The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-19
REPUBLIcANs AND REFoRM.

very common position for the opponents
of any reform to take is that they are not
opposed to the reform itself, but 10 the par
ticular plan of reform proposed. They are
in favor of "some bill, but not this BILL but
generally in opposing the plan under consid-
Grafton they do not offer any other. That
has been the position of the opponents of
civil-service reform in Congress for years
past. They always claim to be in favor of
civil-seTvice reform in general, but they do
not like the present law and they would
prove their friendliness for real civil-service
reform by repeating the present law or abol-
ishing the Civil-service Commission. They
are in favor of the principle, but opposed to
it's application.
Republican members of the Legislature
who are getting ready to oppose the pend
ing bill for reform in county and township
government seem to have taken about the
same position-they are in favcr of reform,
but not of the proposed measure. Repre-
sentative Reser, in his remarks on Tues
day, made two points against the bill out
side of personalities. One was that it is too
radical. and the other that "a change is not
always reform" From this it would seem
he would favor a reform bill that is not
radical and that does not involve any
change in the present system. The Journal
does not believe that is the kind of reform
in local government that the people want. It
may be the kind some of the present and
prospective county and township offices
want, but they are not majority of the
people of either party. The whole is al
ways larger than part, and sometimes
very much larger.
1t can hardly be possible that both of the
state conventions misinterpreted the wishes
of the people on this subject, and that near
ly all the commercial clubs and business or
CARNATIONS in the State have fallen into
the same error. Chairman Hernly of the
Republican state central committee, was in
close touch with the people in all parts of
the State during the last campaign, and he
became so convinced of the popular demand
for reform in local government that he be-
came one of the earliest promoters of the
movement. In a communication published in
the Journal of last Nov. 16 he declared his
hearty approval of the plan for the appoint
In accordance with this determination
will at once call a meeting of a commission,
to be composed of representative citizens
whom | will hereafter name, together with
other organizations prepared to give the
needed assistance. The contemplated work
is of such magnitude and Importance that
1T should be undertaken with as little delay
as possible and l. therefore, appoint Tues
day. Nov. p. 1898 at the Commercial Club
assembly rooms, in the city of indianapolis,
hn two ala F@t~ Frs-f nnFat
ing of the commission to organize, outline
the scope of study and assign branches of
work and make such other arrangements
as may be necessary / feel that this work
Will appeal to the good judgment of all the
citizens of the State on account of the i'm
portance of this much-needed legislation.
A few days later, before leaving for the
East, Chairman Hernly announced the fol-
lowing appointments of members of the
Legislature on the commission:
First District-August LEIGH, Jacob Mes
sick.
Second-Thomas ]. Brooks, ]. NJ Huff
Third-N. E. Smith. Oscar G. Minor.
Fourth-W. w. Lambert, James Marsh
Fifth: D. Early. ]. M. Barlow;
SiXth-C. G. Binkley, George W. Williams.
Seventh-Harry S. New, Larz A. Whit
comb.
Eighth-Walter L. Ball. Joseph B. Powers
Ninth-C. S. Goar. Braden w Clark.
Tenth-N. 1. Agnew, Henry w. Marshall.
Eleventh-George c. Miller A. o. Somers.
TWeltth-N. w. Gilbert Adam Cans.
Thirteenth-A. NJ Burns, Wilson Roose
Replies were received from most of these
gentlemen indicating their sympathy with
the movement. The State Federation of
Labor and the Indiana Bar Association also
selected seven REPRESENTATIVES each to serve
on the commission. Are Republican members
of the Legislature prepared to deny the
right of the people to originate reforms in
this manner, will they dare to put the
party in the position of repudiating its
pledges by killing the movement under the
pretense of favoring it? That would be a
political blunder amounting almost to a
crime.