The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-14
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP REFORM.
Friends of the Movement in the House
Have Not Given Up.

Have Not Given Up.
The friends of county and township re-
form in the House have not given up hope
and they feel more confident now that the
bills will be passed than they have for sew
eral days. Mr.. Glossbrenner yesterday intro
duced a bill which is, in many respects.
similar to the Senate bill, providing for a
uniform system of bookkeeping. which was
defeated in the House last week. The bill
authorizes the auditor of state to prescribe
the form of blanks and method to be used,
but he shall not be authorized to furnish
any blanks to any county or township Off
GERS. He shall compel reports at least once
each year of the accounts of these officers
and he is authorized, in his discretion, to
make examinations of any county officers
books when reports shall be made to him
that such action is necessary, or when he
believes that this action Is necessary. me
bill does not authorize another deputy for
this work as did the other Dill, nor does IL
require annual inspections as did the other
bill. If necessary, special deputy may he
appointed to make this examination CT the
books of any Office, but the deputy stall
not receive more than three dollars day
for his services.
The friends of reform have great hopes
that this bill will pass. 1t is not believed by
those who opposed the last bill, thar 1t Will
pass. Mr.. Reser who is a member of the
committee on county and township business,
to which committee Mr. Glossbrenner's bill
was referred, and who was the floor leader
of the Republicans who voted against tie
last measure, last evening said i shall
make a minority report on this bill and m
satisfied the vote will be about as IL was
on the other bill The same arguments that
/ advanced against the other bill AMI the
same speech j made on II Will apply 10 this
bill. The Objectionable feature of prescrib-
ing the blanks and the forms to be followed
are still in this bill.
What will be your attitude on the county
bill?' was asked.
81 regard the county bill as the least OBJ
jectionabe of all and am not disposed to
make a minority report on 1t If IL IS not
made caucus measure. If II is made
caucus measure | shall make 2 minority
report. ! would like to see the bill amended,
but If it comes in the House for general
/ shall be willing to let 1t stand or fall on
it's merits on the question OF passage. ] am
satisfied that If it is not a caucus measure
there will be no minority report.
How about the township bilg'
1.-The same thing applies to it. If it is not
a caucus measure | am satisfied there VIII
be no minority report. If Il is caucus meas
ure I am satisfied there will be. That bill
will have many amendments offered to II,
as will the county bill. am opposed to the
idea of a township council. There is no
power now as regards the leVying Of taxes
which a township trustee has that Is abso-
lutte except as TO the special school fund.
In all others he IS subject to the county
commissioners and 1 believe they should
take the place of the councils. That would
cut off the creation of all these new offices.
Amendments will be offered to both bills.
Some sections will be permitted 20 stand az
they are but for many OF the others sub
stltutes will be presented. I do not believe
il will be possible tor the bills TO pass as
they pass the Senate, for there is greater
opposition TO them than is generally be-
lieved to be in the House All those who
opposed these bills did not vote against the
first one the other day. and some OF those
who did vote against that bin would rot
vote against the reform bills a close
fight The vote the other day was not exact
as TO how the members stand,
How do you agure the strength OF The
Republicans who will vote against she re-
form bills2"
"That is something that do not think
has been closely calculated By the general
public
Would sixteen he abOst your ligursg"
'.If 1t came down TO q close light hat is
about the correct number = u cid Lot
CONTINUED on sixth RAGE