Indianapolis Journal, Volume 49, Number 45, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 February 1899 — Page 4

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THE DAILY JOURNAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1899. Washington Office—lso3 Pennsylvania Avenue Telephone Cnllx. Business Office 238 | Editorial Rooms 86 TERMS OF St BSCHIFTION. DAILY BY MAIL Daily only, one month $ .70 Daily only, three months 2.00 Daily only, one year B.'lo Daily, including Sunday, one year 30.00 Sunday only, one year 2.00 WHEN FURNISHED BY AGENTS. Daily, per week, by carrier 13 cts Sunday, single copy ■> cts Daily and Sunday, per week, by carrier 20 cts WEEKLY. Per year • SI.OO Hedneeil Hates to Clubs. Subscribe with any of our numerous agents or send subscriptions to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, Inl in na polls. Inti. Persons sending the Journal through the malls in the United States should put on an eight-page paper a ONE-CENT postage stamp; on a twelve or sixteen-page pai>er a TWO-CENT postage stamp. Foreign postage is usually double these rates. AH communications intended for publication in this paper must, in order to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL Can be found at the following places: NEW YORK—Astor House. CHICAGO— Palmer House, P. O. News Cos., 217 Dearborn street. Great Northern Hotel and Grand Pacific Hotel. CINCINNATI—J. P.. Hawley & Cos., 131 Vine street. LOUISVILLE—C. T. Deering. northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Cos., 236 Fourth avenue. ST. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot. WASHINGTON. D. C.—Riggs House, Ebbitt House and Willard's Hotel. When Senator Mason, of Illinois, compared General Otis with Weyler, he gave further evidence, of his unfitness for the position he occupies. Representative Reser tells reporters what the Democrats will or will not do with as much assurance as if Mr. Eichhorn had abdicated in his favor. When a judge goes to another circ.uit than his own to hold court he should not receive another salary. He should have no additional compensation than his traveling expenses.

During the month of January our exports of breadstuffs, provisions, cotton and mineral oils were valued at $74,000,000, which is larger than any previous exportation in that month. A leading supply dealer in this city, who Is quoted as favoring the township and county bills before the Legislature, has telegraphed to a dealer in Evansville to hasten here to help defeat them. The Chicago Tribune tells the Illinois Legislature the State has too many boards. It opposes the druggists’, barbers’ and engineers’ boards which are proposed on the ground that they are not needed. There is reason to believe that some of the typewritten unsigned circulars declaring that Indianapolis interests alone are urging the township and county bills are inspired by supply dealers in this city. To a senator a well-known taxpayer in fjhelby county wrote yesterday to the effect that if. he had attended the farmers' meeting held on Saturday and had heard the expressions of those present he would not vote against the township and county bills. And he did not. The township trustee bill provides that all advertising shall be done in papers published within the township or county in which the trustee advertising resides. This is as it should be. Too much advertising Is done where the people interested will not see it. General Miller has done at Iloilo the work cut out for him. and done it cleanly and well. The work of pacifying the turbulent residents of the Philippines is progressing as rapidly as could be expected, but the news will not excite emotions of joy in the breasts of Senator Mason and Andrew Carnegie. The report of the auditor of state the past year shows that $13,440 was paid to special Judges as compensation and expenses. It is estimated that a large part of this amount is paid to judges who exchange benches and thus draw two salaries. This practice is not common, but the extent to which it is carried in a few counties suggests thrift. The bill of Representative Artman, which has passed the House, is designed to remedy whatever evil there is in this matter. There are many people who do not believe that county commissioners should have the power to grant fifty-year franchises over the public highways to street-railway companies. They were not elected for that purpose, and if, under existing laws, they have that power, the fact is the best possible reason for the creation of a legislative branch In county government. A fifty years’ franchise covers too much time in this age of invention, and any lease granted should be void if those to whom it is granted do not construct the road within five years. The portion of the report of the President's commission to investigate the conduct of the war which related to General Miles and his charges of “embalmed beef’’ has made some of the newspapers that became the accusers of the War Department, last August, very furious. They call the commission names and accuse it of whitewashing, all of which is evidence that they cannot overthrow' the views of the body which they berate. It is another case of cursing the court. The truth is General Miles and Surgeon Daly are the best witnesses against the general. He made no complaint iu the War Department about "embalmed beef” until he gave his testimony in October. If the beef had been as unfit for food in July as he represented it to be toward the last of October, General Miles alone is responsible, because he did not report the fact to the War Department. He does not claim and the record does not show that he complained that the refrigerator beef was not fit to be used. As for the statement of Surgeon Daly, there is nothing in it. He did not himself report that the meat was bad until a iate period. Fortunately, the whole matter is going to a board of army officers. The slanders which several papers in the Btate are publishing against Indianapolis and Indianapolis citizens are so nearly the same that it is fair to assume that they are written or Inspired by the same person. The article printed in the Greensburg Standard goes a Httle further than some of the others and assails Governor Mount because he is in favor of legislation that will insure economical government In township and county. The slanders about the Governor are lies, and their malignity is that of a man who fears that his vocation of swindling townships and counties may be

