Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 January 1895 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

The House met, Jan. 15, under the new rules, at 9a. m. Prayer Dy Rep. Bohan* non. The committee, by Rep. Leedy, reported in favor of the pnrchase of eight sets of the Revised Statutes of 1894 at a eost of not to exceed 116 1 set, and that there lie obtained from the Secretary of State one hundred < sets of the Revised Statutes of 1881. Representative Leedy urged its; adoption. He said other General Assemblies had been accused of being extravagant in this particular, and he thought there should be retrenchment. Rep. Moore, of Montgomery, opposed the report. He said the members were expected to act intelligently in amending laws, and this they could not do unless they hall before {them the laws which it was proposed to amend. As a substitute, Rep. Robinson offered Ja, resolution pro viding for the purchase of a set of the Revised Statutes ofj 1894 for each of the fifty desks, one set for each committee, and three sets for the use of ..the officers of the House. The ■ two propositijns were discussed. Rep. Higbee (Dem.) suggested that the value of tijne wasted would more than pay for a set of the books for each member. Thesubslitute was voted down. Rep. Moore moved to lay the report of the committee on the table. On this the roll was called. The motion to table was lost—ayes 29. nays 68. The report of committee was concurred in. On the roll call

twenty-five bills were introduced During the call Rep. Leedy introduced a resolution for the investigation of the office of Attorney-General, and the office of the State Treasurer. The resolution was referred to the Judiciary committee. Rep. Howe presented two resolutions, one providing for a joint committee, which shall consider the advisability of calling a constitutional convention. Senate bill No. 10 legalizing certain acts of the commissioners of Benton county was passed. A resolution by Represents-. live Howe was also submitted, providing that the State Senate shall be composed i>f sixty members; and the House of members to be elected as follows: For each county having 25,000 inhabitants, one Representative; for each county having 50,000 inhabitants, two Representatives; for each county having 75,000 Inhabitants, throe Representatives; for each county having 100.000 inhabitants, four Reprelentatives; for each county haying 125,000 Inhabitants, five Representatives; foi each county having 150,000 inhabitants, lix Represenatives. Speaker Adams announced the Housecommittees as follows: HOUSE COMMITTEES. Elections—Crozier, Hunter, Thomas. Stakebake, Reynolds. Hunt, Binkley, Harrison, of Shelby, Billlngsly. Ways and Means—Allen, Merritt, Stutesman. Willoughby, Mclntosh, Crozier, Spaulding, Bobilya, Williams. Judiciary—Robinson. Moore, Pettit, Remy. Cardwell, Davis, Wilson, Stakebake, Thomas, Stotsenberg, Duncan. Organization of Co.urts Lambert, Hundley, Griffin, Hunter, Robinson, Stakebake, Thomas, Duncan, Stotsenburg. Ranks —Elliott, Terhune, Simons, Stutesman. Culbert. Finkbinder, Melendy, Williams, McGeath. Education—Adam of Parke, Mclntosh, Nicholson, Beeker, Allison, Vonnegut, Davis, Remington. Duncan. Prison South—Wilson.Poindexter.Stewart, Reynolds, Bohanncn, Porter, Howe, Bowers. Remington. Prison North—Culbert, Nicholson, Elliott. Floyd, Hosier, Grimes, McCaskey, Dalman, Kelly. Swamp Lands—Dinwiddle, Hunt, Spitler, Stetler, Mcßeth, Booher, Gregg, McGeath, Billlngsly. Millitary