Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1903 — INDIANA LAW MAKERS [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LAW MAKERS

Edgar A. Perkins, president of the State Federation of Labor, visited the House of Representatives Thursday and handed Representative Tarklngton a copy of a bill which provides for an amendment to the constitution of the State of Indiana. The bill is designed to iucreaso the power of the people by providing fo# a people’s vote through the optional referendum and for a direct initiative by petitions and at State elections. It is intended for a home thrust at political machines'. The bill will doubtless meet with great opposition, as any measure which touches the constitution is looked upon with disfavor. Senator Layman of Marion County introduced a bill in the Senate providing for a complete revision of the Indiana State constitution, lie explained that changes were needed in many sections of the constitution and that, therefore, there should be complete revision. The Senate Friday passed the Mil to separate the woman’s prison from the girls’ industrial school. The bill, as passed, provides for a new board of two women and one man. The amendment to put a man on the board was offered by Senator Davis. Senator Fortune wanted to make it three men, saying that the women would fight "like cats and dogs.” But Senator Davis’ amendment prevailed. On motion of Senator Thompson, lobbyists were excluded from the Senate. The Thompson motion was that when a man is found talking to a legislator about legislation lie shall immediately be put out. Another Sunday baseball bill was killed in the Senate Monday. The judiciary 00 illicit tee made a report in favor of the passage of Senator Thrall’s bill to repeal the present law against Sunday baseball. Senator Ogbern moved that concurrence in the report lie' indefinitely postponed and the motion was carried by a vote of 23 to 10. The light over the Kirkman gas pumping bill, which has passed the House, was carried into the State Senate, where it is being opposed vigorously by a lobby. Representatives of the gas companies backing the bill declare that if it is not passed and the Appellate Court sustains the decision of the Madison County Circuit Court enjoining the Richmond Gas Company from using pumps, Indianapolis, Bluffton, Decatur. Geneva, Wabash, Peru, I.ogansport, Lafayette, Frankfort. X'rawfordsville, Thornton, Lebanon, Kokomo, Anderson, Portland, Winchester, Union City, Fort Wayne and 200 mmller towns and villages will be deprived of gas. The Kirkman bill legalizes the use of pumping stations. The gas syndicate representatives say it makes no difference what the Legislature or the courts do, as they can fight the matter through the federal courts until the present supply of gas is so far exhausted that it will not be profitable to continue business. The gas lobby presents figures and statements showing that the gas companies are paying taxes on $11,000,000 worth of property.