The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-26

Rush County Man.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
Before the Legislature convened L saw
quotations from several members Of both
branches to the effect that they had no bills
TO present, or not more than one or two,
but now that it is in session the reverse
seems to be the case, up to the present at
least. / had hoped they would go back
over some OF the old laws and make
some needed changes. / refer more espe-
cially to the laws 10 district roads and
their officers; the schools and the laws
governing them. such as transfers. pay of
teachers. etc. 1 refer TO these because 1
know more about them than / do about
any other of our laws, but L think other
laws bearing on other subjects need some
readjusting as WE'LL
Take the roads and free pixies. The vot-
ers elected the road supervisor ins each
! road district for long time; then some
body wanted a change In the method OF
electing road supervisors. but about 1881
| the law was again changed, and they were
appointed by the township trustee; in 1890
| the Legislature changed Ii back to elect
ing them. About the time the people got
| familiar with one method Ii was laid aside
| and another adopted AS to the amount
per day that q taxpayer was to be credited
| with for hauling out his tax we have had
about the same number OF changes that
| We have had to road supervisors; IL was
| 50 per day for team, wagon and hand; then
| somebody wanted a change, and about
| 1885 bill was passed allowing $3.50 per
| day for team, wagon and driver. and in
| 1900 another bill was passed making it s.
| per day for eight hours work, So. IS for
| ten hours work. All of this is confus-
ing to the public, and altogether unneces-
i for oh fnr
eight hours work. Farmers were satisfied
with that; they had wagons and teams
and a great number of farmers drove their
| own teams, and oftentimes when IL did not
cost them anything, as they would not be
| doing other work.
The laws governing the free pixies have
! been changed to suit the whims of the
| Legislature. Each change complicates the
| laws more or less and makes 1t harder
| for the officer, whatever he may be, to
| get at the right and proper interpreta-
| ton Of the laws the different sets of Of
| ficers have to deal with. These changes
| involve more or less EXPENSE for instance
| the LEGISLATURE of 1899 made Ii the duty
of the road supervisor of each road dis
| trict to keep the free pixies In repair; the
| law prescribed a certain form OF book
keeping ut was rather complicated too),
| er books. The Legislature of 1901 made
| another sweeping change, passing a law
making the county au sdS se s at an
| If there is any economy or reform in all
these changes 1 fail to see 1t.
AS to the laws governing the district
| schools II is the same. There were several
| changes while 1 was trustee. and fail to
, see where the schools are any better than
they were before all these changes took
| place The old transfer law was the
most equitable. Under 1T we transferred
all the property and the State school, let
| that be much or little.
One of my teachers did not make high
grade license as to per cent When | say
best mean a teacher that can show up a
grade in the bimonthly report; that can
get the best out of each individual schol-
ar; that has the school under perfect con-
troll; that gives the best satisfaction to
parent, pupil and the school officers. Be-
cause a teacher makes a big average per
cent. in his or her license is no proof that
they the best teachers. 1t is the
teacher that shows the best work and
results in the schoolroom that should be
All the old township trustees and all
the new trustees that l have talked 10
say the old law as to the time of taking
office was the best and that is should be
restored.
The so-called ripper bill that passed
the Senate and is now in the House should
be defeated. Let the present law stand
and IL there is anything wrong with the
board of control or the warden let the
proper authorities bring charges and have
any of them are found wanting let
the Governor remove one or all OF them
If found guilty. When We have good
serves its purpose well. The charitable
and penal institutions will be here long
after the men who are so anxious for a
change have returned to mother earth
What the people want is good and capable
men at the head of those institutions; lit
makes no difference to US If they do come
from the State of Ohio or any other State
If they understand their business and dis
charge their duties with fidelity and te
the best interest of all concerned.
A change is proposed In the method Of
i
schools. / am in favor of popular cleo
tons generally, but for the present Ii viii
be well to let the present law stand.
see it suggested that the present law b'
changed so as to allow a township trus
tee to succeed himself often tn,
people want him and can be elected. Tn;
law is right as Ii is on that point.
Let the Legislature give the people g
chance to change the State Constitution
making the county recorder, clerk, sheriff
treasurer, auditor and county superin
tendent four year terms. and make then
| ineligible for two terms in succession.
GEORGE w. LOONEY, JR.
| Rushyille Ind Ian %