The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-26
LEGISLATION FOR INDIANA.
Measures that Will Be Presented fJs
Consideration by the Next Congress.
Pensions for the Survivors Of the Tippecanoe
Campaign-The Educational %Bill-Equal-
ity as to Arrearages Of Pensions.
Special to the indianapolis journal.

~ W IA OuIuh
WASHINGTON. Oct. 25.-As the time for the
meeting of Congress is now neaf the ~oficialsin the
departments are pretty busy preparing informa-
ton relative to legislative matters which will re-
qulre attention. 1t will, no doubt, interest your
readers to know something about the measures.
local to Indiana, which will come forward for
consideration.
Ihere is a measure providing that the surviv-
ing officers and enlisted men who served in the
Tippecanoe campaign of 1911, and the surviving
widows of such soldiers, shall be entitled to be
placed on the pension list at the same rate of PEN
sion and under the same regulations as are pro-
vided by law for the soldiers of the war of 1872.
1t is said that the brave men who took part in this
most arduous campaign against the hostile In
dians, and especially those who were engaged ia
the bloody battle of Tippecanoe, are as much
entitled to pensions as the persons who served
a period of fourteen days in the war
against Great Britain. In order that long. de-
layed justice may be done these meritorious sol
diers, it is intended to urge the passage of such
a law.
Among the cities which will contest for a
new public building in this Congress is Lafays
cite. Its claims are based upon the fact that its
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other Offices, and that it is a place of considera-
BILE size and business importance. The building
at present used for the postofice, although the
best available, is wholly inadequate for the pur-
pose, and is costing the government for rent
$l,5G0 annually. 1t is intended to ask for an
appropriation of $75, 900 to construct the build
ing.
The First National Bank of Wabash wanta
authority to increase its capital stock to $500. 600.
AS is well known 1t requires, in such cases, q
special enabling act to accomplish this object,
which, owing to the number of cases, tends to
consume a great deal of the time of Congress.
This being the case it is intended to secure, it
possible. the passage of a general law under
which the Comptroller of the Currency will have
the power, the necessity Of congressional
reference, to authorize national banking associa-
tons to increase their capital stock, and to
change their names or localities. This would be
a great convenience to the banks, which now
have wait the pleasure of Congress before max
ing changes, and also save time to Congress
which might be devoted to the public business.
There are several measures OF a pecuniary ma
ture in which Indiana has a Joint interest with
other States. The first is the educational
bill, which, it is expected, will pass at this ses-
sion. AS is well known, it contemplates a
money distribution to the several States, upon
the basis of illiteracy. In this distribution, the
share of Indiana. from the first installment,
would amount to SLIT, 500. rs. Another measure
is that to credit and pay the several States all
moneys collected under the direct tax levied by
Congress in 1861. Under that tax assessment
the quota of Indiana amounted to 1904, 875. 33,
but there was allowed Is per cent-$135. 731 30
for collection. This left. as the amount actu-
ally paid by the State, $769, l4. 03, and this V
the sum which would be returned in the event Of
the passage of the measure.
One of the most important measures to the
soldier boys is that Of which Hon. George w.
Steele is the most prominent advocate. l refer
to that placing ali soldiers on an equality with
reference 20 arrearages of pensions. The origi-
nal arrearage law applies to pension applications
filed prior to July l. 1880. This measure gives
pensions to all entitled to them from the date Of
discharge or when the disability was incurred.
Mr.. Steele says that 1.-The country is able to pay
all alike, and that the desire is general to be
generous and just with our soldiers and their
widows and children It is also contt nded by
him that 1.-The time has come when soundness
prior to entry into the service should be accepted
as proven by the fact that the soldiers were ac-
copied and actually performed satisfactory serv-
ice, and as all soldiers were examined as to
soundness prior to and at date of enlistment,
there could not be better evidence of his sound
ness than the fact of his acceptance into and the
performance of service acceptably."
1t is intended, if possible, to secure a change
in the method of paying the court officers of the
United States. At present they receive fees and
other emoluments, but it is desired and recon-
mended by the Department of Justice that fixed
salaries be allowed them. Under the schedule, as
arranged. the following would be the salaries for
Indiana: District attorney. So, 200; United States
marshal, So, 900; chief deputy marshal and clerk
fO marshal 9l cO0 aqPh AT fha arp fira IL ID
proposed to increase the salaries of judges of the
United States Courts. In this arrangement the
salary of the judge for the district of Indiana is
fixed at SIS, 900, instead of So, 500. as at present.
The circuit judges salaries are made 81, 900, an
increase of l 1000.
AS the law is at present a great injustice Is
done to the third-class postmasters. All officers
of the first and second grades have annual al
lowances for Different, clerk hire. fuel, etc.
This, however, does not extend to the third-elass
offices. 1t is proposed. therefore, that Congress
make provision for the item of rent in the third
grade. even If other expenses are not paid by
the department In Indiana there are seventy
four postoffices of this class, interested in such
legislation, and to provide them with proper
quarters will cost annually, l $3.50. /.
Another improvement contemplated in the
postal service is the extension of the free
delivery service. The letter-carrier system
is now limited. by law, to cities having twenty
Thousand inhabitants, or where the receipts
amount to at least $50, 900 a year. The DEPART
mCu1 idsoTS all "a oHSiou ol CHS Univ ~ bno
letter carriers can be furnished to towns of TO-
600 population, if the gross postal revenues
amount to $40, 900 annually. OF course. some OF
the cities in the State would be benefited by this
extension.
The above comprises a statement of the legis-
lation local to Indiana, which the coming Con-
gress will have to consider. With a pretty large !.
delegation to attend to State matters. and the
fact that Indiana asks but comparatively little
of Congress, much in the way of legislation may
be accomplished.
Abolition and Prohibition.
Rev. DIR. Henry Graham, in Troy Times
There is a large class of prohibitionlsts evil
/ iA..l--:.lal IL IN analnny and WIN nnint u