The Indianapolis journal., 1899-02-16

becomes an oak. The present hour is the
time for its destruction The evil Of buying
places in the schools is already discussed in
teachers meetings in different parts of the
State. 1t Is high time that there should be
no longer ground for such discussions. The
remedy Is plain. Ihe appointment OF teach-
ers and the fixing and payment of their
salaries should not all reside In the same
nerson. An advisory board should be
check upon possible misconduct our town
snip Dill offers practical remedy for the
worst evil which threatens our public in
StltuuonS. For bad as corruption may be
IN other fields. there can be no doubt that its
worst consequences will follow from its eX-
istence In our public schools. How can the
cnllQ become an honest and patriotic man II
corruption meets his eyes a every glance, if
the trail Of the serpent is upon every path
way? How viii you instruct him in civic
virtue when the busy rumor of his little
nelShborhood tells him that the very die
tionary that. defines the term has been the
frult or corrupt purchase?
How shall he learn to love his country
when the map that hangs upon the wall to
describe its imperial domain is stained with
the contamination of venality? How shall
his teacher tell him of the wrong and shame
Of bribery when from her own hands, eX-
torted by her necessities. the ,pittance has
teach? God forbid that 1t shall be said Of
the district schools of Indiana that their at
mosphere is laden with corruption. and that
our coming generation is to inhale with the
very breath of instruction the moral pesti-
lence of public and official debauchery Bet
Ter q thousand times the helpless insane
should be tormented, slain or scattered
throughout the land; for even from the
depths or such barbarity may come regener-
wealth which trains it's children amid the
companionshfp of dishonor and crime!"
toIoWlng the address of Mr.. Foulke
strong speech was made by Mr.. ]. F. Me-
Cullough in which he pointed out the weak
points In the present official system of local
aHalrS he said that 1t was not assumed
nor had 1t been charged by any means that
local officials d rule are dishonest. On the
contrary the great majority of them are
honest men and good citizens but it was
true and was we'll known to everybody that
the State was dotted over with instances of
gross abuses in office, The present system
was largely responsible for these abuses
and the time had come for a reform The
people are very much in earnest in their de-
mand for better system and if it is not
granted by the present Legislature men will
hereafter be elected to the Legislature who
will bring it about.
State Statistician Connor read p paper on
the topography of Indiana, which was re-
ceived with considerable interest
LAST NIGHTS SMOKER.
Last night a smoker was rendered to the
large number of delegates to the meeting
Of the State Board of Commerce by the
Board of Trade and Commercial Club, Pres
ident Martindale. of the former presiding
Mr.. Fortune, president of the State Board
was first called on by Mr. Martindale. Mr.
Fortune spoke of the growth Of the organ
ization from eight or nine organizations rep
resented at the first meeting until now twen-
ty-three local organizations of the principal
cities OF Indiana are represented.
G. J. Murphy, of Evansville, spoke of the
inspiration the State Board of Commerce
has been to other cities in connection with
the earnest and efficient work of William
Fortune. The rich experience he has had
and the quiet way he goes about things
makes him most valuable Citizen said
Alexander johnson, of Fort Wayne ex-
pressed much faith In the county council
proposed by the reform measures now pend
J. V. Rush, of Evansville pledged him
self to help bring about reform enactment.
j. M. Crane, of Terre Haute, told how that
CITY mad tried to secure a new charter, but
through local opposition nothing had been
agreed upon until now, and the city with
forty thousand population operates under
a form OF government fit for city of three
thousand. To-day, he said, bill would be
introduced that seems to have unanimous
support in this struggle to get better
municipal government the people of that
district have lost sight of county and town
ship reform, but after securing what they
need, VIII direct their attention in that di-
rection c.. ii. Ehrmann, of Terre Haute,
said that they of that city look to Indian
aponS 10 set the pace. He agreed with other
speakers that the reform measures would
save the taxpayers much.
A voice against the proposed bill to pen
sion policemen was raised by w p Fish
back, Of this city, who said that he had
learned from the controller that $4,000 is
now expended in the tiremens pension fund
more. His information was that some of
those now drawing pensions are engaged in
other lucrative employment. Mr.. FiShback
declared that the expenditures in this city
are in excess of the benefits derived. He
said that he agreed with Mr.. Swift, the
only one who has dared to oppose the meas
ure, that the form of government is not so
much responsible as the men enforcing it,
w. d. Foulke OF Richmond, spoke of the
clean political reputation Indiana has, say.
Ing it is second TO none outside of Massa-
chusetts not being under the control of
ring or boss. 1t is when county and town
ship methods are reached that the evils are
found, and they are so glaring that the
people, once aroused, will not be satisfied
until they are remedied.
J. h. Mccullough, of this city, said that
when reform in county and township gov
ernment has been accomplished the useful
ness of the organization will not have been
exhausted. In the future there will be need
of an organization representing the best in
tellect OF the State in urging legislation for
the good of all.
Mortimer Leverfng, of Lafayette, said that
some attention was given to Tippecanoe
county, as from it has come opposition to
the reform movements. A meeting of the
Commercial Club of that place had been
held but it was packed by county officials
and others interested in defeating the meas
and the citizens of that part OF the State
want 1t spread abroad that they favor re-
form.
After the speech making last night a.
buffet lunch was served, and the delegates
present passed some time meeting Indianap-
oils business men. The meetings will be re-
sumed al o'clock this morning,
CANNOT CONSOLIDATE.