Indianapolis Journal, Volume 51, Number 22, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 January 1901 — Page 4

4

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 22. 1901. t

THE DAILY JOURNAL i TUESDAY, JANUARY 22. 1001. Telephone Calls (.Old and New.) Eustocu OrSc....J I Editorial Rooms.... 8l

terms or subscription. BY CARIUEn INDIANAPOLIS and SUBURES. Dallr. Futvlay Included. M cent r- month. Dally, without Sunday. 4-) cents per month, t-un.lay. without lalljr. pr year. Bingle copies: Daily. 2 cents; Sunday. 5 cents. BY AGENTS EVERYWHERE: Pally. tt week. 10 cents. Iaily. Sunday Included, per week, 13 cents. Sunday, per lnue. 5 cents. BY MAIL. PREPAID: Dally edition. nn year Dally and Sunday, one year 7 M lunday only, one year -W REDUCED RATE3 TO CLUBS. Weekly Edition. One ccpy, one year W cents Five cents per month for periods les than a ear. No subscription taken for less than three conths. REDUCED RATE3 TO CLUES. 8'ibscTib with any of our numerous sents er lend subscription to the JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY. Indianapolis, Ind. Persons sendinr the Jt.urr.al through thw mall In the United State should put on an eiht-pae Taper a ONE-CENT postage stamp: on a twelve cr slxteen-pase paper a TWO-CENT rostairo stamp. Foreign postage Is usually double these rates. All communications Intended for publication In this paper must. In order to receive attention, be accompanied Ly the name and address of the "writer. Rejecter! manuscripts will not be returned unless postage Is Inclosed for that purpose. Entered as second-class matter at Indianapolis Ind.. postomce. TUG INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL Can be found at the following places: fcfEW YORK Astor House and Fifth-avenue Hotel. CJUCAGOPalmer House, T. O. New Co., 217 Dearborn street. CINCINNATI J. It. Hawley & Co., lZi Vine street. LOUISVILLE C. T. Peering, northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Co., 234 Fourth avenue. CT. LOUIS Union News Company, Union Depot. .WASHINGTON. D. C Rtggs House. Ebbltt House and WWard's HoteL Indiana Republican Editor. The twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association will be held at the Denison Hotel. Indianapolis, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 24 and 23. The first session will be held In the hotel parlors on the evening of the 21th, when a reception and banquet will be held. The business session will be held on the next day. All member are requested to meet at the hotel parlors at 5:30 p. m. Pdltors and publishers of Republican newspapers are solicited to attend and present their names for membership. M. W. PERSHING. Secretary. The Indiana Senate has too much work lo do to spend any time In discussion of a question which Is now In the hands ofthe Bupreme Court of the United States. "Idiotic flag fetlchlsm" Is the latest expression of the New York Evening Post to show Its contempt for the mass of people who hold the stars and stripes In veneratioa. The fact that nearly half of the members of the Thirty-seventh Infantry ordered discharged In the Philippines have chosen to remain and go Into business does not sustain the statement that white men cannot live In those Islands. If a commission of business men should Investigate the operation of the city government and make a business-like recommendation. Is It not probable that the volume of expenditures would be considerably reduced? It would be worth trying. .Ex-Senator Edmunds, in Harper's Weekly, says that the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, as It now stands, was never properly ratified. The treaty which the Senate ratified was never ratified by Great Britain, while the treaty ratified by Great Britain, insisting that Honduras should be regarded as a British possession, was never ratified by the Senate. The point seems to be well taken. A New York paper inquires how long It would take in that State to try the three men who were found guilty of causing the death of a factory girl In Paterson, N. J., last week. The same question might be asked in regard to the length of such a trial In Indiana, but, judging from two or three recent murder trials, and from two or three now In progress. It would take a month. Instead of five days. A Washington telegram to the New York TVorld outlines a plan by which all those who voted against the Republican party, with the exception of the ProMbltlonlsts, are to be gathered together Into one political fold, whose basic principle will be opposition to everything that the Republican party favors. The party will bear the old trademark Democratic,' but its aim Is to be the "against party." The xJrooklyn Eagle regards this as a prescription for more patent medicine for Democrats. The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says the Senate committee on claims has reported favorably upon claims aggregating J13.502.23S. A large part of these claims are from the South for property lost during the war, while EUte claims aggregate $1,700,909. Of the whole. Senator Mason has reported favorably upon $,023.433 and Senator Teller on $3.C29,774. The fact that Senator Money, of Mississippi, is most insistent for the passage of the- bill loads to a suspicion that eld and often rejected war claims are in .this omnibus bill. The representatives of a hundred cotton mlll3 In North Carolina have agreed not to employ any child under twelve years of age during the school year, and that ten is the minimum ngi of children to be employed at any time. Hut why does the Democratic Legislature of North Carolina leave this important matter to employers of children when It is the Legislature's duty to legislate, as have those of other States, upon the employment of children In factories? The real truth is, no child less than thirteen years of age should ever go into a factory of any kind to work six hours a day, much less the twelve hours in vogue In North Carolina cotton mills. It Is scarcely necessary to pass a law authorizing the lending of flags to the Grant monument, tdnce there Is a score of old Hags In the hands of members of regimental organizations or Individuals that will gladly present thorn to the managers of the Grant mausoleum. General McGlnrda has said that he can furnl3h one of the flags carried by the Eleventh, and Captain James II. Mauzy, of Rushvllle, has written to a friend in thla city, saying that he has an historic flag ot the Sixty-eighth Indiana, which he will furnish if there !:ou!3 ta any difficulty In getting flags

for the purpose Indicated. The objection to the request for flags seems to be due largely to a misunderstanding, as It was announced that two flags from each regiment serving under General Grant were required. Such a requisition would take all the flags some regiments have in the Statehouse. As only two flags are required, they can be supplied without depriving any regiment of representation in the Statchouse.

