Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 20, Number 46, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 11 January 1899 — Page 2

MOUNTS iESSARE. Indiana’s Governor Calls the Attention of the Legislators to Mnch-Needed Legislation. A REDUCTION IN STATE'S DEBTS. / " Reforms Needed in the Laws and Methods of the Government of Counties and Townships. . The Tots! State Indrbtedn-•, Foreign and Uomnlic, Is 55.400.615 IS-A Chance in the School Maiiacement Need. •d-Hnr Other gncc*** tiona Are Made. > " A Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

The people of Indiana have chosen you to represent them in tbe sixty-first general cssembly. They have reposed in you their confidence and you now enter upon the responsible duty of enacting laws for the promotion of public welfare. I deem it unnecessary to review the work of the various institutions of the state. The reports of these will be printed and put upon your desks for examination. The last general assembly enacted a law providing for the appointment of a committee to visit, examine and rocort the condition and needs of the various stato institutions. In obedience to this law, a committee, consisting of Hon. Francis T. Roots (author of the bill). Hon. Fremont CJoodwinc, and Hon. Strathur Herod, was appointed. With this committee's report, added to the published reports of the state institutions. I think it inopportune to prolong this message with references thereto, but shall „ give Urn.lima to the consideration ... 0:),.., lou.- ■ portant questions. t The reduction of the state’s indebtedness has continued during the past two years with the most gratifying results. Funds accumulating in the treasury have been promptly used In taking up outstanding bonds, and ii large amount of interest has thus been saved to the taxpayers. I’a.vincuts on the state debt have been made, aggregating *1,320.000.00 The thrcc-cent levy for the state sinking fund should he continued until the entire indebtedness has been paid off. With the return of prosperity, this levy can be continued without materially burdening the taxpayers of the state, and it is a self-evident proposition that the speedy extinguishment of all bolide I obligations, thereby stopping interest charges. Is in 'keeping with correct business prhtcfpU** anil in harmony with the spirit of practical economy. The saving of interest alone, as shown by the above statement, amounts to $.’5,1 0 per annum. There is a widespread feeling that the taxes levied for state purposes form the larger portion of the burden imptfsr.il upon taxpayers, but this popular fallacy is entirely dispelled by a single statement of facts, by way of comparison. The amount levied for state purposes (aside from the school fund, which Is 11 cents on the hundred, and is, cents for educational purposes) Is only 17 cents, out-of which all expenses of sjate government, including the judiciary, arc paid including also payment on state debt—while the average county levy l W 47. ' “ “ These comparisons are cited in the hope that they may awaken the people to a more complete realization of. the fact that complaint of oppression on account of taxation is due In large meusure to local causcH rather than to lncompctoncy. mismanagement of extravagance on the part of those into whose charge is given the administration of the fiscal affairs of the commonwealth. It Is pertinent to mention that in the prosecution of the Spanish-American war Indiana advanced to the federal government a sum of money approximating H 200,000. This was used in the mobilization, equipment and forwarding the state's quota of troops, comformablv. with the call of the president. Ail clalirm on this account have been filed wlttr the proper authorities at Washington and are being adjusted us expeditiously as possible. Claims to the amount of 4107,10i55 have already been formally passed upon by the auditor of the war department, and a warrant for that amount was deposited with tin l stale treasurer on December 29, IMMT The remainder of Indiana's claims against the general government are in process of adjustment, and It is expected that complete remuneration will be accomplished within a comparatively brief period. It Is gratifying to know that nil reports agree that Indiana's pending claims on account of the war urn in better shape titan those of any other stale in the union. The governor shows that the total state debt lit as follows: Foreign debt. $4,910,000: stale stock certificates, tit,ft 15 I.’; domedlc debt. *484.000. Total debt, 4>,400,615. 