The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-10
Under Terms of the Revised
Thornton Bill It Appears
That Office in Richmond Is
Abolished.
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
Is ALSO DISCARDED
Strong Probability That h
This City the Office of City
Judge Will Be Abolished
Soon.

Aspirants for the office Of city treas.
urer will feel discouraged when they
read the revised Thornton bill and Its
application TO the cities and towns
law. The measure abolishes the office
of city treasurer In county seat towns,
where the work Of the city treasurer's
office Is done by the county treasurer.
That is the case in Richmond and at
torneys say the law win have local ap-
plication. Three candidates had de-
clared they are In the race: Roy Fry,
Harry Hates. and j. c. Thomas. Each
retains some hope that 1t finally may.
they will be permitted to continue In
the race.
a Point Not Clear.
In Richmond. the county treasurer
does the work OF the city treasurer in
asfar as the collection OF tax ID con-
cerned. However. assessments
against property for public improve
ments. are paid to the city treasurer.
This leaves a point that Is not alto
gether clear. 1t is claimed by those
who contend the office will have to
continue. that no provision Is made
for the county treasurer to collect the
public improvement assessments and
no other officer is dedicated to relievS
the city treasurer OF this work. The
controller could attend to this business
II he were SO empowered by the law.
Boards Of public works now provit.
ed for in fourth class cities are abol-
ished. Provision is made for anoth-
er board to assume the duties now
cared for This board will be COM
posed Of the mayor. the city engineer
and one citizen appointed by the may
or. the latter being the only one to re-
ceive compensation.
City Judge May Go.
There is a strong probability. aisu.
that In Richmond the office OF city
judge will be. discontinued at the ex-
piration OF the term Of the present In
cumbent. The Thornton act gives
the common council the right to de-
termine whether or not there shall be
a city judge.
The present common council would
like to see the expense Of the city gov
ernment cut down. 1t has been I'm
favor of the abolition Of the hoard OF
public works. citv iudpe and ar
offices that could be dilpensed with.
At one time a resolution to this ef.
feet was considered rs proper Dut ..S
formal action ever was taken.
The council also is empowered TO
abolish the office Of city controller. II
1t sees fit. 1t is not believed likely
this action would be taken locally. It
is believed that IL the city treasurer's
office is removed, there must be some
body to look after the financial. inter
ests of the city The contrOlser ID the
city's bookkeeper and in reality is ono
OF the most important offices of the
entire corps. The controller issues
warrants upon the treasurer ON all
claims and the treasurer makes pay
ments only upon the receipt Of these
warrants. This provides a double sys-
tenn OF bookkeeping for the city that
Is regarded as a safeguard.
Act in Ninety Days.
One feature that will require im-
mediate attention Is In regard To the
SAAH< O1 oboSbEusn6 ottsCrc uC 8CS
provides that the council. IL II selects
to abolish the controller or judge
must do SO at least ninety days pre-
ceding 4 city election. The office of
controller Is appointive and that of
judge elective. II il pointed out that
IL council should see Mt to abolish the
office Of Judge ninety days in ad-
<rff he Oh <~{H
that would be about the first Of Aug
ust, and IL there be any probability of
the office being abandoned at that time
1t ought to be abandoned even before
the nominating elections are held.
This would do away With the need Of
candidates making the nominating
race and later seeing the office set
aside