Affairs Melendy, Crozier, Harris, Allison, Coates, McCrea. Stetler, Bobilya, Stotsenberg. Claims—Terhune.. Allen, Barber, Harrilon of Elkhart, Elliott, Simons, Beeker, Higbee, Feist. Trust Land—Thomas, Woodruff. Harriott, Farrell, Hamrick, Binkley. Bohannon, Feist, Cooley. Fees and Salaries—Van Arsdel. Spaulding, Hunter, Stewart, Cardwell, Newhouse, Hanna, Ross, Gregg, Willis, Culbert, Williams, Blue. Sinking Fund—Lloyd, Woodruff, Kamp, Spitler, Binkley, Allison, Jackson, White, Billlngsly. Rights and Privileges—Pettit, Hester, Porter, Woodruff, Allen. Bohannon, Stakebake, McGeath, Harrison of Shelby. Railroads—Hamrick. Blakely, Farrell, Griffin, Dinwiddle, Spaulding, Simons, Williams, Swope. Manufactures and Commerce—Vonne rut, Gregg. Kamp, Laidlaw, McGregor, Howe, Farrell, Kell, Swope. County and Township Business—Ross, Wilson, Hunter. Hundley, Robinson, McCrea, Gibson, Billlngsly, Cooley. Agriculture— Beeker, Garriott, Kamp, Coates, Grimes. Smith of Huntington, Boardman, Remington, Billingsley. Soldiers’ Monument—Boardman. Har- . sis, Laidlow, Coates, Melendy, Mcßeth, Feist, McGeith, McCrea. Accounts—Willis, Poindexter, White. Joint Public Buildings—Gregg, Harris, Dinwiddle. McGregor, Poindexter. Enrolled Bills —Mclntosh, Holloway. Willoughby, Leedy, White. Stato Library—Cardwill. Fowler,White, Benevolent and Scientific Institutions—temy, Loring. Holloway, Long well, Newiouse. Harris, Binkley, Blue, Duncan. Temperance—Nicholson, Wilson, Willis, Gibson, Blakely, McCasky, Grimes, Higbee. Cooley. Mileage and Accounts—Barber, Lambert, Poindexter, Finkbinder, Vonnegut, Lloyd. Spitler, Higbee. Billlngsly. Corporations—Merritt, VanArsdel, McIntosh. Stutesmen, Crozier. Finktnnder, Ferhnne, McGeath. Stotsenburg. Canals—Howe, Welch. Smith of Huntngton, Gaither, Longwell, Gibson, Haif' sa. Remington, Dalman. Public Expenditures Harris. Stakelake, Harrison of Elkhart. Wil’ls, Bohunton, Simons, Stetler, Kelly, Feist. Federal Relations—Willoughby, Howe, Gaither, Booher, Hessler, McGregor, Stotlenburg, Bowers. Affairs of City of Indianapolis—Leedy, Vonnegut, VanArsdel. McGregor, Moore, Boardman, Adams of Marion, Coole, BobIva. Cities and Towns—Holloway, Terhune, Griffin, Cardwell, Finkbinder, Lambert, Mclntosh, Stotsenburg. Bobilya. Engrossed Bills— Hosier. Merritt, Petlit. Beeker, Elliott, Newhouse, Reynolds, Higbee, Kelly. Roads—McCrea.Adamsof Parke.Welch, Gibson, Floyd, Gaither, Garriott. Dalman, Iwope. Statistics—Laidlow, Loring, Mcßeth, Melendy, Ross, O'Brien, Feist, Remington. Insurance—Mcßeth,Van Arsdel, Pettit, Willoughby. Spitler, Barber, Crozier, Cell. Bowers. Printing—Harrison of Elkhart, Rerlolds. Adams of Parke, Woodruff, Allilon, Dinwiddle, Willis, Blue. Swope. Reformatory Institutions—Moore.Blake ley, Boardman, Hamrick, Ferrol, Fowler, Welch, White, Kell. Drains and Dykes—Jaekson, Barber, Laidlow, Geither, Culbert, Floyd, Smith if Huntington, Kelly, Dalman. Mines and Mining—Booher, Lloyd, Doates, Garriott, O’Brien, Gaither, Fow«r, Higbee. Williams. Labor—O’Brien, Howe. McGregor, Mc'asky, Grimes. Jackson, Longwell, Swope, Harrison, of Shelby. Medicine, Health and Vital Statistics— Lor'ng, Porter, Spaulding. Reynolds, Woodruff, Hunt, Fowler, Bowers, White. Inspection of the Journal—Adams, of Marlon, Allen, Reynolds, Kelly, Harri»n. of Shelby. Natural Resource*—McCaskey, Hundtey, Griffin, Roas, Stewart, Floyd. Hanna, Blue, McGeath. Phraseology of Bills—Davis, Adams of Parke, Cardwell, Remy, Melendy, Lambert, HlffiMD of Elkhart, Dalman, Kall.

