best system of schools in the world, but gives ample protection to the persons and property of every one of her citizens, no matter how humble their condition, so far as the same can be secured under law.

These blessings of good government flow largely from our admirable State Constitution, and wise system of laws made in conformity therewith.

This Constitution-and no State has a better one-was framed by a body of eminent statesmen, and was approved by the almost unanimous vote of the people. The experience of over forty years has proven its beneficent character and wisdom, and it wisely provides a plain and intelligent way for amending it, when amendments are necessary, and thus avoidthe great expense of a convention, the confusion, and long litigation which always follows the adjustment of the laws of a State to a new Constitution.

Our courts have from time to time passed upon such points as needed construing, and we now have a general code of laws, conceded in the main to be in harmony with the Constitution, and at least equal to the system of government and laws of any other State. In my judgment, if changes are desirable in the Constitution, it would be best to make them in the manner the people have themselves provided in that instrument itself, which we have all sworn to support. But radical changes in either the Constitution or laws of a State should not be made without the maturest deliberation and the gravest consideration. Bad legislation is worse than no legislation. There is often a feeling with legislators that they must do something, and in the multiplicity of bills introduced there is always danger that some may contain provisions that, if passed, would bring injury alike to the country, and ultimately to their authors and supporters. It behooves us all to closely and carefully scrutinize every provision of every measure, enact such as are clearly of public benefit, and defeat those that are of doubtful propriety. Our present election laws seem to be working well, and if changed at all it should be done with the greatest caution. Indeed I am fully persuaded that it would best serve the public interest to allow the people to become fully acquainted with and accustomed to its provisions, and the system to become thoroughly established before changes are made, new provisions

adopted, or old ones changed, in however a slight degree, have a tendency to cause confusion and doubt in the mind of the voter, that embarrasses him in the free exercise of this right and duty. Under the present law Indiana is entirely competent to conduct fair elections within her borders, and she has not asked and does not need any assistance or interference by the United States.

Indiana is a State, and the States are important factors in our Republic. The rights reserved to the States and the people by the Constitution should not be destroyed nor impaired by "Force Bills" or other kindred aggressive legislation by the general Government.

The election of United States Senators by the people is a measure now very widely and favorably considered, not only by the people of Indiana, but of many other States in the Union. The time has come in our history when the influence and action of the masses of our fellow citizens ought to be more directly and distinctly impressed upon the members of the national legislature. Nothing would promote this more than the choice by direct vote of the people of the State, of the members of the United States Senate. The proposed constitutional amendment having this for its object is worthy of careful, earnest and timely consideration.

The improvement of our common road system is an important matter that is now receiving much attention from the people, and I commend this subject to your serious consideration.

The foundation of all true prosperity and wealth rests more largely upon agriculture than any other interest that engages the attention of our citizens. It should be the duty to encourage and foster this, and hold to a careful avoidance of placing any additional burdens upon this interest, for in its prosperity rests the common prosperity of all.

No class of our citizens are more directly interested and benefited in the improvement of our highways than are the farmers, and upon none will fall so heavily the cost of construction.

After careful investigation I am convinced that it is not the desire of those most affected in this work that there shall be radical changes, but wise and conservative legislation upon this question.

The old law has many valuable features that commend themselves to the people, and is not a bad law, if properly.enforced. The people themselves are responsible largely for its deficiencies, owing to the laxity in its enforcement.

The Supervisors under the old law come directly from the people, and are what the people and their neighbors make them. A healthy public sentiment to encourage officials to faithfully carry out the provisions of the present law would overcome many of its supposed defects.

The amount of money raised under the present tax collected is sufficient, if wisely expended and properly applied, to place Indiana, in a few years, in an enviable position as to her highways. Encouragement to apply improvements in a continuous. way on the more important roads, rather than wasting efforts and means over great territory and in spots, aided by the generous assistance in donations in work from farmers, would accomplish great results.

There should be enacted no law that will add to the burdens of this tax, nor the management removed so far from the people, as to deprive them of the right to "work out," as it is termed, the tax so collected, if this is desired.

