The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-16
REFORM AND REINFORCEMENT IN
LOCAL GOVERNMENT,

iiSUnSu' Was ever accomplished without OPP
position, either honest and disinterested or
dishonest and selfish. Established forms
and methods, like vested rights, are hard
to dislodge, and it is the natural and honest
impulse Of many minds to oppose change.
But there can be no reform or progress
without change, and it would be unreason-
able to claim that our present system of
township and county government is the per-
lection Of human wisdom AS the evolution
OF several generations Of popular govern
ment there are many things in it not only
worth retaining, but worth defending against
attack from any quarter. 1t is right in
principle in that it aims at government by
the people, but it does not follow that it is
the wisest in detail or that it works to per-
lection. In fact, it is notorious that it has
defects, and, if it does not produce bad re-
suits, at least permits them. If these de-
fects can be cured and a better working
plan devised it should be done. The merits
of the present system would be all the more
pronounced if it's defects were remedied.
What has been done in other States can be
done in Indiana and because abuses under
the present system are of long standing
is no reason why they should be continued.
The statute of limitations does not run
against reform.
Men may differ as to the special defects
of the present system or as to where the
remedy lies, but there can be no doubt that
reform is necessary. Its necessity appears
in the great and constantly increasing cost
OF local government, local taxes and local
indebtedness. 1t appears in the multiplied
ton Of courthouse rings, courthouse ex-
penses, exorbitant charges. extra allow
ances, unauthorized fees, unnecessary and
extravagan purchases, padded accounts and
illegal exactions of various kinds. The pres
ent cost of local government is out of all
proportion to that of national and state gov
eminent 1t is scarcely an exaggeration to
say that in many counties and a large num-
Der of townships in Indiana local govern
ment at present is an organized system of
public waste, and, in SOME cases, of public
plumber. The total debt of Indiana counties
for 1890 was $6,S27,674 an increase of 81, 753,-
220 in ten years. OF the ninety-two counties
only eighteen were out of debt Allowing
for the increase since 1890, the aggregate
county Indebtedness now exceeds the state
debt, and, while the latter is being reduced,
the former is being increased. Township
government is in many respects even looser
and more costly in proportion than county
government. To say that these results are
One of the most specious arguments against
the proposed reform is that the present evils
are not so much the fault of the system as
of the men elected under it, and that if the
people want better government they should
elect better men to office. There is just
enough truth in that to make it plausible
argument. 1t is true that in many cases
bad men or incompetent men, fee grabDers
and tax eaters, are elected to office, but the
system is largely responsible for that be-
cause it leaves an open door for that kind
of men to operate. A well-guarded and
well-checked system would not have such
attractions for them, and if they did succeed
in getting into office they would find the
door closed instead Of wide open. 1t is I'M
ard of official honesty and carefulness in
dealing with public funds, but we also need
system that will not tempt public officials
by it's opportunities to embark in a course
OF extravaganza and peculation, and thus,
perhaps, make honest men dishonest 1t is
a strange trait of human nature that makes
many men who are economical and honest
in their private dealings, extravagant, reck-
less and INSCRIPTIONS in their dealings with
the public. A system that encourages the
idea that public office is a private snap is a
bad one
The people will note with pleasure that
Governor Mount has taken firm stand in
favor of reforming abuses in county and
township government, and that he will make
q special presentation of the matter in his
message to the Legislature. II intend" he
said to Journal reporter. ito say a great
deal about the need of reform, without sug-
costing or approving any plan" In a gen.
eral way he favors such changes al will give
the people more direct control of local ex-
penditures and establish stricter standard
Of official accountability. His suggestion
that the proposed reform should include the
judicial system, county courts as we'll as
county commissioners and judges as well as
sheriffs, is well timed. The courts of the
State are costing the people a great deal
more than they should, and the manner in
which they permit costs to be piled UP and
arbitrary allowances to be made is in many
cases. scandalous. The Governor says he
knows of a case in which sheriff was re-
Gently allowed $500 for services for which
the same official, few years ago, received
only $45. He knows of one county where
$1,000 year was spent for law books for the
use of the court and lawyers, the people
footing the bills, and of another county
where $500 was spent for the same purpose.
He also referred to the excessively large
allowances made by county commissioners to
attorneys for advice, to special allowances
made to judges for special services, and
other matters that go to swell the cost of
local government and courts. The people
are to be congratulated that the Governor
has made such an investigation of the sub
ject as will enable him to bring it forcibly
to the attention of the Legislature, and they
have learned that when he forms conclu-
sion in regard to a public duty he adheres
TO it. Reform is necessary. and the way to
accomplish it is to begin it.
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT IN CUBA.
Editors who are disposed to criticise the