The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-25
TF1 PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
THE SENATE.


The Senate yesterday morning was opened
with PRAYER by Rev. Mr. Cain, chaplain of The
southern prison.
Mr.. Weir moved to concur in the minority re
port on his bill is 45l for the establishment of
three district appellate courts of three judges
each. Mr. Mccullough moved to substitute
the majority report in favor of one court of
FIVE judges, to meet at Indianapolis.
Mr.. Weir said that personally he would be
satisfied with either bat would like the Senate
to decide between the two propositions
Mr.. McCullough-1'his is matter of some
considerable Importance, and decision as be-
tween the two plans better be determined
by considering the two provisions in the two
bills, and they should be printed. Senators
should not act hastily on this question. The
provision for the court calls for a written
argument; the three courts are to hear ora. argu-
mentS.
On motion by Mr. Youche the bill was made a
special order for Thursday morning, at 10 o'clock
The special committee on reorganization of
the knightstown institution reported a bill
which provides that the present trustees shall be
out of Office the passage of the bill; that the
Governor shall then appoint new trustees. who
shall appoint superintendent, with the consent
of the Governor The Governor shall have
power to remove trustees and to appoint
their successors; the superintendent may be re-
moved by either the Governor or trustees.
Mr.. Magee-Two years ago the General AS
sembly thought fit to take these appointments
from the Governor and placed them in the hands
of the Legislature. | have always been OPP
posed to bringing the management of these be-
nevolent institutions into politics. The only OBJ
lection have to this bill is that it does not
quire the Governor to appoint non partisan
board. This seems to be the only way to escape
from the present complication Of affairs.
Mr.. Winter prepared this bill with little
time and in hurried manner, by direction Of
the committee. / therefore move it be made the
special order for 7:30 o'clock this evening, and
that the bill be printed.
The motion was agreed to.
LIFE IMPRISONMENT OF coNvIcTs.
Mr. Hoovers lifetime convict encouragement
bill S. 254l was read the SECOND" time.
Mr.. Willard-This bill is bill in behalf OF
better prison government Nearly every State
in the Union has passed what are called good
time laws" The life time convicts are the only
class exempted from the benefcent effect of such
legislation. The object of this bill to carry
some degree of hope to men who are left without
any hope for the future. A man thus sent, who
has wealth or wealthy friends, has some hope
but the poor man has none. This class of men
ought to have extended to them a chance to
ameorate their condition by good behavior
during confinement This bill is in the nature of
a ticket-of-leave system. However, no man can
escape from the walls of the penitentiary with
out certificate OF recommendation from the
warden and directors of the prison after serving
the term Of twenty-five years, and if within the
period of five years he misbehaves he is returned
with life sentence.
Mr. Youche-I am opposed to this bill. We
have only two crimes for which life sentence
can be pronounced-treasop and murder--for
the safety and protection of the community. In
great majority of cases where the prisoner
should suffer the severest penalty of the law, the
sentiment of communities manages to obtain
life sentence in the penitentlary. This bill
mill cd
behavior in thirteen years and one month.
1t reduces the punishment so that
that should be hung will only
be imprisoned from thirteen to fifteen years j
am much more inclined to look after the welfare
of the entire community than of criminal class,
The times would probably be better were there
a more severe execution of the criminal stat
utes The law passed two years ago is sufficient
mitigation of prison discipline.
Mr.. Campbell of Hendricks questioned wheth
er the first section would not at once release all
who have served the time prescribed in this bill
Mr. Willard-The law of 1888 is not retroactive.
Mr. Fowler moved TO amend so that the warden
shall be required to furnish horse aud buggy
to enable each lifetime convict to take outdoor
exercise on pleasant afternoons. "It seems he
said, ito be dangerous bill. 1t would turn
loose upon society class of men possessing the
lowest instincts in humanity, after confinement
some thirteen or fifteen years. 1t certainly is
not possible that criminal laws need such
amendment Ii a little more hanging We're done
society would be much better off"
Mr.. MARSHALL believe this bill is unconstitu-
tional, yet / feel | want to be on the side OF hui
manity. and will support the BILL Ihave learned
that the good time bill, passed in 1883. has
worked wonders III our penitentiaries Every
man is put upon his good behavior When YOU
consider the length OF time they have to stay in
prison. there very few men who live in
prison SO long That such may have something to
live for this bill should be passed. | think
the great object for which a man has been put
in prison has been ACCOMPLISHED in about two
years confinement.
Mr. McCulloush-I am opposed to this bill. 1t
proposes a material change in the criminal laws.
That class of community disposed to commit
crime should be shown that punishment will
follow crimes, | would rather lose my property
than to be killed / believe murder is the worst
of crimes. 1t is not honorable under any cir
cumstances. If conviction follows, the doom of
the convict should be the gallows incarcera
ton in prison for life. Say that such men shall
be turned ont, and such legislation will be con
demned by the people.
Mr. Campbell of st. Joseph-There has been
no bill that has come before a committee of
which | am a member that have given SO
much consideration this one. During the
two terms have been member of the prison
committee have conversed freely with the class
OF persons serving life sentences AT least eight
out of every ten have committed the crime
that is, they Were drunk The OBJ
iect of punishment is two-fold-for pun
shment in its reality and for protection TO
the community. / have feared the effect that
would come upon the community if it were en-
acted that life sentence should be but fifteen
years confinement. / believe that ninety five
per cent. of the convicts would GO out and make
as good citizens as those who have never been
within the walls of prison; but am afraid of
the restraining effect upon the community. This
Is a grave question, and should be carefully con-
sdered. believe il is not wise for the Legisla-
ture TO enact that jury shall not impose life
sentence | move to amend so that thirty
years he inserted instead of "twenty-iven
Mr thQmpson-lf punishment is for reforma
ton. the punishment heretofore inflicted has
proven failure Men have served five and ten
years and have come out worse than when thew
went H. lnstead Of turning them out reformed
they are turned out with the spirit of devils. /
believe hope never should be removed from the
human ereast--where such is the case man is no