The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-29
A COUNTY LEGISLATURE.
Trend the Discussion for Reform Is
Taking.

Headquarters of the county and township
government commission were opened in
Room 20, Statehouse, yesterday. This room
is one of those occupied by the state super
intendent of public instruction. The active
work of the commission will be conducted
here by the executive committee of twelve,
which held another meeting last night, and
will meet for a further conference this even
ing. At the meeting last night Judge Hack
ney, who, with A. c. Harris, is drafting
skeleton bill on township business, said
that before his work could be advanced
much further it would be necessary to know
whether present provisions governing roads,
schools and the poor were to be revised or
were to remain as they are.
j. E. Mccullough, who is acting with A.
l.. Mason on the county blI, asked for ad-
vice with reference to the formation of
county legislature. The discussion that fol-
lowed seemed to indicate the members of
the committee were in favor of having one
member of the township board act on the
county legislative board ex ofticio. There
was some discussion as to whether there
should be members of the county legislature
elected from the county at large. 1t was
pointed out, for instance, that, while per-
haps so per cent. of the taxable property of
Marion county is located in Center town.
ship, the member from Center township
would have no more to say with regard to
the tax levy and the annual budget OF pro-
posed expenditures than the members from
the other eight townships. Then again II
was argued that in case one representative
from each township alone constituted the
board, il might be of a different political
complexion from the auditor, whose duty II
would be to make the annual estimates.
This difference of political complexion
might cause friction. Those who favor the
election OF members at large urge that some
such provision as this would assure the
county legislature being of the same poliu-
cal complexion as the county officers.
Adoiph Rogers, on the part OF the commit
tee on the State Board OF Appeal and Re-
vision, announced that he and William
Dudley Foull1e had selected r. o. Hawkins
as the third member of their committee Be-
fore Mr.. Foulke left for home yesterday
they partially agreed on bill for such d
board. d. X. Goss announced that he and
d. Nj. Geeting would meet this morning TO
60 over the school question with >. "A. Art
man, of Lebanon, and thought that they
would be ready to make a report by the
meeting tonight. Chairman Fortune an
nouneed the appointment OF Alexander
S. Grout of this city, as the subcommittee
on the care of the poor ana outdoor fellef.
A meeting of this committee was arranged
for to-day. Last night Judge Hackney said
that 1t seemed to him that the relief OF the
poor was a question that should be taken
out of the mire and placed on some CHRISTIAN
basis. 1t seemed monStrouS 10 him that the
incurable insane should be confined on the
poor farms and permitted TO indiscriminate.
~ associate with others. If the members OF
the committee could visit some OF the poor
farms and see the wretched conditions that
obtain he thought they would agree reform
was Indispensable There was no attempt
to suggest ideas of legislation along this line
and viii not be until the subcommittee re-
ports.
was whether any sort of compensation
should be allowed members of the county
legislature. Some Of the committeeman
seemed to think that the right kind of men
would be glad to serve without compensa-
ton, while others argued that they should
at least receive enough to recompense them
for time lost There was a discussion as to
how the legislative board should be Or
ganized The, consensus was In favor or It's
designating the county auditor as clerk Of
the legislature, just as he now IS or the
County Commissioners. A question has
arisen as to whether the commissioners
should be relieved of all judicial functions,
such as issuing licenses etc. There are two
systems of drainage proceedlngs-one before
the commissioners and another before the
circuit Judge. 1t has been urged that there
should be but one system. Some of the
members favor relieving the commissioners
to as great an extent as possible, II neces-
sary creating county court TO perform the
judicial functions now deVolVlng on the
commissioners Talk Of abolishing justices
was shut off by the assertion OF one MEM
Der that the justice is constitutional OIL
GER and cannot De dDOllSHSu
The members of the commission last night
spoke of having received many suggestions
from persons who are becoming interested
in the government reform proposed. Sew
eral communications have been received by
the commission and All IDEAS suggested by
interested citizens will be given full con-
sideration. 1t is the desire of the executive
committee to get information and sugges-
lions from all sources. Those having any,
thing to offer are requested + address the
secretary Of me executive committee, J. M.
Huff, Room %, Statehouse.