Indianapolis Journal, Volume 49, Number 49, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 February 1899 — Page 4

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THE DAILY JOURNAL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1899. Washington Office—lso3 Pennsylvania Avenue Telephone Cull*. Business Office 238 | Editorial Rooms 86 TERMS OF SIBM lili’^OX. DAILY BY MAIL. Daily only, one month $ .70 Daily only, three months 2.00 Dally only, one year 8.00 Dally, Including Sunday, one year 10.00 Bunday only, one year 2.00 WHEN FURNISHED BY AGENTS. Dally, per week, by carrier 15 cts Sunday, single copy 5 cts Dally and Sunday, per week, by carrier 20 cts WEEKLY. Per year SI.OO Reduced Rate* to Club*. Suhfciibe with any of our numerous agents or •end subscriptions to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY, Indlanapolin, Ind. Persons sending the Journal through the malls In the United States should put on an eight-page paper a ONK-UENT postage stamp; on a twelve or sixteen-page paper a TWO-CENT postage ■tamp. Foreign postage Is usually double these rates. All communications Intended for publication In this paper must, in order to receive attention, be accompanied by the name and address of the writer. THE INDIAN A I*o 5.1S .JOURNAL Can be found at the following places: NEW YORK—Astor House. CHICAGO—PaImer House, P. O. News Cos., 217 Dearborn street, Great Northern Hotel and Grand Pacific Hotel. CINCINNATI—J. R. Hawley & Cos., 154 Vine ■treet.. _ LOUISVILLE—C. T. Leering, northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Cos., 2T>6 Fourth avenue. BT. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot. WASHINGTON, D. C—Riggs House, Ebbitt House and Willard’s Hotel. Abraham Lincoln spoke of a government for the people, but he never advocated a government solely for the benefit of taxeaters. / The Nicaragua canal bill ought to pass, but not as a rider or an appropriation bill. That Is a vicious method of securing general legislation, even though it be desirable in itself. Those members of the House who declare that they are In favor of reform in township and county methods but oppose the pending bills have failed to recommend a substitute. It may be remarked that political history affords no instance of a man In a legislative capacity who has been given high position in his party as a reward for joining the opposite party to defeat his own. It seems improbable that any member of the House can be deluded Into voting against the reform bills upon the promise of the tax-eating lobby that he can be nominated in a Republican state convention in 3900 for a state office. The Legislature ought to be able to pass an anti-lynching law that would give either the State or local authorities an effective weapon against that form of crime. Both of the bills that have been defeated were open to objections, but one could be framed on different lines that would pass. As things are now drifting In Congress, a called session seems inevitable. The appropriation bills are not completed, and there will be little time for the bill to reorganize the ,army. In addition, Mr. Morgan will waste several days if his Nicaragua bill is not made a rider to the river and harbor bill. The fact that County Commissioners aspume the authority to grant rights to companies to use the highways for street railway tracks for fifty years without any compensation and without knowing the damage that may be inflicted on those who are taxed to support the roads, affords the best possible evidence that the powers of sucn officers should be restricted. A county council would do it.

A number of persons are suggesting that a veto of the river and harbor appropriation bill, which carries so much money, would be a wise act. General Grant vetoed one and President Arthur another on the ground that many of the specific appropriations were a waste of money. If cities with 300,000 people are to be denied postotflee facilities several million dollars should not be expended to promote private Interests rather than public. In 1896 the fusion platform In Nebraska pledged Its candidates not to use railroad pat-ses. The present House, which is Republican, has investigated the matter and finds that six Popuiist state officers have been riding on passes ever since they came into office. Several of them had passes on thirteen roads. This discovery shows that all the agitation about officials riding on passes is rank demagogy. The loudest antirailroad pass howler will pocket such favors with greedy avidity. The Cockrell bill, which is offered in the Senate as a substitute for the House army organization bill, provides for continuing the regular army at its present war strength of 62,000 men until July 1, 1901, and for the enlistment and maintenance of a force of 5.1,000 from the natives of the several Islands. The bill is offered as a compromise measure, and it is said the Democrats will make a stubborn fight for it. If the Republicans wish to avoid an extra session of Congress they may finally consent to accept ♦he Cockrell bill as the best thing obtain ti ls, session, though that is not probe. >lc. Tie proposition for the enlistment of native troops has something in its favor. President Faure was not a very great nor a very strong man, but he possessed elements of popularity which gave him great Influence, and there is reason to believe that during the hist few’ months of excitement, growing out of the Dreyfus affair and army intrigues, his influence has been exerted conservatively with the army, the people and the Chamber of Deputies. Unless France is ripe for revolution there is no reason why the death of the President should cause any disturbance In affairs. The Constitution adopted In 1575 provides that “The President of the Republic Is chosen by an absolute majority of votes of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies united In National Assembly.” Another section provides, “In case of vacancy by death or for any other reason, the two chambers assembled together proceed at once to the election of anew President. In the meantime the council of ministers Is Invested with the executive power.” It is probable that the suddenness and tragic manner of President Faure’s death will tend to secure a peaceable election of his successor. Any law relating to voting machines should be so general In its provisions that when the State, or any part of It, decides to introduce that excellent device the best can be obtained. Such is the provision of the Senate bill Introduced by Senator Oil-

