The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-16
LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK
SENATORIAL ELECTION WILL BE
ONLY BREAK IN THE ROUTINE.
Bills on County and Township Bus
mess ami Education VIII BE
Particularly Watched.

The event of the greatest Importance to
the general public in this week. session of
the Legislature will be the formal election
Of United States senator The Senate has
already provided for the vote by resolution
fixing the time for Tuesday morning at 1890
A similar resolution was offered in the
House, but was declared out of order on
the grounds that the federal law provided
for the election of senator. 1t IS probable
that the nomination in the House VIII be
held about the same time that fixed by
the Senate. The vote will be taken in both
branches, and on Wednesday at noon the
two branches will meet in joint session and
the journals of both houses will be read and
the election declared. After this proceeding,
Mr.. Beverage will make his address of ac-
oeptance.
With this break, the week is expected to
be one of work in the House. County and
township business and educational bills will
be particularly watched. Bills relating to
county and township business now in the
House number thirty-two, while those bills
relating to education number twelve. A
large proportion of the members of the lower
branch are or have been school teachers,
and these members are closely watching
bills on school subjects. The election of
county superintendent will probably cause
a division in the House. Mr.. Bonham re-
Gently introduced a bill which provides for
the election of county superintendent by
the trustees and the presidents of the school
boards of all incorporated towns and cities
within the county. One of the many who
believe in the election of county superin-
tendents by the direct vote of the people is
Mr.. Herrold, of Laporte county. He will
probably propose an amendment by which
the superintendent will be elected by a di
rect vote Mr.. Herrold witnessed the prac-
teal working of such a law in Illinois and
found that it was much more satisfactory
than the method now followed in this State.
He says that the claim that superintendent
will build up a political machine through
the school teachers of the county is not well
taken, as there is much less danger of such
Il thing being done when the superintendent
will have to answer to the entire people
than if they were answerable to only
few.
There is much feeling in regard to the APP
preparations for colleges, and a movement is
on foot among some of the members to com
bine the three colleges now receiving state
aid, if 1t can be done, and make one large
Indiana State University. Thus far the sub
ject has not been exhaustveiy taken up,
and it has reached no stage farther than dis
cUssion. Some of the members who favor
such a proposition have suggested that the
buildings of the institutions not used could
be made into state hospitals at much less
expense than the erection of new institu-
items. The charge of discrimination in re-
gard to the issuing of certificates to teach
ers is freely made, and it will be brought up
at the proper time.
NO IDEAL ELECTION BILL.
The bills bearing on elections are being
closely watched, and thus far no measure
has been introduced which meets general
approval regarding primary elections. The
bill by Mr.. Scott, of Lawrence, provides for
the holding of primary elections in detail.
Under this bill, primary elections are to be
held under the same laws as the general
elections, and any offenses denounced by
the general law apply to the primary cleo
ton. In each precinct there shall be one
inspector, two judges and two clerks who
shall be appointed by the authorized COM
mittee of the party which holds the primary
The officers of the primary election shall
have the same power and authority as like
officers in general elections. The governing
committee of the party desiring the primary
shall give public notice Of the primary at
least thirty days before the date for the
primary election, and those who will be
candidates before the primary shall give no.
tice at least ten days before the primary
election. The vote shall be canVaSsed by the
inspectors in the same manner and in the
same time as is now prescribed for the gen.
eral elections. The expenses of the primary
are to be borne by the party holding it, and
is believed that it will prove too expensive
for either party or the candidate of party
to take it up Both parties are pledged to a
new primary election law, but thus far no
che presented meets with general approval
The creation of new boards and officers is
causing some alarm, as thirteen bills with
this in view have thus far been presented.
An old familiar friend which has appeared
before this time at former sessions, and
which is strangely missing thus far in the
present one, is an act for the determination
of the Russian thistle. 1t is expected daily
row. Fish laws and amendments will be
duly considered, as there is a general dis
position to make them more liberal than
those now on the statutes.
Election machines have made their ap-
pearance and have been placed on exhibit
ton.
There is disposition not to pass the bill
by Mr.. Herrold, which requires candidates
TO file itemiZed expenses of their election
with the clerk of courts, on the grounds
that such a law would be evaded. The bill
as drawn provides that candidates shall
make an itemized statement of all expend-
itures by themselves or in their behalf by
friends, all money contributed well all
spent for food or drinks or amusement by
candidate or friends. The penalty provided
is fine of from $25 to $500 and forfeiture of
office.
SAFES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN.