The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-03
THE JUDICIARY sCApLING KNIFE.
Many Bills Killed in Committee
Those FnXOrnbIy Reported.

Many Bills Killed in Committee
Those FavornbIy Reported.
The scalping knife of the House Judiciary
committee was red with the blood of many
bills yesterday. Most of the House men,
bers went home. but Mr.. Robinson and his
committee kept on s~lasl1ing away at the
accumulation of proposed laws. The COM
mittee was i'll session from 8 o'clock Satur-
day morning and continued until noon. OF
twenty-five bills considered by the commit
tee, yesterday, all but eight will be reported
back to the House with the recommenda-
ton that they be indefinitely postponed. The
gentleman from Morgan county will be en-
titled to self-congratulation this morning
when he learns from the Journal that one
of his numerous bills will receive a favor
able report. Thus far Mr.. Howe's attempts
to fill the statute books with new laws have
met very icy receptions, his bills dying
without a struggle in the committee rooms.
Yesterday it was determined to report ia
vorably on his bill which makes it unlaw-
full for a corporation to discharge an en-
ploye because he belongs to a labor or
ganiZation. 1t also makes 1t a crime to ex-
act a promise from an employee before en-
ployment that he shall not join any labor
organizations.
Mr.. Stutesman's bill, giving minority par
ties the right of representation on election
boards, and on boards of election commits
sioners. will be given a favorable report. So
will Senator Stewards bill, providing for an
exemption of $50 worth of household goods
from execution or distress for rent. being
an amendment to the 5000 homestead law.
Senate bills legaliZing the Incorporation of
the towns of Grandview. Spencer county,
and Alton, Crawford county, were granted
favorable consideration.
Among the bills that do not meet the ap-
prevail of the committee is Mr.. Stutesman's
concerning settlements with guardians.
Others are Mr.. Robinson's bill, TO. amend
certain court practice in relation to special
verdicts: Mr.. Leedyss, providing for probate
courts in all the counties of the State; Mr..
Van ArsdeT's, limiting the power of county
commissioners In appointing justices of the
peace to vacancies caused only by death,
resignation or removal; Mr.. Griffin's, giving
certain powers to the auditor of Boone
county; Mr.. Pettit's, amending Section 742
of the Revised Statutes: Mr.. O'Brien's,
providing that corporations accepting char
tiers from the State shall do SO with the
proviso that the General Assembly shall at
any time have the right to impose addi-
tional restrictions when deemed necessary.
Mr.. Pettit's providing for the revision of
the statute relating to municipal corpora
tions. and Mr.. Stutesman's bill providing for
attorneys fees in the purchase of tax liens.
Mr.. Gregg's bill making a radical change
in the jury practice also falls among the
dead in the committee room. This bill al
lowed nine members of Il jury OF twelve
or five members of a jury of six to agree
upon a verdict. Mr.. Davis's bill providing
for appeals from the Appellate Court to the
supreme Court in certain cases met a like
fate.