The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-02
Salaries OF Public OmciaIs.

To Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal:
Replying to gloomy letters concerning
the salary question of public officials 1
would offer consolation to the watchful
guardians of public interests, and believe
they need not be alarmed over the fact
that the salaries of public officers have
not been or may be increased This is
not the first time Legislature has been
compelled to face the salary proposition,
neither have other legislative bodies es-
capped the duty of tudiciously adjusting
salaries of public officers. Who would
think of having the vast interests of the
United States conducted to-day on the sal
aries of fifty years ago? How can the
State of Indiana expect the service of
public servants TO be worth no more to-
day than fifty years ago? The State is
not only vastly more populous, but the
business opportunities are TAR greater than
in prior times. a man who has the con-
fidence of the people to be placed in an
office of trust and responsibility can GER
tainly be trusted with the burdens OF his
office, and will no doubt render his best
service to his constituents. The best serv-
ice an officer render to his people is
none TOO good. The better the adminlstra-
ton OF public officers the more economical
and judicious the government.
The highest state of civilization depends
upon the character of its government
Those who have to do with the affairs of
public service should be men OF the high
est type and ability. In this busy age of
and ability will be prone to leave the pub
lie places to be filled by persons of less
ability and character who cannot COM
mand salary by their own merit. Is il not
true that our future officials will not be
of the best quality and public service there
by rendered bad and extravagant unless
the salaries are commensurate with the
duties and responsibilities of the offices
and made proportionate with the earning
capacity of the ability of the men who
should nil them? Ii is certainly true that
10 Of
good admins ira ton the same salaries for
to-day would not bring as good service
for reasons very obvious to any thinking
man. Then why should salaries remain the
same forever? Do you not get the best
service for the best pay? Don't men of
ability get greater salaries In business than
not more wants, duties and responsibilities
confront the officials than &c Emerly? Are
there not vastly greater numbers of per-
sons ana business TO be attended to than
| greater for men of integrity ana ability i'm
| the commercial world to-day than pre-
viously? Is it not true that the successful
man Is the best To administer public af-
! fairs justly and economically? Why not
place the incentive before our best men 10
serve us and elevate our state government
| and make higher our plane of civilization?
To the calamity bowler against increase
| OF salary / would say that he will surely
! find increasing salaries of all officials is
not only a duty OF the Legislature for the
may solace him by the thought that the
| State has vastly more wealth to draw
| from by way OF taxation than ever before:
! hence II would not materially affect the
purse. The taxable wealth OF Indiana now
| in comparison with the wealth of former
| years, would make IL FAR from an injury
| 10 any man to pay more salary than in
| former years TO get competent and capable
men TO handle the business In an honest
and economic manner When we consider
1 our advancement in wealth and State af-
/ fairs IL is surely nothing short of duty,
to increase salaries of public officers i'm al
least slight proportion 10 the increase of
business and wealth in the State. A bill
to readjust the salaries OF all public officers
except those whose salaries have not been
| increased in the last few years would not
have been an injustice. but, | believe.
| would ultimately have been doing a inst
| duty 10 the welfare of the people OF In
| DIANA JOHN s. ROGERS
Township Trustee.