The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-15
Amendment of Statute Of
Limitations, Invoked by
Jackson, Asked.
GIVES OPENING ADDRESS
Governor Advocates More
Millions for Highway
Improvement.
Ueslie's speech is printed in fun on
Page III

Amendment of the statute Of
limitations, under which Governor
Ed jackson was freed in a bribery
case, to prevent public officials
charged with malfeasance from In
voking the statute in their defense,
was advocated today by Governor
Harry G. Leslie in his opening adj
dress to the seventy sixth general
assembly.
The recommendation was ap-
plauded by senators and representa-
tiyes, who, last Thursday, applauded
Governor Jackson'S farewell address.
Strict adherence to his party'S
platform pledge for primary law
modification; recommendations for
reform in criminal proceedings to
curb bandttry; Endorsement of pro-
poSals to increa2e highway depart
ment revenues by $5.000,000 or. $6,-
100000 annually, to speed highway
construction: and insistence on
rigid economy in expenditure Of
public funds were high points of the
governors initial message.
Only the proposal to increase
highway revenues by millions failed
to bring applause.
Eight recommendations Made
Senators and representatives, in
Joint session. counted eight major
recommendation in Leslie's mes
sage:
1. Economy consistent with grow.
ing demands on the state treasury.
2. No tampering with sections of
the tax law governing the budget
Nnd right of appeal by taxpayers;
but especial consideration" for re-
form proposals made by the state
tax board.
8. Revision of the 1927 workmen's
compensation law, to make 1t
practicable, Just and equitable"
and to remove all question of Its
constitutionality.
4. Provision for increasing high
way department revenues not more
than $6,000.00O annually for high
way construction, the means TO be
left to the wisdom and Judgment"
of the legislature.
8. Revision of criminal laws to
(al provide the same penalties for
banditry and holdups that now are
provided for first degree murder;
(b) to avoid unreasonable, nom
sensicaI, and indefensible delays in
the trial of criminals; and (c) to
prevent public officials, charged with
malfeasance, from pleading the
statute of limitations
6. A policy of cooperation and
support for national legislation de-
signed for agricultural relief; and
furthering of agricultural research
and education.
T. Classification and standardiza-
ton of public buildings, particular
ly schools, Ito avoid the expense Of
multiplicity of plans and specif1ca~
tions," for schools of approximately
the same enumeration.
8. Amendment of the primary
law to throw the nominations for
United States senators and Cover
nor into state conventions; to place
the nominations for representatives
in congress in district conventions;
and to eliminate the presidential
preference.
Statute Amendment Urged
Legislators were attentive when
the Governor, discussing criminal
law revision, spoke out boldly on
the statute of limitations, as he
promised he would in his campaign
speeches.
i recommend that, unless re-
strained by constitutional restric-
tionS," he said, you amend the
present statute of limitations SO
that it shall not apply to public Of
ficials, either elective or appointive.
charged with malfeasance in Office
or any other crime committed dur
ing the tenure Of their official re-
lations. in order to impress more
thoroughly upon them the serious
ness of official misconduct or de-
reelection, and more effectively pro-
tect the interests and welfare Of
the people of our state"
Legislative Care Urged
Reminding legislators of their re-
SponSibility, Governor Leslie urged
them to "scrutinize carefully and
consider fully all bills" submitted
for their action.
In the face of an almost certain
tax increase, Leslie did not spe-
cifically ask for adherence to the
present 23-cent rate. but urged that
appropriations be held to actual
needs. He recognized, he said, that
state governmental costs are in
creasing as its requirements and OBJ
legations to society increase.
Increasing population in the
states penal. benevolent, and corr
rectional institutions likewise In
crease the burden. but must be
given adequate care, he said
Leslie's primary pronouncemerlt
was in the exact language OF the
Republican state platform. Eighty
Republican representatives. all
elected on that platform. and
twenty five newly elected senators,
beside the thirteen Rpublican hold
over senator's, squirmed as the
Governor ccuched his primary ut
terances in a language they had
heard before.