The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-16
Strong Effort Made to Disable 1t with
an Amendment That Would
Make 1t Invalid.
DRAWN BY JERRY" COLLINS
EXCITING MOMENT AT THE END OF
THE FIRST ROLL CALI.
Twice There Was "a Tie VOte-BiII En-
SrOssed-ActiOn of the House
Committee.

The first battle over the street-car bill
was fought in the Senate yesterday. and
ii resulted in the triumph of its advocates.
Two amendments. both designed to divest
the measure of its vitality were defeated,
the first by bare majority of one the sec
ond by vote of so to 10. Friends of the
bill feel confident that the votes cast YES
terday are precursors of what action will
be taken when the bill comes up again on
third reading, when it will be put upon it's
passage. 1t is, nevertheless, understood
that the street-car lobby, the strongest and
most powerful that has invaded the Legis-
lature for many years, will not capitulate
now, but will redouble its efforts in the
hope OF defeating the measure when it
comes up again. Even after the bill gets
through the Senate the senator's who have
fought for it in the Senate chamber real
ize that the fight in the House will be
equally as strong as that in the Senate
perhaps stronger. The large number of
farmers and men not habitually under the
influence of corporations that go to make
up the body OF the House, however is re-
garded being a good omen for the fate
of the bill.
Deep and intense interest marked the pro-
ceedings in the Senate yesterday. Just as
the Senate was about to convene large DEL
egation of influential business and profess
sional men. headed by Mayor Taggart and
President Costello, of the Council, entered
the rear of the Senate chamber from the
postoffice. They had just come from a
meeting in the mayors office, where a de-
termination to do everything possible to
secure the passage of the bill was reached.
tbn l..
mittee to lend moral support to the bill,
the street-car lobby was equally in evidence
Murray A. Werner. determined to have an
eye on those who are said to have par
taken of his hospitality at Denison House
wine supperS, and President Augustus L.
Mason, anxious to hear the arguments adj
vanced in support of the bill, in order that
they might be answered in more special
pleadings, kept somewhat in the back
ground. John b. Cockrum, j. w. Crum-
packer and Jerry" Collins ION TO his job
were not so modest Cockrum, in particu-
lar, called of the senator's to the iron
railing at the rear of the Senate chamber
after he had finished a speech against the
bill. Then he slid around to the west side
of the chamber to a seat near Senator
Newly. Collins was busy watching the
amendment he had himself prepared AT
one moment he was near the press table
at Lieutenant Governor HaggardS left, at
another in the rear OF the chamber, intent
on doing something under the watchful
eyes of MeSSrS. Werner and Mason.
Members of the House also hurried in and
out to catch a word of the discussion. The
biggest crowd that has yet occupied the
gallery listened intently.
The entire forenoon was taken up with
the discussion of the first amendment pro-
posed by Senator Wood. Shortly after u
o'clock vote was reached, Senator Haw-
kins demanding the ayes and noes. As the
roll call proceeded the silence was painfully
intense. Hearts were beating rapidly and
every nerve was pitched to the highest point
of excitement. Senator Sells vote of no
was not heard by Roll Clerk Deem, and
THE vote stands: Ayes, 21; noes, "a
said the lieutenant governor. Call the ab-
The absentees were called Senator Good
wine voted aye
Didn't you get my vote before?" asked
Senator Self, when his name was called
Il voted no."
This made another tie and several called
out that the casting vote lay with the
Senators New and Hubbell came to the
front of the chamber, hoping to fnf' another
absentee. Senator Hubbell said h believed
that the amendment was lost, as il had
failed to receive a majority. Senator Early
arose to emphasize the point. He said that
he did not want the chairman TO be emhar
raised with deciding this question, and that
the amendment was lost because 1t rad y :
received majority. Senator Shively read
Senate is equally divided, give the casting
vote" No one sought TO contest the rulr.
Lieutenant Governor Haggard was visibly
excited, but acted with sufficient delDera-
ton to avoid any mistakes. There was a
little indecision manifest everywhere, and
for three or four seconds every eye Was
turned on him and every persou wondered
how he would vote. At this moment Sena-
tor BoZeman appeared. tie hta nos NOteu.
Call Senator BoZeman,' said the Lieuten-
ant Governor.
Senator Rozeman voted mo-. That set
tied the fate of the amendment and for the
first time in two hours the senators who
had fought long and earnestly for the bill
breathed easier, and they and the friends of
the bill broke forth in enthusiastic APP
plause.
The vote was announced by the Lieuten-
ant Governor. % ayes and % noes, and he
declared the amendment lost.
Those recorded as voting for the amend
Goar, Gouchenour, Goodwine Gostlin. Ho-
gate. Houghton Johnson of Madison. Kerns,
La Toilette, LEIGH; McCord; Null, Newly,
O Brien, Phares, Schneck, Shively. Wood.
Those voting in the negative were: Bobil-
va, Bozeman, Campbell, Drummond. Early
Ellison. Gilbert, Hawkins Holler. Horner,
Hubbell Hugg, Humphreys, New, Nus
baum. O'Connor. Patten. Rinear. Self. Shea,
Stroup, Sweeney. Senator Watson left the
Senate chamber before the vote was cast
and did not vote. Senators Alexander. Dun
can, Johnston of Dearborn and White were
not present. The Senate adjourned for the
noon hour.
AT the beginning of the afternoon session
Senator Wood offered another amendment.
almost the same as the first but containing
two or three additional provisions. The
discussion on Ii was not so prolonged. 1t
was defeated by vote of 30 to 10. This Is
regarded as a change in favor of the bill of
seven votes. Those. voting for Senator
Woods second amendment were: Senators
Ball. Bethel Collett, Culbert, Goar Goch-
enOur. GoStlin, HOgate. Houghton. Kerns
Null. Newly. OBrien. Phares. Schneck
and Wood. Those voting against the amend
ment We're: Senator'S Alexander, Bobilya
Bozeman. Campbell, Drummond, Duncan.
Early, Ellison. Gilbert, Gill Good wine
Hawkins, Holer, Horner, Hubbell. Hugg
Humphreys. La Toilette. Leich, McCord
New. Nusbaum, Patten, Rnear, Self. Shea
Shively Stroup. Sweeney and Watson SEN
ators Johnston of Dearborn, O'Connor and
White were absent. The vote was an
nounced. and after Senator New accepted
an amendment offered by Senator Hogate.
the bill was ordered engrossed. 1t is now
on third reading and may be called up at
any time.