The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-15
WILL PASS THE HOUSE
COMMITTEE REPORT ON NICHOLSON
BILL CONQUERED IN.
First Show of Strength Develops
Many Supporters-SpecfaI Order
for Tuesday.

1t is becoming apparent that the Nicholson
bill, with amendments recommended by the
committee and concarred in by Mr. Nichol-
son, will pass the House. 1t has been made
a special order for next Tuesday morning,
at 10 o'clock, and the vote on setting the
day for consideration is exhibited as straw
to show which way the wind will blow
when final vote is taken. The House con-
CURED in the report of the committee by
overwhelming vote. The opponents of the
bill tried to have it's further consideration
put off till Thursday, but the House, by
vote of 60 to 36, refused to do this and on
Mr. Robinson's motion, Tuesday was set.
The committee reported the bill favorably
half hour before noon, Messrs. Gibson and
Wilson, the minority, declining to join in
the report, but offering none in its stead.
Mr.. Nicholson was given opportunity to
make the first speech for the bill. He re-
minded the House that between thirty thou
sand and forty thousand people in Indiana
had signed petitions asking the Legislature
to make the bill law. Day after day petit
lions had been presented by members from
their constituents, and the signers repre-
sented all sorts and conditions of men. The
amendments which had been agreed to in
committee were not intended to make the
measure more radical but were submitted
to make the bill stronger.
Mr.. Williams was one of those anxious to
have the House act at once upon the report.
Mr.. Robinson wanted the bill printed and
placed on the desks of members, the whole
matter to be a special order for Tuesday.
Mr.. Willoughby's motion to have the bill
sent to the Judiciary committee was without
a second. Mr. Holloway wanted the bill
thoroughly discussed.
The first reference n the roea sure aS one
to be considered from a political standpoint
was made by Mr.. Higbee, the Democrat
from Sullivan county. He wanted the Re-
publican caucus to consider it, if it was to
be made a political measure, although it
was his understanding that politics was to
be kept out of the question. Mr.. Holloway
retorted that the Democrats would be glad
to see the Repubiicans pass the pili; lie.
in committee He wanted a fair fight on the
floor.
After the House had concurred in the re-
port by a viva voce vote, Mr.. Nicholson
wanted the constitutional rules suspended
and the bill put on its passage. Mr.. Suites
man, who was in the chair, declared this
out of order Mr. Robinson moved that
further consideration be had Tuesday morn
fixing Thursday as the day. Mr.. Holloway
believed, there were so many important
not be best to take up the Nicholson bill
before Thursday. MIR. Nicholson showed
that the people of the State had had the
measure under consideration for n month,
and he thought the members OF the House
ought to be able to express their opinion
after study of long duration. Mr..
Wilson, a member of the temperance COM
mittee. who declined to sign the report on
the bill said he did not believe ten members
of the House would vote for the bill after a
months study of it's provisions Mr.. Remy
thought next Sunday would be an appro-
pirate day for the consideration of the mat
ter.
Mr.. Nicholson, willing to be fair, suggest
ed to Mr. Holloway that Wednesday be
chosen as a compromise, but upon Mr.. Hol-
loway declining the proposition Mr.. New
house called the previous question, and the
motion to fix Thursday was voted down.
Tuesday was then chosen by large vote