Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1899 — STATE LAW MAKERS. [ARTICLE]

STATE LAW MAKERS.

The lower branch of the Legislature on Friday passed the Senate bills appropriating SIOO,OOO for the completion of the State soldiers and sailors’ monument and $120,000 for a State hospital for epileptics at Columbus, Both bills were passed over the protests of the Committee on Ways and Means. The Governor announced that he would veto the bill to establish the hospital for epileptics. The bill dcsigued to enable Indianapolis to grant a franchise to the new street railway company was called up in the House Saturday morning. It was so amended as to give the common council power to provide for certain things not enumerated in the bill, but not to be inconsistent with its provisions. The House passed the general appropriation bill, and advanced the bill for reform iu county government to a third reading. The opponents of the latter bill were very active, and fear that they might defeat it in the alisence of several members caused an adjournment at noon until Monday. The Senate passed the bill providing that the State shall issue bonds to the University of Vincennes on a claim which originated soon after the State adopted the present constitution. The claim, exclusive of interest, which is not demanded, aggregates nearly $300,000. The bill reducing the number of truant officers in a county to one was passed, as wns also the bill providing for the appointment of a board of park commissioners for Indianapolis. The attorneys who appeared for E. E. Stoner and Frank Cregor in the contest from the Madison and Hancock Senatorial district put in claims for services that aggregate $2,000. The committee on elections refused to recommend its payment. The Senate on Tuesday passed the bill under which it is proposed to settle the street railway controversy in Indianapolis. By this bill all franchises to operate strt*et railways iu the city are wiped out and the city is left to make a contract for a thirty-four year franchise with the reorganized Citizens’ company. It is provided in the law that if the city fail to contract with this company the franchise shall be sold at auction in January, 1900, to the highest bidder for a period of not more* than thirty years. The bill for the eondemnation of land for a waterway between Lake Michigan and Wolf lake, in order that a harbor for the city of Hammond might be formed in the latter, was killed in the Senate Wednesday afternoon by a vote of* 27 to 19. The principal objection to the hill was that it placed the cost of making the waterway upon the adjoining laud owners and that the city of Hunnnoud alone would reap the benefit., Two years ago the bill passed both houses anil was vetoed by the Governor. Gov. Mount has the following bills: Senate bill No. 133—T0 limit the bonds for the construction of gravel roads. Senate bill No. 10<5—To enable the State Board of Schoolbook Commissioners to advertise for bids for text books. Senate bill No. 44—Relating to the creation of an appellate court. Senate bill No. 35—To accept jurisdiction of lands and territory ceded to the State by Congress. Senate bill No. 32—Concerning allowances for attorney's fees in tfee prosecution and defense of criminal cases. House bill No. 250—T0 legalize the incorporation of tbe town of St. Joseph, De Kalb County. House bill No. 7-1 —To prevent the location of railroads in cemeteries. House bill No. 04 —In relation to conveyances of real estate by wives of persons of unsound mind, habitual drunkards and minors under certain circumstances. House bill No. 108— For the discharge of prisoners from the reformatories and State prisons. House bill No. 7—Concerning the jurisdiction of courts iu suits against corporations. House hill No. 272—T0 legalize the records of the Council of Montpelier. House bill No. 58 —Authorizing county and district agricultural societies to sell real estate. House bill No. 439—Changing the name of the Reform School for Girls and Women's Prison. House bill No. 140—To amend sections of the law establishing the State Board of Health. By Mr. Sehaal—To authorize riparian owuers to own and maintain docks, etc. By Mr. Caraway—To provide for a better collection and distribution of State publications. By Mr. Barlow—Supplemental to an act concerning proceedings in civil cases. By Mr. Brown—Regulating the construction and repairing of public drains. By Mr. Neal—To amend the draiuage act. By Mr. Glossbrenner—Affecting the rights of citizens iu negotiating loans. By Mr. Williams—To increase the salary of steward of the Orphans’ Home. By Mr. May—To regulate the holdings of coroners' inquests. By Mr. Caraway—To legalize the town of Shirley, in Henry aud Hancock counties. By Mr. Glossbrenner—To regulate the practice of dentistry, etc. By Mr. Mnrsh—To provide for the purchase, condemnation, etc., of road-making materials. By Alt. Fuller—To amend the act concerning mechanics’ liens. By Mr. Niel —To amend the act governing insurance companies. By Mr. Brooks—Regulating the payment and allowance of claims against incorporated towns nnd cities. By Mr. Johnsori of Madison—To amend the act concerning natural gas and oil wells. By Mr. Shea—Relating to orders issued by cities of less than 20,000 upon their treasuries. By Mr. Hogate—To amend the act regarding building and loan associations. By Mr. Hugg—To provide for pensions for disabled aud retired policemen in Indianapolis. By Mr. Hedgecock—Prescribing the manner of accounting for specific appropriations of money. By Mr. Hall—To provide for the relocation of the county seat of Newton County. By Mr. Somers—Concerning appropriations to State Institutions. By Mr. Reeee—To provide for the bringing of suits by persons interested in estates. By Mr. Reece—To amend the act enabling incorporated towns to improve, streets. By Mr. Aikin—To amend the act regarding building aad loan associations. By Mr. Early—To amend tbe constitution. By Senator G win—Legalising the incorporation of Georgetown,