davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
AN INDIANIAN WHO SHOULD be
HONORED,

1t is somwhat singular that in all the
recent discussion in regard to statues
of Indiana men for Monument Place or
statuary Hall in Washington there
should have been no mention of one of
the ablest and most widely known men
that has ever lived in the State We
mean Robert Dale Owen. 1t is no dis
paragement to others who have been
prominent in the civil or military affairs
of the State to say that no other citizen
of Indiana has rendered the State
better service, reflected greater credit
upon it or was more widely and honor
ably known in his day as author, pub
licist and patriot than Mr.. Owen. He
was a citizen of the State for about
thirty-five years and served it with great
distinction in many capacities. During
service of three terms in the Legisla-
ture, from 1885 to 1888, he proved him
self an efficient friend of the public
schools. In Congress, where he served
from 1S43 to 1S47. besides originating
other measures of public interest. he
introduced the bill under which the
Smithsonian Institution was organized.
and was appointed one of its first
regents, serving in that capacity many
years. He was a member of the con-
vention that framed the present Con-
stitution Of the State, and as chairman
of the committee on rights and privi-
leges and OF the revision committee he
had a large and beneficial influence in
shaping that instrument. AS a member
of the first Legislature under the new
Constitution he was the author of inn
portant and advanced legislation. For
his services during this session in secur-
ing the passage of a bill introduced by
him securing to widows and married
women independent rights of property
the women OF the State presented him
with testimonial lin. acknowledgment
of his true and noble advocacy of their
independent rights" From 1853 to 1853
he was United States minister at Ma
pies, where he negotiated two important
treaties. During the war he rendered
services of great value to the State and
national governments and had close re-
lations with Governor Morton and Presi-
dent Lincoln. Early in the war he pub
lished an open letter to the President
urging the emancipation Of the slaves
of which Secretary Chase said it had
more effect in deciding the President to
make his proclamation than all the other
communications combined. " 1868 Sec
rotary Stanton appointed Mr.. Owen
chairman of a commission to examine
the condition of the recently emanci-
pated freedmen. and his report became
an authority on the subject During all
these years he wrote books, pamphlets.
treatises and essays that attracted at
tention In this and other countries, and
in many ways impressed himself on the
history of the times.
Indiana would honor itself in honoring
the memory of Robert Dale Owen, and
it is to be hoped an opportunity may
yet occur for suitable action in this
direction
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
AGAINST LOCAL sELF-GovERxMENr

The Governors veto of the bill which
has for it's purpose the restoration to
mayors of the power to appoint police
commissioners may surprise some who
have been hearing the Democratic de-
mand for local self-government. The
largest cities have charters which con-
fer such appointments upon the Mayor
and Governor Matthews approved two
such charters two years ago. If there
were a possible pretext for taking from
the mayors of cities the power to en-
force the laws it would be in the larger
cities and not in those of the grade of
Muncie, Lafayette and Richmond. There
is no more odious usurDation than this
control of the police by the Governor be-
cause 1t is based upon the implication
that the people in these cities are in
capable of self-government, and must.
ship of the Governor.
In his previous vetoes the Governor
complains that the Legislature has at
tempted to usurp his functions; by what
name. pray, can that assumption of the
power of the city officers be stigmatized
which gives the Governor the control
of the police of cities? The comforting of
the power to make appointments upon
boards of State officers, of which he is
one, is not nearly so arbitrary an act
as it is for the Governor of the State
to practically appoint the local police Of
cities like South Bend.
Governor Matthews vetoes the metro
politan police bill simply because he de-
sires to retain the Electromagnetic have
a Matthews police IN cities which are
Republican-to have two Democrats and
what has come to be known as
Matthews Republican, or Republic
an in whom the party has no confidence,
on each police board. This insures in
dozen cities Matthews police authorities
and Matthews policemen To have these
Governor Matthews denies those cities
local self-government and practically
argues that the people of those cities
are not competent to manage their own
affairs. His veto message is based upon
the assumption of popular incapacity for
self-government.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
NECESSITY ron LONGER SESSIONS