bert and passed by the Senate on Thursday. The bill which Is assigned for consideration in the House next Tuesday is said to contain a description of one of the competing machines, so that its passage would be equivalent to giving the company owning it a monopoly. To give a monopoly to any machine would be unwise, but to give it to a machine which has never been put to a practical test In elections would be absurd. When the State Is ready to use voting machines it should be in position to get that which has been proved the best. It is said by some that the Constitution makes it impossible to use a voting machine in that it provides that voting by the people shall be by ballot, and that voting by machine is not voting by ballot. On the other hand, other lawyers maintain that all machines have a ballot w’hich is voted by a register opposite the name, and that manipulation of the register complies with the provision as much as the stamping of a ballot under the present system. It would be well to have the opinion of the Supreme Court regarding the matter. THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT BOSTON The President’s speech at Boston was In the best possible spirit. It shows the approval of a clear conscience, the possession of an even, imperturbable temper, and will still further enhance the popular estimate of his qualities as a statesman and leader. No person can read it and doubt thatyevery act of the President in relation to the Philippines has been done from a strict sense of duty and with the sole desire of maintaining the national honor and dignity. Recalling the harsh and censorious things that have been said regarding the President’s supposed Philippine policy on the floor of the Serato and by the anti-expansionists outside, he might have been justified in resenting them with some warmth. Bo far from this his speech show’ed an unruffled temper and a “come let us reason together’’ spirit that should make some of his intemperate critics ashamed of themselves. In this respect, as in some others, especially his reliance on the people, President McKinley is much like Mr. Lincoln, who never lost his temper under criticism or failed to get the best of his critics in argument. Postmaster General Smith, in his speech at Boston, spoke of him as the President “who, of all American leaders, is most like Lincoln in his moral attributes and his popular sympathy is keeping touch with the popular heart as he fulfills his lofty mission of taking the flag of American liberty where Lincoln has left it pure and stainless and carrying it forward to wider sway and influence in the world.” His speech was a temperate and streng appeal to his critics to put themselves In his place and say honestly if they could have done better or differently. “On those who have things to do,” he said, “there rests a responsibility which is not on those who have no obligation as doers.” It is easy to stand off and find fault, but the President had to act. The speech shows that the President has no policy regarding the Philippines except the policy of the American people as it shall be expressed by Congress. So far as he is concerned he will be glad to have Congress relieve him of the responsibility, and he expresses entire confidence in the ability of that body and the people to deal with the situation. “Congress is the voice, the conscience and the judgment of the American people,” he says. “I believe in them, I trust them. I know of no better or safer human tribunal than the people.” He does not undertake to foretell just how the present problem will be solved, or what form of government will eventually be established' In the Philippines, but he has abiding faith that the outcome will inure to the immense benefit of the inhabitants of the islands and the honor ar.d glory of the American Republic. In that spirit and with perfect confidence in their ability to meet the new responsibilities put upon them, the people should go forward, as the President is evidently prepared to do.

A NEEDED ORGANIZATION. The proposition of the State Board of Commerce to devote its energies to bringing about better and more economical city, town, tow’nship and county government is a very wise and a very important one. Local government Is the weak feature of our political system. Vast amounts of money are taken from the people and so expended that little or no advantage is derived therefrom. We hear of the profligacy of large cities, much of the infamy of Tammany and combinations in the largest cities, but how much better off are the people in a considerable portion of the local governments in this State? Several years ago the valuation of the property upon which taxes are levied was increased nearly 50 per cent. In how r many counties have the levies been reduced in the same ratio, or even 25 per cent, on an increased valuation of 50 per cent? Do not many counties keep close to the limit of the law% thus spending much more money than ten years ago and increasing the county debt? Indeed, it is a fact that with this increased taxation the aggregate of county debts has increased nearly as much as the state debt has been reduced during the past few years. Under the present irresponsible system this evil is going jm—more n.oney is being taken from the people, and nothing to their advantage has been obtained Ly rtason of the increased taxation. It may take seme years to break up the system which organized taxeaters ha e fastened upon the people through local governments. It certainly will require organized efforts to bring about reforms, but the organization which the State Board oi Commerce, a nucleus In seventeen counties, can build up will effect it in time. Such an organization upon a nonpartisan business basis will receive effective support because the people are weary of wastefulness and corruption, and the taxpayers are more numerous than the taxeaters. THE INSULT TO SECRETARY ALGER. The yells of derision and the hisses for Secretary of War Alger In the streets of Boston certainly did not represent the better element of that city. Whatever they may think of a public man or his official acts, people of a little politeness and ordinarily good manners do not hiss him when he is a visitor in their houses or in the city where they live. It is quite likely the persons who did the hissing at Boston belong to the class that has revolutionized the political character of the city and changed it from a thorough American city to a sernl-foreign one. Secretary Alger was there not merely as a public man and member of the Cabinet, but as the President’s trusted friend and traveling companion, and an insult to him was, therefore, an insult to the President. But, aside from the proprieties and conventionalities of the case, a large majority of the American people would say that Secretary Alger does not deserve to be hissed. Not that he is a great man or has made a great secretary of war, for that is not the cm But he has done the beet he could

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1899.

under very difficult circumstances, and what more could be demanded? \Mhen Lord Nelson signaled “England expects every man to do his duty” he did not mean that every man was expected to do as much as any other man, but simply to do his best. No doubt there are men In the United States who would have made a better secretary of war during the war with Spain than General Aiger did, but he happened to be there when the war came on and did the best he could. Not every man could have done better—probably not one in ten thousand of his critics. Edwin M. Stanton was a great secretary of war, but he, too, was severely criticised. Besides, w'hen he became secretary of war, in January, 1562, the preliminary work of mobilizing and organizing the volunteer army had already been done. One of his early acts was to recommend for assignment to the'command of the Army of Virginia Maj. Gen. John Pope, who proved to be the weakest commander the army ever had. Seven months after Stanton was made secretary of w’ar occurred the second battle and defeat of Bull Run, when Washington was in such Imminent danger of being captured that Secretary Stanton wired the Governors of Northern States to hurry troops forward for Its defense. At the same time General McClellan, who shortly before had been relieved of his command, was summoned to the defense of the capital and placed in command of its fortifications. Two months before this McClellan had closed a dispatch to Secretary Stanton from the peninsula with these words: “If I save this army now, I tell you plainly that I owe no thanks to you, nor to any other person in Washington. You have done your best to sacrifice this army.” Stanton developed Into a great secretary of war, yet he made serious mistakes and had harsh critics. It has been said that a man who makes no mistakes dots not make anything. No doubt Secretary Alger made some mistakes, but who would not have done so, and who could have done better, all things considered? It was a great and difficult work to mobilize an army of 250,000 men and send an adequate invading force to Cuba, yet all this was done inside of ninety days. It is probably true that Secretary Alger made some bad appointments or assignments, but he also made many good ones. The attacks upon him have not lessened the President’s regard for him a particle, and the war investigating commission reported that he had “extended to all chiefs of bureaus cordial and full support, and promptly responded to every proper demand made upon him by commanding officers.” The plain conclusion is that while Secretary Alger may not be a great man, he is patriotic and well meaning, and did the best he could in very difficult and trying circumstances. A public official of whom this can be said, and who accomplished such really great results In as short a time as Secretary Aiger did, and that without any great or serious mistakes, certainly deserves better treatment at the hands of his countrymen than to be jeered at and hissed in the streets.