interfered with. When a bill was pending in the last Legislature to require township trustees to publish their expenditures in county papers one of these Indianapolis dealers fought it with all his power. These people fear publicity and honest methods. Any decent man can be proud of their denunciation. Their slandering of the Governor is better than their praise. Greensburg has a county ring which lost the Republican party a part of the ticket last fall. It is probably the organ of the ring that permits itself to be used to assail citizens of Indiana and the Governor to help taxeaters. PASS \GE OF THE TOWNSHIP HILL. The bill to provide for more responsible management in townships, known as the township trustees’ bill, was passed in the Senate by a vote of 33 to 13. Four senators were unavoidably absent, two of whom would have voted for the bill. As it is the Senate has passed the bill by a vote of more than two to one. Considered politically, 24 Republicans, 8 Democrats and 1 Populist voted for the bill, while 11 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted against it. As the vote stood the Republicans lacked two votes of a constitutional majority. These and more were furnished by Democrats and Senator Gill, Populist. Happily, the votes for the bill prevent its being called a party measure in the Senate. As the names of the Democrats voting for the bill may not be given in the vote so as they may be known, they are given here, as follows: Campbell, Corr, Cregor, Drummond, Kell, Nusbaum, Shea and Stroup. The Republicans voting for it were: Agnew, Ball, Binkley, Brooks, Charles, Early, Gilbert, Goehenour, Goodwine, Guthrie, Hawkins, Hogate, Hubbell, Hugg, Johnson of Madison, Joss, Keyes, Lambert, Leich, Miller, New, New'by, Osborn and Wood. It should be added that the bill was fairly considered in the Senate, being taking up section by section and discussed and slightly amended. In that debate, for it was debate, there w r ere none of the assaults upon individuals and motives which characterized the opposition to the reform measures in the House. It was a discussion of the merits and demerits of the measure, with the dignity and candor which befits a deliberative body considering an important matter. If the House shall be able to.consider these, the most important measures of the session, in the same spirit, and upon their merits, that body will pass the bills in spite of the predictions to the contrary. DESPERATION OF TAXEATEUS. It is not probable that the editor of the Wabash Plain Dealer lias ever read the bills before the Legislature designed to correct the evils in township and county government. We say this because we remember that the Plain Dealer, a few years ago, made a winning tight against an extravagant and, apparently, corrupt board of commissioners in Wabash county. We believe that instead of reading the bill the Plain Dealer has been imposed upon by the conscienceless gang employed about the Legislature here by supply dealers and a class of county officers who always fight any movement to close the avenues by which they plunder the people. Here is what the Plain Dealer says: Back of all the measures for “reform” in local government drafted for the prevention of the spoliation of the taxpayers of the State by ‘a little coterie of Indianapolis schemers, is hidden the design to line the pockets of the latter. One of these measures, prepared by Senator New. of the Indianapolis Journal, and put forth with the specious pretense of "reform” provides that township trustees throughout the State shall publish every advertisement for proposals for township loans, for supplies and what not. to be purchased by these officials, in the Indianapolis newspapers. All Republican trustees would, under the law. be expected to send these advertisements to the Indianapolis Journal, and the Democratic trustees would run their advertisements in the Sentinel. with the result that thousands of dollars of the township funds would find their way into the treasuries of these conspicuous champions of township reform, with substantially no benefit to the dearly beloved people whose welfare is now the object of tender solicitude. William B. Burford and other Indianapolis supply houses are supporting the Journal and Sentinel in this projected raid on the treasury and these organs of public purity and morality are pleading the cause of the supply houses, in the effort to turn the public printing away from the county newspapers and into the Indianapolis concerns w'hich have done more to sap the honor of Indiana county officers than any other influence.

There is not a line in the township bill which requires that advertisements shall be published in Indianapolis papers. The publishers of the Journal will give the Plain Dealer $.700 if it can find any provision of that kind. That the Plain Dealer, the Madison Courier and other papers which have been imposed upon by the lobby of the taxeaters may see how they have been duped, the only section of the bill which refers to advertising is quoted, as follows: Section 0. If a trustee finds it necessary to erect anew schoolhouso he shall procure suitable specifications therefor, to be used by the bidders in bidding and in the construction of such house. If he desires to purchase any school furniture, fixtures, maps, charts or other school supplies, excepting fuel, in any year, he shall make an estimate of the kinds and amounts, itemized particularly, to be used by bidders therefor. If it is necessary to make repairs on or about the schoolhousos. he shall likewise make an itemized statement of the nature and character of the work, to lie made for the use of bidders. He shall, in like manner, make a schedule of such work as may be necessary in the repair or construction of bridges in his township for any one year. All contracts shall be let. after notice given, by posting for three weeks in five of the most public places in the township, and also at or near the door of each postoffice therein, stating briefly the buildings, repairs or supplies sought to be lot. and when and where bids will be received and opened therefor; and if the contemplated expenditures in any one class shall be five hundred dollars or more, he shall post notices as aforesaid, and also publish notice thereof for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, published in the township, if there be such: if not. then in some such paper published in the county scat. “And also publish notices thereof for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation, published in the township, if there be such; if not, then in some such paper published in the county seat.” So reads the bill, and as it reads it restricts the publication of all notices to the papers in the township or the county seat, as it should. There is no other reference to advertising in the bill—not one. It should be. said here that Senator New is not the author of the bill, hut that it was prepared by a number of citizens of high character, belonging to both political parties, residing in different parts of the State. It has also been announced by some of these papers that the Indianapolis Journal is a publishing house and will profit by the proposed bills, if enacted. The publishers of the Journal publish nothing but the paper. They have not had a job-printing office for twenty-five years and have not a dollar's interest in any printing or binding establishment. As for the supply dealers in Indianapolis it can bo said that some of them are known to lie opposing the measures and that none of them has had any hand in preparing and advocating t lie township and county bills. It is not probable that they would favor measures designed to insure economy and business-like methods on the part of those who purchase county and township supplies. The Journal is surprised that the Plain

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, IS!)!).

Dealer and other papers have permitted themselves to be dufied by the desperate gang which is sending out circulars and appeals to defeat a bill which closes the avenues to official jobbery and peculation. How fatal the bill will be to those whose vocation is taxeating their desperate lying is evidence. Ul RULES IN THE AIK. Rarely Escaped. “Oh. yes!” said Eve, in recounting to the neighbor the Garden of Eden fire. “We only escaped with the clothes we had on.” Historical Item. Tommy—Paw, who was it said the voice of the people is the voice of God? Mr. Figg—l’ve forgotten now. but I’ll bet he didn't say it just after getting defeated at the polls. An Instance. “Isn't it peculiar howr some men can feel proud of their misfortunes?” “Yes. I know one man who went around bragging until he became a positive nuisance just because his wife had presented him with twins.” Doubtful Scheme. “Yes, I had a box of poisoned candy sent to myself, and tried it on my wife's pug.” “And” “And now she is divided between joy at my escape and suspicion that it was a job put up on the dog.” EDITORIAL OPINION. The Indiana Senate should sit down hard on that provision of the pharmacy bill which excludes proprietary medicines from the shelves of country merchants, it is unreasonable, unjust alike to the merchant and his patrons. Unless the bill can be amended it should be defeated.—Terre Haute Express.