When the Constitution was adopted in
1851, limiting the length of the sessions
of the Legislature TO the present period,
Indiana was little else than an agri-
cultural State with population of less
than million. the census of 1850 show
ing 9sS, 416 inhabitants. In 1890 Indiana
had population of 2.1g2, 404. During the
forty years the change in Indiana has
been greater than the doubling of popu-
lation would indicate. Large manu-
featuring towns have grown UP and
cities have sprung up which require
special legislation to meet present con-
ditions. Agricultural conditions have
also changed. In 1850 farms were being
cleared: now drainage systems and
gravel roads bring to the front new sub
iects for legislation. All the changes
which the railroad and the telegraph
have brought to the commerce and in
dustry OF the State compel the consid-
grafton or new and important topics for
egislation-topics which demand care
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
HOUSE NIGHT SESSION.
Compulsory Education Bill Is Given
Body Blow.

BOOy Blow
The Nicholson bill was not considered by
the House last night. The conference COM
mittee, which had in hand the Senate
amendment fSection $40, was not prepared
to report, and it was announced that their
action would be deferred until . o'clock this
morning. The night session of the House did
not begin until after s o'clock. Previous to
that time there were not sufficient num-
Der of members at their desks to transact
business. 1t was a WORKOUT body of men
that began active work at $50 and adj
journed at II O'Clock. Early in the session
Representative Nicholson served notice on
the Assembly that he would move to re-
consider the vote which refused to concur
in the amendment to his bill. An hour was
spent in routine work, and number OF
bills were advanced to second reading be-
fore the regular order of business was
taken up.
The House eoneurred in the Senate
amendment to Bills 4S2 and 265 The latter
relates to the city charter of Indianapolis
and gives the city attorney a salary of
$4,000 AS amended, that section relating to
the annexation of Woodruff Place contains
the words UNLESS two-thirds or more Of
the citizens of the place shall oppose"
Amended bill No. 432 regulates the State
tax levy. Senate bill No 226 came up for
passage but persisted for want of a constitu-
tional vote. Ii provides for record OF all
persons dependent upon township trustees
for support. The vote stood 46 10 %. Many
members of the House denounced the meas
ure because ii branded unfortunate peo-
pie who are compelled to apply TO the
trustee for support.
The other amended bills passed by the
House were as follows:
Senate bill No. 39a--To empower grand
lodges of certain orders to take. hold and
transfer shares of stock
Senate bill NJ. 1910 prevent county
commissioners from appointing justices OF
the peace, except where there is a vacancy
Senate bill No. 276-Concerning grand and
petit juries and requiring the Jury COM
mlssioners TO retain the key to the box
containing the names of the venirenen in
stead OF the county clerk
Bill PSI, introduced by Senator G ford early
in the session. The bill concerns the e1uca-
ton of poor children by township trustees,
and fixes the time of attending nhool On
account of some very radical provisions the
measure Is known in the House as the
compulsory education BILL" MIR. ROBIN
objected to the bill being read out OF the
REGULAR order, which provoked smart dis
cussion. Mr.. Moore insisted that there was
no regular order. and for time the House
was in confusion. The bill finally came up
but failed 10 reach "a vote Represent tiyes
Willoughby and Petit fought ii vigorously.
and other members protested against what
they termed its unreasonable provisions -
did not understand the bill The commit
tee he declared, had amended the ob5ec-
tionable sections. The bill was reread, but
the amendments could not be found. Mr..
that all children between The ages OF seven
and thirteen years shall be sent TO the
public school should have also contained
the words. or any pr.vate ptrochia.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
Hovrate win STAY i'm Jnii.

