Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1893 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

i Rev. Dr. Lncas prayed in the Senate Tuesday morning at the opening hour to a very small audience. As the members straggled in business was resumed. Committees reported a number of bills with Bill to change time of electing trustees to fall was favorably reported. An extended discussion of the minority report favoring the repeal of the section of the election law providing tor printing sample ballots ensued. Senator Magee in an energetic speech opposed the change. Adoption of report was defeated—ayes 17, nays 19,—and tho substitute bill favored by the majority of the committee providing that ballots shall occupy but half the' space in newspapers was adopted. Bill extending jurisdiction of Appellate court was favorably reported. Prison committee reported in favor of bill

to allow wardens to purchase,feed on prison slops and slaughter hogs and cattle. Constitutional amendment fixing term of prosecuting attorneys at four years was rejected. Bill providing that foreign build- ~ tag associations shall deposit SIOO,OOO with State auditor and for the appointment of an inspector was considered and extensively debated. Motion to strike out the SIOO,OOO deposit clause was lost—receiving but five votes. Adjourned. House was opened with prayer by Rev Mr. Christensen. Bill providing that nonresidents loaning money in State shall deposit evidence of amount loaned was introduced. Bill providing that c saloon keepers shall keep posted in place of business notice that minors are not allowed was introduced. Bill to prevent adulteration of sorghum molasses was passed. Bill amending sec. 4of tax law was passed. Bill empowering trustees to accept donations of land for cemetery purposes and to purchase land not exceeding five acres for Such purposes, passed. Bill providing that delinquent list shall be published by lowest bidder failed. Bill reducing rate of interest on school fund to 6 per cent passed unanimously. H. B. 61, relating to employment of teachers came back from Senate with amendments which were coneurredin and bill was sent to Governor. Many bills were advanced to third reading. Bill relating to transfer of prisoners to county Jail from Denitentiary and retransfer back to prison passed. Resolution to increase pay of janitors was referred. Adjourned. Rev Mr. Richardson begged the Almighty to be lenient with Hoosier Sena-, tors, Wednesday morning. A bare quorum was present. Bill amending ditch law passed unanimously. Bill appropriating $25,000 for the removal of Momence rock passed—34 to 3. Bill for deputy town marshals passed. Bill for vacation of streets passed. Bill fixing time of holding teachers’ examinations in January, March, April, May, Juno, August and September passed. Bill providing for publication of receipts and expenditutes of town clerks and treasurers passed. Tho pharmacy bill was called up and, after discussion was made special order for Friday at 10 a. m. Adjourned. The county seat bill wasdhc special order in the House, Wednesday,at 10 o’clock. A large lobby from tho counties likely to be affected was present. An extended debate ensued, and the bill was killed, yeas 03, nays 17. Bill providing that mine owners shall provide black boards on which miners may register- amount of timber neeejed for safety was unanimously passed. Bill giving cities jurisdiction over saloons within two miles of limits was introduced. A number of new bills were introduced among which were: Appropriating $135,000 for display at World’s Fair; appropriating $130,000 so Purdue University; appropriating SB,OOO for shelving for State library; reapportioning the State for legislative purposes. Adjourned. House opened Thursday by prayer, Rev. Wilson acting as chaplain. Bill increasing appropriation for farmers’ institutes to $4,000 was introduced. Bill providing that railroad omplyoyes having worked twenty-four hours shall bo allowed eight hours rest before being again called upon, passed—yeas 77, nays 2.—8i1l providing for weighing wheat, in testers passed. Petition from farmers of HowarcT county asking that liberal appropriation be made for the World’s Fair exhibit was presented. Bill extending time for closing saloons to 12 o’clock, p. m. iu all cities of 75,000 inhabitants passed. Bills to amend the tax law; providing for oil Inspection; and to amend the election law were introduced. Adjourned. Senate was opened with prayer by Rev. Wambsgauss. Bill legalizing Incorporation of Gas City was passed under suspension of rules. Bill extending class of securities in whicn savings baks may invest their funds passed. Bill providing for an ‘•investigator of tho poor” in townships having a population 25,000 passed. Bill amending road law passed. Bill providing for publication of notice of sale of school fond mortgage lands passed. Bill providing for medical examination, in suits for damages by assault, was killed. Bill requiring notaries to state in all attestations the date of expiration of commission passed. Bill providing that judges as well as juries may declare persons of unsound mind passed. Bill to raise age of consent from twelve to fourteen years passed. House bills to forfeit railroad aid; providing for registry of union, labels—passed. A number of unimportant Senate bills passed. Adjourned.