Congressional Apportionment—Statesman. Stewart, Swope, Blakely, Remy. Elliott, Terhune, Spaulding. Nicholson, Spitler. Kell, Culbert, Williams. Legislative Apportionment—Newhouse, Kamp, Porter, Stotsenburg, Howe, Stakebake, Leedy, Davis, Hunter, Jackson. Pettit, Dalman, Hunt. At noon the House adjourned until 9 a. m.. Wednesday. The Senate, Tuesday, was opened with prayer. Lieutenant-Governor called for committee reports. Committee on military affairs reported in favor of tbo bill to reimburse the Governor for money paid the militia last summer, and it waa passed under suspension of the rules. On roti call nineteen bills were introduced, the most important being by Mr, Sweeney to fix the liability of insurance companies; establlshinga rate of two cents a mile on railroads. By Senator O’Brien to amend See. 2, Art 7, of the State Constitution, its object being to increase the number of Supreme Court judges to not less than nine or more than fifteen. The law book question was again considered, Mr. Shiveley’s resolution being to purchase twentyeight sets of Burns’ Revised Statutes. Chair held that the motion was out of order. Senator appealed and tho chair was sustained—27 to 20. The finance committee reported H. B. appropriating 8100,000 for Legislative expenses, and it was passed under a suspension of rules. At 11:30 the Senate adjourned till Wednesday, Jan. 16.

In the Senate, Jan. 16, Mr. Kern introduced a resolution inquiring why the order to purchase law nooks had not been carried out. Mr. Boyd declared that the resolution was an attack on the secretary, Mr. Kern denied this. Senator Newby declared that the purchase was a political measure. He said that it would be wrong to compel the secretary to spend the money for the purchase of the books when the people would not approve it. Senator Wishard said' that the secretary was appointed by the majority of the Senators, and that: he will abide by the majority. He said that if the LieutenantGovernor did not do what the majority wanted, he would be voted out of his chair. The motion to lay on the table was carried by a vote of 27 to 22, and the secretary was not required to answer. Senator Kern asked that the vote be reconsidered. Motion lost—27 to 22. Mr. Shively Introduced a resolution to purchase twenty-eight sets of Revised Statutes. This resolution was the result of a Republican caucus. Mr. McDonald made the point that the resolution was out of order and the Chair so ruled. An appeal was taken, and a discussion followed until Mr. Crumpacker called the previous question. There was a great outcry of “No. no,” and the “previous question” was not called. Senator Cranor denounced as peanut politics the attempt to undo what the Senate had done in ordering fffty-eight copies of the statutes. He said: “Wo have discussed this matter until we have cost the State of Indiana more money than the price of the books amounts to. Let us decide this thing as men, and not like boys.” Senator Stuart called attention to the fact that, by Senator Shiveley’s resolution, there would be a saving of about 8240, while the cost of maintaining the Senate is over 8200 an hour. He denounced the whole proceedings as the worst kind of peanut politics. Senator Wishard said the majority made the rules, and if there is not law enough to carry out the wishes of the majority, the majority would make more law. Senator Wray denounced the remarks of Senator Wishard, and said it was the most shameful spectacle ever witnessed in any body in Indiana. He called Senator Wishard “the czar of the steering committee.” Senator Shively demanded the previous question, and the Chair refused to entertain the motion. A heated exchange of charges and counter charges between Senators Vail and Kern ensued. Senator McDonald introduced a resolution to amend the Shiveley resolution by purchasing thirty instead of twenty-eight copies. Senator Newby demanded the previous question, and said he had been on the floor for some time. “Yes, you have been on the floor continuously,” said the Chair, “but you most go about this matter in a parliamentary way.” In a second half the Republican Senators were on their feet shaking their hands in the air and declaring that they wanted to second Mr. Newby’s demand. The previous question was then ordered—3o to 17. An altercation between the Chair and Senator Newby ensued. Mr. Newby finally taking his seat. Shiveley’s