Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 January 1897 — Page 4

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7 , THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1897.

THE DAILY JOURNAL SATURDAY. JANUAltY 23. 1S97.

Wathiozton Ollivel&'i Penosjlvaoia Atecu: Telephone Calli. Dusin- off.ce 23S 1 KUitorlal room. ..A So terms op stnscitiPTioN. DAILY IIT MAIL. Daily only, one rntnth $ Iaily only, thre? months 2." lally only, one year .0Dally, lmiu.fir.g Sun-lay. one year 10.00 fcuuOay only, one ear 2.W 111 KN FL'UNlSlltCD II Y AGEVTS. Daily. ir wwli, by . carrier..... 13 cts fcuniar. insle .ojy & t ts Lally uml Sunday, jer wrtk, by carrier -0 eta WEEKLY. Per year 11.00 Reduced ItuteM to Club. Subscribe with any"of our numerous stents or end subscription to the JOllt.l. SKWMI'.U'ER CO 31 1" A X V, Indianapolis, Intl. Person jndirar the Journal through the mails In Ihe United States should put on an eiKht-page l-aper a ONH-('i:.NT osta?e ftamp; on a twelve or six teen-pmk .apr a TWO-KNT r,otae stamp. Foreign postage li usually double these rates. All cornmunication intende.I for publication In this paer must. In onler to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address of the uriter. Tin: Indianapolis joirnal fan 1 found at the following idae: NBIV YORK indoor Hotel an l As-tor House. CHICAriO-ralmer House and P. O. News Co.. 217 I)farNtn street. C1NCINNATI-J. II. Hawley &. Co., Vol Vine street LOl'ISVIbLK C. T. Iertri9r. north wr-t corner of Thirl and Jefferson streets, and lulsvtlle iiook Co.. 2-" Fourth avenue. ST. -LOUIS Union News Company, Union lxpot. WASMINC.TON. I. C.-RiKs House. i:tbitt Hcue. WU lard's Hotel and the Washington News Exrhanue. Fourteenth, street, between I'enn. aven;p an 1 K street. If there is an insurance trust In Indiana It cannot be smashed any too soon. The Legisliture should not make war on corpbr.it Ions, but it should not allow corporations to make war on the people. Not having" had a chance to be heard recently. Senator Turpie will call up something and submit a few remarks next week. As between corporations and the people there should be reciprocity. If the former are entitled 'to protection so are the latter. Senator Turpie is determined to maintain, the independence of the Senate. And, incidentally, to compel recognition of himself as a belligerent with his tongue. The opinion expressed by Andrew Carnegie is that entertained by business men generally, viz., that present conditions are all favorable for a revival of prosperity arid that when -spring opens it will come to stay. A brutal riot among Champaign, 111., collego students, where sophmores undertook to break up a danco given by freshmen, indicates that it is not a college so much as a workhouse which is needed in that part Of Illinois. The General Assembly of Indiana should stand between the people of the State and outside corporations, not for the purpose of excluding or oppressing the latter, but to require them to deal fairly and justly with Its citizens. If Mr. Eckels has no reason for resigning as controller of the currency the Journal does not know of any why he should be removed before the expiration of his terra. In 1SDS. He has. made a first-class controller and will be a hard man to succeed. In all legislation affecting corporations It is well to remember that they are creations of the State and could have ifo existence except by Its authority. Once created they have rights, but they never can be above the rights of the people who created them. A Detroit paper contains an article headed, "Can He Be Both Mayor and Governor?" The question seems superfluous. The "he" refers, of course, to Pingree, who Is both mayor and Governor, and, so far as ouu-itlers can discover, may as well be called the whole thing the sole and only. It Is v?ry doubtful if Lyman J. Gage would accept the secretaryship of the treasury if it were offered him. As the head of a great financial institution In Chicago and a conspicuous figure in its commercial life he occupies a position which is probably more to his taste than the transient pomp and circumstance of official life in "Washington would be. not to speak of the gTeat pecuniary sacrifice he would make in going there. , A person who pushes and schemes to have himself appointed in the Cabinet has as little sense of propriety as one who should push and scheme to have himself invited to a private dinner party. Political and geographical considerations enter into the formation of a Cabinet, but the personal relation is so close that it should be allowed to have unobstructed action. The Journal Is glad that no Indiana man lias electioneered or hid his friends push him Obtrusively for a Cabinet position. ilt is sail that Governor Pingree, of Michigan, refuses to resign as mayor of letroit ln-causo he thinks nobody tan be trusted to carry on the city government as well as he can. Mr. Pingree is. no doubt, a very able public officer, but if ho Is permitted to lock back after hhas departed from this world be will probably be surprised to find out how well affairs are going in his absence and how little he is missed. When a man feels that he is indispensable in any field of labor his usefulness !.- apt to be waring. A state legislature should not waste any time in consideration of national questions, and still less of International. There may be timet and emergencies when the assertion of national rights or the preservation of national honor calls for sueh expression, but they are rare and exceptional. As a general rule, state legislatures should refrain from interfering in national or International questions as carefully as Congress should from interfering in matters of state concern. There is more than enough legislation of a strictly state character demanding the attention of the legislature to occupy its entire time during the session. Tlie temporary snarl which the two branches of the 'Legislature got into over the appointment of a committee to investigate the alleged claim of the State against the Vandalia Hall road Company could easily have Leen avoided by a little previous understanding and concert of action. Nobody is opposing an investigation, and the chargo of "a scheme" to smother It was purely stnsational. Lieutenant Governor Haggard's statement regarding his appointment of the committee is fully corroborated and sustained by that of the attorney general, and no hare person will doubt that they are telling the exact truth. The reso

lution adopted by the House calls on the attorney general for such information as he may have in relation to the alleged claim, together with recommendations for the guidance of the Legislature. This Is a good Initiative step and will furnish a basis for further action if any is required. TAXES AM) COST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

