The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-18
The Work of the Legislature.

The legislature which adjourned last
week did large amounted useful and i'm
pOriant work. 1t found itself confronted
with several very difficult and perplexing
neutrality-suspicious. with which many
previous legislatures had grappled in vain,
but which the public necessities and pub
lie opinion had brought to the front once
more under circumstances which ad-
mitted OF no evasion.
Among these problems were the reve-
nue. question and the fee and salary
question.
The revenue system OF the state had
completely broken down. The income
OF the state had for years been
far less than its requirements, which
had been greatly increased by the
establishment OF a splendid system OF
public charities unsurpassed in any other
state. Our revenue laws were confused
tumble of illogical provisions, taken hap
hazard from the statute books OF other
states, ill-adapted to the conditions and
circumstances of our people, admitting of
the grossest inequalities and abuses. al
lowing-indeed, facilitating inequities in
the appraisement OF property for taxation
and the entire escape from taxation of a
great deal of property held by corpora
tions and individuals. To completely re-
form this complicated, cumbersome aud
oppressive svstem-if the word system"
can be applied to what was really little
better than chaos-was greater task than
any single Legislature could hope to &C
complish. But in passing the Open
helm revenue bill the legislature has laid
broad and deep the foundations for a
scientific and equitable revenue system.
1t stands as the leading measure of the
session, and to its author, Mr.. Open
HEM, the able chairman of the ways and
means committee OF the house Senator
MAGEE, the accomplished chairman OF the
senate committee on finance, and their
colleagues of these committees, great
credit is due for its enactment. That
it will produce the most beneficial results
we have no doubt. The foundation of a
frst-class revenue system has been laid
1t remains for future legislatures to erect
the superstructure and thus complete the
good work which has been so well begun.
The other notable measure of the ses-
sion is the fee and salary bill, which was
yesterday passed over the governors veto.
This law establishes great and perma-
nent reform. 1t was passed in spite of
the determined efforts of the republicans
to prevent any legislation of this charac-
ter, as shown by their practically solid
vote in both houses against the conference
report and by the governors veto. The
law will be an enduring monument to the
wisdom of this democratic legislature.
The revenue law and the Ice and salary
law are the great achievements of this
legislature, just as the election law and
the school book law were the great
achievements OF the last legislature. But
many other wise and useful laws stand to
its credit. The creation of the appellate
court puts the machinery OF justice, which
has been so badly obstructed for years,
again into full operation, and will ensure
speedy redress to the people for every
wrong which can be cured by the law.
4lC VI liiO cldtC DOdIu VI
agriculture will give great impetus to
the material progress of the state
and will conduce especially to the
benefit of this city. The two laws
for the licensing OF corporations will utilize
a source of revenue which has been too
long neglected by this state. The con-
gres-ional and legislative apportionment
laws are important political measures.
The amendments to the election and
school book laws are designed to correct
minor defects which experience has de-
veloped and to enlarge the scope of these
laws. The laws regulating the use of nat
ural gas were demanded by an active pub
lie sentiment, and will, it is believed, tend
to the conservation OF our natural gas re-
sources. A number of important labor
measures, including the bill for the pro-
lection of trades union labels, the bill
making labor day legal holiday, and the
mechanics lien bill were made laws.
These are the leading measures of the ses-
sion.
We have not spoken OF the laws passed
affecting Indianapolis and Marion county
only. The legislature certainly treated us
very handsomely Besides giving us the
best city charter in the country, it made
laws under which we shall get new Jail
and new public library building, enlarge
our public school system, establish in
dustrial schools, etc. 1t also passed the
suburban street railway bill. The only
measure which indianapolis really wanted
and didn't get was the street railway paw
ing bill.
Upon the whole, the results of the ses-
sion are very satisfactory 1t is to be re-
GREETED that a good road law was not
passed. Nothing could have been done of
more benefit to the people OF the state, and
especially the farmers. Our penal system
should have been reformed. 1t is at least
twenty-five years behind the times. The
Magee bill, or some similar measure to
regulate the benevolent institutions
should have been passed. The defeat of
the township library bill was a mistake.
But, considering the fact that the legisIa-
ture can only sit sixty days, and that the
fee and salary and revenue questions over
Swallowed everything else. the wonder is