Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1911 — GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ITS BIENNIAL SESSION. [ARTICLE]

GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ITS BIENNIAL SESSION.

Sixty-Seventh Session of Legislature • Started Thursday With Beading Of The Governor’s Message. With the formal election of Albert J. Veneman, of Evansville, as speaker pf the House of Representatives, and his assumption of the chair, the announcement of committee assignments by Lieutenant Governor Hall in the Senate, and Governor Marshall’s reading of his message before a joint session of the two bodies, as the principal evento in a session of three hours, the Sixty-seventh General As•sembly of the state of Indiana waa inaugurated Thursday. In addition to these proceedings the program of organization adopted in caucus by the Senate and House majorities was carried out. The Senate adjourned to meet at 10 o’clock Friday morning and the House convened at li o’clock. Although there was little actual work done at the State House on the first day of the session, the leaders, especially those of the majority, were busy all afternoon and far into the night completing the list of employes in both ' Houses. Speaker Veneman was besieged by representatives, seeking committee assignments. The legislative ship, controlled by a democratic crew, both fore and aft, for the first time in many years, had smooth sailing the first day out with the exception of one little incident, a threatened mutiny by Representative W. W. Spencer, of Marion county. He didn’t like the rules and he didn’t hesitate to say sp, although his effort to amend them failed.

For one hour, from even midday- to 1 o’clock, the voice of Governor Marshall rang clearly and firmly through the chamber of the House while he read his message to the Assembly In that hour the Governor urged upon the members of the Senate aiid House many important legislative reforms which he declared should be given attention at this sessibn, but there was no demonstration upon the part of his hearers to indicate their attitude toward any of the legislation suggested. When he had conclued Governor Marshall was given as generous outburst of applause as that with which he had been greeted when he mounted the rostrum beside Speaker Veneman, and was warmly congratulated for his effort Jay the party leaders who surrounded him as he left the chamber.

Only once during the reading of his message was there any expression from his audience, and that was a ripple of laughter which followed his facetious expression of warning against the “high-flyer” who preys upon the legislator. The attitude of the Assembly was one of serious and lespectful attention thoughout the address.

The Governor, after shaking hands with Speaker Veneman and Lieutenant Governor Hall, was Introduced by the latter and immediately began reading his message. The aisles around the House chamber were crowded, and the gallery was well filled. All eyes were upon the Governor as he shook the hand of Speaker Veneman, the man who, but a few minutes before, had been elevated to a position giving him recognition as a new political power iu hlB party, as well as in the administrative affairs of the state.

After advising the legislators to “beware of the man-who wishes to show you a good time the day after he has been introduced to you,” the Governor declared that it was the duty of every member to report a: once any attempt to influence a vote, either directly or indirectly, or by an open effort at bribery. His voice rang emphatically on the word “bribery,” but if It recalled to any of his hearers certain charges which have been made since the last session of the General Assembly, there was no evidence that the words carried a special significance.

It was 10:30 o’clock when Secretary of State Elllngham sounded the gavel calling the House to order. He presented the Rev. Edward A. Neville, rector of Grace Episcopal church, Muncie, who delivered an invocation. Master Harold Jaffe, of Indianapolis, then played a violin solo, winning hearty applause. After the roll coll disclosing all members present except George C. Clark, of SL Joseph county, the legislator* 1 stood and took the oath of office administered by Judge Leander J. Monks, of the Supreme court