The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-20
THE HOUSE.
The Democratic Legislative Apportionment
Scneme Forced to Engrossment
Representative Smith, of Warrick opened the

Representative Smith, of Warrick opened the
proceedings of the House yesterday morning
with prayer.
motion to dispense with the reading of the
journal was lost, and three times during the
reading other similar motions We're defeated. On
the fourth effort the motion prevailed the vote
resulting yeas, 81; nays. A..
The report of a majority of the committee on
the legislative apportionment bill was taken up
Mr.. Sayre raised the point that the report was
out of order, because it had been made special
order for Wednesday, and that it had not been
supported by twothirds vote The Speaker
ruled that the point of order not we'll taken.
Mr.. Sayre and Mr.. Adams appealed from the
ruling of the Speaker.
Mr.. Gordon was called to the chair.
Mr.. Sayre-Yesterday, when this motion for
a special order was made, the House was proceed
ing with regular business. That was a mo-
ton to suspend the regular order The
yeas and nays were called and 63 voted
for and 30 against it-lacking. under the rules
the required two thirds majority. Another ques-
ton: Rule % forbids it, save for appropriation
bills, which are preferred. The House journal
shows that this bill or report under spe-.
cial order, and no other construction can be put
upon it.
Mr. Speaker am sorry that this appeal did
that the Speaker may designate certain days for
bills OH second reading / designated Wednesday,
l have doubt that it requires two thirds
vote to make special order. | so stated yester-
day. 1t takes two thirds vote, however, only
when, to make a bill special order, it suspends
the rules When it does not suspend the rules
q majority vote is sufficient. When bills as this
apportionment bill, have been reported upon, they
stand for second reading, and, according to my
practice, l arranged them according to their
numbers
Mr. Smith, of Tippecanoe-I must differ with
the ruling There another rule wrapped up
in this one decided upon. Yesterday morn
ing, according to our custom, the reports
CT committees were made, and, accord
ing to CUSTOM not even read. but the
purport of them given until we came to this
particular one-the most important one
which has yet come up--when the committees
report was read and, contrary to all rules, it was
made special order for the afternoon. The
decision of the Speaker is that by majority
vote you can take up any bill on the second
reading By that process the majority would
rush their own measures at all times and swamp
the minority. The rules are made to protect the
minority.
Mr. Gooding moved to lay the appeal on the
table, which was agreed to-ayes. 81; noes, 36.
Mr.. Wilson desired TO make point OF order
that the consideration was not properly before
the House, because the bill did not come up in
it's regular order, and it would take a two-thirds
vote to place it ahead of time The Speaker
decided that the point of order was not well
taken. Mr.. Wilson announced that he would
take an appeal.
The Speaker-The appeal is @ reiteration of
the appeal just decided. 1t is out of order. 1
shall not entertain it.
Mr.. Wilson, shall appeal upon the decis-
ion Just made.
The Speaker-The reading clerk will pro-
eeed with the reading of the report Of the com
mttee.
The question being now upon the minority re-
port, the yeas and nays were demanded.
Mr. Adams explaining his vote, said: "For
the reason that the old apportionment is fair
and the new one an outrageous STEAL vote
no."
PROTESTING AGAINST THE SPEAKERS RULINGS.
Mr.. Copeland entered protest in writing, as
follows:
Mr.. Speaker-We protest against the high handed
and summary action of the majority this floor in
applying the infamous gag law in the disposition of
the minority reports House apportionment bills
Nos. 422 and 423 thereby absolutely throttling the
minority OF this House and suppressing free speech
and free debate subject of much Importance as
redisrictng the State for congressional and legsa
tive appointments w. NJ COPELAND.
A. S. HELMS.
The Speaker-It will be entered on the journal
Mr.. Copeland desire to have it read.
The Speaker-there are no provisions for read
ingit
THE OBJECTIONS TO THE BILL.
Mr. Kellison, in explaining his vote said: 'I
ions of these two apportionment bills to oppose
them from first to last. l see no reason now for
changing my mind. Because my party asso-
ciates have seen fit to enact measures that are
unfair is no reason why should act in concert
with them. Sir, prefer to walk with my own
manhood and to sleep with my self-respect, and
| therefore vote no."
Mr. McHenry-At this time vote aye, but
cannot the final vote so far disgrace the re-
cord of my parry in such injustice.
Mr. hat lie
outrageous, partisan measure / vote no.
Mr. Reeves-Because the minority report is
fair, and because it was made by Democrats,
vote no.
Mr. Sayre-For fear that some may not un-
derstand my vote, shall explain. First it abol-
ishes the Office hold. But secondly, because it
DISTINGUISHES G, 600 or 5000 Republicans in Kos
ciusko and Wabash counties, vote no.
Smith, of Warrick-Because it is unjust and
discreditable to my party; vote no.
Mr. Taylor-As l vote as l talk, and as re-
minder to our apostate brethren, vote aye
The minority vote was tabled by yeas 81,
nays 50
Mr. Williams moved that the majority report
be adopted, and the previous question being de-
manded and seconded by the House, the report
of the majority was concurred in by yeas 80,
nays Al.
A FEW WORDS OF EXPLANATION.
Mr. Twlneham, in responding to his name
during the call of the ROLL said: las this is the
most nefarious scheme ever known in politics.
as now the Democrats have on joint ballot 46
majority, and as the gerrymander will give them
20 or more majority, vote no."
Mr. Wilson-As the Democrats Of this State
have taken this most outrageous plan of theft,
vote mo"
Mr. Helms-As my county, (Greenel gives $50
Republican majority and Daviess go Democratic
majority, these two evenly balanced and as
by putting Greene and Sullivan together changes
it, and as would prefer that our senatorial dis
trict should be represented by Mr. Taylor, who
would make a much more dignifed and obedient
Senator than Mr. Patten, of Sullivan there
fore vote no"
The amendments to the bill were adopted
yeas "a, nays Al Mr.. Gooding moved that the
bill be engrossed as amended, and demanded the
previous question. The motion was agreed to.
Afternoon Session.
Mr. Smith of Tippecanoe introduced bill III.