The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-11
METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL.
Republicans Uncertain as to What
Steps They VIII Take.

The METROPOLITAN police BILL that failed
to pass last Friday over the Governors
Veto is still in sorry condition of comph-
cation There was an attempt yesterday to
get the Senator's together to decide upon
plan of action but sufficient number could
not be got together. There is some question
whether any attempt will be made TO res
urrect the bill. The situation is one for
which there is no precedent. The bill passed
both branches and went to the Governor,
who vetoed it. The veto message. with the
bill, came into the Senate. and the motion
to pass it over the Governors veto failed
for want of q constitutional majority, there
being but twenty-five ayes The claim of
the minority and of the Republicans VINO
are opposed TO the passage Oh the ne OH is Is
past being called up Those who are sup
porting the bill claim that it is like any
other that fails this one did, and that
it can be called up again at any time. The
parliamentary authorities and the decisions
that have any bearing on the question do
nor settle it definitely the Constitution is
silent on the subject, and the Republicans
believe that it is legal and competent TO
Two methods have been proposed. One IS
to simply call the bill up and put it upon
it's passage as any other measure that has
failed for lack of constitutional majority
The other method is to introduce a resolu-
tion reciting that whereas there We're GER
tain informal.ties attending the vote upon
Z the BILL and whereas it is desirable TO cor
rect the same, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate now proceed 70
the passage of the bill, the Governors veto
to the contrary NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The weakness of the Republican position
is in the open hostility there is TO the
measure. AS heretofore stated, the cites
of Richmond, South Bend and Terre Haute,
tile tile to the bill. Through this opposition
at least two Senator's, Holer ana
Eoord. have I'VE been and influenced fbSse s e0t
ators, Wishard, Manwaring and Nc
Manus are. sick. The last has been in his
his physicians orders have been to
main in bed He has been sufferer from
clumsy almost since his election. Senator
WiShard may be able to attend to-day.
With two Senators in rebellion against
the caucus and three Others, sick, the Re
publcans could muster only twenty-five
votes, which would be one short of a con-
stitutional majority Senator Manwar ang
that he would be in his seat if he had
to be hauled there.
There is another view of the case, how
ever. as stated by Senator Shivelay, which
makes it the more doubtful if the bill is
called up. If the appointment of metropol-
itan police boards remains in the hands
of the Governor, the enforcement of the
Nicholson bill, If it becomes law, will
Governor Matthew's appointment and the
enforcement of that law is duty not
to be coveted. If the law is strictly en-
against those who enforce it, and if it
is not enforced the Prohibitionists will
be equally angry -
c;sion will probably be provoked by the
attitude of the Democrats more than by
any other consideration. Leutenant-Gov-
ernor Nye is quoted as saying that If
motion to call up the bill is made that he
vii rule 1t out of order and that he will
not permit an appeal; that If there IS
an attempt to invoke the rule authorizing
the clerk to put the question the Pres-
dent falling or refusing to put it, that there
will be trouble.
The Republicans will hold caucus this
morning or ar the noon adjournment and
decide what they want to do. If Ii is
decided to pass the bill steps will be taken
in advance against any contingencies that
may arise.