The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-31
THE BANQUET.
John q. Hicks ms TOastmaster-MayOr
Extends Freedom Of City.

The banquet at the Grand Hotel was
delightful feature of the reunion num-
Der of senators of the siXtieth session ac-
cepted invitations as did some of the state
officers Governor Mount occupied seat
to POSTMASTER Hicks's right. The menu,
from Manhattan cocktails to coffee and
cigars, kept the legislators busy until mid
night. when Bellamy S. Sutton arose to
present the toaStmaSter. Mr. Sutton orig
mated the idea OF holding reunion. THE
height of my ambition has been more than
realized said he. I'VE have had the first,
and | hope not the last reunion. | hope
that we will meet again under like circum-
stances. | would like to every member
of the Sixtieth General Assembly back for
the Sixty-first if theregwere not quite so
many Republicans DLaughter) Gentlemen,
it is my honor TO introduce TO you the
silent wise amiable courteous man who
seldom spoke. but who was always heard
to the best advantage when he did speak,
John g. Hicks"
Mr.. Hicks said. when he could make
himself heard after the demonstration of
applause with which he was greeted that
he considered II a great honor to have the
pleasure of presiding over the deliberations
OF the evening. The legislators were well
come to the capital city for the constitu-
tional period of ten DAYS before and after
the session during which they were not TO
be arrested. II have the word of our hon
ored mayor" he said. that no man wear
ing one of these badges shall be molested
by any policeman under any circumstances
whatever" daughter and applause)
Mr.. Hicks introduced Mayor Taggart,
who welcomed the members of the Legisla-
ture 10 Indianapolis Perhaps you win
wonder" said the mayor, how it happens
that 81 person not a member of the Sixtieth
General Assembly came to be on the pro-
gramme" The mayer was interrupted by
cries. of Third House. Third House, and
laughter. Your toastmaster has told you
no one wearing badge will be molested if
you remain ten days. He has made some
arrangement with the superintendent of po-
lice | believe. and am sure you will not
come to harm. Uaughter.) | am glad to
be with you and welcome you to the cap
ital city. There is no State in the Union
of which the inhabitants should be more
proud than those of Indiana. l believe
there is no State that might be fenced in
entire world like Indiana. Q-aughter) The
city of indianapolis has many times come
before the General Assembly to ask for
legislation in her interest. and the IegiS
lature has always given what was asked.
(Applause.) There is the city charter. 1t
was another Legislature than that of which
you were members that gave it, but / am
sure you would have been equally willing to
advance her interests. There is not gen.
tleman here. l venture to say nor in the
State, that is not proud of the capital"
The mayor, in concluding, made the visit
ors to the city thrice welcome. You
seemed to enjoy the playing OF A Hot Time
in the Old Town just now (by the band.)
Your POSTMASTER and the superintendent
have an understanding, and no gentleman
wearing a badge will come TO any harm,
your POSTMASTER has made all the
engagements The mayor resumed his seat,
amidst renewed laughter and applause.
House, responded to the toast THE House
of Representatives of the Sixtieth General
Asse nbly.'' He said he could imagine no
sentiment to which he could respond with
more pleasure and gratitude than that set
down to him. In his position as speaker it
of his fellow members. From his observa-
tons he was convinced that every one at
tempted to do What ha5 he conseenti Tic
people of the State Il came to esteem
every man who was a member of the
House said Mr.. Petit Il saw no act
which would in any way indcat, any man
was doing anything other than what he
thought was for the best interests of the
State. There was talk in the press of cor
ruption and talk of Doodle by the public,
but l don't believe any man on earth or
any paper could successfully uphold Il
charge against member OF that House.
(Applause) We We're all statesmen.
Laughter.) There We're no small men.
They We're all capable and efficient, worthy
TO rank with James G. Blaine or Thomas
A. Hendricks in craftsmanship" CLaugh-
ter) Mr.. Petit spoke Of some of the laws
that were enacted, relating some funny in
stances Of misapprehension on the part of
people a. to the meaning and provisions
of some Of the laws passed. When he went
fishing a farmer told him that the Legis-
lature made everybody fish with three
hooks on their lines. That was why the
farmer caught so many fish. while the
speaker did not get bite. Another time
a man who was selling beer surreptitiously
told him the quart-shop law required
beer to be sold on the premises by the quart
bottle, and that a man had TO drink the
entire quart. His experience with the dog
law was equally amusing.
THE MAJORITY DISCUSSED.
s. f. Nicholson discussed 1.-THE Majority -
"The majority of the session of 1897, said
he. must be considered from two stand
points--what it was and what is was not.
1t was small. efficient. generous. magnani-