The duty and power of apportioning Senators and Representatives among the several counties of the State is conferred by our Constitution upon the General Assembly. No other department of the State government is given any share or part in this function. The Legislature, five-sixths of which is chosen every two years directly by popular vote, is nearer the people than any other department, and is, therefore, properly charged with the performance of this duty.

The people view with great jealousy any attempt made by the courts to encroach upon a province so peculiarly within the scope of legislative action. The manner or mode of apportionment in Indiana is not new; it has been the same under all administrations, and after the usage of half a century, the legislation of our State ought not to be imperiled or disturbed by an alleged judicial construction, novel and unprecedented, whereby the judiciary branch of the government may virtually control the right of representation, and deprive the representatives of the people of their constitutional authority. This

right and power conceded, the next step might be the absorp tion of the prerogatives or functions of the Executive, and in this way the rights of all departments of the State government pass into the control of the courts.

The present year will witness the assembling in our midst. of a great concourse of citizens of this and sister States.

The National Encampment, composed of the surviving members of that great army that, thirty years ago, marched bravely forth to battle at their country's call, will meet the coming fall at your capital city. Year by year their ranks are thinning out, aud in the not distant future their ears will be deat to the bugle call.

It has been deemed the duty of the citizens wherever they have met to do them honor and give to them a hearty welcome. I trust that Indiana and the city of Indianapolis may not be found wanting in this respect. They come now with that same broad, generous patriotism that called them forth years ago, to pay a tribute to the bravery and patriotism of Indiana's soldiers, in the shadow of the grandest monument of its kind. erected in all our land.

Provision should be made for the proper completion of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. It is a great work, in which every citizen of Indiana has an interest. It is the monument of the State, paid for by all the tax payers of the State, and constructed under the supervision of Commissioners appointed by State authority.

No outside influence should be allowed to interfere with its construction as a State Monument, and especially interference based on a narrow and selfish policy. It should be made to reflect the highest honor on the Indiana soldiers and sailors of the civil war, but it will not detract from that honor, if proper reference should be made to other soldiers of Indiana, and other wars connected with Indiana military history, as the commissioners, all of whom are soldiers of the civil war or the State, may decide would be appropriate. The soldiers of no one war, brave and patriotic as they were, have a monopoly of Indiana's valor and military glory, and such great historical events as the capture of Vincennes from the British; the battle of Tippecanoe and the war with Mexico (the first two on

Indiana soil, and all productive of vast benefits to the country), should not be entirely ignored in the construction of an Indiana State Monument.

A mistaken policy has sometimes prevailed in portions of the State to punish offenders or drive away persons deemed objectionable without resort to due legal process. These acts, commonly called "white caps," are dangerous to the rights of citizens and the peace of the community, and should be suppressed.

If the present criminal laws are not sufficient to cover such offenses, they should be made more effective by further enact

ments.

And now, gentlemen, in conclusion, I desire to remind you that upon each and all of us rest heavy responsibilities. The people of a great State have intrusted to our care the management and direction of their public affairs. I trust we may meet these responsibilities bravely and with an earnest purpose to discharge these duties in a manly and unselfish manner and to the utmost of our several abilities.

Recent Legislatures have done much to crown our Stafe with the glory of placing her in the foremost rank of leadership in the adoption of great reform measures. I trust your work may be equal to any that has gone before. I need not assure you that I shall cordially join in every effort to protect the rights of the people and promote their happiness and welfare. That wisdom may guide your councils; that prosperity may envelop our State in all future time, and a kind Providence direct our destinies will be my earnest prayer and sincere desire.

Judge McCabe, of the Supreme Court, then administered the oath of office to Mortimer Nye, Lieutenant-Governor-elect of the State.

Whereupon Mr. Nye delivered the following address:

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives of Indiana, and Ladies and Gentlemen:

At this time I appreciate most keenly the great responsibility resting upon me to discharge the duties of the office of Lieutenant-Governor in such a manner as to meet your approval