The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-31
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.
Some Interesting Stories of Indiana's
Lawmakers.

Lawmakers.
Representative Edward S. Roberts, of
jefferson county, will introduce in the
House this morning a bill changing the
time of holding court in Switzerland coun-
ty SO as to make two of the terms begin
one week later than at present The Dill
is backed by Judge Perry E. Bear. of the
circuit composed of Jefferson and Switzer-
land counties, and by the sentiment of the
entire Switzerland county bar Its chief
object is to prevent the Circuit Court and
the commissioners court from meeting on
the same day.
Marcus r. Sulzer, prominent attorney
of Madison, Ind, was visitor to the Sem
ate and House yesterday. Mr.. Sulzer has
served in the House OF Representatives,
and since 1881 has made it a habit to drop
in on each legislative session. He made
the race for Congress against Judge Hol-
man, 1.-The great objector," several years
ago and came very near being elected. Mr..
Sulzer stands high in both legal and politi-
cal circles in Madison, and his counsel is
frequently sought by politicians. he mas
been rendered several positions OF honor
and profit by the administration at Wash
ington, but insists that he is out OF politics
for good and means henceforth TO buckle
down to his law practice.
Democratic brethren in the Senate yester-
DAY afternoon trying to persuade them to
vote for his bill to keep live stock penned
up under certain conditions. When he APP
preached Senator Winfield and asked for
his vote Judge Winfield looked at him with
an air of mock austereness and said, Il
don't see any sense in your bill" Neither
do t. retorted Senator Stillwell with
jaunty air, but my rural constituents
want IL and so il must be passed" The
bill passed.
81 am not going to introduce any more
bills unless they can be referred to the
committee of which 1 am chairman" said
Senator w. a. Kittinger, of Anderson, last
night, 'for 1 want to be able TO get some
kind Of report ,on them"
Joseph NJ. Cravens, a prominent business
man of Madison, Ind, and a son of the
late Judge John r. Cravens. was in the
city yesterday and called on Representa-
tive Roberts, of Jefferson county.
United States District Attorney Albert
w. Wishard, who is an ex-state senator,
spent considerable time on the floor of the
Senate yesterday afternoon. Several men,
bers of the minority suggested that Sena-
tor Wishard was around keeping his eye
on the new congressional apportionment.
XXX
The report was in circulation yesterday
that several members OF the Legislature
are "holding back" on the proposed law
against trading stamps because their wives
are making collections of these stamps
and have not secured 'bookfuP' yet
Representative Roberts, of jefferson, will
introduce in the House to-day the bill
providing for the payment of Captain Null
ems company of the Ninth Indiana Legion
generally termed 1.-The Home Guards
These men did guard duty on the Ohio
river near Madison, Ind, during the civil
war and are said to have participated in
the chase after Morgan, the celebrated
raider.
IT remember a funny incident in the
legal career OF George w. Spahr." said
Senator Kittinger yesterday afternoon.
"Spahr represented a firm Of hymn book
publishers in a suit of theirs against the
township trustee Of one Of these near
by counties. The publishers wanted to
compel the trustee to supply the schools
of his township with their hymn book. The
case was venued TO Madison county and
old Judge Cravens was on the bench Spahr
offered one of the hymn books in evidence
and, as a matter Of form. read the preface.
The opposing lawyer rose to his feet and
said, Your Honor, / think IL the gentle
man Is going TO offer the book in EVIL
dence he ought to read the entire volume
and not stop with the preface" The court
sustained this contention and Spahr be-
gan TO read the book. In those days they
held court until nearly midnight Well,
there were several hundred pages Of
hymns in fine print i'm that book. and at
10 O'Clock at night Spahr was not nearly
through. All OF sudden he slammed the
book shut with an angry emphasis and
said he would dismiss his case rather than
read that blamed book any more.
Senator Stillwell went TO his home. in
Anderson. last night to remain the rest
of the week. He will enter upon the trial
of lawsuit in that city this morning.
The House committee on corporations is
about as hard working committee as
there is in either branch of the LegisIa-
ture. Chairman Edward s. Roberts. of
jefferson county Is an indefatigable work.
er and his experience as a member of the
House two years ago is of great value TO
him In the matter OF expediting legisla-
tive business. No bills that are referred
to this committee are held up. Mr.. Rob-
erts Is also a keen observer and keeps
pretty close track OF happenings on the
floor OF the House He frequently de-
livers speeches for and against measures
and has a straightforward. forcible style
OF diction and oratory that carries great
weight. Mr.. Roberts belongs 10 the class
Of men popularity termed "self-made." He
received much OF his education in the in
tervals between arduous duties on a farm
Later he took course in shorthand and
business training and became a proficient
court reporter. This was a natural step
ping stone to the law. and number OF
young attorneys have ambitions that lead
them into the halls OF the State Legisla-
ture.
Senator Kittinger borrowed a small por-
ton OF District Attorney Wishard's plug
Of chewing tobacco yesterday afternoon
and as he took the coveted morsel he re-
lated the following story: IT was trying
case over at Marion one time" he said,
and got into the habit Of begging chew