BIENNIAL MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE SIXTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: The Sixty-third General Assembly of Indiana convenes at a time of universal prosperity. Peace, happiness and contentment more generally prevail than at the convening of any other session of the General Assembly in the history of our Commonwealth, and I join with the people of the State in returning thanks to the Giver of all gifts for the generous bounty He has bestowed upon us all. Capital and labor are profitably employed and mutually satisfied; industrial and manufacturing enterprises are converting our resources into products which are being carried into every avenue of trade and commerce; the farm and factory are richly productive; railroad construction is opening new territory, and applied electricity is connecting our cities and towns into close neighborhoods. As a result of your deliberations I bespeak a session fruitful of just and conservative legislation along the lines of the State's needs. Indiana's foremost position among the states of the Union has largely resulted from the progressive and conservative legisla- . tion of its General Assemblies. You are commissioned directly by the people to enact laws for their government and protection and I am sure that you will reflect by your actions the will of the people. Party responsibility attaches to the administration of State affairs, but partisan politics, as a motive, has no place in its management or control. The best politics is exemplified in fidelity to official duty and the protection of the interests of those whom we serve. Without any abatement of loyalty to our political convictions, let the master motive be one of serving the State by giving it our patriotic services, to the end that Indiana may continue to be one of the most progressive and prosperous states of the Union. |