South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07
STATE FINANCES
!. SAYS GOV. RALSTON
IN GOOD CONDITION
Strikes Economy Keynote in
Address at Opening of 69th
Session of Indiana LegiSIa-
lure Thursday Noon.

In his message az the opening OF the
sixty-ninth general assembly OF the
state of Indiana. Governor Samuel NJ.
Ralston said:
Gentlemen OF the Senate and House
Of Representatives
The Constitution of Indiana provides
that the Governor shall, from time to
time, give the General Assembly infor-
nation touching the condition of the
state, and recommend such measures
as he shall Judge to be expedient. In
recognition OF this duty and in keeping
with custom, l desire to communicate
with you at this time
IL is the theory OF constitutional
government that an intimate relation
should exist between the executive and
and the legislative departments: and
shall deem it my duty to communi-
cate with you without reserve when
ever ] feel that the public interest war
rants such action. While the law does
not excuse ignorance, it does presume
innocence. All men are presumed TO
mean we'll in their relation with their
fellOwmen and 10 the public This
presumption should not be overthrow
by Eesre suspicion or unreasonable
clan,or. / congratulate you. therefore.
that out Of the experience of ages and
with the approval OF wise jurists, you
come 20 your post OF duty as public
servants supported by this rule and
sustained by this enlightened public
opinion.
Like all public officers, you have 1t
TN your power in the discharge of YOUR
duties as lawmakers TO vindicate this
legal presumption and this public opin-
ion BY your faithful officia conduct.
II is my duty, as it is my intention.
in my Official relation with you. TO as
sumo this TO be your purpose: and
nothing short OF convincing proof shall
Induce me to abandon this assumption.
shall not judge you by a standard
other than the one by which / am will
Ing to be judged by you.
SUPPLIES for Legislature.
Tha charge is invariably made at
the close OF every session of the Leg
islature that extravaganza has pre-
vailed in the purchase and use of sta
tiOnery and printed matter by that
-.
that there have been times when this
charge was true. There is such
thing as the state. like the individual.
being penny wise and pound foolish:
and il is not my desire to see this
body adopt that sort of a policy.
Extremes on any subject or question
are not desirable. Rather il should
be the policy OF those charged with
the performance of public functions to
endeavor 10 strike happy medium
I'm their work, ard IA this way do for
the public what the honest man OF av-
erage prudence, intelligence and civic
conduct would do under similar cir
eumstances In such a course there
is safety, and just in the degree public
servants depart from this course there
Is danger Of injustice being done the
public. I urge upon you therefore the
policy OF rational economy and moth.
ing more.
Employees.
The General Assembly cannot carry
on its work without assistants, clerks.
and employees; but in making up its
working force, il should not feel called
upon TO create a position for every
one who seeks employment No fault
should be found with a citizen who de-
sires an opportunity to serve his state
in any capacity; but the General As
sembly has none OF the functions of
an employment bureau beyond it's duty
to secure the needful. and only the
needful. help 20 enable it's members
10 render the service for which they
have been chosen. The number OF
employees, therefore that will be re-
quired should be determined. If il
can be determined with reasonable
certainty. before you make an appro-
priation TO cefray the expenses OF this
session OF your body: and I recon
mend that you appropriate not 10 ex-
coed one hundred fifteen thousand dol
lars for this letter purpose
] would further suggest that each
house keep a payroll OF its employees.
showing the number Of days OF labor
performed and the amount due each
employs. the same to be furnished the
Auditor Of State at the close Of each
week BY doing this. Il would avoid
any irregularities that might occur in
the making OF appointments OF those
employees necessary for you 10 have
for the proper discharge of your Of
fetal duties.
Bills Not Passed.
The proper officials OF the General
Assembly have in the Sast certified TO
the Governor certain bills as having
bee passed by both the house and
sent. 2. when such was not the fact
and through such certiication the
Governors approval and the publica-
ton OF said bills as laws were secured.
This sort OF thing has occurred when
Republicans controlled the Legislature
and IL has occurred when Democrats
controlled IT, This shows a great
probability OF its recurrence and the
necessity for making provision against
The possibility Of its repetition
These mistakes. TO characterize
them in no severer terms. were abso-
lutely inexcussble. the most grievous
wrongs against the public / recog
aize that II is impossible for the Presi