The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-02
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
In Four Weeks the Legislature Passes
Four Bills Out of 600.
4 Session of Demagogy, Cheap Economy
and No Beneficial Results-Notes of
Proposed Legislation.

1t is now nearly four weeks since the Indiana
General Assembly convened, and the constitu-
tional limit of one regular session is within
few days of having half expired Over 600 bills
have been introduced--357 in the House and pa
in the Senate-but the only results of the legisla-
tivedeiberations four acts, one of which is an
appropriation of 1926, 900 to pay the expenses of
the session. another for So, 900 for the inme-
date necessities in repairing the damages to the
Insane Hospital caused by fire last week, an
act legalizing the incorporation of the town of
Cannelton, and one fixing the time of holding
court in the Thirty sixth judicial circuit This
legislation has cost ovor $24. 600. Nothing what
ever of any general benefit to the State has
been done Notwithstanding the recognized
necessity for an investigation of the
State Treasury, the only effort of the
Democratic majority in regard to the matter
has been TO prevent an open disclosure of the
real condition Of the official affairs of the Treas
urer. Much of the expensive time of the session
has been wasted over demagogical propositions
of cheap economy, costing more than the saving
discussed. The prospects are that the remainder
of the session will be consumed equally as IN
proftably. and as senator remarked last week,
'the result will be that in the hustle of the clos
ing days lot of fool bills will be passed"
regardless of whether good is accomplished or
not 1t is evident that there will be no extra
session, without some extraordinary emergency
arises to make it an unavoidable necessity
THE STATE MILITIA.
Notwithstanding the overwhelming defeat of
the militia bill in the House last week. the
friends of the measure have not given up all
hope of its becoming a law, although when it
comes again it will be in revised and restricted
form. Two new bills relating to the matter and
embodying most of the features of the bill that
failed, were introduced in the House on Satur
day. Representative Helms presented one
which proposes an allowance of $lC0 year to
each legally organized company for armory pur
poses and $l2 a year to each member of the
militia for uniform. Accompanying the bill.
Mr.. Helms presented memorial bearing the
signatures OF 126 citizens of his county. asking
its passage Representative Moody of
fered bill embodying all the pro-
visions of the defeated measure, with the
exception that it is amended so as to apply only
to white persons, and the amount of the proposed
appropriation is reduced from $50 900 to SID. 600
year A strong effort will be made by the mill
tary men of the State to secure the enactment
of one Of the bills, but it is hoped that the
House will delay action until after the Senate
has passed upon the one pending before that
body. Il is expected that the Senate will pass
the BILL and their action it is thought, will have
the effect to favorably influence the House.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Senator Weir introduced bill, on Saturday
which makes it lawful to hunt on uninclosed
land without obtaining permission.
A bill prescribing penalty of from $25 to
$500 for the adulteration of food, drink and
medicines has been introduced by Senator
Ensley.
An apportionment bill by Senator Zimmerman,
introduced on Saturday. proposes to give Fulton
. county representative instead of joint repre-
sentative.
A bill fixing the tax assessment of railroad
companies at not less than $l2 900 per mile on
right OF way introduced on Saturday by
Senator Willard.
A bill requiring the payment of premiums to
fire departments of cities by fire insurance COM
panies, not organized under the laws of the
State, was introduced on Saturday by Senator
Weir
A resolution passed the House on Saturday
appropriating 81 900, to be used by General
Carnahan, the Indiana commissioner of the New
Orleans exposition, III maintaining the State ex
hibit.
The ludicrous gentleman from Sullivan, Mr.
Patten. who is sometimes comically incorrect in
his verbiage, is reported as having alluded, in a
committee discussion, to 'the first claw of the
statute.
Senator Day has introduced bill requiring
city treasurers to report monthly to the Com
mon Council the amount of the funds in their
hands, together with the interest received on de-
posts or loans
A bill was introduced by Senator Foulke, on
Saturday. providing that no person shall be
elected county superintendent who has not re-
ceived o certificate of qualification from the
State Board of Education
Senator Fowler is the author of a bill which
authorizes the Auditor of State to revoke the
right of foreign fire insurance company TO do
business in the State for failing to settle losses
under the requirements of the laws of the State.
Senator Duncan. of Brown, has offered bill
which makes Martin, Orange and Lawrence
counties constitute the Tenth judicial circuit,
Morgan and Hendricks the Fifteenth, Marion
Ahe Nineteenth, and Monroe and Owen the For
Sy-siXth
A bill proposing an amendment to the metro
politan police law. requiring the equal represen-
tation OF the three leading political parties in
the system, was introduced in the House on
Saturday by Representative Dale 1t is claimed
that the bill is solely in the interest of the
Greenback party.
Representative Passage offered bill on Satur-
day which proposes an appropriation of $31 500
to Purdue University for the purpose of making
permanent improvements. OF the amount
asked, $l6 500 is for mechanics shop Sc, coo
for machinery. 81, 600 for testing machinery
g. 200 for additional farm buildings, 81, 800 for
stock and s., 800 for additions to the university
library.
SATURDAYS SESSION.
The Senate and House Occunv fI,~ Hyo.,;,.