Is Superintendent Goss paid a salary to look after the interests of the Indianapolis schools or to ply his trade as a politicoeducator lobbyist? His pernicious activity in the interest of the State Board of Education and his close relation to the School Book Trust should open the eyes of the school patrons of Indianapolis.—Noblesville Ledger. The people want to know more about what their money is spent for and if more economical administration can be had. A law was passed a few years ago requiring trustees to publish itemized statements of receipts and expenditures that taxpayers might know for what township money was expended. As this special says: “Fully half of the trustees of the State have failed to comply with this law.” The Herald regrets to say that several of the Republican trustees of this county are in this number. All of the Democratic trustees of Madison county published their reports and there is no good legal ground why all trustees of the State should not have complied with this law'.—Anderson Herald. The people of Tipton county are taxed to the amount of more than $16,000 a year for the repair of gravel roads. The gravel roads have been used as a political corncrib for years, and the commissioners have used it to good effect at the very heavy expense to the taxpayers. The sum of $16,000 w'ould build more than ten miles of new road every year and it does seem to us that the expense is simply enormous and the people pay dearly for their roads. It is our opinion that a good deal less than $16,000 worth of gravel and honest labor is put upon our roads. There is a rathole some place and it should be ferreted out and stopped up. We believe that if our gravel roads were repaired by contract, subject to inspection, that a great saving could be made. At least, no plan or policy could be more expensive and as little effective, as the present system.—Tipton Advocate. The county officers’ association, backed by the “gang politicians” over the State are marshaling their forces to defeat the township and county reform bills. Every imaginable pressure is being brought to bear on representatives to induce them to assist in killing the bills which will take the spoils from dishonest county officials and the contractors who assist them in robbing the taxpayer:*. The reform measures now before the legislature will save hundreds of thousands of dollars to the taxpayers of the State. Representatives should understand right now' that they were elected to represent the best interests of the people and not the interests of the dishonest office holders and the seekers after spoils. The representative who does not understand this now' and act accordingly will hear something drop for he w'ill get from the people the rebuke and the condemnation w'hich his unfaithful conduct so fully deserves. —Greenfield Republican. | The opposition to the passage of the proposed county administration reform measure by the legislature is largely due to a fear that the township trustee will be shorn of his official prerogatives and power, and that the uniformity of keeping accounts will result in too much outside interference with local affairs. Both of these objections are puerile, and the latter is particularly weak. If the trustee system is defective and so full of that the counties of the State are burdeiwd with unnecessary financial expenditures, and a new' and better system has been devised, the possession of office by a class of public servants should be no reason why the reform should not be adopted. The other reason is still less tenable. The facts are that the hit and miss method of doing business in a large per cent, of the counties of the State has been an enormous bill of expense to the taxpayer, and no man who has any occasion to examine the records of the public officials of all classes can fail to appreciate the necessity of a more uniform and plain way of keeping public accounts, and if it can ire brought about by some wise measure of the Legislature the public will give hearty indorsement. Even if the advice of outside* elements be taken what matters it if a good system is secured? It cost this county nearly $30,000 in defalcation, and many thousands more in expert bookkeepers, to learn that the records of Elkhart county’s treasury were so kept that an official could pocket a large amount of money and the county commissioners be in entire ignorance of it. But. they have also learned that it costs no more to have those records properly and simply kept, and it is a mighty sight more satisfactory. The main feature or the reform proposed is a division between the tax-levying and the tax-expending power, and for the more economical administration of township and county affairs. and the taxpayers are in favor of the main intent of the bills proposed. The legislative committee which prepared the proposed legislation has taken the experience of other States, and the results of its work are measures that, while they may hit hard some special interest, are in the main for the best interests of the people. And if we mistake not the temper of the people they are disposed to insist on their adoption, even against the protest of a lot of office holders who might lose their jobs.—Elkhart Review. KILLED HIS WIFE. Amo* Palmer, a Wealthy Young Man, In Prison for Murder. PROVIDENCE, R. 1.. Feb. 33.—Amos Palmer, a wealthy young man, shot and killed his wife at their home, in Edgewood, near this city, late last night and is now in prison. Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Palmer entertained a few friends to celebrate the eighth anniversary of their w*edd’rig The guests departed about 11 o’clock in the evening. Half an hour later thp servants heard sounds in Mr. Palmer's room and soon aftoiv/ard Mr. Palmer called a rr-a’d, sa\ing “Come down. 1 guess I have killed her.” The girl went downstairs and, saw her mistress lying on the floor. The maid called the coachman and when he arrived Mr. Palmer still had the revolver and was apparently about to commit suicide. The coachman seized his master and disarmed him. After the struggle Palmer seemed calmer and said he must call a doctor. He did so by ’phone. The doctor notified the medical examiner, who reached the house soon afterwards. He found five bullet wounds, four of which were in the left breast. Palmer was arrested. He explained to the officers that he had been suffering front grip. Palmer was arraigned in the Knlghtsville Court this morning charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and was hold without bail for the March grand jury. It is said that Palmer was confined at one time In the Butler Hospital for the Insane. Mrs. Palmer formerly was a resident of Stoughton. Mass. Muncy to Burn. Boston Transcript* Dan I .am on t has ordered a SIO,OOO picture of Grover Cleveland. That is more than most men are w'orth In the original.