1:1. Total interest. $176,925. The need of tho reform in laws and methods of county and township governments is ninnl-fe-t to all. Them are not the proper safeguards around tho powers delegated to county commissioners They have power to levy tuxes, make contracts, speud money l .and make allowances an I audit the books. Section 785(1 us Kurus' Revised Statutes of 1891 give too ‘much discretionary (tower to tho county board. The stale statistician. In answer to questions, finds that some counllcH have purchased court libraries. The auditor answers that the judge requested it und the county euinmissiomus ] made the purchase and paid for the same from comity funds There is no law for such expenditure. The taxpayers of tho County would condemn the purchase of court libraries at the county's ex pease. This only Illustrates what may become the results when too large powers are grunted. Theprodigality with which conn- i fy funds are expended in some CougaJes Is the outgrowth of following precedents rm the ascending scale. Attorneys employed, by com- ; mlssioners in county litigation arc not Infrequently paid fees five times as largd as would be paid for like services rendered to an Individual client. Judges of the court are often extravagant In their allow - ances. My attention has been culled to the disparity in such allowances by different judges for like service. The issyple should lie kept informod us to the expenditures oT iheir public servants. The expenditures of the township officials last year for "out-door relief " amounted to-(375.2U6.U5. This enormous expense Is startling anil reveals the dangerous methods and. lack of proper regard for public moneys. The- system in vogue in many townships fosters pauperism and puts u premium upon vagrancy. The township trustees appoint the roud su|S'rvlsor and upon the ability of this official in large degree is contingent roud Improvement. - i The forthcoming report of the slide statistician will reveal In township government a great disparity of costs per.oupi in ii shows a county of a little more than 32.000 inhabitants expends for county purposes five times as mu it money us another county of mor than 7,1’n00 inhabitants. 1 believe it sate tp conclude, if proper sa.feifuardH are placed about these, offices, wise business and economic methods adopted by counties, courts and townships, there could be a saving of 2U per cent of present taxes for county and township purposes. The people demand a reform that will lessen the burden of taxation, and not a misnomer that will augment expenses The good name of Indiana has been dishonored by a lawless mob that took from the jail in Ripley county and lynched live men charged wi:h burglary. .Jfiven- if these niea hud been by a court found guilty, as charged, the punishment would have been imprisonment, ami not death. All sense of justice add safety rer volts against tho mob us a tribunal for pro ncuncing judgments or administering punish* ment Gov. Atkinson, of Georgia, in his message to the legislature, presents at length Who . dangerous tendency ol mob violence. 10--*Uv-courso of his argument ho says: The mob judges without a full an ft com-

plete hearing from both sides. Its members are not the most capable of Judging. It decides in passion, and too often in whisky. How can it fail to make mistakes and sacrifice the lives of the innocent? lam informed that one man whom the mob believed to be guilty was shot down. A question then arose as to his identity, and he was salted down liko|s4Jbg and shipped to the location of the crlmtfTand found tb be the wrong man—An innoctffit man.’ 1 In the governor’s severe arraignment of mob violence, he found some palliation for these reprehensible acts that has disgraced his own state in the fact that "Indiana had lynched five <men for burglary.” It can not be argued that lax enforcement of inw justifies a manifestation of contempt of courts and disregard for the law. Any county that can organize a sentiment to prevent lynchers from being punished can also organize against’ crime and punish criminals in a court of Justice. Where lynch lawlessness obtains, there Justice is dethroned and courts are myths. The constitution and laws of the state would therij be trampled under the blood-stained feet of brutal and lawless men. If mob violence is to go unpunished, then hate and malice will sit enthroned, and passion, fired by intoxication and governed by a spirit of revenge, instead of evidence, justice and the law. will render insecure life and property. The anarchist would welcome such conditions and would then feel licensed to proceed to even up things according to his dwarfed sense of equity. In my efforts to remove from the state the odium attached to its good name by the lynchings that occurred in Ripley county, every available means were invoked to find out the guilty parties and bring them to account Every person charged with crime has the right, under the constitution and laws of the state, to a fair and impartial trial. For a better guarantee of this right and to awaken a more lively interest in the counties against lynchings and whitecappings, I recommend the enactment of a law making the county responsible for such conditions and liable in U civil suit for damages. in the ease of lynching the nearest of kin should he authorized to institute the suit and for the <.(Tense of whitecapping, the aggrieved party bhould have the right to recover damages.