resolution to purchase twenty-eight coplas of the statutes was passed by a vote of 27 to 19 The Senate adjourned till 2p. m, At the afternoon session Senator Humphries presented a memorial to Congress favoring election of U. S. Senators by the people. Senator Kern introduced a bill providing tbatcounty county commissioners shall see to it that no ex-Unlon soldier or sailor shall become an inmate of any poorhouse, but shall provide for such needy persons. Referred to committee on military affairs. Senator Stuart offered a bill limiting expenses of candidates, and defining brbery in the matter of running for office. Thirty-one other bills were introduced, the most important being: By Senator Leyden, to amend the sinking fund act; Senator McCutcheon, to enable farmers to organize mutual insurance companies; Senator Watson, to enable fifty freeholders to call an election for the removal of a county seat, three-fifths of all the voters being enabled to make such removal; Senator Gifford, empowering towns to regulate natural gas rates. Senator Gifford’s bill providing for the repeal of laws providing for capital punishment was postponed. The Senate then adjourned. The House, Jan. 16. was opened with prayer by Rep. Fowler, The Speaker appointed Reps. VanArsdel, Bohannon and Fowler as a committee to wait on the Indianapolis Ministerial Association and invite it to furnish ministers to act as chaplains for the House. The contest case of Miller, Republican, against Bowers, Democrat, from Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland counties, was referred to the committee on elections. A large number of additional bills were introduced, the most important being by Rep. Howe, to protect members of labor organizations; Rep. Lambert, to protect street railway employes: Rep. Boardman, to require Citizens’ Street Railway Company of Indianapolis to pay into the city treasury 15 per cent, of fares collected; Rep. Leedy, to amend an act concerning public offenses. Rep. Stutesman brought up the revised statute question again by offering a rosoutlon providing for the purchase of sixteen copies of “Burn’s revised statutes of 1894.” Statesman spoke in support of his motion. Rep. Leedy moved to refer the motion of Stutesman to the committedon printing. On this motion the roll was called. The motion was lost—yeas. 37; nays, 67. This motion was followed by a motion by Rep. Merritt that the resolution calling for the purchase of the sixteen volumes be laid on the table. The roll was called. The motion prevailed—--51 to 45. Rep. Merritt asked If theeigl.t volumes ordered yesterday had beeu purchased. Speaker announced that the dork had not yet purchased the books. At 11:15 the House adjourned for the day. The Senate, Jan. 17, was opened with prayer byßev. Mr. Barth. A resolution by Senator Parker to investigate charges of incompetency against clerks was tabled —ls to 18. The bill providing for a bond of 8100,000 for sinking fund commissioners in towns and cltlee was passed by a unanimous vote. The resolution of Senator Allen authorising the committee on fees and salaries to subpoena witnesses was discussed. Action deferred. A resolution by Senator Seller concerning proposed revision of State laws was referred to a special committee. On roll call ten new bills were introduced, the most important being the re-apportionment bill by Senator Wnhard. At the afternoon'session Senator McLean introduced a bill for the incorporation of local mutual fire Insurance

companies. The report of the judiciary committee on 8. B. No. 17, to abolish capital punishment was discussed for two hours. On a vote the majority report favoring the present laws was sustained--31 to 17. The Rouse, Jan. 17, was opened with prayer by Rev. C. N. Sims. A resolution seating Richard H. Smith, of Tipton county, was adopted. The judiciary committee reported a substitute bill which provides for seven assistant doorkeepers in each House at 81 a day, two janitors at 83 a day, four pages at 82 a day, ten assistant clerks to the principal clerk at 85 a day, eight assistants to the assistant clerk at 84 a day, one folding clerk at 83 a day, and seven committee clerks at 83 a day. The bill provides for the employment of eighty persons in both Houses. Two years ago there were 120 employes in the two Houses, and, with the exception of ths janitors, all were paid 85 a day. Chairman Allen, of the committee, opposed