The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-10

OF the section appropriating $4,000. Ii was
useless to argue that land would be do
mated; that but $4,000 was to be given the
first year. $4,000 the second and $4,000 the
third. 1t was question of placing bur-
den on the State of building an institution
that would in the years TO come appeal to
the Legislature for larger and still larger
appropriations for maintenance. He spoke
or the demands that are being made for the
prisons now established and of the fact
that the State is already burdened with
debt. Under sucn circumstances he could
not support the bill
SOME AIRY PERSIFLAGE.
Senator Holler said that he was sorry 10
hear such mercenary words-sorry that
there were men on the floor of the Senate
who could not look beyond such consd-
erations and do something to lift up and
aid the downfallen. The gentleman who
preceded him. he said, had not been so
economical when he voted for the Superior
and Circuit Court bills.
Il voted for your court BILL" interjected
Senator Hubbel.
And did not you also vote for all the
others?"
Senator Hubbel was not aware that he
had SO voted.
Il move the previous question. If the sem
ators are going TO deal in personalities, 3"
said Senator Collett.
orator, declared himself TO be a plain farm
Ell. without the gift of silver tongue,
but he made an earnest plea that convinced
his listeners that he believed ne WAS work.
ing in a cause that ought TO prevail He
said that if he realized that If the bill was
lost at this time ii was lost for good, so
far as the present session is concerned.
Senator Drummond declared that a more
unripe time than the present could not be
chosen for such a project. He thought
that too much sympathy was being wasted
for he. in ri al y
on those outside the prisons who had TO
pay the bills.
Senator La Toilette said that he had CIV
en- the subject of prison management
good deal of thought in recent years. In
the main he was in sympathy with the pur-
poses Of the bill under discussion, but there
were some -CatureS that made 1t very OBJ
jectionable.. lie was aware that the con-
ditionS were bad in some of the prisons
and that they ought to be located in an
agricultural country where the prisoners
could farm If it were a question of build
ing one prison on a broad reformatory
basis he would favor ii. but as the prof.
ect provided for the maintenance Of three
prisons. not one, he was against 1T. He
would like to support the PLAN but, for the
reasons stated. he could not do
Senator Shively said that much sentiment
might be INDUCED in in the discussion of
this question. but that he would leave that
TO others. He said that he had not heard
word against the general plan, and he
took VI for granted that every senator ia
vore1 the general scheme. The reas On that
ne opposed the bill was that il was a ques-
ton of placing on the State liability of
$3.50 600 instead of $4,000 the first year, $50,
600 the second and 900 the third. He
did not believe this to be the time TO place
such a burden on the State.
Senators Wood and Sweeney both spoke
at length, favoring the passage of the bill.
Most of the afternoon had been taken up
with the discussions. Senator Hugg moved
debate, but withdrew it TO allow Senator
Ellison to close.
The bill was defeated by a vote of 80 to
Is. Senator Duncan changed his vote from
aye 10 no in order TO make a motion TO re-
consider the vote by which the bill was
defeated. Senator Newby's motion to ia
BILE was lost. and the bill now stands on the
motion TO reconsider the vote defeating 1t.
The friends of the bill believe there is a
chance to have it passed in a modified form,
perhaps providing that one of the two pres
ent prisons shall be transformed into an
intermediate prison or reformatory. 1t is
said, however. that the argument for the
prison farm would have TO be abandoned
there is no land available at jefferson
vile and that Michigan City Is not fertile
enough
The proposed amendment to the Constitu-
ton which provides for an increase of the
Supreme Court bench was next taken up.
1t was explained by Senator Shively, who
signed the minority report recommending
its passage. He said that the bill provides
that the bench of the Supreme Court shall
contain not less than seven nor more than
sixteen judges, the number to he deter
Hineu Dy lns Legislature AFTER inc amend
ment shall have been ratified by the peo-
pie. The amendment, if made, would do
away with the Appellate Court and end the
Objectionable feature of two courts of last
resort. There was long discusst n of the
amendment. The main objection urged
against it was too broad and not con-
fined to the main question. but made
changes in thu manner OF elections
etc. The minority report failed of substi-
tuition for the majority. There was a very
close aye and nc vote en- the majority vote,
q in favor of its passage and 90 against
it, This does not dispose of the resolution
entirely. as it can be taken up again on a
motion to reconsider. This plan will prob
ably be pursued.