MEMBERS AGAIN’ BUSY ♦ THE LEGISLATURE RESUMES THE GRIND AFTER SATURDAY’S RECESS. Measure Relating to TnvrnMliip Affair* ( ailed I p and Passed ly ffie Senate. * r SENATOR GILL’S MEASURE PROVOKED A DEBATE WHICH NWS SHUT OFF BY' THE CHAIR. * Mr. Eichliorn’s Election Rill Killed lu the House—Rills Up on Second Reading. The Senate s £ 't to work after its long recess and transacted a large amount of business yesterday. Most of it was in hearing routine reports read and straightening out knotty bills so as to either kill them or put them in shape for passage, in order that they could be handled with little trouble at the end of the session. Many of the measures provoked considerabl discussion, notably Senator Gill’s bill to require the registration of all notes, mortgages or other evidence of indebtedness. Senator New’s township bill passed the Senate without a murmur being raised against it. Not a word of discussion nor a sign of an amendment was offered. Senator Ball moved that all the absentees be brought in by the doorkeepers and compelled to vote either for or against the bill. The vote in detail was:

Yeas—Agnew, Ball, Binkley. Brooks, Charles. Campbell, Coir, Cregor, Drummond, Early, Gilbert, Gochenour, Goodwine, Guthrie. Gill, Hawkins, Hogate, Hubbell, Hugg, Johnson of Madison, Joss, Keyes, Kell, Lambert, Leich, Miller, New, Newby, Nusbaum, Osborn, Shea. Stroup, Wood. Nays—Culhert, Gwin, Heller. Horner. Keeney, Legeman, Minor, O'Connor, Patten, Purcell, Ryan, Stilwell. Winfield. Senators Goar, Burns, Inman and Johnson of Jay were absent. At the opening of the session. Senator Haw’kirts introduced his new street-car bill which w'as printed in full in Sunday’s Journal. and it was referred to the committee on the city of Indianapolis. SENATOR GILL RESUMES. Senator Gill then resumed his harangue he started on last Friday morning on the merits of his bill, which makes impossible the collection of notes, mortgages or other evidences of indebtedness which do not bear the attestation of the county auditor that they have ben listed for taxation. After apologizing for being unable to talk to advantage by reason of having a severe cold, he spoke for half an tiour, advancing reasons why the bill should pass. Senator Newby said, in his opinion, the bill should recommend itself to every dead-beat in the State, who wished to offset his debts against his tax assessments. The senator thought it should be defeated. Senator Gilbert, after referring to Senator Newby as “the banker from Knightstown.” said that the fact that obligations, as good as gold, were held by bankers, and w’ere never taxed as they should be as representing property and that the bill tended to place on the tax duplicates all such obligations in order that owners might be. compelled to pay taxes on them, recommended it to the Senate as a just measure. The debate promised to be long-drawn out until, at this point. Lieutenant Governor Haggard shut it off by putting the question in the face of half a dozen senators who ware clamoring for recognition. The result was that the hill was killed. Other bills passed on third reading were: No. 227. By Senator Hugg: To compel all trustees to name the beneficiaries where trust mortgages are filed for record, and prohibiting the recorders from accepting papers from trustees who do not comply with the ’aw. No. 268. By Senator Wood: To increase the salaries of prosecuting attorneys from $.500 a year, with fees, to SI,OOO with fees. Senator Hogate offered an amendment making the bill go into effect Nov. 1. IXO9. in order that there might not be a deficiency created by reason of no appropriation having bopn made. In supporting the bill. Senators Ryan, Drummond and Wood stated that the present salary paid to prosecuting attorneys was a niggardly one and only did not tempt good attorneys to accept the place, but tended to increase the number of prosecutions in order that the prosecutor might eke out a. decent living. No. 281. By Senator Horner: Providing for the burial by the State of all ex-Union soldiers who may die in poor circumstances LABOR COMMISSIONERS' SALARIES. No. 228. By Senator Johnson, of Madison: For the reorganization of the State Board of Labor Commissioners, placing the members on a salary of SI,BOO a year and enlarging the jurisdiction in cases where a strike may be avoided by prompt intervention. Senator Agnew moved to reconsider the vote by which Senator Gill’s bill, rendering void all notes, mortgages or other evidences of indebtedness, which have not been submitted to the tax assessor was defeated, and quite a wrangle ensued. during which a vote to concur in the report of the committee was taken. Senators Binkley. Charles and Culbert changed their votes from “yea” to “nay,” defeating the adoption of the report recommending the passage of the hill, 23 to 21. Senator Brooks then demanded the call of the roll, which brought on another chaotic wrangle, during which Senator Newby moved to lay the report of the committee on the table. Before the point was decided, however. Senator Drummond; moved to adjourn with the remark that it would afford the senators an opportunity to study parliamentary law over night and it carried by unanimous consent, leaving Senator Newby’s motion still pending. AGxYINST WINFIELD’S BILL.

During the morning session the committee on corporations reported unfavorably on Senator Winfield’s bill prohibiting all corporations, firms or individual employers from contracting with employes to release the employe from liability for injuries received by the employe through the negligence of the employer. The bill was framed as a blow at the express and railroad companies, which, before they give employment to express messengers or railway mail clerks, compel them to sign an agreement releasing the railroad company from all liability from damages. Senator Winfield protested against the report of the committee being adopted and after Senator Nusbaum announced that he had neglected to sign a minority report, it was agreed to allow the bill to be printed. Quite a discussion arose over the submission of the dividend report of the insurance committee on Senator Hugg's bill prohibiting the officers of fire insurance companies from borrowing the funds of the companies in which they are interested, or loaning the funds to corporations outside the State. Senator Hugg. in urging the adoption of the favorable report, said the bill was drawn to uphold a law' as old as equity itself. Senator Early said he was against the till because, as lie understood the matter, it was framed at the request of some of the small stockholders of the German Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Indianapolis, who were disgruntled because the controlling stockohlders of the company borrowed the money of the company to the exclusion of the small holders. Senator Newby said he thought tiie general principles of the bill were good, and that he intended to offer an amendment to it making the provisions apply to life insurance companies as well as fire insurance companies. Senator Brooks announced that, besides favoring the lull under discussion, lie would offer an amendment to make it apply also to trust companies and banks. Senator Winfield said he considered the bill a good one, and that he would support a good bill no matter who drafted it or what caused its introduction. The favorable report was finally adopted. Senator Agnew's two bills, to rectify abuses practiced by insurance companies, also brought on a discussion. The first one was to prohibit the issuing of special contracts to anyone, either in the way of rebates, reduced premiums or extended privileg. s. Senator Agnew briefly explained the needs of such a bill and the Justice it was calculated to give uniformly to all policy