ths report. Hesaid it was not in keeping witb the spirit of the Republican party. Rep. Mclntosh, of Fayette and Wayne, said he would support the bill if it was so amended as to reduce the pay of members to 85 a day. Ho said he was not in favor of practicing economy at the laborers’ expense, Rep. Leedy of Marion asked that Marlon county be eliminated from the consideration of the question. This county, hesaid, was notasking anything. Continuing, he said that men should be paid, for what they know. He said the first Republican House in twenty-five years must not say that wages should go down; it should say they should rise. He said he was in favor of cutting off every unnecessary doorkeeper and janitor, but he favored paying good wages to the men actually needed. The report was finally referred to a special committee. Until further action all employes will receive 85 a day. The bill to reimburse Governor Matthews for militia expenses was passed under a suspension of the rules unimously. The committee on mileage reported. On a call of counties a number of bills were introduced. The House adjourned for the day. The Senate, Jan. 18, was opened with Crayer by Rev. D. R- Lucas. A number of ills were introduced, the most important being by Senator Schneck. providing prisons for those who are not hardened criminals; by Senator Wtay, for free peddler’s license to old soldiers. Senator Sellers bill on libel was favorably reported. At 10:40 the Senate adjourned until Monday. Immediately after the opening of ths House. Friday, a message was received from the Governor announcing that he had signed tne legislative appropriation bill. A large number of bills were introduced. the most notable being by Rep. Mcßeth, to repeal statute concerning township institutes; Rep. Dinwiddle, concerning prize fighting; Rep. Leedy, concerning primary conventions; to fix salaries of judges of criminal courts. The special committee on employes and commpensation reported the sama bill previously submitted, providing for eight assistant door-keepers at 85 a day; one cloak room custodian at 85 a day; one postmaster*atßs a day; four janitors atß3 a day; five pages at 82 a day; ten assistants to the principal clerk at 85 a day; one file clerk at 83 a day; seven assistants to the assistant clerk at 85 a day, and six committee clerks at 85 a day. Rep. Willis, of DeKalb, offered an amendment to reduce the number of doorkeepers to four and to fix their compensation at «3 a day; to fix the pay of janitors at 82 a day, and the pay of pages at 81.50 a day. He said the people of Indiana were demanding even a greater reduction than he had asked. It was <evident that tha majority conld not agree on the subject.' Rep. Leedy, chairman of the Republican caucus, announced that there would be a caucus on the subject at 7 o’clock. This was followed by a motion by Rep. Moore, of Putnam, to postpone the consideration of the bill. After several members had spoken, the motion to postpone further consideration was renewed. It was adopted. At 11:30 o’clock the House adjourned until 10:30o'clock, Monday.

' LEGISLATIVE NOTES. The doorkeeper of the House has appointed L. 8. Goodwin, of DeKalb, postmaster. “Gentlemen,” said the Speaker, as tha bills began to pour in, “we must make haste a little slower.” The House, Monday, received a document in which Representative Hanna, who is very ill at his home in Putnam county, subscribes to the oath. Mr. Stotsenburg, of Floyd, has an amendment to the building and loan association law. Among other things it provides that no money deducted from the dues or regular assessments of members shall be used to pay the running expenses of an association. A bill of Mr. Spitler makes the penalty for delinquent taxes 10 per cent, only on the November settlement, instead of both installments. One of Mr. Stakebaker’s numerous bills compels railroad companies to stop al) passenger trains at county seats and 1 makes the company accepting freight foi shipment directly liable for any loss, no matter whether the goods are damaged or lost on some line to which the goods are afterward consigned by the original company. Another of his bills makes it possible to obtain an injunction on Sunday. Representative Lloyd, of Spencer, is entitled to more mileage than any other member of the Legislature. He is from Spencer county, and in order to roach Indianapolis is compelled to travel 249 miles*