The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-12
SUCCESS OF COUNTY COUNCILS.

The reports from several of the counties
In which the county councils have been in
session the past week go to sustain the
wisdom of the legislation of last winter in
creating county and township advisory
boards. In nearly every county which has
| been heard from the estimates of county
| officers have been modified to some extent
and in others the reductions have been of
the most sweeping character. Doubtless,
some of the estimates were made in the
expectation Of reduction, and may have
been higher than the commissioners would
have allowed. Nevertheless. the fact re-
| mains that the general tendency in county
township and municipal government is to-
ward larger expenditures the years pass.
| In some directions such increase is neces-
sary. The development of the State de-
mands better highways. better provision for
the support of the unfortunate classes, and
better schools and school buildings than
were possible years ago. In some counties.
| however. the expenditure for official service
has been increased in such a way that sal
airy law could not be a remedy. Allowances
| have been made for various purposes which.
in some counties. have reached large ag
gregate. Little by little laxities of expendi-
ture have grown into abuses. Public senti-
ment has become tolerant of acts in the adj
ministration Of public affairs which men in
the management of their own business
would, not permit.
The system of county and township gov
eminent under which officials who expend
the money should fix the objects of expendi-
ture and the amounts is no longer desirable.
1t was suited to the South years ago, when
affairs were in the hands of a few landed
proprietors. and expenditures were limited.
but 1t is unsuited to larger populations
where expenditure is heavy and the func-
tons Of government diversified. In the fed
eral government. in the State, and even in
cities. the voting of money for public pur-
poses is legislative act with which the ex-
ecutive department has nothing to do be-
yond submitting estimates. The legislation
of last winter added the legislative branch
In government to counties and townships
1t was the natural thing to do, and, under
the existing conditions. 1t was necessary.
1t is possible. even probable. that county
councils may. in some instances, at the out
! set. cut the estimates below the amounts
| necessary for the proper management Of
county affairs. If this is done 1t will be due
to the demand of the people for retrench-
ment. In all such cases. however the rem
| edy Is with the council, which has power to
meet emergencies 1t is also to be expected
| that there will be some friction in putting
IA t,.t4 0,t.-
councils have no precedents; indeed, they
| are beginning reform in local government
and for that reason should expect to be met
with obstacles and subjected to criticism
1t is but human that many of those who
| have succeeded to system which permitted
| irresponsible and sometimes loose expendi-
| ture will not readily yield to restrictive
measures, but the new policy, being right,
will prevail The taxpayers will sustain the
law because they will see that Ii gives them
| voice in the fixing of taxation and the
expenditure of their money. For this reason
the law creating the county councils will
| grow in public favor.
1t Is unfortunate that the Democrats i'm
the last Legislature, and particularly in the
House, chose to oppose the township and
county reform bills against the advice of
some Of the ablest men in their party To
| Mr. Eichhorn, the Democratic leader in the
House, the opportunity was offered to make
these important measures nonpartisan, but
ne refused and brought his associates into
line against them. To be against the Repub-
licans by the aid of few Republican mem
oers. who will not soon be forgotten, was.
he thought. better politics" than to give
the people better government.