for Captain Howgate, who is at present in
Jail awaiting trial on other indictments.
appeared before Judge McComas, in the
Criminal Court, this morning. anu asked
that the prisoner be released on
bail. The attorney asked that the
bail be fixed at 81 600 The gov
eminent, represented by the district at
torney, Birney, objected, and asked that
SO ordered Captain Howgate. through his
attorney, stated that it would be impos-
sible for hin. to secure bail at $4,000 and
he therefore was compelled to return to
Jail. District Attorney Birney stated that
he would try Captain Howgate on the other
indictments soon as possible. 1t is un-
derstood, however. that it will be impos-
sible to bring the case TO trial before three
months
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

full consideration. In short. this is al
together a different Indiana from that
of 1851. when the present Constitution
was adopted. Their sixty-one days was
ample for consideration of the limited
topics upon which it was necessary to
Iegislate. Then the changes which the
sirable could be expressed in one or two
hundred bills, mostly Of a simple charac-
ter. Under the present conditions over
twelve hundred bills expressed the topics
upon which representatives or constitu-
ents desired the action of the Legisa-
ture. Many of these bills related to
matters of. greas Importance, and for
that reason demanded. the careful
scrutiny of committees and the careful
consideration of Senate and House.
Consequently, session of the present
number of days is too short in which to
do the work the Legislature has to do.
1t is a physical impossibiiity to give
twelve hundred bills the attention they
should have. The result is that some
bills are reported and passed which
would have been rejected If committees
had had time to bestow upon them, and
4
cause of lack of time.
1t will be said that there would be
time enough if the Legislature attended
faithfully to it's business. No candid
and intelligent person would make such
a statement if he had watched the Legis-
1atufe now in session. Because a Legis-
1ature does not go to enacting bills the
day 1t assemblies it is assumed by some
that time is being wasted. To proceed
in that manner would result in the
enactment of crude and bad measures.
Experience has discovered this fact, con-
sequently all bills are referred to COM
mittees who consider them. The more
prominent committees in this Legislature
have worked as many hours in commit
tee rooms they have been present in
open session All the hours of the days
of short sessions in January and most
of the nights were spent by members
in committee meetings, doing vastly
more valuable and time-saving service
than they could in open session. Rarely
has either branch been without a
quorum. and then the members were
absent on committees visiting the pub
lie institutions With the protracted
sessions of the last two weeks the House
has not been without a quorum, and the
roll calls have usually shown at night
over seventy-five TO one hundred mem
bers voting. In no sense has this been
a procrastinating or do-nothing Legis-
lature, yet with all the industry and
energy exercised by the greater part of
it's members it is forced to leave large
amount of unfinished business. some of
which is important. Indiana has reached
that rank as a State where ninety days
is needed for a session of the Legisla-
ture as much as were sixty at the date
of the adoption of the present Constitu-
ton
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
THE MOORE BILL STANDS.
Unsuccessful Attempt to Reconsider
the Vote of the senate.


the Vote of the senate.
The Republicans in the Senate yesterday
made an unsuccessful attempt to secure a
reconsideration of the vote by which the
Moore temperance bill was passed. The
motion to reconsider was called up by Sena-
tor Vail. who stated that the bill was not
understood when it was passed; that it was
a vicious measure, and that it ought not to
have been passed. A motion was made to
reject the motion to reconsider, and on this
there was tie vote-23 to 23-as follows:
Ayes-Alexander, Barnes, Beck, Bird
reys. johnson, Kern, Leyden, Mcdonald
McHugh, McKeivey, Mclean, OBren
Parker, Rinear, Seller, Stuart, Sweeney and
Wray.
Noes-Baker, Bethel. Boord. Boyd. Boze-
man, Collett, Crumpacker, Gostlin, Hag-
gard, Heller. Houghton, Kerns, LaF'ollette,
McCord. McCutchan, Null Phares Schneck
Self, Shiveley, VAIL Watson and White.
Lieutenant Governor Nye voted for the re-
lection of the motion, and the motion to re-
consider was, therefore, lost. In casting
his vote the Lieutenant Governor said that
the Senate had had ample time for the con-
sfderation of the bill, and If 1t was bad
measure that fact should have been discov-
cred before the bill was passed.
1T is now believed that for the purpose of
loading the Republicans with an odious
measure that the Governor will sign it or
allow il to become law without his sigma
ture. Tl.s Republicans are already talking
of Introducing bill for the repeal of the
Moore bill. IL they pass it and the Gov
for the Moore bill will rest with the Demo-
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
SENATOR SELLER ExoNERATED.
Committee Finds that He Had Moth
ing to Do with the ROby Bill Theft.

