Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1889 — THE STATE LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

• [Note— Col. Robertson was not allowed to en? ter the Senate chamber. He applied to the Doorkeeper, demanding admission because file “was the President of the Senate.'’ The Doorkeeper asked him if he had a ticket. He said he had not. The Doorkeeper thereupon denied him admittances The Fifty-sixth session of the Indiana Legislature convened at Indianapolis on the 10th. In the Senate at 10:15 o’clock Judge Mitchell, of the Supreme Court ascended the steps to -the presiding officer’s chair and rapped the gavel. He inquired if State Auditor Our was present. Carr responded. Judge Mitchell asked him if he woi|ld preside during the organization of the Senate. Carr said: “Gentlemen, I cannot assume the responsibility of organizing the Senate. I know that Lieutenant-Governor Robertson, who is the legal and constitutional presiding officer of this body, is at the door demanding admittance. Hence, it would be an unwarranted usurpation of power on my part to assume to organize the Senate.-" Before the State Auditor nad hardly concluded Johnson, R., began reading the following: 4 Indianapolis, January 10, .1889. Hon. Henry M. Johnson, State Senator. I have the honor to inform you that lam at the door of the Senate, ready to fnfill the 1 ' duties of Lieutenant Governor as presiding officer of the Senate, but am refuted admission to the Senate chamber. *1 request that you calKhe attention of the Senate to the fact, and ffiform it that I am present and able to attend and preside at the sessions of the Senate R. .S. Robertson. Lieutenant Governor of Indiana. During the reading of this communication •Barrett, D. was protesting against the right of .Johnson to be heard, and Judge Mitchell, • who had given reeogiuation to Barrett, was , vainly endeavoring io quiet Johnson. Democratic members joined Barrett in his protest, but Johnson let out all his oratorical powers and made himself heard above all of the noise. Hamilton, the acting Doorkeeper, was ordered to suppress him but he wouldn’t be suppressed and with the Doorkeeper beside him mildly pleading and threatening, whileCarrett continued to deliver a speech of which only a word or sentence could occasionally be heard, Johnson read- the following resolution: Whereas, the Senators are informed that "as a matter of fact Robert S. Robertson, the dulyelected and acting Lieutenant Governor of the State Is now at the door of the Senate and asking admission to proceed with the organization of the Senate, therefore, Resolved, That the Auditor of State direct the Doorkeeper to admit the said Lieutenant Governor upon the floor of the Senate and that he do preside in the organization of this Senate. The contusion of oratory continued while Judge Mitchell looked on {helplessly, until at break was reached in the talking contest between Johnson and Barret. What Barrett said could not be understood, but Johnson made himself heard in declaring that he only desired “to protest against the usurpation of authority that belonged to the Lieutenant Governor, and that the constitutional right of protest could not be denied.” a lie put his resolution to a vote and declared it adopted, hut even that didn’t satisfy him, for in spite of the Doorkeeper, he continued to protest against Judge Mitchell’s usurpation of the rights of the Lieutenant Governor. On the suggestion of one of the Democratic Senators a call of the roll of members was ordered. Johnson and DeMotte again protested against usurpation, and gave notice that they would, at the prdper time, present their protests In writing. The Republican Senators did not respond to their names, and when Judge Mitchell asked the membcis to stand up and raise their hands to take the customary oath, the Republicans protested again, and took no part in the proceedings themselves. Barrett presented a resolution declaring James F. Cox the President of the Senate in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor, and over the protests of the Republicans it was adopted. Judge Mitchell appointed Barrett and Grose a committee- to escort Cox to the chair, but Grose declined to serve because “he believed it a usurpation of the rightfully elected Lieutenant Governor’s authority.” Cox was conducted to the chair by Barrett and Judge Mitchell