The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-25
Senator Gochenour, until 10 o'clock this
morning
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
An Unusual Amount of Business Be-
fore that Body.

Z. C. Rowlison. of the Third Christian
church. Speaker Artman announced that
committee consisting of Messrs. Louttit,
McCarty, Lawrence, whitcomb and Reser
mad been selected to prepare a memorial on
the death of c. L. Drummond. of Fort
wayne, who was a member of the General
Assembly. The first order of business was
committee reports. The committee on man
fractures was divided on Mr.. Minturn's
Dill which provides for state board to
examine and license expert accountants.
Inc majority favored the bill. but Mr.
omaI submitted minority report recon-
hehoing Indefinite postponement. Mr.. Neal
asked that the bill be printed so that the
n..ehoers could see what IL was before def
lllte action was taken. Mr.. Statesman
SPOKE against the bill, as he could see no
adequate reason for it, The minority report
was adopted.
MORE NEW BILLS.
The usual number of bills was introduced
during the roll call of counties One OF the
nrst was by Representative Allen, who
wants the House to pass a measure pro-
viding that county auditors shall have pub
lication made of the amount OF assessment
OF different individuals, certified to him by
the county assessor. Mr.. Aliens belief is
that this plan would prevent much prop
erty being sequestered by owners who want
to escape paying taxes on it. For in
stance, said Mr.. Allen. in explaining his
bill after the session, "a man would more
likely give true statement of his taxables
II he knew his neighbor would read in the
county paper just what his assessment
was. He would be afraid to hold back any
property for fear his neighbors would grow
suspicious and start an investigation"
MT. Galley wants to change the method
of selecting city attorneys. civil engineers.
street commissioners. fire chiefs, ETC., in
the smaller towns. He introduced a bill
providing that these officers be elected in
stead Of appointed by the town councils. as
they are now. Mr.. Galley believes that the
councils do not appoint as good men to Of
flee as the people would select by direct
vote. He explains that his measure will
not affect those who are serving In these
offices at this time. The law would take
effect at the next general election. Mr..
Marshall, of Fountain county, introduced
a measure which tends to lessen the loss of
life in mines. The bill applies to those
mines where twenty or more men are en-
ployed and provides that mine owners shall
employ a man whose special duty IL Will
be to fire the shots in blasting and that no
blasting shall be done while men are in the
mines. The bill fixes a penalty for VIOLA
ton Of the law. Representative Johnson
also introduced bill relating to mines
His measure provides that before mine is
abandoned and the pillars pulled out twen-
ty days notice shall be given. so that own
ers of adjoining land may have an oppor-
tunity Of ascertaining whether the owner
of the mine to be abandoned has en-
croached on other territory. This bill is
designed to stop ''pirating' in mining terri
tory.
GRAVEL ROAD BILL.
Mr.. Morton introduced some gravel road
bills, one of which provides that the pre-
liminary expense incurred in establishing
gravel road shall be paid by the township
through which the road runs. The town.
ship must also pay for the work of super
intending the building of the road.
A bill introduced by Representative Jack
provides for a womans building at the
state fair grounds and appropriates $4,000
with which to build the structure. Mr..
Slack, of johnson county. introduced a
measure to amend the impeachment law of
1897. The bill provides that all impeach-
ment proceedings must be brought through
the grand jury A new bill was introduced
by Representative Clark, of Marion county,
providing for the inspection of stationary
boilers and recurring owners of boilers to
supply them with equipment described
in the bill, which will tend to prevent ex-
plosions. A bill introduced by Representa-
tive Morgan gives the millers association
insurance organization. Mr.. Seiferts intro
duced a bill providing for the maintenance
of a residence in this city Tor the SIovernor
of the State and appropriatlng S'oVW LOT
carving out the provisions of the measure.
REPRESENTATIVE Bonham, who has suff-
GENTLY recovered from his recent Illness 10
be in his seat in the House, INTRODUCED
bill that fixes the time when certain state
officers shall take their offices. Among
those officers mentioned are the attorney
general. clerk of the Supreme Court and
state geologist Mr. Bonham's bill provides
that they shall assume the duties OF oHice
on Jan. 1, after their election.
BILLS HANDED DOWN.
A number of bills were handed down by
the speaker for second reading and engross-
ment One was House bill No. IL, TO ex-
empt men who served in the Spanish-Amer-
lean war from serving on the public high
ways Mr.. Louttit Democratic member of
the House, fought the bill and moved that
the enacting clause be stricken out. He
said that while he had great respect for
men who served in the war, he thought
they should not be exempt from working
the roads. 1.-The government will look after
Them" he suggested Mr.. Kirkman and
Mr. Marshall. of Fountain. spoke for the
bill. Mr. Louttit's motion was defeated
by a vote of 81 to 80. On motion of Mr..
Burrier the bill was amended so that 1t will
apply to soldiers serving In the fnlllp-
pines and in this form it passed to en-
grossment The next bill handed down for
second reading was Representative Clark's
express BILL which provides that all ex-
press companies must deliver packages
within the corporate limits of cities and
towns of over 1000 population On mo-
ton of Mr.. Whitcomb the emergency clause
was stricken out, and the bill, II Ii becomes
a law, will take the regular course I'm be-
coming effective. Mr.. Whitcomb explained
that as there is a penalty attached he
thought companies should have an oppor-
tunity of studying the bill and familiar
iZing themselves with its provisions be-
fore It becomes a law in the event IL Is
successful in the other house. Among the
other bills handed down for second reading
was House bill No. rs, designed to prevent
dissertation of the monument. The emer-
gency clause was also stricken from this
bill, and IL passed 10 engrossment. There
was quite an argument over House bill Ne.
So, a measure to prevent the hauling of
heavy loads over gravel roads. Mr.. Muir
ply wanted the bill amended so that 1900
pounds would be the limit for the COM
Mr.. Murphy said his amendment would
stop the Standard Oil Company from haul
ing its heavy tanks over the roads of the
State. Mr. Scott objected to the bill be-
cause he said IL would work hardship
for many men who make their living by
teaming Mr.. Hopping favored the bill,
but thought the limit suggested by Mr..
Murphy was too low. The latter'S motion
was finally tabled. a motion 10 strike out
the emergency clause, offered by Mr.. Rob-
bill was ordered engrossed. The bill linn
it's the weight of loads to be hauled 10
$500 pounds.
BONDS FOR LIBRARIES.
House bill No 81. giving school boards
ft,< f<r1,t