The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-30
THE sENATE's SESSIONS.
Senator stiIlweIrs Resolution Ruled
Out of Order-ROutine Matters.

In accordance with his expressed inten-
tons Senator Stillwell yesterday introduced
in the Senate his resolution with reference
to the extradition of william S. Taylor
and Charles Finley, the Kentucky exiles,
who at present residing in the State
of Indiana. AS predicted in the Journal
few days ago, President Gilbert declared
the resolution out of order, and the desire
of the senator from Gibson to place the
majority members of the Senate on record
with reference to their attitude in the mat
ter was frustrated. The resolution was as
follows:
whereas, One William S. Taylor and one
Charles Finley are fugftives from justice
from the commonwealth Of Kentucky and
are to be found within the borders OF the
State of Indiana and are given protection
from the courts of their State; now, there
fore, be IL
Resolved. BY the Senate Of Indiana,
the House of Representatives concurring,
that should Governor Beckham, of Ken
lucky, offer to extradite said fugitives 1t
is the sense of this Legislature that 1t will
be the duty of the Governor of the State
of Indiana to honor said requisition."
In support of his ruling the president said
that it was not in the province of the Sem
ate to instruct the Governor as to his duty
I'm matters of the kind to which the resolu-
IlOn REFERRED, ana tnat ne ulQ not tnlnA
the time of the Senate should be taken up
with the discussion OF q resolution which
would have no efficacy even If 1t were
adopted. The time of the Senate" said
President Gilbert, has been too often ex-
pended in this chamber in the discussion
of subjects foreign to the business of the
Senate
STILLWELL PROTESTED.
Senator Stillwell protested against the
ruling of the chair, saying that there was
tacit understanding between members on
| both sides that the question should be de-
| bated on the floor Of the Senate. President
Gilbert replied that such an understanding
would not affect the ruling of the chair
and that IL Senator Stillwell so desired he
could appeal from his decision in the mat
ter Senator Stillwell demurred to the sug-
gestion of President Gilbert, but intimated
before he sat down that some OF the Re-
publican members were afraid to discuss
the matter. President Gilbert replied that
he took 1t for granted that no member OF
the Senate was afraid to stand for what he
thought was right, and the matter seemed
closed. when Senator Inman. the leader OF
the minority, rushed forward TO Senator
Stilwell's desk and held a brief conference
with him, which resulted In the latter TAX
ing an appeal from the decision of the
chair. The appeal was seconded by Sena-
tor Minor Oem). and on motion of Sena-
tor Inman the vote was taken by ayes and
noes. Each member of the majority pres
ent, with the exception of Senator Wood
voted TO sustain the ruling of the chair
and the appeal was lost by a vote of rs to
8. When Senator Woods name was called
he asked to be excused from voting. Il do
not wish 10 vote against the ruling of the
chair said he. but / sincerely believe
that IL Is in error. The right OF the people
to express their opinions on all matters
| of public interest Is one of the greatest
| privileges they have, and this seems a fit
| ting opportunity TO accord them their
rights by allowing their representatives to
| express themselves on the floor OF this Sem
| ate" The opinion expressed by Senator
| Wood was entertained oy most of the ma
| jority members OF the Senate, none of
! whom is averse TO going upon the floor in
! support of the attitude assumed by the
| late Governor Mount. President Gil
| bert fully appreciates the feeling of
| the majority members with regard to the
| matter and is perfectly willing that Sena-
| tor Stillwell shall introduce a resolution
| which will probably raise the subject for
| debate, but he will rule out OF order any
| resolution or motion which seeks TO in
| struct the Governor or any coordinate
| branch OF the State government as to its
| duties He suggested 10 Senator Stillwell
| that IL he would introduce a resolution
| providing that IL was the sense OF the Leg
| islature that Taylor and Finley should be
| surrendered. without attempting to bind
! tho executive OF the State, IL would be
| entertained, and In accordance with the
! suggestion Senator Stillwell and Senator
| lnnan Immediately prepared a resolu-
ton which they hoped to Introduce az the