South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-20
OPENING \ WAY TO REVIVAL OF
AN OLD GRAFT.

AN OLD GRAFT.
Republicans OF Gary, Indiana Har-
bor. Whiting. East Chicago and Ham
mond, having secured a majority con-
troll OF the offices Of justices OF the
peace in that district, are now before
the legislature seeking TO resurrect
the old fee system, which effected,
would mean the resurrection OF all the
graft that formerly went with it. The
van Horne bill irtoduced in the
house, directly raises the point. 1t
proposes a virtual repeal of the salary
law OK 1913 in all townships having
one or more cities with q combined
population Of $4,000 to $4,000. Doubt
ful If Rep. Van Horne has foreseen
the real import OF the measure.
South Bend remembers the old sys-
tenn Of graft that prevailed here when
the justices of the peace were on fee
basis. BY virtue. or the lack OF
virtue, in an understanding between
the justices. prosecuting attorneys and
constables. il was the easiest thing in
the world 20 collect tribute from all
sorts Of Commercialized vice, in ex-
change for intermediate license Raids
we're made periodically, the victims
would plead guilty and pay a fine and
cOsts-principally costs,-and the off,
GERS kept their purses we'll lined If
Hammond, East Chicago, Indiana
Harbor. Whiting and Gary, want TO
return 10 that sort Of thing. all well
and gOOd-Or bad,-but let the law
he framed so as to leave South Bend
out.
This can be done. we are told, by
causing the Van Horne bill TO apply
only 10 townships having two or
more cities" instead Of lone or
more" with the As, 600 to 1000 pop
ulation. as prescribed. 1t would elm
mate Portage township, in which the
only city is South Bend, and where
we can infinitely better afford TO pay
the 81 600 a year salary TO the jus
tees. than to take any chances on
tho return to the fee graft. AS il is
the justices collect the fees. same as
though they meant TO turn them into
their own pockets, but instead they
turn them into the township treasury.
rendering the offices better than self
supporting.
Whatever slight excuse may exist
for the desire to return to the fee
system up in the lake region, accord
ingly does not apply here either The
old law allows townships having more
-,
peace in each city. not to exceed four.
which means $4,000 for that town
ship. instead OF only $4,000 for two
justices as is the case here. South
Bend merely asks to be eliminated. If
the law is to be changed at all.
though we are not at all convinced
that there should be any changes
This is one of those statutes that
il would be splendid compliment to
the legislature to leave alone. 1t is
well-nigh safe wager that with the
return of the fee system anywhere,
tho old graft will come with it. which
Is more expensive at any price than
the $4,000 for four justices would be,
with their legitimate fees turned into
tue AoN HSHip' Anu 1hdt II the iedsoh
the justices want the fee system re-
vived. BY plying their graft, they
might be able to make their offices
worth from two TO four thousand dol
lars a year to them instead OF only
one. while between CRAFTS vice would
lie protected. and satan's work go on.
The Van Horne bill is bad at its
hest. because of this one feature, but
by all means the representatives OF st.
Joseph county should do something to
eliminate its application TO South
Bend. where il isn't needed. isn't
wanted. and would be a close ap-
preach TO the intolerable.