The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-15
A LEGISLATIVE FRoL1o.

expiration of the old order of things on the
last night of the session in a fashion that
called out very general and emphatic repre-
,hension, and broke up wholly, for time, and
measurably for all time, practice then grow
ing of making the last hours of the session
sort of orgie, as little consonant to the charac-
ter of Legislators as creditable to the character
of reputable citizens. A writer in the "Loco-
motive" weekly paper of large local circula
tion, conducted by Mr. John Il. Elder, after
terwards one of the proprietors of the Sentinel,
made very full and accurate account Of the
affair, which was copied all over the State, and
accepted as authentic without question
anywhere, except by two or three strong par
tisan papers Names were used as freely as if
it were regular report of business session,
and silly or extravagant acts recorded as coolly
as motions to clay on the table" or "refer
to a committee" For third of century
since, no Indiana Legislature has repeated
that folly.
The Journals reminiscent attended the ses-
sion from the beginning to the end, and saw
early in the Senate signs that whatever else
it might be it wasn't going to be q dry session.
The r-keepers, it was said, at all events
somebody, had provided liberal supply Of
liquor in both rooms opening from the lobbies
on each side of the Presidents stand. The
afterwards nationally noted James Ell. Lane, of
Dearborn county, was Lieutenantgovernor,
and as well disposed to favor a spree as any
man in the body. Not only members but ac
quaintances in the lobbes were taken in and
treated and by the time order was called the
Senate of Indiana was, to put it mildly, jolly
Mr. Buckles, Of Delaware, who was one of the
few meaning business and prepared for it,
was opposing some pending amendment to
the specific appropriation bill, and was holding
the floor against time" to beat the whole
bill, if his special antipathy was pressed
While he was talking 'the mirth and fun
grew fast and furious" Big paper wads, pam
phlets, and finally the big Revised Statutes
of 43, were thrown across and around the
chamber, amid continuous storm of laughter
and loud talk. A grave senator, since Treas
urer of State, moved 'to lay the Sen
ator from Delaware on the table,"
The Senator from Knox, whose Gus
aomary sternness was considerably softened,
moved to amend by "laying him under the
table" In the midst of the uproar Mr.. Reeves,
of Rush--the reminiscent is not sure Of him
came in with report from the committee on
enrolled bills, the last routine work of the ses-
sion, and, that read and accepted, the President
made his little valedictory speech, and the
jolly session of the Senate was over The
jolly senators were not through with their
fun, though, and they went into the hall of
the House, to join in the jollity there, and
''make night of il"
In the House the proceedings were much
ike those in the Senate wad and book
throwing, stormy laughter, incessant move
ment and utter confusion, only stopping once
in while for some member to make a very
foolish speech, or tell very bad story. A
piece of ribald and filthy verse, said to have
been written by one of the clerks, was read,
end welcomed with uproarious cheers. Not
man in the hall would have had it read in his
parlor at home any sooner than his own death
warrant. A representative, then of JEFF
ferson, but some years before senator
from LaPorte, told a story Of school boy
and a jackass that was too nasty for
any place or time but drunken crowd in
bagnio. These proceedings went on while
waiting for the report of the committee on en-
rolled bills. That was good deal DELAYED and
to keep up the interest of the occasion it was
decided to hold a joint convention or session
Of the two houses. and one drunken represen-
tative was appointed on the part of the House,
and a senator of equally festive qualifications
was appointed to act with him and share the
direction of the proceedings. Upon every mo-
tion--and the air was full of them-one of
the Speakers would rise md say: "All in favor
of the motion will say aye Then, follow
ing the response, the other would rise and put
the negative.
The speeches, and stories, and general fun
got louder dirtier and more confused The
rooms of the rotunda were full of drinkers
coming and going. At last novel idea hit
one of the members There had been all the
fall and winter little jackass, about as big
as yearling calf, running about the town,
ridden and played with by the boys
and this poor little beast was led
into the State house yard and into
the basement where the wood was stored, and
there put into the box in which the wood was