-
nary gain in connection with the position
to which nave just obligated myself and
TO which L purpose devoting my best eff
forts, with a full understanding of the
weighty responsibilities l have voluntarily
assumed. My sole ambition is 10 make a
l&Sola ~ tAlL VII hdAC Tic DID,
probation OF those who have intrusted their
interests to my care and which will stand
as my most substantial and enduring
monument when the history of my admin
istration shall have been written. 1t sha
be my constant aim to conduct the affairs
Of state with even more scrupulous care
than has characterized the management
of my private interests, and TO demand a
like accounting of every subordinate. 1t
is not my purpose to be unduly exacting:
1 do not intend to impose burdens on 9TH
ers / am not willing to bear myself, but 7
do expect and shall insist that every peg.
son in the States employ shall render
adequate service in the position he holds,
regardless of the salary he receives, elm
known as the Null law has been the means
Of working a practical reformation of
former methods of obtaining money from
the treasury on questionable claims. I'm
der this law no one can obtain a warrant
from the auditor without furnishing abso-
lutte proof that it is a just one, and II has
been the means of saving many thousand
been secured by the claimant without a
proper accounting or adequate explanation.
-Overburdened Statutes.-
There is more danger Of having too many
laws in our statutes rather than too few.
come entirely too common, and L believe
you will agree with me in the conclusion
that il is time TO call a halt. This condition
is not peculiar TO Indiana. but is equally
true of all the States. Many acts that
have taken the form of law are dead let
tiers, and merely cumber the statutes and
produce confusion. 1t is the almost unani-
nous opinion of lawyers that there should
be a general revision and condensation OF
the acts already in existence. Almost ev-