Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1893 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

Opening of the Fifty-Eighth Bi- - ennial Session. Jm. B. -Curtis, of Marlon County, Elected/ Speaker—Senator Griffith Protempore President of the Senate. TheTirty-eightb biennial session of the Indiana General Assembly convened at the State Capitol, in Indianapolis, Thursday. At 10:111 a. m., Secretary of State Matthews arose in the hall of the House, wrapped ttifee times with the oak gavel, and said: “In accordance with the power vested in me by the constitution of the Stato of Indiana, and as the time has arrived for calling to order of the Fifty-Eighth General Assembly, I now call this House to order.” Rev. Mr. Carstensen opened the proceedings with prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer the foil was~ialled and the oath was administered to new members by Judge Hackney. Election of officers being next in order, Representative Ader, of Montgomery, placed in nomination for Speaker, James B. Curtis, of Marion county, the Democratic caucus nominee. For the minority. Representative Haggard, of Tippecanoe, placed in nomination for the same position, A. C. Lindemuth, of Wayne. The vote on Speaker was: Curtis, 63; Lindemuth, 37. Mr. Curtis was escorted to the chair, and addressed the House as follows: “In tho vote of confidence which has been extended to me by my selection as your presiding officer, there has been given that assurance which carries with it the conclusion that my efforts will meet with: the support of the members. Many embarrassing circumstances will arise, but it is my hope that the people of Indiana will not be disappointed. Be you Republican or Democrat, let us show to the people of Indiana that its Legislature is a business body, capable of caring for the wants of the people in an economical manner, always considering the demands which cannot be ignored. Man is mortal and mistakes are common, therefore, if my judgment at any time seems to be wrong, judge not too harshly, but lend me that aid and-forbearance which will enable me to avoid future error. It is my hope to please the majority, and it is my sipcere wish to be fair to the minority.” The oath of office wasthen administered to Mr. Curtis by Judge Hackney. The oath of affirmation was at this point administered to Representative White, of Henry county. Minor officers were then elected as follows: Chas. E. Crawley, of Sullivan county, for Clerk, received 63 votes to 37 for Miller, of Hendricks, the Republican caucus nominee; John P. Carter, of Orange, for Assistant Clerk, was elected over Wm. Ennis, of Gibson, by the same vote. The organization was completed by tho election of the Democratic caucus-uominee, B. D.Glazehoak, Starke county, doorkeeper, over the Republican nominee, James A. Southard, of Clinton county, and the oath of office was then administered to Messrs. Crawley, Carter and Glazebrook.

