The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-26
A FINE FLOW OF ORATORY
INTERRUPTED BY SENATOR NEWLY.
WHO WANTED TO VOTE.
The House in FacetiOus MOOd-New
Bills NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Committee Meetings.


According to the insinuations made by the
Democratic members from time to time
it had been agreed between the parties that
10 politics should be brought into the dis
cUssion of the bill but before the first
speaker had finished this agreement was
siGe-tracked. and both sides made ii a hot
partisan fight to the end Senator Winfield,
in calling up his bill under the special or
der. moved to adopt the minority report,
recommending the passage of the bill, say
ing that in several of the cities now under
the metropolitan system, notably LOgans-
port and Richmond, the entire city admin
istration and most of the population was
against the bill. and considered its opera
ton unfair to the people of those cities. The
principal objection to the system seemed,
according to Senator Winfield, to be the
giving to the Governor the right to control
the appointments of the board of police
commissioners and taking from the people
all right to say who should serve on the po-
lice forces they were taxed to support.
AS an illustration of the unjust workings
of the law, he said that under present con-
ditions it was impossible for the people of a
city to appoint special policemen to serve on
special occasions, either in case of riot or
public celebration, but they must wait until
the board convened and that body would
appoint them with the consent of the Gov
ernor.
What does the Governor know of our
needs" said Senator Winfield. "or the fit
ness of any appointees?" He then pro-
ceeded to show that under the present law
the people who are in position to know
the men selected are not allowed to have
any voice in making the appointments. In
conclusion, he said that the mayor and city
judge of Richmond were in the chamber to
tell the same story as he did from their
own point of view in another city.
Senator Hubbell, who signed the minority
report. said he did so because there was a
strong sentiment in Elkhart against the sys-
tenn, which, according to the provisions of
the law must take effect in that city when
the next census is taken. In spite of this,
he said, he intended to vote against the re-
peal of the law, as covered by the proposed
bill, because it did not furnish any substi-
tute for the present system In his opinion,
the result of its repeal would be that all
cities now governed byo the metropolitan
system would be necessarily left without
any police protection whatever, as, when
the system was established, it was express
ly provided that all previous laws were re-
obtaining in such cities were abolished and
could not be revived.
Senator Wood, speaking for the people Of
Lafayette, reminded the Democratic SEN
ators that the metropolitan system was es-
tablished by a Democratic Governor as a
Democratic measure and with the support
OF the Democrats of the State, particularly
the very people in Logansport who are now
trying to have the system abolished In re-
ferring to this singular fact, he said it was
mis- opinion that the only people who wanted
the law repealed were the Democratic may
ors and other politicians of the cities, who
wanted to distribute the police offices as
party patronage for the benefit of them
selves. He said that the operation of the
new system had reduced crime in Logans-
port IS per cent, as shown by the court
dockets and that the cost of the system
was insignificantly larger when compared
to the actual cost that crept in under the
old system, which was admirably con-
structed for the Practice of abuses.
THIS "FLOW OF ORATORY."
Senator Newly, at this point suggested
that as every senator had, no doubt made
up his mind how he intended to vote on
the bill, and. as the people were not partic-
uarly interested in the Glow of oratory"
the main question should be moved. On
a call of the roll, the minority report was
killed, as was the bill itself a few minutes
later Additional bills were then advanced
to second reading as follows:
No. 154. BY Senator Horner: For a mOnu-
ment for the massacred pioneers at Pigeon
No. no. By Senator Johnson of Madison:
Governing building and loan associations.
No g. BY Senator Keyes, for Senator
ASnaW:
No. 80 BY Senator Kell. for Senator Ho-
gate: Regulating the taking or dispositions
in probating wills.
persons to contest wills without giving
bond, on making affidavit that they are
poor persons. Amended by Senator Joss
so as to require judges to refuse to allow
poor persons to contest wills, under this
law. unless such suit is filed within three
years from the time of probate;
No. $50. BY Senator Stroup: Allowing Tip
pecanoe county to sell certain donated
No 1871 BY Senator Winfield: Appropriat-
ing money to complete the markers at
Chckamauga National Park.
No. 60. BY Senator Agnew: Specifying the
manner of making nominations to office.
Joint Resolutions 3, and were also ad-
The conference committee appointed to
consider Senate bill No. 4, legalizing the
acts of notaries public whose commissions
have expired, reported that the House had
acceded to the amendments offered by the
Senate.
NEW BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following new bills were introduced
and referred:
No. 241. BY Senator Nusbsum: Creating
a state laboratory of hygiene in cOnnec-
ton with the State Board OF Health; public
health
for a pension of $l00 a month TO the WIDOW
of Ex-Governor Morton; finance
No 24S By Senator Hogate; Providing
that on the first Monday in May, 1901,
convention shall be held in the Statehouse
to revise the old or make a new Constitu-
are to be chosen from the several senate
rial districts in the same manner as state
senators are: revision of the constitution.
No pa. By Senator Campbell: Prohloit-
ing county commissioners from granting
any special rights 10 electric railways; ju-
No 245 BY Senator Agnew: Governing
the appointment of stenographers in circuit
courts: organization Of courts.
No GAG. BY Senator joss: Specifying the
duties of township trustees in the improve
ment of highways; county and township
business.
No. 247. BY Senator New: Legalizing the
Indiana Poultry Association judiciary
No. 24S. BY Senator OConnor: ProVldlng
for the collection and preservation or the
books and documents of the State Teachers
Association, libraries.
No 249. BY Senator Drummond: Govern
ing the manner of the Improvement OF side
walks in towns; cities and towns.
No go. BY Senator Goar: Requiring an
examination of all applicants for marriage
licenses as TO their mental and physical con-
No. 81. By senator Guthrie: AboIishing