Committee Finds that He Had Noun
ing to Do with the ROby Bill Theft.
The special committee appointed to in
yestigate Senator Sellers connection with
the disappearance of the anti-winter racing
bill made the following report yesterday
morning:
Your special committee appointed to in
vestigate certain published statements re-
fecting the conduct of Senator Seller
in connection with Senate Bill 303 have had
the same under consideration, and beg leave
to submit the following report:
I'VE examined under oath all persons who
had any knowledge of the facts in the case,
SO far as we were able, by diligent inquiry,
to learn of such persons. All clerks or
other persons familiar with the BILL or who
had opportunity to know about the same
and all persons claiming to know or likely
to know of Senator Sellers connection
Herewith were subjected to the most
searching examination.
And as a result of such investigations we
find from the evidence there is not the
slightest ground for the charge orYrefiection
find that his connection with the bill was
in the highest degree honorable.
1T gives us pleasure to assure the Sem
ate that there is nothing in the facts to
disturb or affect in any wise the high es-
TEEN in which Senator Seller has been held
by every member since the first day of his
service in this body.
1--WE also find from the evidence adduced
that no clerk or other employe of the Sen
traction of said bill, but that all of them
did their full duty in relation thereto
The report signed by all the Sena-
tors, and was adopted.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
CORONER CAsToR's SALARY.
1t VIII BE $4,000 After June 15-HOuse
Passes Senate Bills.

The feeling against the Senate was strong
when the House convened yesterday after
noon, and a proposition to take up Senate
bills for passage was opposed. although
the House finally considered it the best pol
icy to consider these bills, as they We're
the only kind that stood much show of
becoming laws. Senate bill authorizing
townships to levy tax for the improve
ment of libraries already founded by pri-
vate subscription went to third reading. The
bill fixing the time of holding court in Craw-
ford and Harrison counties was next up.
The vote on passage was: Ayes, 81: noes, 8.
Senate Bill g. authorizing towns to gravel
railroad crossings at the railroad compa-
nys expense went to third reading. No.
355, compelling holders of illegal tax titles
TO surrender their claims upon tender OF
proper compensation failed for want of a
constitutional majority. Ayes, II; noes "A.
The bill fixing the salary of the Marion
county coroner at 5000 a year came back
from the Senate. and Mr.. Leedy reported
the amendment killing the emergency
clause as dropped. The vote PASSAGE
Ayes So; noes, 10. All the Marion county
members supported the measure. 1t is now
ready for the Governors signature. and
when this is affixed Coroner Castor will
find himself on a salary about June Is.
The name of Jacksonville, Fountain coun-
ty, was changed to Wallace. Ayes. t5;
noes. ,
Mr.. Harris saw that he had no oppor-
tunity for securing the conversion or his
narcotic bill into a law. and he therefore
asked the House to pass the Senate bin on
the same topic. The Senate bill Is No. 3D.
provides for the teaching in the public
and narcotics on the human system. The
bill passed-13 to land is now ready for
the Governor.
No 421. by Kern. authorizing suits on
claims against the State to be brought in
the Marion County Superior Court, was
rassed Ayes. e6; noes, 2. This will open
the way for Mrs. May to prosecute her
famous clam.
No So. by CLIFFORD. legalizing records of
courts which judges have neglected to sign,
also went through.
Senate bill No ssn by Senator LaFoIlette
giving sellers OF drain pipe lien on land
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

ing bills to the Governor. This pro-
vision has usually been construed as one
for the convenience or protection of the
Governor, which he may insist upon or
waive at his option, and as matter of
fact bills have been presented TO and
signed by governors during theslast two
days of the session. This is of very
doubtful propriety. The Constitution
does not say that the Governor may
exercise his option about receiving bills
within the last two days of the session;
it says no bill shall be presented to him
within that period. The Governor might
waive personal right or privilege, but
he cannot waive the Constitution.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

