The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-06
THE HOUSE.
The State Militia Bill, Although Violently
Opposed, Finally Enacted.

Opposed, Finally Enacted.
Representative Townsend opened the session
Of the House, yesterday, with prayer.
Under the order Of unfinished business the
consideration of the bill rs. ssl regarding the
State militia was resumed.
Mr Browning do not see how this bill can
pass The Constitution says that no colored
men shall belong to it, and while have no pref
udice against that race yet i am sworn to sup
port the State Constitution, and for that reason
cannot support this bill
Mr.. Townsend-Does not the Constitution Of
the United States declare this State censtitu-
tional provision void, aud are you not sworn to
support the United States Constitution
Mr. Browning--I do not believe that the
United States has any right to interfere with
this States rights.
Mr. Gorion--I do not desire to make any
attack without cause upon this bill. / think
that close scrutiny Of the bill will disclose some
reason that will be approved by the people why
it should pass on one or two grounds
that either it il an ornament to
the State, or that it is ne eded Will
any one say that, because other States have it.
we should nave 1t as an ornament to satisfy the
whims of few? We are told that there is to be
an approprlat alton of but $4,000. Don't delude
yourself. Money will be demanded constantly
and it is hut the beginning of stupendous mill
tary organization of the State In private
argument, the supporters of the bill say ''give
us a start" The cost to the State will not be
less than $23, GOO per annum. Even though you
have 1900 petitioners for the bill,
don't forget the 800, 600 voters who
have not been heard from. An organ
iZation to secure petitions against it would
far outweigh the petition for it. Don't let it be
said that on the very day that a Democratic adj
ministratiOn was organized the Indiana AS
sembly ORGANIZED standing army. We do not
need 1t. There is no foreign war coming on nor
is there an impending riot No man need charge
that the Democrats on this foer are fearing
labor riots. The States which have q militia are
mere peaceful than Indiana. The cost of uni
form will be at least 0000 then there
is the $4,000 appropriation and the release
from the poll tax It will be too great a
burden for the Taxpayer. Does Marion county
want this tax on its property FOR the sake OF q
parade through the streets of Indanapolisa
have that confidence in the people which PRE-
cludes any fear OF riotous destruction of prop
erty.
Mr. Gooding-The gentleman from Putnam
Mr. Gordonl has stated this question most thor
oughly. What is the necessity of enacting this
bill into. a lawY Don't delude yourself with the
idea that the law can be repealed in two years
The military organizations will then be here
with demands. In time Of war ana for soldiers
but in times of peace let us have peace 1t is
twenty years since the war, and even our Re-
publican friends have discovered that it is over
What necessity is there for this bill now? 1t will
make Indiana general encampmeEt for this
militia.
Mr. Smith of Warrick-Being a member of
the military committee, and the only member
opposing this important bill, offer some points
against it. / represent a county which does not
favor standing army 1t has been argued that
other States pay for military organizations, but
as we do not need it, ] cannot see why we should
favor it. We should vote down the bill and save
the taxpayers thousands of dollars. We want
no such State dignity.
Mr. Loyd-I would like to support reasona-
bic bill regarding the militia but would rather
encourage something of benefit to the State. /
would rather vote to organize farmers sons into
company for better stock raising but such a
scheme would not meet with favor here. hap
pen to be adjutant of post of the G. A. r., and
it does not favor it. Let it not be sent abroad
that we oppose any labor organization.
Mr. Dlttemore-I am no alarmist. l am will
ing to trust the State officers of either political
party. When property is destroyed and the
lives OF innocent ones taken, then l want the
military to quell such trouble | am not sure
that company would be organized in my
county, but my people are not afraid of the bill.
MIR. Harrison-It seems to me that this bill is
not in harmony with the principles of the Demo
cratic party. We have provided our children
with books instead of swords, aud we are capa-
bic Of self Government There is q dispute be-,
tween capital and labor. ! believe It would be