The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-01
THE sENATE's SESSIONS.
Substitute Primary Bill Is advanced
Valued Policy Bill Killed.

The substitute primary election bill which
was favorably reported by the Senate COM
mittee on elections was yesterday called
up on second reading and after being
amended was advanced TO engrossment.
The measure was called up by Senator Joss.
who moved a suspension OF the regular or
der OF business for the purpose of advance
ing the bill, and the previous question be-
ing moved In order TO shut off all debate
on the matter, the main question was imme-
diately put by President Gilbert. Before
the vote was taken Senator Brooks offered
an amendment extending the provisions Of
the bill o~ptionally to all the counties of the
State by vesting the authority TO adopt a
mode OF election In the county central COM
mittees. The amendment was adopted and
the bill was then engrossed by n viva voce
vote.
Senator Goodwlne's bill providing for the
sale Of certain real estate belonging TO the
State and situated I'm the city OF Indianap-
oils and for the relocation of certain state
Institutions was called-up for It's last read
Ing, but on motion was made a special or
def of business for 10 o'clock this morning.
The bill Introduce by Senator Ball TO ex-
empt the wages of certain employees from
attachment was efectually killed by hav-
ing It's further consideration Indefinitely
postponed.
Among the bills passed I'm the afternoon
was Senator Matson's jury bill. which pro-
vides for the selection of talesmen for
juries in Marion county. Senator Parks's
bin allowing county sup~erintendents to en-
ploy clerks Mt a salary not TO exceed $500
was passed after some discussion by a vote
of q TO Il.
VALUED POLICY BILL KILLED.
The valued policy bill was killed on it's
| passage in the Senate yesterday morning.
The measure. which had been engrossed.
was made n special order OF business for
10 a. m. and as soon as the Senate con-
vened Senator Corr offered a motion to
| strike out all OF Section l Of the bill, which
contained the e~nacting clause. The mo-
ton was made the subject of a lengthy de-
bate. but was finally carried by a vote of
- TO 10. Senator Wood, the author of the
| bill, changed his vote from no to aye on
the motion In order to move It's reconsldera-
ton. In support OF mis- motion to strike out
| Section 1 of the bill Senator Corr said he
thought the passage of the measure would
work Il grave injustice to insurance COM
panies. The insurance companies, he said,
agreed to pay the amount OF the loss and
that was ali that should be demanded OF
them.
Senator Parks was in favor OF the mo-
ton because he believed the passage of
the bill would tend 20 Increase insurance
rates, which. he declared, were high
enough. lie said he had taken occasion 10
look the matter up and in every state
where the valued policy law was I'm effect
the rates OF insurance had been very ma
terially increased. The object of insur-
ancc. he said, was 10 cover an actual loss
and was not designed FOR the purpose of
| putting a premium on crime.
WOODS CLAIM.
Senator Wood said that II the motion
prevailed Il would mean the death OF a bill
for which the whole state was clamorins.
The people demand. he said. that they re-
coive. I'm ease OF n loss, the amount OF
money on which the insurance companies
have go willingly received n premium. lie
was well aware. he said. that tho insur.
nnoe companies had prepared statistics m
pamphlet form showing that the valued
policy law had been q failure In the States
whore It had been tried, put he had Other
sources OF Information which showed con.
e~iusivcly that the law had been AN un'
qualified nuccefa,
senator Lawler declared that the bill, n
| passed. would Onrf an incentive Tor incen'
| diariam and ecoundreliHtn, and therefore ths
motion should prevail, He could see nc
reason, he said, why a person should pur'
chase insurance Tor more Than the value
OF the property insured, unless he had some
sinister motive In doing SO,
senator AgneW did not think the bill
would raise the rates Of insurance. and hs
had too much faith I'm the Integrity of the
~cltixena of Indiana 90 believe that tbs
valued policy law would prove an Incentive
Tor them 20 commit crime IN order 1,
obtain a few extra dollars IN insurane,
money.
senator Lambert and Senator Heller wer.
both against the motion 90 strike out IN,
onactlng clause OF the bill, The lattel
senator declared that the passage OF the
bin would make the insurance companies
more careful IN the selection OF theil
agents. Insurance agents, he declared
would insure property for almoSt ans
amount Of money and the companies wer,
always willing 20 accept premiums thereon
hut the payment OF q loss was quite a diff
fCrcnt question.
OTHER STATEMENTS.
Senator Crumbaker said he could not votl
for the bill unless certain provisions were
stricken out. Senator tnman maintaine,
that the passage OF the bill would brinl
insurance down 20 a good business propo
sition. The honest man. under the presen
system. he said. paid hin premium on I'm
surance FOR years. bat when his hous
burned down he was only allowed what ia,
4 Insurance c~ompany's inspector said tn
house was worth. Before he could procce,
further with his argument the time linn
had expired, and the senator from Davtess
PROTESTING that the time was too short II
which 10 speak on such an important meas
ure. was compelled TO take his seat Sen