The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-06
LII TENANT DENNY.
RAILROAD CATTLE GUARDS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, April 4. 1s85-9a, I
OPENING ELECTION POLLS.

dOUSE OF REPRESENI NATIVES.
SATURDAY. April 4. 1ss5-9a. m.
orESlSG ELECTION POLLS.
The SPEAKER: The special order for this
hour is the bill IS. 145l regarding the times
OF holding open the polls at electioss-that
they may be opened as early as o'clock in
the morning.
The bill was read the third time,
Mr.. SAYRE: If 1 understand this bill, I
think it should not become law, as ii gives
an opportunity to defraud the ballot. 1t
opens wsy for the worst sorts OF cerrup-
tion.,
Mr. PENDLETON: This bill is to give
laborers q chance TO vote-those men who
labor for less than 81 per day for instance. II
they take the time to vote they lose their
wages. This bill opens the polls before work.
ing hours. 1 think the idea that it gives an
opportunity for fraud, because the polls
oDen earlier in the morning is an error
The officers are there 10 guard the sancity of
the pole.
Mr.. ENGLE: The election Jaws now on
our statute books are unifo. m The passage
OF this bill will make them otherwise. The
bill provides that when twenty or more citi-
zens petition TO have the polls open early, it
must be doDe. This will create confusion.
The hour OF 6 o'clock in the morning in No
bar is on early one for the polls to open.
That hour will be the hour for evil work. |
must not be understood as saying that be-
ieve the workingmen will do this fraud.
They are the honest yeomanry; but design
ing politicians will be on hand for il. / do
not charge that this bill will affect one party
more than another.
Mr.. REEVES: l know it to be true in nv
own city that great number of lsboring
men. notably railway men, are compelled to
go out of the city before the polls open.
They can not afford to lose their days work
and possibly their JOBS. The present law
practically distranchlses them. The polls
under this law, can not be oped surrepti-
hously. IL there is danger of fraud it will
be no trouble TO get men OF all parties out
early. As it is the men work at the polls
are Up early. The circulation of the petition
shows whether or not the voters want the
polls opened at o'clock
Mr.. SPEAKER JEWETT: In the little
city where the gentleman from Floyd Mr.,
Hanlon) and live. q large number OF men
ask this. Personally, have no interest, as
am scarcely ever ont of bed by 6 O'Clock.
In our town hundreds and thousands who
earn their bread in the manufactures, are
compelled TO go to their work early in the
morning. Many OF them 60 to Louisville 10
labor in the manufactures there. These
men, by the present law, are practically dis
franchlsed. They are good citizsns of In.
diana and are about divided equally, polit-
icslly. No harm can come of it to any
party. Three car loads Of laborers leave
New Albany every morning at 6:44 for
their work at Louisville. There are 500
men in the DePauw glass works
whose hour for beginning is early
IN the morning. 1t should be the policy of
Us ell 10 induce every man to take an inter
est in the affairs of the nation and vote. 1t
is enough for Us 10 ask these laborers, who
scarcely ever hold office, TO vote, much less
to lose days work. In behalf and on be-
half OF thousands OF laboring men OF New
Albany / ask that this bill pass.
Mr. LLOYD: I find, by looking at the cal
eDdsr, that the sun rises 10 November at
6:3i O'Clock in the morning. and it ~ not
therefore, too dark 10 open the
polls. It will check scheming pol
iiIcisns and remove temptations
CT undue influence over voters. AS 1t is
men who can not afford to lose their days
work are paid for it On election day by poll
ncisps who use this as an influence.
The bill passed by yeas 81, nays %.
Mr.. DEEM, explaining his vote, said: For
The reason that my constituents do not de.
msnd nor require this measure, and for the
reason that believe it would lead 70 fraud
and corruption. becauee il proposes TO open
the polls at an hour when honest men do not
wish 70, ard in most cases WILL not attend
the rolls. ] vote mo-
Mr.. FARRELL: Because Il is q behalf
OF the lsboring men. I vote 'sye."
Mr.. HANLON: Because ali man. II they
have an interest in the affairs of the conn.
try, can get up AZ O'Clock in the morning
as we'll as the lsborsrs can get up ST O'Clock
ia the morning I vots aye.
Mr. LINNNILLE: Because 7 believe the
aim of the bill ia for fraud and corruption,
l vote no.
Mr.. SMI tn. of Perry: I believe that it is
in the interest Of oil lsborng men, and vote
aye
Mr.. STALlsY: l do rot know tina. this
bill will have much elect II our city
There are, however, no leS5 than 81 sht gangs
Of section hand who are compelled to leave
early IN the morning These men are al
vfys under boss, who nay permit them
an hour OF to vote Il they vote his way. /
vote ave"
Nr. TAYLOR: When this bill was read
ard the hour given IS 6 o'clock in the mora
irg, a cold chill crept over me Bot when
/ heard the Speaker and the gentleman from
Putnam Dir. Gordon. early birds, advocate
II, l thought | could stand it If they can, go
! vote aye"
Mr.. WILSON: The bill is in the interest
OF fraud and corruption. Il viii open every
ballot-box in the country By O'Clock a. m.,
and will give the kentuckians sn opporta