Any sheriff who permits a prisoner to be tak- | ea from his custody by a mob should bs re- , quired by law to forfeit his office. Lax en- j forcemeat of laws overituajlv results. in the i people ra(truer Ml* till*' tain’ *<> towis All good citizens shotild feci a keen interest in the enforcement of the law. They should be i willing and ready to testify before the grand . jury or in court or to sit upon juries. Quite recently tile good name' of Indiana has again been disgraced by a lawless mob. who took froiitv the Scott county jail a prisoner who was soon ter be tried by a twirl of’justice. • There are no palliating circumstances eon* I nee ted with this brutal murder. Indications | point to a cons pi racy against this man's life. | for the purpose of sealing ills lips in death, : lest dam aging disclosures in trial might reveal f the wickedness anil crime of others. This atrocious murder appeals with new j "force to the tegtsl '.tors of liStHitttn-fef the n--j actmeut of a law that will forever stop this j -mockery of justice. There is a growing necessity for a revision I of the judiciary or the state. With each meqt- j lug of the legislature efforts are renewed fi r the creation of new court districts. In some j instances tin rc seems to be need for the relief . j of the courts, but for many St these demands there Is no justification, it is true that there exists great Inequality as to the amount of business transacted in these judicial districts. If the rule of tho present Is to be continued and present demands granted, it will not be I long until the state will have as muny court ] districts as counties. Courts are multiplying j more rapidly than population or litigation, while court expenses and allowances increase ! ut an want greater rate than courts. During j the last three years the state has paid Umpeetri judges the great sum of *49,084.6). JI'HTICKH’ C'OtJBT, It seems that it would lie expedient to extend the jurisdiction of this court. Litigation over small amounts should originate iri this court, and from which an appeal to the circuit court should bo final. Suits in which petty sums are Involved should end in the circuit or lower courts, and lie burred from the supremo court. " Without elaborating upon the necessity, or dwelling in detail upon the plan. 1 would recommend the creation of a committee, to have charge of tin: revision of the judiciary of the state, to formulaic a bill for the same, to be presented to tho next general assembly: During the past year repeated violations of the penal laws of the state against the waste of natural tflUt Wjr the Standard and other oil companies were permitted to’ go unpunished. Some demands were made for un extra session of the legislature, to Ute end that more drastic, legislation might tie enacted. The state could not bring suit fora temporary injunction or re* straining order without giving bond, The state has been, and is now. seriously hampered In its efforts to suppress Roby gambling, because the general statutes governing injunctions do not permit any restraining order or temporary injunction to lie granted to the stale, or any private litigant, without bond 1 therefore earnestly urge that immediate net ion bo taken by the legislature, oh tills sttbjer:. I T'eciimfnctiil that Hid attorney general be given authority, in the tinqteof tire state of Indiana, without bond, to prosecute or defend any action that has been or shall hereafter bn begun, where tho stale is interested In the result of the action. . _ r - ■ The governor recommends the introduction of the science of agriculture in our .public school curriculum, and refers to Article VIII. Section 1., of the constitution of the stale of Indiana. . In 1895; in New York city, a committee of distinguished citizens, among whom was Hon. A S. Hewitt ami Hon. VV. K. Hodge, was appointed to inquire into the congested condition j of the city, to ascertain the reason why si) many were crowding into the metropolis, causing Idleness and want. They reported that at I the foundat ion of tills deplorable condition was [ the discontent with farming, which led to the migration of country people to the city. In their printed report they say: "One of the great underlying causes for the discontent that exists among the farmers is | the’fact that, as a class, they have no special ; training or education for their business. The methods tout gave success in the past fail to do so at present. The soil lots been depleted over a wide ramie of territory. The active, energetic young men needed on the farm to develop better posslltilities are leaving It. because they have' but little education or training fitting them for the business." The report suggests that the. remedy is to begin "at the, foundation and in tho , public schools." . _ The elaborate system of state education, in France ts only the creation of recent years. There are now more than six millions of children taught in public schools of France, ail of _ whom arc Instruct! 1 1 in the science of agriculture. M. Llsserand adds: "Our school; are now far better attended than they used to be: everywhere people are working with-zeal. and tlie scientific spirit has invaded The farm. Young men of jtitcllig nee are becoming more attached to rural lib-, and the children brought up in tho country districts, when they receive lan appropriate itgricttliural education, will be less tempted to go to the towns to increase the already too great number of thole chronic unemployed who constitute to-day n prrpctu.il danger to society." The abandoned , farms in the older, states sound a note of wanting The hundreds of .thousands yf acres of worn put atul,jtbandimed laud in the south earnestly appeal to intelligent thought. Tn our own state much land fails to product? paying crops-ntid Is being neglected. Many well meaning and industrious fawner- who hat* to do directly with nature s SSStT.laboratory are ignorant of its forces, and rl-Ckleis waste of soil fertility, is the result. Insect pots and fungus growth threaten serious imn.uK mm the profits of agriculture and hortlcu turc. To tie (unearned is to is' f,rearmed. The time is opportune. Let Indiana ti ke.advanced steps in the introduction of this important science, into her public school curriculum. | I therefore recommend the enactment of a law looking in the Introduction of nature study, or the primary principles of the science’ of- agricultural ,nt,.esr sc-booi curriculum, - - The labor com mis, inn. through its iters, has demonstrated the wisdom of toe-law that

