People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1895 — That Banquet. [ARTICLE]

That Banquet.

Editor Pilot:—The recent banquet given at the Makeever House by Judge Wiley to the Attorneys, Court Officials, et al, was a rather uqusual “blow out” for Rensselaer. A rich menu washed down with Champaign. Was it good fellowship, or a desire on the part of the “Court” to “keep solid with the crowd,” that prompted him to give the feast? It was mentioned some time ago that the judge complained that he could not live on his present salary, ($2,500 per year) and consequently he had to go out and hold “special sessions” in order to eke out a scant ingSpecial sessions, if your readers remember, have been frequent of late in our Jasper Circuit Court. The state pays the judge’s salary but the county pays for the special judges. Jasper county paid sllO during the past term for special judges services, and it is reported, that during a part of the time Judge Wiley was at Indianapolis “lobbying” for an increase of circuit judge’s salaries. When he first became judge he scanned the bills filed by the court officers and held them down, but more recently he has been very liberal with the people’s money. “Why Dear Ben,” gets about what he wants, excepting a position as an assistant door-keeper of the state senate. The people should be protected from the acts of men who have no care for their best interests. The judge had to have a new chair to sit in and he had to have a rolling platform for the jury to occupy; just what use there was in that no common mind seems able to fathom. They all cost money. It has been hinted that some one thought Jasper county needed a new court house. It may in time, but not while we have the “gold standard.” More might be said but a word to the wise is sufficient. Nemo.