The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-17

/ in all counties where drainage is desirable it
/ woald be regarded as a great calamity if this
| law were repealed In my countless under
stand. it has steadily grown in favor We nave
/ had able and judicious commissioners, and if all
/ counties will see that they have such, think
opposition TO the bin will cease trust the
resolution will not pass
Mr. Sellers did not think this resolution should
/ be passed, and so important matter should not
be considered III the absence of many sena-
| tors He moved that it be made special order
| for o'clock Thursday The motion was agreed to.
| Mr.. Willard called up his motion, notice of
| which he gave on Saturday, for an amendment
| of rule "a of the Senate that the regular
order of business may be suspended for the con-
sideration of appropriation bills on a majority
vote instead of two-thirds vote, as the rule now
requires. The motion was rejected.
| Mr.. Willard gave notice that to-day, some
subsequent day, he would move to amend this
rule so that majority of senators voting can
suspend the regular order of business for the
consideration of any and all bills.
A PROPOSITION TO ADJOURN EARLY.
Mr.. Smith, of Jennings, offered concurrent
resolution that the General Assembly adjourn
March 2, sine die. He thought the majority
could not afford to oppose it.
Mr.. Willard moved to postpone the considera-
tion of the resolution for one week
Mr.. Hilligass-1f discharge our duty in
sixty days we win have fulfilled our mission.
The motion to postpone consideration of the
resolution was rejected.
Mr.. Campbell Of Hendricks would be glad if
the resolution could be adopted with proprety,
but it would not amount to anything. 1t could
be reconsidered at any time
| Mr.. Marshall was willing to vote for leave of
absence to such Senators as desired to attend
| the Inauguration
| Mr.. Mcclure would have voted for the resolu-
tion had it been offered at an early day in the
| session. but members have been working with a
view to legisate to the end Of the constitutional
! term, and he should vote against the resolution
without desiring to cast vote IN any way look
| ing to a special session.
| Mr.. Sellers was also opposed to an extra ses-
| sion, but would vote against the resolution.
| Mr.. Johnston-f we could get through the
| business in ten days. should dislike to have to
| remain any longer There is an important in
vestigation going on at the Soldiers Orphans
| Home, and unless the legislature remains in
session to the close Of the sixty days it may not
| hear the report of the investigating committee
| Mr. Smith Of Jennings thought enough testi-
| mony had been taken to disclose the necessity
of turning out the present officers and giving the
| Governor chance to appoint others in the
place of those connected with the scandal there.
| The resolution was defeated.
AN INVESTIGATION OF IRREGULARITIES.
The Lieutenant governor-I rise to a personal
| explanation. There have been articles in the
papers lately rejecting upon the officers of the
| Senate There is one in this mornings Indian.
| apolis journal which will have read and ask
that committee be appointed to investigate the
| matter. The clerk read the article charging
| that there were eighteen more persons employed
by the officers than the law authorizes. and that
one officer had already drawn more than his pay
| for the entire session would amount to-
Mr.. Foulke moved that committee Of three
| las suggested by the Chair be appointed to in
Quire into the matters referred to in the article
| read. Mr.. Willard moved to amend the motion
by making the committee consist OF FIVE mem
| bers. Mr.. Foulke accepted the amendment
The motion was agreed to- and subsequently
| the Lieutenant governor made said committee
to consist Of Senators May, Willard, Duncan of
Brown. Campbell of St Joseph, and Huston.
The Lieutenant-g -governor-I wish to state, in
| justice to the assistant secretary, that he says
the party is greatly mistaken in the charges that
| he has brought, as does also the doorkeeper. /
know have endeavored not to sign any warrant
improperly. 1t Is impossible for me to keep the
| run of them, having to sign them at all times
I trust to the assistant secretary of the Senate
and have doubt but that his books are correct.
THE TERMS OF COUNTY OFFICERS,
The joint resolution [H. r. II proposing an
amendment to the State Constitution providing
that county clerks, auditors, treasurers, sheriffs
| coroners and surveyors shall be elected for
term of four years, and eligible to but four years
| in a term of eight years. coming up with a COM
| mittee amendment that the terms of such officers
shall commence on the 1st day of January after
| their election. and excepting surveyors from the
| restriction, Mr.. Campbell of Hendricks said:
| 'The committee thought best to except surveyors
from the restrictions of four-ye term because
| in many counties there is difficulty in obtain
| ing good and we'll qualified surveyors"
| Mr.. Campbell Of St Joseph could see no
reason why clerks, treasurers and sheriffs should
| not hold Office four years. the same auditors.
recorders, and perhaps others. Neither could
he conceive why the simple fact of a man having
| held such Office for four years should be a
reason, and the only reason, to preclude such an
| ono from holding that office another four years
| He moved to amend by striking out the restric-
ton against reelection.
| Mr. Foulke opposed this amendment. Wherev-
er there is an officer elected at stated times the
l In ut al No
| removed.
Mr.. Winter-Such an amendment would be in
contraventon OF a constitutional restriction that
these officers shall not serve more than eight
| years term Of twelve.
Mr.. Campbell Of Hendricks thought the con-
s.itutional restriction wise to prevent
! Scheming for re election.
| The amendment MIR. Campbell'sl
| jected
! Mr. Macy offered an amendment providing
that appointees shall hold Office only till the
January next succeeding general election 1t
| was agreed to.
Mr.. Sellers moved to exempt from this pro-
posed prohibition the clerk well the
veyor There is also difficulty in finding efficient
| clerks well surveyors.
Mr.. Faulkner opposed this amendment The
object of the resolution is to prevent Office
holders from using their Offices to secure a re-
| election. They can so manipulate things to
re-elect themselves, whether the people want
! them or not
The amendment was rejected. The committee
amendments were adopted. and the joint reso-
| luton was ordered engrossed.
| JUDICIAL CIRCUITS.
Mr.. Fowler called up. the special order, his
| resolution offered Saturday afternoon, providing
| for the appointment of q committee to report an
| apportionment of judicial circuits to the next
| General Assembly.
Mr. Fowler thought there was an imperative
| necessity for some sach action.
/ Mr.. Winter moved to amend the resolution by
inserting Sfter the word State ''aud providing
for grading the salaries of the judges according
to the population of the circuits, and the services
| required The amendment was agreed to-
The resolution, as amended, was adopted.
Afternoon Session.
Mr Macv's hill re COL 20 a,oa,,a .oo.;o.,. so05