THE I3IPORTANT QUESTION IX LEGISLATURES. The law-governed primary is a question attracting the attention of several Legislatures. The Legislatures of the States which have them are not considering their repeal, but amendments to make them more effective. It Is a mistake to assume that the mass of voters are not In favor of them because they do not speak. They are not about the Legislature because they have affairs to which they must give their attention. The men who do speak are often against any control of primaries because the present system suits them and may be tolerated by the voters in the larger part of the counties where the abuses which prevail In cities are impossible. The people desire the best things in politics, and the present primary In the larger cities is the worst thing. "It is a well-known fact," says an exchange, "that the present Governor of Wisconsin, La Follette, owes hl3 popularity and his office to the fact that he originated and championed the law in that State for the Australian ballot at the primary election." In Massachusetts the effort is to perfect a law which has some unreasonable provisions. The Illinois General Assembly has before it a bill to remodel the primary election lav. That bill follows the Minnesota law, except that It provides in the case .of larger conventions that delegates may be elected, with a proviso that If the action of a delegate convention is not acceptable, a specified number of voters of the party can secure a nominating election under the auspices of the election authorities. But the point desired to be presented is that the people In the larger cities of the State, and notably in Indianapolis, are in favor of a primary election law for the reason that under present conditions the majority of the voters In cities have no influence in the selection of candidates for county and city officers. If they went to primaries in which there is a contest they would be voted down by organized gangs going from precinct to precinct. In the past two years scores of Republicans, in the knowledge of the Journal, have declared that they will not attend another primary until they are conducted under some power of law which will protect them In their rights. When Republicans cease attending primaries they will not go to the polls many times thereafter to ratify nominations made by others. Besides, there Is a growing feeling among Intelligent men in both parties that they are better qualified to select candidates for county officers, mayor and other municipal officers direct than are delegates selected by a few persons, delegates, too, who are professionals, and are delegates for personal advantage. Government In most cities over 23,000 inhabitants Is unsatisfactory, expensive, Inefficient and corrupt. In the larger cities there Is no exception. The badness and the tendency to worse conditions begins in the primary. With all the corrective organizations, Chicago has been unable for years to get a Board of Aldermen a majority of which has not been 'enal. This Is because men who seek such positions for considerations of revenue spend money to carry the primaries In both parties, and carry them by the agency of organized bands of toughs. The legal primary is the first step to municipal reform. THE PinrOSC OF PARTIES. One who reads the gossip about what Is taking place in political circles may come to the conclusion that the sole purpose of keeping up political organizations is to obtain and hold political places and to distribute patronage. Now and then a bill Is presented to the Legislature which Is designed to sustain such a conclusion. For instance, four years ago the Legislature wisely revised the statute providing for the election of county school superintendents by restricting township trustees to a choice oi men who hold a three years certificate for public school teaeüers. For years these officers have been elected by township trustees without serious objection. At any rate, there was no objection to such method of election four years ago, when a qualification was made for such officers. I.ast fall the Republicans lost a large number of trustees, and now some members of the Legislature, urged by their friends, desire to have the superintendents elected by the people in the counties, on the ground that more Republican superintendents would be elected by that method than if township trustees should continue to choose. This Is a weak reason for the change, and when It is remembered that no qualification can be imposed upon an elective office, every pretext for a change Is swept away, unless the only object of government is to furnish offices for as nany as can get them. A number of years ago a man of national reputation was Introduced to an audience by a citizen who said there was so little difference between parties that all they could be kept alive for was the distribution of official patronage. The speaker, a man who had been in politics all his life, raid In response that If he suspected that the only reason for the existence of parties vas to distribute the offices, the best and most useful men in public life would never make another canvass. He went on to say that if he did not believe In the essential features of the Republican creed and that the Republican party could give the country better government and better conditions under government than its opponents, he would not make, another speecn or again be a candidate for Congress. The efflecs are the incidentals which in great campaigns, when issues are discussed which arouse general Interest, are not publicly considered. Parties would not exist a year If all that keeps them alive were a few thousand offices, mostly inconsequential. The government of the people of which we hear so much Is for the benefit of alL As, In the very nature of the case, not one man In twenty can hold a public position, government for the benefit of those in office would be an absurdity. The Republican party holds rule In the Nation because the people believe that better covemment and conditions for all the

