The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-05-19

Occasional hints from the organic presses.
indicate that the recent political develop
ments are beginning TO make their impres-
sion on the party managers A home organ
philosophically remarks that the result in
this city will secure better candidates In the
republican county convention-yet that
same sheet will be ioudest In approval of
whatsoever metal the caucus rings may put
up. There Is among candidates q tacit un-
derstanding. too, that the economy dodge
supplemented by the one-term notion, viii
pull the aspiring through. II the people
understand themselves, there viii be more
than mere promises demanded of the sue
cessful candidates in the coming contests.
To be sure that was not the case in the recent
overturn in THIS city, where the popular
indignation and disgust were 30 great that
some of the very outcasts of humanity were
swirled into Office in the tumult. That,
however, will hardly happen again. We
shall see our fellow men exercising some of
tine functions of citizenship, and the first and
greatest of these is the duty Of discrimina-
ting Ina the selection of officials. OF one
thing the aspirants to office in this state win
do well to take notice. There is to be q
reduction in the salaries. If the voice OF the
people means anything, it means this. Not
that the people are unwilling to pay rea-
sonable compensation for service rendered.
They will cheerfully recompense their chosen
servants for all they areworth. But there is
a decided and unanimous revolt against
making men rich out OF the public treasury
for a term or two of service. 1t
Is not exactly easy to say what some offices
in the counties are worth. For instance, that
of county treasurer, besides the lawful fees
and perquisities of the place, there is interest
and even speculation with the public funds,
which makes the treasurers' incomes en-
ormous, anywhere from $4,000
year upwards. Only one thing
is obvious that they go in. poor and
come out rich, unless, as in some cases,
wealth makes them wild and they become
"fast'' to end in detalca.ion. The farmers
are perfectly right when they claim that a
salary of from 81 500 to q, 500, will command
abilities sbundantly competent for auditors.
clerks, treasurers, recorders, and sheriffs of
the counties. The men who secure these
positions are not generally remarkable for
talents and education. Their duties require
fair capabilities and good education. moth
ing more. County officers as a general thing
possess no qualities to make them deserving
Of three or four times as much pay as any
body else OF their fellow-eitizens can obtain.
Thors is no reason Why county treasurer
should realize SIC. coo year from his once
when he could not by any abilities Of bis
own make fifth part of that sum IN any
other way. But there are many and strong
reasons why he should not by any means
hayesuch pay. In the first place, IL is a rob-
berry ofthe peoples waste oftheir hard earned
money. 1t is paid out Of taxes drawn from
the humble homestead of the hard worker
and the poor widow. The physician has
some show TOR large fees even from such
people, for his skill has cost great sums
in time and money. The county officer has
no such expensive quality. But the ex-
travagance is not the worst feature. The
unjust and unearned pay is demoralizing.
1t tends to ruin good men. A merchant who
has made fortune on business principles
by energy and talent will not be upset by
large income; he turns it into his business
and keeps his balance. But take man
who has never made money by
honest earning beyond scanty
income, and suddenly expand his resources
to a large figure and his wants expand still
faster. An officer who can get $4,000 to
$4,000 out of his place is vastly more likely
to make default and involve his securities
than he would be on an honest salary Off, 500.
men and disregard the ridiculous system Of
county expenses? They are echoed from
every state in the union, and every tax
payer In the state. The evil will doubt
less receive attention at the June camp
meeting, as it is doing in all the counties
where the people are uniting against it, re-
CARELESS of party and name. They have
practical work in their eye. .grl .
III