DEMOCRATIC RESPONSIBILITY. There would be no question about the passage of the township and county bills in the House if as large a part of the Democratic members would support them as of Republicans. Early In Ihe session Mr. Eichhorn and other Democratic members declared themselves in favor of the reform measures, to which their party is as much pledged a9 are the Republicans. Mr. Eichhorn is the leader of his party, and as such he could, at least, show his good intentions by offering some substitute which will show a disposition on the part of himself and party associates 1o make war upon a system which all except a few taxeaters believe to bo defective. Instead of doing this, it is given out by Democratic members that the great majority of them have agreed to fight the bills as they stand and to offer no adequate substitute. But for the solid opposition of the Democratic side the opponents of the measures would not have the slightest chance of success. Thus the Democrats have practically made the opposition, and the defeat of the measures, if they are defeated, will be the result of a combination of all the Democrats and about one-fifth of the Republicans. Thus they make the defeat a party measure, and the Republicans assisting them are for the time being, and upon the most important measures of the session, Democrats. Such is the case as it now seems to stand. The minority of Republicans, by their leaders, are In close consultation with the Democrats. They predict what the Democrats w’ill do and avow their purpose to act with them against three-fourths or four-fifths of their own party. It is barely possible that the Democratic leaders will see the position in w hich their opposition to the bills drawn by Democrats as well as Republicans puts them. With their Republican allies they become the majority in the House upon all reform legislation, and as such cannot escape responsibility. One of the substitutes for the county bill provides that the advisory board shall be appointed by Circuit Court judges. In many instances the judge is not a resident of the county in which he may be authorized to appoint the board. That would not be local government. Furthermore, are not the people as well qualified to elect county legislative boards as is a judge to appoint them? It might be better, on this theory, for judges to appoint legislators. These devices will deceive nobody because persons of ordinary penetration will see that they are the schemes of men who desire to protect the industry of taxeating. BUBBLES IN THE AIR. finite True. Facetious Gent—Say, mister, what you deliverin’? Patrol Wagon Driver—Packages, mostly/ Told Him He Had To. The Mother—How dared you let him kiss you? The Daughter—l did not. I told him he had to kiss me without my consent. The Front Step. “Her father has quite an elaatlo step for one so old.” “Well, rather. You would have thought It elastic had you Been the way I was bounced from it the other afternoon.” Intcrurban Amenities. “Would I were a bird!” warbled the lady from Chicago. “I can see no reason for her having such a wish,” commented the lady from New York; “she is in the habit of marrying every spring, anyway.” Thawing: Machine* l *ed In Klondike. NANAIMO. B. C., Feb. 17.—Among the passengers on the steamer Amur was M. Masks, an Australian mining expert, who has come from Dawson for the purpose of obtaining thawing machinery. These, he says, are being successfully used in arctic mining. Machines now In operation thaw from ten to tw’elve feet per day, as against three feet by the old process. He estimates this year's output of the Klondike country at $l!*,0ui),000. Good coal is said to have been found a few mile* from Dawson.

PASSED MANY BILLS ■ * HOUSE HOLL CLERK WAS THE BUSY MAN YESTERDAY. Republican Canon* Decide* to Hear Amendment* to the Reform Rill*. * ♦ SENATOR CREGOR TO REMAIN THE COMMITTEE DID NOT WANT TO SEAT HIS OPPONENT. Allen County Courthouse Dinensscd— Another Reduced Fare Rill Introduced. # Yesterday’s session of the House was given up almost entirely to passage of bills and for one day the roll clerk held the center of the stage and called the roll time and again. Just before adjournment was taken last evening Mr. Kirkpatrick moved to take up his bill to prohibit county commissioners from granting licenses for saloons In residence districts. It has been pending on second reading for two w’eeks, but has never been called up. His motion to call it up was promptly voted down and he next moved to make it a special order for this morning at 10 o’clock, but this was also voted down by 25 ayes to 45 noes, and the bill rests where it has for the past two weeks. The Torrens land bill was taken up as a special order in the afternoon. It is a long bill of 118 sections. Mr. Louttit, the author of the bill, made some minor amendments, w’hich w T ere concurred in. A section was added providing that the'act should not apply to any county until the people of the county had accepted it by vote at any general election. In this form the bill was ordered to engrossment. The bill by Mr. Furness to prevent “graveyard” insurance was passed by 70 ayes to 3 noes. Mr. Mays’s bill to establish the office of state veterinarian and to abolish the sanitary commission caused much misunderstanding. Under the impression that the bill created anew office, the members voted against it almost to a man, until Mr. Noel’s name was called. He explained that it vested in one man the powers of the five members of the commission and w’Ould save the State about $5,000 a year. Mr. Baker, of Martin, explained that the friends of the bill were voting against it so as to pass the Senate bill, W’hich Is deemed the better bill. The bill w r as defeated by 31 ayes to 47 noes. Mr. Eichhorn moved to reconsider and to table his own motion, but this w r as lost by a strict party vote of 31 ayes to 44 noes. The Democrats stood by Mr. Eichhorn solidly. The friends of the bill then concluded it would be the better plan to pass it, and Mr. Noel moved to reconsider the vote. An examination of the roll show’ed Mr. Noel had voted on the wrong side, so Mr. Caravay made the motion, but it was found that he, too, had voted on the wrohg side and Mr. Canada made the motion to reconsider. The members turned like a flock of sheep and reconsidered by a vote of 51 ayes to 39 noes. Mr. Noel explained the bill and Mr. Baker, of Martin, urged its passage. The roll was then called and the bill failed for want of a constitutional majority by a party vote of 48 ayes to 33 noes. A PROTEST FROM MR. BAKER.

