The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-14
TWELVE
Work Before the Legislature.

variety OF subjects demands the attention
of the legislature. The last legislature
did its work very thoroughly, and, for the
most part, the questions with which the
present body will be called upon to deal
are those which have come to the front
during the last two years. A great volume
of legislation will not be required. There
are too many laws passed in this country.
There is too much blind faith in the po-
tency of statutory enactments. Few legis-
latures do too little; most OF them do too
much. 1t is quality, not quantity, that
the people demand from the present leg
islature. There are not very many ques-
tiOns requiring consideration at its hands,
but those which do are OF very great i'm
p~ortance.
The most vital question, by far, which
presents itself, is that OF state finances.
This is a very large question and one
which will demand the best thought and
the most careful attention OF the legis-
lature. 1t is in no sense a partisan ques-
ton. The campaign charges OF the repub-
Iican press and the republican state
officers that the democrats had improvi-
IDENTIFY created a large Heb and made no
provision for protecting it, were true only
in tie sense that the condition OF the
state finances Is the result OF our
unjust, illogical and chaotic revenue sys-
TEN, which neither party has ever seri-
ously undertaken to reform, probably
because the task was one of appalling
magnitude. No more blame for this at
taches to the democratic than to the re-
publican party. But the time has come
when this work can be no longer delayed.
The responsibility falls upon the demo-
cratic party, and it must meet it bravely
and honestly. The revenues and expen-
ditures OF the state must be equalized, and
if a temporary increase of the tax
levy is necessary, it must be cou~raGeously
made. 1t is to be hoped, however, that
this may not prove necessary. There are
many sources of revenue, now wholly or
partly neglected, which ought to be
brought under contribution TO the state.
The corporations should be made to bear
their fair share of the burdens of govern
ment. Efforts should be made to reach
large classes of property which now es-
cape taxation altogether. The system of
equalizing assessments should be changed,
and we think one of the first things the
legislature should do is to create a special
committee, consisting of the ablest and
best men In both houses, to frame a sci
entifc revenue system for the state.
W. Io1,0-o 4Lok n a,-z%oyo aa- - Ioy,roI
which will obviate the necessity OF more
than a temporary increase in the levy
upon property already taxed.
The next most important question to
come before tine legislature will be that of
fees and salaries. Public sentiment is
ripe for a radical reform of the present
system. All parties stand pledged, in
their last platforms, to the policy of de-
priving all officials, state and local, of fees
and perquisites, and placing them upon
fixed salaries. This must and will be
done by the present legislature. A fair,
reasonable and just bill will be passed.
The date of its taking effect-a year or
two sooner or later-does not so much
matter. The reform will be a far-reaching
one and will be permanent. 1t will be
the crowning distinction of this legisla-
ture, as election reform was of the last
legislature.
Questions which, it is TO be hoped, will
receive proper attention, relate to the adj
ministration of the benevolent, reforma-
tory and penal institutions of the state.
The present system is a wretched failure.
What is needed is a sharp concentration
of responsibility for the management of
these institutions and a direct official sup
e~rvision of all of them. Our prison system
is twenty-five years behind the times. 1t
needs to be very materially changed. The
recommendations of Warden MURDoCK
and the board OF trustees OF the northern
prison upon this subject are full of wisdom,
and we trust they may be followed by the
legislature.
Vigorous legislation to arrest the waste
of natural gas is demanded, and will no
doubt be enacted.
The road laws of the state are as bad as
they could possibly be made. They need
a Thorough overhauling, and it is hoped
will receive il.
Amendments to the school-book law,
which will enlarge its scope, and simplify
somewhat its operations, are needed. The
election law also requires amendment as
to some details. The state board of char
tiles law can perhaps be improved in some
respects. The material interests OF the
state demand well-guarded legislation
authorizing the incorporation of trust and
guarantee companies, establishing a saw
ings bank system, and providing for the
rigid inspection of building, loan and saw
ings associations. The question OF the
ap-portionment of school evenues is an
important one, and will no doubt absorb
considerable time.
indianapolis is chiefly interested in the
adoption of a new city charter. The in
strument which was proposed by the citi-
zens' committee meets with almost uni
versal popular approval, and as it is in
dorsed by the Marion county delegation
we presume there is no reason to doubt its
enactment.
1t il fortunate that the senatorial cleo
ton will involve no loss of time. The
peopls have settled that matter in ad-
vance. They have decreed the return of
n.~rvr w VoopuDva IN the sanafa and