The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-19

of property for taxation largely increased
the revenues, but in many counties the lev
les for current county, township and munic-
ipal expenditures have been well kept up.
AS a rule such taxes are higher now than
ten years ago, and debts have been in
creased. In many cities extensive improve
ments have been made, but they have been
met by special taxation while, in most of
them, current expenses have gradually
grown, and grown much more rapidly than
wealth and population. What is true of the
city is true Of township and county. Tens
of thousands of dollars are squandered upon
school supplies which are useless. Expendi-
lures are made for the support of the poor
in such manner as to permanently recruit
the army of paupers in the State Reports
from a class of trustees give the impression
that their personal interests overshadow
those Of the taxpayer. LaXity and irrespon-
sibility too often characterize the conduct
missioners vote allowances for which they
have no warrant in law? How many dispose
of contracts at Dutch auction? There seems
to be a determination to get hold Of all the
money within reach and to keep it. This
may seem severe charge; but what other
conclusion is possible when the attorney
general constantly employs one or two eX-
perts to so from county to county to look
UP and compel county officers to send to the
state treasury the moneys due it by law?
Local public opinion, it may be added, sus-
tains the local officer in waiting for the
state ferret to compel the return to the
treasury Of tens of thousands of dollars a
year. Loose practices have grown common
in the handling of public money, so that no
week passes that defalcation or crookedness
in accounts is not reported. Indeed, it is so
common that people seem to consider it a
matter of little consequence.
No well-informed man will deny the ex-
istence of the deplorable conditions so mad
equately outlined. They do not exist be-
cause officials are dishonest, but because a
general laxity has crept into the administra-
ton of local government which public opin-
ion tolerates if it does not justify. Much of
it is the result Of ignorance and a lack Of
capacity the part of officials-an evil
to the conclusion that a man needs ability
for position in local government. 1t is not
a pleasant thing to say, but is it not true
that public opinion does not regard it dis
honorable for an official to get what money
he can from the public treasury by any de-
vice short of opening the strong box with a
jimmy? The other day the spectacle was
presented of demanding ten days pay for
five days service, but that should be no
cause for wonder when it is known that
judges have added thousands of dollars to
the cost of courts by holding court in each
others circuits in order to get double pay.
Why should a judge in Marion county be
off the bench large part of his time and
appoint a substitute to draw another salary
from the county? Three years ago, many
township trustees rebelled against the law
which required them to publish their ex-
penditures, and in several counties the COM
missioners publish their annual financial
statements in papers that have no general
circulation. These are only few of the
indications of lax and often vicious admins
tration.
Within the past few years there has been
an awakening to these pernicious practices
and to the dangers which are in their train.
The Journal is in active sympathy with this
movement, and proposes to cooperate ac-
lively with all citizens who demand clean,
business-lil1e and intelligent administration
in all local governments. Besides, Repub-
licanism in national affairs now stands for
the wisest in policy and the best in admins
tration; Republicanism is the best in state
administration in Indiana that it has had in
years; RepUblicanism must stand for the
best in local administration. True to that
Repubicanism which in the words of Abra-
ham Lincoln means government for the
people," the Journal will have no tenderness
for those who have the party name but are
false to their trusts. All should live up to
the letter and spirit of the law, and above
all, Republicans. 1t is the duty of every
man holding office to so conduct it's affairs
as to be strictly within the law. He owes
this duty to the taxpayers as a whole, and
every Republican should not only fulfill this
duty, but he should strive to manage the
public business intrusted to his care in such
manner as will leave an unimpeded path
for Republican successor. Wherever lax
ideas of public administration prevail, and
where they are practiced, elevated public
spirit and sound ethics in private affairs
cannot exist. The installation of the re-
Gently elected officers has already begun,
and if they will discharge their duties in a
manner indicating desire to serve the pub
lie as it should be served a long lease of
power awaits the Republicans of Indiana.
A PARK BOARD.
The committee of tho Commercial Cluh