The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-19
AN k-rRA SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURES.

About two thirds of the time of the pres
ent session OF the Legislature has expired
During these 40 days more than 600 bills
have been introduced and referred to appro-
pirate committees. Many OF these bills, we
conclude, are unimportant, and that the &C
ton of the Legislature will SO determine we
feel confident. Nevertheless such a vast in
fux of bills necessarily takes up time for
their disposal. Compared with the whole
number there are but few measures of real
vital Importance, and these we epprehend,
are being matured with a prudent re-
gard for the public welfare. That the Demo-
Gratis n the Legislature are seeking to de-
delay business that an extra session
may be required is supremely nonsensical.
But that the Republican members of the
Legislature are seeking to delay business, is
manifestiy true, and they are doing this for
the purpose of making an extra session
necessary, so that they can charge the re-
sponsibility on Democrats. As an evidence
of this it is only necessary to refer to the
action of Republican members of the House
upon the occasion of the passage OF the legis-
lative apportionment bill. This bill, emil
nently fair in all of its provisions, and IN
street accord with the spirit and letter
of the constitution, they sought to
defeat by every stratagem that they
could devise, and as a result time
that SHOULD have been given to the consid-
Grafton of other important business was
squandered by these flibustering Repubh-
Cans. In the Senate the Republican mem
bers have sought to delay business by an
effort to change the rule which enables that
body to consider bills out of their regular
order, hoping by such means to defeat the
most important measures of legislation. and
thereby force the governor to call an extra
session, which. when done, they would with
partisan rnendacity charge upon the Demo
cratic party. With reference to their con-
stitutional amendments, the Republican
members saw distinctly several openings
whereby they could make capital for
their party at the expense of the Democratic
party, and they came unpleasantly near
gaining their point. They would like to
have had one or two special elections cost
ing the State more than $4,000. At these
special elections they hoped to succeed. not
by virtue of the merits of the schemes they
vote would be cast. They hoped to saddle
on the State registration law which would
have compelled an expenditure IN Tins
and money for the first year of nearly
half million of dollars and of at
least 100000 a year thereafter. And
this they would have done without
giving the people ample time for the con-
sideration of the subject. These schemes,
very properly, have b-en defeated. and as a
master OF course, Republican managers and
organs are growing and predicting all sorts
of cslamities to the Democratic party. and
are attempting, By Islander and intimidation,
to compel Democrats to change front for the
special benefit of the Republican party.
They may, however. possess their souls in
peace, for nothing of the kind will be DONE
We feel confident that the remaining days
of the session will be fruitful of good work
Important measures will be passed. which
viii guard the welfare of the people.