Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 January 1901 — INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF WINFIELD T. DURBIN, GOVERNOR OF INDIANA. [ARTICLE]

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF WINFIELD T. DURBIN, GOVERNOR OF INDIANA.

In this initial year of the new century I congratulate the people of this great und growing commonwealth upon the proud position Indiana has in the galaxy of States composing the Federal Union. The history of the republic cannot be written with fidelity to fact without emblazoning upon very many of its pages a tribute of glory to the part Indiana occupies in its substantial progress, and the loyalty and patriotism that has ever marked its efforts in the upbuilding and the perpetiiity of its free institutions. As we contemplate Indiana at its birth into the Union and then look around us, we can scarcely realize that so much development, prosperity and ideal conditions could be a result of less than a century of growth. As we appreciate the blessings that are enjoyed to-day we should never forget the sacrifices that were made by the fathers in their settlement of this goodly land, and their hardships and trials in carving from the great Northwest Territory the State of our hearts' best love. Over a third of a century ago Indiana gave nearly 250,000 men for service in the war for the preservation of the Union, and thousands of her brave young men are now battling for the flag and for civilization in the Philippines and in China. In the islands there is one regiment in which more than 60 per cent of the men are of “Hoosier” origin, and the regiment is also commanded by an Indianan. the courageous and chivalrous Col. Dorst. Under the guidance of the great Oliver P. Morton, Indiana made a record in the War of the Rebellion that hardly has a parallel in the histories of armed conflict." When the battleship Maine went to the bottom of Havana harbor as a result of Spanish intrigue and treachery, thousands of strong-hearted Americans responded to President McKinley’s call for volunteers and swore eternal devotion to “Old Glory." Indiana played a prominent part in that drama, also. This State was first to report its full quota of troops in camp; they were first to receive their pay from the State, and throughout the campaign they conducted themselves in a manner that was in every way creditable. They were not called upon to fight, but it was in them, and braver, more determined soldiers never carried sword or musket. Indiana Products. As an agricultural State Indiana farmers have given it an advanced position in the products of the fields, the flocks and the herds. In manufacturing, especially within the last twenty years, it has attracted to itself an investment of capital, and produced an output of product that has not been excelled by any other State of its area in the Union. The natural gas development has, of itself, gathered to the fortunate territory of this unique fuel of nature, a center of enterprise and business that cannot but be a basis of future increase almost beyond conception. The investment of capital for business purposes, and the building and projection of new lines of electric and steam railway communication permeates almost every county in the State, while the con- • struction of better roads signalizes the activity of town and township throughout all our borders. Wagons of Indiana make carry very largely the transportation supplies of the British in South Africa. Indiana carriages are used in the capital.city of every countty on the globe. Indiana building stone is in the construction of the best public edifices in a very large part of the capitals of our sister States. The tin of Indiana manufacture, the glass of Indiana manufacture, the furniture of Indiana manufacture, are not only to be found in the markets of every State in the Union, but also found in the increasing number of the markets of the civilized world Indiana authors have their names on the nation's roll of fame, and so anywhere and everywhere there can be something of Indiana origin or that clusters round the material conditions of Indiana, that is a mutter of pride to every reflecting citizen of the State, and serve very largely in the renown and the honor that attaches to our good name and fame. Standing thus at the milestone to which the progress of the past has brought us, it is the practical part of the duty of our citizenship to go forward. Government hns its relation in an intimate and personal sense to every citizen of the State, and it is a sacred Obligation, one that I appreciate to the fullest extent when I, as your chief executive, assume the great trust you have placed in my keeping. I appeal to you for your support that our government may be one of law in fact, and to our Creator for that divine guidance that I may see the right and have given me strength to do the right. I appeal to the members of the Legislature, those charged with the responsibility of devising ways and means for the business necessities of the State, to mark their acts with conservatism and practical judgment. There is no greater business interest in the State of Indiana than is associated in the government of this State. Each taxpayer Is a stockholder in State government. The taxes that are levied nnd which are the contribution of each taxpayer make up the sum total that goes to meet the expenses of every department of the State's business detail. Recent legislation has liberally provided for the necessities of our State institutions consequent upon the growth <|f the commonwealth, but from year to year there will have to be added room as population grows and the unfortunate wards increase. It is a source of gratification to note that our institutions are upon n business plane, free from any bias of party management; that our benevolent and penal institutions nre conducted upon a humanitarian and n reformatory basis, and it should be • the sincere hope of all of our citiiens that from a fiscal sense, the management should be on lines of the most approved business methods and with a conscientious care and skill for those who through misfortune nnd affliction are dependent upon the bounty of the State for aid and support. I shall hope to preserve the high standard of all our Institutions and surround them with every encouragement and influence that will tend to practical economy nnd accounting of financial outlay, a fidelity of official duty, and * trained and humane policy towards

