The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-04


Gated could have any other but dis
honest motive. 1t is not known that any
trustee has favored the repeal of the law
referred to- but IL any one does he should
be closely watched by the people during
the rest of his term and turned out Of
Office at the end of it.
The people would be the gamers and
the cause of good government would be
promoted If greater care were exercised
in the nomination AMI election Of town.
ship trustees. This remark is not of
universal application. because there are
many very competent trustees, but too
many are incompetent. and some prove
dishonest soon after their election.
Within the last year several cases Of
township frauds have come to light in
this State, and within a few weeks
township trustee in Boone county has
been found to be a defaulter and forger,
and now a fugitive from justice. Such
things will occur sometimes, but the
voters Of a township ought to know
to select a thoroughly competent and
honest man for trustee. The township
trustees of Indiana handle millions of
dollars every year, and they have prac-
tically unlimited authority in the dis
bursement of it. An incompetent or ex-
travagant trustee is almost as dangerous
as a dishonest one. According to re-
cent statement by the secretary of the
State Board Of Charities the trustees OF
this State expended during last year
$633, 900 for charity. This is a large
amount of money to be disbursed on the
authority of set of officials who are
practically unchecked and whose word
in the matter is law. No doubt con-
siderable proportion of the large amount
thus disbursed for charity was worse
than thrown away, because it was be-
slowed on unworthy persons or in such
a way as tended to increase IMPROVE
depce and beggary. To say that such
method of dispensing charity is ex-
travagant is putting it too mildly. 1t is
little less than criminal, and argues
lack of aptitude for local self-govern-
ment not at all creditable to the people.
The people of Indiana could learn great
deal in this and some other features of
local government from those of some
other States, and especially from some
of the Eastern States. where they have
better systems and methods.
The judge of the Circuit Court of Mont
gomery county recently decided that
County Commissioners have no jurisdic-
ton over the disbursement of township
funds by trustees and no auditing power
over trustees accounts If they suspect
irregularities they can state their sus-
picions. and If they discover fraud. ex-
travagance or incompetaaey they can
make the fact known. but they have no
power to prevent either. County Com
missioners are not always competent nor
as free from jobbery and favoritism as
they might be, but many of them are
honest and competent, and their super
vision of the accounts OF township trus-
tees would have a good effect. But If
the decision referred to holds, as prob
ably it WILL there is absolutely no check
whatever on trustees except the annual
publication of accounts. This. though
good as far as it goes. Is inadequate.
The sum of the whole matter is that the
system of local government and the
methods of township administration in
Indiana should be thoroughly investi-
gated with a view of reform, and the
people should exercise much greater care
than they are in the hab:s &C doing in
the election Of township trustees.