The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-18
ARE FEELING B0LDER NOW
Democratic Office Holders Will Have the
Fee and Salary Law Repealed.
Strong Lobby Already 0rganizing-Senatoria
Fight Grows More Bitter-ProLibs
Have Another Pow.Wow.

The fee and salary law will be again
before the Legislature. which meets in jan
nary next, but the chances are that it Will
be called mp only to be repealed. The pre-
visioD putting the law in force after the
succeeding session of the Legislature was
only q scheme to win the support of the
farmers and wage-earners under pretense
of reform. The election being over, and
the small vote of the Populists having re-
moved all fears of danger from that
source. the law il now to be repealed. for
the benefit of the political. courthouse
rings of the State. The coming Legisla-
ture will be beset by as numerous and un-
scrupulous lobby as ever descended upon
an erring body of men.
The county officers elected at this last
election will be subject to the provisions
of the law, but the most of them do not
take their Offices for nearly year. There
will be ample time for the repeal of the
law. County officers play so great part
in Marion county politics that the local
ring. headed by Chairman Tom Tag
CART. with Sterling II. Holt and
John r. Wilson up to snuff" and
Sim Coy well in hand, Will use
it's influence In favor of the repeal. With
out such men as Taggart and Holt. who
Will willingly supply the money from their
princely Official incomes. as the former has
done in the past, there would be q very lax
party organization in Marion county. This
county was made Democratic and kept so
by the liberal nse of money. But it was
money earned easily under the old fee and
salary law. so that Taggart, Holt and Will
son will Justify their support of the repeal
on the ground that there must be some
capital county always Democratic.
The evidences of the purpose to over
throw the law are beginning to crop out,
now that the Democratic farmers have
shown that when won away from the party
they can be whipped into line again. A
Journal reporter who met legislator elect
was gwen q tip of what is coming.
There Is too much party advantage"
said he. I'm allowing that law to stand.
While it gives the great majority, in fact
nearly every one of the officers elected,
more than they could earn in any other
way. ana mighty good living, the margin
Tor political assessments has been cut
down too close. The first thing We know
these fellows Will begin to refuse TO put
up for campaign expenses. and then the
party will be ND stump. There is not
much to be feared fromra repeal. The fell
lows who do the kicking forget all about
it on election day. Two years ago the So
called Peoples party cast about 1900 or
$4,000 votes, and now less than $1,000 The
gain is small. and has driven away all fear
of disfavor il the law should be repealed.
Ii the people can stand the new tax law
there Is not much TO be feared from q re-
peal of a fee and salary law which has not
yet taken effect"
This fiedgling statesman's boldness marks
him for future political honors. He would
take a premium for practical politics" of
the Democratic variety. He may in time
become Bynum.
There is some evidence that the salaries
and official incomes of the new officers will
not cause the incumbents to be unhappy.
1t is simply because these incomes under
the old law are so much better that the OPP
position arises to the new law. Speaking
of the sheriff's income of $4,000 under the
new law in Marion county, deputy
county official said some time since: 81
will willingly take the office and run it
we'll for that. They may talk about
il not being worth anything under
the new law, but there is q good 5000 a
year clear in il. And how could Langen-
berg OF Emmett make that much in any
other way in o yearp
There will not be smooth sailing when
the proposed repeal comes mp for hearing.
The Farmers Alliance, the Z. M. b. a., and
labor organizations will have committees
on legislation present TO fight the lobby.
The prospect Is the average Democratic
legislator will have an unhappy time dodg-
ing both sides.