Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1883 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

The thirty-third biennial session of the Legislature of Indiana began at Indianapolis on Thursday, Jan. 4 Rev. Ross G Houghton opened the Senate with prayer, and the new Senators wore sworn in by Chief Justice Wood, of the Supreme Court Albert J. Kelly, of Vigo county, was elected Principal Secretary over Robert B. Sears, of Vermillion county, Assistant Secretary of the last Senate. Henry a Hofstetter, of Lawrence county, was elected Assistant Secretary over Charles F. Robbins, of Marion county, and Vincent P. Kirk, of Marshall ' county, was elected Doorkeeper over Henry L Gordon, of Franklin county—all by a strict party vote of 138 Democrats to 22 Republicans. Immediately after the organization a bill was offered by Senator rown for the Democrats, taking away the Governor’s power of appointing Directors for the benevolent institutions and giving it to the Legislature, and a resolution offered by the same gentleman took away the Lieutenant Governor’s power of appointing committees and gave it to the Senate. .Both of these measures were adopted by a strict party vote, and the Senate adjourned after a wrangle with the House oonceming a committee to wait upon the Governor, in consequence of which his- Excellenov did not have an opportunity of reading his message on the first day of the session as he expected. The House was organized by the Secretary of State, Rev. Myron W. Reed invoking the divine blessing, and Justice Niblack, of the Supremo Court, administering the oath. William D. Bynum, of Marion county, was elected Speaker over A. J. Wright, of Grant county, by a vote of 53 to 42. 8. W. Edwins, of Madison countv, was elected Clerk over W. H. Hay, of Marion county, by 57 to 89. Will Peece, of Johnson county, was elected Assistant Clerk over W. H. Nichols, of Boone, by 5(1 to 40, and Henry Fry, of Grant county, was elected Doorkeeper over D. A. Roberts, of Jefferson county, by a vote of 5(1 to 41. A resolution was adopted instructing the officers of the House to prefer the claims of disabled soldiers in the matter of appointments. Appropriate resolutions were adopted regarding the death of Hon. H. 8. Perrette, of Floj'd county, who was elected Representative, and the House then adjourned out of respect for his memory. The question of etiquette between the two houses was settled on the sth inst. by the Senate receding from the position it had assumed and concurring in the appointment of a committee to wait upon the Governor. Resolutions were adopted setting apart Thursday for a sorvice in memory of the late Senator' Chapman, of Marion county. The question of the legality of the adoption of the Prohibition amendment bv the last Legislature was brought up bv a resolution of Senator Smith, Republican, directing the Secretary of Mtute to furnish a certified copy of officiul records in his office concerning the constitutional amendments Adopted in 1881, and also the one in relation to the Wabash and Erie canal, and as to whether the constitutional provision has been complied with requiring such proposed amendments, with the yeas and nays thereon, to be entered on tliotr journals and referred to the next General Assembly. A spirited discussion resulted, the Republicans favoring it, but the Democratic majority finally referred the matter to the Judiciary Committee. The Senate refused to appoint a special committee on the subject of woman suffrage. Ihe House, after the consideration of unimportant matters, adjourned until Monday, Jan. 8 Both houses met in joint session, Lieut. Gov. Hanna presiding, and Gov. Porter delivered his message.