holders, with the result that the favorable report was adopted. The other bill provided that the amount due on a life insurance policy should be collectable in event that the insured committed suicide at any time after the issuance of the policy or died by an involuntary act of his own hand, and that prohibitive clauses In life insurance policies, specifying that in event of suicide the policy shall not be collectable, be declared void. NEWBY AGAINST IT. Senator Newby, as chairman of the insurance committee, spoke against the bill, alleging that it would give a man the legal right to buy a policy in one hour and deliberately commit suicide during the next hour and enable his heirs to collect the money. The sentiment of most of the senators was favorable to the bill, however, and the report of the committee favoring its passage was adopted. Senator Winfield's bill to compel railroad companies to employ at least one brakeman on all passenger trains and two on freight trains came up on report from the railroad committee, with a majority against its passage. Senator Winfield, in asking that the minority report be adopted, said the present tendency among railroad managers was to take advantage of the safety appliances with which modern trains are equipped, and wherever it was found to be at all possible, to cut down the number of brakemen employed on each train. He said such a course would be unsafe, not only for the railway employes, but for the traveling public as well. Senator Hawkins opposed the bill, saying that the railroads knew better what number of brakemen were necessary to properly handle a train than the senators possibly could, and that, in his opinion, no serious accidents hau resulted from the employment of an insufficient number of employes. The vote of 22 to 15 in favor of the bill, showed, however, that most of the senators present did not agree with the Marion county senator, and the minority report, recommending the passage of the bill was adopted. Senator Campbell’s bill to prohibit county commissioners from granting electric railroads the right of way over public highways, was reported unfavorably by the committee on railroads, but Senator Ryan asked and was given permission to send in a belated minority report recommending the passage of the bill for the purpose of bringing it before the Senate for discussion. Senators Ryan, Gill and Drummond favored the passage of the bill on the ground that it would be unjust to allow electric railways to use the public highways while compelling steam roads to buy rights of way. They held that the laying of electric tracks would ruin the roads for driving purposes, and, by frightening horses, would render it practically impossible for women to drive over them in safety. Senator Agnew held a contrary view, and, with Senator Gilbert, said that concessions given to electric railways always worked good to the public by competing with the steam roads, with the result that in most cases fares between towns were cut in two. Senator Gilbert asserted that if the county commissioners were to be prohibited from granting rights of way to electric companies and these companies would be compelled to purchase rights of way. it would mean the abandonment of the plans for building many roads now contemplated and in process of construction, it was finally decided to adopt the minority rtport. which recommended the passage of the bill. 1\ THE HOI SE. Tlie Members Put in u Busy Huy anil Dispose of Considerable Routine. The session of the House yesterday was devoted strictly to business and there were but few breaks in the monotony of the proceedings. Mr. Stevens’s bill to prohibit hunting and shooting on inclosed grounds without written permission from the owner and conferring constabulary powers on owners of such land caused a slight breeze at the close of the afternoon session. On motion by Mr. Eichhorn, that portion conferring constabulary powers was stricken out anti then Mr. Roberts moved to strike out the enacting clause. Mr. Stevens made a strong plea for his bill and said that the farmers are much annoyed by hunters who injure their stock and pay no attention to the rights of the owner of the farm. Mr. Roots said he knew some things and some things he did not know. He stated that lie did not know any more about farming than some whom he knew knew about statesmanship. He favored the bill because Mr. Stevens did and he would rely on his judgment. The motion of Mr. Roberts was tabled and he was the only member of the House to vote for it. Mr. Hays then moved that the vote by which Mr. Eiehhorn's amendment had been adopted be reconsidered and this was done. The amendment was then tabled on motion of Mr. Roots and after a strong speech in favor of the bill by Mr. Somers, it was ordered to engrossment in its original form. Mr. Eiehhorn’s election bill was disposed of after some discussion. The hill provided that election commissioners shall have printed on the ballots the names of all candidates properly certified to them, that all ballots shall be preserved until after all danger of a contest Is over, and that inspectors of the count shall be. present. Mr. Whitcomb, of Marion, moved to strike out the enacting clause. Mr. Eichhorn explained his bill in detail and Mr. Roose replied. He said that the first change proposed is now covered by a decision of the Supreme Court and that to save the ballots will cause more contests. He thought it would encumber the board to add two watchers and was satisfied that seven men could count the ballots as honestly as nine. He was opposed to any change in the election laws unless there was a strong public demand for such a change. Mr. Whitcomb argued in the same lines and Mr. Eichhorn defended his biil. Mr. Noel opposed it and Mr. Scott, of Montgomery, prevented further debate by moving the previous question. The bill was killed by 4S ayes to .16 noes. Messrs. Willougnby, blttieton and Kirkpatrick, of the Republicans, voted against killing it.

