a central board of control and a supervising board like our Board of State Charities. The sphere of action of these boards, you should reməmber, would most certainly bring about:

1. A standardization of supplies.

2.

Standardization of methods of control of similar institutions.

3. Uniformity and impartiality in the treatment of inmates. Progressive and up-to-date methods in management.

4.

5. Closer co-operation between the central board of control and the Board of State Charities than it is possible to have between the latter board and the eighteen different boards of trustees.

6. Supplementary work of the two central boards with each other. The Board of State Charities gives special attention to the benevolent or the humanitarian side of the dependent or penal problem with advisory, possibly supervisory, powers over the central board of control; while the latter's functions are to manage the business or administrative side of institution life.

"Without any concerted movement the dual plan has developed spontaneously in all parts of the country and is now the most generally accepted form of new enactments." It ought to be adopted in Indiana.

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR NEGRO CHILDREN.

The General Assembly of 1911 made a conditional appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars for the purpose of purchasing land for the establishment thereon of an industrial school for negro children. The appropriation was on condition that there was money available for the purpose. Under the terms of the appropriation law, the appropriation lapsed if not used during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1912. During that period there was no money available for such purpose, and for such reason, said land was never purchased. I am glad to inform you that there are at this time in the treasury of the State ample funds available for the purpose, and your attention is directed to the subject, in order that you may take such steps as you desire in reference thereto. In this connection permit me to say that very little is being done in Indiana for the industrial and higher education of the negro children in the State. The State maintains splendid institutions for the higher education of its young men and women, but few colored children attend them. A state institution where colored children could be educated in industrial and vocational subjects would in the end be of great and lasting benefit not only to such children but to the State at large. In justice to the colored people this should be done.

NATIONAL GUARD AND STATE ARMORY.

The members of the General Assembly, as well as the people of the State, may well be congratulated on the record for good service made by the first Indiana brigade of the national guard on the Mexican border. This is the first complete organized brigade ever furnished the national government from Indiana.

Under the command of able officers the Indiana boys, many of whom were without training, have in six months become trained and seasoned soldiers, in good health and spirits. Those who have returned and those who remain there have alike maintained Indiana's military reputation as far as opportunity permitted, and would continue to do so under active military duty.

By the act of Congress, 1915, the federal government assumed a greater degree of control over the national guard than before. It provided for a large gradual increase in the number of guardsmen from the various States, Indiana's limit to be over 12,000 men, four times the present enlistment. This much or any substantial increase in the guard will require additional armory facilities and other maintenance expenses. In that connection I desire to call your attention to the suggestion that a building of sufficient size to house all the state troops might well be constructed on the state fair ground, nearby if not connected with the present coliseum, the same to be used for the dual purpose of an exhibition hall during state fair week and for the armory-both matters of state-wide interest, if not duty. I ask you to give this suggestion the consideration its importance warrants, and take such action as your best judgment commends.

A LINCOLN MEMORIAL.

The route traveled by Abraham Lincoln and his father's family, when they removed from near Gentryville, Indiana, to Macon County, Illinois, is a matter of historic interest; and the last General Assembly directed the Governor to appoint a commission to determine that portion of said route lying in Indiana. The commission has completed its work and made a report of the same to the Governor. This report will be laid before you. It would be a fitting memorial of Indiana to the martyred President, if you would officially and legally declare the route determined by this commission to be the one he passed over from his home in Indiana to his new home in Illinois.

GETTYSBURG.

On the immortal battlefield of Gettysburg, other States have erected many costly monuments in commemoration of the bravery of their sons in that battle, but Indiana has been content with erecting but six markers there, where her soldiers fought and died. An appropriation sufficiently large should be made by the General Assembly to place Indiana in line with other States, by erecting on this field of carnage, made sacred by the blood of Union soldiers and the voice of Abraham Lincoln, a fitting monument for Indiana soldiers who died there, that the American Union might live.

SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

One of the most inspiring structures in our State is the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. As a work of art it is a class of itself. The language it speaks, though not audible, is far more eloquent than the human voice. The traveler views it in deep and reverential contemplation and continues his journey profoundly impressed by the lesson and inspired by the glory exemplified in the heroic citizenship of a free people.

This work of genius and patriotism must be properly cared for and preserved for the remotest generations of men.

The board of control in charge of this monument have represented to me that they are in need of money to install a new elevator therein and to replace the candelabra on the plaza thereof. I recommend that the board of control be given a hearing by your honorable body and that you make them the necessary appropriation.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

Many of the Union soldiers who served their country in our civil war have passed beyond their earning period, and they feel they can no longer contribute money for any purpose beyond the support of their families and themselves. They nevertheless have a keen interest in the state encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. They love to march to the music of the fife and drum under the folds of the old flag"The one flag-the great flag-the flag for me and youGlorified all else beside, the red and white and blue."