administered the oath, the Republicans loudiy protesting, during the ceremony. The Senate then proceeded to the election of its officers, the Republicans protesting against every act. and refusing to vote. For Secretary, A. Greene Smith; for Assistant Secretary, John D. Carter; and for Doorkeeper, E. R. Hamilton were elected bv a party vote. Demotte, R., insisted that there were more votes being counted than there were Senators present. Alter the adoption of a resolution informing the Housethat the Senate was organized, Johnson offered the following resolution which was laid on the table by a party vote: Resolved, Thaj Roberts. Robertson is the dulyelected and qualified Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana, and by virtue of said office is President of this Senate and entitled to preside over its deliberations, and that a committee of two Senators be now appointed to wait upon him at the door of the’ Senate chamber, where he is now in waiting, and conduot him to the chair of this body. The proceedings throughout were noisy and amid much confusion. A committee was appointed to wait on the Governor. A resolution thanking Judge MitchelJ for his service in organizing the Senate was adopted by a party vote. In explaining his vote Dresser spoke of Robertson as having been excluded froth the floor by “force and fraud,” and the words were ordered “taken down.” Howard Henderson, Frank Haines and George Allison were appointed pages. Lieutenant Governor-elect Chase being present, he was invited to a seat beside the presiding officer. He accepted and said: “I am very certain we will have a pleasant time this winter, for I believe the people of Indiana like to elect people to represent them.” At noon the Senate adjourned. The House was called to order by State Secretary Griffin. Rev. Dr. Rondthaler offered prayer. Chief Justice Byron K. Elliott, of the Supreme Court, administered the oath to the members. The election of officers followed: Mason J. Niblack received 57 votes, Hiram Brownlee 43, for Speaker. The other Democratic caucus nominees were elected by the same vote: „ Clerk, T. J. Newkirk, D., against John C. Scobey, R., Assistant Clerk, C. E. Crowley, D., against W. P. Denney, R., and F. D. Haimbaugh, D., Doorkeeper. A committee to inform the Senate of the House organization was appionted. Cullen, R.,of Rush, offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the House of Representatives, having been informed of the organization of the Senate by the election of James H. Cox, as presiding officer of that body, hereby refuses to recognize that gentleman as a legally elected officer, and declares that Robert S. Robertson is legally elected and Acting Lieutenant Governor of Indiana and should preside over the present Senate. A motion to reject the resolution was carried by a party vote. The members in explaining their votes interspersed considerable politics. When Fosterderfared that the Republicans had gone to the people as to whether Mr. Robertson had been elected Lieutenant Governor or not. and had in so doing gone to grass, the Republicans in reply wanted to know “what was the matter with Harrison?” To which Mr. Foster called attention to the Democratic majority of the Legislature. A committee to wait upon the Governor was appointed. ' Pleasants moved that the Doorkeeper be authorized to employ twenty assistants. Brown. R», ■wanted to amend this so that only ex-Union soldiers be employed. Lost, and the original mo-, tion carried. The chair appointed the following committees: On joint -rules, Bigham, Curtis and Harwell; on rules, Pleasants, Willard, and Fields. The House then adjourned. On the 11th the Senate wasoperted with prayer by Rev. Peters. A resolution was adopted authorizing the Secretary of the Senate to make S roper requisitions for all stationery needed by le Senate,. A resolution by Boyd to draw seats by lot was defeated. Rep. and Rev Darnell offered prayer in the House. Several resolutions preparatory to the work of tfoe session were adopted. A resolution to dlhw seats** lot was defeated. Davis presented a reflteution expressive of the proper sentimenton.the death of -Gen. Sheridan. The joint committee on rules submitted a report recommending the adoption of the rules of the last General Assembly, wiib the exception (that the Speaker and not the Lieuten.