The present Legislature has an opportunity to tarn the thanks of the people and make Itself gratefully remembered by devising some means of reducing the burden of taxation. Every observing member who has endeavored to ascertain the sentiments and wishes of his constituents must have discovered that their first desire is a reduction of taxes. Some may favor progressive or reform legislation of one kind and some of another, but all are agreed In praying for a reduction of taxes. The Legislature owes it to the people and itself to use even possible effort to accomplish this and carefully to consider every plan or proposition that may contribute to it. Among other things, very thorough inquiry should be made with a view to discovering any new sources of revenue that may exist or any species of property that has heretofore escaped taxation, thereby increasing the burdens of that which pays. It is notorious that much iersonal property escapes taxation, and much of that which is returned for taxation is greatly undervalued. The correction of this evil might increase the taxes of the owners o such property, but it would be strict justice and would tend to lighten the burdens of ethers. There should bo a searching Inquiry as to whether corporations are paying their share of taxes, and especially those corporations which have acquired large property interests in the State and are adding to their wealth by drawing on its resources of natural gas, oil, etc. There has been a great deal said of late about the folly of giving away municipal franchises, and no city council with any sense of responsibility to the people now thinks of granting a municipal franchise without exacting a fair equivalent In return. Why should not the same principle be applied to franchises granted by the State? The State, or Its people, own the roads of the State just as those of the city do its streets, and there is no more Justice in granting corporations the freeuse of roads and highways than there is in giving them the free use of streets and alleys In cities. No such grant should be made except for an equivalent. Indeed, the granting of a charter to any corporation is itself a franchise, and there would be no injustice in requiring it to be paid for. It is questionable whether the State has not been much too free and liberal in granting corporate rights without getting anything in return. The whole field of cororatiorw should be thoroughly explored with a view of discovering new sources of revenue and bringing all of that class of property under taxation. Another point to which the Legislature should give careful attention Is that of reducing the expenses of local and municipal government. Some valuable suggestions have been made, and some bill have been or will be Introduced looking to better local government, but these will not meet tfie demand of the times unless they reduce the cost of local government. This offers a very wide field for reform so wide that it is hard to say where the work should begin. It can begin at almost any point and move in almost any direction with good results. The cost of local government, including county, township, city and town, is far more than it should be, and the tendency is to steady increase. In 1S90 the State debt of Indiana was 5S.53S.0C9; the aggregate county Indebtedness was $i,4C6.23?, and the aggregate municipal Indebtedness $9,493,333. Since then the State, debt has been materially decreased, while the county and municipal indebtedness has been increased. The cost of the State government has increased somewhat, but that of county and township governments has increased In a much greater proportion.' This is partly due to a faulty system and loose legislation and partly to the carelessness of the people in electing extravagant or 'Incompetent officials. The latter evil cannot be wholly cured by legislation, but it can be mitigated by improving the system of local government, increasing the checks against extravagance, stopping leaks, etc. Above all things, there should not be any increase in the number of public officials or in the salaries, fees or perquisites of those now existing.' On the contrary, an effort should be made to reduce the number of offices and officials by abolishing those not absolutely necessary and consolidating the duties of others. The steady increase In the cost of local government Is due in some measure to the creation of new local offices. Thus in KSS the total cost of superior judges was $6,750; In ISM it was $17,500; in ISsS the cost of circuit judges was $11.S.7.V: in 1S94 it was $137..V); in 1SSS prosecuting attorneys cost $23.1: in 194 they cost $27.3?i. There is a constant tendency to create new circuit courts. This means new judges, prosecuting attorneys, court officers, expenses and fees, all of which go to swell taxes. At the present rate It will soon be that every county in the State will constitute a judicial circuit. This might bo good for tho lawyers, but it would bring an increase of taxes to all classes. The question of increasing revenue and reducing the cost of government. State and local, is one of great importance. Sixty days is much too short a time in which to give it proper consideration, but the Legislature should go about the matter earnestly and uo the best it can. Tin: election or initei states senators. Perhaps no harm would result from amending tho Constitution of the Xnited States so as to make senators elective by a direct vote of the people, but there, is no reason to believe that any good would result. The manner of the choice f senators was considered by the fraimrs of the Constitution, and there was a distinct purpose in requiring them to be elected vy the Legislature. There was some opposition in the convention to having two houses of Co.igress, but it was slight. After the revolutionary war three . of tho States. Pennsylvania, Georgia and Vermont, established Legislatures with only one branch. The action of Pennsylvania was due to the personal preference and influence of Benjamln Franklin, who was optosed to two chambers. In the State constitutional convention he said that a Legislature with two branches was like a wagon drawn by a horse before and a horse behind, in opposite directions, and he so impressed this view on the convention that it provided for a Legislature with a slne cnamber. Subsequently, however, all the States created Legislatures with two branches. On the third day of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States a resolution "that the national legislature

ought to consist of two branches" was agreed to without debate or dissent, except that Pennsylvania voted against It out of deference to the views of Franklin. On a subsequent vote New York. New Jersey and Delaware voted against the proposition. Pennsylvania going over to the majority, and tho resolution was finally adopted. It was first proposed that the members of the lower house should be elected by the State legislatures. This proposition was defeated on the grounJ that "it was essential that one branch of Congress should be drawn immediately from the people." On the proposition to make senators elective by the legislatures of the States there was some debate, but it was finally adopted partly on general principles and partly as a balance to the provision which made the House a strictly popular branch. The whole ground was traversed in the convention ana the present provision was adopted by a large majority. It is not susceptible of proof that the election of senators by direct vote of the people would result either in strengthening or elevating the body, and In these days of Populism. Socialism; free silverism and fiat moneyism it might have positively bad results. The framers of the Constitution knew reasonably well, what they were about, and wc should not tinker their work too much. . .. .

