Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1915 — Democratic Press Bureau Letter. [ARTICLE]

Democratic Press Bureau Letter.

I By Lew Ellinghain |

Indianapolis, Jan?-7.—Today before. an impressive audience -that completely filled the House chamber to overflowing, even the corridors • urrounding this part.of the building being an interested mass of people, Governor Ralston delivered his mesage to the members of the Indiana General Assembly. It was a good, wholesome, well tempered message. " was neither radical or ultra conservative, but just the message that One;' might expect from a chief ex- - -vault e. .who.has only at heart the 'well being and the improvement of conditions and people of his state. The recommendations made were in themselves safe and sane, and they were made in a manner befitting the chief executive of so great and important a state as is the Hoosier common weatlth. There was no self laudation of the man or the office the speaker occupied, nor were there any attempts at self glory for the really big things accomplished um der his administration. In this the speaker had the right to say much because seldom is a governor called upon to hold the reins of government in so many trying ordeals as has fallen to the lot of Governor Ralston, since the 1 2th day of January, 1912. The first was the awful flood which devastated many sections of the state, destroying millions of dollars in property and taking the homes of thousands of our people. The suffering was heart-rending, but under the guiding hand of this cool headed executive something like fifty thousand dollars was distributed among the needy thus enabling them to rehabilitate their homes, besides carload after carload of clothing, furniture and food stuff was districted to the many devastated districts. This was all done without costing the state a cent and now it is

hard to find any one who remem-, bers that awful flood and the distress and suffering which- followed it. Following close upon the heels of the flood came the street car strike when for more than a week the street cars were standing idle upon the streets of Indianapolis, during which time life was endangered, to say nothing^“of how the public looked on and suffered. Over the protests of his friends and many of his official advisors, the governor quietly called in part of the Indiana national guard, and almost before they wer6 quartered and ready for their first taste of hard tack, the war ended in a compromise to which both sides of the controversy subscribed. Then in the latter part of September without previous notice or warning, appeared the deadly “foot and mouth disease.” According to the governor’s message the disease is thought to be under control if not wholly wiped" out in the state, and that the total cost will not exceed one hundred thousand dollars. So the governor could have entertained the members of the general assembly and the visitors as well, with a bound volume or two upon his accomplishments during the first two years of his official life. It is to be hoped that the next two years will not be so strenuous, but we know they will be just as successful. But it was a splendid message from a splendid man and a splendid governor.

Salient Points of Message. Recommends the purchase of supplies and stationery through the board of printing, binding and stationery. Recommends only the employment of sufficient help to transact the business of the legislature, and that a list of employes and the amounts due them be furnished the auditor of state once each week. Recommends that the secretary of the senate and clerk of the house indicate in writing over their own signatures when the bills pass on final reading, and that the name of the enrolling clerk also accompany each bill that goes to the governor for his signature. Recommends that paid lobbyists be compelled to registerwith the secretary of state, setting forth the character of their employment and the individual or corporation they represent. Discusses state finance and temporary loans. Recommends the repeal of the sinking fund. Rejoices over the healthful condition of state finances and rejoices too that at this moment for the first time in eightytwo years, the state does not owe one cent of foreign debt, thejast_being_paid on the 31st of December. ~ Recommends that the state .; tax board be given the authority' of equalizing personal property by classes. Recommends the removal of county assessors for cause. Recommends a more thorough classification of state printing contract. Praises the public service , commission. Should pass a primary election bill if the people want it. Gives history of the penal farm up to date. Endorses the public accounting law. Recommends the enactment of a law creating a board of conciliation and arbitration. Pass an apportionment act ol representation for the general assembly. Recommends that the institutional schools be placed under the supervision of the state board of education. ‘ ‘ Urges action on the twentytwo constitutional amendments now pending before the legislature. Recommends an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars to <be placed with a non-political non-salaried centennial commission of nine members, whose duty it would be to give some public celebration which would fittingly celebrate the state’s hundredth anniversary.