The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-04-18

! THE COURIER commends the followin:
kindly. timely and honest words frou
the indianapolis Sentinel 10 the town
ship trustees ~ Indiana:
I The Democrats won . sweeping vic
tory IN the township elections through
lnat the slate on Mondsy. In this town.
ship there vas complete revolution
AID there were number 81 o'h>r town
-hins III which = like phenomenon was
witnessed. Several townships are re-
ported in which Democrats trustees
were elected for the first time Ia their
history. The Democrats appear to nave
not only . very decided majority Of the
trustees thrnnghol, the state, but also q
majority oftha trustees 10 . majority OF
this insnsing them majority
Iof the county superintendents.
The victory il notable one. and II
only remains 10 improve IL. not only 20
the advantage Of the party. hut of the
people Ct large. The Democratic party
lie the party OF the people. and A. such Il
stands committed 70 An efficient and
honest administration OF TIE people, af-
Ifairs. There are few public officials
whose duties bring them into close con-
tact with the people, or whose functions
touch the people ~ more points The
powers and responsibilities Of the trustees
are very grest-tco great. in our Judg-
lmenf, 10 be insrusfed 70 any one man,
with 50 few checks upon him IS are pro-
lvided in the case Of trustees. But the
law fixes these powers and responsible
tiles. and 50 long a. the existing system
remains unchanged they should be dis
by the trustees to the best OF
their ability, and with q keen regard for
their moral and legal obligations.
We wish we could impress upon every.
Democratic trustee-elect in Indiana the
great importance Of his official duties,
and how essential il IL ths. be enter upon
their performance in proper spirit
There has been . vast. an appalling
lSmonnt OF petty corruption among the
trustees Of IndisnSfor msnv years. and
liz has not bv any means been confined 10
lone party. The opportunities Of trustees
for pecniction and jobbery are veyr
great. With many contracts to award,
large quantities OF supplies to purchase,
and large amounts Of money 10 disburse,
The temptations 10 make illegifimate
profits in the form Of commissions, x
I"rebstcs.r "draw Jscks," and sometimes
10; open bribcs are numerous, and such
las ont, men OF firm integrity can resist.
IContrsctors. school book and furniture
houses. aud others are constantly lying
lin wait for these officials, and setting in
Isidious snarea for their honor. The Pol
lard scandal aroused the state few years
ago 10 realization Of the cnrrupt opp0r-
Ituniiies of the trustees Office. but Il has
ALREADY been forgotten, and to-day there
lare vcrv many townships in the stste
whose affairs are dishonesty admins
tered.
| To the men who are about TO take
charge of these affairs We would say that
the trust reposcd in them BY their fellow
lci'izens cannot be betrayed by them ex-
lc ,pt by a sacrifice Of their manhood,
their self respect, their pesce Of mind.
which will be bnt poorly requited by the
dirty dollars which il may put into their
pockets. They should use the same
methods In tile transaction Of he public
business that they use in their own
guarding scrupulously the expenditure
|of the peoples money. and taking care
that every man who sells goods to their
Or does work for them. shall
deal fairly ani honest Y with them. Es-
lpecialiy should they beware the bland
lishmenfs 81 school book agents, school
|fnrniinre men. contractors. bridge build
'ers. lightning rod men. and the whole
army or cnrmorsnts who are forever
.rheming to fa-ten themselves upon the
public treasury.
n These admoniticns may well be needed
nv evary man who was elected 20 town
ship Office on Mondsv in Indiana Most
of them are good party men, on one side
nr the other. aud each should 5ear In
mind that he srsves his party best who
serves the people best The surest way
10 pernefuste party sscendancy IN any
70 ' nship, city or county il 20 make such
ascenlancv conducive 10 the public In
terests. Democrats in Office are doing
the most 10 promote Democratic princi-
piles when rhev are rendering the mosi
faithful and efficient service to the peo-
pie