The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-06
what mine might have been laid by the

what mine might have been laid by the
Republican leaders in New York on Sum-
day and Monday. They could not be sure
but that at some least guarded point in the
programme of organizing the Senate the
Republicans might rush from ambush.
Hence there was careful drilling in the
Democratic camp. Every tactic likely to
be called into play in the possible bat
tie was tried. Every buckleiof parliament
ary defense and aggression was polished
clean and bright. and every link of diplo-
matte mail was carefully examined lest an
opposing lance might penetrate. This took
time. and when the preparation was con-
cluded the hour for cOnvening the Senate
had passed by.
Meantime. the Republican camp was in
council of war. The partisan wand was
once again laid upon the Uranium of Sena-
tor Edwards. but it had no power. He
would 90 into the Senate. he reiterated,
and do what he deemed to be his duty in
organizing the body of representatives the
people had sent there to organize
and work. This position of the
Senator from the Thirty y-second district
blng unstormable. the Republicans con-
cluded that as Edwards would give the
Democrats a quorum they might just as
well go in and take their places. So at IL
the Senate chamber looking over their
mail and waiting calmly for the blare OF
Democratic trumpets.
EDWARDS WAS THERE.
A few minutes after IL O'clock Senator
Edwards. of the Thirty-second district.
came into the chamber, and. with every
eye of the crowd upon him. sauntered
round to the desk and sat down.
He is q large. heavy-headed man of
sallow complexion. with q full beard and
hair and bright eye. A few threads of
gray streak his whiskers under the ears.
He wears q derby hat and dOg-skin gloves.
Spectacles ride his nose, and Prince AL
bert coat gives the finishing touch to his
ministerial look and dress.
At 11:20 the Democrats came into the
chamber fresh from their drill. The young
Acknowledgements assembled to the chair.
and the Senate was in session. The roll
proceeded at once, but when the Twenty
seventh district was called there was no
response. 1t is the one represented
last by j. Sloat Fassett, and
the one where Sherwood, the Republican
candidate was proved ineligible after get
ting a majority over Walker, the Democrat,
roll was called. Then the Senators were
sworn in and the Democratic caucus officers
of the Senate were elected Edwards voting
with the Republicans, his presence for q
quorum being all the Democrats desired.
Then came the sterner business OK the
day. Up to this point Senator Edwards
was an important element In the situation.
But the Democrats did not propose to rely
long on an Independent Republican"
They would rather have one of their own
tunlty on the part of Sherwood or any Re-
publican Senator to enter q protest or to
ask for an investigation.
Senator Cantor. the Democratic Senate
leader, offered a resolution declaring Chas
Walker to have been elected Senator from
the Twenty seventh district, and on his
resolution he moved the previous question.
Instantly up rose Senator Erwin, Sena-
tor whose face, when in repose. has been
said to resemble that of Dr. Jekyll, and
when in laughter to resemble that of Mr..
Hyde. He has voice of monstrQus
volume. and no better equlped Senator
sits ON the floor. He got upon his feet In q
flash. There is DO previous question in
leave to present SherwOod's petition.
"You can do that after We have acted on
this notion" said Sheehan.
Erwin made grimace. OConnor wished
to debate the resolution. The previous
question was the excuse for the Lieuten-
ant-governor to shut him of.
Elected representatives have no rights
in this body" shouted OCOnnor.
Again Erwin thundered his protest
against the closure.
Sheehan smiled and Immediately put the
question. Senator OCOnnOr protested.
Senator Canton then explained. He said
that the Senate not having yet adopted
any rules of order the body was under the
general parliamentary practice. which al
ways provides for previous question.
THE SCHEME UNFoLDs.
The scheme of the Democrats then be.
came very apparent. They did not wish to
take upon themselves the onus of having
State Senate that allows no restriction or
limit upon debate. SO they left the adop-
ton of the rules of the Senate
past sessions until after the work
of securing Democratic majority
was completed. The Republicans were
speechless. and they vainly tried to get q
hearing to point out that if precedent was
to be the guide it should be the precedent
of the State Senate and general parliment-
ary ga tn erinRs.
Senator O'Connor, having exhausted his
recources. said: This is the trestmentsI
expected for Republican Senators if they
came into this chamber among such assO-
Citations are here"
He then sat down, and Walker was voted
in 16 to IA, independent Edwards voting
against the resolution. Walker was at
once called to the desk, when he took the
oath, and then the late desk of j. Sloat
Fasset was taken possession of by Demo-
crat.
Senators Roesch, of New York, Endres, of
Erie, Democrats, and Emerson. Repub-
lican, we're appointed q committee on PRIV
ileRes and elections. and they will proceed
to inquire into the contests against the
four Republicans - Richardson. Derby,
Donaldson and VanGorder. The Demo-
Gratis must have twenty votes to insure
appropriation bills and the probability is
that all except Vangorder will have to
give way to Democrats. The Democrats
propose to lose no time in reapportioning q
the State. and Senator McClelland intro
duced an enumeratinR bill which necessi-
tates the completion of the census taking
by March 2. The work of organization was
effected quickly.
GOVERNOR Flowers MESSAGE.
Governor Flower. in his first annual mes.
sage sent to the Legislature this afternoon.
congratulated the people of the State upon
the fact that for the first time IN eight
years the Governor is able to address his
suggestions to Legislature in political &C.
cord with the executive. He states that
the paramount duty before the Legislature
is to provide for an enumeration of the IN
habitants of the State preparatory to o re-
apportionment of the Senate and Assembly
districts. He also points out the necessity
for on immediate reappOrtlonment OF con
| gressional districts.