The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-20
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Political Swindle Proposed by the
Inscriptions Democratic Majority.
The General Appropriation Bills Under Con-
sideration in Both the Senate and House
The Union Depot Bill.

The legislative apportionment bill, which came
up in the House yesterday on second reading
for eagrossment was pertinaciously opposed by
the minority. at ali stages of its advancement,
but the needless political avariee of the un-
scrupulous majority prevailed. The reg
ular order of the morning was set
sside for the purpose Of taking
up the bill, and, although. as ac-
knowlcdged by the Speaker when the point of
order was raised by Mr. Sayre in opposition to
the proceeding, that the ruling was contrary to
one made on the previous day, ON somewhat
similar question, the arbitrary decision was sus-
tanned by the gerrymandering majority, and the
bin was forced to engrossment The
bill is simply in the nature of an
infamous political robbery. On joint
ballot the Democratic majority in the
Legislature is now forty-eight The
bill proposes a gerrymander for the legislative
districts, regardless of all considerations of fair
ness, which contemplates an increase of the ma
jority to seventy. In considering the fact that
about forty-seven per cent. of the voting popula-
-tion of the State is Republican, the outrageous
cheat which this scheme contemplates is appar
emit A few fair minded Democrats in the
House have persistently opposed the bill, be-
cause they conscientiously believe that the peo-
pie will rebuke the party for attempting to
strengthen its power by a political swinde. The
bill, if enacted, would deprive nearly twenty per
cent of the citizens of the State of the repre-
sentation to which they are entitled. Repre-
sentative Kellison denounced the scheme, yes
terday, in explaining his vote against the BILL in
language creditable to his integrity and man
hood Among the other Democratic members
who voted against the bill were Representatives
Lloyd, Reeves, Kellison Smith of Warrick, and
McHenry. The Democratic majority have de-
termined to force the enactment of the appor-
tionment bills before finally passing the general
appropriation bills, and there is some probable
itv that the result of legislating in the interest
of the party instead of the people will be as
much to the disadvantage of the State govern
ment as it was two years ago.
THE APPROPRIATION BILLS
The whole of the afternoon was occupied yes
terday by both the Senate and House. in consid-
ering the appropriation bills. The Senate as
committee Of the whole, amended the deficiency
appropriation BILL covering the expenses of
last year, in several sections, materially
reducing the amount. The appropriation
for the Insane Hospital was reduced
from $500, 900 to $4,000. which will. it
is claimed, be amply sufficient for the expenses
of maintenance. The cheap, demagogical econo-
my of the House in reducing the salary of the
Deputy Attorney general from 81 900 to 5000
year, after $500 discussion OF the matter, was
rejected, and the salary was restored to the
original amount. An Intellectual effort was
made by the garrulous senator from Owen TO
sweep from the waters and the appropriation
bill Enos B. Reeds fish commission. The pro
position provoked considerable discussion but it
resulted in no change affecting the usefulness
of the commission. The action upon the bill,
ener7Iir sensible -s.ae es-mmendable- In
consequence of the amendme Is which were
adopted, it viii, be necessary for the bill to 90
back to the House for its concurrence in the
changes made by the Senate In considering the
bill apprOpriating funds for the expenses of the
State during the fiscal years of 1885 and 1886,
the House. as n committee OF the whole,
talked away almost the entire afternoon
session on the item allowing $50, 900 for
q new boilerhouse and new boilers
at the insane asylum, which was finally reduced
TO $50 000 The consideration of the bill will
be resumed this morning In the form that it
Is reported by the ways and means committee.
the general appropriations for the current and
the next year exceeds the amount of the ode
fciency" bill for the last two years about $275,-
co.,
MINOR MENTION.
Ex-senator Menzies, of Mt. Vernon, was Wis
itor to the Senate yesterday.
The effort yesterday to obtain reconsidera-
ton of the Union Depot bill, for the purpose of
defeating it in the Senate, was very effectually
settled. The only opposition to the bill in In
dianapolis is from few Democratic professional
lobbyists
To quiet the opposition of the Fort Wayne rep
resentative, it is said that the metropolitan po-
lice bill now pending will be so amended as to
extend its provisions to cities of over II 600 and
under 26,500 inhabitants" which will include
Terre Haute, Lafayette. New Albany. Logans-
port and Richmond, but gives Fort Wayne the
exemption which it demands In this form the
which is contrary to the constitution. and to say
the least, it would be most extraordinary law.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.