The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-27
CUT DOWN TO $4,000
HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES SOL
DIERs' HOME APPROPRIATION.
No Quorum OF the House Yesterday
Misunderstanding and Loan
Legislation.

1t was not surprising yesterday morning
that quorum failed to show in the House
OF Representatives for several committees
we're out visiting State institutions and
many members had been excused from at
tendance. Speaker Adams glanced anx-
iousy at the DOORS expecting to see a
sufficient number drop in to make up the
quorum Clerk Brown looked over in the
direction where Hgbee. of Sullivan, was
accustomed to sit. Higbee is the gentle
man who waits patiently till debate Is
over and then announces the cost to the
State in time wasted. The gentleman was
not in his seat yesterday morning, and
Clerk Brown wrote out a telegram to be
forwarded to him at Sullivan. The dispatch
read: 1--WE lack just one member in hav-
ing quorum this morning. Your absence
cost the State of Indiana just 1872 4O''
The Speaker also commented on the abb
sence of members, stating that he would
hereafter ask that the leave of absence
ne refused where there was danger of
breaking a. quorum. The roll call showed
only hfty-nine members, seventy-five being
needed, and the clerks tried to get the
needed eight by messengers and by the use
OF the telephones. The committees visit
Ing the institutions in part prevented the
quorum, and this furnished occasion for
few remarks about junketing. Mr.. Harris,
Of Hamilton, and others thought it was O.
needless expense to the State, very little
being accomplished by these committees,
which were generally handsomely enter
tanned. Mr.. Duncan referred to the trip
to Bloomington. He wished he had not
gone. The committee was unable to get
much information about the university on
account of the crowd and the ceremonies
of the day. At 1890 o'clock the Speaker
announced that the House would not meet
until Monday morning.
Very few of the important measures that
are to come up this session have been in
troduced in the House and but little progress
has been made with those that have been
presented. The legislative apportionment
is before both houses and will be used as
a groundwork in mapping out the bill that
will finally be passed. The congressional
apportionment bill from Mr.. Stutesman's
committee will be presented the coming
week and 1t will have several other meas
ures to compete with it for honors of
passage. Several of the new congressman
have been on the floor of the House during
the last week and members find themselves
in somewhat Of dilemma. 1t is a case of
making ten pieces of pie go the rounds
of dozen people. The fee and salary bill
from the House will come up for introduce
ton this week.
Mr.. Van Arsdels committee has been
writing to prominent business men in all
parts of the State asking their opinions as
to salaries paid officers in their counties.
The committee has been surprised at the
answers received. In nearly all the cases
the estimates of business men have been
much lower than those Of the officers, who
believe they not sufficiently paid.
Salaries will be raised in some of the gas
belt counties where business has increased
wonderfully in recent years. The recorders
in these counties where realty deals have
been frequent, poorly paid under the
present law. The re- committee ,, feels grained
have attempted to bring no pressure to
bear on the committee. although they have
presented statements showing the business
of their offices. The growth Of indianapolis
in the last few years has brought great
deal of new business.
SOLDIERS HOME BILL.
The ways and means committee held a
meeting, yesterday afternoon, and decided
to recommend the passage of the Lafayette
Soldiers Home bill, with an amendment
cutting the appropriation from 100000 to
$4,000. The committee on military affairs
first considered the measure and after cut
ting the appropriation from S150,000 to $780,
600 reported favorably. The bill was after
wards committed to the ways and means
committee which took off a $4,000 Slice
The Senate committee has recommended an
appropriation of 100000. The Newhouse bill.
exempting mortgage Indebtedness to the ex-
tent of $1,000 where the mortgage is held
IN the, State, will also be reported upon
favorably. A like action has been deter
mined upon for the amended greenbacks
bill of Mr.. Remy. This amended bill puts
bicycles and other articles among taxables.
The effect of the measure. if passed will
add it is calculated, $2,0O0,O0O to the list
of taxables.
There will be an investigation of the af-
fairs of the School Board of this city, if
the advice of the committee on affairs of
the city of Indianapolis is acted upon The
committee decided, yesterday, to recon-
mend the appointment of a board of in
yestigators. 1t is probable that some In
dianapolis lawyer will be asked to direct
the examination.
The Governor. yesterday, made the an
nouncement, as intimated in the Journal
yesterday, that he would not consent to
act with board, majority Of which con-
sisted of Republicans, in making appoint
ments He thought it would be unfair to
nave him assume a part of the RESPONSE
pity without having the privilege OF MAX
ing any OF the appointments Yesterday
was the seventeenth day of the General AS
sembly OF 1895. The few bills that have been
passed are of minor Importance.