The Senate was called to order at 10:10 a. m., by Senator Griffith, of Dearborn. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Buchtel. The roll was called and the oath was administered to new members by Judgo Howard. Senator Magee, of Cass, was called to tlio chair. Senator McHugh, of Tippecanoe, placed in nomination for President pro tem., Senator Griffith, who had taken his seat in the body, being the Democratic caucus nominee, and ho was chosen by 33 to 14 for Senator Boyd, of Fountain, the Republican nominee. On taking the chair Senator Griffith spoke as follows: “Senators, for this renewed expression of your confidence I desire to thank you. I trust that during the present, session our relations shall be agreeable and harmonious. I trust that the interests of the State of Indiana will receive proper consideration at your hands. It stands us in hand to keen pace with the rapid progress in the march that has b<jen made by our sisterhood of States. I ask yon to contribute your part toward keeping Indiana in the front rank of the procession. We are now ready to proceed with the further organization of the Senate.” Representative Hindi appeared to announce that the House had organized. Senator Morgan, of Alien, moved that three clerks and eleven doorkeers, in addition to tho statutory number, be employed. Resolution adopted, and upon a motion to reconsider by Senator Magee, was laid on the table by a party vote. Senate adjourned till 2p. m. Tho organization of the Senate then proceeded. Senator Holland, of Ripley, placed in nomination for Secretary, Geo. S. Pleasants, of Switzerland, for the Democrats. For the Republicans, Senator Boord, of Warren, placed In nomination Geo. W. Boyd, of Fountain. Mr. Pleasants was elected. Joseph F. Freidman, of Dubois county, ,was chosen Assistant Secretary over Mark Sontag, of Vanderburg. Wm. F. Mannlx, of Allen, Doorkeeper, over Wm. H. Dubois, of Hamilton. The officerselect were sworn In. President Griffith declared the Senate of the Ftfty-elghth Assembly ready for business. Chair appointed Senators McHugh, Newby, Kern, Leyden and Loveland a committee oh rules. Senator Boyd offered a resolution that the Senate take appropriate action on the death of Gov. Hovey. Resolution adopted. Senator Boyd, Lyon and Smith were appointed to meet a House committee on the subject. A committee was appointed to inform the House that the Senate was organized. Gov. Chase was officially notified that the Senate was ready to hear any communication he chose to make. Senator Kopclko offered a resolution that Leo. Lefkovlts be appointed a page in addition to the regular number. Resolution was adopted by party vote. Other pages are Geo. Schley. Fred. French and O. Beck. French and Beck are sons of Sonators. House met at 10 a. m., Friday. Prayer by Representative Bransteer. Representative Sulzer offered a resolution to regulate sale of prison labor products, Referred. Rep. Johnson offered resolution denying peddlers, etc., privileges of the floor of the House. Carried. House took recess to await arrival of Senate for the joint session. Senate held session, Friday. Report of committee on mileage adopted. Each member Is allowed 20 cents mileage for one round-trip. Senate adjourned till Monday. House and Senate met in joint session to hear Governor’s message, which is given In another column. Message was read by Private Secretary Roberta. At the conclusion of message President Griffith announced the canvassing of the vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Speaker Curtfa announced the vote: Matthews, 200,001; Chase, 253,088; Worth, 12,900; Templet&p, 23,d17. Nye, 200,384; Shockney, 2W.59*; Culbertson, 12,900; East, 22,072. President Griffiths declared

Matthews and Nye elected. Joint session adjouiined. * House reassembled. Representative Ader moved that 5,000 copies of the Governor’s message be printed. Ader. Sulzer and Passage were appointed a committee for that purpose. Speaker Curtis announced the committee on rules—Putnam, Rodibaugh and Haggard. House adjourned till Monday. tip/- LEGISLATIVE NOTES. The House Democratic caucus was held Wednesday night. Richard K*.Erwin, of Adams, presided. Chas. E. Crawley, of Sullivan, was nominated for Clerk by acclamation. The result of the vote on other officers was the nomination of John D. Carter, of Orange, for Assistant Clerk; and D. B. Glazebrook, of Starke, for doorkeeper. Senator Magee, of Cass, presided over the Senate Democratic caucus, Wednesday evening, and the nominations were by acclamation, as follows: Secretary, Geo. S. Pleasants, of Switzerland; Assistant Secretary, Joseph Friedman, of Duboi ; doorkeeper, Wm.T. Mannix. of Allen. Tho Republicans of the House and Senate held a joint caucus. Theodore Sheskhey, Of UhTon-CityTpresided, and the caucus was organized by the election of John Yaryan, of Wayne, permanent chairman. Separate caucuses were then held, and House Republicans made the following nominations: Speaker, A. C. Lindemuth, Wayne; Clerk. Scott Miller, Hendricks; Assistant Clerk, Wm. Ennis, Gibson; doorkeeper, Jame s A. Southard,Clinton. Senate nominations'were: Secretary, George W,Boyd, Fountain; Assistant Secretary, Mark Sontag, Vanderburg; Doorkeeper, Wm. A. Dubois, Hamilton. James B. Curtis, the newly elected Speaker, is the Democratic member from Marion and Shelby counties. Mr. Curtis is thirty-three years old, a graduate of Butler University, class of’Bo, and a member of the law firm of Morris, Newberger & Curtis. This is his third term as a member of the House. A. C. Lindemuth, who received the complimentary vote of the Republicans for Speaker, is a member of tho Richmond bar, and is a young man. He was a member of the House two years ago. The colored Democrats of Indianapolis have demanded recognition, and E. E. Cooper hopes to be an engrossing clerk. No contests for seats in either branch for the first time in thirty-two years. Peter Schaf, of Brookyille, is the oldest Representative. Forty years ago he was an Ohio river roustabout.