The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-12
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Senate Committee Drops the Win
terbotham Charges.
The Progress of Legislation-Notes of I'm
pOrtant Measures and the Proceed
ings in Detail.

THE THIRTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
The Senate committee on elections, Satur
day morning, through its chairman, Senator
McCuloch, made formal request to be re-
lieved from further consideration of the
charges made by ex-senator Winterbotham
concerning alleged election abuses in the
Thirteenth congressional district, an investi-
cation of which was demanded by
Messrs Studebaker and Oliver, who
were accused of compelling their
employees 20 vote the Republican
ticket against their will. 1t will be remem-
bered that when the Winterbotham memo
rial was presented, the Democrats raised
great hue and cry about the alleged tyranny
over the workngmen, and demanded that
an investigation should be made and the
evils, if they existed, remedied. When
Messrs Studebaker and Oliver, however sent
in a memorial demanding an investigation
of the charges, the Democrats in the Senate
could consistently do nothing but authorize
the committee to make it. In view of this
fact, it is somewhat significant that the chair
man of the committee should ask to be re-
lieved of the investigation. 1t is evident
that the Democrats are tired of carrying
Winterbotham and want to drop him He
is proving to be second "old man of the
sea- and they are the modern Sinbad. The
discussion in the Senate Saturday was ex-
ceedingy animated the Republicans de-
handing that it would be unjust and dis
honorable to drop the Investigation at this
point. Novote was taken as there was not
a quorum present, but definite action will be
reached to-day.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
The general appropriation bill mysteri-
ously disappeared in the Senate Saturday, and
was as mysteriously returned
After the house committee is through
investigating it might be in order to investi-
gate the methods of one or two of the lead
ing members.
1t is said that syndicate, controlled by
Chicago parties, has been formed here to
buy the milling property and dam at Mo-
mence, Ill.,. and to permanently improve it,
If this is done, it will materially interfere
with the proposed draining of the Kankakee
swamp region.
Kokomo Gazette: Hon. John r. Wilson,
of Marion, is the best legal man among the
Democratic members. If Wilson were the
leader instead of Heffren it would be much
better for the Democrats. He is a clear
headed man, good thinker and fine scholar,
He makes good representative"
The metropolitan police bill was read in the
House a second time Saturday, and an in
effectual attempt was made by Mr.. Schloss
TO have it engrossed under suspension of the
rules This action does not seem to consist
we'll with the claims of the friends of the
bill that it is not partisan measure.
The following described bills were finally
passed by both houses during the past week:
Senator Graham-S. B. No. 20: A bill to le-
galize the proceedings and records of the
trustees of the town of Westfield, Ind, and
declaring an emergency. Senator Overstreet
IS. B. No. 20: A bill relating to the qualif-
cations of petit jurors in courts of this State,
and declaring an emergency Senator Ora
hams, B. No. 80: To punish persons who
disclose messages overheard while passing
over telephone lines.
Xeina Ind. Times: "When member of
the State Senate gets so drunk and negligent
as To be oblivious of the nature of the vote
he casts in the body of which he is a mem
Der, and having made mistake begs TO have
the mistake corrected, secures newspaper re-
,porters to plead for him, gets himself
straight on the record, and a reprimand
from the Senate-well, his constituents
should know the character of the beastly
creature representing them. 1t is not for
the Sons of Liberty, but for the whisky ele-
ment to defend and wash the befoulment
from him."