A strong protest against the passage of the bill by Mr. Baker, of Whitley, which is aimed at money sharks, wras made by Mr. Scott, of Montgomery, w’ho said it would seriously cripple building and loan associations. Mr. Eichhorn was for the bill because the Supreme Court has held that premiums of such associations cannot he regarded as interest. He approved reducing the legal rate of interest from 8 to 6 per cent. Mr. Caraw’ay opposed the bill because he does not think there should he legislation on the question of interest. Mr. Burkhart made a popocratic speech on money, and favored the bill. Mr. Baker spoke against his own bill, and asked its defeat. He said it was originally aimed at money sharks, but has been so amended now as to be inimical to business interests. The bill failed by want of a constitutional majority by 38 ayes to 33 noes. Speaker Littleton ordered the members brought in and scored lobbyists who were annoying members. He threatened to clear the floor, and said he would have any one complained of ejected. Mr. Willoughby’s bill to amend the taxation law so as to permit banks to deduct from their capital stock the amount of deposits w’hen making returns for taxation was defeated by 31 ayes to 48 noes. The “embalmed beof” bill, by Mr. Kirkpatrick, w’lvich provides a fine of from SSO to S2OO, with imprisonment for six months, for feeding unwholesome flesh to any animal to be used for human food, was passed wfith but four votes against it. Senator Hogate’s bill providing that money paid into court in excess of the amount of the judgment afterwards secured shall be returned was passed with but one vote against it. Senator Wood’s bill to authorize the sale of land in Granville, Tippecanoe county, passed by 69 ayes to 2 noes. Senate” Legeman’s bill to permit the street railw’ay company of Evansville to take up a track passing the courthouse and pave the street without forfeiting its charter was introduced and passed under a suspension of the rules by 67 ayes to 5 noes. Mr. Roots’s bill to provide for a fee and salary commission to make a report to the next Legislature came up for passage. Mr. Roots, Mr. Glossbrenner, Mr. Rifenburg, Mr. Hedgecock and Mr. Downey spoke in favor of the bill, which was passed by 60 ayes to 14 noes. Mr. Burrier’s bill to give township aid to railroads was so amended on the second reading as to make the limit of taxation 1 per cent, instead of one-haif of 1 per cent. ANOTHER EILL BY MR. NEAL. In the morning no minister w r as present, so Representative Cutty was called on to lead the House in prayer, and the members at once settled down to work. Mr. Neal was not discouraged by the defeat of his two-cent fare bill, and introduced another which requires railroad companies to sell mileage books good for 500 miles at 2 cents a mile, and the books are to be good for the purchaser or his family. At Mr. Neal’s request the bill was not sent to the committee on railroads, but was referred to the committee on rights and privileges. Mr. Bonham presented a resolution to authorize the House postmaster to employ one assistant. He stated that the House receives four mails each day and the postmaster has to handle it alone. He said the Senate has but two mails each day. but its postmaster is given an assistant and a carrier. The House postmaster, he stated, had employed a young lady whom he paid from his own pocket. The resolution made the pay of this assistant $3 a day from the beginning of the session. Mr. Roose tried to table the resolution, but failed, and then Mr. Artman sent up an amendment to make the pay of the assistant $1 a day, and to pay the stenographer of the minority side 5100 for her work during the session. This amendment Mr. Baker, of Whitlc-y, tried to table, but failed in his attempt, and the amendment was then divided and the pay of the assistant was put back to $3 a day. Mr. Blankenship tried to have the allowance for the minority stenographer placed at S6O, but the House was in no mood to entertain such a proposition, and the resolution w’as adopted with the pay of the postmaster’s assistant at $3 a day from the lieginning of the session and the allowance for the stenographer at 5100. Mr. Canada presented a bill to permit the filing of typewritten briefs and arguments In the Supreme Court. He explained that the present law requires all briefs to be either written or printed. The rules were suspended and the bill was passed. Mr. Caraway called up the motion to reconsider the vote by which his hill to regulate stock yards charges had failed to pass for want of a constitutional majority. The bill was ag-alnst pasturing stock on the public highways unless written consent of the owner of abutting property was obtained. Mr. Mull stated that Mr. Caraway had told him be wanted this bill paased because he

