Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1885 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

The appellate bill was put on Its passage in the Senate on the Ist inst An amendment was proi>oHed by Senator Davis reducing the salaries,of the Judges from $4,c00 to *3,500 a year, and a motion to reject it was defeated by a vote of 25 to 20. The bill was then referred to a special committee, with Instructions to incorporate the amendment. Mr. Hilligaas called np Representative Sayres' bill to prohibit compulsory contributions from employes by companies or corporations, and on his motion the constitutional rule was suspended for its immediate consideration en the third reading. The bill specially affects the Wabash Railway Company, which requires its employes to each give 50 cents per month from their wages for the support of a hospital for Injured or disabled railroad men. The bill was passed; also the bill authorizing appropriations from the county treasuries for the education of pauper children. In the House, Mr, Smith’s bill concerning appeals to the Supreme Court was committed to a special committee of three to make certain amendments. The committee appointed to consider Senator Weir’s bill exempting State officers and Prosecuting Attorneys acting as relators for the State from the payment of costs in suits, made a report recommending an amendment that the State should pay the costs of such proceedings in which the finding of the court was for the defendant, which, after discussion, was adopted. Senator Schloss bill for the relocation of county seats, was amended in accordance with the report of the special committee so as to provide that no removal shall be less than three miles, that the decision of county boards on snch matters m-iy be appealed from, and that they shall donate the old building and grounds to the town whence the county seat was removed. A concurrent resolution providing for the payment of the expenses of the investigation of the condition of the new insane hospital was passed. Senator Johnson, of Tippecanoe, Introduced resolutions In the Senate, on the 2d inst., which were unanimously adopted, expressing it as the desire of the Legislature of Indiana that Gen. Manson. Lieutenant Governor, should be given "honorable recognition befitting his merits." The general appropriation bill occupied a large part of the session. In the House the consideration of the specific appropriation bill, which was the special order tor the morning hour, was postponed until the 3d, so that it might be printed, and the House bills on the Speaker’s table might be disposed of, this action indicating that the House was still in no great hurry to adjourn. Mr. Shanks called up the substitute fee and salary bill, proposed by the committee on that subject, and objection was raised to its consideration on the ground that it was not the regular order of business. After a long discussion the bill was recommitted. A copy of the Senate amendments to the bill prohibiting base-ball playing on Sunday was sent in and the House concurred in tire amendments, which passes the bill in both houses, and it now only awaits the Governor’s signature to become a law. In the absence of an emergency clause, it will not go into effect, however, until the laws are published and distributed, which will be about July 1. A concurrent resolution to amend the constitution by striking the word “male” therefrom was defeated. Gov. Gray signed the following bills, and the same are now laws: An act to validate the acknowledgments taken before officers whose commissions bad expired; amending the act providing for the organization of Circuit Courts; fixing the time for holding court in the Thirty-fifth Judicial Circuit; legalizing certain acts of the Board of Commissioners of Brown County; concerning libraries in certain cities; to contifiue the terms of court, which would, expire during trials, until the end of the same.

The bill to reimburse Township Trustees for the loss of funds in the defunct Indianapolis bank gave rise to a prolonged debate in the Senate, on the 3d inst. A long and strong argument against the bill was made by Senator Winter, who said it was a fundamental principle of government that public officers should be made responsble for the loss of trust funds, and it would be a dangerous precedent to now pass the bill. The bill finally passed—27 to IS. The Senate increased the allowance of Purdue University to $24,000, and agreed with the House to adjourn sine die Monday, April 13. In the House the bill prohibiting telephone companies from charging more than $3 per month for the rental of one instrument or $5 for two when used by the same person was passed. The Senate concurrent resolution complimenting Gen. Manson on his distinguished services to his country and his party and recommending him for substantial recognition by the administration was concurred in by a unanimous vote, Messrs. Smith and Townsend, from the Republi an side, speaking in its favor. Helms’ bill, providing that a wife-whipper shall be punished by receiving from fifteen to forty stripes on his bare back, was called up and considered, on a motion of Mr Smith to make the maximum punishment thirty-nine stripes, in accordance with the scriptural provision. The bill was engrossed. The followingbil'spassed: Legalizing the incorporation of tire town of I acoma, Harrison County; authorizing Boards of County Commissioners to change and straighten the course of streams; authorizing the construction and maintenance of free gravel roads and turnpikes.

A favorable report on Senator Adkinson's bill providing for the appointment of a fee and salary commission was concurred in by the Senate on the 4th inst The consideration of the general appropriation bill by the Senate committee of the whole was resumed. Senator Willard moved to amend the item making special allowances for improvements at the northern prison by requiring that the expenses shall be paid out ’of the earnings of the institution. The amendment was adopted. An amendment was adopted giving the insane hospital a special allowance ot $15,000 for additional water supply. An Item was added to the bill giving S4OO to the State Horticultural Society. The consideration of the bill was continued and the Senate arose from its session as committee of the whole. In tne House, Mr. Brown’s bill providing that polling places shall be opened at 6 o’clock in the mornilag on election days was called up and discussed at considerable length. Speaker Jewett came down on the fioor and earnestly supported the bill, claiming that it was in the interest of day laborers, who could not always go to the polls when they pleased. Mr, Sayre and. others opposed the measure for the reason that it would afford opportunities for fraudulent voting before daylight in the morning The bill passed®-yeas 51, nays 25—but, aft«>r some other business had Intervened, Mr. Wilson, speaking to a question of privilege, claimed that there had been a mistake in the roll. It was called for verification, and it was found that Mr. Patten, who was recorded as having voted “aye," had not voted at all. The Speaker had the error corrected, and declared that the bill had failed for want ot a constitutional majority, and a message was sent to the Senate recalling it. The following bills were passed: For the payment of certain claims of certain officers and privates who served in the Indiana Legion; to prevent discrimination in rates bv telegraph or telephone companies.