The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-21
STATE pREss OPINION.

The little Tammany rings throughout the
State know that the proposed bills will give
back to the people their right to govern
and in their blind rage from fear that they
will pass, they forget everything but the
main hance.-Laure Review.
The taxeaters and those who have fat
tened off public contracts are, without ex-
ception. opposed to county and township
reform legislation. There could not be q
better reason for the enactment of the bills
now pending in the General Assembly.
-Middletown News.
The attitude of some newspapers on the
question of township and county reform,
in view of the position of the people at
large on the question. is rather significant
of personal interest in the present mixed
way of doing business. The party IS
pledged to reform certain abuses and ex-
t-ravaeances, and it is the duty of the Gen
eral Assembly to sec that the pledge is
carried out.-Elkhart Review.
The passage of the township reform bill
will make a. net saving in salaries in Jack
son county of $4,000. One of the best
trustees in the county said to the Repub-
lican that he hoped the bill would pass
with an emergency clause so that he could
have the assistance of the township coun-
Gil at once. The taxpayers and not the
taxeaters should be counseled about the
reform bills. The taxpayers are for them,
the taxeaters are against them.-Seymour
Republican.
The people nave demanded a reformation
in counties and townships. If the present
Legislature fails to carry out the instruc-
lions given, the, members must face the
consequences. There is yet time in which
the important questions can be discussed
and ttended to; it is to be hoped that the
deg all senge OF Tl its 9 dntv proT Tne 70 peo 9e o of the
State rightly expect some action IN these
matters Of so great Importance to the pub
lie welfare.-Murcie Times.
The State Board of Commerce is composed
of two or three delegates from such organ
izations as the Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Cu of Madison. There are a
dozen or so of such organizations in the
State. A committee of these gentleman
drew up the new reform bills and the nom
partisan commission appointed by Chair
man Hernly adopted the bills as framed,
Next, Senator New introduced them in the
General Assembly; they were made caucus
measures, and will be passed. If the people
take hold of them in the right spirit and
enforce them they will serve some excellent
purposes, but will also, as experience will
show, prove detrimental TO the business in
terests of the town and country stores and
county newspapers and printing offices.
Madison Courier.
TAe county and township reform bills
undertake to divorce the tax-levying and
-tax-expending power, and to throw r~estric-
lions and guards around county and town
ship officials in the purchase Of supplies and
in the awarding of public contracts. While
in a few places they probably should have
been changed, the principal opposition
against them seems to have arisen from
the fact that they were drafted by repre-
sentatiVes of the Republican party not in
the Legislature. But TO allow this TO be
q hindrance is petty and We hope the mem
bers of the House VIII show themselves
above such a spirit and lend their aid to
the measures. 1T is the Republican party's
opportunity to do a great good, and its rep-
resentatives should show themselves equal
to Henderson Herald.
If anything ever was a party measure,
the present bills to reform the methods
of township and county business surely are.
The need of such reforms was announced
by the state Republican platform. and the
reform promised by the platform. The
initial step was taken by the Republican
state chairman, who appointed the COM
mission which drafted the bills. The ma
jority of this commission were Republic
ans. The recognized leader of Republican
papers, the indianapolis Journal, is lead
ing the fight for the refoTms, while the
vast majority of the other Republican pa
pers are supporting it. The Republican
legislative caucus pledged itself to support
it. After all this, what will be the attitude
Of the Republican party next campaign in
this State if these measures are defeated?
1t will be one of apology and defense, 1t
will be one of excuses for unfulflled
pledges!-Richmond Item.