had a neighbor who pastured his stock on the road in front of his farm, and he did not want to make an enemy of him. This statement was denounced by Mr. Caraway as “damnabiy false,” and he denied ever having made such a statement, lie withdrew his motion for a reconsideration and tiie storm was over. Mr. Hall is tired of long speeches, and so are the members, as was evidenced by their adoption of his resolution providing that no speech shall be over rive minutes except by unanimous consent of the House. This abolishes the right of members to yield their time to the member speaking. Mr. Artman called up the motion to reconsider the vote by which Mr. Caraway’s hill to regulate stock yards charges was ordered to engrossment. The committee hnd recommended that the section which permitted a man to feed his own stock be stricken out, but the House refused to concur, and the bill went to engrossment with this section in. Mr. Arunan explained that he found it would be impossible to pass the bill with this section out, and he preferred to see the bill passed without this section than not to be passed at all. The vote was reconsidered, the section stricken out and the bill sent to engrossment i: that l\u m. Mr. Artman secured the passage of a number of bills. His bill to prevent the erection of anew courthouse in Boone county unless petitioned for by at least rive hundred freeholders was put tnrough on account of am urgent condition in Boone county, and Mr. Artmar. at once started to the Senate with it. Mr. Kirkpatrick’s anti-stock yards trust bill, and Mr. Kirkpatrick's bill to prevent the marriage of divorced persons for two years after the decree is granted, were passed. Mr. Strong’s bill to limit sewer assessments In this city to the first sewer constructed, and Mr. Whitcomb’s bill to pay appraisers of Center township $6 a day, were both passed. Mr. Glossbrenner’s bill to authorize the organization of trust companies of $25,000 stock in towns of 25,000 population, Mr. Cutty’s bill to prevent shooting and blasting in mines during w r orking hours and Mr. Boot's hill to extend the provisions of the parole law to the Girls’ Reformatory, were passed. There was a prolonged discussion of Mr. Artman’s bill to prohibit county commissioners from granting to any railroad company a right of way along a public highway, and In the end the hill was defeated by 25 ayes to 61 noes. Mr. Rifenburg’s bill to require every candidate to die Itemized statements of his expenses met the same fate by 22 ayes to 59 nots. Those who voted for it were Artman, Beardslev, Burrier. Burkhart, Cravens of Washington, Cunningham, Eichhorn, Purness, Hayes, Kerwood, Kirkpatrick, Leif, McCarty, Neal, O’Bannon, Patterson, P.ifenburg, Roberts, Sullivan,‘ Vogel, Williams and Littleton. The absentees were Clark. Clements, Cravens of Monroe, Cotppr, Downey. Feist. Glossbrenner, Graham, Hall, Hedgecock, Messick, Miller, Murphy of Marion, Murphy of White, Myler, Roose, Ross, Stevens and Shirley. HOUSE ROUTINE. The following committees reported to the House; —Cities and Towns.— No. 478. By Mr. Bonham: Concerning incorporated towns; passage recommended. —Military Affairs.— No. 394. By Mr. Barlow: To amend the act relating to the burial of the body of an ex-Union soldier; passage recommended. —Rights and Privileges.— No. SSB. By Mr. Strong: To grant free peddling licenses to- bund persons; passage recommended. —Judiciary.— No. 600. By Mr. Schaal: Concerning crosscomplaints m certain cases; passage recommended. Ao. osi. By Mr. McGary: To fix the salaries of circuit judges in certain cases; recommitted to fees and salaries. S. B. No. lbS. By .vtr. Campbell: To amend the act concerning public oneiises; passage recommended. S. B. No. 205. By Mr. Gilbert: To amend the act concerning public orlrcers; passage recommended. —Corporations.— S. B. No. 91. By Mr. Shea: Relating to express companies, etc.; majority report recommending passage accepted. —Bills Referred. —

No. 609. By Mr, Rifenburg: To appropriate $305/.5 to pay the claim ot John b. Reiland for furnishing meals to Indiana troops at East Chicago during the railroad riots; claims. No. 610. By Mr. Neal: To require railroad companies to sell mileage booKs at certain rates; rights and privileges. No. 61i. By Mr. lledgecock: Concerning highways; roads. No. Gi2. By Mr. Cotner: To amend the diain law; drains and dikes. No. 614. By Mr. Mull: To authorize the commissioning of railroad policemen; railroads. S. B. No. 308. By Mr. Johnson, of Madison: To legalize the incorporation of Elwood ; cities and towns. No. 615. By Mr. Willoughby: To make it lawful for railroads to organize relief departments; railroads. S. B. No. 435. By Mr. Stilwell: To amend the act to incorporate the New Harmony Workingmen’s Institute; cities and towns. S. B. No. 187. By Mr. Gilbert: to provide for the greater purity of elections; elections. S. B. No. 248. By Mr. O’Connor: To provide for the publication of the papers and proceedings of the State Teachers’ Association; education. S. B. No. 257. By Mr. Newby: To authorize commissioners to appropriate money for historical societies; rights and privileges. S. B. No. 181. By Mr. Winfield: To appropriate money for the completion of the work at Chlckamuuga Park; claims. S. B. No. 162. By Mr. Newby: To amend the act concerning criminal cases; judiciary. —Second Readings.— No. 386. By Mr. Burrier: To authorize township aid for the construction of railroads; engrossment ordered. No. 351. By Mr. Caraway: Concerning the common schools of the State; engrossment ordered. —Bills Passed.— No. 613. By Mr. Canada: To amend the law relating to briefs; 76 ayes, 1 no, under a suspension of the rules. No. 483. By Mr. Artman: To amend the act defining fraudulent marriages- 6S ayes. No. 90. By Air. Cutty: To provide for better sanitary conditions in mines; 72 ayes, 1 no. No. 282. By Mr. Burrier: To prohibit the obstruction of ditches and drains; 80 ayes, 2 noes. No. 496. By Mr. Artman: Concerning the construction of courthouses in counties having a population of more than 25,000; 77 ayes. No. 495. By Mr. O’Bannon: To amend the act concerning proceedings in criminal cases; 68 ayes, 2 noes. No. 173. By Mr. Caraway: Prohibiting stock yards combinations and trusts; 75 ayes, 1 no. No. 412. By Mr. Owen: To fix the time of holding court in the Forty-seventh district; 71 ayes, 4 noes. No. 317. By Air. Kirkpatrick: To regulate the marriage of persons after they have been divorced; 54 ayes, 23 noes. No. 492. By Air. Vogel: To provide for the reimbursement of school townships where property has been annexed: 77 ayes, 6 noes. No. 4i)6. By Air. Whitcomb, of Alarion: To amend the act concerning taxation; 53 ayes, 17 noes. No. 404. By Air. Glossbrenner: To amend the act relating to trust companies; 60 ayes, 9 noes. No. 4SO. By Air. Roots: Concerning the manner of procedure in the trial of certain felonies; 72 ayes. No. 514. By Air. Baker: To provide for the compilation and imbrication of a state manual: 72 ayes, 5 noes. No. 506. By Air. Strong: To amend the Indianapolis charter; 91 ayes, 2 noes. No. 509. By Air. Roots: To provide for a fee and salary commission; 60 ayes, 14 noes. No. 176. By Mr. Kirkpatrick: To provide against .the contamination of animals used for human food; 64 ayes, 4 noes. No. 433. By Air. Furness: To amend the Insurance act; 70 ayes, 3 noes. Senate bill No. 130. By Mr. Wood: Authorizing the commissioners of Tippecanoe county to sell certain lands; 69 ayes, 2 noes. Senate bill No. 79. My Air. Hogate: Concerning the tender of money; 69 ayes, 1 no. —Defeated.— No. 43. By Mr. Rifenburg: To require candidates to file statements of expenses; 22 ayes, 59 noes. No. 497. By Air. Artman: To prohibit county commissioners from granting right of way to any railroad company on a public highway; 25 ayes, 61 noes. No. 415. By Air. Alay: To establish the office of state veterinarian; 48 ayes, 33 noes, and the bill failed for want of constitutional majority. No. 510. By Mr. Baker, of Whitley: To amend the act concerning Interest and usury; 38 ayes, 33 noes, and the bill failed for want of constitutional majority. No. 473. By Mr. Willoughby: To amend the act concerning taxation; 31 ayes. 48 noes. —Withdrawn.— No. 133. By Mr. Barlows Defining the Twentieth Judicial circuit. No. 343. By Mr. Roose: To amend the act relating to the labor commission. DRY DAY IX SENATE. Much Valuable Time Lost In a Minor W ay. Yesterday was one of the dryest days the Senate has had during the present session, there being neither a large volume of business done, nor ar y discussion of important measures. Tho consensus among the more conservative senators is that too much time is being wasted by extending courtesies to senators who with to have the rules suspended in order to pass some pet measure or one having only a local bearing. In this way much time is consumed, and, some say,