An attempt was also made to kill the bill by Mr. Aikin amending thp act on building and loan associations. This motion was made by Mr. Murphy, of White, w'ho explained that lie did so by request of the building and loan associations. His motion was promptly tabled and the bill was advanced to engrossment. A large number of bills which have been favorably reported by the committee on claims came up on second reading. They were all referred to the ways and means committee to be. incorporated in the general appropriation bill and Chairman Shideler, of that committee, stated that the claims w'hich have been passed on by the claims committee would be embodied in the appropriation bill without question. A HARBOR FOR HAMMOND. Mr. Knotts s biil to authorize Hammond to construct a harbor by connecting Wolf lake with bake Michigan was brought up on the second reading and amended slightly. On the request of Mr. Knotts the rules were suspended and the bill was passed by 63 ayes to 7 noes. Mr. Whitcomb moved to strike out the enacting clause of Mr. Glossbrenner’s bill, which was supposed to prevent a money lender from dictating as to what company property on which he had loaned money should he insured in. The bill was very indefinite as it was drawn, and Mr. Whitcomb said he could not see any reason in it Mr Eichhorn said that the only thing he coul.i see in the bill was that it was in a measure an anti-trust bill. He urged that it be permitted to go to third reading in order that the members might have some time to see what it means. This was done and Mr. \V hitcomb s motion was defeated by 16 ayes to 52 noes and the bill was advanced to engrossment. The vote by which Mr. Caraway’s bill regarding the printing of public documents was amended on Friday was reconsidered on motion of Mr. Owen. The bill was so amended as to forbid tho publication of the documentary journal. The state librarian had stated that the documentary journal was more in demand than any other state document, and the hill was finally passed under a suspension of the rules so that it provides for the publication of 600 copies of the documentary journal. Mr. Somers s bill to require an. itemized statement from every state institution was so amended as to require statements for all expenditures from 1 cent up. and in this form was passed to third reading. Mr. Caraway’s bill to prohibit stock yard combinations was amended so as to require prosecuting attorneys to bring suit against those who violate the provisions of the act. Mr. Stevens’s bill to prohibit trustees from abandoning any sehoolhouse without the written consent of the majority of voters of ♦he township was passed to third reading. Mr. Glossbrenner’s primary elections bill was set for this morning as a special order. It will come up at 10 o’clock. Mr. Stevens’s resolution to return the flag of the Texas Rangers which was captured in Alabama by Indiana troops was referred to the committee on military affairs w ithout discussion. A number of new bills were introduced. Mr. Barlow presented the bill, which is understood to have the indorsement of Inspector Hall, on the subject of oil inspection. It provides that the Governor shall appoint tut inspector, who shall receive $2,5<8 salary. The inspector shall aptKiint a deputy for every tank station, and the charge for Inspection shall lie 10 cents for every barrel of fifty gallons. The deputy making

the inspection shall be required to turn in one-half of the fees collected to the Stale and he shall retain one-half for his own remuneration. STREET RAILWAY BIEL. The new street railway bill, which was published yesterday, was presented by Mr. Nbel. The hill will he so amended that in case the contract of the new company is not fully entered into within six months the New law will again go into force and effect. Mr. Beardsley introduced a bill to repeal the road poll tax law in cities. The tax is now two days’ labor or $1 in cash. He claims that this tax is a great burden on young men and says that many cities collected last year from $4 to $6 poll tax, including State, county, city and road. His bill increases the city poll tax for general purposes from 50 cents to sl. Mr. Titus sent in a bill providing that when a congregation shall abandon church property without disposing of it, the title shall be vested in the conference to which the church belonged. Mr. Roots’s county purchasing bill, which he thinks is the proper solution of the difficulty on county and township reform, was introduced. The committee on rights and privileges had its last struggle with Mr. Kirkpatrick's bill to prevent judges and members of the General Assembly from accepting passes. The bill was reported without recommendation and Mr. Kirkpatrick’s motion to receive the report was lost. Mr. Eichhorn moved to print the bill and Mr. Whitcomb moved to table the motion. This was lost by 27 ayes to 16 noes. and the motion to print carried. The morning session was opened by grayer by Rev. Devi White, of Trinity Congregational Church, of this city. Mr. Manifold’s bill to provide a United States flag for every sehoolhouse in the Slate caused some discussion. The majority report to indefinitely postpone the bill was favored by Mr. Roberts. Mr. Compton, Mr. Herrold ami Mr. Blankenship. The last-named gentleman figured out that it would cost the State $120,000 to supply flags, and Mr. Compton favored having the flags inside the school houses. Mr. Canada was also against the bill. Mr. Rifenburg thought flags should be provided, no matter what the cost might be. anti Mr. Manifold defended his bill but the majority report to indefinitely postpone it was accepted. Mr. Kirkpatrick’s bill, which prohibited the marriage of persons for two years after they were divorced, caused a lengthy discussion. Mr. James pronounced the bill a curiosity and moved to kill it. Mr. Bonham argued that it was an attack on the wife ar.d would be a wrong to her who had stood the abuse and maltreatment of a husband a’nd who would be compelled to labor for two years to support the children. Mr. Canada favored the bill as tending to decrease divoroes and said that to bring out all the evidence as this bill provided, would more frequently result in the right party receiving the decree. Mr. Huff thought it would increase perjury and would accomplish nothing else. Mr. Kirkpatrick said the bill would prevent collusion and the motion to kill was lost by 14 ayes to 36 noes. Mr. Willoughby tried to have the bill so amended as to prohibit the remarriage of divorced persons, but this was tabled and the bill was ordered engrossed. The Senate resolution to secure a revision of the internal revenue laws -o that the express and other companies will be forced to pay the war tax. was adopted and it will be sent to the Indiana delegation in Congress. Among the now bills introduced in the morning was Mr. Eiehhorn’s. to define the Fifteenth circuit as Owen, Hendricks and Morgan counties. This would abolish the. Fifty-fifth circuit, and the bill grows out of the recent attempt to unite Boone and Hendricks counties. Mr. Blankenship, of Morgan, favored that bill and this is the result of the combination.

