The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-14
FIREMEN,s PENSION BILL.
senate Passes 1t with Only Four
--l.. = Lafes Caxt Asainst II.

senate Passes 1t with Only Four
een = Votes Cast Against 1t.
AT half past o'clock yesterday after
noon the Senate took up, special order,
the bill of Representative Leedy for the
creation of a firemen's pension fund. The
bill came from the committee on cities and
towns, with a number of amendments, and
with the recommendation that it be
passed. Several attempts were made to
load the bill with amendments in addition
to those recommended by the committee.
The first amendment was offered by Sena-
tor Ellison, providing that three of the six
trustees of the fund shall be citizens not
members OF the fire department. Senator
Kern opposed the amendment, and declared
himself as opposed to further incumbering
the measure IIe said the members of the
Legislature. since their arrival in the city,
had had opportunity to observe fire depart
ships to which firemcn were exposed. The
compensation of firemen, he said was not
sufficient to admit their making much pro-
vision for the future, and he wanted to
this bill passed as it was
Senator Wishard also advocated the pass
age of the bill without further amendment.
The occupation of the fireman. he said, was
a species of war. 1t was hazardous, and
the fireman took his life in his hand
every time he mounted a ladder or went
into burning, building. He cited the fact
that many of the Eastern States had
abled and superannuated firemen. and it
was u system that was bound to come with
the march of the times. He referred to
largely signed petition asking the passage
of the bill, the first name signed to which
was that of ex-Mayor Caven. who was fully
advised as to the merits Of the bill and the
demands of the situation
Senator Eliison's amendment defeat
ed. ana he offered another. providing that
a fireman shall have reached the age of
sixty years before he shall have the right
TO be retired on account OF twenty-five
years service. This amendment was also
defeated Senator Ellison then offered an
amendment providing that the obligatory
part of the bill should apply only to cities
that have a population of $4,000 This
amendment was also defeated. Senator Nc
Hugh then offered amendment provid-
ing that The words ..brothers and sisters
should be stricken out of the bill wherever
they appear. This amendment was also de-
feated Senator Ellison then offered
other amendment providing that tifty-five
years should be the minimum age at which
twenty-five years of service. This amend
ment went the way of all the others, and the
bill was ordered to engrossnent.
Senator Cranor then moved to suspend the
constitutional rule and put the bill upon its
passage. This motion agreed to, and
the bill was passed. The only votes in the
negative were those of Senators Seller, Nc
Hugh, Ellison ana Holler
The provisions of the bill have been here
tofore explained. 1t provides that in cities
having a population of 1000 or more it shalt
be obligatory to levy a tax of oHe-tenth of
a mill on the hundred dollars of valuation
for the maintenance OF disabled and super
ANIMATED fremen and those dependent upon
them 1t is also provided that in all the
cities of the State that have a naid fire
be placed in operation by order Of the
Council.