wasted, which could be profitably employed at this late day in the session by attending strictly to the regular order of business. Yesterday morning was a repetition of several other mornings in this respect, and the regular order of business was suspended to hear committee reports and introduce bills which, unless a miracle takes place, will never be passed. The regular order was the advancing of some House bills on second reading, and, while it lasted, quite a number were pushed along. Only two of them occasioned any argument, and none of them was amended materially. In No Z 25, regulating county superintendents, Senator Keeney’s amendment to allow’ women to hold such offices was killed, as was the one to strike out the portion relating to the holding of life licenses as a qualification to obtain a permanent appointment as a countv superintendent, and the one to cut down the term of office to two years. Other bills advanced were: Nos. 487, 119, 397 , 89, 380, 536, 154, 274, 146, 134, 414, 216, 139, 255. 10. 169, 60. Only a few minutes were required to finish up the argument started Thursday afternoon over the House pharmacy bill. Senator Hogate made an unsuccessful attempt to have the provision inserted requiring the pharmacy board to grant licenses without examination on the presentation of a diploma from a reputable college of pharmacy, after which Senator Nusbaum secured the adoption of an amendment to Section 1, providing that not more than three of the five members of the Pharmacy Board shall belong to the same political party. Senator Kell asked to have the rules suspended in order to pass the Senate bill allowing the commissioners of Allen county to issue additional bonds to complete the Allen county courthouse, and after some indecision, during which Senators Brooks and Johnson, of Aladison, made diligent inquiry as to whether or not there was any opposition to the bill which would bring on any debate, it was finally decided to allow the bill to come up for passage. Strong opposition was made to the bill by Senator Gilbert, who said that, riving as he did close to Allen county, he knew that the building of the courthouse covered an enormous job in w-hich some people were filling their pockets at the expense of the whole people. He said the Bedford stone used in its construction was costing the county 34 cents a cubic foot, while the same stone could be bought at the quarry for 14 cents and in Fort Wayne, by any private individual, for not more than 25 cents. Senator Drummond replied with ore of his characteristic speeches, scoring Senator Gilbert for meddling with the affairs of Allfcn county people, who, one and all, according to the Marshall county senator, wanted their courthouse completed. The bill was unanimously passed, even Senator Gilbert voting for it, solely, as he stated It, in order to allow the building to be completed. The following new bills were Introduced and referred to committees: No. 439. By Senator Agnew: Appropriating $429.96 for the benefit of John G. Reiland, of Hammond, for feeding the National Guard during the railroad strike in 1894; claims. No. 440. By Senator Burns: Providing for the payment of not more than $1,500 for “special and unusual services” by the auditor of St. Joseph county; judiciary. No. 441. By Senator Culbert: -Providing that when an appeal is taken from the judgment of a justice of the peace on a promissory note the defendant may file crosscomplaint, as though the case originated in the Circuit Court; judiciary. No. 442. By Senator Campbell: Providing for the election of road supervisors for the road districts of the State; roads. No. 443. By Senator Gilbert: Amending the Fort Wayne charter so as to restrict the mayor’s term of office to two years and to compel the election of the city attorney instead of appointing him; cities and towns. No. 444. By Senator Gilbert: Providing for nonpartisan police and fire department in Fort Wayne; cities and towns. No. 445. By Senator Hogate: Requiring foreign building and loan associations to comply with the law governing Indiana associations and deposit with the state auditor SIOO,OOO, either in cash or State bonds, and file a bond to pay all claims due in this State; building and loan. No. 446. By Senator Gwin: Compelling the placing of advertisements of applications for liquor licenses in newspapers; public printing. No. 447. By Senator Hugg: Authorizing insurance companies against burglary to do business in Indiana; insurance. No. 448. By Senator Inman: Providing that, upon the petition of fifty or more freeholders, the Common Council of any city may submit the question of building new sewer systems to a vote of the people; cities and towns. No. 449. By Senator New” To legalize the insurance department of the Indianapolis Board of Trade; insurance. No. 450. By Senator Shea: Allowing delinquent taxpayers to settle taxes, up to three years after due, by tendering the full amount due, with 6 per cent, added. The bill provided that the county treasurer shall accept the amount in full settlement without exacting further penalties; judiciary. No. 451. By Senator Early: Amending the laws regulating the incorporation of cities of from 35,630 to 50.000 population; judiciary. On motion of Senator Legeman House bill No. 427, allowing the Council of Evansville to terminate existing* contracts and street-railway franchises before the legal term of their existence, when it is considered to be for the good of the city, was passed under a suspension of the rules. Senator Ryan also secured the passage of a bill to amend the charter of the city of Fort Wayne so as to allow the city to dispose of numerous liens created against property by the working of the Barrett law. Senator Lambert’s attempt to secure the passage of Senate bill No. 74, changing the make-up of the Eighth, Ninth and Sixteenth judicial districts, brought out some opposition from Senator Newby, who said that the Republican law’yers of Rush and Decatur counties were in favor of keeping the two counties in one circuit as at present, instead of attaching Rush county to Shelby county. Senator Corr, speaking against the bill, said that the people of Brown county were against the bill because they did not feel the necessity for any change, and, moreover, the bill was drafted because of an internal fight in the Republican party of Rush county. In the end the bill was passed by an almost unanimous vote. It provides for the districting of Bartholomew and Decatur, Brown and Johnson, and Rush and Shelby Into three judicial districts as indicated. Senator Shea secured the passage, under a suspension of the rules, of House bill No. 496, requiring that 560 freeholders must sign petitions to build courthouses in counties of more than 25,000 before it can be done. Senator Inman also rushed through his hill changing the time of holding court in Daviess and Washington counties without any objection. The acts of the town of Kennard, Henry county, were legalized by the passage of Senator Newby’s bill. House bill No. 115, making it illegal for county commissioners to make contracts for public improvements without there has first been plans and specifications submitted was passed under suspension of the rules on request of Senator Hubbell. Senator Drummond asked to have the portion relating to bridges stricken out, alleging that the bridge companies generally combined together to mulct counties having bridges to build by pooling the bids and dividing the “rake off” between them. Senators Brooks and Hubbell objected, on the ground that the bill tended to give greater publicity to the awarding of bids for improvements. Senator Drummond replied that the publicity referred to was responsible for more steals than anything else, and that the fact that the bridge companies were in favor of the hill made him suspicious of it, in view of the added fact that he had been called on by some of the bridge companies. The amendment was finally voted down and the hill passed. The committee on the city of Indianapolis recommended the substitution of the House bill, allowing the Broad Ripple Street-rail-way Company to use the tracks of the Citizens’ Company, without charging an extra fare, for the Senate bill introduced by Senator Hugg. Senator Burns’s bill, providing for state control of fraternal insurance associations by compelling them to make reports each year to the state auditor and complying with the regulations prescribed by that official, was set as a special order of business for Monday morning. House bill No. 365, allowing increased pay to county auditors on account of extra work on tho construction of gravel roads, was passed on third reading.

