South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07

bill upon their assistants and those
who introduced and had charge OF IL.
recommend that the Secretary Of
the Senate and the Clerk of the House
be required, whenever a bill is sent
70 the Governor for his approval. to
indicate to him in writing over their
signatures, that the same has passed
their respective houses. and that the
clerk enrolling the same likewise in
dictate to the Governor in writing that
he enrolled said bill
AntI-Lobby Legislation.
II is my opinion that some practical
measure should be passed by the Six
ty-ninth General Assembly that will
redeem the business Of lobbying from
the reproach that now attaches there
to, and put its practice upon a higher
plane of legitimacy and real service.
A law should be enacted providing
for the registration with the Secretary
Of State OF lobbyists for hire. and II
should require them to set forth the
character of their employment and the
name of the individual or corporation
they represent. They should not be
allowed as lobbyists 10 occupy or
share the seat of a member OF the
General Assembly. Neither should re-
pOrters for the press be permitted to
seek out members in their seats and
privately lobby for or against pending
measures under the guise OF legitimate
newspaper work; and as hired lobby
lists they should be under the regula-
tons governing that class.
State Finances.
The subject Of state finances lie
very closely related to every branch
OF the state government. and repre-
sents the toll taken from the people
to operate the machinery of their
government. The money necessary TO
enable the state TO perform its func-
tons is raised by taxation The
power TO tax is an essential power OF
government, and its exercise should
always be carefully scrutinized. An
abuse in the exercise OF this power
may be destructive OF the interests
OF the people. Since the taxing power
Is lodged with the legislative branch
OF government, il is important that
you be made acquainted with the
financial condition OF the state at this
time, that YOU may act understand
ingly in making appropriat And
in so far as my action as executive
has any relation to the financial pol
icy and condition of the state, l am
anxious that you be furnished this
information.
The recent unsatisfactory financial
condition OF the state, extending
istration of different political parties.
was not created but inherited by the
present administration. The revenues
derived under the levies in force
prior to 1913 were MOI sufficient to
meet the states monthly expenses.
approximately $780, 900. These ex-
penses included demands by benevo-
lent, correctional and educational in
situations, and as far back as 1910.
unpaid warrants held by these insti-
tutiOns accumulated in the Auditors
office. ranging in amount from $45.-
600 to $4,000. This led 10 a policy
of mOrtgaging the future finances Of
the state by calling for advance pay
ments-a practice pursued by both
Republicans and Democrats II would
have been bad business policy for
an individual and IL was a worse one
for a commonwealth. l commend,
therefore, the Legislature of 1913 for
having had the courage and states
manship TO take the necessary action
to put Indiana on sound business
basis. 80
Foreign Debt Paid.
Upon coming into power this
administration was bur
dened with a foreign in
debtedneSs of $3.50. 10000
This Indebtedness has all been paid
as follows
January and July. 1913-On principal.
S2j0,000 and interest. $1,5S3.S3.
January and July. 1914 On principal,
$4,000 and interest, $t,479.99.
December 81. 1914-On principal
100000 and interest, $1.137.5O.
Total. S65000O and interest. 81. 2O1 30
Under an act approved January o,
1880. authority was given the Commits
Sioners of the Canal Fund 10 issue
bonds for 100000 for the purpose of
constructing the Wabash and Erie
Canal. The first issue OF this amount
was for 100000 on July 1, 1892. and
from that day 10 the 31st day OF De
cember, 1914. Indiana has continuously
paid interest on foreign debt AS
the Chief Executive of Indiana. / re-
Joice that the honor Of lifting this bur
den Of 50 years standing from the
homes Of my state. has fallen TO my
administration.
In fixing levies for the ensuing two
years. you can discontinue the Sink
ing Fund Of l II cents. since the pres
ent levy 10 be collected in 1915 will
raise more than sufficient funds 70 re-
tire the $12O.54S.OO Of Vincennes Uni
versity bonds maturing April 10. 1917.
Provision should be made by YOU for
the transfer 10 the General Fund OF
the balance remaining in the Sinking
Fund after the payment OF these
bonds.
The repeal Of the Sinking Fund law
and the reduction Of the General Fund
levy from cents 10 cents Will make
a saving TO the people IN the tax levy
in the last two years Of 319 cents. or
S6S000O annually.
yofof1a NTH 4baraFnra hat