The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-20
sTATEHOUsE STORIES.
Gossip Picked Up in the Corridors of
the Capitol.

Charles z. Wilson, secretary to Governor
Durbin. has a handsome mantel ornament
In his office In the executive suite In the
Statehouse. 1t is an elegantly engrossed
commission executed by former Governor
James A. Mount TO his successor, Winfield
T. Durbin. The commission is made out
piece of finest parchment and is
framed in English oak stained rich dead
black. Everybody that enters Colonel Will
sons room stops TO admire this unique
article of vertu.
Henry A Goetz has sent to Governor Dur
bin and every member of the Indiana Legis-
lature letter containing a circular set
ting forth his views the best method of
putting a stop TO criminality. Mr.. Goetz
advocates the heroic plan of sterilization"
which is said to have been actually prac-
ticed in ancient Greece. Secretary Wilson
wrote Mr.: Goetz letter in which he said
the latters plan certainly has the merit of
practicability, but that public sentiment
has hardly been educated up to the point
OF its adoption as yet.
XXX
Harry Adams was asked for good story
yesterday afternoon. THAT reminds me-"
he said, ''of the time when Mrs. Adams
and 1 were on the summit of Argentine
pass, Colorado, with Dick Scarlet, who was
formerly connected with Dun's agency in
this city. Scarlet made some very funny
remark and Mrs. Adams said. Mr.. Scarlett.
that's a joke God forbid madame said
Scarlett with perfect gravity, that should
perpetrate light remark at such an alt1-
tude as this So I feel that it would be
scarcely seemly for me to tell you story
in these sacred halls If you can catch me
outside some time maybe 1 can do better
by you.'
Governor Durbin gave a little dinner
to Representatives Davis. of Greene. and
Settlers. of Washington. and myself to-
day." said Senator j. C. Lawler last night.
ut was sort of reunion of former resi-
dents of Washington county. Charles f.
Coffin, OF this city, was also present. The
dinner was held at the Columbia Club, and
when we got there We were not little sur
prised and greatly pleased to find Frank
w. Morrison, of Washington county, who
Is president or the club. Durbin and Coffin
and | grew up around the tanyards of
Washington county. 1t was a reunion of
bark peelers' and hoop-pole cutters. An
other prominent citizen of this city who
halls from that county is Noble c. butler.
clerk of the United States courts.
x x
Senator Gard had a group of unusually
interesting visitors yesterday. They were
his two brothers. one from Wisconsin and
the other from Nebraska. Senator Gard is
a Republican. His Wisconsin brother is
Democratic member of the House of Rep
resentatives of that State. His Nebraska
brother Is Populist member Of the Leg
islature of that State. Senator Cards
legislative position in this State. but was
defeated. This group. whose political COM
plexion was so variegated, was the center
or interest In the Senate chamber yester-
day.
Senator Barlow wanted to get rid of
bill yesterday. He had introduced the meas
and then became ashamed of it after
wards. 1t had come from the committee
with favorable report and the senator's
forts to find some way TO rid himself OF
"the hateful thing he ran across a wag-
gish senator who said; Send it over to the
act as undertaken for YOU"
Ex-senator Thomas E. Ellison, Of Fort
Wayne. is In the city TO attend the meet
ing of the Reformatory investigation COM
mittee. Senator Ellison feels & deep inter-
In Reformatory matters siace he dra flied
Ike original Reformatory bill Ter the legis-
lative commission of which he was a MEM
her: Governor Mount literally forced him
to become a member OF the board of trus-
tees of the new Reformatory for few
months until the provisions OF the bill could
be put into good working order. Senator
Ellison was In the Legislatures of 1895 and
1891 He said last night that he would be
called TO the witness stand I'm the investi-
g. ton this morning, but that he did not
think his testimony would develop any
thing OF Importance.
The humor OF the American volunteer
soldier, even in times OF greatest peril. was
admirably illustrated in an incident that
came beneath my notice in tho civil war"
said Senator Lawler last night. ION the
18th OF May. 1864 our regiment made
charge on the rebel rifle pits near the How
lett house, which was about midway be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg. There
We're about two hundred and fifty OF us
and VIC charged across a field. Suddenly
We came 10 a ditch that the owner OF the
land had evidently made for drainage par-
poses Part OF US went into the deep part
OF the ditch ana We're well sheltered from
the enemys fire, which was pretty severe.
The right wing. however. struck the mar
row part or the channel and were forced TO
crawl out and make their way 10 ravine
ana then back TO our fortifications as best
tl.ey could While We were iying there in