The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-02-13
A MODEL ELECTION BILL.
ENREPUBLIcANs DON'T OPPOSE 1T.
The Senate Takes Up the Whole Day in
Considering the Andrew BiIl-After
Days Debate PeytOn is Given
His Seat IN the House.


70 order Thursday morning every democrat
was in his seat with the exception of Mr..
Burke. The republicans looked at one another,
expecting that the majority had a surprise in
store for them Mr.. Bichouski felt very
easy. Il expect they'll go for me now, was
he remark he made to his nearest republic an
neighbor. "Yes." answered the latter, 81
afraid they will call up your contest but brace
up, old fellow" The regular order of business
was bills on third reading and the senators
who were absent the day before were allowed
by consent TO call up each one bill on third
reading and final passage.
Mr. Boyd called APP mis- bill to provide for
kitchen and other Improvements for the
Knightstown school, which was passed without
opposition. But Mr. Hays bill 10 repeal sec.
6,1l9 Of the revised statutes, which provides
that "a married woman shall not enter into
any contract of suretyship whether as indorser,
guarantor or IN any other manner and such
contract as TO her shall be void"
was met with opposition from every quar-
ter of the senate. Mr. johnson opposed the
repeal because the affection of woman for her
husband or children might overcome her good
sense and Judgment and thereby lose her prop
erty by securing them. Mr.. DeMOtte opposed
the bill upon the theory that lawyer cannot
become surety for a client and q woman should
not become surety for her husband. Mr.. De
Motto is the law professor at the Northern In
draw parallel eases. Mr.. GroSe and
Mr. Kennedy also opposed the bill
Said Mr. Grose: ''If the wife stood
toward her husband and son ike & neighbor
then IL would be well enough 10 talk about the
progressive rights OF women" M Kennedy
cited cases where wives had squandered all
they had on worthless husbands, and II the law
was now repealed hundreds Of homes now held
by married women would pass out OF their
hands by them becoming surety for worthless
- L In fNaf Nfnr hon
Dresser and Mount spoke OF the great disad-
vantage married women were under IN not
being allowed 10 contract debts. Mr.. hays, the
author of the bill, said that he knew that the
time had not yet come to emancl pate the
women, but his bill, which he knew from the
start could not pass was only progressive
step. Not a democrat took part IN the discus
sion. They seemed too much engrOssed on
something that was soon to come up; After
the married women bill had been killed by q
suspend the regular order and take up
bills on second reading. which motion was
adopted by a strict party vote. The roll OF
senators was called for bills on second reading
Mr.. Afford beng at the head OF the list, called
up bill egalIzing the acts OF the trustees o.
Poseyville, in Posey county, which was passed
under suspension of rules
Senator Andrews called out the reading
clerk.
Mr.. Andrews-HI desire TO call up the substi-
tute for senate bills numbers one and nine
otherwise the election bill"
"Phewl Is that all2" remarked Mr..
BichOuski, who felt relieved from his anxiety
caused by the democrats mysterious demeanOr
The democrats had been in caucus late the
night before preparing amendments 10 the cleo
ton bill as reported by the committee, and they
had agreed to call II up the first thing IN the
morning ThereupOn, when Mr.. Johnson got
up to say that il u good bill, but the re-
publicans would like to have till Monday to
prepare little amendment the democrats OBJ
jected to the delay. Then Mr.. Johnson sug-
Rested pOstpOnement til Saturday or to-day
and finally for the afternoon, but the democrats
had agreed in caucus TO pass an election bill
and without delay, too.
So. at five minutes TO u the great reform
election bill, modelled on the Australian plan,
was taken up. After reading the first section
an adjournment was had for dinner.
At o'clock the reading was resumed, which
was suspended by unanimous consent
The bill was then read by sections
for amendments. The first section,
which provides for the Encouragement
OF the precincts by the county commissioners
so that no precinct shall contain more than
$50 voters, was amended by a caucus amend
ment offered by Mr.. Logsdon by inserting after
the words each precinct shall contain as near
ly as practicable POO electors" the words
based on the number OF votes cast at the last
presidential election"
See. ?, which provides for the changing of
the boundaries Of any precinct which changes
or consolidation are required 10 be published
in the paper having the largest circu latOn
was amended so as 10 require notices of such
changes to be published in two newspapers
published IN the county, Of opposite party, lhay
ing the largest circulation.
Sec. provides that township trustees
shall, by virtue Of their offices, be inspectors of
election In the precincts in which they respect
lively reside and shall, prior to the opening of
the polls ia such precinct, appoint as judges
OF election, two qualified electors OF such pre-
L.
dent hOusehOlders there for at least one year
next preceding such election, who must be
members OF the two leading parties
was amended by inserting after the
words, "iOr at least one year "Or
householders for at least two years" This
was done 70 give the poor man an equal
chance with the landed electOr. This section
also provides that when the county central
committee Of either leading party designates
person TO act rs judge he must be appointed,
and an amendment was MADE that said desig-
mated judge must have the qualification as
above. As under the present law, no person
can serve on the board who has made bet
the election, or who Is candidate TO be voted
for. or who is Of kin to any candidate.
The fourth section provides that where a
township has more than one precinct the coun-
y commissioners shall designate an elector TO
act as Inspector in the precinct where the trus-
tee does not i've, which inspector shall have
been Ireeholder and a resident househOl Ter in
such precinct for at least one year next pre-
ceding such election" An amendment was
adopted to this clause which reads thus: ''Or
q bOuseholder in such precinct for two years
preceding such election"
Sec. 3 relates to the appointment OF two poll
clerks, one from each party. They must be
qualified electors and may be designated by
the county central committee Of the two lead.
ing parties This section was not amended.
The sixth section Of the bill requires the
county auditor to cause to be delivered to the
boards ten days before the election the neces-
sary election documents, and the prOvso for
the auditors compensation 10 perform this
duty was stricken out for the reason that the
auditor is already too well paid.
Sec. prescribes how the election officers are
20 be chosen when there are factions in one of
the leading parties. No changes were made in
the substitute.
The eighth section prescribes the oath
which the election officers are obliged to take
before entering upon their duties. The form
of the oath 10 be taken was added, which oath
snail be in the following form:
I do most solemnly swear Tor affirm as the case
may BEL that will support the constitution Of the
fully and impartially discharge .ne duties as in
speetoT or judge OF election, assigned by law that
will not, knowingly permit any person 70 vote Who
Is not qualified, and viii not knowingly refuse the
vote OF any qualified electOF any delay TO
persons Offering 10 vote further than is necessary
20 procure satisfactory information Of the qualca-
tons Of such person as an eleet0r; that am now
and have been continually for one year next pre-
ceding this date, bona hde resident ireehoder Cor
a. ~ L