The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-10
tee by vote of 20 to l6, with instructions to
make further Investigations

Senate, AS follows:
On Enrolled Bills-Ernest, Brown, and Smith,
of Delaware.
On Public Buildings Magee, Rahm aud Lock
ridge.
On State Libriry-Duncau, May and Campbell.
On Canal Funds-Davidson, Hilligass and
Bischowski.
On Clnims-Nun Johnson and Fleming.
On Revision of misunderstanding, of Jay; Rich
nrdson, May, Henry, Fouke.
CIvIL-sERvIcE REFORM.
Mr. Bundy offered the following resolution:
"Whereas, TIE Senate aud House of Represent
atives Of the [ ed States have recently passed
me measure tcs 3tNliseryice reform, known-as
the Pendletou oil. therefore,
Resolved, That the Senate of Indiana hereby
Endorses the action of the senators and repre-
sentaiives in Congress who voted for said bill,
ana coinmends their action thereon as emInently
wise, proper and just"
On motion by Mr. willard, it was referred to
the committee on federal relations.
MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR.
Several messages from the Governor were
transmitted to the Senate by his executive mes
senger, Mr. Frank H. Blackledge, among which
was his appointments nominations for posi-
tons on tue benevolent boards, towit: For SUI
perintendent of the Benevolent Institutions,
John CoOurn, of Marion county; trustee for the
Insane Hospital, George W. Burke, of Henry
county; trustee for the Blind, j. H. Rcuick, of
Lagrange; trustee for the Deaf and Dumb, James
H. Jordan, of Morgan.
On motion by Mr. Spann, these nominations
po'ntments.
Mr.. Marvin offered Il resolution, which was
adopted, requesting the Judiciary committee to
report law TO protect gravel roads when new,
etc He hoped such law wOud he framed
1t would be of very great benefit TO every section
OF the State
TBE NEW STATE HOUSE.
Mr. Willard offered the following:
"Resolved, That the committee on public build
ings and State Library no and are hereby in
sructedt 10 inquire into the present condition of
the new State house, etc"
On motion of MI. Brown it postponed till
tomorrow.
Mr.. Duncan offered a resolution rejecting upon
the doorkeeper for not posting up list of en-
ployes appointed by him, required by law and
a resolution of the Senate, and for discharging
several appOntees without cause, etc, and
questing the committee on executive appoint
ments to report the facts in the case to the
Senate, etc. which was adopted.
THE MATTER OF FEES AND SALARIES.
Mr.. Sayre offered "A resolution authorizing the
committee on fees and salaries to fully invesu-
gate the facts in relation to fee and salary bill
which shall be in accord with the recently.
adopted amendment the constitution, with
authority to send for persons and papers He
believed it would be ascertained that three
qu"rters of n million of dollars are annually
taken from the people wrOngiully by construct
i've fees in this State. This great outrage, he!ng
perpetrated every day and hour, should be put u
stop TO.
Mr.. Voyles was against the resolution, as it
looks too much like proposition to send tor the
not county officers are also interested in this
matter
Mr.. Bundy hoped this resolution would be
adopted. If there is one subject more than an
other in which the people of this State are inter-
ested IL is the fee and salary question. County
officers are getting rich in one term by reason of
their charging constructive or illegal fees. Moth
Ing can he done lntelligenUlY Till a committee has
heard evidence.
Mr.. Willard necessity for information, but
it Will be time enough to grant this power when
they ask for it.
Mr.. Foulke could see bnt one purpose in oppos-
ing motion of this kind No one can tell with
OUT experience what these officers perform
their services for. Whether or not there is cause
for complaint, the people demand that something
shall be done with the fee and salary bill I'm
less it is desired to suppress all action on the
fee and salary bill, lie hoped the resolution would
pass
Mr.. YOyles opposed the resolution en- the con-
strucuon put upon 1t, that it would be a call for
county officers to come up here. He saw no ne
cesslty for the resolution at this stage.
Mr.. Brown moved to refer the resolution to
the committee on fees and salaries.
The motion was reiected-yeas 3d. nays "a.
MIR. Campbell desired TO See the resolution
passed. He believed some offices supposed TO
be very remunerative were nor, while Others
not supposed to he lucrative indeed So.
There is Il great difference, and he sorry to
notice somewhat partisan division in this
matter
Mr.. Marvin was surprised at the Introduction
of this resolution byatne author. For one hundred
DAYS the present law was before the Senate,
which was passed by a Republican body and
signed by Republican officers. He was willing
TO try the present law two years longer.
Mr.. Hilligass deprecated making this party
measure, but regarded theresOlution unnecces-
5ary. He Thought an equitable adjustment can
be made by calculating Upon basis of popula-
tion. He hoped this Legislature will adopt an
equitable fee and salary bill He also opposed
the resolution because IL proposes to give into
the hands OF this committee power not limited.
Mr.. Willard made an Intellectual monon-yeas
IL, nays 35-to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Bell now hoped to see the resolution
passed. lie believed in getting competent men
aud paying fair price for services. He hoped
the unlimited power conferred by the resolution
will not be abused. With little discretion not
much mileage viii have to be paid to county Of
hctrs. Laughter
Mr.. White hoped the resolution will pass by all
means.
Mr.. willard hoped the resolution will not pass,
because it gives the committee unlimited power
to summons any person from any part of the
State 10 whom mileage and per diem Will have
To he paid. 1t may he productive of great
pense, which the committee has not asked for.
After consultation, il the committee asR for this
power 1t might then be granted
MIR. Atkinson asked who was responsible for
the political aspect In which this resolution is
received. One county IN his district is largely
Democratic, the other is Republican, ana there
is no objection there to "a project of this kind.
There is necessity for it. We do not want
the kind OF evidence that will come up here for
the purpose of influencing legislation. He
favored the resolution
Mr.. McCulloch understood the feeling mi
versally in favor of law under which there can
be no constructive fees. There are too many
county officers about the Legislature when the
question of fees and salaries considered. AS
Il rule, the more that is heard about fees and sal
aries from. county officers the less is known
about that subject. Men interested directly in
the deliberations of this body will color their
statements. The resolution would probably be
too expensive at this time, and it will bring here
II class Of men that will not enlghtrn the legIs-
latOrs this subject. Some members this
committee have had experience, and il the com
mittee shall ask for further power in the prem
Uses he would be willing to grant 1t.
Mr.. Henry regarded the resolution proper
one. The committee will not send for persons
and papers unnecessarily. All are satisfied there
should he action by this Legislature on this
question. We want investigation, aud evil
dence on the subject brought before the Senate.
This is not political question The present in
cunbents OF county offices not the only men
in the State who give desirable information
concerning fees and salaries. He opposed the
laws now on the statute books that almost drives