CAUCUS ON REFORM. A Committee Appointed ts Receive A meml merit*. The Republican members of the House held a caucus last evening after adjournment to consider the county and township reform bills. It is understood that fortyfive members of the House were present and the situation was thoroughly gone over. After & prolonged discussion it was decided that a committee, consisting of one from each congressional district, should be appointed to receive and consider all amendments w hich it was intended to be submitted to the bills, and that this commiPee should so endeavor to so change the bills as to remove those features which are objectionable. It was believed that by this plan such amended bills can be presented as will suit all the Republican members and that can be passed. This committee was appointed and will report to another meeting of the Republican members. Mr. Reser, who is regarded as the leader of the opposition to reform, did not attend the conference. Ho stated last evening that he had been courteously invited to do so by Mr. Shideler, who is the caucus chairman, but lie had declined and stayed away because he does not consider these measures proper caucus bills. Great efforts were put forth yesterday to get the Republicans In line on the bill* as

presented and to solve the problem. Chairman Hernly was active all day in the interests of the bills, but the action taken by the caucus seemed to be ih® only solution of the question. Anew method of warfare has been inaugurated against the measures, as is indicated by the following from the Lagrange Standard of Thursday: “We. have received an anonymous typewritten letter from Indianapolis charging conspiracy and other terrible things against individuals and newspapers at Indianapolis favoring the county and township reform bills. We do not publish personal accusations without knowing whom to look to for proof, and not then if we are not pretty sure the charges are provable. There has been already too much crimination and recrimination about these measures. They should stand on their own merits, and not on individuals favoring or opposing.” TIIE GENEROUS LOBBY. Offering Position* on State Ticket for Vote* Against Reform. There was a good deal of gossip about the House yesterday afternoon to the effect that the lobby of the county officers had been promising one and another of th® members places on the state ticket If they will vote against the reform bills. They have promised, it is the current gossip, to nominate Mr. Barlow for Governor, and Air. Baker, of Whitley, for lieutenant governor. They went to another member with tho promise that they would go and “set up the pins” to make him secretary of state in place of Mr. Hunt. “Are those ahead of me on the ticket to be Barlow and Baker?” the member asked. The leader of the lobby said they were on the slate so far as it had been made up. “You can have the next place if you will help to defeat the county and township bills,” was the offer. The offer w’as declined with the remark that men who were "rewarded for bolting measures to which tho party is pledged and measures Indorsed by House caucuses would not make very strong running mates.” Among those who are inside of matters, the promises of the lobby, partly Democratic, to give political preferment are tho cause of much amusement about the House. Cregor Retain* Hl* Sent. Chairman Gilbert, of the Senate election* committee, yesterday morning announced to the press that the members had agreed to report unanimously in favor of retaining Senator Cregor in his seat. This conclusion was reached by the Republican members Thursday night and of course It secured the support of the Democratic members when it was presented to them yesterday morning. All the Republican members were pledged to secrecy Tnursday night and when asked to state what conclusion the majority had come to each one refused to answer. Yesterday morning Chairman Gilbert was prevailed upon, however, to make known the attitude of the committee. The verdict was reached solely to avoid embarrassment all around, as it is known that shortly after the close of the investigation the Republican members were in favor of unseating Cregor, but were equally averso to either seating Stoner or ordering anew election. Mr*. Edwin .May’s Claim. This morning the claim of Mrs. Edwin May will come back to the House, and a lively fight is anticipated. The committee has held several meetings, and it is understood that no evidence has been presented other than that which was reported to the House.

