The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-09-01
Lesson of Value for Officials in
All Counties Found in Re-
port of Auditor Sahm of
Marion County.
STATE FAIR NOT so LARGE
AS TO STOP TALK FEST.
Republicans Waiting to Hear
Democrats Before Announce
ing Assignments of the
Speakers.
Especial Correspondence.)

Especial Correspondence
indianapolis, Sept. LIN state
ment prepared by County Auditor
Sahm. in regard to the growing In
debtedness of Marion county, there is
a. lesson of value to all county Off
cials of the state. Auditor Sahm
shows that Marion county's officials,
regardless of politics, have been reck-
less and totally out of touch with the
best interests of the people. He cites
instance after instance lOOseness In
management, carele ssness in the mat
ter of expenditures and a total lack
of those business practices and prln-
ciples which would apply in private
affairs. He shows that practices have
been going on for years which. While
not strictly in violation of law, have
been clear violation of the motives
that should underlie the conduct of
the public'S business. AS result,
Marion county finds herself deep in
debt, practically bankrupt, with her
credit stretched to the limit. Her
debts have doubled since 1869, and
in the last four years s1.000.0O0 has
been added to the burden that the
taxpayers are carrying. He asserts
that the building of bridges, not al
ways necessary, has constituted one
of the chief items in the county's ev-
er-swe ling debt The expense OF
maintaining the courts has also gone
to the limit.
The doubtful practices. he says, are
today being carried on in many coun-
ties of the state, and the people
should see to it, he says, that county
affairs are properly handled-that
county officials be checked in their
never-ending scramble to grab fees
and extra emoluments that are not
provided for by law and that should
| find their way into the public treas
ury. He considers county reforms to
be the most important question now
before the taxpayers, who must bear
the load The recent revelations in
the Marion county scandals have done
much to point the way, and he feels
| that counties over the state should
profit by the showing up of these
|
that there is room for Improvement
in every county of the state.
Oratory Not to Stop.
The recent request that campaign
orators be called off during the state
fair, to be held here next week. has
vidently been ignored. AS far as can
| be learned, there will be as many
speeches over the state during fair
week as the speakers bureau of each
party can assign and there will be no
let up. The state board of agricul-
ture had hoped to improve the fair at
tendance by removing every attrac-
tion that might turn the farmers eyes
away from the big show, and for a
time it was thought that the boards
request along these lines would be
complied with. But Marshall and
Watson got busy, Kern was nominated,
Bryan has been to town and altogeth-
er the republicans, at least. were in
no humor to call off any of its speak
ers, feeling that the democratic man
ayers had already had the best of
things.
Rain Needed Badly.
Reports from over the state show
an alarming condition of the corn crop
because of lack of rain. In the cen
trail part of the state, at least. there
has been no rain for three weeks.
The fields are dry and the corn crop
is suffering greatly. The rivers and
other streams are lower than known
before in years. Boating has practical
ly been suspended at summer resorts
along White river, and campers are
breaking. up and returning home be.
cause of the terrific heat and the
dried UP condition of things general
ly The suns rays have started many
fires out in the country and damage
from this cause is being reported
daily. The weather bureau has pre-
dicted rain time and again, but it does
not come and the temperature is ris-
ing from day to day. The situation is
serious.
Republicans Are Waiting.
One reason given for the action of
the republican speakers bureau in
holding off it's best speakers and re-
fusing to announce any assignments
at this time, is the fact that the re-
publican managers are deSirouS of
waiting until the democrats have ex-
posed the best that they have, in the
way of arguments, it being admitted
that the republican party being the
party in power. is somewhat on the
defensive. Already Bryan has said
much and presented to the republi-
cans the issues that he will empha-
size and these are to be met with the
best speakers the republicans can