The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-07
MORTON PENSION BILL.
The Democrats Try to Defeat 1t i'm
Various Ways.

bUr1OuS ways
When Rev. Levi White, of Trinity Con-
~gregational Church, delivered the opening
prayer in the House in the morning there
was some question as to whether or not a
quorum was present, as so many Of the
seats were vacant. Mr.. Noel reported Mr..
Strong's bill from the committee on affairs
of the city of Indianapolis. This bill pro-
vides that the assessment for any street
improvement shall not exceed 20 per cent.
of the aggregate appraisement of the abut-
ting property, exclusive of buildings. The
committee recommended the passage of the
bill, and the recommendation was concurred
in. Mr.. O'Bannon introduced a bill to
amend the act regarding criminal cases, and
the House then settled down to the second
reading Of bills. Mr.. Hedgecock's bill, pro-
viding that briers, thistles, ETC., along par
tition fences shall be cut during June and
July OF each year, was ordered to engross-
ment without amendment. The penalty pro-
vided is a fine of from IS to $25.
A bill by Mr.. Cravens, of Washington,
was the first one to meet death. 1t provided
that the owner of any tract of land lying
within the corporate limits Of a city or
town which is used for exclusively agricul-
tural purposes shall have the right TO work
out the road tax. Mr.. Huff denounced the
bill as a measure in the interests Of syndi-
Gates and spectators to escape the payment
of taxes, and the House unanimously agreed
with him, for not a member voted against
his motion to strike out the e~nacting clause.
Mr.. Roots bill to authorize towns to pro-
vide by ordinance for keeping the streets
and alleys clean was so amended as to in
clude all cities and was then ordered TO
en~grossment. Mr.. O'Bannon's bill to tax
1anonfoa and fnharifln aag va = ordered
engrossed with but slight amendments, con-
trary to the general expectations. The only
amendment of any Importance was that by
Mr.. Whitcomb. of Marion. which eXempts
requests or gifts To churches. benevolent,
charitable and educational institutions and
societies from taxation. The amendment
was accepted and the bill acted on.
Mr.. BeardSley 5 bill that mayors shall take
their office in May with the new council, in
stead of in September. as at present, was
killed. Mr.. Eichhorn moved to strike out
the enacting clause, and said that the bill,
as drawn, would shorten the terms Of may
ors now in Office two years and six months.
Mr.. Beardsley explained that the intent of
the bill is to have the mayor come in when
the council does, 10 facilitate public bust
ness, and that an amendment had been pre-
pared by which the terms would not ne
shortened. He hoped Mr.. Eichhorn's motion
would not prevail. in order that the bill
might be amended. The majority of mem
bers did not agree with him. and Mr.. Eich-
horns motion was carried by Al yeas 10 "A
nays.
Mr.. Knott's bill for the formation Of drain
age districts in the Kankakee valley We're
set for Friday afternoon as special orders
of business. Mr.. Roberts wasted much
strength when the bill by Mr.. Williams 10
teach music I'm the public schools came up
for consideration. lie opposed the measure
and tried 10 kill it. While he was speaking
against It at some length Speaker Idttleton
looked no the records and found that the
report Of the committee 70 indefinitely post
pone il had been concurred in and that the
bill had been printed by mistake.
MORTON PENSION BILL
The only contest Of the day was on the
bin by Mr.. Kerwood to pension Mrs. Luz
einda Morton. the widow al cx-Governor
Morton. The proposed pension was StOo a
month. Mr.. Elchhorn offered an amendment
to include in the provisions Of the bin the
! widow OF Ex-Governor Ira J. Chase at the