The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-04
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The "COmbine" Slate Successful in
Both Houses-BushnelI's Message.


COLUMBUS. O., Jan. S-The Legislature
convened at 10 a. m. to-day The Senate
stands eighteen Democrats and eighteen
Republicans, the latter including Senator
Voight, who was elected on a fusion ticket
from Cincinnati and who did not attend Ell
Their caucus Saturday night. At the sena-
torial Republican caucus Senator Burke
Republican of Cleveland, was not only alb
sent. but he was at the same time nomi-
mated by the Democratic caucus for presi-
dent pro tenn of the Senate. The Republic
an caucus nominated Senator j. Park Alex
ander for president pro tenn. The absence
of Senator Burke to-day, therefore, meant
not only his election but the election of
Democrats for the offices in the Senate
Senator Burke is opposed to the reelection
of Senator NJ. A. Hanna. With party lines
drawn in the Senate, Lieutenant Governor
A. w. Jones' Republican, would have had
the tie vote to cast, and he has been con-
sidered as opposed to Hanna.
The House stands siXty-two Republicans
and forty-seven Democrats, the former in
Guiding four fusionists from Cincinnati. AT
the Republican House caucus Saturday
night there were only fifty-two present and
pledged to Alexander Boxwell for speaker
OF the ten absentees Griffith of Clinton was
the only one offering an excuse. He was
sick. The other nine Republican members
were absent because they are opposed to
Hanna and regarded BoxWell as the Han
ma candidate. These nine Republican mem
bers met with the Democratic members and
Endorsed Harry G. Mason, OF Cleveland, an
anti-Hanna Republican, for speaker With
these nine Republicans and the forty-seVen
Democratic members, Mason would have
fifty-six votes, or one more than necessary
to elect, but some of the Democratic mem
bers refused to be pledged to Republican
candidates for senator, SPEAKER or other
officers in the organization
In the hall of the House the widest
scenes were witnessed during the first hour
of the session. All of the 109 members were
in their seats. After the name of BoXweH
had been presented as the regular Repub-
lican candidate for speaker. the name OF
Representative Mason. Rep, was presented
by Representative Jones and seconded by
two other Republicans. The Democrats dld
not participate in the speaking. AS the bal
lot proceeded there were loud cheers as the
doubtful members responded to their names
and when the roll call approached the close
and Mason secured the necessary majority
there was a long demonstration that de-
layed the official announcement OF the vote
The first ballot resulted: Mason, 80; Box
well, 81, as had been claimed since oatut-
day night by the combined opposllon TO
Senator Hanna. The combine then COM
pleted the organization of the House.
GRIFFITH'S REWARD.
There was also much excitement over the
election of speaker pro tenn. Speaker
Mason had been all along openly opposed
to the reelection of Senator Hanna, but
John p Griffith, of Union county, had been
claimed by both sides. The Hanna men say
they counted on him till he was nominated
Saturday night by the combine for speaker
pro tenn. When Representative Griffith cast
his vote in a clear voice for Mason for
speaker there was q wild scene, and the ex-
element continued till Griffith was elected
speaker tenn. bV the same vote as I0aJ
for speaker. The regular Republican can
didate for chief clerk of the House was
John Il. Malloy, secretary of the Republic
an state committee. Malloy has held the
position three terms and was very compe-
tent His voice has been heard at national
conventions and he was a favorite but ne
was defeated by Charles II. Garrish, Re
publican, who has been Mr.. Kurtz's close
lieutenant in the organization OF the oppo-
slate went through for all the minor places,
and after the election of Garrish the pro-
ceedings were very quiet many retiring
from the crowded Hobbies and galleries. The
roll call resulted in the same announcement
of Sc to SO In favor of the combine candl,
dates from speaker to assistant clerks and
even porterS, with the single exception OF
Col. Fred Blonker who was Endorsed by
both houses for third assistant sergeant-at-
arms a position in which he has served
continuously for thirty-seven years.
At lao p. m. the House took recess till
business another recess, from 3:i5 to p.
M, was taken. When the House reassem-
bled and just previous to the reading of
Governor Bushnells message, several bills
and resolutions were offered two of them
being aimed at Senator Hanna, and both of
these measures being introduced by Re-
publicans. Representative Bramley, of
Cleveland, introduced bill to repeal What
is known as 1.-The fty-year-franchise law
for street railways that was passed two
years ago Senator Hanna is largely inter
ested in such enterprises, and favored the
bill when it was passed.
Representative Jones, of Stark county,
the home of President Mckinley offered a
resolution directing the Ohio senators, and
requesting the Ohio representatives in Con-
gresS, to vote for the recognition of the
belligerency of Cuba and for its independ-
ence as soon as practicable. This resolu-
ton was referred to as in contradiction to
Senator Hannas record in the Senate.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE
Governor Bushnell in his annual message
thus referred to the necessity for a primary
election law for the State: The election
laws of our State are designed to b e broad
enough to afford ample protection for the
purity of the ballot but it must DC admitted
that reform is needed in our system of con-
Quoting primary elections. To make the
conditions more satisfactory in relation to
the exercise of the elective franchise. it
seems to be necessary that there shall be
such extension of the laws as win place the
primaries under the control of boards of
election, city and county. A method which
will provide that the primaries of each party
shall be held under control of boards of cleo
ton at the same time and under the same
rules, permitting only registered and quail
fed voters to cast their ballots for delegates
to conventions, or candidates for 1omina-
ton, and attaching proper penalties for vio-
lators of the laws, will effect reforms which
should long ago have been instituted in be-
half of sovereign right of the people, Such
a departure from our present system will be
in harmony with advanced ideas by all good
citizens. respectfully urge the subject for
consideration and hope to see the Seventy
third General Assembly take the initiative
in this matter. After the message had
been read the House adjourned till 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning
The proceedings Of the Senate were more
tame than those OF the House. All were
present in the Senate chamber when the
members were called to order, except Mr.
Burke, of Cleveland, the Republican who is