Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1901 — THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE [ARTICLE]

THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE

Reports of Proceedings and Bills Introduced. MEASURES IN BOTH HOUSES. A Proposed Waterway from Bast Chicago to ths Calumet Hirer —Senator Agnew Baa Heard of So Opposition to This Bill. Tuesday, January it. In the House: The report of the conference committee was concurred In, striking out the clause in the appropriation bill providing for extra allowances by resolution. The primary election bill was made a special order for next Tuesday afternoon. Senate bill No. 54, fixing Michigan City as the legal place for the execution of criminals, was passed. In the Senate: S. B. Fleming was seated as senator from Allen and Adams counties. Senator Cregor Introduced a resolution declaring that the constitution follows the hag and instructing the senators and representatives in congress to use all honorable means to enforce this doctrine. Wednesday, January 23. A bill has been prepared for introduction in the legislature to establish a whipping post in every county in the state and provides that every male person over 18 years of age who shall strike or beat a woman shall receive from 15 to 50 lashes on his bare back. Profanity in the presence of females shall bring to the male offender Of 14 years or more from five tp 25 lashes. Petit larceny shall be punished By from five to 50 lashes. Tramps shall receive from ten to fifty lashes. The man who deserts his family and leaves it upon public charity from thirty to seventy-five lashes, and the public drunkard on his fourth offense from ten to twenty-five. The whip used shall be of rawhide and shall be wielded by the sheriff or his deputies. Thursday, January 24. The legislature passed to engrossment of a bill which will be of interest to the people of northwestern Indiana. It was Introduced by Senator Agnew and provides for a waterway from East Chicago on Lake Michigan to Calumet river, to be used as a ship canal. Senator Agnew says be has heard of no opposition to the bill, which provides that on petition of onethird of the affected property owners the circuit judge shall appoint three disinterested persons to assess benefits and damages and pay the cost of the waterway. Senator Agnew says if the measure becomes a law northwestern Indiana will have one of the greatest of inland harbors. Friday, January 25. Senator Johnson of Jay, introduced a bill aimed at the Chicago pipe lines. It makes any pressure over 200 pounds to the square inch illegal. This pressure would make it impossible to pipe gas to Chicago unless pumping stations were placed every few miles. A penalty of from $3,000 to SIO,OOO is provided, and the gas inspector is required to inspect the lines quarterly instead of annually, as at present. The manufacturers of the gas belt are said to be behind the bill. It is quite probable that Indiana will substitute electrocution for the banging of criminals, as the senate passed Harrison's bill by a vote of 37 to 2. NOTES OF LEGISLATURE. * Mr. Harris introduced a bill regulating the acts of the cemetery corporation of St. Joseph county. County and township business. Charles L. Henry, of Anderson, was in 1881 and 1883 a member of the state senate, being elected from the\:ounties of Grant and Madison, which at that time was a Democratic district. Mr. Henry visited the senate the other day and took his old seat for a short time. Representative Gauntt of Marion is a revenue inspector, but while he is in the legislaeure he is not working at it. A. E. Lyman of Muncie is serving the government in Mr. Gauntt's place, but will retire when the legislature adjourns. Senator Ball introduced a bill providing that county auditors may draw warrants on funds approprated by county councils to pay specific contracts at the end of the year, instead of having the money revertato the general fund.

The senate committee on mileage has decided that the late Senator Garriott of Jackson would have been enBy resolution of the senate it was decided to allow this mileage to Mrs. Garriott, and a warrant will be drawn for $36 in her favor. A number of senators and representatives were in the lobby of the Denison the other night, when a Salvation Army miss came in to take up th« usual collection. Each said he was sorry that he could not contribute because a disagreement of the house and the senate on the appropriation bil' had cut them out of their money, and until they got paid they were not able to donate anything to the cause. Mr. Waugh introduced a bill amending the county and township law in such a way as to provide means for the payment of outstanding warrants. Judiciary. (W Said a man who watches Indiana politics closely: “I want to make a prophecy just now. Four years from now S. R. Artman, speaker of the bouse of representatives, and N. W. Gilbert, lieutenant-governor, will be opposing candidates for the nomination for governor of Indiana, and Charles W. Fairbanks will be Indiana’s candidate for president.”