The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-31
REUNION OF LAWMAKERS
LEGISLATORS OF THE SIXTIETH SES-
SION HAVE A JOLLY TINE.
Old Times in House of Representa-
tives Revived in Humorous
Way-The Banquet.


The reunion of the members of the lower
House of the Sixtieth General Assembly
was begun last night with a two-hour ses-
sion in the House chamber, Over fifty men,
bers were present and the occasion sparkled
with scintillations of wit and flights of elo-
quence. Although it was an unauthorized
session, the Governor gave it his sanction
by his presence, and his kindly eye beamed
graciously on all from the dais-seat of the
speaker. Thanked on his right was the
lieutenant governor, while on his left was
Speaker Petit, redolent with carnations
and wreathed in smile. But bigger than
all three was Bellamy S. Sutton. the pres
ident of the occasion, who welded his gavel
with a proficiency worthy of Thomas
Bracket Reed. Curious enough, it was a
Democratic session Not only was the pre-
siding officer a Democrat, but the majority
on the floor were of the same breed of
thinkers. There were twenty-nine Demo-
Gratis present and twenty-five Republicans,
but to the credit of the party of Jefferson,
no snap legislation of a political nature was
attempted, although at one time Repre-
sentative Nicholson felt called upon TO dare
the Democrats to do their worst, and sew
eral Republicans delivered themselves of
euogies on the Mckinley administration,
with an apparent attempt to bring out the
other fellows The Democrats, however,
felt subdued-like and refused to take up the
gauge of battle John r. East made few
fiourishes, but that was all, and, as his
remarks We're greeted with laughter. he
probably was sorry for even the flourishes
The most important feature of the nights
work, however was the report of the COM
mittee on federal relations, while one of the
pleasantest episodes the presentation
of plug of tobacco by Mr.. Roots to DE
capitator' Fl. l. Smith.
There was a serious portion to the even
ing's proceedings, however, which was
opened by prayer by Representative Nichol-
son. Following the invocation came an ad-
dress by President Sutton, who, in part.
said:
ut has been my good fortune to be a
member of numerous social, political and
fraternal organizations. but | think it can
be truthfully said that during the session
of the last House of Representatives that
every member was every other members
friend. There was a social fellowship and
good feeling (not always common to such
bOdies) that existed throughout the entire
session and became even more manifest as
the day of adjournment drew nearer. | am
truly pleased to see so many of the mem
berS present to again renew that fellowship
and pleasant association. Providence has,
indeed, dealt kindly with U.S. not having en-
tered our ranks since last we met IN this
hall, for which we should all be devoutly
thankful. While this is the first reunion
and banquet of the Indiana Legislature, |
constrained to say that do not believe
it will be the last
GOVERNOR COMPLIMENTS THEM.
Governor Mount was the next speaker.
He expressed his great pleasure in greeting
the members of the Legislature who less
than a year ago did such splendid work in
the interest of the people they represented.
Some of you at that time said he, doubt
lessly started on the road to fame, but 9TH
ers of you who devoted much time to the
preparation of bills that never saw the light
We're disappointed. TO such / would say
that there many flowers which waste
their fragrance on the desert air and only
the secrets of committee rooms couid dis
ci0sG the fate of many good bills. Inc
Governor then entered upon panygeric OF
the last Legislature. recent writer, he
said, had declared that the Sixtieth Assem-
bly, was one OF the best ever held IN In
diana. The men that composed the body,
continued the Governor, were a IvatiVe
and dignifed body of men and there was lit
tie bitterness and asperity evidenced in its
proceedings. One law passed by ii has
saved to labor and capital hundreds of thou
sands of dollars. If il had done nothing
more, the Legislature would have been Wor-
thy of the credit Of having done its work
well.
Speaker Petit followed the Governor in a
pretty speech that was greeted with much
applause. He said that he felt much graft
fled at the sincere. kindly expressions of the
Governor. and reciprOcated them by saying
that Indiana was fortunate in having such
an executive. when the Governor leaves
his Office the speaker declared, 'he will
take with him the blessings of all the peo-
pie and have richly earned the sobriquet
of good and faithful servant. Continu-
ing, Mr. Petit deprecated the fact that the
Legislature did not have the opportunity of
legislating on some of the subjects now
pressing before Congress. 1t would have
haa nlo he sliA n hHVp
way promoted the raising of the stars and
stripes on the Sandwich islands Within
a few hundred miles OF New York, one
of the Bermudas. there is one of the strong
est sea fortresSes in the world, under the
control of Great Britain. This fortress COM
mands the Atlantic coast of America. Shall
we permit" said the speaker. another such
menace on our western coast? Another
duty that the Legislature would have de-
lighted in performing would have been to
have done something for the struggling Gu
bans. 1t seems to me, said he, some
practical way could have been found
the island had the Indiana Legislature had
the authority to devise one. We recognize
that the President and his Cabinet. being
behind the scenes. are more familiar with
the situation than any one else, yet 1t seems
that the expectation of the people that
something sweeping will be done should be
fulfilled without much delay.
COMMITTEE REPORTS TAKEN UP.
The expressions of self-congratulation
and mutual pleasure having all been made,
the portion of the programme relating to
committee reports was taken up The com
mittee on ways and means having igno-
miniously failed to come 10 time, j. n.
Babcock in a loud voice, demanded the
speakers ear and declared that the swamp
lands committee, after duly and impartial
~ and without the least prejudice, etc,
had come to the sage conclusion that mas
much as I'VE are following in the wake
of Democratic administrations, State and
national, and inasmuch as 1t is the Demo-
was nothing at present to be drained, but
hope was eternally in the human breast
and under the wave of prosperity that the
country is again enjoying from the McKin-
ley administration Mr.. Babcock had TO
draw his breath ~ this point and it re-
suited fatally to The flow of his eloquence
for the confusion on the Democratic side
had grown so great that further speech
was impossible.
The president pounded for order and
called for the comLlittee on claims The
chairman of the committee being absent.
Mr.. Elliott. Of Henry county, responded
that all claims had been disallowed and al
demand was made for G. w. Kurtz of the
temperance committee. Mr.. Kurtz is alb
sent and 1t was limited that having heard
that the House was this time in earnest
for q report. he had concluded to remain
at long range. Mr.. Hicks, of Marion at
temperance advocate He said for the bene-
fit Of those who had never served on the
temperance committee that they should
never aspire TO do so, IF you knew" said
he, plaintively, how many hours how
very many hours even sometimes the wee