people can be secured by Republican administration. The Republican party Is in power in Indiana to-day because the people of the State believe thatf Republican legislation and administration the past six years are better for all the people than the Democratic legislation preceding it. That belief is due to the fact that Republican legislation has dealt broadly and wisely with public matters. In the testimony presented by the Republican contestant In the Twelfth district in St. Louis the most astounding frauds have been exposed. The chief clerk of the superintendent of the census in that city was employed to obtain the number ofy males over twenty-one years of-age. The work was begun early In December and proceeded In the same manner as the taking of the census, and by the men who acted as census enumerators In July. The Democratic registration showed that 3G.172 voters registered. The house-to-house canvass showed that only 21,103 of these names properly belonged to men living in the district. That Is, 14,636 names which were voted at the election could not be found to belong to persons living in the district. The canvassers found the names of 14,036 men of the voting age who had not registered. This means that the voting lists in that congressional district were stuffed with 14,636 bogus names. And yet the Missouri Legislature refuses to repeal or modify the law which made these great frauds possible! The statement. In the Journal yesterday that a home for epileptics would meet the needs of but few of those now in the Insane hospitals was based upon the opinion of a man who was supposed to know. It appears, however, that authorities differ, the larger part of them believing that a large part of the epileptics In the hospitals and Home for1 Feeble-minded could be transferred to a special institution for that class.

The St. Louis Republic advises the Legislature of Missouri to appropriate $100,000 to have the resources of the State displayed in-the Pan-American exposition. That Is well; but it would be better to repeal the law which has enabled a Democratic commission to double the cost of the police in St. Louis, and to complete the most brazen job of ballot-box stuffing that has been discovered for years. FROM HITHER AND YON. Cultured. Judge. "She's from Boston." "I thought you told me you never saw her before this minute." "True, but I just now heard her call those mountains in Asia-the He-mol-raws." A Little Victim. Life. "Oh, mamma, mayn't I go to the party the little girl next door Is going to give?" "No, my dear. It would hardly be the thing, as you are wearing mourning." "Oh, dear me! I think I'd almost rather give up the mourning." In the Realm of Shades. Baltimore American. "What is, all that row over there by the Styx?" asked the shade of Napoleon of the shade of Ken. Jenson. "Why, that Is Bacon, Shakspeare, and that newcomer Donnelly. Each Is trying to convince the other that he is wrong." The Noble Ruins. Philadelphia Press. "Aw!" exclaimed the visiting Briton, "everything here Is so new, don't you know. You have no noble old ruins in America as we have." "No," replied the Yankee, "they merely come over here to marry our heiresses; then they go tack home to England again.'1 - By Way of Suggestion. Chicago Tribune. "The trouble with me," spoke the young man who was on his way home with his best and loveliest from a party at the Kenhurst Club, "is that I always ftel embarrassed when I am out in company. I never know what to do with my hands." "Suppose you Just hold them up!" said a hoarse voice in his ear. The voice pertained to a large, rough-looking man with a mask on his face and a large, rough looking revolver in his hand, and the youth lost no time in complying with the suggestion. INDIANA EDITORIAL NOTES. A weeding out of careless, incompetent or dishonest officials is not calculated to injure the standing of any city, at home or abroad. Goshen Times. Mr. Pettigrew should be suppressed before he begins to attack the glorious record of Mr. James Creelman in taking El Caney single-handed. Greensburg Review. A number of new governors have been Inducted into office this week and It Is safe to say none of them will be able to give a cleaner or more business like administration than will Governor Durbln of Indiana. Vlncenr.es Commercial. It was really unnecessary for Hon. BenJanin Harrison to dignify with a denial the silly story that he was trying to have the army reorganization bill defeated by Congress to humiliate President McKinley. Marion News. Reuben Glue, of Indianapolis, has been arrested and held to await an investigation touching the death of his wife. It is suspected that Reuben didn't stick to his wife as closely as one might be led to believe from the characteristic qualities of his cognomen. Columbus Republican. The new Governor thinks the proposition to adopt voting machines worthy of the attention of legislators.' Such Is the almost universal public opinion, and such enactment as will require their Introduction will meet with approval by the vast majority of the people. Lafayette Courier. All the lying gossips of Independent mischief-makers cannot bring about an alliance with Democrats either of the Stutesman supporters or on the part of Mr. Artman. They are all Republicans and as such are pledged to the people to do their duty as legislators. Marion Chronicle. By a strict party vote the Democratic members of the House of Representatives in Missouri have passed a resolution of sympathy with the Filipino bandits and ludrones, declaring their operations to bo "a struggle for freedom." The other day tho legislature refused to heist the national flasr over the State capltol, and applause 1 for those who arc shooting at it is naturalI ly the next step. Huntington Herald. The convention that adopted the United States Constitution twice fixed the presidential term at seven years and made the President Ineligible for re-election, but to head off the kickers, who wanted the President elected for life, and in the interest of harmony, the four-year term was finally agreed upon as a compromise. Andrew Jackson, In every message he sent to Congress, advocated a single term for our Presidents, and Andrew was everlastingly right. New Albany Public Press. The independent newspapers and some small-bore politicians are Just now engaged In a tremendous effort to work up trouble between the Artman and Stutzman followers in the State Legislature. Before tho selection of the speaker the Indianapolis independent press was arrayed on the side of Artman. At this time, and for the sole purpose of working up a sensation to sell newspapers, they are attacking Artman. This Is "yellow" Journalism pure and simple, Connersville Times.

