The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-19
MONDAY. FEB. Il. 1873.

MONDAY, FEB. IL, 1873.
The result of SO many representatives going
out of the city over Sunday was many empty
seats in the House yesterday, and although
legislative business moved alon in regu.
lar order, it lacked spirit and en-
ergy, as was very apparent to even casual
observers. AT times there was barely
quorum present. and the feeling is growing
that members should remain now steadily at
their posts during the ba ance of the session.
New bills still continue to be introduced,
and 1t seems impossible that more than a
very small portion of them can possibly
ceive the attention which the many very i'm
portant measures among should receive.
For once the Senate proceeded with the regu-
lar order of business during the forenoon.
When 'futroduction of bills" called il
not only rained but it poured bills until adj
journment at noon. Some effort was made to
suspend the rule for introducing bills and
take up bills for second reading, but SO many
were loaded with bills the effort was promptly
checked, and the current flowed on toward
number "five hundred" steadily and rapidly.
At the beginning of the afternoon session
the cheerful and immortal ditch law was the
special order; but unfortunately the father of
the measure was absent, and the senate post
poned any further action until Thursday next
The Senate passed the larger portion of the
afternoon in the consideration of prison mat
tiers, as presented in a bill OF Senator Winter
botham. The committee which considered
the bin presented majority and minority re-
port. The point of the minority ep-
position was that one board of directors
was sufficient for both the Northern
and Southern penitcnt,aries; also that the
clerks of the prisons should be appointed by
the directors instead of the warden. These
two points were pressed by Senator Streight,
r,trt he viz
ing one board of directors for each peniten-
tiary, and making change in the
appointment of clerk. Senator Streght
would make a much better debater ii he
would be more deliberate and not allow his
nervousness to hurry him into the use of
words and phrases not thoroughly considered
1t breaks the force of what often are strong
points. The Sentinel is ambitious to have
Marion county hold her own ON the Sen
ate floor in good shape, even If
it has to be done by Republic
cans. The senator ought to be Democrat,
and he could glide along as beautifully as Sen.
ator Reeve or many other of the Democratic
senator's. Another feature of the "prison
bill" is that it removes the power to appoint
the prison directors from the Legis
lature into the hands of the governor.
A large majority of both Democratic
and Republican senators favored this
feature Of the bill, and congratulated them
selves that hereafter the immense number of
gentlemen who crowded to the legislative
halls to receive such appointments would be
transferred to the governors rooms, and the
bill provides that the appointments must be
made within five days after the sessions
begin. So the agony will never be long.
The salaries of the directors was reduced to
$500 on motion of Senator Traylor, and that Of
the physician to $500 ON motion of Senator
Shirk. There was a motion made afterward to
reconsider the amendment which cut down
the salaries of the directors, but was
postponed until after the bill shall be
finally considered. 1t was thought
by some of the senators that this
attempt to get cheap men for directors will
prove to be false economy. Five hundred
dollars seems little enough for q director who
is worth anything. The bill is considered a
fair one, and If faithfully carried into effect
| must make the prisons sources of revenue to
the State. -
Senator Woollen's good heartedness became
! apparent when he advocated the abolishfng
| of the "cat"-from the prisons-not a tom cat
nor pussy cat of any kind, but terrible
instrument OF torture something like the old
"cat-o' nine tails 1t has four tails instead
| of nine, and Is used In whipping refractory
convicts. Senator Woollen succeeded III his
humane effort, aided by Senators Lanedon
| and Treat.
The good people of Switzerland, Ripley and
Ohio are well represented by Senator Woollen.
1t is not often q Democrat is sent
to represent these counties. Governor VIII