RKVEME FROM CORPORATIONS. One of. the Journal's exchanges, commenting on the financial condition of Illinois,' remarks that the rate of taxation in that State is far below that in Indiana. There is good reason for it in the fact that Illinois receives a large annual, revenue in the shape of a special tax paid by the Illinois Central Railroad. A wise provision in the charter of that company, granted more than forty years ago, stipulated that in consideration of the franchise and valuable lands granted to the company the State should receive 7 per cent, of the gross earnings of the road, to be paid annually Into .the State treasury. Of course ie amount of this percentage depends on the business done by the road, but it amounts now to considerably more than $500,000 a year. From 1S55 to 190. inclusive, the State received from this source $12.3G5.C1S. Upon the $10,000,000 of capital stock of the company paid in tnere was paid as dividends In the same period $'"4,782,357, showing that an amount slightly exceeding 19 per cent, of the total paid as dividends on uch $40,000,000 of paid-in stock had been turned into the State treasury. In 1S95, when the cash in the treasury was practically exhausted a month before the end of .the fiscal year, the railroad company made an advance payment of $250,000 and relieved the embarrassment. A steady source of income like that is a very handy thing for a State to have. The exaction of 7 per cent, of the annual gross earnings of the railroad seems large, but no doubt the franchise and accompanying land grant were well worth It. Those' who inserted the provision in the charter builded better than they knew, and it is one of the fewInstances in which any provision has been inserted in the original charter of a corporation for the return of any compensation to the State granting it. It is not known if there is another instance of such a provision In the charter of a steam railroad company. The city of Baltimore was wise enough to insert in the original charter of Its street railway companies a provision, giving the city one-fifth of their gross receipts, and it has been operative for many years. The revenue from this source was set apart for park purposes, and with it has been purchased and improved Druid Hill Park, one of the finest In the country. The original cost of the first purchase of 600 acres was $$00,000, but other tracts have been added, and the whole brought to a state of the highest improvement, without a dollar from any other source than the city's one-fifth of street rai'.road fares. These provisions show what might have been done in the way of increasing state and city revenues had a wise foresight been exercised in requiring corporations Ho pay a fair equivalent for their franchises. When a charter is perpetual it is no hardship to make the payment perpetual, for the franchise is a continuing one and becomes more valuable from year to year. It is a source of revenue which has been stupidly overlooked by state legislatures and city councils, though probably the influence of the corporations has ha'd much to do with obscuring their vision. REPUDLICAN EDITORS AXD LOUD DILL. THE The Republican Editorial Association, during its session yesterday morning, discussed the features of the Loud postal bill, which has already passed the House and is pending In the Senate. Several publishers who have investigated the abuses of the sample-copy and second-class system of the present law gave some very important facts showing that the present, law, as construed, r.oV only defrauds the Postal Department of the revenue it really earns, but Involves a great Injustice to legitimate newspaper publishers. As It has become known that the present law can be taken advantage of by the publishers of cheap advertising papers, the sending of such matter has Increased. Every postcllice in the country is flooded with such papers, addressed to persons who do not pay for them because they are of no interest to them. Person in large cities who are net in any legitimate newspaper business secure a largo quantity of advertisements, which they get upon the representation that their publication is mailed to a large number of names, which have been obtained from directories. Even in some cities In this State a class of publishers have solicited advertisements on the strength of a subscription list made up from dellncjuent tax lists and similar sources, to whom It Is agreed to send thrlr paper free for a column of advertising. One instance was cited where a number of advertisers published a "literary ' quarterly, made up of plate matter and their advertisements. They did not have a bona fide subscriber, but sent the paper through the mails to a list of names. Other devices were famed. At the conclusion of the discussion a resolution was adopted asking the Indiana delegation In Congress to use its influence to pass the Loud bill as it came from the House. If there could have been any doubters regarding the merits of the Loud bill th? statements of a dozen newspaper publishers must have made them believers in the necessity of the passage of such a measure. In St. Louis, where the water works are owned by the city, there is a strong protest against their proposed sale. The proposition has grown out of a sanitarian movement for the filtration of the water, which, being drawn from the Mississippi river, is pretty rich in earthy matter. St. Ioulsans would not object to having it filtered, pro

