The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-18

One of the more important OF the House
committee meetings held yesterday was
that of the committee on rights and prfvi-
leges. The committee considered but one
bill and decided TO recommend fits passage.
This was House bill No. a. introduced by
Mr.. Horsfield. who represents Owen and
Clay counties. The bill prohibits the sale
Of cigarettes In the State; also the sale OF
cigarette paper.
The committee on insurance held a meet
ing at noon and considered a TIN requiring
fire insurance companies TO pay the full
amount Of policies in case OF total loss.
The committee took no definites action.
Another joint meeting of the committee
on fees and salaries was held in the after
noon. Three bills were considered, but no
definite decision was reached The commit
tee went over the bills with the members OF
the fee and salary commission. One of the
bills considered was the one which concerns
the salaries Of judges while holding court
outside their own counties. Another OF the
bills gone over relates TO the pay of county
superintendent and county assessors. and
the third bill discussed was the one which
nxes the salary of justices the peace
10000 population. Some OF the committee
suggested that the bill should apply to
cities and towns Of over 5000.
The committee on elections met yester-
day afternoon and decided to take up the
Cooper-Skidmore election contest to-day
Immediately after the adjournment of the
House. This contest comes from Clinton
county Abraham Skidmore. a Democrat.
was elected over Arthur Cooper by two
votes. Cooper is contesting Skidmore's
election, claiming that five illegal votes
were cast for Skidmore. The latter claims
that about the same number OF illegal
votes were cast for Cooper. The attorneys
and witnesses have been notified to be on
hand to-day.
The committee talked further about the
primary election law which is soon TO be
reported favorably TO the House. All of
the members OF the committee have signed
the report except Mr. Cotner who repre-
sents Fulton and Cass counties. Mr.. Cot
ner, who is a member OF the minority says
he does not think he will sign the re-
port and he may bring in minority re-
port. He is not in favor Of primary cleo
ton law in the first place and does not
think the present one can be successful
There was some further discussion of the
bill TO punish both buying and selling OF
votes. which the committee has under con-
sideration. Morgan Caraway. of Hancock
county, author of the Caraway law, was
before the committee yesterday and urged
that no favorable reports be made on any
of the bills that interfere with the Cara
way law. This is the bill that provides
only for the punishment of the man who
sells his vote. The law is being tested
now in the Montgomery Circuit Court. IL
Is believed by many that IL would be i'm
possible to convict the buyer of votes
The judiciary committee met al 80 yes
terday afternoon and continued I'm session
until about o'clock. The committee de-
cided to recommend that House bill No.
o., liking the number and compensation
of justices Of the peace, be sent to the
committee on fees and salaries The bill
introduced by Mr.. Murphy to secure credit
ors who sell goods that are purchased
as the accessories of life and are not paid
for was examined, and the committee con-
cluded to recommend that IL be indefinitely
postponed. There will probably be two re-
ports on Mr.. Rogers's bill legalizing the
acts of certain notaries public. The ma
Jorfty will report against the bill, while
the minority report will be i'm favor of IL.