The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-02
DUTY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
1t Should Adopt the Australian System
other New Laws Needed.


ToTHE EDIToH-Sir: The SENTINEL has had
many valuable suggestions and ideas in regard
10 what kind of an election law the coming leg
islature should pass. | am glad to see that the
great majority of the democratic party of
Indiana favor system like the Australian.
The honest voters OF both political parties in
these parts CT the Wabash valley, and espe-
cally in this Fountain county, favor the above
system. In fact, it is the duty of the legisla-
ture 10 pass such law; law that would pre-
vent, as much as possible the crime of buying
votes; and if anyone buys or attempts to buy a
voter the penalty should not be less than $500
fine and imprisonment in the states prison.
The party who furnishes the article to buy
with should be declared as guilty as the one
who buys, and in order 10 convict the buyer, or
the one who furnished the means to buy with,
the informer, should there be any conviction,
should receive half the amount of the money
fined. The democratic party, which has the
majority in both branches of this legislature,
can III afford 10 let this opportunity pass
without giving the people some wholesome
legislation, and, above ALL an election law that
viii protect the patriotic voter-be he republic
can or demOcrat-frOm having his honest vote
skilled" by Doodle vote.
There are other laws that need attention from
the present legislature that should have been
attended 70 two years ago; but because the
in political matters nothing was done to relieve
the people Of this state from any of the many
burdens that rest heavily upon their shoulders.
1t Is of too recent occurrence to have forgotten
the cry for change in our county and town.
ship laws, on account OF the enormous sums
the people in some of the counties were swim
died out of By sharks" who came few years
ago, under the name OF "schOOl-hOuse supply
agents" The township trustees in some of
these counties, blinded by the promise and re
~ ebara Of he
large quantities of these supplies, which they
did not need and never received; issued town
ship orders to these men, to be paid in yearly
lnstallments, some OF which are to this day
paid, in the hands or innocent parties. The
cry went up from every corner Of our state for
a change of these laws. The township trustee
has too much power. The laws allow MIN TO
spend our money 10 hrs hearts content. The
last legislature lpeace to its ashes had too
much to do, finding lieutenant governor and
eiecting U. 5. senator. There viii be none of
that this session. The democratic party will
be held responsible for the coming legislation,
a the majority in both houses is strong enough
70 resist all iillibustering that might be at
tempted by the opposition.
Our laws in regard to county commissioners
need thorough revision. Would it not be
better To adopt law similar TO the Illinois
laws In regard to county commissioners? Give
each township representative on the board of
commissioners. Let the township trustee be a
member Of that board. Define their duties
clearly and limit their power of appropria-
tons. Let the taxpayers, the ones who pay all
expenditures, have something 10 say at the
polls IS TO whether certain large expenditures
are necessary or beneficial Would il not be
wise to have a township board created by law,
consisting of the township trustee, the assessor
and superintendent of highways, who should
meet one day in each month as such board to
consult about township matters? There should
be elected every four years a road superin-
tendent whose duties should be defined by
law in regard to the supervision Of the high
ways in his township, and who should be