-wtt Governor shall preside at joint sessions. The report was adopted by a party vote. At 2 o’clock a joint session of the two houses was held and the Governor’s message read. Neither House was in session on the 12th. On the 14th Senator Smith offered prayer. The standing committees were announced and confirmed alter considerable partying and some filibustering on the part of tne Republicans, as follows: , } Elections— Cdx.' Francis, Griffith, Foley, Sears, Cionk an Bozuman. Finance—Duncan, Andrew, Hayden, Burke, Kennedy, Carpenter, Shockney. Jndician-—Barrett, Griffith, Logsdon, Burke, Johnson, flays, Hubbell. Organization of Courts— Traylor, Urmston, Howard, Jones, Shockney, Boyd, Harness. Education—Mullinix, Howard, Duncan, Byrd, DeMotte, Sears, Mounts. Corporations—Hale, Barrett,Bran naman,Smith, Johnson, Biehowßki, Hays. Roads—Hayden, Urmston, Berry, Shanks, Kennedy, AHord, Casters. Benevolent Institutions—Thompson of Marion, Urmston, Kerth, Hudson, Dresser, Carver, Clemmuns. - c> Agriculture—Berry, Taylor, Shanks, Jackson, Kennedy, Grose, Cronk. Banks—Andrews, Hale, Berry, Jones, Thompson of Jasper, Harlan, Clemmons. Public Printing—Urmston, McClure,., Logsdon, Thompson of Pulaski, Thompson of Jasper, Schroyer, Mounts. Public Buildings—Hudson, Andrew, Mnllinix, Thompson of Pulaski, Harness. Kennedy, Boyd. State Prison—Francis, Andrew, Hale, Kerth, Sears, Custers, Harlan. Swiibp Lands and Drains—Howard, Urmston, ’ Thompson of Pulaski, Jones, Demotte, Alford, BhoCkney. Fees and Salaries—Griffith, Cox, Foley .Francis, fteara Have. Carver. ,

- Jackson, Harden, Schroyer, Boyd, Bozaman. . * -.Military Afialrs—Hale, Howard, Barrett, Mullinix, Demotte, Grose, Cronk. Phraseology—Smith, Duncan, Byrd, ■ Jackson, Thompson of Jasper, Shockney, Bozaman. federal Relations, Rights, and Privileges—McClure, Berry, Traylor, Griffith. Grose, Alford, Carver:’ x _ - Tempcrauee—Kerth, Andrew, Thompson of Pulaski, Foley, Hilrinn, Bichowski, Shroyer. and Township*"Business— Urmston, Shanks, Smith, Brannaman, Thompson of Jaspef, Bozaman, Kennedy. f i Public Health—Thompson of Palaski, Thompson, of Marion, Mullinjx, McClure, Harlan, Thompson of Jasper, and Casters. Insurance—Cox, Jones, Francis, Brannaman, Harness, Hubbell, Sears. Railroads—Brannaman, Foley, Francis, Hayden, Johnson, Hays, Sears. Mines and Mining—Byrd, Mullinlx, Traylor, Hudson, Cronk, Alford, Casters. Congressional Apportionment—Jackson. Mullinlx, Kerth, Shanks, Griffiths, Duncan, Grose, Hudson, Byrd, Dresser, Smith, Howard. Legislative Apportionment—Shanks, Logsdon. Berry, . Urmston, Cox, Kennedy, Thompson of Marion, Bichowski, Harlan, DeMotte, Hale, Hayden, Hubbell. - Supervision and Inspection of Semte Journal —Duncan, Smith, Jones, Byrd, Mount, Shroyer, Dresser. Executive Appointments—Logsdon, Burke, Jackson, McClure, Dresser, Carver, Clemmar. Cities—Jones, Howard 1 , Thomas of Marion, Kerth, Johnson, Shroyer, DeMotte. Labor and Labor Statistics—Logsdon, Barrett, Hudson. Foley, Hubbell, Harness, Shockney. nty of Indianapolis—Thompson of Marion, Foley, Hudson, Barrett, Kerth, Johnson, Carpenter. Natural Gas Legislation—Foley, Burke, Hale, Byrd, Harness, Boyd, Shockney. Joint Standing (Committees on part of the Senate: Enrolled Bills—Griffith, Logsdon,-Hubbell. * Public Buildings—Burke, Kerth, Mount, Clemmans. State Library—Howard, Traylor. Bozaman. ", A motion to print 6,000 copies of the Governor’s message <2,000 of them to be in Germain) was adopted. A long protest, reciting in detail the so-called unlawful manner in which the Senate was organizeds etc., etc., was presented and without reading made, a part of the record. It was signed by all the Republican Senators. Majority and minority reports were presented on the correctness of the minutes of previous sessions. The majority report pronouheed them correct but the minority declared them"incorrect and illegal, asserting that there was no legal presiding officer during the meetings of which the minutes were a record. After discussion the majority report was adopted. In the House Shambough introduced bill No. 1, appropriating $125,000 for the expenses of the session of the Legislature. Passed under asuspension of the rules. A resolution was adopted excluding from the floor agents of whatever kind. In joint session the vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor was announced. Both Houses aW'‘"' I '»' , thn inauguration ceremonies.