The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-08
A SENATOR'S TIMELY woRDs.


1t is within our power. and it is our duty
as Republican Legislature to put the af-
fairs OF Indiana uponCa. higher. plane. to
and to give to the administration of the af-
fairs OF the State institutions better men
and better methods than for the most part
they have. The people desire better
things. and they expect that the Republic
an Legislature will do its utmost to put the
aHalrS or the State on an intelligent bust
ness basis. If we fail will not only for
felt existing confidence in our ability and
that We have gained in the late election.
On the other hand, If we meet the reason
abie expectation of the intelligent people
OF INDIANA, we shall maintain Republican
ascendency for years.
The foregoing is a part of the remarks
which q prominent Senator made yes
terGay to three or four members of the
Legislature who were exchanging views.
He could not have put more truth into
the same number of WORDS. If the Re
publican Legislature is inspired by such
wisdom, not only is the Republican
party in power in Indiana for years,
but the people are sure of constantly
improving and progressive control of
public affairs. And if the members of
the Legislature would consider the sub
ject even but briefly they would see
that in the shaping of State policies and
in the Intelligent management of State
affairs there is wider field for the ex-
ercise Of practical craftsmanship than
there is in national politics. The affairs
Of the State touch the people and their
affairs at every point. while national
legislation and policies affect them re-
motely or indirectly. The problems pre-
sented by the State are not only intri-
cate, but are new through changing con-
ditions. and therefore demand the best
practical intellectual forces in the State
for their solution.
Democratic legislatures have failed be-
cause the controlling element in them
has not been inspired by intelligent pub
lie spirit. They have been controlled by
men who have been SO absorbed in
place-seeking for themselves and their
helpers that the interests of the State
have been sacrificed to the small greed
of the camp followers of the party. The
people at large were forgotten except in
demagogic speeches. They have blotched
the statute book with laws designed to
authorize the few to plumber the tax
payer. They have been the easy if not
the eager victims of the lobby. They
have trusted to gerrymanders to sus-
tain their incompetency and profiigacy..
There have been good men in the Demo-
cratic majorities, but they have been
overborne by the sordid and the I'M
scrupulous.
To intrench Republicanism in Indiana
this Legislature must present sharp
contrast to it's predecessors. Public in
terests must take precedence. The in
,,c,f
be consulted rather than the arrogant
demands oe such Hobbies jas have repre-
sented the avarice of county officers
associations in the past three legisla-
lures. The appointments of the State
for representative bodies must be made
in strict conformity to the principles
is grounded. Officers to manage public
institutions must be selected because of
their good repute and the capacity they
have displayed in private affairs rather
than from the ranks of professional
place-seekers who make loud claims, but
have never displayed any efficiency in
any branch OF business. In short, this
Legislature will meet the appreciation
of the intelligent people and make In
diana Republican State for years if
in all things it's members will place pub
lie interests before private-the people
before the lobby.