The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-05
WANT TO ABOLISH 1T
REPUBLICAN, CAUCUs ACTION ON
MONUMENT COMMISSION.
Charges t.gaiRst superintendent
johnson, of Feeble-Mindcd School
I'm the House and senate.

Inc cold weather and the counter at
fractions of the theaters kept down the
number at the Republican caucus last night.
Among other things it was decided to
enact a law to abolish the monument COM
mission and substitute in it's place a board
of regents composed Of State officials. with
power to appoint Such subordinates as
should be required. 1t is possible the board
will be called a commission if the caucus
decree is carried out, and the care of the
monument will be irtrusted to a regent
under bond elected ~ the commission.
The resolution was offered by Representa-
tive Macintosh, of Wayne and Fayette.
He supported it in :. strong speech, claim
ing that Commissioner English is using
the commission for political purposes and
IS only waiting until the Legislature shall
ADJOURN, unless removed from office, to
have himself elected president and to fill
every appointment with a Democrat. He
charged that Mr.. English had only sub
scribed to the monument fund on condi-
ton that the monument should be located
where it would benefit his property on the
Circle, and that he had the law changed
in order that he might be appointed a COM
missioner in defiance of the unwritten law
that only old soldiers should hold posi-
tons on the commission. He pointed out
that Mr.. English was the only member of
the commission who opposed the free adj
mission of veterans to the monument, and
that when the National Encampmen
preparations We're going on he stood out
so strongly against recognizing the en-
campment committee that the commission
ton of the monument only by agreeing
70 act Independently and directly with the
while he is protesting to serve the State
as a commissioners without pay, ne draws
his warrants for every meeting, which are
State as q part of his estate;
There was little opposition to the resolu-
ton; and a special ommitte was appointed
the resolution. This committee consists OF
sng gtoa9sr Harris Tnca and Leed s:o Of the hes HP gns,
gard. The Speaker IS thoroughly in favor of
aboiishing the commission ,Witn the reslgna
of General Manson, only Mr.. English. Mr..
McColium and Captain Johnston are left.
eussed at some length, and the sentiment
was largely in favor of changing the man
ner of voting the Australian ballot. so as to
allow the voter to stamp the emblem and
Indicate any variance from the ticket under
meath 1t by stamping opposite these eandi-
dates on the other ticket. 1t was believed that
this will simplify the method of voting. An
other proposed amendment favored the use of
a lead pencil instead of a stamp, but no vote
was taken by the caucus. On the first
proposition a vote was taken, but was after
comparativeiy small number present. ~
Senator Haggard made a speech in line
with his policy of appointing Republicans TO
fill the offices now in the possession of DEM
ocrats.
There will be another meeting of the joint
caucus next Thursday night to consider bills
contemplating a removal of the appointing
power from the hands of the Governor. The
committee having in charge bills and sug-
~gestionS concerning the management of BEN
evolent and penal institutions was instruct-
ed tn make a report that evening. While it
was first proposed to place the appointing
power in the hands OF a board to be COM
posed of the Governor. Secretary and Au-
ditor of State, a number of the legislators
are in favor of adding the State Treasurer
and Attorney-general to the board, making
1t consist of five instead of three members