The Indianapolis journal., 1886-12-07
sAHM's ASSUMPTION OF AUTHORITY.
How He Became the Dictator of the County
Board Now S..alv s,,,,:lv Democratic.

The new County Commissioner, Thompson,
took his seat yesterday, and the fact that this
board is thereby solidly Democratic caused
great many of the small fry politicians of that
party to come in with congratulations Mr.
Thompson submitted to the tutelage of Albert
Sahm, who, by some hook or crook in escaping
precedent, is the president Of the board II has
been from the. time County Commissioners were
first known the custom to honSr with this office
the Commissioner who hed the shortest term to
serve !" mas sop.a privileges, principally that
oi making pnrsnases and taking care of other
reSpo'siD' 4tties that in gives him control
wnen ne board is not in session. Mr. Sahm,
.ee he became Commissioner, has had
longing eye on this position, and
in the freshness of his reform idea
attempted to take the honor and privileges from
Captain Clinton, but failed through timely
posure. Sahms then offered a resolution that
CAPTAIN Clinton should serve three months as
president. Mr.. Reveal the next three and Sahm
the three following, which would give Captain
Clinton the first and last terms. The resolution
was adopted, but seemingly did not go into effect,
as Sahm virtually assumed the duties of the
presidency and became the dictator OF the boards
action. If the responsibility of any act became
uncomfortable and it could be turned upon the
nominal president, Lno Democrauc TuaJoriby ulu
not hesitate to do it. The last instance of this
occurred on account of the sale of work k-house
cabbages in the market Mr. Sahm is now pres
dent in fact, but how Mr.. Reveals
right by succession, through his having
the shortest term to serve, was dis
regarded will perhaps never be known.
Sahm, before the election asserted that he was
entitled to fve-years' term. Under the second
election he entitled TO three service which
he will doubtless insist does not begin until the
five years have expired. To him, the honor of
being president is not. an empty one. for no one
supposes that he will give up the position until
the majority is again Republican, of which there
is no possibility for three years to come.
Captain Clinton retires with good record in
trying his best to meet the wishes Of the people
in an economical administration of the affairs of
the county. His acts at all times were sus-
tained by conscientious purpose and
careful investigation. The Democratic ma
jority generally oyerruled him. but there
are not wanting incidents of his pre-
venting them from carrying ont their purposes
Among the latest was that of insisting that a
record should be made Of the tender Of DR..
Wagner's bond as coroner. Sahm and Reveal,
supported by the advice of the county attorney,
wanted TO ignore this proceeding altogether but
Captain Clinton for once, brought them to his
view of what should be done.
Yesterday morning before any business
transacted, Tom johnson, bailiff of the board,
in a speech glorifving the court, called atten-
ton to the fact that, for the first time in thirty
years, that board was soidly Democratic and
declared that it would be thirty years more be-
fore it would be otherwise. With this the Com
missioners took up their calendar.