davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28

it happens that some outside parties
found out that the statement was false
and got hold of a partial list OF the allow
ances ma e, and threw the entire gang
into commissions by filing app sals to the
the circuit court from a large num-
Der OF allowances made by the commits
siOners. The cases will be pressed to q
speedy trial, and part of the robbery OF
the Peep G, that has been going on for
years, put stop to. Il law fixing a salary
for all county officers-the Alder bill, for
instances, or something like it's de-
manded by all except the beneficiaries of
the present system and their immediate
blowers.
Anything like fee bill can be distorted
by a Kosciusko county 2ffire-holder to
mean just as large pile OF money as he
can get away with, and l presume it Is
about the same in every other county
where they have as complete sway as they
have in this. The salaries should be fixed
by the legislature. To leave the amount
to be fixed by the commissioners OF this
county would be the greatest farce ever
put on the boards OF any theater in the
world. Salaries should be liberal, but not
extravaganza Fees should be collected
from litigants and others the same as at
present, and paid into the county treasury
TO create a fund to pay the sa aries out of.
There should be provision for the
prompt removal of any officer who failed
to perform the duties belonging to his
office, and the law should 60 into elect
when the other laws passed by the COM
ing legislature take effect. Is any one
wild enough to believe that if the legis.a-
ture should pass an act increasing the pay
of county officers they would ask that the
law take effect two or four years from
now?
When taxpayers are havingal that they
can do TO raise money to pay their taxes
with, and farmers have AL that they can
do to make living of of their farms, why
should they be asked to help pay man
whose services in any other calling would
not be cons dered worth more than $500
year, from 5000 to 1000 year simply
because he holds a county Office?
The difference is too great, and the peo-
pie will not stand it any longer. And
party that had the courage and honesty
to pass the school-book law and the cleo
ton law will not be found wanting in this
emergency. ID.
Warsaw, Jan. is.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28

as well as all other officials, must be made
to understand that it is reform of taxation
the people want, and that, by the Eternal,
they will have. and Legislators, both state
and national, might as well be made to
understand this now as hereafter. Ii there
are not some good and wholesome laws
passed by the present legislature there will
be blood on the moon before another sits.
Would or would it not be consistent and
polit for the present legislators to take
sma slice off of their sa.aries, while they
are expected to and are so determined to
take slice of of the salaries Of other Off
Gals? A dollar day the people wouldn't
object to. III. I. SEMANs
Winchester, Ind, Jan. Is.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
JUDICIAL REFORM.
The Creation Of Probate Courts and the
II ductiOn of Circuits Proposed.

The Creation of Probate Courts and the
II -duction of Circuits Proposed.
To THE EDIToR-Sir: Reading your pa
per, see that the great reform drive
seems to be at the county officers. No
doubt exists that a very material reduc-
ton should be made in their fees, but
while this is tie case, there should be q
very great reform in our judicial system
by creating county or probate courts, Civ
ing them jurisdiction over ali probate mat.
tiers and jurisdiction in civil cases up to
500; also, Jurisdiction over all misde-
meanors on appeal from justices of the
peace; taking jurisdiction from the grand
jury over all misdemeanors and giving
jurisdiction to justices of the peace over
the same with right of appeal first TO the
probate court; the probate judge TO tax
such fees as are now taxed by the clerk of
the circuit court in such cases; the fees
to be paid INTO the county treasury; the
judge of said court to receive a = tlary
TWo-thirds or three-fourths of the time of
our circuit courts is taken up by the
above mentioned business 1t can readily
be seen that by taking this business from
our circuits courts the circuits could be
enlarged so that the judges that now have
onlv one county for a circuit could as
easily preside over three or four. If |
mistake not, we now have fifty-five cir
cults in the state, and if what have pro-
posed could be enacted into law, we
could dispense with the services of at least
twenty-five circuit judges, which would
alone save in taxes to the
people of the state the neat
little sum of sixty odd thousand dollars a
year without taking into consideration
what would be saved by lessenng the
work of the grand jury and in the time
and expense of the witnesses, who are
forced to appear before that body without
compensation, or the excess OF fees to be
pail into the county treasury by probate
judges. Lawyers, no doubt. will oppose
giving Justices of the peace jurisdiction
over misdemr anors for the reason that
they are DESTROYS OF having all litigation
center mt the county at. III the present
judges can't be Iegisated out of Office or
their salaries reduced, their jurisdiction
could be reduced TO that OF probate
Judge, and eirruit JUICE could be elected
or appointed 10 preside over the enlarged
circuit OF three or four counties. The
present judges would. no doubt, protest
against such change as this. but they.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
TIE STATE BOARD.
why 1t Should Il Wiped Out-some Very
Deii"ate Questions.

