The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-11
CHANGE ALL THE WARDS
SOME EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED
ANNEXATION PLAN.
Political Advantage Not Apparent
Engine Houses would Be Demanded
i'm BrightwoOd and HnughviI!e.

There was talk yesterday Of special
meeting of the Council tomorrow night to
pass the necessary ordinance or ordinances
annexing West Indiana polls. Brightwood
and Haughville. The ordinances have not
been prepared so far. Petitions containing
the necessary number of names have al
ready been secured by the friends of the
Greater Indianapolis" scheme. 1t requires
a remonstrance of two-thirds of the legal
voters TO defeat an annexation by the city.
and it devoves upon them to show to the
Circuit Court that the damages would ex-
ceed benefits that would accrue to them by
coming into the city. So far as can be
learned there are now no legal obstacles in
the road of the undertaking.
Some thought is being given to the effect
the annexation would have on the city po-
litically. To begin with. the annexation
would at once abolish the present form of
government of the suburbs. would vacate
the offices of the trustees of the towns of
Brightwood and Haughville, the offices of
mayor and counciImen of West Indianapo-
lis and the minor offices, well. including
the police and fire forces of the latter and
the marshals of the former This shows
that there would be considerable patronage
TO dispense A number of extra patrolmen
would be necessary for the three suburbs,
besides which the fire department of West
indianapolis would have to be reorganiZed.
Ii is thought not unlikely that the city
would build an engine house in Brightwood,
as that suburb already has water works.
Haughville would also probably expect an
engine house, inasmuch as the expense
would have to be borne from the general
fund OF the city. Under the charter all APP
pointnents on the police and fire forces are
made by the Board of Public Safety. The
present fire department of West Indianapo-
us has force of five, while there are three
men on the police department. One effect
or the annexation scheme would be TO do
away with the conflict of authority between
the police and constabulary of West In
dianapo!is, as the marshalS office would be
abolished. The city has suffered because
or the rivalry and jealousy of the two sets
of authorities. Ii is pointed out that West
indianapolis has small prison i'm he fire
department building that might be utilized
claims that the distribution of political pat
ronage is not much of figure as the char
ter provides that appointments shall be di
Vlded between the two parties.
Just what political advantage the annexa-
ton might give the present party in power
is not apparent, although the claim is ma de
that that question does not figure as con-
sideration I'm any sense of the word. 1t is
pointed out that the charter provides for
fifteen councilmen from as many council
manic wards, and for six councimen-at-
large, to be elected with the city ticket. 1t
is said that this practically assures that the
political complexion Of the Council would
be the same that of the administra ton.
as the party that had majority of the city
ticket would be sure to elect the six coun-
cilmen-at-large and carry at least eight
wards, enough to give it a two-thirds ma
jority in the Council The administration
claims that Ii would be impossible 10 gerry
mander the city into wards that would give
control of the wards TO any party. II is,
nevertheless, true that the present Council
is Democratic. If the suburbs annexed
into wards on the basis of the enlarged pop
ulation. The Council does this work 1t is
said that the majority in the present Coun-
Gil would at least give the Republican party
no advantage i'm defining the boundaries OF
the new wards
There seems to be question but that
steps will be taken at once, If a all, to car
ry through this plan. In order TO get the
property of the suburbs listed for taxation.