vided its familiar flavor is not destroyed, but they do not want filtration at the cost of parting with the water works. The PostDispatch says: Members of the Municipal Assembly who lend an ear to "hints" of capitalists looking to a purchase of the water works must be singularly blind to 'the 'trend of public opinion and to the best interests of the city. They are not fit to govern a modern city. Here is One department of city management that pays for itself and yields a handsome surplus above cost of running. Here is one extremely valuable property, of which the-citizens are 'y proud, for which they are not taxed, u they feel is their own.' and the ov.c:shlp and successful running of which places tho city In the front rank of progressive municipalities. They will never part with this property for any consideration. On the contrary, all citizens who know the difference between owning a municipal plant which pays for itself and being subjected to heavy yearly taxadon by a i.nvate corporation for inferior service will try to extend public ownership to oUer departments of city government." ; 1 This is on a line with the experience of other cities, not one of which that has owned its water works would ever consent that they should pas under the control of a private corporation. A private monopoly of air would be as reasonable as a private monopoly of water. Looking over a volume of the Brevier legislative reports for 1SS7, .a portion of tho debate on a proposition to extend some favor to building, and . loan associations, which were then few in number in Indiana, was read with Interest. One legislator denounced them in vigorous language as the latest device of bankers to lean their money to the poor at the rate of IS per cent., "not their money only," the statement went on, "but the money of those who borrowed 'was loaned to themselves at this enormous rate of interest." He denounced the building and loan association as the latest iniquity of the money power, which the Legislature should destroy as far as it was able, instead of fostering it. Still, the building and loan association has Increased in Indiana, and because the advice of this demagogue, who tried . to create a prejudice against it. was Ignored, people of moderate means have saved marly thirty millions of dollars through that agency, and thousands of homes have been built and paid for. There can be no doubt that Indiana is now many millions better off because of the building and loan association, and that thousands of families have been able to tide over the hard times incident to the trial of tariff reform because they had a little money laid away in a loan association. - - Ul DOLES I V THE AIH.

Not u 3Iemler. "Do you belong to the'Century Club?" "Me? No. I never rode in my life." The Cheerful Idiot. "By the way," said .the shoeclerk boarder, "Congressman Money1 ". "I wonder if he is any relation of John Doe?" interrupted thf cheerful idiot. Au Insult. "Wot did she say when you told her you was a Cuban war sufferer?" asked Hungry Hlggins, who had watted at the gate. "She told me." answered Weary Watkins, who had "made the spiel." "she told me to seo how quick I could walk Spanish." The Beginning of the Trouble. "With the beginning tof luxury," said the lecturer, "comes tho beginning of the decline of a nation." "It goes back furder than that," said the shockheaded mah in the rear seat. "A nation never amounts to nothing as soon as soap comes into gineral use." INDIA A .EWSPAPEll OPINION. The tendency of .the' special verdict law has been to confuse clients and complicate legal proceedings and good judges say it has sometimes defeated the ends of justice. Attica Ledger. The people of Indiana will expect the legislature now in session -to pass a law that will protect those who deposit their earnings in building and loan associations from the blood, suckers" who have, in recent years, fastened themselves upon these savings institutions. Delphi Journal. There should be no quibbling over a legislative apportionment bill. The matter should be carefully and thoughtfully considered by the proper .'committee r.nd the result of their deliberations reported to both houses at an early day. The people want the very best apportionment law enacted that is possible. Seymour Republican. The Senate did weH.tp pass a law prohibiting the killing ,of quail and grouse in this State for two years Indiana bar. long been a hunting ground for sportsmen from neighboring cities, and the game Is in danger of total extinction. Let the good work be followed by a law .that will protect the fish In the streams from wanton destruction. Lafayette Courier. Nothing would help so much to hold legislators at the capital and keep them at their work as the abolition of the free railroad pass system. That would put an end to the promiscuous car riding.! and give members a chance to earn their salary. And this is only one of the less important reasons why tho free pass system should be knocked out. The one big reason why It should go is that bribery is wrong. Kokomo Tribune. The present Legislature will make a mistake if it makes ndditional . judicial circuits. It will add more judges and prosecuting attorneys to be paid out of the state treasury. The Legislature should lop off a large number of useless or unnecessary offices find in that way lower taxes. What the people want is lower taxes. Taxes lowered in comparison who the way prices have he?n lowered on the products of the farm and of, labor. Greenfield Republican. While there is considerable talk going on throughout the State concerning the affairs of the township trustee's office, and legislation to correct certain evils is talked of. tho Examiner will Insist that all townships should do as Orleans and her neighboring townships within Orange county have done. Elect men who are .above reproach and who can to counted on every time to do that which is b. st for the township every, time and. they will have no trouble. Orleans Examiner. The main objection being m?de to the publication of township trustees' reports Is the expense. This can easily be obviated by fixing the price at so much per allowance ar.d making the rate low, as is done with some other legal' printing. The allowances should be itemized, and the price to lie paid fixed by law. not allowing the trustee to set the price or juggle with it by having one newspaper v "cut throat" another. By saying ' lowest bidder" the legitimate publisher stands a poor chance of securing it. Gibson County Leader. There is a little peanut legislation In the bill to amend the election law. That is that the Republican ticket shall appear In the first column instead of the Democratic, as heretofore. In our opinion it makes no elifferenee which column the ticket appears and a change made now will cause more confusion than to let it alone. If they place the Republican ticket in the first column the Democrats will rever-- it the first time they gain control tl the legislature, which, of course, now appears will never happen. The ptople have a contempt for peanut legislation, no matter what party is guilty of it. Tipton Advocate. The present Legislature may do what the last one came near doing and ought to have done, namely,- lessen the number of justices of the peace, abolish their fee system and otherwise limit the powers of these officials. During the past few years many localities have leen afflicted with ignerant, unscrupulous justices who were always watching to pounce upon any one or anything where there was the promise of a fee. If the victim was one supposed to have money, he could feel the assurance that right and fairness would receive but little consideration, but that he would be fleeced to the limit. A minimum fine would be assessed and to it be tacked numberless fees. Franklin Republican. We want teachers who are not afraid of disgusting their. pupils by taking up good tiehavior. We want them not only to take it but enforce it. We want teachers that

