The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-23
THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
GOVERNOR DURBIN TALKED CN THE
NEED OF ECONOMY.
school Sanitation and Consolidation
Thoroughly observation-disclosures
Chairmen Chosen.

Nearly every county in the State was rep
resented at the session of the Indiana Irus-
tees Association, which met in the State
house yesterday. There were over six nun
dred trustees present, the largest number
that ever attended a convention of the as
ISOLATION. Vice President Harry f. Penny
of Wayne county. presided at the meeting
as President James d. Reid was unable to
be present. During the morning the trus-
tees We're addressed by Governor Durbn
Part of the programme was not concluded,
as the discussion on two of the subjects
occupied more time than was allowed In
addressing the trustees Governor Durbin
said in part:
THE deliberations of such body, Off
cially representing the interests of the peo-
| pie and mutually concerned in bringing
about improved conditions, cannot result
| otherwise than beneticially. The time Is
not so far past but that ii can easily be re-
| memDered when the office of township trus-
| tee in Indiana was not generally regarded
| with favor. That was but natural under
| the circumstances. Conditions warranted
! criticism, but the cause thereof was not so
| much due TO a lack of efficiency on the part
4 of the officials ii to a manifestly
! pernicous system. All of us are more or
/ less creatures of custom or habit, hence the
/ long survival of crude and unsatisfactory
1 methods in the management OF township
/ business.
/ This association is designed to promote
| a still higher standard of efficiency; hence
1 1t deserves all the encouragement that can
/ be bestowed upon il. The days of the I'M
/ scrupulous supply agent who encouraged
| reckless extravaganza, have been cut short
| Wholesome legislation paved the way to
! improved condition, and this association
| has accomplished much more in the way
| of adding character, efficiency and dignity
/ to an office which previously had been sub
! jected to fragrant abuses
THE trouble heretofore has been largely
Z 1,.a 81 f,af tl,nf h.
disposed to attach adequate importance 10
the office of trustee, although it is the Gus
! todfan of interests of vast proportions in
| the aggregate. There are 1,0l4 offices in the
ninety-two counties of Indiana, collecting
and expanding annually more than s6.O00,-
600. Much Roadway has been made and
| much more can be gained by the applica-
! ton of strictly business rules to the man
agement of public affairs. Due regard for
economy in making contracts and expendi-
! lures should receive the earnest and con-
scient1ous consideration of every official
GOOD REFORM LAWS.
1.-The county and township reform laws
have proved highly beneficial, but even
yet there are many inviting opportunities
for the betterment of conditions. TaXpay-
ers are justified in requiring a strict ac-
counting from those to whom are intrusted
the care of public funds and the transac-
ton of public business. With "a levy of
IL cents the State is enabled to make liberal
! appropriations for the maintenance of the
| various penal and benevolent institutions.
! its universities the payment of expenses
I incident to the executive, judicial and legis-
| lative departments, and the rapid elimina-
| ton of the bonded debt. In view of the
present desirable condition of the States
| finances II is occasionally suggested that
the time is opportune for reducing the State
! levy. l do not agree with that proposition,
| nor will anyone who has proper con-
ception of the subject The country is en-
/ period unprecedented
ity. 1t is obviously d favorable opportunity
| for the reduction of public as well
private indebtedness The outstanding State
| bonds must be redeemed some time, and
the policy of the State administration is
to pay off the entire debt within the next
| few years, thus saving to the people hun
| dreds of thousands of dollars that would
! otherwise have to be paid interest
I These suggestions are merely prelimi-
! nary to the objective point. and that is
| due consideration of the fact that, mas
much local levies comprise the great
] bulk of taxation, there is where the prun-
/ ing knife may be applied TO best purpose.
If each Official to whom is intrusted the
| management of the township fund should
| firmly resolve to ignore old customs by
! naugurating more businessike methods,
I and insisting on judicious economy, large
amount of money might thereby be saved
without detriment to the efficiency of the
service
At the afternoon session f. r. Monroe
read a paper County Associa tions.
which literally discussed. The most
were on the questions school Sanitation.
! and School Consolidation" Professor
! Burrage, of Purdue University read
| paper the former subject, and DIR.
| Hurry, secretary of the State Board of
| Health, led in the discussion. The subject
was especially interesting to the trustees
schools that are badly heated and venti-
lated. Both Mr. Burrage and DR.. Hurry
emphasized the need of properly construct
ed school buildings.
Charles A. Van Matre, of Delaware
county. spoke on School Consolidation.
and Frank l.. Jones, state superintendent
of schools, led the discussion This sub
ject has been an important one before the
trustees for some time. Mr.. Van Matre
pointed out the need of consolidating the
schools in a township. He said that in
township where there are twelve or less
schools they should be consolidated. This
would give the children many advantages
OF the present system the most important
of which would be the high school course
in the same building. He said the parents
might think it a great inconvenience at
first. but they would soon realize the addi-
uonal advantages given their children
DISTRICT CHAIRMEN CHOSEN.
At the election of the nominating COM
mittee the members of which will also act
as district chairmen, the following trustees
were chosen:
First District-O. c. Shandy. Petersburg
Second District-B. McAfee, Mitchell.
Third District-James Young. Prather
Fourth District-W. +. Rector. Lancaster
Fifth District-W. S. Perkins. Terre
Haute.
Sixth District-Oran Sanders, knights
town.
Seventh District-Frank McCaslin. Ma
rion county.
Eighth District-Thomas Johnson. Ran
dolph.
Ninth District-James J. Reeder, Cam
Gen.
Tenth District-Mr. Reef
Eleventh District-Phil S. Sullivan. Peru.
Twelfth District-Levi w. Laird Column
bia City.
Thirteenth District-W William Fenster-
maker.
The committee on resolutions is com
posed of Trustees Pulling of South Bend,
Mr. Patton of Hartford City and Mr.
Hoeferkemp of Ripley county
The nominating committee met last night
and decided Upon the following officers for
the association: President. Hon. John NJ.
I Bloss. Delaware county. eX-state superin-
tendent of public instruction; vice president,
Bernard McAfee. Lawrence county: secre-
tary. Pearson Mendenhall. Marion county:
treasurer, Edison Sarber. Koscusko county
(to be re-elected) The association will go
through the formality of electing these Of
ficers this morning.