The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-11

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, March 10.-With
last nights adjournment, the fifty-sixth
session OF the Indiana General Assembly
practically terminated. The Legislature
will meet tomorrow, and adjourn sine die,
but no bills can be passed-a constitu-
tional provision forbidding the sending Of
bills to the Governor within three days Of
the closing of the session. The session
terminating tomorrow has been ono Of the
most remarkable in the history Of the
State. The Governor and all the State
officers are Republicans, while tho
Democracy have working majority in
both houses Of the Legislature. A large
portion OF the time OF the Assembly has
been devoted to consideration of measures
which, in case they are sustained by the
Courts, will work revolution in the gov
eminent OF some OF the cities Of the State,
and in the manner Of making appoint
ments TO Office.
The most important, perhaps, Of these
measures is one appointing five commits
sioners, who are TO act as assistants to the
Judges of the Supreme Court. That
court, as a result OF the November election,
now consists OF four Republicans and one
Democrat. The bill passed by the Legis-
lature, which was vetoed by the Governor,
and promptly passed over the veto, pro-
vdes for five commissioner and the
Legislature chose five Democrats to fill
these places. The Constitution provides
that all commissions must be signed 6y'
the Governor ard sealed by the great seal
OF the State. The majority OF the Legisla-
ture, foreseeing that the Governor might
refuse to issue these commissions, inserted
in the law creating these commissions q
clause providing that in the absence Of
commissions certificate signed by
the Speaker OF the House and Sec
rotary of the Senate should be sufI-
cient authority for the bearers TO act rs
commissioners. The Governor refused TO
issue the commissions, whereupon the
commissonerstoo took out the certificates pro-
vided by the act, and reported 10 the
Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court for
duty. The Chief Justice declined TO &C.
cept the certificates as evidence that the
commissioners were duly authorized TO
act, and Gov. Hovey ut once procured an
| Injunction restraining the Clerk OF the
ikt
missioners from receiving the books
papers, etc, necessary to the prosecution
OF their work.
One point ON which the commissioners
rely strongly is a provision Of the act which
defines their duties as being ministerial;
they are simply TO prepare opinions on
cases submitted TO them, but will have no
voice in deciding whether opinions 80 pre-.
| pared shall be promulgated rs the decls-
ions OF the Supreme Court. This power is
left in the hands Ct the Judges selected by
popular vote. This case is now pending
before the Supreme Court, and much i'm
portance is attached 10 the final result for
the reason that 1t will have bearing on
much OF the other legislation Of the ses-
sion.
Among the other measures is one plac-
ing the affairs Of he city OF indianapolis
under control Of Board OF Public Works
and Affairs, depnying the Council and
Board OF Aldermen OF all control OF streets,
| lighting. water supply, etc. Another pro-
vides Boards OF Police and Fire Commits
sioners for indianapolis and Evansville,
all OF which places are 10 be filed by Sc
lections made by the General Assembly.
Other bills take from the Governor the
| appointing OF the State Health Board,
state geologist, coal mine inspectors, oil
inspectors, etc. The trustees Of benevo.
lent and penal institutions have for many
years been selected by the legislative
branch OF the government, but Gov. lloyey
claims these appointments belong 10 the
Executive. and legal contest on this
point will also follow. All these measures
were vetoed by the Governor and the ve.
toes were promptly oyerridden by the Leg
islaturc.
The Mayor aud city authorities OF In
dianapolis will make legal fight In the
courts over the bill dcpriving the Council
and Aldermen Of control Of city affairs; the
courts will also be called in 10 determine
the constitutionality OF all the laws men
toned in the foregoing, and the outlook
now is that there will be plenty Of busi-
ness for Indiana lawyers and judges for
some time 10 come.
Among the notable laws enacted by tho
Assembly and approved by the Governor
was an election Law embodying the salient
features Of the Australian system, and n
measure providing for the purchase Of
school books in quantity from the lowest
and best bidders; these books 10 be fur
nished 10 pupils at cost.
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