The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-23
THE PLAN is COMPLETED
TOWNSHIP REFORM LAW En-
planned BY a. c. HARRIS.
school Reorganization viii Not BE
Uniform Account System.

| lines yesterday morning Incorporated the
changes as suggested by the executive COM
mittee the night before, and those branches
of the measure are now practically COM
plete. They will be submitted to the execu-
tive committee and, while some further
changes may be made, it is not probable
any such action will be taken and the pros
poets are that the bill as now drawn will
go before the Legislature, so far as those
two branches are concerned. Mr.. A. c. Har-
ris yesterday explained numerous points in
the proposed bills and was asked What is
the principle of the proposed reform?" Said
he:
THE true principle of government is that
the people must govern themselves. The
fuller their voice and interest, the better
If the people are given an opportunity to
say what they want done in local affairs,
and then neglect their duty, they can blame
no one but themselves. They know when
they need new schoolhouse, jail or court
house, and other public improvements and
how much they are willing to raise by taxa
ton for such purpose. The same is true as
to roads, bridges and the like. This is the
principle the commission is trying to ex-
press in the bills now being drafted. OF
course the taxpayers of a populous COM
munity cannot hold a mass meeting and
settle all these matters. 1t becomes neces-
sary therefore to make some provision for
the people in the townships and counties,
selecting from their number representative
men to act for the whole number This we
seek to do by the township board of five
taxpayers and the county council of great
err number, depending on population. In this
way it is thought to afford the best prac-
teal mode of local self-government."
How will it work practically"
THE TRUSTEES FUNCTION.
Let US take the township as the first IL
lustration. There is to be an annual meeting
of the advisory board and the trustee. He
must lay before them an estimate showing,
in his judgment, what schoolhouses, if any,
should be built during the ensuing year.
also, the cost by items of maintaining the
schools, including books and supplies; what
roads, bridges, etc. should be improved, and
the itemized cost and expense. The same
as to the poor and other matters under the
charge of the township. The board will
know whether the people desire less than
the trustee asks, and, if so, they win revise
the estimates and establish them. In this
way the people will have control of the
OUTLAWS in the township"
Eat this meeting the trustee lays before
the board the assessed valuation of the
property of the township, and the number
of taxable polls Having determined how
much money is to be spent it will be an
easy matter to fix tax rate. OF course
the usual allowance will be made for de-
linquencies. This makes it plain and sim
pie. The trustee and the people alike know
- 10
for. And the trustee must cut his cloth ac-
cordingly."
Can the voters themselves be heard?"
Yes; at these meetings any taxpayer may
attend and offer suggestions by way of adj
vice. 1t is designed to make it a general
meeting as far as practicable
'Then the trustee cannot create debt in
excess of the money provided by the board?"
mo. The true principle of township gov
eminent is to keep out of debt; and the
plan provides that the trustees cannot create
debts in excess of the money appropriated
OF course an emergency might arise from
fire or flood, which is specially provided
COMPETITIVE BIDDING.
"Then what assurance is given that the
money is not misspent?''
In the first place an honest man will not
squander public funds. In the next, all con-
tracts and purchases in large sums must be
made under open, competitive bidding. And
provision is made declaring it unlawful for
any trustee to take any commission, directly
or indirectly, on sales and the like. Besides
further and perhaps better guard is given
in this way. The trustee once a year, and
at the end of his term, must settle with the
township board, item by item. If the board
feels any item of expenditure is not en-
tirely satisfactory the members will look
into it, and may have public examination,
and if not right. strike it out of the report
In this way we seek to give the people in
every township the simplest, practicable
means of keeping in close touch with their
own affairs; and if they are badly admin
istered it is their own fault"
Have the county officers anything to do
with township affairs?"
Not a thing, except to collect the taxes
and pay the money over to the trustee.
Township trustees are controlled entirely by
the board and people of each township"
''Are county officers the same way?"
yes, entirely. Thes county council does
for the county what the township board
does for the township. That bill is longer
because there are more matters to be regu-
lated; but the scheme is the same. In each
case it is that the representatives of the
people say how much money they will spend
and what for; that all shall be done in the
open. and all important contracts and pur-
chases made under competitive bids, and
no debts can be made by any township or
county officer beyond the estimates and APP
preparations. II THIS method Oh local gov
eminent is adopted, and good men selected,
it is thought it will cure many existing
abuses"
SALARIES OF TRUSTEES.
Tie county bill provides that the power
to fix the tax rate is vested exclusively in
the county council, and it only shall make
appropriations. The manner in which con-
tracts shall be let is prescribed in detail, and
every safeguard IS thrown around such 4
proceeding. The township board shall con-
sist of five men. and shall pass ON all esti-
mates and make all appropriations. This
board also fixes the rate of taxation for the
township ANY taxpayer has the right to
such suggestions as he desires. The trustee
Is required 10 attend the meetings of the
board, and shall make an estimate of his
expenditures for the year. If the members
of the board desire compensation. they shall
be limited to 80 per annum. A complete re-
port of all receipts and expenditures shall
be made TO the board, and If any money is
thorized by the board it shall be held as an
unexpended balance in that fund, and his
bondsmen shall be held for IL. All contracts
made and supplies purchased must be by
public letting and due notice shall be posted
In five OF the most public places in the town
ship and If the amount exceeds $500, pub
lication shall be made for three weeks in a
| newspaper. The township assessor shall
take the school enumeration when he as
sesses the property, instead of the township
trustee doing 1t as now. The salaries to be
paid TO trustees are graded by the popula-
ton. In townships where the population is
over 1900, $1,000 per annum: from 5000 to
To N. 4 ..