The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-19
MADE ACAUCUS.MEASURE
HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL SUPPORT
PRITCHARD OIL BILL.
Members of the Minority, Ii Is Said,
Will Oppose It-Further Ac-
ton of the Caucus.

1t is likely that party lines viii be pretty
closely drawn on Representative Pritch-
ards bill providing for change in the
manner of appointing the state supervisor
OF oil. At meeting of Republican MEM
bers of the House, held at o'clock yes
terday evening in the tax commissioners
room, it was decided to make this bill q
caucus measure. over forty Republican
members of the House were present, and
1t was agreed that the Republicans would
support the bill
1t is understood that the Democrats of
the House, or at least the majority of them.
are opposed to the bill, and it was an
Eounced yesterday that they would make
an aggressive fight against 1t. This was
partly the cause of the Republican caucus.
as tho majority members wanted to be
prepared to meet any sort Of opposition.
1t has been quietly remarked that few
of the Democrats are in favor of the bill,
but they do not care to come out and sup
port it openly. 1t is related that most
of the Democrats who are opposing the
bill are doing so purely on political grounds.
They believe it will be to the best interests
of the Democracy to defeat the bill. They
reason that in two years, when another
state election rolls around, they may posi-
bly, be able to elect a state geologist.
Should they do this they will not want to
be deprived of distributing a lot of patron
age. The geologist appoints tie supervisor
OF oil and the latter appoints his deputies.
There are a. dozen or more of these.
As soon as Representative Bonham heard
that the Democrats would probably line up
against the bill he issued a caucus call.
II is now said that there is no doubt of the
success of the BILL This measure gives the
fn
visor of oil. The supervisor appoints his
own deputies and they are to receive OF
Ter cent. OF the fees they collect. The
other 30 per cent. goes into the state treas
TRY. The friends of the bill assert that 1t
Will be the means of increasing the rev.
enues of the State in the neighborhood of
$4,000 year. The bill provides that the
supervisor of oil shall receive a salary OF
s., 800 a year. The Legislature of 1889 was
Democratic body, and it took the power
to appoint the supervisor of oil out of the
hands OF Governor Hovey and placed it
with the state geologiSt, who was a Demo
crat. The Republicans say they want Ia
put this power back where it belongs. I'm
der the present law the term of the super
visor OF oil would expire in March, 1901.
Should the Pritchard bill become a law
the Governor would make his appointment
next month. The bill is at present in the
hands of the House judiciary committee.
and will be recommended for passage. The
bill also provides for the inspection OF
gasoline.
The caucus considered the bills provid-
ing amendments for the Fort Wayne char
ter. 1t was decided to support the Senate
bill. This measure provides for a metrOpoi-
itan police system for Fort Wayne, and
among other changes in the charter ii
creates the office OF police Judge, who. Is
&c be appointed by the Governor in May
for term of four years.
There was talk yesterday of making
Representative SCOTS county superil-
tendent' bill a caucus measure. This bill
failed to pass the other day because ii
lacked one vote of having a constitutional
majority. 1t can be called up again at
any time, and caucus may be held at a
later day to discuss ii. The bill gives the
presidents of school boards the right to
assist township trustees in selecting coun-
ty superintendent.