The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-03-20
Indianapolis Letter.


One week Of extra session has come
and gone, leaving its record upon the
pages of the Legislative history of
Indiana; and am heartily sorry that
it has been my misfortune to have
been one OF the members so recorded.
That all extra sessions OF the Legis-
lature are more or less odious to the
people OF Indiana, is not TO be denied.
They come like an extra levy or
taxes, an expense to the people that
should not be allowed except on the
most urgent occasions. There are
some extenuating circumstances on
this question, to which L would refer
those who are inclined to censure the
members OF this session.
When the constitution OF the State
OF Indiana was adopted, neither the
population nor the necessities OF the
people were as now. Many new in
situations or learning and OF charity
/
new courts have been established,
and many other Improvements have
been made in State government
which necessarily require special and
increased legislation. II sixty-one
days were considered sufficient then,
1t can't be now. And to these con-
siderations the further facts that the
redistricting OF the State for Con-
gressional purposes had to be made
this year, in accordance with the con-
stitution, requiring that work to be
performed every six years; the ap-
portionment OF the State for Sena
torial and Legislative purposes, which
requires time and careful delibera-
ton. To these may be added the
Necessary changes involved in provid-
ing for the appointment OF Trustees
and Superintendent Of the benefici
AIRY Institutions OF the State by the
Governor, with the advice and con-
sent OF the Senate, instead OF the
General Assembly, as heretofore.
The provision OF means for the con-
struction OF the new State House,
and the examination of the charges
Of fraud and corruption supposed to
be carried on by the Commissioners.
and many other items of business
which might be enumerated to show
that much more time for this session
was required than for any former
one
/ have referred to the foregoing
facts in extenuation of the action OF
members i'm demanding an extra ses-
sion OF the 51st Legislative Assembly.
No one deplores the fact moro than I
20, nor will hold the members en-
tirely blameless for this extra expen-
diture Of the peoples money during
the present depressed condition OF
the country. On Monday Of last
week, at o'clock p. m, the House
passed a concurrent resolution. that
the General Assembly OF the State OF
Indiana adjourn sine die, which was
sent to the Senate, and as far as the
Legislative business was concerned
the House was fully prepared to dc
so, but the Senate could not concur
and the facts will be developed tC
show that the Senate, and not the
House, Is responsible for this extra
session.
In accordance with custom, on the
last days OF the last days of the ses-
sion resolutions were offered giving
clerks and other employees Of the
House extra pay. On this occasion
a resolution waa introduced. giving
the pages Of the House fifty cents ad
ditional pay, which would aggregate
$50 per each page for the session
Being an interested party, 1 resisted
this unjust attempt to take even thai
small amount from the Treasury fol
which value had not been rendered
The papers did not see fit to RECORD
; the action OF the House on the reso
luton, any further than to insert tn,
vote by which it had been defeated
, The attempt to publish the Bre'
vier Reports Of the General Assembl.
' was signally defeated, thus prevent
ing an expense of about 81 900.
I The Married Woman's Bill passed
r the House, with an anne ndment pre-
j venting the mortgaging OF woman
j property to secure the debts OF tn
y husband. The bill gives a.wonal
q the right to manage her own proper
e ty for herself.
3 The House passed the Senate bill
preventing grave robbing. flxin,
heavy fine. for violations thereof, an
legalizing means whereby medica
: science may be provided with sub
. jects without resorting to the horri
$ practice OF grave robbing.
1t has been reported that the inves
tigation of the State House affair
had cost the State $4,000. which
/ false, as the bill reported to tn
= House, and concurred in. only foot
up to $500. The investigation wa
= instituted TO prevent any further In
:. reference with the Commissioner
y and architects employed on the wor
u resulting from the impudent attack
. OF the disappointed architects, VIII
~ had brought suit against the Com