The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-02-16
GOVERNORS CHANGE OF FACE

Wn0n No signed inc appropriation VII
two years ago. denounced the measure
a. extravagant and scored the Demo
cratic house of that year for running
wild on appropriations. 1t Is true he
forced the Democratic house at that
time to cut on million from the bill.
But where was he when the measure
ran half a million over the so-called
extravagant mark of two years back!
Has he changed, now that the mid
term election is over and now that the
need for what he calls economy Is
passed, politically?
Republicans are willing to admit
that Democrats are doing well to come
within a million OF a business admin
istration. At the same time, the Re-
publicans can see in the appropria-
tions bill nothing to indicate that the
Democratic bunko campaign cry of
economy is being worked out in law.
Hocted at Economy.
There has been. little fussing over
the appropriations this year. The Re
publicans have not been in position
to make their protests count. While
they have gone through the fight and
have tried TO cut down the states ex-
penses where possible, their efforts
met with united opposition on the part
of the Democrats, who hooted at
schemes of saving money and rode
rough shod in the house over all pro-
posals for cutting off extras.
Now that it is up to the Democratic
senate to handle the appropriations
bills. it is not likely that there will be
any cuts. In fact, with Steve Fleming
as main figure on the senate finance
committee and in charge of the states
expenditures, it is likely that the SEN
ate will add to, rather than subtract
from the allowances already made. In
fact, Fleming is playing hard for some
petty grabs of his own that may add
to the half million excess already ap-
propriated by the house.
One of the small grabs proposed by
Fleming is a school for librarians,
which will cost the state $1,000 to
start, but goodness knows how much
to keep going in the future. The game
is to get the hand IN the public pocket
One grab sets q precedent, and after
that the cry would be q regular one
and never ending.
Needed For He Friends.
Now there is no need at all for q II
brarians' school separate from the
state institutions for education that al
ready are prepared to handle the prop
osition. In fact, the University of In
diana already cares for all the persons
who desire training along the lines o.
librarianship. But Fleming thinks HI
knows what he wants for some of hii
| friends, and he Is trying his best Il
force through an appropriation. HI
Is also demanding more money for tn,
state librarian, and declares he will
tack this increase on the bill In th'
senate
The afiiliations of the state ilbrari
an, Demarchus Brown, are such tina
both Fleming and his governor ar,
anxious to do what they can-with tn,
| peoples money-to propitiate an,
please said powerful affiliations. /
may be that Fleming will be able u
force his favorite's salary upward. /
Is said, too, that Fleming will try +
have the salaries of some Of his faith
ful henchmen in the public ACCOUNTING
board boosted beyond the old figures
There is queer thing about thi
man Fleming. He Is the real dictate
in Indiana. The state has reached
strange pass when the president Of a
association Of brewers can shape 1t
destinies politically. and in a legislt
tive way. And yet here we are, an
Fleming Is the boss.
i The house committee was actual
afraid to report unfavorably on Elem
ing's school for Librarians grab, an
30 put 1t off, The house committe
which has had in hand the bill to IL
crease the salaries of the county con
missioners of Allen county-and othe
big counties which naturally asked fo
pie when the cutting of pie began
was afraid to kill the bill until the go
efnor had been consulted as to the re,
desires o. the Fleming faction In til
salary grab matter.
suIIied the Senate.
The senate already has been bullie
into passing the Fleming salary gra
for the benefit of few favored count
commissioners-in populous wet cel
tiers, where the brewers wish to tick
the powers that grant liquor license
Fleming has told the house to pas
the bill, and has gone so far as to So
that he will try to force an increase
the salary Of every county commi
]. sioner in the state
1t Is very interesting to Indiana ia
payers to find the head of the liqu,
interests In the state handing out Il
> peoples money as reward to publ
officers who are to have in hand tn
granting of liquor licenses. No dou'
: Fleming finds st easy and cheap to r
b ward these officers by enabling the
to draw more money out OF the publ
treasury. This is much easier an
more convenient than to pay none
out himself. Fleming is in positic
to get the services of his own ALE
county commissioners along lines |
dictates. and he is trying to tell II
legislature what to 10 for these col
: missioness by way of reward for ser