are competent to teach boys and girls how to be respectable and law-abiding. That is all the interest the State or society, either, has in the matter. What does either of them care for a man's literary education if he is an outlaw? We want the county superintendent to visit the patrons and learn something of the teacher's moral character. They have got it into their heads that it Is none'of the parent's business. If the State will hold the teacher responsible for the child's conduct then we will admit that it is not so much the parent's business. Rochester Republican. The most sensible, practical and . just plan upon which this great metropolitan police .system can be placed would seem to be to put the power of the appointment of commissioners in tho hands of the judge of the Circuit Court, and to make the mayor an ex officio member of the board. A Circuit Court judge is elected by the people, has the people's interests at heart. Is supposed to be nonpartisan and impartial, would do in the main just what was best for the community, and appoint only competent, reliable, honest, sober men as commissioners. Then the mayor of a city would have something to say about the conduct of the police department, whereas, under the present system he has nothing to say. The management of the police department with the name metropolitan appended to it is far removed frori local authority and if anybody can tell where the improvement comes in the people of this city, especially, would be pleasid to know. South Bend Tribune.

THE COUNCIL ON PARKS TEST VOTE AMONG MEMBERS OX MAAIMUJI APPROPRIATION, y The Amount AveraReii ijt.'l'O.Ooo Conference nt Mayor Office in AYhich the Subject In Discuciietl. The first test of the attitude of the Common Council on the park system appropriation was had last night at a conference at the mayor's office, where nineteen of the twenty-one members of the Council met with the mayor and controller. After a lengthy discussion, with expressions from every member present, besides the mayor and controller, a test vote was taken to determine the maximum amount each member would favor for a park appropriation. The vote was as follows: Murphy $250.0u0, Allen $300,000, Payne $450,000. Woody $150.00), Cooper $300,000, Shaffer $300,000, Colter $300,000, Dudley $400,000. Montgomery $100,000, Itauch $300,000. Madden $300,000. Walcott $100,000. Puryear $450,000, Costello $100,000, ! Smith $250,000, Ohleyer $300,000 and O'Connor $303,000. Mr. Dewar, who wanted many other things done before Inaugurating a park system, did not name any amount, and Mr. Clark, 'who was present, was asleep. An approximate average Is about $370,000. The park commissioners asked for $450,000. Mayor Taggart, in calling the conference to order, explained the nature of his call. It was the desire of the administration to have the councilmen confer before taking definite action in order that they might reach some common ground on the park matter without jeopardizing the entire ordinance should they fail to agree on the amount to be appropriated in the official session. The park commissioners have completed their preliminary work, and the next step was for the Council to take. The Council might not desire to make an extensive appropriation for parks. It was better, he thought, to come to some understanding before the ordinance was up for adoption or i ejection, and most of the councilmen present agreed with the mayor in this respect. Controller Johnson stated that an indebtedness of about $720,000 could yet be created before reaching the legal limit of the city's indebtedness. In the discussion that followed the views of the councilmen took many trends. Mr. Cooper thought the city ought to first buy a Gamewell police system, buy the grounil at Kentucky avenue and Maryland street for a market, and make other improvements before considering parks. Mr. Dudley wanted a beautiful new city building first. Mr. Colter thought It would be more advisable to make inside improvements first, and If parks were demanded begin to purchase them on a smaller scale than proposed. Mr. Dewar salt! he favored parks, but he didn't want to increase the tax rate or indebtedness. He wanted Pogue's run improved before a park system was acquired. Messrs. Maelden. Payne and Puryear "thought the present the best time to purchase land for a park system, and they all favored appropriating the amount asked by the commissioners. Mr. Rauch favored the new city building project. Mr. Montgomery was doubtful of the expediency of putting so large a sum in parks. Mr. Allen anticipated the large expense necessary each year to maintain the parks, and doubted the wisdom of spending so much money. Mr. Cooper mentioned the fact that the water company would give $100,000 towards the Fall creek system, which causeel some of the. councilmen to laugh, knowing full well the disposition of the water compans to be generous in its dealing with the city. Mr. Shaffer said his constituents did not tavor expending so much money on a park system. THE POGUE'S RUN QUESTION. The mayor took up Mr. Dewar's proposition to improve Pogue's run and explained that the city could do nothing in the way of permanent improvement to this erratic stream without assessing the cost on property owners, although it could spend money in cleaning it out and keeping the waterway clear. The city engineer has been working on plans for relieving the district troubled by Pogue's run and the city expects much in the way of a sewer. Before the Fourteenth-street sewer was built the territory in the north end of the city was flooded very often and the water extended for blocks. Since the completion of the sewer there has never been a time when the sewer was more than half full of water. Yet people did not think the sewer would relieve the district. The mayor believed In parks. In Boston he had found that every dollar of surplus was used to buy lands for park purposes. Ho wou'd like to see a new city building, but believed that it would be best to do with the present quarters, since the County Commlsioners had shown a disposition to cut down the courthouse yard and make the basement inhabitable. The city certainly needed a new police station, but he doubted if it would be advisable to begin a new city building project now. He also favored a market for the South Side. He believed that if the Council should fix a park appropriation, the land abutting the park system should be assessed the highest for benefit with the assessments decreasing as the land retreated. It might not be wise to spend a great deal of money immediately upon acquiring park lands. He would rather see the system completed in ten years than in two. After the talk by the mayor, a number of the councilmen who had preferred other preji-ets before that of parks, spoke more favorablv of the idea than before. Mr. Dewar didn't think It fair to the Council to take a test vote as proposed by Messrs. CesteIIo. Payne and Walcott. and when he was called en in turn to fix the amount which h" thought should be the limit of an appropriation, be'did not name any. After the vote was taken the conference adjourned. Plus morning the committee appointed at a recent Council meeting to consider puoiic improvements will rne'et in the mayor's office. WILSON IN COLOMBIA. A YounK Man Who Had n Checkered Career Jn Till City. Superintendent Colbert yesterday received a letter from Boca del Toro. Republic of Colombia, from Snyder Brothers, dealers in tropical fruits, asking as to the reliability of Edward E. Wilson. Wilson, the latter said, had come there seeking employment as a mechanic and the firm was about to give him a responsible fosltlon. Wilson said he had been connected four years with the Indianapolis police department as a detective and that his father Is now a police sergeant. Superintendent coinert replied to the letter by denying Wilson's claim that he had ever been connected with the police department here. Wilson is the son of Patrolman James F. Wilson and has had a checkered career here. He served more than one term In the penitentiary and was arrested one time by his father, whose testimony had something to do with hi conviction. It has not been long since Edward Wilson was arrested here for loitering, but was released on a promise to leave the city.

