The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-11

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and present serious sanitary problems that
must be met II we expect immunity from
infectious and contagious diseases
Good Roads
Good th~oroughfares facilitate intercom-
munIcation among farmers and between
the country towns and cities. These re-
move much or the disadvantage caused Dy
the Isolation OF rural life. Good roads arc
needful to social development and intellec-
tual progress. They add 10 the material
free delivery of mail is destined 10 do
much 10 elevate farm life. Road improve
ment Is one of the conditions needful 10
secure these advantages. All classes OF
people are benefited when roads are I'M
proved The act of two years ago, placing
the free gravel roads under the conlrol OF
the supervisors instead OF the county COM
missioners, was a disastrous mistake ana
should be promptly repealed. The county
commissioners. under whose supervision
these roads were constructed, should have
control of repairs They should appoint
local superintendent, who, under their
direction, should keep these roads in good
condition. The commissioners are thus
brought in contact with all the local super
intendents, and, through the reports or
these men. become acquainted with the
methods of the most successful, which soon
become the rules governing all. From per-
sonal observation and careful inquiry. L am
convinced of the Importance of this change.
If the supervisors enforce the law which
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faithfully execute the law in regard to
working out road taxes, a noted improve
ment in the roads would result thereTrom.
Both in my inaugural address and in my
biennial message, / called attention TO the
unfair methods in vogue whereby the road
assessment on railroads was farmed out
through an agent who takes from the rail-
road at a large discount their assessment,
makes q deal with the road supervisor, gets
the receipt in full for the assessment, and
turns the same over TO the railroads. who
use these receipts as cash in payment OF
taxes. The railroads are assessed for taxa
ton In round numbers at one hundred fifty
four million dollars. The average road tax
Is about 2 cents on the 500. thus creating a
read tax of about 100000. 1t is safe TO say
that 800 600 of this amount is not ex-
pended for highway improvement as con-
templated by law. This ~high-handed inJus-
tice has continued long enough. From an
editorial in one of the local papers in the
State, L learned in one instance that all the
road tax was Incorporated In a road
district and the supervisor who was guilty
OF the offense was convicted and is now In
prison. / earnestly call the attention OF
the Legislature again tc this iniquitous
practice.
All road taxes should be paid in cash, re-
serving to the payer the right to work out
the same, provided he responds at the lime
and in the manner required by the SUPER
visor, accepting the lawful price for such
labor and performing service in full for all
receipts given.
Board of State Charities
During the four years of my admins
tration / have been in close touch with
the work of this board. Its influence
has been for good. 1t has steadfastly stood
for the merit system in our State institu-
tions. 1t has. with keen penetration and
unffagging energy. studieu the needs of the
unfortunate wards of the State, and how
conducive to their welfare and for the
best interest of the commonwealth. he
condition of county jails, infrmaries, or
phans' homes. the charitable, reformatory
and penal institutions, have all been stud
led, and through the wise suggestions of
this board great reforms have been inaug-
urated and homes found for orphan aiid
dependent children. This has been a work
OF love. and this aruuous and valuable
service has been rendered without salary.
The Legislature has at each succeeding ses-
additional expense. L recommend an in
crease in the appropriation to this work.
No money expended In the State brings a
better return than that placed at the dis
posal Of this board.
-Lynching.-
The people of Indiana feel keenIy che
sting of reproach and the justice of the
criticism heaped upon the State by reason
of the brutal lynehings r that = have dis;
committed a brutal crime is no j%ustifca-
ton for dethroning law and courts of JUS
tice, and establishing mob violence at the
behest of Infatuated and impassioned men.
Where lynch lawlessness obtains. safety to
person and property is lost. A mob Is ar
assembly of lawless men acting In defiance
to law. Can such men administer justice
Lax enforcement of law brings its fruitage
greet that some of our courts daily with
criminals, and allow criminal lawyers, by
various methods, to delay trial and often
to defeat the ends of justice. The remedy
for this must not be sought through the
mmit of crime more grievous thar
that committed by the accused in court
The romodv must he found through fhe
cooperation of good citizens in demand
ing a rigid enforcement of the law, and
not through mob violence.
The law-abidlng people must be willing
to testify as Witnesses, serve on jurfeS, and
see that courageous, true men are selected
as judges and prosecutors.
1t is no palliation. for the horrible crime
of murder at the hands of a lawless mob
to argue that lax enforcement of law
life and property. TIE very forces that or
ganize against the law and commit crimes
so brutal as to shock moral sensibility and
dishonor the State. and then defy State
authority, could surely organize a public
law. If the energy was displayed for the
enforcement of law exhibited by the moi
in defiance thereof, criminals would not &c
Is not the measure of the crime lynchers
commit. 1t is the gruesome and dangerous
precedent established when an impassioned
and unlawful mob defies law, mocks the
courts and commits murder.
The l~ynchings that have married the good
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OF justice by revolving murder demand
heoric remedy. L trust the Legislature will
enact further laws that will prove a whole
some remedy against further dishonor.
The county that permits conditions that
lead TO organized mob violence. and muir
der, should be made liable 10 heavy dam
ages for such lynchings. Such suits to be
brought by the attorney general, and
changed to a county removed from the con-
troll of local influence. the county guilty OF
the offense to bear all cost of witnesses and
trial. such cause to be tried before the
court. The minimum and maximum dam
ages TO be hxed by law, half Of which shall
go to the school fund OF the State, and half
to the legal heirs of the lynched.
In addition to the above. and the valua-
bic laws of two years ago, L recommend
that in prosecuting the accused of lynch
ing, the State be given the right to a
change OF venue to a county beyond the in
fiuence Of the county wherein the crime
was committed.
/ further approve and commend the sug
gestion made in the splendid report of At
torney General Taylor that if a person is
taken away from the custody of a sheriff
OF d county and Is lynched. that such ac-
ton shall ipso facto vacatc his office of
sheriff, and that he cannot retake his Of
fee, until he shall have established, by
judgment In the Circuit Court, the fact tina
he did his full duty to protect the life of
the prisoner, ana, further. that said sheriff
cannot be reappointed until such Judgment
shall. have been entered
Fec and Salary Commission
This commission has performed an ardu-
Gus and responsible duty. Though dihgent
research the members nave gathered much
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