The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-01


passage OF the BILL was adopted
TO CUT TELEGRAPH RATES
When The committee on corporations pre-
sented a divided report on Senator Nus
baum's bill 10 cut down the telegraph rates
from - TO 10 cents for ten words, and cut
ting the present press rates into small
pieces, a spirited discussion ensued. Sena-
tor Hawkins said that the committee had
amended the bill so as to fix the charge
for ten words at 20 cents instead OF Is cents.
and that even at that he did not think the
bill a good one for many reasons. First Of
all, he said, the Assembly could not fix any
rate which would hold good on messages 60
ing outside Of the State, where most OF
them actually did go. and that such a bill
/ II passed would inevitably result in an in
crease IN rate Tor messages sent out or the
State. 1t was also alleged that. If the re-
ceipts were cut down, the telegraph COM
panless which at present keep uptown Of
fees in several small towns as an accom-
notation TO the public, would close them up
and cause endless annoyance and perhaps
Injury to business. Senator Hogate, in sup
port of this argument urged that nearly all
of the offices in small towns were operated
by the companies al a loss.
This aroused Senator Nusbaum. who after
denying that most Of the small offices were
operated at a loss. said that II was pain
fully noticeable that whenever any bill was
introduced tending to hurt the dividends OF
big corporations a strong lobby Immediately
sprang up, against it. He said rhat the
no other purpose than to retaliate on the
company for refusing to bear its share of
the war tax by insisting that patrons should
affiX stamps to kilograms
Senator johnson, of Jay, said he was OPP
posed to the bill, first because the people
were not demanding such legislation, and
secondly because its effects would be harm
full TO the public.
Senator Aguew also protested against the
bill, while Senator Winfield said that the
best solution of the problem would be to
adopt his old opinion that the government
should assume charge Of all telegraph lines;
Senator Purcell introduced the only bill
offered during the day. 1t appealed 10 him,
while hearing the opinions in the telegraph
bill. that perhaps the corporations who were
the subject of adverse legislation might
whip their employees into working against
such bills, and he offered a bill to prohibit
all firms and corporations from compelling
their employees to become lobbyists by means
of threats of discharge or a reduction or
wages as result following the passage OF
any public measure. 1t was referred TO the
judiciary committee.
The committee on the soldiers and sailors
monument reported favorably on the bill to
appropriate 100000 with which to complete
the monument.
BILLS PASSED.
The following bills were passed yesterday
morning on third reading
No r. BY Senator Gilbert: Enlargns the
powers of inc State Board of Health in
the collection of vital statistics. Senator
Gilbert asked that H. b. No. 40 be recalled
from the committee having charge of II,
der that two bills identical in character
might not take up the time of both branches.
Senator Hugg suggested that the emer-
gency clause be stricken out and it was
done.
No 81. BY Senator Agnew: Allowing the
receivers of foreign building and loan assoc
Citations to bring suits in this state to set
tie the affairs of such association. even
though they have not previously been OPP
Grating according to the laws of the s state
monument to the slaughtered pioneers at
Pigeon Roost.
Nos g. Z, s and H. By Senator Hawkins:
Specifying the duties, compensation and
jurisdiction of justices Of the peace.
No. 70. BY Senator Hogate: To prevent
the collection of illegal demands on bills,
notes or accounts by the debtor paying the
amount into court ard the court allowing
only the amount actually due regardless OF
the amount paid into court.
No. 90. BY Senator Hubbell: Making 1t
a misdemeanor to trespass on talr grounds
Quite a number of senator's objected to IT
being made possible to convict boy on ac-
count of his entering fair ground without
first being warned not to do so. In the dls-
cussion which ensued, so many amS men
we're made TO it that 1t was virtually killed,
and Senator Hubbell gave 1t the finishing
touch by moving that the enacting clause
be stricken out, which was done, ana the
deeapitated bill passed.
No. 26 BY Senator Hugg: Providing for
a pension fund for the police of the city OF
Indianapolis Senator Minor said he was OPP
posed to the principle of the BILL as, In ms
opinion, it established a bad precedent SEN
atOr Hugg, in replying, said II was a meas
ure which had the hearty support OF botn
political parties in this city, and, as It would
cost nobody except the people Of Indianapo-
lis anything, this city was entitled to have
it's wishes respected. Only two votes were
cast against its passage.
No. 46. By Senator Inman: Requiring
county auditors to give notice to the audi
tors Of adjoining counties of any change or
vacation of roads extending into such coun-
ties.
No. 129. BY Senator Wood: Defining the
crime of dog stealing.
No. ISL BY Senator Keyes: Prohibiting
the sale of adulterated candy