Mr. Barlow's bill provides that $4,000 shall be appropriated for the adjutant general to compile the record of every soldier from Indiana who participated in the war with Spain. The bill further provides that 10.000 copies shall be printed and every soldier who served shall he given one. Mr. Bonham’s bill provides that after any prisoner has served in the Reformatory for two years, he shall have the right to appear before the hoard and present any reason why his sentence shall lie ended uhder the indeterminate sentence law. Mr. Glossbrenner introduced a bill oh county reform which will be found elsewhere. His other hill, introduced yesterday, provides that whoever uses the United States flag for advertising purposes, prints thereon an advertisement, mutilates it in any way or defaces it, shall be fined from $25 to SIOO. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

The following committee reports were received in the House: —Judiciary.— No. 530. By Mr. Hedgecock: Prescribing the manner of accounting for specific appropriations; passage recommended. —Education.— No. 182. By Mr. Manifold: Providing a United States flag for each public school building; majority report to indefinitely postpone concurred in. No. 481. By Mr. Kirkpatrick: To authorize school trustees to levy a tax for maintaining free lecture courses; passage recommended. „ No. 503. By Mr. Willoughby: To establish and maintain day schools for the. deaf; passage recommended. No. 393. By Mr. O'Bannon: To make teachers licenses good in all parts of the State; indefinitely postponed. —Agriculture.— No. 266. By Mr. May: Fixing the time when fish may be caught; passage recommended. No. 426. By Mr. Marshall: Concerning partition fences.; passage recommended. No. 141. By Mr. bout tit: Regulating the practice of veterinary medicine and providing for the. issuing of licenses to practice; passage recommended. —Rights and Privileges.— No. 135. By Mr. Kirkpatrick: To make it unlawful for any judg or member of toe General Assembly to accept a pass; motion to print carried. —Bills Re. r.’eJ.— No. 54f. By Mr. Eichhorn: To define the Fifteenth and abolish the. Fifty-fifth judicial circuits; organization of courts. No. 550. By Mr. Barlow: To provide for printing and binding the records of Indiana soldiers who participated m the war with Spain; military affairs. No. 551. By Mr. Hedgecock: To amend the act on laxation; ways and means No. 552. By Mr. Bonham: To an end the act on procedure in felonies; judiciary. No. 553. By Mr. Glossbrenner: To enable the State to exercise better supervision in the care and collection county funds; county and township business. No. 554. By .Mr. Glossbrer To protect the United States Jag; rights :d privileges. No. 555. By Mr. Artman: Concerning drains; drains and dikes. S. B. No. 233. By Mr. New: T eiating to the purchase of goods, ete.‘; rights and privileges S. B. No. 205. By Mr. Gilbert: To amend the act concerning public officers; judiciary. S. B. No. 382. By Mr. Hugg: Concerning the incorporation and government of certain cities; aft airs of the city of Indianapofir. S. B. No. 381. By Mr. Hugg: To amend Section 9 of the Indianapolis charter; affairs of the city of Indianapolis. S. B. No. 383. By Mr. Hugg: To amend the act incorporating certain cities; affairs of the city of Indianapolis. S. B. No. 196. By Mr. Corr: Relating to husband anti wife in certain cases, *lc.; judiciary. S. B. No 112. Bv Mr. Hugg: To amend the Indianapolis charter; affairs of the city of Indianapolis. S. B. No. 10. By Mr. Lambert: To provide for the erection of a hospital for incurable insane; benevolent and scientitic institutions. S. B. No. 161. By Mr. Ryan: Concerning pensions for disabled and retired policemen; cities and towns. S. B. No. 54. By Mr. Guthrie: Forbidding the sale of adulterated food or drugs; inedicine. health and vital statistics. S. B. No. 107. By Mr. Goodwine: To amend the act to provide for a general system of common schools; education. No. 556. By Mr. Caraway: Concerning the construction of gravel roads: roads. No. 557. By Mr. Roots: To provide for county purchasing boards; county and township business. No. 558. By Mr. Titus: Concerning the title to church property; rights and privileges. No. 559. By Mr. Artman: To provide for the indexing of state documents; judiciary. No. 56". By Mr. Barlow: To create the office of state oil inspector, etc.; rights and privileges. No. 561. By Mr. Noel: Concerning security in suits against foreign insurance companies; judiciary. No. 562. By Mr. Noel: The Indianapolis street-railway hill; affairs of the city of India napolis. No. 564. By Mr. Beardsley; To amend the act on the incorporation of cities; cities ami towns. No. 505. By Mr. Mvler: To amend the act on proceedings in civil cases; judiciary. No. 566. By Mr. Whitcomb, of Marlon: To amend the act regulating foreign insurance companies: insurance. No. 567. By Mr. Whitcomb, of Marion: To amend the act regarding the incorporation of insurance companies; insurance. —Second Reading. No. 317. By Mr. Kirkpatrick: Regulating the marriage of persons after they have been divorced: engrossment ordered. No. 22. By Mr. Brown: Concerning drains and their construction; engrossment ordered. No. 282. By Mr. Burrler: Prohibiting the obstruction of drains and ditches; r.grossment ordered. No. 394, By Mr. Neal: Concerning drains and ditches; engrossment ordered. No. 309. By Mr. Bonham: Providing that the use of right of way by the public of the

