The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-18
IN SENATE
TUESDAY, March II, iss5-9:9O a, m

tZO,OOO limit and a minority report rec
ommending 10000 limit
Mr.. FOULKE explained: IL is intended to
restrict large expenditures by County Com
missioners without the consent of the tax
payers.
Mr.. OVERSTREET: All buildings neces-
saTy to the carrying out of the business of
the county shonId not be delayed till an ex-
preston of the people can be obtained.
Mr.. MACY opposed the majority report on
this bill. He moved to substitute the mi
nority instead of the majority report.
Mr.. MCINTOSH: / had no idea when the
bill was introduced but that it would pass
unanimously. / am in favor OF the bill as
originally brought in the Senate.
Mr.. SMITH, of Jay, made an Intellectual
motion-yeas, Is; nays 2J-to lay the bill
tn the table.
Mr.. FOUlKE moved to amend the report
of the committee so the limit shall be $780,
oC0.i
Mr.. SMITH, of Jay: It should be a rule
when public building Is erected at the ex.
pense Of the taxpayers that it should be
built with view OF two or three genera
tions ahead OF the times. This bill would
result in putting Boards of Commissioners
at the mercy OF those who would not look far
enough in the future. The advanced idea
now is to put up good buildings and build
substantial bridges. With all the safeguards
now on the statute book this bill would prove
vicious.
Mr.. FOULKE: In 8 good many counties
there has been disposition on the part OF
County Commissioners to expend vast deal
more money than is desirable on the part OF
the taxpayers. frequently large portion OF
them. An excellent Courthouse can be built
fer from $4,000 to $50 600. The one in
Wayne County only cost about $4,000 aud
Is ample FOR that large county for years to
come. This bill proposes nothing bat what
lie Just and right
Mr.. MARSHALL: am in favor of the
amendment. There are sometimes large ex-
penditures made by County Commissioners
which are unwarranted, and in opposition
to the wishes of q maj rity of the tax payers.
There is q principle involved in this bill,
and that is TO put proper check upon the
servants of the people. by the people them
selves; and that is right. Ii gives the people
OF any county the right TO build as fine
buildings ss majority may desire. 1t is
best for the people to regulate such affairs as
they seem right.
Mr.. SELLERS moved the bill and amend.
ments be printed and made special order
Friday att O'Clock.
The motion was rejected uDon a division
affirmative Il; negative, 10
M. OVER5TREEr: Any action taken
in this dire ction would embarrass any conn.,
~ desiring q public building. An officer
should not be afraid to move until in
structed; If it were otherwise he would not
amount 10 much. Commissioners will not
eEfravaonnt
quire. The statute requires they shall pro.
vide q Courthouse and place for all the
county offices. A proof Courthouse can
not be built for $50 900. Such bill would
accomplish nothing. Commissioners should
have the discretion 70 act in such matters.
The 1000 amendment was agreed 10 by
yeas "a nays If.
The minority report as amended was con-
CURED in
on motion by Mr.. FOULKE the bill was
read the second time.
Mr.. MCINTOSH moved that the bill be
ordered ensrossed.
Mr. OVERSTREET: hope the motion
will not prevail. There are bad features in
tie BILL
Mr.. MCINTOSH: l understand in Ohio
the people for al expenditure of over SIC, 600
without first obtaining consent OF the tax
payers.
Mr.. WEIR opposed the motion.
The motion was rejected by yeas -,
nays 20.
soLpIKRS' MONUMENTS.
Mr.. Ensley's bill is. 1887 to authorize
County Commissioners TO erect monuments
IL the several counties OF the State was re-
turned with a committee amendment that
such expenditure shall be only upon q petit
ton of y majority OF voters.
Mr. ONER5TREEr made an Intellectual
motion 10 amend by subtituting taxpayers
Tor voters"
The report was concurred in.
The bill was ordered engrossed.
CONVICT LABoR.
on motion of Mr.. CAMPBELL, OF St Jo-
seph, his bill s. i64l concerning the hiring
of convict labor was read the second time,
with committee amendment changing the
hours fer days work from eight to nine
hours. He said: After two years OF careful
study on this question have embodied my
conclusions in this bill. The object OF eight
hours for days work Is TO cut down the
product OF convict labor about 90 per cent.
The free laborers of the State do not
nave an opportunity 10 produce more
on On average than would amount 10 what
could be done in eight hours day. This
bill u an effort to help free labor as much 81
possible. The man who once gets contract
IN these prisons has monopoly forever,
Under what lie called the tapping co ntracts
90 there IL no competition as between those
desiring 10 employ prison labor. Section oil
this Dill Is intended to open competition for
convict labor. The question is how best can
this labor &c regulated so rs not TO come
into injurious conflict With free labor. This
bill does this as far rs practical by limiting
amount OF product and putting |. in such
ooiuplition rs 10 bring the highest price.
Mr.. YOUCHE moved TO amend BY strik-
Ing out all except Section 9 OF the bill, which
i intended to prevent the tapping OF con-
tfacta.
The amendment was agreed 10.
The committee report rs amended wa
concurred IN.
The bill was ordered engrossed
INTEREST AND UsuRY.
At. G,ofthfs Of Law hill - tsuI "A n .