HALF-DAY SESSIONS

THEY ARE HELD BY ROTH BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE. Committees Occnpy the Afternoon In Goini; Over the Bills Referred to Them. APPROPRIATION BILL . PASSED SECTION REFERRING TO SPECIAL COMPENSATION CUT OUT. 31 ore New Bills In Roth Honses Committee Reports Legislative Routine. Both branches of the Legislature held half-day sessions yesterday, adjourning at noon, in order to give the committees an opportunity of disposing of an accumulation of business. Some important matters came up in both houses during the morning. One of the Important events of the Senate was the report f the committee on elections seating Senator Fleming and ceclaring Senator Kell a hold-over. The appropriation bill was discussed figaln yesterday, the Joint conference committee making Its report and the two bodies concurring in the report. The committee recommended that Section 4, containing a Senate amendment, be stricken out. As a result of this action, no regular employe of either house will be allowed compensation for extra work, unles.i it is authorized by resolution. The action of the Legislature, in concurring In the reI ort, will also enable both legislators and employes to draw their pay within a short time, as the bill will becomo effective as soon as Governor Durbln signs it. One of the incidents of the morning in the Senate was the Introduction of a resolution by Senator. Cregor. a Democrat, to the effect that the Constitution follows the flag. The resolution was finally killed by being referred to the committee on- federalrelatiens. In the House, the bill Introduced nnd passed in the Senate fixing Michigan City prison as the place for holding executions and naming the warden as executioner, came up and was passed, with but one dissenting vote. This vote was cast by Representative Catley, who Is opposed to capital punishment. ' Representative Passage wanted to substitute the word "morSi1?6' "nB1" but his resolution was tabled. He then voted for the bill. Another important item of business in the House was the fixing of next Tuesday as the day when the primary election bill Is to be made a special order of business. IN THE UPPER HOUSE. Senator Fleming; Takes His Seat New RHU nnd Resolutions. The members of the upper house came back to the Capitol yesterday morning eager for business, and lost no time In settling down to work. The session was opened with an invocation by the Rev. Mr. Alrhart, of the House- of Representatives. The reading of the, minutes was dispensed with on motion, and the president then called for the reports of the various committees. Senator Matsopchalrman of the committee on elections', . submitted the report of the commitee on" tho Ryan-Fleming contest, recommending that Mr. Fleming be seated. On motion of Senator Matson for the adoption of the report. Senator Ryan obtained recognition from the president, and briefly but eloquently stated what his position had been In his contest with T,r VFlemn' IIe sald he knew that the die had leen cast, but he felt that he wanted the members of the Senate to know that he believed in his own election. In conclusion, he said the people of Adams and Allen counties were to be congratulated on the representative they would have in the future In the Senate, as he believed that Mr. Fleming would make a record of which his friends might well feel proud. He then seconded the adoption of the report of the committee on elections, and the report was adopted. Senator Joss then introduced a resolution expressing the regret of the Senate on the necessity of separating itself from Senator Ryan and tendering to him the compliments and good wishes of the Senate. The resolution was carried unanimously. MR. FLEMING SWORN IN. Senator Fleming, escorted by Mr. Ryan, then went forward to the President's desk, and the oath of office was administered by Judge James II. Jordan, of the Supreme Court. At the conclusion of the ceremony rresldent Gilbert announced that Senator Fleming would fill the places on the committees that had been held by Mr. Ryan. Senator Brooks, Chairman of the committee on Judiciary, submitted a report recommending that Senate bill No. 57, introduced by Senator Wood, making it unlawful for any person to make a false written statement of property valuation to obtain credit be passed. Senate bill No. 14. introduced by Senator Gard, providing for the appointment of bailiffs by sheriffs Instead of circuit Judges, and fixing their salaries, was recommended to be indefinitely postponed. Senator Brooks's bill (No. 60) to legalize the incorporation of the town of Huron received a favorable recommendation, and, on motion of Senator Brooks, the report of the committee was adopted. Senator Dausman, chairman of the committee on county and township business, submitted a report recommending that the bill of Senator Parks (No. 43). providing for the election and prescribing the duties of county recorders, be passed. Senator Guthrie's bill (No. 18). providing for the appointment of members of the county councils and township boards, was recommended to be Indefinitely postponed, and the bill of Senator Whitcomb (No. 51), fixing the qualifications of coroners throughout the State, received the same recommendation. The report of the committee was adopted. Senator Thompson, chairman of the committee on Insurance, submitted a report recommending that Senate bill No. 49, providing for the bonding of insurance companies be passed, and the report of the committee was adopted. HOUSE APPROPRIATION BILL. Senator Binkley. chairman of the Senate conference committee, submitted a report on the House appropriation bill, recommending that Section 4 of the bill, concerning extra allowances for employes, be stricken out entirely, and later, on motion of Senator Ball, the rule requiring a conference report to lay over one day was suspended, and the report of the committee was adopted. The report of the commHtee, as adopted, will permit either house, on resolution, to allow any extras it sees fit, and is regarded as a victory for the Senate. An attempt on the part of Senator Cregor (Dem.) to embroil the majority members of 'the Senate into a political discussion created considerable amusement, but was easily frustrated by the adroit Republican Senators. On the call for resolutions. Senator Cregor introduced tho following: "Resolved. That the Constitution follows the Hag. and that our Senators and Representatives be instructed to use all honorable means to enforce the doctrine." He followed the resolution with a motion to make it a special order of business for Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Senator Ball lmmediaely offered a motion to lay the resolution on the table, but the president holding the motion to be out of order. Senator Osborn substituted a motion referring the whole matter to the committee on federal resolutions, which effectually shelved It. The next order of business was the Introduction of bills, and before the roll call

had been completed a total of twenty-four had been submitted. Senator Wood then moved that when the Senate adjourned. It adjourn until this morning, and. on motion of Senator Gochenour, an adjournment was made until that time.

nusv HOUSE SESSION. Slore Nevr Bills Sent to the Speaker's Desk Denth Pennlty mil. The House session opened at 10:S0 o'clock yesterday morning with prayer by the Rev. Jabez Hall, of the Butler Bible College. Reports of committees were heard among the first Items of business. These reports were followed with a report from Mr. King, of the Joint conference which considered the bill appropriating funds for the expense of the Legislature. The report recommended that Section 4, providing for extra compensation for employes, be stricken out. The House concurred In the report of the committee by a vote of K) to 5. Afterward Speaker Artman ordered the vote retaken, saying that he had discovered that there were not a3 many members in the chamber as there were votes. Evidently there had been a mistake in counting thj vote, as the retaking of the vote made the result show 72 to 4 in favcr of concurring in the report. The roll-call of counties for resolutions and new bills was begun In the. regular order of business. Mr. Bonham sent up two petitions to be read. One was from the Ministerial Association of Jay County deploring the condition of the present divorce Jaws and requesting the Legislature to pass a bill that would remedy the present condition of affairs. Mr. Bonham says the association desires a law enacted that will make adultery the only ground for divorce. Such a measure has already been introduced by Mr. Carmichael, of Delaware county. The other petition sent up by Mr. Bonham was from Jacob Stahl G. A. R. Post, of Hartford City, requesting that the Legislature enact a measure exempting veteran soldiers from paying taxes on real estate that is not valued at more than 51,000. Should a measure of this kind be enacted, it would only apply to those veterans who were honorably discharged from the service. MANY NEW BILLS. The roll-call of counties for new bills developed that -the members had not yet exhausted the supply of measures. Among those introduced were two bills providing for changes in the divorce laws of the State. One was by Mr. Mummert, who seeKS to provide means by which an Insane person may be divorced.' It is claimed that under the present laws this Is Impossible in Indiana. The bill provides that where either husband or wife are decreed to be of unsound mind and a guardian Is appointed, that the guardian may, by producing the documents showing that he was legally appointed guardian and that bis ward is insane, procure a divorce for the demented one. Representative Trout, of Clay county, introduced a bill which is to require judges who grant divorces to piace an Injunction in the decree restraining either of the divorced parties from marrying within two years. Representative Rogers, of Decatur county, sent up his bill providing for the establishment of a village for epileptics in Indiana. A similar bill was introduced in the House a few days ago. It provided for the location of the village within six miles of the city of Columbus. Mr. Rogers's bill does not specify as to where the village shall be located. It provides for the appointment by the Governor of a nonpartisan board of three commissioners, whose duty It will be to select a location for this asylum. The bill also provides for the purchase of 1,000 acres of land and an appropriation of $50,000 to erect a building. It is understood that Mr. Rogers's bill is drawn along the same lines as the one introduced in the Senate. Mr. Rogers says he visited a number of insane hospitals in procuring ideas for the preparation of his bill. COUNTY REFORM LAW. A bill Introduced by Mr. Waugh, of Wells county. Is meant to affect the county reform law, although it makes no special changes in that law and does not criticise that measure. It provides for the payment of outstanding orders or warrants In certain cases. Mr. Waugh makes it plain that he does not seek In any way to change or interfere with the provisions or workings of the county reform law. His bill makes it possible for county councils to legally make appropriations for the payment of gravel road warrants for services performed prior to the taking effect of the county reform laws. It appears that in some counties, people who held warrants for services on gravel roads performed before the law went into effect have been unable to collect them because some of the county councils felt that they could not legally make appropriations fo. ihesy amounts. In some counties the councils went ahead and made these appropriations. This bill will legalize all action of this kind heretofore taken and make It possible for other councils to do the same thing. Before the House adjourned Senate bill No. 54 was called up for passage. This is the bill which Attorney General Taylor has been anxious to get through both bouses. It will settle the question recently raised as to where a verdict providing for capital punishment can be legally carried cut in Indiana. The bill provides that all legal hangings shall take place at the Michigan City prison and that the warden of that prison shall be the executioner. The bill did not pass without one or two objections being interposed to It. The chief objection was made by Representative Passage, who declared himself opposed to hanging. He is not particularly opposed to capital punishment, -but believes a more humane way could be devised for exacting this penalty. Dr. Passage, with this idea in view, offered a resolution recommending that the word "morphine" be substituted for the word "hanging." In explaining his position he pointed out that a prisoner sentenced to die could be put out of the world by the aid of morphine and he would pass away in the midst of beautiful dreams and without pain. The House was not Inclined to accept Dr. Passage's resolution and It was tabled. Afterward when the bill was put to a vote Dr. Passage voted in the affirmative. Representative Catley voted "no" when his name wes called, and, rising in his seat, explained that he had always been opposed to capital punishment. The bill passed by a vote of SS to 1. PRIMARY ELECTION BILL The primary election bill came rip for brief discussion in the form of a resolution introduced by Representative Marshall, cf Tippecanoe cojnty. As a result of Mr. Marshall's motion and an amendment by Mr. Wrltcomb the bill will be made a special order of business for next Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Representative Morgan offered a resolution providing that two thousand copies each of the Inaugural speeches of Governor Durbln and Lieutenant Governcr Gilbert be printed. Mr. Morgan explained that the Senate had ordered copies of these speeches printed. Speaker Artman wanted to know if the House could not borrow as many copies as it required from the Senate. Mr. Morgan's resolution was defeated by a unanimous vote, that gentleman himself failing to support his own resolution. One of the bills introduced by Mr. Dirkton yesterday is to establish graded schools in those townships that have none, as nearly as possible in the center of the township. Mr. Dlrksoa's bill was suggested by an incident that happened in his own township that of Preble township, Adams county. He says tho township trustee lived in one ccrner of the township, and, because of this location of hU residence he had the township graded school established there. Mr. Dirkson wants to give other townships the benefit of his experience. The House adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock this morning. LEGISLATIVE ROUTINE. Nevr Senate Hill. The following new bills were Introduce! in the Senate yesterday: No. 107. Senator Ball Concerning county business. County and township business. No. 10$. Senator Binkley Concerning teachers examinations in special subjects. Education. No. 109. Senator Brooks Concerning legal advertising in cities of under 5.000 population. Cities and towns. No. 110. Senator Brooks Concerning tho crossing of railroads by electric lines. Corporations. Io. 111. Senator Darby Concerning the

