The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-11

the l1egt>i
The legisI AZURE of 1898 stands in the
peculiar situation OF having a record to
maintain. although it is only beginning it's
existence. The preceding democratic
legislatures OF 1889 and 1891 have made
exceileu records for themselves and for
the party. and that OF 1898 will be a dis
appointment to the people if it does not
at least msintain the high standard set
before it. The great laws passed by the
two preceding legislatures have been a
tower of strength TO the party. They have
given 1t a standing as the party of progress
and reform that has drawn to it hum
dreds OF the more intelligent and patriotic
voters of the state. This fact demonstrates
the wisdom of the policy that The SENTI-
MEL has stsadfastly maintained; that hon
est, straightforward legislation for the
benefit OF the people would be appreciated
and approved. We know OF no instance
in which the advice of THE SENTINEL has
been taken by the legis AZURE without ad-
vantage to the party aud to the people
and standing on this record we feel
free to offer few suggestions tosthe
present legislature.
In the first place we should hold what
We have gained. There should be no
foolish tinkering with the election law.
the school book law, the state board of
charities law, or the Indianapolis city
charter. These have all been tried and
proven salts factory. The tax law is al
most of the same class. but there are some
matters OF detail and further application of
its principles as to which it is Understood
the state board of tax commissioners will
make some recommendations. These
recommendations should be awaited and
carefully considered. One of the princi-
pal points of the tax reform was that
these commissioners would, by their ex-
perience, be enabled to give valuable ad-
vice to the legislature. We would sug
gest, however, that there be no radical
change of any kind made in this law.
There may be some dissatisfaction with
some features of it, but it has hardly had
fair trial yet. and its Endorsement by the
people thus far has shown that it's defects
are NOT of an alarming character.
The finances of the state viii need at
tention-not now to secure greater reve-
nue.. thanks to the tax law. but for q
proper disposition of the funds raised and
for some reduction OF taxation. The
auditor OF state has prepared a compre-
hensive report on this subject and made
some wise suggestions. He shows that a
total reduction of 8 cents can be made in
.
be created for the reduction OF the state
debt. This can be accomplished if the
legislature does not 90 beyond the limit
! of $3.50, 900 per annum in Its specific ap-
preparations. and now that the state
| institutions have been built and equipped
that sum. PROFESSIONALLY one of the
greatest works of the legis AZURE will be to
keep appropriations within reasonab. 9
/ bounds, but We believe this can be done
without being niggard y.
/ There should be attention given to
the road laws of the stale. 1t has
/ been made manifest that the roads
could be enormously improved. with
out any increased expense, if only
! more sensible application of the
means now raised were required to be
made. There has been some opposition
! to this reform, and a great deal of foolish
talk about building roads for dude BIZ
cyclers" that will vanish like the opposi.
ton to preceding reforms when a new
system is tried. The people need better
roads, and they will be satisfied when
/ they get them. The loss from bad roads
lie too serious to have the matter brushed
aside by any petty prejudice.
The SENTINEL is, as il has always been.
an advocate of a general township library
law. The teachers OF the stale have taken
mp this subject and decided to ask for such
a law in aid OF their school, work. Their
request should be needed The young
people OF the state want libraries aud
other educational advantages beyond a
mere common school education, and 1t is
wise policy to give them what they want
The young men will be voting in Indians
long after the few old mossbacks who OBJ
iect to any kind OF progress have passed
away.
primary election law is needed Pos
SHY il NAV not be polite to enact one
| which would extend over the country dis
tricts at the present time, but certainly
one should be enacted covering primaries
in cltios. There is no greater cause Of
factional troubles in party. and particu.
larry party in power, than disputes over
primary elections, aud as a matter of self
preservation the democratic party in this
state should do all it can to repress them.
Everyone is willing to abide by the will
of the majority fairly and honestly ex-
pressed, and means should be provided bv
which that expression can be obtained.
There will doubtless be many commend
able and desirable bills introduced in ad
ditiOn to such as may be offered on the
subjects mentioned, but these matters
we recommend to the special considera
ton of the legislature. We would
also suggest the greatest care as to al
elections and appointments to office. The
preceding Legislatures were peculiarly
creditable in their selections OF officials
and also in their dealings with official
who had forfeited public confidence. |
is to be hoped that the legislature of lS9;
will be equally successful.