Deii"ate Questions.
To THE EDIroR-Sir: The public has de-
cided that the State fair is practically a
TAI ure and a burden to the state. Also,
that it always will be, under the manage
ment OF the present self-perpetul ting
board. Now, how can the state secure Il
successful exhibit of her great resources?
Not while the mass OF the leading stock
men of the state are out of sympathy with
the management. indianapolis, too, is
out of sympathy, and has been ever since
the business men got burned by that
guaranty fund" The present board
never can re-enlist Indianapolis in the en-
terprise. That means a loss of thousands
of dollars at the gate annually. Ii u bill
now pending in the house is passed it
will give indianapolis two members OF the
board. That would enlist the city. No
fair can become great without the hearty
cooperation OF the city where 1t islocate6
Then, it is purely a business scheme to
enlist the city where the fair is located.
This plan would increase the receipts Of
the State lair annually from $4,000 to
S25,0 900, barring lad weather. That would
soon do away with the necessity OF calling
for state appropriations.
Then the proposed bill would other
WISE put lllc uidlldEtAlcuJ vi lllC CldlC
fair into the hands of the men most direct
ly interested, namely-the lives took ex-
hibitors. Ii they could or would no, make
it a success, then success is an impossi-
bility.
When the old board comes to ask aid
and self-prrpetuation let the legislature
institute the inquiry
J. Is the old board bringing together an
exhibit which is creditable to Indiana?
=. Why has the board let politics enter
into the selection of its president, secre-
tary and the sanitary commission?
3. Why did a member of the board say
that in order to please the majority in the
legislature they selected secretary who
was town clerk and not identified with
agriculture and unknown TO the agri-
cultural and live stock interests OF the
state?
4. When the National short horn breed
ers' association donated $3.50 to each of
several Western state fairs to be used as
premiums to develop the dairy feature of
their breed of cattle, why did the board,
unlike other states. refuse 10 accept the
generous gift and then ask the legislature
to appropriate more money?
s. When recent improvements were
made in the fair grounds did the expense
account tally with the treasurer's books
Let the books be opened.
6. viii not the books show that "called
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
KoscIUsKo RorrENNEss.
Gang Rule ut Warsaw-Necessity for Fec
and SALARY Reform


To THE EDIToR-Sir: The last campaign
in this county was fought almost entirely
on the question of the financial manage
ment Tor rather mismanagement) Of
county affairs.
1t was asserted on the one side-and
proven-that the county officials charged
and were allowed fees-many of them
constructive-for all services performed
by them, and then received the salaries
allowed by law in addition, and that the
auditor had been allowed $50 per year as
salary for a number OF years more than
the law provides.
All this was, of course. denied, and, al
though the republican majority was
largely reduced, the old gang held on and
were continued in power. 1t was sup
posed that they would be more careful,
for a while at least-and their course has
been watched-but they, by their acts,
are coolly asking the people "What are
you going to do about it?" and are going
ahead on the old lines OF plumber.
They promised before election that they
would publish a statement of allowances
made Immediately after each term OF the
commissioners court-a promise they did
not intend To fulfill, and of course have
not kept. Every obstacle possible has
been placed in the way of any outsider
getting at the records, and assurances
were given few days ago that the records
of the December term II the commissions
ers' court had not been written up. but
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
QUITE A ROMANCE.
An Unlucky Wager, Separation and a
Subsequent Marriage.

Subsequsnt Marriage.
At the courthouse in this city J. r.
Jones and Mrs. L. Atwood were married
by a local minister, writes an Owensboro,
Ky, correspondent OF the Globe Democrat.
Where they came from could not even be
learned Now comes letter from Livia,
Mclean county. which shows the mar
rage to have been the sequel of
quite a little sensation at Antioch
church. Near there a prOtracted
meeting was in progress, and large con-
gregation had assembled, when a woman,
heavily yelled, walked rapidly up the
aisle OF the church and, catching hold of
the arms of stranger, walked out the
door. His chagrin and the woman's evil
dent qualification attracted no little atten-
ton. An investigation revealed the fact
that on the very day the couple were
to have been married at Bowling
Green. The groom, however, had bet
on the wrong horse at the Bowling
Green fair, and. losing all his money, had
decided not to marry and lett the scene of
his misfortune. His alliance took in the
situation and followed him to Livia. The
dav after the church mystery the pair put
in an appearance at the depot and bought
two tickets for Greensboro. AS the train
pu led out he summoned up courage
enough to call out: Goodbye, boys, We
are going to Owensboro to get married, I"
and sure enough they did.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
Rather Ambiguous.
Isrartinsville Reportarl

There seems to be a disposition on the
part OF the legislature TO take up the mat
ter OF fees and salaries of county officers
and deal with it thoroughly. 1t Is true a
great clamor has been made in some sec
tiOns for a reduction OF fees, but it Is a ques-
ton that will bear the closest scrutiny. It
is a question of more than passing inn
portance, and should not be acted on too
hastily. Again, it Is a QUESTION whether
or not men qualified to fil the offices could
be found willing to assume the response
biliies were the salaries cut One-half or
one-third. These are questions the legis-
lature should diligent inquire into be.
fore they act too hastily.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
Every Member 1. Pledged.