SCHOOL BOARD FUNDS

BILL rilEPARED FOR THEIR BETTER 3IANACiEMi:NT IN THE I'LTVIU. Report of the Conimerclnl Club's Special Committee How the Resource Are Collected. A committee of twelve appointed by the president of the Commercial Club several months ago to examine the school laws of the State affecting this city, made a lengthy report to the directors of the club yesterday, pointing out a plan for a better financial system and submitting a bill that with it will be presented to the Legislature. After considerable discussion and the offering of a substitute bill bj- J. P. Dunn, one of the directors of the club, the report of the committee was adopted, and it was directed to present the bill to the Legislature and do everything possible to secure Its passage. Charles W. Smith, chairman of the committee, was also authorized to call on the club for additional subcommittees If necessary. The whole question came up' at a banquet at the Commercial Club several months ago, when the school system known as the "Cleveland plan" was discussed at length by Professor Drapler, who had been largely instrumental In its formation. At that time there was considerable discussion of the defects of the school laws, and on a vote of the club the president was instructed to name a committee to thoroughly investigate the question. He named Charles W. Smith, for years n member and afterward attorney of the School Board, chairman of the committee, which included S. O. Pickens. J. II. Smart. A. S. Draper, William Scott, J. P. Frenzel, George Merritt. F. H. Blackledge, A. H. Brown, J. B. Conner, F. Vonnegut and Charles Martindale. Afterward Mr. Smith appointed J. P. Frenzel chairman of a subcommittee to consider the financial problems, and A. II. Brown chairman of the subcommittee on organization of schools. Messrs, Smith, Frenzel, Martindale, Scott and Brown, of the committee, were present yesterday at the meeting attended by Messrs. Eli Lilly, J. P. Dunn. Nathan Morris. John S. Iazarus. Albert Metzger, J. M. Spann and E. F. Claypool. FINDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE. In the absence of President Erwin. William Fortune, vice president, acted as chairman of the meeting. Mr. Smith read the report of the commute, in pari as fol.ows: The work assumed two distinct features. The first was. whether or not It wus deemetl advisable, in any essential matter, to change the system of organization of the Board of School Commissioners, now for many years in charge of the school affairs of the city, or the method of their selection. 'The second was. what legislation was needed to relieve the Board of School Commissioners from their present financial embarrassment. Upon the first question there .was in the beginning some dnTerence of opinion among the members of the committee; but after a full and free discussion and consultation among the committee, the opinion was almost If not quite unanimous that it was not wise to propose any legislation intended to change the character of the present Board of School Commissioners, or the manner of their election. The law now in force gives the Board of School Commissioners sufficient latitude of discretion in their management of school affairs as to enable it to adopt such courses as will make ample tests of any methods recommended for the improvement or increase of the efficiency of the schools. We are of the opinion that it is better to leve It so than to undertake the enactment of u law which would cast :he action of the board in any particular mold, which upon a fair test might not be found to be the most desirable. Upon the question of changing the method of election of tho members of the board, at the beginning a number of the committee wero much Inclined to recommend a provision that such election shou'.d be held under the general law now in force controlling elections, and familiarly called the Australian system. But a careful consideration of this matter disclosed that to do so by a general enactment to that effect would throw such elections at once into party politics, which the committee are unanimously of the opinion should bo avoided. Nor would it be an easy or practicable matter to prepare a law providing for an election under a modification of the Australian system. The financial question was full of embarrassment and received very careful attention. In order to get a procr understanding of their conclusion, the committee have to state somewhat In detail the present financial condition of the boarel and the method which the committee has thought proper to recommend for Its relief. The moneys of the board are properly divided and kept in the following funds: First The Gregg fund, which consists of a bequest to the School Board for a particular purpose. Second The library fund, which is produced by a special levy authorized to be made by the Board of School Commission ers for the maintenance of the library and the erection of the Library building. Third The manual training fund, which is produced by a special tax levy authorized by the statute for the maintenance of the manual or Industrial Training School, including the purchase of grounds and the erection of buildings. Fourth The tuition fund, which Is a special levy for payment of tuition. Fifth Special fund, which Is produced by a levy for incidental expenses. But inasmuch as the tuition fund and special fund are under the control of the Board of School Commissioners, and they can vary the amount of the levy according to the exigencies of the case, we shall treat these two together and each of the others separately. The Board of School Commissioners is now authorized to levy taxes as follows: First For special and tuition purposes, 25 cents on the $100. Second For library purposes, 4 cents on the $100. Third For manual training. 5 cents on the $100. Total, 34 cents on the $100. Thus it will be seen that the Board of School Commissioners of the city of Indianapolis for all purposes can now levy but 31 cents on the JW. while there Is not a township in the State which cannot levy for all school purposes the amount of $1.25 on the hundred. If occasion requires. The total valuation of nvables subject to levy is $105.a'7.sin. In addition to the income from the above tax levies thr board has an income from the following sources: First. State school tax apportionment: second, liqtior-license apportionment; th'rd. township fund; fourth, nonresident taxfs cn account of transfers. Gregg Fund. This fund amounts to $22.00 and has b-on loaned to the Board of School Commissioners at an annual Interest of 6 per cert. The expenditures of this fund never exceed the Income therefrom, and nothing further need be said as to this fund. Library. ' The present Indebtedness of the board on account of the library fund Is as follows: Notes issued for the purenase of its property, elated Jan. 31. 1-vi. at twenty years, due Jan. i, 1911. bearing 4 per cent, interest $IO.O"0 Bonds issued July 1. 191. at eleven to twenty years, first installment of Sl.eO; falling due July 1. 102. and $10.0) each year thereafter up to and Including 1911. at 5 per cent 100,0) With the present powers of the board to levy library tax. which in our opinion Is ample to cover current expenses, and with the provision in the law for the gnfiual extinguishment of the $i(0.(M0 of bonded indebtedness, and the saving in Interest charge as this debt. i: reduced and paid which will be before the maturity of the forly-thousand-dollar debt we s-e no necessity for additional provision to the library fund. Manual Training Fund. The indebttdness of the School Hoard on account of the manual training fund l.i as follows: Due July 1. isf7. bearing 6 per cent. Interest .....$25 5'J..02 Due July 1, 1S9S. bearing 6 per cent. Interest 2,r,99.02 Due July 1. l-:. hearing G per cent, interest 15 5W 02 Due July 1. i!)M, bearing C pt r cent, interest 2a.573.61 Four thousand dollars due Jan. 1 each year for ten years, beginning lcrC4. at 4!j ht cent 4).000.00 Overdraft due July 1, 13.0oi.4'j Total indebtedness $1C2,375.16 The loard will not out of its current levies be able tr meet these obligations in lull as they mature, but if they shall be authorized to fund $i).000 of thl indebtedness, one-half of this amount payable July 1. 1901, and the other half July 1. IJk2. the Board of School CommbMoaers will be cnubJed by a careful and economical manage-

