The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-02
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM.

All the proposed bill to reform the town
ship methods is intended to do is to make
the township trustees directly responsible
to the people 1t does not mediate the abo-
lition of it's salary. What then is there In
1T to which trustees take exception?-Htich-
mond Item
There is nothing that will do so much
toward securing the enactment of law
making a radical change in township man
agement as the opposition of township trus-
tees. When trustees oppose a change legls-
lators are easily convinced that there is
something wrong.-Plymouth News.
This is "a government of the people, by
the people and for the people," not of town
ship trustees and county commissioners, by
township trustees and county commission
ers, and the sooner these officials realize this
fact and govern themselves accordingly, the
better it will be for them.-Rusnville
Graphic.
The township trustees of the State in their
meeting at Indianapolis took a stand against
any reform in township matters and crtici-
cised those persons who have been instru-
mental in preparing a measure of reform
Such action on the part of the trustees only
emphasizes the necessity Of Such reform
and will have a tendency to forward IN
stead of staying it.-COlumbus Republic.
We are glad to say that Hamilton county
has been fortunate in it's township trustees
and that no gross irregularities have oc-
CURED. But that does not make the system
the best 1t is admitted by everybody that
both township trustees and county commits
sioners need some checks and restraints
They should not levy taxes and spend the
money Their legislative and adm1nlStra-
tive functions should be separated. In as
cuSSing this great question we should NOT
contine ourselves to local condltons.-No-
besville Ledger.
No public official upon whom devolves the
duty for levying taxes should be elected
Il
official should be eligible to reelection. The
office of township trustee is a most i'm
portant one. That official has supervision
OF The schools of the public highways or
bitches and dispenses aid to the poor If
conscientious and prudent IN the discharge
of these duties he deserves TO be retained IN
such capacity. If negligent and imprudent
two years is long enough for taxpayers to
bear the evils of an unWise adminstra ton
of township affairs.-Logansport PharoS.
One of the measures the Legislature will
be asked to pass in the county and town
ship reform bin is that providing for a uni
form system of accounts in county and
township offices. The best system of book
keeping should be determined Then it
should be adopted in all of the counties or
the State. The state auditor will be reg
ular expert to go over the local accounts
They should be examined not only when
there is suspicion of misconduct but regu-
larry as constant precaution. This exam
ination will be facilitated by uniform sys-
u
this reform hasn't been introduced before.
Evansville Courier.
The township trustees organization at
indianapolis resolved in favor of the exist
ing method of transacting township bust
ness and against proposed reform legisa-
ton. In view of the fact that the State
conventions of both political parties de-
clared in favor of reform in the laws gov
erning county and township affairs, that
part of the resolution faVOrng the reten-
ton of the system now in operation is a re-
buke to the party platforms. 1t should be
remembered, however, that less than half
the trustees of the State were present, and
it should be hoped that all not present are
not in sympathy with the resolution adopt
charlottesville Reporter.
1t is gratifying to note that a lively in
terest is being manifested in the question Of
reform in county and township government.
Certain it is that reform in this direction
is very much needed. Investigation by eX-
pert accountants in the past two years
brought to light great irregularities in the
mes of transacting county business,
and it seems but reasonable to infer that
under the present system there is too great
a temptation for fraud and peculatiOn on
the part of officials. Any changes that will
help to make officials crookedness more
difficult to conceal, or which will remove as
far as possible the temptations to dis
honesty would likely be welcomed by the
people.-South Bend Times.
The state convention of township trus-
tees adjourned after adopting a resolution
that the existing law governing them ought
not be changed. Nevertheless many of the
speakers urged reform in the performance
of their statutory duties, such as care of
the poor of the roads and the schools. This
of itself was evidence that reforms are
necessary. A good, honest trustee, one who
exercises business ability and diligently
looks after his duties, is a most valuable
officer. For such man the present law is
sufficient. But great many men are elected
to this important office because they are
good fellows" or because they need the
Office" This puts into the place men who
their affairs usually badly tangled up.
Marion Chronicle.
The powers of the township trustee are
more extensive than most people suppose.
He decides how much money shall be raised
by taxation; what this money shall be spent
for; what shall be paid for an article or SER
vice: he decides whether a contract has
been performed; gives out the public char
ity, controls the schools, the highways and
the business affairs of a township. For all
this the officer receives poor pay and it is
only natural that the business of the office
is often neglected. In some directions his
powers should be enlarged and he should
he better paid. As check or restraint upon
his powers he should be required 10 publish
the details of his expenditures for the year
and should make his tax levy subject to
the SUPERVISION of an annual meeting of the
taxpayers Of each township A board of
supervisors would not prove satisfactory,
while township meeting would retain all
the advantages claimed for a board of SUI
Dervisors with none of the disadvantages.
-Covington Friend.
THE LYNCHING OF TYLER.