The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1915-01-07

who introduced and had charge of it.
l recommend that the Secretary Of
the Senate and the Clerk Of the House
be required. whenever q bill IL sent
to the Governor for his approval, to
indicate to him In writing over their
signatures, that tho same has passed
their respective houses. and that the
clerk enrolling the same likewise In
dicate to the Governor In writing that
he enrolled said bill.
Anti-Lobby Legislation.
It u my opinion that some practical
measure should be passed by the Six
ty-ninth General Assembly that will
redeem tho 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 1t
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 to 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-
tions governing that class.
State Finances.
The subject Of state finances is
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-
tions is raised by taxation The
power to tax is an essential power Of
government, and it's 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, it is importaDt that
you be made acquainted with the
financial condition of the state at this
time, that you may act understand
ingly in making appropriations. And
In 30 far as my action as executive
has any relation to the financial pol
anxious that you be furnished this
information.
/ The recent unsatisfactory financial
condition Of the state. extending
over several years. under the admin
istration Of different political parties,
was not created but inherited by the
present administration. The revenues
derived under the levies in force
prior to 1918 were not sufficient to
meet the states monthly expenses,
approximately S35O,0O0. These eX-
penses included demands by bent O.
lent. correctional and educational in
! sututiOns, and as far back as 1910
unpaid warrants held by these insti-
tutions accumulated in the Auditors
office, ranging in amount from $45-
900 to 100000 This led to policy
of mortgaging the future finances Of
the state by calling for advance pay
ments-a practice pursued by both
Republicans and Democrats. 1t would
have been a bad business policy for
an individual and it was a worse one
for commonwealth. 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.
Foreign Debt Paid.
Upon coming into power this
administration was bur
dened with a foreign in
debtednesS Of $3.50, 10000
This indebt edness has all been paid
as follows:
January and July. 1o13-On principal, l.,
$4,000 and interest. S1.593 So
january and July. 1914-On principal,
$4,000 and interest 81 ,479.99.
December 81. 1914-On principal,
$130o0o and interest. S1,137.5O
Total. $3.50 900 and interest. 81 POI 80
Under an act approved January 0,
1882. authority was given the Commits
sioners Of the Canal Fund to issue
bonds for S20O.H1O for the purpose of
constructing the Wabash and Erie
Canal The first issue OF this amount
was for 100000 on July I. 1892, and
:. from that day to the 3lst day Of De
cember. 1914, Indiana has continuously
paid interest on a foreign debt. AS
the Chief Executive Of Indiana, I 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.
t In fixing levies for the ensuing two
years. you can discontinue the Sink
ing Fund of Ia cents, since the pres
ent levy to be collected in 1913 will
raise more than sufficient funds to re
tire the S12O.54S0O Of Vincennes Uni
verSty bonds maturing April 10, 1917
Provision should be made by you for
the transfer to 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 Q cents to cents will make
| saving TO the people in the tax levy
In the last two years Of 312 cents, or
$6SO,G0O annually.
l rejoice with you. therefore, that NO
state in the Union is in healthier
financial condition than is the com
monwea!th you have the impressive
honor Of representing. and your
watchful care over the finances Of In
diana viii, I am confident. he such as
to bring honor to future legislatures OF
your state even greater than that you
on iOy in YOUR representative caDacjty