James Putnam Goodrich (February 18, 1864 – August 15, 1940) was an American politician and member of the Republican Party who served as the 29th governor of Indiana from 1917 to 1921.

He earned an appointment to the school, but a severe hip injury incurred after falling from a tree ended his prospect for a military career, and he had to decline the offer.

[2] Admitted to the bar in 1887, Goodrich practiced law in Winchester and quickly gained prominence in Republican politics.

[3] In the 1916 general election, the gubernatorial campaign focused primarily on prohibition and the tax reforms of previous administrations.

Following a tight race, Goodrich came out on top, defeating his chief opponent, Democrat John A. M. Adair, by a margin of 12,771, from nearly 700,000 votes cast.

On assuming office, Goodrich's stated his primary goal was to bring "efficiency and economy" to government.

In his endeavors to sell war bonds, Goodrich proved to be extremely successful, leading other states to copy his techniques.

As a result, he had to deal with several major issues, including coal shortages, working from home.

When he signed the 18th Amendment into law, Indiana became the final state needed to add it to the federal constitution, beginning national prohibition.

He called a one-day session of the legislature on January 16, 1920, to ratify the Women's Suffrage Amendment to the United States Constitution.

[6] In 1920, Goodrich was Indiana's favorite son candidate for the Republican nomination for president, losing to Senator Warren G. Harding.

Goodrich made four trips to Russia, then governed by the Bolshevik regime of Vladimir Lenin, and gained a reputation as one of America's best-informed observers of conditions there.

[citation needed] Goodrich also served in Herbert Hoover's American Relief Administration and on the St. Lawrence Waterway Commission.

He remained active in Republican Party politics and made large donations from his personal fortune to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he served on the board of trustees.