The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-14
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Senator Foulke Introduces a Bill Pro-
viding for a New Constitution.
Proposed Creation Of iii Appellate Court
The Rules Of the Observation-Disclosures
Of Many Important Bills.

18leutenanG governor manson entered upon MS
duties as President of the Senate yesterday.
The place is misft for the old veteran. He
is not familiar with parliamentary rules
and usages, and it is evident that the
technical questions which are likely to be
raised in tactical strifes win greatly confuse him.
He is too far advanced in years for the exact
ing duties required from the presiding officer
of legislative body. and it was mistake, as
well as an imposition upon the old gentleman,
for the Democratic party to force him to become
a candidate for the Office of Lieutenant gov
ernor. He is master of the tactics of the field,
but there could not be much more uncomfort-
able place to him than the chair of president of
the Senate. He was given the kindliest consid-
GRAFTON by. the members yesterday, and he sue
ceeded in getting through with the days pro-
eeedings with less difficulty than was expected.
NEW STATE CONSTITUTION.
There was little of more than ordinary interest
in the proceedings of the Senate. The session
was occupied almost wholly with the introdnc-
ton of bills, the most important being one by
Senator Foulke, providing for the adoption of q
new Constitution. The bill is one of
considerable length. 1t provides that
Monday in next April, elect delegates to con-
yeEtion for the preparation of a new Constitu-
ton, which shall afterwards be submitted to the
vote of the people for ratification or rejection.
The representation Of counties in the convention
shall be the same as in the House of Rrepre-
sentative. The delegates snail assemble in In
danapolis on the first Thursday in Sep
TENDER, 1885, and while the conven.
tior. is in session they shall be al
lowed the Same pay received by members
of the General Assembly. The Constitution pre-
prepared by the convention shall be submitted
to the vote of the people byseparate propositions
on the first Monday ninety days after the ad-
journment os the convention.
The Supreme Court decisions and public ex-
!. perience show that many changes in the present.
Constitution, which was drafted in 1910, are
needed and it is believed that Senator Foulke's
bill will meet the approval of sufficient num-
ber of the more conservative Democratic mem
beers of the Senate TO secure its passage in that
body, but it is doubtful il it will be received with
favor by the fatal forty eight in the House
AN APPELLATE COURT
Senator Weir introduced a bill yesterday
afternoon which provides for the creation of an
appellate court. to be composed of five
judges, who shall be appointed by the Governor
for the first term of four years, but thereafter
elected in the same manner as the Supreme
Court judges. and to he selected respectively
from the same judicial districts. The Appellate
Court shall have jurisdiction for the cor
rection of errors from the lower courts
except in criminal cases, and where amounts
of more than $4,000 are involved in
the litigation 1t is created FOR
the purpose of relieving the Supreme
4@1st Of the vast nan4ber of cases of minor i'm.
portance upon which appeals taken, and it
will have all the powers of the Supreme Court.
However, it is provided that where the amount
involved in a case exceeds $500, the parties to
the suit may have the right to appeal to the
Supreme Court from the decision of the Arne
late Court The judges shall be allowed a salary
Of So, 800 year. There shall also be clerk of
the court whose fees shall be the same as those
allowed the clerk of the Supreme Court and a
sheriff whose salary is fixed at 81 day for the
time when he is employed. The bill is regarded
with general favor, because there is an evident
necessity for some assistance to the Supreme
Court, and it will probably become a law.
A STATE CIVIL RIGHTS RILL.
Among the bills which demurely slipped in
during the proceedings of the Senate yesterday
afternoon, was one of Senator Thompson, of this
county, which is likely to attract more attention
hereafter than it did upon its introduction. 1t
Is entitled IAN act to protect all citizens in their
civil and legal rights" and ernbodes the general
features OF the common eivil'richts law. The
treatment which this measure will receive in a
Democratic Legislature will be watched with
some interest. 1t is in the nature of a "bun-
combe' proceeding because there is no
inequality of the rights of citizens. The
penalty fixed by the bill for discrimination be
tween citizens on account of race by proprie
tors of hotels. barber shops, places Of amuse
ments ETC., is 500 in each case.
THE RULES OF THE HOUSE.
ushn y,orni,D eoccinn of tho Hauca roefa,do,
was occupied with the discussion Of the standing
rules, which, as adopted, were the same as those
in force two years ago, with one or SUBSCRIPTIONS
A rule of Importance to the minority, provid ing
that "a motion to lay proposed amendments on
the table. if it prevail, shall not affect the orig
inal subject" was omitted from the report pre-
scented 10y the committee. The possible evils
that would work from rule which would defeat
any measure simply by laying on the table any
proposed amendment to it is quite apparent.
Mr. McMullen insisted on the incorporation of the
old rule, and his motion warmly supported
by the Republican members, Mr. Sayre and
Mr. Smith. of Tippecanoe, both old members
declaring that If it was not adopted the minority
would be deprived of the protection to which it
was Justly entitled. Mr. Gooding opposed its
adoption. for the sole reason that by disposnS
of a proposition with the vote on an amendment.
business would be expedited Mr. Cooling
seems TO think that the minority are entitled
10 no voice because. as he stated. the majority
will be held responsible for all legislation. How
ever, the House voted In favor of the continu
ance Of the rnle. The only change made was by
an amendment requiring the reference of all
bills to committee consideration immed' ately
after the first reading. which. it claimed by
Mr. hfcMullen. would save the time occupied in
the second reading of worthless measures
and wonld expedite business. Mr. Goodins.
however was opposed to expediting business in
this way. because he believed that the House
could not be too careful in considering all bills
introduced. The proposition was adonted by an
overwhelming vote, notwithstanding Mr.. Good
ings objection.
Minor Matters.
w. p. Knight, of Petershur. has been ap-
pointed reading clerk of the Senate
John II. Snencer OF WASHINGTON has been