The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1919-03-14
Tx y0DISCUM
The GREAT REPUBLICAN
BLESSING.

Estate.
While there is general agreement
!, that the late lamented legislature was
} easily the worst that has met IN thirty
years. there IL some difference OF opin'
ION as TO who is responsible for IL
Not few put the blame on Governor
Goodrich, for rousing resentment by
trying TO dictate as TO legislation. II
cannot be denied that he ignored the
provisions OF the Constitution Great
ing three departments OF government;
providing that no person charged
with Official duties under one OF these
departments shall exercise any OF the
functions OF another" and that the
legislative authority OF the state shall
be vested in the general assembly,
which shall consist OF a Senate and q
House OF Representatives. He de-
cided IN advance what Legislation he
would have passed. and appointed
committees TO prepare the bills and
he organized HIS forces in the State
Central Committee and the Republi-
can press TO compel the action he
wanted.
In addition 10 this unquestionable
sction. he is charged with other for
which he discaims responsibility.
State commissions. appointed by him
and commonly believed TO be con-
rolled by him. were also busy. The
public Service Commission was on
hand with several bills cutting into
the power OF local self-goyernment
The State Board or Forestry brought
out vouminous bill for the eonser.
walton OF Richard Lieber and the Ger
man vote. The State Tax Board came
90 the front with a tar law. the chief
feature OF which was the practical e1
.snptisn Of intangibles, which the Gov,
erno- has favored for some years
past His Republican enemies hoo,
,at the suggestion that be was not per
,sonally responsible for these proposed
measures.
!! Time to Reap Harvest.
On the other hand, the Governor
friends. including the State Republi
can machine and Its press &C
mphces, assert that the trouble wa
Tue to the unexpected landslide II
the elections. which brought into thu
legislature a lot OF men who wer'
never expected TO be elected and ais,
created the feeling among Republi
can officials that this was their tim'
20 harvest the financial spells OF vic
tory. That these conditions existed
Is very evident; bat there are IN
nocent bystanders who hold ths. III,
Governor was largely responsible 10
the grab game" on account OF hi
open effort TO build up a political ma
chine by absorbing all the appointing
power In the state. which he elaine,
had been Endorsed in the election.
Al any rate his example was con
tagious. In addition TO the bills cen
trailing the Appointing power in hi
hands, his Waiting committee" ha,
recommended giving him $500 70
house rent: hsdrecommended puttinI
$3.50. 900 in his hands as an "emerg
ency state institution fund" 10 be ex
pended as he saw 1T. instead OF beinl
given direct to the institutions tina
needed 1t; and had recommended Civ
ing him 'lsaoOO more for repairs I,
the State CapHol, "'for which ,132 ,Ool
lad been appropriated in 1917. ant
. .l5'.000 had been expended, 10 add
IN 10 contracting for much NOR,
N'+sr VIZ vas NJ hDhty ~ pay IuI
STAT. Employees Get Theirs.
All Other officers proceeded on IN,
iteorv ~ ask and ye shall receive.
Tho Su T ,me Court judges demanded
that ihel salaries be raised from
Sc,otc % ; o.OOO on account OF tn,
high cc' ~ living :, and the Appel
lac r. % offered 10 struggle aIonl
with on The State Tax Commits
sioner7 nTt = raise OF their sn,arie.
from 5000 10 IS 600 in their reform
tax Iw - Increase of'sl 800 a veal
was artcd r. circuit Judges through
out the scte with 5000 a year for
travelling expenses. and the right tc
appoint baili'is at SlS5 per month
Senate hill lsS provided for s25 da,
for SPECIAL dges" instead OF s. and
expenses nov allowed by law. Pros
! eeutors in cosnies OF less than II 900
wanted Sa5oC.a wear fnsfs.ad ~ Gam