created It The eommisMoners bore, in a little more th n 18 months, investigated 39 strikes and lock-outs. They failed in but seven Instances to adjust differences, end in two of these one pirtyto the contest was nonresident, over whom the oommissiohers had no jurisdiction. In four of the c ses the commission Investigated and reported the conditions of settlement In 28 contests satisfactory agreements were secured through the mediation of the commission, and in 19 of these settlements tho working men secured, either an advance in wages or other improved conditions. The commission was also instrumental In having two boycotts declared ofT. and in five i instances prevented strikes through timely mediation. So favorable has been the impression of this peaceable adjustment upon both employers and employes that frequent expression has been made to the flect that the services of the commission be invoked before allowing a strike to be Inaugurated. Through the efforts of the commission 13,815 1 strikers have been put to work. Thus it is manifest that hundreds of thousands of doli ars have been saved to capital and labor within our borders, the peace and dignity of the state preserved, serious conlicts between employers and employes averted, and safety to life and property secured. I believe the time has come when such'differences should be adjudicated in a lawful court of arbitration, where uubiased reason rules and where the evidence of both parties is heard, rathei than between the contesting parties aftersplrited differences ! have been fanned into bitter anil acrimonious contest. I believe the finding <sf such court should be mandatory. Provision should be made whereby tho aggrieved party could immediately appeal to the circuit court, the i decision of this court to be binding and duly enforced. It is a menace to the peace of the state and to life and property for corporations : to be arming men to defend tbeir plants and for discarded labor to be arming for revenge upon the newly em--1 ployed labor or the business that gives them ! work. To prevent ibis hostile attitude, the stateshouldexerci.se its sovereign power and , command these conflicting interests to come into court and settle their differences accordl"lng to Inw and equity, thereby avoiding riot, | bloodshed and the destruction of property. The lpbor commissioners of Indiana took | the initiative looking to the settlement of j striking coal miners, covering the coal fields j of sevesal states, in 1897. Desiring to acquaint myself with the true situation in Indiana. I apiwttilrteti a. t t-rniinn uual rFdt£ Sana It:-Conner-to visit the coal fields and thorough- | ly Investigate the situation. After a careful investigation they submitted their report, which included statements from operators and milters. 1 was thoroughly convinced that the workmen had not been paid "decent, living wages."- The-operators, admitting by reason | of tlrt),.,stress of times and difficulty to make I sales, they undersold each other, forcing them I to reduce wages, until the wages of miners I were too low, I Issued a proclamation appealI Ing to tlie people" fpr relief for the destitute .f families of the idle mlntr,t_ Thp people made f liberal response, and much suffering was' thus | prevented. The scale of wages was increased l and the idle men were given employment, j Letters of thankfulness from tiicse miners, i with positive assurance that a high regard for I the law would characterize their actions, since I the slate had been so considerate of their wants, forces the conclusion that conciliation i and arbitration will better preserve the dignity i of the state and insure obedience to law. than bitter strife and forceful me isures. The act of 1885. providing for public printing, binding find stationery, should be amendend so as to more explicitly state what departments should receive their printing and stationery out i of the printing fund, and also the number of | copies of each report thathould he printed, i exclusive of the Documentary Journal. In amending this law it would be well to reduce ! tite number of senate und house Journals to the i demand for the same. i beg to call (‘.‘iiHitidl atterrtflSftto the valuable report of the state fish commissioner. Through a judicious appropriation, coupled with south wiso laws for the protection and propagation of fish, and for the stocking oMndiunn lakes and streams with game fish, this Interest can be made a source of revenue to the people of the state, as well as affording healthful recreation and wholesome sport. It is estimated that tho loss of live stock from infectious und contagious diseases in this state amounts to from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 annually. It is of great importance that heroic remedies be applied and that tho highest | veterinary skill shall be employed to stop or minimize this grout loss. _ I believe the time is opportune for the placing of all the, penal and correctional Institutions for mules tinder one board of management. Transfers can then be made from one to another without any friction and with loss complleatioti and expense. As far as passible, consumptives should be kept apart. 11l erecting now buildings, pro visions should be made to this end. A little more thun a year ago I paroled 12 consumptives from the Indiana state prison. lam informed that all of these have since died. I shall feel impelled, by a sense of humanity, to parole, under a medical certificate, all serious cases of tuberculosis, unless some arrangement can be made for keeping such cases' separate, so tout the germs of the disease can not infest the cells utul spread the dread ntuludy. it will Ik* your duty to provide additional accommodations for the unfortunate insane wards of the state. My attention has been culled to the lux provision of law for admission to the Insane hospitals. No insane person ( should ho admitted ns a ward of 1 tlie state who Is not a legal resident of the same. I' would recommend . additions to the present hospitals. Instead of a new hospital located On anew site, ns.tola , would necessitate augmented expenses on account of toe purchase of new location and a nt\w board of officers and managers. Two years ago l said to the general assembly , that, "while the road laws needed Improving. their execution needed-revolution." The same t need exists to-dny in an aggravated form. The 4 law requiring tlie road supervisor to work all , ( nldc-bodled men on the highways during the , j months of April. May and June, In many instances is not faithfully enforced, and in some , j cases absolutely Ignored. t j Tin- state has shown great liberality in the ! vast ijtnomU of money it has expended In' the , | erection of a monument to her brave sons. In , the years to come this monument will do-more l | than commemorate the valor and sacrifice of our patriotic soldiers; it will also attest the appreciation of such service by all !