Every member is pledged to the reduc-
ton of fees and salaries and the pressure
is so hard that it is not likely that the re-
publicans viii attempt to obstruct the pass
age of such law; but in their caucus on
wednesday night many speeches were
made favoring the obstruction OF every
measure proposed by the democrats. The
democrats have the power to redeem their
promises, even though the republicans
may attempt to Ob>trUct every motion,
and as the policy of the democratic party
is the policy of the people, they are with
the people and will pass laws for the
people.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
Do Ju.tics to tho OmciaIs.

To THE EDIToR-Sir: There is a great
deal being said aud written on the subject
of fees and salaries of county officers.
am satisfied that the fees in many coun-
ties that officers are supposed to be getting
are overes,imated. 1t is a settled fact
that a law on the subject of fees and sal
aries viii be passed during this session of
the legislature. In the enacting of such q
law it becomes just as necessary to do
Justice TO the officer as IT is to do Justice
to the people. For instance take two
counties, each containing 1000 inhab-
itants. The auditor of one county
would berequired to do double the amount
OF work, or more, on account of gravel
roads, bitches, ETC.. than would be required
of the auditor of the other county, and
there is no suppositlon about this matter,
for such is the case. A law placing all
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28

meetings" OF the hoard have been I'M
seemly frequent and for insufficient causes?
And did the board remain in the city sew
eral days upon such occasions "having a
good time" and tax up s. per diem each
and hotel and raj road fares 10 the state?
Z. Have the dates ofsuch ''called meet
ings" conceded in any marked degree with
the dates Of the best plays at the theatrrs,
anniversary of Bobby Burns, etc? Did
those good agriculturists get TO hear Lang
try, Mary Anderson and other celebrities?
If so, it is hoped the appropriations have
not been entirely lost.
s. Have members OF the board paid the
railroad and hotel bill OF delegates from
county fairs to get their votes and infu-
ence?
1t will be well to consider all these
points.
Jan. l6. HAYsEED.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
Where Fees and salar es Wee Not In Issue.
TP,ymoufh Demrcrat.1

The fee and salary question is one that
will bear overhauing and revising, be-
cause abuses have grown up under the
present law which ought to be remedied,
but that the people are demanding the
radical change TIE SENTINEL endeavors
to make it appear they are we very much
doubt
We were actively engaged in politics in
various parts of the state, both before and
after the state convention, and heard
many spe ches from both democrats and
republicans in this state, and We do not
call to mind now that we heard in a sin
gle instance the question OF fees and sal
aries mentioned.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
What the People WIN Do.
TMuneie Herald.T

The opposition to the passage of a fee
and salary law by the present legislature
comes from county officers mainly. 1t is
not confined 10 parry. either. Some OF
Ghese have threatened their representa-
tives and the press for favoring such a
law. All the Herald has to say, if such
law, just and equitable. is not passed this
winter, the people of this state will see to
it that a legislature is elected in 1892 that
will pass a law 10 put the salaries OF coun-
ty officers on a fair basis. The democratic
party promised the peOple OF the state a
reform in this direction in their state plat
form. and the people took the party at its
word, and failure to keep the pledge viii
prove fatal.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
a Slow j pb.
Peru Sentinsll

The subject of fees and salaries con-
tinues to be public theme for the press
of the state. Nearly every paper in the
state and about every third man you
meet urges n fee and salary bill, but few
offer anything tangible in the way of a
measure. 1t is presumed that a number
of the members will have some measure
to present when work begins. But intro
ducing bill and having it pass both
houses is different. So that the work on
a just and equitable fee and salary bill
will of necessity be slow.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
when shall Reform Take Erac,?

ToTHE EDrroR-.Sir: Fair Play" in THE
SENTINEL of the 18th, made a clear State
ment OF the general views of the public
in regard to the "fee and salary" question.
When the bill is enacted it can 90 into
immediate force from and after its pas
sage, but be applicable, of course, only to
officials elected after the passage of the
act.
As the terms Of the various offices of
state and county begin at widely varying
dates after the regular election, it would
certainly he more practical to apply the
NV system to all elected after its passage.
Then to undertake to put it in force, on a
given future date, which would make it
retroactive in effect on ali the officials
elected under the present state laws, I'M
less the time set is placed seemingly so Tar
in the future that the act would appear
like prncra stination. But if the act goes
inc immediate force against all officials
enumerated. who are elected 10 the
several offices under the law in force at the
date OF their election, the whole question
would be settled to the satisfaction OF the
people as it would appear. and do Justice
t. officials elected under the present state
laws. y. {. SHAW.
INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. Is.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
Make the Corporat on. Pay.