ment of this fund, to meet all its existing: obligations, and pay these bonds at maturity. So that the committee do not recommend any increased power of taxation for the benefit of this fund, but do recommend that the board be authorized to Issue bonds as above indicated, and are of the opinion that such bonds shoulj not bear Interest to exceed the rate of 5 per cent, per annum, and should not be sold for less than par. Common School and Tuition Funds. The present indebte-dneFS of the Board of School Commissioners on account of thes funds is as follows; Temporary loan due Jan. SI. 17....$140.00 Estimated deficit June Z 17 19.5c) Bonds due July 1, 1W, at 4 per cent.. M.oeO Bonds due Oct. 1, 1C9. at 4 per cent.. Bonds due March 1. 11-00. at 4 per cent. M.ftr) Ionds due July 1. iwt. per cent... Notes issued for the purchase of High School property yable in

fifteen installments of H.'WO each, first Installment due Nov. 1, 1910. at 4 per cent '. Non-negotiable loan from the Gregg C0.000 fund at 6 per cent 22.00.) Making a total of $4S1.503 In the opinion of the committer th Board of School Commissioners can by an economical administration of its affairs, out of the current levies now authorized by the law. provide for at maturity the last two Items of the above indebtedness, thus leaving a balance of $399,500 to be provided for. We are further of the opinion that out of the current levy now authorized the Board of School Commissioners will be enabled to pay the annual Interest upon the bonds next proposed to be issued. The committer recommend that there be asked authority to issue funding bonds to the amount of $400,000 in installments sufficient- -to meet the other obligations as they mature, which bonds shall run for thirty years and bear interest at 4 per cent, per annum. The committee recommends autnorlty to levy a tax which at no time shall exceed one-half of 1 cent on the $1'J per annum for the purpose of creating a sinking fund to meet the payment of these funding Ixmds. A cal- ' dilation acording to approved tables showa that the income of $5,000 per year at 4 per cent, semiannually will produce in thlrtv years $307,000 $1,000 per year at 4 per cent, semiannually will produce in thirty years ;:,Oj0 $5,500 per year at 4 per cent, semiannually will produce in thirty years 399.0 0 Considering the probable increase in taxable values during the next thirty years, it is believed that a tax of one-half of I cent on the hundred dollars will bo amide to meet the entire debt at maturity. We therefore recommend that the altove scheme be prtposed to the legislature without any authority for an increased tax levy as to those funds. But if we stopped here, there would !e na provision for future buildings. With the constant increase of population and extension of territory it is evident that new buildings will be required, and in addition to this we are advised that owing to the limited income heretofore received by thi School Board, it has kept the new buildings at the lowest iosslbe figure, and there at this present time urgent need for sucrt new buildings. For five years last past the average expenditures for new nuildings and grounds (restricted as above stated! has been the sum of $44.2('. It Is believed that for a reasonable number of years to come the annual expeditures for new building and grounds will not exceed the sum of $1)0.000. In the opinion of your committee it would lie wise to ask for authority to borrow not to exceed $f.oiO er annum for the next five years, for tho purpose of purchasing grounds and erecting buildings; and to effect such loan by the isue and sale of bonds to run thirty years at 4 per cent. ; to provide for a sinking fund to pay the principal and interest of such bonds, and to levy a tax for that purpose not to exceed one and one-half cents on the one hundred dollars in any one year. Your, committee has prepared a bill embodying these recommendations, which, with tills report, it now submits to you. THE BILL DISCUSSED. Mr. Smith said the bill prepared simply solved the method of securing the recommendations of the report, but upon the re- . quest of Mr. uunn he read the bill. The reading of the report and bill accompanying it disclosed that the committed had decided against the Introduction of the Cleveland plan into the Indianapolis public schools. Mr. Dunn recalled that at the banquet the sentiment of the club seemed to be in favor of the adoption of tho Cleveland plan, and he therefore offered as a substitute a bill containing the essential features of the Ohio law. Mr. Dunn's proposed measure provided for -a board of school