The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-23
LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
A County Commissioner Misstates the
Attitude of This Paper.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
AS a county commissioner and taxpayer,
would like to say something in regard to
some unjust insnuatons that have appeared
in your editorial columns from time to time
against county commissioners. 1t seems that
because in few counties in the State the
commissioners have abused the power given
them by law. and because one county at
torney, actuated by selfish motives, sends
a senseless letter to other county attorneys,
the whole tone and insinuation of your edi-
torials is that the commissioners of this
State are a set of rascals and should be
summarily dealt with. Are not the COM
nissioners selected by the people from
class of at least average good citizens?
Are they not, as a general thing, above tho
average taxpayer in amount of taxes paid?
You say they have too much discretionary
power, and it is proposed that a council of
representative men be appointed to act
advisory board for the board of COM
missioners, said representative men to give
their time for almost nothing. Now let us
lay aside party platform and all bum
combe, and get down to the real practical
bility of the proposed remedy. First how
does the municipal government of our
cities, as administered by a council ON
posed of a number of men, compare uh
county government? Is not the comparison
certainly favorable to the latter? But YOU
say, if commissioners are honest why
object to this council? Let me say in reply
to this. that the honest, earnest. thinking
commissioner who is giving his best thought
to the economical administration of the af-
fairs under his control sees in this proposed
bill under the disguise of reform, an army
OF new officers created and while it is pro-
posed that the men composing this council
snail serve for a mere pttance, common
sense teaches that either these offices can
not be tilled by competent men willing TO
work for nothing or their salaries must be
increased. Men serve their country in mil
itary life for q pittaEce in times of need.
but in civil affairs there is too much to do
gratutously.
Again. what assurance can you give that
the men selected for this council will be any
more honest than the commissioners and
question involved? The honest, thoughtful
citizen is against the creation of new Offices
for 1t can mean only one thing-inereased
taxation.
One thing l would suggest, and that is
that the Legislature do away with special
sessions by county commissioners and in
stead let them have monthly meetings regu-
lated as to length of meeting according to
population. Human nature is suspicious,
ana no difference how honest and urgent
the business OF the special meeting, believe
that the mass of the people who are not
aware of what the meeting was called for
look on it with suspicion. If the meetings
were were made monthly and proclaimed by law
that the commissioners would be in session
Tor so many days, beginning the first Mon
day OF each month, the people would know
when to come in and see what the county
business is and how it is being conducted
believe that 80 per cent of the commits
sioners of this State are earnestly in favor
of REFORM but-as our worthy Governor has
so aptly expressed in his message-are OPP
posed TO any ''misnomer" under the dis
guise of reform. LEWIS COMING.
Muncie, Ind. Jan. q.