Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1885 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

Aftkb * very protracted debate. House bills -.ilarging the powers of building associations ras advanced to second reading in the Senate on the sth inst The House bill on the amendment of the drainage law was passed to a second reading. with a score of amendments, all of which were ordered printed. The Mil reducing 1 Supreme Court reports from $3.50 to $2.7 5 was read, with a minority report that it lie on the table. The Mil itself is a substitute for Senators Foulke and Sellers’ bill, which provides that the reporter of the Supreme Court shall receive a salary, and that the reports shall be sold at an advance of cents on the cost of production, which would place the reports In the market at about $1.25. A long discussion on appellate courts ensued, no decision being reached. In the house the special order of business was the continuation of the consideration of Senator Howard's bill for the leoraanization and maintenance of the State militia, and the entire “o™?? session was devoted to speech-making The bill was opposed by Representatives BrownJGordon, Gooding, Harrell, Murphy, Smith, of Warrick, and Garrison, who alleged that it was not constitutional; that there was no necessity for an extended military organization; »(hat iis tendencies would be to oppress the laboring men who might organize strikes for the purpose of securing their rights, and that it would involve the State in very great expense, which would Increase from year to vear. The bill was supported by Messrs. Dittemore, Pendleton, and Barrey, who claimed that its passage was demanded by the Grand Army of the Republic, as well as a majority of the people of the State, and that Indiana was behind her sister States in organizing and maintaining the militia. The opposition to the bill was much more active and vigorous than its support in the House, although hard work had been done for it in the lobbies. Almost every member explained his vote on the bill, a majority of those voting for it saying they were greatly influenced to do so by numerously signed petitions from their constituents. The bill finally passed by a vote .of 56 to 35, the announcement ot the result being received with applause. Another attempt was made to take up the appropriation bill, but failed. The Republicans solidly voted against it, together with a few Democrats. The amendment to the weight and measure bill, fixing the weight of a bushel of sweet potatoes at fifty pounds, was defeated in the Senate on the 6th Inst. Senator Bailey’s 12 o’clock liquor bill was taken from the table by a vote of 19 to 16. On the question of its second reading the Democratic Senators Mclntosh, Magee, and Hilligass spoke earnestly against its passage, and so voted. The yeas were 21 and nays 21. The responsibility of deciding lay on Gen. Manson, who was greeted with much laughter. He said: “Now this is not so funny a position for the Chair as yon may think." Richardson here changed his vote from nay to yea, and the Chair was relieved from his dilemma. The vote then stood yeas 22, nays 20, and it was moved that it be read a second time and engrossed. Mr. Bailey’s bill prohibiting the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine, butterine, and other fictitious butters, was passed to a third reading. A resolution passed indorsing Cleveland’s inaugural. In the House, Mr. Kruger’s resolution proposing an amendment to the State Constitution fixing the terms of all county officers except the Surveyor at four years, and making them ineligible for re-election, was passed by a practically unanimous vote; and Senator Duncan’s bill providing for the election of County Commissioners, and the terms thereof, was passed by a vote of 70t0J12. It authorizes the election of only two Commissioners at the same time. Mr. Pendleton’s bill appropriating $55,616.68 to John Martin for brickwork done on the Insane Asylum came up on its final reading and provoked a long discussion. Nearly every member on the floor explained his vote, and the bill ultimately failed for want of a constitutional majority by tour votes, the aves bein ' 47. and the nocs 39, with fourteen members absent. Attempts were renewed to take up the appropriation bi 1, but they failed as usual. Gov. Gray signed the Congressional and legislative apportionment bills and vetoed the militia bill The Governor also signed the following bills, and the same are now laws: An act empowering voluntary associations to establish homes for the care of aged females; an act appropriating $30,000 to the Indiana University; an act providing means for securing the health and safety of employes of coal mines; an act authorizing township authorities to bridge streams forming the boundary line; an act fixing the time of holding oourt in the Fourth Judicial Circuit

A bill for (2.25 for telegraphing the Senate's congratulatory message to the President and Vice President on their peaceful inauguration, and wishing them a happy and prosperous administration, was presented in the Senate on the 7th inst. Mr. Yonche objected to the payment of a partis in congratulation, and Messrs. Magee, Mclntosh, Siploss, and others immediately asked that the objection be entertained, and that they be allowed to pay the bill themselves. Mr. Magee paid it. The House joint resolution for amending the Constitution so as to make regular sessions of the Legislature endure one hundred days and an extra session fifty, their pay to be fixed by law, was read a first time. Senator Winters' bill amending the Justices’ act was passed under a suspension of the rules. In the House, the Appellate Court bill passed, after a long and acrimonious debate. Speaker Jewett and Judge Gooding both participated. Mr. Reevis, from the special committee appointed to investigate the condition of the State House fund, made a report which found that the Auditor of the State, in accordance with the custom of his office, had from year to year turned back into the treasury all unexpended balances from special appropriations, and the State House Commissioners, in consequenoe, thought they had a very large balance to their credit, whereas they had only about $706,000. They had made large contracts, and if additional means were not provided the work would have to stop. From an investigation of the State’s finances the committee was of the opinion that there could be no money jn the general fund that could be so appropriated, and they therefore recommended the passage of a bill authorizing a temporary loan of $450,000 to complete and furnish the building. The report, bill, and recommendations were ordered printed. Mr. Thompson’s civil service bill and the May claim passed. Only a feeble effort was made to call up and dispose of the appropriation bills. Governor Gray signed the Congressional apportionment bill. The new districts are arranged as follows: First District—Posey, Vanderburg, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Pike, and Gibson. Second District—Crawford, Dubois, Orange, Lawrence. Greene, Knox, Daviess, and Martin. Third District—Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Washington, Jackson, Jennings, Scott. Fourth District—Jefferson, Switzerland, Ohio. Ripley, Dearborn, Franklin, Decatur, and Union. Fifth District—Bartholomew, Brown, Monroe, Owen, Morgan. Johnson. Hendricks, and Putnam. Sixth District Rush, Fayette. Wayne, Henry, Randolph, and Delaware. Seventh District—Marion, Hancock, Shelby,and Madison. Eighth District—Sullivan, Clay, Vigo, Vermilion, Parke, Montgomery, and Fountain. Ninth Distr.ct —Howard, Warren, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Clinton, Boone, Hamilton, and Benton. Tenth District—Carrol, Cass, Fulton, Pulaski, White, Jasper, Newton, Lake, and Porter. Eleventh District—Grant, Blackford. Jay, Adams, Wells, Huntington,Wabash, and Miami. Twelfth District—Allen, Whitley. Noble, De Kalb, Steuben, and Lagrange. Thirteenth District—Kosciusko, Elkhart, Marshall, St. Joseph, La Porte, and Starke.