The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-25
There Have Already Been Introduced
in Both Houses Over One Thou
sand Measures.
STATUS OF IMPORTANT BILLS
INTEREST IN SPECIAL ORDERS OF
BUSINESS FOR THIS WEEK.
Speaker Artman Explains Why He
Does Not Vote on Some Bills
Legislative Gossip.

The present session of the Legislature is
drawing to a close, only two more weeks
remaining to the lawmakers in which TO
complete their labors. There have been
introduced in both branches 1923 bills, and
OF this number only about twenty have
been signed by the Governor.
Many of the lawmakers began the pres
ent session with the object of having as
few bills passed as possible, acting on the
principle that it was best to "let well
enough alone" and as consequence many
bills that might have otherwise been
rushed through are still within the keep
ing Of the file clerks of both houses. Little
legislation of a vicious nature has been in
troduced in either house, and the most of
that which might be termed Objectionable
has been summarily dealt with.
The most striking instances Of the above
was the action of the House in killing The
Vincennes University bill and the bill pro-
viding for a village for epileptics at Colum-
bus. The Muncie normal school bill met
with practically the same fate at the hands
of Lieutenant Governor Gilbert. whose rul-
ing FASTENED the end which the bin is ex-
pected to meet at the hands of the House
committee tomorrow Wednesday.
The matter of primary election bill has
practically been agreed upon. as stated in
last Fridays Journal. Senator Joss said
yesterday that he thought the proposed
substitute Of his bill after the enacting
clause in the Minturn bill would meet with
universal favor throughout the State.
There is no doubt that the Republicans will
pass an adequate measure which will ef
fectually carry out the party pledges.
FOR REAPPORTIONAIENT
The bill for a reapportionment of the
State, introduced by Senator Osborne,
which has passed the Senate, has the favor
of all Of the Republicans and will be passed
by the House without any formidable OPP
position.
A great many bills providing for increases
in the salaries of both state and county
| officers have been introduced since the
death Of the bills prepared by the state
commission, but the committees OF both
houses have uniformly reported them un-
| favorably.
Among the more important bills that
| have passed both houses during the past
| week is the measure which declares invalid
| contracts entered into between employer
and employee in which the former is re-
leased from liability for damages for per-
/ SOnal injury. The bill was introduced by
| Representative Burkhart, and was the sub
| ject of prolonged debates in both houses.
| Senator Fortune quo warranto bill, which
was passed by the Senate by the close vote
| of 70 TO 20, was afterwards reconsidered and
defeated by the same vote.
| The bill for the sale Of the State lands
IN indianaRoiis which also provides f f
| the education of the blind, the deaf and
| dumb and the Indiana Industrial school for
| Girls and Woman's Prison, has been ad-
vanced to second reading in the Senate SO
| as to enable the senators to discuss its
provisions, 1t is extremely probable that
proposition to sell the property belonging
| to the Institute for the Blind is very UNI
| popular with the majority of members of
| both houses. The James bill, which pro-
vides for the adjustment of the board of
| managers of the Industrial School for Girls
and Woman's Prison, has been favorably
| reported
THE CANAL BILL,
Senator Agnews Calumet canal bill,
which has passed the Senate and is on Sec
ond reading in the House, is likely to have
rough sailing. as it is said the railroad at
torneys are getting ready for last effort
to kill the bill. The bill is to be handed
DOWN for second reading to-day, and it is
understood that if the railroad people see
that they cannot kill it they will try to
have 1t amended so that its passage would
not materially affect them. The railroads
object to this bill on account of the ex-
pense they would be put to in building
| bridges.
The Cooper antitrust bill has passed the
| House, and 1t is believed it will pass the
Senate. Senator Agnew's antitrust bill is
still an uncertain quantity, but it is be.
| lieved TO be practically dead.
The House during the past week ad.
vanced the Scott temperance BILL SC
amended that successful remonstrance
against the granting of a saloon license
shall be effective for six months in WARD
or township. The temperance measure in
4 for Tlox- Il
which enables anti-saloonists to destroy tn,
furniture and fixtures of saloons under GER
| tain conditions, has not yet been reported
upon by the Senate committee, but it is al
most certain that II will either never b,
| heard Of again or else recommended for I'm
| definite poStponement.