The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-15
The Late Legislature.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis journal:
After three months and more of Democratic
Legislature, the people are naturally wondering
what the session held for, and the only
answer echo gives is WHAT" There need be
no use to mince matters. The Assembly met,
continued its time, held its extra session for full
time and succeeded admirably in doing one
thing-to make grand farce of itself. What
ever may be said of the late Legislature, it is
sorry fact that there was nothing practical nor
business-like in its deliberations. Business men
do not waste their time. and body of legislators,
who have the interests of the State at heart,
will work on an economic basis, do work prompt
ly but not rush, and having completed their
work. quit like honorable men, thus saving thou
sands of dollars to the voters. 1t is questio
that demands the attention of all good citizens.
Legislation is supposed to be in the interests of
the people, not the legislators. Our Assembly
is not money making scheme, yet about the
nrst bill they passed was to appropriate money to
fill their own pocket books; but, having done that,
they draw the string of the public purse with
misery grip, and attempt to cripple the State
institutions. The sin must lie at the door of
the Democrats majority. Partisan spirit has
Greed for party honors devoured all
that was of interest to the citizens. Even the
South could not show an outrage equal in pro-
portion and effect to the redistricting swindle.
The shrine of justice was trarlpled down, and
the majority pandered to the low appetite of
greed for spos. What excuse could there be to
refuse the required amount to carry on the work
of the State institutions of learningi None,
save it be the desire of few to gain notoriety
by making it appear they were guarding the
treasury, when, at the same time, they
voting to saddle a bill of ST, 500 day upon the
voters. The Democratic purse was gaping wide
with hunger, and to fill it the public must be
robbed. If such be Democratic reform the peo-
pie have had enough.
What excuse could there be for not passing the
bill requiring the effects of alcohol upon the
human system to he taught in the public schools2
None, except TO keep up the general Democratic
record, as party, in opposing all reforms of in
terest to the public welfare. 1t might seem that
they would have passed that bill to recompense
the services rendered in the last campaign by
their close allies, the so-caled and would be tenn
perance men. But the tendency was too strong
to be overcome by any better motives. 1t would
be difficult to show the passage of single bill of
material interest to the State, save, perhaps, it
be the appropriation BILL and the tax payers have
a right to demand why itrequired more than three
months time to dispose of that. The Legisla-
ture of 1885 has run it's course History will
say of it that it met sat and adjourned, with
perhaps the additional remark that ignominy
and disgrace attended its whole course 1t is to
be hoped that some of its members will rest on
their honors(D, retire to private life, and con-
duct themselves as honorable men. May In
diana never again he compelled to bear the dis
grace of such Legislature.
The manner of choosing our legislators is one
to be considered seriously. The best men should
be selected in preference to the inexperienced
Bad men make bad laws. Ignorant men are
liable to do the same. Good men mako good
laws There is no principle in human
nature to make US think the contrary.
The people are not bound to keep a man in
Office simply because he may have done good
party service at an election. If he be proven
incapable he should be repudiated by his con-
stituents The people have the right to ask
that public affairs be wisely administered, and
if an official is to keep his political head, he
must be taught that he is on trial, and is re-
sponsible for his actions to the highest sover-
eighty in America-the people. Politicians
must be taught that there is resting upon them
a moral as well political RESPONSE bility, if
the two terms be not Synonymous. Reform is
necessary, but we have seen enough to know
that it will not come through the Democratic
party. S. EDGAR NICHOLSON
EARLHAM RICHMOND, April IA 1885