The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-18
Indiana's New Township and Coun-
ty Government Plan.

An interesting innovation in town
ship and county administration is
about to be tried in Indiana in pur-
suanCe of law passed at the last ses-
sion of the legislature of that state.
We are indebted TO the Chicago Rec
ord for the appended synopsis and ex-
planation of its details.
Taxpayers in Indiana will have two
complete estimates on township and
county expenses for the next year
placed before them in itemized form
in the weekly papers together with
notice that these estimates will be ac-
cepted as the basis for allowances,
rates of taxation and operation dur
ing the following year unless in open
meeting beginning on the second Tues
day in September sufficient reason for
their reduction or elimination is given
by the taxpayers, or the township ad-
visory or county council boards see fit
to annul them. There will be two sets
of estimates submitted. One will be
by the township trustee, covering all
township affairs, the allowance for
township officers salaries, for wages
of teachers. keeping up roads, improv-
ing or adding school facilities, float
ing and paying off indebtedness, and
in fact every other item that will come
up, even to purchase of school supplies
and what they shall be and u close
estimate on cost. The second state
ment will be made up Of estimates by
the ensuing year which will come
through his department. The estimates
of each county officer shall be itemized
even to stationery, printing, eXtraor-
dinary expense. The estimates of the
clerk shall include even an estimate
for jurors fees during the ensuing
year for changes of venue in docket
cd cases and for all expense of meet
ing criminality. charity and keeping
the county's wards in different state
institutions. The estimates shall also
include the election expenses for the
ensuing year. the estimates for taxi
ing the assessments, for hiring office
and riding deputies court expenses
and the smallest items of expense
which shall come up during the ensu-
ing year. The itemizing shall be so
complete that every taxpayer will be
able to see what the demands of the
county will be for the ensuing year,
to ascertain the salaries paid, the cstl-
mated cost Of supplies and the amount
that will he demanded. In fact these
estimates are to cover absolutely ev-
erything except the regular obligations
Of counties to the state, which are al
ways a certain per cent of taxes col
lcCted.
ON the first Tuesday following the
first Monday in September the newly
created township and county boards
will meet The county Council" will
number seven The counties have been
divided into four cOunCilmanic dis
tricts, each district being given one
member to elect There shall be three
councilmen-at-large, who shall be
elected by the entire county. The pay
of these members, even in the largest
counties, is nominal. In counties hav-
ing a population of $4,000 or less their
pay is but $40 year. in counties up to
$4,000 it is $l5, and counties with pop
uletions above that 500 Besides inves-
tigating and auditing all estimates,
passing on all proposed improvements,
even 10 court house repairs. they
shall hear protests against published
estimates that taxpayers may make.
They shall finally make up the tax
rate levy for the ensuing year bas-
ing ii on the total estimates. All meet
ings shall be public. the auditor act
ing as clerk and the sheriff serving the
same as to a court. The members
may eXpel members by two thirds vote,
on any charges Of sufficient nature.
No county councilman can purchase
any bonds OF the county or take any
contract with the county. After COM
pleting their work Of examining the
estimates ana passing or them, fixing
the tax rate and instructing improve
ments, issuance Of bonds and other
business, they shall draft all into an
ordinance which shall pass readings
and consideration as a whole before
adopted.
The appropriations shall be itemized
for the special things made for, and