The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-04
THE TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS,

The Journal would again call the attention
Of Republicans throughout the State to the
Importance of the township elections, to be
held next Monday in each township in Indi-
ana Very strangely so-called local elections,
in which officers are chosen who have to levy
and expend by far the larger part of the taxa
ton raised directly from the people, are al
lowed to go measurably by default, while all
energy and effort are expended upon what are
termed general elections, for Governor and
for President, officers who have comparatively
little to do directly with the taxpayers.
The township trustee is an officer of the
greatest Importance. He is practically an au-
tocrat. He levies taxes, and spends the money
at his sovereign will subject only to the
county commissioners in certain specified par
ticulars. To say nothing of the political i'm
portance of this election, in view of its in
huence upon the State and national contests
so soon to be entered upon, there is enough in
the business aspects of the case to bring out
Ine IulleSC possible NoUe' w ueu THESE lulhOI
officers know that sufficient interest is taken
in their selection to call out a full vote of
the people, better class of men will offer and
be chosen, and there will be better and more
careful administration. 1t will be worth much
money to the taxpayers of every township of
the State if ON Monday next there is a sur
prisingly large vote polled, and a like vote
polled in the future on the occasion of all
such elections. Usually the nerve leading
into mems pockets is the most sensitive, read
lily responding to the slightest touch; yet,
somehow or other, the officers who
have the authority to run their
hands to the very bottom of the ax-payers'
purses are allowed to slip into power while the
taxpayers seem to be contentedly asleep.
Let us inaugurate a change in this on Monday
next, change that shall be permanent. The
pressing problem of local government will be
nearer its solution than it is when the local
elections call out the fullest vote.
The justices of the peace are the courts of
the poor man, the small suitors. Men thor
oughly qualified and of unquestioned integ
rity should be chosen. If we put men into
the Office of justice who will give that court
dignity, and influence and character, much will
be done to lessen litigation in the higher
courts, and consequently TO reduce the
cost of county government. The same can
be said as to the constables. These township
officers come more nearly to the taxpayers
and the people than do State and national
officers. Why should not the people be even
more interested in proper selections, and in
seeing that the incumbents are held to the
most rigid accountability?
Take the State over, and we venture the as
sertion that the nominees of the Republican
party will afford as good promise,
certainly, of economical and satisfac
tory administration as the Democratic
candidates. This is putting the case
as mildly as possible. There is, therefore, no
excuse for Republicans either failing to sup
port their own nominees OF voting for Demo
Gratis; but there is every reason, both of bust
ness and of politics, for Republicans to give an
earnest support to their own candidates. But
the great point upon which we insist is, that
there shall be full vote throughout the State.
full vote on Monday next and great deal
will be accomplished toward securing re-
sponsible and careful administration of these
important local trusts.
JUDGE OGoRMAN, of the New York City
S,1nerior Court entertains the idea that indi.