• -people iof the state. This momimentj has been so long . in construction that tho managerial expenses j amount to a vast sum An appropriation , ; should he made for the completion of this . work, with a specific provision that it shall be dene within a stipulated time In order that the , expense of supervision of construction may cease. Tlie legislature has tho right and power to f determine for what purposes the state cupitol . shall be used. It would relievo tho custodian . of much embartyissincnt if the legislature would direct him u< to Ills duttas l.u grunting I or refusing tlie legislative halls to organizations request ing their use. - The nomination of candidates for office should he us fur removed us possible from the domi 1 nance of political-leaders and ring politicians, - giving to all voters an equal, free und titfirami uieled right to be heard in the selection of candidates. I therefore recommend the cnI actmeut of a strict primary election law. Never in tlie history of toe benevolent tnstii unions of. the state has the management been ' more efficient or so free from .scandal The pec capita cost of maintenance is less thun eve? before. The highest efficiency can only bo 1 maintained through the -most competent und experienced management, l’arllsaigrimi trol can not assure e ther. Competency grows i with experience, l’urtlsun management of I state institutions means a change in the gov* eminent of the same with each transfer of political power, in the state If the manageI incut of these institutions is Id he given as reward to politicians, then, as a logical sequence, ) the l ,rgor the salary the better the reward; i the mere places provided, the. more workers • rewarded. Extravaaitttce aud iocompetency result, scandal follows, and the people at tho i poll* rebuke the debasing system by defeating ' the party responsible for it I )' There are now four insane convict* in the --Indiana reformatory nd tlftrrn In nie state- < prison The law now makes provijifon for an t lusauity inquest ami the removal of the insane

convicts to the Insane hospitals. This can not be carried out for lack of room. It la unwise, even If there should be room. I recommend that a place be provided for these Insane criminals in connection with one of the in ane hospitals. where they can be cared for and kept separate from other prisoners and away from the inmates of the Insane hospitals. Hired lobbyists are amenaee to free govern* ment. The time is rapidly approaching when the hired tools of corporate greed will be ex- , eluded from the halls of legislation. The just law that commends itself needs no schemer, - with doubtful methods, to secure its enact- | ment. It becomes, therefore, the sacred duty , of law makers to look after the interests of the ; people and to see to it that no inroads are made upon their rights. The report of the labor commission of this state reveals that "no proposition Involving settlements of labor controversies present as great obstacles as those iu which trusts sre parties to agreements. In every encounter with labor, , the workingmen, however Just their cause, emerge from the conflict the greater sufferers. The opportunities of trusts in regard towage reductions are exceptional, and their desires are always p equal to their opportunities. They are not trammeled by state laws, and they defy federal authority." Not only is the trust*potent in controlling wages, but in lobbying their Interests in law- | making bodies and in controlling the price of their products. Any combination or trust formed for the purpose of arbitrarily controlling the price of any product or article of manufacture or commerce, or any insurance combination by which a compact or organization. or conspiracy or confederation, is entered into for the purpose of controlling and determining the rate of insurance, should be prohibited | and severely punished as a conspiracy against j the law of supply and demand and as antagonistic to fair competition. The law enacted two years ago is-not suffi- I cient. and the attorney general of the state did not feel justified in attempting to prosecute trusts under its provisions. I would urge upon this legislature the need of a law drastic enough to prevent these conspiracies against fair competition and Just wages. tf* a- . -

The appearance in the orchards of this state of she San Jose scale and other dangerous insects. and also of fungus growths, thus endangering the horticultural interests, made it necessary, in obedience to the demands of many men. to appolht. in the absence of law, a state eh torno/ogrsr. urM-rvuo n oyd..! ::' instances, ship their stock without the state, | unless accompanied by a certificate from a ; state entomologist that their stock was free ; from the San Jose scale. Necessity having j thus become a law, I appointed Prof. James j Troop of Purdue university, to this office for ! the time. I therefore recommend the passage j of a law creating such un office and defining the j duties and powers of such official. , Only persons or organizations duly autho- > rissed by the board of slate charities should be I permitted to place children from without the | jitate in famll.es within our borders, and a sufficient bond should lie required to indemnify the state against any expense by reason of any such child becoming dependent. The work of I the board of state charities, through'the' state 1 agency, in accordance with the provisions of the so called dependent children’s law, in re-j Moving the public of expense and placing children in family homes, is commended. The report of the board of trustees of the Indiana State Soldiers' home has been printed i and put upon your desks. I would recommend that the legislature authorize the selllug of 50 acres of ground belonging to, but not adjacent , to the home. The disconnection with the„! home makes the land of but little value to the same, except the small income from rent. The proceeds lrom such sale may be properly used iu needed improvements of the grounds. The hoard deems this method of securing funds for needed improvements wiser than asking for an appropriation. demands some change in the school management of the state. The United States commissioner of education does not confine educational statistics to state schools, hut to private institutions as well. In muny of tho states the superintendent of, public instruction is required by law to gather all information, from whatever ,source, state or prlvute schools. Such a report would reflect the true educational progress of the state. In former years the report of the superintendent of public instruction of toe state contained such statistical information. Without counting the I parochial schools. normals and not taking into account other higher educational institutions, male t.nd fomnle. the statistics of which are not at hand, but computing some 1 facts-frout eight private colleges, shows that they have more than *3.000,000 invested in 1 plants and securities. These colleges have in their libraries more than 10J.000 volumes. They | have an enrollment of over 2,000 students, with an alumni of upwards of 5.000. besides from 12,000 to 15.000 more who have attended but did not graduate from these colleges. These institutions. with their mugnlflclent work, should not be excluded from toe educational reports of the state, although they are carrying forward ihelr great work unaided by the state. There is u growing sentiment of commendation for these institutions that ask no aid from the stale.