those that are the recipients of the State’s good care and bounty. In connection with every other agency in the administration of State affairs charged with financial duty, I shall hope to have approved business methods prevail and a care and guardianship in the expenditure of the people's money that will not divorce from the idem of official thought that a policy of expenditure of pdblic funds should differ in its detail from the most approve! policies that mark the success and economy of expenditures in private business enterprises. There is no logic or reason in a difference between the methods that prevail in successful private business not being applicable to those in public business. A public office is a public trust; scrutiny is hot suspicion; the dollar that the tax levy brings to the treasury should have the full value of one hundred cents in its payment of the expenses of public government. I think it opportune to call attention to the advisability of considering legislation looking to the statutes against fire causes and carelessness. The ash heap of Indiana for 1800 amounted to over two millions of dollars, and for the first six months of 1900 to $1,700,000. The conditions surrounding labor in Indiana are those of general satisfaction and prosperity. The evils of government and the needed reforms for their cure can only come through the forceful influence and support of public opinion. Law and order must not be superseded by the slightest resort to, or approval of, the injustice of vigilants with rope and masks. The hope of free institutions, the sanctity of the home, the safety of the citizen, the dignity of our manhood, rests on the respect for and the enforcement of law. Too strict supervision within the lines of a proper safeguarding of the people's interests cannot be exercised over corporations having to do with savings, insurance and cooperative investment. It is a pleasure to note the practical completion of the Soldiers’ Monument. It is a structure of graceful symmetry and imposing grandeur. It is a tribute of memory front the people of this State to that splendid body of patriots, living and dead, that went forth from Indiana to save the republic from the disasters of rebellion. It should be preserved sacred and inviolate in its dignified majesty. The statutes of the State should forbid its use for any purpose of a worldly character, other than as a Mecca to which a grateful people can come to do honor to the soldiers and the cause which it typifies. For Institutional Investigations. The committee appointed to investigate and report on the needs of the State penal and benevolent institutions has accomplished a great service in behalf of the State, but it has had neither the authority nor opportunity to become thoroughly informed of physical conditions. I therefore respectfully recommend the appointment by- the Governor or otherwise of three disinterested and competent citizens to make a thorough investigation of the several establishments in order that they may report to the next General Assembly how conditions may be bettered and what steps should lie taken for the safety of inmates and the protection of the property of the State. The time such commission would be empowered to serve should be limited to a reasonable period. The more I have learned of the results of the non-partisan management of our institutions the more I have become convinced of the practical utility of the methods now employed. While I am myself a partisan of somewhat inflexible temperament in that particular, I cannot but realize that my first duty is to the State. I believe in the wisdom and justice of the merit system. I favor rewarding friends who have been my good friends, but I cannot do so by going contrary to the promptings of my conscience. In accepting this office I become in large measure responsible for the care and comfort of hundreds of wards of the commonwealth whose conditions call for pity and for tears. Knowing full well these conditions, I can never consent to the indorsement of any proposition purposing a backward step. Indeed, I am frank to say further that politics should be eliminated from the public schools and that the merit system should be made legally applicable there, also.

The State’s Finances. Gov. Mount's message contains a comprehensive resume of the State’s finances, and as I cannot add anything new or of special importance at this time, I will confine myself to congratulating the people of Indiana on the splendid record that is being made in the way of liquidating the public debt. My sole ambition is to make a record as Governor that will have the approbation of those who have entrusted their interests to my care and which will stand as my most substantial and enduring monument when the history of my administration shall have been written. It shall be my constant aim to conduct the affairs of state with even more scrupulous care than hns characterized the management of my private interests, and to demand a like accounting of every subordinate. Voting Machines. The subject of voting machines is attracting attention throughout the country, and in my judgment it should receive your careful consideration Anything that tends to insure better safeguards for the suffrages of the people is a godsend. I am emphatically in favor of any method of voting that safeguards the ballot and guarantees to every legal voter his choice in the selection of public officials. And now assuming the office of your chief executive, I profoundly appreciate the high honor nnd the weight of responsibility. My efforts shall be for the upbuilding, for the prosperity, for the happiness of all the people of the commonwealth, and I ask of the Legislature conservatism, wisdom, economy, justice eve* and always; of the citizenship of Indiana, co-operation nnd support, nnd with confl dence in the God of our fathers to help in the conscientious discharge of my full duty, I hope for a future for Indinnq full in the fruition of apparent hope and promise.