The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11
THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
AMONG THE INDIANA LAWMAKERS.
Natural Gas Must BE Kept at Homs-A
Fee and Salary Bill Introduced-For-
eign Insurance Companies to
Be Taxed, Etc


passed by the senate Monday was Mr..
McHugh's bill prohibiting the use Of
pumps or any other artificial device TO in
crease the flow OF natural gas from In
diana wells. The aim of the bill is to pre-
vent the piping of gas out of the state to
Chicago and other cities in Illinois or
Ohio. Mr.. Beasley's new taxing scheme
was introduced in the house on the same
Cay with other important measures.
Tuesday was largely devoted to the pas
sage and introduction of bills which sp.
pear farther along in this legislative re.
port.
On Wednesday the joint committee
reached decision on the fee and salary
question and a bill agreed upon, which
WIS presented to the houee Thursday
Mr.. Cullop's bill 10 tax foreign insurance
companies was engrossed in the house.
The senate Thursday passed a very
stringent measure against trusts, pools
and combinations generally. Warden
Murdock was eXOnerated.
Friday and Saturday were devoted to
the introduction Of new measures and the
advancement ui others on the calendar
Several public institutions of the state
were visited officially by the proper COM
mittees.
The great commonwealth of Indiana
will keep her natural gas for domestic con-
sumption. So declares the senate.
Tho remainder OF the afternoon was
spent in the discussion of Mr.. McHugh's
bill prohibiting the use Of pumps OF any
other artificial device ioS the purpose OF
increasing the dow of natural gas from
ill -s-.f..s IL
act is fixed at not more than $1,000 nor
less than 81 600
Mr.. McHugh, in speaking in behalf OF
the bill, said il was 4 very selfish measure.
lis real object was TO prevent the citv Of
Chicago from using gas from the Indiana
fields.
MIR. Burke was opposed to the bill be-
cause at would cut Jehersonvil!e, New Al
bany, Evansville and many other local..
ties in southern Indiana oil from cas-.
Mr.. Ewing also opposed il, saying that
IT'S provisions prohibited the use OF ex.
plosives in shooting wells.
Mr. Loveland overcsme this objection
however, by Offering an amendment max
ing the use of elycerine and explosives OF
a ike character lawful. The amendment
was adopted.
Mr.. Burke then offered an amendment
that nothing in the bill should be so con-
strued rs 20 prevent the transportation OF
gas by artificial means to any point within
the state Of Indiana.
Mr.. McHugh said that this amendment
would xiii the bill. The supreme court
had decided two years ago that when the
gas came TO the surface il was an article
of commerce. The legislature could not
prevent lis use BY any corporstian or state
butt could regulate its use. The natural
flow OF the gas would carry IL to any part
OF the state. and therefore there was no
necessity for this amendment.
Mr.. Loveland said that great syndicates
were being formed in Chicago for the pur-
pose of taking gas from this state and I'M
less something was done at once they
would have control of the wells through
out the state.
Mr. HAYS, who docs not live IN the gas
belt, was opposed to the bill, saying that
if the natural flow OF cas- would carry it 10
/ any part OF the state so would 1t carry II
To Chicago, and this being the case, why
the necessity OF such legislation.
The bill was finally passed by the fol
lowing vote, the names OF the republican
members being in italics:
Aves-Messrs. Boyd Byrd, Carer, Cas-
ter, Chandler, Foley, French, Gilman,
Griffith, Grimes. Gr0se, Hlnley, Hayden,
Moore, Mount, Smith, Sweeny, Thompson
Marion), Thompson Huntington, Var
ydn-26.
Nays-Messrs. Akin, Burke, CIemons,
Ellison. Ewing, Hans, Holcomb Howard,
Hu5beH, Jackson, Jones, Kerth, Kopelke.
Lynn, McCiregor Morgan, Thompson
Pulash), Wiggs-ls.
After the announcement OF the vote the
senate adjourned.
The following bills we're introduced in
the senate Monday:
Mr.. Havden-Providing that city coun.
ellis and boards of trustees may charge
pawnbrokers license in the sum of 500
Committee on judiciary.
Mr.. Kerth-ReGuiring all corporations
constructing bridges across streams form
ing the boundary lines between this an0
foreign states to file certified copies of their
charters with county recorders. Commit
tee on cities and towns.
Mr. McGregor- the alumni
of the state university TO ill all vacancies
in the board of trustees caused by death
Z or resignation. Committee on education.
Mr.. Misunderstanding that any person
( who shall sell impure or Unwholesome
milk shall be fined in a sun not more
/ than 500 or less than SO, ndprovidins
for the appointment of a state dairy com
missioner at salary Of $1,000 per annum
Committee on agriculture.
Mr.. Jackson-Ma6ing 1t unlawful foI
undertakes to bury dead body without
first securing permit from the township
trustee. Committee on public health.
Mr.. Griffith-Requiring railway com.
panies to maintain targets at all road
crossings. Committee on judiciary.
Mr.. EWing-Authorizing the issuing Of
executions in certain cases.
MIR. Ewing-That copies OF all wills after
being admitted 10 probate shall be filed in
the recorders Office.
Mr.. Griffith-PTOviding that any dealer
| in liquor convicted a second time of the
otfense of selling liquor on Sunday, cleo
ton day or on a legal holiday shall forfeit
1 his license.
I Mr.. Grose-That the legal rate of inter
est shall be fixed at per cent, and that
it shall be unlawful to charge over per
cent.
Mr. Misunderstanding that no circuit
Judge shall be eligible as his own success
sor.
Mr.. Magee-Prohibiting any corpora
ton organized under the state law 10
transport natural gas beyond the limits of
the state or connect its mains With
those of any corporation that contemplates
COS orrfufHa IT tho