The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-11
Justus C.. Adams Installed as Speaker
Of the Lower House-OreanfzatiOn
of the Senate Completed.
SPEAKERS SOUND ADDRESS
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO DETER
MINE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.
Gag Rule Dropped I'm HOuse-A Local
Option ~Bill-Other Measures-Gov-
ernOr's Message.

State of Indiana began its sessions yester-
day morning, just as the thick flakes of
snow announced the coming of a heavy fall
of the fieecy beautiful. The prompt organi-
cation of both houses and the dispatch OF
preliminary matters augured well for a
business-like session, the key note of which
was sounded by Speaker Justus c.. Adams
OF the lower house in his address. The per-
sonnet of both branches is much superior
to that of two years ago. as even a casual
glance at the members indicates, and there
is every promise that there will be less
politics and more work for the interest Of
the State than at any session held for
many years. The Senate only held a morn
ing session. The House occupied the entire
morning and after reassambling in the aft
ernoon for a short time. adjourned till this
morning at 1880 o'clock when the Governor
will read his annual message. Speaker
Adams said last night that he did not think
he would complete his committees until
Monday morning and it is believed that only
a short session, if any, will be held to-
morrow. There We're no bills introduced
yesterday in either branch.
The usual large crowds that gather to see
the solons take up matters of State were
present and the temporary doorkeepers
showed little discrimination, admitting peo-
pr tAAtAA lit AAliGQ "A uIu-
Der Of ladies, friends Of the members and
friends of the sixty-one candidates for IL
brarian, were on hand. and in all parts of
the House and Senate there was lively cleo
pioneering by the fair ones. Two or three
opened headquarters in corners and men,
bers were brought to them and treated to
smiles instead of the usual cigars. 1t was
finally decided to hold a joint caucus of Re-
publicans of the houses in the Assembly
chamber at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon, and
shortly after there will he sixty signs and
one CLEAN of joy. for the librarian contest
will be settled then.
After the House adjourned at noon, a
Republican caucus was held and a COM
mittee appointed to meet with a Senate
committee to fix the time for nominating a
Librarian. Mr.. Leedy, of Marion county,
was chosen as chairman of the caucus and
will act in that capacity at all future meet
ings. Fred Holloway. of Evansville, was
selected as secretary. Mr.. Leedy took a
seat beside the Speaker who remarked:
I'VE are both speakers now" Mr.. Crozier,
of Jefferson, wanted the matter settled next
Friday, Mr.. Petit, OF Wabash, thought it
could be best determined Wednesday,, while
Mr.. Van Arsdel suggested this afternoon.
Messrs. Hamrick, Van Arsdel and Petit
were selected to confer with the Senate
committee and in the afternoon they re-
ported that this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock
should be the hour for naming the next
State Librarian.
The allotment of seats had caused some
dissatisfaction and several Republicans who
had not been well favored sought to have
the caucus arrange for a better one. 1t was
explained that the State Librarian had fol-
lowed a precedent giving the Democrats the
dark side and the Republicans the well
lighted side. 1t was decided to make no
changes in the plan.
Mr.. Hanna, the representative from Put
nam county, is very ill at his home in
Grercastle ana at the beginning of the
afternoon session, his colleague, Mr.. Moore,
asked as a courtesy that the oath of Of
fee be administered to him at his home. He
said it was doubtful whether Mr.. Hanna
would ever be able to come to indianapolis.
He could find nothing in the statutes to
oppose the course he suggested. 1t was de-
cided to administer the oath to Mr.. Hanna
at Greencastle.
In the morning it had been reported that
there was a contest in Upton county, but
it was afterwards shown that the Demo-
crat was not contesting the seat at all, al
though the Republican had not received
his certificate of election. Mr.. Harris, of
Hamilton. explained the case. Jacob Bar
row. the Democrat, had withdrawn his con-
test before the canvassing board in Tiptin
county after he became convinced that the
canvaasing board had made an error. r.
III. Smith, the Republican, had been elected
by a small majority, although the clerk
of the board had declared the election a
tie. The Speaker held that Mr.. Smith could
not be sworn in as he had no certificate.
His case was finally referred to the commit
tee on elections which is to be appointed
MI. Barrow, the Democrat, has signed a
paper stating that he does not care to con-
test the election.
After a committee had reported that the
| Governor would read his message this MORN
ing, a motion to adjourn was made. Mr..
Leedy wanted the House to continue in
session for the introduction of bills. but
the motion prevailed.