The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-03-05
LKGIsLATIvE GOSSIP.
MoNpAY. rEBRuARY "a.

Mr.. Speaker CauthOrne Is one Oh the mlluest
and most gentle persons in the world, but yes
lerday, when looking around upon the array
of empty benches in the Lower House, over
himself plainly and privately in very dig
the practice OF so many members going out OF
the city on Saturday and Sunday and not
speaker has not been home during the entire
session, and to-day the morning
0uornm 10 transact the business al
ready in the hands of the various committees
70 be presented to the House.
There were only AZ members answered to
their names this morning on q call oil the
House, and the morning session was Gu. SNORT
morning trains brought in many members ana
the afternoon session began as US ual at 70 CLOCK
The various committees were full OF business,
and the work of reporting bills proceeded
rapidly during the entire afternoon. Occa,
break the routine, but in the main the re-
ports were received without any very lengthy
discussions taking place.
An Important bill introduced by Major Cor
don some time since was reported Dack ana
irreeuiarity in connection with it, 1t related
to the immense pc yer In the hands oil Judge
to punish Tor contempt" 1t pro-
ties were lined $50 or more, that they
be allowed an appeal from the decision. The
MAORI explained that now no matter what
the amount was, that the party fined was at
the mercy of any judge, and he related some
Interesting incidents In connection with the
matter, aud perhaps had in his mind the late
case of Warren Tate when he was fined $1,000
ny Judge Burns, which would have illustrated
the Immense power OF Judge In
such matters better than any instance he gave.
Representative Willard had similar blu, re-
stricting Judge 10 the imposing of fine not
over $40. The discussion was timely and In
teresting, and resulted in saving the majors
biIi to the extent of having it re-committed to
the Judiciary committee, together with Mr..
a needed restriction in this di ection
An interesting discussion sprung up propo-
sition that all juries should be composed of six
of liner, as a q So
ion in favor of the measure, but several
of the best lawyers in the House gave the opin-
ion that it was unconstitutional.
Mr.. Overmeyer, who introduced the bill,
however, contended that 1t was constitutional,
Others, were opposed in the opinion. The ju-
dietary committee had reported that the bill
it was passed to engrossment. So we may
have six jurors in future instead CT IL, wnlch
will save an immense amount OF money,
whatever else may come of it,
The judiciary committee, IN reporting Oils
to the House yes.srday, az n1s
wedding the legislative flower garden, ana
not less than 40 bills were rePorted back with
lie on the table" or that they ''do not pass,
which niPped, as with untimsly III ITo ses;
cultured with much care by many ambitious
lawmakers.
Mr. Briggs, as chairman of the committee on
Organization of courts" reported 10 indeG-
nitely postpone several bills, also.
Mr.. Miers, chairman OF the committee on
education, reported seven bills for .indefinite
postponement, and four "Io lie on the table"
Thus were some 90 bills gently waited to that
bourne from which bills are not likely to re-
turn Peace to their ashes.
Bill No.5I, which abolishes the county school
superintendent, and which the committee
recommended to lie on the table, was, after
some discussion. referred to special commit
tee of five. There is feeling against county
superintendent in both houses. What Is the
matter?
TO the House on Friday, will come up for dis
cussion at 10 O'Clock this morning, when tho
usual crowds and unusual interest may be
The state House investigating committee
are expected to report to-day.
The ladies' representing the equal suffrage
advocates of our great commonwealth will ad
dress the Legislature to. day at o'clock The
GLOWING programme has been determined
a memorial prepared by the Indiana State
Suffrage association Will be read.
Mary E. Haggart will make an argument
upon the business of the claims set forth in
said memorial.
Mary f. Thomas, NJ. D., will follow in a
speech upon the legal disabilities OF women,
jecpIons offered to giving the ballot to woman.
Amy e. Dunn will close with an address on
representative women, and she may, perhaps
also have something to say ABOUT representa-
tive men.
So men, as well as women, are cordially in
There were lively times in the Senate yes
terday over the pushing through to engross-
pablicans are ever on the .'qui vive" whenever
these bills ale alluded 20, and being rather dis
expedient to get rid of any consideration
of them. Matters were reversed some years
the g wr Which afterwari i en-
abled them to secure majorities in the General
Assembly, which they were not fairly enti-
tied to. 1t ives the old story of the tiger hunt.
This time the tiger was hunting them, and,
consequently. the fun was not SO amazingly
ter required what is sometimes
known the ..heroic treatment"
and it was very scientifically performed by
Dr. Burrel, a graduate of the wells nown
medico- political institute of Jackson county.
The most of the Republican patients, in re-
ceiving the operation, manifested but little
more tnan the ordinary squirming incident TO
like the &c nervous tt I senator om MoTgan
DR.. Burreu was forced to apply the "moxa,"
never; railing French remedy. The senators
suffered severely under the operation, but
toward the fral mauipulations Of the distin-
gulshed surgeon, became passive and accepted
the procedure ''like little men," AS the
bills are regarded ''fair," some
prise il manifested that Senator Davis did
not vote with the Democrats. 1t was under
stood that he was In favor of any just appor-
not even vote for his own arrar cement of the
districts, which he recently embodied In a bill.
getting uneasy, and are writing to them to
push forward the apportionment bills, and
Democratic senators may perhaps vote for the
senator Fosters bill authorizing towns and
cities to issue bOnts for the purpose of erecting
water works brought on considerable discus
sion, which developed a fearful amount of
II the ana half es that was In sa aa Mas
true. Senator Menzies thought IL
would about dry up the WABASH and Erie ca
nal, and ruin every town on it. Senator Har.
Tis took the alarm, and moved Indianapolis
out of harms way by amendment.
Senator Kramer tried to save town trustees
from the temptation of building water works
and big jobs with stealings. Senator Burreli
took the alarm, and tried to have Fort Wayne
and the bill enjoy themselves together.
Finally the whole matter was referred to a Sc
1nOf ~ Mt
Senator Foster fought valiantly for water
works at Fort Wayne. ably seconded by Mr..
Sarnighausen- .--sa
There was also an interesting discussion on
bill of Senator Wier to repeal all
laws for the levy of cash
poll tax. Mr.. Traylor took immediate
ground against it. His main objection was
that it would relieve young men who smoked
cigars and dlssi pated in various ways, and that