The Indianapolis journal., 1884-07-07
COUNTY, EXPENSES,


There is no class Of officers that have more
to do with that which concerns the taxpayers
than our county commissioners Upon them
devolves the levying and disbursement of the
taxes for county revenue. The care exercised
by them in disbursing the revenue determines,
in great measure whether the people are to
be assessed with excessive taxation. AS to
the amount which the people are to pay the
ordinary taxpayer is very sensitive. This is
watched critically and the people demand
rigid economy, so that this burden may be as
money extravagantly or dishonesty is sure to
be marked. This has been well illustrated in
this county. The people have rebuked with
defeat those officers against whom the charge
could be brought that they cared little or
nothing for economy in administration, and
they have given every evidence of approval Of
the policy lately inaugurated by the commits
sioners, Of careful and rigid scrutiny of every
item of expenditure, whether great or small.
The net result Of what has already been done
has been saving for one year of $35, 900, and
for the second year of $4,000. This very
5creditable showing has been made by
a board the majority Of whose
members are Republicans, and there is
no reason why the Republican party Of the
county should not continue to have the credit
Of a continuance Of SO popular policy. To
do so, the present board must stand firmly by
the work so well commenced, and nothing
must be done which looks toward an abandon
ment of it. These remarks have been made
action in reference to the renewal of the con
tract with their attorney. The Journal has
already said
'Itwould be avery grave mistake to fail to re-
appoint Attorney Woollen to his present posi-
ton. The sympathy and support of the better
class of citizens, without regard to politics. are
with him, while the clamor for his head comes
from such a source that it may be ignored. |
Should the commissioners fail to re-appoint |
him it would be confession that the reforms
undertaken by him were to be abandoned and
that the measures of retrenchment that he
has Degun were 10 De killed. OuUSl0o OF the |
very few whose perquisites have been |
seriously curtailed by Attorney Woollen,
he has given universal satisfaction, and
the complaints now urged against him can
not be based on any ground that he has not |
given close attention to his duties nor brought /
to bear sufficient legal talent There are, of |
certainty, many lawyers in this city the |
equal of Mr.. Woollen in legal requirements,
but not one, perhaps, who would or could be-
oI1I Io1or 41,1,1 1,,As1 oe
that Office. The commissioners owe it to the 4
people, to public interests and to faithful
and efficient official to retain Attorney Woollen
in his present capacity. He has done good |
work, and the public is confident that he will |
do more"
The more this matter is canvassed, the more
certainly it is demonstrated that the tax
payers Of the county are demanding that Mr..
Woollen shall be continued. Not that the |
work could not be continued without him, but /
because the opposition to him grows out Of I
what he has done, and his defeat would be re-
garded as a victory for the tax-eaters. The |
honor and the future of the board |
are involved in this matter It !
is understood that at least two members of |
the present board are seeking nomination by |
the Republican party for reelection. Moth
ing but an assurance that the policy which |
has been pursued during the last two years,
and which has saved to the county $35, 900 the !
first and $75, 900 the second year, will be con-
tinued in the future will insure their renom-
nation and election. To fail to reapppoint
Mr.. Woollen, he having taken an active part
and helped to do this work, will be step in
the direction which will not give that assur-
ance, and which it will be difficult for the |
board to explain satisfactorily. If the board
desire the credit that is their due, and which
is given to them by the public--the attorney
being simply their servant and assistant--
they will not fall into the error of seeming
to rebuke one who has helped them to save
money to the people, of whose interests they
are the trustees and guardians.
A BOOMERANG.