Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1896 — LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP. [ARTICLE]

LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.

SUBJECTS THAT WILL 'COME UP / ThlS SESSION. i r * c. ’ Ballot Lav* Will Receive Early Attention— Liqtior Legislation Will,Alao Be Prominent —Effort to Abolish Teaching German in Public Schools Work for Hooaier Solons. Indianapolis correspondence * + So far as is known, no new laws are to be proposed in the coming session, but there are many important amendments to existing ones suggested, and some of these amendments artflikely to be bitterly opposed. Chief among these are tie proposed amendments to the Australian ballot law. One of these will seek to prevent fusion of parties in the way it was accomplished between the free silver wing of the Democrats and the’ Populists in the recent campaign. A‘ second amendment will seek to do away with the robber stamp anil ink anil substitute in its stead a pencil, to; be furnished by the election officers. Still another will provide that each of the parties having tickets to be voted for may appoint one or more of its members to watch tire count oUthe. vote, a privilege that only the two. dominant parties now enjoy. The change from the rubber stamp to the pencil is on the scoreof convenience and economy of votes, for the law is so strict regarding distinguishing marks on the ballot that many “votes Have been lost because the careless voter smeared or blotted the ballot through the careless use of the stamp, especially as the ink stained other parts of the ballot when folded. A fourth amendment will provide fpr indicating a vote for a straight ticket by placing u cross in the square at its head, with exceptions to be noted by crosses opposite the names of candidates on other tickets. Recent -experience -of shareholders in building and loan associations lias demonstrated that the law incorporating and protecting these institutions 1 needs radical amendment, anil one of the first duties to which the Legislature addresses itself will be to reform the abuses which are everywhere present in the system. Within the past few weeks., these abuses Ifave come to the attention of the public in a' way that they never have before, and there is a general demand that the expense fund, the great Source of profit to the incorporators and of loss to the shareholders, shall go. The last Legislature wrestled with this feature, but succeeded in accomplishing nothing, as tlie lobby -which. the-.associn.tifins.-invoked, ja. their aid proved stronger than the claims of the shareholders. The Governor, however, was authorized to appoint a commission to investigate and report on some feasible plan of reform, and this has been done and its report will be submitted as soon as the session opens. Among the laws passed by the' last Legislature was one permitting special verdicts to be returned in all cases where the suits were to recover damages.. This will no doubt be repealed at the coming session, as it has jiroved extrem'ely burdensome to persons who have sustained injuries and sue for damages. It is said by competent attorneys, some of whom were in the Legislature and voted for the law, that it has, proved the most unjust measure lints - pracficaUdpefations that"

was ever enacted in Indiana. It seems to have passed through all the stages of legislation Without awakening a thought of its hidden sting, and those who voted for it two years ago are now anxious to vote again on its repeal. Corporations have profited by it and that class will no doubt attempt to perpetuate it, but the discussion it has evoked and the abuses that have arisen under it insure its repeal. It appears to belong to that class ■of ill-considered—legislation which is enacted by one body only to be repealed by another. Considerable interest is being manifested by both the liquor and the temperance element in regard to certain proposed amendments to the Nieholson temperance .law. The Liquor League has determined to ask its friends in the Legislature to relieve the saloon element from some of the most burdensome features of the measure, while many of the temperance people believe more safeguards still should be thrown around the liquor traffic. ‘ The local option feature, which enables residents oil ward oT“A'o'ting pTe*" cinct to prevent the sale of intoxicants in that locality if a majority sign tion asking that licenses be not granted, is the most obnoxious feature to the saloon element and one that it desires, repealed. On the other hand, the advocates of the law say that this feature should be perfected by changing the signing of petitions to the opening of polls in places where it is desired-to test the sentiment of the voters and .allow the majority so voting to control the issuance of licenses. The reason for this change lies in the fact that so many, after having signed a petition against an applicant for license, withdraw their names, a thing that would not occur under a voting system. Again, it i“...urged that many who refuse to sign such petitions would vote against licenses if they could do so under such a protection as the Australian ballot system affords. E. B. Reynolds, member-elect from Wayne County, will'introduce, it is understood, an amendment to the tommon school law to do away with the teaching of German in the public schools. This measure will occasion a good deal of discussion, and as there is a largo German constituency in Thdiana it is hardly probable that either party will take tlie responsibility of fathering such a'measure. From time to time within the last few years there have beefi’efforts to do away with this branch. of study in the city schools, but the sentiment in its favor, when the question came up for arbitramerit by the people, has generally been pronounced* and the ~lahguage T 8 being taught in all the city schools in the State. It is probable that a law against trusts, combines anil monopolies will be enacted, aud ,ls this expectation is realized it will be in the shape of legislation in Indiana. Some of the more prominent meinbers-elect feel that some luw of this kind should be passed and one Senatdt; particularly is at work upon -it. The coming Legislature will also attempt an apportionment- law, this being the sixth year since the Stake was legally redistricted for-Legislative purposes.