incorporation of the city of Ft. Wayne. Cities and towns. No. 112. Senator Conlogue Concerning the Incorporation of the city of Ft. Wayne. Cities and towns. No. 113. Senator Fortune Authorizing township trustees to levy a tax for libraries. County and township business. No. 114. Senator Johnston, of MontgomeryTo license telegraph operators. Judiciary. No. 115. Senator Johnston, of MontgomeryConcerning bets by notaries public Judiciary. No. 116. Senator Joss Concerning the lending of money on pledges (Indianapolis pawnshop bill). Cities and towns. No. 117. Senator Kittinger Creating a fish and game warden. Rights and privileges. No. 118. Senator Lambert-Concerning railroad crossings. Railroads. No. 119. Senator Layman Concerning Insurance companies doing business In Indiana. Insurance. No. 120. Senator Layman To prevent the adulteration of linseed or flaxseed oil. Public health. No. 121. Senator Lcgeman Convernlng the charter of the city of Evansville. Cities and towns. No.. 122. Senator Legeman Concerning the charter of the city of Evansville. Cities and towns. No. 123. Senator Ogborn Concerning fees on mortgagee. County and township business. No. 124. Senator Ogborn Concerning the maintenance of sewers in Incorporated towns. Cities and towns. No. 125. Senator Stillwell Regulating the running at large of animals. Judiciary. No. 326. Senator Thompson Concerning the law of taxation. Corporations. 2s o. 127. Senator Thompson Regulating foreign insurance companies doing business In this State. Insurance. No. 128. Senator Wlnfield Concerning the establishment of Superior Court to Grant and Howard counties. Organization of courts. No. 123. Senator Wood Concerning the printing and binding of institutional documents. Public printing. No. 130. Senator Wood Concerning the establishment of city courts In cities of rrore than 6,000 population. Judiciary. No. loi. Senator Wood Giving Ju-ges and Juries of city courts Jurisdiction to assess a fine of $500 or adjudge imprisonment in the county jail. Judiciary. Senate Committee Reports. Judiciary. Senate bill No. 57 (Wood), making it unlawful for any one to make false statements, with ' regard to their property. For passage after amendment. Senate bill No. CO (Brooks), legalizing th Incorporation of the town of Huron. For passage. Senate bill No. 14 (Gard), providing 'that bailiffs be appointed by sheriffs Instead of by circuit judges. Indefinite postponement. County and Township Business. Senate bill No. IS (Guthrie), providing for the appointment of members of county councils. Instead of electing them. Indefinite postponement. Senate bill No. CI (Whitcomb), fixing the qualifications of coroners. Indefinite postponement. Senate bill No. 43 (Parks). Increasing county and recorders bonds from S2.000 to 54,000. For passage. InsuranceSenate bill No. 49 (Thompson), relating to tending surety companies. For passage after amendment.