The advocates of whipping as pun
ishment for tramps in this State seem
to have overlooked those provisions in
the Constitution which declare that mo
person arrested shall be treated with
unnecessary rigor." and that cruel and
unusual punishments shall not be in
f1icted.' But aside from these pro-
visions the indiscriminate' whipping of
tramps would be grossly unjust. An
honest man may. Through misfortune
and lack of local employment, be forced
to walk from place TO place in search
of work If such a person tramps only
because he is obliged to and is out of
employment simply because he cannot
obtain it it would be barbarous to add
disgrace to his misfortune by ordering
him to be whipped
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

Did Governor Matthews desire to have
the fee and salary law, mangled by the
perfidy of the employees of the Demo-
cratic House of 1891. stand two years
more as the law-half fees and half sal
airy? Or did those who spoke for him
to the effect that If the salary law of
the present Legislature had not been
presented before midnight it would not
have been received nlisrepresent him? Is
1t possible that Governor Matthews is
playing this sort of 7x9 partisanship
under the impression that it will lead
people to believe that he is of presi-
Dental dimensions?
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

Because the Legislature has passed an
act requiring township trustees to keep
4 record of all warrants issued and of
all moneys expended and on hand. and
to publish the same from time to time
the Sentinel rises to remark that it is
the Republican editors scheme to get
several hundred dollars out of the tax
payers. As q matter of fact, the bill
was presented by Senator Seller. a
Democrat. and an excellent idea it is.
Much of the crookedness and wasteful-
ness attributed to township trustees are
due to the fact that they are not re-
quired to publish statements of the town
ship finances.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
APPROPRIATION BILL.
Some Changes Made in Amounts Al
lowed Insane Hospitals.

AS soon the Senate convened last even
ing it took up the appropriation bill in COM
mittee of the whole. The bill had been
considered down to item fifteen and the
fight came up on the salary of the sheriff
of the Supreme Court. Sellers amendment
restoring it to $3.50 a year was adopted
The item was further amended to make the
salaries of the judges of the Supreme
and Appellate courts conform to the fee
and salary BILL
The benevolent institutions were then
taken up and Senator Kern offered an
amendment restoring the maintenance
fund of the Central Insane Hospital
to $260,000 and spoke eloquently for
it. being warmly supported by SEN
ator Boyd. This was argued at
length, and Senator Shiveley offered an
amendment making it s25OG00 a year. The
Shiveley amendment was adopted. Senator
Kern tried to raise the appropriation for
clothing and repairs, but failed Senator
Collect succeeded in getting the maintenance
for the Northern Hospital raised to s95. co.,
and Senator Shiveley got that of the East
ern Hospital fixed at S1C0,OOO
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09

The general worthlessness of investiga-
tons and reports by special committees
of Congress has a striking illustration
in the majority report OF the committee
of the last House appointed to inquire
into the causes of the prevailing agri-
cultural depression. The report shows
no knowledge of agriculture, no ac-
quaintance with the real causes of agri-
cultural depression and no ability to
deal with facts or disposition to get at
them. 1t is simply the populist7c TRADE
of parcel of cheap demagogues. The
recommendations of the committee ~in
the way of remedial legislation are
grotesque enough to figure in comic
onera
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
INDIANAPOLIS AFFAIRS.
senate Disposes of 81 Large Gist of
Tnaporfamt Measures.

The affairs of the city Of indianapolis
occupied their full share of the attention
OF the Senate yesterday afternoon. a job
lot of bills had been made the special order
for o'clock. the first one TO be considered
being House Bill 81, which includes a NUM-
Der of amendments to the charter. which
have been heretofore described. The bill
was passed
The second bin called. No Eos. was that
relating chiefly to Woodruff Place. On this
bin there were two reports. signed by an
equal number OF members. Report No |
recommended that the Board of Public
Works be authorized 10 improve the drive
on the east side OF Woodruff Place, to con-
denim and appropriate q two-foot strip from