commissioners, to be composed of a school council of tight tncmlwrn, to be selected by the Mayor of the city, two each year from different political parties. The executive business head of the school board to bo known as a school director, to be elected at the regular city elections and to receive a salary of $3.50ti a year. The director would occupy toward the school council the same relative position of the Mayor to the City Council, be would exercise the veto Iower and act as a check on the school council, although official action could be taken over his veto hy a three-fourth vote. Under the hill the covnty trctFurer would become ex officio treasurer of the beard and would pay warrants drawn by the city controller, who would act as auditor of the board under Mr. Dunn's bill. The educational department weuld be under the uirect control of a superintendent to be elected for a term of three years by the School Board, but should be subject to removal for Incompetency or other pood cause. All text-books would be selected by a committee consisting of the president of tho council, the superintendent of the schools and the director. The bill contains a number of provisions for verifying and auditing accounts, and for advertising for bids on all expenditures of $1.5oQ or more. Instead of a bonded indebtedness of $3u.'t0, to be created at the rate of fCO.000 a year, for buildings and grounds. Mr. Dunn favors an Immediate tax levy of 5 cents for that purpose. There was a long discussion of the subject. Mr. Smith explaining that the com-, mittee had considered the provisions offered in Mr, Dunn's bills, but had rejected them after mature dellbf ration. Mr. Metzger said, us a member of the directory of the club, he wanted to say there would be criticism from the newspapers, as the committee's report suggested no change In the method of holding school election and left the. Board of School Commissioners with tho same powers to perform acts in the futuref that would be subject to adverse criticism as much as in the past. Mr. Frenzel said that the strongest argument in favor of allowing the present law to stand was the fact that under It Indianapolis had developed a primary school system that was everywhere regarded as at the top of the list in the entire country. Mr. Dunn admitted the Indianapolis school system was probably all that could te tei uired in an educational sense, but taid the nusinecs management was not good. Mr. Frenzel replied that Mr. Smith declared the Cleveland plan was simply a plan devised by educational theorists, and was stli largely an experiment. Mr. Dunn rend from a letter from Superintendent Jones, of the Cleveland schools, formerly of this city, !n which bo said th, plan was "pood and' suited to Indianapolis." After further discussion Vko President Fortune said the f;t!"rtion was on the adoption of the substitute bill. Mr. Dunn votid aye and tho other directors present Mr. Dunn alone voted in the negative on the adoption of the report and bill of the committ.e. Colonel Lilly raised, the question as to whether there was & quorum of the directors present, but Mr. Fortune said there w::s. The Mil prepared by the ommitten will le introduced in th lgislatute the first of next week. JOHN W. DODD'S PENSION. A Men mi re Tlint Turpie Railroaded through the Senate. The Congression?l Record giving the proceedings of Wednesday. Jan. s contains a reference to an action of Senator Turpie. which is somewhat interesting in Indianapolis. Just at the close of the day' session of the Senate Senator Turpie asked unanimous consent to call up a bill increasing the pension of John W. Dodd. of this city. The bill was acted upon by the Senate as a committee cf the whole and passed then and there and sent to the House. It provides that Dodd shall be paid $5.) a month, instead of $S as a veteran of the Mexican war. John W. Dodd was ay'private In Company A. Fourth Indiana Volunteers. The regiment never reached the Rio Grande and did no fighting at all. Dodd did not tnlit in the civil war and Is general:;.' accredited with having beet? in sympathy with the retailing Southerner. His brother. 1!. 11. Dodd. w:is known to have been a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle, the organization which fostered the conspiracy agjiiut Indiana's war governor. J. W. Dodd was once Senator Turple's private secretary ;nd was assistant postmaster under Aquilla Jones. lrolilMt!oult o Meet. F. T. McWhlrttr. statu chairman of the "straight" Prohibition party, has called a conference for Feb. 23. The State committee will meet on the evening of Feb. to elect a chairman. .