The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-02
VALUABLE TIME WASTED.
An Hour Needless1y Consumed In
Passing Chickamaugn Bill.

Passing Chfckamaugn BtIt
Some time was wasted in changing the
House rule providing for the calling up or
bills when the regular order reached
at o'clock The rule was changed SO as
to permit a member to call any bill. The
first bill up was No. 5Ss, Stutesman's bill
creating Chickamauga battlefield commits
sion, and carrying an appropriation of $780,
900. The House in a hurry and the
reading clerk did not give the bill a third
reading in full, but only by title, with
view to expediting business. This desired
result at least, was frustrated for the
call of the roll brought Mr.. Melendy to
his feet to say that owing to recent infor-
nation, though the bill was dear to him
almost as his life, ne would have to vote
TO. He had, he said, learned that the
cost of the monuments would not be so
much by large amount. and if the House,
when the bill was before it earlier in the
afternoon, had permitted him to speak he
would have moved to recommit with in
structions. This caused a sensation, ami
other members explained their votes. Mr..
o SSiAs'a Soldiers. ana voted no sas for the
man explained that he introduced the bill
by request of the commission which went
to the battle-ground, and there was nothing
sinister about 1t. The committee, he said,
had cut the appropriation from $4,000 to
$4,000, and had been unanimously for it.
in favor of the purpose of the bill he
would. in the light of what he had heard as
to the cost of the markers. have to vote
no. Mr.. Dinwiddie asked to change his vote
to no, and Mr.. Hundley, an old soldier, also
changed to no. Mr.. Stetler changed from no
to aye, saying Mr.. Crozier, marble works
proprietor, had told him that Mr.. Melendy's
information was not correct, and he would
said he voted no because he believed the
appropriation is too high He said he had
participated ia in that battle bit could not
Mr.. Allen said that Ohio had appropriated
$4,000 for this purpose, and $4,000 is not
out of which could be distinguished Mr..
BARRIERS trenchant voice saying;
II voted aye, and / stand pat
In the midst of laughter, the vote being
corrected. the Speaker announced that there
were ~ ayes and Ia noes. Mr. Robinson
and his motion easily found a second. In
explaining he made some statement about
the cost Of the monument and the work of
the committee which caused Mr.. Suites
man to cry out:
II deny, that; deny that
II don't want to be interrupted, Mr..
II don't want any imputations cast upon
me-, said Mr.. Statesman
either retorted Mr.. Robinson with fiery
emphasis which h.a silenced the House He
moved to lay the motion to reconsider on
the table. This vas adopted on division.
Mr.. Robinson called for aye and nay
vote, which was declared out of order
This led to a number of motions in the
effort to reconsider the vote, and out of it
grew even. a roll call ON a motion to adj
journ. The House adjourned by SO to Al,
and q full hour was consumed on a bill
which. If the rules for third reading had
been followed, would have been recommitted
with instructions not unfriendly to the
bill.
. The House, at the night session. plunged
again into the fight over the Chickamauga
appropriation bill, owing to a motion by
Mr.. Robinson instructing the clerk to with
hold the bill from transmission to the SEN
ate until further orders. This was debated
for an hour of precious time, in which there
were some heated speeches. There was a
colloquy between Mr.. Merritt and Mr.. Rob-
iuson of more than passing interest. Mr..
Merritt was replying to some reflections
he thought, upon the motives of those
who supported the BILL and Mr.. Robinson
took the floor to say that no reflections
were intended, and that as at the outset.
when he offered his motion. he had said
that if in the heat of debate he had said
anything which would give offense he there
and then apologized and retracted such re-
marks.
"And apoloeized to you privately, sir"
said Mr.. Robinson, shaking his finger at
Mr.. Merritt, land here you are now i'm
pugning my motive, coward that you are"
The words were not generally understood
over the House, but those who heard the
words listened intently for what would fol-
low. Mr.. Merritt quietly resumed his
speech. The debate ended in the defeat of
the motion. The Senate now has the bill.