Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1905 — A WORD OF ADVISE. [ARTICLE]

A WORD OF ADVISE.

The city authorities of Indianapolis estimate that the colored population of that city will now reach 40,000 or about one-sixth of the city’s population. During the past year nearly one-half the arrests made in the city were colored people, which shows that our capital city has many “bad niggers.”

To most of the new township trustees of Jasper county, who took their office this week, the duties are practically new, and there are a few matters that The Democrat wants to speak to them about: In the first place, obey the law. Do not forget that you are public servants; that the people of your respective townships have selected you to look after and transact the public business of their township. As such trustee it is your duty to conduct the business in a careful and economical manner —as carefully and economically, in fact, as you would your own private business. For this service the law fixes your compensation at $2.00 per day for time actually expended, subject to the approval of your advisory board. Trustees should beware of the smooth-tongued agents of the supply houses, whose business seems to be that of corrupting public officials, by offering them big rebates or rake-offs on supplies purchased from their houses. These oily-tongued rascals and the rascally employers they represent are a curse to the taxpayers of Indiana, and while The Democrat does not advocate lynch law, it feels that the stringing up of a fsw of these Corrupters of public officials would be a great service to the public in general and the farmer taxpayers in particular. We are told of one township especially in this county that has, through its trustee, of course, purchased hundreds upon hundreds of dollars worth of school and other supplies during the past few years that is of practically no benefit whatever and was not needed. There are probably one or two other townships, at least, in the same condition, and, the fact that the agent of the supply house from which these “supplies” were bought has, we are told, made no secret of or rakeoffs to other trustees, no doubt furnishes the excuse for purchasing them.

You cannot afford to trade with any supply house that is in the business ' of soliciting patronage through such methods, and you should not mince words with their rascally representatives, but kick them out of your office or off your farm and warn them that a reappearance means a dose of buckshot. No man who values his good name and the good opinion of his neighbors and friends can afford to listen to the siren voice of these rascals for a moment. Many a well thought of and hon-est-intentioned man has been corrupted and his good name and standing in the community ruined by these dishonest scoundrels, and we want especially to warn you against them. The good opinion of your constituents, among whom you will expect to reside after your term of office is ended, is much to be preferred to the few paltry dollars you might get in rake-offs by selling yourself to the devil, wbioh in this case is the supply house which offers such “inducements” to secure trade. Be honest with

yourself and with the people you represent. -• Another* thing we want to mention regarding the purchasing of supplies, and one that is of especial importance to the whole county —buy every dollar’s worth of supplies needed, so far as possible, at home. Remember that it is the people of your township and of your county who contribute the taxes that pays for these supplies, and that every dollar sent away is just that much taken out of circulation in your county. If every one would practice this in the purchase of their necessities —private individuals as well as public officials —we would have much better times locally and all be more prosperous. First ascertain if you can procure the article needed at home —and ninety-nine times in a hundred you can buy cheaper at home, quality and duability of goods considered—then, if you cannot, you are justified in sending away for it. Not one penny does the foreign supply house or merchant pay towards the legitimate expenses of your township or county, and you should always bear this in mind when purchasing anything for the public whom you represent. Don’t expect to please everybody in your township. This is impossible. Do what you think is the better thing to do. Consult with the good, honorable representative men and your adon matters of material consequence and do as your better judgment and conscience tells you. Turn down the grafters and require the full equivalent for every dollar expended. You will not please everybody by following this coursp but you will retire from office at the expiration of your term with the good opinion of all whose good opinion is worth having and with a conscience that will let you sleep well of nights and not make you feel like hiding your face every time you meet an honest man.