The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-15

passed the motion TO adjourn sine de.
This is no breach of confidence. The peo-
pie at large knew it before we said il.
And yet it has not been an altogether USE
less BODY. II may well serve as fright
full example to future legislatures. 1t be-
gan its session with every opportunity for
making a record that would be credit to
the members and a source OF strength to
the democratic party. Its opportunities
have been FILTERED away. and the party
will find the record a load instead of a
support. Eight or ten years ago such a
record would not have occRsioned much
surprise. but a new era was inauguarated
by the legislature of 1889, a new standard
set. The legislature OF 1891 did not quite
equal that OF 1850, but it did much credit
able work, and it was supposed that, when
the idea had passed away that the peoples
party was a formidable organization. and
it was wise to take up its dogmas and
abandon those of the democratic party.
there would be no difficulty in following
on in the paths laid out in 1889.
The failure OF the legislature of 1898
furnishes most excellent study for the
student Of governmental science We be-
heve that in intelligence and ability the
members ranked above the average. and
especially so in the house of representa-
tiyes. The cause OF failure, as it daily
manifested itself, was in the organization,
or perhaps better. the lack of organ
ization. In the house the misTaKe
was made of putting MI CULLoP at the
head OF the WAYS and means committee
and thereby making him ex.oiiicio leader
of the house. WHY the speaker did this
we do not know, but it is commonly
rumored tina, it was in response TO the
urgent pleas OF prominent politicians who
are engaged in an effort to build up a
machine in Indiana democracy, and TO
'have no further question about per
cents" Whatever the GAUGE the sc ection
was most unfortunate, for the very in-
telligence and ability that could have
been made most useful reyolted from his
leadership. At first it was rather a matter
of sport, a mischieyous desire to cross
Mr. CUIIoP on account of his pompous
and dietatorial style but as the session
progressed It developed into bitterness,
and there was created large and closely
knit faction IN opposition TO the official
leadership.
This opposition grew into formida BILE
shape on the question oil comforting the
appointing power on the governor. This
measure at first had every appearance OF
easy passage. There was no formidable
opposition 10 it from any source Even
those who believed that the governor
would attemp; to use the patronage for
the purpose OF building up personal
machine took the position that as a prin-
ciple Of government the power ought 10
be located in the governor, and urged that
| it be so located. But there was suddenly
q cloud over the bright prospect when
the house democrats csucused and bV a
vote of Il TO ?, decided not 10 return tn e
| power. Then began the fatal mistake of
an effort to coerce the majority by an ALI
/ ance with republicans accompanied by an
endeavorto draw away the caucus major
/ ity. one by one. In order that on the final
/ vote a N 4iOrity OF democrats might be OBJ.
tanned for the measure. This naturally
increased the bitterness. and il failed to
accomplish it's purpose, for majority OF
| the democrats voted against the measure
| both IN the final caucus and on the pas
sage Of the bill Other matters had been
/ held back on account OF this measure, and
/ when it was finally passed, the house had
become so completely demoraiized that
/ there was no organization and no leader
ship for the rest OF the session.
The senate was equally the victim oil
/ bad organization but OF a different charac-
ter. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS fell an easy
victim to a few prominent politicians who
"had interests to look after" and the com.
/ mittees were made up with a view
to the radical protection of cor
porate interests, and especially those Of
railroads. The work was we'll done fol
the purpose. At the same time there
was a combine of the hold-over senators
by which control OK the senate was Sc
cured and rules adopted that left tho ne "
members practically helpless. A mum
Der of the hold-over senators were prod
ucts OF the peoples party craze of 1890
and would in all probability never have
been nominated but for this. 1t is also &c
be remembered that in both houses much
Of the difficulty arose from having toe
large . majority. There is in fact nc
greater source of danger 10 a party or.
gsnization than this. 1t begsts overcon
| fidence and breeds factional contention
II makes those in control dictatorial, and
makes those in revolt reckless. 1t is Z
source of weakness aud not of strength.
The work of the legislature lie not topic
that will furnish matter for more than one
volume. We have repeatedly called ths
attention of the legislators to the records
made by the preceding legislatures snC
urged them to take up and push to con
elusion some work OF Importance. Ii they
have done 80 We have as yet been unable
10 identify the bill. The nearest approach
to q Law of any real importance is tbs
one for the protection Of investors in
building associations, but even this is no
30 stringent as it should be. The remain
der of the acts are largely of local char
seter, and some OF them not of the bss
character. The SENTINEL has done wha
il could to stop vicious legislation at every
turn, but some bills have gone through
despite its protests. The protests