The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-11

the boundary lines of wards, such wards
to he composed OF as nearly an equal
number OF voters as possible.
;. %, by Mr.. Howard-Providing for
the creation OF an appellate court to be
composed OF five judges, not more than
three OF whom shat be from ona political
party. This court shall have jurisdiction
over appeals from the criminal, circuit,
superior and justices courts
5. %, by Mr.. Hayden-Prohibitine the
admission as an inmate to the home for
feeble-minded youth any boy or girl over
the age OF sixteen years.
IL. +. 2S2, providing for the appoint
ment oil wives as guardians OF insane hus-
bands.
There were great many vacant seats in
the hall of representatives Saturday
morning and therefore the speaker or
dered no roll call during the two hours
that the body was in session. The follow
ing resolution offered by Mr.. Claypool was
placed upon the files, but no action was
taken thereon:
Resolved, That the house tender THE H.
DIANAPOLIs SENTINEL, on behalf Of the Marion
county representatives, its compliments for the
eulOgium it pronounced said representa-
tves for their great work on the new charter
tor indianapolis, which the house had the pleas
ure of hearing read by the Hon. Mr.. Curtis.
Immediately after the reading of this
resolution Mr.. Inman assumed his
argument in behalf of his bill making
railroad corporations liable for damages in
cases where employees are injured through
the negligence of co-eRiployes. He said
that over a dozen states had passed this
law and that it should have been enacted
here years ago.
Mr.. Claypool was opposed to the bill
on the ground that it enabled the en-
ploye of any corporation who had been
injured through his own carelessness, to
come into court and demand damages. 1t
placed the burden of proof upon the
company.
Mr.. Cullop was decidedly in favor of the
measure. 1t would have a tendency to
cause railroad corporations TO keep their
property in better condition. There were
more than 100000 men in Indiana who
would be benefited by this law. 1t would
put employees on an equality with their
employers. The want of such a law had
for years worked cruel hardship.
The report of the committee on labor
recommending the passage OF the bill was
finally adopted by q viva voce vote.
Mr.. Beasley then offered an amendment
making not only railroad companies, but
persons, joint associations and stock CON-
panies liable under the act. He said that
he was In favor of the scope of the bill
The railroad men deserved the protection
of the law as long as their de-
mands were just and equitable. There
were men working in the factories
shops and mines throughout the state who
also deserved some protection. They
were engaged in avocations which every
dav rendered them liable to injury or
death. Mr.. Beasley also offered an amend
ment TO strike ont that section which pro-
vided that where any employe should re-
ceive injury by reason of defective
machinery, such corporation should be
deemed to have had knowledge of such
defect before and at the time of the in
jury, and such defect, when shown at the
trial, shall be prlma facie evidence
of negligence on the part of
the corporation. He was opposed to this
section because a piece of machinery
might contain a hidden defect, and, al
though the corporation had no knowledge
of the existence thereof, it must suffer all
the same. The speaker said that he did
not believe that the railroad men were
demanding anything that was not just and
equitable.
Mr.. Harrell spoke in opposition to the
amendments, saying that If adopted they
would destroy the effect OF the BILL
Mr.. Mccullough said that there was
nothing in this proposition. The amend
ments did not materially change the bill
except that they made it necessary for en-
ployes in bringing action to show that the
corporation had had knowledge of a
defect.
Mr.. Fippen was opposed to the amend
ments and moved 10 lay them on the
table The call of the roll showed that
there was no quorum, the yeas being AZ
and the NAYS II. A recess was taken after
the announcement of the vote.
When the house reassembled at 2
o'clock only twenty members were pres
ent. and on motion of Mr.. Oppenheim the
body adjourned.
The following bills were introduced in