The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-01-28
ABOUT FEES AND SALARIES.

The Journal has at no time been hope
full that any measure involving a sgenu-
inc reform of the fee and salary system
of the State would be passed by a DEM
ocratic Legislature. Democratic prom
ises of reform are freely made during
campaigns, and as freely broken after
elections. The people rarely take Demo-
cratic campaign promises seriously, but,
while laboring under a temporary aber-
ration of mind last fall, q great many
usually level-headed citizens of Indiana
were induced to believe that the Demo-
Gratis were really in earnest in their ex-
pressed purpose to do away entirely
with the system of paying State and
county officers by fees, and placing them
ON fixed salaries. But it is already evi.
dent that the men who control the DEM
ocratic party of Indiana have no inten-
ton of carrying III the party pledges
in good faith. Probably some kind Of
bill in the semblance of a reform meas
ure will be passed, but it is safe to pre-
dict that there will be no real reform in
it. 1t will be framed for the purpose of
increasing the emoluments of pub
lie officers, which can easily be
done by revising" the fee sched-
ules and introducing various t, .cks
known only to the trade, which will
open the doors wide for constructive
fees and other methods of gouging tax
payers and ~litigants. We suspect that
this dose will be s~ugar-coated to the
public, by providing for it's immediate
application. In this way, it is calculate
ed, everybody will be satisfied. The
people will get what they will fondly
suppose to be reform, and they will get
it at once; the officials will get an in
crease in their emoluments, and they
will get that at once. 1t may turn out
,that the public is not such an ass as the
Democratic politicians suppose, al
though, in view of certain events which
occurred early last November, these
shrewd politicians may perhaps be ex-
cused for the low estimate they put
upon the popular intelligence.
If Republicans had control of the
Legislature there is no doubt that a fair
and permanent reform of the fee and
salary system would be accomplished.
The Republican State platform, adopted
ON the 10th of last September, laid
down the lines upon which such reform
should be made in this language:
The constitutional amendment adopted
by an immense majority in Mar Oh, 1881, au-
thorizing the Legislature to enact laws
grading the compensation of officers accord
ing TO population and services required, ex-
pressed the demand of the people for such
laws. In party platforms and public utter
ances the Democratic party has often de-
clared In favor of snch legislation. but hav-
ing often a majority in both branches of the
Legislature, it has suffered this amendment
to remain n dead letter for nine years. We
favor legislation under this amendment. by
which officers shall be paid fixed salaries.
having regard to population and the char
acter of services rendered, and the prices
paid for similar work in other occupations,
and llfees collected be paid into the proper
treasury for the public benefit. Such legis-
official terms for which elections have been
made at the time of its enactment. and
should be followed by q constitutional
amendment making the terms of Stat"
and county officers. except the judiciar
four years, and rendering incumbents :
eligible for reelection in any period
eight years.
The only just and practicable measure
Of reform that could be enacted would
be such as is above indicated. A bill.
fixing salaries with regard to popula-
tion and the character Of services rem