There are some serious objections to the present com position of the state hoard of education. Otto of toese objections, founded upon justice, is that the counties have no representation on tills board. It is in the township and district schools that the poorest school advantages are offered, and these have no champion or representative on the hoard. The three state Institutions, numbering perhaps3,oOO students. have three representatives. The school enumeration of the state shows 754.945. Os this number approximately 40 per cent, belong to city schools and have three representatives, while 60 per cent...or 435.165, belong to township and district schools, and have no representation on tho state board. The fee and . salary law of 1893 repealed tho ltrsr allowing the auditor of state ten per cent. ' of all fees collected from insurance companies. During Mr. Daily's four years' incumbency of toe office there has been collected. In the Insurance department.-$681,349.98. Under existing! laws, prior to 1895, ten per cent, of this amount, or $68,421.98, would have beep part of the auditor’s emoluments. Under the laws now ltt ; force, it has cftly cost the state the Salary of j one insurance clerk at *I,BOO j er year. I It is. clearly manifest, therefore, that In- i i diana does not need an insurance commission, j with Us multiplied expenses. I would, how- j ! ever, recommend that one additional clerk be ! furnished tho insurance department the ! ; state auditor's office. This will enable the office to make a thorough investigation pf the securities filed and of the financial standing of all c< mpanics doing business in the | state, thus guaranteeing to the people safety, ! as far as possible, against Irresponsible'cumj panics. Conditions conducive to good health arc always of great importance. Pure food and g, od sanitation law.* should always receive careful consideration Judicious laws for the stamping out of infectious und contagious diseases are deserving of attention Apathy und neglect of sanitary conditions arc superinduced-by the temporary absence of infectious or contagious diseases. The state board of health should be given such powers as will enable them to afford immiitilty a$ far us possible from epidemics and to stamp out contagious diseases. The constitution (Sec 1, Art. X) stipulates that the general assembly shall provide, by luw, for a uniform and equal rate of assessment und taxation and shall -prescribe such regulations as shall secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, both real and personal excepting such only for municipal, edticalional. literary, scientific, religious or chart- . table purposes as may l>e especially exempted ! by law. I desire to call the attention of the legislature to the statement from the report of the state fax commissioners and to qrge 4t\ care- : ful consideration. . ...1 The farm institutes of the state, under the supervision of the faculty of Purdue university. and under the direct control of Prof. W . C. Latta. superintendent of the experimental 1 farm at Purdue, have accomplished much good for agriculture and horticulture. In these In- ! stltutes practical questions are discussed, thus ! preparitjg’-tfcn farmer to meet in an intelligent j-woy the new cvediUon* and to solve the probi leans confronting the husbandman to-day. The mwii appropriated (or this work is

tb 000. I recommend that this ttnonit be Increased to at least *7.600. The appropriation, thus Increased, will be but half the amount appropriated by a majority of the surrounding states for carrying forward this work. The good being thus accomplished Is deserving of the highest commendation. The scandals growing out of t|e deplorable conditions existing in many of the jails and poor farms of the counties of the state, call for legi-latlon upon this question. I therefore recommend the enactment of a, law uuthorlzing the circuit judge to appoint for each county a non-partisan committee, to be composed of men and women, who shall visit at le|pt once every three months all the charitable ana penal institutions of the county and report to the state board of charities their condition; said committee to serve without .compensaThe law requiring th£ state board of education, or the "board of commissioners,” to advertise for 21 consecutive days in one dally paper of general circulation in the cities of New York. Philadelphia. Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis, at each letting of a contract of school books, should be amended. Advertisement in the great metropolitan journals outside the state is a useless expense. The superintendent of public Instruction, in view of the approaching letting of a contract, is already deluged with letters from publishing houses desiring to make bids, and this too, before any advertising is done. The *1,003 appropriated to meet this expense is held not to be continuous, while the statute makes the advertising mandatory. Where the statutes command work requiring the outlay of money in its performance, they should also make provision for the money to meet the necessary expense It is manifest that the appeals for appropriations for the erection of new buildings, etc., in connection with state penal, benevolent