Offer of Raker, of Martin^ During the caucus on the county reform bill last night Representative Baker, of Alartin, announced that he was prepared to trade a vote on tho township bill for one against the county bill, the reason being that he wanted a bridge built. AN OLD-TIME WEDDING. Golden Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs, IlagK'M Recall* It. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Baggs, of thla city, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Monday, and will receive their friends after 3 o’clock in the afternoon and during the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Baggs have rived here all of their married rife, and Mrs. Baggs was born here. They have been prominent in church, business and society circles. Mr. Baggs was born In Maryland, but came to this city in 1846. He first held a clerical position, and then went into business and kept a general store with Mr. Willis Wright. Mr. Wright died only a short time ago. Later Mr. Baggs was with Tousey, Bryan & Cos., and after that was with the Merchants’ National Bank, when John P. and Otto Frenzel were lads, so his business relations have been in several branches. Mrs. Baggs was Cynthia Ann Foote. She was born in a house that stood on Washington street. When only sixteen she was married to Mr. Baggs. The wedding w r as at the home of Mr. Oliver Tousey, in a house that stood on Delaware street Just south of Vermont. The wedding occurred Monday morning at 5 o’clock, because one of the few trains would leave at 6, and the couple had to be ready to go then or wait a few days. There were only a few friends at the w’edding, and Rev. Mr. Gillette, whom they had expected to come from Illinois to perform the ceremony, could not meet his engagement on account of the deep snow’. Rev. Air. Beswick, then pastor of Roberts Park Chapel, was called on to officiate. The bride wore a green alpaca dress with a green satin stripe. Her one-button kid gloves, of green, were really in the height of fashion, and she felt quit® splendid in them. The groom had a suit tnat was equally as fine, and in one particular he surpassed the bride, for he had on a pair of patent leather shoes that had been ordered from Philadelphia, and they cost the enormous sum or sls. Alice Eddy, afterward Mrs. Edwards, was the bridesmaid and Air. John F. Morley was the groomsman. Air. Morley is still riving at Dayton, 0., and his presence for the anniversary has been urged by his lifelong friend. It was not possible to take very much in the way of baggage on the w’edding journey, and the bride had her own special belongings in a velvet carpet bag, one of the finest that could be bought, and in it she was as finely fitted out as any belle of to-day with a four-story Saratoga. Mr. Tousey had the bag at his store, and although frequently reminded by the bride to fetch it home with him the Friday evening before the wedding he forgot it, and repeated the offense the next evening. The next day being Sunday, he would not go to the store, nor would the bride allow him to do so, so he had to be up before 4 o’clock on the morning of the eventful day to go to the store and have the bag at the house so tho bride could pack it. When he came in his whiskers were hung with icicles, for It was a real, old-fashioned winter day on which the wedding took place. Mr. Tousey was going East to buy goods for the store, a journey that took three weeks, and to obtain a stock of goods required six weeks. Mrs. Tousey was to accompany her husband, and with the party started off at break of day. When the bride and groom arrived at Edinburg there was a message that an upcle of the bride was dangerously ill and asking them to return. Mr. and Mrs. Baggs therefore gave up their trip and came back. % Among the intimate friends of Mr. and Mrs. Baggs in the early days were Mary Smith, now’ Mrs. John Love, Margaret Russell, now Mrs. Austin H. BrownT the Misses Kinder, Hannah Gulley, now Mrs. William Mansur, and Mr. Mansur. Mr. Nichalos McCarty and Mr. Clement Ferguson. There is no man in active business now’ w’ho was in business here fifty years ago. It Is said. Air, and Airs. Baggs have always been Identified with Roberts Park Chapel and church. Mrs. Baggs has taught the primary class In the Sunday school for forty-eight yars. She has been associated with many of th® leading charities and for more than forty years has been a member of the board of managers of the Orphans’ Asylum. For a greater part of that time she served as treasurer. Mr. Baggs was for several years collector of Internal revenue, and has been and Is now in charge of the Indianapolis clearing house. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baggs are fine looking, and they keep up their active Interest in all kinds of affairs and work. Their children are Mrs. Joseph W. Beck and Mrs. Louis A. Ivoehne, and both, with their families, reside with Mr. and Mrs. Baggs at their home. No. 1720 North Pennsylvania street. The golden wedding anniversary is also the birthday anniversary of their granddaughter. Miss Anna Louise Beck, who made her debut a few weeks ago. There aro no Invitations for the reception, all friends being welcome. 1 1 1 1 Rope Broke ami lee Kell on Hlua. Waro Bradford, colored, was helping to pull lco up a chute at one of the Icehouses on the canal, last evening, and the rop® broke, letting 1.500 pounds of Ice fall on him. His hip was crushed. He was taken to his home. No. 410 West Eighteenth street, in the City Dispensary ambulance.