Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1897 — FROM FARM TO STATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FROM FARM TO STATE

GOV. JAMES A. MOUNT INAUGURATED. Indiana’s New Executive Takes Ug. Hta Duties Without Display or Ado -Farm-like Simplicity Roles—Gov. Matthews Says a Brief FarewellMount Sworn In. Without display or ado Indiana changed Governors Monday. James A. Mount came to Indianapolis from the farm to receive the oath as the chief executive and Claude Matthews,-after having served the people of the State for four years, left the capitol to go back to hia broad acres on the Wabash. William S. Haggard, a newspaper man from Lafayette, succeeded Mortimer Nye, a lawyer of LaPorte, as Lieutenant Governor. The ceremonies incident upon the installation of the new officers occupied less than an hour. In the presence of the Senators and Representatives in the Senate chamber the Lieutenant Governor was inaugurated at 12 o’clock. From the chamber the inaugural procession marched to the lower south rotunda of the capitol, where the new Governor was inaugurated. It was the wish of the incoming Governor that there should be no attempt at show and his wishes were respected. There was no inaugural parade; no men in uniform nnd no special display of good clothes. A single bra&s band far up iu Ihe balcony furnished all the music. Among the farmers who came in to see their representative take the oath of office were five brothers of the new Governor. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Jordau of the Supreme Court. Gov. Matthews said a word of farewell. “It is but an exchange,” said he in the course of his remarks. “My successor leaves the plow; I return to it. Proud of Indiana at home and abroad; proud of her splendid record in peace and iu war, exulting in her illustrious history of the past, my heart and my hand will ever respond to that still grander future which, under the blessings of God, shall be hers.” The inaugural address of the Governor was brief and to the point. The new Governor and Lieutenant Governor, with their wives, assisted by the other State officers, he!d a public reception iu the Governor’s parlors in the evening. Lew’s’ative Pr< c -edin-s. The sixtieth session of the Indiana Legislature convened at Indianapolis Thursday. Little was done after the organization. as the Governor's message was not ready. In the House there are fifty-four Republicans and forty-eight Democrats, and among this imposing minority there are a number of astute parliamentarians, who will make affairs interesting for the Republicans and the new Speaker. It is likely that contests will result in increasing the Republican majority. On joint ballot the Legislature stands eighty-five Republicans and sixty-five Democrats. This insures the election of a Republican to succeed Senator Yoorhees, who has represented the State at Washington since 1877. The last opportunity Republicans had to elect a United

States Senator was in 1881, when Gen. Harrison was chosen. Charles W. Fairbanks will be Voorliees’ successor, and two years later there will be an opportunity to elect a successor to Senator Turpie. When the House met at 11 o’clock every member was present. The formality of the Speakership election resulted in Henry C. Pettit receiving fifty-two votes and Allen Swope of Seymour getting the Democratic complimentary vote of forty-seven. Mr. Pettit’s inaugural speech indicated that he has a settled conviction of economic legislation. He called attention to the industrial and financial depression, which should be borne in mind by the members when it comes to legislation that contemplates any further tax on the citizens of the State. Itepre-' seutative S. E. Nicholson moved thnt a committee be appointed to formulate a set of new rules to govern the Legislature and the proposition went through over the Democrats’ protest. On the committee are Nicholson, Willoughby, Smith, Linck, and Bowers. The House then adjourned until Friday for the Governor’s message. As soon as the upper house got back into its own chamber after the joint session had listened to Gov. Matthews’ message Friday, Senator Shively of Richmond introduced an anti-trust bill. The bill provides thai any company or corporation which joins a trust shall forfeit its right to do business in the State, and provides further that the officers of the company or corporation joining a trust may be fined SISOO. The attorney general of the State is directed to prosecute all companies or corporations that become members of trusts, and as an incentive it is provided that he shall receive a fee of SSOO for every conviction. Prosecuting attorneys are also authorized to begin prosecutions. The House did nothing except to adopt new rules, one of which requires a two-thirds vote to appeal from the chair. Both houses adjourned until Monday to await Gov. Mount’s inaugural. Tuesday was given up to caucusing by both houses, no regular business being transacted, it was definitely settled that 0. W. Fairbanks should be sent to the Senate, but not before much feeling and a strong opposition had developed. The minority strength was divided between McKeen, Gen. Lew Wallace, and Judge Taylor.

SPEAKER H. C. PETTIT.