portance, in my opinion, as to warrant consideration and action
during these next thirty days.

The problem of equitable representation in this General Assembly
was tackled by one of these commissions. You are familiar with the
legislation proposed by this commission. Like so many documents
created in the democratic process, including the imperishable Con-
stitution of these United States the report is a reconciliation of the
divergent and conflicting view of its framers. Measured by standards
some would set the proposal is inadequate in that all inequities are
not removed. In the judgment of others, it is not needed and is
therefore undesirable. In my opinion, it is the best solution we can
expect under the circumstances. And so, I request that you approve
it at this session.

The existence of a strong, independent and competent judiciary
is essential to the preservation of the freedom of the people in a
democracy. Those of us who serve in the other two branches of our
government, legislative and executive, must not be sparing in our
effort to assist the courts in maintaining their high standards. For
many years, our Court of Appeals has been overburdened with work,
and, consequently, has been hampered in its effort to administer
justice promptly and properly. You will have before you a bill to
increase the membership of that Court from five to seven. I respect-
fully ask that you give that bill your support.

You will have before you other bills of the Legislative Council and
other commissions. Some of them, I am sure are of immediate im-
portance, and many of them worthy of your sincere consideration.

THE FISCAL PROGRAM

As I have said, your first responsibility at this 30-Day session is to
provide the funds to operate the State government and maintain the
services to the peoples of the State during the fiscal year which begins
next July 1.

Documents setting forth the details of the financial program I am
proposing will be placed in your hands today. These include the
Budget Book, with the Personnel Supplement, and my complete
printed message to you. I urge you to study this material carefully
in your deliberation of the budget.

In my message to you last year, I promised to make a reappraisal
of policies and governmental functions during the first year of my
Administration. Such reappraisal has been made, and the results are

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