depot or any grounds of a railroad does not ripen into the right to use it. etc.: engrossment ordered. No. 406. By Mr. Glossbrenner: AfTecting the rights and privileges of those negotiating loans; engrossment ordered. No. 396. By Mr. Somers: Concerning appropriations to certain institutions; engrossment ordered. No. 173. By Mr. Caraway: Prohibiting combinations among those buying and selling live stock; engrossment ordered. No. 210. By Mr. Marsh: Providing for th purchase, condemnation, etc., of road-mak-ing materials; engrossment ordered. No. 259. By Mr. Fuller: To amend tne act concerning mechanics’ liens; engrossment ordered. No. 361. By Mr. Strong: To pay the claim of Henry T. Nolting; referred to ways and means committee. No. 342. By Mr. Noel. To pay the claim of Rogers and Dunlap; referred to ways and means committee. No. 359. By Mr. Strong: To pay the claim of Henry T. Nolting; referred to ways and means committee. No. 264. By Mr. Mull: To make an appropriation to aid in the purchase of th Carthage turnpike: engrossment ordered. No. 47". By Mr. Glossbrenner: To provide for the purity of primary elections; set for to-day at 10 a. rn. as special order. No. 466. By Mr. Stevens: To provide for a general system of common schools; engrossment ordered. No. 246. By Mr. Aikin: To amend the act concerning building and! loan associations; engrossment ordered. No. IS6. By Mr. Whitcomb, of Marion: To pay the claim of the Western Paving and Supply Company; referred to ways and means committee. No. 149. By Mr. Noel: To pay the claim of M. M. Defrees; referred to the ways and means committee. No. 417. By Mr. Reece: To provide for the bringing of suits by persons interested in estates: engrossment ordered. No. 402. By Mr. Noel: To amend the act for the incorporation of insurance companies; engrossment ordered. No. 372. By Mr. Stevens: To regulate hunting and shooting on enclosed lands; engrossment ordered. —Bills Passed.— No. 474. By Mr. Knotts: To authorize Hammond to construct a'harbor; 63 ayes, 7 noe?. No. 563. To legalize Wakaiusa, Elkhart county; 75 ayes under a suspension of tlie rules. No. 315. By Mr. Caraway: Concerning the binding and labeling of State official documents ataj journals; reconsidered and passed in the original form by 69 ayes. —Defeated.— No. 305. By Mr. Eichhorn: To amend certain sections of the election law; enacting clause stricken out. —Resolutions Adopted.— C. S. R. No. 3. By Mr. Nusbaum: Praying for a change in the revenue laws; adopted. HOUSE COMMITTEES. How They Will Report on Some of tho Hills In Tlielr tin ml*. The committee on rights and privileges last evening decided to report Mr. Owens's bill giving a lien oil grain for the benefit of owners of threshing machines, with tho recommendation that it he indefinitely postponed. Mr. Titus's bill to vest the title to abandoned church property was also indefinitely postponed. Mr. Glossbrenner’" bill to provide that a certain portion of wages or salary shall be subject to execution for the payment of food and raiment, met with like fate. Dr. Spurgeon, of Muncie, appeared before the committee to advocate the passage of Mr. Kerwood’a bill to prohibit county commissioners from issuing licenses to any one to carry on a retail liquor hibit county commissioners front issuing licenses to any one to carry on a retail liquor business unless the applicant shall have been engaged in the business for a year previous to the time the application was made. The bill will be recommitted to the judiciary committee. Mr. Glossbrenner’" Dill to prevent the defacement of the United States flag will he. reported for passage with the minimum fine reduced to $lO and the word ’’degrades” stricken out. The ways and means committee last evening heard Superintendent Hert and the architect who drew the plans for the new cellhouse at the Reformatory explain the plans in detail. Tho committee on organization of courts heard H. Montgomery, of Seymour: Judge Alspaugh, of Salem; William Throop. of Paola: S. A. Barnes, of Seymour, and Representative Marsh, who advocated the bill by Mr. Baker, of Martin, to reorganize tho judicial circuits in the southern part of the State. No action was taken and the committee will have a further hearing on Wednesday night. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Clements, who were named by the committee on education to draw up anew bill on the truancy officer question, have completed their work and the bill is ready to be submitted to the full committee. It provides that there shall he one truant officer for each county and if there be a town of ten thousand population within the county the tow T n shall be entitled to one in addition to the county officer. A oitv of twenty thousand shall he entitled to two truant officers, or thirty thousand to three and of forty thousand or more to four. The compulsory school age is fixed at from six to fourteen years. C’OCNTY AM) TOWNSHIP REFORM. Friends* of the Movement iu the Houw Hhvo Not Given i|. The friends of county and township reform in the House have not given up hope and they feel more confident now that the bills will be passed than they have for several days. Mr. Glossbrenner yesterday introduced a hill which is, in many respects, similar to the Senate bill, providing for a. uniform system of bookkeeping, which was defeated in tho House last week. 'I lie bill authorizes the auditor of state to prescribe the form of blanks and method to be used, but ho shall not be authorized to furnish any blanks to any county or township officers. lie shall compel reports at least once each year of the accounts of these officers and he is authorized, in his discretion, to make examinations of any county officer’s books when reports shall be made to him that such action is necessary, or when he believes that this action is necessary. The bill does not authorize another deputy for this work, ap did the other bill, nor does it require annual inspections as did the other bill. If necessary, a special deputy may be appointed to make this examination cf the books of any office, but the deputy shall not receive more than three dollars a day for his services. The friends of reform have great hopes that this bill will pass. It is not believed by those who opposed the last bill, that it will pass. Mr. Reser, who is a member of the committee on county and township business, to which committee Mr. Glossbrenner’s bill was referred, and w ho was the lloor leader of the Republicans who voted against ti e last measure, last evening said: ”! shall make a minority report on this bill and i to satisfied the vote will be about as it was on the other bill. The same arguments that I advanced against the other hill an 1 the same speech I made on it will apply to this bill. The objectionable feature of prescribing the blanks and the forms to be followed are still in this bill.” "What will be your attitude on the county bill?” was asked. “I regard the county bill as the least objectionable of all and am not disposed to make a minority report on it if it is not made a caucus measure. If it is made a caucus measure 1 shall make a minority report. I would like to see the bill Amended, but if it comes in the House for general action and not as the measure of a caucus I shall be willing to let it stand or fall on its merits on the question of passage. I am satisfied that if it is not a caucus measure there will be no minority report.” “How about the township hill?” "The same thing applies to it. If it is not a caucus measure I am satisfied there will be no minority report. If it is a caucus measure I am satisfied there will he. That bill will have many amendments offered to it, as will the county bill. lam opposed to the idea of a township council. There is no power now as regards the levying of taxes which a township trustee has that is absolute except as to the social school fund. In all others he is subject to the county commissioners, and 1 believe they should take the place of the councils. That would cut off the creation of all these new offices. Amendments will be offered to both hills. Some sections will be permitted to stand as they are but for many of the others substitutes will be presented. 1 do not beltev* it w'ill be possible for tHe hills to pass as they puss the Senate, f>r there is greater opposition to them than is generally believed to be in the House. All those who opposed these Jails did not vote against the first one the other day. and worn** of those who did vote against that bill womd not vote against the reform bills on a tlose tight. The vote the other day was not exact as to how the members stand.” •‘How do you figure the strength of the Republicans who will vote against .he reform bills?” “That is something that I do not think has been closely calculated by the general public.” “Would sixteen be aboqt your figure?" “If jt '•ame down to a close fight ihat is about the correct number. If it did tot (Voiitluucd ou Still* Bilge.)