The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-18

while the legislation necessary 70 the welfare OF
the State is at stand-still. Now, / fully APP
preciate the difficulties in your way. / know
some are sick. and some are unavoidably de-
tanned, but there is no reason why a quorum
should not be present AS Speaker, cannot rs
main silent under this state of affairs. Those
who sent us here do not adjourn their business
or forsake their occupations at the ex-
notice now that I will use all my
power to expedite the legitimate business of the
session and stop this sort of thing | think lam
not peevisn man, but am in earnest now. and
II IN trying TO do this make myself too offens-
I've 10 You my position as Speaker Is at your dis
posal have now said this much without in
tending or desiring to reflect injuriously upon
any member, and shall say no more on the sub
Ject till the crack of DOOM"
Shortly after Speaker Jewett concluded, the
foregoing structures upon the reprehensible con-
duet CT the House. the following resolution was
introduced by Mr.. Patten:
Resolved, That the Speaker Is not justified in his
criticisms upon the members of this house, it is
not the province duty of the presiding officer to
formulate policies dictate the conduct of MEMBERS
or impair the dignity of the chair by delivering
tain lectures herefrom upon the conduct of the
bers.
Mr, Deems. in explaining his vote, said that
the Speaker did not indulge in many lectures,
and that this one was well-timed.
Mr.. Kellison said that the Speakers remarks
were uncalled for. 1t is the duty of the Speaker
to preside and preserve order but not to lecture
members on the floor The Speaker had him
self often held business back The criticism
was lndlscriminate, while fact he had not
attempted to delay business
Mr.. Moody thought the Speakers remarks
somewhat out of place. still they are pertinent
enough for him to vote in their favor
MIR. Patten-The scenarios did not advise the
members, but were criticisms upon the conduct
of the members.
Mr. ,rIt hot +Io, al
rected only to those who made long winded
speeches. and therefore he felt that they did not
apply to him.
Mr.. Sayre-I believe that here the power and
the responsibility go together. | belong to the
minority which has no responsibility. The re-
remarks of the Speaker were directed toward the
majority and were we'll timed
Mr.. Smith of Tippecanoe could not see that
the remarks could apply to him. He had, during
his two terms, been absent only when sent away
by the House He was on the Speakers side on
the matter.
Mr.. Staley-I think the criticisms of the
Speaker are just / regret only that he was
compelled to make the remarks.
AIR. Taylor-No one here has higher regard
for the Speaker than | have, but the criticism
was uncalled for. To say officially that the con-
duct of the members was bad is going beyond the
bounds OF his privileges. We are not school
children that are here to be chastised by the man
we have made Speaker. | stand here as a man
"a free man. Other men here think as l do,
but from abject weakness vote contrary to their
views.
Mr.. Townsend was of the opinion that the re-
marks were timely.
The House rejected the resolution, by vote
of nays Y, yeas T.
Mr.. Engle moved to censure Mr. Patten for
offering the resolution but this motion, at the
request of the Speaker was withdrawn. Mr.
Patten remarked that if any member thought he
needed censure he would resign and go home.
The report of the Clerk of the Supreme Court,
giving the number of cases decided and number
pending on the docket was read, and 500 copies
were ordered printed.
The bill IS 324l to enable school boards to
buy real estate for library buildings was read the
first time and the House refused to take it up
under suspension Of the rules, for passage
The House refused to concur in the Senates
reduction in the claim of Doorkeeper Fry for
summoning witnesses to appear before the
knightstown investigating committee The
Senate reduced the bin from $500 to $3.50.
Mr.. Wilson's bill FL. r. 45l to allow Kosciusko
county So, al for its expenses in convicting
Charles w. Butler, the wife murderer, was de-
feated by yeas 80. nays 81.
Mr. Kelison's bill, amending the mechanics
lien aw,s to provide that such liens shall stand
when the contracts for the labor or material were
not made directly with the company, as is now
necessary, was passed by vote of SO to O.
Ms.5cioyd offered a resolution directing that
a bill should be drafted adjusting fees and sala-
ries of county officers. On motion by Mr. Pendle-
ton the resolution was tabled--yeas 49, nays 49,