The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-29

porters of the trustees. Let the people of
Indiana, through their representatives. in the
coming Legislature answer whether this
legislation is unnecessary
What do you think of the declaration
that some persons who are more DESTROYS of
popularity than the demands of public econ
omy are asking that the trustees be re-
stricted?"
1T seems we are DESTROYS of popularity
But did it occur to the honorable body
which unanimously adopted this preamble
that none of us could possibly seek or ac-
quire this popularity unless the people
were with us and against them?
The next whereas recites that the man
agement of schools, roads, bitches, books
and the poor is legally vested in the office
of township trustees. This statement Is
strictly correct. That is the trouble. We
want part of these responsibilities located
elsewhere; we would do something to ease
them of the burden. AS Artemus Ward said
of the Mormon wives, IL is the 'muchnesS'
of this management that we object to.
Then comes another whereas, our gov
ernment is Of the people, by the people and
for the people. We think so, too, and there
fore we ask that the peoples representa-
tives, who do not disburse the peoples
money and cannot profit by it, shall control
its expenditure.
QUESTION OF BETTER ROADS.
Now comes a choieer extract. 1t tells us
that the current reports of township truss
tees show that we have better roads, better
drainage and more efficient schools, and at
no increased rate of township taxation In
other words, the trustees say all these pref
ty things about themselves. They make
better roads by telling US that they are bet
ter, 1t is an illustration of the powerful
influence of mind over matter. 1 tried one
of these better roads not long ago, but my
horse was not equal to the emergency.
But these resolutions are even better
than the preamble. They thus begin: We
favor the continuance of our present plan
Of township government. We favor all legis-
lation that protects the rights of the people
and gives them a voice in managing our
city a mayor of rather unsavory reputa-
tion known as Fernando Wood. He was "a
friend of the people, During the war a
satire of much pith and point was published,
entitled The New Gospel of Peace in
which his position was thus stated in Bibli-
cal phraseology: And Phernandiwood said
unto himself, Yea, of a truth, L love the
people, But am 1 not one of the people?
Nay, am I not number one of the people?
And should not love first myself and the
rest of the people after myself? So Pier
hardwood loved first himself and the rest
of the people after himself" / could not
help thinking of this in contemplating the
zeal of our township trustees to protect the
rights Of the people by continuing the pres
ent plan of township government.
THE bill prepared by our executive COM
mittee proposes that any citizen of a town
ship may appear before the advisory board
discuss all questions pertaining to the levy
of the township tax and the appropriation
of the funds. The present law allows the
trustee to levy and appropriate without
consulting anybody. Which plan best pro-
tectS the rights of the people""