The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-12

erned by precedent. Immediately upon the
reassembling of the Senate in the afternoon
Senator Barrett reported for the committee
on joint rules that the rules governing the
joint conventions of the last session of the
General Assembly ought to be adopted, with
the exception of Rule 10, which the CON-
mittee said should be amended so as
to read: ''All officers elected by the
General Assembly shall be elected on joint
ballot. Both branches of the General AS
sembly shall assemble in the hail of the
House of Representatives, and the Speaker
of the House shall preside over all Joint
sessions" In order to prevent discussion
of the amended rule designed to deprive
Lieutenant-g governor Chase of the right to
preside over the joint sessions, Senator Bar
rett moved the previous question. The Re-
publican members were not surprised at
The action, since they had learned to ex-
pect almost anything from the majority,
but some of them took occasion to
express their opinion of the move
ment when they were called upon to vote.
Senator Kennedy, of Rush. said he
supposed that the Democrats in the
General Assembly had made enough blum
ders, and expected they would this session
cease trying the patience of disguised
people. He had no doubt but that if such
outrages were kept up the people of Indiana
would thoroughly repudiate the Democratic
party in the near future. As long as such
revolutionary measures were practiced the
Republican party would keep ahead. A
splendid majority of 2,0OOin Indiana showed
how the intelligent people of the State
by the Democratic majority in the last
Legislature. Notwithstanding the protests
of the Republicans, however, the report
was adopted by party vote as it came
from the committee. A similar report was
submitted by Representative Bigham. of
Marion, in the House in the afternoon. and,
although the Republicans there protested,
1T was adopted by vote of 40 to 43, some
of fha al,opc l.asr. a1,o1ra
Representative Brown, of Henry, in ex-
planning his vote, entered protest strongly
against the proposed action. He character
lied 1T as very dlscourteous action, and
something entirely uncalled for.
Lieutenant-goyernor Chase, having been
disposed of in this way, the Speaker APP
pointed a committee, composed of Repre-
sentatives Brownlee and Harreil, to wait
upon the Senate. and inform that body that
the House was ready to meet In joint ses-
sion. A brief recess was taken, and when
the Senators had all been furnished with
seats the Speaker directed Senators Bar
It's and Brownlee to wait upon the Governor
inform him that the joint session was ready
TO receive him, and to escort him to the
hall. During the absence of the
committee Lieutenant governor elect
Chase was, by motion of Senator
Howard invited to a seat beside the Speak
er The Lieutenant-goyernor, after being
escorted to the Speakers desk, was intro
greeted with applause, which he recognized
with bow.
Governor Gray was applauded as he en-
tered the chamber. He was escorted di-
rectly to the Speakers desk, and after an
introduction to the convention by Speaker
Niblack, he began reading his message.
The reading lasted over an hour. During
most of the time he was given close atten-
ton by all the members, and by the lobby and
galleries, which were crowded. At the con-
clusion of the reading the Senators retired
and Immediately adjourned until 10 O'Clock
Monday. A resolution was passed in the
House authorizing the printing of 10000
copies of the Governors message, and that
body then adjourned until IL o'clock Mon
day. Before adjournment of the joint
session Speaker Niblack stated that 1T had
been the custom to canvass the vote for
Governor and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS while
the two bodies were in joint session to hear
the Governors message, but as he had not
made preparations for the work the joint
session would reconvene at 11:30 o'clock on
Monday for the purpose.
The City Between Two Schemes.
Representative Curtis is waiting for an
opportunity to introduce bill which, if it
becomes a law, will work radical change
in the government of the first-class cities
of the State. 1t is entitled IAN act to es-
tablish board of public works in all cities
having a population in excess of $4,000"
The board is TO have charge of the fire de-
partments. street commissioners, city hos
pitfalls and dispensaries, city attorneys,
boards of health, market-houses. water
works, etc. The police department. is not
included in the bill. The board under this,
it is proposed, shall consist of three
members, one to hold two years
and the others four, and not more than
two shall belong to the same political par
ty. Each member is required to give bond
ia $4,000 for the faithful performance of
his duty, and the compensation is fixed at
$4,000 per year. The board is to have all
the power of the various city boards, and
street commissioner, and it is given full
authority to appoint a secretary and to en-
plOy all chiefs and heads of departments,
fremen, engineers, clerks, laborers, super
intendents and other persons necessary for
the discharge of the several trusts, and TO
fix their salaries. The bill also provides
ploye of the board to solicit any
person to vote for any candidate. or to
challenge vote at an election. Under the
bill the board is empowered to appoint
mum. This scheme has the Endorsement of
~ few local Democratic spoilsmen, but many
prominent Democrats, it is said, will OPP
pose its passage, because there is a counter
scheme talked OF which cOntemplates even
a more radical change than this in turning
the entire city over to three Democrats.
There is a kinship between the latter and
the scheme to unload the Consumers Gas
Trust plant upon the city. Awealthy gentle
man said yesterday that if any of these
changes are perfected he will sell his property
retaining only his home and place of bust
ness 1T WILL" he said, ''be practically
fencing in the city by the Democrats, who
will proceed at once to pile up u city debt
that cannot be lquidated under the heav-
lest taxation. Such a change will mean a
great number of Office-holders, and job aft
or job in the interest of the gang. The
Trusts plant, for instance, will
cost tremendously. for as it is
now it would be insufficient to supply the
city. A purchase of all the existing natu-
ral-gasl plants would not do that. New
mains must be laid, new fields explored,
and the whole system enlarged at an addi-
1ional cost of millions of dollars" In the
interest of the board of control, with un-
limited powers. and the sale of the Trust,
1t is hoped by the promoters that Schmuck
will be made chairman of the House COM
mittee on municipal affairs. Curtis is also
urged for the same position by those who
indorse his plan.
General Appropriation BILL
The general appropriation bill has been
prepared by Auditor of State Carr, and will
be introduced in the House as soon as the
body gets In working order. 1t embraces