The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-25
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP.
Senate Committee Has "a Long Discuss
sion.

SlOHs
The Senate committee on county and
township business last night discussed the
county bill prepared by the county and
township government commission, and with
minor amendments it was adopted as read
lily as the township bill had been. ]. e.
Mccullough, chairman of the subcommit-
tee on county business, for the commission,
presented the bill to the committee and ex-
planned it's workings and provisions. None
Of the members of the committee seemed
to have any serious objection to the bill,
and only minor changes were suggested
from time to time, with the purpose of max
ing the bill available for passage
A discussion arose as to The propriety of
fixing the time for the county council to
fix the tax rate, on the fourth Monday in
September, it being suggested that this date
would not allow enough time for the county
auditor to prepare his tax duplicate by Jan.
l. Senator Gilbert suggested that the bill
be changed so as to fix the time as the first
Monday in September, but as this was
shown to be Labor day it was rejected. 1t
was then decided that the proper time would
be the first Tuesday after the first Manday
in September, and, in order to make the bill
consistent, the first Monday in August was
set as the day on which all county officers
shall certify to the county auditor all esti-
mates for expenditures.
Another objection was raised against the
section providing that when the county
council is called in special session it shall
require unanimous vote to make any APP
preparation for an item not included in the
estimate or for a greater amount than that
named in an estimate Senator Brooks felt
that this provision would be unjust where
county officer had made the appropriate ton
estimates for his successor, who might have
defeated him for reelection, and the step
might have been taken for the purpose or
embarrassing the successor. According to
his view of the matter. one obstinate
crank in the council might block the
way to do the right thing and increase
Senators Gilbert and Brooks both felt that
q two-thirds vote should be enough to pass
any measure in special session, while Sena-
tors Shea and NuSbaum wanted 1T restricted
to a three-fourths vote, which was
agreed to-
BROOKS OFFERS AN AMENDMENT.
Senator Brooks offered an amendment, an
ticipated several days ago, to give all
county commissioners salaries, instead of a
per diem, when meeting in session. Sena-
tor Brooks held that commissioners were
asked to perform many duties for which
they received no compensation, and that the
question of economy should prompt the fix
ing of fair salary for the commissioners in
order that one of them might attend to
minor matters without calling meeting of
the commissioners, entailing a greater eX-
pense than the matter demanded
The general sentiment of the committee
was that it was not desirable to incorporate
the idea in the bill, and Chairman
New suggested that the same amendment
made to the township bill be applied to the
county, with the intent that the county
council fix the compensation to be allowed
to county commissioners and also the length
of time for holding sessions The last
amendment offered was by Senator Gilbert
providing that in every county the commits
sioners shall hold a regular monthly ses-
sion. beginning on the first Monday of each
month and continuing only long enough to
finish the necessary business. The compen-
saton is to remain as at present.
The judiciary committee will report favor