Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1889 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

A WEEK’S DOINGS OE OCR STATE LAW-MAKERS. Resolutions Offhroil—Bills Introduced— Some Pwmml anil Oilier* Defeated—A Summary of the Proceedings. Feb. 28.—1 n the House Mr. Linck was suspended for his assault upon Representative Willard. Bills passed—Appropriating $20,000 to pay a deficiency caused by the defalcation pf the Warden of the Southern Prison, and $15,000 fdr improvements; increasing the homestead exemption from SOOO to $1,000; reducing the rate of interest on the school fund; authorizing county commissioners to appropriate money for the establishment of homes for indigent old women. • After the Senate adjourned the Democratic members took possession, called the body to order, and elected a President pro tern. March 1. —Senate—Bills passed: Establishing a board of public works for Indianapolis; including the Fire Department of that city in the metropolitan police measure; providing for beef inspection. House—Bills passed: Organizing and regulating the State militia; increasing the tax levy in Marion County. A number of important bills were engrossed. The indefinite postponement of a bill pertaining to liquor license was recommended by a committee. A resolution was offered to suspend the sentence of Representative Linck and reduce his fine.

March 2.—A bill providing for the election of three trustees for each of the new Insane Hospitals w r as passed, in both branches, over the Governor’s veto. A bill was passed making bribery at oonventions or primary elections a crime, and fixing a penalty therefor. March 4.—A bill was introduced making it unlawful for any State officer to secure money or pay the same to maintain the benevolent or other institutions in the absence of an appropriation. Governor Hovey vetoed the bill depriving the Supreme Court Reporter of fees and making his salary $4,000, but the bill was passed over the veto. March s.—ln the Senate the following bills were passed: Making the sale of tobacco to any person under 1G years of age unlawful; making eight hours a day’s work upon all public works; requiring that judicial executions shall be performed at the State Prisons, except in cases where persons are not under sentence of death; empowering county commissioners to pay $35 towards the burial expenses of indigent soldiers; creating a Superior Court in Elkhart County; making it unlawful to pipe natural gas out of the State. No bills of importance passed the House. March 6.—ln the Senate the contested election case of Grimes vs. Bichowski taken up, and the contestant (a Democrat) was seated. A substitute for the deficiency appropriation bill, containing a section making it a felony for the Auditor to issue a warrant for the payment of money when there has been no appropriation made for it, was passed by the Democratic majoity.