The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-11

priatlon.- wnlt wouIu be a liberal sal |
ary for the oflciai, how much clerical
assistance he needs, what such assist,
ance should be paid. and what Offices.
il any, can be abolished without detri.
ment to the public service. In the in
terests OF integrity. / recommend that
you put every Official in Indiana upon
q fixed. definite and certain salary. to
any sum be ever added: the adoption
of uniform system of bookkeeping so
guarded that II cannot be copyrighted:
the examination of public records at ir-
regular intervals in such a manner as
will not interfere with the right of To-
cal SelfgOyernment: the auditing oil
all public accounts. showing in every
instance upon such account the orig
inal contract or the section OF the stat.
ute authorizing the payment OF the
money and requiring all vouchers is
sued in pursuance thereto to have
like showing; the abolition of county
councils, township advisory boards. and
perhaps other officials; the putting OF
county commissioners and all other
public officials under adequate bond
with proviso that the statute of limi
tations shall not begin to run either
criminally against the Official or civilly
against his bondsmen until after no
tice and demand to repay; preventing
any official of this state either individ
ually or as a member of a corporation
from entering into or deriving any
profit whatever from any public con
tract; requiring all fines, fees and for
FIXTURES to be entered on the public
records, promptly collected, turned
into the treasury. and making the Off
cial whose duty it is to collect liable
upon his bond If he does not collect
the same, whenever collectible; and
providing for the food and and clothing
of prisoners in jails and elsewhere at
actual cost upon open bids received
therefor.
Investigation Of Public Offices.
The public is not only DESTROYS o.!
having frequent investigation of all
public Offices, but such investigations
are a check not only upon dishonesty,
but also upon extravaganza. The sys.
tenn of fees and contingent allowances
is likely to lead to extravagant and
unwarranted use of public funds.
therefore recommend the investigation
Of the public of1ces under the state
government for the purposes OF ascer.
tanning whether there has been any
extravaganza in their management
and whether the letter of the law has
been strained in order to obtain extra
constitutional allowances shall have
been made, request authority to bring
the necessary suits to compel recov
cry of the money into the state treas
ury.
With the corps of assistants in the
attorney generals Office. it would seem
that special counsel ought not to be
employed by the state, but such coun
sci. from time to time, have been EN-
ployed. I know nothing whatever as to
the necessity therefor. and SO say
nothing upon the subject. I think
however, that economy and competen
cy can be secured by giving the COVER
nor a special counsel. whose business
it shall be to prosecute and defend al
suits which the governor may direc
him to take charge OF, and to advise
generally with the governor.
! Amendment Of Election Law.
In my judgment the election Law
| should be so amended as to definitel!
provide for speedy returns and the
safeguarding of the same to the salts
faction of all parties interested in al
election; for the contest of Offices IL
such a way as to guarantee a solution
of the contest; and for the adoption O
a primary law not only for the nom
nation of candidates, but for the cleo
ton of delegates to all STATE and othe
conventions, to the end that the PEG
pie may not turn their government
over to the hands of designing politi
clans. And l suggest that in such pri
mary election the people be permitted
to vote upon their choice for Unitet
States senator.
/ This administration. whether justl.
so or not. will be held responsible TO
the conduct of it's officials. l request
therefore, that you invest the governo
with power to remove. without cause
| any appointive on1cer in this stat
whenever in his judgment such remoy
al will be beneficial to the public SCI
vice, and I recommend that you inves
him with authority to remove any elet
| tive officer who shall refuse, when cal
ed upon, to enforce any law Of thi
state, preserving. however, to such o.
ficer the right of appeal from the dc
cision of the governor to the suprem
court
/ New Railroad Commission.