Xew House Bills. The following new bills were Introduced in the House yesterday: No. 140. Mr. Dirkson Establishing Joint district schools. Education. No. 141. Mr. Dirkson Concerning schools. Education. No. 142. Mr. Trout Concerning divorces. Judiciary. No. 143. Mr. Trout Concerning roads. Roads. No. 144. Mr. Rogers, of Decatur county Concerning establishment of village for epileptics. Benevolent institutions. No. 143. Mr. Mummert Concerning divorces. Judiciary. No. 146. Mr. Dilley To pay claim E. M. Buckley. Claims. No. 147. Mr. Dilley Concerning fish. Rights and privileges. No. 143. Mr. Miller Concerning roads. Roads. No. 149. Mr. Miller Concerning county business. County and township business. No. 150. Mr. Gillette Concerning schools. County and township business. No. 151. Mr. Minturn Regulating sale of patent rights. Judiciary. No. 152. . Mr. Reagan Concerning fee licenses for blind. Rights and privileges. No. 153. Mr. Reagan Concerning flag desecration. Military affairs. No. 154. Mr. Whitcomb Concerning loans on life insurance policies. Judiciary. No. 155. Mr. Whitcomb Concerning fish and game. Rights and privileges. No. 156. Mr. Miller Relating to district schools. County and township business. No. 157. Mr. Owen. Concerning county surveyor's duties and register of his surveys. County and township business. No. 158. Mr. Bell Regulating compensation of county commissioners. Fees and salaries. No. 159. Mr. Murphy Legalizing election of officer? and transactions of towns. CitiC3 and towns. No. 1G0. Mr. Harris Concerning organization cf cemetery association In St. Joseph county. Township business. No. 161. Mr. Waugh Concerning county business. Judiciary. Senate bill No. 54 (Mr. Wood), -concerning death penalty and making Michigan City the place of execution. Passed under suspension of the rules. House Committee Report. Judiciary. House bill No. 91 (Roberts, Jefferson), providing for sale personal property of decedent estate. For passage. House bill No. 95 (Owen), giving prosecuting attorneys power to administer oaths. Indefinite postponement. House bill No. 22 (Burrier), authorizing prosecutors to administer oaths. For passage. House bill No. 20 (Marshall), concerning prosecution of felonies and fixing fee for such prosecution. Referred to committee cn fees and salaries. SEW SENATE MEASURES. Provisions of Some of the More Important Hill. Senator Johnston Introduced a bill In the Senate yesterday afternoon which. If It becomes a law, will require all telegraph operators to secure a license before they can follow the profession. The bill provides for the creation of the office of State examiner and makes the salary $2,000 a year. It requires every telegraph operator passing an examination to pay a license fee of XI for the first year and 51 for each year afterward. It makes Intoxication a cause for the suspension of an operator's license and provides that he shall not be reinstated within one year of the suspension. The license fees collected by the State examiner are to be paid into the State treasury twice a year. Senator Johnston introduced another bill (No. 115), which U Intended to legalize the acts of notaries public who have been holding lucrative office of any other kind during their terms as notaries, and to legalize all Instruments in the various county recorders' offices In the State where the record does not show that the acknowledgements were recorded. A bill introduced by Senator Binkley (No. 10$) provides that no person shall be employed as a teacher in the common schools of the State who has not obtained from the proper authorities a license to teach therein, but permits persons who desire or are expected to teach only special subjects, such as music, drawing, etc., to le examined on such special subjects and provides that thn same rules and regulations governing county licenses as to length of time based upon averages In the branches shall apply to the special license. A bill introduced by Senator Fortune (No. 113) Is to authorize township trustees to levy a tax of not more than 2 cents or 1 than 1 cent for the increase and maintenance of township libraries, which have been established by private donation to the amount of Jl.Ow. A bill by Senator Brooks amends the law relating to the crossing of a railroad so as to make it apply to the crossing of railroads by new electric lines. A second bill by the same senator provides that in cities of 5.000 or more inhabitants legal advertising relating to property or matters concerning the city shall be published in daily newspapers, if a daily newspaper Is published In such city. Under the present liw, legal advertisements In cities under 10.0u0 may now be published in weekly papers. Senator Conlogue introduced a bill to amend the "weed law." It provides that in case of the failure of a land owner to cut his weeds between July 1 and

Aug. 23. that the supervisor of the district shall have the work dene nnd the certificate thereof thai! be a lier. upon the property until it is paid. Senator Ball introJueed an amendment to the county reform laws which provides that Items of appropriation not expended at the end of the calendar ye.ir shall revert to the general fund, but that when a contract is uncompleted at the end of the year, the part of the appropriation nocest tfhoTl not r

