The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-21
LOCAL GovERNMENT REFoRM.

The Republican party of Indiana declared
in its platform for reform in township and
county affairs. There are indications that
certain members of the Legisla ture either
Under the influence or in the employ of
county and township officers, are intending
to oppose any legislation looking to
carrying out the declarations of the party
platform. 1t might be well for such men,
bers to take notice at once that the party
expects that pledge to be made good by the
Legislature, and that If they stand IN the
way OF 1t from pecuniary motives they will
hear from the people in way that will not
be misunderstood. A Republican is elected
to the Legislature because he has given as
sent to the declarations of the party, and if
he refuses his aid to carry out these dec
larations he has proved recreant to the trust
the men are that betray their trust and they
shall not hide behind any thinly-veiled eX-
cEse.-Columbus Republican.
Unless the friends of honest, economical
government in the Legislature bestir them
selves, the bill for the reform of counties
ard townships will be defeated. The enc
mics of this bill are desperately in earnest,
and will move heaven and earth to defeat
it. The bill is an honest effort to conduct
local public business upon business princI-
pies. It's provisions will not in any way af-
feet honest officials. The opposition to it is
led by Representative Reser, of Tfppecanoe
county. This is the county where the
County Commissioners put in 5S5 days in the
year, and the county attorney, Daniel
| Storms, says the commissioners have been
kind to him. and, therefore, it is the
duty of county attorneys and boards of
commissioners to stand together to defeat
| any encroachment upon their rights and
privileges by the meddlesome reformers. 1t
is to be hoped that the Legislature, upon a
sober second thought will carry out the
| DEGREES of the parties and the people.-No-
blesVille Ledger.
Mr.. Shirley. of Allen county, has lined up
H.
| form bill seeking to save the taxpayers
money in the administration of county and
township business. This was to have been
expected after Mr.. Shirley's record as a
township trustee but the people were hardly
prepared to see Mr.. Lawrence in that col
umn. His friends had a right to expect
more of him. Mr.. Louttit. it is due to say,
voted with the friends of the reform. There
is no measure before the Legislature more
fruitful of economy than the bill under con-
Sideration. 1t provides for common business
methods in appropriating the money col
lected in taxes. and the people know in adj
vance what they will be expected to pay
for. We regret to see that Mr.. Baker, of
Columbia City, voted with the enemies of
the reform. He is in bad company and
should eXtrjcate himself at once. There is
10 set of sharks in Indiana or elsewhere
that prey upon the weakness of township
and county officers who are not opposed to
this legislation. That should satisfy Mr.
Baker that he is in the wrong.-Fort Wayne
Gazette.
The Item does not desire to play harp of
one string ride a hobby, but it does wish
once more to call the peoples attention to
the determined efforts being made to defeat
! the measures now before the state Legisla-
ture which provide for reform in the meth
DDS of conducting the business of the town
| ships and counties in Indiana The action
of the House in casting a hostile vote
against the measure should awaken the
friends of this movement to a realization of
| the fact that if they desire to see this meas
ure passed, they must take immediate and
aggressive steps TO that end. \ What
reason can be given for opposition to the
hill? Only that it interferes with the per-
sonal interests of some officials who hold
frain from calling attention to the baSeneSS
of the speech made by Mr.. Reser in the
House in opposition to this measure. Mr..
ReSer is the official mouthpiece of those
trustees and county officers who are fight
ing the bill. What did he advance as ar
guments against the bill? Did he deny that
under the present system trustees can, If so
inclined Swindle the people and Shamefully
miSapply their funds? Did he deny that bo-
gus school supplies can be purchased and
the trustees get a rake OFF," Did he deny
that bridge contracts can be let by county
| commissioners without bids and at exor-
bitant prices? In short, there a single
argument brought forward showing that
such a measure would be unnecessary and is
not needed? If there was, il did not appear
in print! The burden of the gentleman S
remarks was abuse of the trainers Of the
bill. Like the attorney, who, finding he had
no case proceeded to abuse the opposing
counsel, so Mr.. Reser not having any de-
Tense for his position proceeds to call the men
who framed the bill bad names. 1t only
shows the weakness of the position of those
who are lined up against the measure.
I-RiphmOOd Item