The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-23
TRUSTEE KITS ADMINISTRATION.

What q Democratic Paper Says-A Bad State
of Affairs Found to Exist.
Special to Louisville Cour er Journal.
The affairs of the township are all in q mud
de- and the outlook grows worse every hour for
Trustee Kitz When he was candidate forre-
election, a year ago, it was charged that his
financial affairs were in bad shape. 1t was
claimed that he had incurred large debts without
authority of law, and was recklessly extravagant
in the administration of township matters. So
sharp was the fight made against him that the
County Commissioners called for an exposition of
ais financial affairs and an account of his meth
DIS of doing business. 1t was then found that
the debts of the township had been rapidly ac
cumulating during his term He pleaded for
authority to borrow money to discharge his
debts promising that if il was granted he
would incur no more. He was reelected, and
all hoped his second term would be an improve
ment on the first, as far, at least as finances
were concerned His expenditures ought not to
be very large. He only has few miles of road
to keep up and few small schools. The poor
have to be looked after by the township trus-
tees, and these can consume quite large fund.
The general fund, out of which his own salary
and expenses are paid and the poor maintained
is collected by a tax levied on the entire town
ship, including the city. The money for school
and road purposes is collected only that part
of the township outside of the city.
When Mr. Kitz took the office three years ago
the township was practically out of debt; a few
small obligations were outstanding but the re-
firing trustee turned over TO him money sufficient
TO discharge them all Starting in, then with
clear slate he ought to have kept it. He has
always had a bad gang around him, and this was
formerly known 10 the people. So, when the
Dayiess county frauds were exposed feeling
settled upon all minds that he was lnsolvent
At least four-fifths of the people we're SO con-
vinced; this conviction was deepened by the ac
ton of kitz. For few days he persistenty
kept himself out of the way and when he made
his appearance 1T last no information could be OBJ
tanned from him. All he would say was that his
affairs ali right. When asked if he had
any debts he declared there were none except
such as had been authorized by the County
Commissioners. When asked il he had any
warrants outstanding he answered no. Being
closely pressed. he finally admitted there were
"a few small due bills" Their aggregate amount
he could not or would not name but said $4,000
would cover the entire Indebtedness of the town
ship.
With Pollard he had never had any dealings.
he said, either directly or indirectly. and that he
had purchased no school supplies. except such as
were absolutely needed. Ii is now known that
he did have dealings with him. and that at least
SIC, 900 OF his warrants. bills. poured into
the hands OF the great swindler 1t is also
known that he had ordered supplies that were
not needed. and some Of them of a very costly
character. Included in this list is half
dozen $500 globes. AS to his Indebtedness he
pretended to make report; he did not
claim that IL was full return of his liabilities
but only included the amount he would not be-
able to meet at his next apportionment of taxes.
This statement admitted an indebtedness of
nearly $50 600, OF which $lS. ii had never been
authorized by the Commissioners and was rep
resented by due bills This swelling of the debt
FROM less than &C. 900 to $35 600 and "a few due
bills representing small amounts to sI8l Ill, at
once raised suspicion to the highest pitch again,
and the people NJ once began 10 say. il ne owes
f1S5, 900 more than he can pay, how much does
he owe that he pay. and what is his total in
aebtednessI These were pertinent euestions.