The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-08
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
..ppeintment of Senate Committees
and Consequent Speculation.
Some of the Features of the Metropolitan
Police BiH-Matters of Personal
and General Interest.

appointment of the standing committees was
strictly carried out in the Senate Saturday.
The list, as agreed Upon by the caucus the
preceding evening, was adopted by a strict
party vote. As might have been expected,
the assignments were made, generally speak
ing, in accordance with the desires and influ-
ence of the respective members, no particu-
lar regard being paid to efficiency
or previous professional or legisla-
tive experience. Senator Bell, who is
made chairman of the judiciary committee
deserved the position on account of his legal
attainments and experience, and the other
members of this committee seem to have
been selected with some regard to their
fitness. The two chairmanships most sought
for were those of the committees on fees and
and salaries and railroads. Senator Voyles,
of Washington secured the first named, and
Senator Brown, of Jackson, the last. Senator
Hutchinson, of Laporte, was very DESTROYS
of being made chairman of the prison COM
mittee, so that he could keep awatchful eye
on the Winterbotham regime in the Northern
prison, but mis- name came second on the
list, and Senator Benz, of Crawford, was
made chairman. The appointment of Sena-
tor Fletcher, of this county, as the chairman
OF the committee on temperance is not full
~ EAatAAg AAS y thO III Vi
temperance legislation. DR.. Fletcher is ex-
tremely liberal in his views, and is a pro-
nounced anti-prohibitionist. 1t is under
stood that Senator Willard got the commit-
tee on public buildings, because when a
member of the House, four years ago, he
was chairman of the State-house investiga-
ton committee. His position during this
session is of unusual importance on account
of the appropriation asked for by the State
house contractors.
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL.
Representative Ferriter, of this county, to
whom is entrusted the management of the
metropolitan-police bill, said to a Journal
reporter yesterday that the bill had been sub
mitted to an informal meeting of Democratic
representatives and mayors and other city
officials, who were here Saturday, and a gem
eral satisfaction with its provision was man
ifested. The original intentions regarding
the measure has been changed, so that it
win affect all cities over %, 600 inhabitants if
enacted. This will include, beside Indianap-
oils, Evansville, Fort Wayne and
Terre Haute. 1t provides for a
board of police commissioners for
each city, the members of which are to be
appointed by the Governor. Auditor, Treas
urer and Secretary of State. The bill will be
introduced this week, and Mr.. Ferriter
claims that it will not be pushed as a party
measure, but will stand on its merits as a
piece of necessary legislation. He also
thinks that it will meet with a considerable
support on the Republican side of the House.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
1t is probable that Speaker Bynum will
announce his committees to-day or to-mor-
row.
The caucus for State Librarian and Prison
Directors will probably be held Thursday
night. Mrs. Foster, of Allen county, still
leads for the former position.
1t is understood that Senator Willard will
try to secure the appointment of a com
mittee, with himself as chairman, TO investi-
gate the affairs of the new State-house.
Washington special: Mrs. Emily Thornton
Charles, the ~well-known Indiana authoress,
has a card in the Critic to-day to say that
she is not a candidate for State Librarian in
Indiana. Other candidates will be so glad.
Senator Foulke, of Wayne county, prom
Uses to be one of the most valuable members
of the Senate. He has already showed him
self to be a gentleman of fine attainments,
good common sense, and a finished speaker.
The only act of legislation finished last
week.-mrs. the passage of the bill (H. B. No. y
appropriating 1925, 900 for the expenses of
the present session, and the Senate amend
ments to that bill have not been reported as
concurred in.
Senator Marvin, who delivered the first
message to the House, which was criticised in
that august body as being "ungrammatical,"
says if it was as "ungrammatical" as the
message sent back from the House, he will
resign his position.
Senator Voyles yesterday stated that he
has not yet heard of any prospective bill on
the subject of fees and salaries, and did not
think there would be much legislation on
the subject, although the present law was
deficient in many respects.
Colonel ]. B. Maynard, chief editor of the
Sentinel, was a candidate for a clerkship
under Secretary Kelly, but was disappointed.
He was very indignant at his treatment,
claiming that he had an unequivocal promise
from Mr.. Kelly that he should have the
place. There are other similar complaints
from various sources.
THE RECORD,