Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1899 — Pass the Reform Bills. [ARTICLE]

Pass the Reform Bills.

The bills before the state legislature for the reform of county and township governments, are probably the best and fairest measurers that can at present be hoped for, for carrying out the declarations of both Republican and Democratic state platforms, and ought to become laws. The county bill provides for a county council—one from each township, and three at large, in counties of 20,000 inhabitants; six, of more than 20,000 and less than 50,000, and nine, for all counties ot a greater population—all elected by the people. The council shall serve without pay, though a salary of SIO.OO each is permitted. Notice must be given by publication in newspapers, before the meeting of the council, setting forth an estimate for the subsequent year of expenditure from each civil department, including the Judge of the court, all county officers, ditch, bridge, gravel road etc. The council is to meet in September of each year. They are to approve or reject the estimates furnished them, as in their judgment the demands of these several departments demand. Any taxpayer may appear and object to the estimated expenditures. The council is to make a tax levy for each fund and no officer is permitted to expend more than the revenues collected for each fund by the levy, though the bill provides that, in case of an emergeucy, the council can be called in extra session and make such provisions as the emergency demands. The commissioners are absolutely stripped from making any appropriations except as provided by the council. The support of the poor is taken entirely out of the hands of the commissioners, and put under the supervison of the trustees, and all poor who become permanent dependents must go to the county asylum, though temporary aid can be given under the strictest supervision and the greatest publicity. The township bill is very similar to the county bill, but instead of calling the board a council it is knoWn as an advisory board. Five members are eleoted and the Trustee must furnish estimates of expenditures, on which a levy is based by the advisory board and trustees. , Neither of the bills will affect the presentjincumbents in county or township offices and will not become effective until 1900. All matters of publicity are to be published in two newspapers published in the county seats, and representing the two leading political parties.