Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1898 — The County Ticket. [ARTICLE]

The County Ticket.

For County Clerk, JOHN F. MAJOR, of Carpenter Tp. For Couuty Auditor, GEORGE O. STEMBKL, of Wheatfleld Tp. For County Treasurer, MARION I. ADAMS, of Marion Tp, For County Sheriff. WILLIAM C. HUSTON, of Milroy Tp. For County Surveyor, DAVID E. GARRIOT, of Union Tp. For County Coroner, DR. P. J. POTHUISJE, of Carpenter Tp. Commiraloner Ist District, FRANK M. HERSHMAN, of Walker Tp. Commissioner 2nd District. LUCIUS STRONG, of Rensselaer.

The defenders of the Dingley monstrosity nre still having a great time in figuring a surplus out of a deficit. - .. ' We rise to ask if Abe Halleck had any hand in framing that economy plank in the republican state platform? Those little slats, called Venetian blinds, for the court house windows, only cost the county about $5.50 per window. Public office in Jasper county sa?4_ MK be a private snap, judging from tJ’° nmoun t of money most of the office/' 8 manage to extract from it. Did Abe Hailed reall y acce Pt that new court self? The minutes of ti.’ e mee ting at which it was accepted wou ld lead one to infer as much. The “official statement” of the cost of the new court house gave the cost of fire proof vault doors at $1,150. The records show that $1 ,195 was paid. We merely note this little item to show that said “statement” is unreliable. ♦ 1 - ' - The publication of the allowances made by the county commissioners appears to be run as a sort of continued story—there is no beginning and no ending. In the balance of the report of allowances for June, as published this week, we find that $505,76 was alloewd for work, etc., on the new court house, in addition to $1,050.25 to the Johnson Temp. Con. Co., bill for heating system. And that “official statement” was not given oat until June 22, too! The above

does not include severel hundred dollars for “merchandise for court bouse/’ and there are no doubt many articles under that head which properly belong to the cost of the building.

The democratic state convention declared in saver of an income tax and the election of United States senators by the people. The republican platform is silent on both subjects. The convention dared not antagonize these projects of justice and wisdom, and the bosses would not permit it to indorse them. But its silence regarding them is more eloquent than words.

Among other meaningless planks in the republican state platform—inserted solely to catch the rural vote —is the following gem: “Believing that there is need of reform in county and township government, and that a vast saving of the public money can be made by better methods, we favor early and thorough revision of the laws upon this subject, to the end that the people of Indiana may have the best and most economical management of local affairs.” Isn’t that a stunner? “Economical management of local affairs.” Economy is as distasteful to the republican party machine as water to the person of a hobo. Such sop will not catch the farmer vote this time, boys. They have been fooled too often by just such attractive phrases.

One thing that should be looked after more carefully by the board of county commissioners is the reports of the township trustees. Thousands of dollars are paid out every year in Jasper county for which no equivalent is rendered. A great many items of payments made will also bear a little investigation. In the service account of the trustees nearly double the number of days—and in some cases thrible—are alleged to have been put in that the duties of the office requires. All this adds to the tax burdens of the people, and should be stopped. Fifty dollars should pay for all necessary labor required of any township trustee in the county. Some of them get more than four times that sum. The more we see of the loose manner in which public affairs are conducted in Jasper county the less we marvel at the high taxes.

One of the best laws ever enacted by the legislature of the state is that requiring township trustees to publish an itemized statement of the receipts and expenditures of their office. The meaning of the law is very plain, and yet in the face of this some trustees insist on publishing nothing but the summaries, which amounts to nothing at all, and, so far as enlightening the taxpayers is concerned, might just as well remain undone. The intent of the law is for a full and complete itemized statement. This is not made in the summaries. Not long since, at a meeting of the trustees of the various townships of Jasper county, a republican trustee proposed that all the trustees decide to publish nothing but the summaries, and wanted a vote taken on the proposition. No vote, however, was taken. This shows the high regard (?) some of the trustees have for this really meritorious law. It is needless to add that the republican trustee above referred to publishes nothing but the summaries, himself. His constituency would like to see a full itemized report, but thus far none of them have had the backbone to compel him to make such a report. Cash buys more at Judy and The Lief Buggy Company than anywhere else. Valparaiso, Ind., July 27, 1898. Mb. Editor: Please announce tq the farmers of this Congressional District that I have a number of copies of the Agricultural Year Book of 1897, for distribution. I will send copies to those who desirq them until the supply is exhausted. Yours Truly, E. D. Crumpacker.