and educational institutions, will be for an unusually large amount. It is the duty of the general assembly to give earnest attention to these requests and to • scrupulously guard against anything in the nature of extrava gance. It should be borne in mind that a large proportion of the taxpayers of this state, who will l)e called upon to bear a partof the burden of increased expenditures, are compelled to practice that rigid economy in their homes that deprives them no: only of conveniences and luxuries, but many of the common necessities of life. This large class of worthy citizens will have no one bwt thejr, chosej}. t;epresentatives to look after their interests in the legislature, and l nave confidence in the ability and integrity oft his body to deal conservatively and-rivisely with these grave problems. The board of state charities is deserving of much credit. It has rendered efficient service to the state. Tlie high standard of excellence attained in our charitable and penal institutions is due in no small degree to the wise suggestions of this board. In the course of this message proper I will not undertake to enter into a detailed recital of Indiana’s part in the SptnlshAmerican' war, tout for the information of members of this assembly, and all others concerned, a review of this state’s creditable partieip ition in tho stirring even’s of the period is submitted a°s an appendix to the prir ted edition of this communication to your honorable body. I direct attention especially to the reports of the paymaster-gen-eral and the surgeon-general, respectively, detailing the operations of those departments. It will be observed that the paymastergeneral corrects a popular misapprehension in stating that' no deductions on clothing nceount were made, except in the ettse of Officers, all of which ij in strict compliance with law. Most of the uniforms furnished the Indiana national guardsmen, when they enlisted in the federal service, were compara* lively new. Some of the soldiers were furnished uniforms badly worn. The government receipted to the quartermaster for these uniforms, Subsequently a board of survey was appointed to fix the value of these uniforms furnished by the quartermaster general of the state. Some of the volunteers desired the quartermaster to furnish this equipment without charge This he could not do and render a proper accounting to the state. I therefore call the attention of the legislature to this matter, and, if it shall be shown that an injustice has been done, prompt and ample reparation should be made. The Indiana volunteers for the war with Spain have made an honorable record, and the patriotism and devotion tp duty they have manifested on all occasions are deserving of the highest commendation. A bill has been prepared, and will be presented for your consideration, looking to the furnishing of work for the convicts in the state prison From humanitarian considerations the bill should become a law. It will afford temporary relief until some tetter plan can b enacted into law. A UNIQUE WAGER, Won by Astor Over n California Redwood Dinner Table. 't . * Incredulous tSnglflhuisn Convinced of the Immense Slse of Some American Tree* After Losing flio.OOO in a Uet. William Waldorf Astor has won a xvager of $25,000 by giving a long expected dinner to 27 persons, seated around a table made from a single cross section of a great California redwood tree. Nearly two years ago Mr. Astor had 6 discussion with Gen. Owen Williams about the size of California trees, the Englishman not believing that they grew to such enormous size as Mr. Astor asserted. The result was a wageP by the American millionaire that he would give a dinner to 27 persons, who would- d.ine comfortably around the trunk of a California tree. At great expense Mr. Astor had a section of a gigantic tree sent to him from California- It measured 81 feet in When the tree arrived in England it was ' taken to Cliveden, the beautiful country place of Mr. Astor on the Thames, near lienley. There it was partially buried in a par; of the pnrk known as the Half Moon. What the object was in burying it. is not known, but itjwns left for months partially under ground. Four weeks ago the section of the tree was turned over to a firm at Aylesbury. who smoothed off theisurface and polished it highly. As it whs impossible to get the table into, the a large marquee tent was erected over it in a little glade of the Half Moon wood. The ground was strewn with fresh ferns to make a natural carpet and there the dinner waa \o cloth was spread over the polished but it was prettily decorated wi|Jl wild flowers by young Miss Astor, while beautiful candeiabras east a soft light over the costly silver plate and china. Chinese lanterns were hung from the great doorway -cf Cliveden to the marquee and the glade was gayly illuminated. Emperdr William, who is confined to bis bed by an attack of influenza, was represented at . the Xew Yearls reception at the palace by Prince Frederick Leopold and the imperial crows prince^ Frederick William. i