These exercises afford an inspiring lesson in patriotism, and the State can well afford to assist in defraying the expense thereof. For this reason I recommend that a continuing annual appropriation of $500 be made for this purpose, to be paid, or so much thereof as may be required, on the order of the Governor.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

An Indiana historian has said that "No more important body of men ever assembled in the State of Indiana than that which met in the Hall of Representatives, in the old state capitol, in Indianapolis, October 7, 1850, to revise the constitution of the State." The statement might have gone further without transcending the truth and have declared that no abler body of men than these ever assembled in this State. Their work lives after them and will long be recognized as a memorial to their superior wisdom.

These patriots did not live alone for themselves, but for the future generations of their commonwealth; and they constructed a constitution that was far in advance of their time, and one that was proven to be a very great instrument of civil government. They did not believe, however, that the constitution they made would always meet the needs of the people of Indiana, and this is why they provided for its improvement by amendment. They were wise enough to supplant the constitution of 1816 by their work, and they took it for granted that later generations would be far-seeing enough not to hesitate to set aside the organic law they framed, when by so doing they would better promote the public welfare.

Has the time arrived for a new constitution in this State? The Sixtyseventh General Assembly, the majority of which was composed of men of my own political affiliation, evidently thought that it had, for it prepared a new constitution and sought to have it ratified by the people in the briefest possible time. Both the Republican and Progressive parties,

and I think other political parties, have in recent years declared more than once for a new constitution.

It is fair to assume that this action by these different political organizations reflects public opinion on this subject, aside from the views favorable thereto held by the forward-looking men and women of Indiana whose qualifications for citizenship are of the first order.

There are many sweeping questions in the affairs of government that cannot be legislated upon in this State in the absence of numerous amendments to our present constitution, or unless we get a new constitution broad enough to permit the consideration of legislation thereon. Some of these questions doubtless are not of sufficient merit to be legislated on, but that is no objection to the people having an organic law that will permit them to be considered by the General Assembly, or that does not practically prohibit any amendment thereto, despite the desire of the voters of the State. The mode of amendment prescribed by the present constitution is not satisfactory. Many sober-minded and thinking people believe it is hedged about by difficulties that result in nothing less than the defeat of justice. It prevents the doing of many things that are just and in harmony with the people's most enlightened conscience.

I recommend, therefore, that you call a constitutional convention and that the same be safeguarded as far as possible against partisan politics. The details of such a convention you will have to work out with great deliberation. It will require the exercise of your united wisdom. Nothing but your finest heart impulses and purest purposes should shape your course. A free people's organic law is the covenant of their liberties and should be be the exponent of their noblest conception of man's relation to society and civilization.

The members of this convention should be chosen at a special election and under conditions when no partisan issues are to be considered. Their names should be printed on a ballot that bears no political distinction, and everything possible should be done to enable the people to elect men whose qualifications and characters will be an assurance of their desire to serve the public in a wholly disinterested manner.

A list of pardons, paroles, commutations and remissions granted by the Governor from January 1, 1915, to January 1, 1917 [is submitted herewith].*

In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to leave with you the hope that good fellowship may dwell with you throughout your session, and that out of your deliberations great good will come to the citizenship of Indiana.

SAMUEL M. RALSTON, Governor.

*The list of pardons, paroles, commutations and remissions granted may be found in the House Journal of the Seventieth Session of the General Assembly of 1917, on pages 26-38.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR JAMES P. GOODRICH.* Senators, Representatives and Fellow Citizens:

I am not insensible of the great honor conferred upon me by an election to the high office of Governor of Indiana, nor am I ignorant of the responsibilities of this position, so I do not come to you today with an exaltation of spirit, but rather with a deep sense of the obligation to all of the people of the commonwealth which this honor imposes upon me. I am fully aware of my own limitations. You do not require of me the impossible. You do expect of me, however, honest and earnest endeavor-moved by no consideration save that of the public welfare. You rightfully demand of me that whatever ability I possess, whatever of good lies in me shall be devoted unselfishly to the general good and that obligation I shall discharge to the uttermost.

Responsibility to the people and faithfulness to public trust is the best answer which can be made to those who insist that democracy is a failure and is the surest safeguard of our free institutions.

If in the administration of the State's affairs, we make efficiency, not partisian advantage, the standard; if in the enforcement of the laws we act impartially; if in the enactment of laws there is honest, wise and courageous action with respect to the matters dealt with, we shall disarm much reckless and unintelligent criticism and restore the confidence of the people in their government. I believe in the good sense and honesty of the people and am certain they desire an administration of public affairs conducted in the interest of the State as a whole and not for any special interests. This they ought to have; they should not be satisfied with anything less.

Asking for the confidence and support of all the people and relying especially upon the assistance of their representatives in the General Assembly, I enter upon the discharge of the duties of the office of Governor of Indiana with but one purpose and one ambition, and that is so to conduct the affairs of the office as to justify, at the hands of the people at the termination of four years, the words, "WELL DONE."

* Delivered to the members of the General Assembly and the citizens of the State on January 8, 1917.