Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 12, DeMotte, Jasper County, 18 February 1949 — Merit System Bill Passed In The Senate [ARTICLE]

Merit System Bill Passed In The Senate

Republicans Defeat Democrats On Conservation Department Measure Republican senators beat dawn Democratic opposition yesterday and passed a bill to put the Indiana Department of Conservation on the merit system. The measure now goes to the Democratic-controlled House for further action where Senate Democrats predicted it would be defeated. “You might jpust as well learn some time who won the election.” Senator Walter Vermillion, Anderson Democratic floor leader _told the Republicans senators. G.O.P senators insisting upon passage of the came back with the retort that Governor Henry F. Schricker had promised the merit-system. before the election. “Governor Schricker went up and down the state campaigning for the merit system,” said Senator 0. Bruce Lane, Bainbridge Republican. “This is what he asked for.” But Senator Vermillion charged that Republicans are interested in a merit system on a 50-50 political basis to, keep Republicans on conservation department jobs. Without the merit system he pointed out the Republican would be replaced by Democrats. “In the conservation department you built up a powerful political machine,” Senator Vermillion charged. Republicans kept hammering at the fact that the Conservation Department merit system was a Democratic platform pledge Senator Milford Anness, Metamora Republican, told the Democrats, ‘‘lf you don’t carry out your platform it is up to us Republicans to do it for you, especially the good parts of it.” Senator Vermillion said, “The merit system will be put into effect, but we’re not going to let you Republicans do it by putting in half Republicans Senators Roy Conraa, Monticello, and William Bates, New Albany, both Republicans said the Conservation Department merit bill is modeled after the state police law. - i_ The bill was passed by a vote of 28 to 20.