PREPARE TO RESIST. Aguinaldo’s Followers Will Hot Yield Without a Struggle. n Is Said Tksy Will Kir. the City Upon tb. Klrat lloom of American Can*—The Sllnntlon Is L'ndoabt.dly Critical. Manila, Jan. o,—Col. Potter, the special emissary of Gen. Otii between Manila and Iloilo, arrived Sunday afternoon with dispatches from the latter point. The situation when he left there was practically unchanged. The atreets were barricaded and it was reported that the principal buildings had been “kerosened," the insu;gents having threatened to destroy the whole business section by fire at the first shot of bombardment. Tbe banks were shipping their treasure to the United States transport Newport and other vessels. The family of the American vice consul has gone on board tbe Newport. Col. Potter reports that President McKinley’s proclamation had to be typewritten aboard ship as the printers on shore declined to do tbe work and when the text of the proclamation was read to them ridiculed the notion that conciliation was possible. The United States gunboat Petrel arrived at Iloilo on Friday and Col. Potter reports that the United States troops will probably land on Guiamaras Island, about midway between the island of Panay and the island of Negros, where a camp will be established. There is no change in the situation here. On Friday night public demonstrations were held in Pampangas province in ratification of Aguinaldo’s proclamation and the excitement was’lntense. All natives who enter the city in the night time are searched and every other precaution is taken. Ship* him! Men to Go. Washington, Jan, 9—Secretary Long has ordered the Solace to proceed to Manila as soon as she can be made ready for the voyage. Besides the Solace Secretary Loug has ordered the gunboats Princeton and Yorktcwn to the same point. The Princeton is now at New York and will go via the Suez The Yorktown is at San Francisco and will cross the Pacific. Admiral Dewey has asked for supplies of various kinds and the Solace will carry a heavy load of these, sufficient to supply the fKet on the Asiatic station for six monthstot least. Tbe vessel will be attached to Dewey’s fleet and in all probability, if this voyage turns out successfully, she a - ill form one of the regular line of transports which will ply between the United States and the Philippines for the special benefit of the navy. Tte vessel is now at the New York navy yard and is expected to sail for Manila, via the Mediterranean and Suez, in about iwo weeks. The navy department is now making up the details of her officers. Secretary Algeir has decided to 6end four regiments of infantry to the Philippines. .The Fourth, Twelfth and Seventeenth have been designated and. in addition, the Third infantry, now at Fort Sneiling, Minn., will go by the same route, across the Atlantic. Aicuinaldo Objects. Manila, Jan. U.—Within a few hours of tbe proclamation issued by Maj. Gen. Otis in behalf of President McKinley, the agents of Aguinaldo billed Manila with a manifesto which attracted con-siderable-attention. The revolutionary president protested against Gen. Otis signing himself military governor of the Philippine islands. Aguinaldo. in his manifesto, declared he had never agreed at Singapore. FlongKor.g or elsewhere to recognize th© sovereignty of the Americans here, and insists that he returned to the Philippines on an American ship solely to conquer the Spaniards and to win independence. He asserts that both his proclamations of May 24 and June 12 stated this fact officially, and he claims that Maj. Gen. Merritj. confirmed this by a proclamation several days before the Spaniards capitulated, stating clearly and definitely that the American forces came to overthrow the Spanish government and liberate the Filipinos.

Kays Americana Sainted Hla Flag* In conclusion, Aguinaldo declared he had natives and foreigners as wituessee that the American forces recognized not only by acts that the Filioinos were belligerents, but by publicly saluting the Filipino flag “as it triumphantly sailed these seas before the eyes of all nations.” f Aguinaldo then solemnly protested, in the name of the Deity, who empowered him to direct his brethren in the difficult task of regeneration, against the intrusion of the American government. and reiterated that he can produce proofs that he was brought here on the understanding that the Americans promised him their cooperation to attain independence. The revolutionary leader then called upon all his followers to work together with force ar.d assured them he *s convinced that they will obtain absolute independence, and urging them never to return “from the glorious road” on which they have "already so far advanced.” Maj. Gen. Otis attaches no importance to the manifesto. He says he feels confident that the opinion of the better classes of the Filipinos is not expressed in 4t. Still Stuch Excited. Santiago de Cuba, Jan. 9. —Senor. Bacardi, the mayor of Santiago, is cabling tq Hanvina each day regarding the situation, explaining that the local excitement growing out of the proposal of the United States authorities to concentrate the customs receipts at Havana is not allayed, and that the people want provincial and municipal autonomy. ■■ v ' Decision Reported Agafsil Drejrfos. Faria, dan. 9.—Le Soir says it learns from an indisputable source that the court of cassation is convinced tkai Drcyfua was justly condemned.