The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-14
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDED:

The record of the Legislature just ad iourned
is not one that reflects any credit upon the
State 1t isa pleasure to admit that not a
few members Of either house were able con-
scientious men, intent on discharging their
duty in business-like and honorable way,
but there were some members in each branch
of the Legislature who brought contempt upon
all by q systematic policy of obstruction and
delay, entered upon and persisted in to the
detriment of the public interests
The regular session was literally squandered
to further partisan ends Bent on stealing
the suffrages of the people of Indiana in order
to make doubly sure the election of a. Demo
cratic United States senator, and to steal two
more congressman, everything was prostituted
to the work of redistricting the State. But
for this, every particle of necessary legislation
could easily have been disposed of during the
first sixty days. This and the '.fine work of
certain eight-by-ten statesmen have cost the
taxpayers of Indiana tens of thousands of
dollars.
After the regular session had been frittered
away much of the special session.was wasted
in exactly the same manner, until the day of
unavoidable adjournment came near, and
work was compelled. The Governor in all
probability, could have saved the expense of
the extra session had he, two weeks before the
close of the regular session, made unequivocal
declaration that no extra session would be
called. He evidently did not care to offend
such senators as hold over until the next sena-
torial election, and such members as may be
reelected to the next House. When the ex-
understanding that business would be pushed,
and that the Legislature would adjourn within
fifteen days. How quickly the lie was given
to this tacit promise was shown when, in the
very first week. a resolution to that effect was
peremptorily tabled and day after day used
up in adjournments, all the while the State
Treasury being bled at the rate of 81, 500 every
twenty four hours.
To many members the per diem of Sc was
practically bride of sufficient magnitude to
tempt them to hold on to the last moment; to
cover the allotted time every tricky expedient
was resorted to, while certain members went
out of their way to invite outside and irrele-
want discussions. The offense of the Indiana
I al Of, IF 10 ayl ,a11S 10
heaven, and the people will meet its final ad-
journment with becoming resignation, if not
with satisfaction ill-concealed.
The failure to pass specific appropriation
bill since 1874 disgrace rotten with inius-
tce, has been regarded as precedent to be
followed in defiance of the rights of citizens.
Men, and women, and children, with claims
the justice of which can not be questioned,
have been slapped in the face because the
and because legislators think it q
virtue to pose as Economists" The
Legislature has gone forth with this
evil coddled into greater proportions than ever
before, fetish to inspire respect in small
minds incapable of entertaining justice and
honor. The Legislature lays down its work
unfinished at last. The private citizen who
has claim against the State however just,
has no claim at all, except he succeed in
pushing it through the Legislature at personal
expense, and over the narrow prejudice of
gheaded members.
Nor has the Legislature escaped scandal.
1t has been shown that some of the employees
have been guilty of crookedness in their ac-
| counts and of actual crimes against the law,
and on Saturday last it was openly charged
in the Senate that certain person had APP