The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-15
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Passage Of Bill AppropriatinS $40
600 to Relieve the Flood Sufferers.
The Brown Bill Finally Sent to the Gov
ernor-Other Important Me sures Dis
posed of in Both Houses Yesterday.
FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SUFFERERS.

FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SUFFERERS.
Both houses OF the Legislature yesterday
passed bill appropriating $40 600 to relieve
the immediate wants OF the sufferers by the
overflow of the White, Wabash and Ohio
rivers In the House the measure caused a
prolonged and unseemly discussion, which
was brought about by Mr.. Heffren's obsti-
macy in trying to prevent the passage of the
bill, because one of its provisions did not
meet with his unqualified approval. In
doing this he received severe rebuke from
the members of his own party, and his pres
tige as a "Ieader" was very much impaired.
The matter came up on a resolution by Mr.,
Jewett directing the appropriation of
$25, GOO for the relief of the sufferers but
on motion of Mr. Wilson, of Marion, this was
amended by instructing the judiciary COM
mittee to report bill as soon as possible
making what appropriation they thought
best. The committee shortly atterward re-
ported a bill (prepared by Mr. Wiley) appro-
prating $40 600, and making the Governor,
Secretary and Treasurer of State a committee
TO disburse the fund among the sufferers by
the overflow of the Ohio. The bill was taken
through two stages. under a suspension OF
the rules and motion to recOmmit it. with
instructions to include the sufferers from
other regions, was defeated by the close vote
of 49 to So The bill was then passed by a
vote of S8 to 4. Shortly afterward Mr.. Will
lianis moved to reconsider the vote, and Mr.
Jewett made an effort to shut of debate by
moving to lay the motion on the table, but
4hss was lost and the reconsideration ordered
Mr.. Williams then took occasion to denounce
Messrs. Jewett and Heffren for their efforts
to- apply the gag rule and jeopardize the
passage of the bill, for which there was such
1z~,.a-
what heated discussion ensued, which
ended in the bill being recomhitted
to a special committee. consisting of
of Messrs. Gibson and Frazier, who reported
1T back with an amendment inserting the
words Wabash and White rivers in addition
to the Ohio river which was agreed TO, and
the bill was finally passed by a vote OF So
to-
In the Senate an amendment was made to
the bill, adding the Lieutenant-governor to
the commission, and it was then passed by a
vote of 30 to T. Senators Spann and Magee
forcibly opposed its passage, not because they
were opposed to the proposed relief but be-
cause they believed that il establish a vicious
precedent In legislation. Both of these
gentlemen defined their positions very clear
7y, and each said that he would personally
contribute as much as he was able from his
private means to relieve the sufferers but
did not believe the Legislature had any right
TO make such an appropriation.
NOTES.
Senator White yesterday secured the final
passage in the Senate of his bill concerning
county school superintendent, which is gen.
orally regarded as a wise measu re-
Senator Yancey's bill to prevent the run
ming at large of all kinds of stock Yesterday
failed to get constitutional majority in the
Senate, the vote being yeas %, nays 81.
10 thot tho IIouoz ,,r;s,,, oo,,,
mtttee Is after the scalp of A J. Howard,
warden of the Southern Prison, and that his
friends became SO alarmed last night as to tel
egraph him to come here Immediately.
The Senate yesterday finally passed the
Benz road bill, which has been so amended
that nothing short of full copy could give
an adequate idea of its provisions. 1t, how
ever, substantially repeats the enactment of
1881.
The Senate yesterday passed the Hilligass
bill, which provides that county commits
sioners may purchase gravel roads and make
Them free, when authorized to do so by a
majority OF the tax payers along the line of
the road.
The House fee and salary committee of the
House held meeting last night and agreed
upon new bill, which in its main provi-
sions, is like the Moody bill 1t is the inten-
ton, If possible, to do away with all con-
structiye fees.
The House yesterday ordered engrossed the
bill providing for an Appellate Court, with
on amendment offered by Mr. Robinson
tGreenbacker) that the court should be made
70 consist of two Democratic two Repub-
liean and one Greefback judge.
The citizens of Logansport have arranged
Tor legislative excursion to that city ne xt
Saturday, so that the solons may see what ad-
Vahtages it offers as a location for the pro-
posed asylum for the incurabe insane. A
pleasant trip is promised to all who go.
In the Senate yesterday the House amend
Inent to the Brown bill was concurred in,
mad the bill was passed by party vote, with
the exception of Senator Magee who voted
with the Republicans against ii. The bill
was sent to Governor Porter during the after
noon and awaits his approval.