Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-06

lions and the agreement was accepted
by the countries waging war against US.
1.-THE president is compelled to tako
the position that he does. He can, in
my opinion, only express approval or
disapproval OF any changes made in the
league of nations, after they are made.
He can, then, ask the consent of the
allies to the change, or he can state,
when the senate has finally acted, that
this action provides the best that can
be obtained and he, then. can decide,
after advising with the allies, what be
desires to do.
81 am in favor Of the democratic party
expressing clearly it's approval Of the
present national prohibition law and will
pledge to the federal authorities an hon
est cooperation in the enforcement of the
law.
WHAT INDIANA VOTERS
SHOULD DEAL WITH.
''I am of the opinion that the Indiana
voters are greatly interested at this time
in questions affecting their state govern
ment and desire to call attention to
what / think are the important matters
that should be dealt with.
Constitutional convention for the pur-
pose of bringing our present organic law
UP to date.
providing for the proper Classification
Of property in order that an equitable
and Just tax law may be written.
Revision of our court system.
Qualification Of voters.
Home rule for cities.
"The legislature should deal only with
the general laws affecting the whole state.
I'VE find, under our present system of
legislation, where the legislature is called
upon to provide special legislation for
hot
the legislatures time is required and. In
many instances, the member who is anx-
ious to obtain relief for his community,
through an act Of the legislature. often
feels compelled to support bad leglsla-
ton, In order to obtain votes for his spe-
cial act and for this reason alone the
legislature should not be required to give
time to taking care of local troubles.
1.-THE people, in their local communi-
ties and cities, should have a right, un-
der our constitution, to write their own
charters and enact their own laws, thus
being permitted to enjoy to the fullest
local seif-gOvernmeut.
1.-THE constitutional convention should
submit TO the consideration OF the
voters Of Indiana, the initiative and ref
erendum, thus permitting the people to
approve or reject it as a part OF the con-
stitution.
I am In favor OF the initiative and
referendum. 1t permits the people to
have a direct voice in making satisfac-
tory laws for . majority OF the people
or defeating unsatisfactory laws.
There are many other needed re-
forms that will be brohg6t to the at
tention Of the constitutional convention.
"Our constitution was rewritten In
1851. nearly three generations ago.
ohio has, in recent years. rewritten
its state constitution and, / think, the
expenses In the management OF the state
Of Ohio. in the FIRST year that their new
constitution was In force, was S4O0O,OOO
less than the operating expense OF the
last years management under the old
constitution.
Michigan has recently rewritten her
constitution. Illinois has a eonstitu-
tional convention at this time. Nebraska
has a constitutional convention at this
time. Massachusetts has recently re-
written her constitution. Ohio, Mich
igan ana Massachusetts, have already
adopted the Initiative and referendum.
1T is just as necessary to have the
machinery OF state up to date, as It Is
for the farmer TO have his farm equip
ment OF the latest, most efficient aud
most practical makes.
PLEDGE TO AMEND
STATE TAX LAW.
''The democrats must pledge the voters
Of the state, in case their party is sue
cessful In the November election imme-
diately TO amend the present state tax
law. Unfair and unequal burdens. in
taxation, must not only be taken from
the backs Of the farmer. but from all
classes OF business. unjustly affected
Indiana must have budget sys-
tem--a real budget system. Every de-
partment Of state employing one or more
people must, through the head Of It's de
partment furnish TO the governor the
number Of people employed, the kind Of
and amount Of work they do, the num-
Der OF hours employed each day and
the amount Of salary paid TO each per
son, and must file a requisition with the
governor, stating the amount of money
to be appropriated for each department,