The Indianapolis journal., 1899-01-17
LOUD DEMAND FOR REFORM.
Prominent Men Express Themselves
ON CountY-Tovxns Measures.

Prominent Men Express Themselves
on COunty-TOwnship Measures.
The movement for the reform of county
and township government which is now be-
fore the Legislature has the earnest indorse-
ment of many leaders of political thought
and craftsmanship. Men of great prom
inence who are ordinarily averse to being
interviewed for publication are willing to
express their views on this subject, hoping
that in that way they may forward the
movement. w H. II. Miller, ex-attorney
general Of the United States, yesterday said
to a reporter: Judging from my own OBJ
servations in places where l have been
brought in contact with county and town
ship affairs, and by what 1 read as to coun-
ties and townships in the State generally,
it is my opinion that most vigorous and
drastic legislation is necessary for honest
and economic administration in those mat
ters."
Governor Mount said yesterday: II shall
consider it very unfortunate if the present
Legislature does not enact some wise legis-
laton to remedy the abuses that exist in
county and township offices. regard this
as one of the most important matters that
can possibly come before the Legislature
do not know how 1 could make any ex-
preston stronger than the expression in my
message or the subject, but 1 wish that that
expression may be emphasized as l feel
very positively and earnestly on the sub
ject. The evils of the present system are,
think, apparent in most counties of the
State, and they are crying evils. 1 wish
to emphasize especially the statement in my
message that it is in the administration of
local offices that the great protligacy in the
expenditure of public funds exists. ! wish
to again call attention to the fact that
levy Of II cents administers the entire State
government and enables rapid payments to
be made on the State debt, While the aver
age county tax rate is S1.H. Just think
of it,"
Nobody more strongly hopes that the
present Legislature will pass the reform leg
islaton in the matter of county and town
ship government than the lieutenant gov
ernor and presiding officer of the Senate,
Mr.. Haggard and the speaker of the House.
Frank Ltteton. The lieutenant governor
added four members to the usual member
ship of the Senate committee on county and
township business in order that the legiSla-
tiOn affecting counties and townships might
be given most thorough consideration The
committee is composed of eleven members,
with Senator New chairman. Lieutenant
Governor Haggard said: No man ought to
have discretion to do as he pleases in public
Office. and for this reason l believe that
checks ought to be put on the township and
county officers. 1t is well enough for the
interests Of the people to have these legal
safeguards. There is a tremendous feeling
throughout the State that something ought
to be done by the present Legislature in the
line of county and township refcsm. Some
thing must be done. Both party platforms
are pledged to reform, and there is a feeling
among the majority of the legislatu that
our pledge must be carried cut. / have not
had time to consider the plan proposed By
the commission, but II seems TO be all right.