The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-25
is GAINING GROUND
THE MOVEMENT FOR COUNTY AND
TOWNSHIP REFORM.
Views of Some of the Legislators Who
Favor the Measure-Think
1t VIII Pass.

The movement for county and township
reform is gaining ground steadily, and the
prospects point to the passage of both coun-
ty and township reform bills, with a few
amendments, perhaps, but with the principle
of a separation of executive and legislative
functions in county and township affairs
preserved intact. The bills seem to be gain
ing new friends every day as the members
of the Legislature make themselves con-
versant with the provisions of the two meas
ures.
Representative George A. II. Shideer,
chairman of the House Republican caucus,
is earnest and enthusiastic advocate Of
reform. In an interview yesterday he said:
Under the existing laws the township trus
tee makes the levy, keeps the books and
spends the money. l favor any measure
that will put the different functions of town
ship affairs under separate management and
give it all publicity possible. In the reform
bill now under consideration, known the
commission bill, a board makes the levy
after an estimate for expenses has been
MADE; therefore there would be very little
money, if any, acquired by levy over what
is actually needed. The township trustee,
having only enough money to meet actual
needs. would not be purchasing extras, nor
would agents be pushing sales to township
trustees, as all bills must be passed on by
the board provided The question is one of
great importance and should meet with the
earnest support and thought of every mem
Der of the General Assembly, irrespective
of party. The people do not object to paying
any and all needed expenses in township
or public institution affairs, but are entitled
to every protection that their money be ex-
pended to do the greatest good and accom-
plish the best results"
Representative Willoughby who is one of
the prominent members of the House, and
who, like Mr.. Shideler was a formidable
candidate for speaker, said: Il am going to
vote for the township reform BILL as well
as the county bill because am satisfied
that the principle involved in both bills is
right. 1 will venture to say that half of
the township levies raised now is wasted
actually wasted. The trustee presents his
receipts to the County Commissioners and
they are allowed as a matter of course
Ihere Is nothing to hinder him from padding
the receipts and making 1t appear as though
ne mas spent a good deal more money than
ne actually has spent For instance, If he
wants to buy farm he can present to the
commissioners receipts showing that he has
spent $4,000, while in reality he need not
nave spent over 5000. In other words
after he has spent the money after his own
Will ne goes to the commissioners and pre-
SentS his receipts, and they are accepted
without inquiry. That is an illustration of
the practical workings of the present sys-
tenn. or, rather, lack of system. l am per-
Iectly satisfied that both the township and
county bills will pass, with some. needed
principle involved in EACH"
WILL PASS THE SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor Haggard is very con-
fdent that the Senate will vote for the re-
form measures. Both the township and
county reform bills will pass the Senate"
he said Il don't think there will be ten
men vote against them-probably none at
ALL The objection has been raised that #
the bill pass, the Republican party will be
beaten at the polls in the next State cleo
tion. l say that if it does not do what is
right, if it does not pass some adequate
reform legislation such as our platform
pledges US to- we ought to be beat. The
objection has also been raised that the bills
create too many officers, but 1 fail to see
the force Of that argument in view of the
fact that the salaries provided are merely
nominal. 1t seems to me that is uniTn-
portant objection raised by persons who are
trying to defeat the bill"
w. z. FiShback said yesterday: THE
system that allows a township trustee to
fix the assessment for taxation make the
expenditures and audit his own accounts
is obviously so absurd that it needs no COM
ment. do not see how any honest tax
payer can withhold his support from the
proposed measures of reform. The bills be-
great deal of painstaking labor, as l per-
sonally know, and have been prepared with
a sole view to the pubic interest. They will
L am sure, meet the approval of every man
who gives them intelligent consideration.
They comprise the best features of the laws
of many States"
Captain William II. Hart, the new auditor
of state, had this to say: There is no
question but that the commission bills be-
fore the Legislature are long step in the
right direction. Both parties made the
issue of township and county reform one of
the cardinal features of their state plat
forms, and 1 think something should be
done toward remedying evils that may exist
AS / understand the bills, they provide in
substance for closer accounting of pub
lie expenditures and place them on the
same plane as private business expendi-
lures. Whenever that is accomplished a
very large reduction in public expenditures
will be brought about. What we need is one
hundred cents worth of receipts for every
dollar of expenditure, to compel contracts to
be let in the open market with competitive
bids. and that expenditures shall be re-
duced to the minimum. 1 very heartily
in favor of the commissions bills as tend
ing in that direction. If there is too much
machinery to the bills they will be stripped
to the proper degree before they get through
the Legislature, and believe they are right
in principle"