Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1903 — INDIANA LAWMAKERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

INDIANA LAWMAKERS

Indianapolis correspondence: The General Assemly of Indiana convened in sixty-third l session in «the State cnpitol Thursday, and both branches were promptly organized by the Republicans, who elected the caucus nominees. Henry W. Marshall of Lafayette was chosen Speaker over-'L. E. Slack of Johnson enate a^ter organization as radical as expected. The statesmen had caucused, Wednesday night, and arranged every little detail precisely as carried out, Thursday morning. Union Banner Hunt, Secretary of State, dropped the gavel and the House became as quiet as a summer resort during a blizzard. He was immaculately attired in his best clothes. A red carnation was thrust in the lapel of his Prince Albert and Ids face was wreathed in sunshine. After Parson Norris had invoked the blessing of the divine power on the administration and' the Assembly, nnd the statesmen were sworn in, nomi*. nations for Speaker of the Houes were called for. Representative Statesman of Miami County presented the name of Henry W. Marshall of Lafayette. Representative Luhring seconded the nomination. There was much applause, and the Democratic sidgof the House presented the name of L. E. Slack of Franklin. There was more applause from the Democrats, and

the voting began. Representatives Marshall and Slack voted for each other and the exchange of cotfrtesies seemed to please the lawmakers. The vote resulted in Marshall receh* ing 65 votes and Slack 35. Then the “big doings” began. A committee was appointed by Chairman Hunt to escort tbe new Speaker to the bar of the House. Sayre and Slack formed the escorting party. There was .an outburst of applause as Speaker Marshall raised the gavel for the first time. The Speaker made a little speech, not more than two minutes in length, and it went “right to the spot,” the Representatives said. The regular routine business, the election of a clerk of’the House, an assistant clerk, and a doorkeeper, followed. W. P. Reagan was elected chief cterk, George Heilman of Evansville assistant clerk, and George F. Ogden of Wabash County chief doorkeeper. The other places are filled by appointment. Stutesman, Tarkington, Cantwell, Cravens and Slack were appointed on the committee on rules. The other busifiess of the session was of minor importance. At this point the Senate was invited over to listen to the Governor’s message. Gov. Durbin in his message touched on numerous matters of public interest, in particular upon convict labor, the advisability of adopting a voting machine, the part Indiana is to take in the St. Louis exposition and condemns prize fighting and lynching. Referring to trusts the Governor recommends that such legislation as is necessary to protect the interests of the people be enacted. How the Senate Opened. , The gavel in Lieut.' Gov. Gilbert’s hand said “how dy do” to the slab promptly at 10 a. m. Thursday, and the first session of the Senate for the Sixtythird General Assembly was in order. The routine of business that had been mapped out was carried through to the letter. Invocation was offered by Rev. J. Cumming Smith of Indianapolis. This was followed by the calling_to the front of all the new members of the Senate to take the oath of office, which was administered by Judge Hadley of the Supreme Court. Harmon L. Hutson was then elected secretary of the Senate over Z. T. Dungan of Huntington County, Democrat; Fred Snyder of Angola was elected assistant secretary over John Deprez of Shelbyville, whom the Democrats voted for; Clemer Pelzer, Boonville, was elected doorkeeper over George W. Badger of Clark County. A committee on rules was appointed by the president of the Senate, as follows: Senators Matson, Ogborn, * Dousman, Goodbinc. O’Brien and Fortune. Immediately after this the Senate adjourned to meet with the House to hear the Governor's message.

SPEAKER HENRY W. MARSHALL.