The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-09
THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.


stands all the affairs Of the State. Two
years ago he promised the people OF In
diana a business-like administration. He
is familiar with all the details of admins
tration and the excellent condition of every
branch of the States service proves that he
has made good his pledge TO the utmost.
He has personally put himself IN touch
with the management Of every institution
and has seen that his ideas OF administra-
ton were carried out Governor Durbin
has shown that 1.-The best politics is ex-
emplifed in fidelity to official duty and the
protection of the interests of those whom
we serve,
The finances Of the State are shown to be
in excellent condition, which is quite as
much due to intelligent and conscientious
management as to the collection of the rev.
enues. State officers have paid into the
treasury $392,035 fees, while $S7,1746
was the amount Of the savings by the care
full expenditure Of appropriations which the
general fund contributed to the reduction
OF the State debt. Emergency and epidemic
appropriations under the control Of the
Governor, which would have been exhausted
If the requests for their expenditure had
been complied with, remain unexpended for
the most part or the appropriation Of
$4,000 set apart as civil and military con-
tingent fund for the Governor, only $24S5o
was expended. 1t was the habit a few years
ago to expend whatever the Legislature
OF OF "A ~ 70
tions. but under the present system Of
accounting and strict adherence to the pur-
pose of appropriations as expressed In the
law, better methods prevail. The official
who does not exhaust an appropriation is
no longer regarded as curiosity.
The recommendations which the Governor
makes regarding State institutions seem to
be practical. An appropriation of $4,000 or
$4,000 was deemed necessary for hospital
for the criminal insane, but provision has
been made at the States Prison by the
expenditure of small amount. The Gov
ernor's solution of the problem of separat-
ing the Woman's Prison from the Girls
Industrial School is sensible. Outside of the
State Prison he would build prison for the
female convicts, to be under the general
direction of the Prison Board of Control,
but in charge of a matron with powers
similar to those of warden of the prison.
The building now In use for the two insti-
tutions would be remodeled for the indus
trial school. The Governors suggestion re-
garding the proposed home for epileptics,
that the Legislature should provide for a
commission TO ascertain what the State
needs and the best means of caring for
such unfortunates and report to the next
Legislature, is wise. The State has already
been put to great expense by the hasty To-
cation of public institutions. Experiment.
ing is not necessary when something like
certainty can be attained in two years In
accepting the opinion of the Board of Char
tiles to the effect that Indiana should not
commit itself to experiments i'm the dis
position Of prison labor. and that the pres
ent system, with some notifications, should
taken the sensible course. That the con-
tract system should interfere with outside
competitors and deprive outside labor of
employment cannot be sustained by sta
tistics. Several prisons in neighboring
States have the same industries, and these
could not affect a larger number of trades.
The outspoken opposition of the Governor
to the creation of bureaus and new boards,
which are usually unnecessary, will meet
general approval. There are men who are
anxious to create places which they hope
to get. If such men had carried their
points in the past. Indiana would now have
insurance, railroad and boiler-inspection
commissions with expensive bureaus In
diana is better of without them because
they are expensive and unnecessary, and
what is expensive and unnecessary In the
creation of public places is vicious. The
Governors objections to the mourning of
county and municipal debts are timely.
Indiana has, thanks to the efforts of the
late William H. English, debt limit But
for it counties and cities would now be
hopelessly involved. Now that we have it,
1t is better to live up to It. The Governors
recommendations relating to lotteries in the
form of guessing contests" the prize fight
evil and to the promiscuous sale of weapons
to be carried in violation of law will meet
with the cordial approval of law-abiding
and law-respecting people.
If the Legislature shall proceed to it's
work in the spirit which pervades Governor
Durbin's message it will meet the approba-
ton of the people of Indiana.