Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 98, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1920 — PARTY POLITICS CONSIDERED [ARTICLE]

PARTY POLITICS CONSIDERED

By Governor in Letter to Republican Members of Assembly. Indianapolis News (Rep.): In letters mailed to the Republican members of the Indiana general assembly Governor Goodrich outlines a tentative legislative program for a special session of t'he legislature if it s'hall be called, and sounds out the legislators in regard to their views on 'the proposed program and additional legislative matters that Should be brought before a special session for consideration. The governor says that if a spe■eial session is called it will be done with “a great deal of reluctance,” but adds that "if we can meet, pass the necessary emergency matters anil adjourn without delay, the special session will not only result in no injury to tho party but will actually strengthen it.” The tentative programs outlined by Governor Goodrich is made up

of 18 legislative matters which, the governor says were discussed at the informal conference of Republican assemblymen the day following the one-day special session of the legislature, and some other matters that. have been suggested to him since that time. The letter, he says, is sent out in accordance with the plans agreed on at that conference. The governor’s letter says: At the informal conference held at the one-day special session of the general assembly it was agreed that I should send out to the Republican members of the house and senate not only the suggestions discussed at the conference, but also any additional suggestions that might come to me from the various members of tlhe general assembly and elsewhere, for consideration at a special session. I am inclosing you herewith the list of suggestions that have been handed to me. I will be very greatly obliged to you if you will let me know: 1. Whether you have In minu anything in addition to the.inclosed list that should be considered? 2. Are you in favor of limiting the session to the fewest possible emergency matters? 3. Would It be advisable to hold a Republican conference or caucus on the night before the special session in order that some intelligent party action can be taken? 4. Keeping in imdnd the importance of the shortest session consistent with the public interest and the fact that a regular session of the general assembly will be held in about nine months, I would like to have you indicate any matters too in the inclosed statement that in your opinion might properly be carried oyer until the regular session. I have no desire to impose my views upon the general assembly. If a special session is called, it will be dome with a great deal of reluctance. My conviction is that if we can meet, pass the necessary emergency matters and adjourn without undue delay, that the special session will not only result in no inijury to the party, but will actually strengthen it. The schedule of proposed legislation accompanying t'he letter follows: 1. The making of the necessary appropriations to enable the state institutions to finish the biennial period. 2. The correction of the county unit road law so as to replace the

sections of the law that were left out by the enrolling clerk in the senate. x 3. The restoring to the county auditors, amid treasurers of the per diem for services on the equalization boards which was by mistake taken from them by the tax law. 4. The consideration of a blue sky law. 5. Amendment to O'Ur election laws so as to care for the additional vote resulting from equal suffrage. 6. Proiposed amendment to the tax law. 7. A bill authorizing the erection by the state of a suitable memorial to the memory of the soldiers anid sailors of Indiana who tendered such magnificient service in this war. 8. A bill readjusting rates for legal advertisements. 9. Amending the depository law so that all funds of every kind that come in the hands of the county treasurer and clerk or any other public ofllcial by color of their office shall go into the public depository. 10. A bill quthiorizing the’ preparation and submission to the general assembly of a budget and repealing the law creating the visiting coimanittee. A bill authorizing an increase in interest on bonds from to 5 per cent. 12. A bill authorizing the submission to the voters of Indiana at the coming primary the question as to whether or not the state-wide primary Should be repealed. 13. A bill to correct the registration law so as to provide for permanent registration. 14. A bill repealing the law passed by the last general assembly amending the drainage law and affecting Noble, Lagrange and Steuben counties. 15. Amendment of the Peru flood prevention law. Also the following additional suggestion by the Farmers’ Fedeiation: 16. Pure seed law. 17. Authorizing traction lines to haul farm products through the streets of the cities. 18. Placing the stockyards under the control of the public service commission. In the event Governor Goodrich calls a special session of the legislature, it is planned to have bills prepared covering the legislative matters the assemblymen indicate they wish to consider and copies of the bills will be mailed to all legislators in order that they may have the opportunity of considering them prior to the convening of the assembly.