We notice that a co-employe recently
left a switch open and fellow-workman
went to his death. There is call from
Greensburg for a legislative interference
for change of this rule. We believe a
bi has already been introduced looking
to this end. Let it pass. This thing is
getting to be monotonous. We do not be-
leve these fellow-workmen are right or
they would not kill each other so. Let the
railroads get the right kind OF fellow-work-
men or pay the damages.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
What LaGrnnge D.mocrat. Demand.


1t will be conceded, we think, that the
point the people OF LAGRANGE county ask
in the formulation OF any new fee or salary
bill is this: That the law must provide
that the emoluments of the officers OF
Latirdnge county shall be reduced.
With one exception. there has not been
a single plan suggested that will cut down
one penny the compensation paid now in
L1tirange county. or any other county
with less than 25,C00 people.
All the other schemes. including one
which bases the salaries upon the wealth
of the county as shown by the appralse-
ment, will, while having the desired effect
in most count s, absolutely increase the
salaries paid in>this-eOuAty, aHd in three
and possibly four others. putting our
county on par with others One-third 10
one-haif larger. and doing. in some in
stances, twice as much public business.
Such a law would be an intolerable out
rage upon the people OF this county, who
have voted more than in any other, that
this burden shall be reduced.
We suggest to our neighbors who de-
sire to take action on the subject tOmOr-
row, that they ask the legislature to pass
law that will place the power Of regu-
lating the pay of county officers IN the
nanus q the people Oi Tie COuAtN SCI NcuS
and al ow them TO pay, not IN proportion
to their numbers nor in proportion TO
their wealth, bat in proportion TO the
actual amount OF work their public servants
shall be called unon to do.
Such law should provide that all fees
should be paid or secured in advance and
be turned into the county treasury, from
whence the salaries would be drawn.
In this manner it il estimated by per-
sons qualified to Judge with much accu-
racy, the taxpayers OF LaGrange county
could be saved from three to four thousand
90 lars per year. and no county would he
made to suffer from salaries too high or
too low. because some other county had
more or less people.
This plan has been in successful opera
ton in Illinois for number OF years; it
has never been improved upon and never
will.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR.
continue to rob the people by a fee and
salary law that ought 10 have been dis
Promises Must BE Kept.
fPort'and Snail

The people of the state are expecting
reforms that viii result in the lessening OF
the already burdensome load Of taxation
that is bearing down so heavily upon
their purses The democratic party
gained control of the state at the Novem-
Der election upon pledges of reform, and
it now stands in an attitude to make good
those pledges, and TO show to the people
that they were not made merely TO catch
the votes OF the farming and laboring
classes of citizens. but that the party is in
full sympathy with the platform upon
which the victory was won. The people
expect it and they demand it, and the
democratic representative that casts his
influence against these declarations Of re-
form will be held as a Judas by the peo-
pie of the state. The San has no fears
that these promises will 60 unfulflled.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-28
HAYsEED.
The nues,ion of Konds.

To THE EDIToR-Sir: / an not a college
PROBES or but a plain country farmer, and
yet want to take issue with Professor J.
w. jerks in his ideas on road improve
ment as set forth in his interview in
recent issue of THE SENTINEL. His plan of
abolishing the system of working out road
tax, paving al road taxes in cash and
hiring county road engineer st large
salary, will hardly meet the demands OF
the people in these hard times when re-
trenchment is the watchword. Ii il were
as cheap | do not believe is would be as
effective as even the present system. 1t
does not require a skilled engineer to
grade and drain wagon road. A sensible
man living near the road who has an
interest in it and who would be answerable
to his neighbors for any misuse of his
power can make as good and much cheap
er road than a skilled engineer. Practi-
caly, this system was established in 1881
and one of the first things the legislature
of 1888 did was TO listen TO the demands
of the people and repeal it.
The bad roads OF Indiana are being
greatly improved every year. All we need
is little moro money expended every
year for permanent improvements. and
none for high salaried officers. Let the
legislature enact a law authorizing the
township trustee to levy tax OF not less
than 10 cents nor more than 30 cents on
the hundred idOllars valuation for perma-
nent road improve ments, to lie expended
under existing laws, and five years will
see every road grayeled or macadamized
where material can be had to do it,
Columbia City Jan Is JOrIN CIROSs