J vert to the generai fund, but thill be re f talned by the auditor r.nd paid to the con tractor on warrant. An Insurance bill introduced by Senator Thompson provides that licenses reissued on certificates shall be Issued to asents of insurance companies by the auditor of state. The stamp tax does not cppl to licenses, but docs to certificates. The object of the bill is to prevent insurance companies frcm doing luslnes in the L'tate without first procuring a licence. Senator Tnompson Introduced ;he bill by request. S1IXATE COMMITTEES. Fee nnd Salary Bill nnd Other Measures Considered. The Senate committee on fees and salaries spent the greater part of yesterday afternoon in a discussion of the county fee and salary bill as prepared by the state commission. No definite action was taken by the committee, but it recmed to be the opinion of the majority that the plan suggested in the bill was feasible, and if its schedule could be so adjusted as to make It fair and equal between the different counties and the various county officers it would be favorably recommended. There was also some discussion about separating the bill into two parts, the one relating to the state officers fixing an arbitrary amount as salaries and that of the county officers being based on a schedule of population and fees collected. The committee on Judiciary also met yesterday afternoon, but. devoted the entire time to the consideration of referred bills. The following report was decided upon with relation to the bills considered: Bill No. 22, Introduced by Senator Heller and providing for an act fixing the. rate of interest at 5 per cent, on school fund loans, will receive a favorable recommendation. The bill introduced by 3cnator Harrison (No. 20), providing that the death penalty shall be Inlllcted by electricity, to be indednitely pcstpoind. Senator ilurns's bill (No. lu making it a mi.-dc meaner punishable by fine and imprisonment In the county jail for any one holding office to act as a notary public, etc., will also receive the recommendation of an Indefinite posti.or.enunL Another bill to be tnatod In the same manner is the bill of Senator Gard (No. Ci) to prevent tramps or cth?r people ln gr.Ir.g or soliciting provisions, clothing, money. lc. except of the township trustees or overseer of the poor in the county In which they reside. Engrossed House bill No. 8. Introduced by Representative James, which provides for an act to legalize all the acts of any and all boards of county commissioners In all of the counties of the State which hav constructed free gravel, stone or other macadamized roads under the act of lsui, will receive a favorable recommendation. The Senate committee on roads, of which Senator Wolcott is chairman, at a meeting yesterday afternoon decided to recommend that the bill introduced by Senator Johnston (No. 25), which is to abolish the pasturing of stock along the highways, be indefinitely postponed. The remainder of the bills in the hands cf the chairman of the committee were distributed for consideration, but no further action was taken. The committee on agriculture also held a short session yesterday afternoon and decided to make a favorable report on the bill introduced by Senator Parks (No. 41) exempting land owned by agricultural curl-orations from taxation HOUSE COMMITTEES MEET. Action Taken on Several Important 31 ensures. There were numerous House committee meetings last night and yesterday. The committee on roads met yesterday afternoon and recommended that House bill 2S"o. 17, by Mr. Kirkman. providing that all persons who served in the war with Spain be exempted from working on the public highways, be passed. House bill No. 112, by Mr. Adamson, relating to the fencing of public highways, was Indefinitely postponed. The committee will recommend that Mr. Burrler's bill to amend'an act preventing the hauling of heavy loads over gravel roads during certain seasons .be passed. At the meeting of the monument commit tee it was decided to make a favorable report on Mr. Horsfield's bill designed to prevent the desecration of the monument. The measure will prevent the monument or Circle being used for political gatherings, street fairs, etc. This was the only bill the monument committee had to consider. The judiciary committee Indefinitely postponed Mr. Carmlchael's divorce bill. This measure made adultery the only ground on which n divorce could be procured. The committee was unanimous in its decision on this measure. Mr. Burkhart's bill relating to the collection of usurious Interest was also Indefinitely postponed. House LIU No. 117, by Mr. Larr, releasing persons from liability for damage caused by domestic animals in certain cases was postponed. The committee considered Mr. Gauntt's bill, requiring grand Juries to be unanimous in their decisions before an Indictment could be found and providing that felonies can only be prosecuted under indictment. It was the sense of the committee that the bill should be postponed, but as Mr. Gauntt desires to appear before the committee on this matter, no report will be ma.le to-day The committee on the organization of court met and decided to report favorably on the bills changing the time of no'.dinl? court in Randolph and St. Joseph counties The committee on ways and means of the House held Its first meeting last night. It was a Joint session with the finance committee of the Senate. The committee will have no Important matters to take up un til the report of the investigating committee is made to the House and Senate. This is the committee appointed by thi late Governor Mount to visit state institutions and ascertain their needs in a financial way. Senator Goodwine is chairman of the committee. It is expected the committee will make Its report some time this week. The committee on corporations at lis meeting last night considered Representative Clark's "express bill" and will recommend that it pass. The measure requires express companies to deliver packages within the corporate limits of cities of over 2,000. XVI LL MI AT COO PI: It. House Election Committee YVr-Mtlea "With a Content. The House committee on elections held a prolonged cession yesterday afternoon to consider the Skidmore-Cooper contest, which comes from Clinton county. The committee refused to mar evidence other than to investigate the depositions offered and to consider the disputed ballots which had been brought down by the Clinton county clerk. The ttssion was held behind dossed doors. One of the members cf the committee said last night that the Investigation showed that nine of the disputed ballots should have been cast for Skidmore, and seven for Cooper. One of the depositions read charged that Skidmore had bought the vote of one man. but the attorneys for th? cunUsti-e claim they can show that the man who made this deposition ia demented. H. i:. Ntal. one of the members of the committee, made a motion that Skidmore l found jrulltj of tnfiuenclr.g voters. The adoption of thi c motion would mean the unseating of Skidmore. When the motion was put to a vote. Mr. Adamson. who said he had not had sufficient time to consider the matter, voted with the Democrats. Mr. Lut r, of tl.s minority side of the committee, wa rot present, and the vote stood 4 to 4. It being a tie, no action could be taken, and th committee adjourned to meet again at the call of the chairman. One of the Democratic members of the commitee said last night that there was probably r.o doubt that Cooper would be seated. He sill It was fair to surrse that Mr. Adamson would vote with the Republicans on the final vote, and even with all the Democrats rrezent thi would Rive the ReruMIcsns a malority of one. Skidmore Is a veterar