The Lake County times., 1907-01-10

has been reduced Notwithstanding the
increase in the cost of supplies. There
is. however, still room for improve.
ment in the administration Of these
institutions. | suggest for your con-
sideration the propriety Of revising
the laws relating TO all such institu-
tions other than the institutions for
higher education, that uniformity may
be had in their administration.
tuberculosis commlssion.-By Joint
resolution approved March 6, 1905,
the Sixty-fourth General Assembly au.
thorized the appointment Of a com
mission of five persons to investigate
the need of a hospital for the treat
ment of tuberculosis in this state and
the work of such institutions in other
states. These gentlemen have made
wide and intelligent investigation of
the subject and have filed report of
their proceedings and their conclu-
sions, copies of which will be furnish
ed you and which commend to your
consideration The subject is one that
appeals greatly to all thoughtful per-
sons, and if the finances of the state
VIII permit, steps, leading to the es-
tablishment of such an institution
should be taken by you.
Anti-Lobby Law.-Special interests,
individual and corporate, are won't to
exercise undue influence upon all leg
islation relating to any matter of con-
Germ TO them. They fill legislative
III q
with paid agents who recognize no
public interest which conflicts with
that OF their employer An act should
be passed, under suspension of the
rules, carrying an emergency clause.
which shall provide that every person
thus retained or employed shall forth
with file in the Office of the secretary
OF state a written statement setting
out the names Of the person or per
sons, firm or firms, corporation or cor
| porations, association or associations,
by whom or on whose behalf he is
retained or employed, together with
a brief description of the legislation
in which such service is to be rem
dered, and that every person, firm,
ty days after the adjournment of the
General Assembly, shall file in the
Office of the secretary of state an item
lied statement showing in detail all
expenses in connection with the leg
islation pending at the last previous
session, together with the names Of
the payees and the amount paid each,
41a Ill al {1lN, 1{c ,f
kind or character paid, incurred or
! promised to counsel or agents and spe-
| cifying the nature of said legislation
and the interests of the person, firm,
corporation or association therein.
! The act should also make the viola,
ton of any Of its provisions crime
| and provide severe penalties as pun
ishment therefor.
R-ilroad Passes.-Two years ago
urged upon the General Assembly the
necessity of anti-pass and anti-frank
legislation None was enacted. Tho
whole practice is corrupting and de-
moralizing. / therefore repeat the
recommendation l made in this behalf
to the Sixty-fourth General Assembly.
Two-Cent Fare.-With free trans
portation eliminated there is no just
reason why the maximum passenger
rate Of steam railways in Indiana for
intra-state travel should not be fixed
by law at two cents per mile. Such
legislation will be of substantial ben
eft to the travelling public. | take it
you will enact law in this behalf
since most of you come with instruc
tions from your constituents to do so
Private Banks.-The Sixty-fourth
General Assembly enacted a private
banking law which has been construed
by the supreme court and held valid
The law, though defective in many
particulars, is step In the right di
rection. Its greatest defect is the
lack of state supervision and exam
ination. l recommend that the law
be amended by providing for state SUI
pervision and examination of all such
banks.
Inheritance Taxi am thoroughly
convinced Of the necessity and the just
ness of a law which shall provide fol
the taxation of the devolution or sue
cession of property by device or in
heritance. Such tax is levied but
once. and that at time when it car
be paid without hardship. It Is ar
eminently just form Of taxation. In
deed, its validity and fairness are
quite generally admitted. In case oi
inheritances by direct heirs $4,000 Is
in my judgment, reasonable exemp
ton, and in case Of inheritances b!
collateral heirs, the exemption should
not be more than $1,000.
United States Senator's believe
great majority of the people of tn
state are in favor of an amendment II
the federal constitution which shall
provide for the election of Unite'
States senators by the direct vote o
the people. / commend the subject Z
your consideration.
Primary Elections.-I commend 7
- r.