The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-26
Half OF These officials of the Benevo-
lent Institutions Must Differ from
Other Half in Politics.
STUTESMAN'S BILL STANDS
HIS CONGRESSIONAL APPORTiON-
MENT PLAN Is ADOPTED.
Fee and salary Bill Goes Over TIL
Wednesday Night-Tim Griffin
to he Ousted.

The Republican legislative caucus de-
cided last night to reconsider its action
of two weeks ago which took from the
Governor the power of appointing benevo-
lent institution trustees and lodged its in
a board composed. of the Secretary of State.
Auditor, Treasurer, Encouragement and
Governor. 1t was pretty we'll understood at
6 o'clock last night that the caucus would
reconsider. although some of the supporters
of the original caucus action scoffed at
the idea. number of prominent Re-
publicans from outside the city Were in the
Denison lobby. having come ITO attend tho
State committee meeting, and they took
an active part in the preliminary skirmish-
ing. The vote by which the caucus recon-
sidered was 81 to ~ the largest attendance
the caucus has had during the session.
The decision to take from the Governor
the appointing power made by 40
to &c vote and when the first attempt was
made to reconsider eighteen favored such
action and forty-four opposed it. Many OF
those who first sided with the partisan plan
of governing these benevolent institutions
became convinced that such line of policy
was opposed by large majority of the
Republicans of the State and rather than
oppose the will of the party they con-
cluded to vote for a reconsideration. Some
of these members spent two Sun
days at their homes and ascertained the
sentiment lin their community. Those who
changed their votes were very frank in
admitting they had not read the signs of
the times Alright.
Chairman Merritt called the caucus to
order at s o'clock in the hall of the House
of Representatives and the first BUSINESS
he had to consider was motion made by
majority on the first occasion. to recon-
slider that action. As the caucus
had laid motion to recon-
slider on the table at the meeting follow
ing that when the partisan plan was first
determined UPON, the point was raised that
the matter had been irrevocably settled.
according to all parliamentary usuages. Mr..
Merit explained that there were no es-
tablished rules governing a caucus, such
as were in force in legislative body, and
he would hardly dare attempt to thwart
the wishes of a majority by calling to his
all a parliamentary rule that prevails in
a Legislature. He therefore held held that
the motion to reconsider might be put. For
two hours and half the discussion waNed
warm, Senator Haggard, among others, be-
ing strongly opposed to again taking up
the matter. Before the caucus met Sena-
w
he intended to offer, to nearly all those
who favored standing by the caucus ac-
ton This had the effect of strengthening
the side of those who were fighting for a
reconsiderati ation. The resolution fol-
lows.
RESOLVED, That the committee on be-
nevolent institutions be instructed to draft
bill providing that the Governor appoint
six boards of three persons each to manage
the four insane hospitals of the state, tine
Institute for the Blind. and that not more
than. nine of such persons be of the same
chosen from the two political parties cast
ing the highest number of votes for Secre-
tary of State at the last election.
After the vote was taken on reconsider
ing and it was found that fifty-seven were
for it and twenty-seven opposed, Mr.. New
by's resolution was put and carried with
out opposition. Senator Haggard, who had
taken such decided stand against the re-
consideration, announced that he would
leave the caucus, adding, however, that he
would abide by the decision of the minor
ity' as he termed the fifty-seven who had
carried the day. The vexatious patronage
question now stands in exactly the same
position it occupied before the Legislature
met; just as though no action had been
taken at all. 1t is hardly probable that its
spectre will loom up again at this session
OF the Legislature, anu WHetl d tepuoHtdf
Governor is elected two years from now he
will make all the appointments to benevo-
lent institution boards. This will leave the
Republican party consistent with all its
pledges and party principles.
CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT.
The congressional apportionment was an
other important matter settled last night,
and after a considerable debate the report
of the committee. as made some time ago.
was adopted without change. 1t was read
lily recognized as an impracticable PROPOSE
ton to attempt changes in the map pre-
pared by the committee after weeks Of close
study for the switching of one county
meant a disarrangement that could hardly
be settled by so large body as a caucus.
Speaker Adams of the House. was one Of
the members who took exceptions TO the
new districting He thong hit the Ninth was
too much of a shoe-string affair Some of
the members from the southern part of lie
state wanted a little better show in the
congressional districts 4n which they lived
The Fourth district members felt that they
were given too heavy Democratic major
ity to overcome 1T will be normally about
1,500, and Mr.. Watson would have TO make
a very strong fight to be reelected should
he determine to be candidate again aud
receive the party nomination. There was
even some talk of unfairness towards the
Sixth district, which is made up by tack
ing Johnson county to Marion. The
southern county has a democratic majority
OF several hundred that is usually not af-
fected except I'm a big landslide. The Marioa
county members. however. were not COM
planning. The concurrence in the committee
report was by large majority. The fol-
lowing will be the new districts
First Disfrict-Posey vanderburg Gibson.
Pike. Warrick and Spencer
Second District Sullivan. Knox. Green.
Owen. Monroe, Lawrence. Martin. Daviesx
Third District-Du Crawford Qranx4