Rev. Mr. Wilqpn conducted morning devotions for the Senate, Friday. Bill to let convict labor to highest bidder was made special order for next Wednesday. Committco recommended printing of World’s Fair appropriation bill. Bill repealing portion of Grubb’s libel law was favorably reported, A vigorous debato was had on libel law applying to civil cases, and a strong sentiment was developed against the bill. Judiciary committee > recommended passage of bills legalizing certain town plats; requiring County Clerks to register fees; and bill amending dog law. Committee on education recommended the passage of bill regulating qualifications of county superintejdeuts, and for annaal representation on dirtstofs’ boards of State Educational institutions. Bill to prevent obstruction of drains was recommended for passage. An assault on the fee and salary law was made. A bill to change salaries in some instances was Indefinitely postponed. Bill fixing compensation and limiting time of county assessor was favorably reported. Bill for formation of loan and trust companies was made special order for. next Thursday. Bill Unamend city charter , of Indianapolis was made a special order for Monday. Bill for non-partisan expert ex-

amination of books of retiring county offi-j cers was recommitted in spite of adverse! report of committee. Lieutenant Governor set his foot down on further Saturday recesses over protestof numerous Sena tore. Mr. Magee spoke at length In favor of his resolution to adjourn February 28, although the limit of the session is March 5. He favored passage of necessary appropriation bills and adjournment to prevent vicious legislation and save expense. the Senate adjourned. 6 In the House’ Friday devotions were forgotten in the struggle for leave of absence. Representative Deery objected to granting any more. Bill legalizing Incorporation of Amsterdam was passed under suspension of rules. New bills were introduced. Bill to appropriatesls,ooo for payment of “home guards” during Rebellion was killed. Committee reported against appropriation to PlainfieW Reform School for improvements. The dog bill as heretofore given in these columns was passed. Bill to add $1,500 to salaries of circuit Judges in counties having 30,000 population, passed. Bill to fix salary of county superintendent in counties having 100,000 population at $2,500 was introduced. Bill making the obstruction of railway tracks a capital offense was passed to third reading. Bill legalizing incorporation of Carlisle was passed under suspension of rules; also legalizing incorporation of town of Eugene. Vermillion county. Bill favoring a State Board of school commissioners was favorably reported. Bill prohibiting use of horses and mules by street railway was killed. Bill for relief of Chenoweth treasurer of Wabash county passed. Bill to levy a one mill tax on every ten miles of road for maintenance of free turnpikes passed. After introduction of a grist of new bills House adjourned. Senate Saturday was opened with prayer by Rev. Mackintosh. No quotum present. G. A. R. petitions received and referred. Number of now bills presented among which were: To provide for compulsory education; appropriating $2,000 for removal of Morton statue to the State House grounds; granting special power* to county commissioners for road purposes. Bill providing for preservation of all ballots not counted was ordered engrossed. Bill fixing salaries of assessors in townships of 100,000 inhabitants at $3 a day was ordered engrossed. Bill authorizing prison wardens to feed hogs was engrossed. Bill providing for certain changes in text books was favorably reported. H. B. 221 fixing rate of interest on school fund was favorably reported. Bill to reimburse contractor at Knightstown Home for work done In excess of contract was ordered printed. Adjourned till Monday. House was opened in the midst of a racket by “Fog Horn” Kelley, ex-member from DeKalbcounty. No quorum present. RoU was not called. Bill to tax umbrellas was introduced as “hoss play.” Mock discussion ensued. Rep. McMullen moved to exempt foreign umbrellas. Referred to Rep. Haggard for amendment. Bill to require school teachers to be able to teach vocal music was' introduced. A fireman’s relief fund bill was introduced by Rep. Deery. Bill to require accounting by agricultural board was recommended for passage by majority of committee, but on demand for roll calf no quorum was found to be present and House adjourned till Monday. LEGISLATIVE NOTES. The House bill to protect union labels has beep favorably reported in the Senate. The Governor has approved the bill in relation to the removal of school houses, and it is now a law. Michigan City wants the Legislature to assist in its park improvements by permitting a small tax levy for purely park purposes. / - - ---