The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-10
lie GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Proceedings on the Last Day Of the
Regular Session.
The Governors Proclamation for the Special
Session. Which ConveneS T%o-Day-The
Legislature and the Press.
THE END AND THE BEGINNINGS.
The Closing Proceedings and the Governor

The Closing Proceedings and the Governors
Proclamation for a Special Session.
The last day Of the regular session was charac-
terized by uproarious hilarity and general good
feeling in the House, and in the Senate the time
was occupied with the serious discussion of sub
jects which had been resurrected from the legis-
lative graveyard. Legislation was not in order,
the time for it having expired on Saturday. The
House was promiscuously thankful and generous.
Resolutions were adopted expressing thanks to
everybody and for everything, and the customary
extra allowances to the House Offices were made.
A dozen or more members speaking
at once, while others were en-
gagged in the sport Of throwing paper
wads at them, caused some confusion in the pro-
seedlings. but all ended well, and the House adj
iourned sine die at noon. The Senate did moth
ing during the morning but take a recess until
afternoon, pending the absence of a committee
which had been sent to learn if the Governor
had any communication to make. The afternoon
session was occupied with a debate on the reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the Constitu-
ton, prohibiting the hiring of prison convicts to
contractors.
THE CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.
Governor Gray's proclamation for a special
session was read during the morning, and was as
follows:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
INDIANAPOLIS, March o.
Whereas, the constitutional term of the present
regular session of the General Assembly expires to-
day, and the term has now elapsed within which bills
should be presented to the Governor for approval,
and
Whereas, The present regular session has failed to
pass a general appropriation bill, making provisions to
o.-.- rD Aln go n-1 ---.N.A Al .~o-.
Gus State institutions for the .years 1886 and 1887, a
bill making specific appropriation, a bill to raise rev.
enqe; and make appropriations during the years 1886
and 1897, to continue the construction Of the new
State-house, and other important bills which are now
pending before the General Assembly. and whereas,
section III of article 10 Of the Constitution provides
that no money shall be drawn from the treasury but
in pursuance of appropriations made by law" but to
the legislative department alone is delegated the duty
and authority to raise revenue by taxation. and APP
~pr0priate the same to the support of the State govern
ment and of its institutions; that the disbursement of
money from the treasury, under the authority of the
executive and administrative departments of the
State, in the absence of the regular legis-
iative appropriations, Is inaugurating a dangerous
practice, unprecedented and should not be resorted to.
except in great and unforeseen emergencies. because
a it ~deprives the Legislature, as the representatives of
the people, of its proper functions, and is contrary to
the spirit and intention of the Constitution, that the
Legislature should have a care and oversight in the
expenditure OF public money; and, whereas, the con-
without further aid FROM the State. and to discontinue
such construction would entail a loss upon the State,
at an increased expense to the people;
Therefore, l, Isaac p. Gray, Governor of the State
of Indiana, do hereby make proclamation that, in my
opinion, the public welfare requires a brief special
session of the General Assembly of Indiana, and l do
hereby call a special session of the present General
Assembly. to be held in the Marion county court
house, commencing on Tuesday, the 10th day of
March, at 8 o'clock in the forenoon.
In witness whereof l have hereunto set nv hand
and cause to be affixed the seal of the State, at the city
of Indianapolis, this 9th day of March, in the year Of
Lord, 1885. ISAAC P. GRAY.
BY the Governor:
- NILILAH r. MYERS, Secretary of State.
Iii compliance with the proclamation, the Leg
islature will convene in special session this morn
ing, but Immediately after organizing both the
Senate and House viii doubtless adjourn until
next Friday, as a brief interval for much needed
rest is desired by the over-worked majority, and
it is believed that a day or two among their con-
~stituents will have a good effect upon the mem
horc